Page 17 of Give Me All Of You
“As good as it sounds, I can’t let you put him in my bullshit. Knowing Keith’s bitch ass, he wouldn’t hesitate to press charges. I couldn’t have that on my conscience, knowing he has a daughter.” As a parent, I knew all about the sacrifices that we made for our children. I couldn’t have Rakeem risk his freedom for me and then end up leaving his daughter with no parents. I wouldn’t even be able to live with myself if that happened.
“Well, just say the word and we can hire a hitman or some shit. I’m tired of him messing with my friend.”
This was why she had been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She was always by my side. It didn’t matter what the situation was; she was there.
“I really appreciate you, Journei. Half of the time I wouldn’t know if I was coming or going, but you’re always there to steer me in the right direction.”
“Your ass ’bout drunk because you getting all sentimental and shit, but I love your crybaby ass, too.” We laughed, but ourmini laugh fest was interrupted by my ringing phone. When I looked at the screen, it was Keith’s bitch ass. I let it ring and go to voice mail only for him to call right back.
“Answer it, and put it on speaker.”
Doing as she suggested, I answered the phone, and he didn’t let me get one word out before he started with his rant.
“You think I won’t fucking ruin you, JaRue? You’re out fucking drug dealers and having them around my child like I won’t take your incompetent ass to court and have your rights revoked. Cheryl told me you threw in her face the fact that you’re fucking that nigga from the club, and now you’re spending his money. Is that how you got your car fixed? He’s giving you money for my kid, Rue?” he seethed.
“Nigga, are you giving her money for your kid? The fuck? I swear niggas be worried about the wrong shit,” Journei snapped before I could even open my mouth.
“Journei, you need to mind your business. My wife told me about the threat you made on her life.”
“Ain’t no threat. I meant every fucking syllable. You keep fucking with Rue and y’all going to be twinning around this muthafucka.”
I spoke up because those two would go back and forth all day.
“Keith, I don’t know what Cheryl told you, but I didn’t throw shit in her face, even though I wish I had one of Finny’s shitty diapers so that I could. I didn’t even see her ass until she came in my face, running her out about shit she knows nothing about. I don’t bother y’all, so I deserve the same respect in return, or I’ll have to go another route since y’all don’t understand English.” I was over this shit.
“Oh, that nigga got you out of body like that? You think you can talk to me any kind of way now? Bet. I’ll be seeing you soon, Rue, and I hope you have that same fucking attitude.” The line went silent, and I knew he hung up. It was nothing for Keith to threaten me, but it was something in his tone this time that didn’t sit right with me. I don’t know what he had up his sleeve, but if he thought he was going to run my life, he was sucking dog dick if he thought I was going to let that happen.
Chapter Eight
Journei
While JaRue was on the phone arguing with her baby daddy, I was texting Rock, letting him know what was going on. I told Rue that he offered to beat his ass, but she didn’t want to involve him because of his daughter. What she didn’t know was that these Ashby niggas were just as much of a big deal as the Richmonds. Wasn’t shit nobody could do with them but deal with the consequences that they gave out. I let her do her thing, though, but I was letting this nigga know just in case. We were besties, and we looked out for each other.
“I’m staying here tonight. I don’t trust that, nigga. If he brings his big ass over here, we can throw bleach in his eyes and bet his ass.” I shrugged.
“You play too much, but we can definitely beat his ass if he pops up over here. I’m tired of playing with him. All he does is threaten me so that he can have some kind of control over me. I’m over playing these mind games with him. He can eat my ass, because he’s dying to, anyway.” I gave my friend a high five because I was proud of her for sticking her chest out. She could be lying for all I cared. She never talked this much shit about Keith’s sorry ass, and I was here for it.
“Fuck him. He tries to use his age to manipulate you, but that nigga is a whole bum ass nigga. What grown ass man that has the ability to take care of his daughter would rather see herstruggle because the mama doesn’t want to play his stupid ass games. A fuck nigga is what. I should get my new step daddy to shoot his ass. You know Roy about that life.”
“Girl, leave Roy out this. Now, once he gets the boot, we can recruit him.” We both laughed because it wasn’t a secret that my mama switched men more than she switched wigs. It wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t marry every damn body. She was a damn serial divorcee.
“Change the subject. Let’s not let Keith and his hunchback ruin our night. I want to get drunk off my ass and pass out until I have to get up for work in the morning.”
Hopping up off of the chair, I headed to the back to use the bathroom. That damn wine was running straight through me. After relieving my bladder, I washed my hands. As I walked down the hall, I heard Rue’s doorbell ring. I bet that was Keith’s ass. I made a detour to the laundry room and grabbed the bottle of bleach. I was serious about blinding his ass before beating it. When I made my way back around the corner, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Rakeem and his brother standing in Rue’s living room with scowls on their faces.
“What are y’all doing here?” I asked.
“That’s what I would like to know,” Rue countered, glowering at me.
“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t tell them to come here. I thought that was your bitch ass baby daddy, hence the bleach in my hand.” Her eyes went to the bleach bottle the back at the brothers.
“She didn’t invite us shorty. My brother told me what she was saying about your baby daddy, and I wanted to make sure that you were good.” I saw the way my friend was looking atHassan and he just might get that date he wants sooner than he thinks.
“I appreciate that, but I’m not worried about Keith. He’s all talk,” she said.
“Well, we don’t do too much talking,” Rakeem input as he swaggered over to the sofa. I followed him and he mushed the side of my head before ducking at my attempt to swing on him.
“Wait. How did y’all know where I lived if Journei didn’t tell you?” Rue quizzed. Hell, I wanted to know the answer to that as well.
