Page 12 of On Everything

“Over there behind that tree smoking weed. You know that hooker a dope feen.”

“Shut up. Thanks.”

I would’ve swung at him about my bestfriend if I didn’t have this box in my hand. He rolled off laughing because everything was a game to him. I wish I felt like that about my life.

I readjusted the box in my hand and then continued walking before I felt someone else grab my elbow from behind.

I turned over my shoulder with an attitude, but the paper white smile on Hov’s face took that attitude away quick.

He was wearing a black Yankee cap, with a grey and black Amiri shirt and some black Denim Tears jeans. Fuck, this man is absolutely fine.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, mama.”

“Hov, I, I didn’t think I would see you here.”

“Why not? This is what New York is all about. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He looked over the crowd of people with a look of gratitude. I could tell he really appreciated the scene.

“Yeah, today has been cool. Hot but cool.”

I made a corny reference and laughed by myself.

“So, where are you taking this box to? It looks too heavy for you to be carrying.”

“Just over to my work van on the corner. Unfortunately, I haven’t been here to enjoy the tournament today. I was sitting under that tent asking for donations because I’m on the clock for my job today.”

“You work at the Assessment center on Baretto Street?”

“Yeah, you’re familiar with it?”

“Yeah, I do a little charity sometimes. I’ve dropped some clothes and other shit to them before. Wrote a few checks.”

He took the insulated Yeti cup up to his lips and took a sip. I’m not sure what he was drinking, but the sound of the ice clicking against the metal sounded refreshing as hell. I’ve been sipping on warm water for the past couple of hours.

“That’s good that you do charity. A lot of people only want to take and not give.”

“That’s the world we live in, but let me get someone to help with this box. You shouldn’t be carrying shit. Hold on.” He whistled and signaled, making three men come over to us.

“What's up?”

“Get this box and take it to that van over there. She got some more shit for you to get after that. Is the van unlocked?”

He looked over to me, and then I hit the unlock button on the keypad.

“You really didn’t have to do that, Hov. I mean, I still haven’t even gotten a chance to thank you for what you did to my apartment. I was speechless. I don’t even know how to thank you.” I placed my hand over my chest.

“You don’t have to thank me. I did what any man in my position is supposed to do.”

“And what position are you in?”

“I'm the future father of your child. The man that comes home to your fine ass every night.”

His eyes glanced over my body and then he licked his lips, sending chills up my spine. So, this was all because he wants me? Little ol’ me from the projects?

It can’t be anything genuine. I mean, Hov has the perfect girl at home in Cashmier. I mean, she is gorgeous. She looks like a freaking model.

When I think about it, Ant must’ve bragged to him about my pussy or something.

As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what it is because I had his ass squirming the other night.

Where Hov is fine enough for most women around the Bronx to slut for, I already slept with Ant.

A married woman sleeping with two friends. Nah, that’s not a good look.

“So, Ant told you that I was a freak or something?”

He jerked his head back and squinted his eyes like he was scanning my brain.

“Did he?” I asked again, making him chuckle. I’m not sure if it was a chuckle from actual humor or if I had him fucked up.

“Ant and I didn’t discuss you and I saw all I needed to see with you for myself. Can’t one nigga convince me to do shit.”

“Yeah, right. So, a man like you wants a girl he knows his homeboy just had?”

“Look, no disrespect to Ant because he’s a decent nigga who hustles and keeps everything a hunnit with me.

However, he works for me, he’s not my homeboy.

Let’s get that shit understood. Second, I don’t care who the first man was to drive a Bentley.

When I saw that car, I knew I wanted one. I always get what I want.”

Team Onyx! Team Stacks! You are up next after that explosive finish from Team Q for the win!”

“Alright, that’s my team being called to play, so I need to go to the court.”

“You don’t look like you’re about to play basketball.”

“Not play, but I have money involved, and I want to be close to it. You staying over here or you coming with me?”

He lowered his eyes to look into mine before stepping passed me.

“I think I’ll just go find my friend back there. She is waiting on me.”

“Alright, but don’t leave here without speaking to me again.”

“Okay, I hear you.”

“I’m serious, beautiful. I’ll be waiting on you.”

My eyes were batting like a little girl who was getting a toy, and I just couldn’t shake that feeling.

I was standing right there at Watson Park in front of all of these people, stuck like I’d met Chris Brown or some shit.

Hov was finer than Chris Brown however and he is the perfect mixture of tall, brown skinned, fly, and had a voice that could send cum down your thighs instantly.

Hov’s voice was raspy, so deep, so commanding. I could only imagine what he sounds like over the phone. I’d become accustomed to cup caking because of Kairo’s jail stays. That’s where we had our best conversations.

When my legs finally got sensation again, I turned to go back to the tent and thank God I did because Mindy was wrestling with one of the guys Hov told to help us.

I jogged over to them.

“What is going on?”

“Ciara, go get one of the police. He is trying to take these shirts!”

“I told you I’m trying to help your ass!”

“Yeah right!”

“No, Mindy! He is. Just chill!” I grabbed the box from her hand. “They are just helping us. Calm down.”

“You sure?”

“I’m positive!” I raised my voice, and regret instantly covered her face.

“Oh, my goodness.” She placed her hand on her forehead before I nodded to them that they could go on.

“I’m sorry, Ciara. I didn’t realize you sent them over here. Are they your relatives?”

“Yeah, that’s my family.”

Mindy took that explanation and I didn’t have to explain anything further.

She looked over the entire day anyway and ready to go home, but I knew my time out here was just getting started.

This tournament would go on well into the night and eventually spill into all the streets, making the hood a block party.

Once her and I separated, I went back towards the area where Princeton said Pernelle was. Sure enough she was back here with Emoney and her crew all huddled up, just looking like they were up to no good.

“Damn, you finally done.” Pernelle smacked her lips like she’d been the one working.

“Baby, I’m going to go and get an icee with Ciara.”

“Alright, but hurry up and get your ass back over here. Don’t get any of these niggas out here fucked up.”

Emoney tried to seem hard in front of her friends, like any of these Bronx niggas wouldn’t slap her.

Pernelle kissed Emoney on the lips before we linked arms and started walking towards the icee lady who was sitting on the corner, making a killing.

“What kind are you getting? Earlier, I just knew I wanted Strawberry bubble gum, but one of the Kelvez twins came by our tent with blue coconut with cream, so now I’m torn.”

“I will take whatever flavor Hov is.”

I joined her gaze over by the court where Hov was standing just as tall as the basketball players.

“What flavor do you think he is? Chocolate and caramel, or root beer float.”

“He is whatever flavor Emoney is.”

She laughed, but her eyes never left Hov. To be honest, mine didn’t either until we both ran into the back of someone.

“God damn! Watch where the fuck you going!”

The man turned around, fussing about us spilling his shaved ice, but once he saw us, his facial expression changed.

He looked intrigued, but the smile on his face was almost like the villains in the movie when they finally catch their prey.

He must’ve been in Hov’s crew. I mean, you can tell who the niggas are with real money because their diamonds dance different in the sun.

Along with that, his skin is clear just like Hov’s.

His haircut was lined up perfectly, and his scent drowned out every unpleasant one out here.

“Sorry, your name is Crew, right?”

Pernelle said a name I’ve heard my entire adult life, but I just couldn’t put a face to him.

Crew didn’t respond to us verbally, but he looked down at the large namesake chain on his chest to hint at the answer.

If you from New York, then you’ve heard of Hov and you’ve heard of Crew. Though not the undisputed King of the city, Crew was still just as much of a legend in every borough as Hov was. According to Kairo, Crew supposedly has many bodies tied to his name. None could ever be proven, howeva.

“You are?”

“I’m Pernelle, and this is Ciara.”

“Lesbians?”

“I’m not, but she is.” I quickly corrected him.

“I am not a lesbian. I’m bisexual.”

“Bisexual is better for me. If you and your bitch ever need some real dick, come get at me. I’ll supply it.”

“No thanks. My girlfriend is a stud, boo.”

“She still has a pussy, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Well, then she can get fucked. She probably wants to be fucked anyway. I’m sure you being stingy taking the strap?”

He chuckled condescendingly, taking a scoop of the red icee he was eating to his mouth before he walked back towards the court.

“Wow.”

“Okay, so he’s an asshole.” I shook my head, but Pernelle did not agree instantly as she usually does.

“Why didn’t I realize he was so fine before? Here I was thinking Hov was the finest nigga in New York. Crew gives him a run for his money.”

“Fine or not, he doesn’t have a good reputation, and you heard what Emoney said. She not trying to hurt nobody out here today.”

Pernelle smacked her lips.