Never Be The Same Page 9

  "No, actually I'm going to go and live the good life,” Alex told him.

  "Something you and I never got a chance to do because we were always so busy looking for our next victim" he said. "We’ve been doing this for over fifteen years. I'm tired of doing the same ole shit. It’s time for me to start doing new things."

  "Sell out mufucka" Victor whispered. He wasn't trying to hear nothing his brother had to say. In his eyes, his older brother had turned into a pussy.

  "I've been looking at this nice house I think I'm going to buy it when we get back," Alex said. "Start owning some property and get on the right track. I’m gonna go on a few vacations and start enjoying some of this money we had to work so hard to get."

  "Yeah whatever!" Victor waved his brother off. As far as Victor was concerned, he didn't have anything else to say to his brother. When the two brothers reached the airport, Victor walked way ahead of Alex not wanting anything to do with him. Alex shook his head at how petty his brother was acting. He paid him no mind as he boarded the plane. Alex took a seat in the front of the plane while Victor sat in the back. Alex grabbed a magazine and began flipping through the pages. He needed something to help the time pass on the long flight and sleeping in public was something he never did, so the magazine was going to have to do. Alex looked up from his magazine when he heard a soft woman's voice say. "Hey, how are you doing?"

  "Hey,” Alex said looking up at the beautiful black woman that sat in the seat next to him. The woman was in her mid-twenties, brown hair, slim, and long legs. She wore a regular pair of jeans, heels, and a woman's wife beater but she still looked good.

  "You got enough room," Alex asked checking the woman out.

  "Yes, thanks I'm fine,” the woman replied also checking Alex out. The two went five minutes without say a word to the other until Alex decided to break the ice.

  "So what's a pretty woman like you doing traveling all alone?"

  "Last time I checked I was a grown woman," the woman replied. "And I know how to handle myself."

  "So are you single," Alex said knowing that would bring a smile to the woman's face.

  "Single and proud,” the woman said proudly. "What about yourself?"

  "I'm also single and proud,” Alex replied. "I'm Alex," he said as he extended his hand.

  "Peaches,” the woman replied taking Alex's hand into hers. "So do you always try to pick up women on the plane?"

  "Only beautiful ones,” Alex said. In his line of work, he wasn't used to talking to woman often, so he was using his best game.

  "Well today must be my lucky day,” Peaches smiled. The man sitting next to her was handsome and she could tell that he was a nice person. She wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better. "So do you live in New York?"

  "Yes what about yourself" Alex asked.

  "Unfortunately,” Peaches replied. "I'm currently living with my mother trying to save up enough money so I can move as far away from New York as possible."

  "Moving out of New York might not be a bad idea," Alex said feeling her pain. Now that he was out of the game Alex wasn't sure what his next move was going to be. He had enough money to last him for a lifetime and no plans. Alex didn't know what his next move was, but one thing he did know was that he was going to have fun and enjoy himself in the process of spending his money. "When we land in New York would you care to join me for dinner?"

  "I would love to" Peaches answered. "I'm starving."

  Victor sat in the back of the plane thinking about how he was going to survive being a one man show. It was definitely going to be new to him, but Victor had confidence in himself and his gun. As long as he had his two 45's by side, he felt as if he were invincible. For the rest of the ride back to New York Victor made plans on what he was going to do since his brother had chickened out on him.

  The Day Before

  Jeezy sat in the brand new house he had just purchased. He looked around making sure everything was perfect. Paige was finally getting released from prison tomorrow and he wanted everything to be perfect when she came home. On the outside, he looked regular, but on the inside, he was super nervous. It had been so long since the two had lived together, that he wondered how it was going to be sleeping with her every night and waking up to her every morning again. Some nights he found himself still thinking about Pink. It had been two weeks since the last time that they had spoke. Jeezy wished things wouldn't have ended so ugly, but it was what is.

  Jeezy sat on the couch watching SportCenter when he heard a light knock at the door. When Jeezy opened the door, he sighed loudly when he saw Pink standing on the other side with several bags of groceries in her hands.

  "What are you doing here and how did you find out where I moved to," Jeezy asked with a scowl on his face.

  "You play too much," Pink said pushing past Jeezy. "I always know how to find my man. Now where do you want me to put these groceries?"

  "Listen,” Jeezy said grabbing Pink's arm firmly. "This is not a fucking joke! Don't just be popping up at my muthafucking house! I told you I was done with you!"

  "You can't just wake up one morning and just break up with me because you feel like it," Pink said looking him up and down. "It doesn't work like that."

  As Jeezy sat there listening to her ramble at that very moment he regretted ever getting intimate with Pink. She definitely had a few screws loose. "Listen Paige will be home tomorrow and I can't have you just popping up," he told her. "Our thing was fun while it lasted, but now it's time to let it go."

  Pink looked at Jeezy as if he was speaking another language before she replied. "You play too much and I ain't got time for your playing hard to get. Now what do you want me to cook?" She said as she headed for the kitchen.

  "Look bitch!" Jeezy grabbed her arm and spun her around so she could face him. "Take these fucking groceries and get the fuck out,” he said forcing her back towards the door.

  "You heartless bastard!" Pink screamed emotionally as she yanked her arm free and went crazy on Jeezy. She swung her arms wildly at his face trying to hit or scratch anything she could. Jeezy did his best to restrain her, but a few of her punches managed to slip through his guards catching him in his grill. Out of reflex Jeezy spun around and smacked Pink down to the floor.

  She laid down on the floor looking up at him in shock holding the side of her face. "No you didn't just put your hands on me,” she said in a harsh whisper.

  "I'm sorry I didn't mean,”

  "You are going to wish you never did that," Pink said with fire in her eyes as she got up off the floor and left slamming the door behind her.

  Jeezy looked at the door and shook his head. He had never put his hands on a woman before in his life. He felt bad about hitting Pink, but in all reality, that's just what she needed. Jeezy picked up all the groceries from off the floor and finished preparing things so when Paige got home everything would be perfect. Jeezy didn't know what Pink had up her sleeve, but if she did anything to mess him and Paige's relationship up then she would have more to worry about than a slap.

  Misery Loves Company

  Victor drove around the city aimlessly sipping from his bottle of Bacardi 151. He couldn't believe his brother Alex had just up and quit on him leaving him out to dry. Not only that, but Victor had heard that his brother had just purchased a big house and was supposed to be in love with some woman he barely knew. Victor turned his bottle up, as he slowed down for a red light. All his life he had his brother by his side to watch his back, but now he felt like a child that had been given up for adoption at birth. "Fuck that,” Victor said to himself as he busted a U-turn and headed towards his brother’s new house. He had to go over there, see what was going on, and definitely meet this new woman who had to be responsible for clouding his brother's judgment.

  ***

  Alex and his new girlfriend Peaches sat over in the bar area of the house taking shots and sniffing lines of cocaine as Michael Jackson's classic song "Don't Stop ‘Til You Get Enough" blasted throug
h the speakers that were placed throughout the large house. Peaches was a very attractive looking dark skin chick in her mid-twenties. She was on the border line between fat and skinny. She worked a regular waitress job. Peaches may have been young, but she did genuinely love Alex, and every chance she got she made sure she showed him.

  Alex knew his brother wouldn't approve of Peaches so that’s why he wasn't in a rush to introduce her to him. Alex walked around the house in a white wife beater and boxers while Peaches wore a black wife beater and a pair of black booty shorts.

  "I love you so much baby," Peaches sang happily as she slid in Alex's arms and sloppily tongued kissed him. Alex gladly accepted her tongue as his hand explored her body.

  "Not so fast,” Peaches smiled as she pulled away from Alex. "I'mma go run the water for the hot tub," she said seductively.

  "I'mma make you work tonight." She winked as she headed upstairs to the master bedroom's bathroom. Alex was just about to follow behind her until he heard the doorbell ring.

  "What the fuck?" Alex said to himself stopping mid-stride. He never had company and nobody knew where he lived, but Peaches. He quickly grabbed his 38 from off the bar counter as he made his way to the door. Alex looked through the peephole and sucked his teeth when he saw who was on the other side. He loved his brother to death, but he knew his brother was coming by just to be nosey.

  "Hey man what’s up?" Alex asked opening the door. "What are you doing here?"

  "What I need a reason to come visit my big brother?" Victor asked taking a quick swig from his bottle.

  "Of course not; come on in," Alex said stepping to the side. When Victor stepped inside, he looked around the large house.

  "This is nice."

  "Thanks,” Alex smiled.

  "You on your high horse I see,” Victor laughed.

  "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Alex huffed.

  "You walking around here in this big ass house with all this fancy shit." Victor shook his head. "Living like a cracker!"

  "So I'm on my high horse because I want to enjoy my money before it's too late," Alex asked matching his brother’s tone. "I'm living like a cracker because I want nice things? You sound so stupid and ignorant."

  "Oh I'm stupid and ignorant?" Victor repeated nodding towards the white powder that lay in a hundred dollar bill on top of the counter. "What the fuck is this? You know we don't fuck around with this shit!"

  "Yeah not when we on the clock," Alex reminded him. "I'm officially retired meaning I'm free to do whatever the fuck I wanna do."

  "You know what your problem is,” Victor asked knocking the powder substance from off the top of the counter onto the floor.

  "You one of them mufucka's that get money then don't know how to act."

  "And let me guess; killing people for the hell of it is what you supposed to do when you got enough money to retire right,” Alex said sarcastically. "Why can't you just be happy for me?" Alex knew his brother was just jealous that he had a new girlfriend and had not been spending much time with him lately. It had nothing to do with the house or the money.

  "I am happy for you bro" Victor paused. "I just want things to be how they used to be."

  Before Alex could reply, Peaches returned down stairs and interrupted their conversation.

  "Baby our water is ready.” “Oh sorry I didn't know you had company."

  "Come here baby.” “I want you to meet somebody," Alex said. "This right here is my younger brother Victor."

  "Hey Victor it's nice to meet you.” “I've heard so much about you," Peaches said happily extending her hand.

  Victor looked at Peaches like those that she smelled like sour milk as he turned and faced his brother. "Who's the bimbo?"

  "This is my new girlfriend Peaches."

  A smirk danced on Victor's lips. "But she's black!"

  "So what if she black," Alex said quickly. "This is my girlfriend and I’m not going to let you disrespect her in my house."

  "What do you know about this girl?" Victor asked. "How you know she ain’t a cop?"

  "Because she's not,” Alex answered quickly.

  "Why because she told you she’s not," Victor said looking Peaches up and down. It didn't matter what color her skin was, the truth was Victor wasn't going to like her regardless.

  "I'mma leave you two alone so y’all can talk" Peaches said as she headed back upstairs.

  Once Peaches was out of ear shot, Victor continued. "You slipping bro. You got this chick clouding up your mind with all that powder. That's why you can't think straight."

  "Is this what you came over here for?" Alex said.

  "Fuck it! You wanna be with that stupid bitch then so be it! I don't even care!"

  Before Victor could finish his sentence, Alex had already stole on him.

  "Don't you ever disrespect me or my girl in my house?" he said roughly escorting his younger brother to the door.

  "Get the fuck off me!" Victor growled breaking free from his brother's grip. "You wanna be with her then fine by me, but when she fucks you over don't come calling me," he said storming out the front door.

  Alex felt bad about having to put his hands on his little brother, but he knew if he didn't Victor would have kept on going, especially since he was drunk.

  "Is everything alright?" Peaches asked, joining Alex back down stairs.

  "Yes baby everything is fine," Alex said downing the liquid fire in one gulp. "I apologize for my brother's behavior tonight."

  "No need to apologize,” Peaches smiled. "He probably just misses his big brother."

  "Yeah I bet." Alex knew his brother was jealous because Peaches was now in the picture, but he was no longer hungry and he didn’t feel the need to be out in the streets putting in work so he decided to call it quits before someone else did it for him. On the flip side, Alex did feel a little bad about leaving his brother out to dry like that, but if he didn't separate himself when he did then he probably never would have ever been able leave the game when he did. Alex was just happy that he was able to leave on his own terms and not anybody else's.

  ***

  Victor hopped out of his car and headed inside a popular bar. He desperately needed a drink. He couldn't believe his brother had picked a stranger over him and a woman at that. I guess it's true what they say, money does change people Victor thought as he ordered a drink at the bar. Victor scanned the place as he waited for the bartender to prepare his drink. It was a rowdy crowd, but it didn't matter to Victor because he didn't plan on being there long anyway.

  Victor took his drink and took a seat at the end of the bar. A million thoughts ran through his mind as he sipped on his drink. His thoughts were immediately interrupted when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Victor spun around on his bar stool and saw a beautiful woman before him.

  "Hey sweetie is this seat taken?" The woman asked in a polite drunken slur.

  "Nah go ahead, have a seat," Victor said looking up at the woman.

  "Oh my God it's you!" The woman said staring at Victor as if she had just seen a ghost. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" the woman screamed.

  "Hey calm down lady," Victor said standing to his feet.

  "This man killed my brother and robbed him blind!" The woman screamed making a big scene. "Somebody call 911!"

  "Fuck that I'm out,” Victor said to himself as he headed for the exit.

  "Hold it right there!" A white man barked with authority. "I'm an off duty cop.” “Put your hands where I can see them," he ordered.

  Victor ignored the man and kept it moving. As he walked, he gripped the handle of his twin 45's.

  "Hey somebody stop that man!" The off duty cop yelled as he jogged behind Victor.

  As Victor approached the front door, a big bouncer stood in his way.

  "Sir I can't let you leave right now" the bouncer's voice boomed. "Put your hands where,” The bullet that exploded in his leg caused the bouncer to forget whatever it was he was trying to say. He immediately grabbed his thigh as
he melted down to the floor. The echo from the gunshot sent the whole bar in a frenzy.

  Victor quickly spun around and sent three shots into the off duty officer's chest dropping him where he stood. The off duty officer let two shots off before he slammed it down to the floor. Victor quickly blended in with the crowd as he hurried out of the bar. Out in the parking lot Victor walked swiftly over to his car and hopped in. Once inside he held his arm that was bleeding badly. One of the shots that the off duty officer fired had found a home in his arm. "Fuck!" Victor cursed, as he pulled off leaving the smell of burnt rubber in the air.

  ***

  Alex laid in his king sized bed watching SportsCenter while Peaches slept with her head resting on his chest. After four rounds of hot sex, Alex was also tired, but he couldn't sleep. Alex hated when he and his brother had disagreements. He just hoped his little brother would grow up one day.