CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk) (22 page)

“She got mad when she saw me and a pawn talking to each other outside at IHOP so she tried me. I bet that’ll be her last time trying that shit, though.”

“Damn, I bet so, too.”

“So, I took her home. But, then I went to get with a new pawn that one of my other pawns put me down with. Guess who she is?”

“Who, man? Do I know her?” Rico asked anxiously.

“Hell yeah. You know her.” Monty became serious.

“Who?”

“Monica Hunter,” said Monty. He shook his head from side to side.

“What? Did you say that the new pawn is Monica Hunter?” Rico questioned.

“Yeah, Monica Hunter.
And, she was looking better than ever. I didn’t even know who she was until I got to her house. Hell, she was just as shocked to see me!”

“I can’t believe what you just told me. Man. Monica Hunter is back in town. Did you fuck her?” Rico quickly asked.

“Hell yeah! I couldn’t resist her, man. She was so sexy and fine. I tell ya, she favors Ashanti with her thick ass.”

“Damn, she ain’t looking like my baby, Ashanti, is she?”

“Yeah, man. I did the unthinkable, too.” Monty felt disappointed in himself.

“What did you do? Did you kiss her for old time’s sake, or did you eat that pussy out good to let her know who’s running thangs?”

“Hell naw. I fell asleep over there and I didn’t wake up until after two this afternoon.”

“What? You fell asleep? How in the hell did you manage to do that? Her pussy must be some kind of good.”

“I don’t know what happened, I can’t lie. She got some of the best pussy I done had. She took it like a professional, too. That shit was so good until the next thing I know, I’m waking up looking at her clock and it’s after two. Man, that ain’t the worse part. How about Candy left me.”

“What do you mean, Candy left you? She don’t know that Monica is back in town, do she?”

“Naw, but she left. She knew I’d gone to be with another woman. I didn’t even know she was calling me because my ass was knocked out and didn’t hear my phone, which had been on vibrate all night long.”

“Damn, man, whatcha gonna do now?” Rico asked as he was feeling bad for Monty.

“I don’t know, man, but I need some kind of advice. What do you think that I should do?”

“What do you wanna do?”

“I want Candy back here, but she doesn’t want to talk to me right now. She’s saying that she’ll see me when she returns to have our baby. But, she’ll text me to keep me informed about any doctor’s visits. She says I should basically take advantage of her being gone and handle my business. I believe she’s hoping I’ll go ahead and get it out of my system or something before she comes back home.”

“Well, do that. Go ahead, then. Here is your chance to make all the money you want without Candy interrupting you. When Candy returns, you can decide if you’ve done enough to let it go or is she really worth it?”

“She’s worth every bit of it. But, eventually I’ma have to explain things to Monica so she’ll know this thing between us isn’t going to last once Candy is back.”

“Are you sure that you wanna do that? Maybe you should enjoy your freedom first, then tell Monica once you’ve really decided what it is that you really wanna do or, for that matter, who you really want to be with?” Rico looked over at Monty. Monty looked back at Rico like what the fuck.

“I haven’t saw Monica since high school, man. I don’t know what or who she’s been fucking with. From what she tells me, hell, she ain’t even wifey material no more. Candy, on the other hand, is. I can mold her into the woman that I want and need her to be in my life.”

“So, how’s that working out for you so far?” Rico asked with sarcasm.

“Shut up, nigga. I didn’t say I wanted a pushover or someone that I could control. Hell, I like knowing that she speaks her mind and is stubborn sometimes. I hate that she left me, but it also shows me that she will stand up for herself if I fuck up. This type shit only makes me want her more. Damn, man. I miss her already. So, for the record, nigga, I know who I wanna be with. But, maybe you’re right, I’ll wait before I tell Monica anything.” He looked at Rico seriously. “I’m very serious about letting this shit go, man. You can take over where I left off if you want to.”

“How serious are you about that?”

“Very. You gotta know when it’s time to leave the game and it is time that I slow down a little bit. I’ve been wide open every chance I get. I’ve already saved up enough money, and by the time Candy comes back, I’ll really be on top of my game.”

“Well, let me know when I can take over the throne. I’ll be happy to assist you with that.” Rico smiled and rubbed his hands together as if he was warming them up.

“I’m going to get on outta here, man. Wanna shoot some pool later?” Monty asked, and then got up and walked over to the door.

“Yeah, that’s cool with me.”

“Call me around eight and we’ll holla then. I gotta go home and think a little bit about things, alright? But, thanks for listening, man. Now, I’ma have to listen to my mom’s big mouth trippin’ on me about Candy leaving.” Monty walked out the door and got inside of his SUV.

“Don’t worry partner. Everything is going to be alright, you’ll see.” Rico closed up Monty’s door. He cranked up his truck and left. Rico walked back inside of his house and noticed that Monty’s cell phone must have fell out of his pocket as he picked it up off of the sofa.

Damn, I’ll just have to wait until he gets home and call him and tell him that I have his cell phone here. He’ll be lost without this thing, and he’ll be really upset if he misses a call from Candy.

Monty pulled up to his house and still felt bad about Candy being gone. He got out and went inside.

“Hey, Rico just called and said you left your cell phone over his house,” Mona said while rolling her eyes at Monty.

Damn, I didn’t even know I didn’t have my phone. Let me call Rico right back.
Monty walked up the stairs and into his bedroom to make the call. “Hey, man, I’ll be back over there in about an hour to pick up my phone.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m coming out, so I’ll stop by your crib and bring it to you. But, as soon as you left, you got a text message.”

“Who is it from?” Monty asked, hoping it was from Candy.

“I haven’t read it.”

“Well, check it and let me know.”

“It says,” Rico began to read. “If you want more, then you know how and where to get it. I had a lot of fun.
Sunshine. Who the hell is Sunshine?”

“Sunshine is Monica.”

“Oh, she got it like that?” Rico smiled.

“Yeah, man. I must say, she got it like that. But, I ain’t leaving my family for her good pussy ass. However, I am going to enjoy myself and make all the money I can because she
don’t play when it comes down to paying a brotha that bread. Plus, she’s into real estate. That’s really gonna benefit me because I’m gonna get all the tips and tricks I can from her about being a successful business man. She’s doing the same thing I’m interested in investing into real soon.”

“Damn, man, she is serious. I don’t even wanna hear no more. I’ll be over there shortly, alright?”

“That’s cool,” Monty said before he ended their call.

Chapter Nineteen

M

M
onty got out of bed, walked into the bathroom, then freshened up. He yawned since he was a little tired from having a long night with Monica. He walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Mona was already sitting on one of the bar stools eating pancakes.

“Oh, so you only cook for yourself, now?” Monty asked as he grabbed a bowl out of the cabinet, and then walked over to the pantry for a box of Captain Crunch cereal.

“Yeah, something like that.” Mona hadn’t said a whole lot to Monty since Candy left almost three months ago. He hadn’t slowed down one bit and was still running the streets even more than ever. He hardly ever stayed home. Mona felt like he should’ve been moping around the house missing Candy, but he was doing the total opposite and enjoying life with her being gone.

“I’ll be glad when you start school again. This spring break thing is lasting way too long. That way, I don’t have to look in your ugly face all day,” Monty said as he poured the cereal.

“Whatever. You don’t be home anyway, so shut up. Yeah, about school, I know I haven’t been the best sister in the world to you lately, but I do appreciate you paying my tuition for school. I’m also sorry we haven’t been as close with one another, but I really miss Candy and have been taking my anger out on you. I feel better, though, after being able to go spend time with her. She looks good and is eating very well.” Mona giggled. “She’s getting bigger, too. She told me she’ll be coming back home sooner than later. Did she text you the sonogram pictures?”

“Yeah, she did. I tried to call her as soon as I got them, but she still won’t answer. Man, I miss her and it made me so happy to see those shots of my son. He already looks just like me.” Monty smiled.

“Yeah, like you can tell that already,” Mona responded. “I did want a little cute niece, but a nephew will do just fine as long as his ways are nothing like his father’s.”

“Whatever! Shut up, you ugly girl. I can tell how he looks and I can’t wait until she comes back. I’m going to be good to her this time, and take care of my family and stay outta the streets.” Monty became very serious.

“Well, only time will tell. I hope for Candy’s sake that you’re serious. She really does love you, but she ain’t taking your shit no more.” Mona got up and put her plate in the dishwasher.

“I will and you’ll see. That’s all I can say right now. You will see,” Monty said as his phone began to ring. “Hello,” he continued while eating his cereal.

“What’s up, bruh?” Rico said. He sounded worried.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” Monty asked as he noticed Rico’s tone over the phone.

“Man, I don’t know. But, I think something bad has just happened and I don’t know what to do,” Rico nervously explained.

“What happened, man?” Monty became concerned.

“I seriously need to talk to you, right now. So, if you’re doing something, please put it aside. I need you right now, man. I just don’t know what to do.”

“What are you talking about? Quit beating around the bush and just tell me what’s up.”

“Paris is pregnant,” said Rico.

“What? Did you just say Paris is pregnant?” Monty asked as he was shocked. “Didn’t I tell you to wear a condom, man? What in the hell are you thinking about! Paris is a married woman.” Monty grew a little upset with Rico for being so careless.

“I don’t know what I was thinking about, man. But, that ain’t the whole story…”

“Well, what the hell is the whole story, then?”

“Well, first off, Paris and I decided to not have the baby. She has an appointment set for next week to have the abortion. She doesn’t want her husband to return home and find out. I never had a problem with her having the abortion because I knew better than that shit from the get go. But, at the time, I was only thinking about the good pussy I was getting and not about the consequences that were sure to come later.” Rico sighed heavily in the phone. “Well, her husband came home yesterday and surprised the hell outta her. Didn’t even call and tell her he was coming home. Guess he didn’t have to if it was supposed to be a surprise, huh? Funny thing, she text messaged me last night. Told me what happened. But, just a few minutes ago, she called me crying.” Rico’s voice was really trembling.

“Why was she crying?”

“Her doctor called to explain some things about the pregnancy. He wanted to put her on some kind of prenatal vitamins, but her husband answered the phone and the doctor congratulated him on being a father.”

“What?” Monty asked quickly.

“Yeah, man, she never told the doctor she was having the abortion and now her husband knows about the baby and it’s not his.”

“Damn, man! Are you serious? What the fuck! That’s some wild shit right there, dawg. What the hell did he say?” Monty was really tripping off of the news and not in a good way.

“I have an idea of what he might have done, but I’m hoping I’m wrong, man.” Rico sounded as if he was about to cry.

“Man, calm your ass down. What are you talking about?”

“Monty, man I’m so scared right now because while she was telling me this, I suddenly heard a real loud bang. It was so loud, I dropped the phone and my ear began ringing with a tingling feeling. When I picked it back up, she was gone. I don’t wanna believe that I heard a gunshot. But, in my gut, that’s what I’m feeling.” He sounded nervous and scared.

“Calm down, man. Just calm down,” said Monty. “Did you try to call her back?”

“Yeah, I did, but her phone is now going to the voicemail. What should I do, man? I really don’t know what to do right now.” Rico’s voice continued to tremble.

“Damn, man.” Monty was really shocked by what Rico had told him. “She’s alright. I know she is. Tell you what. I’m coming over there and pick you up. We’ll ride by her house and make sure everything looks alright before you start making assumptions. It could really be nothing, ya know? Just sit tight and calm down. I’ll be there before you know it.” They ended the call. Monty poured the milk down the sink and grabbed his keys as he rushed out of the house to go pick up Rico.

He pulled up to the house and Rico rushed out the door, and then got in the Tahoe with him. Monty pulled off as they headed over to Paris’ house to make sure that everything looked okay.

“Man, I know something is not right. She would’ve called me back to explain the loud noise. I just know it,” said Rico as he was really looking upset.

“Well, just calm down, man. Maybe she couldn’t call you back. You look like you seen a ghost. I ain’t ever seen you look like this before.”

“I ain’t ever felt like this before. I knew the shit was wrong from the start, but this shit really done went too far.” Rico buried his face in the palm of his hands. Monty reached over and tapped him on the back. He realized it was a serious situation.

“Now, you know we can’t go over there. But, we can ride by their house and just make sure it looks normal. He doesn’t know who we are, so there’s no harm in doing that.” Monty said as he drove down Walton Way toward Paris’ neighborhood.

“Monty, man. I know something isn’t right. I just know it.” Rico was shaking. “That noise was so loud, my ear went deaf. I couldn’t hear anything out of it for a few minutes or so. You don’t reckon he…”

“Don’t think like that,” Monty quickly cut him off.

Monty turned into the Beverly Estates housing complex, and then drove down the long street of huge houses until he reached the street Paris lived on. As he neared her house, they immediately saw police lights and neighbors standing around. All of a sudden, Rico yelled out.

“No, man!
This shit can’t be happening right now!”

“Just calm down.
We don’t know what really happened, yet,” Monty said.

He pulled up a little more, but the police were directing traffic to turn around and go back out the other way. Monty let his window down as he spotted a nosy neighbor standing by the curbstone, and he immediately questioned him. “Excuse
me, do you know what’s going on over there?”

“It’s sad, man. That woman’s husband came home yesterday, and for some strange reason, he shot her in the head and killed her a little while ago,” the nosy neighbor said just as the police walked out of Paris’ house with her husband in handcuffs.

Rico began to nut up as he hit the dashboard over and over again. Monty tried to calm him down, but, then Paris’ lifeless body, covered in a white sheet, was rolled out of the house on a gurney. Rico really went crazy, so Monty immediately backed up and headed out of the neighborhood as fast as he could. Monty pulled up to his house, then looked over at Rico, who was still in shock and was silently staring out the window.

“Damn, man, he didn’t have to do that shit. She wasn’t even going to have the damn baby,” Rico cried as he felt bad that Paris was dead all because of their carelessness.

“You didn’t know this was going to happen, man. Just, please, try to calm down.” Monty felt even worse knowing Paris’ clingy ass was no longer with them.

“Man, I should’ve just left that woman alone. I knew she was getting attached to me, but I figured it was all a game to get back at you. So, I played along, but at what cost, man? She’s gone and there ain’t
nothing I can do to bring her back,” Rico said as the tears fell from his eyes.

They sat in the vehicle, both very shocked over the ordeal. Monty began to think about Candy and how he wanted to just end all ties with his pawns because he’d hate for something else bad to happen and it be over him.

“I’m getting out of the game, man,” Monty said. He was very serious about letting it all go. “I don’t need this kind of shit hanging over my head and I don’t wanna get caught up in no bullshit like this. All my pawns are married or have boyfriends except for Monica. She acts as if she doesn’t fall in love with no man. But, it’s been about three months now since we’ve been kicking it and she wants me over her crib damn near every night.” Monty realized the severity of the situation and tried to talk about his problems, hoping Rico could focus a little less on his and what just happened.

“Man, I’m telling you, this shit is not worth it. I’m writing off all married women. I’m hurt man. I mean, I’m really hurt that Paris is dead. This shit seems so unreal. I know she was clingy, but I wouldn’t ever wish death on her.”

“Yeah, I know, man, and I feel bad as hell, too.” The men sat in the SUV as they thought and contemplated on their life’s decisions. Monty then began to talk more about his problems while Rico still shook his head from the thought of knowing Paris was gone. “I still haven’t told Monica about Candy. But, I’m going to have to because she’s coming home soon to have our son and she is the one that I want to be with. Monica needs to know that we can’t rekindle nothing. What we had was a long time ago and things have truly changed since then. I can’t lie. I’ve racked up over sixty grand, plus a few business propositions by just fucking around with her. She has even given me the titles to a few buildings that I’ll fix up and rent out when I’m ready, but I know that she has a motive behind giving me that much money. I have to end it before somebody really gets hurt.” Monty was beginning to consider the decisions he’d made in life and if those choices were good moves or bad ones.

“Damn, man. I just can’t believe this shit. It done happened so fast until I can’t think straight. I hear what you’re saying, and I agree with you about chilling out and leaving other men women alone. I don’t wanna fuck with nobody else’s old lady again. You can pass the torch on to someone else. I don’t want it,” Rico said sadly.

“I can’t do this shit no more. I just can’t,” Monty continued as his cell phone beeped.

Hope I’ll be seeing you tonight… Sunshine

Monty sat there, staring at the screen. He thought about telling Monica they couldn’t see each other like that anymore, and then responded.

I’m handling some business right now. I’ll holla at you, later… Mo Money

Is everything okay? Sunshine

Not really… I’ll holla at you, later… Mo Money

“This is Monica now. She wants to see me, but I don’t wanna be bothered with her tonight. I done just about cut all of my pawns off for her because she keeps a brotha paid and laid just like I like it,” Monty told Rico.

“Monty, man, I hear you, but I can’t think about that right now. Please, understand. I’m so lost right now. I don’t know what to do. I did have feelings for her, ya know.”

“Come on, man. I know this shit is shocking, but you’re going to have to snap out of it if you’re going to get through this. I’m here for you, man. You just gotta be strong and trust it’ll be alright.”

“I know, man, but I feel so bad for her. This shit is
all my fault. If I wasn’t so in love with fucking her, then I would’ve known better to wear a condom. That’s how she got fucked up. My dumb ass let my juices go all up in her over and over again. I knew full well what I was doing and, now she’s gone. It’s too late to take it back.”

“I know the feeling, man. Trust me, I know the feeling.” Monty said as he thought about the day Candy left him.

“Just take me home, man. I just wanna lay down for awhile. I need to clear my head because I’m really feeling sick right now.”

“Are you sure that you wanna be alone?” Monty asked in a low tone.