She Used to Be the Sweetest Girl(6)

“I’m sure I won’t. Hope you guys enjoy the cakes,” she said, moving out the way so he could close his door.

“I don’t eat cake, but I’m sure it’s good. You made ‘em, right?” he said, after rolling his window down.

“You already knew that,” Brix answered, walking backwards up the driveway.

“I did,” he answered, laughing. “Just fucking with you. You be easy,” he said, rolling the window up, backing out the driveway.

Brix watched from the doorway as he pulled off down the street. She didn’t know who Shemel was, but he had definitely caught her attention. Unbeknownst to her, Shemel was thinking the same thing.





Three

“What is wrong with you girl?” Carissa, Brix’s best friend asked curiously. They were out for drinks at Big Louie’s, and Brix hadn’t even touched her glass, which was weird to Carissa because Brix loved their drinks. Especially, during happy hour.

“Sorry, I’m just zoned out,” Brix replied, smiling.

“Obviously. What got you in such a good mood today?” Carissa asked, not being able to control her smile. She and Brix had been friends going on ten years. They grew up in the same neighborhood together, their birthdays were a week apart, and their mothers were best friends. Carissa knew Brix had been through a lot, and she was always in a good mood, but today, something was different about her. She had met someone and her best friend planned to find out who the guy was.

“This guy I met at Walmart last night, just so happened to be one of my customers. He stopped by the house earlier and was looking so good. I haven’t been attracted to anyone like that since Drew,” she said, finally taking a sip from her glass. The sweet taste of the Amaretto Sour hit the spot perfectly, making her raise her hand to order another.

“Sooo, what’s his name? Did you at least get his number?” Carissa asked, grinning. She knew Brix would never be that bold to do something like that, but decided to tease her anyway.

“Uh, no. It’s bad enough I had on little to no clothes. What would I look like asking for his number? I wouldn’t even go there. His name is Shemel though. Never heard of him, but he is fine,” she uttered, while shaking her head.

“Shemel? Like Shemel Wright?” Carissa asked excitedly.

“Not sure of his last name, Carissa. You know him or something?” Brix said, chuckling.

“Girl, there aren’t too many damn Shemel Wright’s in St. Louis. I swear, if you’re talking about Young Mel, I’mma hit you.”

“Now you lost me. Who in the world is Young Mel?” Brix asked, clearly confused. She wasn’t sure why Carissa was acting like this guy was a celebrity, but was interested in learning more about him.

“Brix, Young Mel is that rapper I was telling you about. He is nice with the words girl. He gone make it far in the game,” Carissa said, bobbing her head to an inaudible beat. Yes, they were best friends, but were total opposites when it came to men, music, food; hell, just about everything. That didn’t matter though. They were so close, people were always mistaking them for being sisters.

“How do you know this is the same person? He could be someone else,” Brix said.

“I highly doubt that. Does he have dreads?” Brix nodded her head. “Really tall, has a nice smile, drives a black Yukon truck?” With every question, Brix nodded her head.

“Welp, there you have it. You done fell in love with a dope boy,” Carissa said, laughing.

“Dope boy? I thought you said he was a rapper?” Brix asked, scrunching up her face. She was so confused it didn’t make sense.

“Oh my God. C’mon on now, Brix. You must stop hiding under that rock you call your room. His family is the biggest drug lords around, especially that damn Pierre. He know he fine,” Carissa grinned, before biting into her sandwich.

Brix sat there quietly, twirling her straw around in her glass. She didn’t care for the dope boys, the hood guys, or for who was doing what. Although she wasn’t aware of who Shemel was, listening to Carissa describe him, told her exactly what she needed to know. The stack of money he pulled out earlier just confirmed it all.

“Oh well, so much for that. He was so respectful though. He didn’t even look like a dope boy. A rapper, now that you mention it, yes. Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover,” Brix said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Sure can’t. You don’t even know the man, B. He could be much more than what you’re trying to make of him.”

“Much more of what? A rapper? Cool. Drug dealer? Eh. I’m not so sure I could handle that,” Brix replied, finishing off her second glass.