CHAPTER 69
Shanice
Jabril’s wife kept calling my phone. The first time she called I didn’t know who she was. The second time I answered, she screamed, “You home-wrecking whore. I got rid of you once and I’ll do it again. Leave my husband alone! They should have kept your whorey ass in jail and thrown away the key. Next time I’m going to make sure it’s enough so that they keep you.”
I knew immediately what she was talking about. She put the drugs in the car. She finally confessed. What would Jabril think if he knew his precious wife was the one who set him up?
“I’m sure your husband would love to know that you set him up and tried to ruin him, but call your man, stop calling me. I got a man.”
I hung up on her. Then I cussed her out and hung up on her again when she called again.
It was Valentine’s weekend and her husband wasn’t home, but he wasn’t with me. She better check with one of his other side chicks. I was in Atlanta with my baby about to go to the Eye Candy Queen: The Come-up premiere. I wasn’t thinking about Jabril or his wife.
The phone began ringing again. I picked it up and screamed, “Bitch, didn’t I tell you not to call my phone again?”
“Shanice, it’s me,” Jabril said from the other end of the phone.
“Yo, I don’t know what’s going on, but I know you better tell your wife to stop calling me. I don’t deal with you, so I don’t know why she is bothering me.”
“I don’t know, either, but I need to talk to you.”
“That’s not going to happen. You had your chance to talk to me. Leave me alone and go work it out with your wife. I’m busy. And just so you know, your wife did it. She was the one who put the drugs in the car. Your sweet Zakiya almost ruined your career.” I felt vindicated. I had no more time to put into Jabril because my baby was waiting in the other room.
Deuce came into the hotel bedroom. “Babe, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“I thought I heard you yelling.”
“No.”
“You almost ready?”
I saw multiple text messages appear in my phone. I turned off my ringer and continued to get dressed. I gave my boo a kiss and we headed to the party.
* * *
Our show premiere party was at Prive in Atlanta, Georgia. The ATL was showing us love. Stars from other reality shows were also at the club to see our show. Deuce had on all black with black shoes and I was wearing a black-and-white dress with a slit that stopped right before it reached my hip. My new stylist, Pearsa, had been dressing the fuck out of me. I could not wait to get my clothing line, Ms. Amore, off the ground with her help. We were going to be dressing everyone.
The club was filled with rows and rows of chairs. The entire Eye Candy Queen crew was there. I saw Ashley V. She gave me a hug. “I see you still with Deuce. He lost so much weight, he looks good.”
“Thanks. Yes, we’ve been hanging in there. What have you been up to?”
“I’m filming a movie in May.”
“I’m so excited for you.”
“Yes, I’m retiring. No more music videos.”
“I know what you mean. I have a few more dates on my schedule and then I’m going to start concentrating on my dress line, Ms. Amore.”
“Okay! You have to send me a dress.”
“I will. Good seeing you. Let me find my seat.”
I had invited Courtney, my mom, and Aunt Rhonda. I couldn’t wait to see how I looked on camera.
“Are you nervous?” Deuce asked.
“A little. I just hope the days they were following me I wasn’t talking too fast. And I seem like I have some smarts.”
The lights in the club dimmed and I saw my face on television. It wasn’t like a music video, because I was talking. I grabbed Deuce’s side. Then I turned back around and watched myself. It wasn’t bad; it was actually good.
The rest of the night people were coming over to me and complimenting me. So far the star was definitely Ashley V, and I was okay with that. As long as people knew who I was and I got some screen time I could play a supporting role.
Deuce went to get us drinks. I was enjoying my moment when I heard a voice say, “Nice work. I guess you’re glad you didn’t listen to me.”
I turned around and saw Jabril. I was speechless. I never thought I would see him. How did he know about this party?
“What are you doing here? How did you even know where I was going to be?”
“Everything is on the Gram, but forget that, I need to talk to you. I was wrong, Shanice.”
I was holding a smile together, but I was so aggravated. “This is not the time. I’m with someone else now.”
“I see. You dealing with old out of shape dudes now?”
“Don’t worry about him. I never have to wonder if he wants me or doesn’t. And he’s not married.”
“You know I loved you, I just asked you to understand my situation.”
“He doesn’t have a situation. And I’m not dealing with yours anymore. Good-bye.”
“All right, Shanice. If that’s the way you want it.”
“I do. Jabril, you are not going to make me feel bad about being with someone who wants to be with me.” He yanked my arm just as Deuce was walking back over with our drinks. Deuce came over and said, “Babe, who is this?”
“A friend of mine. He was just saying what’s up and leaving.”
Deuce put the drinks down and went to shake Jabril’s hand.
“Nah, I’m not a friend, this is my girl and I’m talking to her,” he said and snatched my hand.
“Jabril, we are not together! Leave me alone.” I yanked away from him. Whatever he was on must have made him think he could take Deuce. He swung on Deuce and Deuce punched him straight in the middle of his face. Jabril’s entire body slammed into a table. I saw everyone looking and the camera caught everything. I kneeled down and saw Jabril’s face was beginning to swell and his nose was shooting blood.
“Let’s go, Shanice.” Deuce shouted at me. I was torn. For two seconds I thought about staying with Jabril and making sure he was okay, but he had never chosen me. I was embarrassed and I knew the cops were on the way. I gathered my family and followed my man out of the club.