by Ivy Symone
Natalia comes out of the room laughing. She sees us a few feet away and walks over.
“You ready, Deuce?”
I nod and look at Mother Pearl. A small smile creeps across her face, but she remains quiet. Both Natalia and I give her a hug and kiss her goodbye before we make our way to the elevators.
“What was you and Mama talking about?” Natalia asks as we wait for the elevator to arrive.
“You know how Mama is; she thinks somebody always got something going on,” I dismiss.
“You don’t?” Natalia asks suspiciously.
I chuckle. “What?”
“The flowers, the disappearances, the late nights out, and these sneaky lil phone calls…What’s up, cuz-cuz? You usually tell me everything, but you keeping this one all to yourself.”
I shake my head as the elevator ding announcing its arrival. “There’s nothing to share really.”
“Okay, I’ma let that go,” Natalia says with a sigh. As we step onto the elevator, she asks, “So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
I push the button for the second floor that accesses the garage. I say carefully, “Well, I’ll be leaving you in charge for a couple of days. There’s something I gotta handle out of town.”
“See!” she exclaims with a laugh. “You’re doing the shit again. Who is it, Deuce? Tell me.”
I shake my head and try not to smile. “It’s no one.”
“Bullshit,” she says as we wait for the doors to open. She steps off mumbling under her breath about getting to the bottom of my shenanigans.
I laugh as I follow her. When I’m sure of what Prime means to me, then I’ll know if I’ll be ready to share or not share. Until then, I’m keeping his existence to myself.
Chapter 12: Camryn
I knew her black ass wouldn’t care. She didn’t even bother to respond to my last message. It’s cool though. I ain’t stressing it. This weekend I’m wilding. Fuck Deuce.
“Why you keep looking at your phone?” Alexis asks. She holds an iced mixed drink in her hand garnished with a small umbrella and a pineapple slice. The hot pink bikini she wears barely covers her pussy mound and her golden breast are bare and freely bouncing.
“Bitch, I thought’cho ass was tryna have fun this weekend,” Tyesha razzes from the lounge chair beside me.
“I am,” I grimace. “I’m just making sure Deuce ain’t tryna reach out.”
“Fuck that bitch,” Reese snarls as he comes up behind Alexis and cups her breasts. He gives them a squeeze and kisses her on the neck.
“Why you always hating on your sister, nigga?” Box asks. He’s sitting at the end of Tyesha’s lounge chair dragging on a blunt.
“Stepsister,” Reese corrects as he releases Alexis. He sits down on the side of my chair. “What’s up? You good?”
“Yup,” I tell him and offer up a smile.
“A’ight lil mama,” he says and rubs my thigh. He stands up and calls out to Box, “Ay nigga, we need to head on out.”
“Where y’all asses going?” Lauren asks as she comes out onto our hotel room’s balcony. She’s topless too baring small perky breasts.
“We got some business to take care of,” Box says as he passes her.
“Y’all coming back?” Lauren asks.
“Yeah,” Reese tells her as he slaps her ass.
Tyesha asks, “Where P an’nem staying?”
“Not at this hotel,” I answer. “They down the street at the Westin.”
“We should go crash they shit,” she says.
“Why you always tryna encourage this crazy heifa to show her ass,” Lauren playfully scolds.
As they go back and forth, I look at my phone again. Still no Deuce. Figures. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. Yeah, I went to my mama’s, but it was to drop Ari off. Three hours later I was checking in my hotel in Gardenia on Orchid Island. A bunch of us decided at the last minute to get together and turn up for no reason at all except to enjoy life.
Knowing Deuce wouldn’t care, I fed her the not feeling good bullshit. She’s been too caught up in whatever she’s doing behind my back to even obsess over my wellbeing.
My phone rings, and I see that it’s Reese’s number. He just left the room, so I’m thrown off by him calling me.
Cautiously, I answer, “Hello?”
“Hey, put some clothes on and meet me in the lobby,” he seriously orders and ends the call.
Tyesha looks over at me curiously, “Who was that?”
“Reese. He wants me to meet him downstairs,” I tell her as I hop off the lounge chair.
“I’m coming,” Lauren says.
“No,” I stop her. “This doesn’t seem like that kind of party.”
Feigning insult, Lauren mumbles, “Excuse me then.”
I quickly go inside and dig out a cute and colorful maxi dress to throw over my bathing suit. I grab my crossbody, throw my phone inside, and slip on my Chanel slides before going for the door. As I open it, some more of our girlfriends are about to knock on the door.
“Where’re you going?” one of them asks.
“I’ll be back,” I call over my shoulder as I hurry down the hall to the elevators.
I have an idea of what Reese wants; after all, it’s the reason he told me to come to Gardenia in the first place. I just didn’t think it’d be this soon.
Reese meets me in the lobby. He reaches out for me and places a hand at the small of my back as he whispers, “I want you to meet this nigga named Gooch. He’s one of the Gardenia Gudda boys. He run shit here and he fuck with my daddy.”
I laugh to myself. I already know Gooch. Sometimes the shit I do crack me up.
Reese guides me to the hotel’s lounge and bar where Box is already seated at a table with Gooch and some other men.
Gooch smiles at me showing off his golden grill. “Hey pretty lady.”
I smile back, but I want to laugh. He plays along and pretends as if we’re meeting for the first time. “Hey.”
“Who is this, Reese?” Gooch asks.
“This one of my bitches I fuck with. She cool as fuck and get down with the get down,” he clowns. “Ya’ hurr me?”
They all break into silly banter.
Gooch asks, “What all you get down with, beautiful?”
Reese answers for me. “Shit, everything. Hell, she my stepsister gal. We just have fun from time to time.”
I side-eye Reese. I think that’s his way of being territorial. Hell, Gooch really don’t care and he’s aware of Reese; Reese just isn’t aware of Gooch.
“Is that right?” Gooch says acting amused. “So, I hear you trying to make us some money. What’chu got going, beautiful? Lemme hear it.”
We spend the next hour going over different schemes on how to make money. Reese and his father already had one going where they were in partnership with Gooch through Mother Pearl warehouse that I hadn’t been aware of until now. I would have to confront Deuce on that one as well as Walt because he left me out the loop.
I’m sitting there enjoying myself when out of the blue I get a text from P. It reads: You just won’t stop, huh?
What did that mean? And that’s exactly what I ask in my response.
He responds with a picture message of me sitting at the table with Reese, Gooch, and their other associates. Nervously, I look around, but I don’t see P.
He sends another text: Don’t worry, I won’t tell Deuce. Do you
Fuck!
~~~~~~~~~~~
I don’t know why but I’m scared. I’m afraid of his rejection. I don’t know what happened between us, but P loathes me now. It’s like I disgust him or something. I just want answers and want to try to establish some type of understanding so that we can get along like we once did and raise our child with no issues.
I knock on the door and wait patiently. Seconds later, the door opens. Immediately, his face contorts into a glower.
“What the fuck you want, Cam?”
“I just wanna talk and see how you doing?” I say
softly. I can’t resist letting my eyes scan over his physique. He’s shirtless and wears only a pair of red swimming trunks. His locs are gathered atop his head in a messy knot. His tattoo-riddled, caramel-colored body looks good as ever.
“Why?” he asks.
“Cause,” is all I can offer.
He twists his lips up dubiously. “You just worried I’m gonna say something either to Deuce or to your daddy.”
I look at him with the side-eye. “C’mon now. Do you think I care that much about what my daddy thinks?”
“You do. And it seems like you care about what Deuce thinks.”
“Yeah, okay,” I dismiss. I ask, “You got somebody in here or can I come in?”
“I really ain’t trying to be bothered with you,” he states. “Shouldn’t you be upstairs with your friends and shit? Who gave you this room number anyway?”
“Box told me what it was. And what’s upstairs ain’t that interesting. Where’s my daddy staying?”
“Same place I’m staying.”
I’m confused. “Here?”
“Do here look like a place your daddy would stay?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug. “Maybe he’s cutting back, shit.”
“We ain’t staying here like that. We actually somewhere else…This just a little spot closer to where everything and everybody at. You know how we do. But I was actually finna head back downstairs for a minute,” he says. He steps aside and gestures for me to come in. “You can come in though.”
As I cross the threshold I ask, “What’s downstairs?”
“Just chillin’ with some of the locals,” he says. He walks past me and sits down on the sofa in the suite’s living room and picks up his phone.
I make my way over to the sofa and sit down at the other end. “Where’s your wife?”
He shrugs. “Probably over her nigga house back in JC.”
“Are y’all calling it quits?”
He shrugs again. He asks, “What’s up with you and Deuce?”
I give a half shrug this time.
“Y’all still together?”
I nod my head.
“She know you be wildin’ out like you do?”
I shrug.
He shakes his head. “You so dirty and that’s why I can’t fuck with you like that.”
“Whatever P,” I say and try to reach out to touch him.
He moves out of the way. “Man, watch out.”
“You kill me,” I roll my eyes.
“What was that little meeting about earlier?”
I laugh. “As if I would tell you.”
“You really need to consider it. You know how The Coalition is.”
“Fuck a Coalition,” I spit.
He scoffs. “Watch your mouth, Cam.”
“That’s what Deuce says. You know she’s moving dope through her warehouse without going through The Coalition.”
He looks up in shock. “You serious?”
I nod.
He stands up with his phone in hand. “I gotta cut out real quick. Thanks for that little tidbit of info.”
Still sitting, I ask, “What’chu gon’ give me for it.”
“Shit, I done gave you too much of my time as it is,” he remarks.
“Speaking of time, how ‘bout you get Ari since you back in Jewel City.”
“I’ma start getting her; just as soon as shit get settled and running smoothly. Now get’cho lil ass up. I gotta meet up with your daddy.”
I shake my head. “You’re such a teacher’s pet.”
He leads the way to the door and opens it for me to exit. “Get out.”
I smile and give him a wink, “Text me if you need a favor.”
He says, “I’d rather die.”
Fuck P’s ass. Shit, fuck them all!
Chapter 13: Dasani
After checking into my suite, I realize I have no idea if Prime is even in Gardenia. I just showed up wanting to surprise him. What if he changed his mind and is still in Miami?
I sit at the edge of my bed and send him a text: Hey bae…
While I wait for him to respond, I check all of my other notifications. I even peruse social media a little. It’s when I notice that Alexis and a few of her friends are here in Gardenia too. Shit!
Now how am I going to be sneaky with Cam’s friends in the same city?
Prime: Hey…
I can sense he’s upset with me because of his short and detached response.
What’s up?
Prime: Can I call you maybe tomorrow?
I frown. Is he dissing me?
I respond back: No, I won’t be available
Prime: Well, I’m sort of busy at the moment myself
Instantly, I sadden at the realization that he’s here with someone else. Why did I think I am his only love interest? And with me putting him off lately, no wonder he would move on and find someone else to keep him company.
I groan and sigh simultaneously and fall back onto the bed. It’s like seven at night, and the night life of Gardenia is just beginning. I can go to the main strip and get into just about anything, but my worry is that I will run into one of Cam’s little friends.
I hurry to shower and dress in such a way that I’m incognito. I leave my hair down in its natural curly wavy pattern and adorn it with a wide white headband. I go with an off-shoulder, multi-colored, floral-print midi-dress with a heart-line bodice that hug my body. I pair it with white cork wedge sandals that lace up my calves. After glossing my lips and misting my body with rose scented spray, I complete my look with my usual dainty gold jewelry and a pair of oversized butterfly frame shades.
Stopping to view myself in the full-length mirror before exiting my room, I’m completely satisfied with my look. I’m sure none of Cam’s friends would assume the person in the mirror’s reflection is Deuce.
First things first is to satisfy my hunger, and not the sexual one. I’m talking food. I’m starving!
There’s a place called Manger sur L'eau that serves the best food on the island. The restaurant literally sits on the water and has the most beautiful views. It’s two levels of fine and exquisite dining. Unless one of Cam’s friends are here with a sugar daddy, I hardly doubt I’ll run into any of them here.
After calling in a favor to the owner’s wife, it isn’t long after I arrive that I’m seated at my preferred second level table. Though the restaurant is large and accommodating, it’s still hard to snag a spot. Luckily for me, I got connections.
Once upon a time, I would have been uncomfortable dining alone, but since learning to love and accept myself, I’ve been enjoying my own company. It’s kind of peaceful and I do it often now. Also, once upon a time, I would have been thrown off and annoyed with the many men making advances and trying to invite themselves to my table. I’m getting used to the way I look now and understand it comes with the territory, so, I simply and politely turn them away while I enjoy my delicious tropical cuisine and sip my wine.
I’m halfway through my entrée when I look away from my phone and glance down to the main floor and see Prime accompanied by an entourage. Of course, I recognize Bea and there’s Chell, the dirty blonde from the first night we met. Also, with him is that nigga named Poodah. He’s a big solid nigga that doesn’t speak much. I’ve seen him around Walt, Reese, and Ammo before. I’m not sure which lady is here with him. There are a few older men of different races with beautiful ladies at their sides. Even Prime is latched on to his arm by a tall slender Nicole Murphy lookalike.
I watch as the host leads the large party seating them immediately in a more private dining area that gives me a direct view of that area. I continue to eat, but they have become my entertainment now. They are a pretty happy and boisterous bunch. Laughing and chatting it up. But I watch Prime closely to see how much he and “Nicole Murphy” are into each other. They speak into each other’s ears, smile, and laugh a lot then join in the conversation with the others.
I’m tempted to send him a nice nasty tex
t message letting him know that I see him, but I think against it. I place my phone down and glance back their way. Oh shit!
Prime had been glancing around the restaurant and I think he looked my way. I play it off and refrain from looking back for about a couple of minutes. When I look back, he’s back in conversation with his party.
“Hey!”
I’m startled damn near out of my seat. I catch my wine glass before it topples over. Behind my shades, I angrily glare at the guy who has sat down at my table. I snap, “What?”
“My boss wants you to join him,” he says casually.
His boss? I look him over and wonder what kind of boss he has. He looks like one of the local street guys that you see robbing the tourists.
“Your boss?” I repeat. I ask, “And who is your boss?”
He nods his head down to the lower level. “Prime.”
My mouth drops open, and my eyes shift down to where Prime’s sitting. He lifts his wine glass up to me with a nod. I blush with embarrassment as I turn away.
“Tell him, I said no thanks,” I say.
“You sure?”
“I’m positive.” Prime plays too much, and now I’m ready to get out of here. I motion to my waitress and let her know I’m ready for my check. The guy leaves my table to relay my response.
While I wait, I send Prime a sarcastic text: Now I see why you were busy. She’s pretty. Please don’t bother me after this and don’t bother with responding. Enjoy the rest of your night!
As my waitress returns with my check, I see Prime excuse himself from his dinner party. I quickly remove a hundred-dollar bill to cover the cost of my meal and tell the waitress to keep the change. When I get up to leave, I don’t bother with the glass encased elevator; instead, I go for the grandiose staircase. I quickly descend and head straight for the exit.
“Dasani!”
I’ve reached the walk that flows out to the strip by now. I don’t plan to stop. The hotel I’m staying in is only two blocks away.
“Dasani!” he calls again.
I zigzag between the rowdy night crowd trying to put as much distance between the two of us. I really don’t want to hear anything he has to say.
