“I’m so proud of you, Melly. That’s amazing foreal. Are you nervous?” she asked, smiling. Brix was genuinely happy for Shemel and loved that he was making such big moves. He did let her know that he sold drugs, which she already knew, so she felt like with this music thing he could focus more on being legal.
Chuckling, Shemel responded, “You and this nickname, but thank you. I’m a little nervous, but not as much as I thought I would be. It’s more exciting than anything. I thank God for giving me this opportunity, for real ma. You don’t know how hard a nigga been grinding.”
“I do though. That’s what it’s all about. Nothing in this world is free and if you want something, you have to get out here and get it. That’s why I salute any hustle. No, some may not be legal, but they’re making ends meet and you can’t help but to respect it.”
Shemel grinned wide as hell. A few weeks ago, Brix wouldn’t be caught dead saying she supported something illegal. Shemel had put her ass up on game quick about people’s lifestyles and her perspective had changed.
“I done got you hip, huh? You sounding like you know a little something,” he said, chuckling.
“Hush. Thanks to you, I do know a little something now,” she said, hitting his arm.
Pulling up on her block, their conversation came to a halt. Sitting, well more like leaning in her driveway, was her car. From a distance, Brix could immediately tell the tires were flattened.
“Yo. Who the fuck did this shit?” Mel spat, putting the car in park and hopping out. Brix sat in shock with hurt written all over her face. Unstrapping her seat belt, she finally climbed out and inspected the car. All the tires had been flattened. Her back windshield had a brick in it. Whoever did this keyed the entire car, including the hood, but the worst part was the spray paint. In big, bright red letters, “SHEMEL IS MINE” was plastered on the side of the car.
“Why would someone do this? We’re not even in a relationship,” Brix asked with tears streaming down her face. She didn’t care about the words. What hurt her was the fact that someone would maliciously damage the car her father purchased for her. Mr. McQueen bought Brix her 2012 Camry for her 21st birthday as a surprise. He was so proud of his baby girl for going to college he had to award her. Walking around to the other side of the car, Shemel gripped his gun tightly. He didn’t see the damage when he first pulled in, but seeing it now had him ready to beat somebody’s ass.
“Don’t cry man. I’ll cop you a new one,” Mel said, pulling Brix in for a hug. She started crying even harder.
“I don’t want a new one Shemel! My daddy bought me this car. I just want my car,” Brix replied, squeezing him tightly. Her feelings were beyond hurt. She couldn’t believe someone would go this far, simply because she was talking to Shemel. Brix hadn’t let Mel in on that personal detail of her life yet, and Mel hadn’t asked.
At the end of the street, Rei sat parked with a smile plastered over here face. She was proud of her handy work and knew Brix would be miserable. After finding out where she worked, she basically stalked Brix for the last few weeks. She had followed her home once and saved the address to her phone for this special day. She didn’t plan on executing her plan today, but this morning when she rode by and saw Brix’s car parked, she waited about an hour for some movement, before going in on the car. When she saw Mel’s vehicle pull up, she got even more excited.
He had been blowing her off and she had only called him today to give him a heads up about her little deed. He didn’t answer, and that was his fault. Seeing Shemel hug Brix had her hot. She was contemplating on causing a scene, but then the blame would definitely be pointed at her. Pushing her seat up, Rei backed out of the street and sent Mel a smiley face. If he didn’t know who damaged Brix’s car, the smile should definitely give him a hint.
“You got insurance, right?” Shemel asked as they walked in the house. Brix couldn’t stand to look at her baby like that any longer.
“Yes, of course. My mama is going to be so upset,” Brix said, shaking her head.
“It’s all good man. We gone put you in something fly. Don’t even trip.” Shemel felt like whoever was behind the scandalous act only did it because he was kicking it with Brix. The fact that they had come to her crib really bothered him the most though. That meant they had been following her to know where she was resting her head.
“Who are we Shemel? Ugh, see. It’s only been three weeks and it’s already some drama with you,” Brix said, pulling her phone out to call Carissa.