by Jade Jones
Apparently, Mitch—the man whom King had killed—was causing more problems dead than alive. His brother and cousin squeezed off rounds into the cookout wearing nothing but black attire and ski masks. They didn’t give a damn that it was broad daylight or that they were in a quiet, upscale Alpharetta neighborhood.
A cookout that started off normal had quickly turned into gunfire and chaos.
King shielded his daughter’s body after taking cover behind the outdoor bar. Luckily his wife was inside and out of harm’s way. “Get them mufuckas!” he yelled to two of his boys.
But it was too late. The masked gunmen took off running towards the front of the house before hopping into a black Escalade with tinted windows. King’s goons chased after them with their own weapons drawn, but the truck skirted off before they could bust any shots.
Cameron’s entire body trembled uncontrollably, and Justin continued to cry at the top of his lungs. A few people felt comfortable enough to come out of their hiding spots before taking in the damage.
One of the victims caught in gunfire lay face down in the crystal blue pool water. A dime-sized bullet hole was in the center of his back.
“Are you okay?” Jude asked with concern in his voice. He cupped her face in his hands. There were tears in her eyes as she held Justin against her chest.
Cameron sniffled and wiped her nose. “Yeah…I—I think I’m good,” she stuttered.
Cameron’s eyes slowly wandered to the blood soaking Jude’s t-shirt. “Oh, my God! You’re bleeding!”
21
Tears pooled Aso’s eyes as he crawled over toward Tank who lay outstretched on the concrete. A small puddle of blood slowly formed around his immobile body.
“Bruh…?” Aso croaked out. “Bruh, get up.” Tears spilled over his lower lids as he looked down at his dead brother. He placed his hand over the gunshot in the center of Tank’s chest as if to stop the bleeding. However, the effort was useless. His brother was gone. “Say something,” Aso cried. “Get up!”
Jude held onto his side as he jogged over to Aso and Tank. Fortunately, he’d only been grazed by a stray bullet.
“Man, them mufuckas killed my brotha!” Aso screamed.
Chills ran up Cameron’s spine after hearing the pain in Aso’s voice. She then looked over at King who was making sure his daughter was okay.
***
“You’re quiet…,” Jude noted as they left North Fulton Hospital. Fifteen stitches and a brief conversation with the police was the outcome of the shooting. “You sure you’re good?”
Cameron didn’t respond until they were inside their truck. Thankfully, Justin had fallen asleep. “Why do you think that happened?” she finally asked.
Cam didn’t particularly like Tank too much, but she also hated to see his life end the way it did. There was no way she’d be able to sleep peacefully after everything that happened that day. The EMTs had to pry Aso off his brother in order to get his body on a stretcher and inside the ambulance. Two people had been gunned and a total of four—including Jude—had been injured.
Cameron couldn’t see any other reason why two guys would run up in a cook out on some Columbine shit unless…
“I told you already—just like I told the police—it was a random shootin’,” Jude said with irritation in tone. “Nobody knows why those niggas came up bustin’. This is a crazy world. People do fucked up shit, Cam.”
“But—”
“Cam, come on now. I really ain’t in the mood to keep talkin’ ‘bout this shit,” he cut her off. “I just lost my fuckin’ cousin…”
Cameron settled back into her seat, and decided to drop the subject for now, at least. She knew sooner or later she’d find out the truth.
***
Two days after Tank’s death Aso sat on the hood on his car while sipping a bottle of Hennessey. Family and friends had been blowing his phone up since he got the news but he really didn’t want to be bothered. Mentally, he’d snapped. He didn’t give a damn about anything or anyone else. He was out for himself, and he didn’t give a damn who he’d have to betray.
***
Tank’s death seemingly caused an even bigger rift in Jude and Aso’s relationship. Aso barely acted as if he wanted to speak to his cousin when Jude offered condolences at the funeral which was held back in their hometown. King had even flown down to pay his respect. There was also a change in Jude and Cameron’s relationship. He was a little disheartened about her sleeping with Tank and not telling him about it even though she swore it was years ago.
Their relationship was nowhere near close to being perfect, but it wasn’t bad enough to make either of them leave. The tension in their household however was undeniable. The closer Jude got to King and his job, the further he pushed Cam away.
Cameron, on the other hand, wasn’t doing much to correct the situation. The less attention Jude paid her the more she sought it in the streets. She and Rumor had gotten extremely close, and she’d hung out with O’ Zone on numerous occasions. Nothing had popped off as of yet, and Cam never intended for anything to happen. She loved Jude very much, and he never had a single reason not to trust Cameron…until he ran into Aso one afternoon. It was the first time they’d spoken since Tank’s funeral.
Jude was collecting the last of his belongings from Aso’s townhome when the two crossed paths. Aso tried his best to make it look like running into his cousin was a coincidence. The truth was he couldn’t wait to show Jude the video he’d stumbled upon while browsing through his newsfeed on Instagram.
Aso tried to play it off like he was looking out for Jude when in all actuality he was purposely trying to hurt him. Jude and Cameron should’ve been him and Lana…but unfortunately things didn’t go as planned. Instead of being happy for his cousin, he was trying to secretly sabotage him in any way that he could.
“What’s good, fam?” Aso dapped Jude up. “You just the mufucka I been lookin’ for.”
Jude placed a small cardboard box in the trunk of his metallic blue BMW 335is.
Jealousy consumed Aso after seeing the new car. It had nothing to do with whose ride was better than the other. He was just upset about Jude making a come-up that he felt he deserved.
“When you cop that, cuz?” Aso asked, masking his resentment.
“Oh, this? King actually gave it to me,” Jude said nonchalantly.
Aso was salty-faced after hearing that. That mothafucka ain’t never gave me shit and I been stealing whips for this nigga for years, he seethed. Instead of being happy to see his cousin shining, he was hating like a motherfucker on the low.
“It’s dope,” Aso lied.
Jude slammed the trunk close and turned towards his older cousin. “So anyway, what’s good, man? How you been feelin’ lately? You straight?” There was genuine concern in his eyes as he waited for a response. “You know you ain’t the only one who lost a brother,” he said. “I know that shit cuts deep, man.”
Aso waved him. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m good,” he forced a weak smile. Most days he tried not to even think about his brother. The stress of Lana’s parents hounding him about their daughter’s whereabouts had quickly become more important.
“Well, you know if you ever wanna chop it, I’m here.”
“Cool. Cool. I appreciate that.” Aso dapped up Jude, and for two seconds he almost stopped resenting him. Almost.
“So what you had to tell me?” Jude asked.
Aso pulled out his cellphone. “It ain’t what I gotta tell you,” he corrected Jude. “It’s what I gotta show you.” He leaned against Jude’s BMW, and pulled up a video on O’ Zone’s personal Instagram page.
Confused but still curious, Jude leaned in and looked at Aso’s cellphone screen. “Hell is this?” he asked.
Aso didn’t reply. He decided to let the video clip speak for itself.
“This how we mufuckin’ do it out here in the ATL, shawty! We turn up to the mufuckin’ sun rise, nigga! Who fuckin’ with Greek Gang ENT? Not a na’an nigga! Get wit’
it or get run the fuck over!”
Jude’s expression slowly fluctuated into anger as he watched Cameron party with the popular, upcoming rapper and his posse. He was shocked beyond belief when he saw her snort an unrecognizable powdery substance. He almost didn’t recognize his girl.
Jude squeezed the car keys tightly in his hand as he watched O’ Zone playfully spin Cam around. Her laughter—and the fact that it looked like she was enjoying herself—made him feel sick to his stomach.
Damn. It’s like that?
Embarrassed was an understatement. Cameron was supposed to be his woman—his wife—and yet she was out partying and getting high with other niggas when her ass should have been at home taking care of their son.
Jude’s jaw muscle tensed as he stared at the phone’s small screen. He was tempted to snatch it and throw it as far as he possibly could. Yet he knew the images would forever remain his mind.
Jude thought back to her promising him that he’d never have to doubt her. Anger quickly built up inside of him, and he felt like a volcano preparing to erupt.
“I really ain’t wanna show you at first,” Aso said. “But I figured if the shoe was on the other foot I’d wanna know. You know what I mean?”
Jude nodded his head. “Good lookin’, man. I’ma get up with you later. Be easy,” was all he said before hopping in his BMW. His somber body language was enough to make Aso crack a smirk behind his cousin’s back.
22
Cameron rolled her eyes in irritation as she tried to concentrate on applying the RiRi Woo lipstick. Justin hollered at the top of his little lungs inside his bedroom. Cam wasn’t sure what her son was fussing about, but she was too busy getting ready to check on him. Ironically, Cameron used to chastise Pocahontas about neglecting her daughter, and now she was doing the exact same thing with her son. Somehow she’d gotten off track, and forgot about what was really important: her family.
After spraying on a few squirts of Oscar de la Renta perfume, she tossed back a pill, and washed it down with the shot glass of Hen sitting on the bathroom counter. Rumor had the hookup on all types of illegal meds thanks to the pharmacist who issued the meds for her sickness. She tossed him a few bills here and there, and he took care of her needs like a dealer serving a fiend.
“Elyse?!” Cameron yelled out. “Justin’s crying!”
“I’m sorry, I’m coming now!” Elyse shouted from downstairs.
After mashing her lips together, Cameron mumbled, “Damn, bitch. What am I paying you for?”
Her change in character was so drastic, and out of control that she didn’t even see herself spiraling.
An hour later, Cameron and Rumor were inside of Zeus’ luxurious basement studio lounging and enjoying the session. Rumor’s head rested in Cam’s lap while her feet were propped up on the arm of the sofa. She took a few short pulls on a blunt and handed it to her best friend.
O’ Zone was going at it in the recording room, feeling himself as he let his lyrics flow off the top of his head.
"...She claim she tired of the same shit. Same dick. Need a boss nigga that ain't gone take her shit, and pay her rent. But what about when all my money spent? Would you still hold me down? Say she ain't met a nigga this real since her pops was around. She a Midwest chick. Straight reckless. And her head game is epic. Got me competing with her exes..."
Suddenly, Cameron was distracted when her cellphone began vibrating. After seeing Jude’s name flash across her screen, Cameron crept out of the studio and went upstairs. Framed pictures of Zeus with many of ATL’s hottest celebs decorated one of the walls.
“Hey, babe,” Cameron answered.
“I see you ain’t at home—as usual,” Jude spat. “So where the fuck you at?”
Cameron was caught off guard by his unfriendly tone. “With Rumor. Why?” she asked.
“Bring yo’ ass home,” he demanded. “We need to talk ASAP.”
“Well, I’m busy right now,” she argued.
“I’m not finna ask yo’ ass again, Cameron,” Jude said. “Come. Home. Now.” He paused between each word to let her know how serious he was.
“I left the truck at home,” Cam quickly said. “I rode with Rumor, and I doubt she’s trying to leave anytime soon.” Honestly, she was enjoying herself too much leave. At only twenty-one, Cameron found much more excitement in the streets than being the little housewife Jude wanted her to be. She was losing herself in the thrill of adventures.
“Aight, then…I see what it is,” Jude told her. “You gon’ ‘head and do whatever the hell you want. Fuck you, you ungrateful ass bitch.” CLICK!
***
Just ‘cuz she loves me, don't mean she understands…
I don't give a damn, I'll make her fuck the band…
I already know. I've seen her at my show banging out XO…
And her friend's a freak…She can't feel her throat…She can't feel her knees…
And I'm not tryna talk…And I'm not tryna walk…
Just lift me out the club…
Cameron’s head felt like it was swimming as she sat in the passenger of O’ Zone’s red Audi r8 with the top down. A combination of drinking, smoking, and popping 2 mg of Xanax had her completely mellowed out.
Rumor had gone off to work, and for once it was just the two of them. They cruised through the metropolitan city, trying to figure out their next move while listening to music and shooting the breeze. Cam hadn’t even tried to call Jude back and make up with him, nor did he with her.
O’ Zone reached over and lowered the volume to the music. “Shit, I almost forgot. I’m the special guest host tonight at Reign. You tryin’ to slide through with a nigga?” he asked. “You know I can’t miss an opportunity to show yo’ ass off.”
Cameron shrugged. “Sounds cool,” she said, looking out at the passing scenery. “It’s not like I have anything else to do….or anyone else to be with,” she added cynically.
O’ Zone gave her bare thigh a firm squeeze. “That ain’t ‘til after midnight though,” he explained. “So how ‘bout we get into somethin’ before then? As a matter of fact, I can think of somethin’ I wouldn’t mind gettin’ into right now.”
The Weeknd crooned on the audio system, and Cam couldn’t have agreed anymore.
It's gon’ be one of those nights…
***
Jude could have went to any bar he wanted to in or near the city, however, he chose to have a drink at the one Essence worked at. Back-ups stay on deck. Fuck this bitch thought, he said to himself.
Essence smiled and waved at Jude the moment she saw him walk over towards the bar. He got fresh too death that night just to step out solo. Wearing a Givenchy shirt, fitted denim jeans, and red leather Louboutin sneakers, Jude grabbed the attention of almost every woman in the place—even the ones who were with their men.
The Breitling Bentley watched glimmered around his wrist, and his freshly twisted dreads were pulled back neatly.
“How’re you doin’, sweetie?” Essence greeted him.
Jude smiled. “Better now…”
***
O’ Zone lived in a deluxe sky rise condo in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The 2,428 square foot two bedroom apartment home included a den as well as a terrace which offered a magnificent view of the city.
The den was where O’ Zone and Cameron chose to lounge. The expansive room was every man’s fantasy. A small stage and metal pole sat positioned in the middle of the room. Colorful strobe lights hung overhead. Tiny, circular specks of colors rolled across the ceiling and walls, giving the den an almost club-like feel. A bar was stationed in the back of the room, and the Bose home theater ran O’ Zone nearly a grand.
“Well, don’t just sit there, shawty. Get up and dance for me or somethin’. Entertain a nigga, shit. You got me ‘bout damn ready to fall asleep on ya ass,” O’ Zone joked. He reached over and placed his hand over hers. The $26,000 diamond ring on his right finger glistened.
Higher than the Hubble Space Telescope, Camer
on sat on the cream Anastacia Pearl Sofa, practically nodding off herself. “Put some music on then,” she murmured. “And pull out some cash.”
O’ Zone stood to his feet, dug into his jeans pocket, and pulled out a thick wad of cash. “Oh, money ain’t a thang, shawty. Believe that,” he said with a blunt dangling out the corner of his mouth. “I’m still tryin’ to figure out how the fuck a nigga fit 30K in one pocket.”
O’ Zone loved to boast and show off his success. Struggling and clawing his way to the top, it felt great having money to fuck off whenever he felt like it. After living twenty-plus years broke as hell, O’ Zone wanted the world to know and see he was paid. Getting his chain snatched after one of his concerts wasn’t enough to dissuade him in the least. After the incident, he flexed even harder, but had twice as much security with him.
O’ Zone swaggered over towards the audio system and turned it on. Tiara Thomas’ voice immediately serenaded Cameron as she slowly stood to her feet.
Is it bad that I never made love, no I never did it…
But I sure know how to fuck…
I'll be your bad girl, I'll prove it to you…
I can't promise that I'll be good to you…
“Are you serious?” Cameron smiled.
O’ Zone plopped down on the sofa and enjoyed the performance as he lit up another blunt. “Yeah…show me what you do…”
Cameron grabbed the pole and began swaying with the music. She was in a zone as she let the melody take over her body movements.
“Come up out dem clothes,” O’ Zone said.
Cameron did a slow, seductive twirl around the pole. “The more money I see, the more clothes I take off…”
O’ Zone tossed a handful of bills in her direction. There were no ones in the knot. Only tens, twenties, and fifties. “Like I said, money ain’t a thang for a nigga like me.”
