Under Pressure

A Tragic Love Story

 

 

                                                         Chapter 1
Monte was sitting in his 2003 Park Ave with the engine running and the music playing softly as he rolled a blunt of some kush. As he glanced at the clock on the dashboard that read 8:45 p.m. He sighed loudly.
“I wish this nigga would hurry the fuck up” he said to himself. Referring to his best friend Jason, who was supposed to have been off work at 8:30. Jason worked as a cook for Red Lobster and since his car broke down last week, Monte had agreed to drop and pick him up from work, which was a pain but since it was his homey he couldn’t complain.
Just as he was about to text him to hurry up, Jason opened the passenger door and jumped in the car.
“Damn nigga took you long enough” Monte huffed as he passed Jason the blunt. 
“Good look I needed this” he said as he eagerly grabbed the blunt. After a few hits, he relaxed. Letting the music and the kush take its calming affects.
“My fault my nig, they always trying to find shit for a nigga to do before he leaves. Knowing I get off at 8:30, that shit be pissing me off” Jason complained. 
“I feel you. I still don’t see how you do it. You need to fuck that job and get money with me” Monte offered. 
The two had been friends since the second grade their mothers were best friends so they spent all their time together always over each other’s houses. Once they became adults, they remained friends even though their lives took different paths. While, Monte chased the streets, hustling drugs to hitting licks (robberies). Jason on the other hand chose to work and make a living honestly being that he'd seen what happens to the hustlers. Witnessing his Uncle fall victim to the game. Learning from their mistakes he vowed never to follow that path. Even though he didn’t get down he still respected Monte's hustle. 
“Naw I’m good. You already know I’m not into selling dope. I like my freedom too much” Jason said, tired of the same conversation. 
“I’m just saying life is too short to be struggling to make a buck slaving for those white folks that don’t respect you. When you can get out here and make some real money” Monte said, pulling out his fat wad of money.
“Yeah but at what cost, to help destroy my people and have a good two to three years run then end up in jail for five to ten. It’s not worth it, I like my freedom.”
“You not going to go to jail, I’ve been hustling for like five years and haven’t been to jail, you just have to stay low-key and sucka-free” Monte bragged.
“Name one nigga that you know that hustled and retired out the game” Jason paused?
Monte didn’t answer as he thought of who he knew that had retired from the game. 
“Exactly,” he continued “I got a good girl at home and a job, I’m good. It’s not the best and it could be doing better but at the end of the day I feel good about myself. Don’t have to worry about the police or these jealous ass niggas kicking in my door, Yea I’m good." Jason exclaimed.
“I feel you, just know whenever you want to get down you're welcome” Monte said unmoved. 
The two rode in silence letting the rest of the blunt and music fill the empty space as each man was left to their thoughts.
“So what you getting into for the rest of the night” Monte said breaking the silence.
“Shit, a warm bath then kick back with my bae” Jason replied.
“You an old sucka for love ass nigga. When you gonna kick it with your nigga. Ever since you been wit Yo Yo your ass been on lock.”
“Whatever nigga I just like kicking it with my baby what's wrong with that?"
“Whatever,” Monte said casually.
“Nigga don’t act like Jaz ain’t got that ass on lock” Jason joked.
“Neva that” Monte retorted.
After a pause.
“That is my baby though” Monte said as both men burst into laughter….
Pulling into Jason’s driveway Monte handed him the blunt.
“Hit me up when you change your mind” Monte said as he gave his partner dap before Jason exited the car. Puffing on the last of the blunt Jason walked up the walkway onto the porch, throwing the blunt roach over the banister. He took out his key, opened the door and made his way inside. As Monte tapped the horn and sped down the street.

 

                                                  CHAPTER 2
When Jason walked through the front door he was greeted to Monica singing softly on the radio about her angel and the smell of cooking food, following his nose he made his way toward the back of the house to the kitchen. He crept to the doorway unnoticed watched the love of his life at the kitchen sink, washing dishes. Yolanda better known as Yo-Yo to all was brown skin, long black hair, pretty brown eyes and smile that would melt the hardest man’s heart. Kind of put you in the frame of Gabrielle Union. She and Jason had been together for going on two years and since that time they had been inseparable, best friends as well as lovers. Sensing someone she turned around and jumped.
“OH Boy, you scared me” She gasped as she clutched her heart.
“It’s only me” Jason said as he gave her a hug and light kiss on the lips.
“You miss me baby” he asked?
“Always” was her response.
“What you cooking?” He asked releasing her as he walked to the stove and started checking pots.
“There’s baked chicken, sweet potatoes, and greens with cornbread, it’s almost done so go get out them clothes and cleaned up so you can eat.”
“Yes, Mommie” he joked.
“Whatever nigga, just hurry up” she said smiling to herself shaking her head, as he headed upstairs to get cleaned up.
After taking a nice hot shower, Jason put on a wife beater an a pair of Polo pajama bottoms and headed downstairs where he was greeted to a fixed plate and a large cup of ice tea.
“Mmmm, this looks good” Jason said examining his plate.
“Only the best for my king” Yo Yo said.
“The same goes for my queen” Jason returned with a smile as he closed his eyes and said a quick prayer over his food before digging in.
As Jason ate his food Yo Yo watched him enjoying the look of satisfaction written on her man’s face. She came from a family structure where pleasing her man came naturally and was something she enjoyed.
“What?” Jason asked as he noticed her staring.
“Nothing just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Just how happy you make me.”
Thinking about some of the things Monte was saying on the ride home.
“Hey bae, I know I don’t make a lot of money because I don’t hustle and seeing your girls live good cause they got a dope boy, does that bother you?” Jason asked.
“We had this talk over and over, I’m not with you for the money, I love you, I feel safe and I know every night you're coming home. So, no it doesn’t bother me, the question is does it bother you?”
Jason thought for a second so he could gather his words.
“Sometimes… You're my Queen, and I would love to buy you nice things, take you out more. Just give you the world, because you deserve it.” He said looking down.
Yo-Yo got up walked around the table and sat on his lap facing him. She looked him in his eyes and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“I have the world” She said placing her hand on his heart. Then with a sly grin she slid her legs between his legs grabbing his dick.
“And this” she said giving it a squeeze.
“I love you bae” He said kissing her slowly. As they continued to kiss, it turned more passionate and their hands began to roam over each other’s bodies peeling clothes as they went. Getting off his lap she got on her knees in front of him and pulled his already hard dick out of his pants. Placing it in her mouth she began to suck it slowly taking more and more in her mouth with each pull. Jason leaned back and closed his eyes and Yo Yo licked and sucked him into ecstasy. Feeling his dick swell Yo Yo knew he was about to cum. So, she sucked his dick faster as she stroked him with both hands. Causing him to explode his seed, which she swallowed, down to the last drop. 
“Mmm” she said as she licked her lips. “Was it good baby? “She asked.
“You know it was. You the best baby…. Now it’s my turn” Jason said switching spots with her, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the couch. Setting her down he pulled her panties off and dove in head first. He slowly kissed her pussy lips sucking them as he used his tongue to lick her clit in a circular motion. Yo yo let out a moan and grabbed the top of his head. 
“Damn…Baby…That...Feels...so…Good” She whispered biting her bottom lip. Jason went from licking her clit to fucking her with his tongue back to licking her clit till he felt her leg shake letting him know she was cumming. As she came, he placed his tongue on her clit and quickly flickered it side to side causing her to cum back to back. After, the last wave of her orgasm passed, he got up.
“Was it good baby?” he said with a grin.
“You play to much” She said catching her breath kissing him, he slowly entered her and fucked her to sleep. 
Letting her sleep for a minute Jason went to the kitchen set his plate in the sink and opened the fridge and got something to drink. He rolled himself a blunt and went back to the living room. Smoking his L, he watched Sports Center. Half way through the L Yo Yo woke up.
“Let me hit that” she said groggily.
“Hey sleepy head. Put that ass to sleep huh?” Jason joked.
“Shut up” she said grabbing the blunt and remote changing the channel. 
“Babe” Jason said.
“Yes?” 
“What you doing tomorrow? You know it’s my day off” Jason said.
“Oh I’m glad you asked, I’ve got to go the doctors’ tomorrow and get the results on all my test from my last appointment. Then I’m going to kick it with Jaz for a while. Why what you got planned?” she asked giving him a questioning look.
“What type of tests” Jason asked.
“Just the regular routine shit.”
“Let me find out.”
“Boy shut-up” Yo Yo said slapping his arm.
“As I was saying. What you got planned” She said sitting up.
“I was tryna chill with you, but later on Kue is having an album release party at Club Pandora, you know I got to show love plus I ain’t kicked it with Monte in a minute, he already complaining calling me pussy whipped.”
“Nigga you know this pussy got you whipped” Yo Yo said patting her pussy.
“ I don’t get pussy whipped I whips the pussy” Jason said in his “Pops” voice from Friday.
“Whatever, anyway kick it with your homie and I’ll meet you at the club. I haven’t seen Kue in a minute either.”
“That’s what’s up. Come on let’s go to bed” Jason said getting up and turning off the television.

 

                                       Chapter 3
Monte and Jason were sitting outside of Club Pandora in Monte’s Park Ave smoking a blunt watching all the females which were coming in packs.
“Damn you see all these females going in the spot” Monte yelled excitedly.
“Yeah the freaks are out tonight.” Jason responded. Hitting the blunt once more before passing it to Monte. They sat back and watched the crowd, while they finished the blunt.
“You ready to go in this bitch” Monte said adjusting his clothes, checking to see if he had any blunt ashes on him. He was dressed to impress, with a black and money green True Religion fitted cap, with a pair of black and green Lebron’s to match. He was dripped in a Platinum Cuban link chain with a Jesus piece hanging, a matching pinky ring, and a carat in each ear. 
“No doubt” Jason responded checking his gear also. He was dressed in all black and red Above Average T-shirt, with some all black AKOO Jeans topped off with a pair of Black and Red Forces. Keeping it, simple Jason wore only a herringbone, pinky ring, and one carat in his ear. 
Exiting the car both men strolled across the gravel parking lot to the door. Saying what’s up to a few people in line they both cut to the front where big Homey Tye was bouncing the door. 
“Look who the cat dragged out of the house tonight” Tye said referring to Jason.
“What’s good my nigga” Jason said giving Tye some pound and an embrace.
“Shit just doing me” Tye responded.
“That’s what’s up. Did Kue and the rest of them niggas get here yet?” Jason asked.
“Yea they here already. They’re in VIP kicking it before they go on. Ya’ll better hurry up if you want to see him before” Tye said moving to the side letting them through. 
Struggling to get down the stairs both men knew it was a full house already. Between the constant pounds from people they knew, and the flow of the crowd it took Jason and Monte twenty minutes just to make it to the stairs that led to the VIP. 
Once in the VIP room both men went their separate ways, Monte to mingle, and Jason went to wish his old partner good luck. Kue and him had started rapping together, but Jason lost interest where Kue stayed committed. After years of determination it was finally paying off for Kue, with the release of his CD. It didn’t take long for Jason to locate him being all he had to was follow the crowd. As he made his way through he came up on “O”, who was Kue's CEO of his label NSYDE Mafia, as well as his brother. 
“J-Smoove, what's been good my nigga” O said giving Jason an embraced pound?
“Same shit different, I see ya’ll finally got the label off the ground” Jason said returning the love.
“Yea it was a hard grind, but now it’s time to shine” O said with a smile.
“That’s what's up, so where is that nigga Kue at?” 
“Shit, over there popping bottles” O said pointing to the far corner of the room.
“ Let me go holla at him, before he goes on” Jason said giving him a pound before walking away. Making his way through the crowd that was surrounding his longtime friend. Jason could hear Kue blazing a freestyle, standing behind him, he listened. 
Once the crowd was done cheering Jason stepped forward leaning into his ear, “I don’t know why they cheering that shit was wack.”
Turning around with a mug on, ready to flip on whomever had made the comment. It quickly changed to a smile from ear to ear seeing Jason standing there.
“What’s up MY NIGGA” Kue yelled giving Jason a hug. Releasing him he continued “I’m glad you came to show love.”
“You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world”
Looking past Jason, Kue asked “Where is your other half Yo Yo, with that smart-ass mouth, I know she close by.”
“Naw, I came with Monte, she should be here a lil later.”
“That’s what’s up.” Both men stood there listening to the Jeezy song blaring for the bar below. 
“You see yo boy finally got it done, bout to blow up” Kue yelled.
“You deserve it, with all that work you put in”
“It’s supposed to be us”
“Naw this life is too much for me” Jason said even though he missed out. 
“Matter Fact, we going to do an old joint. Cool? This my moment I gotta share it with my nigga” Kue said extra hyped. 
“Man…I am not ready to be up there” Jason said trying to get out of it.
“You always ready it’s in yo blood. We can do Mesmerized I know you remember those words.
“Man I don’t know?”
“C’mon you can’t do a song with yo nigga, at his release party” Kue said throwing up his hands.
“Alright fuck it, just cuss it’s you” Jason said giving in.
“My NIGGA” Kue said happily handing him a bottle of Rozay.
Feeling like only minutes later Jason was running out on stage with Kue and the rest of the NSYDE mafia entourage. Standing in the crowd was way different then standing in front of the crowd. That is what makes a rapper successful in the game. If he can’t conquer the fear then his career is doomed from the start. Even though Jason was laid back his crowd presence was like no other. Jason known as J-Smoove bounced around the stage giving ad-libs and hyping up the crowd as Kue performed his title track. Once, the song finished the DJ switched the beat over to the Mesmerized track. Since Jason’s verse was first he quickly stepped to the plate, spitting his raunchy lyrics to the women in the crowd.
“Give me some pussy baby ain’t no time to stall 
you can take in the bed or against the wall
or give me my head if you rather have this dick in your mouth
But a nigga like me rather be diggin you out
We can have passionate furniture crashing lasting bout twenty minutes
or we can go long enough to put us in the Guinness’s
World book off the hook is my fuck style
And my shit aint lackin so I always get smiles
Ecstasy is achieved when I'm up in ya
Got ya screamin please I surrender
Bo loc while you grab my back holding tight
I cook the dope between your legs and make it come back right
Come back for life cuz you got hooked so quick
didn’t know the power I possess when dangling dick
Shit so thick big like a boa constrictor
Aint no beginner so I don’t need trained
As a young buck got tuned by the old dames
So my jimmy run deep so deep so deep
Put that ass to sleep
Then I crawls out the bed and creeps out the door
But satisfaction guaranteed before I leave that’s for sure
Cuz I can hit you with the slow stroke while looking dead in your face
And kiss your lips to see how good they taste
Or I can beat it till you hear the smack of flesh on flesh
And won’t stop till the pussy is a mushy mess
I must confess that I love the sex 
just the mention of the act get my smoke stacks so erect
So any time baby you can pick
By the light of the sun or the candles with the fruity scent
And I don’t haft to brag or boast about the size
Cause when my shits on hard I swear to God I leave 'em mesmerized…"
The crowd went crazy. Dropping the mic to the floor he gave Kue a pound and jumped off the stage into the crowd. Where he was received with mad love. As Jason was cutting through the crowd getting love from all the females and pounds from the fellas. Out of the Crowd Monte appeared handing Jason a bottle of Cîroc.
“Damn nigga I see you ain’t lost your touch. You still nice on the mic” Monte said taking a swig from his bottle. 
“I do alright” Jason said modestly.
“Tell that to those hoes sweating you”
“Whatever my nigga I’m not thinking about those thirsty hoes” as he said the words he scanned the crowd for Yo Yo. She should have been here by now. Checking his phone, he had an unanswered call from her. Excusing himself, Jason, went to a secluded area to call her. Her phone went straight to voicemail, now Jason started to worry. Waiting for Yo Yo to call him back. He turned his attention to the performance which was still going on, on stage. No sooner he started watching when a bottle came from within the crowd. Barely missing Kue, it crashed shattering to pieces on stage. Unaware of the person who threw the bottle the crowd was full of NYSDE Mafia. l was quickly spotted and carried to the stage being beaten every step of the way. The music had stopped by this time and the man was brought on stage bloody and dazed.
“I see we got a hater in the crowd” Kue said pacing back and forth in front of the man. 
“You want a know what we do to haters” he said as the crowd cheered him on. He grabbed a bottle of Rozay shook it up and sprayed the man with the expensive liquid.
“We hose em down.” With that the beat came on, and he broke into his latest anthem.
“Pop the Rozay bottle and hose em down hose em down
Pop the Louie bottle and hose em down hose em down
Pop the Dom nigga and hose em down hose em down
Light the blunt nigga and pass it round.”
Throwing the man into the crowd where the bouncers quickly escorted him to the door. Shaking his head Jason scanned the crowd looking for Monte. Spotting him he made his way over to him. 
“Hey, my nigga I got to check up on Yo Yo. She called and now she isn’t answering, plus I’m ready to bounce anyway” Jason was already tired of the scene. He knew something was going to pop off, and he didn’t want to be around when it did.
“Yea me too, come on” Monte said and they made their way to the door. 

 

                                    Chapter 4
When Jason walked thru the front door he was greeted by darkness. Following the sound of the music, and the strong smell of weed. Jason made his way upstairs to their bedroom.
“Hey baby, why didn’t you come to the club it was…” He started but stopped suddenly, when he noticed that Yo Yo was crying.
“HEY baby what’s wrong?” he asked sitting beside her placing his arm around her with concern. This is one thing he hated, seeing her, the love of his life, crying. Until he found out what made her cry he didn’t know how to respond. 
“Remember I said I had to go to the doctor” Yo Yo said through sobs, while looking at the floor.
“Yeah, What you pregnant? That's what you're crying about, that’s nothing.” He said.
“No, I’m not pregnant.”
“What, you don’t have nothing?” He inquired, taking his arm from around her.
“No silly” she said looking at him.
“What's up bae? Why you up here crying?” Jason asked softly.
“Cause, Cause, the doctor found a lump in my breast and said it might be cancer” she said starting to cry all over again.
“Damn bae, that’s crazy you're too young to have cancer it's probably a cyst or some shit. You just over reacting” he said hugging her tight.
“What if I do got it” she said looking up at him through blood shot eyes.
“But you don’t, and if you do I’ll still love you one titty and all” he said kissing her on her cheek.
“Boy you crazy” she said smiling. They sat there in silence for a minute just holding each other. 
“Everything, gonna be okay bae” Jason said reassuringly. 
“I hope so” Yo Yo said holding him tightly enjoying the comfort that his warm embrace gave her. She loved him so much, because in his arms she always felt safe.
“So how was the show?” she asked changing the subject feeling a little better.
“It was off the chain. I even did a song with him.?
“You was on stage” she said in surprise. “You didn’t do that song talking about your dick, did you?” She asked already knowing the answer.
“You know it” he said causing her to punch him in the arm.
“I’m not trying to have to beat a bitch’s ass bout mines!”
“You silly.” 
“I’m serious.”
“Kue asked about you” Jason said changing the subject.
“Yeah, with his smart-ass mouth?”
“That’s the same thing he said about you” Jason said laughing.
“I was cool but after I seen you called I was ready to bounce. I could tell some shit was going to jump off them niggas was wilding.” 
“You know you like that shit J-Smoove” she said jokingly.
“Whatever…. So, when you go back to the doctors” he asked.
“Imma come with you. Kay?”
“That would be nice, I want you there” she said kissing him on the lips.
“I love you baby” He said
“I love you back.”
“I know, well I’m going to sleep, I’m tired, and drunk” he said laying back on the bed. Yo Yo laid back also placing her hand on his chest. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.