Page 7 of Rhyot & Nyelle
The stacks of money he thumbed through and neatly placed on the table had Ny curious.
“Rhyot, what is this?” Her brows furrowed as she looked back and forth between Rhy and the money.
“You said that nigga ain’t helping, right? Well, I am…”
“Rhy, you don’t have to—” Ny started to protest but he cut her off.
“It’s not up for debate, Boogs.” He stared at her hard but the look was different.
He called me Boogs, I guess he ain’t that mad anymore, she thought.
“Okay,” Ny finally responded, out of defeat. She knew Rhyot wouldn’t take no for an answer, and though she desperately needed the money, her pride wouldn’t let her tell him that. “Thank you,” was all she could muster.
“Come here,” he stated calmly as he stood with his arms outstretched. Once she walked into his embrace, he kissed her forehead softly while holding her close. His mouth brushed against her forehead as he spoke. “Fuck that nigga. I’m here now. Take this shit and get you and Lil Rhy right. I’ll be straight.”
“But where did you get this?” She looked up at him, searching as if she’d see the truth in his eyes. She didn’t want him to do anything to jeopardize his freedom. Not again… she didn’t think she could take it.
Ignoring her question he stared down at her before breaking away and digging into the duffle bag. A few seconds later he pulled out the custom VVS chain with the medium-sized AK-47 pendant attached. There were specks of blood on it, which caused Ny’s eyes to damn near bug out of her head. Not that she cared too much for Chop but he was still her child’s father. If there was any confusion on where Rhy got the money, the chain in itself cleared that all the way up.
Nyelle’s knees weakened and her heart rate increased as her eyes locked on the chain dangling from Rhy’s hand. She knew the piece all too well. Chop always flaunted the chain around and even bragged about dropping thirteen racks to get it. Ny knew Chop wouldn’t just give him the chain but Rhy ain’t never ask niggas for shit. If he wanted it… it was his.
“Rhy…” Her voice trembled. “What did you do?”
Rhyot’s face twisted up “Relax, Boogs. I just went to collect the shit that was rightfully owed to me. Don’t worry, he’s still with us, for now.”
Ny was a little skeptical even though she knew he wouldn’t lie. She knew how ruthless Rhyot was. Chop was a thing of her past but Rhyot, however, had always been there for her, and now, her child.
“You… you took his chain?” Her voice came out low, barely above a whisper as her eyes flitted between the bloody AK pendant and Rhy’s nonchalant facial expression.
“Nah.” Rhy smirked but there wasn’t anything humorous. “Iearnedit. This shit…“ he said, waving the chain over the stacks of money and pulling more jewels out of the duffle bag with his other hand, “It’s for the one thousand ninety-five days I had to serve because that bitch ass nigga decided to set niggas up.”
She didn’t want to argue but she also didn’t want to lose him. She hoped telling him this would make him tighten up and put his best foot forward.
“Rhyot, you just got out. You can’t keep making reckless decisions.” Nyelle decided to say what was on her heart. “I don’t wanna lose you again.” Her voice trailed off at the thought and honestly it was too painful to say aloud.
Rhy’s eyes softened, and before she knew it, he invaded her personal space again, his scent lingering. He surprised her when his hand stroked her cheek and wiped away a lone tear that had escaped. He carefully searched her face before speaking.
“You not gon’ lose me, Boogs,” he vowed as he peered into the portals to her soul. “I promise you that.” The way he said it made her feel like he meant something else.
Time stood still and for a moment it was like they were the only two people in the world. Her mind and heart were playing tug of war. She closed her eyes briefly and the words poured out from her heart.
“Then stay.”
“Stay?” Rhy’s brows furrowed. He was as taken aback as she was.
“Spend the night… here. With us,” she repeated slowly as she rested her hand on top of his. He searched her eyes and saw another layer peel away. Ny’s heart skipped a beat.
“You sure that’s really what you want?” His voice was deep, hypnotizing, and poetic. She couldn’t help but feel the need to have him near, in her space.
Ny flashed a smile, nodding before speaking confidently. “I’ve always wanted you here, Rhyot.” That was true because in her eyes, for the past thirteen years, they would eventually be together. No matter who she was with, her heart always craved him. She wanted to respect the boundaries of their friendship but now she didn’t know if she could fake it any longer.
Finally, Rhyot flashed a smile that reached his eyes. He tossed the chain onto the table then pulled her body into his slender, solid frame.
“Then I guess I ain’t going nowhere.” He pressed his lips to hers and she didn’t pull away. The electricity that shot through her core ignited something inside of her. Slipping her tongue into his mouth, he gripped her hips as their tongues danced around one another. Just as it was getting good, he finally pulled away. Ny’s eyes fluttered open to find him staring at her. “I’mma sleep on the couch. I wanna respect whatever boundaries you have.”
Though she wanted to object and say fuck boundaries, she thought better of it and just nodded before walking away, trying not to think about the kiss that had her body on fire.
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