ADDICTED TO HIM II (6 page)

Tamia

I was completely shook until Rashard sent Candy out here with me. Candy and I sat in the car completely quiet for about ten minutes before she reached over and hugged me. I can’t remember the last time I cried but that hug did it for me. I cried because I lost my mother at a young age. I cried because I never knew my father. I cried because I had to grow up so fast. I cried for the pain Armani went through growing up. I cried because I stopped her when I should have allowed her to kill him. I cried because this is all my fault. As I cried, Candy cried and although I knew why I was crying, I had no earthly idea why Candy was crying. We pulled away at the same time before we looked at each other and laughed. It was by far the strangest exchange I’ve ever had with anyone but I knew it signified a new found friendship.

The ringing of Candy’s phone interrupted our moment but it was a well welcomed distraction. “What’s up boss?” Candy asked as she answered her phone. She paused and her face balled up in anger. “I got shit covered on my end,” she said and hung up while she shook her head.

“Do you remember who Michelle is?” Candy asked, which caused me to look up at her. I nodded my head since I almost told her about her being one of my patients, but I caught myself just in time. For some reason, I trust Candy but I don’t trust anyone enough to place my career in their hands. “Well, her and Rashard use to be an item back in the day. She either faked a pregnancy or tried to put it on him but that’s why they broke up. Anyway, that was years ago and she still haven’t let go or moved on. I said all of that to say this, you and him pissed her off, so her and her cousin Tiffany are coming out here to jump you,” Candy said all in one breath, which caused me to laugh to myself. I looked over at Candy and she was smiling too. If them hoes come at me on a beef tip, then I hope they’re ready. I don’t fight but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how. I just don’t have a reason to and if you ask me, Rashard isn’t a reason. If they come out here on that bullshit, the disrespect will be reason enough. See, people think that when you’re not loud, ghetto, or walk around picking on people, you’re weak. People think that if you react in a way different from a hoodrat that lives for the fight, you’re weak. Again, what they don’t understand is when you grow up, establish yourself, and set forth goals, you will start reacting differently to different situations.

Here in Detroit, they will soon come to realize that Tamia is trained to go. I don’t ever have to get ready because I stay ready. I carry myself with class and dignity because I know my worth but don’t ever mistake my growth for weakness. I’ve never been the type of person to pop off at the mouth because I’ve never been the arguing type. I had to grow up and fast! Considering the hand God dealt me, I never had time for foolishness. I avoid drama at all costs and always have but you know what happens when you poke the bear.

I could see Candy smiling at me from the corner of my eye, so I looked directly at her but she turned away. “What’s up girl?” I asked Candy.

“Girl, I don’t know but it’s like we have a crazy connection!” she exclaimed and caused me to look at her funny.

“Now Candy, you’re a pretty girl but I don’t like women. I’m strictly dickly!” I said and looked at her with my head cocked to the side. Without notice, Candy burst into a fit of laughter. Before long, I was laughing as well and had no idea what we were laughing about.

“Bitch, I don’t like you like that! I meant as far as just meeting, we clicked instantly! Feel like I’ve known you all of my life,” she explained as she shook her head. My face flushed with embarrassment as I laughed to myself at how fast I thought she played for the other team.

“So, you know Rashard’s feeling you, right?” Candy asked and positioned her body so she could face me. I hit the button to lock all of the doors so no one would catch us off guard as I turned to face her as well.

“Naw, I can’t take him serious.” I said to her and she shook her head. I know he’s feeling me and I’m feeling him too and although it feels official, we haven’t placed a title on it. I just didn’t want to give too much too soon and end up alone. I really like Rashard but I don’t love him and I’m not in love with him. I enjoy his company and his conversation and right now, he’s really sweet. Everybody’s exactly how you want them to be in the beginning and that’s why I call it the cupcake phase.

“Why not?” Candy asked as she leaned her body against the car door.

“Look at him! I know he has a lot of women and we aren’t official. Plus, I know he’s still sleeping with someone because I haven’t been sleeping with him,” I said, dropping Candy’s jaw. I reached over and closed her mouth, which caused her to laugh really loud.

“I can’t fucking believe this shit!” Candy exclaimed as she got hype. “Rashard mother fucking Peterson pulling out all the stops and ain’t even getting the pussy!” she yelled out, which caused me to laugh and shake my head. Candy is so extra but I love it. She doesn’t try to be someone she’s not, she’s simply Candy. “Have you met ma dukes?” Candy asked and caused me to look at her crazy.

“Girl, I wish I would meet his mom!” I said and frowned while turning my nose up at her.

“Bitch, you act like meeting moms is beneath you!” she snapped, getting serious all of a sudden.

“Didn’t I just tell you I didn’t take him serious? I could have sworn I said we aren’t official and he’s sleeping with other people, so why the fuck would your next question be about his mom?” I snapped right back at her. I guess she would have to figure me out too. I may not say much but I’ll reach out and touch a bitch without a second thought if I need to. And I’ll tell you one thing, I don’t give a fuck about that gun sitting on her lap either! Candy didn’t respond, she just nodded her head and turned to face forward. I didn’t move, instead, I tried to stare a mud hole in the side of her face. “Bitch, you ain’t fina sit in my car with a damn attitude,” I said to her, which caused her to look at me and roll her eyes.

“You know Tamia, you and I are gonna be just fine,” she said without looking at me. I shook my head at her because she’s crazy but I agree with her 100 percent.

We sat outside for a while longer just shooting the breeze until Rashard knocked on the window. I turned to look at him as Candy grabbed her gun and aimed it at the window. When she realized it was him, she lowered her weapon. “Bitch, can you uncock it or something?” I asked because it was pointing in my direction. They both laughed at me like I was joking. “I’m just saying, I don’t want you to sneeze or something and I get shot,” I explained as she shook her head. Without answering me, she rotated the gun slightly. “Candy, get the fuck out! Yo crazy ass ain’t fina shoot my shit up!” I said because she just moved the nozzle away from me but it was now pointing at my dashboard.

Laughing, Candy unlocked her door and stepped out. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see someone approaching from the rear of vehicle. I reached over as fast as I could and snatched Candy’s arm and pulled her back inside the car. “Ouch bitch!” Candy yelled and rubbed the side of her head that hit my car on her way back in. Before I could apologize and explain, she was being yanked from my car by her ankle. I hopped over the middle console in the car and grabbed her hand as I tried to pull her back towards me.

I saw a slight glimmer under the car next to me and realized Candy dropped her gun. He continued to pull her ankle, which caused me to hit the cement. I could feel the skin on my legs tear instantly but I couldn’t allow this man to pull her to the van that had my car blocked in. I looked at Candy as she stared back up into my eyes and mouthed the words ‘let go’. I shook my head vigorously, getting pissed off by the second. Everything was happening so fast, I didn’t know what to do. Looking at the gun again, I quickly let go of Candy and rolled towards the other car.

I got the gun just as he was dragging a kicking Candy across the cement towards the van. I aimed the gun at him, closed my eyes, and squeezed the trigger over and over until it made a clicking sound. I heard tires screech and I still didn’t open my eyes. It wasn’t until I heard a light chuckle that I opened them up one at a time. Candy was slowly trying to stand to her feet while laughing. “Bitch, how you think you gone shoot somebody with your eyes closed?” she asked and smiled while she made her way to me.

“Who was that?” I asked as I completely ignored the fact that she found anything about this situation comical. She could have been kidnapped or worse!

She shrugged her shoulders, “I didn’t see his face,” she answered nonchalantly. “You did good though. You saved me. Thanks,” she said and extended her hand to take her gun before helping me up. Both of our legs were bleeding but her arms and side were also bleeding, and her dress was ripped.

“Rashard!” I yelled as I suddenly remembered he was just there. I ran around to the side of the car to find Rashard laid out on the passenger side of my car. He was knocked out but breathing with a gash on his head. I shook him as hard as I could as I tried to wake him up, but he didn’t make a single noise.

“Ya’ll ok?” I heard a smooth deep voice ask as people gathered around. I looked up and my breath got caught in my throat. I wanted to respond but I’d never seen a man that rendered me speechless by looks alone. This man was tall, muscular, light skin, he had perfect teeth and grey eyes!

“Tamia, is he ok?” Candy asked, which snapped me out of my trance as she limped her way to me. She almost fell but Deuce caught her in the nick of time.

“Aye Brandon, help me get my boy up,” he said to the light skin Greek god that stood before me. “Ya’ll hop in Tamia’s whip and follow us,” Deuce demanded. He shoved me lightly so I could move out of their way, so they could pick Rashard’s body up. Candy tapped me lightly as she gestured for my keys. I tossed them to her before I climbed into the passenger seat. Looking down at the floor by my feet, I thought about Armani while looking at her fingernails.

Rashard

I need to hurry up and get this picture to Tamia, get her home, and get the full story of what happened. I know Tamia isn’t going to vent to Candy and I know Candy isn’t going to ask what’s going on, so this is something that I have to do. I checked the outside cameras and couldn’t find Michelle or Tiffany anywhere, so hopefully they decided against the dumb move they were about to make. The faster I got to Tamia, the faster I could get to Chardae to see what’s going on with this pregnancy.

“Yea?” I answered the phone.

“Aye I’m out, you good?” Rafael asked.

“Yea, be easy,” I said and disconnected the call. I made sure everything was in order before I checked each camera one last time. Everything was clear so I hopped on my elevator to get the other elevator, so I could ride it down to the club floor. Walking out of the door, something seemed off but since I’ve been feeling like this for the last hour or so, I don’t really know what to think at this point.

It’s bad that I had to put a rush on this thing with Tamia, so I could get to Chardae. Shit, I been slacking on my trap houses too and I know it’s about time for my people to re-up, so I need to start setting that in motion. Plus, I had football practice tomorrow. The way shit is piling up on me, I’m about ready to give something up. I could easily give football up because losing that scholarship doesn’t matter when your money long. Being in my position affords me the best things that life has to offer.

If Chardae is about to have my baby, it’s really going to fuck shit up for me when it comes to Tamia. I barely got her little ass now, so I really ain’t trying to lose her. I been thinking about cutting bitches off but Tamia has been stingy with the sauce. Last time I brought it up and called her stingy, she told me sharing isn’t caring and they just tell you that when you’re a kid. That shit had me dying laughing at her. She’s it for me and I know it! As soon as she starts fucking, we will be on the right track. Right now, she’s hindering herself from having all of me.

Meanwhile, I got Tiffany in Michelle’s ear, which is a good thing because I know she’s trying to get her out the way. The only reason Tiffany want her out the way is so she can try to close in on me, which ain’t gone happen. All Tiffany can do is suck my dick and we both know that. How we gone be together when all she has to offer is mouth? Uh… so yea… that ain’t happening. Shit, if Chardae would boss the fuck up like Tamia, then I’d keep both of them around. I know that Tamia isn’t out there at all, so the chances of them finding out about the other is slim to none. If she’s pregnant by me, it won’t be that bad, hell I don’t even have to tell Tamia because we ain’t together.

“Everybody out of there, boss?” Tony asked me, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Yea, lock up for me,” I said and walked off. I was heading towards Tamia’s car when this extra bad ass bitch walked passed me. I had to do a double take because I had never seen someone as bad as her.

“Excuse me miss?” I said as I lightly grabbed her hand and pulled her to me. “My name is Rashard. What’s yours?” I asked as I stood as close to her as possible without touching her.

“Natashia,” she answered and looked up at me with hypnotizing hazel eyes.

“Where’s your phone?” I asked as she frowned a little bit. “I’ll tell you what,” I paused getting my phone out of my pocket. “Put your number in my phone,” I said and handed it over to her. Sucking her teeth, she typed her number in my phone before handing it back over to me. I slid my phone back into my pocket before I pulled her to me and kissed her on the forehead. She smiled brightly and displayed a perfect set of teeth as she handed me her phone. “Call me later on this week,” I said as I quickly entered my phone number. “I’m going to catch you later. I need to make sure my sis is straight,” I half lied. She smiled, nodded her head, and walked away. I watched her until she disappeared into the crowd. I wonder where she’d been all night because I know for a fact I would have noticed her in the club tonight.