Southern Kings: A Gangster Love Story (10 page)

“You not gon’ try and fuck with me are you?” He looked up at me as he pulled my covers back and then climbed into my bed.

“No, are you gonna fuck with me?”

“Depends. You keeping that on or what?”

I rolled my eyes and walked over to my dresser. I found a pair of tiny cotton shorts and then removed my leggings and replaced them with my shorts. I had my back to him, but I could feel him watching me the entire time. I hit the lights and then grabbed my remotes off the dresser before I joined him. Again, I left space, but he wasn't trying to hear that. He pulled me against his body and then took the remotes from me.

“You're sexy as fuck, Asha. You gon’ make this hard. Shit, you made it hard already.” He chuckled and moved his hand to adjust himself.

“You'll be fine,” I said firmly after getting comfortable.

It felt good to be snuggled up close to him. I had been up since seven, had school and then went to work, so I was tired as hell. Being up under him gave me a sense of peace, so I felt myself drifting. The last thing I remembered was his voice asking if I was gon’ just go to sleep on him like that, and then a kiss on my forehead when I didn't respond. Keys was on his own. I tried to fight it but I was out.

“Reelle, hold up.”

I looked back over my shoulder when I heard my name. I had just finished my last class for the day, and was about to run by my parents’ house to see them. I didn't get by there as much as I liked to, but I missed them and didn't want to seem ungrateful for the fact that they were supporting me while I was in school. I knew they understood that I was busy with school, but it was still important to me.

I waited while Henry caught up with me. He was frowning until he was beside me, then his whole face lit up. I knew Henry had a crush, but he wasn't really my type. Didn't know why because he was a cool dude. He played ball and was smart as hell, so not your average dumb jock. And of course, he had the body to match his talent. Henry was tall, like seven-foot kind of tall, so he was very slim, but fit. He had a low fade with nice wavy hair that was jet black to match this deep chocolate skin. His teeth were perfect and white with dark eyes that looked black and he had a huge dimple in his left cheek. He was nice, but I just wasn't into him like that.

“Where you heading?” He looked down at me with a smile.

“To my parents’ house.” I wasn't sure why I told him the truth, but he seemed harmless.

“Oh, y'all tight?” His expression kinda dropped.

“Yes.”

“That’s cool, I don't really have that. I wish I did.” He laughed a little. “My grandma raised me because my parents wouldn't, so ya know how that is. She did what she could, but I didn't really have the whole family vibe growing up.”

“I’m sorry.” I felt a little bad. I couldn't imagine not having my family.

“Don't be. I’m not. Life happens, and you just roll with it. But look, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out or something. I mean, I know you’re busy, but maybe dinner or something?”

“I'm not really into the dating thing right now, so I don't think so.” It was true, but really m nore about me not being into him.

He smiled. “I figured that, but I’m not asking you to marry me, Reelle. Just hang out a little. It can be a friend thing and then we’ll just see how it goes. No pressure, no expectations. I think you’re pretty cool, I mean from what I see of you and know about you. I just want to know more. Who knows? Maybe I’m what you need.” Henry had all thirty twos showing, which was cute.

I still wasn't really interested but, I decided to bend a little.

“Give me your number and I’ll think about it.” I unlocked my phone which was in my hand and then passed it to him. He entered his number and then gave it back.

“So, can I have yours? Or is this just one sided right now.”

I laughed. “Let me think about it for a little bit.”

“Yeah, aight, but call me, Reelle. No pressure. I promise.”

I agreed and then he hungrily hugged me before he turned to leave. When he was a few feet away, he turned to me again and yelled, “Call me, Reelle. You won't regret it.” I laughed and then made my way to my car. For some reason I got the strange feeling that someone was watching me, but I looked around the parking lot and didn't see anything out of place so I unlocked my door and got in my car. I tossed my book bag in the passenger seat and then pulled out of the parking lot. It was a twenty-minute drive to my parents’ house, and I was hoping that traffic wasn't bad.

When I reached my parents’ house, I parked and got out. My mom’s car was parked next to mine, so I knew she was home. I figured that my dad was still at work. He owned two hardware stores that I worked at from time to time. We weren't rich, but my parents were comfortable, and it meant a lot to my father to have his own. I loved that about him. When I got to the front door, I used my key to enter and heard the TV in the kitchen where I knew my mother would be. It was time for lunch and her soaps. My mother was a retired teacher and she subbed from time to time but for the most part now she was home all day with her kindle and soaps.

“Well, well, look who decided to drop by.” My mother smiled and then tood from the her air she was sitting in and came to hug me. “Dear, are you hungry?”

“No I’m fine. Sit down. I just wanted to come say hi.”

My mother returned from to her chair and pulled one out for me. I took a seat and looked up at the TV and then across at my mother.

“I know, I know, but it's habit.” My mother smiled, knowing that I was going to complain about her soaps. It was the dumbest thing to me, but she loved it. “So how’s school?”

“It's good. Just ready for summer break and one more year and I’m done.”

“We’re so proud of you, Ree. We really are.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you guys making this possible for me. I know it's not easy.”

“Baby, that’s what you do as parents, so don't you even worry about that.” My mother offered a soft smile. She and my father loved me, and it made this happy to know that they could afford to send me to college. It wasn't easy, but they made do, and I loved them for that, which was why I didn't ask them for anything and I worked at my dad’s store whenever he needed me to. They paid for my car, my apartment, and everything I needed for school. It was the least I could do.

“So, anything new with you?” my mother asked with raised eyebrows.

I knew she was talking about a guy. She always wanted me to find a good guy, especially after Burke. She and my father both hated him. Thinking back, I could see why. He wasn't worth my time, but I was young and in love. It's crazy how that happens. We see what we want to see, and believe what we want to believe.

I sighed before answering. “No, Mom. I’m not focused on that right now. I’m just trying to keep my grades up.”

My mother frowned a little. “Reelle, you can do both, you know. I don't want you to wake up one day and regret the fact that you didn't try. I just want you to be happy.”

“It's not that I’m not trying. It's just… never mind. I get it, I’ll work on it.”

“Who is he?”

“What?” I looked at my mother in confusion, and she gave me a stern look that said talk.

“You heard me, who is he, Reelle? There’s definitely someone. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Mom, there really isn't.” I thought about Yetti and got annoyed. Why did that always happen? I couldn't stop thinking about him, but when I did, he pissed me off.

“That face right there.” My mother pointed at me and I laughed. She knew me, but I still wasn't about to talk to her about him.

“There is no face and there is no guy. Leave it alone, please.”

She stared at me for a minute, processing. “There is, but I suppose you’ll meet him in time. I just hope he’s better than Burke.” She rolled her eyes. “I never understood what you saw in him.”

“Me neither.” I admitted with a smile, making my mother suck her teeth.

“Just promise me you'll try to be happy, and when you do find someone, make sure he deserves you. That’s all I ask. Your father and I don't have to love him, although that would be nice for a change.” She smiled at me. “But it's not really about us. It's about you, Reelle, and as long as you’re happy and he’s good to you, your father and I will be fine.”

“Maybe you, but not Daddy.” I grinned.

“True, but I’ll deal with him.” My mother laughed.

I thought about Henry. I knew my parents would love for me to be with a guy like him. He was likely the perfect guy for me, but he just didn’t do it for me. I knew it, so there was no point in me setting him up to think that he had a chance. I knew I wasn't going to call him.

I spent the next few hours with her, and then my dad showed up. I decided to stay for dinner to spend time with him and then headed home. My dad shoved two hundred dollars in my hand, which I felt bad about, but I needed it and he knew it. I loved my parents more than anything. I wouldn't trade them for the world, and I was blessed to have them.

The second I walked in the door, I shed my clothes down to my bra and panties. I loved living alone, just for this reason. I went to my kitchen to make a bowl of ice cream since I had dinner with my parents. I had a date with my DVR to catch up on all the shows I had missed lately. I couldn't really talk bad about my mother because I had my vice too. I watched a lot of trash TV. I just loved the insanities. Females tripping over men that don't be loving them, and men acting like they were players when they were forever getting caught and not really hitting on shit. It was funny, and my guilty pleasure.

The second I was situated on my bed with my remote and ice cream, Asha called, so I paused my show and put my phone on speaker.

“Hey boo. What you up to?” she sang into the phone.

“Nothing really, about to get my trash TV on.”

“Ree, you need a life, baby.”

“Whatever, Asha. This is my life. I’m happy, what are you up to?”

“I have been invited to dinner with Keys and then we’re going back to his place.” She blushed. I could hear it in her voice.

“Ohhh, fancy. Is this the night?”

Asha and Keys had been spending a lot of time together, mostly at her house and he would stay the night a lot. They slept in her bed or on the sofa together damn near naked, but hadn’t had sex yet. It was killing her, but she was trying to be strong. She said Keys would try little things like feeling her up, and had even gone as far as working his magic with his fingers, but no sex yet.

“I don't know. I’m not making plans one way or the other. If it happens, it happens.” She said it so nonchalant that I laughed.

“Uhh, no heifer. If that was the case, he would have been in your guts, boo. He’s been trying for the longest, and you’re holding out. You better give that man your cookie, and soon.”

She laughed. “I want to, but I know he’s still sleeping around. I mean, I’m not hearing about it, but I know he is.”

“Hoe, that’s ’cause you won't give him any. He’s into you Asha, you know it and I know. Just give that man your cookie, damn.”

“Shut up hoe! How about you give Yetti yours?”

“Uhh no, this is not about me, and I haven’t seen or talked to him in weeks.”

“Well he’s talked about you. He asked Keys about you a lot Ree. Just call him. You know he’s arrogant and stubborn as fuck.”

“Exactly, so what I look like calling him to make that worse. I’m over it and you need to be too, okay. Just do your thing with Keys, and don't worry about me. Besides, I got guys checking for me. Henry asked me out.”

“Henry?”

“Bitch you know him, he plays ball, the one in my Trig class.”

“Ohh, he's cute, Ree, but he seems too, I don't know. Not really your type.”

I laughed because that was funny. “What’s my type Asha?”

“Sexy, arrogant, cocky, bad attitude, thinks the world owes him something.”

“Hoe, you ain't slick. You just described the asshole known as Yetti Masters.”

“See, I always knew you were smart.” Ash giggled. “But I have to go. Lunch tomorrow, okay. I miss you, boo!”

“Hoe you don't miss me. You’re too busy with your new man,” I said playfully.

Honestly I was happy for Asha. I just hoped Keys didn't dog her out or she’d cut him, and I didn't have time for that. Asha is a little crazy.

“Whatever, no man comes before you, and you know it.”

“I know, girl. I’m just playing but lunch tomorrow.”

“Alright, later boo.”

“And give that man your cookie tonight, Asha. You know you want to.”

I hung up before she could respond and restarted my show. I planned to spend a few hours doing this, taking a shower, and then going to sleep. I had an early class, so I was calling it an early night.

“Yo, why the fuck you keep looking at me, nigga?”

Dude looked around like he was confused about who I was talking to. I was at Odyssey having a few drinks because I was bored and needed something to do. I was hoping to leave with someone worth my time, who could hold my attention. Lately, no one was really doing that. I was getting pussy, but it didn't meant shit to me, and tonight I really needed it. It had been a few weeks since I’d actually talked to Reelle, but earlier today, I was at Clark kicking it with one of the little dudes that worked for us and I saw her. She was in the parking lot with some tall ass nigga in her face. He was grinning and shit, and she looked like she was into him too. That shit pissed me off, and I almost ran up on her, but that wasn’t my style.

I didn't want her thinking that she had a nigga like that. Funny shit was she really did. I didn't know why I was still keeping my distance from her. On some real shit, shorty had my head gone. I kept thinking about her, and even went by her place a few times and thought about kicking it to her, but every time, I ended up leaving. I didn't like what she was doing to me. Reelle had me feeling things I wasn't used to. Hell, for me to feel anything at all was new. I never got attached to any female like that, but with her, I couldn't help shit I didn't understand. I didn't know what it was, but her feisty ass had me wanting to be around her. That was dangerous for me because that meant she might actually see me for who I was.

I was fucked up. I didn't know why it was so hard for me to let people in, but it was. I guess seeing my mom be murdered and knowing that I couldn't do shit about it had me not wanting to open up. I couldn't see myself telling anyone why I had so much hate in my heart, why I always had the urge to hurt and kill. Seeing that shit had me all fucked up and I was glad that Keys and Hayes didn't have to witness it. They still suffered from our mother dying, but not like I did.

Maybe I would never be right, and who could love someone with issues like me? Not Reelle. She was a good girl, she needed a guy that would love and protect her, not just physically, but her feelings and emotions too. I didn't have a clue how to do that shit. I couldn't even if I wanted to, but it didn't stop me from wanting her. Damn, I wanted her bad! I just didn’t want to hurt her, and I knew I would. I was hostile, angry, and just wanted to hurt people and break shit. Like right now. Dude glanced at me twice and I wanted to shoot his ass.

“Bruh, I’m not looking at you,” he said calmly, but that pissed me off even more.

I drew my gun and rushed him, knocking him off the stool that he was on at the bar. I shoved it in his mouth and gritted my teeth.

“If I said you’re looking at me then nigga you were. Fuck wrong with you? Do you know who I am?”

He nodded and looked up at me, holding his hands up. “My bad, Yetti,” he tried to speak, but it wasn't clear because I had my gun in his mouth.

“Yo, Yetti, what's the problem?” Nic touched my shoulder and I kept my eyes on dude. I recognized her voice though.

“This nigga is disrespectful, is what the problem is!”

“Let him up, Yetti. I’ll have Racer put him out.”

My eyes were on her and she waved her hand in the air. The bouncer came over and they waited for me to get off dude. I did, and they snatched him up and escorted him to the door. I put my gun away and then moved back to the bar. I lifted my drink and finished it.

“You alone, where's Keys and Hayes?” Nic looked me over with a concerned expression

“Shit, I don't know. I’m chilling tonight.”

She gave me another concerned look. It wasn't really like us to be out without each other, but Keys was with Asha, and of course Hayes was at home with Rah and my niece.

“Come on, I’ll sit with you for a while.” Nic was cool. She and Keys were close. They had tried to have something, but his hoe ass couldn't commit, so they just agreed to disagree, and now she was like family.

“I’m good, Nic. You don't have to babysit me. I won't cause any more problems, and I think I’m leaving anyway.”

“You don't have to leave. And I’m not trying to baby sit you, Yetti. Just catching up with a friend.”

I pulled money from my pocket and tossed a hundred on the bar before I kissed Nic on the cheek. “Thanks, baby girl, but I’m heading home. Don't say shit to my bothers about this.” I winked at her and she laughed.

“I’m not a snitch, Yetti.” She smiled and I walked away.

A few minutes later I was in my car driving with no idea where I was heading, until I hit the highway. Then it got real clear. I needed to see her, even if it was just for a minute.

I looked at my phone while I sat in my whip outside of Ree’s apartment, trying to decide if I wanted to call her first. It was almost one, but after seeing her grinning all up in dude’s face earlier today, I had to consider the idea that she might actually have company. I didn't really know how the fuck I would react to that, but I guess I was about to find out. I got out, slid my phone into my pocket, and climbed the stairs to get to her door. I used my key and let myself in and smirked at the fact that she hadn't had her locks changed. She knew I still had a key, but she didn't change her locks, which I thought for sure she would.

Once I was inside, I locked the door behind me and pulled my gun out. I didn't know who was in there with her, so I wasn't taking any chances. I stood quietly in the center of her living room for a minute listening, but it was quiet as hell. No sounds, not even a TV or radio. It was also dark as fuck, which I wasn't feeling because I wasn't real familiar with her place. Hell, I had only been there once, and all I did really was go to sleep and then we left the next morning.

I made my way to her bedroom and pushed the door open with my gun leading the way. I found Ree knocked out in her bed. She was balled up in the covers with one leg hanging out and her hair all over her head. There was so much of it, that it covered her face and the pillow around her head, since she was on her back.

She was cute as hell, which brought a smile to my face, and she had no idea I was in her damn place. I needed her to do better with that. I made sure the safety was on my gun before I walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. She stirred a little, released a soft moan that had my dick hard and then turned over. It wasn't until her body hit mine because she moved that she actually woke up.

I scared the shit out of her, which I expected. Her eyes grew wide as hell and she tried to create some distance between us, but she couldn’t because her body was tangled in the covers and I was sitting on part of them. That was when I noticed that she only hand on a bra and panties.

“What the hell, Yetti!” I guess she finally realized it was me.

“Yo, why the fuck you yelling, Reelle?”

I looked at her with a straight face and she leaned forward and shoved me in the shoulder and then tried to yank the covers from underneath where I was sitting, which didn't work. I decided to play nice and lifted my body enough for her to do so. When I did, she pulled them up enough to cover her chest and then lowered her arms, pressing them to her sides to hold the covers in place.

“Why are you here? You have got to be the most unreasonable fucking person I know. You don't just walk in people's homes uninvited.”

“Why not? I have a key, and you didn't change your damn locks, so you must have wanted me to be here.”

“Oh my God! I hope you don't really think that makes it right. I didn't change my locks because I didn't think you would be crazy enough to come back!”

I chuckled at how pissed she was. “Fuck you mean you didn't think I was crazy enough? You
knew
I was! Hell, if I did it one time, you had to know there was a strong ass possibility that I would. So here I am.”

“Please leave. I can't even deal with you. Just go, please!”

“Nah, I can't do that. I needed to see you.”

She tilted her head to the side and glared at me. “You needed to see me? And why is that? You said everything you had to say the last time I saw you, remember? It's been weeks, Yetti. You could have called, you didn't come by like a normal person, in fact you could have been dead for all I know!”

“What if I was, would you care? Would you miss a nigga?”

“What kind of questions is that?”

“Shit, I don't know. You bought it up, so I want to know, would you miss me, Reelle?”

“I can't answer that. I don't know you enough to say what would I miss.”

She was right, but I still wanted to know, so I grabbed her little ass up and covered her body with mine. She fought me off until our lips connected and then she slowly eased up. Her damn lips were so soft, and apparently she hadn't been asleep for long because I could taste the mint from whatever toothpaste she used before she went to sleep. When I let up, I hovered over her for a moment, just looking at her. She was calm for a minute, but that changed quick as hell because she hauled off and slapped the shit out of me. Her little ass hand stung my face and hurt like hell, but I didn't do anything. I didn't move at all. I just sank my teeth into my lip and kept my eyes on hers. She looked mad as fuck, but didn't say anything. She just looked at me.

“So if I died would you miss that?”

“You’re crazy. Like need to see a doctor for some serious evaluation type crazy. Now get off of me!”

She shoved me in my chest and I laughed, but I moved.

I walked over to her dresser, leaned against it and she climbed out of her bed and moved toward the same dresser. Shoved me to the side and then opened the drawer, yanking a shirt out. After pulling it over her head, she found a pair of shorts and stepped into them.

“Yo, if I don't put my hands on you, then you don't need to put your hands on me.” I pointed at her and she sucked her teeth, ignoring me and focused on my gun.

“Is that loaded?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because it's a gun, and it’s on my dresser.”

I chuckled and picked it up. I held it out to her so that she could see it. “You’re good. The safety is on.”

“I don't care. It's still a loaded gun in my apartment.”

I placed it back on the dresser and she just glared at me.

“I don't even know why I’m here.”

“Me either, so do us both a favor and leave.”

“I don't mean it like that, Reelle. I’m here because I wanted to see you, but I don’t know why. I know you’re not fucking with me like that, but for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about you or wanting to be around you. That’s crazy, right?”

She just looked at me, clearly not knowing how to answer, so I laughed.

“I know you think it’s crazy, shit you think I’m crazy! You made that shit real clear, and maybe I am, but that don't have shit to do with the fact that I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“I don’t understand you, Yetti. You don’t make sense.” Her expression softened a little when she spoke.

“How is that?”

“You stepped to Burke for me and then basically treated me like shit after you did. Then you just disappeared and now here you are claiming that you can’t stop thinking about me. You don’t make sense.”

I smiled and then moved my hand down my face before I gripped the back of my neck. “That shit don't make sense does it? But that’s me. You're right. I don’t make sense Reelle. It’s who I am, though.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Why did you treat me like that at the club that night?”

“Shit, I don't know. I was just in one of my moods, I guess.”

I could tell from the way she looked at me that she didn't believe my answer.

“That’s a lie. Tell me the truth or you can leave now.”

I stared at her for a few more minutes and then decided what the hell. “You wanna know the truth?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I heard that nigga say that he was your first and that he could have you anytime he wanted. That shit pissed me off, so I left.”

I watched her face and in a matter of seconds her entire expression changed. She looked hurt and embarrassed before she folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at me.

“Did you sleep with her?”

“Who?”

“The girl you left with?”

Damn, I forgot all about that.
“Yeah, I did.” There was no reason to lie.

“Okay, so you have no room to talk then, and I’m not your girl, Yetti. Why do you care who I’ve been with? And for the record, I’ve only been with one person? So I'm not ashamed of that.”

“’Cause that nigga is a fucking pussy. He didn't deserve to be your first. He didn't deserve to be your anything.” I took a step toward her and she took one back.

“Fuck you move for? I’m not gon’ put my hands on you, Reelle. I don't hit women.” I raised my voice and didn't mean to.

“I don't care whether you hit women or not, but I can promise you won't put your hands on me.” She moved aggressively towards me until we were inches apart and then pointed her little ass finger in my face. She was small as fuck compared to my size so it made me laugh.

“Since everything is a joke to you. Why don't you just leave. I’m not in a joking mode and I really think you should go.