"Good Ones Go"

Nayeli
⚜️

I looked to Reese not knowing what to do. I didn't even know how Armani knew where Reese lived. I hadn't seen her since that day when I was still in the hospital.

"How she know where I live?" He asked staring me down.

"I don't know" I frowned. I don't recall ever telling her but maybe I did. Reese wasn't completely against me having people over but I never had the chance to invite anyone.

"She not coming in here" he said stating the obvious. I didn't plan on inviting her in anyways. Reaching for the door, I jumped when Reese smacked my hand.

"This the bitch that almost got you killed, let her stay out there"

"You don't know that Reese, that use to be my best friend, I can't just act like I don't care"

"Go out there and get your feelings hurt when her crack headed ass tell you wassup" he shrugged.

"I'm just gonna see why she came here and how she knew where to find me" I explained. Reese stared at me for a minute before letting me go.

Opening the door, I took in Armani's appearance. She was shaking and tears ran down here face.

"I didn't mean it" she cried. I stepped back and watched as she fidgeted and scratched her arms.

"Didn't mean what Armani? What are you doing here and how did you-"

"I didn't know he would try to kill you" she continued.

"What are you talking about? Peter?"

"He isn't killing me Nayeli" she shook her head.

"He don't gotta put a gun to your head and pull the trigger to be a killer. He's killing your spirit and got your mind going elsewhere with these drugs. He doesn't have to do much more Armani"

"I told him that day that you dumped the drugs. I only did it so he wouldn't beat me. I didn't know he would try to get you killed" she confessed. I stepped back not knowing how to feel about what she said. A part of me already figured that was the case but to hear it from her broke me. This was suppose to my my best friend, my sister in Christ and she almost got me killed over some drugs.

"I hope it was worth it" I chuckled not finding anything funny.

"I heard him talking to someone about it and I confronted him. I told him I was done with him and he beat me so bad. Nayeli I'm so sorry"

"You need to go get help Armani, your mom is fucking worried about you! She hasn't seen you in weeks. Do you think she wants to have to bury you?" I shouted.

"I am, I will but I need help. Peter is not going to let me just go"

"Does he know you're here now?" I asked looking up and down the hall. I was suddenly on edge because I didn't know if this was some set up again. Although Armani knew nothing about his plans to have me killed, I still couldn't trust her. She had told some unstable drug addict with Napoleon complex that I messed with his drugs.

"No I snuck away and came here"

"How did you know where I was?" I quizzed looking at her closely.

"When you dropped me off that day, I remembered you putting in this address. I figured it was to head back here. Guess my brains aren't completely fried" she tried to joke but I found nothing funny. I know anybody else probably would've wanted to fight her but I couldn't bring myself to do so. I just wanted her to get help and stay away from niggas like Peter.

"Alright you been out here too long" Reese said opening up the door.

"Everything is cool" I tried to reassure him but he wasn't budging and I noticed the imprint of a gun tucked away under his shirt.

"Nayeli I just need help" she pleaded. I didn't know what she expected me to do about her situation.

"Look you have my number just call me" I said not knowing what else to do.

"Nah she good, you can go back to your crackhead pimp. Tell him to watch his back" Reese said pulling me into the house and slamming the door in her face.

"Reese" I simply said and stared at him. I turned around to open the door and was snatched back.

"How yo handicap ass gonna help her" he said referring to my leg. My leg wasn't even hurt that bad, it just ached from time to time.

"Uncle Reese be quiet" Asia shushed from her spot on the floor where she was still watching cartoons.

"Reese she wants help, you can-" I tried to reason with him.

"Can keep minding my business like I've been doing. Look you don't know what she's up to. Trust me, drugs can create some monsters"

"I know but Armani is my best friend, we made promises to each other and the least I can do is try to help. If she doesn't want it, I won't force it. I will wash my hands clean with her but I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to her and I could've done something" I frowned.

"That ain't your best friend, that's a coke fein. You ain't see that white residue under her nose? She playing you and you letting her"

"She's terrified, that guy will kill her and I'm pretty sure he's still plotting on me"

"That nigga ain't plotting on shit, you really think Ima let him try some shit with you" he chuckled looking at me crazy.

"Reese don't do anything stupid, Marcellus is already locked up"

"That nigga did something stupid when he did that nut shit and threatened your life" he said before walking off. I walked back to the door unlocking it to see that Armani was long gone. I locked it back and slid the chain on before deciding to go take a shower. The shower was where I sorted through my seemingly never ending thoughts.

Today was an eventful day and I just needed to clear my head. Heading to the room where Asia and I kept our things, I grabbed a pair of black cotton shorts and an oversized hoodie Howard University hoodie that belonged to my father.

I peeked in the living room and saw that Asia had fallen asleep. I fixed her properly before taking my towel and my clothes into the bathroom. The bathroom wasn't in the bedroom and I wasn't walking around with just my towel on. Locking the bathroom door, I turned the shower water on before stripping out of my clothes.

I scrubbed myself clean and washed my hair thoroughly. I let my thoughts consume me as the water rained down on me. After I was done I stepped out and dried my self off before moisturizing my skin. I slipped on my clothes and left the bathroom.

I put my dirty clothes in a basket and reminded myself that I needed to do laundry soon. Walking into the living room, I scooped up Asia and put her in the room to sleep. When she slept on the floor, she always ended up with something hurting her and I didn't have time for her dramatic self.

As I was cleaning up her mess, I heard Reese's bedroom door open. I turned around and noticed her was dressed. Rolling my eyes, I continued cleaning as if I didn't see him.

"My Uber's downstairs, come lock your door" he said making me laugh.

"You stay playing" I shook my head walks over to him.

"I ain't forget about your appointment tomorrow so be ready when I get here" he reminded me about my doctors appointment tomorrow. The bullet had taken longer than usual to surface but now that it has, it was important to remove it immediately.

"You not coming back tonight"

"I got some things to handle so I'm probably gonna be back late or in the morning"

I nodded and stood waiting for him to leave but he didn't. He walked over to me and pulled me into his chest.

"Stop that shit, give me some lips" he smirked before palming my ass. I gladly stood on my tip toes and kissed him. If I wouldn't have pulled away when I did then I knew he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"Go handle your business" I said while stepping back. He gave me one last look before leaving out and locking the door.

After making sure everything was straight and in order, I went into the room and curled up next to Asia. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off to sleep.

A light repeatedly slapping on my face woke me up out of my sleep. I opened my eyes to see that it was Asia. The sun was rising and I knew it was time for me to get up soon.

"Let's go brush our teeth" I mumbled before literally rolling off the bed. We went into the bathroom and started our day. As soon as I finished getting dressed, I heard the apartment door opening. Asia was sitting around the table eating her cereal with warm milk.

"Y'all ready" Reese asked. I noticed he had on different clothes from yesterday. I stared at him for a second longer but decided not to say anything.

"Yeah, Asia you done?" I turned to her. She nodded before picking the bowl up to drink off the rest of the milk. When she was finished I wiped off her mouth with a wet cloth then grabbed her bag. I always packed extra snacks and clothes for her when we went outside.

We left out the apartment and piled into the car. Asia was in the back watching some silly video on her tablet while Reese drove bobbing his head to some song he barely knew the lyrics to.

My parents knew about my small surgery today and promised to be there before I went in. They were really paranoid when it came to us now and I didn't blame them. My mom texted me a lot in a single day, sometimes it was a little too much.

My nerves began to show as I sat in the room while the doctors explained my procedure one more time. I had seen my parents and was happy to do a prayer with them before seeing my doctor. I was glad I still had my life but the ugly scar it would leave would always remind me.

Reese had stayed in the waiting room with Asia. I told him that she should be going to school by now but he continued to baby her and said missing a day wouldn't hurt her.

Soon is was time for my surgery and I laid there nervously until the anesthesia took over. Before I knew it, I was awake and looking around confused. It felt like a second had passed by but I could tell from the soreness in my chest that the surgery had happened.

"Hey, welcome back, the surgery went well. Refrain from any heavy lifting, we don't need anything tearing. You will need to come back in a few weeks to make sure it's healing right. Some antibiotics are at the pharmacy to help prevent any infections, be careful when you shower. You can use an over the counter pain killer for any aches. Besides that, you are free to go, the stitches will fall out on their own" the nurse smiled.

I looked up seeing Reese walk into the room with a sleeping Asia.

"They said you might be a dizzy from that sleep gas" he warned me walking over. I pushed his hand away not needing his help.

"I'm fine" I shook my head and attempted to get up from the bed. My feet touched the floor and I went to stand but stumbled over. I felt strange and didn't have much control over my legs. Reese came to my side and supported me so I could stand straight. I got my things and soon I was discharged from the place.

"That was the worst" I groaned as eased my way down onto the couch. I had stopped by the pharmacy to get my prescription and now I was in Reese's living room trying to get comfortable.

"Come here you little baby" he chuckled. I shook my head not wanting to cause myself anymore pain. Reese played too much sometimes and I wasn't up for it today.

"No, I feel like I got shot again" I shook my head. I was taken by surprise when he stood up and picked me up also. He sat back down with me on his lap. His hands slowly moved up my shirt and massaged the sore area around the old wound. Rolling my eyes, I fought back the little smile that was trying to show.

"You want some pain meds?"

"No I can deal with it" I told him. I didn't like taking pills especially more than I needed to. The pain was bothersome but nothing I couldn't tolerate. I've had cramps worst than this and went without medication.

"You sure?"

"Mhmm I'm sure" I smiled leaning up to kiss him. I slightly winced from the pain but didn't show it.

"Gon start something your handicap ass can't finish" he chuckled before going silent again. Reese was looking at the T.V. but I could tell he wasn't watching it. I turned his head back towards me to get his attention.

"Whatchu thinking about?" I asked.

"Shit" he breathed out and leaned back into the couch.

"Like what?" I questioned.

"Marcellus, you, my mom, my dad, myself. Me and Marcellus fight a lot but he's the only family I got forreal" he shrugged.

"What about your mom? You and Marcellus always getting weird when she comes up" I said hoping to gain some insight.

"My mom had one thing on her mind and that was making sure that she was set for life, we were just pawns in her scheme. Ain't no real love there" he laughed but I knew it really hurt him.

"What about your dad?" I asked hoping there was a better story there.

"He a good dad but he's getting old, sometimes he remembers us and sometimes he don't" he responded.

"Do you ever think about sitting your mom down to talk?" I asked. Reese stared at me and began laughing. I frowned not knowing what I said that was so funny.

"Nayeli, everything that's broke don't gotta be fixed, especially if I'm not the one that broke it. You and your family go through shit but it don't be nothing serious to a point where there's love lost"

"Every family has problems Reese" I tried to tell him but he didn't want to hear it.

"That's the thing though, it was never a family" he said removing me from his lap and walking off into his room. I fell back into the and groaned instantly regretting that move. I wanted to find out more about Reese's past but that seemed to be impossible.

A text came in to my phone and I picked it up seeing that it was Armani. I smiled at the name I had her saved as. We were the best of friends and did everything for each other. Now I couldn't even trust her, the drugs had taken a toll and what we had was long gone.

ManiLani🍫🍑: Nayeli I know you don't want to talk to me but I need somewhere to stay tonight. Peter took all of my money and I have nothing. My mom doesn't want to speak to me. All the shelters are closed and not accepting people at this time. I know you want nothing to do with me but I just need help. I need my best friend.

I stared at the message long and hard before standing up. I decided not to say anything to Reese because he would say something slick to make me mad. Grabbing the keys to the jeep, I slowly made my way to the door. I let my self out and locked he bottom lock. I waited until I got in the car and sent Reese and text message saying that I was going outside.

Reese🤤💦: tf you mean you going outside?

Reese🤤💦: where you going?

Reese🤤💦: you going to meet up with your dumb ass friend huh?

I shook my head and opened up the message thread with Armani. My hands hovered over the keyboard for a moment before I typed my reply.

Where are you?

I sat there and waited until the message came in from her telling me her location. I knew Reese doubted her and didn't trust her at all but for some reason, I didn't believe Armani would bring any harm to me. Starting up the engine, I pulled out of the parking lot and drove off.

________________

hey guys🌙
how is everyone? sorry I don't update as frequently.

This story will probably have about 6 more chapters and then I'm done: that's what I'm aiming for. I will probably do a few bonus chapters in Reese and/or Marcellus POV.

don't forget to comment, vote up if you enjoyed the chapter☺️

naya🍭