NELLY

Moving On: Chapter 8

Jake: U mad bay
Me: Im cool
Jake: Wanna make a trip out of town for the week.
Me: 2?
Jake: Anywhere
Me: We'll see
Jake: My daughter has been asking about you

I didn't respond. I didn't know for sure if I should be going anywhere with Jake. He had been acting weird since we left Mama Joe's Kitchen. He knew that Destiny was like a daughter to me and I loved her like my own. He always used her to get close to me after an argument.

Me: Come get me
Jake: Omw sweetie. . . .we gotta talk

I'm wasn't denying it. I knew that when it came to Jake, I was one of them "damn fools" grandma always referred to. But I wanted an explanation. I wanted him to tell my why he acted like that last time we were together. He owed me that much.

"Nelly, Kaykay is at the door." yelled grandma from the kitchen as I got dressed. I hadn't seen Kaykay since that night at her house. She wouldn't even answer the phone for me.

"I've been worried about you friend" I said, hugging Kaykay. She looked worse than she did in prison. Wearing red and white gym shorts and a white tshirt, I knew that she had not been herself.

"I been good. Sorry you had to witness that bull. We're not your average family Nelly." she said walking towards my wall mirror and examining the bruise on her lip.

"Kaykay come stay here. Grandma and grandpa wouldn't mind."

" It ain't that easy baby girl. . . .shit I wish it was." I stared at her as she look at the floor. She had somehow lost all hope in the last week. Her family, who was suppose to be her support system, were her worst enemies.

"You ready sweetie?" asked Jake, standing in my doorway. I hadn't noticed him there, but I couldn't help but notice grandma behind his head silently cursing him out. She could be so petty sometimes.

"Yes let me use the restroom right quick." I had a bathroom in my bedroom, so it was easy to hear on both sides. I quickly silenced my phone.

Corey: So are we on for the weekend. I got something planned for you Saturday birthday girl.
Me: planned like what?
Corey: We can have dinner at the Red Door and have drinks at The Mahagony saturday night
Me: Cool
Corey: Can I see u 2nite?
Me: Ok. . . call u later

Corey had been the perfect gentleman. We would talk and text all day. He was helping me to get over Jake. I was starting to like him more and more.

"Please Jake. Do it for me. I can't go back to that. I'll end up back in jail or dead" pleaded Kaykay in a whisper. I then walked slowly towards the door and softly placed my head on it.

"Hell no I'm not touching Larry's products. I already had a run in with him before. I don't need another one."

" He won't know. This is regular. He got this from a dude out of Louisiana. These are basic bricks. Bag them how you do your work and he won't know. No one will."

"Alright mane. . . .I'll get my boy to come look at them tomorrow. If it checks out, I got your money."

As I walked back into the room, everything grew silent. Hell I wasn't going to say anything. If they were stupid enough to try and pull one over on Larry, that would be their asses. I just hoped I wouldn't be around if he found out.

Jake and I left and Kaykay stayed at my house, helping grandma with her spring cleaning. We drove in silence, with time to time random questions. I couldn't help but notice Jake. It wasn't like him to not dress up. He wore black sweat pants and a white v-neck. No jewelry. No hat. Just chill. Jake had something on his mind. And after a 40 minute drive to the middle of no where, I figured I would be finding out.

Jake stopped the car in a wooded area, took my hand, and walked me towards a beautiful pond area, surrounded with flowers of all sort. It was a quite peaceful place. But I was still confused on why we were there.

" Nelly, I love you with all of my heart and I want you to forgive me for talking you into taking my charge. I'll do anything to make sure you have the best life. But around here, you 're not gonna get that. Baby I got into some trouble while you were away. Shawna got mad because I ended our drug agreement. This whole business is Shawna's. I am the CEO over her street money. I told her that all of that has come to an end. Shawna wild out in our visit, saying you had me pussy whipped and that you were tearing up our family and brand. She has been making threatening phone calls to my cell. Shawna got mad pull in the streets Nelly. She come from a tribe of killers. I had to get a whole set of new tires yesterday and my back window put in. She has someone after us baby. We need to leave town for a while."

" Jake you know I can't leave the state. That's part of my release agreement. You keep ruining my life!! First prison and now this!! You got bitches out to hurt me. . . . Take me home now!!" I yelled. I had grown disgusted with Jake. He seemed to be the reason behind all of my headaches. I wanted away from him. I wanted him out of my life.

On the long drive home, all I could think about was Corey. How sexy he was. How sweet he was. The goodmorning texts and the nights we fell asleep on the phone. It had only been a week but I wanted to get to know Corey more. He was my cup of tea.

Me: You ready to see me?
Corey: Sure
Me: Picking me up?
Corey: Omw

I didn't give a damn about Jake anymore. I didn't give a fuck about texting another guy while I was with him. Looking over at Jake, I noticed that he was too frustrated and overwhelmed to notice me texting anyone. The normal Jake would have snatched my phone went through it. Just my luck. That was my whole plan.

Kaykay and grandma were sitting on the porch when we pulled up. A silver mustang followed behind us into the driveway.

"Nelly baby. . . ." Jake said in a pitiful voice. I didn't bother to turn back. Grabbing my purse, I headed over to Corey's car. Corey hopped out of the car, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Jake, with anger in his eyes, jumped out of his car, while grandma and Kaykay stood from their rocking chair and walked to the edge of the porch.

"Nelly what are you doing?" grandma said with her hands up.

"Baby just come inside the house and let's talk about it" Jake said, his voice cracking, walking slowly towards me. He then paused, staring at Corey as if he recognized him from somewhere.

" Natalie don't go with him. Baby please don't go with him. . . .don't do this to her Corey" Jake said tears rolling down his face.

" He's not doing anything to me. Go home Jake"

"Nelly please you don't understand, Corey is. . ."

"Jake, please go home" I said getting into Corey's car. Jake drove off behind us, speeding pass and running a stop sign. Corey laughed as I looked on, wondering if I had did the right thing. Grandma was calling me back to back, but I didn't answer. I didn't know Corey any more than a man on the moon, but anything was better than listening to Jake and grandma bug. I just wanted one day to be free of worry. And I was gonna get it. . . . and Corey was gonna give it to me. . .