Country Boy (2 page)

“To see my other man. Why?” Tee said jokingly. I know it ain’t no nigga around here crazy enough to mess wit my shit.” “Yo shit? I thought this belonged to me.” “Use to. Now it’s mine.” Tee laughed and told him she was about to go shopping with her girls and headed toward the door.

“Come back here and give your nigga some love.”

“Nah. You save that for tonight” she said as she headed out the door.

Q looked over at the clock and realized it was time for him to start his day as well. After showering he called Tim for a check up on the block. “What’s up, fam?”

“Nothing much but we need to meet up, we might have a little trouble.”

“Shit I’m on my way nigga.” Q threw on some jeans, a white T, and a fresh pair of Air One’s and headed out the door. “Damn which one today; the car or the bike?”

Q decided the bike just in case he needed to handle some business. Motorcycles were his passion; he loved the feel of being on a bike. Today he chose his pride and joy, a black Suzuki 1300 with chromed out wheels.

***

Q, Pooh, and Umar all leaned on the seats of their Sukes. Ten minutes earlier Fat Dave had text all three simultaneously on the hip with the “Code 45”. All three knew that meant; there was possible trouble on the block. They had all entered from three different directions: One from Hood St., one from Armstead, the other from Leak St. Now they sat and listened to Fat Dave tell them about some new kid from D.C. questioning the young niggas about their leader.

Q sat quietly listening, lost in his own thoughts. It had only been three days ago that Tim mentioned these same words about some out of town cat wanting to meet him. Q lived by the old code: The fewer people you knew the better! But this cat had been determined and that made Q curious. Q stood up and unlocked his seat and put his 44 magnum underneath it. He settled back down on the seat of his bike before he spoke for the first time. “I want to meet this nigga.”

“What!” replied Umar.

“I said I want to meet him. Either he’s a real nigga or a dead nigga, it’s that simple.” With that said the conversation was over and the men parted ways.

Club Mercedes was once again the hottest spot in all the surrounding counties. It was located on I-77 South outside of Rockingham, North Carolina. Rockingham was also known as

‘The Rock, The Racing Capitol of The World’. The featured attraction for the night was a rap group called The Ying Yang Twins. Everyone would be in the house tonight. Security had to be tight. Gun play could definitely be an issue.

“Kev, what time will security arrive?” Tim asked over his cell phone.

“They pulled up about ten minutes ago.”

“Good. Let Big Ant know what’s up.”

“Aiight, but he’s handing out flashlights and badges.”

“Aiight then, nigga. I’m about to hit Q and see if he wants to check The Block before we head to the club.”

Kev closed his cell phone and peeped around the club. Big Ant’s extra security would help keep the hostile crowd in check.

Ballers from all over would be in the house: Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Stoneville, Hamlet, Rockingham, and South Carolina. You name it, they’d be there. Dressed to impress with enough jewelry on to make Wells Fargo have to write a check. Add that with some USDA Prime Fat Bitches, half naked, and the ABC store behind the bar... You’re bound to have some drama.

Tim’s cell phone rang as he gave Q a call. “What up man?”

“It ain’t nothing.”

“Do you want me to scoop you up or meet you at the club?”

“Nah baby Boy, meet me on the block at around 11:00.” Beep-Beep. “My phones beeping so get at me then.”

“Yeah.”

Q switched over, “Yes.”

“What’s up Q? This El, is Tee there with you? Her phone keeps going straight to voice mail.”

“What up El? She right here.” El was short for Elbony. She was Tee’s best friend. They also were both in their last semester at Chris Logan Beauty College. Tee had already rented the building for her future salon. She had bought almost everything, including three chairs. Elbony would be her partner. “Yo Tee, it’s El,” Q hollered as he tossed her the phone.

“What up girl?”

“What’s up? It’s more like what’s taking you so long? I been sitting here waiting on your ass.”

“Wait a minute slut. Last I remember it takes somebody at least an extra hour to shave their hairy chest.”

“Funny bitch. You probably just got off your stomach anyway.”

“Nah bitch, my knees, and it was delicious,” laughing. “You are so crazy girl.”

“I’ll be there at ten.”

“Don’t be late. You know them Ying Yang Twins will be in the house tonight, and that shit’s probably already packed.”

“Come on El, its only 9:00 and you know we have our table up front, straight VIP, no waiting in line, nothing. So stop bitchin’.”

“Aiight ho.”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Ten.”

“Ten it is.”

Q was stepping out of the shower just as Tee was calling his name. “Yeah what up ma.”

“I’m on my way to get El and head to the club.”

“Aiight, be safe.” Q turned to the mirror on the wall to lotion up when he felt Tee’s soft hands around his waist. She planted soft kisses down the center of his back until his whole body tensed up, easing her hand inside the towel he had wrapped around him she stroked his manhood until it throbbed in her hand.

“Down boy!!! Mama’s got a surprise for you when she gets home!”

After Q’s heart rate came back down to normal he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his woman preparing to leave. She had on a thigh length Versace mini dress that displayed every curve and detail of her body. Her well toned legs and manicured feet made a nigga's mouth water.

“See you in a little while,” said Q.

“Don’t be too long baby,” she responded. Tee was hip to the way crowded places made Q uncomfortable, so he would always show up as late as possible.

“I won’t baby, I will see you in a minute.”

It was 11:00 when Q pulled up on The Block. He sat in his drop top, 645 artic blue BMW, scoping the scene. Money was booming. The Block consisted of two hole-in-the-wall clubs; two candy stores by day that switched to a poker house at night for the gamblers. The Chill-Grill was a food spot. It was run by Mrs. Janie. All the corner hustlers ate there everyday. She cooked 24-7. Rumor had it that she was as rich and gangster as any baller on the block. A crack head tried to rob her once and ended up across the street in Nelsons Funeral Home with a .38 slug between the eyes... The white people respected her so much she didn’t even have to go downtown.

Q spotted Tim across the street in front of Grady’s Store. He slid his .45 in its arm holster under his LRG Jacket before exiting his car. He eased between two parked cars and headed toward Tim who was still having a conversation with two cats from around the block named Dirk and Camron.

“What up T?” Said Q.

“Nothing homie. Getting’ this cheddar.” Cam and Dee want a half a bird, but they only got twelve five.”

As much money as Cam and Dee had spent with Q he didn’t even think twice. “What you waiting on nigga... Bless them! I’ll be at the Grill.”

At 11:30 while sitting in the Chill-Grill waiting on Tim to finish his business, Q noticed two unknown niggas eyeing everything that was moving. The mirrors behind the bar served their purpose well. Q could see them clearly. Just as Tim entered the door the two men were easing past him walking out. Q checked their attire from the mirrors without turning around. Instantly he peeped that the tall, yellow, pretty-boy nigga was either packing or he could rule the world with his dick. Tim eased on the barstool next to Q. “Done deal, homie. Jazzy just scooped up that paper and rolled.”

“Nigga, you should marry shorty ‘cause she real,” said Q.

“She’s already wifey nigga, no papers needed.”

“Aiight, keep slipping, some nigga will beat you to it.”

“Listen at this Shaka Zulu mothafucka giving marriage advice. A nigga that’s taking care of ten wives.” They laughed then there was instant silence. Tim never turned his head in Q’s direction. He followed his eyes in the mirrors in front of them. Someone was peeping through the doors of the lounge.

“Yo’, you peep homie?”

“Yeah, noticed it before you came in. You straight?”

“Just like American Express nigga. You just sit tight and let me go handle this shit.”

“Nah nigga. It wasn’t you they were checking’.”

While standing and stretching Q eased his gun from its holster and slid it in the front of his waist band.

Q walked straight out the front door onto the sidewalk. Tim was about three steps behind. He looked right and left before he spotted the two men leaning on a Suburban talking to two more guys.

“Damn nigga, you paranoid as hell. Them niggas on some other type shit,” said Tim. Q’s years of street knowledge told him different. He knew stick up boys when he saw them, but maybe, just maybe, he was wrong this time.

“Maybe you right, let’s get to the club. Where you parked?”

“Around the corner.”

“I’m over in the parking lot so I’ll meet you around the block.”

With that they split up. Q crossed directly in front of the ‘bur ban. He noticed Texas license plates on the front bumper. As soon as they locked eyes he knew never to doubt his instincts again.

“What up nigga, do I know you?” Pretty-boy said in an arrogant way.

Q’s blood was boiling but he remained calm. He was out numbered and didn’t know how many were strapped. “I don’t know? Do you know me?”

Pretty-Boy made a move to his left toward the backdoors on the truck, just as Q was about to pull for his gat. He heard guns being clicked. It was coming from behind him.

“Problem here niggas? Is there a mothafuckin’ problem niggas?” It was Tim and some other cat with what looked to be a Mack-10. Instantly people began scattering for cover, leaving only the seven men. Q was thinking never let your anger dictate your actions. He was about to diffuse the situation when Pretty-Boy broke for his back door. Boom-Boom... Blak-Blak-Blak-Blak... Boom. The men took off running, except Pretty-Boy, who had taken two hollow points to the abdomen and one to the lower rib cage. But he was still living. That’s until the unknown cat with Tim jumped up and moved with the speed of a Bengal tiger and planted two more shots to his head. Sirens could already be heard in the background as the three made their escape.

“Let’s get the hell out of here. I’ll meet ya’ll at the club” yelled Q as he began to run.

***

Club Mercedes was wall to wall. Sizing up the crowd Q already knew the fire chief’s pockets were fat. As soon as he entered the double doors he stood still until his eyes adjusted to the dim lights. He eased over to the bar to get his usual drink, a plain coke.

“What’s up Quentel?” said the lady behind the bar. “What can I get you to drink? It’s on me”.

“Oh yeah?”

“Well if that’s the case I’ll have you with two cubes of ice.”

Her name was Alien and she was fine, but she was no fool. She knew Q had a woman for every day of the week. And she was not trying to become a part of his stable.

Alien responded, “I better take a rain check tonight, sexy. Besides Tee and Van are here, so the tension will be thick enough.”

Q loved Tee to death, but Van was his first true love. Their on- again off-again relationship was only because of his mishaps and fuck-ups. Her love for him was as pure as gold. Whenever he needed comfort or peace of mind she was there with open arms. Van knew she was his heart. She didn’t have to flaunt it for other bitches to know either... She knew she was the one who had the longevity with Q.

The dance floor was jam packed. Everyone was facing the stage waiting on The Ying-Yang Twins to perform. Q sipped his drink slowly as he relived the events that happened earlier that night. “Who were those fools?” he thought. “What were they doing on his set? And why did they pick him to fuck with?”

The DJ announced that the show would begin in fifteen minutes. Everyone rushed to the bar to get their drinks before show time. Q eased from his stool and began making his way through the crowd. Before he could blend in good someone reached out and grabbed his hand.

It was Van; all 4’11” of her. Van was a chocolate bombshell. She was darker than the darkest night, but her skin was flawless. What she lacked in height she made up in heart. On more than one occasion Q’s female friends found out shorty was not to be fucked with. One afternoon Omar paged Q and told him Tee was waiting on Van with some friends of hers in the neighborhood. Q almost blew his Mustang up trying to get home. When he finally got there it was over and he thought Tee had hurt Van, but as soon as he stepped out of his car Omar filled him in on what happened.

“Man, you’re not going to believe this shit. Van got out on Tee!”

“What? Get the fuck outta here nigga!”

“I’m serious. I mean, I broke them up and all, but she got the best of her.”

Q couldn’t believe his ears. Tee was pretty nice with the hands to be a woman. She shadowed boxed him all the time at home. Q stopped by Van and her mother’s house to check up on her. He rang the doorbell once before her mother answered. She was visibly upset at what had gone down. Van was her only child and they were close.

“How you doing Mrs. Ellerbe? I want to apologize for what happened.” She gave a half hearted smile and pointed toward Van’s bedroom. Q could hear Van’s shower running as he entered her room.

“Yo’ shorty, come up outta there,” Q hollered.

“Just a minute Baby.” Baby, Q thought? She just finished fighting one of my girls and she’s still calling me Baby. Now he was really confused. Ten minutes later Van shook a half asleep Q awake.

“Damn, what took you so long?”

“It was only ten minutes Q. You just fell asleep,” she said while sitting on the edge of her bed beside him with only a towel wrapped around her. She handed him a bottle of watermelon/raspberry body lotion, his favorite. She stood up in front of him and dropped her towel. Q reached out and stuck his index finger in and around her belly button. She began to moan from his touch.