Married to the Game (13 page)
Read Married to the Game Online
Authors: Chunichi
CHAPTER 22
HAVE MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO
DUKE
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Who the fuck said you can't have your cake and eat it too? Well, somebody needed to pass the word to the muthafucker that li'l Duke from Norfolk, Virginia made history! Not only did I have the cake and eat it, but I did it while everyone was watching. I was just that sweet! Just to boost my ego, I thought I'd give that shit a try right now. I'd already had C and ran her ass. Now I'd call Danielle. She was going to be my next piece of booty. Things with her were moving easier than expected.
I picked up the phone and pressed *67 before dialing her cell number. “What's up, Duke?” she asked before even saying hello.
“And how did you know it was me, sexy?”
“No one else blocks their number when calling, except you,” she stated in a flirtatious tone. My manhood rose at the sound of her voice. I had to get her and fast.
“So, how you doing?” I asked, knowing that she would likely mention some drama that she and Snake were going through.
“Not too good, Duke. Not too good,” she stated sadly.
“What's wrong, baby girl?”
“It's Snake. He just won't treat me right. I know I was wrong for that little escapade that you and I had, but compared to the things he's done, that's nothing. I've never cheated or even looked at another guy. That conversation between us wasn't even supposed to happen. He won't forgive me. I don't know what to do. Do you think you could talk to him?” Her words were music to my ears.
Now that Snake was mad at her, it made her even more vulnerable, which made things easier for me. All I had to do now was act like I was there for her.
“To be honest, Danielle, Snake is not even feeling me right now. Me and that nigga ain't really getting along,” I said, hoping that she would inquire more about things between my uncle and me.
“What do you mean? Is it because he caught us on the phone that night?”
“Nah, actually I haven't even spoken to him about that. He was pissed off at me before that. He was mad from when I left your house earlier that night.”
“So, what happened? I heard you all speaking about that girl, Ceazia. Does it have anything to do with her?” Danielle was falling into each one of my traps perfectly.
“Yeah, it did. But I'd rather not go into it,” I said to draw more curiosity.
“Duke, please tell me what's going on. It must be something really bad to tear you guys apart. I mean, you all were like father and son.” Danielle begged to hear more, and I quickly gave her an earful.
“Danielle, even though Snake and I have our differences, he's still my uncle, and I have to be loyal to him. But at the same time, I got much love for you, so I'm just going to leave it at this. You're a good girl and you deserve a good man. Any nigga would love to have a woman like you, so you don't have to settle. You see all the signs. I don't have to point shit out to you. I know you've heard the saying âif it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck.' Well, in this case, let's just say; if it looks like a stripper, and acts like a gold-digging ho, then it's Ceazia,” I said, wrapping shit up perfectly.
“I know exactly what you're saying, Duke. You don't have to say anything more. On that note, I think I'll say goodnight.”
“Good night, sweetie. And if you need to talk, don't hesitate to call. I'll hop out the best pussy to talk to you,” I said with a chuckle to add icing to the cake.
I knew it wouldn't be long before I had Danielle screaming my name like the rest. It was only a matter of time. I had to move slowly with her, but with Snake's assistance, things were moving right along. His fucked up attitude was pushing his girl into my arms.
So, that was two down, now one to go. I wanted to taste a piece of BJ's cake now. Since her girl died, she'd been real fucked up, so I'd been chilling. But I thought she'd had enough time to heal. Even more importantly, I was starting to miss that tight poonanny. BJ was definitely a prize possession. I broke her virginity, so I owned the pussy, and I planned to keep it that way.
Ring ... ring ... ring ... ring ... ring ... ring.
“You have reached ...” the automated voice mail began to say.
That was odd because it was late, and I knew BJ wasn't out anywhere. I decided to try calling again.
“Hello?” This time, she answered on the second ring.
“Why the fuck you ain't answer the phone when I just called? How many times do I have to call to get an answer?” I yelled.
“Why the fuck is you calling me with this bullshit?” she yelled back then hung the phone up in my ear.
That shit really fucked me up.
Where the fuck did she get balls to one, talk to me like that and two, to hang up the phone on me? I thought as I dialed her number again. I figured that death shit must have really got her tripping.
“Helâlo?” she answered in an annoyed tone.
“What's up, baby? How you feel?” This time I tried a different approach. My goal was to fuck not fight, so I figured I'd better chill out.
“I'm good, Duke. What do you want?”
“Whatchu mean? I'm calling to talk to my girl. You are my girl, aren't you?”
“The last I checked, although you don't act like it. A real boyfriend would have sent flowers, dropped by for a surprise visit, called constantly. You, on the other hand, just dropped off the face of the earth.”
She was right. There wasn't much I could say. During the time BJ was mourning, I was using it as an opportunity to fuck C and any other broad willing to give up some ass. But even though she was right, I refused to admit it. I had to come up with something.
“I'm sorry, baby. I've never had to console someone during a loss, so I don't know how to act. Please forgive me. As a matter of fact, why don't you let me make it up to you?” I began to run game on her.
“Make it up to me, huh? And just how do you plan to do that?” she asked.
“How about this? Just throw on some clothes and come over right now.”
“No, Duke, I don't think that's a good idea.” She declined my offer.
“Why not, baby? I miss you. I miss seeing that sexy body, I miss your pretty smile, I miss holding you at night, and most importantly, I miss you farting in your sleep.”
She laughed hysterically. “See, I bet you haven't laughed that hard in days. Who else besides me can do such a thing?”
“You're right, Duke. I think I'll take you up on that offer. You better make it worth my while too, nigga!” BJ stated before hanging up the phone.
I rushed and filled the bathtub with hot water. I added BJ's favorite bath beads from Bath and Body Works and lit candles all around the tub. Then I ran to the kitchen and grabbed some strawberries, cherries, and grapes. These were all BJ's favorite fruits. As a final touch, I ran to the corner store and grabbed a single rose and a cheesy little card that simply read “I love you.”
The killer would be the message I wrote inside. Nothing makes a woman's heart melt faster than shit from the heart. A woman would appreciate a blank card with a handwritten message from the heart more than a Hallmark card with a beautiful poem. I reached into my box of cards, letters, pictures and many items I'd collected from women over the past years. I grabbed a letter from my ex-girlfriend, Kim Todd. Her poems always said the right things. I figured I'd change a few words to make it fit, and put that same poem in my card to BJ. I knew this box of love would come in handy for something other than a booty call one day.
Once I finished writing, I ran to the bed and placed the rose and card on it, and set some vanilla massage oil on the nightstand. Then I grabbed my Love and Basketball DVD and put it in the player. That was her favorite movie, and I knew she would want to watch it.
A good twenty minutes hadn't passed before my doorbell rang. I was sure to turn all phones off, both house and cell, before opening the door. I wasn't taking no chances in fucking this up. Hell, even I knew there were some situations not even the tightest game could fix.
“Hey baby!” I said before kissing BJ on the cheek.
She greeted me with a tight hug. And surprisingly, I was really feeling it. I stepped back and looked at her as she headed to the bedroom. For a moment, I felt as though I was lucky to have her. But I quickly shook it off and guided her to the bathroom.
“I have a hot bath waiting for you with your favorite bath beads. Why don't you get in and I'll bathe you?” I suggested.
“This is nice, Duke. I didn't know you had it in you,” she said, surprised by my actions. “Anything for my baby,” I said seductively, then smiled and licked my lips.
I grabbed the net sponge and filled it with body wash. I started with her toes and washed each one gently, then slowly moved up, washing each part of her body, while complimenting and giving each a gentle kiss. She melted with each kiss. After her bath, I led her to the bed and directed her to lie down. I poured vanilla massage oil all over her body then I gave her the massage of a lifetime. She moaned and the tension from her body lifted with my tender touch. When I was done, she was so relaxed. As she lay on her back, I pressed play to begin the movie then fed her fruit as we watched. When the movie was done, she looked at me mysteriously and stated, “Duke, what has come over you? What more could a woman ask for?”
And with that said, I responded, “Just one more thing.” Then I handed her the rose and card.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the words of the card aloud: “My love, my heart, I have loved you from the start. Please forgive my doggish ways, for it is with you I want to stay. I can't live without youâno, I shall not. Please come back home, I love you a lot. Love always, Duke.”
When she was done, she gave me a passionate kiss and stroked my erect penis.
Thanks, Kim! I said to myself, anticipating what was to come next. I knew after reading the card, this kiss could only lead to hot, wild, passionate sex, but I grabbed her hand and refused.
“No, baby. Tonight is all about you,” I whispered softly in her ear.
Then I lay her on her back and kissed each part of her body before resting my head in her lap and sending her into ecstasy.
CHAPTER 23
REVENGE TASTES LIKE CHOCOLATE
BJ
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Damn, you really put it on me, I thought as I stared at a peacefully sleeping Duke. I wondered how he did the things he did then just acted like nothing had ever happened when he was around me. If I didn't know any better, I would think this nigga was truly in love. It was sad, but hell, the more I looked at him, the more I realized I was still in love. Although I knew about the dirt he'd done, I still desired to be with him. We'd been through so much together. How could I possibly just walk away? I mean, this was the man I lost my virginity to. I'd never made love to anyone besides him. I didn't even know if I was capable of making love with anyone else.
“I love you, Duke,” I whispered softly then kissed his cheeks.
I rubbed my hand across his scarred chest. Tears came in my eyes as I thought back to the day of the shooting. I almost lost him to war and now I was losing him to lust, after all I'd sacrificed. I lost my best friend, Gina, because of Duke. I lost my cousin, Ray-Ray, because of Duke. And more importantly, I lost my purity to Duke. And how did he repay me? By sleeping with a girl he knew I considered a big sister. How could I just sit and let shit ride? I couldn't do it. I refused to do it. No matter how much I loved him; that love wasn't going to make up for all my losses. That was it; I'd made my mind up. I should have never come here in the first place.
I hopped out of the bed and began putting my clothes on in a hurry. I didn't want to take the chance of waking Duke. If he woke up, it would be even harder for me to walk away. Before I left, I stopped in the kitchen and wrote a small message on a notepad. It read: Sorry but I can no longer do this. It is over, Duke. Love always, BJ
I knew that was cheesy, but it was the only way I could do it. There was no way I would be able to face him straight-up. I took one last deep breath then placed the note underneath the refrigerator magnet, walked out the door and said good-bye forever.
The ride home was long, even though I only lived ten minutes away. I wondered if I'd made the right choice. My heart was telling me no, but my mind was telling me yes. Once I got home, the thought of Duke began to haunt me once again. I had to do something to get him off my mind. So, in a desperate attempt to get him out of my thoughts, I called Judah.
“Yo?” I heard the comforting baritone voice.
“Hey, Judah. How are you?”
“I'm good. How are you?” he asked.
I was relieved he'd asked because there was a lot I wanted to share. I wasn't sure where to start, so I figured I'd bring up Ceazia and see where the conversation went.
“I'm okay, I guess. Just got a lot on my mind.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” he curiously asked.
“Nothing big. For starters, I just need to ask you a few questions. I spoke to Ceazia the other day andâ”
“Ceazia? Please don't tell me that trifling bitch feeding you bullshit.” Judah interrupted.
“Well, she told me some things that I just want to ask you about. Let's start with these parties that you have. Do you engage in sex with any of the strippers there?” I nervously asked while praying he'd give the right answer.
“No, I don't. Those parties are mostly about gambling. I just invite the girls to lure in more guys. I watch the table all night, baby.”
“Well, what about other than the parties. Did you ever have sex with any of them?”
“Look, BJ, from the day you met me, I've been nothing but honest to you, and that's not going to change. So, if you ask me a question, just be sure you want to know the answer,” he stated as though he was preparing me for bad news.
“I want to know, Judah. I don't want to come into this relationship blind. Let me know what I may have to face in the future.”
“Okay, look. I did have sex with one of the girls on a regular basis. It was nothing serious, just something to pass time. The girl would always want to include Cinnamon, or Ceazia as you call her, in our sexual escapades. I was never really feeling Cinnamon, so I would decline. I would watch them, but I only had sex with her friend. After a while, I stopped dealing with the chick, and she started acting all crazy and shit. Now she claims she's pregnant. When we were together, I would look out for her very generously and even look out for Cinnamon too. So, now that I'm gone, the money is gone. And now that they see I'm feeling you, they're doing all they can to fuck shit up. So, it's up to you, baby girl. You can stick with me and believe what I tell you, or listen to them and give them what they want.”
After listening to Judah, I believed him. I'd heard the tales and even learned from firsthand experience that C was a conniving little bitch and would do anything to get on top. She may have gotten Duke, but I'd be damned if she got Judah!
“Don't worry, Judah. I believe everything you're saying. Trust me, I know how Ceazia gets down. I got your back as long as you got mine, baby,” I said, confident that I'd made the right decision.
“Good to go?”
“Excuse me?” I said, confused by his Jamaican slang.
“Everything straight?” he stated in between laughs at my ignorance.
“Oh yeah, everything good to go.”
“We're gonna have to work on your patois I see. Lata.”
“Bye.” I felt relieved as I hung up the phone. It felt so refreshing to talk with Judah. It was like he was my sunray during the storm. Every time I was down, I could count on him to lift me up.
As I prepared a hot bath and got my clothes out for the day, I thought of that bitch, C. I owed her, and I owed her big time. I had to get revenge, but it had to be sweet. It had to be something that would make that bitch think twice the next time she did some fucked up shit.
While in the tub, I thought long and hard, but I couldn't think of anything. I figured I'd have to start hanging out with her more. I needed to find out her deepest secrets then use them to destroy her. Once I got out of the tub, I was ready to begin my journey to the sweetest revenge. I called her up. “Hey, big sis!” I said full of fake enthusiasm.
“What's up, Li'l Momma? You sound much better,” she responded in a tone that I was sure was just as fake as my own.
“Nothing, just ready to get out the house and do some things; go shopping, get my nails and hair done, you know, girl stuff.”
“Okay, well, you know I'm always down for a girl's day out, so why don't I come by and scoop you and we can go out together?” she offered.
Normally, I would be skeptical, but this time I had my own agenda, so I readily accepted her offer.
“Okay, come by in an hour.”
“Cool. See ya then,” she stated then hung up the phone.
Once I hung up, I realized I didn't have any money for a girl's day out.
“Let me think ... let me think ... Judah! Nah, I can't call him for money already. Duke! Nah, just left him a Dear John letter.”
I had no one to call. I grabbed my purse to see just how much money I had. Then it hit me. Snake! He said if I ever needed anything to just call. Well, I needed something, and I needed it fast. I wasted no time calling him up.
“Hello?” a deep voice said from the other end of the phone.
“Hi, Snake. This is BJ,” I said timidly.
“Oh, shit. What up, li'l shortie?” He seemed excited to hear from me.
“Well, I called because you said to call if I needed anything. I'm sorta in a bind. Do you think you could help me out?” I forced the words out.
“No problem. Just come check me. I'm in the area right now. Meet me at the barber shop on Granby. You know the spot.”
“Okay, I'm on my way,” I said before hanging up the phone. “Thank God for that nigga,” I said aloud as I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
The barber shop was only around the corner, so it took me no time to get there. I parked my car right in front and took my time strutting up to the door. All eyes were on me as I pranced inside to the barber chair.
“Damn, li'l shortie, that was fast,” Snake said, surprised that I'd arrived so quickly.
“Oh, I was already on my way out when I called,” I lied, trying to make it seem like I wasn't as desperate as I looked.
“Right, right,” he said while digging in his pocket then handing me a wad of money.
I didn't bother to count it. I thought that would be quite tacky. “Thank you. I really appreciate it,” I said then gave him a tight hug and little flirtatious look.
“Anytime, sweetie,” he responded as I rushed out.
Now back to the crib to wait for shiesty C's arrival. So far everything had fallen right in place and I hoped my day with her would go just as smoothly.
I could hear the horn of C's 745 from my upstairs window. Like always, she was right on time. I put on my phony face, grabbed my Marc Jacob bag, and once again ran out the front door.
“Hey, girl!” I yelled while waving my hand in the air.
“What's up, Li'l Momma?” she asked while opening the passenger door from the inside of the car. She seemed pretty happy to see me. I figured she was better at being fake than anyone, but when you're as devious as that bitch I guess you have to be that way.
“So, what's on the agenda for today?” I asked as I plopped down on the leather seat and put on my seatbelt.
“Well, we can start by grabbing lunch then we'll head to the spa then to the mall. How does that sound?”
She'd said exactly what I wanted to hear. That would give us the perfect opportunity to chat and hopefully pull some skeletons out of the closet.
“Sounds good,” I quickly agreed.
Ceazia picked my favorite spot: The Cheesecake Factory. Once we were seated, I quickly started the chat circle. So that I didn't seem too obvious, I started the conversation by talking about my problems. I knew that was all it took to get that girl to talking. From previous conversation, I'd learned that stories about men mistreating women really burned her up. At times, she would get so upset that you'd think she was the one actually involved. So, I began the conversation by telling her how depressed I'd been the past couple of weeks because of Gina's death and because of issues with Duke. Of course, she was more concerned with the issues I had with Duke, and she encouraged me to elaborate. And that I didâelaborate and exaggerate!
With tears in my eyes, I spoke. “I feel like Duke doesn't appreciate me. He treats me like shit. I've been nothing but good to this guy, C. Why can't he treat me right?” I begged her for the answer.
“BJ, like I've told you many times before, the answer is simple. You are too good for him,” she stated as though that was the answer to all my problems.
“I understand what you're saying, C, but it's not that simple. I just can't tell myself I'm too good and walk away. Duke is the only thing I have. I've lost the two other people that were close to me. Gina is gone and Ray-Ray is gone. And the sad part about it is the reason the both of them are gone is because of Duke. He took them away from me. Hell, he's even taken my virginity. I've given so much to keep this guy happy. All I ask in return is that he does the same.”
“Well, what exactly is he doing? Whatever it is, it must not be that bad because it's not enough to make you leave him,” C inquired.
“Well, I found out that he's cheating on me. I'm not really sure with who, but I know for a fact he is. I really don't want to get into it because it makes me so mad. I mean to the point like, if I find out who it is, I may just do something crazy.”
“Umph! I know what you mean, girl. Niggas will make you snap and lose your mind. It seems like Duke just can't help himself, Li'l Momma. It's in his blood. All those damn Jackson men are alike. God cursed the man that made them.”
“Well, why you say that? From what I hear on the streets, you had the good life when Duke's Uncle Vegas was alive. I hear he loved you to death and did everything for you,” I stated, hoping Ceazia would elaborate.
I knew from the animosity she had toward men and the constant warnings Duke would give me about her, that something terrible had to have happened with her and Vegas.
“Yeah, he did. But things aren't always as they seem. You see, a guy can do and say anything, but the true test is what goes on when you're not watching. Trust me, honey, everything between me and Vegas wasn't always peaches and cream. As a matter of fact, just like you, I've made a hell of a lot of sacrifices for that man. You'd be surprised at the things I did for him.” C's face became saddened and she put her head down.
I was sure I'd hit a soft spot. I'd never seen the strong, spirited, “fuck niggas and get money” Ceazia so distressed. I kept the conversation going in hopes she'd tell me more.
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