Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
King
Today was the day.
The day I’d finally hear my baby’s heartbeat and see him on the ultrasound screen.
Just thinking about it had my nerves wired tight all morning.
I had been hitting Layloni’s phone all day.
It was the first thing I did when I woke up, sometime around noon, and again later in the afternoon.
Every time I texted her, I tried to keep it simple so she wouldn’t feel like I was blowing her up.
Her responses were short though, one word responses maybe even two.
Either way it went, I didn’t like the dryness of her text responses, like she wasn’t feeling a nigga.
Every now and then she’d say something about the baby fluttering in her stomach, and every time she did my chest would tighten up in a way I couldn’t even explain. Like my heart was trying to wrap itself around something that wasn’t even here yet.
I asked her a few times if she wanted to grab dinner. Even offered to bring her something to eat. She declined and a polite way each time, ending that shit with a thank you. It was obvious that her stubborn ass was keeping me at arm’s length but still showing respect.
Besides all the bullshit and distance, she created, I couldn’t lie and act like I wasn’t excited about this doctor’s appointment today. I was also anxious to see her pretty ass too.
I had plans on surprising my mom later with news of becoming a grandmother. I also wanted to tell her that in two months she could have my house if she wanted it. I already had shit in motion to buy a bigger house. Something meant for a family. For me, Layloni… and our baby.
It had only been a couple days since I last saw her, but during that time my mind had been running nonstop. I didn’t battle hard with going to fuck other women. I was surprised that I hadn’t even entertained another woman. The only person that consumed my mind was Layloni and the baby.
Everything about her had me caught up, the way she talked, the way she carried herself, it all came from a genuine place.
She was a good woman. That I realized I was scared to lose.
I kept asking myself how long would Layloni wait for me to get my shit together…
Shit had me paranoid that she wouldn’t wait at all.
I pictured that bitch ass nigga Monty trying to get in where he fit in.
There was no way I was about to allow that nigga to play step dad to any seed of mine.
I thought about my father and wished I could rap with him one more time.
He taught me all the good shit about being a good man.
I thought about the way he treated my mom.
There was never a time when I caught mom’s crying about him cheating or even entertaining another woman.
Mom’s was too good of a woman for that kind of betrayal.
I couldn’t even remember a time my dad looked twice at another woman when we were out in public.
Thinking about that made me realize something.
Layloni would be worth that type of loyalty.
She had beauty, brains, and cared about people.
Most of the time she put others before herself.
There really wasn’t a selfish bone in her body to keep it real.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized my attraction to her had never really been just about sex.
It was deeper than that. It’s why I already put shit in motion to do right by her and step to her like a real man should without baggage, drama, or bullshit.
When I pulled up to the doctor’s office, I sat in the car for a second and took a deep breath. My nerves were jumping. I popped a piece of gum in my mouth and stepped out.
Her car was already parked outside. Layloni was punctual as hell. I walked inside and scanned the waiting room until my eyes landed on her. She was sitting there texting, smiling down at her phone.
My eyebrows pulled together immediately. It had to be that nigga Monty. That was the first name that popped in my head. That shit rubbed me the wrong way instantly. I told myself I’d deal with him later though. Right now, this moment was about my child, not jealousy.
Layloni looked up and spotted me. Her face lit up with surprise.
“You came!” She squealed out in excitement.
She stood and walked quickly to stand on her tip toes and hug me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close, squeezing her soft body against mine. She smelled good as hell like something light and sweet.
She was wearing a yellow summer dress that stopped mid-thigh, and the material hugged her curves perfectly. When my hand slid lower, she pulled away quickly and shot me a warning look.
“Of course I came,” I said. “That’s my baby too.”
She blushed, grabbed my hand and guided me towards the sitting area. I casually draped my arm around her shoulders, when my hand wandered again she slapped it away.
“King,” she said firmly. “Don’t start that. We already talked about this.”
I chuckled since she was still trying to push that friendship boundary.When in my mind she was already mines. A nigga already had shit in motion for her to go along with and accept. Before I could respond, the nurse called her name and we headed back.
When that ultrasound machine flickered to life and I heard my baby’s heartbeat for the first time… My chest got tight, that shit was a slap of reality. I sat staring at the screen, feeling something shift deep inside me. Pride swelled up in my chest in a way I had never felt before.
Right then nothing else mattered, not the streets, money nor hoes.
Just Layloni and the tiny heartbeat that sounded off from her stomach.
While the doctor talked to her, I pulled my phone out and started Googling romantic ideas.
I felt stupid doing it, but I wanted to do something nice for her tonight.
Layloni got up to use the restroom, leaving her phone on the counter.
It buzzed almost immediately. I stared at it for a second before grabbing it.
Just this one time is what I told myself before glancing down at it.
Going through a woman’s phone was some hoe shit.
I never in a million years thought I’d get this desperate.
Just as I started to talk myself out of going through her shit, a text message from Monty popped up.
He was asking her how her appointment went then asked if I showed up.
My jaw tightened. I resisted the urge to reply like some jealous female.
Instead I opened the contact and quickly snapped a picture of his number.
When her phone buzzed again, another message popped up.He asked if he could bring her dinner tonight.
That was the moment my blood started boiling.
I had been asking her for days to bring food just so I could spend time with her.
Now this nigga was asking and I already assumed that when Layloni saw his messages the answer would be yes.
Nah, this shit was ending today.
I texted his number to Rellianah with a payment and told her I needed a location within two hours. Her response came back quick. With laughing emojis, and a text that read… Stalking ass nigga.
After I made sure Layloni got home safe and had food, I sat in my car for a minute with the engine running, staring out at nothing. My mind was moving fast, too fast.
Jealousy wasn’t something I was used to feeling. It was the way Layloni smiled down at that phone that remained stuck in the forefront of my mind.
Monty.
That name kept echoing in my head like my favorite rap song on repeat. That nigga kept texting my woman like he had a place in her life. Like he belonged there. Nigga was acting like I was a pussy ass nigga, allowing his bitch ass a spot in her life.
I shook my head and pulled my phone out.
“Yeah,” I muttered to myself. “We gone fix this tonight.”
I texted Hussle and told him to get ready. Then I started my car and pulled off toward his place.
When I pulled up outside his house, Hussle was already stepping out the front door like he knew I was coming. Same as always, this nigga looked like he had just rolled out the bed ready for whatever.
He had on baggy jeans with a Versace white tee that matched his Versace belt. Hussle was iced with his chains, rings and watch. He pulled a blunt from behind his ear and sparked it before opening my car door.
Soon as he got in the car he rubbed his hands together like Birdman and grinned.
“What niggas getting into tonight, cuzzo?” he asked. “You know I can’t chase no females with you, but a nigga always down for the turn up.”
Hussle passed me his blunt, I exhaled smoke slowly before answering.
“Nah,” I said calmly. “This ain’t no turn up.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m about to handle some personal business.” I stated, clenching my jaw.
He leaned back in the seat, studying my face for a second.
“Personal business?” he repeated. “What kinda business?”
I glanced over at him.
“The kinda business where I gotta remind a nigga to stay in his lane.”
That made Hussle sit up a straight.
“Ahhh,” he said, nodding slowly. “So, this about a female.”
I didn’t answer right away, instead I asked him…
“You strapped?”
He looked at me like I had just asked the dumbest question in the world.
“Nigga… what kinda question is that?” he said. “You shoulda told me we were running down on somebody. Got me out here smelling good in Versace and shit.”
He brushed imaginary dust off his shirt like he was offended. I smirked slightly.
“You ain’t gotta get dirty,” I told him. “Just watch my back.”
Hussle shrugged.
“Say less.”
Soon as the words left his mouth, I received a text from Rellianah. It was Monty’s address along with her sending dollar emojis. I put his address in my Gps and sped off from in front of Hussle’s house.
Neither of us spoke during the drive after that. The music filled the car while my mind replayed the image of Layloni smiling at her phone. When we finally pulled up to the quiet neighborhood, Hussle looked around slowly.
“This that niggas house?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I stepped out the car and adjusted my waistband, making sure my pistol sat right against my hip.
Hussle shook his head.
“Nigga…” he muttered under his breath, following closely behind me.
I walked straight up to his front door and knocked using the butt of my gun. Hussle stepped close behind me.
“Nigga, you trippin,” he whispered. “In broad daylight too?”
I ignored him. I didn’t give a fuck who saw, maybe they could remind this nigga not to fuck with my woman.
The door swung open a few seconds later. Monty answered looking like the bitch ass nigga he was. He even had the audacity to smirk like he had no idea what kind of energy was standing on his porch.
Before he opened his mouth, I cracked him in the jaw with my gun. His body dropped instantly along with two of his front teeth flying out his mouth. He screamed, clutching his mouth while blood poured between his fingers.
Hussle stepped inside and shut the door behind us. He looked down at his shirt scoffed hard when he saw some of Monty’s blood.
“Damn, cuz,” he said calmly. “You got blood on my Versace.”
Monty was crying like a little bitch. I stood over him, staring down at his pathetic ass.
“You know why I’m here,” I said coldly.
He nodded quickly, shaking.
“Please, man—”
My boot slammed into his stomach before he could finish. The air rushed out his lungs in a painful gasp.
“Nigga shut up,” I snapped. “You texting my woman like you lost your damn mind.”
Blood ran down his chin as he tried to speak through his busted mouth.
“I swear I’ll leave her alone,” he said desperately. “She just needed someone there for her… she’s grieving… she didn’t know if you were gonna be around for the baby.”
That sentence alone made my jaw tighten. I crouched down in front of him slowly.
“That’s my woman,” I said quietly. “And that’s my baby in her stomach.” I slapped him across the face multiple times each hit echoed in the room.
Tears streamed down his face while blood dripped onto the floor. Then a smell hit my nose. I glanced down and saw the front of his pants soaked. He let out a rumble of farts, shutting his eyes tightly while whispering out a prayer.
Hussle burst out laughing behind me.
“Man, leave this square alone,” he said between laughs. “Nigga done pissed himself, now he farting getting ready to shit himself. Message delivered.”
I ignored him. I leaned closer to Monty.
“If you ever text her again,” I said quietly, “I won’t start with you.”
His eyes widened.
“I’ll start with your mama… your little brother… whoever you love the most.”
He nodded frantically.
“I understand,” he whispered.
I stood up slowly. Then pointed the gun at him one last time.
“Remember what I said.” I warned one final time.
Hussle and I walked out the house.
As soon as we got back in the car, Hussle started laughing so hard he nearly choked on his blunt.
“Nigga,” he said between laughs, “you made me leave the house for some love-sick bullshit.”
I started the car. He shook his head, still laughing.
“King,” he said, pointing at me. “You sprung.”
I smirked never denying that shit. Hearing my son’s heartbeat today sealed my fate.