C H A P T E R
T H I R T Y - T H R E E

          "So as far as you and Ahmad, you guys are good?" Alisha questioned Cali as they both sat across from each other enjoying a nice dinner together at Bubba's.

The two have been so caught up in their own personal lives to where they haven't been able to hang out as much, so they decided to use their kid free day and went out shopping and used that time to catch up with one another.

Eating a piece of her lasgana, Cali nodded. "Yeah he showed up to the house a few weeks ago and we just finally talked things out and laid everything out on the table."

"And by talk you meant fucked? But that's good. I was hoping he would give you a second chance but if he didn't I would have understood as to why as well." Alisha shrugged still sorta upset with the whole situation as a whole.

"Yeah, its gonna take some time though but I'm willing to fight for my marriage. I know what I did was beyond dumb and fucked up and I will do everything in my power to make shit right between us again." She expressed.

"How are the kids holding up? I'm sure this is taking a toll on them as well."

"They miss him being home all the time, especially Armoni. She's such a daddy's girl, half the time she's over his place spending the night since she can't seem to act right with me." She sighed. "But I can't complain or be mad, I caused this split up in my family and our kids are having to suffer from it."

Alisha nodded, "Well hopefully in due time this will all be over and you and him will get back on track and fix you guys marriage."

"Yeah hopefully, but anyways how have things been between you and Shaun?"

Smiling at the thought him and their life, she just shrugged. "Shit is good, the girls are due at any moment now. Nolan is growing by the day and Shaun is just being the perfect fiancé. I can't complain honestly. We've still been making plans for our wedding, but I lowkey hate we had to push our date back due to me being pregnant but I am excited at the fact that all the kids will be here to see it. Kamry little girl, your little and my girls everything kinda lined up perfectly."

"I'm excited too, I love weddings and the whole process of it. But speaking of Kamry, I still can't believe she isn't letting anybody see the baby. The baby should be almost two months right?"

Alisha nodded, "Yep, but everybody is different when it comes to parenting. Plus with her being a nurse I'm sure she's more than aware of the germs that babies can be exposed too from the outside so I don't blame her. I was lowkey thinking about doing that with the twins."

Almost choking on her drink, Cali frowned. "What!?"

"It's just a thought, but I'm only considering it since twins do seem to be born smaller and with more complications so I just feel it would safer if they weren't exposed with a lot of outside and people until they're both at least six months." She explained.

"I mean I get it, trust me I do. But I let all of you guys around each kid I had. So does this mean I won't be able to attend the birth either like Kamry did?" She questioned lowkey salty at the way Kamry and Alisha where doing things.

"Of course you can attend the birth, you're my bestfriend I wouldn't experience that moment without you and Shaun there but just after the birth you probably won't see them until I feel they're immune system is strong enough to deal with germs and other shit of that sort."

"I understand, I'm sad about not seeing my babies but I respect and understand your decision." She expressed honestly.

Smiling, Alisha thanked her then went back to eating her food while Cali glanced around the restaurant smiling at a few people, but when she spotted Ahmad entering the building with a female behind him holding his hand she felt her heart drop.

Instantly tapping Alisha and pointing in the direction where Ahmad and the random woman was with her eyes, Alisha looked back causing her eyes to go wide in shock when she saw what Cali was looking at.

Turning back towards Cali, she sat her fork down. "I thought you said you two where good? Who is that girl?"

"We are good, well I at least thought we was and I don't know who she is."

Focusing her attention back on him and the girl, she watched as they sat across from each other laughing and smiling looking as if they were so in love.

"Should I go over there?" Cali asked and Alisha simply shrugged.

"And say what? Text him first, ask him what he is doing and if he lies then go over there."

Agreeing to her idea, she pulled out her phone going straight to his contact.

To : Mi Amour♥️
Hey, are you busy?
- 7:39 pm

Sitting her phone down, she watched as he fetched for his phone once he felt it vibrate and hold up his finger to the girl before he started typing.

From : Mi Amour♥️
Yeah at the moment. Why? What's up baby? Everything alright with you and baby girl?
- 7:41 pm

Showing Alisha what he said, she shrugged. "I mean he was bold enough to text you back in front of the girl so clearly him and her might just be friends, and he called you baby so who knows."

"I've met and heard about all of Ahmad's friends, not once has he ever mentioned a female or even showed me this female. She's beautiful I would have remembered her face." Cali explained before focusing back on her phone.

"What are you gonna say back?"

After doing some thinking, an idea popped up in her head. "I'ma ask him to come by tonight and see if he declines or gives an excuse as to why he can't."

To : Mi Amour♥️
No, everything is fine. I was just wondering if you was coming over tonight, the kids are with your parents and I wanted to see you.
- 7:48 pm

Watching him read over her text, she smiled when a small smile appeared on his face before he started typing.

From : Mi Amour♥️
I'm actually out with a friend at the moment and we planning on going to the movies after we leave this restaurant, so I'll come by once the movie is over if its not too late.
- 7:52 pm

Showing Alisha the text, Alisha looked over at Ahmad watching as him and the girl started back talking before focusing back on Cali. "Well he didn't technically lie," She shrugged.

"Yeah, but he also didn't mention the gender of the friend or give a name. If he was out with Shaun, Marcus or Dave he would have said their name not just referred to them as a friend, so clearly doesn't want me to know he's out with a female."

Alisha rolled her eyes, "And so what? He still told you what he was doing, he could have lied all together but he didn't so get over it."

"No, I'm just saying .. he preaches about us being honest with each other then does this. Like I know I'm in the hot seat right now, but if he's gonna sneak around and not be totally honest then why are we even wasting our time fixing our marriage?" She spat growing jealous the longer she watched them.

"You're really overreacting Cali."

"How? He's the one out here entertaining bitches who ain't even half of me. I mean look at him, look at what he has on. He got all his muscles and tatts showing looking hella good and for who? Clearly not me, but for her."

"At this point, he doesn't owe you a damn thing Cali. You're the one who broke the vows you both made, like you really tripping because he didn't give the gender of the friend when you lied about fucking your baby daddy. Be glad Ahmad is even giving you the time of day, cause we all know how Ahmad gets when he feels disrespected and by the grace of God he's willing to forgive you and work things out. Maybe he didn't tell you because he knew it would possibly cause issues and have you thinking its something else like you're doing now. So chill out, you're sitting here watching him and the girl and they haven't done anything besides talk and laugh. You're making yourself upset for nothing." Alisha spat growing annoyed with Cali.

Standing up, she threw her napkin down and grabbed her phone. "I'll be back, I gotta use the restroom."

Watching as Alisha walked off towards the bathroom, Cali sighed and looked back over at Ahmad knowing Alisha was right. She was only making a big deal out of this due to her feeling guilty about what she did. It was clear the two only seemed to be friends, but a part of her felt deep down Ahmad would cheat to get back at her so she was paranoid.

          Sitting across from each other at Bubba's Ahmad ate a slice of pizza while Shanice ate and talked about her day at work. "So I showed this one family of four a house out in Spring and the husband and the kids are loving it. I mean the house was perfect Ahmad, it was a four bedroom-three bath, had a big back yard and even a downstairs basement. The kitchen was spacious along with the living room and dining room. But then the wife just started being a total bitch, talking bout, "Oh, its not enough plugs." Or, "The ceilings aren't high enough." Bitch really? Plugs? And the Ceiling? I felt she only started acting funny when her husband started acting real friendly towards me, cause when we was in my office she was fine."

Laughing Ahmad shook his head, "Some people are just assholes, so don't even let her get to you cause she ain't even worth stressing over."

Sighing, she nodded. "I know but her bitchy ass made me lose that sale, but its whatever. Monday, I'm suppose to be meeting with a newly married couple and hopefully I can work my magic and get a sale."

"I got faith that you will, just stay positive. Fuck that miserable bitch. She clearly has bigger issues she needs to deal with."

"You're right, but anyways how was your day?"

"Work was work, I had like four clients today so a nigga hands lowkey stiff then a bitch but it was cool. Working with ya niggas has its up and downs but with my niggas its mainly up." He expressed and she nodded smiling.

"What made you get into doing tattoo's? I mean clearly by the amount of tatts that you have on your body you like em, but what made you actually become an artist?" She questioned while lifting his arm and examining all the tattoo's on it.

Taking a sip of his drink, he cleared his throat before speaking. "Well, I always liked drawing and been a fan of art but its only so many careers you can get from doing art and I met this guy in college who owned a tattoo shop and he was basically bringing his art to life on other people's bodies and they loved it and so did I. So after expressing to him how I wanted to become an artist, he taught me how to basically bring the art on the paper to life on skin."

"Because drawing on a piece of paper is way different than drawing it on someone's body, shit was harder than I expected it to be but over time after learning from his techniques and shit I got it down and eventually he started letting me do a few of his clients helping me build a name for myself and that's basically how I became known around Houston for doing tattoo's."

"That's amazing, where is this guy now? Are you two still friends?"

Scoffing, Ahmad rolled his eyes. "I heard his shop closed down a few years ago but other than that I don't know and I don't care where his ass is at."

Shanice frowned, "Oh nah, run that back turbo. I'ma need a backstory on this, what happened between you guys?"

Letting out a sigh, he shrugged. "I don't know what happened between us to where he felt the need to disrespect me, but he was one of the first people to show me that sometimes your closest friends aren't really your friend but more so your enemy. I told this dude about all the shit I've been through in my life and I trusted that nigga with my life, just to find out he was fucking around with my girlfriend and got her pregnant."

Shanice grew silent not expecting that plot twist in the story. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"Nah, its cool. I'm over it now." He shrugged while sipping on his drink. "I've been blessed with three beautiful kids with one on the way since then and despite what Cali and I got going on, I was blessed with an amazing wife so that incident means nothing to me now."

"That's good, but um speaking of tattoo's I've always wanted to get one but never knew exactly as to what I want to get." She expressed. "Like I'm in love with your tattoo's, the tattoo's really fit you."

Looking down at his arms, he rose em up and flexed a little. "Yeah, my tattoo's have different meanings though. I got my kids names tatted on me, where I'm from, quotes, teams I like and shit. Nothing major."

"One day I'ma think of the perfect tattoo and I'm coming to you so you can hook me up."

"Bet, just say when and I got you." He smiled causing her to do the same.

Walking out of the movie theater with Shanice, Ahmad held the door open letting her and a few other ladies walk out first. Catching back up with her, he grabbed a hold of her hand as they continued walking along with the other people who just left out of the theater: "Did you like the movie?" He questioned just tryna make small talk.

"Yeah, it was surprisingly good and the message in it was amazing. It was everything I didn't expect but worth the hype and love it was getting from the tabloids." She expressed and he nodded agreeing.

"I agree, the ending kinda shocked me though. I wasn't expecting that at all, but when you start thinking about the movie as a whole everything starts to line up and make sense."

Reaching the exit, he let her step out first and they began walking towards his car and continued discussing the movie and the parts they didn't and did like.

After getting inside his truck, Ahmad sat back in his seat and glanced over at Shanice who was already staring his way. "You ready to go home or you tryna hang with a nigga a little longer?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Not really, I'm not gonna lie and say this wasn't the most fun I have ever had since me and Bryson split up. I mainly spend most of my nights curled up in bed crying over my failed marriage, and where my life is going so to be honest I don't want this night to end." She expressed and he nodded as he started his truck and backed out of the parking lot.

Riding down the semi-busy streets of Houston, they rode silently to wherever Ahmad was taking them only letting the music from his phone play and be the sound of the car.

After driving for what felt like an hour or so, Ahmad finally pulled up to his shop confusing Shanice. Parking and shutting off his truck, he motioned for her to get out as he did the same while he fetched for his keys in his pocket. Finally finding the right one for the shop he unlocked the door letting her step inside first before running over and shutting off the alarm.

"Lock that door back for me please."

Doing as he wanted, she watched as he flipped on a few lights so it wouldn't be too dark. "What are we here for?" She asked while following him back to his office.

"You said you always wanted to get a tattoo so today's the day." He smirked causing her eyes to go wide in shock.

Shaking her head no, she laughed. "You must have lost your rabbit ass mind if you think I'm getting a tattoo today Ahmad."

Laughing, he grabbed his tools and shrugged. "I like to think that I have, but come on. It ain't gonna be anything big and fancy, just let me do this and its free. You said you didn't wanna go home and neither did I so come on."

Following him into his station, she sighed. "I don't know about this Ahmad, I've heard this shit hurts and I don't like pain."

Ignoring her whines and complaints, he kept on getting everything ready. Grabbing an alcohol wipe, he used it and wiped down his chair before motioning for her to sit down.

Doing as he said, she sat their nervously playing with her fingers while he finished getting all the things he needed set up.

Reaching over to his counter, he grabbed the remote and handed it to her. "You can either play some music or watch tv, the choice is yours."

"I'll play some music to relax my nerves a bit."

"Stop being a pussy, what happened to the girl I met that straight up called me an arrogant asshole without even knowing what I am capable of with the clapbacks?" He smirked.

Rolling her eyes, she waved him off. "That's different, but anyways what are you going to put on me?"

"Whatever you want," He shrugged as he took a seat in his stool.

"I don't know what I want, so help me."

Grabbing his gloves he put one on at a time, while thinking of what she could possibly get as her first tattoo. "What's a quote or a saying that you live by that keeps you going in life?"

"I have a lot of quotes that I live by, but I think the one saying that's my favorite out of them all would be the scripture in Romans 8:31. And that states, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" It's always been my favorite one to stand by and live by. Because I know despite all the hardships I have endured and will continue to face long as I got God on my side and in my heart, then I will never be defeated." She expressed with a small on her face.

"I like that, so what do you say? You wanna get that scripture tatted?" He questioned.

Reluntantly nodding her head, she sighed. "Not the actual verse and what it says, but just put Romans 8:31 with a cross or something—I don't know, just work your magic."

Nodding his head, he motioned for her to remove her jacket. Exposing the yellow spaghetti strap top she was wearing, a chill went through her body from the coldness. "Where do you want it?"

"What's a good place for a tattoo like that?"

"Your wrist, your arm, or have it going vertical down the back of your neck, or even your collar bone .. its your choice." He shrugged.

"I guess down the back of my neck then."

Getting up from his stool, he went over to his personal desk to sketch up the tattoo while Shanice tried to find a song to play. After searching and not really seeing anything she liked or knowing what she had a taste for she left it in the hands of Ahmad to choose.

Coming back over with the sketch he showed her what the tattoo was gonna look like and she fell in love. The tattoo was gonna have Romans 8:31 written in cursive with a cross going down the side of it.

"I love that, I'm lowkey excited for it now." She cheesed.

"I'm glad you like it, gon' head and tie your hair up and lay on your stomach for me."

Doing as instructed, she put her hair in a bun then laid on her stomach feeling her nerves kick in. She wasn't sure what he was doing but she just heard him moving around her before he sat back down in the stool.

Grabbing an alcohol wipe he wiped the area where the tattoo was gonna be before placing the sketch down and rubbing over it with his hand to make sure it duplicated on her skin.

Snapping a picture of what it looked like, he showed her and she nodded approving it. "You ready?"

"As ready as I can be." She sighed.

Grabbing his needle, he laughed. "Alexa play my Betty Wright mix please."

Frowning, she looked back. "Whatchu know bout betty sir?"

"More than you know, lay your ass down."

Eventually Betty Wright's hit song After The Pain began to play and Shanice couldn't help but laugh and sing along when Ahmad started singing the words.

"After the pain, you come and love me. And I welcome you, you're a glad sight to see. And after the rain and all that I have been through. I still can't explain how I can still love you like I do? But I do, yes, I do." They both sang in unison followed by laughter.

"Still love you like I do
(After the pain)
Though you still do me like you do
(After the pain)"

Betty Wright was an icon in the music industry and all her songs either had you ready to upgrade and move on from your man or love all over the man you call your own. Shanice loved her some Betty and could listen to her all day if she could.

Getting so caught up in the song she grew shocked when she felt the needle press up against her skin. Hissing from the pain, Ahmad started to sing again encouraging her to sing along so she wouldn't focus on the pain she was feeling.

"Don't blame Mr. Charlie, Mr. Charlie is just a man. And he's doing the best he can. I heard 'em say, "Don't blame Mr. Charlie, Mr. Charlie is just a man. And he's doing the best he can." She continued to sing even though her eyes where starting to fill up with tears from both the words of the song and the pain from the needle.

"That's why I still love you like I do
(After the pain)
Though you still do me like you do
(After the pain, the pain)"

Reaching his hand over, Ahmad gave her his hand to hold and squeeze on. "Use my hand to squeeze when the pain becomes too much, but you're doing good, just keep singing." He coached.

Doing as he said she kept on singing the words of the song getting more into it the further it got in the song.

Now playing Love by Keyshia Cole, Shanice was in full blown concert mode to where Ahmad had to stop all together since she was feeling the song a little too much. "Now go on, what am I gonna do. So empty, my heart, my soul can't go onnnn. Go on baby without you! Rainy days fade away, when you come around Say you're here to stay! With me, boy, I don't want you to leave me...I need you."

Getting all in Ahmad's face, singing the chorus he laughed while shaking his head at her. He knew women went crazy on this song, but he didn't expect her to go all out like this.

Now in a full blown singing and dancing mood, she requested to play Souljia Boy hit song Crank dat Souljia Boy. Now up out of the chair she began doing the dance. "Now watch me YOUUUUU.. get up and dance with me."

Busting out laughing, he declined as watched her do the whole dance. "Now you got it, do your thing."

Doing exactly that, she then requested all these throwback 2005 and 2006 songs. Her song requests ranged from Get Silly, Pop Lock and Drop it, Knuck if You Buck, Laffy Taffy, Stilleto's, Pretty Rickey, and other classics.

The whole time Ahmad sat with tears in his eyes from laughing so hard, she was a whole clown but was legit to hang with and Ahmad enjoyed being around her.

After almost two hours passed Ahmad was finally done with the tattoo and Shanice couldn't be happier. Ahmad had played different songs such as Deborah Cox hit song Nobody's Supposed to Be Here, and Whitney Houston, Saving All My Love For You to calm her down.

Majority of the songs he played where some of Shanice's favorites and they did help keep her mind off the pain.

It was now pushing almost two in the morning and despite it being so late neither of them where tired or really ready to just end the night.

Sitting up Ahmad handed her a mirror then pointed towards the full body mirror so she could see the tattoo. After examining it for a while she cheesed, "I love it, thank you."

"You're welcome, it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be right?"

"It was worst, but the music and your horrible singing really helped." She joked.

"Fuck you, your ass always talking shit."

Walking over towards him, she laughed before wrapping her arms around him. "I hurt that baby feelings?" She teased.

Brushing her off, he continued to laugh and put away his stuff. "You ain't hurt shit, cause if I mentioned your tired ass vocals, stiff ass dance moves and off tune ass high notes you'd be crying."

Gasping, she reached over and shoved him. "Whatever, I know I sound good and can dance so don't even try to downplay my talents."

Scoffing, he waved her off. "Yeah ight, whatever you say."

Leaving out of his station, she followed behind. "You think you can out dance and sing me?"

"I don't think, I know." He shrugged cockily.

Taking a seat on his couch in his office, she nodded. "Okay bet, tonight me and you are going to a karaoke bar and we'll see who comes out better than the other."

Looking over towards her, he laughed. "I'm not singing infront of nobody and I'm damn sho' not dancing. Whatchu got tonight was just a little taste of greatness, only the real get to see that side of me."

Smirking, she chuckled to herself. "Is that right?"

He nodded, "Yup, plus ion need to sing or dance in front of people to know I'm better." He laughed as he walked over and took a seat beside her.

Laughing, she shook her head at him. "Sounds like you're bitching up to me. Too afraid that you're gonna lose to a woman Ahmad?" She smirked pushing his buttons.

"Afraid? Girl, take several seats with your icejjfish ass voice and Mary J. Blidge dance moves."

"You talk so much shit dude, but you not tryna back it up. So all this shit you talking is going through one ear and out the other." She shrugged.

Things grew silent between the two but it didn't last long when Ahmad let out a sigh and started grabbing his keys. "Fuck it, let's go."

-

This is just a filler chapter, more drama awaits 😊

Sorry for the wait, I've been out of it lately but I'm slowly tryna make my way back and push out these updates for you guys!

Thanks for love & support as always
- Denise 💋