You Can't Help Who You Love (7 page)

Dallas

To say I was feeling damn good was an understatement. Money was flowing in left and right and I got a woman who down for the ride. Life was going hella good right now. I walked outside, hand and hand with my girl. She wanted to take pictures today, so who was I to tell her no? I opened the door to my black on black F150 and allowed her to jump in. “Thank you, punk,” she said, mushing me again.

“Yeah whatever!” I replied back to her.

“No music, let’s talk,” she said, popping my hand from the radio dial.

“Talk about what?” I asked her.

“Life. Just because we just made everything official doesn’t mean that us talking stops right there. I want to know your fears, what makes you happy. I want to know the whole nine,” she told me. If I didn’t know that I had a down ass bitch earlier, I knew I definitely did now. There hasn’t been another woman that has yet to ask me those questions. It made me feel like she really cared. So, I did what she wanted me to.

“My biggest fear is dying broke.” The look she gave me was like ‘what you mean?’ So, I continued. “When I was born, I didn’t have nothing. As the years progressed, I didn’t have nothing.  All I had was parents who ran out on me. It’s just me now and I’m alone. Some often, I wonder why I work like I do. It’s because I never want to be that boy, well man now, that has worked hard as I have and have nothing to show for it. If I was to die right now, right here, at least I will die knowing that I didn’t live my life and work this hard JUST to pay bills. If I want to, I can go to any exotic place anywhere in the world. But, I don’t. Anyways, I just don’t want to die broke. But now that I have you, you’ve became my biggest fear. Losing you, I just wouldn’t be able to handle it,” I told her sincerely. She nodded her head, showing me that she respected what I was saying. Nobody knew how it felt to have basically nothing and to be clowned because you couldn’t keep up with the Jones’. Shit, when I was young, I went through it all, but I must say, that shit humbled a nigga.

“The only thing that makes me happy right now is that I’m not how I was. I don’t attend church, but I thank the most high because He got me out of the bind I was in. He saw fit for me to be the way I am. You make a nigga happy too, ma. Believe that. I might be a dick and I know you still have the image of catching me in your bathroom with Danielle, but she just caught me off guard and I swear I’ll never place you in that position again. It hurts me to know that I hurt you. Yeah, I know I’m cocky as fuck and arrogant as shit, but I’m a real nigga before all that and I can admit when I’m wrong. I was wrong and I will spend forever trying to make it better. You got me feeling shit I never felt before and all I know is a nigga ain’t ready to lose it, not now, shit, not ever,” I told her, truly speaking from the heart. I never had a bitch put me in this place. But, Miracle wasn’t just some bitch. She was a woman, mature as fuck for her age, and I know she down to ride.

She dropped the conversation, then leaned over to kiss my cheek, locking her hands in mine. A nigga could really get used to this shit. “Just don’t hurt me Dallas, that’s all I ask of you,” she told me, staring at the road.

All I could do was nod my head because I wasn’t, and if I did, it wouldn’t be intentional. “I got you, ma,” I told her.

De’Nardo

It was time for me to pass the torch down and I was confident in my decision. I knew most probably wouldn’t like it, but it was what it was. Dressed down to the nines in my Armani pantsuit, I walked into the warehouse, where all eyes fell on me. I took my place at the top of the table and stared at everyone that was a part of my circle. “Aight, so as y’all know, my time is now up in the game and for months I’ve been evaluating everyone, seeing who was ready for the big league, and before I let y’all know who it is that is the chosen one, I want to say how thankful I am for each and every one of you. In your own ways, you each have earned my loyalty. All I ask in return is to give the next king the same respect that you gave me. Now, when that person is chosen, I don’t want any bullshit from anyone because we are a family and everyone is eating,” I said, looking at each of them. “Understood?” Everyone nodded their heads, so I continued.

“Ok, the chosen one who is going to be the new boss is the one and only Justin Walker. Not that he is my son, it’s just the fact that he is making moves that is beneficial to our empire. Even before I thought of passing down the crown, he was holding shit down and doing what needed to be done. I have a few other positions to give out. Carter, Marquis, and Dallas, can you all stand up for me?” I asked them. They stood and I glared at them. “Y’all’s hard work haven’t went unnoticed either; you each have proven yourselves and for that, I’m moving y’all up in the ranks. Instead of doing what y’all been doing, y’all will be doing something else, but of course, we will talk about that later. Congratulations to each of you. I know, for y’all, a celebration is in order. I don’t doubt that at all, so y’all boys turn up and fellas,” I said, looking at Justin, Carter, Quis, and Dallas. “I’ll see y’all a bit later,” I said, making my exit. I caught the way Carter was looking and I hoped that it wouldn’t cause any fucked up vibes between us. I just did what I felt like was best at the time.

Carter

I couldn’t believe that my dad gave me a punk ass position. I was stuck because I knew I had been putting in work. It had been a few days ago and I was still boiling mad, so I just had to say something to him. The day he passed everything down, I was supposed to meet up with them at his house, but with the way I was feeling, I decided to go my own way. I’m still feeling the same, but I think now is the time to get this shit off of my chest. I jumped in my car and sped to his home. I turned my radio down and let my mind wonder. I was thinking of what to say to his ass. I had a feeling that he would’ve chosen Justin, but I guess you could say I was hoping that he wouldn’t and now that he did. I couldn’t handle it, plain and simple. When I finally pulled up, I was happy to see that Dallas and Quis was here as well, along with Justin.

“What’s good baby bro?” Justin asked, dapping me up. I was jealous as hell, so I faked it right along with him.

“Ain’t shit, came to holler at pops real quick,” I said, bypassing both Quis and Dallas. “Yo! Pop! Where you at?” I yelled, walking into his room. Like always, his ass was on that balcony. I wasted no time going in on his ass. “Why pass the torch down to Justin when I’ve been putting in as much work as he?” I asked, grilling his ass.

“Young nigga, fix ya face before I bust you in it. One, don’t come in my shit demanding questions and shit. Two, yes you work hard, but you just wasn’t ready to have the entire empire!” he barked at me. I walked up on his ass.

“I been putting in JUST as much work as Justin and I get the fucking flunky position with Dallas and Quis?!” I asked him with my eye twitching. I was lit.

“I done said what I had to say, you can leave now,” he had the nerve to say, turning his back on me.

I stared at the back of his head before leaving. Fuck him, father or no father. I felt like the crown should’ve been split between us both, not just him to have it on his own. I went back into the living room where the guys were talking. I eyed Quis as he was all in his phone, texting who I knew was Halee. “You talking to our girl? Tell her I said I need another round,” I said, smirking. The conversation between Dallas and Justin ceased as they listened to see what Quis’ comeback would be. He looked around like I wasn’t talking to you. “Stop looking dumb my nigga, you know I’m talking to yo ass,” I said to him.

“Nigga, you must’ve done lost yo muhfuckin mind coming at me sideways. Let me tell you something, my nigga, don’t come at me about shit that ain’t none of yo fuckin concern. If she wanted you, she would’ve been with you. But nah, my dude, she with me. Take that L baby boy and keep shit moving because this shit right here ain’t what ya want, guarantee you that,” he said, smirking back at me before looking back down at his phone. I walked over to him and leaned his ass, damn near knocking him out of his seat. I stood back and smiled at his ass. “Aight, you got that one. Shoot me my fair one. What’s up with it?” he asked. Neither one of the guys said shit; I guess they figured it was bound to happen.

“Say less,” I said, coming out of my shirt. We headed outside and squared up. I didn’t see the lick he had coming. I gotta keep it G; he had some hands bout himself. We were going toe to toe until he uppercut me, knocking me into my pop’s truck.

“Talk that big boy shit now, my nigga. I told yo ass you had me fucked up, but you had to try me. Get ya ass up and finish taking this ass cuttin!” he yelled at me.

I instantly regretted trying him, but I wasn’t no lame by far. Don’t get it wrong; I was a fighter, but so was he. Truthfully, fighting wasn’t my forte, shooting was though. I stood up, spitting the blood out that was leaking from my lips. This time, I was hanging on with his ass. Nobody interfered until it was getting even more bloody. “Aight, break that shit up! Carter, you got what you was looking for; let that hurt go!” Pops said, coming out of nowhere. Quis was standing up, heaving like he wanted more.

“Fuck you! Fuck all y’all! You take this nigga side over yo son, my nigga?! Yo muhfuckin FLESH AND BLOOD?!” I barked. He didn’t say nothing and that told me all I needed to know. “Believe that this shit ain’t over with my boy!” I told Quis before jumping back in my truck and peeling off. Everyone would pay and, in the end, they would see that I was not the one to be fucked with!

Dallas

I couldn’t believe Carter brought his ass out here on some simple shit. He was hurting obviously because he wasn’t the chosen one, but hell, neither was Quis and I, but we were doing just fine. We were getting even more money and hell, we couldn’t complain. After Carter peeled off, we all just stood there looking crazy. “What the fuck just happened?” I asked them, breaking the silence.

“I don’t know, but I saw that shit coming months ago. I’m just glad that they handled their beef because the shit was dumb as hell to begin with to me. At the end of the day, we all work together and we bonded as one. This is a family, not a competition. Quis, I can’t even be mad at you, but that is my son and I’ll always ride. Whatever beef y’all have brewing about Halee, dead it. If you with her, be with her, but don’t feed into Carter’s bullshit. He just in his feelings right now,” De’Nardo said, walking off with Justin behind him.

“Man, fuck that shit. I’m about to go holla at Halee’s ass right now. I’ll catch you later bro, tell them I’m up,” Quis said, walking to his car. I nodded my head before doing the same. I called Miracle to see where she was and leave it up to her to be in the mall. After I told her to meet me to my condo, I headed out. My mind was all over the place. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew some shit was going to jump off soon.

Halee

“I bet it was him who cut those women feet off, look at those big ass knives in that damn shop,” I said to myself. I was laid up in my bed watching Law and Order, Special Victim Unit, when my phone started ringing nonstop. Hearing the ringtone, I knew that it was Quis. “Hey baby!” I sung in the phone.

“Yo, open the door,” he said before hanging up in my face.

“Wonder what the hell that is about?” I mumbled, walking down the stairs heading to open the door. Soon as I swung it open and seen his nose bleeding, I immediately went into panic mode. “What happened?” I asked him, staring at his face.

“Carter is what happened. What the fuck is up with you and dude?” he asked me, causing me to give him a what the fuck look.

“What you mean?” I asked him.

“Man, don’t cut no corners with me. Why this nigga feel the need to approach me about you? What the fuck he mean by he want another round? YOU FUCKING THAT NIGGA?” he yelled at me.

“Ok, wait a minute. First of fucking all, lower your fucking voice when you talking to me and maybe, just maybe, I’ll tell your simple ass all that you need to know. If you can’t lower your voice, then I’m not telling your ass shit,” I said, folding my arms. He let out a deep breath and I knew he was calming down. “Thank you. I don’t know why he wants to fuck with you, but Carter and I had something going on years back. He took my virginity and after that, he didn’t want to deal with me anymore, so I cut all ties with him. No, I’m not still fucking him or talking to his ass for that matter. He is just bitter and in his feelings. Look, if we going to do this shit, then you need to stop believing everything that you hear. It’s not always true. I’m here to tell you right now that there isn’t shit going on with us and I hope you believe me. I can’t make you, but I’m keeping it as real as I know how to,” I told him, caressing his face.

“I don’t need any secrets; this man came at me like y’all is fucking, not was fucking. But, is fucking, and if you going to be with me, then you most def can’t be fucking with him. I don’t know why he wants to beef with me about you if the shit was a few years back. But I don’t want to be out here going to war with a nigga behind no old shit unless I have to. If you fucking with me, then that’s that. You just fucking with me.”

“I am, that’s one thing you won’t ever have to worry about. It’s not in me to be with you and be doing some hoe shit behind your back because one thing about it, I’ll always be one thousand with you. Don’t let his bullshit knock you off your square, but in the meantime and between time, how about you come slide in between these thighs,” I told him, smiling.

He didn’t say a word as he came and gave me exactly what I was wanting. We went at it for rounds and rounds before I heard a knock at my door. Thinking it was the maid, I chose to ignore it instead of getting out of my comfortable position to see what she wanted. “Lee!” I heard my dad calling. I jumped up and slipped back in my clothes, before giving him the look that it was my father. I wasn’t afraid because I was grown and what did they think I would be doing in this house all day by my fucking self? Exactly. Still though, I wasn’t going to disrespect them. I waited until Quis had his clothes back on before I opened the door.

“Hey daddy,” I said, kissing his cheek.

“Hey baby girl, I saw a car outside and was wanting to see who it belonged to,” he told me, peeking around me.

“How are you doing sir, I’m Marquis,” Quis said as he stood behind me. The look my father gave was enough to let me know that it was cool.

“Hey Quis, so honey, is this your boyfriend?”

“Yes he is daddy; you could’ve been met him, but y’all are always at work,” I said, slightly pouting.

“I know and all that is going to change sooner or later. I’m sorry for us making you feel as though we didn’t pay you any attention,” he said back.

“Ok, well I love you, daddy,” I said, rushing him away so that I could finish my time with Quis. He walked away and before the door could close good, I was out of my clothes. I straddled Quis and started kissing him.

“You’ll never have to worry about me being with another man during you. Promise,” I said before drifting off to sleep. When I woke up, it was one in the morning and I woke Quis up, so that he could go home, but the look he gave me told me I better not even try it. That was fine with me. I snuggled right back under him, but for some reason, sleep wasn’t coming as fast as I wanted it to.

“Bae?” I nudged Quis’ arm.

“Hmph?” he mumbled, still halfway asleep.

“I can’t go to sleep and I want you to wake up and talk to me,” I said to him. He didn’t say anything and, for a moment, I felt like he was ignoring me. “Uh, I KNOW you hear me!” I said all loud in his ear.

“Damn girl, yeah, I heard you. That don’t mean bust my fucking eardrums though. What’s up? What you want to talk about?” I was in my feelings and I wanted to talk about us. Sometimes, I never really told him how I truly felt and tonight, I wanted him to know. So, he could never feel any kind of way.

“When I met you, I didn’t plan on falling in love with you, but I did, and now I have my love and my best friend. Embarking on this journey with you is everything to me. I’m not usually good with expressing how I feel but, you got me, Marquis, and when I say you got me, I mean there isn’t any another man on Earth, Jupiter, or Mars that can make me feel any different about you,” I said, summing shit up the best that I could. He didn’t say a word back. Instead, he kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around me and cuddled me until we fell back to sleep.