Page 27 of ‘Til I Say When

I was irritated beyond belief, but I didn’t protest too much as far as visiting Misha because Wonder was somewhat right.

I genuinely felt like I didn’t really have too much business with Misha until the child was born and I could take a DNA test. But there was nothing wrong with keeping up with her and knowing what was going on.

Trying to prove a point to her had me acting childish.

The fact that I let Wonder call me out on it and I didn’t spazz on her, spoke volumes.

Maybe I was growing up. I texted her and asked if I could stop by, and she replied yes.

When Misha opened the door, I chuckled inwardly.

The way she was looking past me all paranoid like she was expecting someone to jump out of the bushes and beat her up was comical.

More than likely, she didn’t trust me, and I really couldn’t blame her.

My gaze shifted downward, and through the fabric of the fitted shirt she wore, I could see a small, round bump.

Yeap, shorty was really pregnant. I crossed the threshold of the house and looked around.

It looked lived in, but it wasn’t dirty.

I might have been adamant about not wanting a child but obviously, it was coming.

And if it was mine, I wasn’t going to have him or her living any kind of way.

No nasty houses and no bad neighborhoods.

“When is the last time you went to the doctor?” I asked.

Misha’s stomach wasn’t big, but her nose had already started to spread.

Her neck was a little darker than it had been the last time I saw her, and she didn’t have on her usual lash extensions nor was she wearing weave.

Her natural hair was slicked back into a low bun.

I could only assume that pregnancy was kicking her ass.

“Last week. I get my ultrasound done in three weeks that will let the doctors know the gender. I’ve had two ultrasounds so far, but it was too early to tell. I’m going to give the results to my sister. Her and my niece are already planning a gender reveal. Do you want to come?”

I scratched the back of my neck because the hopeful gleam in her eyes made me slightly uncomfortable.

I was attempting to do better, but we weren’t about to be hugged up at family functions appearing like a happy couple.

“I don’t know. Gender reveals and baby showers aren’t really my thing.

I’ll ask my mom and grandmother if they want to come.

I’ll be more active as far as doctor’s appointments and shit, but I’m not trying to invest too much money. Not without a paternity test.”

Misha’s bottom lip poked out in a pout. I knew that I had cum inside her at least twice, but I’d still be a fool to claim her child with no questions asked.

“It’s cool. I already started buying stuff, and my mom got some stuff.

He or she will have everything it needs.

I’ve just been missing too much work due to being sick, and my bills are a little behind.

But I get it, and it’s not your responsibility to pay my bills. ”

If she didn’t want financial help, she never would have revealed to me that her bills were behind.

Her bills may not have been my responsibility, but she wanted my help.

I didn’t pay for pussy. I didn’t have to.

But considering all the times we’d had sex, whether she was carrying my child or not, it wouldn’t kill me to give her some money.

With a sigh, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a bank roll.

After I counted out $1,000 I extended the bills towards her, and Misha breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you so much, Wilde. I appreciate it.”

It was time to burst her bubble. “Don’t thank me, thank my shorty.

I’m a grown man, and I shouldn’t need someone telling me to come check on you, but I was determined to stay away until the baby was born.

I’m in a relationship, though, and my girl urged me to come check on you.

She said you needed the support. That’s the kind of woman I’m dealing with.

A grown one. A. mature one with shit to lose.

She’s never done a thing to you, so there won’t be baby mama drama.

Them lil’ childish games that females like to play.

There won’t be any of it. You got that?” My tone and glare were intimidating because I wanted to be sure she got the message.

I could tell by the way she flexed her jaw muscles that she was mad. “I don’t have any reason to play games or be childish. After it’s proven that this is your baby, I just ask that you help me to provide for him or her. And I don’t want him or her around any of your hoes.”

My lips curved into a grin that I was positive appeared devilish.

I wanted her to start playing with me, and she was going to regret ever wanting to have my baby.

“I already told you, G. There aren’t any hoes.

I have a girl , and she was more concerned about you than I was.

So, she’s going to be around. Know that if you don’t know anything else. ”

“Got it, Wilde. Anything else?” Fire blazed in her eyes, but I couldn’t care less. She needed to get used to the idea of Wonder being around because if I had it my way, shorty wasn’t going anywhere.

“Text me and let me know the details of the ultrasound appointment.” I opened the door and let myself out. The last thing I was going to deal with was baby mama drama. I was putting my foot down super early about that.

If Misha thought having a child by me would be a way to keep tabs on me and my dick, she was going to be real upset when she saw what it was.

Even if me and Wonder didn’t work out, I’d never have sex with Misha again.

Our relationship would strictly be about the baby.

I sat in my car outside of Misha’s crib, ordering Wonder flowers on my phone.

I had to laugh at myself because somebody finally got my ass.

I always swore that it would never be me, yet I was spending a grip on flowers on some just because type shit.

If Pierre knew, he’d clown me until I got mad and put hands on him.

Wonder was a good woman. I’d never dispute that.

The least she deserved was some flowers.

Anytime I was out among my homeboys or knew someone that got a new whip, I’d promote her car wrap business like it was mine.

I wanted her to win. I wanted her to have more money in her bank account than she knew what to do with.

After the flowers were secured, I went to pick Pierre up, so I could drive the truck back that we were going to purchase.

He’d already given me his half of the money.

I had already sold the last of the cough syrup, and I didn’t plan on stealing anymore cars.

That meant the money that I had needed to last for a while and that our business needed to be successful.

I had my rent, car payments, and other living expenses covered for a minimum of two years.

But I didn’t want to be on a super strict budget.

A nigga wasn’t trying to charter jets and shit, but I wanted to live comfortably. I needed our business to be a success.

Pierre asked me to stop so he could get some cigars.

I couldn’t think of anything I needed out of the store, so I sat in the car while he went inside.

I was preoccupied with my phone when I heard loud voices.

My head snapped up so fast, a sharp pain shot through it.

I saw three niggas surrounding Pierre, and I tossed my cell phone in the passenger seat and hopped out of my Benz.

I had dark tint on my windows, so I was sure they didn’t know I was in the car.

“Fuck pussy ass Drew,” Pierre spat and the guy closest to him stole off on him.

I wasn’t having that. One of the guy’s homeboys attempted to get some hits in, but I hit him with a two piece so cold it left him snoring on the ground.

The third guy was more of a challenge, and we went at it like two wild animals until we heard that whoop sound that could make a nigga’s heart drop.

The police officers didn’t even have to break us up.

We stopped fighting on our own. My orbs darted toward my car because for a split second I thought about running.

A high-speed chase damn sure wasn’t on my to do list for the day.

I took in every face of the niggas that started the fight because if I made it out of the situation without being cuffed, I was going to hunt every one of them down.

They were still trying to turn up behind dead ass Drew.

“What’s the problem?” a black officer asked as he looked at each one of us with his hand resting on his gun.

He was met with silence. He poked his cheek with his tongue while his white partner glared at us.

“Nobody has anything to say? I guess everybody wants to go downtown.” The officer gripped the walkie talkie attached to the upper portion of his uniform and spoke into it requesting backup.

All I could do was kiss my teeth. Another car pulled up, and the black officer came over to me while his partner walked over to Pierre.

After checking my ID and running my name to see if I had warrants, the officer began to search my car.

The three bums that addressed Pierre were walking and since Pierre was riding with me, my car was the only one that got searched.

Before they could even look in the car, Pierre told them that he had weed in the glove compartment.

When the officer asked me if I had anything in the car he should be aware of, I gave him a blank stare as my heart fell into my ass. There was something in there indeed. The gun that had killed Mazi.

I sat in jail for three days before I had a visitor. When I sat down on the stool and peered through the glass, it was Pierre’s face staring back at me. I picked the telephone up and spoke into it. “What up, G?”

Pain was etched onto Pierre’s face, and his eyes were filled with regret.

We went from heading to pick up a truck to us both being arrested.

He got out that same day, but I wasn’t so lucky.

I was just glad that I’d wiped Wonder’s prints off the gun.

Mine weren’t on the gun either, but it was still in my possession.

Me being locked up was my own dumb ass fault because I should have gotten rid of the gun from day one rather than trying to blackmail Wonder with it.

Karma came for my ass like a thief in the night and there was nothing I could do except eat it.

“I’m sorry,” was the first thing Pierre said, and my brows dipped.

“Sorry for what?”

“This.”

I chortled. “G, you didn’t do anything. You made those pussies come at you? Come on man. All that feeling guilty or whatever you got going on, you can stop it.”

“I probably sound like a bitch, but I’m scared. I already lost Eric. Now this…” his voice trailed off, and he shook his head. “I’m losing all my people.”

“It’s the game we chose to play, G.”

“And I’m tired of it. I’ve been tired of it. I’m ready for something different.”

“Get the truck and keep the plan going. This didn’t stop anything for you. Go do that shit and be good at it.”

Pierre chuckled and shook his head. I rarely ever saw him vulnerable, but I felt his pain. “KoKo’s ass is pregnant, and she’s keeping the baby. Nina is going to leave me for good. I know it.”

“Damn, G,” I mumbled.

I had been trying hard not to think about Wonder, but it was impossible.

As soon as I fell for a woman and opened myself up to the possibility of a relationship, I get snatched off the streets.

Life could be cruel, indeed. I fell for her just for her to eventually end up with someone else.

I’d never ask her to do my bid with me. That would be selfish.

Wonder deserved better. Pierre was pouting about Nina, and all I could do was think about Wonder.

I felt for him. I really did, but Pierre had been playing with Nina for years.

I wasn’t sure why he did dirt then got scared every time he thought she was going to leave for good.

He wasn’t ready to be faithful, but he didn’t want anybody else to have her.

Pierre was my dog, but that was messed up because Nina was a good chick.

I used to look at it like that was just part of the game, and if she really wanted to leave him she would.

But Nina loved that man, and he took her for granted for years.

“Look at me,” he chuckled. “You’re the one behind bars, and I’m sitting here crying ‘bout a female. Go ahead and call me a sucka. I know you want to.”

“Nah, G. You not a sucka. Maybe a fool in love, but I get it.”

“Damn,” he jerked his head back. “Wonder got voodoo in that cat? She got you on some other shit.”

I sucked my teeth. “Tread lightly, G. None of that matters anyway. I’m about to get hit with double digit numbers.”

Pierre’s expression fell. “Nah. Hell nah. I’m getting you a lawyer. I don’t care how much it costs. You’re going to get the best lawyer in the city. If I gotta run through the stash, it’s up.”

“Don’t do that, man. I’m telling you. It is what it is.

” I didn’t want to have to do any time, but I killed Mazi, and I had the gun in my possession.

A careless mistake cost me, and Pierre shouldn’t go broke for that.

He had kids and a girl. I was a grown man.

I had money put up, and it was either spend it on a lawyer and come home to nothing or spend it on a lawyer and get the least amount of time possible.

“Get at Wonder for me, and tell her she’s good. She’ll know what I’m talking about.”

Pierre nodded, and I proceeded to tell him where my money was.

When our visit was over, one of the officers walked me back to my pod.

One thing I hated about the county jail was there were pods with four bunk beds in each one.

That meant there could be as many as eight men in one pod, and I hated that shit.

Funky ass, lying, talkative grown men that worked every last one of my nerves.

I sat on my bunk and listened to one of them lie about how much money he had when he was out on the streets.

Since I had a murder charge, I wasn’t given a bond.

I had to sit, and my first court date was in nine days.

They’d just ask me how I wanted to plead and all that jazz.

I’d more than likely have to sit in the county for five or six months before I went to trial.

All I could do was shake my head at myself. A dummy I was.