In Love With the Wrong Thug

By Trenae

Growing up with a crackhead for a mother, Sevyn Lewis was no stranger to heartbreak and pain. Life had shown Sevyn time and time again that she could depend on no one but herself. With that realization in mind, it was easy for her to ignore the random boys from around the way. Until it wasn’t. With two of the city's shot callers both vying for her attention, Sevyn finds herself in the middle of a love triangle that she wants nothing to do with.

Along for the ride, Jazelle gets tangled in a love triangle of her own when her boyfriend suddenly switches up on her and opens the door for someone else to swoop right on in during his absence. Just when she feels like she has everything in her life figured out, the tables turn, and her loyalty is tested, leaving Jazelle unsure of where she wants to be. A young love is supposed to be fresh, exciting, and shared between two, and in this story, you will quickly find out that the saying “three is a crowd” couldn’t be truer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leo Sullivan Presents
• Release date: Jan 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781648543289

Book preview

Prologue

Some years prior…

I ’m hungry, Sevyn. I heard my little sister, Saigon, whine again as I dragged her with me into the corner store.

I know, I know. I’m about to get us some food. I replied harsher than I meant to.

It wasn’t her fault we were going through this, and I had to keep reminding myself of that. The thing was, I was so angry that we were in this situation. I was so mad at everyone, and she was the only person around, so she often got the outburst of anger that I couldn’t always hold in. I always made sure to let her know that it wasn’t her fault, but still, I slipped up from time to time.

The cold wind whipped through the jeans I wore, and I couldn’t help but shiver as I pulled Saigon behind me while I entered the store.

Sevyn, I’m cold, she whined again.

I know, sis, I know.

Turning around, I knelt in front of her and tightened the jacket that she was wearing. Because her dad was actually in her life, she didn’t have some old hand me down jacket like I did. Hers was actually new, so imagine how cold I was.

You better not be in here stealing again, or I’m calling the damn cops on you, Sevyn! the Asian man screamed from behind the thick glass.

I rolled my eyes while my back was to him. I hated him, and the feeling was mutual because he hated all black people.

I never even stole from you before! Plus, I have money! I lied as I quickly flashed a folded-up dollar bill and shook my hand, so he heard the change jiggle.

I pulled Saigon to the back as he mumbled under his breath. I heard him call us some bastards and crack babies, but I kept walking until I finally reached the aisle I was looking for. When I heard a customer ask him for some boudin and cheese, I snatched a box of noodles from the shelf, popped it open, and stuffed four packs in the front of my pants. Grabbing two more packs, I shoved them in Saigon’s pants and placed my finger over my lips, so she knew to be quiet.

I gave her a second look over before motioning for her to follow me. Stopping at the coolers, I grabbed a gallon of juice and made my way to the counter.

I need to pee, Sevyn. Saigon cried and danced around.

Stay still! I spat as I grabbed her hand tighter.

My heart was beating out of my chest. I could hear the packs of noodles making noise, and I didn’t need that fat ass Asian to hear the shit too. To make matters worse, she started crying. I was so tired of being strong that I wanted to join her in the crying fit that she was throwing. This shit wasn’t even fair; I shouldn’t have to live like this.

Hurry up! the cashier snapped as soon as the person in front of me left.

We were the only ones left in the store at this point.

This is still a dollar oh seven, right? I asked, holding up the juice.

Yeah, and you better have it all, he replied.

Here! I said and placed the money on the counter, making sure it was closer to me than it was to him, before grabbing Saigon and rushing to the door. I was damn near there before I heard his voice again.

You black, nigger bitch! Get back here! he screamed, jumping up from the chair he was sitting in.

Saigon, run, baby! Run! I screamed as I pulled her along.

I didn’t think he would unfold the paper dollar that quick and realize that it was a torn dollar that I had found on the way over. It was a step up from the fake dollar the loan company sent in the mail that I had started to bring.

Jumping down the steps of the store, I noticed that Saigon was trailing behind. SAIGON! RUN! I screamed, not caring that she was still crying.

I felt her jerk back, and it caused me to fall backward. Looking up, I was staring into the eyes of the store owner.

You think you can keep stealing and getting away with it, bitch? he spat as he grabbed me by my shirt and Saigon by her arm.

Let us go! I struggled to get away, and in the struggle, a pack of noodles fell from my pants.

His eyes seemed to light up when he saw that, and he wasted no time dragging us back into the store where he locked us in and called the police. The way he explained it to them, you would think it was a grown woman robbing him with a gun instead of a thirteen and five-year-old. What felt like hours later, there was banging on the door, and he smiled as he looked at the camera’s monitor.

Now, justice will be served. You people think you don’t have to pay for shit. Well, today it changes! He gloated as he ran to open the door.

I held Saigon close as she slept on my shoulder. She had cried herself to sleep like all was right in the world while I sat there shivering. My mom was going to kill me. I heard him speaking to the cops before he brought them to the back.

Here the two criminals are! he said, pointing our way.

My mouth fell open when I saw who the cop was.

Sevyn, Saigon? What are you two doing here? the cop asked.

Stealing! That’s what the fuck they are doing. Those two are always stealing. I just caught them in the act today! the owner snitched.

God, I hated him.

Sir, give us a moment to get to the bottom of this! the cop said. The owner paused for a moment then stepped out. Sevyn, what’s going on? Why are you here? he asked, and then I couldn’t hold the tears back.

We were hungry. We were so hungry, and school is out until Monday, I cried as my body shook.

I hated that I was even going through this shit. Children shouldn’t have to deal with the results of their parents being fuck ups. Why the fuck couldn’t I have a normal life? Why the fuck did my mama have to be the way she was? Why the fuck did my daddy not love me enough to stay? Or at least to take me with him?

What does school have to do with you being hungry? And where is Linda? he asked.

If there is no school, we don’t eat. There isn’t any money to eat, I explained as Saigon stirred.

Daddy? she asked, wiping her eyes. DADDY! she said, realizing that she wasn’t dreaming.

Her face lit up, and despite the situation, that made me smile. Anytime she was happy, it made me feel a little better. Jumping up, she ran and hugged his leg.

Sevyn, let’s go, he said and opened the little closet door.

That’s how small this room was. All it had in it was three chairs and a microwave. Following him out, I listened as he and the Asian exchanged words then he led us to his police car.

After directing him to our house, I noticed he paused and just stared for a while. Sevyn, who lives here? he asked, looking back.

Us, I said.

No, no, y’all live in Whispering Oaks! he said like he couldn’t believe this.

No, Grandma does. Whenever you come to get Saigon, Mom dresses us all nice and brings us over there, but this is where we live, I replied.

He didn’t say anything, but he climbed out of the car and opened the door for us. Leading the way to our door, I opened it as far as it could and squeezed in. Saigon easily walked in behind us, but her dad had to push harder on the door to get in. There was so much trash behind the door that stopped it from fully opening. The floor of the front room was so junky that you couldn’t even see the floor underneath it.

Where is your mom? he asked. I didn’t answer. Instead, I pointed to her. Stepping around the wall, I watched as his mouth fell open. Linda! Linda! he called out.

There is no point. Every time she puts that needle in her arm, she falls asleep like that. She sleeps until her friends come back at night, I said with a shrug.

He rubbed his hand down his face and shook his head.

I’m hungry, Daddy, Saigon cried again.

That’s when I noticed my stomach was growling too. It was Saturday morning, and the last thing we ate was a snack yesterday at aftercare.

Sevyn, pack Saigon a bag with a few outfits until I can get things situated, he said.

The smile that spread across my face hurt my damn cheeks. When I ran to the room, Saigon was right behind me. She seemed to be as happy as I was. I went into the drawer, and because she had so many things to choose from, it took me no time to get her things. Getting my things was the problem. I didn’t have much of anything, so I grabbed some things from the dirty clothes.

What happened to this door?

I jumped when I heard Saigon’s dad behind me.

The man broke it, Saigon said.

One of Mom’s friends was trying to get in here late one night. He kicked that hole in the door and only quit when I said the cops were on the way. They are always crazy when they come here, so I put that knife in the door, so they can’t come in, I said and pointed to a knife that sat on top of a red bucket.

What’s that bucket for? he asked, still looking shocked.

We don’t leave this room when she has company. So, we use the bathroom in that and empty and clean it the next morning, I said with a shrug. I had stopped feeling sorry about this a long time ago.

I noticed that he was having trouble taking this all in. I’m done, I replied and grabbed both bags.

Just hand me one. I don’t need them both, he said, confusing me.

Huh? One is for Saigon, and one is for me, I explained.

As soon as I said that, I noticed the look on his face drastically change.

Oh no, Sevyn, I can’t take you with me. I’m not your father, so that would be kidnapping, he replied.

So… So, you are only taking Saigon? I asked, and when he nodded, I fell to my knees. No! That’s not fair! I can’t stay here with her! I cried.

Sevyn, I’m sorry, but I can’t take you with me. Not now, anyway. Here you go, hide this from your mom. I’ll be back in a few days with more, he said and gave me money like that would make shit better. How could this be fair?

Then Saigon has to stay with me, I said through tears. My mother would kill me if Saigon wasn’t here and I was.

Nooo! I’m going with my daddy! she screamed and grabbed his hand. My heart broke because she didn’t want to stay with me.

I’ll be back to check on you, Sevyn, he said before walking out with Saigon and her bag.

What the fuck about me? Watching them walk away and leave me behind like I was nothing reminded me of all the times my mama told me that I wasn’t shit and no one would ever love me. With nothing left to do, I crawled on the twin sized bed and cried myself to sleep.

Where the fuck is my daughter, bitch? I heard my mom scream as she pulled my hair and dragged me from the bed. It felt like she was ripping my hair from the scalp. Didn’t I tell y’all not to leave this house? she screamed.

When she let my hair go, I wanted to massage my head, but I couldn’t because I had to block my face from her fist.

Ma, please stop! I screamed right before her fist connected with my mouth.

I tasted my own blood and immediately curled into a ball. That didn’t stop her because she grabbed my hair again.

Where the fuck is my daughter? she spat in my face.

Her daddy took her! We went to the store to get food, and he was the cop that was called. He came here and tried to wake you but couldn’t. He took her and left me, I cried.

Of course, he left you! He ain’t your fucking daddy! Saigon’s daddy actually loves her. All your daddy loves is my pussy right before he gives me my fix! Nobody loves you, and this is why! How the fuck will I get money if he took her? she screamed before raining blows on my body again. What the fuck am I going to do now? she asked while swinging on me. After a few moments, she was breathing hard and too tired to continue. And what, you done stole this from him? she asked.

Lifting my head, my heart started pounding as she waved the money that he gave me in my face.

No, he gave it to me to get food, I cried, jumping to my feet.

My body was in pain, but I needed