Hakeem & Tasia: A Brick City Love Story

1

Hakeem

Damn Keem, you gotta act like that? I was getting to the point where the sound of Tierra’s voice was beginning to irritate the hell out of me.

Act like what Tierra? I said, hoping she would peep the hostility in my voice and keep it moving, but of course her dumb ass was so self-indulged that she couldn’t see past her own intentions.

Like you don't see me, she said, almost whining.

I see your ass, how could I not when you prancing around in front of me like you don't have any damn sense. I know you see me out here trying to handle business.

Everyone around us laughed, including her girls, but I wasn't fazed. Honestly, I wasn't actually trying to be funny. In fact, I was serious as hell and she knew it, because she backed down and turned her attention away from me back to her circle of ratchet sidekicks. Tierra was mad as hell, but I didn't care.

Damn Keem, you didn’t have to play her thirsty ass like that, Talen said through a laugh. He hated Tierra because she got with him and then ran right to his girl on some sneaky type shit, and told her everything that went down. Talen paid big for that fuck up, but he learned his lesson.

"Man she knows better. I’m not fucking with her like that, so I don’t know why she’s out her putting on a show for everybody.

You’re cold Keem, Talen said, laughing again before he turned back to our crew to finish the debate that they were having about basketball.

Not once did I look up from my phone to pay attention to Tierra's dumb ass. She knew I didn't rock with her like that, and the most she would ever be was some good head, but even that was wearing thin because she was starting to mistake that for a relationship. That was something I just didn't do since my break up with Janelle over two years ago, and everyone knew that–present company included–so I didn't know why Tierra constantly set herself up to get embarrassed.

I was focused on my phone trying to see what was good with my sister Kaliyah, because she should have been home over an hour ago and I hadn't heard from her yet, so if she didn't check in soon, I was heading home to make sure she was straight.

Money could wait–family first. Since our parents died when I was sixteen and Liyah was twelve, leaving just the two of us, I had to hold shit down. I was my sister’s mother, father, brother, best friend, and whatever else I needed to be to make sure she was good.

Yo Keem, there goes Tasia, my man Jodie said, causing me to glance in the direction he pointed just long enough to see her fine ass walk into the corner store on Clinton Ave. She was fresh as hell, as always, rocking ripped distressed skinny jeans and a baby fit tee that was putting all of her God given gifts on display. I could feel my shit swell just from that quick glance, but I let my eyes fall back on my phone before I spoke, making sure there was no emotion attached to my words.

You know I'm not messing with Tay like that. I didn't bother to look up because I knew Jodie's ass was watching me with that damn smirk.

See, Jodie was my peoples, down since elementary school, and even though none of my crew knew I was feeling Tasia, Jodie knew. He knew everything about me, the same way I knew all his dirt. Between the two of us, we had enough skeletons to cover the entire city of Newark, but best believe no one would ever know that shit except me and Jodie, and we vowed to take it to the grave.

I don't know why she acts so damn brand new. She grew up around here getting free lunch out on the schoolyard just like the rest of us. Stuck up bitch, Rally said, causing a few others to chime in and laugh.

Now satisfied since I received a response from Liyah, I slid my phone in my pocket and stepped to Rally so quickly that it caught him off guard. I forced him against the wall with my forearm pressing firmly on his throat, while slightly lifting him off the ground. I was 6’6 and 180 pounds of lean muscle because I played ball and worked out 24/7, while Rally was only about 5’4 and weighed about 120 pounds soaking wet.

The fuck I tell yo ass ‘bout disrespecting women around me, I said through clenched teeth. The look in my eyes likely made him want to shit himself, because everyone knew that was a sore spot with me. When I spoke everyone listened and they either respected me or feared me, but either way I was the type that commanded respect.

My bad Keem, I wasn't thinking man, Rally said, gripping my arm while struggling to breath.

It was a known fact, that I had mad respect for women, mostly coming from the fact that I had been and still was raising my little sister. I treated women how I expected dudes to treat my her. That is, unless they just flat out refused the respect I offered. Trust me, that happened more often than not because some females just couldn't respect themselves enough to receive respect from a man. Case in point, Tierra's stupid ass. She was beautiful and had a banging body, but she had no respect for herself. She would give head for a stack in a heartbeat, which meant that she wasn't wife material. I wasn't fucking with her like that, and I didn't have time to anyway.

I was currently enrolled at Essex College on a shitty ass basketball scholarship, while I ran Clinton Ave to support my sister since I couldn't work a 9-5 because of school and ball. I didn't really care about college, but I went because I knew my parents would have wanted me to, plus I loved playing ball; either way, my time was extremely limited. Basically, other than a quick nut, females weren't really a focus for me.

Yo Keem, let his ass go. Jodie touched me on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts and everyone watched, waiting for my reaction. It was well known that I didn't play with people being all up in my personal space. Jodie and my sister were about the only ones who got a pass on that without consequences.

Don't let that shit happen again. I glared at him for a few more seconds before I actually let him go.

Rally straightened his clothes and looked around because he was embarrassed, but he wasn't dumb enough to say anything to me for checking him. In fact, he tried to run a conversation with me to ease his embarrassment, but I wasn’t hearing that shit either.

You got a game tomorrow night, right? You shutting it down out there? I might fall through, Rally said grinning, hoping to get my attention by talking about basketball.

I just ignored him and turned to Jodie. I'm bout to head home, check on Liyah, and then take my ass to sleep.

I dapped my team and a few others before Jodie walked with me to my truck. Jodie leaned against the rear driver’s side door after I opened my door and sat with my feet propped up on the side.

Why the hell did you embarrass Rally like that bruh?

Jodie looked at me with a grin as he pulled a Black and Mild from behind his ear. His creepy ass eyes were glowing because of the streetlights. Jodie was mixed black and white, which left him with one gray and green eye, while the other was hazel and green. That shit was creepy as hell, but females loved it and trust, he took full advantage of it.

You know that wasn’t called for, I said, looking down the block towards the store, trying to see if Tasia was still inside.

Especially since it was directed towards Tay. I don't know why you won't just step to her. You already know she’s secretly in love with yo ass too.

Man, fuck you. You know I don't have time for that right now.

You got time Keem, you just don't want to admit that you feeling Tasia.

I just laughed because I couldn't realky say shit. Jodie was right and I knew it. I shook my head and pulled my ringing phone out my pocket, and saw that it was my sister.

What's up sis, you good? I'm on my way now.

Stop and get me a Pepsi and a honeybun please.

Damn Liyah, you greedy as fuck.

"And you're rude as hell, but don't walk in the door without my Pepsi and my honeybun,

" my sister snapped back, and then hung up on me.

I just let out a long sigh, put my phone back in my pocket, and decided to deal with Liyah when I got home.

She hung up on you didn't she? Jodie said with a smirk. He knew how Liyah called herself trying to boss up to me all the time.

Hell yeah. I just shook my head.

I'm still trying to figure out who runs your house, you or Liyah, because it seems like she wears the pants in that bitch.

Chill with that shit, Jodie. You’re gonna make me fuck you up, but let me go so that I can stop by the store before I head home.

See, that shit right there is why she acts the way she does. You let her think that she calls the shots. That shit is your fault, Keem.

I chuckled and turned towards my steering wheel. Jodie was right and I knew it Liyah was spoiled as shit, but it was cool; she was my baby sister, and she could get that. I needed my sister’s standards to be high, so that any man that stepped to her would have to work his ass off to keep her happy. She deserved it and in our father’s absence, it was my responsibility to set the standard for how my sister should be treated and loved.

After Jodie and I dapped each other, I closed my door, pulled down the block to the corner store, and hopped out. The second I was inside, I heard Tay's sexy voice at the counter; she was talking to Benny the storeowner, so I grabbed my sister’s stuff and walked up behind her. I kept a safe distance, just listening while I focused on my phone. That was the plan up until I heard her cuss.

Fuck.

Beautiful women shouldn't use that kind of language, I said calmly.

I kept my focus on my phone, but I could feel her eyes on me and just as I looked up, she was staring straight at me with a frown. Instead of addressing my comment, she turned to Benny and spoke.

I left my money on the dresser. I'll be right back.

I pulled out twenty dollars handed to Benny.

Add this and I got it, I said as Benny took the twenty out of my hand.

Benny, don't do that. I'll be right back.

Tay really? You're gonna walk three blocks home and then three blocks back for four dollars?

By now, Benny was handing me my change and had bagged our items in separately. I knew he would do what I asked because we were tight like that. Benny knew me well because I grew up in this neighborhood, and since I was running Clinton Ave, Benny and his store were under my protection, which meant that nobody fucked with him.

Fine, but I'm paying you back, Tay said, and the rolled her eyes before she reached for her bag. Her vanilla cheeks almost looked blushed as she peered at me.

You don't owe me anything. Just being a gentleman. I glanced Tasia to find her once again frowning at me, but it was cute as hell.

I'm still paying you back, Hakeem. Tasia searched my body from head to toe, trying her best to hide her approval, but I could see the smile in her eyes before she turned to leave the store. I just shook my head, laughed, and told Benny that I would check him out later before I walked out behind her.

Hold up, Tay. I’ll take you.

She looked back over her shoulder at me. Nah, I'm good on that.

Why the fuck are you so stubborn? My words stopped her dead in her tracks, and she spun around and looked at me with the most hateful stare.

Why the fuck are you always so angry?

I was sure the look of disapproval on my face had her rethinking her choice of words. Tasia knew I hated when females cussed.

Please watch your language, Tay. That is extremely unattractive on a female, and to answer your question I'm not always angry. Why you say that anyway?

I've know you almost all my life, and I don't think I've ever really seen you smile.

She was so serious that it made me laugh, which in turn made her frown, yet again.

Just because I don't smile doesn't mean I'm angry. It just means I don't smile.

Tasia just stared at me for a second, but I could tell she was trying to figure out what to say, which was undoubtedly going to be something sarcastic knowing her. Rather than waiting, I chose to press the remote to unlock my doors and started moving towards the passenger door. After I had it open, I stood there silently waiting for Tasia to get in, but of course she didn't budge.

I told you I can walk, Hakeem.

She made a point of saying my whole name because she knew no one ever called me that.

And I told you to get in; you can stand here all night if you want and I will stand right here and wait, but I have a game tomorrow which means that I really need to be on my way home, so it's on you Tay.

Here stubborn ass stood there glaring at me for another minute before she rolled her eyes and climbed in. I shut the door and laughed before walking to the driver’s side. After only a few seconds of her being in my truck, her fruity scent filled it and took over. I would have smiled, but I was programmed not to. I had deep ass dimples and when I was a kid, people always tried me because of them. The slightest smile caused the craters in my cheeks to appear, giving me what most considered a baby face, and I learned real quick that nobody took you serious with a baby face–even if you're over six feet.

I had to figure out how to make myself a threat and that started with losing the smile, which quickly became a part of who I was so still to this day, I rarely ever smiled–mostly out of habit.

I pulled off in route to Tasia’s house, which was a brownstone on a street behind where I grew up, but I made sure I kept my eyes on the road. I occasionally felt her watching me and I could see her in my peripheral view, but I couldn’t read her mood.

For us to go to the same school, I never see you on campus, I said randomly, trying to kill the silence that hovered around us.

Yeah I guess, but it’s not like you’re looking for me so… She shrugged her shoulders