Chapter 2
2
Kwame Wiles
“K wame, it’s good to see you, man!” DeAngelo exclaimed as I stepped into his office at Club Tropicana.
I smiled as I reached out to shake his awaiting hand. DeAngelo and I met at a poker game a few years back when my father used to throw parties for his business associates. He and I both were new to the game and began conversing about cars—my first love. By the end of the night, after I took his and everyone else’s money, we created a brotherhood and had been friends ever since. While he owned this nice establishment, I had my hands in a lot of other businesses as well. One could say that I was an investor of some sort. If it made me profit, I definitely put money into it.
“Always a pleasure to see you. How’s the wife and kid?”
“Aw, they’re good man, my son is getting bigger every day. How’s Charlene?”
“No more Charlene,” I told him, shaking my head. He looked at me in shock as I smirked and nodded.
Charlene was supposed to have been my wife, but because we both knew that arranged marriage bullshit wasn’t going to work, we both decided to call it quits before we even signed our names on the dotted line. There was no secret that we were not compatible. I was not saying that people who just met couldn’t fall in love over time, but I literally just couldn’t see or force myself to love her. She was also a habitual liar and slept around a lot with other men. After discovering her infidelity, I knew there was no way I could forgive her. So, it was time to move on.
“Well, since you’re back on the market, I think being a silent partner in the club would be a surefire way to meet Mrs. Right.”
“Are you suggesting that I find love in the club, man?” I asked him as we laughed. “My name ain’t Usher, G.”
“I’m not saying that, but you never know. It’s no secret that my club is a hotspot. I’ve just run into a financial snag and am at risk of losing this place. This place is my baby. I can’t lose it because of being behind on taxes.”
“How the hell did that happen anyway? You make good money.”
“Let’s just say that poker ain’t shit, and I wish I’ve never met that ho.”
We both laughed again as I shook my head.
“Come on. Let me show you around. Maybe it’ll change your mind.”
DeAngelo stood, and I followed him out of his office. I couldn’t deny that the club was nice. It definitely gave off the illusion of some place tropical. The bar was like a huge fish tank. It had a glass top and exotic fish swimming around inside. There was a huge VIP lounge area that had hammock-style seating, palm trees, and even a little sand on the floor. The tables and chairs were wooden with tiki lamps surrounding the place. He even had dancers in small grass skirts, bikini tops, and leis dancing on poles. The bartenders wore floral tops and white bottoms that had their ass cheeks playing peek-a-boo with flowers in their hair or a floral headband. The club definitely felt like being on an island of some sort, but, from what he told me, the food and top shelf alcohol is what kept them coming back.
“This is nice, Angelo.”
“I’m telling you, you won’t be disappointed with where you spend your money.”
Immediately, I became distracted when she walked through the door. It was funny because seeing her earlier, I didn’t think I’d run into her this soon. I had plans to send her flowers and a thank-you note with my number attached to it, but I had an emergency at one of my auto body shops that pulled me away. Ms. Esa looked like a beautiful Kenya Doll. Her chocolate baby face was smooth and blemish free. Her eyes were dreamy and light brown, but what really made me swoon was her smile. Her teeth were straight and as white as snow, and those deep ass dimples couldn’t be missed either. Aside from her curvy figure, her conversation had been a beautiful distraction from the everyday hustle and bustle of my life. I could tell that she was educated, and after discovering that it was indeed her shop, I became even more enthralled.
“Aye, are you listening to me?” DeAngelo asked, pulling me away from the trance she temporarily had me in.
“Uh…yeah.”
I looked at him and laughed.
“No, I wasn’t. I didn’t hear shit past where my money is spent. Do you know her?” I asked him, nodding my head toward the other end of the bar.
DeAngelo turned and followed my stare.
“Ahh yes, the beautiful Esani Simms. I wouldn’t travel down that road, G. She’s known for breaking hearts. But damn if she isn’t a baddie.”
“She could only break a weak man’s heart. By the time I’m done with her, I bet I’ll make her fall so deep she won’t see anyone else outside of me.”
“That sounds real toxic, brother,” DeAngelo stated as he laughed.
“No way. I just know how a woman is supposed to be treated. I’d never hurt them or treat them as if they weren’t important to me. A lot of times, us men take these women for granted. If they really fuck with you, they give their all to you. There’s literally no limit to when a woman loves you. They’ll do anything for you or be anything for you. Most men—because I won’t say all men—tend to play on that shit, which is why women become bitter and start to lose the love they once had for you. Not to mention the flip side of that love, is hate. And my dear brother, is a thin line between the two.”
“I’m sorry. Did you come to talk business or give me a lesson on love and happiness, Al Green?”
“Both, nigga,” I told him as we laughed again.
I took a napkin and pulled a pen from my pocket. I wrote my name and number down then bought her and her friend a bottle of Armand de Brignac Brut Rosé. I instructed the bartender to give Ms. Esa the note and bottle then walked away.
“Did you just spend ten thousand dollars on this chick?” DeAngelo asked me, surprised by my actions, which he shouldn’t have been because I wasn’t frugal with my money at all.
“Not really…I just invested in your club,” I told him, reaching out my hand for him to shake. DeAngelo smiled wide as hell as he pulled me in for a brotherly hug.
“Thank you, bro! Let’s get this paperwork going!” he exclaimed as I followed him back up to his office.
* * *
Esani
“Here you go,” the bartender said, walking over to Tania and I and setting a bottle of Brignac Brut Rosé and a napkin in front of us.
“We didn’t order this, boo,” I told her.
“The gentleman in the gray did...Enjoy.” She winked then walked away.
I looked around but didn’t see anyone, so I looked down at the napkin she put next to the bottle. It was Kwame’s name and phone number, with a message that said enjoy the beverage on me . I smiled as I slipped the napkin inside of my clutch.
“You’re one lucky bitch,” Tania said, rolling her eyes and smiling at me.
“I’m honestly not interested.”
“Hence the reason you put his number in your purse. Girl, you can fool these niggas, but you can’t fool me.” She laughed.
“I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to see if he’s another sponsor. Hell, from our brief conversation, I know he has money. I’m just trying to figure out if I even want to add him to the roster. We’ll see, though.”
Shrugging, I fixed my eyes on the door, and in walked Solomon “Solo” Sanders, looking as fine as the day I met him. I really didn’t feel like entertaining him, but I knew I had to, considering he had already spotted me. If I got enough liquor in my system, I’d definitely be leaving with him tonight.
“Is that Dallas that’s with Solo?” Tania asked, pulling out her compact mirror and checking her edges.
“Sure is. Why are you checking yourself out? You clearly diss the man every time he tries to give you some play.”
“I can’t make it easy for him, sis. You of all people should know that.”
I smiled as I poured a glass of the expensive champagne. I could see that my ways were rubbing off on my good friend, but the way I saw it, why not pass the game down to my bestie? Solo and Dallas strolled over to us. The moment Solo reached me, his lips were on my neck, and his arms were wrapped securely around me.
“You don’t even know how hard you got my dick right now,” he whispered in my ear. I chuckled as I pushed him back slightly.
“Hello to you too, Solomon.”
“What I tell you about that Solomon shit? You know that makes me want to touch them tonsils and shove my name right back down your throat.” Solo’s mouth was filthy, and for some odd reason, I loved that about him. He was labeled in my phone as “ Gangsta Boo, ” because although he owned a business, the negro definitely had that gangsta swag.
“Your mouth is filthy. Hi, Dallas,” I said, diverting my attention to Dallas.
“What’s up, sis? What’s up, Nia?”
“Hey.” Tania blushed.
I didn’t know why she wanted to play coy. Her behind knew she wanted him.
“What y’all drinking?” Solo asked.
“Brignac Brut Rosé,”
“Ten bands on a bottle, huh? You celebrating?”
“No…It was actually a gift.”
“One of your other niggas?” he jested.
“Really? That’s what we’re doing?” I asked him, getting irritated.
Deflecting, he laughed. “Nah, baby, I’m just talking shit.”
“Mmhmm,” I mumbled, sipping my drink. My eyes roamed the club, and I’d be damned if Marc’s ass wasn’t in attendance.
Fuck me!
It was all I needed for his ass to see me hugged up with Solo.
“You want to dance?” Dallas asked Tania.
“Sure.”
“Wait. Let me talk to you for a second?” I told her, pulling her away from them. “Marc is in the VIP lounge. I need to get out of here. Are you going to be okay getting home with Dallas?”
“Oh, I had already planned to leave with him,” she said, smiling mischievously.
“Oh lord!” I laughed. “Well, cool. I need to get Solo out of here.”
“Since when you care about these niggas knowing about each other?”
“I don’t, but these niggas be caring a little too much, so…you know.”
“I got you, sis. Be careful.”
“You too. Call me, and enjoy the bottle on me.” I winked as we air kissed and walked back over to Solo and Dallas.
I whispered in Solo’s ear, and he didn’t hesitate to agree to leave with me. After saying our goodbyes, we hurried out of the club and went back to my place where I gave him the best sex of his life and sent him on his way. Trying to juggle seven men was exhausting. It was time to shorten my list because trying to keep these men apart was becoming too damn much.