23. Moving?

"A man is not a plan, he is a perk." Marie stated as she looked over at her cousin Sofia who was styling one of the mannequins before the store opened.

Sofia quickly looked over at her, "I know that." Sofia had just confided in her cousin about the situation at hand and how she felt like everything was just going to shit.

"It doesn't sound like it," Marie let out as she fixed the jewelry that laid on the side of the counter by the register. "It sounds like Mateo was your plan Sofia. This is why you're supposed to have your own shit, so if something did ever go down you would be good. You sound dependent on him and now you feel like it's being threatened because he has a baby. He doesn't owe you shit you know? You two aren't married."

Sofia didn't like her response, "he wasn't my plan, I had my own shit before I met him and I still do. I still style people, just not as much and I'm trying to get back into it as well."

"Why did the shit you were doing ever plummet? Because you got comfortable, you felt like he was going to take care of you forever so you could just chill and just let him be the man," Marie stated with sarcasm. "And Mateo is a good man, but you're lowkey sounding kind of gold digger-ish Sofi." Marie stated using her nickname.

"Was I a gold digger when I suggested he help you open up your dream store?" Sofia questioned with attitude. She was offended that her cousin would even say that.

"I never asked for that, and I would have been fine without it. I would've had to work a little harder but it was my plan, so I was going to do what I had to do. I didn't tell you to tell him shit in regards to my store. I don't know why you're getting all hostile about it." Marie let out as she walked towards the front of the store to unlock the door.

"All I'm saying is, I suggested you work it out with Mateo because I thought the love you two had was genuine. And all I'm saying right now is that I feel like you stayed for different reasons from the way you're complaining."

"Am I supposed to be okay with my man moving a bitch here? And her staying in his townhouse that I know he pays for and I'm pretty sure he's not going to make her pay for it."

"I get that part Sofi, I do. But it's not just a random bitch. He got her pregnant. She's carrying his child. Plenty of celebrities have made sure that their baby mama is good. He's doing the same, and he wants to have an active part in his child's life. I get how you feel completely when it comes to the girl, but his pockets aren't your concern. It's his money and at the end of the day you're still good. Besides you were going to ask to let Ric stay there and I'm sure Ric wasn't going to come up off of any money either. You're choosing, but like I said I get it. It's the bitch he got pregnant."

"Exactly, that's my biggest issue."

"Well we can finish talking about it later," Marie quickly let out as she looked towards the door causing Sofia to as they watched Mateo walk up.

"Hey Mateo!" Marie smiled once he walked in. "Marie, Marie." He let out with a smile as he walked over to hug her before focusing on Sofia. "Hey pretty lady," he let out with a smirk causing her to blush and roll her eyes all at once. She was still upset about the situation, it had only been a week. Though everything had went back to normal for the most part she still was bothered by it, and especially bothered by the fact that he failed to see her issue with it.

He clapped his hands together, "can I talk to you real quick?" He asked her as he pointed his head towards outside the door. Sofia nodded as she exited the store and he followed behind. He bit his lip as they stood face to face. Sofia couldn't help but to admire his handsome features.

"So," he started, "you know Jessica decided she would come." She rolled her eyes upset with the decision but nodded.

"Well um, I'm about to make my way out there to help her pack up some things tonight."

"What?"Attitude was all over her face.

"I know it's last minute and I'm sorry about that. We're just trying to get the big shit put on a moving truck. I'm out of town next week so I'm just going to catch a flight after the game we have today, and I'll be back before the flight we have tomorrow tonight."

"Why don't you just wait? It's already intense as hell during the season, you have like no down time. This is the only time I get with you during the season."

Mateo did feel bad about that. "I know, but our next couple of days off where we're in town isn't for like another three weeks. Was trying to get her here before she hits nine months, plus her gynecologist got her switched to one here and she has an appointment in two weeks. It's just a lot that needs to be done."

Sofia rolled her eyes, "see that's too much, this shit is a bad idea. Now I have to suffer because of it?"

He shook his head, "Sofia it's one day. I was just coming to let you know that I was going. So I'll see you tomorrow." He pecked her lips and made his way out. Once again, leaving Sofia standing there upset.

--

"All this shit you got Jess, you don't even use this!" Dwayne stated as he held up an old laptop she had stashed away."

"Shut up, my dad brought me that in high school."

"God bless his soul, but I'm sure he'll be fine if you throw it away nobody uses laptops that look like this anymore."

Jessica rolled her eyes as she took things out of her dresser drawers. She couldn't believe she agreed to move to San Diego. But in the same instance she realized that there was really nothing that was keeping her here and she knew she could use the help Mateo and his mother would provide. This was her first rodeo and Mateo's mother had a maternal instinct in her like no other.

"I can't believe you're really doing this shit," Dwayne let out taking the thought right from her head.

"I know," she sighed. Her and Dwayne had talked about the situation and she let him know where she stood, and how she just wanted to be friends or nothing at all. He didn't like the options but he had to respect it. In the same instance she let him know she would be moving and though he wasn't for it he let her know he would help if she needed it so she definitely took him up on the offer.

"It's crazy," Jessica let out as she shook her head. "As hell," Dwayne let out.

"Mateo should be here in a like an hour, you want to stop and grab some food? And then you two can handle the big stuff?"

Dwayne stopped what he was doing as he looked over at her. "Yeah, a nigga hungry. Would really love some of your cooking." He hinted. Him and Jessica had already discussed Mateo coming and he promised he would be on his best behavior, for real this time. Jessica was a little hesitant, but she needed the help.

She shook her head, "nuh uh, not in the mood. Plus I don't have any meat thawed out. But," she started as she thought about the food in her freezer. "I do need to cook the meat I have in there. I'm not about to let it go bad. So maybe later this week before Lex and I drive down to San Diego."

He smiled, "I like the sound of that. What you got in mind?"

She smiled, "basic as hell. But I want some pizza."

Dwayne shook his head, "alright. You want to order it or go to a place?"

Jessica shrugged her shoulders as went to grab two water bottles and Dwayne followed. She threw him one and opened hers to drink. "It doesn't matter," she looked at the time on her microwave. "We can order one and pick it up, it's getting kind of late. But I also want to get out the house."

Dwayne nodded as he pulled out his phone, "alright pineapple right?"

She smiled. "You know it."

He shook his head as he put the phone to his ear, "I don't know how you eat that nasty shit."

"Cause it's not nasty," she easily let out as he started talking to the person on the other line of his phone, ordering the pizzas.

Her phone went off as she walked over to grab it seeing Lex's name pop up. She quickly opened her message.

So how's it going with the two? 👀

Jessica laughed a little as she sent her a message back. Mateo isn't here yet. Just Dwayne, so far so good.

🙄 boringggg!  Let me know how it goes! I hope it goes well, but with those twos track record 😬

Jessica knew all too well what she meant. She locked her phone deciding to respond later. "You ready?" Dwayne questioned. "They said it should be ready in twenty, it takes about fifteen to get there."

Jessica nodded, "yeah let me just throw on my shoes."

—

"I'm so full," Jessica let out as she laid back on her couch.

"That did hit the spot," Dwayne let out agreeing as Jessica's phone went off. She looked at her phone seeing Mateo's name pop up. She answered as he let her know he would be there in twenty minutes with his friend and the moving truck.

His friend owed a moving company, hence the reason they were able to get a moving truck so late.

"You ready to move?" Dwayne questioned as they chilled until Mateo arrived.

Jessica shrugged, "yeah and no. It's happening a lot quicker than I thought."

He nodded, "hell yeah it is."

Jessica chuckled lightly, "but I need the change honestly."

"I could use one myself," he let out. "Jessica, I know you don't care anymore and over the shit but I want you to know that I truly wasn't dealing with Brielle in the process of trying to work this shit out again with you."

"It is what it is." She let out.

"See no, you don't believe me!"

"I didn't say that."

"But you did without saying it."

"You sound crazy," she joked as she got up to unlock her door as Mateo sent her message saying he was outside.

Dwayne dropped the conversation knowing there was no use in trying to convince her otherwise.

Mateo quickly made his way up to Jessica's with his friend Matt, he was taken aback when he saw Dwayne.

Jessica caught the look, "the more help the quicker it'll go."

Mateo didn't say anything as he instead just continue to walk in and then introduced Matt to Jessica.

Jessica gave Mateo a look before introducing Matt to Dwayne. "We ready to move?" She questioned after introductions. Everyone nodded as she told them what big stuff she wanted gone as well as what bags she had packed to go.

She continued packing up clothes and random stuff she had around, making a pile of things to bring to goodwill in the process.

Meanwhile Mateo and Dwayne we're moving her furniture pieces, regardless of the fact that Mateo told her he already had some in the house. But she still wanted to bring hers to San Diego.

"You're picking it up wrong." Dwayne stated as Matt walked out with a lamp and some bags to put on the truck.

"How am I picking it up wrong?" Mateo asked. "You're grabbing it from a weird position."

"Nigga, I'm picking it up from the bottom. How the fuck is that weird?" Dwayne shot back.

"But why the fuck are you grabbing the legs, hold the shit from the sides."

"Man shut your stupid ass up." Dwayne let out as Mateo quickly let the couch drop causing Dwayne to move with it as he still held his side up.

"What the fuck yo?" Dwayne questioned as dropped his side of the couch as well.

"I'll wait for Matt, you don't want to cooperate and I'm not dealing with that shit."

Dwayne smacked his teeth as he waved him off, "cause you retarded? That ain't my fault."

Mateo tightened his jaw deciding to bite his tongue. Jessica quickly walked out after hearing them bicker. "Really? You two can't even bring a couch downstairs without arguing?"

"That's him," Mateo let out. "He always has some extra shit to say."

"Honestly you don't even need to be here, you could've just sent Matt and me and him could have handled it." Dwayne let out as Matt walked back in. "Your incompetent ass."

"I wasn't aware you were helping or else I probably would have." Mateo replied ignoring his last comment. He told Jessica he would work on being cordial and he was trying right now.

"Well get going. Go ahead and get back to your ho ass girl."

"Dwayne," Jessica said calmly as she felt herself getting upset because once again he was doing the most. Further making her pat herself on the back for deciding to not go down that road with him again.

"My what?" Mateo questioned as he took a step closer to him.

Dwayne crossed his arms. "Man everybody in LA know your girl was sucking dicks to come up on a check. She got a whole sex tape with her and another girl tonguing and exchanging a nigga's cum. Your girl nasty as fuck. But I'm sure you like that shit." He smiled as if it truly was a compliment.

Jessica was wide eyed as Mateo looked over at her, it was taking everything in him not to hit Dwayne right now. He didn't want to disrespect Jessica's place again by going after him. But if he said another word he would.

"I mean you do know that's why she left LA right?" He laughed as he continued, "she was embarrassed once that video got leaked. But she found a better dick to suck to make the shit disappear and it worked. I'll give her that. She about her business and she gets what she wants."

"Dwayne shut the fuck up!" Jessica yelled out. But it was too late Mateo was already charging at him, knocking him to the ground as he delivered blow after blow.

Matt pulled him off as quick as he could as Jessica made the mental note to never ever have them around each other, because they always ended up in a fight.

"Don't speak on my girl." Mateo let out. "You should know better than that shit."

Jessica stood in front of Dwayne pleading for him to chill. He barely got a hit in but the fight didn't last long enough for Mateo to do any damage to him either.

Dwayne laughed, but it was an angry laugh. "Imma let that shit go tonight. But don't let me catch you no where." Dwayne knew he went kind of far with it. But at the same time he felt like he should know that about his girl too. "How you mad cause I'm keeping it real with you about your girl?"

"Man. You was trying to joke, trying to disrespect like I'm just going to let that shit ride. Let me have said some shit like that about Jess and you would've reacted the same way. Fuck out of here. You always saying some disrespectful ass shit."

Jessica shook her head as she butted in. "I'm done for the night. So I would appreciate it if you all would be too." she looked at Matt, "I'm sorry Matt, but could we finish this tomorrow? Whether it's you and Mateo or you and Dwayne but I kind of don't want to see either of you right now, and I damn sure don't ever want to even be in a room with you two together again" she stated as looked between the two. "You act like children every time. Like fighting every time? Really? Like grow the fuck up!"

She turned on her heels as she walked into her room, "see yourselves out! Now!" She yelled before slamming her room door.

Dwayne grabbed up his keys as he easily walked towards the door giving Mateo a glare. "Be thankful for Jessica," he started as he stopped with his hand on the door knob. "Cause you deserve an ass whooping. But out of respect for her I'm going to let it ride tonight." He opened the door and left before Mateo could even respond.

Mateo took a seat on the couch rubbing his hands down his face as Matt stood there with full out surprise still on his face.

"Sorry man," Mateo let out. "I hate that dude."

Matt shook his head, "it's all good. I get it. That was disrespectful."

Mateo sighed as he stood back up, taking a look at Jessica's door, knowing she was pissed and knowing now wasn't the time to try and talk to her. He looked back at Matt, "let's at least get the shit in here before we go. I didn't fly all the way out here for nothing."

Matt chuckled lightly as he nodded, he went to the other side of the couch. They easily picked it up, putting it on the truck as they continued to clear out her living room before leaving.

It should have been that simple from the go. Relief came over Mateo has he looked around her almost empty apartment. They were one step closer to having her closer to him, and further from Dwayne.