Chapter 10
Kaylen was days away from her grand opening and she was more than excited. It wasn’t normal for someone as young as her to be making boss moves. She had to hustle legal or not to get where she wanted to be. Even though her brothers did her a huge favor and sped up the process with or without them it was going to get done.
Kaylen’s stylist Elizabeth was at her house going over different outfits for the grand opening. The theme was grown and sexy and of course Kaylen had to out do everyone. Her shop was on Melrose so it had to be an upscale event. Kaylen was turning her grand opening into a must be event for the year. She was having catering, different venders selling a few things, an open bar, and many bloggers with the media to help spread the word of her salon.
“I like this one too,” Kaylen said.
Every outfit she tried on fit her like a glove. She couldn’t decide which one to wear since all of her outfits were beautiful. She took a picture in the dress and sent in a group chat along with her other outfits to the ladies so they could help her come to a decision.
“You look astonishing in every one of them Ms. Carter,” Elizabeth said.
“Thank you I don’t know which one to pick,” she fussed.
“I think the white and gold Alexander McQueen topped it off.”
“I might have to agree with you on that one,” Kaylen said as she strutted back and forth like she was on a runway.
***
Everyone that was important in Kaylen’s life road with her in the limo to her grand opening. The only person that was missing was Ice and Kaylen was so sure that even though they weren’t on speaking terms he would still make it. Everyone in the limo expressed how proud of Kaylen they were. For Jared and Donte watching their baby sister grow and mature made them feel good. Even though they weren’t in her life since she was a baby it still meant a lot to them. From the first time they meant Kaylen she was a hothead and the path she was running on was scary but since then she calmed down that she’s almost a different person now.
Kaylen’s nana was proud of her baby. She was more than happy to see Kaylen finally doing something positive with her life. Many nights she prayed and cried to God that Kaylen would get her life together because she was running the streets too hard.
“I’m proud of you Kay tonight we’re gonna turn up,” Jasmine said dancing in her seat.
“No the hell y’all not,” Jared said intervening as always.
“Shut up,” Kaylen said mushing him in the head.
“Are you nervous?” Mariah asked.
“A little bit this is so different,” she said.
“It looks turnt up, it’s all over Instagram and Twitter already,” Kandi said checking social media sites.
“Ayeee,” Kaylen happily said.
When the limo came to a stop Kaylen’s heart felt like it came to a full stop as well. Looking out of the tinted windows inside of the salon looked packed to capacity and the street was packed as well. So far it was a great turn out. After everyone exited out of the limo they all walked down the red carpet and snapped pictures as Kaylen was giving speeches about her salon.
For it to be a grand open Kaylen has never seen anything like it. Inside was decorated in full gold it was a great fit for a queen like Kaylen. All of her guests looked happy and seemed to be enjoying their selves. The salon was two stories and was the best on the market. When you came to Kay’s Tresses you were in for an experience of a lifetime. You weren’t only getting your hair done you could get your nails done upstairs, facials, and your makeup done. It was like a woman’s sanctuary.
“This place is popping!” Kandi said by her best friend’s side.
“It is I can’t believe it.”
“Is Ice still coming tonight?”
“I don’t know I think he will but I have no idea.”
“He’ll show up sooner or later, you know he’s your boo.”
“Girllll,” Kaylen said rolling her eyes.
“Stop fronting you know that you love you some Ice.”
“I’m not even thinking about him,” she said rolling her eyes lying straight through her teeth.
“Why the fuck you lying? Oohh my Godd,” Kandi sang imitating a meme on Instagram causing them both to burst out in laughter.
“You’re a fucking fool!” Kaylen said still laughing.
“I swear when you stop lying to yourself then you’ll be better off.”
“I’m not lying that’s the problem.”
“Keep telling that shit to someone who’ll believe you.”
“Man whatever Kandi,” Kaylen said waving her off.
“I’ll catch up with you later I’m about to take someone’s nigga,” Kandi said walking off laughing.
“Hoe ass,” Kaylen said messing with her.
Kaylen was left alone for a minute just observing everyone. She kept a smile on her face the whole night. Many different investors came up to her talk about her business and possible investments. She listened to every proposal but she wasn’t going to partner with anyone. Kaylen loved her freedom and didn’t want to partner up with anybody. She did this by herself they could keep their money.
She was talking to an older man who was boring her to death. He has been in the hair industry for years as a silent partner and was trying his hardest to make a point to Kaylen about a future business plan. Kaylen felt like she was falling asleep with a smile on her face. She was looking around for someone to save her but she didn’t see anyone at all.
“Within two years we could expand to another location and within five years we could expand out of state,” the man said drowning Kaylen in his words.
“Please excuse my wife,” Ice walked up on Kaylen holding her around her waist. He saw the annoyed look on Kaylen’s face so he knew what to do. They have learned each other so much over the year to know good enough when to step in and help.
“Hey baby,” Kaylen said playing her role well.
“I’ll excuse you,” the man said backing off and leaving Kaylen to handle her business.
“Thank you he was getting on my fucking nerves,” Kaylen said loud enough for Ice to hear.
“You know I got you,” Ice said.
He was an hour late to her grand opening but he still made it. His hand was a little tied up back in Oakland and he was running out of time. He missed his flight that he was supposed to catch earlier so he had to take next the plane flying out. He was dressed in a Tom Ford linen suit with a pair of matching loafers. He came straight from the airport to support Kaylen.
“You look nice,” Kaylen said fixing his tie.
“You look beautiful,” he said pulling her closer to him.
Ice originally thought that when he showed his face at the party Kaylen would be ready to fight with him but he was happy that she wasn’t on any extra bullshit. She seemed like she was cool but he knew they needed to talk later on since her party wasn’t the place for it. He missed her and her sweet scent so much. It has been three long weeks and was even worse since she wasn’t accepting any of his calls. Ice kissed her lips and was expecting her to back away but instead she accepted it and kissed back.
“Congratulations Kaylen,” Ice said. He was actually very proud of her.
“Thank you Ice. Come on let me show you around,” she said walking away with him hand in hand.
She showed him every inch of the salon. She wouldn’t pass up a moment to show off her establishment. When they walked into her office Ice sat at her chair behind the desk and pulled her on his lap. Kaylen wanted to fight him off a little but there was no denying that she missed him tremendously. It has been her and Ice against the world for over a year so not talking to him was killing her inside.
“I missed you,” he said biting her bottom lip.
“I find that hard to believe,” she said.
“Fuck, why you gotta act like that?” he knew it was coming sooner or later.
“Why you trynna play me?” she asked. Even though she heard Natasha’s side to the story she knew that there was always three sides to a story.
“Who the fuck trynna play you Kaylen? You getting mad over something you don’t know anything about!” Ice said defending himself.
“Well I know more than you think Ice. Your girl called my phone not too long ago,” Kaylen said putting him up on game.
“What?” Ice asked.
“You heard me!”
“What the fuck she called you for?”
“To get information on you!”
Ice was quiet. He didn’t know what to say. Natasha took it to another level calling Kaylen. On the strength of their history he tried to still be good to her and have her back but because she continues to tarnish his relationship with Kaylen he’s gonna have to cut her off completely.
“Are you guys in a relationship Ice?” Kaylen asked.
“No.”
“Are you still fucking her because that must be why she has the balls to question me about you.”
“I haven’t touched in her like two years.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Kaylen said.
Something wasn’t adding up to her. Ice and Natasha’s relationship had to be deeper than what they were admitting to because there was no way in hell Natasha was still hanging on that tough if Ice wasn’t leading her on. Ice just wanted Kaylen to believe him. He felt like they built a strong enough bond for Kaylen to trust him over anyone else.
“I’m trynna tell you that I haven’t fucked her, touched her, or even tried to get close to her in any kind of way. She was my baby mama before we lost our baby so I still respect her but if she’s gonna sit up here and call you on some messy shit I can’t have her around me,” Ice said straight up.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kaylen said. She knew what it felt like to lose a child even if you weren’t ready for it.
“I’m not gonna keep explaining myself over and over for some shit I didn’t do. I’ma tell you what it is and how it’s going to be. It’s up to you to make that decision if you’re gonna fuck with me,” Ice said. He was fed up with the games and tired of proving himself. He had to put his foot down at some point.
Kaylen was quiet with thoughts running through her mind. Ice looked defeated for the first time since she met him. He looked like he had given up on them. Kaylen knew that Natasha and Ice’s relationship was tricky and being that she was his new girl was going to be even trickier. When a woman doesn’t want to let go it could get dangerous.
Ice waited for her to say something but she didn’t. He understood that she didn’t want to be apart of his life with Natasha but he didn’t mean any harm. He honestly hasn’t dealt with Natasha on that personal level in two years. Maybe he was just stuck with her. Ice was no longer needed so he got up out of the seat and left. Kaylen didn’t utter a word when he walked out of the room.
Kaylen’s heart broke all over again. It was like a repeat of when Alonzo walked out on her. In a way she understood where Ice was coming from because it was once her in the same position explaining herself to Alonzo. When Ice walked out of the door she wanted to let him go but she knew she couldn’t let a good man walk away that easy. She left from out of her office trying to find Ice. The party was so pack that she couldn’t find him until he was walking out of the same door he came in.
“Wait wait wait wait!” Kaylen yelled lifting up her dress to quickly catch up to him.
“Come on man, what now?” Ice asked.
In a way he has never felt heartbroken when it came to a woman. When he and Natasha lost their baby was the only time emotion circulated in him. With Kaylen he felt like how a man was supposed to feel with a woman. He had feelings for her things he hasn’t felt for Natasha.
“Don’t go, we’re gonna make it work,” she said walking into his arms hugging him as tight as she could.
The difference between Q, Alonzo, and Ice was that she felt obligated to Q because she was so young and naïve, with Alonzo she was looking for a financial security net to keep up with the lifestyle she was used to. She had love for him but looking back at it now that wasn’t the kind of love she would want to grow old with. Then with Ice she felt his love throughout her body. She was never nervous around him she was always calm and comfortable. She didn’t look at him as her bank she looked at him for love and friendship. This time around she did everything right and she could honestly say this is where she wanted to be. Nana told her that when she got right within herself God was going to send a man that loved her unconditionally flaws and all.
Chapter 11
Ice headed back to Oakland the next morning because he didn’t have any clothes but more importantly he needed to check Natasha. Things worked out like how it was supposed to with Kaylen and he was going to make sure that nothing got in the way of it. Ice was looking at the bigger picture a family, marriage, and a future with Kaylen. He was tired of running around with these bitches for a nut. He promised Kaylen that by the end of the week he was coming back to L.A. for a whole week.
When Ice landed in Oakland his right hand man Jayceon picked him up at the airport. Jayceon was like his brother and blood couldn’t make them any closer. When Ice got in the car they had a lot to talk about. Jayceon already knew a lot about Kaylen. He remembered her from the night when Ice met her at the bar they went to. Even though Ice has never formally introduced them he already knew his boy had strong feelings for her.
“Wassup bruh?” Jayceon said.
“Can’t call it nigga.”
“You and yo’ girl back together?”
“Yeah we talked it out but check this shit you know Natasha’s ass really called her up asking her questions about me?”
“I told you since the beginning to not fuck with Natasha’s crazy ass!”
“I wanna put my foot up her ass!” Ice said.
“You can’t do that bruh you know she the type to call the police and have yo’ ass locked up.”
“I’m getting this shit straightened out with her today. She’s gonna learn that I’m not playing with her ass.”
“I’m free until three today if you need me to bail you out,” Jayceon joked.
“Fuck you!”
“I’m dropping you back off to the house?”
“Yeah I’ma shower and change then head over to her place.”
“Alright.”
They talked all the way to Ice’s house. Ice said he was going to link up with Jayceon before he headed back to L.A. for the week. When Ice got home he went straight for the shower. He took a shower at Kaylen’s house but she only had feminine products, which made him smell sweet. Ice got out of the shower and handled his personal hygiene before he got dressed and headed to Natasha’s house.
Pulling up to Natasha’s house her car was in the driveway along with his sister’s car. No matter how many times he told Amber to back up off of Natasha because she was his sister she didn’t listen to him. When him and Natasha broke up she should have broken up with his family too that’s what makes Natasha even crazier because she’s close to the family. Ice knocked on the door until someone came to answer the door. He was annoyed when his sister answered the door.
“Wassup brother?” Amber said stepping aside.
“What you doing over here Amber?”
“Boy bye! I’m here more than you.”
“That’s the fucking problem aye let me talk to Natasha alone and I’ll catch up with you tonight at mama’s house,” Ice demanded more than he asked.
“Whatever,” she said grabbing her purse off of the couch, “I’ll catch up with you later Tasha!” Amber yelled before she walked out of the door.
Ice walked around the house looking for Natasha. He found her lying on her bed. His initial thought was to jump down her throat then beat her ass but he just couldn’t see himself doing that to her. Natasha sat up on the bed when Ice walked in.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Came to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“Why the fuck you keep playing with me Natasha like you don’t know how I get down?”
“Are you trynna threaten me?” she asked looking at him funny.
“Nobody threatening yo’ ass you always playing these lil’ kid games.”
“Whatever Ice, what do you want?”
“Why did you call Kaylen? How did you even get her number?”
“So your bitch told you. Don’t even worry about it ‘cause you ain’t shit, never have been shit, and will never be shit!”
“If I’m not shit what does that make you? Mrs. Ain’t Shit?”
“Get out!”
“I should beat yo’ ass for what you did the other day in the car then calling her.”
“Do you love her Ice?” she asked.
“What?”
“You heard what the fuck I said!”
“Look Natasha— ” he said but he was cut off with her yelling.
“I said do you fucking love the bitch!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.
“Hell yeah I love her. I don’t have shit to be feeling guilty for. We ain’t together but you still out here claiming me and losing the little bit of respect I have for you!” Ice yelled back.
Natasha leaped up and tried to fight Ice but he was too strong for her. Natasha was like dead weight compared to him. She was kicking and punching but Ice was trying to contain himself before he slapped her ass.
“You put her over me! Over our family!” she cried as she melted on the floor.
“Keep putting your hands on me!”
“Natasha you gotta stop doing this. We aren’t any good for each other. I love you always, but you gotta chill.”
“Chill and let you move on with the next bitch?”
“No chill and get your fucking self together. Every time I get a new bitch you mess that up every time but you’re not chasing her away. You acting real fucking weak.”
“You really love her,” she said wiping her tears away.
It pained her more hearing it come from his mouth to hear the only man you ever loved tell you that he loves someone else. She couldn’t recall when he ever went this hard for her. She knew she lost him for good. She was officially going to leave him alone because it wouldn’t get any better.
“I do.”
“Alright Ice do you. I will leave you alone I get it,” she said getting up and grabbing her keys from off of the dresser.
She was going to leave because she didn’t need him seeing her hurt. She got in her car and drove off. No destination in mind she just needed to clear her mind.