Chapter 3
Chapter Three
RHYAN
Iwiped my heavy eyelids with the backs of my hands. My lips curled into a slow yawn. It’s late, and I’m tired as fuck. The tiredness that settles in your bones and won’t budge. I glance at the digital clock on my nightstand.
I could’ve sworn I put my phone in sleep mode. These twelve-hour shifts I’ve been working over the past three months are finally catching up with me.
But on another note, I need the money, so I won’t complain. I pace myself and rest when I can. Reset when needed.
I earned this life.
I graduated from nursing school a little over five years ago, and after completing my education, finding a job in the nursing field was the last thing on my mind.
I wanted to work, I really did, but I didn’t have to. My ex-husband had me accustomed to a lavish lifestyle that bitches dreamed of. I won’t lie, it feels good to provide for myself without any nigga’s help.
I take that shit back. I do miss spending Chauncey’s money because that nigga had it, and he still has it for sure.
But that’s still my old life.
I’m proud of this one.
Damn, I know I wasn’t tripping. I woke up to my phone ringing again. Who’s calling me this late at night? I snatched my phone from my nightstand to check the caller ID. It’s a number I don’t recognize. I’ll go ahead and answer, since the motherfuckas won’t stop calling me.
“Hello…”
It’s so much goddamn noise in the fucking background. It’s obvious whoever got the wrong damn number. I don’t appreciate these motherfuckas waking me up out of my sleep. I’m about to hang up. The unknown caller suddenly starts banging on my ear.
“Yo, Rhy, I know it’s late, but I need you to pull up.”
My stomach drops.
Simmy.
I recognized his voice anywhere. What could he want with me this late at night? Wait, Simmy is in my city.
Did he drop the fucking dime on me?
Pull up?
I pulled my phone away from my ear. My heart started acting funny before my mind caught up.
I cannot risk running into Chauncey because Teflon Hills is the last place I want to be. It’s too much pain and heartache for me to ever think about returning home. It’s a promise I’m not willing to break.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
His breathing is heavy.
Careful.
“One sec.”
“Okay.”
Like he’s hesitating; he doesn’t want to say the wrong thing. Gosh, what is it? I don’t want to think the worst, but for some reason, my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.
God, I hope Chauncey is okay. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to him.
The last time I spoke with Chauncey, we both said things we didn’t mean. I mean, why else would Simmy be calling me at this hour? I’ve been gone for over a year for a reason. I cut off everyone except my momma and my grandma.
Peace required distance.
Chauncey and I aren’t on good terms, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to him. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t care what Chauncey is doing or who he’s doing it with. I’m not on that type of time anymore.
The less I know, the better. I refuse to let a bitch or a nigga hurt my feelings. I know this late-night phone call has something to do with Chauncey.
I can feel it.
Honestly, I’ve been trying to move on. I’m healing, but I haven’t fully healed. I couldn’t do that if I were anywhere near Chauncey; he has far too much power over me. It’s one of the reasons I moved to Dallas, Texas, and took the first available traveling nurse position.
“Nah, Rhy, shit just got real, which is why I’m telling you to pull up.”
Simmy is talking in circles.
What the fuck is going on?
I must know.
I’d been caught off guard once before by Chauncey’s bullshit, and tonight I won’t be taken by surprise.
“What’s wrong?”
“Does it matter if I’m not finna do too much on this phone?”
It doesn’t matter whether Simmy wants me to do something I’m not comfortable doing mentally. Where am I pulling up to, and why?
“Is Chauncey okay?”
Silence.
It’s the only thing I want to know.
“Rhy, you’re asking too many questions. I just told you I’m not finna do much talking on this phone. If it weren’t serious, I wouldn’t have told you to pull up.
I’ll tell you everything you need to know when you touch down. I might be offline for a few hours, but pull up at Teflon Hills Medical Center. Hopefully, we’ll have a room by then.”
“Simmy, he got shot.”
“Yeah.”
The words hit me low. Quiet. Like something sinking.
“It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure Chauncey would want me there?”
I know I’m the last person Chauncey wants to see. I left him, and honestly, he didn’t see it fucking coming. He should’ve, but I didn’t want him to. Chauncey took me for granted way too many fucking times.
I had enough of his bullshit, and he wasn’t willing to change, even after we said I do. It hurt to leave him, but I had to. I had to leave Chauncey for my sake and my sanity.
No matter how much I loved Chauncey, I couldn’t keep letting this nigga play in my goddamn face without consequences. Chauncey softened me; he had me doing things that went against everything I believed in and stood for.
“It’s not about what Chauncey wants right now.”
“Simmy, you’re asking me to do a lot right now.”
Of all people, Simmy should know how I feel, especially about what he’s asking me to do.
“Aye, Rhy, I know you and my brother have been beefing for about a year, but at the end of the day, you’re still his wife. I need you to step in and look after my nigga while I’m in the field. I cannot be in two places at once.”
“Really?”
Silence.
Chauncey and I have been beefing hard for the past two years. Yes, I folded and bowed out in secret. I couldn’t stay ten toes down with this nigga. I just couldn’t. I lost myself trying to be somebody I’m not supposed to be. Chauncey had me looking too crazy out here in these streets.
“Rhy?”
Silence.
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t keep dealing with Chauncey’s shit.
I’m not that bitch; on any day I’m built differently.
I love Chauncey; I always will, but I love myself a whole lot fucking more.
I’m not willing to share him with these other bitches.
Nope, I’m not with it. Shit, he’s not willing to share me with another nigga.
“I’m only doing this for you, Simmy.”
“I know Rhy, and I appreciate you.”
“I’m looking for a flight now. I should be there in about 3 hours.”
“Aye, Rhy, don’t insult me.”
“I’m not.”
“We only fly commercial.”
“I’m aware, but I live a different life now. I don’t want Chauncey to find me once all this is over. I prefer to fly domestically.”
“Aye, Rhy, this is between us. It’s not looking too good for my nigga.”
“Simmy, he’ll be fine.”
Niggas like Chauncey don’t die easy. I hate to say it, but Chauncey’s too stubborn to let any nigga take him out.
“On some G shit, Rhy… The doctors aren’t expecting him to make it through the night.
Chauncey got hit up bad. It’s not about what these crackers are saying.
It’s about what our ancestors got in play for my brother.
So, I’m asking you to do me a solid and take yo ass to DFW. The jet is waiting for your arrival.”
I knew this was coming next. I’m already dreading the trip back home. I
I prefer to take my time getting there. Stepping back into the city in a private jet will only make it harder to leave.
“Simmy, this is heavy. Why did you drop this on me?”
“I didn’t want to, but these are the cards we’re dealing with right now.”
“Okay.”
Click.
I sit there in the quiet for a long minute. I haven’t been home in over a year. I hate that it’s under these circumstances. This past year, I’ve grown accustomed to a simple life, one that is low-key and out of the way.
The Maybach Benz I drive is the only thing that makes me stand out. Occasionally, when I step out with a few nurses I associate with, I put that shit on. I have a bank account full of M’s, but I refuse to withdraw any money because Chauncey would find me.
Is Chauncey really looking for me, though?
Probably not, but he checks his money every hour on the hour.
I’ve been operating cardless and under the radar for a while, so that any transaction would be a red flag.
I’m good. Damn, what am I going to tell my job?
I jumped in the shower to get clean and get ready for this red-eye flight.
Gosh, I cannot believe I’m about to do this shit.
I took a shower as soon as I got home from work, but I’m about to switch time zones, so I need to freshen up. My mind is all over the place. I know I’m about to walk into some bullshit; I can feel it. I might as well ruffle a few feathers while I do.
I wonder what Chauncey has gotten himself into, especially if bullets are in the mix and one hit his ass and landed him in a hospital. I won’t pry. I will do what Simmy asks me to do.
I’m not sure if I want to pack light or step foot inside the home Chauncey and I used to share to find some clothes. Nope, I don’t want to do that. The home Chauncey and I used to share brings back so many memories, both good and bad.
Damn, Chauncey and I have gone through so much together just to get here. It’s wild because I never dreamed we would end up this way. When I’m alone with my thoughts, I silently pray that we will get it right. I hope it’s not too late for us.
Istepped out of the shower and dried off. I’m really about to do this. I brushed my teeth and moisturized my skin with Goddess Lit Essentials body butter and body mist. I slipped on a bra and a panty set. I thumbed through my closet, looking for something cute to wear.
I snatched a pair of stone-washed, wide-legged jeans. It’s still cool at night, so I grabbed a white wife-beater and an oversized sweatshirt. I grabbed a pair of denim blue kitten heels.
I want to look cute and be comfortable, but I cannot do that while rocking a pair of red bottoms. My jeans are wide-legged, so no one will notice how low my heels are. I tied my sweatshirt and wife-beater together with a rubber band to create a crop top.