Chapter Five #2
Caresha nodded and turned back toward the window, surprised by the nerves suddenly creeping in. His car smelled like weed and Creed…a dangerous combination. Lord knows she loved her a hood nigga, but experience had taught her most of them meant no good.
“You got a nigga you fuck with?” Danger asked, nodding his head to the chopped and screwed record he had playing lowly.
That question caught Caresha off guard, and she tempted to lie but ultimately opted for the truth. She was a firm believer in treating people how you wanted to be treated. She didn’t want him lying to her, so she decided to be honest.
“Yeah, I talk to a few, but nothing serious enough to brag about.”
“Delete all them niggas.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Two reasons. One, there’s no need for ‘em, especially if they ain’t worth claiming. Two, you fuck with me now.”
Caresha stared at him, thinking he was bat shit crazy, and that he ran a strict program.
“You got any kids? Any lame, retarded-ass exes that can’t let go I should know about?” Danger asked next, recalling her best friend’s situation.
Caresha caught on and burst into laughter, nudging him playfully. “Hush your ass up.”
“I’m just trying to see somethin’.”
“And if I said yes to both?”
“Then I’ll have to prepare my mind, and pistol, for all that.”
She laughed again, shaking her head as he shot her a glare. She realized then he was serious.
“No, no kids and no exes that can’t let go. Just me.”
“Bet,”
Leaning back in his seat at the stoplight, Danger watched her closely. Caresha’s heartbeat quickened when he abruptly reached over to run a hand through her curls. Their eyes locked as he played in it.
“I like your hair like this, ma. It looks good.”
“Like what? I didn’t even style it.”
“Exactly. Natural. I like that shit.”
“Thank you.” Caresha thanked him, but gently took his hand and placed it back in his lap.
Danger smirked, peeping how nervous he made her. He curled his finger back around the trigger of his gun and pulled off.
“You have any kids or crazy-ass bitches I should know about?” Caresha kept the conversation going.
“Nah, none of that.”
“You sure? I mean, not about the kids... but the women?”
“I’m single,” Danger clarified.
“Okay.”
“Why you stay in them raggedy ass apartments?” He changed the subject.
Caresha’s head went from nodding to jerking in disbelief. And as offended as she felt, another laugh escaped her.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Dude, you can’t be serious.”
“Dead ass. You too fuckin’ pretty to be staying in them shits. It’s dangerous as fuck over there, too. I used to be over there all the time. It ain’t no place for a woman like you.”
“Well, I’m doing what I can, sir. Those apartments might be raggedy, but they’re affordable in this economy.”
“I respect that.”
“Don’t worry about my shit unless you’re paying for it.”
“That can be arranged if you play yo’ cards right.”
“Oh, so you a trick?”
“I wouldn’t call making sure the woman you fuckin’ with is straight, trickin’.”
“I hear you. What area do you live in, Mr. Judgmental?”
“Peachwood.”
“Peachwood? Hmm, that makes sense.”
“What you mean by that?”
“It fits you. The beltway literally separates you from the hood. You’re close enough to stay connected with your people but in a safe area to lay your head and not have to sleep with one eye open.”
“Smart girl.” Danger winked as he switched lanes.
“So, why did you hit me up so late?”
“I told you, I wanted to see you.”
Caresha wasn’t impressed. Leaning in, she rested her elbow on his console. “You could’ve hit me up all day, but you wait until nighttime?” She shook her head slowly, disappointment etched on her face.
“You work Monday to Saturday and do overtime on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I knew you were busy, so why would I reach out then? I couldn’t see you.”
Caresha paused, recalling that she had shared her schedule with him on Crown’s driveway while giving him her number.
“That’s true. But a simple ‘good morning’ or ‘how you feeling today’ would’ve sufficed. That could’ve led to this, you know? It’s the little things…it’s the respect. Don’t just hit me up at night. I’m not one of those.”
Danger considered her words, understanding her perspective. “Noted, ma. That’s my bad. Forgive me. This my first time.”
“First time what?”
“Trying to actually get to know a girl beyond the bedroom. Spending time. A nigga ain’t never been on that. But I hear you and it won’t happen like this again.”
“You wouldn’t have given me real time either if I hadn’t told you no about coming up in my spot.”
“Nah, it’s not even like that. I wanted to come through because I wanted to see you and talk to you.” Danger said earnestly. “But you have boundaries, and I respect that. I’m learning, so stop fussin’ and keep teachin’ me.”
They exchanged glances, caught up in one another when Caresha noticed something odd about him.
“You okay? Your eyes are bloodshot red.” She reached up to tap the light above for a better view.
Danger didn’t even try to hide it. He shook his head. “Nah, I ain’t alright.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Lost someone real close to me recently. My best friend. Shit hurt like a muthafucka.” He cut the light off as he merged onto the freeway.
“Shit. I’m so sorry to hear that.” Caresha felt a pang of empathy. The first thought that came to her was Nivéa; she’d go crazy if something happened to her best friend, so she could feel his pain.
Danger nodded as he got up to eighty in speed. The ride was twenty-five minutes long, and they fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the music and the wind blowing through the open windows. When they finally pulled up to Brims, he asked,
“You wanna eat out here in my whip or you bringing it back to the crib?”
“What? We can’t eat inside?” Caresha asked, flashing a cute smirk. “You don’t want your lil women, you claim you don’t have, to see you with me?”
“Dawg,” Danger chuckled, shaking his head at her argumentative nature. In the short time he’d known her, she stayed going back and forth with him, thinking he was on some bullshit.
“Nah, I thought you would’ve wanted to eat here 'cause I know you tired. But you know what? Get out the car. We gon’ eat inside.”
“No, no. I’m just messing with you. You right. I’m exhausted. I’d rather eat here.” She laughed.
“Nah, too late for that.”
Danger hopped out and walked to her side, opening the door. As he lifted her from the seat, Caresha playfully tried to pull back. But she was no match for his strength.
“No, I was just messing with you. It's too many people. I’d rather eat in here.”
“Nah, you comin’ yo’ ass in.”
“Please.” She pouted, glancing at the crowd walking inside, then back at him with pleading eyes.
“Aight, man.” Danger looked down at her, unable to keep up the fight.
“Stop all that shit you be talking then. What you want me to order you?”
Caresha smiled faintly as he let her go. “Get me their stuffed tacos with extra bell peppers, a large onion ring, and a large tropical punch.”
“Tacos and onion rings?” Danger scrunched up his nose. “Let me find out you pregnant. You got a kid on the way instead?”
“Absolutely the fuck not.”
“Bet not.”
“Or what?” she questioned for the hell of it.
Danger ran a hand down his face, shrugging, but didn’t say anything.
“You would stop talking to me?” Caresha asked, folding her arms.
He looked at her, licking his lips. Those almond-shaped eyes framed by thick lashes had a way of pulling him in, making him feel like he’d do just about anything for her. And he hardly even fucking knew her.
“Nah, wouldn’t matter to me.”
Caresha could tell from the look on his face that he was lying. He looked like the type that didn’t play about that kind of shit.
And she was right.
Hassan was no Ahmad Knight. He wasn’t interested in raising another man’s seed. When the time came, he wanted his woman carrying his babies and his babies only. And that was that.
“You’s a lie and the truth ain’t in you.” She nudged his head.
“Man, watch out. Get yo’ lil ass in the car.”
Laughing, Danger helped her back inside. After closing the passenger door, he headed into the small restaurant.
From the car, Caresha could see through the restaurant’s window.
She watched as he walked inside, dapping up niggas he knew along the way and tossing off death stares to those he didn’t recognize.
She even witnessed the women who walked up to him.
The last female that stood in his face, Caresha could tell he knew her well…
most likely even fucked. He had to keep brushing her off, and once he finally did, he turned to see if she was watching and had caught it.
They locked eyes, Caresha shaking her head at him.
Being who she was, though, Caresha said fuck how tired she was and hopped out of the car. She had to show these females what it was, even if she wasn’t sure what the hell it was. It was the fire in her.
Caresha looked good as she walked through the door.
She wasn’t overly thick by any means, but she wasn’t a tiny girl either.
Her one-hundred-and-forty-seven-pound frame accentuated her outfit, drawing the eyes of everyone around.
What she lacked in breasts, she made up for in ass and thighs.
Niggas standing nearby began to follow her with their gazes, tempted to shoot their shot.
But Caresha had tunnel vision; she kept it pushing.
And once she stood by Danger, they all looked away out of fear and respect.
They didn’t want those kinds of problems.
“Thought you were too tired to come in?” Danger smirked, kicking his foot up on the wall as he leaned back against it.
“Yeah, well I changed my mind. But I still wanna eat in the car, though.”
He chuckled knowingly, pulling her close to him by her waist. He, too, had to let muthafuckas know what time it was, even if he wasn’t sure where things between them were headed. He saw them niggas watching her.
“Brim say it’ll be ‘bout ten minutes. I’ma get you fed.”