Welfare Wifeys (33 page)

“My homey, Animal, wanted you to have this,” Mimi whispered in his ear and pulled the razor from one side of his throat to the other.

Animal was surprised when he came in from a studio session at 11:00
A.M
. to find Gucci still in the house. Lately she made it a point to spend more and more time away from the apartment. If she wasn’t out with her mother she was up to God knew what with Tionna. It was as if she was purposely avoiding Animal and it bothered him.

For the last few days Animal had noticed a change in Gucci. They weren’t drastic changes, in fact they were quite subtle. A change in the way she kissed him, the way she parted her hair, very small things. The only reason he noticed them at all was because he had spent the majority of their relationship studying her. The way he studied her wasn’t unlike the way he studied his prey before he took them off the streets, minus the malicious intent. Animal paid close attention to Gucci so that he could learn her and understand better how she needed to be loved. With normal people love was something that flowed naturally and didn’t need to be dissected but Animal was anything but normal.

Animal reasoned that the reason Gucci had been acting so different was because of the time he was spending in the studio. The pressure of being back in New York had started to become too
much for him and he found himself becoming more of a killer than a predator and it bothered him. Not really trusting himself to be out and about he stayed locked away in the studio recording music with Chip. At the rate they were going the second album would be almost done by the time he left New York, which couldn’t come soon enough. Animal had thought him coming back to New York would’ve been a blessing, but the unfinished business made it a curse. Once Rico was dead he was on the first thing smoking back to Plano.

Gucci came into the living room dressed only in a short robe and head scarf. When she bent over to pick up the dirty socks Animal had left on the floor he got a clear view of her freshly trimmed nest. Most of Animal’s body was tired but his soldier felt wide awake in his jeans. Peeling himself off the couch he eased behind Gucci and pressed himself against her.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” she said over her shoulder.

“I never do.” Animal ran his hands over her shoulders. “Let’s get one right quick.”

“Boy please.” She shrugged him off her and walked toward the bedroom. “I’ve been laying here in thong damn near every night and you don’t give me so much as a second look before you’re passed out.”

Animal followed her into the bedroom and flopped on the bed. “I’m sorry, baby, you know I be tired after those studio sessions.”

“If you would lay off the weed and sip maybe you’d have some energy left for me when you came in,” she said sharply.

“Gucci, you know I don’t fuck around like that no more.” He tugged at the strings of her robe, but she pulled away.

“Nigga, please, you came in here with the damn Sunkist bottle in your pocket the other night! Animal, I ain’t trying to ride you because you’re grown, but that shit ain’t nothing to play with. What do you think it would do to me if you died over a fucking buzz?”

“Gucci, it wasn’t like that. Me and Soda was fucking around with this record the other night and—”

“Animal, don’t tell me about you and somebody else because I’m not sleeping with Soda, I’m talking about what you’re doing.”

“A’ight, you’re right, Gucci,” he said, more to shut her up than anything. Gucci had a very good point, but he didn’t want to hear it at that moment.

“Tell me anything just to shut me up, huh?” Gucci called him on it. She pulled a pair of jeans from a shopping bag she had tucked in the closet and began taking the tags off.

“Where you off to?” he asked, examining the snug sweater she had laid out to go with the jeans.

“I got a hot date,” Gucci said sarcastically and plucked a pair of bebe heels from the box.

“Gucci, don’t play with me. You know I’d paint this city with a nigga’s blood if I thought you was tipping,” he said seriously.

“Yeah, and I’d slap a double coat on it with your blood and the bitch you called yourself laying up with. Never underestimate a woman scorned, my nigga.” When she began to walk past him, Animal pulled her down onto the bed.

“You know that it’s only you my eyes see and only for you does my heart pump blood.” He planted soft kisses on her face. Animal worked his hand between her legs and flicked her clit.

“Stop it, Tayshawn. I can’t be getting all nasty with you and I gotta meet Tionna in a little while.”

Animal sighed. “Oh, Lord, what are you two up to now?”

“We ain’t up to shit. She wants to treat me to lunch. It’s nice that somebody wants the honor.” Gucci looked him up and down.

“Baby, I know I’ve been MIA, but it was a necessary evil,” he said sincerely. “But I do wanna spend time with you, ma. As a matter of fact, why don’t I treat you and Tionna to lunch?”

“You ain’t gotta do it because you feel like you have to, I want you to do it because you
want
to,” she said.

“I do
want
to.” He kissed her. “Let me jump in the shower right
quick and we can skate.” Animal peeled off his jeans, which he left in the middle of the floor, and went into the bathroom.

Gucci waited until she heard the shower come on before grabbing his jeans and beginning her inspection. In his wallet there were only business cards and a few back receipts, which Gucci took a second to examine. Satisfied that he hadn’t made any unusual withdrawals or deposits she moved to the prize, which was his BlackBerry. She checked the time and amount of times called from the numbers she didn’t recognize to see if anything looked funny. His call log seemed to be clean, but his texts were a different story. There was a text from someone listed as Lil Mama that simply said
Food
. She wasn’t sure what it was in reference to, but before it was all said and done she would find out.

Animal took them into Brooklyn for a late lunch and some drinks at a spot called Mojitos. It was a nice Cuban restaurant that sat out of the way just off Flushing Avenue. The food was great and they made original Mojitos with the actual sugarcane. When the waitress was taking them to their seats they passed a table full of well-dressed women who were also enjoying a late lunch. One of them did a double take like she knew Animal from somewhere. Animal acted like he didn’t notice, but Gucci did.

“I like this place, Animal. How’d you find out about it?” Tionna asked as she took her seat. The restaurant was dim and had a very romantic feel to it.

“Some friends and I had a meeting here once,” Animal said, purposely avoiding making eye contact with Gucci who was scowling at him.

“I’ll bet,” Gucci said, studying her menu.

A thin waitress wearing too much eyeliner and steel-toed boots approached the table. “Hello, I’m Francine and I’ll be your server. Is this your first time at Mojitos?”

“He’s been here before.” Gucci cut her eyes at Animal.

“Oh, maybe that’s why you look so familiar,” Francine said pleasantly, which got her a dirty look from Gucci. “Well, today’s specials are—”

“Ah, I already know what I want,” Gucci cut her off. “I’ll have the steak, with the red beans and yellow rice. Tionna, you ready?” Gucci looked at her friend who had a puzzled expression on her face.

“Ah, I guess I’ll go with the chicken,” Tionna said awkwardly.

Francine did her best to overlook Gucci’s attitude and kept it professional. When she took Animal’s order she did so with a smile. “And what can I get for you, love?”

“The coconut shrimp please, sis,” Animal said, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Okay, I’ll be right back with your orders.” Francine took their menus and went off to place the orders.

“What’s good with you and ol’ girl?” Gucci asked.

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t know, I just felt like there was some kind of connection between y’all. Like you knew each other or something.”

“Gucci, I ain’t never met that broad a day in my life,” Animal declared.

“Why don’t y’all cut it out and play nice?” Tionna interjected. “So, Animal, how do you like being a big star?”

Animal shrugged. “It ain’t really about nothing. Like . . . I don’t feel any different. Mad people know me now, but to me I’m still Animal. The only part I’ll probably get used to is people recognizing me wherever I go. I’m used to moving in silence, ya dig?”

“You know I know,” Tionna said, recalling some of his exploits. “But not for nothing, I’m really proud of you, Animal. Not many get that hand up outta the hood and the ones that do more often than not fuck it up.”

“Yeah, Animal still does stuff that he ain’t got no business doing, but for the most part he keeps his head where it’s supposed to
be.” Gucci rested her hand over his on the table and it drained away some of the tension.

“I’ve got a strong lady behind me.” Animal placed his other hand over hers. Just when it seemed like all was right with the world the girl who had been staring at Animal walked over to their table. She was short and thick wearing a navy-blue business suit.

“Hi, I’m sorry to bother you but I wanted to catch you before your food came out. I was wondering if you could sign a few autographs for me and my friends? We’re huge fans of your music.” The girl gazed at Animal dreamily.

Tionna cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “Hello, don’t you think it’s a little rude of you to come over here asking for an autograph when you see us having a family meal?”

“It’s okay, T,” Animal told her and got up from the table to sign a napkin for the girl. Tionna started to get up too, but Gucci gave her the signal to be easy. It started with just the girl in the suit but within minutes Animal had a small line of people pressing around their table. Finally having her fill of the bullshit Gucci got up and left, with Tionna on her heels.

“Gucci,” he called out to her but she kept going, leaving him to the constantly swelling crowd of fans.

“Hold on, Gucci!” Tionna caught up with her as she descended the ramp of the restaurant.

“Let’s go, T,” Gucci called over her shoulder.

Tionna finally got close enough to Gucci to grab her arm and slow her down. “Damn, what’s your problem?”

“You didn’t see that shit in there, T? You didn’t see them bitches flirting with Animal?” Gucci fumed.

“Yes, I saw it, but I didn’t see him flirting back. Gucci, you need to relax for a minute.”

“Fuck was that all about?” Animal came out of the restaurant.
He came down the ramp and stood directly in front of Gucci. She tried to give him a defiant look but her eyes betrayed her hurt. “Gucci, I was only gonna sign a few autographs then break the crowd up. Why’d you run out like that?”

“I don’t know, I guess the whole thing with you not wanting me to go to the party and then the groupie bum rush in there made me snap a little.” Gucci wiped the corners of her eyes.

Animal cupped her face in his hands so that she would have to see the sincerity in his eyes when he spoke. “Baby, I don’t want you at that club tonight for safety reasons, not because I’m hiding anything from you. All that Animal shit that people are feeding into is just a job. At the end of the day you’re a part of my real life, not Big Dawg and not the industry, just you!” He pulled her close to him.

“I know,” she said into his chest. “I’m just so scared you’re gonna come home one day and tell me that you’ve found something better in this new life of yours.”

“It’s this life of
ours
and ain’t nothing here or there better than what I already got.” He rubbed her cheeks softly and planted a tender kiss on her lips.

“Maybe we should do this whole lunch thing another time,” Tionna suggested.

“I’m sorry for being a basket case and fucking everything up, guys,” Gucci told them.

“Gucci, you know I love you even if you ain’t playing with a full deck.” Tionna hugged her.

“I second that emotion,” Animal agreed.

“Well, it’s still early so I’m gonna find something to get into. What’s good with y’all?” Tionna asked.

Animal put his arm around Gucci and snuggled against her. “I think I’m gonna go home and spend some time with my lady.”

• • •

When Animal and Gucci got back to their apartment they made love into the night and fell asleep in each other’s arms without a care in the world. When Animal woke up it was after eight in the evening and he had twelve missed calls on his phone, all from Don B. and various Big Dawg employees. Don B. had the entire evening planned; they were going to do a photo shoot wearing some of the latest of Big Dawg’s new clothing line, then they would dress for the club. Don B. hadn’t trusted them enough to dress themselves so he brought in professional stylists and tons of clothes for them to work with. Once the crew was dressed they would be shuttled over to the club in a caravan of three black on black Maybachs. Don B. had spared no expense on this one.

Animal sat on the side of the bed and woke Gucci up. “Baby, I’m about to boogie.”

“Okay, have fun and be safe,” she said sleepily and kissed him.

Grabbing his keys and his gun Animal slid out the door with a smile on his face knowing how big he and his team were about to do it. It would’ve been nice if Gucci was there, but considering how crazy it was sure to get it was probably best that she didn’t come.

As soon as the door clicked closed Gucci’s eyes snapped open. She rolled over and grabbed her cell phone so she could put the roll call out to her girls. Tionna refused to be a part of it because of her personal feelings about the whole thing, but Jada was down and so was Boots. It was hard convincing Jada to play nice, but she eventually went along with it so they’d be three deep when they crashed the building. If Animal thought that he was going to go party on some Hollywood shit and leave her at home waiting he had another think coming. The headline of his movie would read “Co-starring Gucci.”

Malika lay on Teddy’s futon watching
Martin
reruns on TV while sipping a glass of white wine. She had found herself spending quite a bit of time with him over the last few days. As soon as Teddy had heard what happened with Malika’s entertainment system he was on the scene the next day with a brand-new one. Malika tried to refuse the gift but he insisted, pushing his way into her apartment and showing the delivery guys where to set up. Solomon was like a kid at Christmas when he saw the high-tech stereo set and television. When she’d left the house he was still sitting in front of the big screen playing video games. Teddy had even gone as far as getting Malika’s phone and Internet reconnected. Teddy was turning out to be the only bright spot in her dark days and because of this she found herself open all over again.