Giving Love A Try: Emory and Alani

By Diamond Johnson

We were introduced to Emory Strong and Alani Shaw in the Finding My Way Back to Love series. This is a young, sexy couple, who decides to give love a try for the first time, but they just can’t seem to get it right. Their relationship ended before it really began.

Alani was the first woman that Emory had ever given his all to, and because of her betrayal, he feels that he cannot trust her. Without trust, there isn’t much of a relationship.

Emory and Alani were meant to be together, but it’s almost as if Emory doesn’t believe that anymore. Can one mistake that Alani made be enough for her to get her walking papers? Will Emory finally find it in his heart to forgive Alani so they can finally give love a try and get that perfect, happily ever after that they so rightfully deserve? There’s no doubt that Emory loves Alani, but just because you love someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leo Sullivan Presents
• Release date: Feb 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781648540110

Book preview

Prologue

Two months ago

Emory Strong

Y ou want me to order you something to eat, or you good? I asked when I walked into my bathroom, where Alani was sitting in the tub taking a bubble bath.

A few months had passed since she and I decided to put a title on what we had going on, and so far, I liked it. Back then, one of the reasons why it was so hard for me to take a girl serious is because I liked new shit. I thought that I would get bored with the idea of coming home every night to the same face, pussy, all that. It’s crazy because it wasn’t like that at all. Alani was so fuckin’ special to me, and last night, for the first time, I actually told her that I loved her. She had been telling it to me for a while now.

I knew I had to love her because the thought of having her move in with me had crossed my mind a few times. When I came home from work, I would like to get in the bed with her every night instead of doing it on the weekends. I hadn’t brought the idea up to her yet, but I knew that eventually, I would bring it up to her.

I’m good, baby. Thank you, she said as I walked out the bathroom into the bedroom to finish watching the football game.

It was a little bit after ten at night, and I was catching up on a game that I’d recorded earlier today because I’d been out with Alani damn near all day. I wasn’t insecure by a long shot, nor was I the type of nigga to question Alani about who was calling her phone, but damn, that bitch had been ringing for the past hour. I peeped how it kept going off in the car tonight, but we were having a good day, and I wasn’t trying to fuck up the night by asking her who was calling her. Now she was about to leave me no choice. I hoped like hell it wasn’t that lil nigga Edwin who was in her class.

Alani’s phone was charging on the counter, and I noticed that she had several missed calls in her phone from somebody named M.

Alani, I’m not even the one to be questioning you because you’re a grown ass lady, but who the fuck is M? I asked and took a seat at the edge of the tub.

I wanted to make sure I was all in her face, staring deep into her eyes so that she wouldn’t feel the need to lie to me. Whoever M was, I knew it was about to be some bullshit because Alani looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I hoped like hell that she wasn’t about to tell me that she was fuckin’ another nigga because I wasn’t wrapped too tight, and I was liable to drown her ass in that damn tub.

I’ll be damned if I gave this woman my heart, only for her to fuck around and break it. Damn, maybe this was God’s way of paying me back for all the hearts that I have broken over the years. I should have known that Alani was too fuckin’ perfect. I mean, minus the fact that she snored at night, she really didn’t have any flaws.

I’ll tell you, but just don’t get mad at me, okay? she said, reaching her hand out from the tub and attempting to hold onto mine, but I curved the fuck out of her ass.

I’m not making one promise to your ass, Alani. You better not be fuckin’ this nigga. I swear to fuckin’ God if you about to tell me you fucked him, I just might kill your ass in here. Who the fuck is M? I barked so fuckin’ loud that the walls in the bathroom felt like they were shaking.

I noticed the tears in Alani’s eyes, and I could tell that she was mentally battling with herself on if she should tell me the truth.

Marcus, she said, and I could hear the lump in her throat that she swallowed.

Marcus who? I know motha fuckin’ well you not talking about the Marcus whose party I took you to a few months ago. You told me you didn’t know that nigga, so you can’t possibly be talking about that foul ass nigga, right? I asked her.

I hoped like hell that she wasn’t about to tell me that she was fuckin’ this nigga. Damn, he done already fucked Kennedy, I couldn’t have him fuckin’ my lady too.

I never fucked Marcus, Emory, she said.

My heartbeat slowed down a little bit because Lord knows I wouldn’t be able to handle that shit.

Look, I never wanted to tell you this part of my life because I didn’t want you judging me. Years ago, back when I was in college, I used to work with Marcus. Although I don’t necessarily agree with the things that I did, it was the only way that I could pay for my tuition, she said.

I looked at her like she was crazy. The only job that Marcus ever had was selling dope and busting licks, and Alani didn’t strike me as the type to do either, which was why I was so confused.

I would help him set men up, she said.

I didn’t even let her finish before I pulled the gun out the waistband of the joggers that I was wearing and aimed it at her head.

I knew this shit was too good to be true. Y’all motha fuckas trying to rob me? I barked.

Alani was screaming at the top of her lungs while shaking her head no at the same time.

Baby, no. I promise I’m not setting you up, she cried. See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you because I knew that it would look like this. I admit that I did lie about not knowing Marcus when you introduced me to him the night of his party, but I only did it because I wasn’t ready to tell you about that part of my life yet. I have no clue why he’s continuing to call me, especially when I gave him his money. I have no dealings with Marcus, she told me.

What money?

The lick that Marcus got arrested for, he gave me the duffel bag filled with money that same night. For the eleven years that he was locked up, I held onto it. A few months ago, I met him at his apartment and gave him the money. He keeps calling me and texting me, wanting me to come over. The only reason I didn’t tell you is that the truth was going to have to come out. Emory, I love you, and I want to be with you. I don’t want Marcus, nor am I trying to set you up, she said.

I wasn’t paying any of the bullshit she said any mind. The only thing that I was thinking about was the fact that she said she met that nigga at his apartment a few months ago. What apartment could this be? If that was the case, Mustafa and I could go and dead that fuck nigga tonight!

Get out the tub, Alani. You remember where that nigga stays at, right? I asked her, and she nodded her head up and down.

Good! You about to take a ride with me then. I’m not about to have you doing nothing you haven’t done already. You know, since you already know how to set niggas up and shit, I sarcastically told her, and then I walked out of the bathroom.

Damn right, I was pissed, and I knew that after tonight, I was good on Alani. I couldn’t trust a bitch who would lie right in my fuckin’ face so easily. I hadn’t kept shit from Alani. I told this girl every motha fuckin’ thing about me, yet I didn’t really know shit about her ass. There I was, thinking that this woman was heaven sent, and clearly, she wasn’t.

I quickly changed out of the outfit that I was wearing and threw on a black hoodie with some black jeans. I pulled my black timberland boots out the closet, and I made that phone call to Mustafa. I knew that I was going to make this nigga’s night with this phone call because it had been months, and we still weren’t able to find a location on Marcus.

The whole fuckin’ time we were out there looking for this nigga, Alani knew where his ass was from the gate. Granted, she didn’t know that we were beefing with Marcus because I didn’t pillow talk with my woman about beef that I had out there on the streets.

What’s good, man? Why you calling me so late? Mustafa groaned into the phone.

It was obvious that I had just woke him from his sleep. Hell, nobody told his black ass to have five kids. Going over to his house was like looking at a black episode of The Brady Bunch.

Get dressed, nigga. I got a location on Marcus, I told him, and then I ended the phone call because that was all he needed to know.

Yo! Alani, spare a nigga with the motha fuckin’ tears because you really starting to get on my nerves with that shit. Only reason your ass is crying is because you got caught! I snapped.

She quickly wiped her face and then threw back on the outfit that she came over in. Once the two of us were dressed, we headed outside. As pissed off as I was with Alani, I still went around and opened the car door for her then assisted her with getting inside. In the back of my mind, I knew that my brother and I were about to commit a murder, so on my way to his house, I drove with the music off and used that time to talk to God, asking him to keep us safe and out of jail.

At the end of the day, I could have always given Mustafa the address and went on my way. But, I said from the beginning that if a nigga had beef with my brother, then a nigga had beef with me too!

I finally pulled up to his house and honked the horn a few times. It didn’t take but a few minutes before he walked out the door. He was dressed similarly to what I had on. When he reached the car, he was about to pull the handle to the front seat until he realized that Alani was up there, so he got in the back.

Fuck is this? Bonnie and Clyde? Why you brought her? Mustafa asked as soon as he got in the backseat.

Long story that I’ll update you on later, I told him, and his face was confused as hell.

Alani told me where Marcus was staying, which was out in Wynwood, so it took us a little minute to get there. It’s crazy because I never would have thought that this nigga would be hiding out over there and shit.

It’s these apartments right here, she said.

I lowkey was expecting him to be in some extravagant apartments, especially because of the area that he was in, but this shit looked like a fuckin’ dump. I could tell by the little niggas who were out front selling dope that this wasn’t an area that was considered to be safe. I knew for a fact that this raggedy ass place didn’t have any cameras on the inside either. I found a parking spot and the three of us got out of the car together. Alani led the way, and the whole time while we walked, Mustafa was trying to get information out of me, but I kept telling him to chill, and I would tell him later.

We made it to the fourth floor, where Marcus lived, and then we hit a corner. Alani pointed out the apartment where he lived.

Knock on the door, and we’ll handle it from there, I said, standing to the side with Mustafa.

Alani looked at me skeptically, and then she raised her hand to knock on the door. It took a few minutes, but once we heard him walking to the door because the walls were so fuckin’ thin, Mustafa and I walked from the corner that we were in. The door flung open, and his gun was pointed at Alani’s head with his arm around her neck, using her as his shield. He quickly tried to close the door, but I was able to stop it with my foot. All four of us were in the little ass apartment now. Mustafa and I had our guns trained on his head while he had his on Alani.

Marcus looked at us, let out a sinister laugh, and shook his head. Y’all keep fuckin’ underestimating a nigga. Did you really think that a nigga was dumb enough to the point that I would willingly open the door and not think this shit was a setup? he asked and then looked down at Alani. Baby girl, I’m so disappointed in you. I fuckin’ fed your ass! If it wasn’t for me helping your broke ass out, you wouldn’t have been able to get none of those fancy ass degrees! he said, and this nigga really looked hurt at the fact that Alani set him up.

What the hell is all that noise?

We heard a voice, and when the figure rounded the corner, I realized that it was Marcus’s grandmother. The gun that Mustafa had trained on Marcus, he now had pointed at his grandmother. Now, I normally was able to tell my brother’s every move, but I literally didn’t know if he was going to kill her or not. Then again, he just might kill her because I didn’t think she was exempt from the fact that you’re never supposed to leave a murder with any witnesses.

Ma, go back in the room! Marcus said.

Although his gun was still trained on Alani, he did turn his head to look in her direction, which wasn’t a good idea on his part. As soon as he moved, I shot his ass right in the chin, leaving him no choice but to let go of Alani. Mustafa’s gun went off too, hitting his grandmother right between her eyes. Alani was seconds away from falling on her face, but I caught her just in time. I took the keys out my back pocket, and I handed them to her.

Go in the car. Don’t talk to nobody on your way down there! Go! I barked because she wasn’t moving fast enough.

Mustafa had already kicked the gun that Marcus was holding onto out of his hands, and now he was on his back, in obvious pain.

You a hateful ass nigga, bruh! Fuck you had to kill her for? He winced in pain as he looked up at my brother.

Fuck you mean why I had to kill her? Her old ass was a motha fuckin’ witness! If the role was reversed, you would have killed mine too! he snapped.

Fuck you, nigga! You can go ahead and kill me because if you expect me to beg for my life, then you got another fuckin’ thing coming! All this because I fucked your bitch? Nigga, we supposed to be brothers, he said, and Mustafa raised his foot and kicked that nigga right in his mouth.

On God, about four or five of his teeth fell out in the process.

Not just some bitch, my nigga, that’s my motha fuckin’ wife and the mother of my kids. The minute your dick filled her pussy, you should have known right then that your life was over. Any final words before I send you off to hell? Mustafa asked with his gun trained on him.

Just tell Kennedy that I’m going to always love her, this silly nigga had the nerve to say, and bullets from Mustafa’s gun that didn’t make a sound entered Marcus’ body, killing his deceitful ass instantly.

You still got French and them numbers in your phone? Mustafa asked me, referring to the cleanup crew that we used to use years ago.

I hadn’t made that phone call to those Haitians in years because it wasn’t like I was out there killing niggas like that. Looking through my phone, I realized that I did still have it, and I made that call to them.

Niggas will kill about that pussy, I joked because it was too much animosity in the room.

I lowkey didn’t expect Mustafa to laugh, but he did. That for the dick and pussy challenge was humorous as hell to a nigga, so it was only right that I said something.

I had to, man, he said, and it was obvious that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

While the drama in his life looked to have ended, mine may have just begun. Like I said, I was good off Alani. I couldn’t be with a female who would lie in my face for months. Had I not questioned her about who was calling her phone, she probably would have never told me about her and Marcus.

1

Alani Shaw

"B aby, you sleep?"

I heard the deep, sultry voice that belonged to Emory. Had I not been able to recognize his voice, I would still know that it was him because he had this natural scent of rosewood with a hint of marijuana that me and my nose had come to recognize, even when he wasn’t really close to me.

The thing is, I was on my way to falling asleep because I had a long, tiring day, but the sound of Emory’s voice inquiring on whether or not I was sleeping is what had me about to put my rest on hold. I’ve been with him for quite some time now, so I knew what he wanted. Hell, although the only thing I wanted to do was is sink into this shredded memory foam pillow and let these silk Versace sheets that were on Emory’s bed swallow me whole, but I guess you can say that I wanted some sex right now too.

I felt a dip in the bed, and after that, it wasn’t long before I felt his strong, muscular arms wrap around my tiny waist. He inhaled my scent and proceeded to place kisses on my neck like my lover that he was. Emory’s touches and kisses were so soft that I found myself letting out little moans, even though he really wasn’t doing anything that was moaning material. I guess, I naturally knew what came after the kissing and the touching. I usually ended up on my back, with my legs in the air, like I was giving birth to a baby. Or he would have me on all fours, screaming to him that my pussy, which was physically attached to my body, really belonged to him and how that dick that’s attached to him, somehow belongs to me.

I loved Emory, and when we had sex, the love really showed. I didn’t know if it was the mere feeling of him continuously knocking against my G-spot, or if he was just that good at making me vulnerable during sex, but whatever the hell it was, I loved his black ass.

Slide my dick in there, Alani. That lil nigga been asking about you all day, Emory groaned in my ear, making me smile at his choice of words.

Emory liked for me to get in his bed ass naked. We didn’t have to worry about that slowing down the process of our love making session since I was already bare for him, just how he liked it. I reached my hand back, and Emory’s dick was standing strong, so I didn’t even have to jack him a little bit to get him hard because he already was. I felt him scoot a little closer to me, and with me still laying on my side, I slid his hard dick into my awaiting pussy. From there, he began to stroke me, taking away whatever piece of my heart that was left for me. I was happy to give it to him because I could feel myself loving him harder than I already did.

Alani, don’t make me pull out tonight. I want a daughter. Emory groaned in my ear, and at the same time, he slowly stroked my pussy.

I could feel my juices running down my thigh. Now, why the hell would he do that? I knew that I was liable to agree to anything during sex. Him telling me that he wanted a daughter while he was balls deep in my pussy, and I was seconds away from cumming just wasn’t the perfect time to ask me that because I was desperate to let him get away with not pulling out tonight.

Shittttt, I moaned and when I heard my own voice, I realized that this was all just a dream.

I sat up in the bed and ended up having to remove the covers from my body. Clearly, the dream that I just had resulted in me getting hot and bothered, so I was sweating all over. Once my heart rate slowed down and I became more mindful of my surroundings, reality hit that there was no way that what I just dreamed could be my reality. I couldn’t get Emory to pick up the phone for me to have a conversation, so I knew damn well that I wasn’t going to be in his bed, and he damn sure wasn’t going to be making love to me.

Emory and I have been broken up for a whole two months. A whole two months of him ignoring my phone calls, text messages, and even the voicemails that I’ve resorted to leaving him. Well, when I was able to do all of that because now he has me blocked, and I can’t get in contact with him. Emory is so petty about his shit, though, because he blocked me from his phone, but he didn’t block me from Instagram. I knew that the reason for him not blocking me on social media is that he wanted me to see that he was indeed enjoying his life, even after our break-up.

I think he was in the club just about every other night taking pictures with random bitches, and he’s been back and forth from Miami to wherever else in the world that he’s been traveling to. It’s been about two days since I’ve gone lurking on his social media because I saw something that broke me down to the point that I was crying for hours. Since that shit wasn’t healthy for me, I chose to leave his page alone, at least for a couple of days. He’d posted a picture of a woman, but I could only see the back of her. They were in Christian Louboutin, and his caption read, Taking my little lady shopping.

The reason that picture hit me so hard and had me crying is that for the entire time that Emory and I were together, he would often refer to me as his little lady. Therefore, I had no choice but to think that what him and the woman on the picture shared could be pretty serious.

All I needed was for Emory to give me a second and let me explain myself, but he wouldn’t even allow me the chance to do that. He has it made up in his mind that I was working with Marcus and trying to set him up, but that wasn’t the case at all. At the end of the day, I can’t really fault him for having that mindset, especially when I had no choice but to come clean to him and tell him how I knew Marcus in the first place.

For those of you who may be a little confused, Marcus is a guy that I met when I was eighteen and in desperate need of money. He’d come to me with a proposition of helping him to set up different men. Back then, I wanted the money so badly so that I could pay for college and also afford a place to stay, I ended up taking him up on his offer.

Although Emory and I were in a relationship, he never pillow talked with me at night about any beef that he had going on in the streets, which is why I didn’t know that him and Marcus were even fuckin’ beefing. Had I known, I would have told him about the dealings that I used to have with Marcus because now I do look like I was the enemy. To make matters worse, I even pretended like I didn’t know who Marcus was the night that I went out with Emory to Marcus’s welcome home party at the club.

Yes, it was all fucked up, but I just wanted Emory to give me at least one minute to explain myself. I wanted him to know that my feelings and everything else that I have for him was always real. Hell, I never did anything to him that wasn’t real, I just withheld important information from him, and because of that, he hates me. You couldn’t tell me that Emory didn’t hate me. The night he saw that Marcus was calling my phone, he actually pulled a gun out on me. I just remember the look that he gave me, which proved to me that all love he had for me in the past was gone. Not only that, but the Mercedes that Emory had purchased for me, he ended up taking it back, which was pretty much the icing on the cake. Because I wasn’t rich, and I didn’t have it right now to pay for my old car to get fixed, I’ve pretty much been taking Ubers and taxis. If it came down to it, I would take the bus to get to where I needed to go, which was only to school and work. Truthfully, I didn’t care about Emory taking the car back because it was him that I wanted back, not that damn car.

The night that Emory had taken me out to meet his family, I’d gotten close with Kennedy and Paris, but because I was so embarrassed by what was going on between Emory and I, I’ve sort of distanced myself