URBAN: Chosen By A Kingpin (8 page)

“I forgot that I was with this big time party planner.”

“Excuse me, I’m an event specialist.” She corrected me but I just made a silly face. “Come on, I got us into VIP, with our own private table, and we got bottle service.”

“Damn you know how to make someone feel all special.” I smiled.

Janet made her way to the front of the line. She leaned into the security guard’s ear. He smiled and then nodded her head.

“We thought that you weren’t going to show up.” He gave her a slight hug. “Everything is set up for you.” He waved over another huge stocky guy. “Hey, Jose, can you escort these young ladies to VIP?” He asked. Some haters looked at us and shook their head. I just ignored them and followed them inside. We walked in and all eyes fell on us. Guys were looking at us and females were trying to see who we were. I guess we really looked like somebody and when we were escorted to VIP, people actually moved out of the way.

The bottle service girls came with our bottles and people started looking over at us. We started dancing and sipping to Beyonce. We then went out to the dance floor and started going crazy. We were moving and dancing like no one was around. The security guard that was watching over VIP was laughing at how much fun we were having.

“Isn’t he your type?” I whispered in Janet’s ears. “You like them light, or Spanish, with light eyes, and built like a linebacker.” I teased her.

“The color don’t matter, I just like them big. I like turning men into teddy bears.” She swayed her hips over to the security guard. She pressed her bottom against his crotch. He shook his head but she was still going. I could tell that he wanted to dance, but obviously he was at work.

“Okay, ease up on him.” I pulled her away. “The man has got to work.”

“But that doesn’t mean that he can’t have a little fun.” She winked at him.

“Girl, I can’t believe you.” I said once we were out of ear range. “What’s got you going crazy?” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh shit.” Janet cursed after we went back to VIP. We were still getting a bit of attention. People were still looking at us. I figured it was because when we got back to the VIP section, some more bottles were sent to us.

“I know it felt like we were celebrities. This is the type of shit that would have bitches feeling themselves. I guess this is why some girls be fucking for VIP treatment.”

“No, it’s not that. I’m not even talking about that.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“It’s just that I’ve seen a ghost.”

“Oh which one of your exes have you seen now. You’re always bumping into them. I swear every other day your ass is calling me about some ex you seen at the supermarket, a bar, a library, or church.” I scanned the room. “Where he at?”

“I’m not talking about my ex, but yours. Tell me that’s not Michael across the room by the door.”

“No….” I dragged out and sure enough there he was.

I haven’t seen Michael since I unleashed the beast of East Flatbush Brooklyn all over him. He didn’t even call me after that. I just told him that it was over and he seemed cool with it. And then from there, it was like he was gone. It was like nothing ever existed. To see him was a bit weird, but when we caught each other’s eyes, I felt my heart speed up.

“Oh fuck.” I leaned into Janet’s ears. The music was now louder and the party was underway. “He saw me looking at him.”

“I figured as much.” She told me

“Why is that?”

“Because he’s on his way over here.”

By the time I turned to check, he was already on the other side of the velvet rope that separated us in VIP.

“God, you look gorgeous.” He said and threw my whole game off. I was going to say something rude and mean, but when he said that, I actually smiled.

“Thank you.”

“I mean, I saw you come in but I thought I was tripping. I was just wondering who this beautiful woman was and ...it’s you.” He smiled and then that familiar cologne hit me. As soon I inhaled it, I was flooded with so many good memories. It was so easy to hate him when I really wasn’t seeing him, but now that he was in front of me, I felt a little different.

“Hey asshole.” Janet greeted him and I cut my eyes at her. I gave her a slight smile because I know where she was coming from. “You’re just going to come here and not say anything to me. I know you weren’t a dick to me, but don’t start being a dick to me now.”

“I can honestly say that I miss you talking shit to me.” He laughed. “Hi Janet.”

“Hey.”

“So, Mel,” He looked me right in the eye. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“We have bottle service.”

“Okay, then can I have this dance?”

A big part of me was telling me not to do it, but he was right in front of me and I liked the song. I didn’t really answer, and I just nodded my head. He slowly moved the velvet rope and extended out his hand. He brought me to the dance floor. The song was really fast paced and not romantic at all. Like who could really get in the mood to trap music? But he held me close anyway.

“You look so good.”

“Thank you.” I blushed.

“You smell even better.”

“Thank you.”

“And you still feel so good.”

“Thank you.”

***

I can’t believe I just saw the mystery girl from the other night in some guy’s arms. I was shocked to see her, but what I didn’t know was who was that guy with her. Was that her boyfriend? Or her husband? I doubt that she’s taken because she was so insistent on me being single so she probably is the same. Maybe this is just some random guy that came up to her, but the way they were looking at each other, you could tell that they had history.

“What are you looking at man?” Black asked me. “Your eyes been locked on something.”

“Just this woman.”

“Some chick you used to mess with?” He nodded at some women that were throwing him the look.

“Once, but I never got her name.” I pointed her out.

“So go over there and talk to her. Work up the nerve.”

“I know.”

“And do it before we take over VIP.” Black suggested as he made his way over to the bar.

I shrugged my shoulders and made my way over there. The closer I got to her, I could remember that night. She was so bold and sexy. There is just something about her. If any other woman told me that we were going to just have sex, not exchange names, and that’s it, I would have been cool with it. That type of arrangement is ideal for me, but she is different.

They were still dancing when I got to them. I wanted to tap on her shoulder, but I decided against it.

“You mind if I cut in?” I asked him. The guy looked at me like he had a problem, but I wasn’t there for him. She finally turned around and looked at me. Her eyes opened wide and then she smiled.

“So, we meet again.” She stopped dancing with him.

“You said if we saw each other again, it would be fate.”

“I did say that.” Her smile was bright and as I looked at her all dressed up, I couldn’t believe that she was even more beautiful than before.

“I guess it was meant to be.”

We started moving towards each other but then all that was heard was..

“He’s got a fucking gun!” Then the shots rang out.

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HOOD LOVE

A Thug’s Destiny

Shantel Johnson

© 2015 Sensual Ink Publishing

“Mommy, who’s that nappy headed boy across the street?” I asked, staring out the gated window of the one bedroom apartment I shared with my mother. She was too busy in the kitchen and talking on the phone to pay any attention to me. The smell of chicken filled the stuffy apartment and made my mouth water, but I was still too focused on the boy next door. It had been awhile since anyone new came to the block. Most everyone knew each other through gossip and grapevine rumors, and the kids all played together at the park. Someone new was kind of…exciting. My hair was standing on end as i gripped the gate tightly, trying to get my face closer to see the boy more clearly.

All I saw was an untamed afro, some cheap basketball shorts and a sweat covered wifebeater. He wasn’t much to look at but curiosity got the best of me. Looking it back on it now, I can say that this was probably my first crush. I was nothing but a little girl trying to act like a grown woman with a kid I knew nothing about.

It was summer when he first moved in. School had just let out and I needed something to keep me occupied and out of momma’s hair. She didn’t like me around when she was doing her client’s hair at home. Said I fussed too much. But that was only because there was nothing to do in the projects ‘cept go to the corner store, watch the older boys play Basketball, and wait until someone busted open a fire hydrant so we could play in it. Seeing this new boy could mean something else for me to do. So i watched closely as he struggled to pull boxes out from the back of a nice van. Another man came out the driver’s side looking scary as all hell. I remember his muscles and the way his Jordan’s seemed to gleam in the afternoon sun. The gold chain around his neck served as a beam of light, calling out all the mothers around the block to go talk to him. It was almost as if they smelled money, and it wasn’t everyday that a father would be taking care of his son. They were dying to get their claws in him. I wondered if momma would want to do the same. She always said she didn’t have time for men but I would hear them come in and out the house late at night. it wasn’t often but it did happen. She was probably just as lonely as the other mothers out there. I don’t blame her because deep down I was the same way.

I didn’t have many friends. The girls around here were rude ass little bitches who stuck with their clique and teased you about any and everything. I hated them. I hated their jelly shoes, and their nice Barbies, and their big jewelry that they got from quarter machines. They were tailing just behind their mothers, looking for their own little man to claim. I rolled my eyes and sighed just as I heard my mother scream my name.

“Tamina!! Get in here!”

I pulled away from the window and retreated to the kitchen where a dinner plate was already waiting for me.

“What the hell you spending so much time looking out the window fo’? Go outside or something!”

I sipped at my Iced tea before taking the steaming piece of fried chicken. “There’s a new boy across the street. He and his daddy movin’ in or something. All the other ladies from around the block are there already.”

My mother looked out the window and down at the situation below. I heard her suck her teeth as she patted her rolled up curls under her hair wrap. “Bunch of hoes is what they are. Can’t wait to get the next piece of dick. Don’t go over to the boy’s house. You ain’t got no business over there.” She said as she sat down next to me.

That was the first warning she gave me, and the first warning I soon ignored. I knew I was going to go talk to that boy it was just figuring out when.

***

I got my chance when Momma sent me down to the beauty supply place. She had needed some more relaxer and sent me to go get it. It wasn’t that far from our apartment building but it felt like forever in this heat. The sun was beaming down on my head making my thick curls frizz out. If I had enough change left over I was gonna buy a big icee all for myself and eat it before I got home. When I got into the store a gust of wind from the stationary fans hit me much to my relief. I went towards the back where the weaves and wigs were and began looking for Momma’s favorite relaxer. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him, down the aisle picking up a tub of rubber-bands. I could feel my cheeks turning pink against my honey colored skin and all kinds of butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to talk to him even if Momma said I couldn’t. I pulled out my roll on fruit lipgloss and reapplied making sure my lips were shiny and plump. With a deep breath I sashayed over to him, trying to be all cute.

“Hey,” I said, giving as much attitude an 8 year old could give.

His deep brown eyes lit up as he saw me. It seemed like his mind was racing with everything his Daddy had taught him to do around girls. He tried to act all cool even though he was at a beauty supply place just like I was.

“‘Sup, ma.” He said as his eyes raked over me.

“What you doing in a beauty supply place? Yo’ momma asked you to get stuff for her too?”

He shook his head. “Nah, i don’t live with my ma no more. I just live with my Pops. I had to come get these so I can get some braids done. Ma used to braid my hair all the time and Pops doesn’t know how to do it. He said if I don’t keep it braided he gon’ buzz it all off. I don’t want that.”

I smiled, realizing that this was my perfect chance. “My Momma does hair all the time. If you want I can see if she’ll do it for you. Yo’ Daddy just gotta pay up.”

“That ain’t a problem. My Pops got lots of money. Where you live?”

“Across the street from you. I saw ya’ll movin’ in the other day. All the ladies on the block came to see you.” I replied walking towards the counter once I had gotten Momma’s relaxer.

“Oh yeah. They all wanted to talk to my Pops or something. They were so annoying. We just wanted to move all our stuff in. Was your Ma there?” he asked.

I gave the cashier the money Momma had given me. “No, she was too busy cooking dinner for us. She didn’t have no time to go stare all wide eyed at yo’ daddy. What’s you’re name tho’?”

“Markus. What about you?”

“I’m Tamina. You wanna get an icee with me?”

Markus smiled at me, giving me the cutest pretty boy smile I ever saw. His teeth were better than most of the boys around here. “Yeah, let’s go. I’ll race you there!”

“Nah-uh! It’s too hot for that!! I ain’t messing up my hair running after you!” I giggled, and ran after him after he raced out the store. I didn’t want to chase after him, he should’ve been the one chasing after me but I would soon find out that I would do a lot of things I didn’t want to for this boy.

***

We grew up together, Markus and I. From the time we finished elementary school all the way up until the first years of high school. Everyone would tease us and ask us if we were dating. I never knew what to say. We never said anything about dating, we just hung out a lot. We would walk home from school together, play basketball together, sometimes if Momma was feeling generous she would let Markus over for dinner—but only Markus.