Chapter Seven

JaRue

a few weeks later…

Things have been quiet since the incident at the club that night. I expected Kari to run and tell her brother that she saw me out with another man, but he had said nothing to me, nor has he called to check on our daughter. That wasn't unusual and if I'm being honest, I preferred it that way. I was off today, so Journei decided to have a girl's day while Infiniti was in daycare. I used to feel guilty about doing stuff like this, but my mother assured me that every mother needed time to themselves. We just got finished with our manicures, pedicures, and facials. Now we were headed to Charme to do a little shopping. With the bonus that I received from Knasim and Knight. I was able to do nice things for myself and not feel guilty or worrying about not being able to pay a bill or get gas. We were currently browsing through the racks while Journei sparked up a new conversation.

"So, have you heard from Hassan?" she asked.

Briefly cutting my eyes at her, I went back to looking through the racks before I entertained her ass.

"No, I haven't. Why would I?"

Shrugging, she replied, "I was just checking. I've been talking to his brother, and he asked me about you, is all. And I kind of gave him your number the last time I talked to Rakeem, and he was around," she confessed.

"What? Why would you do that?"

"Because you need somebody to tap ya damn cervix, that's why. I know that damn rose can't get the damn job done like you want. Fuck Keith and his old gray hairy balls having ass." That caused me to cackle loud as hell in these people's establishment.

"I can't stand you," I said through my laughter. "But uhm, what have you and Rakeem been talking about, Miss Ma'am?"

"Nothing much. Just friendly conversation if I'm being honest. He has a lot going on and he seemed like he needed a friend. Don't get me wrong, he's fine as hell, but since I'm not a thirsty bitch, I can settle for the friendship."

"What does he have going on? Baby mama drama?" I asked.

"Not necessarily drama, but she is dying," she revealed.

"Oh, my God! That's so sad. How old is their daughter?" I remember Hassan mentioning his niece when he came to my job with those apology flowers.

"She's two, and so adorable. My ovaries contract every time I see her," she gushed.

"Uh oh. Your ass in trouble then."

"I doubt it. The way he expresses how he doesn't see himself getting into another relationship, I'm not getting my hopes up. Besides, he's the homie. I genuinely enjoy his conversation. He's like the female version of you," she confided.

"No ma'am. It's only one me, so don't get it twisted." I faked frowned.

"Here's my bestie calling now." She showed me her phone, and I saw Rakeem's picture displayed on her screen and a silly grin displayed pm her face. When she answered, I realized it was a FaceTime call.

"Wassup, shorty? Where you at?" he asked. I couldn't see him, but it sounded like he was smoking the way his voice was strained.

"Hey. I'm out with Rue. We're having a girls' day. I was just talking about you," she confessed.

"Yeah? You over there tryna play me shorty?" I could hear the smile in his voice. With what he had going on, maybe I could share Journei to give him some sort of distraction.

"Never. I told her you were my bestie in male form." She grinned.

"Bestie? Nah, find something else to call me because bestie sounds real feminine, shorty."

I laughed at their banter as I walked to where the shoes were. I didn't want to be all up in their business, even though she said they were just friends. While I was trying on a pair of cute black and gold heels, I felt someone towering over me. When I looked up, Cheryl, Keith's bad body, having a wife, was standing over me with a scowl on her face like she was disgusted. Hell, I should be the one disgusted by her and her sorry ass husband.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"No, you can't, but I'm pretty sure my husband would love to see that you're out here spending money on yourself buying frivolous bullshit and not spending it on his daughter." She smirked.

"Girl, fuck you and your husband. Whatever money I spend and what I spend it on damn sure doesn't come from him, so what I do with it doesn't concern him or you." I snapped.

"Oh, it must come from the drug dealer that you were seen with?" There was that stupid ass smirk again. "It was bad enough that you seduced my husband. Now you're going after my sister-in-law's man. I wouldn't expect anything less from a gutter whore like yourself."

Before I had time to use my common sense, I was up in this bitch's face ready to redecorate this boutique with her big Amazon looking ass.

"Friend, do we have a problem?" Journei asked as she approached us. One thing about my friend, she wouldn't let me fight because I had Infiniti, but that didn't stop her. My bitch was TTG for real.

"Excuse you?" Cheryl had the nerve to say.

"No, excuse yo' crunchy ass wig, bitch. Step back from my friend before I send you back to Keith's triflin' ass like a jigsaw puzzle. It's been a minute since I had to cut a bitch and today I'm feeling real Freddy Krueger-ish." The look on Cheryl's face was priceless. I wanted to laugh but wanting to beat her ass outweighed the humor in the situation.

"You just wait until I tell Keith about this." She stomped her mad ass off like a bratty ass kid. I was so over Keith and his uppity ass wife. She came bothering me but now wants to run and tell like a little bitch when things didn't turn out like she wanted them to.

"You good?" Journei asked.

"Yeah. Let's just go. That bitch just ruined my mood."

I was no longer in the mood to shop and have fun. All I wanted to do was go home and sulk in a bottle of wine or tequila and find the easiest way to get rid of Keith for fucking good.

"No ma'am. You will not let them ruin your day. Those old muthafuckas just miserable. He's mad because you don't want to play with his ass, and Cheryl's ass is mad because her husband went and got him a young tender that he's still sniffing behind. Fuck them."

She looped her arm into mine, and we continued to shop before going to lunch at Roasters. By the time we were done, it would be time to pick up. Infiniti and I could go home and decompress from today's bullshit.

We were now back at my house. Journei decided to stay awhile just in case Keith tried to pop up on his bullshit. I wasn't scared of his ass, but I didn't have to energy to be arguing with his stupid ass either.

"You want me to have Rock beat his ass?" Journei asked as we worked on our bottle of wine. Infiniti was worn out from daycare and was now knocked out.

"As good as it sounds, I can't let you put him in my bullshit. Knowing Keith's bitch ass, he wouldn't hesitate to press charges. I couldn't have that on my conscience, knowing he has a daughter." As a parent, I knew all about the sacrifices that we made for our children. I couldn't have Rakeem risk his freedom for me and then end up leaving his daughter with no parents. I wouldn't even be able to live with myself if that happened.

"Well, just say the word and we can hire a hitman or some shit. I'm tired of him messing with my friend."

This was why she had been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She was always by my side. It didn't matter what the situation was; she was there.

"I really appreciate you, Journei. Half of the time I wouldn't know if I was coming or going, but you're always there to steer me in the right direction."

"Your ass 'bout drunk because you getting all sentimental and shit, but I love your crybaby ass, too." We laughed, but our mini laugh fest was interrupted by my ringing phone. When I looked at the screen, it was Keith's bitch ass. I let it ring and go to voice mail only for him to call right back.

"Answer it, and put it on speaker."

Doing as she suggested, I answered the phone, and he didn't let me get one word out before he started with his rant.

"You think I won't fucking ruin you, JaRue? You're out fucking drug dealers and having them around my child like I won't take your incompetent ass to court and have your rights revoked. Cheryl told me you threw in her face the fact that you're fucking that nigga from the club, and now you're spending his money. Is that how you got your car fixed? He's giving you money for my kid, Rue?" he seethed.

"Nigga, are you giving her money for your kid? The fuck? I swear niggas be worried about the wrong shit," Journei snapped before I could even open my mouth.

"Journei, you need to mind your business. My wife told me about the threat you made on her life."

"Ain't no threat. I meant every fucking syllable. You keep fucking with Rue and y'all going to be twinning around this muthafucka."

I spoke up because those two would go back and forth all day.

"Keith, I don't know what Cheryl told you, but I didn't throw shit in her face, even though I wish I had one of Finny's shitty diapers so that I could. I didn't even see her ass until she came in my face, running her out about shit she knows nothing about. I don't bother y'all, so I deserve the same respect in return, or I'll have to go another route since y'all don't understand English." I was over this shit.

"Oh, that nigga got you out of body like that? You think you can talk to me any kind of way now? Bet. I'll be seeing you soon, Rue, and I hope you have that same fucking attitude." The line went silent, and I knew he hung up. It was nothing for Keith to threaten me, but it was something in his tone this time that didn't sit right with me. I don't know what he had up his sleeve, but if he thought he was going to run my life, he was sucking dog dick if he thought I was going to let that happen.