Chapter 6
Nas
“Cuz slow the fuck down, so we can make it back in one piece,” Chance warned from the passenger seat.
“Ooh shit, my bad,” I uttered while slowing down.
“You drivin’ this bitch like it pissed you off and you tryna stomp a mutt hole in the muthafucka.”
“Mannn,” I chuckled as we came to a red light. “It ain’t the car, it’s Nessa’s ass.”
“What?” he questioned as he snapped his head in my direction. “Nessa pissed you off? Like yo’ child’s mother, Nessa? Ain’t no fuckin’ way. What she did?”
“She gotta a nigga.”
“And he still alive?”
“Yes, he’s alive. I ain’t that type of person.”
“Shiiiiitttt. You sayin’ that like you ain’t the same nigga that punched a nigga so hard it broke his nose because he complimented you for havin’ a bad bitch.”
“Man, he got that two-piece ‘cause he shouldn’t have been gawkin’ at shit that’s rollin’ with me. Then, he had the fuckin’ nerve to let it be known he was lookin’. That nigga was lookin’ for ass whoopin’ movin’ like that.”
“Exactly! So, I can only think that you killed a nigga that’s claimin’ what’s yours.”
“I ain’t tryna move like that no more. I gotta think before Ireact, but I ain’t gonna lie I thought about the shit. Especially, because she thinks she ‘bout to move that nigga in with her and my child.”
“Oh, shit! So, they’re in a relationship, relationship. Wait, you said think, what you gonna do to prevent it?”
“Nothin’ too crazy. Just give her a lil’ gift that’s all.”
“A gift?”
“Yep. A gift. It may have a stipulation attached but she won’t care because what it is.”
“I can only imagine what you gonna gift her.”
When we pulled back up to the dealership, I decided to buy the 2025 Dodge Charger R/T.
Once I had everything for the car, we hopped in to take Chance home.
As we drove down the road, I checked my rearview mirror to make sure Fernando was following us.
When we made it to Chance’s house, we went inside while Fernando waited outside.
I secured the door behind me before Chanel and Chance’s cousin on his dad’s side walked downstairs.
“Daddy, who’s that?” Chanel questioned as she jumped in Chance’s arms from the last step.
“That’s Nyla’s dad and your cousin, Nas,” he answered while he paid his cousin before she left and he made his way into the kitchen.
“Really!? He’s finally home?”
“Yes, he’s really home.”
“Nyla’s so lucky! Her dad came back but my mom never will.”
When she said that my heart broke into a thousand pieces.
As I made my way into the kitchen, I noticed the way Chance’s demeanor changed.
It was written all over his face that it hurt him that Chanel felt that way.
I decided to step in as best as I could with little to no knowledge to this fatherhood shit.
All I thought to do was to tell her what I’d want someone to tell Nyla.
“Aye, lil’ cous, I know it hurts that your mom is gone but she is always with you,” I expressed as I reached for her.
“Really?” She questioned me as she looked up at me.
“Really. She’s a part of you so that means no matter where you go, she’s always with you.”
“That’s true. I just wish my dad would get me a new mommy.”
“I’m home now, so I can give him a lil’ help with that now. You like tea parties?”
“Yes!! I have a brand-new set.”
“How ‘bout you go upstairs and get that ready so we can have a tea party?”
“Ok!”
I watched her run towards the stairs before disappearing.
Once I was sure she was gone, I focused my attention on Chance.
The thought of him not having a girl took over my mind.
Looks ran deep in the family so I was confused on why he was still single, but with me having some time to burn I would get to the bottom of it.
The quietness swallowed us whole as I waited for him to say something first.
“That shit hurts every time she says somethin’ like that,” he cleared his throat.
“I mean her statement got me wonderin’ too,” I truthfully expressed. “It’s been about what four years since Keisha died?”
“Four years, three months and twenty-two days, but who’s countin’.”
“Yo’ ass. Why you been single for that long?”
“Honestly, I ain’t found the right one that I’ll introduce to my daughter. Don’t get me wrong I’ll fuck on bitches but that’s ‘bout as far as the shit goin’.”
“I feel ya on that. You don’t want just anybody around yo’ child. That’s exactly how I’m feelin’ with this fuck shit Nessa tryna pull. However, I need you to at least start trying to give one of them hoes a chance because it’s not just affectin’ you.”
“I know, I know. Luckily, she goes over there with Nessa and Nyla. Hell, Nessa best friend Yasmine be over there and she done built a relationship with Chanel. Even be textin’ a nigga checkin’ on her or askin’ for her size and stuff.”
“I remember Yas’ ass. Hell, why you ain’t pushed up on her?”
“A nigga be tryin’ but she shut me down every time I try to talk ‘bout us. Then, Nessa won’t play matchmaker for me. Talkin’ ‘bout she don’t wanna get in the middle in case it goes wrong.”
“Leave it to me. You ain’t never had no game when it came to the ladies.”
“Nigga, fuck you. I got game, she just a tough one to crack that’s all.”
“Uh huh. I got you doee. I’ll get Nessa to put a bug in Yas’ ear.”
“Bet.”
“Cousssiiiinnnnnnnn!” Chanel yelled from upstairs. “It’s time for our tea party!”
“She doesn’t play ‘bout her tea parties,” Chance chuckled. “Better gone up there before she comes down here with the ruler.”
“Oh, she runs a strict program,” I laughed. “I’ma go play real quick then I’ma dip out.”
As I secured the last button on my shirt, I looked myself over in the mirror.
Even with money, I had no desire to rock high end designer clothes.
Give me a fresh pair of Levi jeans, some Jay’s and a shirt then I was straight.
I understood the value of a dollar and value of time.
So, the only time I planned to spend over the top money was when the memories would be worth it.
After I sprayed myself with some cologne, I grabbed my wallet and keys before heading out.
I gave Fernando the night off, but I doubt he took it because he worked for Nina and he was her eyes and ears on me.
It felt weird to talk about her because growing up I felt like I’d been abandoned by her and Javier.
To know that it wasn’t true, it made me wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that had so much built-up anger towards them.
Since I couldn’t change anything in my past, I decided to better my future.
This shit I was doing right now wasn’t something I saw in my future.
To be headed over to my baby mama’s house for me to have dinner with her, our child and her damn boyfriend.
“Daddy, daddy!” Nyla beamed as she opened the door for me.
“Hey, pretty girl,” I picked her up before embracing her. “Where’s yo’ mama at?”
“She’s in the kitchen finishin’ the food.”
“What did she cook?”
“I just asked her that, and she said ask ya’ daddy when he get here. So, what is Mommy cooking?”
“If I had to guess I’d say ribs, mac and cheese, and cornbread because that’s ya dad’s favorite.”
“That sounds yummy.”
“It does. Let’s go see how much longer it has.”
I adjusted Nyla so she was on my back as I carried her into the kitchen.
The aroma of the food filled my nose causing my stomach to rumble.
I’d only drunk a protein shake that morning, so my stomach felt like it was touching my back with how hungry I was.
The door to the refrigerator closed, and my eyes landed on Nessa.
She rolled her eyes before making her way back over to the oven.
When she pulled out the pan of cornbread, I smirked to myself because she really did remember my favorite meal.
“You remembered,” I chuckled.
“I mean how could I forget when I was cookin’ that at least once a week back in the day,” she huffed.
“I hope you can still throw down like you used too.”
“Boy, trust me I remember everything Mama Eva taught me so don’t even play.”
“Yeah, cause yo’ momma couldn’t boil water to save her life.”
“Aye, watch it,” she giggled as she pointed her finger at me. “But you ain’t never lied.”
“Right, so don’t get mad ‘cause I’m tellin’ the truth.”
“Uh huh. The ribs got ‘bout twenty more minutes. How ‘bout you go spend some time with yo’ child? Matter of fact, Nyla tell yo’ daddy what happened today at daycare.”
“You talkin’ like my baby did somethin’, but I know that ain’t the case ‘cause she could do no wrong.”
“Ah, fuck no. You know what, both y’all get on up outta my face.”
While Nessa finished the meal, me and Nyla hung out in the living room.
As she told me about the little dispute with her friend, I had to put her on game about not getting caught when you retaliate.
I couldn’t help but notice how small the duplex was compared to the house that I’d purchased for her.
With everything almost finalized, I couldn’t wait to tell her about it.
The fact that her nigga wasn’t here either was hard not to notice.
I refused to let some nigga come and squeeze in the space they created for the two of them.
The pictures of Nessa and Nyla throughout the home showed me that Nessa took pride in being a mother.
I just hated that I missed so much but couldn’t wait to take new pictures of us to put on the wall along with theirs.
After finishing in the bathroom, I made my way towards the kitchen when I noticed a picture of Nyla and Nessa in the hospital.
As I stood there staring at it, I noticed how much she looked like me out the womb.
“You good?” Nessa inquired as she made her way towards me.
“Damn, she really looked like me fresh out, huh?” I countered.
“Yep. I still ended up waking up to you every day for the last four years.”
“Why you ain’t tell me Nessa?”
“Honestly, I was scared you’d reject her. You’d already thrown me away, and you claimed that you’d never hurt me. I couldn’t risk you hurtin’ her too.”
“Nessa, I had…”
“Hey, it’s fine. You did what you did, and so did I. All we can do is keep movin’ forward.”
“You really tryna move forward with that nigga?”
“I don’t know. I just know he makes me feel safe.”
“Safe, huh? Where that nigga at anyway?”
“He’s comin’ but he wants us to start without him.”
“Nessa, I’m here to meet this nigga that be around my child.”
“I know, Nasir, I know. He’s on the way.”
She walked away and I enjoyed the sway of her hips in the dress.
If Nyla was asleep, I would’ve had that shit hiked over her ass and her bent over the dining room table.
I’d fuck the shit out of her while waiting on her nigga to walk in and see it.
Rejoining them at the table, I sat on the other side of Nyla whileNessa sat between her and an empty chair.
Clearly, this nigga was dumb as fuck because if I knew my girl had her baby daddy coming over, it would’ve been no way I’d be running late.
Placing my fork on my empty plate next to my bone, I looked over at the empty seat.
My blood boiled at the disrespect this nigga was showing me.
The old me would’ve been gotten rid of him like Chance thought, but I was trying to be on my grown man shit.
This clear disrespect had me ready to back slide and show this nigga who he’s really fucking with.
I shifted my eyes towards Nessa, and she dropped her eyes to avoid my gaze.
“Guess what?” I looked over to Nyla.
“What, Daddy?” She wondered with a tilt of her head.
“I got you and Mommy a gift.”
“You did?!”
“Yep! But I gotta take y’all to it. Come on, let’s go.”
“Let’s go, Mommy!”
“Nas, just take her I’ll stay here,” Nessa declined.
“Nessa, I wasn’t askin’,” I asserted as I picked Nyla up. “We’ll be in the car, and don’t take forever.”
After I strapped Nyla in her car seat, I closed the car door just as Nessa walked outside.
I was glad she didn’t try to keep up with that hard girl persona she’d been giving me.
Don’t get me wrong, I understood that she wasn’t the same nineteen-year-old I’d left out here.
Every time she opened her mouth that showed me just how much she’d grown.
We both had grown while apart, but my patience was still short, I just had more control.
In that moment, I had no more patience or control.
Had she tried to continue to put up a fight, I was going to snatch her ass up.
“This house is so pretty!” Nyla beamed as we pulled into the driveway.
“That’s why it’s for you, pretty girl,” I informed as I turned around in my seat. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree which brought me so much joy. “You wanna go see it?”
“Wait a minute,” Nessa interjected but I ignored her and got Nyla out the car. She sat there for a second before getting out and following me towards the door. “Nas! What do you mean this house is for her?”
“Nessa, I didn’t stutter. This is y’all house.”
“How is that possible?”
“And I mean just y’all house. Can’t no nigga who stood you up live here either. Now I don’t give a damn if he stays in yo’ old spot but here, where I pay bills, just you and my seed. Understood?”
“Nas, I can’t take this from you. Did you get this with illegal money?”
“Listen, I owe you this shit. Remember when you got that loan to bond me out. You told me I’d have to pay you back with a house.
Here is that house. I need you to call out tomorrow and go get my daughter stuff for her room, and whatever you want for your room.
No other furniture needed. Here goes my card,” I instructed as I handed her my card.
“Are you serious?” She looked at me with disbelief all over her face.
“Let me show you how serious I am. Time to tour your new house.”