Only A Thug Could Love Her: Makayla & Qualim

By Kay Nicole

Meet Makayla, a young girl from Cleveland trying to find her way while dealing with her cheating boyfriend, Qualim. Qualim is her first with everything, but after finding him with his side-piece, Angela; all bets are off. Makayla leaves Qualim and moves on with her life with the man she THINKS may be able to bring a little bit of sunshine back into her life. Qualim, the boss of all bosses, has the love of his life, Makayla by his side but he just can’t seem to be the faithful man that she needs. Quickly realizing that Makayla is fed-up he finds himself without the very one who made everything in his life better. Faced with a ratchet baby mother and his side-piece, Angela who bring him nothing but misery he is determined to find his way back to the love of his life, Makayla. Come take a ride with Qualim & Makalya to see if they figure out that sometimes the grass isn’t greener and maybe just maybe happily ever after was right there all along.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Jun 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781648403781

Book preview

1

Makayla

2011

Isat outside of the auditorium with my mom and brother waiting for my dad to pull the car around. I had just graduated from Shaw High in East Cleveland. I planned on going out with my girl to celebrate our big day. When we reached the house, I ran into my room to shower and change my clothes. I didn’t know what I wanted to wear. I always had a hard time finding the right shit because I was a little thicker, if you know what I mean.

I wasn’t no bum bitch, so don’t get it twisted. I may have been a plus sized sixteen, but I was pretty as hell in the face and chocolate with long jet-black hair. My eyes were exotic looking, even though both of my parents were black. I had the perfect sized breasts and a nice round apple bottom.

After looking around my closet for half an hour, I finally found the perfect outfit, and by looking at the clock, I realized I only had thirty minutes before my best friend, Chaela, came to pick me up.

At 9:30 p.m., I stepped out of the house wearing a mid-knee, black tube dress with a pair of gold knee-length gladiator pumps. I wore gold accessories and minimal makeup. Since my outfit was nice and simple, I parted my hair down the middle and pulled it into a slick ponytail. I got into Chaela’s BMW 328i and we pulled off into the night.

Chaela was my girl, even though we came from two very different walks of life. She was rich, and I was middle class. She grew up in the suburbs, and me? Well, I grew up in the hood. We met when we were three years old. My mom used to work at the daycare that her mother owned, and we had been inseparable ever since. She and I were complete opposites; she was very loud and animated, and I was always the quiet, reserved friend. She was light skinned with a short pixie cut, and skinny as hell. Her body wasn’t as developed as mine, but her face was sort of angelic, and that drew everyone to her.

We pulled up to my friend BJ’s graduation party that he was having at Anatomy Ultra Lounge. His parents rented out the whole spot for him just so he could party with his classmates. It was good for me because I was only seventeen, and since it was a private party, I was good to go. When we walked in, it was packed as hell, and we received hugs and congrats from left and right. Even though Chaela wasn’t from the East, everyone still knew her. We walked over to the VIP section where BJ was sitting, and all eyes were on us. Like I said before, just because I was a little thicker, I was no slouch, and everyone knew it. When me and my bitch stepped out, everyone knew what it was.

Makayla... Chaela, BJ said as he reached out and hugged us.

It was obvious that he was drunk as hell. Some of my classmates and some other niggas I didn’t know were in the section with him. I made my rounds, saying hello to everyone and stopped at the bar on my way back to the VIP section and ordered a Virgin Mai Tai. My song came on as I looked around for Chaela, and she was already on the dance floor.

I wound my hips to the music while I sipped my drink. I felt someone staring at me from across the room, but I couldn’t make his face out clearly since it was so dark. One thing I could see was his jewelry shining so brightly that everyone could see it. I continued to dance while my girl Chae encouraged me as I popped my fat ass.

After about three more songs, I was sweaty and ready to go sit down. We went back to BJ’s VIP section, and that’s when I saw him as clear as day. This man was chocolate and built like a lineman with broad shoulders and a thick stature. He had a full beard and looked about six feet five. Dude was one of the finest niggas I’d ever seen, but I had never seen him around East before, and it was obvious he was older.

Don’t look, but dude over there with the gold chains was checking for me while we were dancing. As soon as I said that, Chaela took her big ass head and looked over in his direction. I slapped her on the arm, and when I looked up, he flashed a set of pearly white teeth. I was so embarrassed I just put my head down.

Girl, he is fine as hell, she said giving me a high five. I had to just shake my head at my friend and laugh.

Chaela got up and said that she was going to the bathroom and that she’d be back. I looked around the section, and he was staring a hole through me. Being the person that I was, I wasn’t going to go over there and say anything to him. I walked over to the bar and ordered us some more drinks.

I got her, and let me get a Henny and coke. When I looked up, it was him.

Oh no. I’m fine. You don’t have to pay for them.

It’s cool, ma. I want to, he said in a thick accent. I automatically knew that he wasn’t from Cleveland.

Thank you. I grabbed my drinks from the bartender and walked away. I was so nervous; a nigga that fine had never approached me before. I went back to my seat and spotted Chaela across the room twerking her ass on some dude named Ronnie.

So, you just gonna take your drinks and run, ma?

I just stared at him for a minute and smiled. I’m sorry. I just wanted to get back and check on my friend.

Yeah, okay, he said, giving me a little smirk. What’s your name, ma?

Makayla, but everyone calls me Kay. How about yours?

My name is Q, he said, showing his two dimples.

Nice to meet you, Q. Where are you from? And don’t you think you’re a little too old to be at a high school grad party?

I’m from New York. I just moved here a couple months ago. BJ is my little cousin, so I just wanted to come show some love. By the way, I’m only twenty-two.

That’s what’s up. I saw you watching me. Is there anything that I can do for you? I said, loosening up a bit.

He bit down on his bottom lip. There’s a lot of things that you can do for me. Start by giving me your age.

Seventeen.

You graduated tonight? Congrats, ma. When do you turn eighteen? I don’t need to catch a charge, he said, showing those pearly whites and putting his hands up like he was surrendering.

Catch a charge? Boy, who said I was even interested? I said rolling my eyes. But I turn eighteen August 23 rd.

Okay, cool. So when can I see you?

Before I could answer, our conversation was interrupted by Chaela telling me that we had to go because she worked early the next morning. I got up and told Q I had to go, but not without taking his number first and promising him I would call him. As we left, I turned around and saw him staring at me as I strutted out of the front door of the club. He winked at me, and I kept walking.

On the way home, Chaela gave me the third degree about Q’s fine ass.

Girl, I saw you talking to your future husband, she said, laughing at her own joke.

That is not my future husband. He seems cool, though. His name is Q, and he is from New York.

New York! Yes, girl! Get you an out of town nigga because these niggas from Cleveland are local and very approachable. Did you get his number?

Yeah, but he’s gonna be very approachable too because he just moved here a couple of months ago. I told him that I would call him tomorrow, but it will be like a week. He’s older, so I have to show him just because I’m young that I’m not pressed for his ass and that I’m not a hoe.

I know that’s right, Kay, she said, giving me a high five. That nigga is fine, so I’m pretty sure he’s used to bitches flocking after him and doing whatever he wants them to do, but not my sis! she screamed, and I knew she was drunk. I knew I wasn’t letting her drive all the way back home, so she would have to leave from my house in the morning and go into work.

When we got to my house, Chaela threw up everywhere. I got her cleaned up and got into the shower so I could lay my ass down. That night, I climbed in bed with one thing on my mind—Q.

It had been almost two weeks since I met Q. I decided not to call him right away because I didn’t want to seem thirsty for an older dude, but this was the day I decided to go for it. I really wanted to see what he was about. I picked up my phone and sent him a text.

Me: Hey this is Kay from BJs party. Just giving you my number

Not even a minute later, my phone started to ring. I knew it was him, so I picked up.

Hey, Ms. Pretty. How are you?

I’m fine. How are you? You wanted me to call you?

You know you wanted to call me too, ma, he said in his thick ass accent.

He asked what I was getting into for the day and if he could see me. I told him that I would meet him in Downtown Cleveland in a half an hour. I ran downstairs and asked my mom if I could use her car to go out for a little.

Where are you going, Makayla?

Out with Chaela, Mom, I said convincingly. I didn’t want to have to lie to my mom, but she was so strict. If I would have told her I was going out with a grown man, she would have definitely said no.

I want my car back here by ten, Kay, and I’m not playing with you.

I looked at my phone, and it was 6:00 p.m., so that meant I had about four hours with Q. I grabbed the keys and ran out the door because I didn’t want him to wait another minute. Q texted me and told me that he was sitting outside of the Chocolate Bar waiting for me. I was happy that he wasn’t at a really fancy place because I was not dressed appropriately. I pulled into the parking garage across the street and walked over to meet him. He looked so good. I couldn’t even take it. He wore a black V-neck tee, some black and grey true religion shorts, and a pair of black and red Jordan Horizons. He just stood there and smiled at me.

You look good, Kay, Q said, reaching in for a hug. His cologne was strong, and it smelled so good. The Lord knew I didn’t want to let him go. I felt his hands about to roam my body, but he pulled away and licked his sexy ass lips.

Thank you, Q. So do you.

We walked into the restaurant, and Q had already found us a table and ordered for us before I got there. The waiter came over and set our dessert down. He ordered chocolate fondue and make your own s’mores.

Why did it take you so long to call me?

I sat there for a second and thought about if I should just make up and excuse, but I decided against it.

Well, honestly, I needed you to understand that I’m not pressed for you at all, I said with an attitude. I can see what kind of man you are. I can tell by the way you dress. I can tell by the way you keep looking at me licking your lips, and I can tell by the way you carry yourself. You know that you’re the shit, and you’re used to females falling at your feet and giving you any and everything it is that you want. I can guarantee you that I’m not that girl.

He just looked at me and chuckled. Don’t you think I know that, Makayla? Why do you think I stepped to you, and why do you think I pushed to the side that you’re only seventeen years old? Look at you, ma. You have on a tank top and a pair of jeans, and you’re still the sexiest girl in this room, he said, scooting closer to me.

He moved my hair from the side of my face and pushed it behind my ear. I’ve never met anyone as beautiful as you, he said, kissing my chubby cheek.

I was in awe. Q was right, though. Why would a man like him take a chance on me if he wasn’t really interested in me?

We sat and talked about everything. I told him that I had a little brother and how my parents were kind of strict. I told him about my future plans and how I was starting my classes at a beauty school in August. I noticed that he kept ignoring calls on his phone, but that wasn’t any of my concern. Que told me that he didn’t have any children but wanted some in the future. He said that he didn’t have a girlfriend or any other women in his life. When I asked what he did for a living, he hesitated and told me sales. I wasn’t stupid, though. Anybody with two good eyes could see that Q was a drug dealer. That didn’t bother me. What he did for business wasn’t my problem until it became a problem for me.

I looked down at my phone and realized it was 9:30 p.m. I knew I had to go because it would take me about twenty-five minutes to get back to my house. As we stood to leave, Q grabbed me from behind and told me how beautiful I was. He walked me to my car and told me to text him when I got home.

The whole ride to my house, I kept replaying our first date in my head. Something in me told me that Q and I would be seeing each other for a very long time. The chemistry was there, and I wasn’t going to run from it like I always did. When I pulled into my driveway, I sent Q a text.

Me: Q I made it home

Q: Good Ma, am I going to see you tomorrow?

Me: Sure around what time? I am going to have breakfast with my friend Chaela around 11

Q: OKAY Ma, I have to go pick my man up from the airport tomorrow and we’ll meet you there if that’s cool

Me: Yes Q that’s fine, I will send you the address. Good night sweet dreams

Q: Good night beautiful

I woke up bright and early to get ready for breakfast. Yes, I was happy to see my girl Chaela, but I was even more excited to see Q. I didn’t know what I wanted to wear, but I knew I wanted it to look better than my outfit from the night before. I looked through my whole closet and decided to wear a deep-purple, short-sleeve sundress with a slit up my thigh.

I jumped in the shower and got out to do my hair. I decided to part it down the middle and wear two French braids. I didn’t wear any makeup at all. I just put on some light lip gloss and popping ass jewelry. I looked down and saw that Chaela said she would arrive in about five minutes. I didn’t know what shoes to wear, so I pulled out a pair of gold, tie-up sandals.

When Chae pulled up, I was already outside and ready to go. I sent Q a text and told him to meet me at Jack Flaps. I was hungry and extra happy to see him.

Chaela do I look okay?

Yes, you look fine. Don’t be so damn stiff all the time, Kay, she said, laughing at her own joke. I didn’t find it funny, but she was right. I was also reserved and never wanted to let my guard down with anyone. I always liked to play everything safe.

You look cute too, love. Chaela wore a pair of white and black biker shorts, a black and white, see-through jersey shirt, and a pair of red, black, and white huaraches. Oh yeah, and I forgot to tell you that Q’s friend is coming with us to breakfast.

"You conveniently forgot to me