The Graffiti Effect

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The Graffiti Effect Page 21

by Forrest, Perri


  “What’s up, neighbor?” I asked her, offering a smile and standing closer than I knew she’d like me to. “What brings you to my part of town . . . again?”

  “Hmm . . .” her friend hummed, giving her a side eye. “Again?”

  “And who are these beautiful ladies?” It was my best friend, Alonzo’s voice, appearing out of the blue on the side of me. “What’s up, man?!” he said, patting me on the shoulder. “I just got here and came looking for you. But now . . .” He focused his attention on my neighbor and her friend. “Introduce me.”

  I turned to the women. “This one is a newlywed that just moved to Vegas. Black Ice moved her here. And—”

  “First of all, I’m not a newlywed. Not even married.” She looked directly at me when she said it, rolling her neck. She then turned to Alonzo and stuck her hand out to him. “I’m Kassidi Henson—no Mrs. And this here is my friend, Kandice.”

  “Kandice, huh?” Alonzo asked, turning all his attention to the friend with the beautiful dark chocolate complexion, and the thick frame. “Kandice, can I talk to you in private?” he asked, before whisking her away.

  Even with the music playing around us, the silence was louder. Kassidi was nervous as hell. For some reason, I liked making it hard on her. So, I stared at her as she fidgeted. She no longer had her friend as her crutch, and she didn’t know what to do with herself.

  “So, you just gonna keep acting like I’m not here?” I asked her.

  “That’s not what I’m doing.”

  “Of course, it is. You haven’t looked at me once since we’ve been by ourselves.”

  “Well, I didn’t know you’d stay after they left.”

  “Well, I’m here. Now what?”

  “What do you mean . . . now what?” she asked, not able to hold eye contact.

  “Now, you can tell me what this is, about you not being married. Didn’t you come to Vegas for your bachelorette party? Or were you just a part of the bachelorette party?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  I stood silently, for a few seconds sizing her up. She had a real chip on her fucking shoulder and I wasn’t going to cater to it.

  “Yep, you’re right.” I proceeded to back away from her. “It’s not my business. You have a good night and enjoy the party.”

  I proceeded to go about my way, and had gotten a few steps ahead when I heard: “Wait . . .”

  -57-

  KASSIDI

  I reached out to grab his arm to keep him from getting too far away. He turned around and looked at me seemingly agitated, which prompted me to release the hold I had on him.

  “Can I just have a minute? And then we can part ways.”

  He seemed to be hesitant for a second. I didn’t blame him, I hadn’t been nice to him at all. As I stood there awaiting his answer, the number of women that walked by trying to get his attention was crazy! They weren’t shy about it either. One slid her arm through his and laid her head on his shoulder, until he nudged her off. Then another one, that I recognized as one of the bartenders stood off to the side and stared a hole through me. It was insane. But I ignored it all because I knew they weren’t going anywhere and would still be there after the five minutes I was asking for.

  “Alright. Follow me,” he said. “It’s quieter outside.”

  Once we made it up to the outdoor patio, Vegas’ city lights came alive. It was so pretty. The weather was nice and while we could hear the music, it wasn’t as loud as it was inside the club. Marco had me follow him to a railing near the far end of the balcony where there weren’t too many people.

  “So, what’s up?” he asked when we had finally stopped.

  I didn’t know where to begin, so I said the first thing that came to mind: “I hope I don’t have a hit out on me for taking you away.”

  “I doubt it. What’s goin’ on, though?”

  I fought hard to look him in his eyes, but I couldn’t. He made me nervous. The fact that I wasn’t technically standing in front of a stranger had me shook a little. This man had seen me naked. The first time I ever met him, he saw me naked! And I initiated the transaction!

  “I wanted to uhh . . . say that . . . you know. That I’m sorry about what happened to you. I didn’t know. But I’m so happy you’re okay.”

  “Thank you.”

  “They have any leads?”

  “Not yet.”

  I was nervous as hell! Shaking like a damn leaf, and not because it was cold. I knew I’d better speak quickly though, because he was giving me a look like I was on borrowed time.

  “So, Marco, I’ve been a bitch to you and you didn’t deserve that from me.”

  “It’s cool,” he said, casually.

  “It’s really not, though.” I turned toward the sky view and that let that be my comfort zone while I delivered the rest of my thoughts. “I . . . umm . . . well, I didn’t get married. I already told you that part. I moved here for a new start. I needed that.”

  “Apology accepted. You don’t have to go into detail anymore. It’s cool.”

  “I mean, I kinda want to. For . . . some reason, I want to.”

  I sounded so stupid and it was too late to stop myself. I didn’t know what I’d gotten myself into, but it was a hole that I couldn’t dig out of.

  “I shouldn’t have acted like I did with . . .” I paused again, this time looking up at his face—his amazingly attractive face—with those eyes, and lashes, and lips. Sigh. Shit. “I didn’t get married . . .” Fuck! You already said that!

  “Hey, girl! There you are!”

  It was Kandice’s voice calling out to me. Thank God! I needed saving. “Been lookin’ all over for you,” she said, walking to where we stood—Marco’s friend in tow.

  “Heyyy . . .” I managed to say, knowing that my discomfort was evident by all.

  “Can I talk to you for a sec?” she asked, to which I nodded. “Sorry to cut in,” she said to Marco.”

  Not that he cared. I was sure he didn’t care.

  When we got a few yards away, Kandice filled me in, with a big fat smile on her face. “So, I was thinking I was gonna drop you off at home and then . . .” She paused.

  My eyes widened in anticipation of the rest. “. . . and then . . . what?”

  “Gonna go to his house,” she responded, shifting her eyes in the direction Marco and his friend stood chatting.

  I smiled at her. “Ohhh, I see. Well, alrighty then. I’m okay with leaving right now.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  After the plan was set, Kandice signaled to her new friend, and we were off. Marco had made it abundantly clear that he was done talking, so when we did go to leave, I didn’t bother looking back at all.

  -58-

  MARCO

  About 1:30, I found my way back to VIP, where Cyn immediately flagged me down. She waved her hand wildly in the air as if I was blind or something. She had been a whole different person lately. More outgoing, it seemed. When she visited me in the hospital, she was extra talkative, freer. I thought it was a good look for her. She had more to offer than the seriousness she always put out into the universe. I laughed loudly as I walked over to where she was, and plopped down onto the sofa next to her.

  “What’s up with all that wild waving you’re doing? Are you drunk?”

  “No, I’m not drunk. I just needed you to come here without detouring!” She giggled. “You know how in-demand you are. Have you even been able to breathe tonight?” she teased.

  “Yep. You know I’m good at escapes, so I wasn’t too overwhelmed.”

  “Well, how are you feeling?” she asked, touching my arm. “You good? Almost at a hundred-percent?”

  “Yep. Soon enough. And then I can get back on my stage. Shit was hard as fuck watching the Alpha’s tonight and not being able to get the fuck up there, myself.”

  “I’m sure that’s gonna be soon, little brother.” She suddenly exposed a sly grin, her eyes lighting up wi
th mischief. “In the meantime, you gonna tell me what’s going on with you and the runaway bride?”

  I shook my head side-to-side in slow motion, then held my head low. Something in me knew that was what she wanted. I didn’t even know if she had seen me talking to Kassidi, but she had eyes and ears all over the place.

  “What runaway bride?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

  “You asshole!” she laughed. “You know exactly who I’m talking about!”

  “Why do you even know what she looks like after all this time? I’m worried about you.”

  “Shut up. Don’t worry about all that. Just tell me what’s going on with you two.”

  “Cyn, it’s not shit.”

  “Well, you know she didn’t get married, right? And that she lives here in Vegas now.”

  I inhaled a deep sigh and then released it. “Yeah, my moving company was hired to move her. So, I knew.”

  “Oh shit! The plot thickens! And you didn’t even tell me!” She nudged my shoulder in excitement.

  “Cyn!” I yelled at her pushing too close to my spot.

  “Eeek! I’m sorry! Got too excited! So, what’s the tea?”

  “Tea? I don’t have no damn tea. Don’t even drink the shit.”

  “Ha, ha. I’ll bet you’re wondering how I know all this, right?”

  “Not really.”

  “Yes, you are. So, I’m gonna tell you.” She leaned over to my ear and said, “We reconnected. Jamie and me . . . we reconnected.”

  I pulled back and looked at her. “What the fuck?”

  “Whaaat? We did.”

  “Cyn . . .”

  “What?” she asked, so innocently, I couldn’t burst her bubble.

  I wanted to ask her what the fuck she was thinking, waiting in the background until this man was ready for her. He’d already disposed of her once, and now here she was letting him slither his way back into her life, just because his marriage didn’t fuckin’ happen.

  “Nothing. I trust you to know what you’re getting into. But I’ll break every bone in his fuckin’ neck if he fucks you over again.”

  She leaned over and hugged me. “And I’ll do the same to that chick if—”

  “Nah . . .” I interjected before she could even finish her sentence. “There’s nothing wi—”

  “If you say so!” she blurted out. “So, like I started to say . . . if she fucks you over—”

  “I’m out, Cyn,” I said standing up to leave. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “It’s already tomorrow!” she yelled after me.

  -59-

  MARCO

  “Marco!” I heard from behind me when I was at the foot of the stairs to leave. I turned around to see Mink running up to me. “You leaving already?” she asked.

  “Yeah, callin’ it a night.”

  “You want some company?”

  “Nah, sweetheart. Not feeling much like company. Just wanna get home and lay down with the TV or something.”

  “But why? I could be so much more fun than boring television.”

  Mink was putting it on thick, and really trying to make sure that she bid high. I just wasn’t interested in laying down with her, laying the pipe to her, nothing. I smiled and shook my head in disbelief at how aggressive she was being. I knew it probably took a lot for her to approach and offer herself up, but that wasn’t going to change my mind.

  “I’m good, Mink. But thanks for the offer.”

  She rolled her eyes and tilted her head, her long hair falling to the side of her face. “What’s the problem, Marco? Am I not good enough for you? Do you not like black girls? What?” She took a few steps back, scanned herself up and down. “Because I know I look good. I know it. Got too many men on me to not know it. I’m a damn good woman to a man I’m interested in, and none of these bitches compare to me in bed. So yeah, what’s the problem?”

  “You sound like you’re outlining your resume, Mink.”

  “You got me so fucked up right now. Like, for real. Who the fuck do you think you are? It took a lot for me to even approach yo ass! And—”

  “And see, that’s the thing, you shouldn’t have approached.” I stepped closer to her. “I’m a real goddamn man. If I was interested, you wouldn’t have had to approach. Just walk away before you piss me off with this fuckin’ show you’re putting on.”

  “Fuck you,” she shot out before taking back off in the direction of the party.

  Women are crazy. I was convinced of that. Maybe it was why I had never settled down, and just kept my interactions strictly sexual. You never knew what the fuck you were getting. I mean, I had Cyn, who I loved to death. She was my sister from another mister. But she fucked over a good man to chase another man that threw her away like week-long garbage.

  Mink. A chick who was pretty as fuck in the face, with eyes that could seduce the average man. But to flip the fuck out because I was honest with her?! And in public! Hell no! That light switch flips too fluidly with women. Hot and fuckin’ cold, and most men in their right mind, don’t have time for that shit. Oh yeah, they’ll make time for it just long enough to get their dick wet, but they’ll be gone shortly after.

  Then there was the Kassidi woman, who for no reason at all, was being a bitch to me when I did nothing to her. Well, I mean, I did do something to her, but not anything bad. She was the one driving that whole damn situation—days away from becoming a man’s wife. What did she expect to happen? Or shit, maybe it was her that called it off after she realized that she wasn’t ready to be faithful. Who the fuck knew?! Didn’t take away from the fact that everything women did was driven by emotion—irrational emotion, most of the goddamn time.

  Yeah, women are crazy as fuck.

  I turned my music up once I got onto 215 North headed home. And as loud as it was, and as into the music as I was, my stabbing somehow found its way to the front of my mind. Everybody thought I was crazy for running around with no security after what happened, but I wasn’t going to be limited by anybody. And having security meant having somebody at my hip all day, every day. I had too much going on for that. Besides, I honestly felt that it was an isolated incident. I learned from it. I wouldn’t be walking the damn strip late night by myself anymore. I had no business doing it that night, but yeah. That was the last time for that.

  The last time I talked to the detectives, they let me know that they still had no leads, and even they felt it was isolated. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s it and that’s all. However, if the day did come that I found out who it was, they were as good as dead. I had never in my life took a life, but I felt I could if I ever came across that person.

  It was when I took my exit that I realized I was hungry. I got so caught up in the night and trying to make sure I made rounds to visit with most of the people that came out to my party. I had a chicken wing earlier in the night, but that was it. Shit. I didn’t even have anything in the fridge either. Since I’d been in the hospital, I forgot to contact Muscle Maker Grill for my meal preps, so that was dead. I thought for two seconds about going to Roberto’s since they were 24 hours, but quickly decided against that. I didn’t feel like my stomach being fucked up from late night fast food.

  The closer I got to Lake Mead Blvd., the faster I made up my mind that I would just go home and get up early and go to breakfast.

  When I finally turned onto my block it was damn near two-thirty, according to the dashboard’s clock. As a courtesy, I turned my music down so nobody would be disturbed from the thumping sound. Instinctively, as I passed Kassidi’s I looked. It wasn’t the first time. I did wonder a few of the times I passed by, why there hadn’t been at least one sighting of her man. But after finding out that he wasn’t in Vegas with her, it made sense.

  It was a real trip, though, that she was down the street from me. That shit didn’t just happen every day. At least not in my life. A woman you have a one-night stand with, then end up transporting her household items, and then end up with her in your neighborhoo
d! Some weirdo-ass, hopeless romantics might even try to call it fate. Nah.

  I slowed when I got closer to her house and noticed a few lights on. I wasn’t the only one up early morning. I proceeded up the street toward my house but had a nagging-ass feeling inside of me to go back. As much of a character as she was, Kassidi was somewhat interesting to me. Something inside of me wanted to know her story.

  I don’t know what made me do it, but I stopped in the middle of the block and threw my car in reverse . . .

  -60-

  KASSIDI

  I beat myself up the whole time that Kandice and I were in the car. I had made a total fool out of my damn self at that party. Tried to apologize for my actions and that was an epic fail! That man looked at me like I was high off some drugs! I should’ve thought it out more, or even done it before tonight. I mean, I did have a direct number to the man’s business. I could’ve called him and did it over the phone where I didn’t have to face him. But now, it was too late! I tried. I failed. He hated me.

  Damn!

  All I could hope was that I wouldn’t run into him again. At least not for a while. Until which time I could look at him, and not see the man whose hotel door I went up to, and initiated a moment that I could never turn back from.

  “Girl, where you zone out to? That fine-ass Graffiti, I bet,” Kandice said. “Why’d you try to act like you didn’t know him, chick?!”

  “I-I . . . don’t . . . really,” was the only thing I could manage.

  “Okay,” she commented. “I’m done with my questions for the day. Let’s go with that for now.”

  Yeah, let’s, I said to myself.

  “But what did you think about my new friend?” she asked. “Alonzo . . .” she gushed.

  “He nice. And nice-looking.”

  “Ain’t he?!”

 

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