by Jade Jones
“Hey, Cameron,” Poca greeted. This bitch had the nerve to be wearing a sympathetic expression.
I quickly rolled my eyes and continued to watch a show I could’ve cared less about three minutes ago.
“I know you’re probably mad at me, but--”
“Why didn’t you help me?!” I yelled at her. “You all talk but when some shit popped off, you didn’t have my back. You didn’t help me at all.”
Poca twiddled her thumbs as she stood there with a dumbfounded expression. “I did. I went to get help.” Her expression reminded me of Kanye West after he snatched the mic from Taylor Swift at the Grammy’s.
“You wanna know I what was thinking while I was getting my ass stomped to ground?” I didn’t bother giving her a chance to answer before I continued. “That you set me up to get jumped.”
Poca gasped and took a seat in the chair beside my bed. She acted like my accusation was just too much for her. Phony, I thought.
“Girl, I can’t believe you--I would never do some shit like that. You like my fuckin’ little sister. Why would I do that?”
“Imagine it from my point of view and then you can answer that question yourself.”
“Cameron, I swear to God, I had no idea that bitch worked there. Juicy never told me that Pure Seduction worked at Tops and Bottoms. I would’ve never went there if I new some drama was gone pop off. I put that on my fuckin’ daughter.”
Poca sounded sincere, but she was such a pro at being deceptive that it was hard to determine if she was telling the truth or not.
I quickly dropped the subject. “I need to get in touch with my man and let him know what’s going on.”
Poca sucked her teeth and made a face. “After all this shit you still thinking about Silk’s dog ass? None of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for him.” Poca looked at my left hand covered by a thick white cast and cringed. “Look what he’s caused. This should be the last straw for you,” she said.
I turned to look away from her, so she could not see the pain in my eyes from what she was saying. Leaving Silk was harder than she could imagine. I loved him. And even a brutal ass kicking wouldn’t change that fact.
***
“Cameron, what happened to your hand, girl?” Tiffany asked as she approached me in the cafeteria.
I tried to play it off like it was no big deal. “Oh, this. Its nothing too serious.” Embarrassment kept me from keeping it real.
“It looks very serious. I just saw you last week and you were fine. What happened?” She asked with concern.
I made my way over to an empty table in the large cafeteria and Tiffany anxiously followed behind me. She wouldn’t stop until she knew the full story.
“So are you gonna tell me?” She pressed on as we sat down.
Looking at the chicken salad on my food tray, I suddenly was not so hungry anymore. “I got jumped by some hoes at a club.”
“At a club club? Or at your...job?” Tiffany asked.
“I wasn’t at my job. I had went to some club with my girl, Pocahontas.”
“Your girl ain’t have your back?” Tiffany asked making a face.
I had grown quickly irritated by that remark. Thinking about how Poca had ran out on me like a little bitch, had me pissed off all over again. It was the first time I had realized that Poca was all bark and no bite. If it were me, I would’ve jumped in for her even though I probably still would have still gotten my ass beat. That was the type of friend I was. And I was sure as hell that if X-Rated was still alive, she would’ve jumped in for me as well.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I finally said.
Tiffany gave me an apologetic expression before she silently proceeded to eat her cheese burger.
***
My entire week was hell from that point on. Since I had been released from the hospital, nothing had went accordingly. Unfortunately, I was placed on Academic Probation because of my unsatisfactory grades. I had my priorities all fucked up and I knew it. When I should have been focusing on my education, I was too busy worrying about lesser important things.
Being placed on AP wasn’t the only thing that had me down in the dumps. Silk wasn’t answering any of my phone calls. I had no idea if he was in Chicago still or not. He kept an invisible leash on my ass but I had no idea about his whereabouts. Basically, shit wast not going good for me at all.
The only upside to my situation was that I would not be dancing for a whole month so I had a little time to get my grades together.
It wasn’t until a few days later when Silk finally reappeared. I was sitting in his truck, recounting the events that led to my fractured hand.
“Why you ain’t just leave when you saw ole’ girl there?" he asked.
“Oh, now she’s ole’ girl?"
He sighed dejectedly at my comment and shifted in his seat. Apparently, he didn’t like where the conversation was headed.
“So you have been, right?” I asked.
“Have been what?!” he snapped.
“Have been fucking her?!”
Silk sucked his teeth and looked out his window.
“Answer me--”
“Man, we fucked one time! Damn! It ain’t mean shit, though! Is that what you wanna hear?”
I knew Pure Seduction wasn’t lying about sleeping with Silk, but I wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. “I want to hear the truth.”
“That’s the truth!”
“You fucked her more than one time!”
“What it matter how many times I fucked her? I ain’t fuckin’ with her no mo’ that’s all that matters.”
A single tear slipped from my eye as I shook my head. “You ain’t never gonna change, Silk,” I said, opening the passenger door.
Silk quickly grabbed me and stopped me from getting out. Reaching over, he closed the door. “Look, Cam, a nigga fucked up. What you want me to say?”
I cut my eyes at him, offended that he would even ask some shit like that.
“Fuck it, I’m sorry. I apologize. I was dead wrong. But baby that shit was old. I ain’t messed with that girl in how long? That bitch was just bringing up old shit to stir up some trouble.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you still went behind my back and did it...again!”
Silk threw his hands up in defense. “Now, don’t go and act like I’m the only one who done made some mistakes in this relationship. Don’t think I forgot when you fucked ole boy, Tank. 'Cause I ain’t forget about that shit, Cameron. You lucky you put an end to that shit quick or else I would’ve had to kill both ya’ll asses--”
“Don’t flip this on me. We’re talking about you.”
Silk took my hands in his as he changed up his whole attitude. “Listen, baby,” he said in a comforting tone. “I am gonna change. I’ma stop putting you through the shit I do because I see the consequences from my mistakes.” He looked down at my cast then back at me. “From this moment forward, I swear I’ma change. You got my word. ‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you and I know deep down inside, you don’t wanna lose me either.”
I wanted to believe him, I really did. But knowing Silk’s track record, I’d have to see it to believe it. Besides, actions spoke louder than words.
Sighing heavily, I asked, “Why are you with me, Silk?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “What? Whatchu’ mean why I’m with you? Why you think?”
I opened my mouth to say something but he quickly cut me off, “Come here,” he said, pulling me closer.
Our lips connected in a passionate kiss and for that moment, I believed that there was a possibility of Silk changing for the better.
***
Silk felt like it was his responsibility to go over and beyond to keep me happy since he felt awful about what had went down. However, I was not complaining about all the extra love and attention. He brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner, gave me money to go shopping and basically was at my beck and call whenever I needed him. He even canceled a show he ha
d in Akron just to spend time with me.
The sweet facade lasted all but four weeks. As soon as the cast was removed he went right back to heedlessness ways. Well, as they say... “It was fun while it lasted.”
I was finishing up an essay for my African Studies class when my cell phone began ringing beside me. Picking it up, I surveyed the number. I was a bit surprised when I saw Poca’s face appear on the screen of my phone. We hadn’t spoken to each other since the day she visited me in the hospital.
My greeting was dispassionate. Obviously, our relationship had become very strained since then. “Hey, Poca.”
“What’s up,” she greeted cheerfully.
“Nothing, sitting here finishing this paper up for class.”
“Oh, okay. How’s your hand?” she asked.
“Pretty good. I got my cast off this morning,” I told her. “Gotta wear a hand brace for a few weeks.”
“Okay, okay. That’s what’s up. So you can dance now?” she asked.
I hesitated briefly. “Um...I don’t know...I haven’t really been thinking about stripping lately--”
“Don’t tell me you retired on a bitch!” Poca yelled into the receiver. “I found some money for us tonight.”
“Us?”
“Yeah. Me and Juicy riding out to Columbus tonight and I really want you to come.”
Sighing heavily into the receiver, I actually debated her offer. The money Silk had given me was long spent and it would have been nice to have a little cash in my pocket. “Who’s driving?” I asked.
“Me, of course.”
After a few more seconds of deliberation, I finally agreed. “Alright.”
“Cool!” She said excitedly. “We’ll be there in an hour, so be ready.”
***
“I see you got your window fixed, huh?” I said climbing into the passenger seat.
“You already know. A bitch couldn’t be riding around with that damn trash bag forever.”
“What’s up, Hypnotic,” Juicy greeted from the backseat.
I turned around in my seat. “What’s up, girl?”
She took a long drag on a tightly rolled blunt before passing it in my direction. “You wanna hit this shit real quick?”
I waved her off. “Nah, I’m good.”
Poca laughed. “Oh well, more for us then!”
Juicy leaned forward to pass her the blunt.
“So where exactly are we going?” I asked.
“This spot called The Playpen.” She took a long pull on the blunt before bursting into a fit of coughs. After gaining her breath, she said, “I heard it be jumpin’ on the weekends.”
“Ooohhh! Turn that shit up! That’s my song!” Juicy yelled before singing the chorus to Drake’s “Hell Yeah Fucking Right”.
Poca turned the volume up to full blast and I reclined my seat, preparing for the two hour drive to Columbus, Ohio.
Chapter 14
The PlayPen actually appeared pretty classy on the outside. It was a tan brick building with the pink neon lettering that spelled its name. It was only ten o’clock and the parking lot was already packed to capacity.
“See, I told you this bitch would be rockin’!” Poca boasted.
After she parked the car, me, Juicy and Poca sashayed towards the building. There were a few guys standing outside conversing. They were all dressed to impress in expensive clothing and jewelry, and they didn’t miss a beat to try to flirt with us as we entered the club.
“Shorty in the white, what’s up?” A guy called out to me.
“Me?” I asked with a playful smile. Poca and X strolled inside while I chose to stay behind and mingle for a bit.
“Yeah, you. Come here, let me talk to you for a minute.”
If it wasn’t for the fact that he looked like money and smelled like money, I might’ve passed him by without so much as a second thought.
He stood at least six foot three inches, and was a thick, light skinned guy with a beard that resembled Rick Ross’. He had a freshly tapered haircut, and covering his eyes were a pair of designer sunglasses. Each ear sported a large square diamond stud and draped around his neck was a single diamond chain with a cross pendant.
“What’s up with you?” he asked.
“As you can see, I’m actually on my way inside,” I told him. “It’s money to be made with my name on it.”
He nodded his head in agreement. “I dig that. My name Jerrell. What’s your name, sexy?”
“Nice to meet you, Jerrell. They call me Hypnotic.”
“I can see why they call you that. Well, look I ain’t gone hold ya’ hustle up. I know you a woman about ya’ paper and shit. I’ll just holla at you in the club,” he said.
“Good. ‘Cause I’ll look a whole lot sexier in the outfit I’m planning on wearing.”
***
There had to have been at least forty girls on the roster at The PlayPen. I didn’t see a possibility of everyone getting a turn to go up on stage. The competition was beyond fierce so I definitely had to stand out if I wanted to be noticed. A lime green metallic bikini suit embroidered with rhinestones had been my outfit of choice. With matching garter belts to go around my thighs, I made sure to pull them extra high underneath my ass to make it sit up just the way men liked it. I had already removed my hand brace while in Poca’s car, so I finally felt like my old self again when I stepped out the dressing room.
2 Chainz featuring The Weeknd’s “Like Me” blared through the speakers as I walked into the crowded club.
Jerrell waved his hand towards me, beckoning for me to join him at the bar. When I reached him, I noticed he was sitting with four other guys. One of them was already getting a lap dance from Juicy. Poca was nowhere in sight, but knowing her, she was probably in a dimly lit corner somewhere giving up the pussy for the right price.
“You lookin’ good,” he said before pulling out a wad of cash from his pocket. “Lemme see what you workin’ with though.”
He didn’t have to ask twice and I quickly went to work popping and gyrating my ass in his lap.
Meek Millz “Errrday” began playing and Jerrell began sprinkling bills over me as I danced for him. A couple of his friends joined in and began throwing money as I did my thing. I quickly became conceited all over again. I had been out the game for a month but I was glad that I hadn’t lost my touch.
Once the song ended, Jerrell pulled me close and whispered, “Aye, you see the nigga right there, two seats down from me?”
I looked in the direction he was pointing to and sure enough there a guy sitting in a bar stool with one finger plugged in his ear while attempting to talk on the phone in the loud club.
“That’s my lil’ brother, Jude. Go give that nigga a lap dance.” He pulled my garter belt back, placed a fifty dollar bill inside, and slapped my ass I walked away towards his brother.
“Hey, what’s up?” I shouted over the loud music.
Jude was so engrossed with his conversation that he either didn’t see me standing there in front of him or just didn’t care.
“Um...Hello?!” I yelled waving my arms around so I could get his attention.
He finally looked at me, rolled his eyes, and continued shouting into the receiver of his cell phone.
Oh, no he didn’t, I thought. If it was one thing I hated, it was being ignored. Jarrell had already paid for his lap dance, and dammit, I was going to give it to him! Without deliberation, I quickly snatched his Iphone out his hand.
“Aye, what are you doing?!” he yelled.
I hit the END button, and placed his phone down beside him at the bar.
“That was a business call,” he said.
Ignoring him and his aloof attitude, I slowly maneuvered in between his legs.
He grabbed my shoulders, stopping me halfway. “Nah, I don’t do lap dances, lil’ ma.”
“Your brother already paid for it. It’s free anyway. Why don’t you just sit here and let me do my thing?” It was a pride issue now. I had never had a man
turn me away.
Jude grimaced and looked in Jerrell’s direction, who smiled and ushered for us to continue.
“I’m not gonna bite you,” I teased, climbing into his lap.
I caught a generous whiff of his fragrance. He smelled so good and I took a brief moment to admire him. He was actually a sexy guy even through all the uptightness he displayed. Jude would probably be considered a “pretty boy” to most women. He was light skinned, with dark eyes complemented by long, thick eyelashes. His lips were full. Not too thick. Not too small. Perfect. His mid-length dreadlocks were pulled back into a ponytail underneath his Cincinnati Reds hat.
I saw the uneasiness all in his expression so I couldn’t help but tease him a bit. Taking his hands, I placed them on my waist as I did a sexy, little seductive dance. His expression quickly turned from tense into pure lust as I worked my magic on him.
“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” I asked after the song ended.
He didn’t say anything as a slight smirk tugged at his lips.
Climbing out of his lap, I walked back over towards Jerrell to collect my money off the floor.
“What was up with your brother?” I asked Jerrell the minute I reached him.
He waved Jude’s behavior off. “Aww, that nigga just be actin’ funny sometimes,” he laughed. “But for real though...I think he likes you.”
***
I was in the dressing room, freshening up, when Poca ran inside. Her heels click clacked against the tiled floor.
“Girl, I been looking all over for you,” she said.
I sprayed on a few squirts of Jadore. “Why? What’s up?”
“I just met this nigga out there named Rico. Him and his boys are lookin’ for some entertainment. And they got money too, girl!” She yelled excitedly.
“You must’ve forgotten about Stanley’s crazy ass,” I told her. “Because, I sure haven’t. The plug of hair missing in my damn head is forcing me to remember every day.”
“Look, it ain’t gonna be nothin’ like that crazy ass shit with Stanley. I promise,” she said. “Their house is also an after hour spot. They just looking for a couple of girls to come through and entertain.”
