Choices (19 page)

Authors: Skyy

BOOK: Choices

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“Tameka, what do you want?” she asked her ex, who was standing in front of her, obviously mad about seeing her with Nic.

“I am wondering the same thing about you. Who is this clown you're with?”

“Clown? Dude, you don't know me like that,” Nic snapped back. “Carmen, is this a problem for you?”

“No, Nic, give me one moment.” Carmen grabbed Tameka's hand and walked off. “What do you want, and why are you trying to start shit with my friend?”

“Who the fuck is that, Carmen? What the hell you doin'? What about us?”

“Tameka, it's been almost two months, and I haven't heard shit from you, so don't go there.” Carmen found herself getting upset.

“I know, baby. I just needed some time. But I am back now.”

“No, it doesn't work like that. You didn't even wish me a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year; hell, you didn't call me at all.”

“Well . . .” Tameka looked down at the ground. “I was going through some thangs, Carmen. That's no reason to start messing with someone else.”

“Whatever. I am leaving.”

As Carmen turned to walk off, Tameka grabbed her arm.

“Come on, Carmen, baby, don't be like this. I lost my phone and didn't have your mother's number. I was going to come to your room, but you know the whole situation with Cooley. I figured you had a new schedule. I didn't know it.”

“Whatever, Tameka. No excuses, okay. I don't have time forâ”

“It's not an excuse!” Tameka exclaimed. “Baby, I have missed you like crazy. I just needed to get my mind completely right before I asked you to be my full-time girlfriend. I am tired of this secret shit. I want it to be me and you.” Tameka looked Carmen in her eyes.

Carmen felt herself getting weak in the knees. She heard Nic call her name. “I don't think so Tameka. You missed your chance, and I have someone else now.” She turned to head toward Nic.

“Carmen, I am not going to make it without you. You're my air.”

Tameka sounded so sincere; it broke Carmen's heart to say no. She kept walking. She knew that her future was in front of her. She refused to go back again.

“Is everything cool?” Nic asked her.

“Yeah, just my ex. Things are good,” Carmen said as she smiled at Nic. “Let's go eat.”

“So, tell me, what's up with you and your ex?” Nic said as she nursed her beer.

“Well, to make a long story short, she was my first love. She dogged me out. When I got back to school and was thin, she wanted to get back with me. Like a fool, I tried to give her a chance, and she messed it up.”

“Wow! Okay, so you must have been a little thick last year or something?”

“A little isn't the word. I had Lap Band surgery.”

“Really? Man, I know that had to hurt. Why did you get surgery?”

“Just was tired of being so big, and it was draining on my health. I knew it was something I had to do. So, the day school let out, I made the appointment.”

“Do you think you made the right decision?”

“Hell, yes. After all, look at us now. Would you be sitting here with me if I was three hundred plus pounds?” Carmen took a sip of her drink as Nic pulled out her wallet.

“Yes, see.” She opened her wallet and showed Carmen a picture of her and a plus size girl. “That's my ex. I date for the person, not the physical.”

“She's pretty.” Carmen was shocked; she held the picture in her hand. “And would it be wrong of me to ask why you still have a picture of your ex in your wallet?

“No, it's not wrong of you to ask. She was in a car accident and passed away. I just keep it to honor her memory.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” Carmen said, rubbing Nic's hand.

“It's all good. I will always have love for her, but I have to move on, you know, find that someone special.” Nic looked Carmen in her eyes. “Maybe I have found her.”

Carmen blushed. “Nic, you are truly one of a kind. Do you know that?” Carmen smiled as their eyes met.

Nic smiled back at her. “I've been told that a time or two. Hopefully, I will be able to show you just how unique I really am.” Nic took Carmen's hand in hers.

Carmen felt butterflies in her stomach. “I actually think that's a great possibility.” Just then her phone rang. She looked down to see Tameka's dorm room. She pressed ignore and placed the phone on silent.

After dinner arrived, Carmen focused on Nic for the rest of the night. She didn't want the feeling she had to leave.

As they headed out of the restaurant, Carmen looked down at her phone. She had ten missed calls and four new text messages. Against her better judgment she read the first text message.

Carmen I need you, please don't do this to me.

Her heart dropped. All the texts were pleas from Tameka. She suddenly felt the need to speak to her.

“Is everything okay?” Nic asked.

“Oh well, it's my roommate. She has drama as usual.”

“Do you need to go back to your room?” Nic looked at Carmen.

Carmen contemplated what she needed to do. “Actually, I think that would be best.” She turned her head to the window as they drove back to the dorm.

“So, can I see you later this weekend?” Nic asked as Carmen opened the door of her car.

“Well, I am going to the club tonight 'cause Cooley is in the show. You should come.”

“Oh yeah, I am going to be there. Look out for me, okay.” Nic smiled.

“I surely will. You're gonna have to fight the girls off of you. They like fresh meat.”

Nic laughed. “Fresh meat, funny. I only want one to get me though,” Nic replied, causing Carmen to blush.

Carmen felt a warm feeling growing in her stomach. Slowly she got out of the car. She wasn't going to mess this up for Tameka, but she knew she needed to end it right.

Chapter 25

Masquerade was packed. Memphis' only black gay club was filled with women of all kinds. Femmes and studs came out in droves for the specialty shows. The drag shows were big in Memphis. The women also hoped to get good tips as they lipsynched to various songs.

Lena sat in amazement.

Denise laughed. “You must want someone to try to get you,” Denise said, causing Lena to almost choke on her drink.

“Why do you say that?” Lena questioned.

“Because you're sitting there looking like untapped territory.” Denise laughed again as Lena hit her on her arm.

“Well, that's what I have you for. Aren't you my girlfriend for the night again?” Lena smirked.

Denise's mind went back to the last time she acted like Lena's girlfriend in Atlanta. “Yeah, I'm your boi for the night.” She figured she might as well pretend.

Carmen and Misha headed back over to the table.

“Y'all look cute sitting here together,” Carmen said.

Denise quickly shot her a “shut-the-fuck-up” look.

“This better be good, girl,” Misha said frowning at all the underaged women in the club. “I feel like I am going to catch a charge for even being in here.”

Carmen laughed. “Yeah, it's going to be great. I promise.”

Lena looked at Denise. “Why aren't you doing the competition?”

Denise shook her head, “Oh no, shows aren't my thing. I'm going to leave those for Cool.”

The opening music began to play “Ladies Night” by Lil Kim. Mostly everyone turned his or her attention to the stage. The M.C. came out on the stage.

“We would like to thank you all for coming out tonight to Ladies Night here at Club Masquerade. We have a sexy, sexy show lined up for you,” he said as he scanned the room for his first victims.

He quickly noticed a group of large women all dressed in clothes two sizes too small. “Oh, shit what do you have on, honey?” he said to the worst one of the group. She had on a too little red tube shirt with a tight pair of red shorts that were riding up the middle of her legs.

“Whoever told you to come out the house like that needs to be slapped,” the flamboyant M.C. blasted as the crowd roared.

The girl attempted to pull her tube shirt down.

“Awww , no, don't try to pull it down. You shouldn't have worn that mess in the first place!”

The girl shouted a few curse words then sat in her chair.

The M.C. continued to announce the show. “Like I was saying before I saw the bootleg brand Kool Aid sitting over there. We have a fabulous show for you tonight. It is featuring all of those sexy-ass studs in Memphis vying for the title of Memphis Jr. Sexy Stud. So, without further ado, let's bring out Krazi!”

Usher's “Bedtime” started to play as a small plump stud walked out on stage. She had on a too little bathrobe that was dirty around the collar and sleeves.

Misha looked disgusted. “See, what the hell is that mess!” she said to Carmen who was looking just as confused as to why the girl was on the show in the first place.

“Girl, I don't know. I guess they had to let someone from that family on the show.”

“What do you mean, family?” Lena asked.

“Well, there are these gay groups called families. They were first started by people in the community who were willing to open their homes to youth who had no place to go. But nowadays it's more of a popularity thing.”

“Are you in a family?”

“No, I wanted to join, but never did.”

“What about you, Dee?”

“Families aren't my thing,” Denise said, after sipping her drink.

“What is your thing?” Lena smiled.

“I can't tell you that.” Denise smiled. She couldn't believe she was flirting.

“What is that fool doing on stage?” Misha said.

The crowd was showing the stud no love.

The only people who tipped were her family members, which coincidentally included the girl that the M.C. roasted before.

The M.C. came back on the stage shaking his head. “Okay, now, let's move right along. Y'all, this next contestant is new to the stage and to Memphis, but I am telling you bitches right now to stay the fuck away because I am about to make him one of my baby daddies.” The M.C. pointed his finger out into the audience. “Bringing to the stage the sexy muthafuckin' L.A.!”

Carmen froze in her seat as Ginuwine's “So Anxious” began to play. The women went wild as Nic walked out on the stage in an all-white suit with a white hat. Her hair was pressed out and hanging down in a wrap. Lena and Misha grabbed the shocked Carmen's hand and headed to the side of the stage.

Girls threw money as Nic performed for them, rolling her body like she was Ginuwine for real. Suddenly, the music faded into Jagged Edge's “Gotta Be”. Nic turned to the stairs where Carmen, Lena and Misha were standing.

Lena looked at Carmen. “Oh, I have a small surprise for you.” She pushed Carmen toward the stage.

Carmen was in shock. “What are you doing?”

Before Lena could answer, Nic took Carmen's hand and led her to a seat in the middle of the stage. She began to perform directly for Carmen.

Carmen's whole body began to tremble as Nic stood face to face with her. Lena and Misha walked onto the stage and began flicking dollars on them one by one. Carmen struggled to fight back tears as the song continued. By the end of the song she was at her breaking point.

Nic pulled her up and whispered something in her ear that caused her to melt. She walked off the side of the stage with a dreamy-eyed look.

Misha hugged Carmen. “Now, that is what I'm talking about!”

Misha and Lena congratulated Carmen on becoming Nic's girlfriend.

“Bitch, didn't I say that was going to be my baby daddy!” the M.C. said to Carmen.

They all laughed.

“I'm just playing. Girl, you got a fine ass, girl.”

Misha started to walk off the stage when Carmen grabbed her hand.

“Oh, no, we can't move yet.” Carmen smiled.

Misha looked at Carmen with a confused look.

“There is something else planned.”

The M.C. continued to announce the next entertainer as a few women set the stage up with candles. “Now, since I just lost my new baby daddy I still got this one. This is one of my true personal niggas. Get your dollars out for Play Boi Cool!”

The girls began to bum-rush the stage as soon as they heard the name. Usher's “Can You Handle It” blasted through the speakers as Cooley walked out on stage.

Misha's mouth dropped as she saw Cooley in a black silk pajama set. Her hair was freshly cut with designs carved in the side. Dollars flew on the stage as Cooley performed to the anxious women, all hoping she would take them home for the night. The song faded into Avant's “Don't Say No.”

Cooley turned to Misha and began to slowly walk toward her, singing the lyrics.

Cooley grinded against Misha as the sultry singer sang the chorus. Cooley picked Misha up and carried her to the middle of the stage. Misha wrapped her legs around Cooley as they grinded against each other. Cooley put Misha on the ground, then rolled her body around Misha, causing all the women to go wild. The song hit the bridge as Cooley walked around Misha.

Before Misha knew it, she was upside down with Cooley's face in between her pants. She flipped Misha back over and pushed her up on her shoulders. She imitated giving her oral sex in three different positions.

Suddenly, Misha found herself laying flat on the ground with Cooley hitting her from the back. Misha got up and walked slowly off the side of the stage when the song was over, hoping she wasn't showing how wet she truly was.

Lena watched Cooley in amazement. She didn't know there were so many positions that lesbians could get down. She made mental notes to try a couple of the moves with Brandon.

The group sat at twenty-four-hour I-Hop after the club. Nic and Carmen snuggled up, steadily kissing on each other.

“Get a damn room before they kick us up out this bitch,” Cooley snapped.

“Don't hate,” Carmen said, throwing her straw at Cooley.

Cooley glanced at Misha, who quickly looked down at her pancakes.

Cooley laughed at Misha's response. She turned to Lena. “So, Lena, did you like my show?”

Lena took a sip of her drink. “Yeah, looks like you got some major skills there.”

Cooley smiled when she finally got eye contact with Misha, but Misha quickly looked away. “Misha, did you enjoy my show?” Cooley licked her lips.

Misha looked at Cooley with a nonchalant face. “It was all right.” She lied.

Cooley laughed. “Oh, okay, all right, huh, Dig that then.”

“I didn't realize there were so many ways to give head.” Lena said, causing everyone to look at her. “What?”

“Lena, Lena, Lena, girl you are missing out. Hell, yeah. There are many things that a nigga wouldn't think to do. That's why all these women are turning to niggas like me.” Cooley gave Misha a sensual stare, “'Cause I take my time.”

Misha's panties got wet again, but she hid her expression. “You know my boy Denise taught me everything I know.”

Denise quickly shot Cooley a look to tell her to shut up. Lena looked at Denise. She secretly wondered what Denise was like in bed.

“So, when y'all gon' tell your girl here to stop bullshitting and give me a chance?” Cooley said, causing Lena to snap back to reality.

Misha looked up from her food. “No one tells me what to do. I make up my own mind,” she said as they all got up from the table.

“So, what's the deal then?”

Just then three girls walked past the group. One stopped and grabbed Cooley by her hand.

“Congratulations, sexy stud. Cooley, your show was off the chain.” The girl caressed her hand against Cooley's shoulder.

“I am glad you liked it, Precious.” Cooley tried to walk away from the petite girl, whom she'd had sex with last year.

“So. What's up? When you gon' come see me again?” Precious said, holding Cooley's hand.

Cooley pulled away. “I'll see you around.” She winked her eye at the girl. Cooley turned around to see everyone was already outside. She ran to catch up with Misha. Cooley grabbed Misha's hand.

“Don't even say anything, Cooley. Like I said before, I am cool on that. Have a nice night.” Misha got into Lena's car.

Cooley stood there, not knowing what her next move should be. “Well, Misha, understand I am not giving up yet.”

Misha smiled as they pulled off.

Denise pulled up next to Cooley so she could get in the car. She couldn't stop laughing. “You might as well give that up, bruh.”

Cooley smiled. “Man, naw, that girl wants me.”

They laughed as they headed back to the dorm.