21. Real
Ev felt a way. All that rah-rah about what we weren’t, and I could tell she felt a way. I hadn’t even done anything, had actually tried to stop Chelle before she implied Ev was some bird I just fucked on. But she was still upset. I looked down at Chelle. Her big brown eyes met mine, and my mouth twisted into a smirk. Only then did she start to look nervous. I stepped closer, refusing to yell over the music.
“You know you were being petty as fuck," I observed calmly.
“I was just surprised to see—” she started before I cut her off.
“Nah, I don’t need you to speak yet. You were way out of line, Chelle. Yo' ass used to be happy to remain silent as long as yo' old ass fiancé was around, but you felt the need to put your hands on me and open yo' mouth when you saw Ev?"
She pouted. "I mean, I tried to ask if she was your latest flavor?—”
"And I told you she wasn't. She's?—”
Fuck, I couldn't even say what she was. I had no words for it. Chelle stared at me incredulously as she finally understood.
"Oh, my God. You like her. You seriously like her. Why?" she pressed, frowning.
"The fuck you mean why?"
The question was stupid to me. Ev was gorgeous, classy, and smart as fuck. Chelle shrugged.
"I mean, you actually interested in something more than a good fuck? Is it because she's... different?"
I scowled at her, confused. And then her meaning was suddenly clear to me. That pissed me off.
"It's none of yo' damn business why, shallow ass girl. Remember, LaChelle, we fucked and that was it. We ain't gotta have polite conversations and shit. My life and that lady ain't yo' concern. She looked upset?—”
She scoffed. "That woman looked like she couldn't care less."
I ignored her. Bitch didn't know Ev like that.
"I don't like her upset. You betta be glad I’m not an abusive nigga, but if I can't fix this, I’m sending Kinny to get my point across and you know she likes to get real active. I don't wanna ever have this talk with you again."
Shaking her head, she laughed quietly. "Damn, Real. You can't blame a girl for being curious. You go from breaking my back—and some others—to ignoring my texts. I just?—”
I leaned closer. "You just nothing. I don't owe you explanations, and I'm not offering them. You claimed you understood that, but mothafuckas always get in their feelings over sex. So, I let you borrow a lil’ dick; you never had a chance at ownership.”
“And she does?” she challenged.
“Move the fuck around, LaChelle."
Her hand tightened on her champagne glass so much that I was surprised the delicate stem didn't break. But she gave me a fake, breezy smile and reclaimed her seat. Nodding to the other women at the table, I strolled away, posting up just outside the hallway where Ev had disappeared.
I had to call her twice when she reappeared. I knew shorty heard me the first time; she was just thinking about ignoring me. That wasn’t happening, now or ever. I stepped into her personal space.
“What is it, Real?”
She massaged her left temple as she asked the question, like she had a headache or something. Frowning, I pushed her hand away before using my thumb to stroke the spot. I peered down into her light brown eyes. I was searching for something, but Ev was an expert at giving nothing away. If it hadn’t been for her fingers rubbing her head and the little bit of tone in her voice, she could have pulled off the perfectly composed look she always wore.
“Save the attitude, love. Your head hurting? You ready to go?”
She gave me a half smile.
“I’m leaving, but I’m not up for company tonight.”
Her voice was back to its usual blank, polite quality as her lashes swept down to cover her eyes. She was undeniably beautiful right now, with her perfect makeup and perfect tone and perfect expression.
And the shit made me mad.
“Stop hiding from me,” I growled against her ear.
Her eyes flew open, shock widening them
“Wha—"
A light tap on my shoulder had me turning away from her momentarily to make eye contact with Targen. He stepped closer so I could hear.
"Sorry to interrupt yo' soap opera, but Ghazi just took off to the parking area. Markel texted all of us. Some shit went on with his car," he explained.
Fuck! I had to check on my brother, but I could feel Ev slipping away.
"I'll be right back. Don't leave," I ordered her.
She didn't say anything. Probably wasn't listening, but that was all right. I would definitely catch up with her tonight. I gave her one last look before Targen and I took off outside. Markel's directions led us right to where Ghazi stood, speechless for once as he stared at his bad ass... well, formerly bad ass, 1969 Dodge Charger. The words "Bitch Ass Nigga" and a drawing of a little ass dick were keyed into the hood, fucking up the custom shade of blue paint. The tires I'd seen him drop a few thousand on were flat. Two of our guys, and a few more that must've been hired by Liam, stood guard around a couple of women as Ghazi circled his baby. A strangled whimper escaped him as I held back a laugh, and Targen's head dropped, hiding his smile. Ghazi was going to get enough of playing with these women.
I was glad the shit wasn't more serious although I could tell at least one of the chicks took all this very seriously. She had feisty written all over her, huffing and puffing at Ghazi as she mugged him hard as fuck. Shorty was a pretty lil’ thick thing in her bright red dress, but Ghazi could have the toxic ones all to himself. The woman with her was doing her best to hide, her wide eyes betraying that she was scared as fuck.
Suddenly, Ghazi lunged. Markel moved in front of the lady in red, but she snapped at him to move. I swear her short ass tried to climb over Markel to get to my pissed-off brother. Under regular circumstances, Ghazi would never handle a chick, but for his favorite car? Shorty might need to develop some respect for her life immediately.
"Bitch, what the fuck you do to my car?" he roared at her.
Her hands went to her hips. "Ya ass ain't blind. You see what I did. The more important question is 'Bitch, what the fuck you do to my cousin?'" she shot back.
"Damn, bruh, you fucking with cousins? C'mon now," I taunted, playing hype man to Ms. Red.
Ghazi scowled at me. "I'on know these bitches?—”
Ms. Red's cousin was pulling on her arm, whispering something, but she wasn't having it. She yanked away to glare even harder at Ghazi.
"You got one more time to call either of us a bitch and you gon' look worse than this car. And you not about to stand out here flat-footed and deny my baby cousin. I'on know who the fuck you think you are or who the hell you think she is, but she is not the one," Ms. Red popped. "Alli, go ahead and tell this pussy ass nigga--"
I cleared my throat and raised my finger. "Excuse me. As you so beautifully illustrated, it's ‘bitch ass nigga,’" I reminded her.
She turned her mug on me as Ghazi cussed me out.
"Ay, don't blame my nigga for tryna keep you consistent, lil’ mama," Targen said.
Rolling her eyes, she exhaled sharply. "Fine. Alli, tell this bitch ass nigga whatever you wanna get off yo' chest so we can go."
"Go?" Ghazi repeated incredulously. "Bitch, you ain't going nowhere tonight but jail or hell and I'm leaning toward the second one!"
"What I tell you about that b-word?" Ms. Red asked.
That was the only warning Ghazi got before it was her turn to lunge. Markel yanked her up, but Ghazi didn't thank him. Instead, he grilled Markel and said, "Ay, don't be grabbing on her like that."
Markel looked as confused as I felt as he let her go. Ghazi obviously didn't know what he was asking for. Ms. Red worked his ass over as her cousin started speaking louder. Targen tried to pull his dumb ass out of the line of fire she was lighting him up with. At that point, I gave up on holding in my laughter. This shit was crazy. The timid little cousin finally got close enough to touch Ms. Red.
"Shane! Stop! Please, stop!" she cried.
"Nah, Alli. This nigga been disrespecting you, playing on yo' top. It's gotta be consequences," Shane spat, popping Ghazi again. "Out here tryna do you dirty and you didn't even feel his lil' pencil dick? I'll be damned!"
"Hell, nah. Now, I know y'all got me fucked up," Ghazi argued. "Y'all not about to be out here lying on my dick."
I looked at him, shaking my head. That's what this nigga was worried about?
"It's not him, Shane! It's the wrong guy!"
Everything seemed to stop at once as our eyes swiveled to Alli. She stood there, looking like she wanted to sink through the ground.
"Excuse me?" Shane prompted, her voice soft.
I hadn't even met her, really, and I knew that voice meant trouble.
"That's not... that's not Milus," Alli mumbled.
Shane stared at her cousin, disbelief written on her pretty features.
"Alli, you pointed out this car. And you didn't say anything when this n— this gentleman first came out here. What you mean, this ain't Mini-dick Milus?"
Alli shrugged before laughing nervously. "Well... Milus does have a nice, blue, classic car that looks like this."
"Milus Williams? Girl, that car is a 1969 Mustang. This one is a 1969 Charger. They don't look shit alike!" Ghazi yelled.
Alli flinched and Shane spun back on him. She looked like she wanted to go off, but she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
"No need to be rude... sir," she said, the voice she'd used to shriek at Ghazi suddenly gone.
Shorty sounded all calm and cultured as she tried to straighten her dress and hold on to the braids falling from her bun. She looked a hot ass mess, but so did Ghazi. I guess she won.
"I apologize sincerely for the mix-up. Surely, you can understand my need to defend my cousin's honor. Alli and I were on our way home when we stumbled upon your car. This situation is unfortunate. However, I can tell by your appearance and by the care you've lavished on your lovely car that you are more than able to handle this situation from this point. So, my cousin and I will continue on our way."
I had to give it to Shane. She was bold as fuck and talked a good game. Shorty sounded like a whole professor. She really thought they were about to walk out of here like she hadn't wrecked my brother and his car. Ghazi's eyes were trained on her, his gaze intense. I needed some damn popcorn.
"Juvie?" he called our youngest driver, who was lounging against a big, black Escalade.
"What's up?" Juvie responded, straightening up and meeting Ghazi's eyes.
"I'm not driving that car like that. I need a ride. Open that back door, then get in the driver's seat."
"We really appreciate your kindness in letting bygones be bygones," Shane continued breezily as Juvie did what Ghazi asked.
She grabbed Alli's hand and started to move. Ghazi shook his head once, and the security people moved closer, locking the cousins in. The spark that Shane had tried to extinguish was back in her eyes as she stared at my brother.
"Now, listen," she started.
"Nah, you listen," Ghazi cut her off. "Matter of fact..."
I don't know what I expected him to do. Striding forward and snatching Shane off her feet to throw her over his shoulder was not it. She and Alli both screamed as he dumped her in the Escalade and climbed in behind her wriggling, fighting frame.
"Markel, help Alli out," he said, tossing his keys before he slammed the door and directed Juvie to leave.
Alli went into full show-her-ass mode, crying and begging for her cousin. I frowned at her ass. I knew my brother wasn't about to hurt that chick, so the theatrics were annoying. Markel obviously agreed.
"Shut up, girl," he grumbled at Alli, flashing his gun.
She shut up just as her eyes rolled back in her head. Markel caught her and I shook my head. Cussing her little ass out, he bundled her into Ghazi's fucked up car.
"This shit gotta be a skit or something," I mumbled to Targen.
He shrugged. "This yo' crazy ass family. All y'all need help, except my baby Rachel."
"Least I'm kin to 'em. Why you hang around 'em? And I'ma fuck you up bout my mama, nigga."
This argument went all the way back to the first time Targen met my people. He swore Mama was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"That's wifey. Don't worry, son. I'ma be a good step—" His words cut off abruptly as he looked behind me. "Yo, it's not y'all night, I swear," he said.
I turned just in time to see Naaman and Ev approach her car. They acted like they didn't see us out here, hilarious as fuck to me. Only, my "hilarious" usually ended up with someone else not happy at all. I took a step forward, and Targen immediately straightened, ready for whatever I was ready for. A leisurely walk brought me closer to them, anger building even as I kept up a nonchalant conversation with Targen.
"I swear I be doing the most to change my life around, and people still trying to keep me out of heaven."
"It's a shame, but the devil is busy," his stupid ass quipped.
I stopped a couple of feet away from Ev's car. My gaze slid over her as she stared back at me just as boldly.
"Thank you for walking her out here. You're excused," I said to Naaman, my eyes never leaving Evanie.
He scoffed. "C'mon, Real. I let you slide once, but you ain't?—"
My focus shifted as a smile spread across my face.
"Is that what happened, nigga? You let me slide?"
I had to say the shit aloud, make sure I hadn't misunderstood. It sounded so ridiculous that I shook my head as I chuckled.
"I oughta slide yo' ass for saying that silly shit. Go wherever the fuck you 'bout to go tonight because I can guarantee you, it won't be with her."
I spared him a brief glance so he could see how serious I was before returning my attention to Ev. "I thought I asked you not to leave, love?"
She kissed her teeth. "I was supposed to stand there because you said that?"
"I asked nicely, though," I pointed out, moving closer to her.
"Ev, you?—"
I sighed at the sound of Naaman's voice. “You still here?”
“I’m giving him a ride to his car, not that it’s your business,” Ev snapped.
“Nah. That ain’t happening,” I said calmly.
Her head tilted to one side as she stared at me like she was clueless. “Are you really out here?—”
Naaman interrupted her, his eyes blazing at me. “You ain’t gotta argue with this nigga. He been on bullshit all n?—”
For some reason, he seemed caught off guard by the quick blow I delivered to his mouth, looking at me in disbelief as he clamped a hand over his lips. Ev gasped. I shrugged.
"See? That's all you had to do originally—hold your mouth."
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Montréal? That was totally unnecessary!" she fussed, reaching for Naaman's shoulder.
But he was shifting his body, ready to retaliate at me. His move sent her stumbling backward, and she fell against her trunk. I easily evaded his punch and threw one of my own, so pissed off that he may have hurt her that I laid his ass out.
"Should've done that in the first place," Targen said as he helped Ev to stand. "But I'ma just walk over there and mind my business."
He had barely made it a good distance away before she was whirling on me.
"Real! Are you serious? He just needed a ride. You out here swinging like we a couple or something?—”
I was tired of her playing with me, acting like this "arrangement" hadn't somehow changed, becoming more than what we expected.
"We ain't out here arguing now like couples do? Matter fact, haven’t we started doing couple shit? " I challenged her.
"Because you made me!" she snapped.
"I made you? You gon' keep lying like you didn't wanna be there for everything I 'made' you do?"
I stopped suddenly. Fuck I look like, continuing to argue with a woman about our status? She wanted to be someone I just fucked so bad, she could have it. Grabbing the bridge of my nose, I chuckled.
"All right, love. You got that."
I turned to walk away.
"Real."
"What?" I asked, pausing, but not turning around.
"You forgetting Rule 5," she said softly.
Rule 5: No deep feelings . I laughed. I guess she was right, but I couldn't let her have the last word.
"Shit, don’t flatter yourself, shorty. It’s not that deep.”
“I know. You’re the one acting crazy, acting like you’ve forgotten saying ‘no strings attached.’ Acting like you don’t have other… things to keep you occupied,” she taunted.
I shook my head, tired of her shit. “Have a good night.”