Chapter 9
Nina
I knew the moment Brenda walked her ass away from me, lips puckered like she was kissing somebody’s ass, that she had called Proctor.
Sure enough, he came outside, tall, bowlegged, and mugging me like I had personally ruined his life.
“What is it, Proctor?” I snapped as soon as he approached me.
“Why the fuck are you here?”
“Why can’t I come to one of the hottest clubs in Vegas and have a good time? What’s wrong with that?”
“You know what the fuck is wrong with it. We don’t fuck with you.”
I crossed my arms staring at him like he was slow.
“Now, how the fuck am I the problem when my father and I are the reason this club even exists? The reason why you and your stupid-ass son have money! I’m the one who got fucked over in the end, so why are y’all acting like I did something to him besides try and get back what was supposed to be ours? ”
He shook his head and looked off into the distance before meeting my eyes again.
“Look, I don’t have time for your bullshit. You came here for drama, and we want no parts. There are plenty of other spots on the strip for you to go out to tonight.”
“Proctor, I’m coming here to spend money. I booked a section and everything. Hawk is married, happily, so he says, so why can’t I move on with my life? I want to party too. What’s the big deal? Is his bitch in there or something?”
He stepped closer to me.
“Listen, don’t refer to my daughter-in-law as a bitch. She not a bitch, and she good for my son.”
“Well, I was even better. He came up five hundred million because of me. So, I was great to your son, actually!”
I snaked my neck because Proctor had me fucked up.
“Whatever you say, Nina,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets.
“So, can I go in or not? I’m tired of waiting, and my feet are fucking hurting in these heels.”
“Why didn’t you buy better ones?”
I lifted my foot and pointed to the red sole.
“These are Christian Louboutin’s. Trust, I still hold myself up to a high standard even though your son took half of my money.”
“He didn’t take shit,” Proctor cut in. “He earned it. Your father gave it to him, not you. He took care of that old ass nigga when he was dying when you didn’t give a fuck, so that’s why he has that money.
You should be mad at your father for volunteering you and giving you up to a nigga who didn’t want yo ass. ”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“Anyway, can you move so that I can go inside? I need a fucking drink.”
Proctor exhaled and closed his eyes and I can admit, I didn’t know if he was about to curse me out some more or pick me up and throw me across the street.
“Listen, the moment I find out you’re in here stirring up shit, you’re out. I’m not putting up with no shit on my first day back to the club. I’m on that tonight.”
“And I’m not, so congrats.”
I pushed past him. I wasn’t sure if he was about to snatch me back by my ponytail or what, but surprisingly, he didn’t. He must’ve had other shit on his mind, which was perfect for me.
When I walked into the club, Stacy was already inside, standing by the bar.
“Hey, I was wondering when you were going to come in. I’ve been standing here for like thirty minutes.”
“Girl I ran into a little obstacle, but you know nothing ever holds me down forever. Our section should be on the first floor.” I looked around until I spotted the one person I knew could help me figure out which one it was.
I walked up to Brenda and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around with an attitude, like she was the one who got fucked over. It was amazing how loyal followers were to Hawk. This bitch was kissing my ass just last year, now she’s acting like the sight of me irritates her.
“Yes, can I help you?”
“Proctor, let me in, so I need to be led to my section and treated like a paying guest.”
“Proctor let you in?”
“Yeah, did I stutter. I didn’t just walk in off the street. He said I could have my section since I paid for it. So, can you tell me where it is?”
She sucked her teeth and lifted her iPad.
“What’s the name on the reservation?”
“Stacy. Stacy Ester.”
“Why didn’t you put it under your name? Wait, you must’ve known it would get canceled.”
She muttered under her breath.
“Section please.”
“Look, I’ll find someone to take you there in a second.”
She walked off.
“Girl, these people are a trip, but I’m ready to party. This club is jumping tonight.”
“It really is. One thing about that snake motherfucker Hawk, he knows how to start a business and keep it running.”
I replied as I took everything in.
One thing I never got over about Hawk was his mind and ability to make things happen and come up with ideas I never would’ve thought of.
I can admit a lot of the money made, and all the clubs and businesses opened, wouldn’t have happened without him.
I still look at him as my man because I knew I would never find another like him.
He was just off playing house right now with some broke-ass bitch from wherever she came from.
I am still hoping that one day he will come back to reality, and we combine our incomes again and be the power couple we were always meant to be.
I always knew there would only be a matter of time
Stacy and I were led to our section, and I was irritated to see it was next to a group of gangster-looking types who probably came to Vegas just to scope out women. Men like that always had money from illegal shit, and illegal money never lasted. That was why I preferred men who made money legally.
We sat down and started drinking from the bottles of Jameson, Crown, and a house bourbon I ordered. I knew all of this alcohol would be hard to drink with just me and Stacy here, but I didn’t keep many bitches close to me since that Cyn situation. Women are conniving and secretly envious beings.
“Yo!”
One of the guys in the neighboring section leaned over the railing and spoke to Stacy.
I couldn’t really hear what he said but I heard Stacy’s reply.
“Your homeboy wants to talk to her?” Stacy turned around arching her brow and I walked up closer to them`.
“What does he do for a living? How much money does he have?”
She asked the questions that she knew mattered the most.
He laughed. “Oh, so y’all those types of females? Never mind then.”
He walked away from the rail.
Stacy rolled her eyes and we walked away.
“Girl, they must be broke.”
“They have to be, but I’m not worried about them niggas,” I said, lifting my glass.
I tried to get back into my vibe, sipping my drink, when one of the waitresses walked up to our section holding another bottle of Ace. Her attitude was loud even before she opened her mouth.
“This is for you.”
“And who is it from. If it’s from Proctor, I don’t want it. I’m sure that motherfucker spit in it.” I said with just as much attitude as she had.
“It’s not from Proctor, he would never. This bottle was sent to you by that section next door. Specifically, the dude in the white shirt and black ball cap,” She pointed to the same dudes who we just dissed.
When I looked over, I made eye contact with one guy standing toward the front of the section. He wasn’t talking much, just drinking and watching me.
“Oh, he’s kinda cute,” I spoke out loud.
He had caramel skin and a nice little build on him. He wasn’t my usual type, but I can’t deny ol boy was kind of fine.
“Well, you are not the only person he sent a bottle to tonight but enjoy.”
She placed the bottle down on the table and walked off.
“Girl, I didn’t even see him up there. He is cute.” Stacy said.
“Well, being cute and being a good dude are two different things these days. I’ve learned that the hard way with Hawk’s ass. No one looks better than his no good ass.”
“See, that is your problem. You are always comparing niggas to Hawk. I mean, you could’ve been on a yacht in Dubai right now with that African guy we met at the mall the other day, but you turned him down. I mean who cares if he has a potbelly?”
“I did,” I laughed.
“I’m not about to be with somebody who I’m not attracted to. I mean, just think about it. We have babies, and they end up with little matching potbellies just like they daddy. No fuckin thank you.”
She burst out laughing but I was dead ass.
When I looked back at the section, he was staring right at me, so I shook off my nerves and stood up, walking over to him.
“Hey!” I got the attention of one of the dudes standing closest to our section.
“What’s up?”
“Tap your friend on the shoulder and tell him to come here,” I said to one of the guys near the railing.
He relayed the message quickly, but the dude took his time coming over to me. I mean, this nigga sipped his drink until it was nothing but ice left in the cup before he finally walked over to me.
“What’s up with you, gorgeous? My name is Cole, what's yours?”
Up close, he was even finer. The distance hadn’t done him justice.
“I'm Nina. Why did you send a bottle instead of just saying hi to me?” I batted my eyes in a flirtatious way.
“Because I wanted to make sure you were having a good time.”
“What made you think I wasn’t?”
“You’re in the same size section as us, and you only have one person in it with you.”
“Let’s just say that I don’t mind paying for space and comfort.”
“Well, if you were fucking with a nigga like me, you wouldn’t be paying for anything.”
“If you say so. What do you do for a living?”
“Whatever I need to do to live.”
“Interesting,” I said, lifting his chain up with one finger.
“So, was it illegal money that got you this?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Well, that means I can’t entertain you. I like my men free.”
“I stay free. I’m no dummy baby.”
“I hear that,” I replied, as a smirk tugged at my cheek.
“But what are y’all about to do, pretty lady? We are about to shake the spot. Bitches in here too bougie, and my boys ain’t getting no play so they bored.”
“Looks like you weren’t either without flashing your money. I heard I wasn’t the only one who got a bottle tonight.”
“You weren’t, but you could be the last one.”
I shook my head, laughing at his bluntness.
“Anyway, where are y’all headed?”
“To the club down the street. I heard it be popping in there too.”
“Oh, you’re talking about Ecstasy? It’s cool in there. I don’t know the owner, though.”
“So you're trying to roll? We got three black trucks ready to go outside now.”
I thought about it for a second, wondering how I would probably get some better treatment somewhere my enemies didn’t own.
“I’ll go as long as y’all know how to act and don’t expect anything from me.”
“I don’t expect shit but respect. You feel me?”
He grabbed my hand, rubbing the back of my wrist.
“Nice watch.”
“Yeah,” I said. “And I got plenty of nice ones at home too, so know that money doesn’t impress me. Other things do.”
I looked down at his crotch, then back up at his eyes. He laughed.
“Alright, I hear you. Let me call the rides, then we can bonk out.”
“Cool,” I replied, walking off slow enough for him to watch my ass twist.
“What did he say?” Stacy asked when I walked back up to her.
“We’re going to the strip club with them.”
“What?”
“Yeah. We’re getting out of here. I don’t even trust these drinks anymore. These waitress bitches are acting weird, and you never know when Proctor is going to snap and put us out anyway.”
“Yeah, you're right,” Stacy replied.
About five minutes later, the men from the neighboring section filed out, and Cole signaled for us to follow him.
Just like he mentioned, three black trucks were sitting out front. We climbed into the middle one, and he sat next to me.
“So, where are you from?”
I asked, leaning into him.
“Memphis.”
“Memphis, what are you doing in Vegas? On your bachelor trip?”
“If I were on my bachelor trip, I wouldn’t be trying to get beautiful women to notice me. It’s my birthday, baby. I just turned twenty-five.”
“Sounds like you are the baby.”
“Just by age. How old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“Older woman, just how I like them,” he said, rubbing my thigh.
“And why do you like older women?”
“Y’all know what you want, and what you are doing. I’m sure you do, don’t you?”
“Yep, but that’s for me to know and for those deserving to find out.”
I flirted by fondling his chain again.
When we got to the club, we walked in like a mob and bottles started to pop. I paced my alcohol intake unlike Stacy, who drank daily and could still function drinking like a fish.
It took a lot to get her drunk, and even then, she probably had never had a hangover since I’ve known her.
Cole leaned into my ear.
“Why are you babysitting your drink tonight?”
“I’m not a big drinker, that’s all.”
“I saw you drinking heavily in the club we just left. You're holding back because you liked the other spot better? You been there a lot?”
“I guess you can say so. I used to own it. My boyfriend and I, before we broke up.”
“Oh, really, what happened?”
“We had a threesome, and the bitch we had one with stole him from me.”
He leaned back.
“Damn, that’s fucked up. I would’ve honored you for that shit.”
“As he should’ve, but he didn’t. He would much rather be with a weak ass bitch who he can stunt for instead of a woman that he can stunt with.”
“I feel that baby.” A big ass smile spread from cheek to cheek, showing exactly how impressed his ass was.
“So, what are your plans for tonight?”
“Go home. Get in my bed and use my rose until I pass out.”
“Nah, baby girl, I’m sure the real thing is way better,” he whispered, his tongue brushing my neck back and forth.
What threw me off is that this actually kind of turned me on.
I missed that feeling, to be honest, and hadn’t been touched since Hawk left.
That’s why I’ve gotten to know my rose very well.
I was electrocuting my clit damn near every night.
When Cole pulled his tongue away from my neck, I turned to him, almost inches away from his face and those pink ass lips.
“You’re bold.”
“But did you like it?”
“If I didn't, I would’ve pushed you away.”
“Alright, so now imagine how that’d feel if my tongue was flicking on that pussy. How about we leave and I’ll show you.”
I laughed.
“I don’t know, I’ll think about it. That’s if I am drunk enough,”
“Alright, let me fill your cup up then. I want your ass,” he replied, grabbing the liquor and pouring more into my glass.
I took it back to the head this time, and told myself that I am single, rich, and young, so life doesn't end because another woman stole my man.
Maybe it was time that I reminded myself of that while she’s borrowing Hawk for the time being. I’ll get Hawk back one day, but until then, there was nothing wrong with having fun.