A Compton Story Book 5: Creep N Crawl

Chapter 30 - Here For Help

~Mercedes~

 I finally decided that instead of using my pistol to handle my frustrations, I traded in my gun for the Gym. I been working out getting my body right just so I could feel better. I still haven't decided what I was going to do for income though. The money I had was running low and I didn't know how long it was going to be before I found me another job. Cube has been trying to convince me to come back to Ruthless so I won't have to worry about how to get bread but I just can't bring myself to step foot in that building. Ruthless was the love of my life next to Eric but it was time for me to move on and start a better life with my kids. I refused to continue to be this angry bitch who thinks the world owes her something. It was starting to get late and I needed to pick my kids up from day care. As I left out the gym, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

"Mercedes! aye Mercedes!"

I looked to see who it was and it was Layzie  out of all people.

"God no matter how far I move away Ruthless always has a way of finding me" I thought to myself.

"LAYZIE ! HEY !" I said giving a fake smile and embracing him

"Damn girl how you been ?" he said admiring  my hour glass shape in my tight black workout leggings with a light blue stripe going down the sides of my thighs

"I been hangin in there how are you ? and hows Ruthless" I said being nosey

"Shit's been pretty wild man Eazy hasn't been the  same since you left...He hasn't been keeping up with the finances like that and he hasn't been in the studio people are starting to question their pay and also he's been so wrapped up in other shit that a lot of us had to put our albums on hold he told us that he will put them out until he's ready to put them out he's fucking with everyone's money Mercedes"

I just shook my head in disbelief.  I knew in my heart that if I was there everybody's checks would be signed and everybody would be eating.  I wasn't surprised that Eric was acting like a dick since I left. But none of that was my concern anymore. As long as he's paying child support I could care less.

"So when you going to stop playing and come on back to Ruthless ? we need you"

I let out a sigh as I thought about the next words that were going to come out of my mouth. I could understand Lazyie and why he would want me back. Ruthless has turned into dooms day since I left. But there was no one to blame but Eric. If Eric wasn't so selfish in thinking about him self and at least tried to put other people's feelings before his then we would a have been good business partners. But it's sad to say that things will never go back to how they use to be.

"I'm sorry Layzie I really am but there's no way I can go back have you tried talking to Cube and seeing if he could help?" I asked with concern in my voice

"Cube's been trying to talk to Eazy but he hasn't been  listening he's just been doing his own thing"

I  shook my head at Eric's childish behavior. Looking into Layzie's eyes I could see the hurt and the confusion. Layzie was one of my good friends and I couldn't let Eric do this to him or the other acts.

"I'll talk to him" I said giving in

"Word?" he said with his eyes getting big

"Word" I said cracking a smile

Before I knew it Layzie scooped me up into a big hug making my feet dangle off the ground.

"You just don't know how much this means to us Mercedes real shit" he said with his voice damn near cracking

"Layzie put me down" I said giggling

Layzie finally put me down and we said our goodbyes. Later that night when I got back to my condo and put the kids to bed I swallowed my pride and called Eric.

"Hello?" he said answering the phone

"Hey..." I said dryly

"Hey...it's nice to hear your voice" 

"Thanks...."

"So what's up ? you called to tell me how much of a piece of shit husband I am or does the kids want to see me?"

"Neither actually...I ran into Layzie at the gym and he's been telling me that you have been making the act put all their albums on hold what for ?"

Eric gave a heavy sigh. I knew my question irritated him but I gave Layzie my word that I could make things right for him and the other acts. Eric can have an attitude with the world if he wanted to but when it comes to me he's going to listen to me if not anyone else.

"I just haven't had a lot of time to really sit and review everyone's albums"

"Well you need to make time Eric these people have to eat too unlike you they don't own the best record label in LA so they counting on you"

"Yeah I understand" He said with the sound of depression in his voice

I could tell the something was bothering Eric but that wasn't my job to care about his feelings anymore. Showing sympathy wasn't part of the co-parenting contract it was just strictly business. But I still cared a lot for Eric and whatever was bothering him was coming between Ruthless's money.

"You ok ? " I asked

"Yeah just a little stressed out that's all"

"About ?"

"Nothing you should worry your pretty little head about it's just man stuff but I 'll review all the acts albums and make sure that they are getting paid thanks for reminding me"

"No problem and whatever is bothering you Eric just know that you can always talk to me even though I hate you you are still my husband technically" I said chuckling

"I'll keep that in mind" he said through a soft chuckle

I just hoped that it wasn't that nigga Luis fucking up Eric's head and making him fall off his game. I know Eric is a lot smarter than that and he wouldn't let anyone fuck up his hustle