C H A P T E R
T E N

Continuation of last chapter ..

(832)-352-9020 to Cali :
Um what's up, this Ahmad .. the guy from the club 😏 I know its been a minute since you last seen me but I hope you remember me..
- Recieved 8:23 pm

Cali stared at the text message rereading it about five times before running out the bathroom and down the stairs were Anaya and Alisha were at.

They both looked at their bestfriend crazy wondering why she was acting this way, "You alright? Got a coupon on toddler clothes or something?" Alisha questioned as she continued sketching designs.

"He texted me an hour ago, and I don't know what to say." She mumbled taking a seat right in the middle of them.

Anaya quickly sat her sketch book down and snatched the phone away from her to see what he said. Reading it over she smirked then passed it over to Alisha.

After reading it she passed it to Cali, who was looking at the two for answers. "You could just be like .. oh hey, yeah I remember you. What's up?" Anaya suggested.

"Girl don't say that wack shit, say how could I not remember you? Then send that smirk emoji."

"That's gonna make me look like a hoe though,"

"I feel offended because I say shit like this all the time." Alisha mumbled rolling her eyes.

"But you are one sis, embrace that shit .. what did you and Marcus other friend do that night?"

"Literally nothing, we danced, got drunk and kissed that's it.. I had sex with Melvin that night."

Anaya frowned. "Oh dang, you and Shaun didn't hit it off?"

"I mean we was vibing but he was drunk and started talking about his ex Ashley and how he missed her and wanted to make things right soo I was like hmm drunk thoughts are always true."

"Damn he was cute too, but back to Melvin you still fucking with that nigga? I thought you said you were done with him?" Cali called out pursing her lips together as she eyed her friend.

"Okay bitch I lied, Melvin ain't perfect by any means but he is sweet and gives good dick soo yeah .. I ain't tryna cuff the man just sex nothing more."

"Hm okay, now back to Ahmad and Cali .. sis what do you feel you need to say?"

"Should I just be like, Hey, I remember you?"

"That's kinda dry, let me see the phone and I'll type the message." Alisha suggested reaching her hand out for the phone.

"Don't say anything freaky Alisha.."

Handing her the phone, Alisha bit her lip then went to typing .. after sending the message she sat it on Cali's thigh then went back to sketching.

Cali and Anaya both eyed her supiciously wondering what she replied. Picking up the phone Cali held it to where her and Anaya could read it at the same time.

Cali to (832)-352-9020 :
You honestly think I could forget someone like you 😏, how have you been?
- Sent 9:39 pm

Looking up Cali glared at Alisha, "Why would you say that? Oh my gosh, now he's really gonna think I'm one of those girls." She sighed.

"Girl will you relax, I'm pretty sure he won't .. live alittle I bet right now as we speak he probably smirking at the message and figuring out what to say."

Back over on the side of town Ahmad lived at, he banged on Marcus door until the door was snatched open. "I'm playing the game what is so important?"

"She texted back, what do I say?"

Doing the really nigga face, he stepped to the side letting his agg ass friend inside. Plopping down on the couch beside each other Marcus snatched the phone from him aggressively reading over the text.

Cali🌴 to Ahmad :
You honestly think I could forget someone like you 😏, how have you been?
- Recieved 9:39 pm

"Looks like we got a freak on our hands," Marcus smirked passing him his phone.

"I already know she's a freak .. but I ain't think she was gon' reply back to me, I mean she dipped and I ain't seen her since then."

Marcus shrugged. "All that matters is that she replied now, why you acting like a girl? She make you nervous?"

"Yes, I'm not afraid to admit that either .. when I'm around her .. don't judge me I'm about to say some real sentimental shit .. I get butterflies." He mumbled the last part.

Marcus busted out laughing, "You get what? Please repeat that."

"I get butterflies nigga damn, and this ain't like me at all bro and you know this."

"Just be yourself bro, it will all work out.."

Ahmad nodded then grabbed his phone, pulling at his beard he texted with one hand then sent the message.

Ahmad to Cali🌴 :
Haha .. I could say the same about you 😏 but I been good and yourself?
- Sent 9:47 pm

Cali quickly picked up her phone once she heard it buzz on the night stand.. not wanting to read what it says she handed it to Alisha to read.

Alisha read it and smirked. "Oop okay, read this girl."

Sighing she took the phone reading over the text about a million times then texted back saying she was good.

The two eventually stopped asking their friends on what to say once the conversation and replies came naturally.

It was now midnight and the two were still up in bed texting away as if they didn't have work in the morning but they both honestly didn't want the conversation to end.

The two discussed pretty much everything that came to mind, kids, work, future plans, up bringing but the one topic they didn't discuss was that night.

Cali was hoping he didn't bring it up while Ahmad was hoping she did. With the way she left it made him wonder if he was good or not, and wanted to know why she left the way she did.

Once the two called it a night, Cali plugged her phone up to the charger then laid back with a smile on her face. She wasn't sure what to expect out of this since it did start off as a one night stand she just hoped she finally met that one for her.

Drifting off to sleep with thoughts of Ahmad on her mind, she couldn't wait to wake up the next morning to see what tomorrow brings.

While as for Ahmad his parents showed up unannounced banging on his door looking for Amira so it was going to be a sleepless night for him.

Letting them inside his home they all took a seat on the couches. "She's in her room sleep at the moment, but my question to y'all is what's up?"

"What do you mean?" His mother asked acting clueless.

"Amira comes up to my job asking to move in with me because you two at the house wildin' fist fighting and shit .. so again what's up? Did I cause this when I opened my mouth about the past? Am the reason behind all of this?"

"No, your father and I have always had issues as you know relationships aren't easy, but we do love each other very much. That day we fought just really got out of hand and it will be the last time we ever do it."

"What started the fight?"

"It started over pointing the finger not literally pointing the finger but blaming one another for not noticing your actions. We blame each other for what happened because we should have known,"

Ahmad stood up, "This is exactly why I ain't wanna say shit, should've just kept my fucking mouth shut."

"You did right by telling us son, it opened our eyes to alot. We thought we were the best parents out there and this really showed us how much we lacked."

"I told y'all what happened wasn't you guys fault, I chose not to saying anything .. you guys noticed my actions and always asked if I was good but it was me who lied and said nothing .. so please stop this shit, this was suppose to bring us closer and y'all fighting got Amira thinking y'all gon' divorce and shit.. we better than this."

Amira stood behind the wall listening wondering what he was talking about. She has yet to find out what happened to Ahmad since they never got the chance to all sit down and talk about it.

Stepping into view everyone turned their attention to her. "What happened to Ahmad?" She asked not giving them a chance to greet her.

Ahmad sighed in annoyance. This was not how he planned his night to end especially after that good conversation he just had with Cali tonight.

They were really killing his mood and all he wanted to do was kick them out so he could just sleep this shit off.

As they talked he toned them out and forced himself to think about something else. He was tired of talking about the same ole' shit cause it wasn't helping him none.

Thinking back to that night him and Cali shared, he thought of the moans that escaped her mouth, the faces she made as he pounded in and out of her.

He'd rather be there deep in her guts giving her that put yo ass in a wheelchair dick than be here talking about shit that fucked him up each time he thought about it.

As he drifted off into lala land, their parents dicussed the events that happened to Ahmad. They knew he probably didn't want to talk about it so they spoke for him.

Amira sat there with tears in her eyes as she stared at her brother who sat on the couch beside her showing no emotion staring up at the ceiling.

She could only imagine how must feel everyday knowing something like that happened to him, stopping her parents from continuing she covered her ears, she stood up and walked to her room slamming the door.

She may be younger than Ahmad, and knew when he was going through those things she was too young to do anything but she lowkey wished she could have protected him from it all.

He may have been alot of things but one thing for sure he always had her back, and she wished she could've had his then but then it made her look at Amir differently.

He knew and did nothing, her issues with Amir was from him always saying he'd do something then turn around and flake on her, but in this particular situation Ahmad needed him and he did nothing..

She had no clue as to where he was but she knew soon as she saw him she had words for him..

Back in the living room Ahmad and his parents were saying their goodbyes. "If she wants to live here we'll let her .. we know you'll look after her."

"Alright," He mumbled.

Going in for hugs they exchanged I love you's then went on their way. Closing his door, he shut off all the lights then walked back towards his sister room to check up on her.

Knocking twice he heard her mumble  something so he pushed on the door to see her laying in bed on her phone. "You straight?"

Taking a seat at the edge of her bed she shrugged. "The question is are you?"

"I'm fine no need to worry about me."

Sitting up she placed her phone down. "You know its okay to have folks worry about you right? You always try and make sure other people are good but never let people know if you are or not."

"Just growing up I never wanted to people to worry about me its a force of habit but I'm working on it .. but for now you just get some sleep and get some rest for school tomorrow."

"Okay, I love you Mad."

"Love you too Mira," Kissing her forehead he got up and walked out leaving her door cracked just a little and walked to his room.

Stripping out of his sweats leaving him in only his boxers, he got in his bed grabbing his and went straight to Cali's and his messages reading them over to get his mind off everything.

Reaching for his pills he looked at them long and hard then tossed them to the side, then looked back at the contact picture she sent of herself admiring her beauty.

Shaking his head he chuckled to himself seeing how far gon' this girl had his head. Locking his phone he turned on his side thinking of all the possibilities that could come if everything went well.

The next day Cali found herself in her shop gossiping to Anaya and Alisha about Ahmad and their conversation. Soon as their lunch break hit they made their way to her salon to get all the tea.

"We just stayed up til bout midnight texting, that's it." She shrugged as she sew-in a track in one of her clients heads.

"Did you guys ever discuss what happened that night?"

"No and I hope we don't .. I feel like its gonna be awkward."

Rolling her eyes Alisha got up stealing  some candy out of Cali's candy bowl. "I really wish you'd stop tryna deny that you don't get down like that .. No offense but since you had my baby, you been boring .. live a little sis just don't make no tapes..cause that can come back and haunt you."

"You guys think me being a mom has made me boring?"

"No we just feel you lost your groove, you're only twenty-four yet you be acting damn near forty.. these are our prime years to be hoes now we understand you have a son so you just can't be all out there but don't let being a mother take away all your fun because later you will regret it."

Cali nodded understanding what they meant. "You and Reggie co-parent very well, he has him one week and you have him another .. that week my baby is gon' you go out and enjoy yourself for once, treat yourself, have fun sis."

Thinking it over she didn't nothing wrong with going out and enjoying herself especially since Reggie would have Marquette so she wouldn't be neglecting him. "Well Ahmad did ask to go out for drinks but whenever I'm available."

"What did you say?"

"I said I'll think about it.."

"Bitch you're available tonight so go .. Marquette is with Reggie ugly ass so you good."

Sighing, she took the string sticking it inside the needle and began sewing again. "I don't know.."

"What is it you don't know? You say you want a man not saying Ahmad will be your man but you're giving a chance to check a guy out to see what he is about and you're running from it .. what's up?" Anaya spoke up.

"You guys really want me to go out?"

"Yes," They said in unison even some of the customers spoke up making everybody laugh.

"Okay fine, I'll go gosh."

"Girl stop acting like you don't wanna go, and we'll be at your house tonight to help you get cute." Alisha cheesed proud that her bestfriend was finally finna enjoy herself.

Later that night Cali, Anaya and Alisha all stood around in her room trying to find the perfect outfit for her.

"Be sexy but not too sexy .. let it be known like I want you but not that much." Anaya giggled.

"Y'all pick my outfit while I start on my hair .. he's gonna be here in an hour to get me and we're going to Copeland's so that place is sorta fancy but at the sametime its not."

"Okay sis we got you,"

Sitting at her vanity she plugged up her flat iron in then took her out of the bun it was in. Sighing she looked at herself in the mirror, touching her cheek. "Just let loose and have fun .. its just drinks." She mumbled to herself.

Leaving out his apartment, Ahmad went over to Marcus place so he could get opinions on his outfit from him and Amira since she was over there.

Turning the knob he stepped inside the apartment to see Marcus and Amira in the kitchen cooking. Snapping their head in his direction Amira smiled. "You look good, this girl must be real special if you getting all dressed up like this." Amira complimented.

"Shut up, but y'all don't think this too much?"

"Nah bro, you look good."

"Bet, well I'm gon' head on out .. our table reservations are in thirty minutes."

"Okay, have fun bubba."

Waving bye he walked out jogging down the steps to get to his truck. Unlocking it with his key ring, he got in starting it up. Pulling out he plugged his phone up playing B.E.D remix by Jacquees and rode out jamming to that.

Arriving at her spot he parked in her driveway then got out locking his car since he didn't know what type of people lived in this neighborhood.

Reaching the front door he went to knock but the door had swung open revealing Reggie. "So you're the guy?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.

Ahmad looked him up and down chuckling, "I guess so, is she ready?"

"She's upstairs come on in."

Walking in behind Reggie he took that time to scan her place nodding in approval. Her home gave off that homely vibe, and he liked it especially that smell of apple cinnamon it reminded him of his mama.

Taking a seat on the couch Reggie eyed him mentally rolling his eyes. Never did he think Cali was going to move on and he honestly didn't like it.

"So if you're going to be dealing with Cali.. you do know you're gonna have to be dealing with our son correct?" He asked putting emphasis on son.

"Oh so you the baby daddy?" He chuckled, "Hm figures and um its just drinks .. I don't know where this may go but I do know she has a son and if it does go there I know what I need to do, I'm a grown man not some little boy so please don't tell me what I need to do when I already know."

"I was just saying our son means the world to us and I just have to be sure of who she brings around him."

Ahmad nodded. "And I respect that, as a man and father that makes sense if I had a child and me and my baby mother didn't work out I would be the same way." He replied honestly.

Reggie nodded still not pleased, "What are your intentions with her?"

"My intentions are whatever the intentions she has with me."

Before Reggie could ask another question Cali and the girls were making their way towards the front.

Standing to his feet Ahmad took a second to admire her. She was stunning, literally taking his breath away like always.

Reggie watched from the side as they eyed each other feeling himself become jealous. Clearing his throat he tried to get their attention but they didn't tear their eyes away for nothing.

Anaya and Alisha smiled at the two as they walked towards each other. "You look beautiful,"

"Thank you, I guess I could say the same about yourself." She blushed.

"You ready to go? I got reservations."

Taking ahold of his hand everybody followed them out so she could lock up. "You two have fun now, but not too much fun." Reggie called out getting in his car.

She really didn't even know why he showed up in the first place soon as he heard date, he ran his ass over there to see who was taking her out.

Once she locked up she took a hold of his hand again as he lead her to his truck opening her door for her. Jogging to his side he got in taking a deep breath.

"I gotta admit this gon' be like my first date in years .. so bare with me." He admitted.

"It's fine, I'm in the same boat."

Starting his truck up, he grabbed her left hand with his right turning on some music they could ride out too then pulled out onto the street. "Ready?"

"Ready when you are."

-

And there we have it .. 😊 they so cute!

Again thanks for the love & support! You guys are awesome honestly ❤
- Denise