Ashley's Story: THE LAST CHAPTER (12 page)

Ashley felt ten times better after the conversation she had
with Nana. She and Rio moved around the kitchen while making breakfast
together. They were bonding without talking and this was one of the things she
missed about being in a relationship. Dressed in one of Rio’s t-shirts Ashley
stood on her tiptoes to get the syrup for the pancakes.

“I almost got it," she whispered to herself.

Rio watched Ashley struggle for a couple of seconds before
walking up behind her and getting the syrup for her. He handed her the bottle
of syrup then wrapped his arms around her.

“Next time you can’t reach something in the cabinets, just
ask me and I’ll get it for you,” he said before kissing the side of her face.

Ashley rested her head on his chest and smiled. “I hear you
talking.”

“Yeah, alright Rio said as he began tickling her sides.

“Okay, okay! Stop!” she said bursting into laughter.

“If this shirt keeps rising up like it is, I’mma say fuck
this breakfast take you in the back and fuck the shit out of you.”

Ashley turned around and put her arms around his neck. “Well
in that case, let me be very cautious of my movements.”

“You do that,” he said as he pecked her on the nose.

 Hearing his phone ring he wondered who it could be calling
him early in the morning.

“Make my plate and I’ll be right back he said.

Rio’s phone had stopped ringing seconds ago. He picked up
the phone to see who called. It was Royce she had called him a couple of times
last night too. Rio felt bad. She had been calling and texting him numerous
times and he hadn’t answered not even one of her messages. He knew how she
could get if he didn’t respond. She would call him and text him over and over
and he didn’t want that, especially since Ashley was there. Against his better
judgment, he sent her a quick text.

What’s up?

Good morning to you too. I’m surprised you even
responded. Haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks. What’s good? We playing
games now? We not best friends no more?

He replied back.
Best friends? Fuck you talking about?
Never knew we were that…you wildin.

Best friends meaning fuck buddies nothing more. You
already know where my heart at and you wanna play with it… but that’s a
conversation for another day…We not gon get into it over a text. What’s really
good tho? Haven’t heard from you?

I’m confused as hell right now. You’re a hood chick.
You’re from the streets. So I know you’re aware how these things work. I’m not
a mean dude but you’re pulling my card, ma.

Card pulled. And confused about what?

No niggas going to wife a chick he bagged as fast as I
bagged you… really can’t speak for all niggas but shit I’m not…what was it? The
first night we met at the club? The back of the club, right? That’s where it
happened. If you gave me the pussy that easily, who else have you given it to?
You’re not reserved enough for me. Self respect, Royce. You can’t go fucking
with this nigga and that nigga and think I’m gon' wife you. That shit ain’t
gon’ happen.

Damn! Tell a bitch how you really feel. I thought we were
deeper than that but then again… you’re a nigga so that’s my bad for thinking
we were. We went from fucking with each other a couple of times a week to none
so with that being said you must be fucking somebody. Dudes are different but
they all move the same when it comes to shit like this. So who you fucking
with? Ashley?

I’m done with this back and forth texting shit… this is
the type of shit chicks do. So what’s up, Royce?

I’m not going to lie. I’m falling apart over this shit. I
miss you but I hear what you’re saying. I know you’re fucking with Ashley. You
don’t have to say it. But can you please come over here to talk to me? I’m at
home. I don’t have any errands until later today. I’ll be waiting on you.

Rio read the message then shook his head. He felt bad for
Royce but she knew what it was from jump.

“What’s taking you so long? You’ve been back here to long,”
Ashley asked as she stood in the doorway. She looked at his cell phone then
back at him. “Did you finish your conversation? I didn’t want to disturb you.
The food is done.”

“Good because I’m hungry as hell,” he said. He dropped his
phone on the bed and followed her in the kitchen.

Ashley was low key pissed. She knew he was texting a chick.
Her eyebrows arched slightly in anger as she chewed on a piece of bacon.

“What’s up, ma? You good? You’re being real quiet,” Rio said
as he took a sip of his orange juice.

“I’m straight,” she replied with disdain.

She wondered if her car damages had anything to do with him
and his side bitches.

“I forgot to tell you that somebody scratched up my car.”

“Where were you when they messed up your car? What did they
do to it he asked with wide eyes.

Ashley shrugged her shoulders. “They had the nerve to carve
LYING BITCH on the side of it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this last night?”

“It was the last thing on my mind. All I could think about
was us arguing earlier at my place and I wanted to make it right between us.
Now I’m wondering if you have any idea who could’ve done that shit to my car.”

“How the fuck would I know some shit like that? I don’t
dabble in girly shit.”

 “Sounds like a woman scorned to me and since you’re the
only dude I’ve been hanging out with then…”Ashley let what she said linger in
the air.

Rio nodded his head. After texting Royce, he let what Ashley
just told him register. He knew there was a possibility it could’ve been her
and that pissed him off.

“Hold up,” he said. Rio got up from the table.  He returned
seconds later with two stacks of money in his hand.

“That’s thirty thousand right there. Get your car fixed
today. Let me know if you need more money

Ashley looked at the money and shook her head. “That’s not
the point, Rio.”

“I have money; I don’t need yours. I can get my ride fixed.
The point is, are you fucking with somebody? If so, how the fuck does that
bitch know where I rest my head? These are the type of things I’m not willing
to deal with. You’re showing me one thing and then telling another bitch
something else. I’m not down with that shit and I’m not going to play these
games. Been here before and I’m not willing to go back down that same road.
I’ll leave that to the next bitch. I’ll be the first to tell you that my temper
is on a hundred. I like you but this is the type of shit that will turn me into
the old me. I don’t want that and I’m not going to settle for it so it’s going
to be me and only me. Tell that bitch what it is or I’m out.”    

Rio understood her position but he didn’t like the way it
was delivered.

“Are you finished? You’re coming out the mouth at me like
I’m some little nigga. You’re real hyped right now. I’mma need you to calm the
fuck down. I’m sorry for your car. I’mma take care of it. The bitches I fuck
with will be put in their place as soon as I step foot out this muthafucka. The
one thing you and me are not gonna do is let outsiders interfere with what we
have going on. The feelings I have for you are new to me. I wouldn’t want you
to stop fuckin’ with me off the strength of another bitch’s actions but I’m not
going to beg you to stay. Just know that I want you to stay. That choice is
yours. Breakfast was good, ma,” he said standing up from the table,

He walked over to her and kissed her on the side of the
cheek before pulling out the kitchen drawer to take out the spare key.

“This is for you. Please lock up before you leave.” he put
the house key down in front of her before walking out.

When Rio walked out of the kitchen, Ashley closed her eyes
and sighed deeply. She could hear the shower running and knew that he would be
leaving soon. Ashley was still angry but what could she do but trust his word.
She got up and put the dishes in the dishwasher then went into the living room
to watch TV. Twenty minutes later Rio walked into the living room looking
handsome as ever. The red YSL shirt looked perfect against his skin tone. He
looked like money with faded denim jeans and a long gold chain with a cross
medallion hanging from his neck.

“I’m jealous. You look comfortable as hell lying on the
couch. Really wish I could chill with you today,” he said as he messaged
Ashley’s thigh.

“Me too,” she said sitting up so she could stick the tip of
her tongue inside his mouth. Their kiss lasted a couple of seconds before she
sat back down.

“Make sure you take your car to the body shop so it can get
fixed. If you need me for anything, call my cell. I see you left the money on
the table. Make sure you use it.

Rio grabbed his keys off of the coffee table and walked out
of the door. Ashley got up off the couch and looked out the window at Rio. He
walked over to her car and looked at the damages before he got into his car.
Thinking quickly, she ran into his room and put her clothes back on before
picking up the money and the key to the house. “If I go over to this bitch’s
house and his car is there. We’re going to have a problem,” Ashley said to herself
as she backed out of his driveway.

Driven by anger, it only took her fifteen minutes to reach
her destination. Rio’s car was parked right in front of Royce’s house just like
she expected it would be.

“I know this bitch wasn’t the one who fucked up my car over
a nigga,” she said as she parked her car behind his.

Ashley pulled her cell phone out of her purse and called Rio
.The phone went straight to voicemail and that infuriated her even more.

He must think I’m a fucking joke,
Ashley thought as
she got out of the car and walked to her trunk to get her tennis shoes.

She believed in keeping a pair of extra tennis shoes in her
trunk. A lady had to be prepared at all times and Ashley was glad that she was
at that moment. All she wanted to know was what the fuck was he doing there and
if Royce was the one who fucked up her ride because if she was they were going
to have problems. Ashley looked around at her surroundings before putting her
hair up into a ponytail. With her eyebrows arched in anger, Ashley walked up to
the door like she was on a mission. She kicked the door as hard as she could
with her foot.

 “Why the fuck are you kicking on my goddamn door like that?
It better be an emergency! Royce yelled.

She answered the door with an angry expression on her face.
Her expression changed as soon as she saw who it was.

“What up, Ash?”

Ashley looked at Royce’s smiling face and then over her
shoulder. Rio was nowhere in sight and she wondered where he could be. She
looked at Royce like she’d lost her mind.

“Why you looking at me like that, boo?” she asked as she
stuck her head further out of the screen door. “What’s the problem?”

Ashley cut straight to the point. “Bitch, are you fuckin’
serious right now? Are you the one who fucked up my damn car? Keep that shit
real with me.”

“What? Why would I fuck with your car? What reason would I
have to do some shit like that?” Royce asked matching Ashley’s loud tone and
facial expression.

Ashley looked into her eyes for any signs of the truth. She
couldn’t tell if Royce was lying or not and she hated that she wasn’t readable.
Her gut was telling her that Royce fucked up her car. If it wasn’t her, what
the hell was Rio doing there?

“Don’t be a scary bitch. Tell the truth,” Ashley said.

“Scared of who? You not gon’ beat my ass,” Royce said. She
brushed Ashley off as if she was joking. “What did they carve into your car?
That you were a liar because that’s exactly what you are.” 

Ashley snatched the screen door from her and hit her in the
face with it.

“You bitch!” Royce screamed when she tasted the blood in her
mouth. “How dare you hit me!”

Royce tackled Ashley and they both tumbled down the three
steps leading up and down the porch. Ashley was quicker than Royce was and got
up first. 

“Bitch, what were you thinking when you did that shit to my
car,” she yelled at Royce hysterically.

A couple of kids and adults stood curbside watching the
fight and whispering to one another.

“What the fuck?” Rio barked when he looked out the window at
all the loud commotion. Realizing it was Ashley and Royce fighting. He jogged
out of the house, picked Ashley up, and put her over his shoulder.

“Rio, put me down!” she said breathlessly. “I’m serious. Put
me down! Did you forget I have on a dress?”

“Did you? You out here fighting and shit,” he scolded her
before putting her down beside her car. “Look at these damn people standing
around watching you act like a damn fool. Stop that shit. It’s not lady like. 

Ashley looked up at him with anger dancing in her eyes. She
placed her hands on her hips and pointed over his shoulder.

“I knew that bitch did this shit to my car. She just
confessed.” Ashley was so angry tears started to build in her eyes.

“I gave you the money to fix it, didn’t I?”

“It still doesn’t make the shit right. And why the fuck are
you over here in the first fucking place?”

“I’m doing what you asked me to. I’m letting her know what’s
up.”

“You fucking bitch!” Royce stood in her yard yelling. “I’m
calling the fucking police on your ass! Fucking convict.”

“Convict? Bitch, you’re one too!” Ashley yelled back.

“Stop this shit, Ashley. I want you to get in your car and
leave. She’s not gon’ call the police.”

Royce ran out of her yard and lunged for Ashley but was
quickly stopped by Rio.

“We’re not gonna do that. Take your ass back in the house.”

With tears falling from her eyes, Royce shook her head. “You
told me that you two were just friends, Ashley. What happened to that?