ParkCrestViewBundleNEW Read online

  “ OK. Apologize.” Sherica said.

  “ Look I just wanted to say I was sorry for taking your parking space out there.” Jevon said all of a sudden feeling chastised as if he was her three year old.

  “ Would you have been sorry if I hadn't just so happened to be at the same place you were in a rush to get to?” Sherica asked. Jevon laughed “ I aint gonna lie. Probably not.”

  “OK let me apologize as well. When you cut me off for that parking spot,before I came in the building I went over and keyed your car.” Sherica said innocently.

  Jevon's eyes got wide “ WHAT!” Laughing Sherica said “ I'm just kidding. I didn't mess up your ride. Take another parking spot from me again you wont be so lucky.”Sherica said smiling.

  “ So Sherica now that we've gotten al that out of the way. Let me ask you something.

  Do you have a man?” Jevon asked.

  “ At the moment no. “ Sherica said pouring her margarita into an icy cold glass.

  “ Wel we should get together one night. Let me take you out for dinner and drinks. If you want we can even go with Tyson and Jazzlyn.” Jevon said.

  “ Jevon that's a really nice offer...I'l have to decline. I can clearly see you're not my type.” Sherica said picking up her drink and walking out of the kitchen.

  What the fuck? Jevon thought to himself. Who the hell does she think she is? She aint that fine! Jevon thought walking back into the living room. Jevon watched Sherica talking with Tyson’s sisters,Jazzlyn and Trendi with a frown on his face.

  “What the hell you standing over here looking crazy for?” Tyson asked.

  “ Man I just asked that bougie bitch Sherica if she wanted to go out for drinks and dinner sometime...shit I even said we could bring you and Jazzlyn and her ass talking about she can “clearly” see I'm not her type. What the fuck does that mean?” Jevon asked.”Raggedy bitch, she got me fucked up.” Jevon said.

  Tyson looked over at Sherica “ I just met her tonight and she seems cool as hell to me. That woman aint hardly raggedy.” Tyson said after glancing at Sherica real fast. “ You better think of another reason as to why she turned you down because that aint it."

  “ Tyson we're getting ready to head out. We ended up staying over here and missed the showing we were going to but we'll catch the 10:30 viewing “ Nicole said “ I'm glad we came Tyson. Jazzlyn is really nice. Brianna had me laughing when she told me what happened the night she came over.” Nicole said laughing.

  “I know! If Brianna hadn't answered the phone I was going to have to call you over.

  Jazzlyn didn't want nothing to do with my ass that night. You really think she's nice?

  First impressions are lasting ones. I think she's the one Nicole.” Tyson said.

  “The one?” Nicole repeated looking into Tyson’s eyes.

  “Yep. The one. Not like in two months the one...but like in a year she could be rocking my ring the one” Tyson said looking at Jazzlyn with a smile on his face.

  Everyone stood around saying their goodbyes. “I'm sorry Marcus couldn't make it girl maybe next time. I do have some words for him though when I get home if he's still over there.” Trendi said rolling her eyes “ Girl no big deal,maybe he was tired we'll get together another time.” Jazzlyn said giving her a hug. Trendi and Sherica said their good byes as well.

  “ Man imma try to talk to this woman one more time, walk her to her car or something” Jevon said.

  “ OK man, good luck keep me posted.” Tyson said.

  “Excuse me Ms. Sherica. ” Jevon said making sure she knew without a doubt he remembered her name. Can I walk you to your car? “ Jevon asked.

  “Sure, why not.” Sherica replied placing her clutch under her arm “ Give me one second OK?” Sherica walked over to Tyson.

  “Tyson thanks again for the invite and dinner, I can completely see why my girl Jazzlyn digs you. We'll have to get together again soon.”Sherica said smiling.

  “ You're right about that Sherica it was nice meeting you as well. Also Sherica let me tell you something.” Tyson said leaning down closer.” Jevon is a good dude. Does he need a little training? Yes. But at some point all us men need it. Just takes the right one to give it to us.” Tyson said smiling.

  “ Oh really?” Sherica said as they looked at each other both wanting to laugh.

  “OK Tyson, I'l keep that in mind.” Sherica said smiling.

  “ Jazz girl call me tomorrow!” Sherica said walking to the front door towards Jevon who was patiently waiting for her.

  Jazzlyn shut the door and walked into the kitchen where Tyson was loading some dishes into the dishwasher “ Is everyone gone?” Tyson asked.

  “ Yep. Everyone is outta here” Jazzlyn said handing him a towel.

  “Good. I enjoyed it but I'm glad their asses are gone. Towards the end all I could think about was taking you in the back. I wanted to put all they asses out.” Tyson said taking Jazzlyn in his arms and kissing her.

  Like Mother. Like Daughter.

  “ Hey Mom” Trevonne said walking into her mother Karen's kitchen and sitting down at the table.” Can I talk to you?" Trevonne asked.

  “Trevonne you've always been able to talk to me, you've just been so busy judging me and comparing me to Jazzlyns mother you never would.” Karen said. Trevonne held her head down in shame. Trevonne knew her mother wasn't perfect but at the same time also knew she wasn't as bad as Trevonne had always made her out to be.

  “So what brings you here Trevonne?” Karen asked.

  “ I messed up mom. Big time and I really don't know what to do.”Trevonne said choking up.

  “ What is it Tre?” Karen asked growing concerned but trying to remain calm and let Trevonne tell her. I know our relationship is no where near as close as it should be for this to be my only daughter so for her to come to me she must really be hurting. Karen thought to herself. No matter what goes on between a parent and child you only have one mother.

  “ Mama I betrayed the only friend I have in this world. I slept with Jazzlyns boyfriend .Long story short she found out al about it and cut both of us out of her life.” Trevonne said tears running down her face.

  Karen leaned back in her chair and looked at Trevonne “ Now as good as a friend as that girl has been to you? Why would you do some shady mess like that? Now you got your ass over here crying and that could only mean one thing...this lil Negro wasn't about shit and played you out too I take it?”Karen asked.

  “ No Mom he doesn't want to be with me. I thought it would all work out in the end because Jazzlyn complained about him a lot. I thought she really wouldn't care. Jazzlyn didn't even find out about it until after they'd already broken up anyways.” Trevonne said.

  Karen shook her head and looked at her only daughter “ I guess what they say is true sometimes. Like mother. Like daughter. Baby I really thought you'd do the total opposite of me. You almost had it made, with the exception of this I see. You know how many of the boyfriends I had when you were young that belonged to another woman? How many stories and lies I was told and I believed them because I wanted someone to love me back. To love me strong and have my back. Baby they never leave . I sure hate you had to lose a good friend to find this out.” Karen said.

  “ Trevonne I want to ask you this though. Why would you do that? You have as much going on as Jazzlyn. You're beautiful,smart, doing well in your career. Why would you ever want to come second to anyone baby?” Karen said tears in her eyes.

  “Trevonne I know I've never expressed it the way I should but I'm so proud of you and everything you've accomplished. I admire you . You've come too far in your life to start making bad decisions now when you know the right thing to do. You and Jazzlyn are 26

  years old now and have been friends for years. I can't say if you'll ever be friends again.

  Even if you do speak again your friendship I'm sure will never be the same. But you do need to try and make it right with her. Regardless of if it works or not. Before you say anything though I will a
sk you this. Had that knuckle head ass boy been with you would you have cared about losing Jazzlyns friendship? Or are you sitting there crying because you don't have the man or the friendship?”

  “ Honestly mom, the entire time I thought I'd have both. Jazzlyn is even dating someone else right now and it hasn't been very long I know, but I think she really likes him. I guess she's having a party tonight so everyone can meet him. Sherica is over there too.” Trevonne said.

  “ I need to call Sherica” Karen said.” I aint laid eyes on my grandson lately. I'll call her tomorrow.” Karen said standing up and walking towards the sink. “ Honey I've said al I can on the topic. I do hate to see you and Jazzlyns friendship end but I can't lie,if it does you have no one to blame but yourself. Apologize and move on.”Karen said.

  Take A Chance On Me

  Sherica and Jevon rode the elevator in silence. Sherica could see Jevon stealing looks at her the entire time so she decided to go ahead and break the silence.

  “ So Jevon what are you doing here?” Sherica asked.

  “What do you mean? I'm trying to ask a fine sista out on a date but the shit don't seem to be going to well.” Jevon said laughing.

  “ Jevon let me be honest with you OK ? You're obviously attractive and most women would be excited to go out with you. It's not that I'm not flattered you asked, but you're what the old Sherica would have looked at. The person I was 3 years ago. I have a son who means everything to me. I'm a package deal straight up. I know Steve Harvey would like to leave women to believe they should wait to tel men about their kids and al that rah-rah shit,but I'm straight up about mine. I'm a single mother of a beautiful three year old son who depends on me. I work full time as a paralegal and I'm taking classes at night because I do want to be a lawyer one day soon. I barely have time for myself let alone some pretty boy who sorry to say, I can tell is only used to caring about himself.” Sherica said

  “ Damn! How you just going to judge me just like that? Granted yea I cut you off in the parking lot but baby you making a whole lot of judgments about me off that one thing.

  Don't you think you coming a little hard at a brotha?” Jevon said somewhat taken aback.

  Sherica leaned against her car and looked at Jevon with a smirk “ Jevon do you know how many men I've met like you since I had my son? Having him has shown me a whole lot of things in the dating world. I mean don't get me wrong, I already know there are some men that will make judgments about the fact I'm a single mother and those that will run from the responsibility that comes along with dating me. The ones who are brave enough to step up usually end up being cowards too. So let's get right to the point. You saw me and is it safe to say you're attracted to me?” Sherica asked

  “ I can't believe we're standing here having this conversation” Jevon said laughing.” Damn! Aint no man ever just asked you out for dinner? You do eat right? Dinner,drinks maybe hit the club. Kid or not you do need grown folks time don't you? Hell I know what it is, your ass is mean! You trying to put it al on these men but the fact is your ass is mean. Probably holding on to past shit that went on with your sons father and taking it out on everyone.” Jevon said.

  “Now how are you gonna stand there and say some mess like that ?” Sherica asked indignantly.

  “ Just as easily as you said what you did about me.” Jevon said smiling. “ OK so if I go to dinner with you ,what are you expecting from me after the dinner and drinks?” Sherica asked.

  Jevon gave Sherica a look like she'd lost her mind,which he wasn't quite sure she hadn't “ You know what Ms. Sherica, I want to take you out to dinner,then to a nice spot to have a drink and talk so I can get to know you. Then I want to deposit you safe and sound at your front door. After the conversation we've just had I know you don't think I'd be crazy enough to even try and get a hug do you? I don't want a thing but for you to go out and have a good time with me.” Jevon said smiling and shaking his head.

  “ Hmm. OK then Jevon we're going to try this and see how it goes. So when would you like to go ?” Sherica asked.

  “ The way you put your foot in a brothas neck I think we need to go out as soon as possible before you change your mind. How about tomorrow night?” Jevon asked.

  “ Sounds good" Sherica said smiling “ I think I can make that happen. Here's my cell number and you can call me with the details. Jevon...please do that in a timely manner.

  I do have a son I need to make plans for as well but it shouldn't be a problem.” Sherica said writing her number on a piece of paper from her car.

  “ I will. Drive safe. I'm looking forward to tomorrow Sherica” Jevon said closing her car door for her. “ So am I.” Sherica said.

  Jevon watched Sherica pul out of her parking space and drive off with a few thoughts running through his mind. One thought was bothering him the most. Even with all his joking with Tyson in regards to women, he'd never intended to portray himself in a manner in which how could he put it....he wouldn't be taken seriously.

  Now he'd never imagined himself with an instant family,but here Sherica was. Child or not and there was an attraction to her that he couldn't explain. Attractive, hardworking with a lot of positive things going for her and she almost refused to date him because she thought of him as some sort of joke? Unreliable and possibly selfish? Shit I pride myself on being straight up and upfront but I aint never wanted to come off like I'm some totally bad dude. Maybe it's time to make some of these changes Tyson keeps talking about. Jevon thought.

  Reality Check

  Trendi walked into her apartment and wrinkled her nose. What the hell ? I know Darien don't have his ass up in my place smoking weed and shit! No one was in the living room so Trendi walked back to Darien's room and it was empty as well. All of a sudden the door to her bedroom opened and Marcus stood there smoking a blunt.” It's about time you got your ass back here. I've been waiting a long time for you to get home.” Marcus said with a sneer.”

  “I don't know why the hell you've been waiting” Trendi said rolling her eyes “ You knew exactly where I was. Matter of fact didn't you promise me you were going to go with me?

  Yes. You did in case you forgot that small detail. Then you have the nerve to have stood me up in front of all my friends. Yet you're sitting your black ass up over in my place the entire time. What the hell is going on with you?

  I'm very much in love with you Marcus you already know that,but I did not sign up to sit in the house and be a recluse with you. First off you are not going to stand in a place where I pay the bills and disrespect me by lying and standing me up. Second surely you don't think we are going to just sit up in the house and do nothing outside of fucking?Is that what you think is going to happen? I stay with you and all we do is fuck? What kind of relationship is that? I mean I do like to go out and socialize Marcus.” Trendi said looking at Marcus in disbelief. So maybe you need to,...”

  “ Nah bitch maybe you need to shut the fuck up.” Marcus said slapping Trendi so hard into the wall her head made an indent. Taking another long toke of his blunt. “ I told your ass from the jump I wasn't really down for going around a lot of goddamn people any fuckin ways. Shit I work, and come around here and spend as much time as I possibly can with your crazy ass so what more do you need?” Marcus said his voice growing colder by the second.

  “ Oh my God!” Trendi said holding her stinging face. It felt like her face was starting to swell.” Nigga don't you ever put your hands on me!” Trendi said screaming and running towards Marcus to jump on him. Marcus grabbed Trendi up by her neck and threw her against the wall,causing a picture to break and glass shattering everywhere. Marcus continued choking Trendi within an inch of her life. Trendi struggled for breath.

  All of a sudden out of nowhere Marcus started laughing.

  “ Look at your ass now! Over here talking shit to me like you're a real woman. Imma show your ass how a nigga like me treat a woman with too much fuckin mouth on her ass. Bitch please don't let those store bought titties fool you!” Marcus sa
id doubling over in laughter as he released Trendi and threw her on the ground. Trendi laid on the ground in complete shock at what had just taken place gasping for breath.

  “What did you just say to me?” Trendi asked incredulously her voice barely above a whisper.

  “You heard exactly what the fuck I said” Marcus said still smoking. “ You want a hit of this? This some bomb shit right here.” Marcus said blowing smoke in Trendi's direction “ This shit laced with with some grade A cocaine right here!” Marcus said.

  “ Marcus I think right now you need to get everything you have in my place and get the hel out of here. Now. I don't ever want to see you again and and don't ever cal me.” Trendi said trying to hold on to some shred of dignity and control.

  “ I aint going no fuckin where. At least until I get what the fuck you've been giving me al this time. You're gonna suck my dick and give me the ass.” Marcus said putting his blunt out on the wall.

  “Get out Marcus!” Trendi yelled as she managed to stand up and attempt walk past him towards the front door. Marcus grabbed Trendi by her hair and shoved her into the wall.

  “Why you trippin Trendi? We have a good thing going here and you're fuckin it up trying parade me around al out in public!” Marcus said “ You really thought I was going to take you out in public? Meet all your friends and family like your my girlfriend or some shit?Nigga you a dude. I aint down with that type of shit! Nigga please!” Marcus said

  “Let go of me! I can't believe this Marcus, you knew exactly who I was from day one.

  You said you understood me...now all of a sudden you're ashamed of me? Get off of me.”Trendi said struggling to free herself.

  “You got me messed up. I want this ass right here.” Marcus said throwing Trendi to the ground and flipping Trendi on her stomach while shoving her face down in the carpet.” My dick is hard and you breaking me off some of this tight ass right now.” Marcus said. Trendi tried to struggle with Marcus and get away, but now the very thing she used to love about him was working against her in every way....his strength. Trendi kept struggling but it seemed to excite Marcus even more “ Nigga you know you like this dick.”Marcus said as he shoved himself inside Trendi. Trendi felt excruciating pain jolt through her entire body and screamed out in pain as tears welled up in her eyes.