KUTZ

Chapter 17

A/N: I tried to make this chapter a little long so please don't forget to comment & vote at the end.


Enjoy!!!!



*

Mario's POV

Pulling up towards the house I looked at the clock on the radio's display.
3:52 am flashed back in neon lights.
I knew Lauren was going to be pissed that I missed her first appointment and after having a long day at the hospital with Alaina and her mother I had to go somewhere to clear my head.
"What's up wit this work?" Glenn asked as he leaned back in the driver's seat.
I'd called Black several times to come get me from the trap but his phone went to the voicemail every time.
Glenn really came through for me by giving me a ride to the crib.
"Nigga, you real thirsty." I said giving him the side eye.
Laughing he pulled a half smoked blunt from the ashtray before lighting it and bringing it to his lips.
"I'm hurtin and cuttin' hair at the shop ain't gettin' it my dude."
Blowing the smoke into the air he held the blunt out to me.
"I'm good." I said declining his offer.
Rubbing my hands over my face I exhaled a deep breath.
"What you tryna sell?"
"Whatever the fuck gon put money in my pockets."
Turning towards him I dapped him.
"I'll let you know." I assured him as I opened the car door.
Glenn had been working at Kutz for a few days and was already trying to get put on.
"Thanks for the ride man." I said as I stepped from the car.
"Yep." He said nodding his head towards me. "You and miss lady should come out to eat tonight. My girl got these reservations at this Resturant--y'all should really come through."
"I'll talk to her." I said before closing the car door.
Walking towards the house my eyes landed on the Camaro and Benz parked in front of the garage. Both cars sparkled in the moonlight as if they'd just been washed.
Opening the door I walked into the foyer closing the door behind me typing in the security code. Kicking my shoes off I headed upstairs.
The light from the bedroom shined under the door causing me to stop in my tracks.
"What she still doin' woke?" I questioned myself.
Preparing myself for an argument I turned the door knob walking into the room.
Lauren sat in the bed feeding Nicholas.
She didn't bother looking up at me as I walked towards the bed pulling back the covers undressing before getting in.
"So you don't have anything to say about missing our first appointment today?" She asked finally speaking.
To avoid an argument I rested my head on the pillow without responding.
"Rio." She said mushing me.
"I don't wanna talk about it." I said through gritted teeth dismissing the conversation.
She was mad I missed the appointment and I was pissed I had to choose who to be there for.
This entire situation was getting under my skin.
"You got the audacity to stroll in here at four in the morning and expect everything to be okay?"
My eyes widened at the sudden change in her tone.
"You wasn't at the hospital that whole time so where you coming from?"
Her questions came left and right.
Sitting up I looked at her noticing her red and puffy eyes.
"Bae, slow down." I said trying to calm her down.
Tears fell down her cheeks as she tried to wipe them away.
I hated seeing her cry. Wiping away the tears I grabbed her hand bringing it to my lips.
"I'm sorry."
She kissed her teeth snatching her hand away from me.
"Whatever Mario." She said rolling her eyes.
I knew I needed to get my shit together and soon.
Turning off the lamp light she laid Nicholas between us before laying down herself.
Resting my head back onto the pillow I stared up at the dark ceiling.
"You told me you weren't involved in Megan's death." She said softly breaking the silence.
"I wasn't." I frowned as if she could see my face through the dark. "Who told you that?"
Knowing the only person that could've told her was Black, I waited for her response.
"Black did--he also told me you had something to do with Charles's death."
My blood began boiling the more she talked because she knew too much.
What was Black trying to do?
"Nah, I didn't." I said truthfully.
I had too much heat on my ass to be trying to murk her Pops myself so I took Roland's advice and left the situation alone.
After meeting with Roland this morning he assured me he would handle it and I see he had.
"I can't risk losing you Mario." She sighed.
Not able to sleep I laid in the bed until I heard lite snoring coming from her.
Cautiously standing from the bed I grabbed a pair of jogging pants and a hoodie before leaving out.
Unlocking the doors to the Camaro I slipped into the driver's seat.
Pulling from the driveway I started in the direction of Black's house.
Dialing his number again it went to the voicemail.
I could feel myself becoming enraged. He was talking too much and Lauren shouldn't have known anything.
The streets and expressway was clear allowing me to get to his house in no time.
Turning down the radio I grabbed my cellphone from my lap dialing his number again.
"Yo?" He asked in a raspy voice finally answering.
"Come outside."
Disconnecting the call I returned the phone to my lap.
The clock showed it was almost six in the morning.
Leaning the driver's seat back I made myself comfortable as I waited.
Closing my eyes I was able to get a quick nap before he tapped on the driver's window waking me up.
"Get in." I said sitting up.
I watched as he walked around the car getting into the passenger's seat.
"What's good?" He asked closing the door behind him.
"Yo phone not workin? I been tryna hit yo line all night B."
He picked his phone up to examine it.
"It's good." He said shrugging his shoulders. "I ain't seen you callin."
I already knew he was bullshitting.
"How long we been friends B?"
Black smirked.
"I know you ain't come over here to have a heart to heart--what's good?"
I slowly shook my head.
"Rio, what's good man?" He asked again.
"What you on wit Lauren?"
He looked at me and frowned before waving me off.
"You really gon sit here and ask me that?--Cut it out."
Black failed to realize that I knew him and the kind of person he was.
If he was feeling a chick he would tell her whatever she wanted to know. All she would have to do is ask.
Besides, I was peeping his body language around her.
The only people that knew about me murking Megan was Doughboy and Black and since Doughboy wasn't alive anymore there was no doubt in my mind Black was the one that snitched to Lauren.
He leaned back in his seat.
"You told her about Megan?"
"I thought she might have known what was goin on." He admitted.
I shook my head in disappointment.
"If you can tell it to her, who else would you tell it to?" I said in reference to the detectives that had been watching me.
"You crazy as hell if you think I'm snitchin' to the cops."
Roughly rubbing my hands over my face I rested my hands on my eyes.
"You buggin' shorty--I told you who you need to be lookin' out for. That nigga Glenn don't seem too legit." Black added as he stared out the window.
"B, if I find out you tryna cross me--."
"Rio, we boys and you know I'm not a snitch.
Nodding my head in acceptance I rested my head on the headrest.
"You look like shit. You been out all night?"
"Yea--."
"How did it go at the hospital--was the restraining order lifted?" Black asked as he stuffed his hands in his hoodie.
"It was a temporary order." I said frowning. "She's on bed rest."
Black laughed.
"So you really doin' this--Two babymamas?"
I shook my head in disappointment again.
"Well, good luck to you on that." He joked while opening the car door. "I gotta get back to the house before my kids burn it down." He joked before stepping from the car and closing the door.
I'd been friends with Black for years and for some reason I could sense something off with him.
I was gonna have to pay more attention to him when it comes to Lauren and I just hope for his sake he was telling me the truth and wasn't feeding those detectives information.


***
Walking into the house I dropped my phone and keys on the table before going upstairs to get into bed.
Luckily Lauren and Nicholas was still asleep when I walked into the room.
Climbing back into bed I pulled the covers over my head falling asleep.
"Mario--Mario." Lauren's voice called in a distance.
Slowly opening my eyes her face came into focus.
It felt as if I had just fallen asleep.
"What's up?" I said stretching.
She stood over me holding my ringing cellphone in her hand.
"Glenn is callin' you."
Sighing I took the phone from her hand answering it.
"Yea?"
"Nigga, I know yo' ass not still sleepin'." He joked.
Glancing at the clock I noticed it was almost four in the afternoon.
Sitting up in the bed I watched as Lauren sashayed out of the room.
She was completely dressed and looked as if she was about to leave the house.
"Nah, what's up though?" I asked while wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"You remember I told you my lady had reservations at this spot tonight--."
"Yea, yea I remember." I said cutting him off. "What time?"
"About nine. At Riva."
"Ight, I'll be there." I assured him before exchanging a few words then disconnecting the call.
Tossing the phone onto the bed I laid back down sinking my head into the pillow while covering my eyes with my forearms.
I dreaded getting up. A nigga just couldn't have one day to his self.
Finally building up enough strength I stood from the bed walking downstairs.
Lauren strapped Nicholas into his car seat as I walked into the room.
"Where you goin?"
Briefly looking up at me she rolled her eyes.
"To Celia's house. She wanted to see the pictures from the ultrasound."
Feeling guilty all over again about missing her appointment I remembered I hadn't seen the pictures myself.
"Where it's at?" I asked walking towards her.
Holding out her hand she handed the pictures to me.
Smiling to myself my eyes scanned the paper.
"That's my boy." I smirked.
"You can't tell yet." She said trying to hold back her smile.
Pulling her into my arms I kissed her lips.
"I'm sorry I missed it--ima make it up to you."
Looking into her eyes I noticed a smile forming at the corner of her mouth.
I knew she couldn't stay mad at me.
The doorbell rung interrupting the moment causing her to break from the hug.
"See if Celia would watch Nicholas tonight." I informed her before walking towards the door.
"Why?" She frowned.
Pulling the door open my eyes landed on Alaina and CJ.
"Daddy." CJ said with excitement as he wrapped his arms around my legs.
Bending down I picked him up bringing him into my arms.
"Aren't you suppose to be on bed rest?"
"CJ's been asking for you since you left the hospital. I promised him I would bring him over."
Lauren walked into the foyer holding the car seat in her hand.
"I'm leavin' so--." Stopping mid sentence she glanced at me.
"Hey Lauren." Alaina greeted while slightly waving.
Ignoring her Lauren smiled at CJ.
"Hey."
CJ waved to Lauren as she walked pass us towards the truck putting Nicholas into the backseat.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Alaina asked.
"You know to call before you come over here."
She took in a deep breath.
"I didn't know I had to have an appointment to bring your son to see you."
"I'm not about to argue wit you in front of him." I said dismissing the conversation.
"I shouldn't be arguing wit you anyway. I'm already under a lot of stress."
Walking into the house she followed closing the door behind her.
I put CJ down allowing him to walk around.
"Where's my toys?" CJ asked looking up at me.
"Ask yo mama." I said looking at Alaina.
CJ looked at Alaina and she rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you tell him Rio?--yo daddy put us out so he could make room for his new family. All your toys are gone."
"Why would you tell him that?" I snapped.
Even though CJ wasn't my biological son I grew to love him and in my eyes he was always going to be mine.
Opening the coat closet I pulled out a Spider-man toy from the top shelf.
"Spider-Mannn!" He screamed as he smiled from ear to ear.
Laughing I put the toy in his hands.
"Ight. Go play wit that for a minute."
He took off down the hall into the living room.
Once he was out of sight I turned towards Alaina.
"You still here? I thought you were droppin' him off."
She chuckled.
"Why do you want me to leave?"
I could feel myself becoming annoyed.
"So I can spend quality time wit my son, without yo ass here."
A look of discomfort came over her face.
"The baby's kickin'." She said placing her hand on top of her stomach.
Shaking my head I walked into the kitchen.
"Why you doin that?"
"I told yo ass what to do about this situation."
"So it's okay for another bitch to carry your baby but you want me to abort mine?" She snapped.
"In case you forgot shorty, you lied to me for two and a half years."
"I've apologized a million times." She yelled.
After everything I'd done to Alaina she couldn't leave me alone.
"Do you know how much it hurts to see you wit someone else? I want my family back." She pouted as tears welled in her eyes.
"You can bounce. I'll bring CJ to yo mama house later."
"What can I do to make things right?"
Ignoring her I opened the refrigerator pulling out a jug of orange juice.
"Mario." She cried.
Pouring a glass of juice I left the kitchen joining CJ in the living room.
He sat on the couch watching the cartoons that displayed on the TV screen.
Taking a seat next to him I wrapped my arm around him handing him my cup of juice.
"Don't drop it." I informed him before letting it go.
He was so into the cartoons he didn't notice Alaina leaving.
She always tried to find a way to make herself relevant again but I was happy with Lauren.
I was done when she allowed her mother to get the restraining order against me keeping me away from CJ.

***
After hours of watching cartoons and falling back asleep Lauren walked into the house waking both of us.
Walking pass me she went upstairs towards the bedroom.
"I'll be back." I informed CJ before standing up from the couch following her.
She stood in the bedroom by the dresser taking off her shoes.
Now was the perfect time to ask her about Black.
Sitting on the bed I waited until she finished undressing.
"What?" She asked barely looking at me.
"I wanna talk to you."
"About?" She sighed. "I hope it isn't bad."
"Black."
She crossed her arms over her chest while leaning against the dresser.
"Has he ever tried to come onto you?"
Her facial expression changed and I could sense her body tensing.
"He has." She finally admitted.
I could feel my blood rushing to my head.
"You wasn't gone tell me?" I asked standing to my feet.
"Mario I was but I saw how you were when that guy hit on me at Chillis and Black is your friend."
I was so pissed I blocked out everything she said.
"Did you sleep wit him?"
She looked at me and frowned.
"Why would you ask me that--this is why I didn't want to tell you. Your overreacting."
Enraged I left the room walking back downstairs.
"Put yo shoes on CJ." I instructed interrupting him from his cartoons.
"Mario." Lauren called after me while grabbing my forearm.
"Don't touch me." I said snatching out of her hold.
"Mario I didn't sleep with him." She cried.
Grabbing CJ I walked outside towards the Camaro unlocking the doors.
Making sure he was buckled in I walked around the car to the driver's door.
Getting inside I started the engine pulling from the driveway.
"Daddy, I'm hungry."
"Ight man, we'll stop at McDonalds." I sighed. "What you want?"
"Umm. Cheeseburger and fries."
Smiling to myself I pulled into the McDonalds parking lot.
Pulling CJ from the car I grabbed his hand as we walked into the resturant.
I loved little dude but he wasn't going to mess up the inside of my car.
"Welcome to McDonalds can I take your order?"
Looking down at CJ he looked back up at me.
"Tell her what you want." I instructed him.
"Cheeseburger and fries."
The cashier began laughing.
"Will that complete your order?"
"Yes." CJ said shyly.
"Nah, it's not." I interjected. "A large sprite." I added handing her a hundred dollar bill.
After receiving our food we sat down while CJ ate.
"It's good?" I asked taking a sip from my pop.
CJ nodded his head as he stuffed fries into his mouth.
Scrolling through my phone I contemplated on calling Lauren but a part of me was still pissed.
"Let me see your phone." CJ demanded.
Looking up at him I noticed he was done eating.
"You can see it in the car--let's go."
Standing up from the table I grabbed his hand giving him my pop.
Walking towards the car I unlocked the doors helping him inside.
Glancing at my watch I noticed it was almost nine o'clock.
Closing the car door I made my way to the drivers door when Ines walked up.
"Rio?" She smiled.
Turning around my eyes landed on her. She was the last person I wanted to see.
"You can't speak?" She asked placing her hands on her hips.
"Nah." I said opening the car door sliding into the driver's seat.
Pulling from the parking lot I started in the direction of Alaina's mother house.
Handing CJ my phone it kept him occupied.
My phone rung a few times displaying Lauren's number and I ignored each call.
When I got to their house I had to wake CJ. The little nigga had caught the "Itis" after eating.
Taking my phone from his hand I called Alaina.
"Come get him."
"Come inside." She instructed before disconnecting.
Sighing to myself I woke CJ but he quickly fell back asleep.
Accepting that I had to carry him I pulled him from the car holding him in my arms.
Ringing the doorbell Alaina opened the door stepping to the side allowing me to enter.
Taking CJ into his room I took his shoes off before laying him in the bed.
Alaina walked into the room wrapping her arms around me.
"I wanna give you somethin."
Moving her arms from me I turned to face her.
"You don't have shit I want."
"You don't mean that." She said licking her lips.
Laughing at her I walked out of the room and she followed.
"Rio don't leave." She said while pulling on my arm.
Giving up I followed her into a room.
Flicking on a light she instructed me to sit down.
Sitting on the bed doing as I was told I let her "do her"
Her hands reached for my belt and then the button to my jeans.
It had been a minute since I had good head and I was in need of a good stress reliever.
Putting Lauren in the back of my mind I felt Alaina's warm mouth wrap around me.

***
Standing to her feet she leaned in to kiss me.
"You know better." I said stuffing myself back into my pants.
Stopping in her tracks she frowned at me.
"You can't be serious."
Getting up from the bed I buckled my jeans.
"You thought givin me head was gon make things right?" I smirked.
She stood in front of me speechless.
Leaving the room I walked through the living room towards the front door.
Part of me felt guilty but I was going to make sure Lauren wouldn't find out about this.
Getting into the car I drove back to my house.
With very little time to spare I went inside the house immediately getting into the shower.
Taking a ten minute wash I got out getting dressed.
Walking upstairs to the bedroom Lauren laid in bed asleep.
A boat load of guilt washed over me the moment I saw her face.
"I'm sorry." I whispered before kissing her cheek.
Leaving the house I arrived at the resturant almost an hour late.
Walking in I spotted Glenn sitting next to a woman I assumed to be his girlfriend.
"Rio, what's up?" Glenn said standing from his seat dapping me before introducing his girlfriend. "This is my lady Serena."
Adverting my eyes towards her I extended my hand to her.
"How are you?"
Taking my hand in hers she lightly shook it.
"Nice to meet you." She smiled.
Serena was of a caramel complexion, long hair and hazel eyes.
"I thought you weren't comin'." Glenn said taking his seat again.
"My fault."
Taking a seat I lifted the menu from the table.
"Where's yo girl?" Glenn asked.
"It's been a long day." I said flipping through the menu.
"I hear your expecting?" Serena asked. "Congratulations."
Looking up from the menu my eyes met hers.
"Thanks. How did you hear about this resturant?" I asked trying to break the awkwardness.
"Serena actually heard about it. She originally made reservations for her parents to join us but somethin came up and they had to cancel."
"My mother is sick." She added. "But that's a story for another day."
The waitress walked over towards the table.
"Are you ready to order?" She asked while removing her notepad from her apron.
Placing my order she took the menu before leaving the table.
"So, Rio I see you been lookin' out for Glenn. I wanna thank you. It's not easy moving to a new place and starting over."
"No problem--we all gotta start somewhere."
"Speakin' of that, did you get a chance to talk to yo connect?" Glenn asked.
I was never the type to discuss what I did around everybody especially not when it came to moving work.
"Nah, I haven't." I said simply. "How serious are you about this?"
"Very. I got a family to feed."
"I gotta talk to my guy and I'll let you know what's up."
"Ight." Glenn said while cutting his steak.
Serena glanced at me and winked her eye.
If I didn't know any better I would say shorty was feeling me.