Ridin with the Realest: That Good Hood Love

Charlie Jones

Isang along to the music blasting from my speaker as I cleaned my house. Well, I won’t really say cleaned because it was always clean. I was just more or less straightening up the few misplaced items.

I loved my place. It was perfect for me. A little more space than I needed, but Hawk insisted that I get this one. I was okay with my one bedroom apartment downtown, but after I graduated, he got this for me as a gift. Hawk was always buying me gifts. This place, cars, jewelry, clothes. You name it, I had it, but none of that was important to me. I didn’t really care for any of it. I was sure most people assumed that was why I was with a man like Hawk in the first place, but it wasn’t.

I loved him. Hell, besides my daddy, he was the only man that I had ever loved. Hawk was eleven years older than me, but you’d never really know it. He handled his shit, and he looked good as fuck. Hawk had a body that made you cum as soon as you laid eyes on him.

At 6’9" and about two hundred and eighty pounds of sexy, Hawk was all muscle, and his deep caramel skin was graced with a few strategically placed tattoos. Not too many, but just enough to keep it sexy.

Even with all that, those weren’t the reasons I loved Hawk. It really had nothing to do with his money, the things he did for me, or how sexy he was. His heart was the thing that grabbed me.

My mom died when I was a baby. Other than pictures, I have no idea who she was. My dad raised me the best he could, but he had an eighth grade education and worked as a janitor. Not even for a major company. Just low paying jobs here and there because he didn’t even have a high school diploma.

My dad loved me though, and I love him right back. That love just wasn't enough to give me the things I needed. My dad did the best he could, and we survived, but college was out of the question. So, after I graduated, I got a job and started helping with the bills around the house.

I was smart, don’t get me wrong, but school just wasn't important to me, so I did enough to get by. I could have graduated with honors and gotten a scholarship, but I knew it wouldn’t pay for everything, and I couldn’t afford the extra stuff that came with college. So, I finished up with all C’s, got my diploma, and then started filling out applications the same night I graduated.

A year later, I met Hawk. He saw me walking one day, pulled up next to me on the street in a pretty pearl white Ranger Rover, and tried to kick it to me. He was sexy as hell, but I didn’t have time for that. I was late for work, so I shut him down and kept it moving. Hawk just wouldn’t leave well enough alone. He learned my habits, showed up at my job, offering rides and conversation. Six months later, we were a thing.

Needless to say, he changed my life. Sent me to college, purchased my dad a house, and now I’m doing well. I own my own business thanks to Hawk, but again, none of that matters.

I would rather just have him. But, like most men in the streets, he did dumb things, and the last dumb thing landed him in prison off a parole violation. A whole year without him, and I was miserable.

He would have gotten more time, but Red, one of his workers hid the coke that they were delivering. So, it was just five for a weapons violation. I was grateful for her stepping up, but I missed him. He called all the time, but he refused to let me come there.

I didn’t know why Hawk wouldn’t allow it. I even tried, but he made sure I wasn’t on the list, so they wouldn’t let me see him when I got there. I was so hurt that I cried for two days, not understanding why he was keeping me away. I missed him so much and just wanted to see him. I didn't care how. But, he refused, and it wasn’t changing, so I got over it. Now our relationship was regular calls along with the letters and pictures that I sent him.

I had no idea how I would last another four years without my heart but I loved him that much so I was going to make it work. Even if it killed me.

After I finished getting my place together, I decided to hop in the shower so that I could relax for the rest of the day. I’d call and check in on my shop, but I had taken a much needed day off. My crew was competent, so I didn’t have to micro manage, which I loved.

I wasn’t killing the game, but we did decent business, and I could actually live on my own if I needed to. Hawk promised that he would always take care of me, but I wanted that security of knowing that if anything ever happened to him or us, that I would be okay without him.

The business was in my name, along with my place, and the two cars that I owned. My Porsche Cayenne and my G-Wagon, which was my favorite. Hawk had one, and I fell in love with it, so he got me one a few months before he was locked up. At 4’11", I was tiny, and the truck was huge for me, but I loved it. It was what I drove most of the time.

I got dressed and went in my living room to chill on the sofa with my bowl sized mug filled with my favorite Starbucks’ chai latte tea, and I started going through catalogs preparing for my next decorating job. I would’ve been perfectly content to spend my afternoon just like this, but, of course, someone had other plans because my doorbell sounded.

I lived outside of Atlanta and didn’t have many friends, so I assumed it was my girl, Yaz. She was one of the few people who really knew where I laid my head; a habit that I picked up from Hawk. And Yaz was the only one who showed up unannounced.

Placing my mug on the table next to my sofa, I shoved my catalogs out of the way, and headed to the door. After peeking through the glass pane that lined it, I undid the locks, hit the security code, and then let Yaz in.

Hey bitch. What are you into today?

I frowned at her greeting, but Yaz was Yaz. She grew up in the hood the same as me, but when I moved away, I left a few things behind. I didn’t forget where I came from, but I was a college graduate and a business owner, so some behaviors had to be curbed in order for me to be successful.

Yaz spent most of her time in the club looking for men to sponsor her, so she didn't change much. Either way, I loved my girl, so I accepted her flaws and all.

Nothing, boo. You know I have no life, I tossed over my shoulder as we made our way through my home and entered my living room.

I took a seat on the sofa where I had been, and Yaz tossed her very expensive Louis Vuitton bag on the sofa and sat across the room from me.

Girl, it’s Friday, and for once your ass ain’t working. Let's go shopping and then hit Zone tonight. You’re always sitting up in this stale ass house.

I rolled my eyes and picked up the catalog I had been searching through before I glanced at her purse. Looks like you’ve already been shopping, and I don’t need anything. You know I don’t like being around a bunch of people, so pass on the club too.

You can never have too much, and that’s nice, right? Ross hooked me up. I have five stacks in it, and I’m ready to buy something that fits tight and something that shines.

I frowned at Yaz’s confession, but I wasn’t surprised.

Ross? Come on, boo. He is not for you. That man looks like a burnt Michelin tire man. He’s also down with Snake’s team, and you know they’re beefing with BDC, so I’m not trying to be around that.

Yaz laughed at the face I made.

Girl, don’t knock it. He’s paid, and as big as he is, he’s putting it down. He also has the pockets to match. Surprised the shit out of me when he whipped it out. I thought I was gonna have to fake it for the them stacks, but he had my ass cumming back to back.

Yaz, seriously?

Yes, boo, seriously. And everyone is beefing with BDC, so I can’t let that stop me. Them niggas are running shit.

It’s not always about that, Yaz.

Says you. Not everybody can have a fine ass man like you have that’s paid and laying pipe like a pro. I’m just trying to do me, and it takes a lot of cash and good dick to make that happen. I get it where I can.

Yaz, you need to do better, baby.

I am. I have my eye on someone, but I need to play my cards right. Who knows? If I secure this deal, maybe we’ll be neighbors.

Girl, you’re too damn hood to live out here with these white folks. I shook my head just thinking about it.

I can change, hoe. Don’t do me. Yaz sucked her teeth and shot me a nasty look.

Well, I guess we'll see.

I knew better, but if my girl liked it, I loved it. And if she could get a man to give her the world the way that Hawk had been there for me, then I would be her biggest cheerleader.

So, no shopping, but can you at least hit up Zone with me tonight? Hawk’s team will be there, and—

No, Yaz, especially not if his team will be there. They’re always telling him shit, and I’m not in the mood for him to be questioning me.

Girl, you don’t do shit for him to question, so why do you care?

Because, it’s still annoying. Besides, I know you’re not trying to get with anyone on his team.

I looked at her with raised brows and waited. Hawk’s team was full of hoe ass men who were about their money and that was it. They were all fine as fuck, and paid. Well, except a few who were just paid, but bitches loved them, so they had more women than they could deal with. That didn't stop them from trying to get more women when the opportunity presented itself, but none of them were the type to be with just one woman.

Maybe. Just come out with me tonight, and you’ll see. We can have some drinks and just have a good time. I know you love this boring ass life, but you need to have some fun, Charlie. Just one night, please. You know you miss it.

I eyed her for a minute and rolled my eyes. Fine, but I’m not going to be out all night, and you better behave.

I promise. Thanks, boo. I love you. You know that, right.

Yeah, I know, but I also know that you don’t know how to act, so I mean it. You better behave, Yaz.

"Girl bye, I’ll be good until I’m not, and I’ll be on a dick-tated mission tonight anyway

Dick-tated? I laughed at her dumb ass because I knew exactly what that meant.

Hey, hey now we do what we must, but I’m out. I need to go buy a dress for tonight, and something sparkly. I’ll meet you here at ten, and we can get ready together. Deal?

Deal.

I knew I would regret this, but I could actually use a night out. Sitting here missing Hawk every night wasn’t hitting on shit.

Fray

O h shit, baby I’m about to… oh shit.

Tracee was rambling and moving, trying her best to break free of the hold I had on her. That shit was annoying as fuck because I was having to work too hard to get this last nut. I needed to be out of there so that I could get back to business.

Yo, stop fucking moving.

My fingers dug deeper into her side as I continued, drilling her from the back. If the shit didn’t feel so good, I would have just pulled out and said fuck it.

Damn, Fray, not so…. mmmmm, shit.

About fucking time.

Tracee came and stopped fighting me for the moment because she didn’t have the energy to after the nut I just gave her, so I concentrated on my own, and was right behind her.

Shit, girl.

I groaned as I filled the condom that I was wearing while holding her firmly against me. After a few minutes, I kissed her back a few times and then pulled out, heading straight to her dresser.

I pulled a few wipes from the plastic container she kept there, removed the condom, and then cleaned up as best I could.

Tracee was now stretched across her bed on one side, watching me with a lazy grin on her face. I admired her thick frame and smiled. She was sexy as hell, one of the main reasons why I fell through her spot when she hit me up.

Didn’t you say you had business to handle?

I tossed the wipes into the plastic trash can that was next her dresser and began adjusting my clothes. Yeah, why?

Then you better stop looking at me like that or you won’t make it.

She smirked and looked right at my dick, which I had just shoved back into my jeans.

With a light chuckle, I walked over and leaned across the bed to reach her cheek, which I kissed before my hand landed on her thigh.

Not today, baby girl. It’s money day. You know I don’t play about that shit.

Not even for this?

Her hand moved down her stomach and between her legs, where she dipped her fingers into the sweet spot that still had my dick semi erect.

Not even for that, and that’s saying a lot because you rocking with that good shit.

I winked at her before I lifted my phone and keys from her dresser. I noticed I had several missed calls, but that was expected. My people were checking in to let me know they were ready for me to fall through and collect.

Well, can I see you later, or you making rounds?

Tracee sat up and climbed off her bed. I looked up from my phone and watched her sexy body move around her room collecting her clothes, which she tossed into her hamper before she stopped and looked my way with her hands planted on her wide hips.

Tracee was a big girl, but her body was amazing. Thick and toned, and I loved that about her. There was nothing like good pussy attached to a banging ass body that you could hold onto when you were stretching that shit out.

Not tonight. I’m hitting up the club with the team, but I got you soon though.

So Black Diamond Crew is gonna be out tonight? Shit, I know it’s gonna be lit as fuck. I might roll up in there.

Aight cool, but you know how I do.

I didn’t want her to think that I was about to be tied up with her tonight. My only goal was to get drunk, high, and chill with my people.

I’m not trying to be all up in your personal space tonight, Fray. Don’t do me. We’re probably on the same mission.

I chuckled because she was right. Tracee was chill as fuck. She played her role, which was why we worked. When I had time, she was down, when I didn’t, she wasn’t stressing about it.

I know, just putting it out there, though. You good? You need anything before I go?

No, I’m good. You know I’m about my business just like you, Fray.

That was another plus. She was on her grind and never worried about my pockets. That’s why I didn’t mind occasionally hooking her up.

Most women wanted three things from me, dick, money, or both. That worked for me right now because I was on my bachelor shit. With Hawk locked up, I had enough on my plate, so commitment wasn’t really something I was interested in right now. Women were an investment, well at least the ones worth your time, and I wasn’t at a point in my life where I wanted or needed that.

Aight, I’m out. I’ll holla at you soon.

When I left Tracee’s place and the sun hit me, I pulled my hat down on my head as low as it would go. It was bright as fuck outside and felt like it was a hundred degrees. I hated Georgia heat. That shit was crucial.

I was born and raised in Chicago, and even though I had been in Georgia for the past ten years, I still couldn’t get with this heat.

As soon as I was in my car, I got Reg on the line to make sure he was working. I was in a good ass mood and didn’t want to fuck that up by showing up and he didn’t have what I needed.

What’s good, Fray?

We stacking?

Yeah, it’s coming in now. You heading this way?

On my way now.

Aight, I’ll have it ready.

After his confirmation, I ended my call. I knew it would take a few hours to get this money together, then I planned to head home and chill until it was time to head out tonight.

What’s up, Fray? Can we get in to chill with you?

I lifted my head and adjusted my eyes to see who was talking to me. We had been at the club for a few hours fucking shit up, and the day had caught up with me.