Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
RHYAN
All this shit could’ve been avoided if this bitch had never entered my personal space. It’s boundaries. I know she fucks with Chauncey, but she’s not about to fuck with him in my presence. I need to meet with my therapist ASAP because one minute I care and the next I don’t give a fuck.
It’s taking everything in me not to say, “Fuck this shit.” I really want to catch a flight back to Dallas, book a private masseuse, relax in my condominium, and soak in the tub.
Shit, I need a facial and mani-pedi, the whole fucking nine. Being back home is disturbing my peace. It shouldn’t be like this. I’m at a point in my life where I appreciate the simple things. I need a self-care day badly.
I have too much to lose, and unfortunately, Chauncey is one of them. I’m out of my element, and home doesn’t feel like home right now. I need to get away from all this shit because I’m crashing out.
I dreaded coming back here for plenty of reasons, and the shit that happened earlier only added fuel to the fire. I cannot wait until Chauncey wakes his friendly dick-ass up. Two bitches in the same week is crazy work, even for him. I should have had an STD test run on him.
Simmy and Bianca walked into Chauncey’s room with three of Chauncey’s security guards. Bianca looked at me, smiling. I assumed she had filled Simmy in on what happened earlier.
“I see you still can’t keep your hands to yourself.” Simmy chuckled.
“Simmy, don’t start with me. B, get yo husband.”
Bianca burst out laughing.
“Aye, I don’t want any smoke, Leila Ali.”
“I’m tired of the smoke.”
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I brought Chauncey’s security guards up here to protect this nigga’s life. I want you to take a few days off, Rhy.”
“Thank you.”
“He’s in good hands with them. Besides Mrs. Lynn, my OG will also take turns looking after him.”
“Simmy, I’m heading back to Dallas for a few days. I need to reset.”
Simmy and B both looked at me, pleading with me not to leave. It’s not easy being here; so much has changed in a year.
I feel foolish as fuck coming back here, acting like a wife to a nigga who doesn’t give a fuck about the vows we made before God. Excuse my language, but he doesn’t. Honestly, I don’t have any hope for us.
“Come on, Rhy, don’t leave the city. I’m asking you personally. Please don’t leave without making sure my nigga makes it out of this shit. It’s been a week, and he still hasn’t woken up. Go back to y’all’s crib and relax.”
Despite Chauncey still being in a coma, his vital signs look great. He should wake up soon; he’s tired and getting some much-needed rest. Simmy tossed me the keys to one of Chauncey’s Range Rovers.
“Simmy, I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to go back there.”
“Go home, Rhy.”
“There’s no telling who Chauncey has had there.
All of this is a lot for me, and the disrespect is at an all-time high.
I know I left this nigga, but these bitches are coming at me left and right, and I’m sick of defending my spot for what?
It’s clear our marriage means nothing to Chauncey or them. ”
“If Chauncey had been standing on business, the way he should have, these bitches would know not to step to me. I’m so tired of checking these bitches because Chauncey does not set boundaries.
I shouldn’t have answered my phone when you called.
I know part of my vows was in sickness and health, but at what cost? ”
Silence.
“I hear you, Rhy.”
Bianca looks at me, rolls her big-ass eyes, and shakes her head.
I don’t mean to take my anger out on Simmy, but shit, I’m giving him my truth.
I’m hurting because a huge part of me still loves Chauncey with everything I have, and I’m still fighting for my place in his life, while Chauncey has not fought for his place in mine.
“Aye, Simmy, I’m sorry for lashing out at you. You shouldn’t be on the receiving end of my wrath. Chauncey should, but I don’t think he’s worthy of a conversation.”
“Aye, Rhy, you’re always good in my book.”
“Thank you.”
“I get it. I’m the one who made that call. I wanted you to come back for Chauncey, not to endure any of this shit. Chauncey is a lot of things, but he will never bring another woman into the place you two call home. I can stand on ten toes on that; he has not stayed there since you left.”
“The home y’all shared will always be a safe space for you. I’m not a spiritual nigga, Rhy; you know the life we live isn’t guaranteed, but I’m praying for this nigga right now. Chauncey has got to come back from this shit; I’m praying that Chauncey makes every wrong right with you.
I don’t ask God for much, but I’ve been asking him for this every day. If God decides to keep Chauncey in the land of the living, I’mma live my life through God and not the streets.”
Real niggas do real things. I had to wipe my eyes because I felt everything that Simmy just said.
“Simmy, why are you trying to make me cry?”
“I ain’t trying to, Rhy. I’m just saying.”
“Gangsters don’t cry, Simmy.”
“Shit, they do, Rhy. It ain’t much that can break a nigga, but an attempt on Chauncey’s life is one of them.”
“I appreciate you, Simmy and B, too, more than you will ever know. Chauncey is so lucky to have a friend like you. I hope this nigga gets his shit together; he has everyone here teary-eyed tonight.”
“He will…”
“I hope so. I’m staying at my momma’s house tonight. I’m not ready to go back to our house.”
The home Chauncey and I shared will bring back too many memories for me. I cannot bear to face that alone. I just cannot right now.
“Go home, Rhy, to the home Chauncey built for you.”
It’s easier said than done. I have trust issues that only Chauncey can address. If Chauncey brings anyone to our home, I will fucking lose it.
“I will, Simmy, but not tonight. I need to see my momma.”
Simmy and Bianca nodded in agreement. I haven’t seen my momma since I’ve been here. It’s been a week. I know she’s going to let me have it when we do see each other.
Bianca rode with me to my mom’s house. No words were exchanged between Bianca and me on the ride over. I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind. Rod Wave was blaring through the speakers.
My momma’s house isn’t that far from the hospital. Chauncey’s Range Rover smells just like him. God, it’s been a minute since I last smelled him. Chauncey is a real boss-ass nigga; he has his own cologne.
I promise, if the hustler in him decided to sell this shit right here, Chauncey would be a got damn trillionaire. He doesn’t want anybody smelling like him. Bianca turns down the music and clears her throat. It’s way too late, and I don’t have time for Bianca’s shit. I’m not in the mood.
“Rhy, she says, side-eyeing me. “You know I was finna beat yo ass for talking crazy to my husband.”
“I know,” I say with a slight grin. “That’s why I apologized. I’m currently 7-0 against these hoes. I didn’t want to add my precious B to the hit list.”
Bianca and I both burst out laughing.
“Bitch, if we had come to blows,” Bianca says, shaking her head. “I guarantee Chauncey would have woken his ass up. I would have beaten his precious Rhyan’s ass. It’s not a bitch breathing who can say she cursed my husband out and is living to talk about it, but yo ass.”
I smirk.
I’m sure Chauncey is dying to wake up, especially after his little bitch and I got to rumbling this afternoon.
“Probably so.”
Bianca grows a bit more serious.
“Simmy really wants y’all to get y’all’s shit right.”
“I know,” I sigh. “At least someone has hope for us.”
“It takes two, Rhy,” she says gently. “But it’s time.”
I hear Bianca, but I gave up hope today.
Chauncey’s track record is beyond reckless.
The whole time I was away, I won’t lie, I longed for Chauncey.
I missed everything about this nigga. I really expected Chauncey to run after me, but he never did.
Chauncey was too busy chasing pussy that wasn’t mine.
“It does, B, but given everything that’s happened so far, I’m not sure Chauncey even wants this.”
“Ask Chauncey what he wants, Rhy; don’t assume.”
It’s hard as fuck not to assume. I know Chauncey, and I will have to talk to him sooner or later. Actions speak louder than words. Chauncey’s actions are saying a whole fucking lot right now.
“I will.”
“I hope so. I knew Simmy was in his bag about them niggas getting the drop on Chauncey, but he has never openly expressed how he really feels.
Oh my gosh, this shit is taking a major toll on him. Despite this, Simmy has continued to work hard to meet my needs. I need Chauncey to pull through, because if he does not, I can see Simmy crashing out.”
Simmy is a real-ass nigga. If somebody else had called me, other than him, I wouldn’t have come, real shit.
Bianca and I finished our much-needed conversation. Simmy trailed behind us to make sure I got here safely and, of course, to pick up his wife. I cannot wait to see my momma, though. I haven’t seen her since I’ve been here.
I really expected Chauncey to be awake by now.
It’s still a waiting game for him. Bianca and Simmy pulled off.
Before I could open the door to my momma’s house, my momma swung her door open; she had the biggest smile on her face.
Hold up, wait a damn minute. It looks like my momma is about to step out for the evening.
My daddy is finna show out. They separated a few years ago, but my daddy won’t give her a divorce, even if she asks for one.
“Hey, Rhyan, I see you finally made it home.”
My momma pulled me in for a hug; she smells so good. I needed that hug from her.
“Hey, Ma, are you going somewhere?”
My momma put that shit on. She’s one of Teflon Hills’ finest. She was, and she still is, that girl.
She gives me a look.
“Yes, I was. I didn’t get dolled up just to sit on the couch all night.”
I knew it. Damn, my momma is dressed to the nines. I definitely got my swag from her.
“Ma, you look cute. I will be here when you get back.”