Page 32 of He Thugged Me First

“Gotti said ya time is up!” Somebody yelled out before the cars pinned to mine sped off.

LOVE

“You’re gonna drive that man insane.” Lola laughed into the phone while I sat Indian style on the floor. I was stretching because I felt all crammed up since I’d started gaining weight with the baby.

“I’m not. He’s the one who wanted all this, so he has to deal with all of the punches. If it’s ice cream at seven at night, that’s the least he can do since I’m carrying his baby.” I shrugged because I was right.

“You’re stubborn and spoiled as fuck. That’s his fault too. Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch with Mama. CJ just fell.”

I shook my head and focused on trying to reach my toe. Of course I couldn’t. I had put on more weight.

“I’on know why you insist on having ya nappy head ass on the fucking floor.” He walked in the room and took a seat on the bed with the white bag.

I laughed.

“My hair is only nappy because you used all my damn conditioner and went to buy some bullshit to replace it. Just because you wanna grow your hair out doesn’t mean I should have to suffer.” I mugged him.

“Fuck outta here. As my lady, you supposed to make sure my hair looks as good as yours.”

Out of nowhere I busted up laughing. “Negro, please. Cut it off. I like it better that way anyways.”

“But the bitches like to see a lil’ curl and?—”

“Then go use the bitches’ shampoo and conditioner. Matter of fact, go irritate the bitches.” I held my hands out for hisaggravating ass to help me up. He was the only person who could get that out of me.

Of course he did, pulling me into his arms. “I’m just fucking with you, baby. I’on even like bitches.”

I stared at him as he leaned down and kissed my forehead, nose, and then my lips. When we parted, he just stared at me before a playful mug covered his face. “Now come on and eat this fucking ice cream.”

Giggling, I walked over to the bed and grabbed the bag before retreating to the kitchen. He knew for a fact that I didn’t play that eating in the bed shit. I didn’t care how pregnant I got; the moment I ate in the bed was when I knew for sure I had lost my mind.

“You know when I met you yeen have no ass?”

I laughed. “But you pumped me up like I had one. I guess it’s true. Niggas will say anything to get between ya legs.” I gave him the side eye.

He laughed. “Hell nah. You ought to be thanking me. Me and my stroke are the reason you thicker than a snicker and you gimme something to?—”

“Why do you gotta be so vulgar?” I turned around with a spoon in my hand, looking at him.

“Because you like me this way. C’mon, baby. You couldn’t be with some nigga who stood up straight and never spoke. Somebody in our relationship has to be the extrovert.” He was using my words on me because he didn’t even believe in introverts and extroverts when we first met. “I handle shit so you can sit pretty.” He winked, making me reminisce on the moment I knew that statement to be true.

“Love,I ain’t scared of ya bitch ass daddy. I’ll cool that nigga off real quick.” Quari glanced over at me as I watched myfather and his new wife, who was my age, walk toward the table. My mother got tired of him long ago and left him. Now, she lived in the city, and I’d never seen her happier.

“Please don’t. If you feel yourself about to hit him, just squeeze my thigh and we can?—”

“Love, it’s been too long.” My father kissed my forehead before taking a seat across from me. He looked old as hell and unkempt.

I smiled and nodded. “It wouldn’t have?—”

“I send you to the best college in this filthy city, and this is who you decide to deal with? You’re just like your sister, whoring yourself out to hoodlums because—” He had already started, and I heard Quari grind his teeth.

“Excuse me? You didn’t do a thing. You don’t even pay for my schooling because my choices differ from yours and?—”

“And you got her fucked up, lil’ homie. Now apologize before I make ya bitch a widow.” Quari sat up, looking at my father.

My father tried to stare at Quari, swallowing hard. It’s safe to say I never got that squeeze to my leg because before I could say anything, Quari decked my father in the face. “Didn’t I tell you to apologize?” Quari looked from me to my father, actually waiting on an apology that I knew I wasn’t getting. To my surprise, I got it.

“I apologize for speaking to you in that manner.”

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