Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
AISHA
My feelings are all over the place. I’m stressed the hell out. My hair is falling out, and this uneasy feeling in my chest won’t go away. I just can’t deal with this shit.
I thought this situation involving Chauncey would’ve been handled days ago, but it’s been almost two weeks. That delay has me worried, because it feels like something bigger is holding things up and putting us at risk.
Throughout the entire time I’ve known Coop, Chauncey, True, and Simmy, they’ve never taken this long to settle business on the streets.
This time feels different.
Shootouts and beef with other crews aren’t new to them. That’s part of the life they live. But the fact that they still haven’t reached the niggas who ordered the hit? That tells me this is bigger than a usual street war.
That’s strange as fuck.
That tells me whoever set Chauncey up had been planning this for a long time.
Months, maybe.
I remember Coop calling me about Chauncey as if it happened yesterday.
His voice was trembling.
Coop blamed himself for failing to reach Chauncey in time. The guilt tore him up, leaving him disorganized, angry… unstable. That guilt makes me worry even more about what he might do next.
When I saw the footage of Chauncey’s Range Rover on the news, I thought he was dead.
Anyone watching that wreckage would’ve thought the same thing. The vehicle looked like it had been through a war. Bullet holes everywhere.
I had to stop watching the news to keep my sanity.
Yet somehow Chauncey survived.
He’s still here.
Still breathing.
For the past week, Coop has been punishing himself for not being there to return fire. I’ve watched him toss and turn next to me every night.
Coop talks in his sleep sometimes.
About the hit.
About revenge.
So, I know this situation is deeper than anyone is saying, and I don’t know who’s safe anymore. I believe God doesn’t make mistakes, but I’d lose my mind if something happened to Coop, too.
All of them weren’t supposed to be with Chauncey that afternoon. Things just unfolded the way they did.
Now I’m terrified.
Some nights I stay awake just listening for my phone, scared it’ll ring with Coop on the other end… calling from the streets. Lately, though, he’s been coming home at decent hours.
But he leaves before the sun rises, slipping out of bed while I’m still asleep.
The streets don’t play fair.
And I don’t know what’s waiting out there for my man. I’ll be glad when this is all over because I need to know Coop and the rest of them are safe.
Our whole circle took a hit when Chauncey got popped. Right now, all we know is that Chauncey was the target. But whoever ordered that hit has to know that Coop, Simmy, and True are gunning for them, which means the danger can strike at any time.
That means this isn’t finished.
And I don’t feel good about it.
I didn’t choose this life. It chose me. And sometimes I hate how heavy it feels. But I’m doing my best to hold it together.
The bed shifts behind me, pulling me back from my thoughts. Coop finally slides under the covers and pulls my body close against his chest.
It took him forever to come upstairs after dinner.
I melt into him.
God, I missed this man. But more than anything… I want Coop off the streets badly. Right now, the streets aren’t playing fair. For the first time in a long time, I’m truly afraid of losing him to that life, and I need him to choose us before it’s too late.
Coop understands me. And I understand him.
But right now… I’m not willing to take that chance.
“Sha… I thought I told you to wait up for me.”
I ignore Coop, so he presses closer and buries his face into the nape of my neck, breathing slow and heavy against my skin.
“Coop,” I murmur, half-asleep. “I tried. I really did… but it’s hard. I’m tired.”
When Coop’s out in the streets, I stay glued to my phone, praying nothing happens to him. On top of that, I’m praying Bianca doesn’t call me to tell me Rhy has beaten up another one of Chauncey’s hoes.
And on top of that, I’m praying Bianca doesn’t call me telling me Rhy has beaten up another one of Chauncey’s hoes.
It’s a lot.
Too damn much.
Tonight is the first night in a long time I can breathe without my hand wrapped around my phone. Coop came home early.
“I was downstairs straightening up the kitchen,” he says quietly. “Didn’t want you getting out of bed.”
“That’s nice of you.”
He smirks against my shoulder.
“I’m a nice-ass nigga who wanted his woman to wait up.”
“I tried, Coop. My body just gave up.”
I turn slightly toward him.
“I’ve got a lot going on. Everything with Chauncey and Rhyan… It’s starting to take a toll on me.” I sigh, then let the thought land before I keep going.
“I just wish Chauncey would wake up so y’all can handle the niggas behind this, and we can get back to living our lives.”
Coop gently pulls my shoulders back so I’m facing him. I know Coop, Simmy, and True will handle it.
But it needs to happen soon.
“Nobody is talking about it openly, and that silence makes everything worse. Niggas in the streets are scared right now.”
And they should be.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.
“You know why,” he says.
“I already said I was sorry.”
He softens.
“I love you, Sha.”
“I love you too.”
He sighs.
“I know this shit we got going on in the streets right now is crazy.”
“Beyond crazy.”
“But I promise it’s about to get handled soon.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Trust me,” he says quietly. “I’m not.”
He pulls me closer.
“I just need you to stay down with a nigga and be patient. It’s not always like this… but right now it is.”
He pauses.
“We’re rolling with the punches. As soon as we get the drop, we gonna handle these niggas and get back to business.”
“I’m not worried about being patient,” I tell him softly.
“I’m worried about your safety.”
My voice drops as the worry settles deeper.
“And the things y’all are trying to do.”
If Coop wants a child with me one day… the streets can’t always come first, because I need that future to feel safe.
My biggest fear is having his baby and ending up raising that child alone.
“Sha,” he says gently. “We’re good. I always had eyes on you. Nothing’s gonna happen to you… or me.”
“Nothing is guaranteed, Coop.”
He nods slowly.
“You’re right.”
Then he exhales.
“But I promise I’m coming home to you every night.”
His voice turns darker.
And if I can’t… I’m calling you before I take my last breath, so you know I ain’t making it home.
My chest tightens.
“And I promise I’m taking one of these pussy-ass niggas with me.”
“Coop.”
“I’m just saying.”
“I know… but I don’t want to hear you talk like that.”
He shrugs.
“I’m just being honest. This is the life I live.”
His eyes soften.
“I’ve been thugging a long time to get here. Did a lot of shit to build this life.”
He pauses.
“And there’s always some nigga out there willing to do what I did… just to take it.”
A tear slips down my cheek.
Coop wipes it away with his thumb.
“Don’t cry, Sha. We’re gonna be straight.”
“It’s hard not to.”
I didn’t want to cry in front of him.
But I couldn’t stop it.
I love this man with everything in me. And Lord… Coop is fine as hell. And Lord… Coop is fine as hell. One of the finest niggas walking through Teflon Hills.
Back in the day, I used to see him around all the time, but I never thought we’d end up like this. He was doing his thing. I was doing mine. Until that night at the gambling spot out west.
I was there with another man. Coop had a woman with him, too. But the moment our eyes locked… it was over. Our eyes had a whole private conversation. By the time I made it out to my car, Coop was already sitting on the hood waiting for me.
Shooting his shot like he owned the place. And before the night was over? I was following him to his condo in the city. Truth is… I fell for Coop the moment I met him. He knew I walked in there with another man, yet he still claimed me anyway.
Didn’t care who was watching.
That’s Coop.
Silent.
Dangerous.
Confident.
The type of nigga who could charm any bitch in the room. Hoes used to chase him nonstop.Until I showed up and stole his heart. Coop stands about five-eleven, maybe one-ninety-five.
Solid muscle.
That nigga practically lives in the gym. His skin is smooth, the color of peanut butter. He keeps a low fade, a neatly trimmed beard, and those sharp cheekbones that make women stare too long.
Yeah…
Coop is that nigga.
Coop brushes my cheek, and the touch shifts the moment again.
“Sha… I know this is probably the last thing you wanna hear.”
“Then don’t say it.”
He sighs.
“I know you’re upset. You got every right to be.”
He takes my hand.
“But every risk I take out there is for you and our family.”
His voice softens.
“And when my time finally comes… whenever my body ends up in that red clay… I swear you and my unborn kids will be taken care of, so you won’t be left alone financially.”
“I want you here when we have those kids.”
“I want to be here.”
He leans down and kisses me.
“I got you.”
“I know.”
He smiles slightly.
“I missed you.”
Then he grins, and the tension breaks.
“Can we get Mannish tonight?”
I laugh softly.
“Of course.”
I push him onto his back and climb on top of him. His hands slide down to my hips, gripping my ass while his fingers trace along my pussy. Looks like it’s about to be a long night.