23 | i wanna be with you

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Rashad "June" Lockhart jr
Friday, December 9  | 7:34 p.m.
Downtown

-

"Why not? I ain't seen you all week. You been drivin' to and from work all by yo'self and everything."

"Because you got enough pictures of me! Plus, I look a mess right now." Giselle dismisses my request, stifling a giggle.

"Man, i'on wanna hear that." I place the phone between my ear and shoulder, setting the chilled bottle of blue Gatorade on the counter. "A pack of Russian creams too."

"Of course. Will that be all?" The cashier grabs the requested backwoods and I nod, lowering my voice as I speak into the receiver. "Anyway, send me something. Tomorrow ain't promised to nobody."

"Bye, Rashad." She sings, and I hear shifting on the other line. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Aight, baby." I chuckle lightly before disconnecting the call. Grabbing the plastic bag, I decline the receipt offer and push through the heavy glass door, the bell above loudly announcing my departure. The cold air bites my face and tuck my lips inward to shield them from the dry wind.

"'Bout time, nigga." Kasey chuckles, swiftly throwing away the remainder of his black and mild before matching my stride. "You in there takin' yo sweet ass time tryna pillow talk and shit."

"Relax." I shoot him a glare and get behind the wheel. The Hellcat roars to life and we exit the gas station parking lot, merging into the hectic city traffic. The sky is darkening by the second and the inside of the vehicle is flooded with a faint red hue from the tail lights of the cars in front of us. I switch lanes, bobbing my head to the melody of Smino's "No L's."

"Fried as fuck, Friday night. Drivin' hot as fuck. Ain't got no license. I got all this stuff. Stuff on my mind."

Coming to a halt in front of a stoplight, I grab my Gatorade and crack open the seal. Kasey gestures to the driver of the baby blue Hyundai on the right of us and the window rolls down, revealing two women in the front.

"Sometimes, you gotta move when the spirit say so. Okay, Jose I'm on Cuervo."

"What's your name, beautiful?" He leans his arm out the window, and the woman behind the wheel rubs her lips together to fight off a grin. She's a brown skinned girl, wearing jet black hair that cascades down her back.

"Malia." She shyly responds, shooting a quick glance at her friend. My phone buzzes with a new text message notification and I pick it up instantly.

Giselle

Attachments: 3 images

I see Kasey motion towards me with his head from my peripheral vision, but I'm too focused on the pictures on my screen to give them my full attention immediately. "Me and my homie 'bouta ride out to his spot, 99 Degrees. Y'all should pull up....get a lil money spent on ya or somthin'."

The woman in the passenger seat leans forward to look at us both. Her natural curls are bleached blonde, harmonizing perfectly with her golden complexion.

"Sure." She smiles, offering her friend a small shrug. "We'll follow y'all. I'm Lyric by the way."

"Kasey. This my boy June." He replies smoothly and I finally nod my greeting, making quick eye contact just to be polite. Both windows are rolled up shortly afterwards and the left turn signal of the blue Hyundai is flipped on.

"Damn, nigga. You don't gotta look like you hate 'em." He chuckles, his head jerking a bit when I press the gas.

"Yo ass real friendly today." I hit the send button and place my phone back in my lap.

"Shit, I'm feelin' good. My money up and there's plenty of pussy available."

"Oh, word?" I watch Malia switch lanes from my rearview mirror. "I'm glad to hear that, for real."

It's a relief to see Kasey in good spirits. I thought that he was going to let his search for Farad consume him, but clearly that isn't the case. I'd rather see my boy happy and flourishing than damn near senile still tryna get his lick back, especially from a nigga who's almost a ghost.

"Hell yeah. I'm tryna get drunk and put a hole in something tonight." He rubs his hands together with a sly grin. "Hopefully shawty behind us."

I chuckle, turning the volume up as the beat to another song drops as I speed down the road.

99 Degrees is packed before it's even late and I'm starting to think that this might be our most successful business venture yet. Located in the heart of the city, it's easy for people to spot and grab a drink last minute. Mack and I made a good decision by choosing this building.

Our section includes Malia, Lyric, Dex, Ashanti, and a few other nameless women that were invited by Kasey with the same vague proposition — show up and get some money spent on you.

And of course, they're doing everything that they can to secure the bag. I mean, he never had a problem getting women before, not at all, but a lil change in your pocket nearly makes you invincible.

"How long have you been growing your hair?" Malia asks, twirling one of his locs with her finger. The woman on the other side of him leans forward, watching her actions with fire in her eyes. It's strange. You'd think that they'd be friendlier, considering the freaky ass three-way kiss that they decided to subject us all to twenty minutes ago.

"'Bout ten years or somethin' like that." Kasey takes his fifth shot of tequila and shakes his head.

Oh, so he was serious about getting drunk as hell.

A new song starts blasting through the speakers and all of the women get to their feet, hips shaking to the tune — Malia on Kasey and Ashanti on Dex. Lyric bends down in front of me, grabbing her ankles and I lean back slightly, bringing my red solo cup to my mouth. The Dj switches the song and she plops down across from me.

"We gotta take a shot!" Kasey grins, pulling Malia into his lap. I pour everyone up and we raise our cups. "To new beginnings! I'm ready to live right like y'all niggas. I love y'all, man! I wish Mack and Tyreek was here too."

"We gone get together another time and celebrate for real, for real. I'm proud of ya." I smile, tapping my drink against his. I don't have to imagine the weight lifted off of his chest from turning over a new leaf, I've done the same thing.

Malia plants a kiss on his neck and I shake my head, taking another sip from my cup.

I gotta get outta here soon. Really not tryna see no mo' of this shit from them.

Lyric's gaze shifts between myself and her preoccupied friend. Her expression is a mixture of irritation and longing. Craning her neck to the side, she narrows her eyes and runs her tongue over her teeth. "You must got a girlfriend?"

"Why?"

"'Cause you actin' scared to get near me."

I jerk my head back in surprise, lowering my eyebrows. "Actin' scared means not tryna fuck you instantly?"

I almost laugh, but I'm used to this. Women who desire the traditional aspect of being courted or chased get annoyed when someone whom they like isn't interested. Watching her friend garner all this attention from Kasey has her feeling forgotten.

It's too bad, really, but I am not the one who invited these hoes.

"No." She straightens her head. "It's just that...you ain't as lively as your boy. I don't know. You just real quiet."

"Let me get this straight...you feel some type of way because I'm not talking to you even though you aren't talking to me?"

Lyric rolls her eyes, but doesn't speak for a few seconds because I'm right. She pulls on a blonde curl, letting it bounce back into shape after release. Without a warning, she rises from her seat and eases down on my lap. "So basically, you just need a woman to initiate things?"

She wraps her arm around my shoulder and the side of my head comes into contact with her chest. "Well, I can do that. I think you're very, very handsome and I would love to get to know you."

I can't lie, Lyric is beautiful. A woman who doesn't need too many enhancements to turn heads, just my type. If this had happened to me a couple years ago, I would've went for it. Shit, I did go for it. Every single time. But I'm a grown ass man now and I've learned to cherish the people who are close to me and given my plans for tomorrow night, it's best if I didn't hurt two women.

"That's not what I meant at all, but I appreciate the compliment." I shrug her arm off and gently push her away. She sucks her teeth and stands up, cupping her hips as she frowns.

"Aye, foo." Kasey taps the side of Malia's ass, and she rises to her feet. "I'm bouta dip. I'll see you later."

"Oh, yeah?" I reach out and we slap hands.

"Fasho, I gotta ride." He motions to Malia with his head, flashing me a knowing smirk and I nod.

"Coo. I'm finna leave too."

"It was nice meeting you, June!" Malia smiles triumphantly towards the empty seat on the other side of Kasey. I hadn't even noticed that the other woman left. Her speech is clear and her stance is steady, making his drunkenness all the more evident.

"Aight then. Be safe, my boy." I lean back in my seat and Lyric grabs her purse with a huff.

"Likewise."

"Oh, Lyric! We're actually not going back your way, sis. I can't take you home." Malia bites the tip of her fingernail, looping her arm through Kasey's as he heads towards the door.

"Wait, what?" Lyric straightens her neck and crinkles her nose. "So you're leaving me here alone for some nigga that you just met?"

"Girl, it's not that deep." Malia matches her friend's facial expression, allowing herself to be pulled through the building.

"I'll call you later though!" She shouts right before they disappear into the crowd.

Damn.

The section has started to clear out. Even Dex and Ashanti have ducked off somewhere, probably to the bar. That leaves the two of us. Lyric looks distressed, chewing on her lip as she stares off into space. She was eager to accept an invitation to receive some money, only to show up and get the short end of the stick. Maybe she really needed it.

Should I give this girl a ride home?

"Come on." I stand up, shoving my hands into my pockets. There are more males around than females at this point so I feel weird about leaving her. "I'ma get you an Uber and I'ma wait until it comes before I leave."

She nods her head, looking slightly embarrassed and we wordlessly head out the door.

Niggas always leave me to play the hero.

**********

Saturday, December 10 | 10:12 p.m.
Crystal Lake Condominiums

-

"Dang, ma. You walking all slow and shit." I tease, pulling Giselle by the hand. She teeters a little faster, but barely. Her asscheeks jiggle underneath the chocolate brown, silk dress that clings to her body and I can't help but to grab it.

"I'm nervous, and I'm wearing heels. I don't wanna fall."

"It's coo. I'll catch you before you hit the ground."

She twists her lips to the side and I know that if her eyelids weren't hidden by her hand, she'd be rolling them. "You been sugar sweet all night."

"Okay, you're at least past the threshold now." I close and lock the door, pressing myself to her backside. "Open 'em."

"Wow! This is..." Her eyes happily dance over the mixture of salmon and orange roses that decorate the living room. "A lot."

The last two words fall flat and  when she turns to face me, I can see the uncertainty written all over her face. "I am grateful for this, but why?"

When I don't respond she sighs, delicately brushing my hands off of her waist. "Listen, we are grown, and I don't want to be doing all of this serious shit for nothing. I've had enough of situationships and meaningless talking stages."

"You think what we have is meaningless?"

"I don't know! I just asked you a question and all you did was stare. I'm just saying, you taking me to that expensive ass restaurant and then bringing me here with this expensive ass arrangement got my head spinning because we aren't even together. I'm still reeling from the fabric you bought. Tell me what we're doing here. Tell me what you want so that I can see if we're on the same page."

My attempt to conceal my smile fails miserably as the corners of my lips pull without my control, much to her annoyance. "I am dead serious."

"I wanna be with you, Giselle. Duh." I slide my hands around her waist again and she folds her arms. "I got these colors in particular because they represent happiness and intense desire. The passion that you express for the people that you love and for your business is one of the things that I enjoy most. I planned this night so I could ask you to be my girl."

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise and her shoulders relax as she grips my biceps. "Really?"

"Yeah, I was. I've changed my mind now since you wanna fuss again."

"Rashad," she whines, swatting at me. "Stop it! I ruined the moment for real?"

Lifting her head up with my fingers, I press her glossed lips onto mine with a loud smack. "Will you be my girlfri —"

"Yes!" She grins, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Thank you for an amazing night."

A simple embrace transforms into more kisses that deepen as the seconds tick by and before I know it, we're tangled in the sheets. Giselle throws her head back and I palm her breasts as she bounces on my dick. People say that fucking is different when you're in love. I wonder if I'm on the way to finding that out.

**********

Sunday, December 11 | 6:01 a.m.
Crystal Lake Condominiums

-

"Hello?" My eyes snap open at the crack of dawn to Giselle's voice, still heavily laced with sleep. The early morning sunlight faintly pours into the room, gifting me with the view of her figure beautifully carved into the sheets. I want another round. She lays with her arm over her eyes and her phone pressed to the side of her face. I sigh, scooting closer to her and snaking my hand over her stomach.

The person on the other line sounds hysterical, hollering out incoherent words. Giselle sits up suddenly with worry. "What?"

"Gab, I can't understand you. Take a breath."

The voice only becomes louder and Giselle throws her legs over the bed, rising to her feet. She puts her hand over her chest, her eyes widening at the sobs that burst through the phone. "Who?"

"Oh my God. Okay, okay, I'm on the way!" Giselle scans the room frantically in search of her clothes, throwing them on haphazardly. "Gabriella, stay on the phone! Oh my God. Oh my God."

"Giselle?" I rasp. "What happened?"

She ignores me, still muttering the same words over and over again as she looks for her shoes. "Ugh, she hung up! Rashad, I...I need you to take me to my sister's house."

I spring up, ignoring the faint dizziness that washes over me and place my hands on her hips in an attempt to calm her. "What is going on?"

She exhales heavily, finally meeting my eyes.
"Jamari's dad died. The police found his body with bullet holes in it." 

"Damn, G." I shake my head, pulling her in for a bear hug. "I know how much yo' family means to you."

"It's...not. It's not even...shit!" Giselle's voice breaks. "It's not even that I cared about Farad for real. I just hate what this is gonna do to my sister and my nephew and —"

"What?" My entire body stiffens at the mention of his name and I release Giselle, yet she still clings to me, not noticing.

"God, why did he have to be such a fucked up ass person? Now I feel guilty for not being sad."

Realization hits me like a train. All the times that I've heard Giselle's harsh remarks about her nephew's father, I never knew that it was Farad. I've been around his child completely unaware. Kasey was looking for a nigga that was right under my nose possibly.

Oh, shit. Kasey.

He actually did it. He killed Farad.

The real source of his happiness wasn't the money, the women, nor the alcohol. No, those were just bonuses. Those were rewards for him completing his task, a celebration of his long awaited victory. I don't know why I thought that he'd be capable of letting something like this go. Usually, when he did something big, he'd tell us but this time, he really moved in silence.

And with a smile too.

I should be grateful that I was left out of the loop and I am, but I'm also slightly unnerved.

"Oh my God." Giselle repeats, sliding her foot into her crocs and I snap back into reality, digging into my draws for a hoodie.

I'll never underestimate him again.

-

~~~

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