Finding a Loyal Love Read online

  Finding a Loyal Love

  A'Zayler

  Sullivan Productions | Leo Sullivan Presents (2015)

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  Rating: ★★★★☆

  Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, African American, Romance, Urban, Genre Fiction

  Literature & Fictionttt United Statesttt African Americanttt Romancettt Urbanttt Genre Fictionttt

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  Having watched her two best friends find the love of their lives, Lay-Lay is ready for her turn. It’s been a jagged and tiring road with her longtime boyfriend Smoke. In the beginning she thought maybe he had been the one for her, but now she’s not so sure. From dealing with baby mama drama to random females on the side, Lay-Lay has had enough. Not only has she grown tired of Smoke’s cheating ways, but she’s finally ready to move on. In the back of her mind she knows she deserves better, but letting go is entirely too hard.

  Although Smoke’s reckless behavior plays a major role in Lay-Lay’s decision to move on, that isn’t the only reason why she’s ready to call it quits. Kyle Taylor, is and has been the most constant male figure in her life for as long as she can remember. When thinking of her fairytale ending her is who she would see as her knight in shining amour. The only problem with this is, he has a girlfriend. Fed up with the constant fussing and fighting, Lay-Lay isn’t sure whether or not Kyle is worth leaving behind the love and history she has with Smoke. Torn between the man she loves and the man she deserves, Lay-Lay is forced to make a decision.

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  Finding A Loyal Love

  A'Zayler

  Sullivan Productions | Leo Sullivan Presents (2015)

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  * * *

  Finding a Loyal Love

  A Novel By:

  A’zayler

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  To submit a manuscript for our review, email us at

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  © 2015

  Published by Leo Sullivan Presents

  www.leolsullivan.com

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

  Chapter 1

  It was the middle of the day and Shalaya Hardaway was ready to explode. She had just got home from graduation rehearsal when she saw an unknown car in her parking spot. That was one of the things she hated the most about living in an apartment complex. Somebody was always doing something to invade her personal space. She normally disregarded the loud music, or noisy neighbors, but her parking space was different. She was tired. She had been at work for the past twelve hours before leaving for graduation practice. She’d gone straight to her school from work. It was her last semester in college, and she’d be graduating from Clark Atlanta University in less than a week. After scanning the parking lot for a closer park that she never found, Lay-Lay gave up and looked toward the back. She didn’t feel like walking, especially not all the way from there. Lay cursed as she drove to the last row and parked her car.

  “I knew I should have stayed on campus.”

  She blew out an exasperated breath as she hiked to the top of her stairs. She unlocked her door and went in. Her purse had just landed on the floor when she heard a noise outside. The further into her house she walked the louder the voice got. She was snatching off her jacket when she heard the knocking on her door. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts because she wasn’t expecting any company. When she opened her front door her body was encompassed in a wave of heat. The girl on her porch was the last person she wanted to see. Lay-Lay crossed her arms over her chest and waited for her to speak. Seconds passed and she still hadn’t said anything. Instead she was standing there with a scowl on her face and her eyes narrowed into slits. Growing tired of the quiet game, Lay-Lay shifted her weight from one leg to the other and gave Kristen the once over.

  “You better have a good reason for being at my door little girl.”

  Kristen rolled her eyes. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to come over here. You always got something smart to say.”

  “Kristen, cut the bullshit. You know I don’t fuck with you. What do you want?” Lay-Lay patted the face of her watch with her finger.

  Of course Kristen rolled her eyes again at that notion. “Smoke told me to bring Caleb over here.”

  Lay-Lay looked at Kristen like she’d lost her mind. This had to be some type of prank. Her boyfriend’s baby mama was not at her door trying to drop off their son. She and Kristen hated each other. She didn’t understand why on earth she would want to leave her son with her anyway. As if things between her and Smoke weren’t strained enough, he had to go and pull something like this. Lay-Lay looked Kristen up and down as she waited for her to say that she was joking, but she never did.

  “Are you going to watch him or not?”

  “I guess I’ll be the grown up in this childish ass situation we’re in. Where is he?”

  Kristen looked like she wanted to say something slick, but changed her mind. Instead she turned and walked downstairs to her car. No soon as she’d gotten her son out of his car seat, Smoke’s car came to a screeching halt behind her. Lay-Lay walked further outside onto the porch. What the hell? Smoke’s ass was supposed to be at work. He was out of his car and in Kristen’s face in seconds.

  “You’re so fucking stupid! What did I tell you?”

  “Smoke, I don’t care what you told me. I have stuff to do. You don’t have time for him, so maybe the bitch you want to play house with does.”

  He pounded his fist into the palm of his hand for emphasis. “I told you I had to work.”

  The two continued to argue for a few minutes while Lay-Lay looked on. She couldn’t believe her man, and his side chick, were arguing in front of her house. The more she thought about it, she could believe it. Smoke and Kristen had been messing around for so long, she didn’t even consider her just his baby mama anymore. She had officially won the side chick title.

  “Can y’all please take that shit somewhere else?”

  Fed up with the drama Lay-Lay turned around and went back in the house. She was not about to stand outside and watch that buffoonery. Smoke and Kristen’s little antics were starting to get old. She had been dealing with the same mess for the past year and tired wasn’t even the word. The chaos she’d endured from those two in the name of love was embarrassing. Smoke was the perfect example of why she chose to date men without kids. Sadly, she’d become too wrapped up in him to take the time out to consider the baby. He seemed to be worthy of her time, so she figured she could deal with him as well. That was by far one of the biggest mistakes of her life. She had been dealing with foolishness ever since. Between fussing, fighting, and the continuous infidelity, she couldn’t catch a break. She had to deal with annoying unexpected occurrences, much like what was happening right outside of her door. They had only been back together for a few weeks and the drama had already started. She’d had enough. Normally she would have gone downstairs and put Kristen and Smoke in their place, but not today. She was already on the edge and if she went anywhere near either one of them it wouldn’t be pretty. She had problems of her own and she didn’t have time for them too. She had just sat down on her sofa when someone started beating on her door. They were knocking so hard that one of her pictures fell off the wall. When she opened it, she expected to find either Smoke or Kristen, but it was neither. It was her nosey neighbor from across the hall. He wanted to let her know that her “friends” were fighting. Lay-Lay couldn’t believe her eyes. Smoke had Kristen pinned against the trunk of her car by her neck. She was scratching the side of his face and arm trying to get him to let go. As much as Lay wanted to go back inside, she knew that it was time to intervene. She took the stairs two at a time and walked over to the fools fighting in her front yard.

  “Smoke, get your hands off of that damn girl.”

  He ignored her and continued to squeeze. Kristen didn’t look like she could stand much more. On top of that, Caleb was in the backseat screaming loud as hell. Lay didn’t know what else to do so she slapped Smoke across the back of his head.

  “Let her go. You’re scaring this baby!” Caleb was now resting on Lay-Lay’s hip.

  She’d grabbed him out of the car hoping that he would make his father come to his senses. Smoke looked from Lay to Kristen and then back to Caleb before letting go. When he did Kristen fell to the ground coughing dramatically. Lay-Lay and Smoke both looked at her in disgust. Lay thought she was stupid and weak. There was no way in the world Smoke would put his hands on her and get off that easily. The moment he’d let her neck go she would have been all over him. Smoke on the other hand was angry. He’d been telling Kristen all morning not to take his son to Lay-Lay. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, because he did. He knew she’d never harm an innocent child. The thing that got him was being unsure of how everything would play out. He had taken Lay-Lay through enough dealing with Kristen. Having her drop Caleb off without him being there would be adding fuel to an already blazing fire.

  “Get up and take your ass home.”

  Kristen wobbled up from the ground before rounding her car and getting in. Smoke got into his as well, so he could let her out. She pulled out so fast that she’d almost ran over Lay-Lay’s foot. Halfway down th
e road she tossed Caleb’s Spiderman backpack out of the window. Lay-Lay and Smoke both shook their heads at her childish act. Once they were back inside of her apartment Lay-Lay stripped Caleb of his jacket, hat, and shoes, before making him some food. She loved Caleb. He was the cutest little boy and the spitting image of his father. He was always a well behaved baby, so she had no problem looking after him. By the time she had got him situated in his high chair with his hotdogs and Cheetos Smoke had come in.

  “I’m sorry about this Lay-Lay.” Smoke leaned over the counter trying to observe her reaction.

  She could tell that he didn’t want her to be mad, but oh well, she was. Hopefully he’d caught the hint when she didn’t respond. She looked at him sporadically as he thought carefully about what to say next.

  “I didn’t tell her to come here. I told her to wait until I left the barbershop and I would pick him up.”

  Smoke owned a barbershop in the mall where he cut hair four days out of the week. His schedule was flexible, but it wasn’t safe for a two year old. Lay-Lay looked at Smoke for a minute before giving Caleb a cup with juice in it. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with him today. She was so over him and Kristen. She didn’t even know why she continued to take him back. Before she got the chance to respond someone else was knocking on her door. She gave Smoke the side eye before checking to see who it was.

  “Why you looking like that? What’s wrong with you?” Jade scrunched her face up as she and Zion walked in. Jade was Lay-Lay’s best friend and Zion was her younger brother.

  Lay-Lay waved her hand dismissively. “Trust me, you do not want to know.”

  “Yes I do. Hey Smoke.” Jade followed Lay-Lay into the kitchen as Zion dapped Smoke up and took a seat on the sofa.

  Smoke spoke before taking a seat in the living room with Zion. After Jade grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator she kissed Caleb’s cheek and sat on the counter.

  “Kristen came over here showing her ass, as usual.”

  Jade rolled her eyes. She was so tired of the drama her friend went through with Kristen. “Y’all didn’t fight did y’all?”

  “Girl hell no. I’m so over that shit it don’t make no sense.”

  Lay-Lay went on to explain the whole ordeal to Jade.

  *****

  Jade and Lay-Lay talked for a while before Smoke got up and left. He didn’t feel like listening to that shit. When he talked to Lay-Lay, she acted like she couldn’t open her mouth. As soon as Jade came in she couldn’t shut up. Jade was her best friend, but that didn’t mean she had to tell all of their business. He didn’t hear Jade telling Lay-Lay all of her and King’s business. True enough, King wasn’t putting Jade through the bullshit he put Lay through, but it still made him mad. He didn’t want everybody looking at him like he wasn’t shit. The problems he and Lay had were between them. Smoke had been trying to change since they’d got back together, but it was hard. She didn’t trust him, and she made sure to tell him every chance she got. How were they ever going to get past the spot they were in if she kept bringing up old shit? There was no way he could get a fair chance with her still hounding him about the past. With his music pumped up as loud as it would go, Smoke headed out of Lay-Lay’s complex. He was halfway to work when his phone beeped with a text. When he looked at the screen he noticed that it was from Lana. She was a regular freak he hit off with some dick on the side. He kept her because she wasn’t confrontational, and she knew how to play her role. She stayed quiet, and did whatever he told her to. Whenever she would see him out with Lay-Lay she acted like she’d never met him a day in her life. Kristen was nothing like that. It was like she loved to see him with Lay-Lay, so she could start some shit. Smoke looked at the clock on his stereo and realized that he had a couple of hours before his next appointment. He texted Lana back letting her know that he was on his way. He was stressed and the bomb ass head Lana gave would be sure to relax him.

  *****

  “You’re better than me, because Caleb would be outside.” Morgan said.

  Jade cut her off before she could tell another lie. “Morgan, stop lying. You know damn well you wouldn’t have put that baby outside.”

  Lay-Lay had called Jade and Morgan on a three way call once she’d finished her homework. Morgan was her other best friend. They’d all been friends for years.

  “It’s not the baby’s fault his mama and daddy are stupid.” Jade said.

  Morgan agreed with Jade on that part, but she still couldn’t see how Lay-Lay did it. “Has either one of those niggas bothered to call and check on the little boy?”

  It was late, and neither Smoke nor Kristen had come back to get Caleb. It was a little after ten and Lay-Lay had already given him a bath and put him to bed. It looked like he was about to spend the night. After she’d left Wal-Mart to get him some pajamas and something to wear for the next day, they’d gone to Burger King to eat. She let him play in the play place for about two hours to tire him out before they went back to her house. He played with the bucket of blocks she’d got for him from Wal-Mart for another hour before his bath. Now he was asleep next to her in the bed. Lay-Lay didn’t want kids, but she knew how to take care of them. She’d grown up the oldest of six children. Being that she was eight years older than the second oldest, she was like their second mother. She loved kids, but she’d been a mother all of her life she didn’t need her own.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if his daddy comes strolling in here in a few hours like he’s right.”

  Morgan sucked her teeth. “Smoke needs his ass whooped.”

  “For real, I don’t even care anymore. I’m so tired of him. If I didn’t have this baby, I wouldn’t even care if he came home or not.”

  That remark got her friends attention. For as long as they could remember Lay-Lay had been gaga crazy over Smoke. She would act up about the smallest thing he did.

  “Are you sick Shalaya?” That was Jade’s smart mouth, before she and Morgan started laughing.

  “Y’all two pregnant hoes make me sick. Y’all always trying to be so funny. I ain’t sick of nothing but Smoke’s ass. I deserve better than what that nigga gives me. I’m getting too old to keep playing these childish games with him. I need me a real man.”

  “Kyle!” Jade and Morgan shouted at the same time.

  Kyle was Morgan’s big brother. He and Shalaya had obvious feelings for one another that they continued to deny. They’d liked each other for a few years now, but still hadn’t acted on it. He and Lay-Lay were both involved with other people, but anybody that saw them with each other would be able to see the chemistry.

  “Y’all ain’t shit. Y’all know that man has a girlfriend.”

  Lay-Lay hadn’t known about Kyle’s girlfriend up until Morgan’s baby shower. Normally when he visited he came alone, but last month he’d showed up with her. She was nice, but none of the three friends liked her. She spent a lot of time sucking up to Morgan, but it didn’t matter. The only woman Morgan wanted to see her brother with was Lay-Lay. Kyle and Lay-Lay were so different, but matched perfectly. Both of them deserved someone good.

  You could hear the annoyance in Morgan’s voice. “I don’t care about that girl and you know it.”

  Lay-Lay shifted in the bed some, making sure to pull the covers over Caleb. “You should. What kind of sister are you?”

  “The kind that wants her brother with someone he loves.”

  “We do love each other, don’t we?” Lay-Lay asked to herself more than anything. She looked up at the ceiling thinking of Kyle.

  She quickly shook the thoughts of him from her head. She and the girls laughed and talked for a few more minutes until Lay-Lay heard Smoke come in. She told them she’d call them back before hanging up and placing her phone on the charger. She turned over and pretended to be asleep when he walked in. Just like she knew he would, he bypassed her and went to the bathroom. When she heard the shower come on she wanted to slap him. The only time he took showers at night was when he’d been clubbing, or out cheating. Smoke was a morning person. On a normal basis he would only take showers in the morning. It was a Wednesday night, so she knew that it wasn’t the club. His barbershop closed at seven, so that left four hours unaccounted for. Lay-Lay went over what he could have been doing from seven until eleven in her head as she lay there. The only thing that came to mind was a woman. She shook her head in disgust as she thought about how sloppy he was. He didn’t even have the decency to take a shower at his hoe’s house. At least then he could have come right in and got in the bed. A tear ran down the side of her face as she thought about how stupid she was. It seemed like no matter what she did, or didn’t do, Smoke was going to cheat regardless. She was in the middle of feeling sorry for herself when her phone beeped with a text. It was from an unsaved number.