Page 15

Chapter Fifteen

CHROME

A smile graced a nigga lips while I admired my woman.

All the bullshit we’d been going through had become overwhelming to us both.

I proposed a date, and she went for it.

I mean, she didn’t really have a choice in the matter to begin with.

I wanted to see her dolled up and matching a nigga fly.

It was all part of this vision I saw in my head of us.

She stood in the mirror with a black dress hugging her body stopping mid-thigh.

Fade was bright and evenly toned.

Nothing about her skin was discolored and there wasn’t a blemish in sight.

Nothing tainted her canvas except for the sternum tattoo that I couldn’t get enough of kissing.

“Where are we going, Chrasmere? Is this even appropriate? Is my ass out?” she fired off question after question out of nervousness.

“Mama, we going wherever I take you and you look fine as hell. Ain’t nobody worried about that ass being out either because it’s gon’ be on this dick later anyway.”

“That’s not helping,” she whined.

I stood from the bench and walked over to my baby.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her for a minute.

When she wasn’t fussing or being a brat, she was a nigga peace.

Everything this woman did had me locked in.

I didn’t know how she got me so fuckin’ obsessed with her ass either.

We weren’t ever parting though.

She had to know that.

“Baby, you good. Our reservation is at seven. We can either eat out, or I can eat in,” I said running my hand up her thigh.

I didn’t have a problem with either choice on the table.

The taste of her was better than any entrée.

“As much as I would love to have my soul snatched for the umpteenth time today, I want to go out and have a good time. Help me with my heels and then we can go.”

From sunup to sundown, I’d been between her legs.

She brought me home with her from the precinct a couple weeks ago and a nigga ain’t left yet.

I couldn’t if I was being honest.

The perks of having her anytime I wanted had me spoiled.

I missed the hood fa sho, but I missed my woman more.

Couldn’t nobody in that muthafucka make a nigga go crazy like she could.

She took a seat on the bench occupying the space I previously did.

Squatting, I slipped her foot into her heels one by one strapping them around her ankles.

She smelled so fuckin’ good.

Out of all the scents she wore, smelling her in Killian’s Love, Don’t Be Shy had to be my favorite.

When muthafuckas described smelling Rihanna was like heaven, I imagined this was what they inhaled.

“We really could stay in, Mama.” I was already in position.

All she had to do was spread her legs and let a nigga feast.

Leaning forward, she cuffed my face and planted a kiss so soft a nigga was ready to cancel plans for real.

When you got somebody so fuckin’ addictive, the world shifted, and you just wanted live in that muthafucka skin.

“Keep that same energy after dinner. Now let’s go.”

She stood, grabbed her clutch, and walked out the room.

Standing, I smirked and followed her out the door.

She was who a nigga was in love with.

We headed right out the door.

I was glad she knew to keep walking because my eyes couldn’t stay off her ass.

I knew the recoil on that bitch and how good that muthafucka hit when I was behind it.

Fade had me out here admitting to anybody that would listen how sprung a nigga was.

Opening her door, I helped her into the passenger side and helped her with her belt.

I really just wanted to rub up against her breast.

They were growing by the day and a nigga was in love with them melons.

I jogged around and joined her after she was strapped.

I pulled out and hit the main road heading for Portofino’s.

It was an Italian restaurant that I thought she would like.

The traffic in the Lake was light but the folk were still out.

I loved my city.

Regardless of how many stupid muthafuckas it housed.

I wouldn’t want to be nowhere but the Lake.

When it came down to it, we lowkey unified with understandings.

The biker life saved a lot of us from being in jail or in a fuckin’ grave.

The drive was a smooth fifteen to get downtown and another ten to find parking.

We had to walk the strip a lil’ bit to get to our destination but we got there eventually.

Walking inside hand in hand, the dimly lit scene immediately gave you that intimate setting you were looking for.

Fade’s smile stretched from ear to ear as she gently squeezed my hand.

“Welcome to Portofino’s. May I have your name?”

“Chrasmere Black,” I answered.

She scrolled her lil’ list and smiled.

“Yes sir, Mr. Black. Right this way.” She grabbed two menus and ushered us to a table that sat in the corner but at an angle where you could see the door with no problem.

“Your waitress will be here shortly. Enjoy your night.”

I pulled out Fade’s chair then occupied the one across from her.

She hadn’t stopped smiling since we entered the building.

I could tell she hadn’t had a nigga show her this kind of attention in a long time.

She was too geeked to step out.

“This is nice, baby. I like their layout.”

“This my first time here. I just heard a lot of good shit about it. It was a wine recommended but we gon’ have to visit this muthafucka next year or something when you can enjoy that shit.”

“I’m cool without it. This is good enough for me. What’s the popular dishes here? Did they say?” she inquired picking up the menu.

“Nah, but the menu tells you what’s in each dish.”

The waitress pulled up ready to take our order.

Fade couldn’t drink so we ordered water as our beverage and played it safe with the Arrabbiata.

I wasn’t trying to temp my baby or enjoy something she couldn’t.

However, when we got back to the crib, I planned on taking a few shots before I fucked her pretty ass to sleep.

There wasn’t a woman alive that could say they had me like this.

Fade had a nigga in a fuckin’ tailored suit making dinner reservations and shit.

All it took was a waffle house all-star meal and they were satisfied in the hood.

They didn’t make me want to step up and show them something different.

I owed that all to the woman sitting across from me.

“So, we gon’ talk for real or we gon’ bypass all the shit that’s happened like it ain’t nothing,” I asked.

Moving forward, I needed us on the same path for our child.

No misunderstandings or assumptions.

Before she could answer, the waitress returned with our waters.

Fade grabbed hers immediately and sipped on it.

I didn’t think she was nervous, but I did think she would end up being emotional by the end of the conversation.

So far, anytime I got close to her heart, she panicked and I ain’t like that.

“Are we addressing everything?” she asked.

“Why not? Shit, this the chance to speak yo’ peace and run if need be.” I would kill her before she could get out the door if the latter was her choice.

“Run? Chrasmere, you and I both know you would never let that happen.” A light chuckle escaped.

Fuckin’ right.

“I will address how I went from being so mature and guarded to unraveling and being so vulnerable with you. Houston played with my heart in ways I didn’t think he could so when I ran into you, I wasn’t in the mood. However, after the one night at the hotel, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. It was weird because I could be doing the simplest shit, and you would invade my thoughts. I ignored it as much as I could until you came to the shop for your car. All those feelings I had on night one rushed back and I couldn’t deny how good it felt to see you even if it was briefly. From then on, it’s been like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Nothing and I do mean nothing seemed to be peaceful if you weren’t around. I guess it was the way you chased me. I never had a man show that he wanted me so much. Houston was the complete opposite and all I knew for eighteen years. I wasn’t ready for you and that’s the God honest truth. I don’t even know if I’m accepting this to get over the heartbreak Houston caused but I know I love you. My feelings are real. They might be rushed but they’re real.”

She said a mouthful, but I heard her loud and clear.

When she spoke to me, she maintained eye contact.

I believed every word and knew that everything about us formed in the blink of an eye.

Fade had only been in Eastlake for a few months and already I had her locked down and on the path to having a nigga baby.

No time was wasted, and we both knew there was no turning back now.

The souls were tied.

“Do you think I’ll make you feel that same heartbreak?” Her head fell to the side slightly as if she was unsure.

I never wanted her mind to wonder when it came to me.

That didn’t cause nothing but insecurity.

“I won’t. If anyone was to end up heartbroken out of this, it would be me. I can take a lot of shit, whether it’s a muthafucka disrespecting me, my crew, or family ‘cause I know how to handle that. I can’t take you leaving me though. This shit different for me than it is for you. I don’t love easily and I damn sure don’t wear my heart on my sleeve the way I have for you. A nigga ain’t never been so close to a woman’s soul that I could reach out and touch that shit. Women? I’ve had plenty of them, but ain’t nan one of them made me crave, miss, or love them the way I do you. I’ll agree and say it was fast to have me so down bad behind yo’ ass, but it's not a regret. I put a baby in yo’ ass and been trying to get yo’ pretty ass pregnant again and you ain’t even dropped this one yet. This some simp shit, but I can love you enough for the both of us. I’m a nigga that can bare that.”

By the time I finished talking, her overly sensitive ass was in tears. I wasn’t even trying to make her cry tonight. All I wanted her to know was how locked in I was. I didn’t care for nobody else but her. Dragging her ass out that abortion clinic was to save my sanity, not hers. I had a vision of my future and that would’ve shattered that muthafucka into pieces if she went through with it.

When I told her she was mine in that hotel room, I wasn’t talking to be talking. I felt the fuckin’ connection then and I knew it was gon’ be hard to get her to believe and see the same shit. She was a fresh divorcée and probably wasn’t checking for shit like she said. I was just a spoiled ass nigga that always got what he wanted. Fade was that.

“Seeing you with another woman hurt me more than it was supposed to. I wasn’t supposed to catch feelings let alone fuck you, but it happened and I lowkey lost my shit. I heard you saying you loved me and thought how could you love me and still do you. The choice to get an abortion was off pure emotion. The connection with us so damn strong and I don’t know how that shit happened.”

“Yeah, I been asking myself that shit too. I really don’t give a fuck how it happened though. A nigga happy with you, Fade. I may be twenty-five, but I know what I want. Hell, I know what I got and unlike the last nigga that had you, I ain’t ‘bout to fuck it up and lose it. Aight?”

Nodding, she patted at her wet face with a napkin cleaning herself up. She was gaining her composure again. Fade didn’t have shit to worry about when it came to me… us. Disloyal hadn’t ever been a character trait of mine. I put those I loved before myself on any occasion. She was pregnant with a nigga baby. That put her at the top of the list each and every time.

“So, is this the part where I relax and let you run the show?” she questioned.

“Kick yo’ feet up and pig the fuck out. I got this, Mama. I can promise you that.”

She motioned for me to come to her, and I quickly leaned over the table into her area. She gently palmed my face and placed a kiss on my lips. Our lips parted and our tongues danced to their usual beat causing a nigga dick to rise. Anytime she showed affection, I immediately wanted to fuck. I was a fuckin’ horn dog behind her ass.

“I love you, Chrasmere.”

“I love you, too, baby.”

The food was finally brought out and we could enjoy ourselves. It went silent as we filled up on the meal. I couldn’t lie, the people that bragged about it had every right to. The portions were huge, and they had good hospitality. It wasn’t what I expected.

“So, do you ever like race or anything?”

“All the time. As a matter of fact, I got one coming up. It’s this Saturday at eight. You trying to show up and support yo’ man or something?”

“Or something,” she said smirking.

“I’m with it. I can show you why these clown ass niggas in the city fear BMG. We ain’t never played pussy on them bikes. It’s hard to catch us once we take off.”

“I believe it. I’ll be there with my pompoms. Maybe I can understand why your crew listens to you so well.”

Them niggas was gon’ listen to me or find themselves another crew. This was my shit, and it had my name on that bitch. I might’ve been unreasonable at times, but I had their best interest at heart. If Fade came out for real, I’d gladly welcome her to my world.

&

Once again, a nigga was being called out for the umpteenth time. Another race and another bike being added to the collection. Devil’s Den was the only area in Eastlake that had a curve so deadly many riders feared it. Hence where it got its name from. Most of us declined because we had families to think about which should’ve been my reasoning. Racing was in my blood, but losing my life before I met my child… However, I wasn’t declining a challenge.

I eyed the dark road and knew what was to come. Riders only proposed this location when they knew they could beat you. Swamp Man’s Crew were coming in from the Heights. They were the only crew worth racing there and held an undefeated title so far. Gator was the head and the most unpredictable one.

He must’ve known something I didn’t seeing he was out here first. I respected Gator because he could whoop yo’ ass one day and offer you a plate of food the next. He wasn’t shit to play with though. He was up in age and ready for whatever. He raced against Pops a few times on track days and Steel dusted him each time. Now when it was a pot, Gator showed the folk not to underestimate him. He started SMC around the same time Pops started BMG and they been lethal ever since. This was the first time they challenged BMG under my management though.

SMC was known to take risk and live their life on the edge. They could fool you into doing something stupid meanwhile, it was normal stakes for them. I fucked with them though.

“Chrome, you look just like Steel,” he said walking over. He was an associate at the end of the day no matter how many times he got whooped by the Black family.

“And you… I see them piercings still got a hold of yo’ weird ass,” I jested.

Gator was the emo nigga out yo’ friends’ group. He had piercings all over his body, weird ass tattoos, and spikes coming out of places you couldn’t imagine. It never failed with me looking at him with disgust. It was just too much, and he was too Black to be playing with the culture like that.

“I will always be me. You ready?”

“I ain’t got no choice but to be. This like home for you, right. Don’t think I ain’t heard about SMC showing up here late nights burning. My guess is, you think you good enough to take my shit, huh?”

“Keep up is all I can say.” He walked away and I chuckled. The Devil’s Den had been their playground lately, so I was sure this muthafucka had some shit up his sleeve.

“What the fuck be wrong with dude? Hellraiser looking ass nigga.” Zinc was gon’ be the first to pop shit every time.

“That’s his style, Z. Chill out.”

“Style or not, I know he doing hard meth. Look, yo’ woman here. She wanted to holler at you for a minute,” he said pointing to the women behind us. I turned around and Fade stood wearing all black. She wore something so basic, but she looked so damn fine.

I motioned for her to come to me, and she did a light jog my way. She wrapped her arms around me as soon as she was in reach. Having her here was a bittersweet moment. Was the support wanted? Of course, but the pressure was worse. Not making it out this shit was gon’ fuck her up.

“What’s good, Ma?”

“Onyx told me why this road is called Devil’s Den. Are you nervous?” she inquired.

“Very, but I got this. Ain’t shit I can’t handle. I just need you to pray for a nigga and I’m good.” My heart was beating out my chest lowkey thinking about the stakes. There was no pot of bread only bikes on the line.

“Alright fellas. To the line!” Copper shouted.

“I got to go, baby.”

Fade took my hand and placed it on her stomach. “Don’t lose Chrasmere and don’t fuckin’ die.”

“You know me better than that.”

We shared a kiss, and I watched her walk back to her friends before I moved. She was scared for me, and I understood why. I lowkey wished Onyx would’ve kept her mouth shut on this one. I didn’t need my baby stressing in no shape or form.

I walked my bike to the line and double checked my gear and bike. Now wasn’t the time to fuck around. This was legit a life-and-death situation and if I didn’t get my mind right, this could end bad for a nigga. Gator pulled up next to me and extended his fist in my direction. I pounded it then switched from associate to foe.

This muthafucka was not getting my bike. If I forfeited this race, that was exactly what the fuck I was giving up and he had to know I was drawing blood behind my shit. He might’ve been undefeated in the Heights, but this was the Lake. I had homefield advantage like a muthafucka.

I gripped the handle and slammed the shield down on my helmet, blocking out the sight of that nasty ass nigga groaning and licking his tongue out. That was his tactic to scare his opponent and so far, it worked for him. However, I was cut from a different cloth. I truly didn’t give a fuck. As long as he abided by the fuckin’ rules, we was straight.

The race was about to start, and I had to lock in. The noise from the crowd faded into the

background. I had to shut them out. I wasn’t ‘bout to lose my life on this damn curve and risk the chance to raise my seed. I owed that to my woman and my child to be there.

Copper stood at the line with her bullhorn in the air. My hands tightened on the throttle, my body dropping into position. The second that horn blasted, I took off, slicing through the night in full tunnel vision.

The hum of my tires against the cracked-up asphalt was the only sound I cared about. This race was too deadly to be wondering where the fuck Gator’s weird ass was at. I knew where he wasn’t though and that was in front of me. Regardless of where the race took place, I was gon’ show why the fuck this young nigga wasn’t to be fucked with on the road.

He knew that the curve they called Devil’s Den was coming up. That muthafucka was trying to play me like an amateur. The twins had already brought their crazy asses out here and

measured the distance from the line to curve. I was calculated and played that shit safe.

Sure enough, Gator shot pass me, knowing he’d mastered the curve, but I was gon’ use that against him. I knew after that curve came a straight shot, and that was where a nigga thrived. Nothing would be in the way to stop me from tearing that ass up.

I leaned my body and bike to the right, then back to the left, shifting in sync with each sharp turn. My nerves were unstable as fuck. However, my heart began to settle as I came out of it. The curve slowed me down, but a nigga recovery time was immaculate. If a muthafucka thought I was ‘bout to lose this race and my bike, you had another thing coming.

That bitch ass nigga turned around and threw his middle fingers up creating a mistake for himself. Stupid muthafucka took his eyes off the road causing his bike to lose balance a lil’. ‘Preciate it. He opened a window for me, and I took it. Soon as he got his shit straight, I was right there by his side wearing a devilish grin.

I shifted gears, seeing the white flag and flashing lights ahead. We were almost at the finish line. I popped a wheelie in the air to gain a few inches, a move that was risky in a race. Gator was too old and stocky to hit that young nigga shit. I laughed ‘cause we both knew soon as my tires hit the rocky road, that was it. I hit that shift one last time and took what the fuck was mine, crossing the line moments later.

I did have to thank that nigga for challenging me, though. This was a hell of a race. Gator’s bike was bad as hell. I was gon’ make that bitch shine with new custom paint. We came to a stop, and I couldn’t maintain my smile. That nigga on the other hand climbed off his bike throwing his helmet to the ground. Sore loser ass bitch. Long as he kept that anger in check, I didn’t give a fuck what he did.

“Don’t be like that, Gator. It’s just a race,” I taunted.

“It’s my bike. I had you. I fuckin’ had you!” he shouted.

“Nigga, you ain’t have shit. I was gon’ always smoke you. You couldn’t beat my daddy so what the fuck makes you think you could handle me. Take yo’ ass back to the Heights and take yo’ crew with you. I’d hate to have my folk line up with yours and we take all y’all shit.” I was popping my shit, and it wasn’t a soul that could calm me down right now. I was on a hell of a high from that ride.

“You are your father’s son. I’ll see you again,” he said.

“You won’t,” I threw back grinning from ear to ear.

One of his crew members road down to pick him up and I assumed they were getting the hell on. The twins were already at the finish line ready to collect my winnings. I never lost and it damn sure wasn’t gon’ start today. Lead got on the back of Gator’s bike and road that bitch back to the crowd.

“Nigga, you a fuckin’ monster!” Litty screamed.

“Got to be. I love my bike too much to ever see her fall into the hands of someone else. Let’s go.”

We hit the gas and road back to the crowd. Of course, the screams and congratulatory praises were thrown at me. I was a proud nigga. Whether muthafuckas wanted to admit it or not, I put on for the Lake. I made sure we were known for the good things and not the shit people put on us.

I searched for my woman as soon as I came to a stop. She was the only person I wanted in my face right now. Pushing through the crowd, I finally found her and her crew off to the side. Onyx held my baby’s hand while she kept her head down. She was just as stressed as I was ‘round this bitch.

“Come here, Mama,” I said with open arms.

She made her way to me snaking her arms around my waist. My eyes closed instantly. Peace, that was what she brought in this moment. Knowing I came out that bitch alive was the highly favor a nigga was always granted. No words were needed as the pace of my breathing synced with hers. This woman had no idea what she did for a nigga.

“Congrats on your win bro,” Onyx threw at me.

“’Preciate it, sis. Who drove? You or her?”

“She did. I’ll ride back with Zinc. Here’s her keys,” she said handing them over.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Take her home. She been stressing since she got here. I’ll call her later on or come see her tomorrow.”

Nodding, I picked Fade up and she wrapped herself around my body. I didn’t mind her being a baby with me. I was her safe space and if clinging on to me was her way of making sure a nigga made it home, I was cool with that. She changed a lot in my life in a matter of months. This was her world, and I was living in it.

My baby was having my baby. I looked forward to her and our child wearing my name. Making them happy and maintaining a safe environment wasn’t an option for me. It was a priority. When the day ended, I wanted her to be under me and stress free. That was a life she deserved. Her bitch ass ex-husband played in her face and made her think she wasn’t good enough to be loved. I had no problem rewiring that heart of hers to make sure it beat for me.

“I love you, Chrasmere,” she whispered.

“I love you, too, Ma.”