The House that Hustle Built, Part 1

by Nisa Santiago

  “Oh, word, son?”

  “Yo, that bitch pussy is mad tight and shit. Yo, but y’all shoulda seen how I had this bitch. Crazy, yo.”

  Petey Jay took a pull from the burning weed. He laughed and passed the spliff Cash’s way.

  Cash took it and took two long puffs from it. He was dumb high.

  Darrell suggested, “Yo, Cash, you need to start filming these bitches and shit, know what I’m sayin’? I would love to see that shit.”

  Manny co-signed, “Fo’ real, my nigga, I be wanting to see that shit too.”

  Cash laughed. “Y’all crazy. But, a’ight, I’m gonna start putting these bitches on videos and let y’all see how I get down.” He dapped everyone up with the glad hand, and they continued to smoke.

  “Cash, you goin’ to the block party over Melody’s way this weekend?” Manny asked.

  Darrell nodded. “Yeah, I heard it’s supposed to be off the hook and shit. They got DJ Mack Red comin’ through.”

  “Oh, word?” Cash said.

  “Yo, mad bitches gonna be out there Saturday,” Manny said. “I’m there.”

  Cash nodded. “I’m there too.”

  Manny added, “Yo, and that bitch Jamie and her crew comin’ through too.”

  “Yo, I’ve been wanting to fuck that bitch,” Petey Jay spoke out.

  “What ’bout her friend Pearla?” Manny asked.

  “Yo, she a fuckin’ cutie too, but she ain’t fuckin’ wit’ Jamie though. Jamie got that fuckin’ body; you know what I’m talkin’ about.”

  Manny smiled. “Yeah, but Pearla gettin’ that money, and she be havin’ all these bitches in check.”

  Cash was listening. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard Pearla’s name ring out. He was constantly hearing about her, how fly she was, and that she was a born hustler. But he was too high to even think straight at the moment, and he figured in due time, he’d probably fuck all those bitches. One thing was for sure: he was going to be at that block party. It would only be right.

  Five

  DJ Mack Red had the block party in East New York jumping with old-school and present jams blaring from the gigantic speakers. The entire blocked was closed off to vehicular traffic, and residents flooded the street from corner to corner. Kids ran in every direction, playing, riding their bicycles, and yelling. Activities like pony rides, inflatable slides, popcorn machines, dancing, and the smell of barbecue made it the place to be on this sunny Saturday afternoon.

  When DJ Mack Red put on “Electric Boogie,” everyone immediately got in the mood and danced to the classic song. A flock of people moved to the beat in rhythm, doing the choreographed line dance.

  Pearla, Jamie, and Roark arrived at the block party in style. Getting out of Pearla’s Mercedes, all three ladies immediately grabbed the attention of every male in the area. They came dressed in sexy shorts and colorful camisoles, wearing their fresh sneakers or flip-flops. Jamie was dressed the sexiest in her micro-mini stretched shorts that highlighted her protruding, plump buttocks, her tits stretching the material of the tight shirt she wore. She absorbed the attention like a sponge, flirting and smiling at the cute boys and sticking with her friends.

  The crew needed to take their mind off nearly getting caught in Roosevelt Field mall. Spending Saturday afternoon at a block party was the perfect way to unwind.

  “There go DJ Mack Red over there,” Jamie pointed out, smiling and gazing at the lean, six-two, 180-pound man wearing a blue Yankees fitted and a wife-beater. He was heavily tattooed and looking like an extra from Magic Mike.

  The girls quickly mingled in with the block party crowd. Business didn’t stop for Pearla, though. She was still getting orders everywhere she turned, with several young girls eager to get their hands on a new designer dress and shoes. Pearla was moving like a politician during election year, and Roark was beside her, smiling and watching, taking in the glory of being her best friend.

  ***

  Cash, Petey Jay, Manny, and Darrell strolled toward the block party like the young, cocky, handsome playboys they were. They were motivated to get as many numbers possible and leave with some new, pretty bitch the same day. Dressed to the nines in stylish T-shirts, designer jeans, expensive Jordan’s on their feet, and jewelry gleaming around their necks and wrists, they were eye-catching to the females swarming everywhere.

  “I told you,” Manny said, referring to all the good-looking, nicely dressed ladies in attendance.

  Cash was the main one turning heads as he moved through the crowd. His strapping physique showed through the fabric he wore, and his waves were spinning like a toy top on his head. Everything he had on was brand-new and fit him perfectly.

  The first thing Cash and his friends did was take advantage of all the barbecuing happening around them. The smell of burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and chicken on several grills made their mouths water. Cash sunk his teeth into a juicy cheeseburger, devouring that within minutes, and then he munched down a few hot dogs, some fried fish, and downed two beers. He was definitely hungry. His friends matched his consumption of food. They walked around with their mouths full, gazing at every beautiful young girl they passed by.

  “Damn, I like that!” Petey Jay said, staring at a curvy young woman hanging out with her friends on the other side of the street.

  The boys, ready to make moves, were craning their necks in every direction to catch the big booties and cute faces.

  Petey Jay was in a daze. “Yo, I like that even more. Shit, they gettin’ it in over there.”

  Cash and the others looked over to see what had Petey’s attention as he stuffed a hot dog into his mouth. They saw, and they were hypnotized.

  A few girls were twerking in the middle of the street, with thrusting hip movements while they squatted, and a small crowd gathered around them. The fellows were cheering them on, eyes glued to the provocative booty-shaking that had some conservative adults sneering. Jamie was one of the girls twerking, catching all the boys’ attention.

  Manny hollered, “Oh shit! I like that, I like that.”

  Cash gazed at her with lust in his eyes, admiring what he saw. Jamie’s body was phenomenal, and the outfit she had on made him thirsty to get to know her better. “Yo, shorty is nice,” he said to Manny.

  “I know, son.”

  The young kids were taking over the block as afternoon transitioned into evening, and DJ Mack Red played music they could relate and dance to. Future, Lil’ Wayne, T-Pain, Drake, The Dream, Nicki Minaj, and many more had the block sounding like it was a club.

  Cash and his friends were becoming the life of the party, mingling with the girls and showing off the latest dance steps in front of everyone. Cash especially showed off, moving like he was a backup dancer for Chris Brown. He had rhythm and knew every dance move there was. He was fun to watch. He wanted the attention, and he got it.

  The girls giggled and smiled his way, whispering to each other. Pearla couldn’t take her eyes off Cash; she’d had her eyes on him for some time, but they barely ran into each other.

  “Nigga, stop showing off!” Petey Jay yelled. “You ain’t Chris Brown.”

  Cash smiled, playfully flipped him the bird, and continued dancing. He danced behind a young girl and couldn’t keep his hands off her. He touched her hips, and she backed her ass up against him and moved like he moved, on point and in tune.

  “That’s my nigga right there! That’s my nigga!” Petey yelled.

  Cash had to be the life of the party. It couldn’t be any other way. He loved being seen, and he loved being popular among his peers. It was a great feeling to be wanted by so many beautiful women and respected and admired by his friends.

  Cash didn’t want the moment to end. He had eight hundred dollars in his pockets for his everyday needs and nice clothing to parade around town in, while munching on free food, and grinding with a few cuties on a Brooklyn s
treet. This was the life. Parked a few blocks away were the two stolen Honda Civics the crew had arrived in, which they planned on delivering to Perez later at his chop shop on Liberty.

  Cash laughed and chilled with his friends, while contemplating going over to talk and flirt with Jamie. He was ready for something hot from the oven and new in his life, and the way she’d moved and twerked earlier had him yearning to see what else she could do in private. He had to be patient though, since he wasn’t the only guy trying to holler at her.

  Petey Jay suddenly tapped him on his shoulders. “Yo, there go Pearla over there.”

  Cash turned and looked. “And?”

  “That’s you right there, Cash. She a get money-bitch.”

  Pearla was alone for the moment, talking to someone on her cell phone. She was beautiful, but she wasn’t captivating like Jamie. Cash had always been into girls with banging shapes—nice hips, phat asses with small waists. Weave or no weave, it didn’t matter to him. Pearla’s body was okay, but it didn’t stand out to him like her friend’s did. It was her face that stood out. She was pretty—gorgeous in fact—with her long, natural soft hair, light eyes, and pouty pink full lips. Something about her drew niggas’ attention, and she looked like a cool girl to hang out with.

  Cash wasn’t looking for a cool cutie to chill with; he wanted a hot, smoking freak that he could fuck—another trophy piece on his shelf.

  “I bet you can’t fuck her in a week.”

  “What? Nigga, I’m Cash—I got bitches lined up to jump on this dick,” he said with a cocksure smile. Petey Jay made Cash want to walk over and introduce himself.

  “I heard she stingy with the pussy.”

  “What you tryin’ to say? You think I can’t fuck that bitch right away?”

  “Nah, I don’t think you can. She a challenge. She ’bout her paper, and that’s all she ’bout.”

  “Nigga, I bet you a hundred I can get that number today, and another two hundred I can fuck that bitch within a week.”

  Petey Jay stared at Cash, thinking about the bet. “A’ight, bet.”

  “Nigga, get ready to pay up like an ATM,” said Cash with a grin.

  He walked over coolly, his eyes fixated on Pearla from head to toe. She was still on her phone, looking like the conversation was important. He didn’t care who she was talking to; he was about to make it about himself in a few seconds.

  As he approached, he admired her style and noticed she was a lot more beautiful up close. Her eyes alone were hypnotizing. Her full, glossy lips looked kissable, and her long, black hair definitely wasn’t a weave.

  The two locked eyes. Pearla looked at him expressionlessly, not believing he was coming her way. He smiled. She didn’t smile back but continued talking on her cell phone, trying to ignore him and play it cool.

  Cash stood right in front of her and said, “Tell them you’ll call back.”

  “Excuse me?” Pearla replied, looking thrown off by his words.

  “I’m sayin’, if you’re not on the phone wit’ me, then it can’t be that important.”

  “You’re serious?” She let out a slight chuckle.

  “Like cancer.”

  Pearla stared at him, showing no emotion.

  “Cory, I’m gonna have to call you back,” she said into the cell phone. She hung up and gave her attention to Cash.

  “So, who’s Cory? Your boyfriend or somebody?”

  “Why is that your business?”

  “It’s not. I’m just sayin’, if you got a man, is he treating you right?”

  Pearla chuckled. “Why? Because if he wasn’t, then you can treat me better?”

  “Oh, I see. You tryin’ to clown me.”

  “No, I’m not, but I’ve heard it all before.”

  “Well, I can be brand-new in your life.”

  “Are you always this cocky?”

  “Actually, I’m quite shy.”

  “If you’re shy, then the sky is green,” she quipped.

  “Then let it be green. Besides, I’m color blind.” Cash laughed at his own line.

  Pearla chuckled. “You don’t even remember me, don’t you?”

  “Am I supposed to?”

  “Wow! Was I that invisible back in the day?”

  “Well, you’re not invisible to me now.” Cash smiled, showing his pretty, pearly white teeth and deep dimples on both sides of his cheek. His dimples and his smile were definitely panty droppers.

  “Eighth grade, Mr. Stencil, English class.”

  Cash racked his memory trying to remember who she was.

  “Yeah, how could you remember? You wasn’t in school that much anyway, always playing hooky.”

  “It’s obvious that you remember me, though.”

  “Who can forget you, Cash?”

  “I’ve known a few.”

  “Yeah, whatever. You can tell me anything.”

  Cash stared at Pearla, trying hard to remember her from the eighth grade. It was seven or eight years ago. She must have changed drastically.

  “You ain’t gotta hurt yourself to try and remember me. If you don’t remember, then you don’t. Like I said, back then, I was invisible.”

  “Usually, I have a good memory.”

  “Well, tonight, you just don’t.”

  “So I got an idea. Today, right now, let’s start making some memories of our own. Let me take you out tonight.”

  “What? You asking me out on a date?”

  “You turning me down?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “So, what are you sayin’?”

  “I’ll think about it,” she replied casually.

  He slightly laughed. “Oh, you’re playin’ hard to get.”

  “No. Who’s playing?” She smiled.

  Cash matched her smile and replied, “You know what? I like you.”

  “And I like you too.”

  The two kicked it, looking like their conversation was golden. They had many eyes watching them, some curious and many hating. They talked for half an hour. Cash was impressed by her intelligence. If she really liked him, she disguised it very well. They exchanged numbers, and he promised to call. She didn’t promise him anything.

  “So, you gonna call me?” Cash asked before walking away.

  “I’ll think about it,” she teased.

  “You gonna call. If you don’t, it will be a waste of a half an hour having a wonderful conversation with you.”

  “And why’s that?”

  Cash didn’t reply. He walked away feeling like he was a step closer to winning his bet with Petey Jay. It was going to take him less than a week to hit that. She didn’t have that remarkable of a body, but there was something special about her that impressed him.

  ***

  Pearla walked away thinking, Wow! Did that really just happen? Everything came unexpectedly, and she liked it. She really did.

  She walked Roark and Jamie’s way, trying to hide her smile, but she couldn’t.

  The frown her friends carried on their faces as she approached them made her think something was wrong. They both seemed agitated about something.

  The minute she was around them, Jamie said, “I know you ain’t tryin’ to fuck wit’ that nigga.”

  “Who? Cash?”

  “He a dog, Pearla,” Roark chimed. “He only cares about himself.”

  “We were just talking,” Pearla said in her defense.

  “Please,” Jamie said. “That nigga wasn’t just talking; he was scheming, looking for another notch on his belt when he fucks you. He a dog, Pearla. A womanizing, nasty ho.”

  Roark said, “I know, right? Ain’t no telling how many bitches he’s been wit’.”

  Whoa! Where did all this come from? Pearla thought. She had heard enough. Her smile turned into a frown. Her own
friends hated on her because Cash came over to her and initiated the conversation. “It seems like y’all hating on me.”

  “What?” they said, dumbfounded by her response.

  Jamie asked her, “Why we gotta hate on you, Pearla?”

  “Because Cash came my way and hollered at me, and I ain’t have to do shit to get his attention. I’m no stupid bitch, y’all, and I ain’t no fuckin’ ho.”

  “We weren’t calling you no ho,” Jamie said.

  “Well, don’t get it fuckin’ twisted. I’m a big girl, and I can handle myself. I know what I want, and Cash is what I want right now.”

  Jamie and Roark had nothing else to say to her.

  The rest of the day, she thought about Cash. If he didn’t call first, then she would crack and call him. But she was going to play her hand of cards real cool, because it felt like she was holding a full house.

  Six

  Yo, so this bitch calls me in the middle of the night for some dick, right, and I was like, ‘Damn, ma! Is it that serious?’ And she was like, ‘Come over. I wanna see you.’ But, yo, why she wanted me to come over while her husband was home?” Cash proclaimed gleefully.

  “Get the fuck outta here, nigga!” Darrell said. “Serious?”

  “Nigga, I’m so fuckin’ serious,” Cash said loudly.

  “And you went over there?” Manny asked.

  Cash grinned. “What you think, nigga?”

  Manny said, “Yeah, nigga, you went over there, wit’ your crazy ass.”

  Cash was telling one of his stories about another fascinating sexual rendezvous with another beautiful female. They were all at Petey Jay’s two-bedroom apartment drinking liquor, getting high, and watching porn on the flat-screen in the living room. It was guys’ night out. Weed smoke filled the living room, everyone’s breath was saturated with liquor, and each man had his own interesting story to share with the fellows in the room about sex and the women they’d been with.

  Cash had the most attention-grabbing story to tell. He always had an interesting story about some female he’d recently fucked and how they did it, where they did it, and the level of freakiness she was on. He had enough tales in his head to write a book.