Chapter 5
FIVE
Johnni
I was currently at Mickey’s house attempting to calm my nerves before I made my way home, hoping the joy of being on godmom duty did the trick.
I rushed over here after I left the club, fighting with Boss and the muthafucka who not only manhandled me today, but who’d taken my soul this past weekend at Seventh Heaven.
Courtland.
Sure, I had run into plenty of people around town that I saw there, but never had anyone made it known the way he did.
I couldn’t lie, the way my heart damn near stopped ticking my and pussy immediately reacted, I knew he was gon’ be a bad influence, especially if he was mutuals with Mickey’s newfound family through BK.
Johnni, the only bad influence is going to be your pussy if you see him again.
Which was true. Courtland’s fine ass had me wide open and wanting more of him, which wasn’t usual, especially with anybody from the club. I never got too attached to men I met there, fearful that they would figure me out in public like he just had today.
Thanks to Boss’s drunk ass.
I patted Minnie’s back, trying to get her to burp before she fell asleep.
“Okay, now tell me what happened,” Mickey said as she came back into the nursery with a snack board and a blend of a tincture in a tea kettle, along with bottles of water since she wasn’t drinking. She called herself soothing my nerves. While she poured my cup, I started my rundown of my morning.
“Girl, so, I was at the club running through this routine one more time. After Kimmie made the changes, I had to get them down. You know the first round is coming up fast. I’m on my last run through when guess who strolled in.” I paused for a moment as she put a piece of cheese in her mouth.
“Heffa, I’m not guessing, just tell me.” I kissed my teeth as I playfully rolled my eyes.
“Boss.”
Why she gasped, I had no idea. But it had me laughing a little too much, which had Minnie huffing out her baby frustration from my sudden movements.
“Wait, hold on. Let me lay her in her crib before you continue. And no, you may not hold her. BK and I both agreed on getting her acclimated with sleeping on her own. We read that starting them now helps create a healthy habit for her. It’s bad enough that she’s staying up at night when he gets in late.
” I pouted, poking out my lip as she took Minnie out of my arms.
“Ugh, and now I can’t even hold my baby. Why is God punishing me?” I whined, tossing my head back.
“Oh girl, hush. No one is punishing you for nothing. Now continue please, but take a sip of your tea first.”
“Oh yeah.” I popped a grape in my mouth then went for my cup of tea, pausing to enjoy the blend of chamomile with a hint of lemon. The spice from the alcohol was a great touch.
“First off, Mickey, this is good. Is this what you’re giving Mackie in the home?” I asked as she retook her seat.
“Will you focus please? Story.”
“Damn, okay. So Boss strolled in, and at first I went unnoticed since his main goal was the bar, which is strange considering the club wasn’t technically open.
Anyways, somewhere between Kimmie re-showing me the move I kept missing, Boss makes his way over to the stage and it was then I caught his attention. This foul ass—"
I stopped the second my voice went up an octave, taking a few seconds to do some deep breaths. I felt myself getting angry all over again, taking another sip of my tea.
“Long story very short, because if I go into full detail I’ma get pissed all over again, he called me a hoe, said Q deserves a better wife than a stripper, and then proceeded to throw money at me. I cussed him out and punched that foul ass nigga in his mouth and said my husband will be in touch.”
I rushed my words out then went for my bottle of water, taking a long drink while Mickey sat there with her mouth wide open, matching her eyes.
And for a brief second, my mind went back to Courtland, his strong ass arms, and the way he held me, blocking me from getting Boss’s ass the way I wanted to and the torn conviction I was having about that.
Because I had never been in someone’s embrace the way he held me close to him, tight enough for his scent to leave a lingering memory, that had me inhaling deeply to get a whiff of his woody, spicy cologne that was faint but still present on my clothes.
Lawd and his fine ass smells good too. He’s the total package, Johnni!
I was talking crazy to myself. Sizing up Courtland as if I wasn’t a married woman who couldn’t leave her husband even if I wanted to.
“Damn, that’s fucked up. And before I say this, this isn’t an excuse, but BK said he’s been off since Thanksgiving.
I heard he has a history of benders like this.
I guess this time might be the worst. Now I don’t know what happened to cause this, but I’m saying, before you get Q involved, think about those who depend on him.
Because I know how Q moves about you. Boss’d Up will be shut down by midnight.
” I pressed my lips together and nodded to agree with her, because it would.
I heard what Mickey was saying. Quincey was a protector of home.
And he wasn’t one to settle things in the streets, never had been and never would be.
No, my husband’s idea of fighting dirty was by hurting pockets.
Unfortunately, like a majority of politicians, it was never the legit way.
No, Quincey did whatever he needed to protect himself, our marriage, and me.
That was one of his vows to me and he has maintained it thus far.
So I heard what she was saying, but I wasn’t making any promises.
Even if all he could do was have people pulling out on contracts or blackballing Boss’s company, Quincey would find a way to make himself feel better about the disrespect.
“It sounds nice in theory, but you already know I have to tell Q. I can’t afford to take the chance of Boss not running his mouth about Congressman Quincey Wilson’s wife stripping at Roulette.
It’s an election year, Mickey. And I’m already catching hell because of this new routine for my talent.
Now, I will at least tell him not to hurt him, but that’s as much as I’m willing to give.
Plus, that muthafucka made me chip a nail and that shit pissed me off,” I said as I fanned my hand out and looked at my fucked up manicure.
“Girl, please. That’s on the list of things you have to do before your first competition next week.
Ain’t nobody worried about your barely noticeable chipped paint, especially not you.
Speaking of, is this the round we’re allowed to come to?
” she asked, tone full of sarcasm. I tilted my head to the side as I shot her a stern look.
When it came to my pageants, family and friends outside of Mama Steph needed permission to attend.
Quincey was included in the list, since I only allowed their attendance at certain competitions.
One year I let, my girls come, and I didn’t even place because my nerves were fucked up worried about them in the audience.
But a couple years before that, I thought Quincey being there would be okay, but it was the worst experience ever. His ranking was harsher than a judge. I said never the fuck again.
Quincey’s banishment from attending my pageants wasn’t just my decision but his mama’s too. I would say, he was the reason I strove for perfection.
Now, I only let the girls come to out-of-town pageants since they were like mini vacations for us when I was done competing.
I tapped my chin. “Let me see, nope! But y’all might get lucky for regionals if I place. They’re down in the Keys. This year's theme is Queens in Paradise.” Mickey opened her mouth to speak, but I put my hand up, halting her words.
“And before you say something, yes, it’s still local, but I’m being nice… well, selfish because y’all have got to see this routine Kimmie came up with. I mean, I had no idea I could work a pole for real.” I boasted while I went for a few more grapes.
Mickey shrugged. “You don’t have to tell me. Boss tripping told me everything.” The sly smirk plastered on her face had me gasping as my mouth fell open before we laughed.
Minnie making her baby grunts let us know we had done too much. We quickly fell into silence, hoping she would fall back into her slumber. Mickey stood, peeking into her crib, then retook her seat.
“Too soon, heffa.”
“No it wasn’t. Are you calm now?” I nodded, going for my teacup.
“Girl, I swear. This launch of Herbal Remedies and Remi Oil is going to do so good. From your tinctures to your skin care and the hair growth oil, the people are going to love it. You got magic in this cup right here though for sure. Got me laughing at niggas who made me chip my nail and everything.”
“Niggas? Did I miss a person? Because that’s some plural dialogue.”
I put my eyes back in my cup as I shook my head, then realized this was the problem that had me slipping, putting esses on shit.
I cleared my throat.
“No, I was just speaking on Boss. Trust me, the way he was acting, this was some Jekyll and Mr. Hyde stuff, two niggas worthy. Anyways, let’s change the subject.
You know Minnie’s first holiday is coming up, what are we thinking?
” I had to get her suspicious ass eyes off me and on something I knew would pull her attention completely away.
Easter was right around the corner and the best distraction for my slip.
The sound of my phone vibrating had me checking out while Mickey began to go over the details for Minnie’s first Easter.
I frowned once I saw the number I didn’t recognize.
107-514-4046: First I find out your name is Johnni and then the married bomb. I must say that shit fucked me up, Lourdè.
I smiled and nodded at Mickey, pretending to listen while I replied to Courtland, wondering how he’d gotten my number.
Me: A girl gotta have some secrets about herself. And how did you get my number?
107-514-4046: anything can be public info when you ask the right person. Now, back to you making it up to me for lying.
I snorted at this man really trying to pull me. Granted we had already fucked, and no he, didn’t know the rules of my marriage, but it still felt off for a minute to be texting another man.
“Heffa, you not even listening to me. Who’s got your attention?”
“I am listening, just laughing at Mama Steph. Keep going. BK’s renting a damn bunny for the day.” I was glad I caught a detail. It was enough for Mickey to grin and continue while I put my focus back on Courtland.
Me: I didn’t lie, just left out the unnecessary details. Would it have mattered anyway given the location we met? I mean Seventh Heaven is set up for discretion, right.
107-514-4046: You being married is an unnecessary detail, Lourdè? But, honestly, hell no, it wouldn’t have mattered. Lol, well shit, we might as well keep the good orgasms cumming then, huh?
Courtland’s reply had my pussy responding before I could even get the message together. I knew he would be a bad influence but was I seriously about to break the rules of my marriage and play offsite?
Me: Just tell me when and where.
I was sparking the flame but right now I didn’t care. I locked my phone, not needing to see his reply just yet. I knew it was an address, but I was going to finish my visit with Mickey before I made my way anywhere.