Gunz and Roses (11 page)

Gunz, on the other hand, was in heaven. Shade covered him while he sipped on a fresh scotch and soda from the bar. A huge smile covered his face as he texted nonstop on his cell phone. He'd been texting for the last fifteen minutes. Gray was beyond annoyed. He was being rude and didn't even seem to care. It was as if she wasn't even sitting there.

If he hadn't looked so good, she would have left a long time ago. Gunz sat across from her dressed casually in a black T-shirt, jeans, and Nike Blazers, but his face and physique were what did it for her. Gunz was sporting a new look. As always, his hair was freshly cut, but now he rocked a punked-out curly Mohawk. The black beard with sprinkles of grey hair that formed into a goatee had Gray's adrenaline running overtime. His barber must have used a razor on his lining; it was so precise.

Gray cleared her throat in hopes that would get his attention, but it didn't. Rolling her eyes, she situated herself in her seat and called out his name.”Gunz.”

“What's up, babe?” He finally looked up from his phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking care of something.”

“Taking care of what? I'm sittin' here trying to have lunch wit' you and you're ignoring me.”

“My bad. I ain't tryin' to ignore you. This just had my attention.”

“What has your attention?” she snarled, leaning forward.

“Why you so nosey?” He couldn't help but laugh. Gray trying to be tough was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. She didn't have it in her to be mean.

“That's what's up. Don't answer my question.” She sat back in her seat and crossed her arms, heated.

“Look, man, don't start that shit today. We having a good time. Chill . . . out.”

“Who said I was having a good time? Last time I checked, I wasn't. You've been ignoring me the whole time.”

“Hold up. Let me get this.” He placed up his up index finger and answered his phone. “Hello? What up, Shanice?”

Gray's forehead immediately wrinkled at the mention of another woman's name.

“'Bout time you finally picked up the phone and called. This text messaging thing is not that deal. Yo, but hold on. Gray,”—Gunz took his mouth away from the phone—“give me a second. Let me take care of this. I'll be right back.”

“Oh my God.” She threw up her hands in defeat as he left her alone. “I can't believe this muthafucka is on the phone with another chick. Like, is this shit really happening?” she questioned herself.

At that point, Gray didn't know if she had it in her to keep on trying. Why she continued to let him treat her like shit she didn't know. Maybe it was his looks or the way his strokes felt like thunderbolts when he hit it from the back. Whatever it was, she had to get it out of her system. Gunz had her fucked up. Her pride couldn't take much more disrespect. She felt stupid. He'd played her one too many times and gotten away with it. Things had to change immediately.

“Please don't be mad.” Gunz sat back down. “That was my homegirl. I had to holla to her.”

Gray shook her head and looked off to the side.

“What's wrong wit' you?” he asked once he noticed she wasn't responding.

“Nothing.”

“You gotta get up outta here in a second, don't you?”

“Yep.”

“I wanna see you this weekend. You gon' make time for me?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“No? What the fuck you mean, no?” Gunz repeated, appalled.

Gray didn't even answer. She simply hit him with a roll of the eye and looked the other way, which she knew he hated.

“A'ight . . . so that's how you wanna be?” He nodded in disbelief. “I tell you about muthafuckas who try to be hard. Yo' ass gon' learn to quit fuckin' wit' me. So I guess I should call Shanice back and tell her to cancel our flight to Chicago this weekend for your birthday.”

“What?” She perked up.

“Now yo' ass wanna talk.”

“How you know my birthday was coming up?”

“Don't worry about it. I know. That's all that matters.”

“So that was really just a friend?”

“That's what the hell you been over there trippin' off of? You really ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, are you? You really think I would holla at another chick while I'm sittin' here wit' you? You must think I'm as dumb as you look.”

“Okay, all of that ain't even necessary. I apologize. I assumed—”

“Don't start assuming shit,” Gunz said, cutting her off, “'cause that'll get you fucked up every time. I don't like that shit. Don't do me like that.”

“Like I said, I'm sorry.” Gray sincerely apologized, feeling bad. Getting up from her seat, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You forgive me?” She kissed the side of his neck.

“Yeah, I forgive you, but cut that shit out.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out enough money to cover the check. “You ready to head out? I don't want you to get back to work late.”

“Yeah.” Gray placed on her shades and grabbed her purse. “Let's go.”

 

It was the phone call Gray had been dreading for months. Dressed comfortably in a long fitted V-neck tee and polka dot leggings, she sat Indian-style on the floor, polishing her toes black. For the past hour, she'd gazed at the phone, wondering was now the time to call. She'd done a very shady thing by leaving Rich's funeral the way she did. Night after night she tried figuring out a way to explain herself, but there was no excuse for her behavior.

Her best friend needed her, and instead of being there, she bailed. If she were Truth, she'd cuss her out, which she was almost sure he would. Unwilling to allow her fear to take over once again, she picked up the cordless phone and dialed his number. To her surprise, he answered on the first ring. It was almost as if he'd been waiting on her call.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” she spoke almost in a whisper.

“Who is this?”

Gray knew he was trying to play her, but instead of reacting with an attitude, she answered, “Gray.”

“Oh . . . what's up?” Truth leaned back in his chair.

“I was just callin' to see how you were doing.”

“I'm good,” he responded dryly.

Gray swallowed the huge lump in her throat. She was so nervous, if there was a glass of water nearby, she would've finished it off in a matter of seconds.

“Is that what you called me for? To see how I was doing?”

“Well, yeah. I did wanna see how you were doing, and I also wanted to say I'm sorry for leaving the funeral the way I did. It was just so much stuff going on and I didn't know what to do. I hope you can forgive me 'cause I really miss talkin' to my friend.”

“To make things clear, we haven't been talkin' not because of the way you left the funeral. It's been because of you. I guess you been too busy hangin' wit' ol' boy to be concerned with me.”

“It's not even like that. I just know y'all don't like each other, and that puts me in an awkward position. Plus, I didn't know how you would feel about me continuing to date him.”

“Gray, me and you been friends for how long? Over ten years. It's not no secret that I don't like that nigga. He killed my brother—”

“You don't know that.” Gray cut him off.

“You're right; I don't know, but something in me is tellin' me he did.”

At that point, Gray figured that Truth was allowing his hatred for Gunz to cloud his better judgment.

“Beside,” he continued, “you and I both know you can do better, but that's for you to see. Regardless, I'ma still be there for you. You my homegirl. Just don't ever play me like that again.”

“I won't. I promise.” She sighed with a sense of relief.

“Now that all of that female shit is out the way, turn on the Travel channel.
No Reservations
with Anthony Bourdain is on.”

 

The next day, Gunz went by his mother's house. She'd left him an urgent message saying he needed to come by. He'd asked over and over again what the problem was, but she wouldn't say. The only thing she would admit was that he needed to be at her house by 1:00
PM
so they could talk.

Normally Gunz would knock, but in a situation like this, he opted to use his key. To his surprise, when he opened the door, he found his mother and father sitting side by side on the couch, having tea.

Silence filled the room as the two men stared each other down. Gunz was the spitting image of his father. It was like he was looking at himself in the mirror. This man who he was supposed to call Dad stood two inches taller than him, but their skin was the same exact shade. Years of drug abuse had caused him to look years beyond his age, but a youthful sparkle still glimmered in his eyes.

“Hey, son.” Joseph stood up.

“This what you called me over here for?” Gunz glared at his mother with daggers in his eyes.

“I knew that it was the only way you would come,” she replied anxiously.

“Don't be mad at ya mama. I just wanted to talk to you, son.”

“Either call me Gunz or Gavin, but never . . . ever in your life call me son, ya dig?”

“I apologize . . . Gavin. Will you please sit down?”

“Like, y'all gotta be kidding me right now.” He shook his head, heated.

“I know that you're upset. You have every right to be, but there are some things that I need to say to you before it's too late.” Joseph sat back down.

“You can save the sob story for somebody who cares, 'cause frankly, I don't give a fuck. When I wanted you to be there, you wasn't, so I'm . . . good.”

“Just hear him out,” Vivian pleaded.

“Is it some cameras up in this muthafucka? Am I being punked? I gotta be, 'cause this is some straight Oxygen, Lifetime channel bullshit.” Gunz sat down on the love seat. “Say what you gotta say, man.” He deliberately looked the other way instead of in his eyes.

“First I wanna start by saying I'm sorry. I was wrong for doing you and your mama the way I did.”

“You fuckin' right.” Gunz cut him off.

“I take full responsibility for what I did,” Joseph continued on. “I should've been there, and I regret every day that I wasn't. Understand, though, there was never a day where I did not miss or think about you. I hate that I let drugs take over my life, but it got to a point where . . . drugs became bigger than me, you, and everybody else. I just hope you can forgive me, Gavin. If there is a way you and I could start anew . . . you just don't know what that would mean to me.”

“You done?” Gunz finally gave him eye contact.

“Yeah.” Joseph nodded his head.

“You ain't had a muthafuckin' thing to say to me all these years, but now you got so much to say. Nigga, fuck you! Don't . . . say . . . shit . . . to . . . me. I'm a grown-ass man. Don't try to tell me shit now. You ain't never been no father to me, so as far as I'm concerned, Mama, you even callin' ya baby daddy over here was pointless. This was some bullshit.” He stood up and walked toward the door. “I'm outta here.”

“Gavin, just stay for a little while longer,” his mother begged, taking his hand.

“Nah, let him go, Vivian. I spoke my peace and he spoke his,” Joseph interceded.

“But there is so much more that you need to say.” She looked at him with distress in her eyes. “Gavin,”—she turned and faced her son—“please stay.... He's still your father.”

“Why are you going so hard for this man?” Gunz snapped, snatching his hand away. “Have you forgotten how he used to go upside yo' muthafuckin' head and beat yo' ass? How he stole from us? This sorry-ass-nigga couldn't even come to Adriana's funeral! But I guess that don't matter, 'cause he ain't no crackhead no more. I mean, what's really good?”

“Watch ya mouth, Gavin.”

“Nah, fuck that.” He waved her off.

Vivian stepped up to Gunz and slapped him with so much force her hand burned. The minute she did it, she regretted it, but she wasn't going to let her son talk to her any kind of way just because he was grown.

“Now, I have told you about your goddamn mouth!”

“That's what's up.” He chuckled, rubbing his jaw. “So let me get this straight, just so we can all be clear. You'll ride for this reformed crackhead that left you wit' two kids and a mortgage for heroin, but you'll slap me, your son who has done nothing but stand by your side? That's how the shit is now?”

“Gavin, there is just so much that you don't understand.”

“I know everything I need to know. I see now that all I got is my damn self. I can't even depend on you anymore, but it's good. I'ma get up outta here. Y'all two go 'head and finish drinkin' tea and gettin' acquainted.”

With that being said, Gunz left angrier and more confused than ever. He realized that his words would hurt his mother to the core, but who gave a fuck? He couldn't care less about the agony in her beautiful brown eyes. All that mattered were his feelings. She'd made it perfectly clear that all of the struggles they'd gone through together were no longer of importance. She'd done the godly thing and forgiven Joseph for all of his sins, but Gunz could never forgive and forget. Fuck that. His life had always been a lonely one, and he wasn't willing to transform it for anybody.

B
ursts of color and beautiful one of a kind chic vintage pieces filled Paperdolls boutique located on Washington Avenue. The boutique had a loft-like appeal to it. At the back of the store was a seven-step staircase which led to a showcase of clothes. There was even a seating area outside. Some of the clothing was actual pieces of art designed by the artist Macu. The owner also sold jewelry and designer handbags.

Gray was ecstatic. Her surroundings only intensified her feelings more. She couldn't wait to go out of town with Gunz. This was the opportunity she'd been waiting for. Finally he'd be able to see all of the wonderful things about her that a couple of hours together couldn't provide.

“This is ca-uuute.” Tee-Tee picked up a nude-and-black Alexander Wang dress.

“Oooooooh, I do like that,” Gray agreed, coming over.

They were trying to find outfits for her and Gunz's weekend trip.

“I can most definitely rock the hell out of this, so I will be gettin' it.” She took the dress over to the counter and placed it down.

“So what time y'all leaving tomorrow?”

“I lied and told my boss that I had a family emergency, so she let me have the day off tomorrow, so we'll be leaving in the morning.”

“Yo' ass gon' get fired.”

“No, I'm not. Don't be burning bread on me like that.” Gray knocked on wood. “Besides, I've been working my ass off. I arrive earlier than anybody else, and I'm the last one to leave at night. And plus, when I get back, I'll be coordinating all of the looks for the September cover, which will feature Halle Berry.”

“That's what's up. I mean, I'm excited that you done found you a li'l boo and e'rthang, but don't start takin' unnecessary time off just to be with him, ‘cause please believe he would not do it for you.”

“Trust me, I'm not. This is just a one time thing. Speaking of my boo, this him callin' me right now.” She cheerfully grinned as her cell phone vibrated vigorously in her hand. “Hello?”

“What the FUCK you doing?”

“Nothing.” She giggled at his silliness. “Just out . . . picking up a few things.”

“A few things,” Tee-Tee repeated. “Has this bitch forgotten that she has her whole entire paycheck sittin' over there on the counter?”

Giving him the evil eye, Gray placed her index finger up to her mouth and warned him to shush.

“Who was that in the background? I know you ain't wit' some nigga,” Gunz questioned, about to flip.

“Calm down. That's my friend Tee-Tee.”

“Tee-Tee? What kind of bullshit is that? You know what? I don't even wanna know. Just call me when you get home, a'ight.”

“Okay.”

“Ay,” Gunz called out before she hung up.

“What?”

“Before you do that, I want you to do one thing for me.”

“What, babe?”

“Turn around.”

Gray quickly spun around on her heels. To her surprise, Gunz was right outside the boutique, leaning against an SLR McLaren Roadster. The car cost almost half a million dollars. Gray damn near shitted on herself he looked so good. Gunz posted like the king. He stood dipped in a fitted white tee, dark blue dirty wash jeans, and all-white shell toe Adidas. A gold rosary hung delicately from his neck, while a gold Audemar Piguet watch gleamed brightly from his wrist.

“Close your mouth, quit lookin' at me, and come here,” he said before hanging up.

Gray happily left Tee-Tee behind and greeted him outside. Gunz couldn't help but appreciate Gray's thick thighs and firm legs as she sauntered out the boutique's door, and although other people swarmed past, no one but her mattered. The crisp white Marc Jacobs tank top and indigo blue True Religion cuffed denim shorts accentuated her curves to the fullest. A long beaded necklace that reached her waist enhanced the casually chic outfit.

“What you doing wit' these little bitty-ass shorts on?” Gunz asked, pulling her into him by the belt loop of her shorts. “You want niggas to be lookin' at yo' ass and shit?”

“Nope, only you.”

“You miss me?” He placed his hands inside her back pockets and situated his dick so she could feel his hard-on.

“The question is, do you miss me?” Gray challenged, biting down onto her bottom lip as she ran her hands up and down the center of his crotch.

“You feel how hard my dick is; that's obvious.”

“Why you so nasty?”

“ 'Cause I know you like it.”

“How you know I was here?” she wondered.

“I was riding through and seen you.”

“But how did you know it was me?”

“Gray, I know that ass from a mile away.”

“Ha ha, funny.” She playfully hit his chest.

For a minute they stood in silence. Gunz stared off into space as if something was on his mind. The whole family intervention with his parents had him off balance.

“Hey,” Gray got his attention. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing. It's just been a long-ass day.”

“You wanna talk about it?”

“Nah, not right now.”

“You sure? 'Cause we can go somewhere and talk. I don't mind.”

“That's sweet, ma.” He lovingly placed a kiss on her forehead. “But nah, I'm good. You finish doing your thing. I just wanted to see you for a minute.”

“Okay,” she replied, not really wanting to leave the conversation alone.

“Here,”—he dug into his right pocket—“Go buy me a box of Lemonheads.” Gunz handed her a stack of hundred-dollar bills totaling up to ten grand.

“I am not taking that.” She handed him the money back knowing full well she needed it.

“I ain't ask you to take it. I asked you to go get me some Lemonheads.”

“You think you slick. No, go buy your own candy; I'm good.”

“A'ight, you gon' quit tellin' me no. But look, I'm about to head on out.” He cupped her chin and made her look directly at him. “You be good, a'ight.”

“I will.”

A delightful melody by Emily King called “U & I” came to Gray's mind:
Finally, finally my love has arrived. Once there was me . . . now there's you and I,
Gray thought as she became trapped in his gaze.
Handsome
was not the word to describe him. Gunz was beautiful. The hold that he had on her was beyond her control. Since forever she'd prayed for a man like him. Gray's lips desperately wanted to form the words
I love you,
but the timing just wasn't right.

“I'ma call you later.” He softly kissed her lips. “Answer the phone.”

“Okay,” she replied, on cloud nine.

After Gunz pulled off, she reentered the store.

“It's just fuck me, right?” Tee-Tee cocked his head back with his hand on his chest. “I swear a bitch that's gettin' some dick ain't shit.”

“Shut up. You just mad.”

“I mean, look at you.”

“Look at me.” Gray rolled her neck then turned around slowly in a circle so that he could get a good view of her.

“That killa really got you sprung. If the dick that good, let a nigga like me get a taste.” Tee-Tee flicked his tongue like a snake.

“Trick, please. You better fall back. I will cut a bitch over that big, black ten-inch dick.”

“Oooooh, why you have to go into details? Now my panties all wet.”

“Okay, that was just too much.” Gray shook her head, repulsed.

“It's never enough. You can never have too much dick in your life.” Tee-Tee did his best Eartha Kitt impression.

“Yo' ass is certifiably crazy.”

“And so are you. I can't believe you are about to spend all this money just to impress some man. I hope he's worth it.”

“He is.”

“You love him, don't you?” Tee-Tee said more as a statement than a question.

“How you figure that?” Gray challenged.

“ 'Cause he's everything you never said you wanted but apparently need.”

 

No one on the corner has swagger like us,
was the melody that ran through Truth's head as he walked through the mall. You couldn't tell him he wasn't the shit. Truth was tall with pecan-colored skin, and although his pockets weren't deep, his dick was long. Every time he stepped outside chicks were on him, but he couldn't sweat that none. Only one woman had his attention and that was Gray.

Just because she and Gunz were doing their thing didn't mean that he was gonna give up on them one day being together. In time, she was sure to see what he'd known from the start—that they were meant to be. He was willing to do anything to make her his. It didn't matter. If he had to lie, cheat, or kill, she was gonna be his.

Plus, Gunz needed to pay. There was no way he was going to get away with killing his brother and not deal with the repercussions of his actions. Truth was gonna make him suffer in the worst way imaginable. Gunz didn't know what was in store for him.

Truth made his way out of the mall and into the parking lot. As he approached his car, his cell phone began to ring.

“ 'Bout time you called nigga. I was starting to get worried,” he said, opening his car door.

“My bad. I got caught up. What's poppin'?” Fortune asked.

“I'm just callin' to make sure everything is good.”

“Yeah, the shit about to go down tomorrow.”

“That's what I'm talkin' about.” Truth smiled.

“You got everything covered on yo' end?”

“I'm good.”

“Now, you sure that I'ma be straight?” Fortune questioned, unsure.

“As long as you follow the plan. Get that shit and get ghost. Lay low for a minute then set up shop. Just don't be spending mad money and drawing attention to yourself.”

“A'ight. Well, look, I'll holla at you in a minute then,” Fortune confirmed.

“One.”

With a devious smile plastered on his face, Truth got inside his car. Operation Ruin Gunz's Life was in full effect. Now it was time for Truth to sit back and watch as Gunz's life crumbled into pieces around him.

 

After a quick flight, Gray and Gunz arrived in Chicago. Everything was perfect. Gray couldn't ask for more. The flight was smooth, and there was hardly any turbulence. There was no problem with finding their luggage, and the weather was sunny with not a cloud in sight. A driver picked them up from the airport and swept them away to their destination at The James Hotel.

Everything from the exterior of the building to the lobby was well thought out. The James was modern, but still had a sense of classic hospitality. They offered everything from a spa to an exercise room to a lounge called the Jbar.

Gray couldn't wait to get up to their room. Gunz had gotten them the penthouse loft. As soon as the door opened, she was in love.

A contrasting palette of earth tone colors filled the space. The minimalist layout and custom designed furniture included a streamlined dark wood platform bed, private dining, plasma screen TVs, and a slate-tiled and marbled bathroom. Other amenities included Kiehl's bath products, commissioned art, 100% Turkish cotton towels, and daily newspaper delivery.

Once they were showered and dressed, Gray and Gunz left the hotel and did a little sightseeing on Michigan Avenue. Due to the fact that Gray had never been to the Chi, Gunz took on the position of being their tour guide. The Chanel store, MaxMara, and Louis Vuitton were just some of the spots they hit before heading back to the hotel for lunch. Gunz was pleasantly surprised that in each store they went to, Gray never once asked for a thing. He even went so far as to offer to buy her something, but she flat out refused.

Now they lay resting comfortably, chest to back, in a tub filled with pink rose petals. Coultrain's laidback melody “Blue” set the mood. Flickers of light from the twelve tea candles strategically placed around the room danced across the walls. Gunz laid in between Gray's legs as she used a sponge to wash his broad chest. Hidden thoughts crammed the room. There were so many things Gray wanted to unveil, but the words were stuck on pause in her throat.

Tee-Tee was right. Gray held a love so strong for Gunz in her heart that it scared her. Before him, she never knew the true definition of the word, but with him, she wanted to explore each way it could be displayed. Gray didn't have to look for love anymore because she'd found it in him. And even though the feeling might not stay, she cherished the change in her life. Captivated by his presence, she dipped the sponge in water then washed his right pec.

Gray watched intently as the hot water slid down his chiseled chest and back into the tub. Her tongue wanted nothing more than to lavish his body with sweet kisses. Flashbacks of him pounding her pussy while playing with her clit sent chills up her spine. Gunz could do what he wanted with her, and she'd gladly succumb to his will.

“What you back there thinking about?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Making love to you.” She tenderly bent her head and kissed the left side of his neck.

“Cut that out.” He rubbed her thigh.

“What? You asked.”

“You ain't talkin' about nothing.”

“Try me and find out,” she challenged.

“Later.”

“You so wack.” She playfully mushed him in the head.

“Whateva. You ever heard this song before?”

“No, but I love it.”

“Yeah, I like this cat. He's from St. Louis.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, this is like my favorite song off the whole CD. Every time I play it I think of you.”

“That's so sweet.” Gray lovingly kissed the side of his face. “So since I love this song and so do you, I declare that this should be our song.”