Beautiful Liar (6 page)

“Hey, baby. Your P.O. just…” she paused when
she saw that his shirt was bloody. “Ty! What happened?”

He allowed her to guide him to a chair. “I
got shot.”

She started crying hysterically, and grabbed
the phone. “I have to call an ambulance!”

“No!” he said, grabbing her arm. “Don’t call
them.”

“I have to. You’re going to bleed to
death.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I just wanted to make sure
that we had…thanks.”

“All I want is you. That’s all I ever
wanted.”

He closed his eyes. “I know, I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t die on me; you promised!” she
said, as he laid his head on her shoulder.

“UL forever, Mist.”

“UL forever. Please don’t die on me.”

Ray held up an index
finger to Cairo
when he felt his cell phone ring. “Hello?”

“What are you doing?” asked, his girlfriend,
Debbie.

“Nothing. At the bar with Cairo.”

“One of those disgusting titty bars?”

“No, darling. We’re at this new bar on the
east side.”

“Oh. I was about to ask you when you started
going to places like that. But anyway, I’m about to run to Toyaka’s
house for a few. I put your dinner in the microwave.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome. I’ll see you
later.”

“Okay. Kisses.”

“Kisses.”

He ended the call, smiling, and noticed Cairo
staring at him with a sly grin. “What is it?”

“That was ol’ girl checking up on you,
huh?”

“No she wasn’t checking up on me. But if you
have to know, she was letting me know that she’s stepping out, and
my food is in the microwave.”

Cairo started laughing, and this baffled Ray.
“What’s funny?”

“Nothing.”

“Nah, tell me. I like to laugh, too. Know
what I’m talking about?”

“It’s just that I didn’t know you was on it
like that.”

“Like what?”

“You know, making her tell you her every
move. That’s a form of handcuffing. You should work for the
officers,” he said, mocking a popular song.

“Please! I don’t make her tell me nothing. We
both do it, it’s called common courtesy. Maybe you’ve heard of
it.”

“I’ve heard of it, that’s for sure. But my
definition of common courtesy is if I don’t ask you where you been,
then you better not ask me.”

Ray threw the shot back and waved to the
bartender for a refill. “What Terry say to you earlier?” he asked,
changing the subject.

“He just gave me a lecture about missing out
on the right one.”

“I already know that went in one ear and out
the other.”

He shrugged. “I’m thirty, rich, and vibrant.
So why in the world would I be looking for the right one right now?
All I’m looking for right now is some instant gratification.
Bitches aren’t to be trusted, they’re to be thrusted.”

Ray shook his head. “All that wheeling and
dealing is going to catch up with you one day.”

“It’s catching up with me now,” he said,
looking at the two females who just entered the bar.

Ray spun casually on his stool and observed
them briefly. “Don’t waste your time, they’re dykes.”

“You think?”

“Trust me, I grew up near Joyland. Ain’t
nothing over there but dykes.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Why is that?” he asked, frowning.

“Cause we share a common interest of not
liking men.” The women sat down next to them and spoke. Cairo took
advantage of the opportunity and introduced himself.

“I’m Cairo, and this is Ray.”

“Cairo? Like the capitol of Egypt?” asked,
the closest one to him.

“Yep.”

“That’s a beautiful name.” She then repeated
his name to herself.

“Thanks.”

After the introductions were made, the one
named Lindsey began to stare at Cairo intently. “Wait a minute.
Aren’t you the one in all those concrete commercials?”

Ray gave Cairo a ‘told you so’ look, and
Cairo decided right then to focus on Shay, the farthest one from
him.

“The one and only.”

“I knew it! I’ve seen those commercials a
million times since I’ve been down here. It must be costing you a
fortune to run them as often as you do.”

“You know the saying: you have to spend money
to make money.”

“I ain’t mad at you. What are you up to
tonight?”

“Ah, nothing much. My friend Ray here was
just telling me how he was going to ask for your number.”

She smiled awkwardly at Ray. “Uhh, okay.”

Cairo immediately grabbed his drink and moved
to the vacant seat next to Shay. “Question.”

“Shoot.”

“My friend here has this crazy notion that
you and Lindsey are lesbians. Not saying that I would have a
problem with it.”

“Damn! Is it that obvious?” she asked, trying
her best to keep a straight face. “I’m strictly…”

“Say no more, then. What are you and your
friend drinking?”

“Blue Motorcycles.”

“Blue Motorcycles?”

“Hmm…hm.”

“Y’all must be riders.”

Shay smiled seductively. “I can’t speak for
Lindsey, but I’m an expert at riding.”

“I bet you are.”

Cairo waited until the bartender filled their
orders before he worked his magic.

“You’re bugging the fuck out, Tracey. It’s like
you’re ready to kill your own blood over a guy that doesn’t give a
shit about you.”

“How do you know what’s going on? You’re all
the way in Savannah!”

Rasheeda took a deep breath. “I know you’re
upset or whatever, but I need you to check your tone,” she said,
over the phone.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized to the woman who
she had known since birth. “This is just so hard for me to cope
with.”

“That break up is the best thing that has
happened to you all year.”

“How can you say that? I love him! Don’t you
want to see me happy?”

“Of course. But I want to see you with
someone who deserves you. The only time you ever saw that boy was
when he wanted to fuck. Am I telling the truth?”

She responded by bursting out in tears, and
Rasheeda continued. “Plus, I think you were more infatuated with
who he seemed to be than who he truly was to you.”

“It seems like my support system has
collapsed completely. First, Vicky fucks my man and tries to
justify it; and now you’re dogging me.”

“No one’s dogging you, baby. Why can’t you
see what’s really going on? Both Vicky and I have constantly warned
you about Cairo. I wouldn’t have gone as far as she did to prove we
were right, but she proved it. And you’re mad at everybody but him.
Do you understand what I’m saying?...Hello?”

Tracey was no longer listening. The sight in
front of her had stopped her whole world.

“I can’t go through with this, Cairo,” Ray said,
from the passenger seat. “I love my girl too much to jeopardize our
relationship.”

“I’m not asking you to have sex with her,
just keep her company for forty-five minutes. An hour at the
most.”

“Why can’t y’all just go do y’all’s own
thing?”

“Cause, Lindsey is down here visiting, and
Shay doesn’t want to leave her.”

“I don’t know, man. What if somebody sees me
and tells Deb?”

“No one’s going to see you. That’s why we’re
going way out.”

“So what am I suppose to do while you’re over
there doing you? Have a casual conversation with ole’ girl like
y’all ain’t in the room humping?”

“No, man. I’m going to get y’all your own
room. Order some room service and kick back, it’s on me.”

Ray looked at him with a stern expression.
“I’m going to do this for you, but if it backfires on me, you’re
going to have to compensate me well. Know what I’m talking
about?”

“Deal,” he said, smiling broadly.

“You sick, man.”

“Why you say that?”

“What’s up with you and all these different
females?”

“Ain’t no pussy like new pussy.”

“Bullshit. Ain’t no pussy like your own
pussy.”

“I can’t and won’t ever argue about another
man’s preference. An old timer told me a long time ago that if a
person’s actions ain’t affecting you in any kind of way, then it
shouldn’t concern you.”

Ray started massaging his temples as if he
was experiencing a migraine. “You better hope this hotel doesn’t
have lobsters, ‘cause if it does, I’m going to order a thousand of
them.”

“And don’t forget to order their most
expensive champagne to go with them.”

“What?”

“Yeah, man. That’s the only way that they
taste right. Well, at least to me they do.”

Ray shook his head sadly, chastising himself
silently for being an unconditional friend. Silly me, he
thought.

They pulled up in the hotel’s parking lot
fifteen minutes later. Cairo noticed how Ray was looking around
nervously and laughed inwardly.

It was then he got the opportunity to see
Lindsey’s shape, and he couldn’t figure out for the life of him how
Ray was going to pass her up. But the more thought he gave it, he
realized it was a plus. He immediately began to modify an old play
in his playbook.

“
How much do you
think Cairo’s worth?”
Lindsey asked; they got out of her car.

“I don’t have a clue, but I’m going to give
him a run for his money when we get in the room.” Shay replied.

They giggled.

“You got the bigger fish, but I can work with
Ray. I’m pretty sure he got something.”

“I reckon so. I can’t imagine him being broke
if his friend is a millionaire.”

“I know.”

Each woman independently noticed Cairo
watching them closely and exaggerated their twist as they entered
the hotel’s lobby.

Lindsey was in awe. “Oww! This is nice!”

“Ain’t it?” Shay agreed. “I’ve never been
here before.”

“Girl, we hit the jackpot!”

The women laughed loudly and gave each other
high-fives.

Cairo was so caught up watching the women that
he didn’t pay attention to the receptionist until Ray grabbed his
arm. “Oh shit, Cairo! Look!”

If Cairo was shocked, he didn’t show it. He
continued to the desk, and boldly propped his elbows on it. “I
would like two Presidential suites, please.”

“For what, Cairo?” Tracey asked, hanging up
the phone.

“None of your business. Just get me the
rooms.”

“How are you going to disrespect me like this
when I’m pregnant with your child?” she asked, looking at Shay and
Lindsey.

Shay tapped him on his arm. “I dig you and
all, but I’m not with the drama.”

“Me either, shawty. I don’t deal with this
broad for her to be showing out.”

“Then she needs to fall back and do her
job.”

This was all that Tracey needed to confront
the women. “You need to mind your country ass business, bitch!”

“He is my business. At least for tonight. And
if you don’t like my countriness, then why in the hell is your New
Rat City ass down south?”

Cairo busted out laughing, “Oh, shit! That’s
a good one. I got to use that.”

The manager appeared from the back with a
sense of urgency. “What seems to be the problem, Tracey?”

Shay early pushed her way past Cairo. “I’ll
tell you the problem. We asked this…this lady twice for two
Presidential suites, and for some reason she started verbally
abusing us. What kind of establishment is this?”

The manager turned to Tracey. “Is that
true?”

She didn’t respond because she was too busy
glaring at Cairo. She remained that way until Shay looped her arm
into his. This set her completely off. “You whore! Take your hands
off him!”

The manager restrained Tracey from coming
around the desk. “Stop it! That’s enough!”

“You stinking bitch, I’ll kill you!”

“Fuck you!” Shay retorted.

The manager had had enough. “You leave me no
other choice but to let you go, Tracey. I won’t tolerate any
radical behavior in this establishment.”

Tracey became weak and sunk to the floor,
sobbing. The situation became overbearing.

“Oh, my god! I can’t believe this shit! I’m
pregnant with your child, Cairo.”

“Stop the madness and get your ass up. You
just got fired for the second time this week.”

Tracey did just that. “I hate you! I hate
you!”

“Does that mean you’re going to leave me the
fuck alone now? I hope so!”

The manager quickly handed Cairo two room
keys. “Here you go, sir. I’ll get your information later; they’re
on the house.”

“Thanks.”

“Oh, man!” Lindsey said, coming from the bedroom
area of the suite. “This place is decked out. There’s even a phone
in the bathroom!”

Ray nodded calmly. “Yeah, it’s real nice.
I’ve been here a few times.”

“I bet you and Cairo have.” She then sat on
the couch beside him and stared into his eyes. “Tell me something,
Ray. Have you ever had a fantasy that you wanted to act out?”

Ray felt himself becoming uncomfortable, but
was rescued by a knock at the door. He jumped up and opened the
door when he saw it was room service.

“That was fast. Come on in.”

“We try to be,” the waiter responded, curtly,
as he rolled the cart in the room.

Ray handed him a ten dollar bill. “’Preciate
it.”

“No problem. Enjoy.”

Lindsey inspected the food with an expression
of pure delight. “I hope it tastes the way it smells.”

“Me, too,” Ray said, closing the door behind
the waiter.

They sat down and began eating. Ray took note
of how she was devouring her lobster, and he was on the verge of
sliding over his plate.

“Good?”

“Delicious. This is only the second time I’ve
ever eaten it.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh huh. If y’all ball like this in the A,
then I might never go back home.”

“Where are you from?”

“VA. A small town called Petersburg.”

“I haven’t heard of it.”

“I’m not surprised. All that’s there is a
federal prison. And that’s really in Hopewell. They just call it
Petersburg.”