When A Thug Loves A Woman

When a Thug Loves a Woman

Charmanie Saquea

CRASHHH

“Fuck you, nigga! You ain't shit!”

I jumped up from my mama’s table, damn near choking on the food I had just stuffed in my mouth, when I heard the sound of glass breaking and my car alarm going off. With the speed of lightning, I moved to the front door and almost yanked it off the hinges when I snatched it open. There, causing a scene in front of the whole neighborhood, was none other than the bitch I made a mistake in getting pregnant four years ago.

“Bitch, you must have a death wish!” I yelled as I rushed towards her.

Her ass was going in on my damn Benz with a metal bat like she was Sammy Sosa or some shit. The moment she saw me, her ass must have come back to her senses or some shit because she had suddenly simmered down and turned into a coward, running around the car to get away from me.

“You really fucked that bitch, Casino? Just fuck me and my feelings then, huh?” China said as she backed up.

“China, what the fuck are you talking about? Take your stupid ass home and stop giving these people something to talk about!” I said through gritted teeth.

China knew I hated having muthafuckas all up in my business and I wasn't with that causing scenes shit but it was like her ass thrived off this shit. I don’t know if pissing me off got her pussy wet or what because it seemed as if every other day she was doing some shit that made me want to kill her.

“No, nigga, you fucked a bitch that used to be my best friend!” she yelled as she slammed the bat into my windshield.

This bitch done lost her fucking mind
, I thought as I rushed her ass. She tried to run but her slow ass was not match for me. I grabbed her by that horse shit she had sewed onto her head and yanked her right back. She tried to scream but I grabbed her by her throat, pinning her to the car.

“This what the fuck you want, huh? I should break your fucking jaw!” I bellowed as I reached back to hit her dead in her shit.

“Casino! You better not!”

I got pissed off at the fact that all of a sudden my mama wanted to bring her ass outside and intervene when it was time for China to get her ass whooped but when she was out here acting a fool and fucking my shit up, she didn't have anything to say then. The more China tried to move, the harder I pressed and tried to crush her damn windpipe.

“I guess you think I'm playing with you,” my mama said as she came and stood next to me. “Let her go or you're going to have to tangle with me,” she said with her hands on her hips.

I looked down at her small frame and tried not to laugh as a small smirk formed on my face. My mom was only 5’0, a whole foot shorter than me, but she acted like she was the Hulk or somebody. I've heard stories about how my mom used to whoop ass back in the day and that's something I would've loved to pay to see.

Finally, I let go of China’s throat and backed up. Of course, being the drama queen that she is, she had to perform and act like I was killing her. Now, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't dare put my hands on a woman because I was raised better than that but China is the type of broad that would make you want to knock her ass out.

She didn't always act like this, though. It was as if after she had our daughter, Casiyah, her ass decided to flip the crazy switch to on. Thanks to her ass, I make sure I'm double strapped out here when I'm dicking hoes down because getting another bitch pregnant is nowhere on my agenda. Especially if they all act like China’s ass.

“Now, what the hell is wrong with you two? Out here acting a fool in front of all these people,” my mama snapped.

“He…he fucked Aamil,” China cried.

I rolled my eyes at her theatrics. Just two minutes ago, she was busting my windows out. Now she wanted to act all heartbroken and shit.

“You a damn fool if you believe that shit. Ma, send her ass home,” I said as I walked away.

“She came over just to tell me that her son is yours!” China yelled.

Now that shit caused me to pause for a moment. Then I had to remember just who the fuck we were talking about for a minute here. Aamil was a little freak that my nigga fucked with on the low from time to time. Did I fuck her? Yea, once. Me and Kendal were always sharing hoes and it had been that way since we met each other. The only chicks that were off limits were the baby mamas and the one we really loved.

As far as I'm concerned, that could be Kendal’s baby. All I know is that Aamil, China and whoever else got me fucked up if they think her son is mine. That's just some shit I know is impossible because I know for a fact I used a condom with her ass.

“Casino, you—”

“Ma, don't start. My food getting cold,” I told her as she came back in the house.

“Boy, you better shut the hell up and listen to what the fuck I got to say,” she fussed.

I just put my fork down and gave her my undivided attention. “Okay, go ahead.”

“Now, you know I don't say much about you and China's mess but when y'all bring it to my front door, trust, you're going to hear my mouth. I don’t know what China is talking about or if it's even true but you better get to the bottom of it, and quick! I know she can be dramatic but that shit really hurt her. At the end of the day, she's still the mother of your child, so please help me understand how you could sleep with a bitch that she called her best friend? I guess the apple don't fall far from the tree.” She rolled her eyes.

I wanted to check her about her slick little comment but I decided to let her slide this time. My mama was always taking slick jabs at my pops, knowing damn well she loved that man. “Ma, that broad just saying that to fuck with China head. She been wanting me since day one and since she can't have me, she wanna fill her head up will bullshit. That's why China cut her off in the first place. I can guarantee you that baby ain't mine,” I told her.

She cut her eyes at me like she didn't believe a damn word that just came out of my mouth and I laughed. It was like my mom had a bullshit detector or something that she could read right through you.

“Mhm, whatever, boy. Don't let this shit come back to bite you in the ass, Casimir,” she said before leaving the kitchen. “And you better clean up my kitchen before you leave!”

I just shook my head at her as my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see I had a text message from Kendal.

Ken
:
Kisses the move tonight?

This nigga always spending money on hoes
, I thought as I wiped my hand off to text him back.

Me
:
It's whatever, you know I'm down just let me know
.

I wasn't that big on strip clubs but I had no problems with swinging through Kisses to let loose tonight. Especially with the bullshit China just did. I needed to blow off a little steam.

“One shot of Patrón,” I said as I placed the shot glass on the bar.

Tonight was a busy night at Kisses and instead of niggas taking advantage of using the damn bottle girls, they wanted to crowd around the bar. I moved to the other end of the bar to take my next order when I saw him coming. I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. It was just like a natural reaction whenever I saw him.

“Hey, baby, come take my order,” Kendal said as he held up some money.

“Ask one of the other bartenders, I'm busy,” I said dully as I finished mixing the drink I was making.

“Let me get a Coke and Henny,” he said, ignoring everything I just said.

I acted like I couldn't hear him as I continued with what I was doing. It was no secret that I couldn't stand his worrisome ass and I never tried to hide the fact. I could spot a bitch made nigga from a mile away and Kendal was just that; a bitch nigga.

“So you gonna act like you don't hear me? Fuck you then, bitch, with your tar baby ass. Black bit—”

“Aye, nigga, chill the fuck out! It ain't even that serious,” his homeboy said as he stepped in. “Besides, I think her little chocolate ass is sexy.”

I rolled my eyes at the both of them as I finished passing out the drinks I had just made. I hated having to bite my tongue but Lord knows I need this job and these niggas weren't worth my livelihood. After I was done, I turned towards Kendal’s homeboy.

“What can I get you?” I asked him with my hands on my hips.

“How about your number for starters, then we can go from there,” he smiled.

“To drink,” I told him, unenthused and uninterested.

Being a bartender, being hit on came with the territory and I was beyond used to it by now but I was not the least bit interested in any of these niggas that would come in Kisses every weekend tricking off their kids’ college fund and health care. I damn sure wasn't interested in any nigga that called himself being a friend of Kendal. Even though he didn't frequent Kisses as much as Kendal, I had seen him come in here with him a few times.

“Why you acting like that, mama? I’m just trying to make conversation, that's all. You asked me what I wanted and I told you. You don't have to be like that, definitely don't mind my buddy over here. He didn't mean no harm but I'll take that Henny and Coke for him and a bottle of Rosé for me,” he said.

Kendal’s ugly ass just huffed and I sucked my teeth before going to retrieve their drinks. These niggas better be glad they got the more civilized and calm Bambi, because had this been a year ago, I would have turned this club upside down acting a fool for Kendal talking to me like that.

Now I'm mature and know how to handle myself. I realize I have something to live for and it's not worth being locked up because of what someone said. Now, if he were to ever put his hands on me, I would gladly do that time.

“Here you go,” I said as I placed the drink and bottle in front of him.

He placed the money on the bar to pay for it and I grab it up and walked away.

“Aye!” he called me back.

Slowly, I turned around to see what he could possibly want now. He beckoned me back with his finger so I walked back over to him.

“Here's your tip, and once again, sorry for my nigga’s disrespect earlier,” he said before sliding the money between my fingers and walking away.

I looked down at the money in my hands and counted four Benjamin’s.
This man just left a four-hundred-dollar tip
, I thought to myself, astonished. I looked back up in his direction to see if he was serious but not once did he break his stride or look back as the half-naked hoes flocked him and followed him to his seat.

-$-

“Come on, don't do this to me,” I stressed.

Here I was, sitting in the parking lot of Kisses in the middle of the night trying to go home but my car wouldn't start. This was the last thing I needed right now, another thing for me to have to pay to get fixed. Like my Grammy always say, ‘If it's not one thing, it's another.’ I waited a few seconds and tried it again but just like before, I got nothing.

Tap tap tap

I jumped and reached on the side of me for my baby nine when I heard someone tapping on my window. I had been so fixated on trying to get my car to start that I never noticed anyone walking up.
Damn, I'm slipping.

“Whoa, easy, mama. It's just me,” the guy from earlier laughed as he threw his hands up in mock surrender.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better or something? I don’t know you! What, are you stalking me?” I questioned, never taking my hand off my gun.

He was in a full blown laughter now, like I had told a joke or something. Yet, here I was, sitting here with a scowl on my face.

“Come on, now, do I look like the type that would have to stalk some pussy? I was getting ready to leave and I saw you needed a little help so I decided to be a gentleman tonight because you caught me on a good night. Now I'm starting to rethink the shit because you got me talking to you through the car and shit like I'm some common nigga
and
you pulling out on me. What's up with that?” he asked.

Even though I didn't get the creep vibe from him like I got from his homeboy, I still wasn't taking any chances so I got out of the car with my baby by my side just in case he wanted to try some slick shit. “My car won't start,” I told him.

“Okay, so how about I give you a ride to the crib then I can have my homeboy take a look at your car and fix whatever needs to be done?” he said as if he were asking a question.

I immediately starting shaking my head to let him know neither of those suggestions were going to work. I didn't know this man from Adam, so getting in a car with him and letting him know where I lay my head was out of the question. “I'll just wait here and call a tow truck or something. Besides, I don’t have any money to be paying for it to get fixed right now,” I let him know.

“Come on now, mama. Don't insult a nigga like that. I would never leave you alone out here by yourself, especially in the middle of the night. You think I would try some bullshit with you and you got a gun in your hand? I bet you know how to use it, too. I'm not that crazy. Just come on. I promise to be on my best behavior,” he said.

I stood there and weighed out my options. I really needed to get home and I knew it would take forever for a tow truck to come get it, then I would still have to find a ride home. Sighing, I knew that he was my only choice right now. “What's your name?” I asked.

“Casino,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.

“Bambi,” I informed him.

“Oh, I know. Come on, though,” he said as he continued to hold my hand and led me over to an Audi.

He hit the locks before opening the passenger’s door for me. I climbed in and instantly my butt melted on his leather seat that was soft as butter. When he got in the car, he pulled out his phone and dialed some numbers.

“Go ahead and pull off, I'm good. Call up Quincy in the morning for me and tell him I need another car looked at,” he said before hanging up and looking over at me. “Where to?”

I gave him my address and he pulled out of the parking lot. The ride to my house was a very quiet one because of me being lost in my thoughts. I just stared out the tinted window as I watched the nighttime Detroit sky pass me by.

“You don't talk much, huh?” Casino asked, snatching me from my thoughts.

“I don’t have nothing to say.”

As he came to a stop at a red light, he looked over at me like he wanted to say something but he decided against it. Out the corner of my eye, I could see him staring at me but I refused to look at him. Thankfully, the light turned green and his eyes went back on the road.

Twenty minutes later, we were pulling up on my street and I was grateful because that the most awkward car ride I had ever been on.

“You can stop right here,” I said before he could make it to my house.

“You live here?”

“No, but I'll be fine. Thank you for the ride, though,” I said before opening the door to get out.

“Hold up,” he said as he lightly grabbed my hand. “Since you won't let me drop you off at home, put my number in your phone and text me when you get there to let me know you got in safe at least.”

Reaching in my pocket, I unlocked my phone and plugged in his number as he called it out to store him in. Before I could shut his car door, he had some parting words for me.

“Aye, don't bullshit a bullshitter, Bambi. Text me and let me know you made it in, I don’t wanna have to come back and kick every door on the street in until I find you and fuck you up for being hardheaded,” he told me.

I just gave him a small smile before shutting his door and walking away. I watched his car as he drove off and I walked a few houses down. When I made it to my house, I unlocked my door and prepared myself for a good night of slumber. Forgetting to text Casino.