Page 9 of The Hood’s Finest: Jersey & Mylani

Jersey

I was gonna put my foot so far up Memphis’s ass.

He knew his girl was certified, yet he still let her get away with the shit.

We were in a strip club, and tipping was the whole purpose.

It wasn’t like he was fucking the broad.

That didn’t mean shit to Nisha. She saw another woman in his face, and that was the only reason she needed.

“That’s my cue to exit. This is the second time I’ve come up here, and some drama popped off.” Passion was gathering her money that I graciously tipped her and began stuffing it into her backpack.

“Mylani, wait.” I called her by her real name, hoping it worked in my favor. I guess it did because she paused. “You can’t put this shit on me. That’s their shit. We were chilling.”

“We were, but that always seems to get ruined. You seem like a cool dude and whatnot, but I despise drama.”

“Look, let me make it up to you. Let me take you out tomorrow,” I pleaded.

This girl was making me go through shit I said I never would, but I had a feeling that it would be all worth it.

She looked as if she was contemplating on whether to accept my offer.

I was silently praying that she didn’t shoot a nigga down.

“Okay,” she simpered.

Flashing my pearly whites, I responded, “Bet.”

I watched her walk away before I turned my attention toward Memphis and Nisha. Them fools were over there all hugged up like they didn’t just fuck my and Houston’s shit up. I peeped the interaction between him and Mylani’s homegirl, and my baby brother was very much intrigued.

“Y’all need to keep that crazy shit at home. Y’all fucking it up for everybody else.”

“Whatever, Jersey. Y’all didn’t need to be entertaining them hoes, anyway.” Nisha waved us off.

“Watch yourself. That’s the only nigga you need to be worrying about,” I said, pointing toward Memphis. “I’m up. Y’all done fucked up my night.” I left without even saying shit else. They could have that shit.

***

I texted Mylani earlier to let her know to be ready at seven.

I was gonna uphold my word by making that bullshit up to her.

I made sure to get all my business out the way so that she could have my undivided attention.

I directed all traffic to Memphis since this shit was on him.

Swizz informed us that some nigga named Honcho from Alabama had been looking into me and my brothers.

Nigga thought we didn’t deserve to run the streets, so he was gonna take it upon himself to take the shit from us.

I wasn’t worried about the shit, but I’d entertain his ass.

I kept shit simple and wore a black V-neck tee, black Amiri patch jeans, and a pair of all-black Balmain high tops.

Ninety percent of everything in my closet was black.

In my line of work, I didn’t like attracting a lot of attention.

Nobody was paying attention to the nigga dressed in all black.

I took my durag off and sprayed my Versace Eros cologne and headed out.

I went into the garage and hopped in my all-black matte G-Class and headed to Mylani’s spot.

I didn’t give a fuck about driving my shit in the hood, because like I said, I ran these streets.

I pulled up to her house, parked out front, and trekked to the front door. Knocking, I waited until someone came to acknowledge me. The door opened, and it was the girl that was with her that day at the diner.

“Wassup, shawty? Your sister ready?”

“Uhh, almost. You can come in and wait for her.” She moved to the side and allowed me to come inside.

“Who the hell knocking on my door?” A woman came from the back that resembled Mylani’s sister, so it had to be their mother.

“Lani’s date.”

“Date?” their mother asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m Jersey.” I would’ve extended my hand, but I noticed she kept wiping her nose with it.

“Thee Jersey?” she questioned.

“Not sure what that means. Unless there’s another nigga running ’round these streets with my name besides my son, then that would be me,” I informed her just as Mylani came to from the back.

“Damn,” I mumbled when I saw her. Ironically, she had on a black dress that resembled a shiny t-shirt and a pair of those thick soled sandals on her feet. I assumed this was her real hair because it wasn’t as long as before.

“Hey,” she greeted as she got closer to me.

“You look… nice.” I involuntarily licked my lips as I let my eyes scan her body from head to toe.

“Thank you.” She simpered.

“Let’s roll.”

“Trin, order yourself something to eat, and don’t make me fuck you up when I get back,” she warned her lil’ sister.

“What time you coming in, Lani?” her mom asked, and I noticed the annoyed look that plastered her face.

“Not sure. Trin will be okay ’til I do.”

I let her lead the way out the house and headed toward my truck. I stepped around her and opened the door for her just as she reached for the handle.

“I got that. You just get in and fasten up.” I rounded the truck, hopped in, and pulled off.

I planned on taking her out to eat, something simple so that I could get to know her a lil’ better, another thing that was out of my element.

These hoes couldn’t get nothing outta me but a nut, and here I was about to wine and dine Mylani without a second thought.

I glanced over and saw her staring out the window.

She looked as if she had a lot on her mind.

“What you over there thinking about?”

“Nothing much. I honestly don’t know what to say. I mean, I didn’t know who you were, but clearly you’re a big deal, and I’m nobody.” I looked at her like she was crazy when she said that.

“Why would you say some dumb shit like that? The fact that I’m taking you on a date and been texting your lil’ sexy ass should let you know that I’m interested.

I don’t put no time into these hoes, shawty.

” I spoke truthfully because there was no need for me to lie.

I didn’t even do none of this shit with Shanna, and we shared a kid.

“I guess you’re right. My bad,” she apologized.

“I don’t need your apology. Just remember when you’re with me, you’re in the presence of a real nigga.”

We continued to have small talk on our way to the restaurant. She filled me in on her home life, and all I could do was shake my head. I didn’t understand some parents, but it wasn’t my place to.