Hustle Hard

by Martin Blaine

  “Look Bria, you’re the perfect match for me. You’re beautiful, smart, creative…” I said leaning closer for emphasis. “You’ll make every day brighter if you’d just say that you’d have me. You and me. What do you say?”

  She smiled and looked at the ceiling thinking hard about the options. I was nervous but held it together.

  “Come on, Bria. This isn’t a test question.”

  “Um…okay. It’s you and me, Jaden. Let’s give it a try,” her smile widened.

  Emotions burst within me. I acted without thinking, making an ass of myself.

  “Yes!” I shouted and threw my hands up as if I was MVP of the Super Bowl. I ran to the other end of the train car and back to where she sat. I grabbed two handle bars and did ten pull-ups.

  “I’m the man! Ye-e-e-a-a-ah!”

  For the first month, I kept the same passion whenever we were together. We both swore it would last forever. Having her by my side made me invincible. From that point on she supported me and I went at it real hard.

  “I don’t hardly know you, Jaden. And you want me to hang out with you all alone. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know?” She said making mad noise chewing her gum.

  Later on that night she told her friend, Dana all about it.

  “Girl, he was soo nice to me and he dresses so nice. Plus he ain’t loud and stupid like his friends. Can you get married at seventeen?”

  “Damn, girl! You open for this dude, huh?”

  “Open ain’t even the word. Right in the middle of our conversation, he hopped a fence and stole a bunch of flowers for me. Then he held my hand when security chased us. It was the most fun I had in a while. I think I’m really falling for him. He’s six feet tall and a hundred and seventy pounds of fineness. Ooh! I could just kiss his face all day long.”

  “I know what you’re saying, girl. Jaden’s hot guy. I need to get a guy like him and drop bad-ass Eric. It’s like he like getting locked up or something. I likes me a hard dude but he’s just ridiculous.”

  “All you attract are thugs, Dana. That’s just how it is. You and Eric got a good thing going. It might just last forever.”

  “Girl, please. E more worried about getting in trouble than getting in me.”

  “Ease up on him, Dana. He came up hard but even he knows that the stick-up kid lifestyle can’t last forever. I’m sure he has some kind of plan in his head and you know for a fact that you’re gonna be all up in it. That boy loves you.”

  “I guess you’re right. Enough of that love shit, though. I need to drink away the pain. What’s left in your mama liquor cabinet that we ain’t drank yet?”

  CHAPTER NINTEEN

  STILL MY GIRL

  Things changed fast for Bria’s clique. Veronica became her new best friend because Dana and Bria couldn’t relate anymore. Dana was busy running with the next up-and-coming gangster of Harlem. Veronica and Bria chatted while filing through outfits on a clothes rack in Manhattan Mall.

  “What’s up with you and Jaden, Bria?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. The thing Will and I have going is kinda stable. Jaden didn’t have anything going except his football career and now that’s all done. A woman like me needs security. I hate worrying about money. My mother busted her behind working two jobs to keep the roof over our head. She never really enjoy her life. I don’t wanna go that route.”

  “But I thought you love him.”

  “Love doesn’t pay bills, Veronica. I had to choose between money and love. I’m sticking with my decision. When my bank account is right, I’ll start worrying about where my heart. Got it?”

  “Whatever, I can’t believe the mall is so crowded. Oh my God!” Veronica shrieked.

  “Girl who is it?” Bria said, spinning around and smiled when she saw me.

  “We need some alone-time, don’t you think, sugar plum?”

  “Boy, you better watch it. You know I have a man now. I’m not your sugar plum anymore.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I heard that you’ve moved on. That’s cool. Can we talk in private for a minute?”

  “I’ll be right back, Vee.”

  We strolled, exchanging suggestive looks the whole time. My hand grazed hers. The contact made me think back to the time I held her hand with pride.

  “None of that or I’ll have to tell my man you’re harassing me,” she said smiling.

  “I’m harassing you? You should be glad you get the time of day from me.”

  “Whatever, Jaden. At least you’re still stuck on yourself.”

  “You should’ve figured that out by now. Anyway what’s up with us? It’s cash above all other things for you right now, isn’t it?”

  She shrugged and looked away. I saw through her like a glass window. She walked a few steps ahead, leading me to the FootAction store.

  “If you really wanna see me, I’ll be at Mars 2112 tomorrow night around eleven.” She glanced at the shopping bags. “I see you got some new clothes. I forgot you’re not even eighteen. You can’t get in.”

  “They’ll give me the star treatment in there.”

  “We’ll see. Make sure you’re there.”

  “All right, sugar plum.”

  “I’m not your sugar plum.”

  “You’ll be after tonight,” he said before taking off.

  When she got back to Veronica, Bria was informed about her newest crush.

  “You know me and Nick have been kicking it. He’s finally gonna take me out somewhere nice tonight.”

  “Damn, it’s only been a week or two. Y’all work fast,” Bria replied.

  Veronica felt the venom of her new best friend. She leaned back and looked at Bria liked she smelled something funny. Bria felt a pang of jealousy hit. She and Jaden were together for so long, it was over just like that. Bria sighed and pretended to be interested.

  “I’m sorry. That’s sounds cool, I’m happy for ya’ll. What y’all gonna be doing?”

  “I’m gonna put on my sexiest little dress and he said he’s gonna be wearing a suit. We’re going to Midtown somewhere where there’s gonna be food, dancing and if he’s good, a little sump’n, sump’n back at my place.” She smiled. “Shoot, the last thing I got dressed for was a funeral.”

  Bria wanted to laugh but thought against it. She remembered it was her favorite uncle who had passed away last winter. She was determined not to let her depression take over. She played it off with a plastic grin and kept chatting away.

  “I’m glad you’re going out and doing your thing, Veronica. Nick’s a good guy.”

  Veronica rubbed Bria’s shoulder and returned the smile.

  “Don’t sweat it, Bria. Y’all will be back together in no time. Come on, I’m gonna get these skirts then we’re out of here, girl.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  FEELS SO GOOD

  Nick knocked at Veronica’s door feeling good. He was taking her to the China Club up on 47th. His blue gators gleamed under the streetlight as he approached. He was in his best threads when he rang. It had been an hour since he was out of the barber’s chair. His hair still smelled like fresh coconut oil. A couple of squirts of Dolce & Gabanna cologne and he was ready. Nick wore a three-piece, navy blue suit, matching gator belt with a silver buckle. Digging into the loot he got from robbing to impress Veronica. She opened the door and he was just as stunned as she was.

  Veronica wore a slinky red dress that exposed her slender, delicate back. The perfume she wore enticed him. She had on high heels and her shapely, long legs blew him away.

  “Good God, you look so lovely, Veronica. I’m gonna to have to play you real close tonight. You know? Protect you from ‘em goons.”

  “Not too close,” Veronica’s father said wedging himself between them.

  He served Nick a cold stare then laughed, gave Nick a pound and squeezed his shoulder before heading out the building.

  “You two better behave yourselves.”

  “Damn, boy! You’re looking like something outta GQ!”

  “You’re lo
oking too hot for TV! Let’s roll mami. There’s a cab waiting outside.”

  He opened the door for her and grabbed flowers from the passenger seat. Nick rushed to the backseat and handed her a dozen long stem roses.

  “Oh my…! They’re soo beautiful.”

  “They’re only average compared to you, Veronica.”

  “You’re too much, Nick.”

  They smiled at each other and he felt her touch his hand. She squeezed it then pulled her hand back and shyly looked away. His palms became sweaty.

  They arrived and the scene was a little louder and crowded than they expected. Many couples were there and their loud chatter created a slight hum under the loud bass.

  “I’m glad you agreed to let me take you out. I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere nice.”

  “This is one of my favorite places to hit when I need new ideas for making beats, feel me?”

  “Yeah, this is a wonderful choice. Do you have any more surprises in store for me tonight?” She asked giving him the once over.

  “We’ll see,” he said leaning closer to her.

  They got close and danced, warmly gazing at each other the whole time. Her eyes glistened before he started for the bar.

  “Moet...”

  She arched her eyebrow and turned up her full lips, smirking. The bartender came back with the drinks. He caught her checking him out.

  “What’s up?”

  “It’s just that we’ve been passing each other in the halls for, like, two years, and if I didn’t come check you, we would’ve never got this far.”

  “It must be meant to be, then,” he said.

  “This place is nice!”

  “You shouldn’t expect anything less. I mean, I’ve got the most beautiful woman in the city, so I gotta come correct.”

  “You have an answer for everything tonight, don’t you?”

  “I’m doing my best.”

  She filled both their glasses up with his bottle, and they downed three glasses before Nick took her hand and they slow danced. He held her closer when she pressed her lips to his neck. He could feel his nature rising and didn’t want to freak her out. She must have felt it too. Veronica lifted her head and smiled. She rested her head back on his shoulder. He squatted a little so they could be face-to-face and danced slower, cheek-to-cheek. They turned to face each other with perfect timing.

  “Let’s get out of here, baby,” she said, her eyes gleaming.

  After paying the tab, she yanked his hand and led the way to the front door. She quickly hailed a cab. As soon as they got to her place, they kissed and held each other like a pair of boa constrictors, pressing the air right out of each other’s lungs. Veronica stopped before she opened the door. A girl in Barbie pajamas who looked just like Veronica was sitting in the couch, fiddling with her cell phone. She had a brain full of questions.

  “Hi Nick! What’s up, Veronica? How was it? How was the food? Did you dance? Are you drunk? Are you two gonna have sex now?”

  Nick laughed, but Veronica didn’t find it funny. She gritted her teeth and took an icy tone she said, “I can’t believe you just said that, Natalie. Go to your room, now.”

  The ten-year old pouted and left for her room. He noticed how clean and neat the place was. His room was a war zone compared to hers. He would’ve to fix his place up before inviting her over. Veronica offered to make him a cup a coffee.

  “I’m not a coffee fanatic, but I can’t turn down anything from you. Hook me up, beautiful. Three lumps of sugar and not the Bugs Bunny kind.” He laughed.

  She giggled, kicked her shoes off and sashayed to the kitchen. She stood on tip-toe to look for the coffee. Nick could see the can from where he sat on the couch but she was only five-two and couldn’t.

  “Let me help you with that,” he said, accidentally pressing his body to hers. She cooed pressing her pear-shaped rump to his package. He got excited.

  She spun around to face him. Veronica took a look at her sister’s room to make sure the door was closed. Then she cupped his face and kissed him hard. He kissed her back harder and dropped the coffee can on the floor. They didn’t look at the mess. They were too busy sliding their tongues against each others.

  “Let’s go somewhere a little bit more private, baby,” she whispered.

  Nick threw her over his shoulders and hustled to her bedroom and locked her door. She laughed hysterically at his caveman antics. He rolled her onto the bed and hopped in after her. She ran to the other side of the bed and defensively folded her arms over the upper swells of her breasts. Nick was not discouraged. He chuckled and pulled her back to him by her ankles and got on top of her. They kissed until they were out of breath. Sweat caused their skin to stick to their clothing.

  She wrapped his tie around her hands and made a loose knot, sighing feeling anxious and aroused. He squeezed her fat jugs and unzipped her dress, watching her shake it off her shoulders. Nick peeled it down to her waist. She removed her lacy bra and he slurped on her ample breast. He rolled her nipples until they were pebble-hard. She moaned as she wiggled out of her dress and panties, exposing her perfectly shaped hips and legs. Nick kissed her flat tummy and hips all over while keeping his eyes glued to the thin strip of soft, near-invisible hairs that stretched from under her belly button to the start of her special spot. She squirmed underneath him as he delicately stroked her privates.

  “Make love to me, Nicholas,”

  “Oh now you think got the right to call my full name?”

  “Si, mi amor.”

  The excitement of undressing her was almost too much for him to handle. His hands shook even as he stroked her mahogany skin. She sensed the hesitation and began nudging his package with her foot.

  “Don’t get shy on me now, Nicholas. Help me take this stuff off.”

  He did and she pressed his head down to her waist. He kissed her along her panty line then he licked circles around her belly button and got a moist close-up to her thin lips down below. The sweet aroma coming from down there made his mouth water. He stuck his tongue out and flicked at her swollen bud. Two minutes later, he started slurping on it with meaning.

  “Ooh Nicholas!”

  She slid toward him and bumped his face back into her gushy stuff. He stepped it up and jammed his tongue deep in her wet slot, leading her to yelp and jack her thighs up higher…. and wider. Her sexy moans made him suck harder at her leaking inner pink. She grabbed his shirt, yanked Nick on top of her and tugged at his belt. She was breathing like a wart hog. Veronica switched from kitten to lioness before Nick could blink. Her passion caught him off guard. She unzipped his pants and yanked them down. He dropped his boxers and rushed into her honey-pot.

  “Good God Almighty this shit is tight, Veronica!”

  He served her a few more strokes then made her yelp with a long one. Her eyes brightened on impact.

  “That feels good, Nick. Ooh! That’s it right there.”

  Nick grabbed her round hips and added a downward swoop to his. She grabbed her knees and rolled her hips under him. He was officially sprung. Nick stopped and thought for a second then he rushed to whip a condom out of his pocket. He strapped it on and slid back in her with a wide grin on her face

  “The fit is soooo tight, girl.”

  “I know, papi. Go deep and make it a perfect… a perfect fit just for you, baby. Damelo.”

  He felt lighthearted turning up the juice and pressed her sexy body into the mattress. Her back seemed glued to the bed sheets with sweat in a few hot moments. He grabbed her tits, digging deep and popped her kitten with reckless abandon.

  “Adios mio! Take it, Nick! Take it! It’s yours!”

  “This pussy’s mine?!”

  “Si, si…!”

  “Just mine?”

  “Oh… ah… si! Don’t stop! I’m… I’m….Yes! Yes!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  VICTOR THE VICTIM

  Hours later, I chirped Nick on time. We were supposed to meet and he was already
within walking distance of the club. He worked his way through the thick of the crowd to shoot suggestive looks at all the sexy ladies. Nick spotted me in the crowd, we got on line and waited. Then an idea popped up in Nick’s head.

  “They gonna frisk everybody here, chief. We gotta stash the gats.” Nick motioned for me to give up my piece. “We can keep the knives on us,” before leaving the line to hide the weaponry. He scanned the area and pretended to take a piss by a bunch of trash cans. Nick knelt and wiped them down with his bandana. He wrapped them together and tucked it out of sight, then rejoined the line.

  “You think Bria’s gonna show up tonight?”

  “Probably, I hope you won’t let your ex interfere with our scheme.”

  “I’m focused.”

  “You can’t blame me for asking. That chick’s got you open like a pair of nostrils, my dude.”

  “Whatever, let’s just get the job done.”

  He rejoined the line and we were frisked. The blades we had tucked in our drawers weren’t found. We walked inside and Nick immediately started chatting up a sexy chick.

  “Hello, beautiful!” he exclaimed. “In a little bit, Jaden,” he said walking to her.

  I gave him a pound and headed to the bar. After ordering a shot of Hennessy, I spotted Dana. She was sweet but more importantly she was Bria’s friend. Eric and Dana stayed close even though they weren’t official. She was his road dog, according to him. I bought her a drink.

  “How’ve you been, Dana?”

  “I’m ahight. I’m surprised you taking so good, Bria messing with Will. She’s always with Will but I don’t think she’s really into him.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “For one thing, they don’t hang out like y’all used to. She’s his trophy. He just shows her off. She still has feelings for you. I was wrong telling her…” her voice trailed off as she turned away.

  I tugged at her arm with a little too much force than intended.

  “For telling her what, Dana…? Spill the beans. Answer me! Shit! You told her to go out with him, didn’t you? You know what? I apologize. Say no more.”