"Then he told me to cuff you myself." Riley huffs, watching her eat her salad. "And Lord knows I tried." The part he muttered, turning to look outside the window.
"Riley, you're not going to eat?" Natalie asks and he shakes his head.
"I didn't know we was finna go anywhere, so I left my wallet."
"I'll-"
"You not payin for me, Nat." he says, crossing his arms. "That shit don't work for me."
"But I feel bad if I'm eating and you're not."
"Don't be. I can eat at home."
"Have some of my salad." She says, pushing the plate toward him.
"No, Nat. I'm fine."
"Riley." She says. She said his name in the sweetest way, but he could hear the 'I'm not playin wit you' undertones. It made him smirk and take the plate and fork from her.
Huey did not deserve her.
She sports a smug but still sweet smile as he ate and pushes it back toward her. He loved this woman so much.
"Okay." He starts, still chewing. "I have a plan on getting Jazmine out of his life and-"
"Riley, no." She says, her smile dying and her eyes filling with sadness. He was the only one who'd see her like this. She would always give everyone else smiles that hid her negative emotions and even though they didn't hide them too well, he got the emotions straight with no filter.
She didn't hide anything from him because he didn't expect her to be the perfect smiling Natalie she always was. He wanted her true self and she let him see. She granted him access to something sacred, something that Huey wasn't able to see because he left too soon. Riley had almost taken Huey's spot in her life. Almost. He wished the two of them didn't love each other so much.
But then again, Huey wanted nothing to do with her because he couldn't handle it. But Riley could. Riley wanted it. He wanted to be selfish and have all of Natalie's love, but he knew he never would. She was so deeply in love with his older brother, no date to any prom or lunch outing or anything could change that.
No amount of time spent, hugs given, or jokes laughed at could change the love she had for Huey.
So, Riley chose the next best thing. Being her best friend. And he was content. He wasn't going to try and steal her away from Huey. He was going to get them back together.
"I appreciate it, but Huey's happy."
"He's not." Riley says. "And neither are you. Y'all both know that."
"Jazmine gives him something I can't. She keeps him occupied."
"With what? Mediocre sex? Trust me, she not that good." Riley shakes his head. "She can't give him a damn thing that he needs. She doesn't fucking love him. You do. You can give him what he knows he wants and needs."
"He doesn't get tired of her though." She says quietly, launching them into silence.
Riley exhales. "Natalie, for right now, you gotta move on. Date another nigga."
"I won't ever be able to."
"Date another nigga anyway. Make Huey jealous."
"I don't even know anyone." She mutters, playing with the salad.
"I do."
-bloop-
"Look, remember your place nigga. Don't do anything that makes her uncomfortable or imma have to deal with you."
"I get it." The dread head says, ready to take a step past Riley and into the house, but Riley puts a hand on his chest, stopping him.
"I'm dead ass. She's gonna tell me whatever happens when I'm not around, and if I don't like the sound of something, she not gon be able to stop me from beatin yo ass."
"Aight Riley, damn."
"I'm just making sure you understand the position you putting yourself in. Yo life is on the line nigga."
While Riley was talking to Caesar, Natalie was awkwardly sitting on the couch with Huey.
"I didn't know you were coming over."
"Yeah." She says. "Riley and I were watching tv until he got a text and went outside."
"Probably one of his jealous ex 'girlfriends'." He mutters and she nods. The two sit in silence, the both of them staring at the television, but not watching. How could she. She was a whirlwind of emotions.
"Huey-" Natalie was cut off by the door opening, Riley walking in and Caesar right behind him. Riley eyes Huey, who had sat on the couch, but chose not to say anything.
"Nat, come meet Caesar." Riley says, moving to the side to reveal him. Natalie watches, a confused look on her face, but she got up and walked over.
"Uhm, hi Caesar." She says, holding her hand out to him. Riley's eyes flicker to Huey, who had been watching the interaction and smirks.
"He a football player at our school."
"Yeah." Natalie says, a small smile on her face. "The newest player. Number…"
"Twenty three." He says, licking his lips. She gives him a bigger smile, one that Riley hadn't seen in a long time. "You're a cheerleader, right?"
"Yeah. Captain of our Varsity team." She says, then a small frown graces her face. "You haven't played yet, have you?"
"Nah, but once I do, I'll be the star player." He says, smirking.
"Well, I guess we'll see." She says, crossing her arms. "Maybe you'll be able to kick Travis off his high horse."
"That one nigga with the baby dreads?" Caesar asks, making Natalie laugh and nod. "He's so fucking annoying. But he's a good wide receiver."
"I don't really pay attention like that." She says, shrugging. "I just stand on the sidelines and cheer." He gives her a smirk that makes her smile.
"Y'all tryna watch some tv?" Riley asks, moving over to the couch.
"Alright." Caesar says, watching as Natalie follows behind Riley.
"That's what we were doing, Riley." She says, crossing her arms. "Then you ditched me."
"That's my bad." Caesar says. "I wanted to chill, I didn't know Reez already had plans."
"It's alright." Natalie says. "I was just joking." The three of them sit down and Riley looks over to Huey, who was sporting a more angry than usual scowl.
"You finna watch tv wit us?" He asks, and Huey looks over, watching as Caesar drapes his arm over the top of the couch, right where Natalie was sitting. His eyes narrow.
"No. I have things to do." He says, getting up.
"Oh, well, see you later Huey." Natalie says, watching him go. She doesn't get any response and he harshly opens the door and slams it on his way out, making her jump a bit. "Is he okay?" She asks, turning to face Riley.
"He cool. You know how he gets sometimes." Riley says, waving his hand. "He always moody."
Natalie internally sighs, turning back to the television. She wanted to run after him and take him into her arms and kiss him. She couldn't though. Not only was it not her place, but he had a girlfriend. She already messed up with him once, her emotions getting the better of her.
"I gotta pee." Riley says, getting up. "I'll be back."
"Alright." Natalie quietly says as he gets up and walks out. Caesar's arms slides down the top of the couch and onto her shoulders, making her turn to face him.
"Oh, my bad." He says, pulling his arm away.
"It's fine." She says, looking back at the tv. She was too preoccupied with her aching heart to really say anything else.
"Hey, Natalie?"
"Yeah?" She asks, looking at him.
"You tryna go out sometime? Like… just us?"
She opens her mouth to reject him, then closes it. "I don't know." She says, looking down. She wasn't ready for a new relationship, even though it has been four years. She just… she would never ever get over Huey, especially since she sees him every single day. He was her first love and she assured herself he would be the last.
To be honest, she tried to like other guys before. After it happened, she wanted to get out there. She became very spirited and started cheering, something that she ended up loving. She tried to flirt with football players, but it just didn't feel right. The only thing that felt right was being with Huey. Huey was the only guy that really mattered to her. Well, Riley meant a lot too. He helped her with a lot. He helped her get over the several bursts of depression she went through, and the time she was borderline bulimic.
"I mean, it's okay if you don't want to-"
"It's not that… It's just… I'm not ready." She says, looking to the side. How lame was she, still hung up on a nigga from eighth grade. She shouldn't have even know what a boyfriend was at that age. But there was just something about Huey that attracted her.
"Got over a bad breakup?" He asks, and she closes her eyes.
"Yeah." Four years ago. She was so childish. Like, she should have been over him. He obviously got over her and showed it by the love he gave Jazmine. It wasn't much, seeing as he's the stoic, retired domestic terrorist he is today, but it was more than he gives her.
"Sorry for reminding you." He says, and she gives him a small smile, the one she gets when she feels negative emotions, and he couldn't tell the difference between this smile and her real smile.
"It's cool."
"Uhm… I'll wait for you." He says, coughing a bit. "I mean, I've liked you for a while. I've seen you around Riley, and since he was my nigga I'd always ask about you. He didn't tell me nothin cuz he's hella protective of you and I get that. Uhm, he told me he was chillin with you tonight and I begged him to let me come over. I really owe him one, and I don't regret it." He rambles, and Natalie's smile turns a little more genuine. "Like, when I first saw you, I was like 'damn I really need to get her. I wanna be her nigga hella bad.' And I asked around, found out you were a cheerleader and I immediately signed up for this football team. I mean, I've always liked football and was always good at it, but I didn't really wanna play this year. I was just thinking 'damn, how good would it be if she cheered for me yo' you know?" She raises an eyebrow and he looks down. "What I'm saying is… I really like you." He chuckles, slightly embarrassed.
"Uhm… that's sweet." She says, tucking some of her dark hair behind her ear. The two of them make eye contact and sit there for a second before Caesar leans forward a bit. Their lips had brushed against each other before the door opens, revealing Huey. He takes in the sight of the two with a frown, watching as Caesar places a hand on Natalie's face, pressing more into the kiss.
Natalie's eyes open, and she places her hands on his chest, ready to push him off, but he's pulled back. She looks up, watching as Huey drags Caesar by the dread.
"What the hell are you doing nigga?" Caesar shouts, clawing at Huey's hands. "Let go of my hair you little bitch!"
"What the hell is going on?" Riley asks, walking in as Natalie follows Huey out of the door, pleading with him to let go.
"Huey, what are you doing? Huey!" She shouts, watching as Huey lets him go.
"Stay the fuck away." Huey growls, watching as Caesar gets up and lunges for him.
"Guys!" Natalie shouts, moving closer to stop the fight, but Riley grabs her hand.
"Don't get hurt fucking with these childish ass niggas." Riley says, shaking his head as Huey dodges all of Caesar's attacks.
"Riley, we cannot let them fight!" Natalie says, pulling her hand away and running to them. She goes straight to Huey right as he punches Caesar in the mouth. He pulls his arm back to deal another blow, but Natalie tackles him, wrapping her arms around his torso and pushing him away. The two of them stumble to the side and away from Caesar, who was ready to lunge once more.
Riley sucks his teeth, but smirks. His plan had worked. "Y'all some niggas." He says, crossing his arms.
"Natalie, get off of me." He says, grabbing her arms and moving to pry them off of him.
"Huey, don't fight him." She says, keeping her head on his chest. He looks down at her, unwillingly noting how nice she felt around him. "Please."
Caesar grits his teeth, not moving. He wasn't going to take the chance to attack again and hurt Natalie. He wouldn't ever put her in danger. So he stayed away. But why did she got to that nigga? Why would she go straight to him? Probably because she's known him longer. He clenches his fists, angry and slightly jealous.
Huey's eyes flicker to Caesar before falling back on Natalie, who had looked up at him. He grabs her arms, pulling them off of him and inhales. Her arms fall to her side, and she takes a step back, but he grabs her once more, his hands harshly gripping her and she winces a bit. Or, well she would have if he hadn't lifted her a bit and devoured her with his lips. She felt her heart leap to her throat, as if he was sucking it right out of her and she relaxes a bit to his touch, not minding the slight pain from his hands.
She shouldn't like this. She should be so against this. She wasn't going to help him cheat on his girlfriend. But every time his lips touched hers, she melted. She couldn't help it. She was so deeply in love with him.
He was so in love with her.
The thought popped into his mind without his consent and he drops her, pulling away from her and taking a step back. She watches, eyes wide and falls on her butt, her knees being too weak to support her. He looks down at her, a slightly confused scowl on his face before turning around and walking back into the house, the other three watching.
Once he walks back inside, Caesar looks down at Natalie, who was still on the ground, her lips parted, still on cloud nine. Well, at least she was descending back to earth.
"Nat." Riley says, dragging her back down quicker than she initially wanted. She looked up at him, at his outstretched hand and takes it, letting him help lift her up. "You okay?"
"Yeah." She breathes out, closing her eyes. "I'm alright." She says, opening her eyes. The look in her brown eyes killed him. She looked so sad. Huey running away did not help. Before he could comment on it, she places a fake smile on her face, one that made Riley internally cringed. He hated it when she hid her feelings. He hated it so much. "Can you take me home?" She asks, looking over at his house.
"Yeah." He says, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
