Prince
I stirred in my sleep, hearing Le’s voice whisper yelling on the other side of the room. Her energy had been off since yesterday when I came home, so I suggested we have a little weekend getaway. What I really wanted to do was go up to my cabin, but she needed to see her sister. I couldn’t help but notice that the smile didn’t reach her eyes when I mentioned we were coming.
Not being able to quite make out what she was saying I swung my feet until they met the floor. I hopped up following her voice. Then she stopped talking.
“Ugh!” She burst through the door from the other room so fast I had to jump back. She had one of the hotel robes wrapped around her beautiful body. Her twisted expression let me know she was pissed even though I could hear it in the inflections in her voice. If I had any doubt it was all removed now.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I’m sorry I woke you up. What time are we leaving again?” She blew by me, and each word came out softer as she attempted to self-regulate. I already peeped that her go-to was acting like everything was fine even when it wasn’t.
“Something,” I said easily and pulled her back until she stood before me. She folded her arms across her chest as the tension riddled her body.
“I said I’m fine.”
“Then why are you trying to leave and we landed less than twelve hours ago?”
“It was just sister stuff.”
“You are saying so much, but you are only talking in circles. If it’s private, I get that, but you can tell me why you are waking me up because you are in some type of shouting match with your blood,” I pushed.
“Damn, , can you just leave me alone for a second? Give me a second to breathe!”
“You look like you're breathing just fine to me,” I said flatly and didn’t move an inch, nor did I let her go. “Nothing I just said made you that mad, and you haven’t even seen your sister today, so what got you tight?”
She sucked her teeth and turned it into a full-blown pout. “Why can’t you just argue back, ? Why do you have to be so damn…sensible.”
“I’m always going to give you space to feel how you feel but I knew since yesterday something wasn’t right. Now you up going back and forth with your sister.”
“She just doesn’t get it,” she said, defeated, and I finally let go now that I had the traction on the conversation I wanted.
“What?”
“I mean, we flew across the country to see this girl, and she is mad that I won’t go out with her tonight. She doesn’t understand that we have been busting our ass and we were planning to spend time together tonight. Just because we live together doesn’t mean we have had free moments for each other with the way we both been working. I love my sister, and I am happy to spend the day with her, but she is acting crazy over nothing.” She walked into the main living space. I sat on the plush couch while she chose to stand.
“What she talking about?”
“She wasn’t really saying it outright, but she was pissed that I told her I had plans with you tonight. I know she's mad at Chaz right now, but it’s like if she isn’t happy, she doesn’t want me to be. I know my sister loves me, and I love her, but we have been stuck together for so long and been through so much bullshit. Sometimes I feel like the thing that keeps us connected is our misery.”
When she finished talking, she plopped on the couch next to me, and the sirens blared in my head. Right now, more than any other time, I wish I had a blunt to smoke. Swearing off everything wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I would never in my life touch cocaine again, knowing the detriment it caused. Weed never did me wrong, and I needed to settle my thoughts. Self-regulation came easy with a blunt in hand, but I didn’t have that luxury. What she was saying reminded me of all the underlying things swirling around us. There were things she wasn’t telling me, and the misery she suggested she and her sister shared seemed to stem from that genesis. I thought enough to bring the air tag with me so I knew her protection was on my mind but it was buried behind the bliss of being lost in her these last few weeks. Then she mentioned Chaz, too, so I had to check out what the temp was there because, at least for now, he was supposed to be keeping shit together.
“It’s like if the energy is going to be off what is the point of even going?”
“The point is going to see your sister because that’s family. Sometimes shit just becomes off, but you get it back on track. Avoiding them can only make things worse. Trust me, I know what time and distance can do.” She popped her pretty eyes up to mine and gave me a nod. Her lips spoke to me, and I knew if I kissed them, she wouldn’t be leaving out of this door any time soon.
“I’m going to go. I hope she doesn’t do too much.”
“You told her about me? About us?” I felt her stiffen at my question.
“I mean I have. She knows I’m here with you and that I was with you while you were doing this project, but we haven’t really talked much.”
“What will you tell her?” I pushed, trying to make it sound casual, but I’m sure it didn’t. I needed to know where her head was.
“I don’t know. I like what we are doing. I like how I feel when I’m with you, and until everything is official, I don’t want to jinx it. We are moving slowly. Even though at the beginning, I didn’t understand why you wanted to move that way, I get it now. We have to get to know a lot more about each other, but I can say that I am invested in doing that now.”
“Yeah, yo ass feeling me huh?”
She punched me in the arm and laughed. All her stress melted away, and her brightness made me feel like the mission had been accomplished.
“I’m not worried about what you say to her I just wanted to see how you were thinking about things. You take it as slow as you need but one thing I’m not is uncertain. I want you, Le Monroe, and I will do what it takes to be here for you and treat you the way you deserve to be treated. You may not be ready to tell your sister what you are feeling and that’s okay. All that hesitation, everything you are afraid of, is in the past. I’m here now, Le. If you are looking for a day to mark on that pretty calendar that you keep hanging in our kitchen, you can put this day down. It’s official.”
She blushed and looked at her hands. I didn’t need her to respond as long as she heard me and knew I was serious. I got up, went to the duffel bag I brought with us, pulled out a few stacks of money, and handed it to her.
“, I don’t need this.”
“Have fun with your sister, baby.” She rose and started walking down the hall, stopping with an afterthought.
“Are you still doing Patch-type things?” She raised her eyebrow.
“I haven’t in a few weeks, but it isn’t out of the question. I would do anything I needed to ensure we were straight,” I answered honestly. She walked back to me.
“You have a great thing going, . You are extremely talented and hardworking. I know you were probably the type to get to do anything you wanted at the drop of a hat. Having money laying around like this, don’t do anything to jeopardize your future. It’s not what I need. I’ve had men cater to me, and it meant nothing. I like our connection and that’s what means the most.”
“You think I don’t know, baby?” I migrated to her and somehow found my hands on her hips again as I pulled her into me.
“I’m just saying you are not the only one who cares.” This time, her eyes didn’t shy away from mine. Big, bold, and clear, she looked at me to drive her point home. This time, my body moved on its own accord before my mind could stop. I kissed her lips and pulled her softness against me. She clutched at me, and when I felt one vibration against me, my dick shot to its full girth and length. She giggled as she stepped back.
“Ha ha my ass. You remember those nights are mine.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She walked down the hall to grab the rest of her things. We were getting somewhere. When she passed me on her way out the door, I made sure to grab a handful of ass before she left out. This time, I kissed her forehead, knowing her lips were too dangerous to risk.
As soon as she left my presence, my mind fell back into reasoning. The number one reason I didn’t want her body wrapped around mine was because that was the only thing I could or wanted to feel when she was near. We had fallen into a routine that I was damn happy about. For three weeks, she would be home waiting on me after a hard day’s work. She cleaned like she was crazy and cooked better than anyone I knew. Ma included, though I would never let those words slip to my mother for fear of getting slapped. Not that Le needed to do any of that for me to want her. She was a hustla, and her pussy was impeccable from the taste to the feel.
I closed my eyes, trying to focus, knowing I had to leave soon. But somehow, it was still that one thing—that truth that I had yet to uncover from her lips. I may have been caught up in bliss, but one thing was for certain: I wasn’t coming off that woman, so it had to be what I always said to her. I had to worry about the problems, and this one wasn’t going to hang over our heads.
***
“Damn, cuz, every time I see you, you get bigger. Fuck you been doing?” Chaz asked as soon as he saw me. We were going to pop out, but we both realized we didn’t have shit that we wanted to do, so instead, I came to his place.
“Shit, I been working. What you been doing?”
“You know, no matter where I am, I’m going to find a way to get to it. I made a few connections already.”
“That’s what I know.” I settled into the stool on the kitchen island. The house was tame when it came to Chaz. It was nice as hell, don’t get it fucked up, but it was nothing like his place back home. It was a four-bedroom in a gated community, but everything inside was standard. No upgrades or thrills. Chaz was flashy from the moment he woke up to the moment he closed his eyes again.
“What’s the word with you and, sis’? Baby was talking to her, and she was pissed about something.”
“Baby? Whatever .” Chaz chuckled and walked away. He was a man in his own right, so I would change my approach only for him.
“I ain’t in your business cuz, but I need you to be cool. I’m gone take care of shit. Just keep shit together for a little while longer.”
“What you mean keep shit straight? Nesha is her own fucking person. Don’t let her sister paint it out like she down here on some angel shit. I caught her ass up, and now that I got my get back, she mad, but that’s on her, and the shit ain’t nobody business for real.”
“Why the fuck do y’all even do this shit. I mean seriously. When does the shit stop? If it’s like that, I will make sure we put somebody on her, and you can fall back.”
“If I told you I got the shit, I got the shit. Her protection ain’t got shit to do with this relationship.” He snapped.
“I hear what you saying, bruh, and I feel you. I will have this shit handled in the next few weeks. I need to see Hamp, but he's in the wind.”
“Of course that nigga is after pulling that shit. Now this is some talk I can fuck with. I’ll find him.”
“That’s mine to do whenever you do.”
The movement at the door made us both turn our attention there. The twins walked through it. Nesha walked right by Chaz without saying a word. When Le saw me, she smiled and gave me a wave. I didn’t know what she told her sister, but anytime she returned to my presence after leaving it, that waving shit wasn’t going to work. I slipped off the stool and pulled her into my arms. I kissed her lips quickly.
“Aww damn!” Chaz’s dumb ass said while Nesha wore a scowl. I knew immediately why her mood was off. She loved Chaz, but I knew the look of a woman that was done. Her heart was breaking, and she didn’t know how to handle it.
“What up, sis’?” I threw a head nod her way.
“Nah, my name is Nesha. You not welcome to the family just because you fucking my sister, nigga.”
“Chill out,” Chaz spoke.
“Nesha, do not do that,” Le said right after.
“It’s cool. I ain’t going nowhere, so yo mean ass just gone have to get used to me.”
“Hmph.” She flipped her hand and sat on the couch.
“Can you stop acting like that and tell them what you told me? It’s exciting news!” Le said, but she didn’t move out of my grasp.
“It seems like you are about to bust so why don’t you tell them.”
“See the shit I’m talking about?” Chaz said my way.
“Then why the fuck you with me then, Chaz? If that’s the shit you talking about? You could just as easily be somewhere else and not here.”
“Then how yo’ dumb ass gone get anywhere, and where the hell where you gone stay?” He shot back, coming from behind the island to look at her. They asses were committed to arguing like it was a full-time job.
“You ready to go?” Le said, annoyed.
“I’m good if you are. Whatever you want.”
“Yeah, y’all go head. You don’t need to hear our bullshit no way. It’s not y’all fault Chaz don’t know how to control his dick or his bitches.”
“Were you going to tell us what happened so we can at least leave on a good note? I don’t know what the fuck is going on with y’all, and neither is it my business, but if this relationship ain’t bringing out the best in both of y’all, let that shit go. We are too damn old to be arguing like kids, and Chaz, I know you personally. Sis’, not so much, but I have a sister of my own. I would be damned if she was acting like this behind a nigga whether she loved him or not.” I said it in front of both of them so they didn’t have to wonder what my feelings were. I was around this shit for two seconds, and I wanted to be anywhere but here. I did see what Le was saying. A lot of the issues that they had as sisters stemmed from some much deeper shit. Even before the moment their lives changed.
“My name is Nesha, , and I guess I will tell y’all.”
“You gone tell her I don’t pay attention to names.” I jabbed at Le and she laughed aloud. Nesha rolled her eyes and when she looked at her sister a smile coated her face before she looked back at Chaz and rolled her eyes again.
“Well, I made it to the next round.”
“Next round?” I asked.
“Damn, that’s what’s up, baby.” Chaz went to her, hugged her, and the next thing I knew, they were sucking off each other faces like they weren’t just talking to each other crazy a few seconds prior. It was like Le and I weren’t even in the room with them. I turned my head to Le because I felt like I was intruding. The way it looked they may have started fucking at any moment.
“What about a next round?”
“She is here for fashion and there was a competition she entered back in Michigan. They are moving her on to the last round and there is only her and three other contestants. Whoever wins is going to have their fashion line premiered on the walkways.”
“Damn that’s dope. You must have talent,” I said looking back over at Chaz and Nesha. They had finally untangled.
“Hell yeah, she got talent! We out tonight. We buying out the fucking bar!” Chaz spoke hype and then looked at me, and his face fell. Here we go. “Oh damn cuz.”
“Damn what? What’s the problem?” Nesha asked looking my way.
. “I don’t drink anymore. But it’s not a problem. If y’all want to celebrate, we can go.”
“Wait. I thought you said we had plans tonight,” Le said from beside me. Her body stiffened. She didn’t want to go.
“We do, but we can always spend a little time there before we get into our thing.” I searched her eyes but she turned away from me.
“Naw. Don’t let me interrupt y’all,” Nesha spoke and stormed out of the room.
“I’ll be back,” Le whispered and followed her. I didn’t like that one bit, but whatever was going on between them was complicated, and they didn’t need me in the middle…yet. As long as shit didn’t get too far because I didn’t want Le catering to her sister's uncontrollable emotions.
“That’s what I’m saying, cuz. Her ass got a flip switch. One fucking thing set her off. Can you imagine living with someone like that?”
“The real question is can you imagine living like that?” I had a heart for anyone going through that amount of turmoil, but it was up to Nesha to fix that, and maybe this shit ending with Chaz as her way to get to it. The writing was on the wall and I saw the love in his eyes, too. I was going to have to brace him when the shit hit the fan. Hard as he was he wasn’t going to take it well. I hated that I could always see shit coming from a mile away but I did.
“She needs some help man. I told her she needed to see somebody. A lot of shit happened to her. Plenty of shit she ain’t willing to tell me about.”
Once Chaz stopped talking, we heard both the twins scream at the top of their lungs, and we both broke out into a full sprint. We damn near bowled each other over trying to get to them, and when we stepped foot in the room, they were looking at their phones. My heart was beating out my damn chest.
“What the hell? Y’all doing that screaming and shit made me think I had to come in here and fuck somebody up,” Chaz said as his hand braced the door. We were both in optimum shape but it was the way those screams clutched our hearts when we thought something was wrong with our women.
“Baby, look!” Le came to me and shoved the phone in my face. I stood upright as warmth spread through my system. On her phone was the perfect baby boy with Richards’s blood pumping through his veins. My brother’s wife delivered my nephew, and he looked full and healthy.
“I mean shit, that’s what’s up, but did y’all have to scream bloody murder?” Chaz asked.
“Chaz shut the hell up. Look how cute he is. I have two weeks off before the next round starts. We have to go home.” Nesha was so excited.
“You know we gotta pull up on cuz.”
“Oh my God,” Le mouthed looking at her phone in utter shock.
“I know. He looks healthy. That’s all I prayed for.” I said.
“He looks just like Priest. Like my girl ain’t have nothing to do with it. I can’t wait to see my baby,” Le gushed turning to me.
“Our bloodline strong. We gotta go see them. Tonight,” I added to clarify.
“Wait, I thought you said that we were going somewhere else tomorrow.”
“For a blessing like this, plans have to change. Plus I may let Rem handle it for a day and return on Tuesday. One day won’t kill the project. I want to take you somewhere special once we check on them.”
“Hmm, I guess that means you will try to kill yourself playing catch up those other four days and come home too tired to move.” She folded her hands across her chest. Now it was time for us to act like we were in the room alone because as she stood there nothing else mattered to me.
“You think you know me, huh?” I joked.
“I have eyes, .” She came closer to me and said those words to me again that she had spoken in the hotel. They came out as barely a whisper. I had to strain to hear. “You are not the only one who cares, .”
“You want to see your best friend and the new baby, right?”
“Of course I do, but not if—"
“Then that’s what we will do. Just know the nights are still mine. This weekend was supposed to be about us. Even with everything else going on I will still show you that you are my first priority.” I kissed her forehead then asked Chaz, “How long will it take y’all to get ready?”