✨🖤MY GIFT TO YOU GUYS🖤✨
Ranae
I woke up with them messages from his phone still freshly in my mind. I was already dressed and ready while Anthony was now getting dressed after waiting on me. I had work in two hours so he wanted to take me out to eat for breakfast.
I couldn't help that I was starting to feel some type of way about them messages between them. I didn't see his messages he sent to her but hers was there so maybe he deleted his or deleted her number after texting her. I shook the entire negative thoughts out my head.
I won't even bring this up because it's really none of my business. I shouldn't have even seen them. Hopefully when she gets the DNA test done, and it says he's not the father, she leaves him alone about it. Because I honestly don't think it's his but if the baby is then that'll be his responsibility.
I hear the shower turn off and then the bathroom door opening. Finally I thought, it's been damn near an hour. And they say girls take long to get dressed. Well some girls do but not all.
Ten minutes later, he walks out dressed, looking good. It was a simple fit but he made it look better. He went to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle and his keys out the bowl. "You ready ma."
"Yeah." I said standing up and grabbing my stuff. We walked out and he locked the door behind us. We got in the car and he drove off. "Where we going for breakfast."
"The pancake house. What time you get off?"
"Ohokay. And same time. What are you about to do?" I asked.
"Gonna handle some real quick and then see my mama and lil bro. Why?" He glanced at me then back at the road.
I shook my head. "Nothing. Just asking." I got on my phone, playing my game.
"Nah it's some. Wassup?"
"Really it's nothing." I chuckled. "Just curious."
He nodded and like normal, he had blunts Pre-rolled ready to go so he grabbed one lighting it. We drove in silence until we came to the diner. He parked and got out, walking in.
It wasn't busy like I thought it would be so we immediately got a table in the back. "Welcome to the pancake house, I'm Tia, what can I get for you guys?" A dark skin girl asked, appearing in front of us. She's a really pretty girl. Her natural curly hair was pass her shoulders with honey blonde ends. She was tall with a noticeable hour glass figure. All I could think was girl show me the way. Cause I couldn't figure out how to look like that. Skin flawless while I'm sitting her bumped up a bit.
We told her our order as she wrote it down. I thanked her and she walked away. I looked away from her, looking at him and he was looking at me. "What?"
"Stop comparing yourself to other females." He said.
"Who said I was comparing myself to her?" I raised a brow.
"I can tell. As soon as she came over you was staring at her, examining her whole body, probably thinking you wish you could look like that until she left."
"What if I was just thinking she's pretty. I wasn't comparing myself." I pouted a bit. "She's pretty."
"And you beautiful. Not one female can compete witchu." He said staring at me in all seriousness.
I got butterflies as I looked away into my phone. I didn't even want to continue on this subject anymore so I stopped talking. "Guess we gotta work on your self love mamas. Shit not cool. I wantchu to see what I see. Cause you really got it."
"I don't. I can't wear the cute stuff like these smaller girls can."
"And they can't wear what the cute shit thick women can wear." He chuckled and I smacked my lips.
"We barely have cute stuff. And you talking like you've been with a plus size girl. Far as I know is me."
"Because I have." He said confidently. I can't lie and say I wasn't a little shocked. "I don't discriminate baby. Women is women."
I don't know why but him telling me this was a turn on and not in a sexual way. Not too many men think like him. Most of them are closed minded on the subject. They have this stereotype about us and it's dumb. But what's dumb is some others and myself feeling like what these men are saying is true.
"So you dated her?" I raised a brow.
"Yeah. For eight months." He slouched back in his chair, folding his arms.
"Never mentioned her."
"Because she's and ex from years ago. Why bring old things into what I'm tryna build witchu. Plus she's even mentioned right now because she was an example for me not giving a fuck about sizes."
"Interesting." I chuckled.
"Mhmm." He said and I rolled my eyes.
The waitress Tia came back with our tray of food and drinks, placing it in front of us. "Thank you." I said.
"You're very welcome. Let me know if y'all need anything else." She smiled, walking away.
We ate and thankfully we talked about other random things. I couldn't help but to still wonder about the girl he dated. Like she wasn't a hit and quit, they was together together. I got out my thoughts as I hear his phone vibrating. He sighed picking it up. "Yo."
"I'll be there in few." He said and hung up. He felt me looking at him and looked at me. "I'm taking Monica to get the DNA test."
I nodded, finishing my food. So that's what they was texting about? "She finally agreed to it."
"Nah. But she will when we get there."
I was happy he wanted to get it done and over with her. Shes been doing the extreme most lately. What kind of person does the things she do to someone she knows doesn't want them? And maybe when it's all done she'll just not only leave him alone but me as well.
I guess ever since Monica and Candice have seen how much Anthony gives me his time, I've become a target. But it's whatever because never again will I let anyone talk to me or do me any kind of way ever again.
He paid for our breakfast and we left to my job. After we hugged and said our goodbyes then he left. And I dreadfully made my way to the store. From here I can see it was packed for the holidays.
I walked in and went to the back to clock in. And as soon as I came out, multiple customers came to me with different questions. So I silently suffered, helping them all.
***
I let out a sign of relief as I clocked out for today. I was tired and all I could think about is my shower and bed. I grabbed my stuff and made my way to the front. I stood, waiting by the door for Anthony to pick me up. He sent me a text thirty minutes ago saying he was on his way already.
I listened to my music on low as I waited. The voices of multiple males walking this way got my attention but I didn't look at them. They walked pass me, out the door but two of them stopped. I glanced, seeing it's Jared and I sighed, looking away. He's literally everywhere I am and it's getting weird.
Him and one of his friends was leaned on the door at the far end. I walked out the doors so Anthony can see me and also to not have him in my face or space.
I couldn't help but to turn around to check my surroundings and noticed Jared, seeing him dapping up his friends then walking over to me. "Hey."
"What do you want?" I sighed.
"Lemme take you home." He volunteered, licking his lip, nibbling on it.
"I'm never getting in a car with you again. So, no thanks." I simply said. "So can you leave me alone?"
I was hoping he did and leave with his friends but he stood here, looking at me. And I sighed, looking up at him. "Umm..." I grimace.
"I really just want to make up for what I put you through. I'm a fucked up individual for the shit I did to you and I want make it right." He said as he rested on the his car by his door, looking me in my eyes.
"Why?" I sighed. "You staying away from me and leaving me be is making up for it."
He sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. He stared back at me, deep in thought. "Ight. I'll continue doing that....for now." He said getting in his car, driving off. I shook my head, praying for him cause I simply don't know what else to do.
I stood out here waiting and enjoying the breeze. This weather was bipolar as ever for no reason. I was humming along to H.E.R song called Slide. People was coming in and leaving as they passed me. Music that was louder than my music was blaring from a truck that pulled up in front of the mall.
Loud laughter from two girls that hopped out the back instantly made my face scrunched up. My brows raised, seeing it was Monica and some other girl. The window from the passenger side slid down, revealing a dark skin guy. You can can see his chains from here blinging and the gold grills in his mouth as he laughed at something the driver said.
He looked at the girls, poking his head out the car. "Hurry the fuck up." He shouted to them.
"Ight daddy." She giggled, making me mentally gag. I had my hood on so she couldn't notice me and I was glad. She acts and does things as if she's not pregnant. Her stomach was bulging out that tight dress.
He brought his gaze to me and examined me as I did the same to him. He kind of looked familiar but didn't. He said something to the person driving then he looked back at me, staring. I begin to grow uncomfortable by the second. Something was telling me to go sit in the food court so that's what I did.
I sat in my usual spot and he was still staring. I pretended to be in my phone as I sat here and waited. I hear the Monica and that girl as they made their way out the door. "I didn't see her." She shouted, making me look at them.
They hopped back in the truck and he glanced at me once more before driving away. I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding. People are getting creepier these days. I was just wishing Anthony would hurry up. "Ranae, you need a ride?" I looked up to my manager on her way out.
"No thank you. I'm waiting for someone."
"Alrighty. Have a good night." She waved and I waved back.
Minutes later, I seen Anthony's Range Rover and walked over. I got in and the car was hotboxed. I was "Wassup mamas, how was work?"
"Hey, it was okay." He leaned over and kissed my temple, giving me butterflies. "Tiring. I don't want to go home cause I know what's going to happen. But I have to."
After I buckled up, he drove off. "I saw that girl Monica." He didn't say anything as he kept his eyes on the road. "Did she take the test?"
"Nah. Gettin it when the baby born." He responded and I nodded.
We road in silence as he drove me home. I would glance at him from time to time and he looked deep in thought. I looked down at his hand, seeing the iced out watch on his wrist. I grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers together. He raised our intertwined hands, kissing the back of mines and my cheeks blushed hard.
It stayed like that the whole ride home. We made it and he parked in the normal spot. "Thank you." I said breaking the silence.
"I gotchu." He spoke, looking at me.
I got ready to get out but stopped me. He leaned over and met him half way and he kissed my forehead. "Goodnight ma. Text me when you get in."
"Okay. Goodnight." I blushed.
************************************************
Ghost (Anthony)
Hours earlier
"Where was you? I been callin' and textin' you for hours." She rolled her eyes. "Got me out here waiting. It's cold."
"You wouldn't be cold if you didn't have on that tight ass paper dress in the cold."
We walked into the doctors office and went to the front desk so she can check in. I went and sat down in the waiting area as she handle that. Minutes later she's walking over to me and sat down. "So what made you wanna come to my appointment now? You missed the last two."
"Because we getting the test done. You and I both know what happened in the Bronx but you conjured up yo own lil story to tell yo peoples."
"The story about us fucking? That's not a lie Ghost." She chuckled. "And there's no need for a test, he's yours."
"Delusional as hell. But laugh now cause you finna been hurt later."
"Nigga please. What? You got people in your ear telling you different? That big ass girl you be with?"
"You a fucking hater and you need to do better." I said simply. "You don't really got shit else to say about her besides that she's on the NATURALLY thick side. Didn't you lay on a table?" She looked at me, defeated. "So shut that shit up."
"That didn't matter to you when you was fucking me. Now did it? And now she can play step mommy."
"Your child ain't mines and you know that. I don't know why you pinning some other nigga's child on me but you sad." I shook my head.
"I'm not taking any test and you not forcing me to so if that's what you thought was going to happen, you delusional. Not putting my baby at risk."
"Monica Santiago?" Someone called. She got up, walking to the doctor in the door way. She noticed her coming and smiled a bit greeting her. "Dad, you can come too if you want." She said to me.
The shit literally gave me goosebumps. I wasn't here for that but maybe I can get it down my way since she not cooperating. I stood up, going in and sitting down.
After checking her baby, she asked her all kinds of questions I wasn't really paying attention to. She would try to include me, asking and I gave it to Monica to answer. And she was just lying out her ass.
"Okay well, let me go print these out for you. I'll be right back." The lady said and left.
Monica sat in silence on her phone and it began to ring. I see her tense up a little, peaking at me from the corner of her eyes. She didn't answer and sighed. But seconds later it ringed again and she answered. "Hello?"
"I'm at my appointment right now so no." She sighed, turning away from me a bit. "I keep telling you not yet." She snapped at whoever. "Alright! I will damn."
I guess the person hung up cause she threw her phone in her purse. She stared at her stomach and begin rubbing it in soothing circles. She looked sad but she noticed me watching and quickly changed her whole expression. She rolled her eyes, getting back on her phone.
The door opened and the doctor came back in with an white bag and papers. "Okay so these are for you." She said handing her the bag. "Any questions I can help you both with?"
"No thank-"
"How risky is getting a DNA test done right now?" I asked. I hear Monica smacks her teeth.
"You don't have to answer that." She said full of attitude.
"Well..um..it's pretty risky. But considering how far along she is slim." She answered. "Is this something you want done Miss-"
"No I don't." She said quickly. She got up and walked out. I got up following her as she made her way down to the lobby. I could hear her mumbling shit under her breath.
"Yo, hold the fuck up." I grabbed her. She snatched away from me. "It needs to happen one way or another. I'm close to blocking yo ass."
"Fuck you Ghost." She said turning away from me but I stopped her again. "I'm not taking it. I don't go a fuck what you do, you wanna be a dead beat that's fine but you not putting our child at risk!" She raised her voiced.
I wasn't moved or bothered by her dramatic ass but I get her not wanting to take that risk. "Ight, when you give birth, imma need that test done so you think about that." I said leaving her standing there. I walked out the building, to my car and got in driving off.
Later That Night
After I dropped Nae off at home, I headed to the trap to check on a few things. Plus I need to talk to E and Kev and see what he found out about her brother and where he stands in all of this. Since they've know Nae and her fam for just as long as they've known me: Also we need to have a meeting about what the move is with Vito. Because he was talking some crazy shit.
I've also been thinking about what my moms and Nae said about going pro. The letters from scouts and colleges was piling up. Every other week my moms calling and telling me they sent another letter, give them a call. She been nonstop with it every time I go see her. But the lifestyle I have is too hard to just throw away. I put so much into this that I can't just drop the shit. So much shit needs to be handled before I stop.
I pulled up, parking and got out. I see Clyde on the porch smoking a cigarette. He greeted me with a nod and I dapped him up. "Sup G." He said.
"Shit. E and them here?" I asked him and he nodded.
"They just got here."
I walked inside and seen them on the couch with Mike and Bib, watching tv and smoking. "Where yo ass been?" Kev asked as I dapped him up.
"Took Nae home. The fuck y'all been at? And wassup with her brother?" I said sitting down.
"He ain't tell us shit." E sighed. "I know he into some though."
"Y'all think he working with Kane?" Mike asked.
"It's a possibility. We told him about the shit at the club." Kev said. "He didn't look to happy about that."
"So the nigga just came out the blue? Where he come from?" I asked, lighting up another one.
Kev shrugged. "Iono. Shits strange."
I didn't need no added on problems. Especially with Nae's brother since I already got unnecessary problems with her pops. "I'm still waiting on the homie about Cody bitch ass."
"I need his whereabouts ASAP."
"I'll hit him up." Bib said standing up, going to the back.
It got silent as we all sat in silence, deep in thought. The tv was still playing the basketball game they was watching. The universe steady buggin.'
My phone vibrated and I checked it, seeing it's a text from Nae. Told her to text me when she get in, she a whole hour late. I texted her back as I got another message from Monica.
718-461-7583 can we meet somewhere? We need to talk. -10:30pm
This late? Nah I'll pass.
I'll meet you at the hospital when you give birth.
I sent that and put my phone away in my pocket as I laid back. Looking at the tv again it was on a commercial. "They loss. I already know." Kev said shaking his head.
"Terrible." I chuckled.
"I might get back into it. Playing at the community park got me thinking about it." Kev said.
"All our ass should. Give these teams some luck and hope." E said chuckling, Kev and Mike joining in.
"Bruh you down?" Kev asked. "We'll body they ass. Fo'sho."
Little did they know I've been getting letters shoved in my face for weeks. "Nahh. We got too much shit to handle."
"But this shit ain't forever." He stated.
We looked back at the stairs, seeing Bib coming down them. He had the land line phone in his hand and handed it to me, making me frown.
"Yo?" I said putting it to my ear.
"Sup bro. I didn't find too much on that nigga Cameron. Except that he related to Big Rod. Where that nigga came from and who he run with is unknown."
We all looked at each other as I was hearing what Neko said. I sighed, Already thinking of what I might have to do if he a problem, regardless of him being Nae's brother. "What about Cody?"
"He coming back from Miami. I got a homie out there that said he was with some girl, going to multiple clubs, carrying duffle bags upstairs to the owners. But he got a flight set to leave to Houston."
"When he touch down?"
"In two weeks."
"Ight. I'll hit you soon."
"Fa'sho." And with that I hung up.
"What he say?" Mike asked.
"Nae's brother is unknown for now. But that bitch Cody in Miami right now. He coming back in two weeks." I explained.
They sighed, cursing under they breath. "Ight so what we doing? Meeting him there?" Bib asked.
"Around that time is thanksgiving. That's why he coming back. His fiend mama and cousin still here." E stated.
"Take em' all out then. G you know I'm down for whatever." Bib said.
"Nahh. Leave them out of it. Just him." Kev said and I agreed.
"I'll have some people keep an eye out for him." I said and they nodded. I had a lot of things I was doing for them weeks for thanksgiving with my moms and then Nae's birthday was right along with it as well. But imma make it work cause I'm catching his bitch ass by any means.
*************************************************