by Jade Jones
Without thinking clearly, he leaned in for another kiss, but Cameron quickly stopped him. “Marcus…seriously. I cannot do this with you…”
Marcus slowly backed away and nodded his head in understanding. “Aight…I get it,” he said although he truly didn’t.
Marcus was trying to be as patient as he could with Cameron because he truly was digging her, but he also didn’t know why she chose to hold on to something that had long since ended. Her dude was behind bars, and now it was time for the next man to step up to the plate. It may have been selfish but that’s how he honestly felt.
Putting some much needed space between them, Marcus casually strolled through her house until he stopped at her living room accent table. Noticing the faded Polaroid photo, he picked it up. “Who’s this?” he asked staring at the picture of Cameron’s brother.
Cameron quickly walked over, and snatched the photo from Marcus before shoving it inside the drawer of the accent table.
“Who was that?” Marcus wanted to know.
Cameron didn’t respond right away. “My brother…”
“You got a brother?” Marcus asked in disbelief.
“I had a brother,” Cameron corrected him.
Marcus regretted pressing the issue. “My bad bay, I ain’t know—”
“It’s cool. It’s cool,” she waved him off.
He cleared his throat suddenly feeling apprehensive. “I guess I’d better gon’ ‘head and get outta here.”
“Yeah…maybe you should,” Cameron agreed.
Marcus slowly leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Cameron’s forehead before heading out.
14
Big Sean’s “Dance” blared through the speakers of the luxurious two room hotel suite. There were total of six rowdy young guys including Mike, and they had everything a group of college kids could have for entertainment: weed, liquor, great music, and the ultimate entertainment, strippers.
Mike’s eyes were glazed over once he opened the hotel door and allowed Cameron and Ki Ki inside. His eyes eagerly scanned their outfits. Both women wore tight fitting Bodycon dresses that hugged every curve of their body.
“Damn, ya’ll look good,” Mike complemented them as he closed the door.
“You’re paying us upfront still right?” Cameron was not beating around the bush. Pocahontas had taught her that shit, and she stuck firmly to the motto: Get the money first.
“You know I got you ma,” he said before digging in his pocket. He counted each bill off before placing the money in Cameron’s hands.
“Give us a few minutes to get ready,” Cameron told him.
“Aight then, but don’t take too long,” Mike said. “Time is money.”
“And money is time,” Cameron retorted.
Ki Ki followed Cameron towards the bathroom where she closed and locked the door. She then took a seat on the toilet. “Cam, I don’t think I can do this shit,” she suddenly said.
“What’s up? What are you talking about?” Cameron asked.
“These niggas ain’t tryin’ to see my fat ass dance,” Ki Ki said disappointedly.
“Ki Ki, what the hell are you talking about?” she asked. “And what’s up with you and all this fat shit? You’re thick. It’s a big difference,” she laughed.
“Seriously, Cameron,” Ki Ki said. “I just don’t think I can do this shit. At first I was all hype about the money and stuff…but now that I’m here…I guess…I don’t know. I’m freezing up,” she said. “I’m bitching out.”
“All you need is a drink and you’ll be fine,” Cameron told her. “The first time is always nerve-wracking especially if you don’t have any liquor in your system,” she explained. “I’ma get you a drink, and you gon’ shake that shit off,” Cameron said. “Because I really need you here with me. I can’t do this shit by myself, and I really need this money Ki Ki,” she stressed. As Cameron listened to herself talk she suddenly realized how much she sounded like Pocahontas.
“Well, look…how about you get me that drink first, and then I’ll see how I’m feeling afterward,” Ki Ki said.
“Alright. You got it,” Cameron agreed.
***
Two shots later, Ki Ki’s low esteem quickly dissipated as she danced seductively for two of Mike’s friends. She was so damn good at what she did, that Cameron could’ve sworn she had been stripping for years. Ki Ki didn’t even seem to mind the men groping her body and fondling her breasts as they sprinkled bills on her large ass.
Travis Porter’s “Get Naked” played on maximum. Cameron grinded in Mike’s lap to the slow melody of the song, and his hands softly caressed her backs as she winded her hips in a circular motion. Mike’s erection threatened to burst through the seams of his jeans.
“Turn around. I wanna see that pretty ass face,” Mike suddenly said.
Cameron stood to her feet, stepping into a small pile of bills that surrounded her. She then repositioned herself so that she was facing Mike.
“You are so fuckin’ bad,” he told Cameron. “But I’m sure I ain’t tellin’ you shit you don’t already know. You gotta lucky ass dude at home, don’t you?”
“Maybe…maybe not,” Cameron teased. She would tell a guy just what he wanted to hear in a heartbeat. One of the hallmarks of being a great hustler.
“How you feel about tryin’ to make some extra money,” Mike suddenly offered. “Just me and you,” he hinted.
Plies “Ms Pretty Pussy” suddenly began playing on the mixtape Mike had put together.
Cameron wasn’t crazy about the idea of turning tricks. She was usually content with the tips she made, and she didn’t do anything besides a little grinding here and a little flirtation there. Sex was personal, and in her opinion meant to be shared with someone she truly cared about. Not to be sold for the right price.
“I ain’t with turnin’ no tricks,” Cameron admitted.
Mike chuckled, and his cute dimples were on full display. “First of all, I ain’t no trick baby girl,” he said. “And second of all, why you gotta look at it like that?” he asked. “You here to make money, right? And, shit, I’m here to spend it. Why not help each other out?”
Cameron couldn’t believe she was actually toying with the idea after all the shit she had talked to Pocahontas about selling her body.
“Just name the price,” Mike said.
Cameron shook her head. “Sorry, I’m not for sale,” she told him.
“Shit, everything’s got a price,” Mike said.
Silence.
“Five hundred?” was Mike’s first offer.
Silence.
“A stack…”
Silence.
“Come on Cameron,” Mike said. “Say something…you’re in school just like me. Hell, we need all the money we can get. School fees can be a bitch, right?” It was almost as if he was reading Cameron’s pockets and knew she was in desperate need of the cash.
Finally swallowing her pride, she said, “Fifteen hundred…”
Mike whistled sarcastically. “Damn, ma,” he laughed. “You tryin’ to clean a nigga out, ain’t you?”
Cameron shrugged. “School fees can be a bitch, right?” she repeated.
Mike nodded his head in admiration. “I can do that,” he finally agreed. He slowly picked Cameron up and placed her on her feet. Grabbing her by the hand, he guided her towards the nearest bedroom.
Ki Ki was on her hands and knees popping her ass in the center of the living room. Bills rained down on her, and she was so in her zone that she didn’t even seem to notice Cameron leaving.
Once inside the bedroom, Mike closed and locked the bedroom door. Cameron’s stomach flipped and churned. She may as well have been selling her soul to the devil.
I said I would never do this shit, a part of her said.
But you need this money, the other side of her said.
Cameron felt as if she had an angel on one shoulder, while the devil lingered on the other.
“Don’t just stand there, come over
here…” Mike slowly climbed into the bed and pulled his t-shirt over his head exposing his toned bare chest.
Cameron’s heart thumped louder with each step she took. “Do you…um…want me to take my clothes off?” she stammered. Her throat felt dry, and her hands were clammy. She tried to push Jude to the back of her mind.
Mike chuckled. “Nah, I want you to keep that shit on,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “Hell yeah, I want you to take that off. I wanna see that pussy.”
Mike licked his full lips as Cameron took her time stepping out of her black slingshot bikini. “Damn…” He eyed her shaved kitty. “Come here,” he patted the space beside him.
Cameron swallowed the large lump that had formed in her throat as she slowly made her way over towards the king size bed. The mattress squeaked a little as she crawled over towards him.
Mike’s hands slid up and down Cameron’s nude body. “Loosen up,” he whispered.
Mike’s left hand gently spread her thighs apart. He leaned down towards Cameron, and placed soft kisses on her neck. Her body tensed up even more then, because she was trying so hard not to enjoy the sensation of his breath tickling her skin.
Mike slipped a finger inside of her pussy. Cameron instantly stiffened although Mike had told her several times to just relax.
You need this money, she constantly repeated to herself.
Mike slipped his finger out and sucked off her juices. “Mmm. You taste sweet,” he said. He leaned in preparing to kiss Cameron, but she quickly turned her head away avoiding the kiss.
In a sudden fit of rage, Mike grabbed her by the cheeks, and forced her face towards him before jamming his tongue in her mouth. He damned near forced his long tongue down her throat. His nails dug into the skin of her cheeks. Once he felt satisfied with the forceful kiss, he flung her head away.
Mike looked frustrated but still determined to get some pussy. He slowly lowered himself to her supple breasts and popped a hardened brown nipple inside his mouth. Apparently, Mike was the only one enjoying what he was doing as he emitted soft moans.
Cameron’s jaw muscle tensed as she stared unblinkingly at the ceiling. Mike slowly reached down to touch her pussy again, and Cameron quickly slapped his hand away that time.
Mike looked at Cameron like she was crazy. “Bitch, whatchu’ really tryin’ to do ‘cause I ain’t got time to play no mothafuckin’ games.”
Cameron slowly got up and climbed out the bed—Mike quickly grabbed her wrist and stared at her menacingly. “Why the fuck you agree to do this shit if you were gonna act like this?!” he yelled.
Cameron snatched her arm away from Mike. The look she gave him caused an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Mike sucked his teeth in disgust. “Gon’ get the fuck on, bitch,” he said in a dismissive tone.
Cameron quickly exited the room, and hurried into the bathroom where she promptly redressed. Ki Ki didn’t miss the awkwardness of the situation as she made her way into the bathroom seconds after. Cameron was pulling her dress on by then.
“Where the hell are you going?” Ki Ki asked confused. Beads of sweat were on her forehead, but she was having the time of her life drinking, partying, and making money. She had never had so much fun.
“I’m leaving,” Cameron said. “And if you aren’t trying to get left, then I suggested you hurry up and get dressed too,” she said in a serious tone.
“What the fuck is up with you?” Ki Ki asked. “You actin’ all crazy all of a sudden. And why I gotta leave just because you don’t wanna stay. That’s fucking up my money, ain’t it?”
Cameron grabbed her purse, and pulled the strap over her shoulder. “Suit yourself,” she said nonchalantly heading out the bathroom.
Ki Ki quickly stepped in Cameron’s way blocking her exit. “Why you acting all stuck up and shit when you know you need the money?” she asked. “Ain’t that what you said earlier?”
“Fuck the money, and fuck you,” Cameron said coolly. She then pushed her way past Ki Ki and practically ran out of the hotel.
Once she made it outside, she vomited in the parking lot. Cameron had never felt so disgusted and disappointed in herself.
***
“Damn…what happened to your girl?” one of Mike’s friends asked Ki Ki.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “I guess she wasn’t feeling the party…”
Mike suddenly emerged from the bedroom smoking a Black & Mild. There was a look of irritation on his handsome face. His eyes narrowed as he stared at Ki Ki intensely as if he were looking at her for the first time ever.
“Well, you still gon’ stay and entertain us, right?” Mike asked. “I mean, shit, a nigga just broke bread on ya’ll asses and ya girl ran outta here and left us hangin’.”
“I don’t know,” Ki Ki answered apprehensively. “Maybe I’d better get my ass out of here too. I only agreed to do this since Cam and I were doing it together—”
“Shit, we can take care of you,” one of Mike’s friends cut her off.
“Yeah, you in good hands,” another piped up.
“All I know is I just spent over two stacks on this mothafuckin’ party and I ain’t even havin’ no fun,” Mike said.
“Yeah, I think it’s time to turn this shit up,” one of his friends agreed. “Let’s have some fun with this bitch.”
Ki Ki didn’t like the way they were eyeing her. She was a tough girl, and usually able to hold her own, but with six grown ass men there wasn’t too much she could do to defend herself.
“Ya’ll sound like ya’ll on some other shit,” Ki Ki tossed her hands up. “I’m getting the fuck outta here—”
Suddenly, one of Mike’s friends grabbed her before she could walk off. Initially, everything seemed like fun and games, but now shit had gotten real—and violent too as she was slapped around the living room. The blows came so quick and suddenly that she didn’t know which of the guys had hit her. Before she knew it, she was lying on the ground wiping away the blood pouring from the cut on her bottom lip.
One of Mike’s drunken friends unzipped his pants and pulled his dick out. “Aye ya’ll check this out,” he said. A stream of urine shot out the tip of his dick as he aimed at Ki Ki. “Hit the target, win a prize!” He laughed at his own crude humor. Urine splashed onto Ki Ki’s bare thigh.
“Come on, man, chill!” Mike yelled. “I’m tryin’ to fuck. I ain’t gon’ be able to hit no pissy ass pussy!” he snapped.
“Get the fuck away from her!”
Everyone turned their attention towards Cameron who was standing in the doorway aiming her 9mm at them. They would have found the shit amusing had she not cocked the Glock. The expression on her face was that of a serious one. She was not fucking around at all.
“Come on, Ki Ki,” she said in an authoritative tone. As bad as she wanted to leave her ass there for not leaving earlier, Cameron couldn’t turn her back on her. Hell, that was how she had gotten raped during a so called private party.
Ki Ki scurried to her feet, and collected all the singles off the living room floor. Cameron rolled her eyes in irritation. “Ki Ki, come on,” she repeated.
“Ya’ll ratchet ass hoes on some other shit,” Mike said shaking his head.
“I wouldn’t be talking that shit if I were you,” Cameron threatened.
“I was just tryin’ to put some money in your pocket,” he stressed.
“Yeah, but beating and pissing on us wasn’t a part of the deal,” she said.
Mike grimaced. “What can I say?” he asked. “We get a lil’ wild sometimes. It’s all in fun.”
“Fuck you,” Cameron spat.
Ki Ki grabbed her belongings, and she and Cameron quickly left the hotel room.
“Are you alright?” Cameron asked Ki Ki as they sped walked towards the elevators. She looked over her shoulder every few seconds fearful that Mike and his boys would burst through the door in an attempt to purse them.
“I’m fine,” Ki Ki answered. As scared as she was of
the men beating her senseless somewhere in the back of her mind, she also liked the shit…
15
Cameron was anxious to see Jude the second time she drove up to the correctional facility. Her excitement, however, quickly faded after she was told that he refused his visit. His visiting privileges had returned, but he just flat out refused to see her. Cameron felt a combination of hurt and confusion. She wasn’t expecting to hear that, and she really was looking forward to seeing him and talking to him.
As funny as it may have seemed, Cameron even thought out the entire conversation in her head on the drive to the prison. She couldn’t wait to tell him about the fight with Pure Seduction, and how school was going so far. She had no intention of telling him about the private party, but now that she was deprived of seeing him it wasn’t like he would know either way. Cameron couldn’t figure out why he would just flat out refuse to see her.
Did I do something wrong?
Is he upset with me?
Does he know about the abortion appointment?
Don’t be stupid, Cameron. He couldn’t possible know about the appointment, she told herself.
Whatever the reason was for Jude refusing to see her she wished he would at least call and let her know why. After all, communication was the key to a successful relationship.
Saddened and disappointed, Cameron prepared for her lengthy drive back home. She just prayed that whatever Jude was going through he’d be okay.
***
Jude lay in the top bunk of his bed and stared at the ceiling of his prison cell. He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep. He didn’t want to talk to or see anyone including his girl. Jude was in a state of solitaire as he tried his best to cope with his loss.
How am I going to live my life without my brother in my corner, he asked himself repeatedly.
All of his life it had just been him and Jerrell. Jerrell had helped mold Jude into the man he was today. Hell, if it wasn’t for Jerrell he would have never met Cameron.