Cameron 5

by Jade Jones

  Joaquin’s gaze followed Roxie’s before settling on the flashy guy that had just walked in. Oh, so that’s her type, he concluded. “You know what?” he asked. “You may be right. But none of that won’t even matter when it’s all said and done.”

  “What do you mean?” Roxie asked confused.

  Joaquin gave her a serious look. “Lemme tell you somethin’ ‘bout me real quick. When I really want something, I will do whatever it takes to get it,” he said. “Just watch…you gon’ end up bein’ mines. And then one day I’ma pull up on yo’ ass with a Bugatti and toss you the keys. And I bet you won’t be talkin’ that ‘league’ shit then.”

  Roxie collected her earnings, and started to walk off. Joaquin quickly latched onto her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “Remember me. Remember my face and my words,” he told her. “‘Cuz I ain’t gon’ forget you.”

  14

  One Month Later.

  Every morning since King’s death, Jude woke up at sunrise as if he were going to a regular nine to five. Instead of punching into a time clock, he met with Mike where he was filled in on everything he needed to know as far as clients, inventory, and shipments.

  Jude was determined to prove to himself, and everyone else, that he was capable of running shit. He possessed a leadership quality that his older brother Jerrell had instilled in him growing up. Apparently, King had taken note of that prior to his death.

  The transition to becoming a boss was no easy task though. As a matter of fact, it was the most work Jude had ever done in his life. Nonetheless, the income was very rewarding. Within a few weeks, Jude was able to buy space for Cameron’s new boutique located in Midtown. As promised, he’d also moved Jag and Joaquin into a sky rise condo down in Buckhead.

  Jude paid both brothers handsomely for their services. He’d also taken them under his wing, making the younger guys his protégées in a sense. Over the weeks they’d all gotten pretty cool. Jag continued to play the guardian role, almost serving as sort of a bodyguard to Cam and Justin. Of course, he and Cam had grown increasingly closer over time. However, it was hard for Jag to not overstep his boundaries.

  Joaquin and Axel were Jude’s muscle. When he needed an issue to be “handled” he depended upon the duo. Together Joaquin and the 6”6 250 lb. Axel was a force to be reckoned with.

  Jag and Joaquin immediately sent for their mother and sister after they settled in. There was more than enough room for them at their luxury apartment. No longer would Anzia have to worry about the stress of finances. Her sons had everything in control.

  Jude took great pride in being an overseer. However, with his newfound responsibility also came a new cocky attitude. Over a small period, he had transitioned into something that even he wasn’t ready for.

  What's with all these niggas and their feelings, man? All of this and I'm still the man…

  Thought of this when I was just a fan, but all this money wasn't in the plan…

  Now it's all about them Benjamins, ballin' hard and you in the stands…

  All this money, I'm a business man; out of all these niggas I'm the realest man…

  Jude was showing out for the hell of it in his new 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider. Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J’s “The Plan” pumped through the trunk’s speakers as he and Joaquin cruised up Spring Street. With liquor, kush, and molly circulating through their bloodstream all they wanted to do was turn up regardless of the consequences.

  Joaquin slowly turned down the side street that led to the Prive Nightclub parking garage. A long line of club-goers waited impatiently outside. Inebriated, and not thinking clearly, Jude decided to do something to liven up the scene.

  Without warning, he stood up on the Chanel seat, dug inside his jeans pocket, and pulled out a fat wad of cash. Just because he could, the twenty-four year old began tossing money out the convertible.

  Eighteen racks, I pay the dough to send them goons straight to ya door…

  To show you niggas what's real and let you meet that .44…

  A flurry of bills blew in the wind, looking like a cash rainstorm. Instinctively, people broke away from the line to collect the free money. Normally Jude was never one to create a scene. He was usually pretty mellow and low-key…but the old Jude had died long ago.

  When it was all said and done, he had tossed out over six grand. Folks scattered the street as they greedily collected bills off the cold cement.

  “Yo, you crazy, bro,” Joaquin laughed, shaking his head. The two of them had gotten incredibly tight. Joaquin felt like the little brother he never had.

  Jude shrugged and plopped back down in his seat. His eyes were glassy, and he was feeling himself that night. “Fuck it,” he said. “Y.O.L.O.”

  Although Jude was out enjoying himself he still made sure to have the streets on lock. In the end, orders needed to be fulfilled and money still had to be made.

  Fifteen minutes later, both fellas found themselves at the world famous Blue Flame. It felt like forever since Jude had visited a strip club. When he first moved to Atlanta, he, King, and his camp used to live in them. Entertainment was rare nowadays for Jude, but he made sure that whenever he did step out he lived it up.

  As soon as Jude and Joaquin walked inside the popular lounge Joaquin’s eyes eagerly scanned the lineup of dancers. A slow smile spread across his thin lips when he saw Roxie standing by the bar. Her flawless chocolate skin glistened in the dimness of the club. She looked sexy as hell in a lavender two-piece with rhinestones.

  When Roxie’s gaze met Joaquin’s she smirked. She just knew that he was there for her. They’d both left a lasting effect on one another.

  DJ Infamous and Future’s “Itchin’” had the strip club live that evening. The small lounge was packed with an even mixture of fellas and ladies determined to see who could spend the most money.

  Dancers from every shade and race were scattered throughout the club. Two tatted up redbones did their thing on stage while bills rained down on them. The floor and stage were flooded with 1s, 5s, and even a few 10s. Jude tossed a handful of singles on stage before heading to the bar.

  Joaquin took a seat near the stage. He was dressed in Costume National from his head to his feet. Because of his unique style it was very obvious that he wasn’t from there. However, that’s what made him stand out to Roxie. Everything from the color of his skin to his style was different.

  Roxie sashayed towards his table. “Hey, you,” she greeted.

  Joaquin was glad that she’d taken the initiative to speak first. He hated to seem pressed, especially after their first encounter. Gently grabbing Roxie by the wrist, he pulled her down into his lap. It felt like they were the only two people in the club.

  “You remembered me, I see,” Joaquin said, gazing into her eyes. He liked her, and he was sure that she knew it. Naturally a flirt, Joaquin was quite suave and persuasive with the ladies. With Roxie, however, it was different. He desired to know the real her.

  “And you obviously ain’t forget me either,” Roxie countered.

  Joaquin licked his lips. “How could I, beautiful?” he asked.

  Roxie giggled. “You getting a dance or what, boy?” she asked. Secretly, she was hoping to make a few hundreds off him. Joaquin was cute and smooth, but she still had money to make.

  “Nah, I want something better than that,” he said. For starters, Joaquin wasn’t a trick. He never went to strip clubs with intentions to spend everything in his pocket. It was all simply entertainment to him—up until he’d laid eyes on Roxie.

  Roxie frowned. “I don’t solicit,” she said. Roxie figured she made more than enough tips. Aside from that, O’ Zone took care of most of her finances. She wasn’t desperate enough to bust it open for customers.

  “And I never been a trick,” Joaquin defended himself. “Besides, that ain’t even what I’m on, ma. I just don’t wanna have to keep seein’ you up here. I’d rather spend my time and money on you outside of here. You feel me?”

  “I have a man,” Roxie b
luntly said. She felt the need to tell him immediately so that there wouldn’t be any indescrepencies.

  Joaquin looked over towards the DJ booth. “Who?” he asked. “That motherfucker?”

  Following his gaze, Roxie instantly noticed O’ Zone dapping up the DJ. She hadn’t even noticed him enter the establishment. He had a cute Spanish chick by his side like she actually earned her place there.

  How dare this motherfucker bring another bitch to my job, Roxie seethed. He knows better than that shit. What if I brought a nigga with me to one of his shows?

  “That’s him, right?” Joaquin pressed on. He knew he’d hit the needle on the head. “He always flossin’ girls in ya face like that? Or are you used to the disrespect?”

  Roxie cut her eyes at Joaquin. He didn’t know her well enough to speak to her that way. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about. Me and my man have an understanding.” She didn’t even realize how foolish she sounded. Love had somehow clouded her sense of judgment and decision-making.

  “About what?” Joaquin inquired.

  “None of your business!” Roxie hissed.

  Surprisingly, Joaquin didn’t get upset or black out. Instead he remained exceptionally calm. “You more than enough for a nigga,” he said. “If he can’t see that then you’re obviously with the wrong dude.”

  Up at the bar, Jude was deciding on what bottle of wine he wanted to purchase. In the middle of deliberating, he felt a small hand touch his upper back.

  “Long time no see,” a soft voice said.

  Jude turned to his right. He was surprised to see Essence standing there in the flesh.

  15

  Jude licked his lips and swallowed the dry lump in his throat. He’d gotten cottonmouth from smoking earlier, and now he was at a complete loss for words. The last time Jude had saw Essence she was dancing at Persuasion—the same club Cameron had been employed at for a brief stint.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Jude greeted casually.

  He tried his best to remain cool, but the butterflies in his stomach were a distraction. Essence reminded him of Kelly Rowland with her smooth brown complexion and smile. She looked inviting in a black one-piece with pink diamonds. The six-inch platform ankle boots she wore accentuated her toned, shapely legs.

  “Nothing much,” Essence said. “I see you’ve cut your dreads.”

  Jude smiled and ran a hand over his hair. He was now rocking it with a C-part on the left side of his fade. “Yeah, I needed a new look,” he told her. “So what’chu been up to?”

  “Same ole,” Essence answered. “School. Work. I don’t know if you heard but Persuasion closed down after a robbery. It was pretty crazy.”

  “Word?” Jude was surprised to hear that. It was news to him.

  “Yep,” Essence said. “So anyway what’s new with you? How was the wedding?” She was gaging his reaction to see if he’d gone through with it or not.

  All of a sudden, Jude remembered he had a wife. Nodding his head, he said, “It was straight. We flew out to Santorini, Greece for three days. Had a private ceremony. It was cool.”

  A pang of jealousy shot throughout Essence’s body, but she still managed to smile. “That’s good. I’m happy for you, Jude.”

  She turned to leave but he gently latched onto her wrist. “Are you really?” he asked, pulling her towards him. He was doing a little too much and he knew it, but he couldn’t deny his attraction to Essence.

  “Not really,” Essence giggled. “But I can fake the funk.”

  Jude chuckled and then became serious again. “I miss you…Is it too early to say that?” His jaw muscle tensed as he waited for a response.

  “Honestly, Jude…I’ve thought about you too from time to time,” Essence admitted. “But there’s nothing we can do about that. At the end of the day you’re a married man, and I’m—”

  “You’re what?” Jude cut her off.

  “I’m…uh…,” Essence stammered. Jude was making her nervous and he knew it. Only he had the power to make her act like a high school girl all over again. “I’m not trying to end up in any bad situations.”

  “You think I’d put you in a bad situation?” Jude asked her.

  “With the way you keep looking at me you might.”

  Jude pulled out his cellphone. He had a missed call from Cameron, but returning it was the last thing on his mind. “I wouldn’t do that to you,” Jude said. “Gimme your number again.”

  “I’ve given it to you before.”

  “I have a new phone,” Jude told her. That was in fact the truth.

  “I don’t wanna have to keep giving you my number,” Essence grinned. She knew she shouldn’t have been, but she couldn’t stop herself from flirting. At one point in time Jude had her wrapped around his finger. She was drawn to his charismatic attitude and good looks.

  “I promise you won’t need to ever again,” Jude said. “I might need an ear to vent to sometimes.”

  Unknown to Jude, O’ Zone was mugging him through the crowd of people. Well, I’ll be damned, he thought. The motherfucker who’d whupped his ass and emasculated him in front of a dozen men was there in the flesh.

  “Go find us somewhere to sit,” O’ Zone told his Spanish counterpart. He didn’t give a damn about bringing a female to another woman’s job. He was relentless when it came to the dating scene.

  “Alright,” she agreed, walking off.

  O’ Zone cleverly pulled out his cellphone and snapped a zoomed in photo of Jude. Instead of confronting the nigga on his own, he planned on having someone else handle his problem.

  ***

  “Damn, Cam,” Jag whispered. “You’re really good at this shit.”

  “Tell me I’m the best,” Cam bragged.

  “You the fuckin’ best,” Jag agreed.

  Cameron expertly took out all Jag’s pieces until she’d forced him to yield. They were on their third game of Chess and once again she’d come out the victor.

  Initially, Cam was annoyed with having another man pretty much doing Jude’s job. Yet it did feel good having someone around that was more than willing to protect her and her son. Besides, she knew Jude had good intentions behind his decision. He was hardly ever home and spent most of his hours at The Warehouse. His gig was a 24/7 job, but someone had to do it.

  Jag watched as Cameron cleared the board for another game. It was nearing 2 a.m., and instead of running the streets they were holding the house down. Jag often found himself envisioning Cam and Justin as his family—much like Jude had instructed. Where ever they went he went.

  A few days ago, at Perimeter Mall, an older woman told Cameron that she had a beautiful family. The compliment had made her peevish even though it was a simple mistake. Honestly, it was a doleful reminder that her husband wasn’t by her side. Instead he was out taking on the role of a young boss. Ultimately, Cam had no choice but to respect and ride with it. That was what was expected of a wife.

  “You really like embarrasin’ me, huh?” Jag asked. His eyes remained locked on her lips. They looked so soft to the touch. He wondered what kissing her would feel like.

  “Practice. Practice. Practice,” Cameron said. “That’s what I had to do in order to get good. I used to suck at first.”

  “Who taught you how to play? Your pops?”

  Cam paused. “Um..no.” She cleared her throat. “Actually my ex,” she answered. “It was one of Silk’s favorite past times.”

  “Silk?” Jag repeated in confusion. “Please tell me that wasn’t his rap name.”

  His whimsical comment lightened the mood. It also made Cam think of Jude when she’d first mentioned Silk to him. Then again, Jag reminded Cam of Jude in more ways than one. Ironically, he was reminiscent of a younger Jude—the one she’d met three years ago at Play Pen in Columbus, Ohio. The one who’d driven her two hours back home when Pocahontas ditched her to make money. The level-headed, easy-going man that made her fall in love. However, Cam knew that Jude wasn’t the only one that had changed. She�
�d also gone through her own transformation over time.

  Cameron snickered. “It’s a long story,” she said.

  Jag nodded his head and looked on as she lined her pieces up. “I have a confession,” he suddenly said.

  Cameron glanced up from the board and looked into Jag’s blue eyes. She would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t find him attractive. “What’s up?”

  Jag stalled a little bit. “I’ve seen you before…Prior to Jude introducing us,” he confessed. “It was back in Cleveland. I’m sure you don’t remember. You were dancing at The Shakedown. I had brought you a drink…a Cherry Bomb.” He’d purposely left out the part about him also buying a lap dance.

  Cameron snorted. “You remembered the drink?” she asked in disbelief. “The Shakedown was a minute ago.”

  I remember more than that was what Jag wanted to say. Instead he replied, “Yeah…but then again I’ve gotta pretty good memory.” He tried to downplay it so that he wouldn’t seem like a creep. The truth was he’d remembered everything about Cameron, even the outfit she’d worn that night. That’s how much he was feeling her.

  “So it’s kinda like we already have history,” Jag continued.

  Cameron shook her head. “No,” she corrected him. “That’s not having history, Jag.” Cam was neither blind nor a fool. She saw the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t watching.

  “I wasn’t sayin’ it like that, Cam,” Jag said in his defense. “I was just surprised when I saw you down here. Feels like the world’s gettin’ smaller.”

  Cameron looked back down at the Chessboard. Jag’s intense blue-eyed gaze made her nervous, and she was sure he knew it.

  “But that wasn’t my confession,” Jag said in a low tone. “Real shit, I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  Cameron’s cheeks flushed, and her stomach churned. The tension had grown incredibly thick inside the den.