Ballers Bitches

by Deja King

  “If that true, I’m happy for you.”

  “What about you? Is your girlfriend happy with you?” Kirk paused for a moment and laughed.

  “My girlfriend broke up with me about a year ago, so that would be a no.”

  “Why did she break up with you?”

  “She said I never made time for her. I kept saying I would but never did. Then one day I realized I never made time for her because I didn’t really enjoy being around her. But it was easier to stay with her because it wasn’t like she was keeping me from doing what I wanted to do. Eventually she got tired of it and bounced. I didn’t try to stop her because it was the best thing for both of us.”

  “Interesting.”

  “So if your man is making you happy, Blair, that’s a beautiful thing but if he’s not, maybe you should consider other options.”

  “One of those options being you?”

  “I don’t consider myself exactly a bad catch. But seriously, I don’t know what would happen between us. We might realize we can’t stand each other or we might fall in love, would it hurt to see?”

  “Is everyone ready to order?” the waiter asked snapping all of us out of our conversations.

  “Excuse me, I have to take this call. Diamond, order me whatever you get. I’ll be right back.” I walked towards the back of the restaurant trying to find a somewhat quiet location. “Hey, how are you?”

  “I’m fine. Where are you?”

  “I went to dinner with Diamond.”

  “You didn’t tell me you were going out.”

  “If you hadn’t hung up on me earlier I would have.”

  “Blair, what you were talking about was irrelevant and I was tired of the bickering so I hung up.”

  “Discussing my feelings and my career isn’t irrelevant.”

  “What career, you don’t have one.”

  “The career that I want to have.”

  “Anyway, how long are you going to be out with your friend.”

  “Her name is Diamond and I’m not sure.”

  “Go home after dinner and I’ll see you later.”

  “But…” before I could say another word I realized Michael had ended the call. I wanted to cry, throw my phone and scream but instead I walked back to the table. I noticed a few people getting autographs from Kirk and he graciously signed them. But no matter how nice he seemed to be, I kept feeling he was an asshole just like Michael and it would only be a matter of time before his true colors showed.

  “Is everything ok?” Diamond asked when I sat back down.

  “I’m fine,” I lied.

  “I was telling Cameron and Kirk that the same way people were coming up to them asking for their autographs that soon people will be doing it to you.”

  “Huh…what are you talking about?”

  “I told you I was on it. My girl who did that event we all attended last night has agreed to do PR for you.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yep, I was going to tell you the good news later but you came back to the table with a look of death on your face and I wanted to make you smile.”

  “I’ve been trying to get her to let me do the same thing,” When Kirk said that I couldn’t help but look at him with a smirk.

  “You better snatch her up while you can because soon you’ll need an appointment just to get her on the phone.”

  “So what is it that you do?”

  “Don’t pay Diamond any attention,” I said, trying to brush Kirk off.

  “She can’t be just making the shit up. What do you do?”

  “Nothing really.”

  “Ok, let me rephrase the question. What do you want to do that requires you to need a publicist?”

  “I want a career as an actress so I’m hoping a publicist will get me the right exposure.”

  “If that’s what you want then you should go for it.”

  “You don’t think I sound stupid?”

  “Why would I think that?”

  “This is New York. I’m sure you meet hundreds of girls who all say they want to be an actress.”

  “No, they mostly say they are models. But it doesn’t matter because they’re not you. If you want to be an actress and you’re willing to put in the work to make it happen then you should give it your all. I remember growing up when I would tell people I wanted to play in the NBA they would clown me and say it would never happen. My first year in the league I was named Rookie Of The Year, I have a huge Nike endorsement and I’m the star player for the New York Knicks. If I‘d listened to all those people who clowned me none of that would’ve happened. So never let someone kill your dreams if you’re willing to put in the work to make it happen.”

  “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

  “See that, I was able to put a smile on your face.”

  “Finally, our food is here, let’s eat,” I heard Diamond say. Our dinner arrived right on time. I welcomed the diversion because Kirk was starting to make me feel a certain kind of way. With his six-foot-four inch muscular frame, dark eyes and chiseled model face it would be easy to find Kirk physically attractive but me thinking he would behave like the typical arrogant athlete made him almost repulsive to me. But I was starting to believe my preconceived notion of him was wrong and that scared me. I was already dealing with having a fucked up relationship with Michael and bringing Kirk in the mix would just make shit even more complicated. So I decided to eat my food and limit my conversation with Kirk for the rest of the night.

  ****

  “You didn’t have to take me home, but thank you,” I said to Kirk when we pulled up to the front of my apartment on Central Park West.

  “I wanted to. You seemed to be ignoring me throughout dinner and I figured this might be my last chance to plead my case.”

  “Plead your case…and what case would that be?”

  “You already know. I think you’re just trying to be difficult but so you know I’m not giving up.” He gave me a half smile that made him even sexier.

  “Kirk, I’m flattered that you’re interested in me but it wouldn’t work between us.”

  “Cut it out, Kennedy. How would you know if you’re not willing to give it a try?”

  “I don’t want to try.”

  “Really?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t believe you.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you believe. Again, thanks for the ride home.” As I was opening the door to exit, Kirk reached over and grabbed my arm. “What is it?”

  “Here,” he said handing me a piece of paper. “Take my number, in case you change your mind.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Just take it,” he insisted. I took the paper and put it in my purse. We made eye contact one last time before I told him goodnight and stepped out his car. I didn’t look back but I could feel him staring at me as I went inside my building. The doorman was holding the door for me as I walked up. I could see he was trying to figure out who was the driver of the four-door cocaine white Bentley I just got out of. I was about to tell him to stop being nosey but kept it moving to the elevator. On my way up I opened up my purse and opened up the paper that had Kirk’s number on it. I knew I should ball it up and throw it away but something held me back. I folded the paper back up and put it in my purse.

  As I walked down the hallway to my apartment I kept thinking about Kirk’s smile and the last words he said to me. He seemed so genuine but then again from my experience all men started off that way but once they got you they got brand new. Forget Kirk McKnight. The only thing I need to concentrate on is getting my life together and having a career. I can’t be just the girlfriend of Michael Frost forever, I thought to myself as I opened the door to go inside my apartment. When I tossed my purse and keys down on the table and turned on the light I was startled to see Michael sitting on the couch.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “How was your dinner?” It was typical Michael to ignore my question and ask me one instead.


  “It was fine.”

  “It takes you two-and-a-half-hours to eat,” he said looking at his watch.

  “We were talking.”

  “We, were there other people with you?”

  “No, just Diamond but we had a lot to catch up on.” My first instinct was to lie even though technically I hadn’t done anything wrong but I knew Michael wouldn’t see it like that.

  “Did you have a good time?”

  “It was just dinner but I always enjoy Diamond’s company.”

  “I see you wore my favorite dress,” he stated before standing up and walking towards me. I had forgotten that after we argued and he hung up on me I purposely put on the ruby red cocktail dress to spite him in my own twisted way.

  “You must’ve known you would see me tonight because you know what this dress does to me,” he said, as he used one hand to unzip my dress and the other to slide his hand up my thigh. He then slid my thong to the side before inserting his finger inside of me. “Damn, your pussy is so wet,” he whispered in my ear before cupping my breast and licking my hardened nipple as I begged him to fuck me.

  I lifted my leg up and wrapped it around his waist as he finger fucked me and sprinkled my neck with kisses. “Oh, that feels so good,” I moaned.

  “Do you want this dick?”

  “Yes, I do…” I said, breathlessly.

  “You sure?” he asked pulling my hair and turning my face towards his. His eyes always seemed to hypnotize me and I jerked my mouth towards his yearning for our lips to connect but he stopped me.

  “Don’t you want me?” my voice was full of uncertainty.

  “Of course I do but I want you to do something for me first.” I was confused but then he slid out his finger and put it to my mouth. “I want you to know what I taste when my tongue is inside of you.” He caressed his finger across my bottom lip until gradually prying them open. He massaged his finger in and out of my mouth as if I was giving him a blowjob. Before I knew it Michael had me sprawled across the couch and his dick was deep inside of me. It felt so good I accidently bit down on his finger but that seemed to turn him on even more as each thrust became more intense.

  As usual all the anger and resentment I was feeling towards Michael disappeared—at least for the moment. All I wanted to do was get caught up in the rapture of my man being inside of me, loving me and holding me. My mind and body had become an addict for what Michael gave me and I willingly took each dose.

  Diamond

  I was tossing and turning thinking about my night with Cameron. When he dropped me off it took all my strength not to invite him in. The only reason I didn’t was because I knew we would fuck. I had it bad for the boy but I knew it wasn’t time to give up the goods just yet. I mean it was our first date and I honestly wanted him to be a keeper, so I couldn’t give into temptation—at least not yet.

  My body slithered across the silk sheets as I let my mind begin imagining what could’ve happened between me and Cameron tonight, if I hadn’t pressed the brake. Right as the dream was getting good it got disrupted by a nightmare or was it my reality?

  “Bitch, where yo’ motherfuckin’ stash at!” If it wasn’t for the cold steel pressed against my temple I would’ve sworn this shit had somehow accidentally got mixed up in my dream. But all doubt went out the door when the masked assailant jammed the gun against my forehead so hard it hit the back of the bedpost.

  “Who are you and what the fuck do you want from me?” I mumbled quickly awakening from my sleep and praying this motherfucker wasn’t here to rape me.

  “Bitch, you know what I want!

  “Please don’t rape me. I’m begging you,” I pleaded holding the covers tightly over my body.

  “I don’t want yo’ pussy.”

  “Then what?” my voice was trembling while my eyes darted around the room trying to see what I could use as a weapon.

  “I want your money and your drugs, Bitch!” I swallowed hard as that wasn’t the response I was expecting.

  “I don’t know what you talkin’ ‘bout! Why would I have drugs in my house…I don’t fuck wit’ that shit! All I got is two hundred dollars in my wallet and you can take it!”

  “Yo’ lying ass! Bitch, I know who the fuck you are. You moving more keys then most niggas out here so if you wanna stay alive you better come up with that cash and stash or you can start requesting yo’ last rites. “

  “I don’t know what the fuck you talkin’ ‘bout…I swear! Ain’t no drugs up in here.” Next thing I know this nigga pistol whip me with his gun. I could feel the open gash and I put my hand over it trying to stop the blood but it continued to trickle down.

  “Now do you understand I ain’t playin’ wit yo’ dumbass!”

  “I don’t have any drugs here but I do have some money,” I admitted as I pressed down on my head hoping the pain would stop.

  “You bet not be lyin’”

  “I’m not…I promise.”

  “Where the money at?”

  “In that closet inside the black duffel bag on the top shelf.” At this point only two things were on my mind. I was thankful Destiny was with her dad so she didn’t have to be a witness to this bullshit and staying alive.

  “Yo, it’s ‘bout a hundred g’s in here! Yeah, Bitch I’ll let you live,” he continued. Even through the mask I could tell the nigga was cheesing and shit. I thought he was about to break out and do a happy dance. “Next time I come back you betta have some drugs too,” he warned but almost in a joking type way. At this point I didn’t even care I just wanted him out of my crib.

  “You got yo’ money and could you just go!”

  “Calm yo’ ass down. I got what I wanted. I’m outta here.” That nigga pimp walked out my bedroom like he had just hit the jackpot and I guess to him he did. But luckily for me it was only a small percentage of what I really had. Don’t get it twisted I was pissed that this nigga had the audacity to break into my crib, put a gun to my head and steal my money, but what could I do.

  I fucked up and I had no one to blame but myself. I had been saying I needed to move into a doorman building but I loved my spacious renovated two-bedroom apartment in Harlem. Never did I feel I wasn’t safe because I didn’t think anybody knew I pushed drugs. Yeah I had the cars, jewelry and clothes but I kept my shit low key and felt I stayed under the radar but unfortunately I was wrong. I figured a few nosey people in my neighborhood thought I was selling pussy or was some king pin’s bottom bitch but never that I was that bitch who was a major distributor to mostly all the street pushers.

  Somehow though the streets got to talking and my secret was out. All I could do now was regroup, change shit up and be thankful that my mistakes didn’t cost me my life. The first thing I planned on doing was moving ASAP. The next thing was purchase a gun for protection. Because best believe the person who attacked me, would start running his mouth letting motherfuckers know he made a come up off me, and other thirsty niggas would now try to do the same thing.

  I didn’t even feel safe staying in my apartment for the rest of the night. I grabbed my luggage and started packing shit up. I threw everything I could in my bags before I got dressed. I decided I would stay with my mom until I could come back and get the rest of my stuff.

  Before I left I went in the bathroom and looked at the gash on my head. It didn’t look as bad as it felt which I was grateful about. I cleaned it before putting a bandage on it and I started trying to figure out what lie I would tell my mother to explain it away. This wasn’t the life I expected when I got into the game but I should’ve known that shit wouldn’t stay rosy forever. Another lesson learned. With all the easy money that came from hustling you better be prepared to accept the bad.

  ****

  The first thing I did when I woke up was reach in my bag for some Excedrin Migraine. My head was still throbbing from that pop I took on the head.

  “Diamond, what are you doing here,” my mom asked when she saw me standing in the kitchen pouring myself a glass of water.r />
  “I came last night. I didn’t want to wake you up,” I responded casually.

  “What happened to your head?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” I answered vaguely. My mother’s facial expression was screaming concern so I was trying my best to play it cool.

  “Let me see,” she said, smoothing back my hair to lift up the bandage. “Did you go to the doctor? That cut looks painful.”

  “I’m fine,” I insisted, moving away.

  “Did you get in a fight?”

  “No, I was in a car accident.” That was the first lie that popped in my head so I ran with it.

  “Did somebody hit you? I hope you called the police and filed a report.”

  “It was my fault. I was texting and hit something.”

  “How many times have I told you about driving and texting at the same time. You lucky all you got was a bump on your head,” my mother pointed her finger scolding me.

  “You’re right, it was a dumb mistake. It’ll never happen again.”

  “I hope not. If anything happened to you I don’t know what I’d do.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me. But I do need a favor.”

  “What kind of favor?” she asked with a quizzical look on her face.

  “Can Destiny and I stay with you for awhile?”

  “Of course! That ain’t no favor. You know you always welcomed here. But what’s wrong with your place.”

  “I’ve decided to move.”

  “Really? But you always tell me how much you love your apartment.”

  “I do…I meant I did but there has been several break-ins lately and I’m afraid for our safety. I want to move into a more secure building.”

  “I can’t blame you for that. Times are tough right now and the last thing you need is somebody breaking into your apartment and God forbid hurt you and Destiny. You stay here for as long as you like.”

  “Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate that.”

  “No need to thank me. So where is Destiny, she still sleeping?”

  “No she’s actually with Rico. He’s bringing her back today.” Right when I said his name I saw my phone vibrating and his name on the screen. “That’s him now, let me get this.”