Savage Instinct (22 page)

“
Whatever you say.” Lexi looked at her ring and wondered if she would be Ms. Hope one day, tired of the hustle and ready for something secure.
Harold has money, but will that be secure? Would he be able to take care of me forever?

Ms. Hope had some square ass nigga that knew nothing about the hustle. He probably had a nine to five that could barely afford one outfit she wore out of the month. He loved her, bought her roses and small trinkets, but it was nothing. She bought him thousand dollar gifts, took him on exotic vacations, and showed him a life he had only dreamed of. Lexi knew that would only last for so long, and she would be crawling back to the life she was used to living. Lexi knew how the game went, and that was why her workers met once a week and chill with each other. They shared stories, personal lives, and got to know each other. If she knew nothing else, she knew when niggas got to know each other on a personal level they wouldn’t jump ship.

She spent two weeks with Harold and even did a few guest appearances at a couple of clubs while she was in LA, but it was time for her to get back home. Harold would visit her next when their schedules permitted.

Just as she suspected, when she got back from LA Bianca told her Ms. Hope called several times, trying to get in touch with her. When Lexi returned the call, Ms. Hope admitted that she thought she made a mistake and wanted to take her empire back over.

“
Well, if your team wants you back, then they are all yours.”

Lexi often got under minded because she was young. People didn’t think she could handle business and keep her head straight being a seventeen year old girl. She loved the doubters because she always made them believers. When Ms. Hope came back and thought she was going to reclaim her clan, she got a rude awakening.

Everyone sat quiet with their heads down. They gave her respect and listened to what she had to say, but at the end of the day they weren’t down for her anymore. They all knew Lexi well and knew she would speak for all of them.

When Ms. Hope was done, she met Lexi in her office and looked around. “Nice.”

“
Yea, it’s how boss bitches do it.”

“
Look, you little bitch, I can give up names and crumble this whole operation. I can turn your lil’ young ass in and get Harold in a lot of trouble for shooting movies with an underage girl. Bitches forget I made this shit,” Ms. Hope said, reaching for needles in a haystack.

“
Go ahead, boo. I’ve expanded further than you could ever touch. You gave it up and gave me the control, don’t get mad because I did what you couldn’t,” Lexi said smoothly. “Oh, and Harold and After Dark Productions, take a shot, you will be shot down.” The last thing Lexi ever wanted to do was get Harold in any kind of trouble, but she knew Ms. Hope wouldn’t take it there.

“
I will take your black ass down.”

Lexi shrugged her shoulders and let out a girlish laugh. “In case you forgot, I’m a grown ass woman. I rule everything I touch.” She extended her hand across the table and let her manicured nail stop just short of Ms. Hope’s hand. “And, if I touch you again, I’ll rule your old ass and have you on my payroll. We can do this however you want, but best believe I’ll win.” Lexi reached in her drawer and pulled out a nail file. She pretended to file her nails. “Take your old ass to that safe ass nigga that can keep you comfortable in outlet shit that may keep you just one notch above the bitches in your life right now. If you were smart, you saved enough money to maintain, if not, your loss. You want a war, you got one, boo boo.”

Ms. Hope fumed. She didn’t have strength for a war and she was pissed that Lexi read her like an open book. Her man’s bank account was definitely smaller than hers and she got tired of taking care of him. He had no idea of her wild, sex filled life and he was so common. It took her forever to get him to be comfortable with toys in the bedroom. Ms. Hope thought it was cute at first, but not being able to let loose drove her crazy. She put in a porn that had a gangbang going on and her man lost it. She tried all girl porn and he was disgusted. He was happy with straight, one man, one woman sex. She was happy single and miserable married, but she did it to herself.

She let out a small laugh. “You’re right, Sexi Lexi. I made my bed and I have to lie in it. Keep your head on straight and don’t let some love bullshit take you off your game.”

Ms. Hope smoothed her skirt, blew Lexi a kiss, and walked out of her office. Lexi finally exhaled. She didn’t want to take it there with Ms. Hope because she still had a small bit of love for her, but she was prepared if she had to.

Chapter 20

“
Lexi, I’m in love.”

Lexi sat across from Bianca and kept a straight face. She knew her girl would die looking for love, and she kinda wanted her to find it. She had become the most normal, whatever normal was.

“
If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you, boo. Who is this dude?”

“
Remember the one I mentioned a time or two, Rick?” Bianca knew Lexi was hella against love so she tried to contain her excitement from her. She wanted to be sure first, and she was.

“
Oh yea, I remember the name.”

“
Well, he’s met the family, including the kids. I’m really feeling him, and I think he’s feeling me, too.”

“
What’s his story?”

“
He has twin boys with his high school sweetheart. They were supposed to get married, but she got cold feet and left him and the kids. He’s really a nice guy. He has a job in the IT department at Children’s Hospital.”

“
Does he know everything about you?”

“
Yes. He’s never judged me. He’s been supportive and pushes me to be better.”

“
Are you going to leave me?”

“
I love my job, Lex, you know that. I have flexible hours, the pay is great, and the medical is off the chain.”

Lexi laughed. “I’m going to get a little emotional for a moment, so don’t mind me. We’ve been friends a long time and I don’t trust many muthafuckas, but I trust you with my life. I couldn’t imagine having anyone else as my right hand besides you. I’m in and out of a lot of shit, and I need to trust the person I put in charge to have my back. If this guy is who you want, really, I’m happy for you, but how do you know he’s the one?”

“
I feel it. I have my own now, I don’t need a nigga paying bills or giving me money to maintain. We’re on the same level.” It was quiet for a while. “Look, Lex, you’re my girl and this is the only reason Imma say this, Harold is your one. I’ve never seen two people more made for each other. When he’s around, you glow, and for a bitch as dark as you, glowing is a special job,” Bianca joked.

Lexi shook her head. “I don’t have time to get caught up. That love shit is for the birds. You give up shit, you be who the person wants you to be, have a kid or two, then you’re left high and dry, taking on responsibilities you aren’t ready for. You get cold and bitter, and then you get old and lonely.”

“
Don’t you see, Lex? You’re already cold and bitter. You’re so scared of love you won’t give it a try. You’ve been raised and bred to be a cold hearted bitch, and you’ve taken that to heart.” She reached across the desk and put her hand on top of Lexi’s. “You deserve to be loved, too.”

Lexi shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Harold is cool. I love chilling with him. But, love ain’t shit. You get shitted on in love. He was leaving message after message about how he was in love and missed me, and when I popped up on his ass he was fucking two bitches. That’s what niggas do, so it wasn’t a letdown because I already expected it.”

“
That’s what you guys do, so you know him fucking other bitches was nothing.”

“
It wasn’t, but for a nigga to talk all that love shit, he sure didn’t have a problem moving on. I got your back no matter what and I hope this nigga all you think he is, but while you chasing love, I’m chasing dollars.”

“
Dollars can’t hold you at night and give you the security you crave.”

Lexi laughed. “Shit, in my world, the almighty dollar rules every muthafucking thing. If it don’t make dollars, it damn sure don’t make sense.”

“
Harold makes dollars, plenty of them. You know that.”

“
I’m fucked up, he’s fucked up, and together, nothing but fucked up bullshit will transpire. I’m a realist. How many people you thought would be together forever? How many people have you known that made you drop your jaw because they split? Love is overrated.”

“
You didn’t think that when you loved Bank Roll.”

Hearing his name made her heart stop. So many years had passed, but words could have never expressed the emptiness she felt from him being ripped from her life so soon. She knew she’d never love anyone like she loved him, and she didn’t want to try. She knew everything she shared with him was the main reason she stayed as emotionless as she was. She had a lot of fun and a lot of great sex, but emotions weren’t part of her master plan.

“
You’re right, I didn’t think that. He was my one love in life and I’m cool with that.”

“
Don’t you get tired of being lonely? Don’t you want someone that has your back?”

Lexi laughed. “This sounds like a convo we had a few years ago. Bianca, I know you want love and I’m more than happy if you’ve found that. I want you to have more happiness than you can stand, and respect that right now I’m happy.”

Bianca sighed. “I believe you, Lex. I guess we all have our own definition of happiness. Anyways, I’m having a que this weekend for Shaquanisha birthday.”

“
Damn, I forgot her birthday coming up. How old she about to be?”

“
Girl, her lil’ grown butt turning six. And, what kind of godmother are you that don’t even know the kids’ ages?”

“
You know times flies in my life.”

“
You need to slow down every once in a while.”

“
I’ll be there. So, is lover boy gonna be there?”

“
Yes, that’s why I really want you to come. Everybody’s been asking about you. We just gonna chill out and enjoy life.”

“
Sounds good to me. Want me to bring anything?”

“
Just you.”

“
I’ll be there with bells on.”

“
I’ve invited the staff to come and I made sure no one had any dates set up for Saturday.”

“
So, you took it upon yourself to take money out of my pockets, huh?”

Bianca looked nervous. Her and Lexi was tight, but she knew Lexi was about business. “I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds, I’ll…”

Lexi laughed. “Damn, bitch, I’m fucking with you. I love it. We need to spend time together and let our hair down.”

Saturday rolled around and Lexi was at Bianca’s house bright and early to help out any way she could. She brought several bottles of alcohol along with cases of beer and Smirnoffs.

“
Did you buy the whole store?” Bianca’s mother asked when she opened the door.

“
I just wanted to make sure there was enough. It’s a kid’s party, but you know how we do it.”

“
Hell yea. Let’s get it popping.” Tootie, Bianca’s mother, had gone to rehab and vowed to stay clean of drugs. She still drank a few beers, maybe a shot of alcohol, but that was it.

“
Baby, Lexi’s here. I really want you to meet her,” Bianca said to Rick, who was grilling meat. She pulled him from the grill and through the house. “Lexi!” she screamed as if she hadn’t seen her in ages. She beamed all over, ready to show off her man.

Lexi put on the biggest smile possible. “Hey, girl. You looking good today.” She turned her attention to Rick. “And, you must be the guy taking up all my girl’s free time these days.” She gave him a warm hug.

“
I’ve heard so much about you, Lexi. It’s good to finally meet you.”

“
Same here.”

“
Well, let’s get this party started.” Lexi popped a bottle of champagne and toasted to their love.

“
I love you, girl.”

“
Auntie Lexi, what you get me for my birthday?”

“
It’s rude to ask for presents,” Bianca scolded.

Lexi shook her head. “No, it’s not, sweetie. Your birthday is your special day and anyone in your presence should have something for you.” Shaquanisha looked at her mother and gave a smirk as if to say, ‘I told you so.’ Lexi went in her huge purse and pulled out something. “Now that we talking about it, I think I got something special just for you.” She gave the black, velvet box to Shaquanisha. She opened it to reveal a caret of diamond, teardrop earrings. Lexi stooped down to her level. “Diamonds and platinum are a girl’s best friend, and let these diamond teardrops be the only ones you shed.” Lexi gave her a big hug. “I love you.”

“
Thank you, Auntie Lexi, and I love you.”

“
We about to turn this party out.” BJ walked over to hug Lexi. “Look at my lil’ BJ getting all big. You almost tall as me now.” He smiled and ran off. There was no party like a Bay party, no matter if it was for kids or adults, they partied like no other.