Southern Kings: A Gangster Love Story (7 page)

“Guess what just happened?” I yelled into my phone as soon as Ree answered.

“What? Damn! It better be good because I swear you just ruptured my eardrum, yelling like you don't have no dang sense.”

“Girl, bye with all that. Ain't nothing wrong with your damn ear, so shut up and listen. Okay, so I just left Solano’s to get a pizza and guess who was there?”

“Reelle!” I yelled Ree’s name when she didn't answer. I knew she wouldn't because she hated stuff like that. She’d rather just wait for me to tell her.

“Stop with all that and just tell me. I’m trying to study for a test.”

“Keys,” I said it as calmly as possible but I really wanted to scream that too but I knew that she would probably hang up on me.

“Keys?”

“Yes, Keys Masters! Your man’s brother.”

“First of all, I don't have a man, and I guess that’s a good thing?”

“Hoe, please, Yetti is most definitely your man, whether you know it or not, and hell yeah that’s a good thing. That nigga is not slap yo mamma fine, but knock that hoe out fine and he got more bank than I could spend in a lifetime. On top of that, he kicked it to me and I walked away like I wasn't in the least bit interested, when I really wanted to bend over for him right there at the counter. I played it cool, boo, you know how I do. Anyway, he tried to get my number but I made him give me his and then walked out like a boss. I know he was like what the fuck? You know them niggas used to women selling their souls just to spend one night with them, so I pulled a power move and I know I got his head spinning.”

Ree burst out laughing. “Girl, you need to stop. Now what if when you walked away he was like fuck her. You don't know what he was thinking, but if it works I’m happy for you. Just don't go getting any ideas of us being one big happy family because I’m not feeling Yetti at all. He needs a personality make-over. I swear dude thinks that the world owes him something, and I can't get with that.”

“So you’re not feeling him at all? Not even a little bit?” I knew this heifer had to be feeling something. She spent all morning with him and didn't object, and it wasn't like he held a gun to her head.

“I mean he’s aight, but not my type. I'm not kissing anybody’s ass, especially after Burke. Men that think they have it all, do not understand loyalty, so I’ll take a hard pass on that. I hope it works for you, though.”

“Ree, really? Yetti is not Burke. In fact, Burke is a bus pass and Yetti is a Bentley. Not even comparable. He's a little rough around the edges and maybe even a little touched, but he’s so got damn fine, Ree, and obviously he's interested. How cute would it be for us to lock down brothers, and not just any brothers, but the Masters brothers? Do you know how many bitches would be hating on us? Oh my God! I’m smiling just thinking about it, Ree.”

“That's because you live for drama, boo. I don't. I just want to stay under the radar and focus on my classes. I don't need a man right now.”

“Saying shit like that lets me know that you need a man. I get that you want to focus on your classes, hell! I do too and I am, but you have to live too, baby, and if you don't get some dick soon, I’m gonna stop being around you. I see the way you be looking at my ass, Ree. I know I’m fine and everything, but damn.” I couldn’t even finish my sentence before I was laughing.

“Hoe, get a life! I don't want no parts of your ass or anything you have to offer.”

“Girl, I'm just playing, but we’re going to Odyssey tonight because I know they’ll be there. I need to flaunt my stuff and play hard to get before I let Keys taste this rainbow.”

“I’m not going to Odyssey. Didn't I just tell you I had a test to study for?”

“And didn't you just tell me you’re studying now? It's early as fuck, Ree. Study now and I’ll see you at nine! Dress cute for your man cause you know he’s gonna be checking for you.”

I hung up before she could say anything and then dropped my phone on the table. After I opened the box and grabbed a slice, I shoved it in my mouth and took a huge bite before I went to opened a soda. My mind was on Keys. I couldn't wait to see his sexy ass, and I knew he would be there. If my plan worked, he'd be all on me trying to figure out why I didn't hit him up, and I’d have him right where I want him.

Men like Keys weren't used to women standing their ground. I wasn't really about games, but this one time it was necessary. Once we clicked, I’d be upfront, but I needed him to know that I could take him or leave him. I wasn't out for just dick. I wanted something bigger than that, and I knew that many had tried and none had succeeded in locking down a Masters brother. Well except for Hayes, but word was that he had been with his girl since high school. Yetti and Keys were hoeish, so nobody was changing that. Well not until me and my girl Ree decided to try.

Ree needed to get her mind right. Not only was Yetti the one who went after her, but he was doing it strong. That wasn't his thing, so he had to be feeling her. I just hope she'd let go of the whole Burke thing and give him a chance.

Whether she did or not, I had plans for Keys. I had been checking for him for a while, but I meant what I told him about me not being the type to chase a man. I never have been and I wasn't about to start. So, while all the women I knew were throwing themselves at Keys, Yetti and Hayes. I just watched, waited and listened. If it was meant to be, it was going to happen.

Most females look at me and think, she’ll never get a man like that, but honey, size don't matter. Confidence is the key, and even with my size, I was still fine as hell. I kept myself in shape, and was always fly. I just wasn’t meant to be a skinny ninny, and I was cool with that. It didn't stop my hustle one bit. I had a history of fine men who I fucked with to prove it too.

I wasn't going to settle just because society said I wasn't supposed to have a man like Keys Masters. Who the fuck are they? They could kiss my big luscious ass. I was smart, sexy, and had a good heart. Any smart man could see that, so I wasn't worried, and it showed.

After I finished eating, I put the rest in the refrigerator for later. I was regretting the fact that I didn't just buy a few slices, but it was cheaper to just get a whole pizza. I decided to get some work done because like it or not, me and Ree were hitting up Odyssey tonight. I couldn't wait to link up with Keys and watch mouths hit the floor.

I made my way to my room and dumped my books out of my book bag. I was currently studying graphic design. I had plans to design websites and things like that when I graduate. I could see myself owning my own business. All internet based, and I could work from home. I wasn't about to be punching someone’s clock on a nine to five. I was too smart to make somebody else's pockets fat. Mama didn't raise no fool, so my goal was to have my own, be my own boss, and do it like a boss.

I was creative as hell, and I knew that I could make it work, so I wasn't taking anything less that owning my own. It was going to happen no matter what, and the first step was to get a degree. A young educated woman was a deadly thing, and I planned to make sure I had every advantage available to me.

*****

“Damn, it's crowded in here. Is there something going on?” Ree asked, looking around.

“Yeah, boo, it's Friday, and everyone just got paid. They’ll all be broke by the time they turn the lights on in a few hours.” I looked around at all the bottles in the air and drinks in hand. Once my eyes hit VIP, I amended my statement. “Well, everyone except them.”

Ree looked in the direction that I was pointing and she and I both checked out the ballers area. It was evident who had money in there, and who was getting their cars repo’d in the next few days because they were blowing their payments on overpriced drinks.

Yetti, Keys, and Hayes were with their crew, and the other two areas next to them were filled with money also. I wasn't really worried about them; my eyes were set on Keys. Dressed to impressed, I was rocking a pair of skintight jeans and a crop top. I had a little pudge around my midsection, but it wasn't over the top, so I didn't have a problem exposing it. Shit, I wouldn't have cared if I had a damn tire showing, I was still gonna do me. Love it or hate it, I did my own thing and no opinion mattered but mine.

“I need a drink,” Ree said after she scanned the crowd.

I did the same and laid eyes on Burke. He was watching her, licking his damn lips and nodding while his so called girl was right next to him. Trifling ass.

“Girl, forget him. He ain't nobody.” I rolled my eyes and pulled her arm, heading toward the bar.

“I’m not worried about him. I just need a drink.” I nodded, but I knew she was feeling some type of way about him being there.

When we reached the bar and the bartender approached, I ordered us both two shots. Ree took hers down like they were water and I laughed. She wasn't much of a drinker, so I knew she was about to be lit the fuck up. After I downed mine, I pulled her with me to the dance floor.

“Let's dance, Ree. I’m feeling good tonight.”

She smiled, and the second we hit the floor, her hands were in the air and her eyes closed. Yep, feeling it already. Ree and I danced for damn near an hour before I needed a break. Besides, I had to make my rounds. I was on a mission, and that mission began and ended with Keys. I needed to be seen, so it was time to head upstairs. I made my way through the crowd and just before we hit the elevator, Ree grabbed my arm.

“I need to go pee, Asha.”

“Damn, boo, can't you wait?”

“No, I really have to go. It will just take a sec, and then we can go upstairs so that you can lust over Keys.” She winked at me and smiled before taking off toward the bathrooms. I rolled my eyes and then followed.

We entered and I checked my self in the mirror while Ree disappeared into one of the stalls. A few girls entered who I recognized, but didn't know, and I listened while they went on about Keys and his brother. Typical, I hope I can fuck him tonight stuff, but one thing that caught my attention was when one of them mentioned that Keys promised her that they’d hook up later. I glanced at her in the mirror to check her out.

She was cute, but you could tell she wasn't hitting on anything. Her dress was expensive, but her accessories were cheap. Fake diamonds, cheap shoes and purse, and she was in desperate need of a mani pedi. Women like her killed me with that. Wearing expensive clothes don’t make you look classy, especially if all your other shit wasn't on point. It just makes you look like you wasted money on some shit you couldn't afford. Get a life boo, and read the handbook!

When Ree was done, she washed her hands and then fluffed her hair. She was in her wash and go style, which was the norm because she was too lazy to straighten it. It was cool though, because it was super cute on her. Ree looked like a little baby doll, and if you didn't know it, you'd swear she was barely eighteen instead of twenty-two. Tonight she was wearing dark destroyed skinny jeans, and a see through tank top with a matching bralette under it. My boo was looking sexy and even though she denied it, I was convinced that her new found look was because of Yetti. Ree always dressed cute, but sexy wasn't really her thing.

“Okay, I’m ready,” she said after she washed her hands again. Likely because they had been in her hair. I washed mine and then grabbed a paper towel to use to pull the door handle and then dumped it after we were both out.

“So you gonna speak to your man when we get up there?”

“You need to chill with that. He’s not my man. This is about you and Keys, so get your sexy on, boo, and let’s go and parade you in front of him. I hope this works.”

“It will, trust me. He can't deny all this goodness, but stop pretending like you’re not excited about seeing Yetti. Your cheesy ass grinning right now.”

I watched as she rolled her eyes and blushed. She shot me a bird and then passed the button to take us up a floor to VIP.

“Okay, so we’ll get a tall table, one of those by the rail so that we can see them. Stop looking obvious! After two drinks we'll leave if he hasn’t stepped to me yet.”

“So you’re really not gonna say anything to him?” Ree looked at me like I was crazy before we stopped off the elevator.

“No, I need to know he’s interested. Besides, I heard some lil’ tramp in the bathroom talking about Keys promised her they would kick it later.”

“Oh my God, this is too much work! Just go talk to him!”

“No, baby. He needs to work for this.”

I blew her a kiss and then turned to find our table. We strutted first by their section and caught their attention. I could feel eyes on us, but I didn't flinch nor did I turn my head. Ree didn't either, which I was grateful for, but shit went south when we made it to our table. Not only did we have their attention, but Ree had Burke’s and this asshole decided to try and flex. I had a bad feeling and just knew this wasn't going to end well.

“Yo, that's her right there!” Keys nodded at a shorty walking by our section, and a smirk formed on my face.

Apparently, the girl that Keys had been talking about for the past hour was cool with Reelle. I recognized her from the day that Reelle ran into me at Solano's and broke my damn phone. If I remember correctly, she had a flip ass mouth too, so I wasn't sure how that was gonna work out. Keys was kinda like me with stuff like that.

“Which one?” Hayes asked.

“The thick one.” Keys nodded their way again and this nigga was rubbing his hands together.

I looked up at him and laughed ’cause his ass was in a fucking daze. Shorty was nice, though. She was thick as hell, but she wore it well. It wasn't really my thing, but Keys didn't discriminate. In fact, this nigga liked big girls. I couldn't really knock him for that. Hell, to each his own! Pussy didn't have a face.

“She’s nice, Keys. You damn sure like ’em big, bruh, but she could get it.” I knew Hayes said that shit just to fuck with Keys, and it worked.

“Yo, do I need to remind you that your ass is damn near married, muthafucker?”

Hayes chuckled because he knew he had struck a nerve.

“Hell nah! I’m good, I’m just saying she could get it though, if I wasn't taken.”

“Don't make me knock your little ass out, Hayes, real shit.”

“Yo, why the fuck you mad, Keys? Didn't you say shorty shut your ass down on some ‘I’ll think about it’ type shit? Did she ever hit your line?”

“Man, fuck all that. She just running game. She wants a nigga. I could see it in her eyes. She just didn’t wanna seem to eager, and I can feel that. Other bitches be trying to fuck the second they lay eyes on you. Shorty got class.”

“Fuck is up with this nigga? He lusting over a female and shit, Yetti. Damn! Do I hear wedding bells?”

“Maybe.”

“Both of y'all can kiss my ass. It ain't all that.”

Keys grabbed the bottle I had in my hand and then fell back into the leather sofa that I was sitting on. He watched shorty until they reached their table, and on the sly, I kept my eyes on them too, but my focus was Reelle. I planned on checking her vibe to see how she behaved.

I didn't really know shit about her, and I could tell she wasn't the hoeish type, but some things you just didn’t know. If she was all up in multiple niggas faces or the type that got sloppy drunk, then I couldn't fuck with her. Right now, I was gonna low key feel her out and see what was up with her. If she met my approval, then I planned to use my key tonight.

“Damn, Reelle, you don't know a nigga now?”

Hearing a male voice address her that way had my eyes on her to see what was going down. I watched as Burke threw his hands up and walked over to where she was sitting. Reelle looked annoyed, which I instantly peeped.

Burke was a little nobody. He come up a little and thought that meant something. Everything he had was because we let him have it. My brothers and I could shut his as down with one phone call.

“The fuck he over there for?” Keys was now watching too. “Wait, ain't that old girl that broke your phone.”

I looked up at Reelle and then back to Keys. My brothers didn't know about my situation with Reelle because I didn't want to hear them talking shit. I was surprised that Keys told us what went down with old girl because he knew how we were. We cussed the shit out of each other any chance we got.

“Yeah, that's her.”

“Ah hell both y'all niggas over here sweating,” Hayes said with a grin.

“Fuck you mean? I ain’t sweating nigga.” I mugged Hayes and he tilted his head and gave me a ‘yeah right’ expression.

I didn't bother responding, and instead chose to see what was going on with Reelle and Burke, and looked up just in time. This muthafucker had her by the arm pulling her to his chest. Some other bitch was yelling Burke’s name, and Asha had jumped down off her stool and stood up like she was about to take this nigga on.

Burke was a big muthafucker, so he was yanking Reelle's little ass around like it was nothing, and I could feel my temple twitching. I was on my feet and my brothers were right behind me.

“And your ass always sweating. What the fuck ever!” Hayes said from behind me as we headed that way.

“Don't act brand new, Reelle. I was the first one to break that pussy in, and I can have it whenever I want it.”

“You got about three seconds to get your fucking hands off her or I’m gon’ put mine on you!” was the first thing out my mouth when I was close enough.

Burke and Reelle both looked at me, but he let her go. She quickly stepped back and moved away from him.

“What’s up, Yetti! You know her or something?”

“That shit don't really matter, does it? What matters is that you were putting your hands on a female, and I’m not feeling that shit. Fuck wrong with you?”

He let out a nervous laugh as he looked at me and my brothers. “Just a little disagreement. Nothing serious.”

“Disagreement? She didn't say shit to you, Burke. You supposed to be over there with that cheap ass bitch you came with, but instead you over here in Ree’s face.” Reelle’s girl said.

“You need to watch your mouth talking about me.” some chick off to the side yelled, but I noticed she didn't step to Reelle’s girl. She kept her distance.

“Hoe, mind your business. You need to watch your so called man.”

“Yo, shut the fuck up. This ain't about either one of you,” I yelled getting annoyed. I could see Keys tense up about the way I spoke to old girl, but he’d get over it.

“Ree, you know him like that?”

I could tell from the look on her face that she didn't want to admit it, but she did. “He’s my ex.”

“Pussy ass nigga.” I looked her right in the eyes when I said it before I turned to Burke.

“You like that little money you getting’?”

He looked at me, mad as hell because he knew where I was going with my question. It was evident that I was about to embarrass the fuck outta him, but it was better than me taking his life, which was what I really wanted to do.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Aight then, apologize and we’ll keep letting you get it.”

I heard Hayes chuckle behind me, but I wasn't in a laughing mode.

“Come on, really, Yetti?”

“Do I look like I’m fucking playing?” I nodded at Ree while I kept my eyes on Burke. “Apologize, nigga!”

He mugged me hard as fuck and then turned to Reelle. “My bad. We good now?”

That shit wasn't heartfelt so I decided to make it real clear what my expectations were. I pulled my gun and aimed at his head. “I think you can do better than that?”

Burke threw his hands up and then started rambling. “I apologize for putting my hands on you, Reelle. That shit won't happen again.”

“You damn straight it won't. Not with her or any other female, ’cause if I find out that you did, then I’m gon’ put my hands on you, nigga. Is that understood?”

“Yeah, we good.”

“Aight then, get the fuck outta here, pussy ass nigga!”

He eyed me and my brothers again before he walked away. I could hear old girl going in on him, and he cussed her ass out but didn't touch her.

“You good?” I returned my gun to my body and looked at Reelle. I checked her out to make sure she didn't have any marks on her.

“Yes, thank you. You didn't have to do that.” She half smiled.

“Obviously I did, based on the way that nigga was handling you. That’s what happens when you fuck with pussy ass niggas.” Again, I looked her right in the eyes and held it for a second before I turned and walked away.

Hayes was right behind me, but I could hear Keys talking to old girl.

“The fuck was that? You playing captain save-a-hoe but then you not gon’ fuck with her? That's guaranteed pussy right there, Yetti, and she cute too.” Hayes waited until I was seated again and then stood in front of me.

“I can fuck anybody in here, Hayes. Hell, just point to any one of these hoes up in here and I can fuck her. Why the hell I need to sweat her?”

“’Cause you like her, Yetti. Nigga I know you. She ain't just anybody, the only reason why I just said that shit was ’cause I wanted to see how you were gonna to react. I don't know what’s up with her, but you feeling her, so why the hell you just walk off like that?”

I chuckled. “Your young ass don't know shit, and I walked away ’cause she ain't for me. If she fucks with niggas like Burke, then she ain't for me.”

“Why you mad, bruh? You sound disappointed and shit.”

“The fuck I need to be disappointed for? She ain't mine, so she can be with whoever she wants, Hayes.”

“Yeah, but she ain't with you, and that's obviously fucking with you. Stop being so got damn hard all the time and give somebody a chance. You deserve to be happy, Yetti. We’re all fucked in the head, but that doesn't mean we don't deserve to be happy.”

I looked at Hayes and then grabbed the bottle of Ace that was on the table. I turned it up and ignored him. I was disappointed, not just that, I was fucking pissed. How could Reelle fuck with a nigga like Burke? He wasn't shit, and it wasn't about his finances or his status. Burke was a grimy nigga. He didn't respect females. In fact, that nigga thought he was a pimp.

I was even more fucked up about the shit he said about being her first. I didn't even know her, but the fact that he had her before me had me wanting to take his got damn life. He didn't deserve a girl like Reelle. Hell, neither did I, but I expected more from her. I know that shit sounded twisted and fucked up, but that was me, twisted and fucked up.

I downed the rest of the bottle and then placed it back on the table. Hayes realized I was done with the conversation, so he walked away. I glanced up at Reelle and she was looking right at me with a confused expression on her face. I could tell she was hurt, but I couldn't do shit with that right now. Keys was all up on her girl, and they were damn near fucking because the two of them were so close. I laughed at his ass. He was gone over shorty already, and I was gon’ fuck with him about that for sure, but if he liked it I loved it.

Right now I needed to get my mind off Reelle, so I was ’bout to go find some pussy to slide up in. I knew it was a fucked up thing to do because what I really wanted was to take her home and chill with her. Not even on a sex type of vibe. Just to kick it and have her pretty ass up under me on some chill type shit, but I couldn’t do it.

All I kept thinking about was Burke saying he had her first and could have her anytime he wanted. True or not, that shit was fucking with me. In my head she was mine, so him saying that was like a violation. Crazy right? I had fucked so many women that I couldn't even count them if I wanted to, but knowing that Reelle had been with one man had me wanting to take a life, and I wasn't even with her like that.

That made me feel vulnerable, something I wasn't used to and I couldn't deal with that. Anybody who had that type of effect on me wasn't good for me. Reelle damn sure wasn't good for a nigga like me.

“Yo, keep an eye on Keys, and let me know when you guys head out. I’m about to jet.”

Hayes looked up from his phone with a strange look on his face. “You aight?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just make sure playboy over there don't get into no shit. He got his head up old girls ass right now, so he’s not on his shit.” I glanced at Keys and he was rubbing all over shorty.

Reelle was gone, so I scanned the floor and still didn't see her anywhere. Oh well, I figured that she was good. Burke wasn't gon’ fuck with her anymore. That nigga didn't want to die.

“You foul as fuck for leaving me here to babysit that nigga, Yetti. You know we gon’ be fighting before the night is over.”

I chuckled. “Just ignore his ass, and I doubt it. Looks like he’s locked down right now.”

“You still owe me, nigga, but I’ll get up with you tomorrow.”

“Aight, bet.”

I hugged my brother and then made my way through the crowd. When I hit the bar, as expected, a shorty was all over me begging for attention. She was fuckable, so I entertained her.

“Yo, you wanna get outta here?” I wasn't about to kick it to her. Either she was leaving with me or not. It was understood that me asking that meant one thing.

“Hell yeah, I do.”

“You drive or you with somebody?”

She frowned, but answered. “I drove.”

“Aight lets go.” I walked off and she stood there for a minute, but followed. I knew she would. I wasn't about to be playing chauffeur to her ass, so I needed shorty to have her own shit. I was ’bout to hit up the fuck pad I kept for situations like this, and when we were done, I was putting her out and then taking my ass home.

The second I hit the front door, I caught sight of Reelle just as old girl caught up to me and looped her arm through mine. For some reason I didn't want Reelle to see that shit, so I snatched away, but it was too late. She already knew what was up. I could see it all over her face and she looked even more hurt than she did after I walked away from her earlier. I tried not to let it get to me because there wasn't shit I could do about it, so I keep it moving. Only issue was that I kept seeing her face in my head. I needed to hurry up and slide inside something tight to get Reelle off my mind.