A Lady and a Gangsta: A Novel

By Chanell

Shayla, is a straight arrow, following the rules kind of girl, with an overprotective father. Qualyn on the other hand is her complete opposite, but it was love at first sight. And as life would have it, everything doesn’t go as planned, once Shayla’s father gets wind. Can love conquer all or will there be a war on the horizon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728351018

Book preview

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Chapter One

What up chica? Cassie asked as soon as Shayla picked up. Why don’t chu come out with me tonight?

"Because I have homework, hoe, and where you trying to go anyways? Shayla asked her.

I don’t know, I just know its Friday, I’m young, single, sexy, and wanna have fun, Cassie said, admiring herself in the full-length mirror.

I don’t know, Shayla said hesitantly. I have to get my homework done, I have a report, and a test to study for and that’s all for Monday. I can’t let my grades slip fuckin’ around with you.

C’mon Shay. We haven’t kicked it in a minute, unless we’re shopping, or getting our nails or hair done. I miss you. I figure we can go to Passions,. Cassie said, with a grin and a hopeful gleam in her eye. Shayla sat up and thought about it for a while, before she caved in.

Okay. Damn! Let me just let my mom know and finish my homework for this class. What time do you want me to be ready by?

All right, Cassie said, with joy evident in her voice. I’ll be there around nine fifteen. Shay, don’t be bullshittin’, be ready.

Why so early? I’m not trying to be the first one there.

Cause y’all live super far. It takes forty-five minutes from my house and another thirty minutes to the city. And I wanna be able to get a parking spot.

Whatever. I’ll see you then, Shayla said, as she stuck her head back into her book. Shayla finished her homework, jumped in the shower and got dressed. Shayla was only seventeen, but built like a 25-year-old. She was 5 feet 6 inches, with a Hershey brown complexion with a red undertone. Her hair was shoulder length and jet black, and she had round, bedroom brown eyes with long thick eyelashes. She threw on a pair of Baby Phat jeans, a silver halter, and some silver peep toe pumps with the matching clutch. She put on some perfume, her silver costume jewelry, and left out her room. She made her way down the spiral staircase and proceeded to the front door, and when she went to turn the handle, Jamal, her stepfather walked in.

And where do you think you’re going, Miss Shay? he asked with a smirk.

Passions with Cassie, so don’t wait up. I’m probably going to stay at her house.

Oh, so you telling me now? What happened to asking?

Really? That’s how you playin’ it now?

How’s those grades looking?

They are still straight A’s and before you even ask, I aced all three of my tests today.

Aww shit, that’s what I’m talking about. Well, have fun, not too much, but enjoy yaself.

I will, she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek on her way out. She walked to Cassie’s gold Maxima that was parked at the curb and hopped in.

You look cute, Shay. Jamal let chu out in that?

He don’t care what I wear, as long as I bring home straight A’s and no babies. Shit, my mom bought me this outfit, Shayla said, pulling down the visor and checking herself in the mirror.

A’ight, let’s roll out before we can’t get a parking spot, Cassie said pulling off.

They pulled up to the club about an hour later and there were cars everywhere; they even took up the Arby’s and CVS parking lots. It looked like a spread for Hot Rod Magazine with all of the tricked out cars. There were more people outside than inside, it seemed. Sound systems were bumping to the point it drowned out the music from the club.

Do it be like this every weekend? Shayla asked in bewilderment.

Yep. Cassie smiled as she made a mental note of all the Lexus, Benz, and Hummers in attendance.

That shit don’t even look like it can even hold this many people. This is a straight fire hazard and death trap.

Uggh! Come on, Shay, don’t be startin’ that shit. You’ll be fine.

That I know! Shayla responded with much attitude. Cassie just shook her head as she pulled half a blunt out of the ashtray, and lit it. She took a few pulls, before turning in Shayla’s direction.

Naw, Shayla said, pushing it away. You know I don’t fuck with that shit. Don’t get stupid Cass, I ain’t even playin’, Shayla said with all seriousness, knowing that Cassie, weed, and alcohol didn’t mesh well.

Well, more for me. But I will get you high one of these days and don’t worry, I’ma be cool tonight, Cassie said, as she finished her blunt and put it out. She reapplied her lip-gloss and popped an Altoid. They sprayed some perfume and exited the car.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, all eyes were on them. Especially with Cassie rocking her come fuck me dress and thigh high boots. They got up to the front without a hitch, since Cassie’s cousin, Tone, was working the door. He was a mixture of Suge Knight and Biggie.

C’mon Shay, when you gonna let me get those digits? he asked, with a smile.

Tone, how many times do I have to tell you; you’re just as much my cousin as you are hers. And I don’t date my family. That’s just nasty, Shayla said, walking past him and into the main entrance of the club.

The club was a lot bigger than it appeared and the music was bumping; they took their seats at the bar and ordered their drinks. Shayla got a Sprite with lime, while Cassie had an Absolut and pineapple, and a shot of Jose. Shayla sat there shaking her head at her, nursing her soda, and peeping her surroundings until DJ Khaled’s Take it to the Head came on. Both girls hopped up and hit the dance floor. Then the DJ played Chris Brown’s Strip, Jeezy’s I Do and Lil Wayne’s She will. They were playing hit after hit, and even took it back a little and threw on Juvenile’s Back That Ass Up, Mystical’s Shake That Ass, and Nelly’s Hot In Heere. Shayla danced through three more songs, before she sat back down. Cassie joined her five minutes later. As they sat there waiting for the bartender to come their way, Shayla felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw the finest man ever in life. He had to be at least 6'4, with a chocolate complexion, long thick eyelashes, and the whitest teeth ever. He wore his hair in braids that stopped in the middle of his back, and his body was built for days. Even through his baggy clothes, you could see the muscle definition in his arms and chest.

What’s your name, ma? asked the handsome stranger.

Who would like to know? Shayla asked.

Oh so you feisty, huh? Well, I like feisty, but I would like to know ya name even more. Shayla just stared up at the fine specimen, before she answered.

Shayla. And yours? she asked with a flirtatious grin.

Qualyn, but everybody calls me Q.

Well, nice to make your acquaintance, Qualyn or would you prefer it if I called you Q?

Ma, you can call me anything you like, just as long as you call me. Damn! You sexy! Where ya man at?

Don’t have one, don’t have time for one.

Now, that’s a damn shame. You came out all by yourself?

Naw. I came out with my home girl, Cassie. Cassie hearing her name, turned around from the dude she was talking to and smiled in Qualyn’s direction. He gave her a head nod and turned his attention back to Shayla. If he would’ve looked back a little bit earlier, he would’ve seen the death stare she was giving him.

Well, what are you doin’ after this? Can I take you to go eat or something?

Sorry, but I have studying to do tomorrow, so I’ll be going straight to bed after this.

Don’t be sorry for that, education first. So what school you go to Pitt, Duquesne, or what?

No, I go to Fox Chapel Catholic. She saw the puzzled look on his face and elaborated. High school.

What? Damn! They didn’t make them like you when I was in high school. Damn! he said again, as an afterthought. Shayla took another sip of her soda when Ruff Ryder’s Down Bottom" came on. She jumped off the barstool and headed to the dance floor, grabbing Qualyn’s hand in the process. Their bodies moved in sync with one another’s. Shayla popped and gyrated her body to the point he had to back away, before his lil man stood at full attention.

Cassie sat and looked on as they danced, blood boiling. She tried to put on a straight face as Shayla walked towards her.

Okay, I see you, she said, jealousy dripping from her voice.

Shut up. You told me to loosen up, right? Well, I’m having fun. Why are you sitting here looking all evil for?

No reason, just tired. You ready to go?

Yeah, I gotta get outta these damn shoes.

All right, let’s go then, Cassie said, getting off the barstool. On their way to the door, Qualyn stopped Shayla by grabbing her arm. She jumped, startled and turned around to see whom it was and smiled.

Don’t be doing that, she said with a smile.

I didn’t mean to scare you ma, but you were about to leave without something.

And what would that be?

My number, he said, slipping her a napkin with his name and cell numbers on it. Don’t just put it on ya dresser or something with all the rest. Use it, he said with a smile that made her smile.

The early morning air gently whipped across the girls’ faces and woke them up out of their club stupor. It was a fresh and welcome relief from the cigarettes, blunts, sweat, and stale club air. The ride home was tense and quiet until Cassie started to speak.

You know it couldn’t work between y’all.

What? Who? Shayla asked, puzzled.

Ain’t no what; who. You and Qualyn, being as he’s a hoe and works for your dad.

He does? How do you know? Plus, who the fuck cares; we were only dancing and talking. I never said I wanted to marry the nigga and have his babies. Damn! Shayla said, irritated.

I’m just saying, no need for an attitude.

I don’t have an attitude. You’re the one acting all funky and shit, Shayla said, as she continued looking out of the window. She turned to look at Cassie and saw her staring at her, and they both burst out laughing.

You’re so sensitive, Cassie said.

Whatever hoe.

So are you going home or to my house?

Your house. I already told my mom and Jamal that I was staying.

They arrived at Cassie’s in no time, since the roads were clear, except for the club heads. Shayla climbed out of the car and her pumps simultaneously. Now I know why they stayed in the damn box all this time, she thought, as she walked the stairs to the porch. Once in the guest room, Shayla stripped down to her bra and panties, wrapped her hair and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Shayla was up and showered by 9:30; she found the sweats and t-shirt she had kept there in the closet and got dressed. She unwrapped her hair and let Cassie know she was leaving.

Yo’ Cass, I’m out, she hollered into the room.

Huh? A’ight, lock the bottom lock, Cassie said, before she threw the covers over her face. Shayla called a taxi and waited on the front porch. It took them twenty minutes to get there, but she didn’t mind the wait. Once she got in the back, all thoughts went to the smooth and very sexy, Qualyn.

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Qualyn sat in the den at his cousin Beenz’s house, where they counted their profits from the night before.

Yo nigga, you know you can’t fuck wit Shorty from last night.

Can’t ain’t in my vocabulary. And I know she’s in high school, yo’. That’s jailbait like a muthafucka, but she was fine as hell though.

Naw nigga; cuz, that’s Nina’s cousin. After noticing that his information wasn’t registering, he continued, Jamal’s daughter, nigga.

For real? Mmmm. Ain’t that some shit— he was interrupted by his phone ringing.

Once Shayla finally got home, she went into the kitchen and grabbed something to eat. She got a banana nut muffin and some orange juice and headed to her room.

Hold up, Jamal called out to her on the second landing. Let me holla at cha for a minute. Shayla went back down the steps and plopped down at the kitchen table.

Yes?

How you doin’, Miss Shay? How’s them grades?

I’m good and they’re still straight A’s. What’s the deal, J?

Jamal just smirked. How was Passions?

It was cool, I had fun.

That’s good, I’m glad. Did you have fun with Q also? Shayla was totally taken aback by his question. She never considered him finding out.

Don’t look so surprised. You know what I do and who I am, so don’t even try to play me like that, Jamal said in a very calm voice. Shayla was speechless.

So what did you and Qualyn talk about?

You got someone following me now, J?

Come on now, you know that ain’t even my steeze. But I do have eyes everywhere, and if my daughter is out talking and dancing with grown ass men, then I have the right to make it my business. Right?

We only talked and danced. Damn! Since when was that a crime? It was harmless.

I’ma let that slide, since you seem upset, Jamal said, as he turned to go to his office, then he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "One more thing; don’t call him. Yeah, I know you got his numbers, and he has orders that if you do, to let chu know ain’t shit popping. Ya dig?"

Damn! It’s like that? Shayla asked, laughing to herself. She couldn’t even be mad at him.

Yup, Jamal said, looking her dead in her face. Look Shay, I just don’t wanna have to body a nigga, so can we agree to agree? he said with a chuckle.

I thought it was agree to disagree?

Nope, he said, grabbing her up out of the chair. You mad at me. I can’t have my baby gurl mad at me.

No, I’m not mad; I understand.

A’ight. What chu about to do now, besides throw that nigga’s number away?

I’m going to go bang out this homework, before I gotta go to work.

A’ight, baby gurl, he said, as he made his way to his office.

Shayla went to her room and finished her homework; she didn’t have to be to work until 6:00, so she had time to kill. She lay back on her plush pillows and closed her eyes. Scenes that she’d never experienced and flashes of the now very infamous Qualyn invaded her mind. She laid there fantasizing, until she found her fingers inside her panties, exploring herself until her juices streamed into her hand. She popped up in amazement; she had never done that before, but was now even more intrigued and turned on by Qualyn. Maybe it was the fact that he was off limits. Shayla stood up, spotted her clutch on the loveseat against the wall, and retrieved Qualyn’s number. She contemplated a while before tearing it up and flushing it.

Shayla ran her a tub full of lavender scented bubbles and took out a pair of scrubs. She took off her clothes and threw them in the hamper and sank into her whirlpool twelve-jet tub, until the bubbles hit her bottom lip. She took her time washing up and shaking off all thoughts of Qualyn. When she got out, she oiled up with some baby oil and got dressed. She grabbed her phone off the charger, her Dooney & Burke oversized bag, and went downstairs to the kitchen.

What up Shay baby? Is it time for to go to work already? Shayla’s mom, Tonya, asked her.

Yep; since you’re home, can you take me?

No. I’m tired, but you can take my car, just put some gas in it.

I can do that. Thanks Mommy, see you when I get off.

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Chapter Two

Shayla left out the house and got in the car, coasting. She wasn’t that far from the city when she was in the car, but that damn bus was a different story. However, she sometimes liked the bus rides; it was her chill time. She’d just throw on her headphones and read or think. While she was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Center and Negley, she thought she heard someone call her name, but wasn’t sure over all the intersection noise. Driving off, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in her rearview. All of a sudden, curiosity kicked in and she pulled into the Wendy’s parking lot, with a pearl white and gold Denali in tow. She knew once word