Chapter Fifteen #3
“What the fuck did that scrub want?” Aria asked, peering around the open space to make sure everything was in place. When nothing seemed off, she dropped her bat and took a seat on the couch.
“Some bullshit about me helping him and coming home. He said he’ll drop the charges.”
“Ha!” she laughed. “He got us all fucked up.”
“That’s what I said.” Tyler rolled her eyes, flopping on the couch next to Aria.
“Did he try to give you anything?”
“No.” The lie easily rolled off her tongue.
“Oh ok, cause Shane was worried he’d try to give you something. Dexter is a snake and I don’t trust him.”
“Uh, no, he didn’t give me anything.” Tyler stood up, wiping her sweaty hands on her shorts. “But ummm, I did talk to Logic.”
“Oh really?” Aria cheesed. “See, this the type of tea I need. What his thug ass talking about?”
“He asked me to pull up on him.”
“Oh shit.”
“And I said ok. He sent me his location and everything.”
“OH SHIT!” Aria jumped up off the couch. “Why you ain’t start with that!”
Tyler giggled at her excitement. “Girl, calm down.”
“So, you was about to just go back to the hood without us? Let me find out you liked being kidnapped.”
“Shut up, fool.”
“Well, the kids with my mama for the night, so I’m coming with you. Wait, is it like a you and him thing, or is his loudmouth friend third wheeling?”
“He didn’t say. He just said his people.”
“Well shit, let me get my bag out the car. We haven’t been to a kick back since you used to sneak out the house with Bobbi’s triflin’ ass.”
“Right,” Tyler chuckled.
“That bitch was dead ass wrong. She used to have us drunk as fuck with her grown ass friends.” Aria shook her head.
“Fuck her.”
“And that’s on period. You wanna smoke?”
“No,” Tyler declined, thinking about the pills in her bra. “I’ll take a shot or something before we leave.”
“Ok, well I’mma hop in the shower and smoke. Turn some music on. I miss this version of us.” Aria bounced out of the house.
Tyler used the Alexa in the living room to start the music before jogging back to the guest room she was sleeping in.
Removing the balled-up napkin from her bra, Tyler quickly sorted through the pills while listening out for Aria.
When she found the one she was looking for, she put the rest in her draw and popped the pill into her mouth.
The Xanax would mellow her out, but the Perc would give her a nice buzz.
As she swallowed, Tyler caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
Stopping, she wondered if she looked like her mother when she used to deny having a drinking problem or her father when he tried to ignore it.
“My bitches shaking ass with they hand out,” Aria rapped with JT as she entered the room.
“Life still lifin’ and these hoes still mad,” Tyler rapped, feeling the contents of the pills invade her bloodstream. She silently promised herself that this was the last time.
???
Scottie was disgusted and wished she could shake some sense into Logic’s ass.
It was Saturday night, and they could’ve easily got a section downtown, but Logic wanted to be in someone’s house, rapping in a kitchen that reeked of old chicken grease.
He had a little motion, now and with Southwest Rah's name attached to his, they could’ve been on some exclusive shit.
Logic could’ve had her sitting in VIP with a bottle in her hand, stunting on the whole hood, but that wasn’t the case.
Instead, she stood in the middle of the living room with her purse on her arm, a drink in her hand, and her nose tooted in the air.
She looked out of place, and it was obvious that she was uncomfortable, but nobody paid any attention to her.
Logic was still in the kitchen rapping and talking shit.
He hadn’t bothered to check on her, and Scottie was about ready to leave.
She had niggas blowing her phone up, but the one she wanted treated her like any other basic bitch.
“Girl, I know your arm tired of holding that purse up. You can lock it in our room if you want,” Pearl offered.
“I’m good.” Scottie clutched her purse a little tighter as if Pearl was going to snatch it off her arm.
“It’s cute, so I get it.” She stared at the YSL purse. “I have one too, mine just a lil bigger.”
“Oh, this is real, but I’m not knocking you,” Scottie shaded. “Get it how you live.”
Pearl started to check her ass but decided not to.
Scottie wanted to believe she was better than everyone, but she was the same washed-up bitch from around the way.
She was a stuck-up bitch then; she was a stuck-up bitch now.
Pearl couldn’t wait until Logic dropped her ass.
He was a good guy, and he could do better than Scottie wanna be bougie ass.
“Yea, ok. You enjoy yourself.” Pearl rolled her eyes.
“Basic ass bitch,” Scottie mumbled, turning around to see where Logic was. He was no longer standing in the kitchen, and she didn’t see him in the living room, so she guessed he had ventured outside. Heading to the front door, Scottie rudely pushed her way through the thick crowd.
“Lo,” she called out, seeing him walking toward the street. “Are you leaving?”
“Nah,” Logic answered, but kept walking.
???
“Oh hell no, pull off,” Tyler demanded the second they pulled onto the packed block.
“Did he tell you it was going to be a block party?” Aria asked, slowly driving through the crowd of people who were staring at the car, trying to figure out who was behind the tinted windows.
“No, and I should slap his ass. I told him I didn’t want to be in public.”
“Well, you don’t look like the glammed up you, so I think you’ll be ok.”
Tyler started to call Logic but stopped when she saw him bopping toward them.
Without her consent, her body started to react to his appearance.
Logic was dressed in black jeans, a plain white tee, and a pair of Jordan 13s.
A thin gold chain rested on his chest and a matching bracelet on his wrist. As usual, his low taper was in need of a touch-up, but Tyler was starting to like the rough look on him.
Even in the night, Logic’s skin glistened, making the tattoos on his arm glow in the dark.
“Bitch, are you drooling?” Aria snickered, peering over at her best friend.
“Hush,” Tyler whispered as Logic tapped on the window.
Pulling the corner of her lip into her mouth, Tyler watched him knock again.
“You already did the hard part by pulling up baby girl,” Logic said, staring at the window as if he could see her. “Open the door.”
“Bitch, open the door,” Aria hissed, shifting the gear into park. “It’s a lot of hood nigga here and hood niggas got good dick and I’m in need of some good dick. You have two seconds to roll down your window or I’m going to do it for you.”
“You better-” Tyler started but clamped her mouth shut when Aria pressed the button to roll her window down. Instantly, the scent of his aquatic cologne filled her nose. With his hands on the roof of the car, Logic lowered his head into the window.
“What’s up, superstar?” He grinned.
“Nigga, you didn’t tell me this was going to be a party,” Tyler complained. “I’m wearing cut-up jean shorts, a graphic t-shirt, and sneakers.”
“It’s Southwest, baby, it’s always a party.” Logic shrugged. “You good though. I got you.”
“I don’t like that phrase, I got you.”
“Aight, then how about this?” He licked his lips, leaning a little closer. “I got the blicky on my hip and the clip fully loaded. Say the word and I’ll make this muthafucka bark.”
“Shitttttttt, I feel safe already,” Aria purred.
“See,” Logic nodded his head, “Your girl feels safe.”
“Fine,” Tyler sighed, opening the door. “You better not let anything happen to me or we’ll jump your ass,” she promised, stepping out of the car.
Logic’s eyes raked over her and nodded in approval.
“Can I get a hug before you start talking shit?”
“You always want a hug. Let me find out you’re lowkey feeling me up.”
“When I feel you up,” Logic looped his fingers in her belt holes, “There won’t be anything lowkey about it.” He pulled her closer. Burying his head in her neck, Logic inhaled her skin and exhaled. “You smell so fucking good, baby girl.”
“Are you flirting with a fallen R&B star with a drug problem?” Tyler joked.
“Nah.” He licked his lips. “I’m flirting with my future wife, but we’ll figure all that shit out later.”
“Say that shit then Thugger,” Aria cheered from inside the car.
“Who the fuck is Thugger?” Logic furrowed his eyebrows.
“It’s our nickname for you,” she giggled.
“Lo is cool. I don’t need a nickname.”
“Eh, Lo isn’t givin'. It’s so basic.” Aria stepped out of the car. “Can I park right here?”
Logic stared at the black Charger that was double-parked in front of a fire hydrant. He glanced down at a giggling Tyler and then back at Aria.
“You can, but if they tow that shit, it’s on you.”
“I’m unemployed, so I’mma send the bill to you,” Aria said matter-of-factly. “Better yet.” She pulled an envelope out of her purse. “The police are less likely to give you a ticket if you already have one.”
“So you just carry fake tickets?” Logic stared at her.
“Yep. Sometimes I be in a rush.” She smiled proudly. “Smart huh?”
“You're embarrassing,” Tyler snickered.
“Yall funny.” Logic turned his attention back to Tyler. “I’m shocked as fuck that you actually pulled up. I just knew yo superstar ass was about to give me a hard time.”
“Yea, you invited me...or was that a friendly invite because you felt bad? Nigga, are you sending me mixed messages? Oh shit, am I one of those girls who thinks you said one thing and you meant another?” she rambled.
“Do you always just rant without letting the other person answer?”
“Sometimes,” Tyler giggled.
“Can I get a drink while yall over there flirting?” Aria said from the other side of the car.
“Right,” Tyler agreed. “You got me out here in the hood with coochie cutters on, can I at least get a drink?”