Chapter 18
“I’m so mad I can’t go to the party tonight.
Essex has my ass on lockdown, and I’m tired of his shit.
He acts more like a parent than my man sometimes.
” I huffed into the phone. East had been on my ass about doing my hosting gigs since we found out I was pregnant.
I personally didn’t think it was that big of a deal since I wasn’t showing yet.
It wasn’t like I was gonna be in there drinking and smoking.
He wasn’t trying to hear any of it, though.
“As much as I hate to say it, friend, he isn’t wrong. At the end of the day, he’s trying to protect his baby. I think he should at least let you come to the pool party next week, though. It’s about to be one of the biggest parties of the year,” Summyah voiced.
“Oh, I’m not missing the pool party bash.
Honestly, the only reason I’m even agreeing to his terms about the club is because I plan to go to that party.
I respect his opinion, but he isn’t about to sit me down for the whole summer.
I deserve to have some fun,” I whined. East didn’t understand why I liked to be outside so much, because he hated going out.
I tried to explain to him that I was still young and exploring life, but for some reason, he equated that to me wanting to be in another nigga’s face.
“Period. Okay, we can go shopping for bathing suits this weekend because it’s about to be a fucking movie, and we need to look our best. I asked Valor if she was going, but she said she didn’t know yet. I think she’s still upset because Logic curved her.”
I couldn’t bring myself to feel bad for her, because I told her he was a hoe, and he didn’t do relationships. Valor fucked Logic the first night they exchanged numbers and thought she would be able to change his mind.
“Yeah, I see she’s still beefing with his harem of hoes. Logic doesn’t care about shit like that,” I expressed as I admired my body in the mirror. I was very early in my pregnancy, so I wasn’t showing yet.
“You aren’t lying. They are all fighting over that nigga; meanwhile, he’s still adding bitches to his roster.
How embarrassing. Well, either way, we’re in that bitch.
Lil’ Maj is gonna be performing along with Rule, D-Roc, and Solo.
I will be showing my ass the whole night.
” Summyah squealed. I loved D-Roc with his fine ass, and I was looking forward to the performances.
“Facts. They’ve been promoting the event like crazy, and it’s about to be packed. Plus, they made it a 90s theme, which the bitches are about to show out with these outfits. Juju said they are gonna be hosting a best dressed contest and a twerk contest too.”
I loved to put that shit on, but I wasn’t even going to do too much in case a picture got posted. The last thing I needed was for my man to show his ass behind a bathing suit.
My phone beeped, and I was sure it was probably my brother.
I was supposed to be meeting him at the studio.
He claimed he wanted to give me some money, but I knew that wasn’t the only reason.
Since he got out, Keynauri would not stay out of my business.
He wanted to know what my five-year plan was and what kind of men I was entertaining.
It drove me crazy, but at the same time, I missed having him around to get on my nerves.
We were supposed to tell him about us after my first doctor’s appointment, but it was pushed back due to East’s schedule.
He had been traveling more lately and conducting business with some very important people.
Of course, I wasn’t tripping about having to reschedule because I still wasn’t ready to tell Keynauri the truth.
My brother had only been home for a short time, and I wasn’t in a hurry to add more shit to his plate when he was adjusting to life in the free world.
Since Keynauri had been released from prison, he was being pulled in so many different directions.
I wanted Keynauri to enjoy his freedom without worrying about anything.
“I’ma call you back, bestie. My worrisome brother is blowing my phone up.” I huffed into the phone.
“Tell that fine-ass man I said, hey. I might have a nigga, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have friends.” Summyah snickered.
“Girl, bye. You must want that man to go upside your head. Then I’ma get in trouble for helping you jump him. Naw, you stay right where you are. Besides, Keynauri is fresh out of prison. I’m sure he’s enjoying the hoe lifestyle and isn’t looking to settle down with anyone.”
“You might be on to something. This fool has been trying his hardest to get me pregnant, and I’ve been popping these birth control pills like Tic-Tacs. Anyway, I’ll talk to you later. Love you, boo.”
“Love you too, My.”
As soon as I disconnected, Keynauri was calling me right back.
“I think I liked it better when you could only call me on a schedule, damn.”
“Yeah, you and I both know you don’t feel that way. What’s good with you, L-Boogie? I wanted to make sure you hadn’t forgotten about coming to the studio today.”
I smirked at the excitement in his voice.
Keynauri practically lived in the studio since being home.
It made me happy to see him smiling and passionate about his craft.
He was finally getting ready to perform live in a few months, and I couldn’t be happier.
He chose to keep his identity hidden due to him being locked up, so his fans were going to see his face for the first time.
I already knew the show was gonna be epic, and I planned to be right there to cheer him on.
“I’m getting dressed now. I should be there in the next hour.”
“Where is my Noodle at?”
Keynauri was just as obsessed with my little girl as Logic.
East was worse than both of them, though.
Keyz called me on video chat just so he could see her face and say goodnight prayers with her.
She had all of the men in our lives wrapped around her finger, and she had no idea the kind of power she held.
“I told you she officially started pre-school. She’ll be there for half the day, and then Granny Nessa is picking her up.”
“Damn, it seems like every time I ask about her, she’s with East’s people. Do you ever have her?” Keynauri griped. I could have gotten offended, but I knew he was only speaking out of jealousy.
“We had this conversation already. You must have forgotten that I’m not just a mother. I’m a social media influencer with multiple platforms, a brand ambassador, and I host at clubs almost every weekend. Granny and Aunt Pam have been a godsend to me, and I’m grateful for everything they do for me.”
“Whatever. I plan on picking up Keyami, and I’m getting Noodle too. I need to spend some time with my girls before life gets even more hectic for me.”
“I hear you, mister superstar. Let me get off this phone so I can finish getting ready. Do you need me to pick up anything for you on my way?” I asked, knowing I planned to stop by the gas station to grab some snacks.
The baby had my appetite going out of control, and I craved hot chips and pickles.
“Naw, I’m good. Just hurry up and get here. I want to play a couple of songs for you to get your thoughts on them.”
“I got you, brudder. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It took me twenty-five minutes to get to the studio after I stopped to get my snacks.
Anytime I went anywhere, the men were relentless when it came to trying to holler at me, so I wasn’t shocked when a few old niggas tried to approach me.
One of them offered to pay for my gas, and I let him.
I wasn’t turning down free gas in this economy.
When I pulled up to the studio, I sent Keynauri a message to let him know I was outside. Within a few seconds, he sauntered out of the building before heading in my direction. My smile grew wider as he got closer.
“What’s up, Boogie?”
He wrapped his arms around me as I melted into his embrace. I would never get tired of his hugs, because there were so many days that I wished he was around to hold me and tell me everything would be okay.
“Hey, brudder. You in here creating your next panty-dropping hit?” I teased, nudging him in the side.
“Hell naw. I have enough of that shit. I’m trying something new.”
I looked around, taking in the scenery as we stepped inside the building. When I walked into the studio, I greeted the few men who were inside. I didn’t have to guess whether or not my brother had told them I was off limits, because they barely took a second look at me after they spoke.
I had met his producer, Spinz, and he seemed like a cool dude.
I knew his baby mama from IG, and she was a bad bitch.
She did wig reviews and a bunch of other content.
We were mutuals, but she was older than me.
I always admired how she carried herself online as well as in person.
A lot of these bitches with rich baby daddies made them their entire personality, but not her.
The only time she ever posted or mentioned him was when they were spending time together with their kids or on his birthday.
You could tell they had a good friendship, even though they weren’t together.
“What’s up, little one? How you been?” Spinz greeted me.
“I wish you would stop calling me that. I’m grown as hell.” I scoffed, pretending to be offended.
“You’ll always be little to me. I still remember the way you and your cousin used to hustle those niggas out of their money at the corner store.”
“Hey, I can’t help it if they were generous.” I smirked, recalling those memories myself.