Chapter 1 #3
“You’re not alone,” I laughed, nudging Saga.
“You ready? Cause, if I have another one of them damn martinis, I’m going to use Sully’s dick as my straw. That nigga is fine as the China pieces in my grandma’s cabinets.”
“If you did,” I sniggered, “I wouldn’t blame you. He is a work of art.”
“Flocco trying to get you fucked up, friend. I know his game.”
My eyes darted in his direction. A twinge of jealousy coursed through my veins as I watched him interact with the woman in the black dress. She had barely moved an inch all night, waiting for the moment to grab his attention.
“I don’t give a damn how sloppy he gets me, he won’t be sliding in this shit.”
Saga looped her arm through mine. Together, we made our way toward the bar.
We both deposited our cups on the counter before heading in the other direction.
I glanced in the section Flocco shared with Sully and two others.
To my surprise, he was no longer visible.
Neither was the woman in the black dress.
We made our way out of the door just as the lights came on inside of Goose. The party was over.
3:46a
I wasn’t sure where time had gone, but I didn’t care.
We emerged with a group of clubbers. The quietness of the wee hours was disrupted with chatter, whistling, and laughter.
Heels assaulted the pavement. Loud stereos pumped out a variety of sounds.
Rims elevated rides. Diamonds danced in the dark.
All shades of brown blended and contrasted with the night sky.
The smell of fresh air filled my nostrils.
While nothing was a blur, everything was.
This is Dooley.
This is home.
My heart was heavy at the thought. My head was light. I closed my eyes briefly and allowed the revelation of my return to sit with me. I’d taken a step back to take better steps forward. And, I needed to be okay with that. I was okay with that. Because I’d never felt better.
“If you don’t mind, can I get a minute of your time, baby girl?”
My eyes popped open. In front of me, walking backward, was the obnoxiously loud yellow fit that was an eye sore, even in the dark.
Big Teeth. We’d named the unflattering human, and there was no undoing what had been done.
“It depends if you plan on wasting it.”
“Nah. I don’t plan on that.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m Sed. I’d love to take you out tomorrow. Dinner, perhaps?”
I scanned his profile. Aside from his disgusting choice of clothing, nothing else was flattering about the man in front of me. The watch on his wrist, the chain around his neck, and the key fob in his hand were the only evidence of his account status.
Maybe I can get a few thousand out of him. At least.
“I could go for dinner.”
“Cool. Cool. Put your number in my–”
As his words became muffled, my eyes landed on the long figure headed in my direction. The keys to my car dangled in his hands. I pulled the skin of my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Twelve o’clock,” Saga whispered in my ear.
I pulled the phone from Sed’s fingers and typed in my Google Voice number.
“Your name?”
“Heidi.”
“Nice to meet you, Heidi. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it,” I lied.
Without hesitation, I’d string Sed along, canceling one date after the other until his anticipation forced him to purchase a spot on my calendar. The requests would start small.
I was out shopping and saw a dress I’d love for you to see me in.
I saw the cutest top online.
I’d love for you to join me for my appointment at Haute Boutique. We can have dinner immediately after.
My car is with the mechanic. I’m working overtime to pay for it to be fixed. I don’t have much time for a date.
The possibilities were endless.
Flocco’s scent was overwhelming. So was his presence. With his eyes pinned on Sed, he planted his feet firmly in front of me. His hands laced in front of him. His slim nose widened on his face as he released a heap of oxygen.
My heart demanded to be freed from my chest. I straightened my spine. Everything around us became a mere blur.
“Go ahead and erase them digits, homie. Save us all the energy.”
Flocco didn’t stutter. Neither did he show any signs of intimidation or nervousness.
“This you, my nigga?”
“All me,” he lied.
“Say less. Shit, I had no idea.”
“Now you do.”
Sed quickly removed the contact I’d just saved. I sighed as my bottom and top lashes met each other.
Pussy. Ass. Nigga. I groaned inwardly.
Maybe he didn’t deserve my number. If it were that easy to submit to another man’s request, he was not the toy for me.
“You trying to get niggas robbed?”
With my eyes still closed, I pulled both lips into my mouth. My nipples hardened against my halter. Flocco was no longer feet away. He was in my space. My personal space, which he disregarded so effortlessly.
“That was my dinner for tomorrow night.”
“I’m your fucking dinner, Hyph. Breakfast. Lunch. Snack. Dinner. And, midnight treat.”
“Thanks,” I retorted, opening my eyes and snatching my keys from his hand. “But, no thanks.”
I pulled Saga toward my car. She was beyond her limit and needed to be out of the public’s view as soon as possible.
“Straighten up, friend. We’re almost there.”
I didn’t have to look behind me to know that we weren’t alone. Flocco was near. So was my car. The valet was tending to other customers, which let me know one thing.
He brought my car up.
The passenger door swung open before I had the chance to reach for it. I lowered Saga into the seat and placed her purse on her lap.
“You good?”
She nodded.
“Reeeeaaaaal good.”
Chuckling, I moved to close the door. Flocco caught my hand, placing it near his side as he closed the door instead.
“You don’t get to touch doors around me, Hyph. Lesson number one.”
“I’m not very studious tonight,” I admitted. “I don’t have time for lessons and shit.”
“Lesson number two… Stay away from niggas unless you want me running up in their shit for the mere thought of approaching you.”
“Goodnight, sir.”
I yanked my arm away from the handsome figure. My walls were drenched. The seat of my panties didn’t stand a chance.
The driver’s door swung open. Flocco was the culprit again.
“Lesson number three,” he began, watching as I got comfortable in my seat, “When your belly is empty, I’m the only nigga who can fill it.”
Chuckling, I shook my head. “Goodnight, Flocco.”
I reached for my door. He fanned my hand away.
“As good as that motherfucker sounds rolling off your tongue, that’s not my name.”
“Since when?” I asked with a roll of my eyes. “Honestly, there’s no need to answer because it doesn’t matter. Not to me, anyway.”
“Laurence.”
He lowered his body between my door and the frame.
“I need to get my friend home.”
“And you will,” he assured me.
“I need you to move.”
“I will.”
“Now.”
“When I’m ready.”
I reached for my door again. He fanned my hand out of the way a second time. I couldn’t help but take heed of his warnings.
“Ion know what nigga fucked over your pretty little heart, but that’s none of my business. He forced you to put up some tough walls. And, while I understand your position, I need you to understand mine. I’m going to break them down, Hyph. If it’s the last fucking thing I do.”
“Goodnight F–”
“Laurence.”
“Goodnight, Laurence,” I sighed.
“Goodnight. Drive safely.”
“Sure.”
He reached over me, pulling my seatbelt across my body. Once he secured it, he stood tall.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Dinner at eight.”
I didn’t have the chance to respond. He slammed the door and took off toward the old school Chevy, candy apple red with sparkly paint that glistened in the dark. Silently, I watched as he hopped inside and took off–uninterested in the parking lot party that the clubbers had managed to create.
He’s dangerous. Steer clear, bitch.
I peered over in the passenger seat, fully expecting to share my thoughts with Saga. Unfortunately, my girl was out.
A night well-spent.
I twirled in the dressing room, loving the two-piece set. It was backless. Strapless. And hugged my body like a nigga fresh out of the pen.