by Jade Jones
They used to keep in touch all the time before Magyc came and tied her down. She’d lost contact with a lot of her old associates. Being in a relationship could easily do that to a person.
“Yeah, I had to. A bitch ain’t got that net no mo’ if you know what I mean,” Roxie laughed.
“Oh, I already know how that shit be. Well, it’s good to see you. You look good,” she smiled.
Roxie doubted she’d be saying that if it wasn’t so dim inside and she could see her scars. She had put a little makeup and concealer on them, but MAC could only do so much.
“Thanks, boo.”
“Oh, damn. Did you hear about ole’ girl, Lark?”
“Nah, why?” She and Roxie were cool too once upon a time.
“Girl, somebody killed that bitch. Ain’t that crazy? Dumped her fucking body in a river not too far from here. That shit was all over the news and shit. I can’t believe you didn’t hear about it.”
Unfortunately, Roxie had been dealing with her own dilemmas. She had no idea Lark had been killed until now. “Wow. That is fucking crazy. She was hella cool too. Who would wanna hurt her?” Roxie didn’t know Jude was the one responsible for ordering her murder. In his mission to break Jag, he ruthlessly took her life without penance.
“I know right. But anyway, off that depressing ass shit. It’s good to see you again. Get’cho money, boo, I know I am.”
Spider playfully slapped Roxie’s ass and sashayed off. That’s when she noticed that another dancer had taken her turn.
“Unh-unh. Hell no. What the fuck is this bitch on?”
Roxie didn’t want to cause a scene so instead she went to the DJ booth. “Sam! I was next!” she whined.
“Baby girl, I ain’t even know you was here. My fault. I’mma add you to the rotation now. You go up after Temptation.”
“How many girls before Temptation?”
“Lemme see.” He looked down at a hastily scribbled list of names and counted. “Fourteen.”
Roxie sucked her teeth. “You may as well have said tomorrow,” she sassed. She was anxious for her turn to get rained on. All of her old regulars were there that night and she knew they were going to show her love now that she’d returned.
“Aww. Don’t be like that, Rox. You gotta start making your presence known.”
“You can’t skip me to the front of the list?” she asked. She gave him a syrupy smile for added effect but he didn’t budge.
“Man, you ain’t finna have these hoes at my neck,” he said. “I don’t need dem problems. That’s why we gotta system.”
Roxie started to walk off but he asked for a hug to make sure there was no bad blood between them. She granted him one since they went back to high school days.
The DJ didn’t miss his opportunity to grab on her booty. He’d had a crush on her since the 10th grade.
“Nah. None of that while we beefing,” she teased, moving his hand away.
When Roxie descended the stairs to the booth, she noticed a group of young, swagged out Asians walk in.
Roxie did an automatic double take when she realized they were the same guys from the mall. And the one who was checking her out the hardest seemed to be the ring leader.
I guess I better work the floor since I ain’t hitting that stage no time soon.
Roxie went and found her stank breath admirer over by the bar. After collecting $50 off him, she went back to the dressing room to freshen up. She also checked her phone to make sure there were no missed calls or texts from Rain’s babysitter. Thankfully, there was none but she had a shitload of messages and voicemails from Magyc.
He’d taken the breakup hard, and he didn’t want to accept that it was over. When he moved out he tried to purposely leave shit behind so he could have a reason to come back. But Roxie dropped his belongings off on his brother’s doorstep and left it at that. She didn’t want to play those dreaded back and forth games. He tried giving her money as well but she refused it every time. She wanted nothing to do with Magyc. He’d left her no choice but to treat his ass like trash. Put out and stay out. Magyc made his bed and now he had to lay in it.
Fifteen minutes later, Roxie reemerged from the dressing room. The place looked even busier than it did before she disappeared. She was just about to work the room when she felt someone gently grab her arm from behind.
“Hey, excuse me?”
When Roxie turned around she saw the cutest pair of light brown slanted eyes.
“Hey, it’s my boy’s birthday. You wanna come give him a lap dance? This is his first time in a strip club.” The young Asian guy was upbeat and excited. She could tell he was just happy to be surrounded by ass and titties.
“Sure. Where ya’ll at?”
He tucked two Franklins in her garter belt, and pointed to a VIP section in the back that was already crowded with strippers, fellas, bottles, and dollar bills.
Oh, I’m bullshitting. That’s where I should’ve been at all along, Roxie told herself. They were definitely the liveliest in the club.
“He’s right there,” he said, pointing to the only guy seated.
Well, I’ll be damned…
Roxie couldn’t believe the birthday boy was the same one giving her googly eyes at the mall. She could tell he was shy and she found it rather adorable. He looked cute and comfy in an oversized ribbed sweatshirt, light blue jeans, and $800 Bogetta Veneta suede boots. His style was very modern day Kanye West-esque. He wasn’t that tall. Perhaps 5’11 at the most, and slim but fit in frame.
He is just too damn fine for words.
All of his friends were turned up, popping bottles, and throwing cash. But he was low-key, chilling like he was at a cookout or something.
“Hey there,” Roxie said, joining him. “I hear it’s your birthday. Why you over here looking like you ain’t having fun?”
He politely sat up and greeted her. “I am… I—uh—just don’t do this often. To be quite honest, I don’t really know how to act,” he chuckled.
“From what I was told, you don’t do this at all.”
His cheeks flushed and he automatically cut his eyes at his friend who slinked off unashamedly. He was mad at his boy for putting him out there like that.
“No…I haven’t…” he finally admitted.
“Well, that’s cool. I’ll be sure to make your first experience your best experience.”
His left eye twitched just slightly after she said that. He knew what she was implying, but there was so much more to the meaning—at least, for him it was.
“How old did you turn?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Well, happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m Roxie, by the way.” She extended her hand.
“Seokwon. But everyone calls me Kwon.”
Roxie was surprised by how incredibly soft and supple his hands were. They felt like baby’s skin, like he soaked them everyday in natural oils. It didn’t make any sense how smooth they were.
“Nice to meet you, Kwon.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Roxie.”
Majid Jordan and Drake’s newest track had just ended and Bryson Tiller’s “Don’t” started playing. Roxie stood and prepared to dance for him. She thought about getting fully naked—like she usually did—but decided against it. He already seemed a little nervous. She didn’t want to give him too much too soon.
I'm back and I'm better…
I want you bad as ever…
Don't let me just let up…
I want to give you better…
Baby it's whatever…
Somebody gotta step up…
Girl I'm that somebody…
So I'm next up…
Be damned if I let him catch up…
It's easy to see that you're fed up…
I am on a whole 'nother level…
Girl he only fucked you over ‘cuz you let him…
Fuck em girl I guess he didn't know any better…
Girl that ma
n didn't show any effort…
Roxie moved and winded her hips to the rhythm of the mellow song. Kwon had a donkey and double D-breasts in his face, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off hers once. She was so damn pretty to him. She looked like a black porcelain doll.
Roxie straddled him and proceeded to grind in his lap. Kwon’s soft hands glided along her thighs and it gave her chills. She was supposed to be dancing for him but he was stimulating her instead. Her nipples hardened from his gentle touch.
Despite her initial thoughts, Roxie went to remove her top—but he quickly stopped her. Pulling her towards him, he whispered in her ear. “When can I see you in regular clothes?”
He smelled of peppermint and Clive Christian cologne. Everything about him was perfect.
“I usually don’t like to give my numbers to customers,” she smiled, knowing damn well she wanted to give him play. “I try to avoid getting caught up.”
He looked disappointed by what she said, yet her next set of words was a pleasant surprise.
“But I might make an exception…”
Kwon’s dark eyes lingered on her full lips. He almost looked like he wanted to kiss her. “You know what the best thing about today is?” he asked.
“What’s that, birthday boy?” A flirtatious grin played in the corner of her mouth. He was devilishly handsome, and he knew it.
“Seeing you again…”
Roxie tried not to blush. She actually thought he had forgotten. Kwon smiled at her and it warmed her heart. I might’ve just ended a relationship, but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t have new friends.
28
“Damn. She still ain’t fuckin’ answerin’,” Magyc said, hanging up. He was at the bar calling Roxie like crazy, but it was obvious that she didn’t want to talk. He would’ve blown his top if he knew she was in a strip club caking with a new prospect.
Magyc wasn’t ready for it to end. He didn’t want to walk away from what they had. Man, we been through too much shit for her to just throw us away like this. She knows how fucking much I love her. I may not be perfect but I tried to give my all to her. And I loved her baby girl like she was my own. How could she just abandon what he had?
Magyc failed to consider the amount of chances she’d given him. Roxie had put up with more than enough shit before finally calling it quits. Instead of taking responsibility, he blamed her for giving up on them.
Magyc downed his shot of whiskey straight, no chaser. He’d been tossing them back nonstop since Roxie gave his ass the boot. He could’ve stayed where ever he wanted, but instead he temporarily crashed on Jude’s sofa. Cameron didn’t mind, and he was glad because he really didn’t feel like being alone.
“Damn, I fucked up. I really fucked up,” he said, shaking his head. In the game of love, Magyc had lost.
All of a sudden, his phone started ringing. He anxiously reached for it, believing it was Roxie. However, he sighed deeply when he saw Tara’s name on his screen instead. Magyc quickly answered the call, and didn’t give her a second to speak.
“You know what, bitch? You pathetic! Trying to get a mothafuckin’ sympathy card. That’s my mothafuckin’ bitch. I run that shit. You runnin’ yo mouth to my bitch. You ain’t do shit but show me how to deal wit’cho ignorant ass. I’mma pay my mothafuckin’ child support and leave yo’ simple ass alone. Now the next time you bring yo’ ass to where I lay my mothafuckin’ head at, bitch, I’mma split yo’ mothafuckin’ wig.”
Tara just laughed off his insults. “Your selfish ass made me everything I am,” she said. It was true. Magyc was indeed responsible for turning her into a coldhearted, cynical bitch. But since he didn’t want to account for his actions he simply hung up.
Click.
Magyc didn’t want to hear shit her silly ass had to say. He was already upset that she went blabbering in the first fucking place. In reality, it was his own damn fault. If he’d been faithful from the jump, then none of this would be happening.
When the bartender saw the distressed look on his face, she slid him a complimentary shot. She knew he was having girl problems, and was patiently waiting on the chance to take him off Roxie’s hands.
Magyc saluted her and tossed it back. He was sick with it. Roxie had him depressed and all fucked up in the head. He’d give every dollar in his bank account for another chance to make things right.
Magyc was so busy drowning in his sorrows that he didn’t notice his ex-girlfriend Briana’s brothers walking up on him. The beef they had with Magyc far exceeded his beef with Jag. You would’ve thought he was the one who pulled the trigger the night she was killed. In all actuality, they just wanted someone to blame since they couldn’t get close to her real killer.
“You sure that’s him?”
“Nah, that ain’t him.”
“Mothafucka, that is that hoe ass nigga.”
Magyc was solo that night and unprepared for any drama or bullshit. Lost in thought, he was oblivious to the twittering commentary behind him. The only thing on his mind was his girl.
“Aye? You Magyc?” a deep voice asked.
Magyc didn’t even bother turning around. “Who the fuck wants to know?”
“What was all that shit you was poppin’ at B’s funeral?”
Before he could answer, the eldest brother busted a bottle over Magyc’s head.
***
Juicy, Rico, and five of his girls were all seated at a table in the 4-star Tomo Japanese Restaurant. Juicy couldn’t believe she’d allowed him to drag her into his chaotic world. He had a complex occupation that involved dealing with dozens of girls regularly. But the only ones Juicy saw were the quintet that lived with him. Life was hectic for a man in his profession and that’s what he needed Juicy for.
She was sort of like an assistant manager to him, alleviating some of the responsibility that quickly became overbearing for one man. Rico loved his bitches, and enjoyed doing what he did, but sometimes he needed a break—and someone to pick up the slack.
Much like she did with Cameron, Juicy ran his Instagram page, dealt with bookings, handled the girls’ photo-shoots, and scheduled all flights. Despite the work load, she found unexpected pleasure in being something similar to a Madame.
Since Juicy had been in the adult entertainment business for so long and put so many girls on she agreed to his position. She didn’t have to shake her ass anymore, she didn’t have to fuck anybody, and Rico paid her better than any club ever could. He wanted her to move in too, but she wasn’t ready for all that. She still was trying to get used to his anarchic lifestyle. However, Juicy did understand and respect the game. She’d even grown close to the five women who lived with him. And although they all resided under the same roof and loved the same man, they were as different as night and day.
Milena was Middle-Eastern, the oldest, and the diva of the bunch. Sometimes she and Juicy fucked around and had threesomes with Rico. She loved expensive, high-end shit, and buying and wearing designer clothes. Rico always bitched her out about spending more than she earned.
Delany was a beautiful Congolese woman who was 8-months pregnant. One of her regulars knocked her up, before getting life in prison. She refused to get an abortion or put it up for adoption. This would be her first baby, and the girls were all excited to help her raise it.
Delany had no relatives or friends in America other than those she lived with. She had a tough life growing up in the Dominic Republic of Congo, but she didn’t let it define her. She was mad cool and the most level-headed of all the girls. One night, when Juicy pulled her to the side, she asked Delany if she liked being with Rico. She surprised Juicy when she stressed that Rico had “saved” her.
Amanda was the youngest at only 18 and obsessed with pregnancy. She had a 60” inch LED TV in her bedroom, where all day she would watch reruns of TLC’s A Baby’s Story. She collected pregnancy paraphernalia and magazines as a hobby, and could talk about babies for hours.
At 13, she got knocked up after consensual sex with her stepf
ather, thus starting her infatuation with babies. Although she miscarried at 4 weeks, she had been smitten with motherhood ever since. Niggas had to strap up twice with her, because she was always trying to get pregnant.
Needless to say, Delany was her favorite person in the world, and she followed her like a trained dog—but that didn’t stop her from stealing her ultrasound pictures behind her back.
Amanda was extremely book smart and witty, and yet there was just something off about her. When Juicy asked Rico about it, he blamed it on her having a hard life and being abused by her parents.
Amanda was legally an adult but she had the mentality of a 15-year old. She was oftentimes childish, bratty, and desperate for attention. Despite her juvenile behavior, she made a killing when she danced at clubs, and could work the fuck out of any pole. She even had her own set of regulars. Evidently, some niggas liked sticking their dick in crazy.
Rico found and took Amanda in when she was only 17 and living on the streets. Like Delaney, she claimed that Rico had saved her.
Flo was the drama queen and cry baby of the bunch, hence her nickname. She was a cute German-born bi-racial girl with light brown eyes, a face full of freckles and golden brown hair. She was also a know-it-all and the most annoying.
Flo left home at the age of 18, and moved to America to pursue an education and modeling career. Her parents couldn’t afford to pay for her school and send her off. She had to choose one or the other, so she chose the latter. She figured she could get a job and pay her own tuition.
Flo found a gig working as a waitress at a mom and pop diner, but it paid little next to nothing. One afternoon, Milena and Rico walked in, put something in her ear, and the rest was history. When she quit her job to work with him, she started making so much money that she temporarily forgot about going to school. Now, two years later, she was finally chasing that dream again after Rico had to get in her ass. Just because they were making a ton of money didn’t mean he wanted them to fail at everything else in life. He was proud of her. And although she was extra at times, she was definitely the brightest of all his girls.
