Love Me or Leave Me Alone 3

by Nikisha Mock

  Chapter 28

  Ayanna

  Tonight was like any other night. Titties and asses hanging. Thirsty men and women drooling. Dusty dollar bills floating all around. The more I worked at Downtown Al’s, the more I felt like my life was one big hamster wheel. This can’t be life, I thought.

  Star was flirting with a female customer at the other end of the bar. She caught me staring and winked at me. I chuckled and shook my head. Star was like a lot of these guys in here. I wasn’t mad at her though. Might as well get yours when you can.

  “Alright, alright, alright! You wannabe ballers better get your money right because it’s Frenchie baby coming up right now!”

  The DJ was hyping the crowd as Frenchie came out on the stage. He started playing a song telling girls to twerk that ass. Boy, did Frenchie comply. The way she moved her body was unreal. I was always in awe when she took the stage. I didn’t know why. I wasn’t attracted to women at all but there was something about Frenchie. I think I saw a little bit of me in her. She was a beauty and she knew it. Not many of the other girls got as much money as she did. I could tell a few of them were starting to hate. Jealous bitches.

  “Dayuum! That Frenchie is bad!” Star said as she walked over near me and stared at the stage.

  “Yeah, she is. I gotta give it to the girl,” I said.

  “She ain’t got nothing on my new shorty though,” Star smirked,

  “Oh hell, who is the new victim now?” I said, playfully rolling my eyes.

  “Alright, hate now but when she gets here, don’t be staring at her and shit.”

  “Chile, please. She ain’t got nothing I want. Trust me on that.”

  “Yeah okay, but I see how you be staring at Frenchie. Don’t let me find out you got tendencies, Yanna,” Star said laughing.

  “Girl, bye,” I laughed.

  “Uh-oh, here comes Mr. Man,” Star said, causing me to turn towards the door as Cam was walking through. I was starting to wonder why he insisted on coming here so much. Sometimes it felt like it was his way of watching me but other times it felt weird.

  “Hey baby, fix me a drink please?” Cam said as he took a seat at the bar.

  “Damn, what up to you to, playa?” Star said, greeting Cam who hadn’t spoken to her.

  “Oh, my bad, Star. What’s up, homie?”

  “Ain’t shit,” she responded as they dapped each other up. Star really was like one of the homies.

  “So what brought you here tonight, Cam? I’m starting to feel like you’re here spying on me. Either that or you’re scoping out fresh meat,” I said as I passed him his drink.

  “There you go. I gotta have a reason to come down here for a few? That’s how I met your ass,” he shot back at me. He was right but dang he didn’t have to sound so mean.

  “Okay, damn. I was kidding with your ass anyway. What’s wrong with you anyway?”

  “Nothing man. A lot of shit going on right now. That shit with Fallon blew my high. I still don’t know what’s going on with Tracey’s brother. That got me bothered. Rommell’s been acting shady lately. You can’t trust nobody these days. It’s his fault we’re in that mess anyway,” Cam said after he drank his entire drink in one gulp.

  “You can only handle one thing at a time, baby. Everything will work itself out. Don’t stress yourself so much,” I said, trying to offer some reassurance.

  “Yeah, Well, Chris is supposed to be meeting me here. Tell him to meet me at the table in the back when he gets here, alright?” he said.

  Before I could even respond, he was walking to the back of the club. Then I noticed Ice sashaying her ass towards the back of the club too. Her sister wasn’t anywhere in sight at the moment. I counted to ten then shook my head. I was not about to start tripping at work. Something felt off about Cam lately. I wasn’t sure what it was. Ice sure wasn’t helping things. I could care less about her though. It was Cam that was starting to work my nerves.

  “Yo, Yanna, you good, ma?” Star yelled, breaking me out of my daydream.

  “I’m good. Some things are starting to stink up in here. It’ll be time to take out the trash soon,” I said.

  “Okay. I’m not even gonna ask you what that means. Come over here for a second. I want you to meet somebody.”

  When I finally looked in her direction, I noticed a pretty girl sitting on the barstool in front of Star.

  “Yanna, this is Reign. Reign, Yanna,” Star introduced us.

  “Hey, Yanna. Nice to meet you!” Reign smiled at me, seeming real chipper for after midnight.

  “Hey Reign, nice to meet you too,” I said managing a smile.

  She was cute. Star seemed to be completely caught up in this girl. I had never seen her smile so much. That was enough right there for me to like Reign. Star deserved to be happy so if this girl was making her smile like that then I was all for it. Plus, it meant that Indigo probably was off of death row.

  As the different girls finished their sets, I realized that I had not seen Chris but I had also not seen Cam anymore. I’m not sure why but my antenna went immediately up. I did a quick scan of the club. Although it was dark in there, I could make out most of the girls walking around, giving lap dances or whatever else.

  I didn’t see Ice at all. Fire was bent over with her ass in the face of a man who looked old enough to be her granddaddy. Her sister was nowhere to be found. The more I looked around and didn’t see what I wanted to see, the more pissed off I got.

  “Hey Star, I’ll be right back, okay?” I said.

  Before Star could ask where I was going, I was already walking towards the back. On the way, I passed men taking every chance they got to slap the ass of a dancer while dropping the bare minimum of dollars on the floor at her feet. I ignored them all.

  In the back, there were several round VIP booths, the bathrooms, Al’s office, and the so-called secret rooms that Al didn’t think many people knew about but I knew. I had seen Indigo’s nasty ass take more than her fair share of men back there so of course I knew. When I rounded the corner and scanned the VIP sections, as I thought, there was no Cam. There was also no Ice. I immediately became pissed.

  “Yanna, what you doing back here, ma? You know you ain’t supposed to be back here,” one of the security guards tried to stop me. When he saw the look on my face he backed off.

  I snatched open the first door I came to. I was immediately grossed out. I saw Indigo working the hell out of an old white man with a strap on.

  “Close the fucking door!” she yelled at me, never once easing up on her stroke game.

  Yuck!

  When I got to the second door, I snatched it open and immediately froze. Cam was sitting on the bed getting what looked like the head of a lifetime from Ice. He had his head thrown way back, enjoying it with his eyes closed. Ice must have noticed the door opened because she turned around a little. When she saw me, she smirked and continued sucking my man off. I lost it. I snatched Ice up by her hair. She screamed but not for long because I slapped her real hard in the mouth.

  “Yanna! What the fuck, yo?” Cam had the nerve to yell while trying to pull up his pants. I didn’t say anything. I walked over to him and slapped his ass too.

  “You bitch! I’m working in the front of the club while you’re back here ready to fuck this dusty bitch? I knew you weren’t shit!” I yelled, still swinging at him.

  “Yanna, if you hit me again, I’m laying your dumb ass out. Believe that.”

  “Well you better get to laying then because this is some bullshit. If you think I’m gonna-” I said, still swinging but then I was cut off. Cam hauled off and slapped me so hard I went flying across the bed. I actually heard Ice laughing which only pissed me off more. I jumped up ready to kill but Cam pushed me real hard. I fell back down on the bed again.

  “I should charge your man double for you putting your hands on me you old ass, dusty ass bitch!” Ice yelled, still laughing at how Cam was handling me.

  “You gonna need more money than that because
I am going to fuck you up!” I yelled back.

  “Ice, get the fuck up out of here!” Cam yelled. Ice jumped like she was scared of him. She left the room real quickly and didn’t say another word.

  “Yanna, I know you’re mad right now but please don’t make me hit your ass again.”

  “We’re about to be some fighting muthafuckas in here because I cannot believe you hit me! Cam, I caught you back here with that hoe and you hit me? That’s what we’re doing now, huh?” I said, fighting back tears. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

  “Man, I don’t give a fuck about that bitch. It was some head, damn chill out,” Cam said all nonchalantly. Was he serious?

  “If I hadn’t come back here when I did, would it have just been some head? You’re paying that bitch for shit that I give you for free? Right up under my nose? You think that’s okay, Cam?”

  “I don’t have time for this shit, Yanna. A nigga is stressed. I got tired of waiting on Chris. Ice came back here running her mouth so I said fuck it. What’s a little head gonna hurt?” he actually shrugged his shoulders. I was floored. Right then I knew that Cam was a dirty dog. If he would do that on some because type shit then no telling what else he would do or had already done.

  “I can’t believe you said that. I want your shit out of my house. Tonight!” I yelled as I left the room.

  There was nothing left to say. I loved Cam but fuck that. I loved me way more. When I got back to the open area of the club, I walked up on Ice. She didn’t see me coming. I yanked her ponytail so hard I thought I felt it started to slip away from her scalp. Then I grabbed her by the throat and got all in her face.

  “Let me tell you something, little bitch. That little shit you pulled wasn’t the brightest idea in the book. You wanna play like you’re bad? Baby girl, you don’t have a clue who you’re dealing with. I’m going back behind the bar to get my bag. If you’re not gone when I get to it, then bitch you better duck because I will be aiming straight at your head,” I said in a real calm voice then I let her go.

  She fell backwards, coughing and grabbing her throat. I was surprised that none of the bouncers came over to stop me. I guess they knew there was no need. I wasn’t going to get my gun. However, Ice needed to know I was not to be messed with.

  “Yanna, what the hell happened?” Star yelled.

  “I caught Cam in the back room with that bitch,” I said as I grabbed up my tips from my tip jar.

  “Where you going?” she asked.

  “Forget this job tonight. I’m out!” I yelled as I threw up the deuces and walked out.

  Chapter 29

  Eva

  I sat at a table near the window of this little café downtown. I had on dark shades because I didn’t want to be recognized immediately by anybody. Today was the day that I had decided to stop dodging Bryce to get everything out in the open so that we could both move on. When I saw him walk in, I immediately got nervous. He still made me so weak by seeing him. The man was incredibly sexy to me. However, he wasn’t Tyler. That’s all that mattered.

  “Hi, Eva. I’m so glad you agreed to meet with me,” Bryce said as he attempted to kiss me on the cheeked. I moved out of his way. He caught the hint and took his seat on the opposite side of the table from me.

  “Look, Bryce I didn’t come here to pretend like we’re meeting casually. That little stunt you pulled with the flowers and balloons? You were out of line. You know that.

  “I’m out of line? I’m out of line for wanting to show you that I have been missing you?” he asked, totally disregarding the point that I was trying to make.

  “Bryce! I live with my fiancé, did you forget that?” I said a little louder than I meant to, which caused a few of the other patrons to look our way.

  “No I did not forget that but perhaps you did? I’m not sure what type of games you’re playing Eva but I am not the one for it. If you want to continue to live that lie over there with your boy then go ahead, be my guest. Please don’t waste my time in the process. I can give you a life of happiness. You will never have to worry about anything ever again. However, if you’re choosing to stay with him then I need to know that. I need to know it right now!” he yelled, slamming his fist on the table.

  I was all the way confused. I had all intentions of telling Bryce that he was going to have to chill, that what we had started had to stop, but he was giving me a way out on his own. Look at God.

  “Umm, Bryce? You might want to calm down. You’re making a little bit of a scene,” I whispered, reaching across the table for his hand but he jerked it away.

  “Eva, I don’t give a damn if these people stare at me,” he said in a much lower voice. “I have grown to really enjoy you. Now you’re telling me I gotta give that up? How did you expect me to react?”

  “I know. I am so sorry. I should have never gotten you involved in my mess. But the fact is, I am with my fiancé. I can’t keep running around here acting like I’m not. It’s not fair to him. He doesn’t deserve that. I am so sorry Bryce for involving you. I really am. I was hoping we could end things on a positive note because I don’t want any drama, Bryce.”

  “Oh there will not be any drama. You wanna stay with your man, right? Cool. Say no more. I’m out,” he said.

  He walked right out of the café. I sat there for a minute looking stupid. I should have been jumping for joy that Bryce let it go so easily but I wasn’t. He had been to upset only minutes before. Now all of a sudden, he was cool with it? Nah, I wasn’t satisfied with this ending. I had a feeling that it was the calm before the storm.

  Later that day, the kids and I were in the kitchen going over homework when Tyler came in. He was smiling from ear to ear. I wondered what was up.

  “Baby, I got some real good news today. You know I’ve wanted to get into personal training right?” he said smiling.

  “Yeah, I remember,” I nodded. He had been mentioning it for a while. He said he was growing tired of his regular job.

  “When I was at the gym earlier, the owner came up to me. We started talking. He wants me to start up my own fitness boot camp right there in the gym!”

  “Oh baby, that’s great!” I said as I walked over to him to give him a hug.

  “The money he’s talking is pretty sweet. I’m always at the gym anyway. Might as well get paid for doing what I love, right?”

  “That’s right! I’m so proud of you. When you’re this happy, it makes me happy too,” I smiled up at him. I loved seeing a man this excited about making a career move. Tyler had always been a good guy. Too bad I let assumptions get in the way of me seeing that.

  “Ty, I want you to know that I love you. That nothing will ever change that.”

  He looked at me then gave me a big hug and kiss then told me he loved me. I said a silent prayer that everything would blow over smoothly with Bryce even though honestly, I wasn’t really sure. I wasn’t sure of too much of anything anymore.

  Chapter 30

  Ciara

  I was crazy nervous as I was walking into the hospital. My mama had always been such a strong woman. I always saw her as this superwoman that would never need anyone. Now, she was in the hospital. She looked so small. Her hair had already fallen out. She looked cute with her low haircut. When she looked up at me, she smiled but I could see that she was shocked too.

  “Cici, what are you doing here, baby? That Charlie. He never could hold water,” she said as she held out her arms for me to hug her.

  I immediately walked over to her bed. I leaned down to hug her. I told myself I wasn’t going to cry but seeing her in there like that made me lose it. I knew this is exactly what she was trying to avoid by not telling me but I couldn’t help it.

  “Shhhh, hush baby. I’m alright. I fell, that’s all. Don’t mind my hair. You know they took my good wig off when I got here, don’t you? I am fine. But this is why I didn’t wanna tell you, Cici. You get so upset, baby. I don’t want you worrying about me. Charlie takes good care of me.”r />
  “I sure do. I always will,” I heard Charlie say.

  I looked up at him. I walked over and hugged him. I really appreciated the man for who he had been for my mama for so many years, especially when I moved away. The transition was easier because I knew that she wasn’t alone.

  “Mama, I don’t want you to ever feel the need to keep something like this from me, okay? Sure, I’m going to be upset because you’re my mother but I’m a big girl. I can handle it. You’re in here recuperating yet you’re worried about how your hair looks. You are a mess, Judy Lee,” I laughed.

  “Chile, I don’t go nowhere looking a mess, you already know that.”

  “This I know, mama. This I know. So, how long have you known?” I said, switching gears.

  “Well I’ll answer your questions when you answer mine,” she said.

  “What did you ask me? My bad.”

  “Who is that fine man standing in the doorway looking like he’s lost?”

  Oh snap! I was so caught up in my mama that I had completely forgotten about Darren. I was so embarrassed.

  “Oh my God, Darren! Come in. I’m so sorry and embarrassed,” I said and covered my mouth laughing.

  “It’s cool. I was enjoying watching the mother-daughter moment. Hi, my name is Darren. It is a real pleasure to meet you,” he said, taking my mama’s hand and kissing it gently. She blushed. My mama was always a little flirt.

  “Oh yeah, he’s fine. And charming too. I see why you like him, Cici,” she said, not taking her eyes off Darren.

  “Who said I like him?” I laughed.

  “You brought him down here. That told it all.” Well she shut my mouth didn’t she?

  The rest of the visit went pretty much like that, with lots of laughter and catching up. My mama was in the very early stages of breast cancer. Her doctors had chosen to take the aggressive route in effort to fight it. I hated that I wasn’t there to help her after chemo sessions but she assured me she was fine. I started having flashbacks from when I was little and my daddy got sick. I still hated hospitals to this day but if my Judy Lee was there, none of it mattered as long as I could be with her.