Trickin', page 22
“Maybe,” Shayna laughed too. Then her facial expression turned serious. “I think Calvin is messin’ around on me,” she said out of nowhere.
“Well, he is married, you know,” Ra’Keeyah teased.
“I know that,” Shayna smiled. “No, but I really think he’s messin’ wit’ somebody other than me and his wife.”
“Why you say that?”
“He’s been actin’ funny lately too. Maybe it’s in the water,” Shayna said, seriously.
“It gotta be,” Ra’Keeyah agreed. “’Cuz Peighton’s ass been actin’ different too. She been MIA a lot lately. Every time I try to call her or invite her to kick it wit’ us, she either don’t answer her phone or say she got somethin’ to do.”
“Maybe he’s messin’ around wit’ Peighton. Did you see how he was droolin’ all over her when we took her to the hotel wit’ us?” Shayna asked, jumping to conclusions.
“Yeah, he was checkin’ her out pretty tough. Even when we were dancin’ he wasn’t payin’ attention to us; he was too busy over at the food table whisperin’ in Peighton’s ear,” Ra’Keeyah pointed out.
“I don’t see her bein’ that scandalous, though,” Shayna said, giving Peighton the benefit of doubt.
“Me either, but you never know,” Ra’Keeyah replied.
“I know one thing; I need you to keep your eye on her for me. If you even think you see Calvin over there pickin’ her up, call me,” Shayna said.
“I got chu’,” Ra’Keeyah assured before sipping on her lukewarm Chai tea.
Ra’Keeyah and Shayna watched as Quiana hung up her cell phone and made her way back over to their table.
“You okay now?” Shayna asked when Quiana sat down.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I know I overreacted a little,” Quiana admitted.
“A little? I thought you were gon’ start turnin’ over tables,” Ra’Keeyah joked.
“Me too,” Shayna laughed.
“Naw. It wasn’t that serious. And plus, in the end, everything will work out in my favor anyway,” Quiana said confidently.
“What you mean by that?” Ra’Keeyah asked with raised eyebrows.
“I’m wit’ Ra’Keeyah. What the fuck you mean by that?” Shayna snapped.
“Oh my goodness. What the fuck is wrong wit’ y’all?” Quiana laughed. “Only thing I meant was I’m gon continue to keep gettin’ my money no matter what. Damn! Stop readin’ so much into shit!”
“Oh. I just wanted to make sure. Shit, especially the way everybody flippin’ gangsta’,” Shayna stated.
Ra’Keeyah was convinced that Quiana’s statement meant more than what she said it did. She just didn’t say anything. Knowing about some of the scandalous acts she’d pulled in the past, Shayna should have realized it too. Shayna could sleep to her cousin if she wanted to, but Ra’Keeyah made up in her mind that she wasn’t about to let her guard down around Quiana ever again. One thing she did pay attention to her mother saying is “A jealous person is a dangerous person.” And Quiana deviously wore jealousy like a badge of honor.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Peighton saw Ra’Keeyah sitting on the porch and decided to walk over and visit for a while. It had been well over a month since they’d last talked and had only seen each other in passing. Peighton had less than a week before she went back home to Birmingham and thought it would nice to catch up as well as come clean about why she’d been avoiding her.
“What you doin’?” Peighton asked, walking up on Ra’Keeyah’s porch and taking a seat in one of the lawn chairs.
“Nothin’. Just enjoyin’ this warm weather,” she responded with a smile. Ra’Keeyah was kind of glad that Peighton came over to keep her company. It had been awhile since they’d sat and chatted with each other. “So, what you been up to?” Ra’Keeyah asked.
“Nothin’ really,” she replied, nonchalantly.
“I see you still been keepin’ your hair done and dressin’ nice,” Ra’Keeyah complimented.
“Yeah. I think it was about time for me to start lookin’ and dressin’ like a young lady.”
“Did Quiana ever bring your camera?”
“Yeah, she brought it the same day you called her.”
Both girls were silent as they watched traffic move up and down the street. Ra’Keeyah was trying to feel Peighton out, and Peighton was trying to figure out how to break the news. Ra’Keeyah could wait no longer and broke the silence first.
“Why when I see you, you be movin’ fast, like you up to somethin’?” Ra’Keeyah asked, cutting to the chase.
“Look, Ra’Keeyah, I’m just gon’ be honest and come right out and tell you, ’cuz I like you,” Peighton said, piquing Ra’Keeyah’s curiosity. “And I hope you don’t be mad at me after I tell you what I’ve been doin’.”
Peighton had Ra’Keeyah’s heart beating fast. She was really ready to hear what Peighton had to tell her.
“I’ve been messin’ around wit’ Bob T behind your back,” Peighton said quickly.
“Bob T?” Ra’Keeyah asked, confused.
“Please don’t be mad, Ra’Keeyah. I know I was wrong for doin’ that to you. But after he dropped Shayna and Malcolm off at his house and Quiana off at home, I was the last one in the truck. He kept complimentin’ me on my looks. And we got to talkin’ and one thing led to another,” Peighton rambled.
“Wait a minute,” Ra’Keeyah said, interrupting her. “How was you messin’ around wit’ Bob T behind my back? He ain’t none of my dude.”
“I know, but he did try to holla’ at you first.”
“So what? It ain’t like I was tryin’ to holla’ back. I’m wit’ who I wanna be wit’,” Ra’Keeyah stated.
“So that means you’re not mad at me then?” Peighton asked, relieved.
“Girl, please, I’m happy for you. All this time you been sneakin’ around wit’ Bob T, thinkin’ I would be mad ’cuz he tried to holla’ at me first.” Ra’Keeyah shook her head and smiled. “Girl, we coulda’ been goin’ on double dates together.”
“I know, right?” Peighton smiled apologetically. “Maybe when I come back next summer, we can all do somethin’ together.”
“How do you know we’ll all still be messin’ around next summer? You gon’ put roots on him?” Ra’Keeyah busted out laughing.
“Fuck you! Everybody down South don’t practice voodoo,” Peighton laughed too.
“I know they don’t. Well, I guess I can call Shayna and let her know it ain’t Calvin you messin’ around wit’,” Ra’Keeyah laughed.
“Calvin? Why she think I was messin’ wit’ him?”
“I don’t know. She thinks he’s messin’ around wit’ somebody other than her.”
“Well, please believe, it ain’t me. I don’t do white. I’m not racist. I just like my men black. Like Bob T,” Peighton smiled.
“I’m wit’ you on that,” Ra’Keeyah said giving Peighton a high five. “Wait a minute. Did you say Bob T dropped Shayna and Malcolm off at his house?” Ra’Keeyah asked just to make sure she heard right the first time.
“Yep. We all rode around and smoked a blunt, went to Steak and Shake, and then he dropped everybody off. Well, we dropped them off,” Peighton laughed.
“Sounds to me like you had a good night.”
“The best. We’ve been spendin’ a lot of time together too. I really like him,” Peighton giggled.
“Well, like I said before, I’m happy for you,” Ra’Kee-yah smiled. The two women looked across the street as Peighton’s dad, brother, and significant other came out of the house. Ra’Keeyah waved as they made their way off the porch.
“Oh, they must be ready to go,” Peighton said, standing up from the chair. “My dad is takin’ me and my brother school shoppin’ today.”
“Oh, okay. Well, come over later.”
“Shit, is you gon’ be at home? You be wit’ Brick more than I be wit’ Bob T,” Peighton laughed.
“Brick went outta town, so I’ma be here,” Ra’Keeyah laughed too.
“Okay, well, I’ll be over when we get back,” Peighton said, making her way down the steps.
“I’ll be here.” Ra’Keeyah watched as Peighton walked across the street and got in her father’s SUV before calling Shayna.
“What it do?” Shayna answered.
“Bitch, how come you didn’t tell me about you and Malcolm?” Ra’Keeyah started in.
“What you talkin’ about? I thought I told you,” Shayna laughed.
“You know you ain’t told me shit,” Ra’Keeyah laughed as she continued to fuss. “I had to hear it from Peighton.”
“Damn, she talks too much.”
“At least she told me. My best friend shoulda’ been the one tellin’ me.”
“I coulda’ swore I told you. Oh, I know what happened,” Shayna remembered.
“What happened?”
“I was gon’ tell you the day we went to Starbucks, but Quiana got to trippin’ and it slipped my mind.”
“Ummm-huh,” Ra’Keeyah said, jokingly.
“I’m for real, Key-Key. Now you know I don’t keep nothin’ from you.”
“I know, girl, but funky-breath Malcolm? He don’t got it all. He kinda’ crazy,” Ra’Keeyah said.
Shayna started cracking up laughing. “I know, right? He does act a little spaced out at times, and his breath smells like he just got finished eatin’ a shit sandwich every time he comes to pick me up.”
“I bet it do,” Ra’Keeyah laughed. “Remember, he was all dirty lookin’ in school?”
“Yep. But he hooked up wit’ Brick and ’nem, and they cleaned his dusty ass up,” Shayna said.
“Brick known for cleanin’ niggas up,” Ra’Keeyah said, thinking back on the story Brick told her about Bam.
“Money can make almost anybody look good,” Shayna said.
“Well, Malcolm need to take some of that money he makin’ and go get that shit pumped outta his stomach,” Ra’Keeyah laughed.
“I know, man, ’cuz that smell be seepin’ outta his pores,” Shayna joked.
“You a fool,” Ra’Keeyah continued laughing. “I don’t see how you can fuck him!” she grimaced.
“I ain’t never slept wit’ him. I let him think he gon’ get some. And as long as he keep gettin’ my hair and nails done, buyin’ me clothes and shoes, I’m gon’ let him continue to think he gon’ get some,” Shayna laughed.
“Girl, you betta’ stop playin’ wit’ that crazy-ass nigga like that, knowing he ain’t wrapped too tight.”
“Girl, please, he used to bitches doin’ him like that. Every chick he get wit’ don’t do nothin’ but use his dumb ass. And as long as he continue to give me what I want, I will be doin’ the same,” Shayna stated.
“Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I got this, girl. You know how I get down,” Shayna cut her off not wanting to hear what her best friend had to say.
“I know. I just wanna make sure you be all right, that’s all.”
“I know. Anyway, are you still gon’ dance Saturday?”
“I doubt it,” Ra’Keeyah said. “Then again, I might. I’ll call you and let you know Friday night.”
“Quiana gon’ fuck you up for not showin’ up,” Shayna teased.
“Girl, please, I’ll beat the fuck outta Quiana.”
“Okay, mama. Well, let’s get together before then,” Shayna suggested. “I’m about to call Malcolm and have him take me to get somethin’ to eat. You wanna roll wit’ us?”
“I’m straight. Just call me later on.”
“Peace out,” Shayna said before hanging up.
Ra’Keeyah shook her head and laughed. She knew Shayna was good at getting what she wanted from dudes, but playing Malcolm just didn’t sit well with her. Ra’Keeyah closed her eyes and said a quick prayer for her best friend’s protection before going in the house.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“I wish you could live here wit’ me,” Brick said, as he and Ra’Keeyah lay cuddling after making love. “I hate when you have to go home.”
Ra’Keeyah smiled at the thought. “I wish I could too, but you know my momma ain’t havin’ that!”
“She ain’t gon’ be able to say nothin’ when you turn eighteen.”
“I know, man, I can’t wait either. You think we still gon’ be together when I turn eighteen?” Ra’Keeyah asked.
“Now why would you ask me some shit like that?”
“I was just wonderin’.”
“Hell, yeah, we gon’ be together when you turn eighteen. Shit, we gon’ be together when you turn a hundred and eighteen,” Brick joked.
“We gon’ be too old to do anything,” Ra’Keeyah laughed.
“Shit, I’ma be hittin’ this ass until I’m two hundred and eighteen,” he smiled.
“Whatever,” Ra’Keeyah smiled back. Her facial expression became serious as she stared at Brick.
“What’s on yo’ mind?” he asked.
“Nothin’ really. I was just thinkin’ about somethin’ that happened a couple months ago.”
“What is it?” Brick inquired.
Ra’Keeyah hesitated, not really knowing if she wanted the truth or if she would be able to handle the truth. “I got into it wit’ Davinette on my birthday ’cuz she told me to tell you that you left your hat at her house.”
“What?” Brick grimaced.
“I was at the shop gettin’ my hair done, and Davinette told me to tell you that you left your hat at her house,” Ra’Keeyah repeated. “Now I don’t know if she was tryin’a get under my skin or if she was bein’ for real.”
“Man, that broad lyin’,” Brick said in a raised tone. “I ain’t been over to her house!”
“Calm down, baby. That’s why I didn’t wanna say nothin’ ’cuz I knew you would get mad.”
“I ain’t mad at you. I’m mad ’cuz the broad is lyin’ on me. And me leavin’ my hat over there. Oh, wait a minute,” Brick said, remembering. “I did go over to her house.”
“Come again?” Ra’Keeyah asked.
“My mom let the broad use a pan to make lasagna in, and she asked me to go over there and pick it up for her. Her son kept beggin’ me to wear my hat while Davinette looked for the pan. So I put it on his head, and when he finally gave it back, it had jelly or somethin’ on it. So I told the li’l nigga he could keep the hat,” Brick said.
Ra’Keeyah shook her head in disbelief. “Wow. And she tried to make me think there was more to it than what it was.”
“I told you before, man, she crazy as hell! And for the record, don’t wait so long to tell me nothin’ else. If you wanna know somethin’ about Brick don’t be afraid to ask.”
“I see you talkin’ in third person again,” Ra’Keeyah laughed. “And if I wanna know anything else, I won’t hesitate to ask.”
“That’s my baby,” Brick said, leaning over to kiss Ra’Keeyah. “You ready to go?” he asked, rolling out of bed.
“You puttin’ me out now?” Ra’Keeyah asked, offended.
“Naw. You said you had to be home by four ’cuz your mom was gettin’ off early to take you and Jaylen school shoppin’.”
“Oh, right. I forgot all about that.” Ra’Keeyah climbed out of bed and started getting dressed.
“Get yo’ mind right,” Brick said, walking to the bathroom to pee.
His cell phone began to vibrate. Ra’Keeyah wanted badly to pick it up and check the caller ID, but she didn’t, fearing he might catch her snooping. Instead, she told Brick his phone was ringing.
“Answer it,” he yelled while washing his hands.
Feeling honored, Ra’Keeyah answered the phone. “Hello?” she said proudly.
“Hello, may I speak to Brick, please?” a female asked.
Ra’Keeyah could feel her heart pounding all the way up in her throat. “May I ask who’s callin’?” she asked with a slight attitude.
“Tammy.”
“Who is it?” Brick yelled from the bathroom.
“Somebody name Tammy,” Ra’Keeyah huffed.
“Oh, bring me the phone,” Brick stuck his hand out the bathroom door and yelled.
Ra’Keeyah walked over and shoved the phone into his hand before continuing to put on her clothes. She listened as Brick laughed and joked with the chick on the phone. Ra’Keeyah was on fire.
“How dare that nigga talk to another bitch while I’m here,” she said, gathering her belongings. Ra’Keeyah finished getting all of her things and took a seat on the edge of the bed waiting for Brick to come out of the bathroom.
“What’s that look for?” Brick walked out of the bathroom still smiling, noticing the mug on Ra’Keeyah’s face.
“What look?”
“That stank-face look,” he said, slipping his clothes back on.
“You trippin’. Get yo’ mind right,” Ra’Keeyah forced a smile before grabbing her things and heading down the stairs.
Ra’Keeyah sat quietly the entire way home while Brick rambled on about any and everything. The entire ride home Ra’Keeyah argued back and forth with herself about asking Brick who this Tammy chick was. She didn’t want to seem like she was insecure so she kept her mouth closed.
“Call me when you get back,” Brick said, pulling up in front of Ra’Keeyah’s house.
“I will,” she said, opening the door.
“What? I don’t get no kiss?”
“Oh yeah,” she said, leaning over.
“Naw, I’m straight,” Brick said, putting his hand up in front of her mouth.
“Okay,” Ra’Keeyah said, getting out of the car.
“Hey,” Brick called out.
“Yeah?” Ra’Keeyah got back in the car.
“Didn’t we just have this talk? I told you if you wanna know somethin’ to ask. Tammy is my cousin, knuckle-head.”
“I didn’t ask you nothin’ about who you was on the phone wit’,” Ra’Keeyah said smartly.
“You didn’t have to. Your actions showed it. I don’t have shit to hide from you. If I did, I wouldna’ had you answer my damn phone.”
Ra’Keeyah knew Brick had a point and was embarrassed by her actions. She didn’t know what to say.
“I’m sorry,” was all she could say.
“Don’t let it happen again.” Brick reached in his pocket, pulled out a wad of money, and counted out five one-hundred-dollar bills. “Here,” he said, handing Ra’Keeyah the money.
