Chapter Four
Tremaine
Keysha had me hot. I was on edge and could have hurt somebody this morning. First, the bitch tried to poison my ass. There was no telling what she had put in my food. I was glad I didn't finish it. If I had, my ass would be laid up somewhere right now with a body bag covering me. Then, she turned around and did something to my phone. I could see moisture through the camera lens, and when I broke my phone apart, there was water inside of it. I took it to Sprint so they could see what was up. The salesperson confirmed that it had been in water. I spent a substantial amount of change on a new phone then I called a good friend of mine to find out where Keysha's mama lived. She gave me the address, so I rushed out to go get my son.
When I got to Keysha's mama's house, I figured she was going to start clowning, just like her fucking daughter. My boys, however, were there to help me handle things, just in case her stupid-ass boyfriend was there. Thankfully he wasn't so I didn't have to blow anybody's brains out. I was so upset that I didn't care if my boys knocked that bitch off or not. The only thing that saved her was Keith. He was the only one who saved me from not beating the fuck out of Keysha too, and she'd better be thankful that I was looking out for what was in her best interest, not so much mine.
The good thing was Keith was glad to see me. I don't claim to be the best father to my kids, but I couldn't accept no title as a deadbeat. I was active in all of my kids' lives, they knew who daddy was and they all loved to be around me. The only reason that Keith and me didn't spend as much time together was because of Keysha. Being around her gave me headaches, and the only time we didn't argue with each other was during sex. During that time, she was all good. I was the best nigga ever and she loved my black ass to death.
Well, I needed more than what Keysha was offering. I needed somebody who appreciated me. Somebody who praised my efforts and who wasn't all about getting fucked all the time. While I definitely loved me some pussy, I also had business to see about. That occupied an enormous amount of my time, and Papa James wasn't too keen on niggas slacking. If I didn't step up, I didn't get paid. And with four kids, it was imperative that I kept my pockets fat with paper.
Keith and I walked into the house, only to find Monica sitting on the couch with her lips poked out. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me, and her arms were folded across her chest.
“Nice of you to finally show up,” she said then looked at Keith. “Hi, Keith. Do you mind if I talk to your daddy for a few minutes? I made some cookies and they're on the kitchen table. Help yourself to them, okay?”
Keith nodded and headed toward the kitchen. Monica stood up with our son in her arms.
“What's going on with you and Keysha? I wasn't aware that you were still having sex with her, and who do you think you are showing up the next day without calling me?”
“I don't think, I know. I know that I'm the man of this house who doesn't have to answer to anyone, unless I want to. I know that I pay every single bill here, and that my woman and children are well taken care of. So much so, that she has no right to bitch about my late hours, especially when she knows I spend way more time doing business than I do so finding pleasure. She also knows that I love no one but her, but if that ever becomes a problem, she knows where the front door is. I promise you that I will never stop you from walking out of here, if you ever come to the conclusion to do so.”
I walked away from Monica, expecting not to hear anymore. She, however, came after me, refusing to let things go.
“Did you have sex with Keysha last night or not? That's all I want to know.”
“Let me repeat. I don't have to answer any questions, unless I want to.”
“So, that means you did. She didn't lie to me when I called then, did she?”
I went into the kitchen to where Keith was. He was sitting on a stool, eating cookies, and watching TV.
“Tremaine, do you hear me talking to you? I asked you a question and I expect for you to answer me, damn it.”
Keith looked at me and I looked at him. I didn't bother to turn Monica's way, because she was about to catch hell if she didn't end this right now. “We're done, Monica. Quit while you're ahead. Please.”
She walked away, but before she got too far, I spoke out again. “And if you ever talk to me like that in front of my son again, you won't have to walk out because I will open the door for you to leave with a foot stuck in your ass.”
“That may not be such a bad idea because I'm sick of this shit. All of it.”
I let Monica speak that noise, but the truth was she wasn't sick of it when she rode around in a brand new Mercedes I purchased for her a month ago. She wasn't sick of it when she was out buying expensive clothes, getting her hair and nails done, or when she gave money to her family. When she invited them over here to brag about how lavishly we lived, she wasn't sick about it either. So, her words went in one ear and out the other. She was just upset because she had no control over my dick. She knew damn well that she was wasting her time and mine, trying to argue about where I'd been all night. She just hated the fact that I was with Keysha, because the two of them never got along.
* * *
After I cooked dinner for me and Keith, and we went for a swim in the backyard, my boy Rico and his son, Lamar, came over. He was one of Keith's friends and while they played video games, me and Rico sat by the poolside talking business. My daughter was asleep on my chest and Monica was inside with our son. She hadn't said more than a few words to me all day, but I didn't trip.
“We need to make that move by next week. Let me know when you're ready so I can rent that van,” Rico said.
“Will do. Who's all going with us?”
“Just me, you, and Carmelo. You know Papa James don't want a bunch of niggas traveling with us.”
“Yeah, I know. By next Friday I should be good. I need to work out a few kinks in my personal life before then, but other than that, it's time to shake some things up and do what we gotta do.”
Rico slapped his hand against mine, before leaving without his son who stayed to play with Keith. After I closed the door, I carried my daughter upstairs. When I opened the double doors to my master suite, Monica was lying across the bed with our son in front of her asleep. Her long, wavy hair was spread out on the pillow, and with her skin being so light, I could see the puffiness in her eyes. At times, it bothered me to see her so upset. The last thing she needed to do was worry about tedious shit, like Keysha, who didn't even matter.
I laid my daughter on the California king bed and sat on it. Monica looked past me to look at the TV.
“I'm sorry about earlier. I hate to get at you like that, but I wasn't in the mood. I had to deal with some shit with Keysha and her mama, and the last thing I wanted to do was come here and start arguing with you.”
“I don't care what you've been through with Keysha and her mama. All I wanted was for you to answer my question. I still want to know the truth. Did you or did you not have sex with Keysha last night?”
I didn't want to answer Monica's question, because I would never hear the last of this. Months ago, I told her I was done fucking with Keysha because the bitch was crazy. She'd done some foul shit over the years and said some harsh things to Monica that neither of us appreciated. For me to go have sex with her wasn't good, but the way she looked in those tight jeans, gave me a rise that needed immediate attention.
“What difference does it make, Monica? As long as I don't bring no shit here, you shouldn't even care about what I'm doing out there?”
“I do care, and don't you think for one minute that what you do out there doesn't come here. It does. I want to know what's up because it will make a difference.”
Now, she had my attention. “What might that be? I'm eager to hear it.”
“Yes or no, Tremaine? Did you or didn't you?”
“Yes. Now tell me about this difference.” I stood up.
Monica stared at me without a blink. I could see that she despised me in her own little way, but I knew that I had this entire situation on lock. She wasn't going anywhere. She wasn't going to do anything but be mad at me for a few days then shit would get back to normal. The one thing that I knew about Monica was that she loved money. She wanted the best of everything, and she also wanted our kids to have everything they needed. She knew that walking out on me would tremendously change her financial status. And there was no other nigga out there who would give her all that I had given.
For now, all she could do was go into the bathroom and shut the door. I knocked to tell her I was getting ready to jet.
“I'll be back in an hour or so. Lamar and Keith are in his room playing video games. They already ate, so no need to fix them anything else. They also got some movies in there to watch, so when you get time, ask if they want to watch them. Other than that, if you need anything hit me up. I love you, ma, whether you realize that shit or not.”
Monica didn't respond. I kissed my sleeping babies, said good-bye to Keith and Lamar then left.
Within the hour, I was at Bree's apartment. Bree was the kind of chick who didn't give a fuck. She got in my shit from time to time, but for the most part we were all good. She accepted my situation with Monica, but she hated Keysha with a passion. I think Bree didn't trip off of me as much because, with her being a stripper, she had plenty of niggas trying to pay up for the pussy. She was only upping it, though, to a specific few, so she said. But when all was said and done, I could have her the way I wanted her with the snap of my finger.
Bree stood in the doorway with her yellow bra and panties on. Her chocolate body looked as if it were dipped in baby oil, and her long braids flowed all the way down her back to the tip of her apple bottom ass.
“Before you enter, do you mind telling me what happened to you last night?”
“Questions, questions, questions. This is what my life consists of, but the answer is I was busy and couldn't make it. Sorry.”
Bree stepped away from the door to let me inside.
“Apology not accepted, but it is what it is. I was hot and bothered last night, but another nigga came over to take care of that little problem for me. He's still here, so you need to make this really quick.”
“I just dropped by to see my son. Where is he?”
“He's at his friend's house. I'm not picking him up until later. If you want to stop by then, call ahead of time and let me know.”
“A'ight. I'ma let you get back to your company. Whatever you do, don't hurt that fool. I know what you're capable of, especially when you're so hot and bothered.”
“I know what you're capable of too, that's why I preferred you over him. But there are times when I don't mind settling for less. A sista gotta do what she must, especially when she's trying to get hers. With that being said, before you go, can you do me a favor?”
“What's that? Or should I say, let me guess. Money, right?”
Bree put her praying hands together and nodded. “Just a little. Niggas at the club ain't making it rain like they used to, so I've been short on cash for a while. I've been looking for another job too, 'cause you know this stripping shit getting played out.”
“Yeah, I know. I wish you would do something else, but that's like you telling me that I need to do something else. So do you, ma, but also do whatever to make some changes, especially for the sake of our son.”
“I feel you. Same to you, though. Now, go. Call me later and be good, punk.”
Bree leaned in for a kiss. I had no problem reciprocating. I left so she could get back to her business, and then made another quick detour before going back home.
Porsha lived about twenty minutes away from Bree. Yeah, Porsha was one of Keysha's good friends, but they never really got along. Why? Because of me. Porsha and me had been hooking up for the past two years, off and on. I didn't intend for anything like this to happen, but I always noticed her watching and checking me out whenever I was at Keysha's place. Then, one night we were at a club together and I pulled Porsha aside and asked her what was up. That's when she expressed how much she'd been feeling me. We didn't say much to each other at the club that night because Keysha was there. But later on that night, Porsha called me and I went to her house. I was tipsy, but when she threw that good pussy on me, I woke the fuck up. Ever since, we'd been sneaking around doing our thing. Porsha was the one who told me all the foul shit Keysha had been doing and saying behind my back. She kept me tuned in to everything, and that's how I was able to find out where Keysha's mama had moved to.
I rang the doorbell, and within a few seconds, Porsha answered with a huge smile on her face. She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into the house.
“I miss you,” she said. “Why haven't you been answering your phone?”
Mo' questions, mo' questions, mo' questions
, I thought.
“I've been a little busy today. But either way, I missed you too. I can't stay long, because Keith is at my house and I need to get back to him. I just stopped by to see what was up with you.”
Porsha backed away and pouted. “Aww, I wish you could stay. I'm bored to death, and I thought we could maybe go get a pizza and drinks or something. You sure you don't have time?”
“Not tonight. Maybe when I get back from out of town I will.”
Porsha appeared disappointed. I followed her into her bedroom where she had been sitting on the bed playing cards. They were spread all over her bed, a glass of juice was on her nightstand, along with a bag of weed. A fat joint was next to it, so we sat on her bed and started to get high.