Page 5 of On Everything 2

Ciara

Kairo had been on the phone all morning, calling different people trying to recruit a team because he knows he will need one after declaring to take down Hov of all people.

He'd told me earlier that the feds plan on giving him thousands of dollars over the next two months to make it appear that he is on the come-up.

He's telling everyone that I claimed the gun in the house, so he's free because of that, so no one will think he's a rat.

My guess is that once he has enough money, he will approach Hov for some product.

He doesn't know that Hov is way too smart to fall for a loser like his ass.

I went into the closet and grabbed a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt to wear out of the house.

I thought about dressing like a hoe just to piss him off, but I'm not really for the random men hitting on me today.

The only man I want near my face is Hov.

I grabbed my cross-body purse off the doorknob in my room and left, going straight to the front door.

"Hold on, aht aht, where the fuck you think you going?"

"I'm going to the Bodega to get breakfast."

He squinted his eyes.

"You leaving here to meet a nigga ain't you?"

"I should, but I'm not."

He shook his head, laughing to himself, before standing up from the couch.

"Damn, you really switched up on me in the course of a few days, huh. That's really crazy. Not my carrot cake."

Kairo made his way into the kitchen, and I rolled my eyes at his one hundredth attempt to make me feel bad about finally being over his bull shit. Calling me my nickname from our teenage years didn't even hit the same. That shit had nothing on me hearing Hov refer to me as, mama.

Knocks started at the door before I could twist the nob, and once I opened it, I'm sure the stank look across my face melted away, once I saw it was my bestie and Emoney walking inside.

"Good morning."

"What's up, girl. What are you two doing over here this early?"

"Well, I got your message about you calling in about an hour ago, and when Emoney said she was coming to talk to Kairo, I decided to tag along. Girl, when the fuck did he get out?" She lowered her voice for that last part.

"Long fucking story, but we will soon talk about it."

"Asap."

She sat on the couch before Kairo decided to speak.

"What up, Pernelle?"

"Mmm."

Pernelle threw her hand up.

"Forget you then, chicken head. Money, how you deal with her, bro?"

"The best way I can. Shit, you know how it is."

They slapped hands like they were so cool, even though that hadn't been the case.

Kairo didn't care for Pernelle, and he always said Emoney was weak for letting Pernelle run all over her.

They were in mixed company at times, but never on a level where they were visiting each other.

Now, I wonder what the fuck they have up their sleeves.

Emoney better hope she doesn't let Kairo drag her into no shit she can't get out of.

Crossing someone like Hov will be the last thing her ass wants to do.

"Anyway, P, walk down to Silvia's with me."

"Yeah, let's go."

We started toward the door, and Emoney snapped her fingers at Pernelle to stop her.

"Wait a minute, baby. You got a thousand-dollar bracelet around your wrist right now. Give it to me before you walk out of here by yourself. Niggas get mad reckless when there is money around."

Pernelle smacked her lips loudly.

"Really, baby, so what is the point of me getting it if I can't wear it around?"

"Because niggas be jacking and there is no point for me to have bought it if you let a nigga come and take it."

"Females don't listen, Emoney. That's why I don't understand why you even want pussy. I only do because it's in my nature."

Emoney shook her head and sat back on the couch.

"Well, Kairo, how about you both start getting dick since pussy is so toxic? Try it to compare the two."

Pernelle made Kairo's face turn red almost instantly.

"Fuck you, Pernelle, alright. Don't ever try to play me like that."

Pernelle shook her shoulders with the most hilarious smirk on her face. She loved to piss Kairo off.

"Come on, girl, let's just go." I reached for the door.

"Yo, Ciara, don't be out too late. We still have shit to talk about."

I rolled my eyes so hard they should've gotten stuck before I walked out the front door.

When we stepped into the hallway, I was finally able to release the tension built up inside of me when we stepped onto the staircase.

"Ugh, girl, I swear. You just don't know what I've been through since this morning with him."

"I can't stand his trifling ass. How the fuck is he out? I thought his ass was gone away for a while for that gun charge."

"Shit, I did too, but he made a deal with the police."

"So, now he's snitching. That is so on brand for him. See hell nah. I would have his ass far away from me. How many snitches do we know who have been murdered?"

"Exactly. I told him he is playing with fire.

We finally walked out of the elevator to the lobby. Markelle, my neighbor, was walking in as we walked out, but he didn't say a word when he looked me in the face. Usually, I couldn't hit the hallway without him saying something to me.

"Hey, Kel."

I waved at him, but he squinted his eyes and then shook his head as the door closed.

"Damn Ci, I guess we see whose side he is on."

"And I don't care. Kairo, his minions, and his family can all kiss my ass. Oh, I hadn't mentioned that his sister told him that I fucked Ant and was dealing with Hov. That bitch obviously been watching me too hard because how she tell him that fast?"

"Speaking of Hov, what went down last night between you two after we separated. Did he come right after we left to get you?"

"Nothing happened from my knowledge. I woke up on the couch fully dressed, and he had already left."

"Well, you know your hot self could've done something else if you know what I mean."

She pushed her tongue against her jaw and gestured her hand like she was sucking dick. Because Pernelle was always slipping up with different men before tying herself down with Emoney, she didn't understand how anyone wouldn't give up the kitty to a fine man.

"I'm sure I didn't do that either. Hov doesn't even seem like the kind that gets off on drunk bitches. Plus, I'm sure I would've remembered that pole in my mouth."

"Is it big, girl?"

"Very."

"I'm jealous sis. But the good kind. I'm happy for you friend.”

“But what exactly is there to be happy about yet? I'm still in Castle Hill with that loser upstairs for the time being.”

“Very true girl.”

We walked halfway to the store, making lighthearted conversation until we saw Princeton barreling down the sidewalk towards us on his bike.

"Yo, yo, wait. Why are you riding that shit down the sidewalk so fast, boy?"

"Man, these fuck ass niggas started chasing me as soon as I was about to turn on Castle Hill Ave. I'm sure they were trying to take my fuckin bike and I ain't having that."

"Where did this happen?"

"Around the corner, I think I lost them though."

"Well, we are about to go find them. Who the fuck do they think they are fucking with you?"

Pernelle stormed off instantly, but Princeton grabbed her arm.

"No P, them niggas had guns."

"Ugh, see. I hate these stupid mutha fuckas around NY, I swear. Come on, let me walk you back to your building, and do not come out here anymore today."

“Alright let's go.”

Princeton didn't have anything smart to say in return so that let me know he was scared. I don't blame him howeva. Shit the night that dude chased me out of the bodega I was about to piss on myself.

We returned to the projects to get Princeton in the house while still looking over our shoulders in hopes the dudes didn't catch up. Hearing the word gun really had me on my fucking toes, and it wasn't until we were almost to their building that I finally relaxed.

"Uh oh, girl, look who's coming our way."

Pernelle whispered out the side of her lips as we approached Ant, who was walking shirtless with black gym shorts and sweat dripping down his body. He must've just come from a run, which is when he is in his sexiest form.

"What up, P, what up Princeton, how you doing, Ciara?"

"Hey Ant, you good?"

Pernelle and Princeton walked down the sidewalk a few more steps before stopping to wait on me.

"Yeah, Cici, I'm straight. Just been beating myself up a little because I didn't get your number before you left the other day."

"Oh, I wasn't sure you wanted it."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, I guess not hearing from you made me think that we are on a one-night stand kind of basis.”

"Hell nah, the other night was fun for me. I would love to do something like that again. Your ass looks and taste like candy."

He scanned my entire body with his eyes.

There was a brief moment of silence between us.

"Well, I guess I will let you go. It's hot as hell out here, and I need a shower after that run. Can I get your number, though?"

"Umm well." I stalled until I heard my name being called,

"Yo, Ciara!

The voice came from the only man who could demand my attention at any moment.

Hov was standing there, looking like a fucking statue next to me and Ant.

Even the mug on his face didn't take away from how fucking handsome he is.

That perfect beard, his flawless skin, and the tattoos placed across his chest made him dreamy as a fucking rapper or football player.

You can tell by looking at Hov that he takes care of himself.

I can't stand a man who thinks that skin care and drinking water is only for women.

"Come here."

I walked out of Ant's face so quickly that all I heard was him smacking his lips from behind. Oh well, shit, I haven't even touched Hov’s dick yet and I'm positive it's better.

"Hey. I didn't know you were coming over here."