Chapter 3 #2
Yep, this is cute. I lightly beat my face and painted my lips nude. Thank God I wrapped my hair up last night. I combed out my bob. My bob is bobbing. I sprayed myself with Burberry perfume. I opened my jewelry box. I grabbed my diamond necklace and bracelet. I flooded my neck and wrist with ice.
Chauncey always iced me the fuck out. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before heading out. If I’m stepping back into this life, I’m doing it on my terms.
I caught my reflection in the mirror. I’m not the woman who left. Whatever waits for me back home? It’s going to have to meet this version of me.
The flight back to Teflon Hills was faster than I wanted. Too fast. I sat back in the jet’s leather seat, staring at nothing, wishing Dallas would stretch just a little longer.
Part of me wanted to run again—jump in my car, disappear, pretend this call had never happened. But my heart wouldn’t let me. It kept tugging, insisting I stay and face whatever unfinished business Chauncey and I still had.
If any.
We haven’t spoken in over a year. Not a real conversation. Not the kind that matters.
As soon as I stepped onto the jet, the weight hit me all at once. I don’t want to know what it’s like to lose Chauncey. I don’t. Our good days outweighed the bad—that’s the truth—but the bad days cost me too much.
I wanted to fix us. God knows I tried. But Chauncey showed me more than once he wasn’t willing to put in the work.
So, what was I really coming back for?
As soon as I arrived at the Baptiste International Airport, the city greeted me as it had never let me go. Simmy had a black Escalade waiting for me.
I’m not the least bit surprised that Simmy and Chauncey are still making boss moves. I grabbed my duffel bag from the empty seat beside me and stepped off the jet. It feels like I’m getting back in the mix again.
The only thing I’m missing is a burner. I’m a little on edge. I walked toward the black Escalade; my former driver, Curtis, was waiting for me. Curtis pulled me in for a hug. Curtis was always like family to Chauncey and me.
“Hey, Rhy, it’s been a minute. It’s good to see you.”
“Hey, Curtis, how you been?”
“I’ve been good; I can’t complain. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Thanks, Curtis. It’s good seeing you.”
Curtis opened the back door for me, and that’s when I saw her. My eyes fell on my favorite girl in the world. My cousin Bianca. Champagne flute in hand, legs crossed, face set as if she’s been waiting to cuss me out since I touched down.
A tear slipped down my cheek fast before I could stop it. Damn—I just did my makeup. Gosh, I missed her.
Bianca’s still fine. Brown skin glowing, jet-black hair pressed to perfection, Dior dripping off her, judging by the ice around her neck and wrist. Simmy’s bag never got light.
Bianca’s momma and my momma are sisters. Bianca looked at me and rolled her big-ass eyes.
It’s late, and I don’t want to deal with this shit with Bianca right now, but I will. I pulled Bianca in for a hug. I don’t care whether she wanted one or not.
She was getting one tonight. It is what it is. I know she’s mad at me, but I have my reasons for not staying connected with Bianca. It has nothing to do with her and everything to do with me. Bianca started smacking her teeth loudly as fuck.
“Bianca, don’t be like that. I missed you.”
“I cannot fucking tell she snaps. “I thought we were better than this.”
“We are,” I say. “So, act like it.”
She scoffs. “I just find it odd that Simmy knows how to fucking reach you, but I don’t.”
I knew this was coming. Ain’t no way around it. Simmy and Chauncey are best friends, but Simmy is the brother I never had. I trust Simmy with my life.
I told Simmy I was leaving Chauncey, and he told me to do what’s best for me. I did. Of course, he didn’t want me to leave his nigga, but I had to. I know if Simmy reached out to me, it must be serious.
“Cousin—”
“Don’t cousin me,” she says, laughing despite herself. “How does that even make sense, Rhy? I’m your cousin; Simmy would rat you out to Chauncey faster than I would.”
Bianca bursts out laughing.
I laugh too, since we both know that’s a fucking lie.
Shit, it’s been over a year, and Simmy’s been letting me be great.
I haven’t had any problems or pop-ups from Chauncey.
Bianca, on the other hand, has sold me out to Chauncey more times than I can fucking count.
I knew I could trust Simmy because if he had ratted me out to Chauncey, I would’ve been home months ago.
“Nah, yo ass has been ratting me out to that nigga for years. So, I wasn’t taking any chances this time.”
I love my cousin to death, but she’s a fan of Chauncey’s. I was team that nigga, too, but Chauncey wouldn’t do right by me. He wouldn’t. So, I had to stand on business this time and leave his ass.
Chauncey is a rich-ass nigga, and he can have any bitch he wants; that’s our problem, the bitches. But Chauncey chose me, and I chose him. We’ve got real issues that only Chauncey can fix. He wasn’t willing to fix them, so I left his ass.
“True, but I love you and Chauncey together, Rhy.”
“I know Bianca, which is why I didn’t tell yo ass I was leaving. I just did it because I knew you would talk me out of it.”
Curtis pulls off the runway.
“I would’ve told on yo ass.”
“Tell me some shit I don’t know.”
She sighs. “I understand why you did it.”
“About time.”
“I hate to say it, but some niggas don’t miss a good thing until she’s gone.”
I have a lot to offer any man that I decide to deal with. I wanted Chauncey for him and not his money.
“They don’t, and I hate to say it, but Chauncey will fuck around and be one of those niggas.”
“Rhy… I’ve been on Chauncey’s head about getting his shit together. But I’m glad you came back home to check on your husband. I won’t lie; I was excited and mad at the same time when Simmy told me to meet you here.”
“Bianca, I saw the look on your damn face.”
The city lights pass by outside the window.
“My number hasn’t changed, Rhy. We’ve always been close.
I feel like you could’ve reached out to me just to let me know you’re okay.
A lot has been going on since you’ve been away.
Honestly, I’m scared. I heard Chauncey got hit up badly, and Simmy won’t be cool until he addresses the niggas who did this.
The streets aren’t safe, but I want my husband to be safe and make it back home to me. ”
Simmy and Chauncey are some ruthless ass street niggas without being provoked, so I’m sure Simmy is about to start pressing a few niggas, behind Chauncey getting popped.
“I’m sorry.”
“I forgive yo, sorry ass. So, what’s been going on? We got plenty of time to catch up before we pull up at Teflon Hills Memorial Hospital and shut shit down.”
I give Bianca the rundown of everything that’s been going on this past year.
“I’m glad you finally put your nursing degree to use.”
Chauncey never wanted me to work. Honestly, it feels great to finally do something I’ve always wanted to do.
“Shit, me too. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to tell my job.”
“Shit, tell them the truth.”
“True, hopefully I won’t be here long.”
“Bitch, you must have a nigga in Texas.”
I beam proudly, showing all twenty-eight of my teeth.
“I’m dealing with someone he knows. I’m married but currently separated, and I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”
“Bitch, I knew it. Please tell me you haven’t fucked this nigga, Rhy?”
I don’t know why Bianca is asking questions she already knows the answers to.
“I fucked him more than a few times.”
Bianca’s mouth dropped. I politely picked up got damn her chin. Yep, I tried some new meat. I’m lowkey addicted, but I won’t allow myself to be. I haven’t met a nigga, yet who can fuck me like Chauncey, or should I say I won’t let him fuck me like Chauncey.
“I swear, when Chauncey wakes up, he finna kill something.”
“Chauncey’s good. I’m sure he’s fucking a few bitches...”
“Rhy…”
Bianca looks at me and rolls her eyes. Let’s not fucking pretend this nigga ain’t out here slanging pipe.
“I’m just saying.”
Bianca knows I’m not lying. I know Chauncey, so I’m not surprised if he’s dealing with someone else. Shit, why would he stop now? Chauncey was fucking with a bitch before I left. It’s hard to teach an old hoe new tricks. I didn’t come back here to teach him anything.
Bianca and I finished talking on our way to the hospital.
But yes, I met a grown-ass man in Texas, and I’m feeling this nigga.
He knows my situation, and when I decide I want to be in a relationship, it’ll be with him.
This nigga I met, he’s a different breed.
I love Chauncey, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like if I circle back, I will miss out on this nigga because he’s offering a whole fucking lot.
It took Curtis over an hour to get from the landing strip to Teflon Hills Memorial Hospital.
I would have preferred it had taken longer, but this cannot wait.
The closer we got, the heavier my chest felt.
I won’t lie; I’m dreading stepping foot inside the emergency room because I’m not sure what I’m about to walk into.
I know it’s some bullshit lying ahead of me.
I can feel it in my bones. Still—there’s no turning back now.
Despite the bullshit that Chauncey and I got going on, my name holds weight with this nigga, and every bitch he’s ever dealt with knows it.
Curtis pulls up to the emergency entrance, and Bianca and I step out. The moment I walk inside, heads turn.
All of them.
Chauncey brought the whole fucking hood out.
There are a few bitches sitting in this waiting room right now who have dealings with Chauncey.
I clock the room, quick hoes sitting too close together, arms folded, eyes sharp.
I can feel it, and I can’t miss the dirty looks from these hoes.
I swear, it’s always something with this nigga.
I straighten my shoulders. I’m glad I dressed for the occasion.
“Rhyan, baby—is that you?”