BFF'S 3

by Brenda Hampton

  “I’m not lying to you, Cedric. She told me that she didn’t trust me. Said that she was still bitter about what happened. I can’t get the information you need, so you’re going to have to think of another way to get it.”

  “You think so, huh? Now that you have a little change in your pocket, you feel as if you don’t need me. You feel as if you don’t have to come through for me, like I came through for you, right?”

  “You’re making me feel as if I made a deal with the devil. I can’t tell you something that I don’t know. If you want me to lie to you, I will. There is no way for me to force Kayla to have a conversation that she doesn’t want to have. My suggestion to you is this. Go talk to her. Ask her about the letter you got from Paula that mentioned Jacoby. Maybe she’ll tell you something. Anything that will help you make sense of all of this. I’m just getting to the point where I can’t help you. I’ve done all that I can do, and when all is said and done, you did get a nice chunk of the money from Mr. and Mrs. Washington too.”

  “Fuck money!” he shouted. “I don’t need no goddamned money! What I need is for you to step up and do what the fuck you told me you was gon’ do! You’re running out of time, and I’ve given you plenty of it. There will be consequences if you don’t follow through, bitch, and I’m just being honest.”

  Like I’d told Kayla and Trina earlier, I was sick and tired of this. Tired of Cedric and his shit. And the name-calling was totally uncalled for. I stood, then walked to the door. With my hand on the knob, I turned to him.

  “Cedric, please leave. I’m not doing this with you tonight. I’m tired as hell. I’ll keep talking to Kayla, but I don’t know what good it’s going to do. And if she says something to me that may interest you, I’ll be in touch.”

  While wringing his hands together, he slowly got off the sofa and stretched. He strutted my way with narrowed eyes, then stood close to me at the door.

  “Since you can’t seem to deliver on one thing, you will deliver on another. I’ve had a long day at work, and I need my dick sucked tonight. Bow down now, and watch your teeth.”

  I moved my head from side to side. “I’m not in the mood tonight. Go home to Joy and ask her to suck your dick. I’m sure she’s wondering where you are, and your late nights in the streets probably concern her.”

  Catching me off guard, Cedric reached back, then brought his hand forward to slap the shit out of me. He slapped me so hard that my hair shifted to one side. I was also moved a few inches away from the door.

  “Don’t worry about what my woman can and will do for me at home. When I ask you to do something within reason for me, you’d better do it! Now, I’ve been real patient with yo’ ass, Evelyn. Real patient. Stop with the games and give me a little something in return.”

  There was a time when I thought I was in love with Cedric. I had wanted to spend my life with him, have his children, and spend his money. Now I hated him. I hated everything about him, and his dick didn’t move me one bit. I lifted my finger, pointing it near his face. A mean mug was on my face, and I spoke through clenched teeth.

  “Don’t you ever put your hands on me like that again! You got away with that shit once before, and now you think I’m down with it. I’m not, and trust me when I say if you do that shit again, I will cut your balls off, stuff them in your mouth, and watch you choke on them.”

  He smirked at my comment, and then gave a loud laugh. “I believe you, ’cause you are one bad bitch. But get on your knees and send me out this door with some kind of smile on my face. That’s the least you can do after failing to give me the information I need. Maybe I do need to seek other alternatives. Tonight, though, I want some head, and I need some pussy. Joy is being kind of stingy with the goods. She suspects that I’ve been fucking someone else, but none of that matters. Her ass is on the way out the door real soon.”

  It wasn’t as if he was doing me any favors by kicking her out. Cedric was a mess, but like always, in order to keep the peace, he got what he wanted from me. I didn’t drop to my knees until we were in the bedroom, and as I held his package in my hand, I started to get him back for slapping me earlier. But now wasn’t the time or the place. I locked my mouth on his shaft and sucked him until my jaws got tired. I had a headache from bobbing for so long, and I was thankful when I looked up and saw that he had fallen asleep. This was another opportunity for me to get back at him. It was such a shame that he underestimated me. He wasn’t the only one who had done so, and I lay there thinking that it was time for me to pay Charles another visit.

  * * *

  Two days later I found out about a grand opening event that Charles was expected to attend later that day. A new technology company was opening in St. Louis, and the company Charles worked for was one of the big donors. This time around, I had to pretend that I wasn’t there to see him. Basically, I was there for support, and plenty of people had been invited to come out and attend the all-white dress party to celebrate new jobs for our youth. I wasn’t sure if his wife would join him or not, but her presence wouldn’t bother me one bit. I was on a mission, and whenever I wanted something, nine times out of ten I got it. Money used to be the exception, but all I could say was, “Look at me now.”

  I spent the whole day looking for the perfect dress. My hair had already been done, and it was still dark blonde. It was similar to Beyoncé’s, as were my curves. When I found a white dress that was sheer in some areas and covered with pearls and silk fabric in other areas, and had a plunging neckline and a long slit up the front, I suspected that Charles would rethink his position. The shoes I found were like Cinderella’s glass slippers. The crystal-like heels were almost five inches, and there were tiny diamond studs near the front. I was pleased with the whole outfit, and when I got home to try on everything, I felt ready for Hollywood Boulevard.

  I tucked my purse underneath my arm, grabbed my keys, then headed to the event in my new silver Mercedes. I arrived at the Renaissance Hotel almost an hour late. Traffic was a mess, and because I didn’t want to be delayed any longer, I gave my keys to the valet and let the nice gentleman park my car. I headed to the ballroom where the event was being held, and right outside the door I saw groups of people dressed in white. I figured it would be difficult to find Charles, and I became totally convinced of this when I entered the ballroom and discovered that it was filled to capacity.

  Several dressy round tables had been set up, a long buffet stretched from one corner of the room to the other, a band was playing music in another corner, and many of the people there were tuned in to a PowerPoint presentation that provided more information about the new technology company. I pretended to be tuned in too, especially since so many eyes were on me. Yes, there was a bunch of women standing around, hating, and none of them looked as good as I did in my dress. Several men nudged each other, and I saw one woman catch an attitude because her man kept looking in my direction. I guessed I was grateful to my mother for something. I definitely had her good looks. There was no question that she was, indeed, a beautiful woman. Too bad she didn’t know how to take advantage of what God had blessed her with, and it was such a shame that she had allowed my father to use her until he couldn’t do it anymore.

  A little while later, along with everyone else, I waited in a long line to get some food. I started to converse with two ladies who stood in line with me, and then I joined them, along with several others, at one of the round tables.

  “Ooh, your hair is so pretty,” the older woman said, touching my hair. “How do you get all that body and bounce? I’ve been trying to get my hair like that for years.”

  She didn’t have to put her hands in my hair, but I didn’t mind telling her my secret. “I use Shea Moisture and several products from Carol’s Daughter. I don’t remember the specific names of the products, but I’m sure they’ll come to mind before I leave.”

  “Let me know too,” said a woman who was sitting across the table from us and who had a thirsty-looking weave on. I ignored her because there wasn
’t a product on the market that would help her hair look like mine.

  For the next several minutes, I got my grub on and chatted with the women and the men at our table. The room filled up even more, and when I saw some of the VIPs take a seat up front, that was when I spotted Charles. My mouth dropped open. When I said he was sexy as hell, I truly meant it. The white tailored tuxedo he wore set his black ass off. Keith and Bryson didn’t have shit on ole dad, and judging by the way he strutted around and flashed his Crest smile, he knew he was all that. I searched the room, looking for Netta. There wasn’t a chance in hell that she had let him attend an event like this alone. If she was as supportive as he said she was, I was sure she was somewhere lurking in the crowd. As I sat there in a trance from looking at him, I felt a hot breath next to my ear.

  “Do you mind if I ask you to step outside in the hallway so we can talk?”

  I snapped my head to the side, only to see a brotha with long dreads and too much facial hair standing next to me. He was cute, but not cute enough to steal my attention away from Charles.

  “Maybe later,” I said. “I’d really like to hear what’s going on, and I think some of the VIPs are about to speak.”

  “Sure,” he said. “You’re looking good, girl, and I for sure want to catch up with you later.”

  Damn. Was this some kind of club or something? The men sure did make it seem that way, even though everyone there was supposed to be there to support our youth. I had other reasons for being there, but that was just me.

  Two proper-talking women went to the podium and spoke first. I was waiting for them to go sit down somewhere. Some people always liked to appear important, and trust me when I say that there were enough women flouncing around in white, off white, and dirty white, trying to get attention. I didn’t have to put myself there, and sitting right where I was, which was in the front, provided me with all the attention I needed, especially when Charles stepped to the podium and gave his little spiel about donating. The first person his eyes connected with was me. He squinted just to be sure that it was me. Then he turned his head in the other direction.

  The hot and bothered, nosy woman next to me had to open her big mouth. “Why does he keep looking at you like that? Do you know him?”

  “Uh, no, I don’t. But he sure is good to look at, isn’t he?”

  “Girl, you ain’t said nothing but a word. He could lay me on my back right here and right now. I would certainly enjoy that.”

  Another woman quickly chimed in. “Mr. Washington is a married man. God don’t like ugly, and there is no need for y’all to sit there and disrespect his wife. After all, he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

  Huh? How did we manage to switch from here to church? The woman next to me let that Bible-thumping heifer have it before I did.

  “How are we disrespecting his wife by paying him a compliment? You need to hush your doggone mouth and go somewhere with that.”

  “Exactly,” I said, rolling my eyes and keeping it short.

  “I’m not gon’ hush, and when you’re talking about lying on your back, you are disrespecting his wife. I’m not going to sit here and argue with y’all, either, and both of you bitches can burn in hell.”

  I just shook my head and laughed at the wannabe Christian woman. She needed Jesus way more than I did. She was so upset that when we continued to talk about Charles, she got up, intent on moving elsewhere. She mumbled something under her breath as she turned to leave, and that was when the lady next to me at the table got louder.

  “We can have this conversation outside,” she informed the wannabe Christian woman. “Just tell me when you’re ready to go.”

  The woman rolled her eyes, then walked away. I couldn’t believe it was that serious for her.

  “She didn’t want none of this. Some people are nuts,” the woman next to me said. “She needed to mind her own business, and if we’re going to burn in hell, that’s for Jesus to decide.”

  I hit her with another “Exactly,” then got back to watching Charles.

  It was a good thing that the band was still softly playing music and that the PowerPoint presentation was still keeping many people occupied. Charles was still speaking, but I ignored pretty much everything he said. I focused on those sexy lips, and every time he licked them, I felt a jab in my pussy. I looked at his big hands and visualized them touching my body. His dick print was on point, and when he stepped away from the podium for a few minutes, I got a clear glimpse of it. Most of the women in the audience looked like zombies and seemed to be in a trance, as I was. Their eyes were glued to him, and I was 120 percent positive that I wasn’t the only woman in the room with dirty thoughts in her head.

  “So we’re very excited about this new venture,” he said. “And I welcome all of you, each and every one of you, to get behind this company and watch our youth grow.”

  Applause erupted. Before walking away from the podium, Charles took one last glance at me. The music kicked up again, and numerous people rushed over to the buffet line to get more food. Charles made his way through the crowd, but he was stopped by so many people who wanted to talk, mostly men who sat in the VIP section. I saw several of them step into the wide hallway with him. That was when I got up and proceeded to make my move.

  Displaying much confidence, I paraded down the hallway with my head held high. My hips swayed like Olivia Pope’s from Scandal, and my heels clacked on the floor. From a distance, I could see several of the men who were standing with Charles look my way. And the one thing I knew about men was that they loved to compete. They loved attention, and for me to give it to just one, I knew that one would feel special. The others would stand there with jealousy in their eyes, wondering why they weren’t the chosen one.

  As I approached the VIP circle of men, they began to part like the Red Sea. Heads turned, eyes zoomed in, and many of them wet their lips. Charles turned around too, and as soon as I walked by him, as if it was in the plan, a thirsty man spoke up.

  “Slow down, beautiful, and drop your name on me,” he said.

  “Forget it, man. She don’t seem like the kind of woman who would be interested in you. Maybe I need to introduce myself instead,” another man declared.

  They laughed, and I stopped to flash a smile.

  “Evelyn,” I said while observing some of the wealthy black men in my presence. I could smell the money, but only one of them was of great interest to me. “My name is Evelyn, and I am really happy to be here. I love what you all are doing for our youth, and, Mr. Washington, the speech you gave was simply amazing.”

  He was the only one who wasn’t smiling. I didn’t want to entertain his little attitude right now, so I hurried to wrap this up.

  “Gentlemen, please enjoy the evening. And thanks a million for the compliments.”

  I strutted away, knowing for a fact that every last one of their eyes was on my backside. I had no panties on, and I was sure someone, maybe even Charles, had noticed. I went into the ladies’ room to check myself in the mirror. “Fucking fabulous” was written all over me. I washed my hands, dried them with a paper towel, and then left. As I made my exit, I ran right into Charles, who stood close to the door. His hands were in his pockets, and that same blank expression was on his face.

  “Wha-what do you want from me, Evelyn? Is this how it’s going to be? Are you going to keep showing up at places where you know I’ll be, until I give you some attention?”

  I kept it real with him. “You already know what I want, so no need to ask. And if you think I’m some kind of stalker, please rethink your thoughts. I’m here with a friend of mine tonight. He invited me to attend this special occasion with him. I had no idea you would be here, and quite frankly, I was shocked to see you. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to go back inside the ballroom. I’ve been gone for a while, and I’m sure my friend is looking for me.”

  I attempted to walk away, but he snatched me by the arm. I looked at his hand tightly squeezing
my arm, then shifted my eyes to his. He stared me down, then lifted his other arm to look at his gold watch.

  “One hour,” he said. “In one hour meet me out front. You’ll recognize what kind of car I’m in, and if you’re not there in an hour, I’m leaving.”

  I didn’t bother to reply. When he let go of my arm, I turned around and proceeded to walk, with a slight smirk on my face. All I could think to myself was, Got him.

  I pranced around the ballroom, talking to people whom I did not know. Some of the conversations were interesting, but many were stirred up to waste time. And before I knew it, the long hand hit twelve and my hour was up. I said a few good-byes, exchanged numbers with several people, and promised this one lady whom I had been talking to that I would make a donation to her organization. After that, I walked outside. Sitting behind the steering wheel of a muthafucking Maybach was Charles. Dark shades covered his eyes, and with the slightly tinted windows, I could barely see him. I walked his way, and he unlocked the passenger door so I could get inside the car.

  “Hurry up and close the door,” he said.

  I shut the door, giving us all the privacy we needed. The soft leather seats were so comfortable that I felt as if my body was melting. I had never ridden in one of these cars before, and this was something special.

  “Here’s the deal,” Charles said with arrogance. “I give you what you want, and I never want to see your face again. I thought that I’d already taken care of you, but obviously not. I don’t want you to mention anything about Bryson, and please don’t say anything about my wife. Got it?”

  “I clearly do, but don’t sit there and pretend that you’re giving me everything that I want, when you know darn well that this is something that you want too.”

  “Do I need to repeat what I just said?”