Hustling on the Down Low

by MT Pope

  “Explain,” I requested. We were both in the car eating our meal, and there was silence, as usual.

  “Age limit laws were created by men and a broken system. How can one group of people tell another group what is appropriate? In this case, I know that I’m dealing with a person underage by law but very competent in decision-making skills. In layman’s terms, you man enough to handle this.” He continued to eat his food after he said what he had to say as if it wasn’t some profound shit. That shit turned me the fuck on. I wanted to eat his ass like he was eating that hamburger right now.

  “That’s some real shit right there,” I nodded my head. The nasty thoughts were still on my mind, but I didn’t want lust to control me and have me lose my focus.

  “So what are we doing here? I mean, is this what some would call a relationship?” I guess I wanted to have someone in my corner in word and deed besides my immediate family. Most people wanted companionship.

  “This is give and take. No lovers, boyfriends, or partners. I don’t like labels. Let’s keep it cool. I got your back, and you got my back. Simple.”

  “Cool.” I nodded my head once again.

  We finished our food and then sat in silence a bit.

  I unzipped my pants and pulled out my dick. I reclined my chair and began to jerk myself until I got hard. Dre was always game for sex, so he bent over into my position and took me into his mouth. I enjoyed the way he gave head. There was some experience behind the way he used his tongue, and I loved it. This give-and-take thing we had going on was simple.

  As he bobbed up and down on my dick, I reached behind him and pushed my hands down the back of his pants. He pulled his pants down in the process of continuing to give me head. I loved it. He pulled himself up on his knees to give me more access to his hole, which I fingered feverishly. Dre wasn’t a moaner, but he let me know that he was liking it when the intensity of his blow job went up a notch. He had my toes curling in my shoes. I loved it. It didn’t take long before I strapped a Magnum condom on and pushed my dick deep into his ass. We were in a secluded area of the city, so I took my time and fucked him slow and easy. Some may say we were making love, but I digress. This was me giving and him taking.

  Chapter 49

  Clayton

  For Better or Worse

  I looked over at my husband with confusion on the inside but a bright smile on the outside. It was threatening to fall into a frown. I was doing my best to hold it together. I wanted to yell out “Who the fuck are you?” but I didn’t. Everything he did right now made me crazy. It had only been a few hours since I discovered the symbols from my case in his office and a few other places around the house. I wanted to get out of the house and get down to my office to do some research, but I didn’t want to blow anything or jump the gun. I could be wrong about all of this . . . or I could be sleeping with the enemy.

  “Babe, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been preoccupied ever since I got home. Did you enjoy your time off from work?” We were both sitting at the dining-room table enjoying a meal.

  “Well, I have enjoyed it for the most part, but I can’t wait to get back to work. I have some leads that look promising,” I said and put a spoonful of food in my mouth that I cooked before he got home. I was trying my best to not play my hand. Even though I don’t know what his function may be in this case, I didn’t want to say anything that would blow it.

  “That’s great. I really hope you get these scumbags off the street so I won’t have to treat any more of these addicts.” He looked and sounded convincing when he talked, but I was not believing him much. Everything he said and did was suspect now.

  “So how was your day?” I asked, changing the subject a bit.

  “It was nothing but sick people all day. You know, the usual. So boring.”

  “I thought that you loved your job?” I asked, probing him. I was hoping that he gave up some type of information without being aware. I tried to put on a jovial and upbeat façade to mask my probe.

  “I do love my job, but it does get boring at times. You know, a rut.” Again, he looked sincere in his speaking, but I felt like he wanted to open up some more.

  “So is this your dream job? Or something your parents persuaded you to do?” I knew that I had asked him this type of question before, but I wanted to see if I would get something different today.

  “Well, I always wanted to be in the medical field. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do.”

  “So, what field would have made you happy all of the time if you had a choice?”

  “I really wanted to make people beautiful, but my parents told me that cosmetic surgery was for freaks and that the doctors were freaks to do that to people, so I crossed that off my list and went into internal medicine.” He seemed a little glum as he said that statement, like it was the truth and he was speaking from a painful place in his life.

  “Wow. That’s amazing. I’m sure that you would have been a wonderful surgeon.” I reached over and placed my hand on top of his hand that was resting on the table. I still had some genuine feelings for him. I was just hoping that I was wrong about all of this, and it was just a huge coincidence with the Chinese symbols in his house and on the dead bodies.

  “So are you any closer to finding the drug dealers that you’re on the lookout for?”

  “Well, I have some promising leads that have fell in my lap. I hope that they lead to my persons of interest.”

  “These drug dealers can be so elusive at times. Is that something that bothers you?” he looked at me intently. His question seemed like it had a bit of provoking in it. But I could be wrong. It could be my frustrations and confusion getting the best of me.

  “No, not really. It’s all about timing and patience. As the saying goes, ‘every dog has its day.’” I smiled. I just didn’t know why.

  “I have to say that I agree with you. And I can’t wait until that day to be by your side when you get your dog.” He smiled too. But it made me a little nervous.

  Chapter 50

  Avery

  Wanted

  I was in my bed for once with my eyes closed. I wasn’t sleeping, I was resting my mind. It was constantly going, and I needed a break. My phone broke me out of my concentrative state.

  I rolled over and retrieved my personal phone from its charging spot. I looked at the phone to see that it was Monica. A smile spread across my face. She wanted a hit. I loved being her secret supplier without her knowledge.

  “Good day, Monica.”

  “How are you doing, Coach?”

  “I’m thriving in the land of the living. You?”

  “I’m doing great. I’m calling you to see if you would like to come to my house for dinner. My husband wanted to thank you for being a stand-up guy with our son.”

  “Oh really?” I was shocked. I had got something wrong. She didn’t want any wine. Her husband wanted to size me up in person. I’m sure she talks about me and the things that we have done together. I’m also sure she left out the fact that one of my friends was gay. He would have none of that, I’m positive.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I’m not surprised, per se. I don’t get many invites to homes of the young men that I train in basketball. It’s an honor.” The lies were flowing effortlessly. I loved it.

  “My husband is an honorable man, and he gives people their props when it’s due. Your contribution to our son’s life is great, and we want to thank you for it. Any positive addition to his life should be rewarded.” I can see that she was still playing the devoted wife to the core. I’ll give her points for playing her position, even though it will be her downfall.

  “I’m honored. I’ll be there. I just need to know the time and address again.”

  “I’ll text you it after we get off the phone. Oh, and I would like to meet your wife. Bring her too.” She hung up the phone without giving me a chance to answer.

  “This bitch.” I wasn’t expecting her to ask to see my imaginary wife. I was goi
ng to make up a good excuse about why she couldn’t come when I get there.

  Even though I had all the information already, I went with the flow and texted her back that I got it and would be looking forward to getting to know the “wonderful” family that has trained such an ambitious young man. I didn’t mention “my wife,” because, like I said before, I would give an excuse for her absence when I got to the house. This made me wonder if Monica was as naïve as I perceived her to be. We will see.

  This was a monumental moment for me because I was going into the home of a person that wanted me dead. He didn’t know that I was molding his son to join my ranks. I was going to use his son to learn his practices, and then take it all from him. It wasn’t what I was going to do, it was how I was going to do it. I didn’t want to drag Corey out of the closet, but it was the only way that I was going to get him to side with me. I was his real family anyway. The world and his father wanted no part of him and his sexuality, so I was going to do it for him. That is what a real father does anyway. They strip you down before the world does it. I did it to myself and built a great empire in the process.

  I wanted to look good for this event. I got up out of my bed and went to find some attire that would go well with the event.

  * * *

  I dressed and made my way to the home of my enemy, protégé, and customer. I drove a car that a coach and civilian with little finances would drive, a KIA. I wanted to give the impression that I didn’t have much money and that they were doing me a favor by inviting me to their home.

  I pulled up to the house and admired it for a few seconds. I had to admit that it was a nice house and in a decent, middle-class neighborhood. The house was a detached two story with a garage and manicured lawn. Flower beds were spread across the front of the house, along with a very nice stone-paved walkway. There were no fancy cars outside and nothing outlandish to indicate the way that Leroy was making his money. At least he had some smarts in that area.

  I exited the car and walked up the short walkway, rang the doorbell, and Corey answered with a smile on his face.

  “Hey, Coach. Welcome to our home.” He stepped back and allowed me to walk in. A smile came on my face when I entered the small foyer and marveled at the great décor that was spread out on the walls and the room that housed the stairway upstairs and the few doors that surrounded it. It was classy and well put together.

  “I’m so glad that you like our home,” Monica said as she and Leroy walked into the room that we were in.

  “This is very well put together,” I said as I reached out to shake Leroy’s hand.

  “My wife is a beast with the décor. I sprinkled some things in too, but this home is financed by me and run by her.”

  “This is so nice to hear.” His ego was at work like he had the perfect family or something. I can put some cards on the table that would cave in his chest and have him tucking his ego in his ass. “It’s not common in this day and age to have a well set up and run family setting. I admire it greatly.”

  Leroy smiled with the pride that he should have even though he was living a lie that he would soon find out about.

  “Come into the dining room, fellas, and get seated. Dinner will be ready shortly.” We all followed instructions and made our way into the dining room. That too was nice. I was impressed once again with the décor in that room as well. Nothing flashy or extravagant like you see on those shows that feature homes of the rich and famous. I knew that Leroy was making money in the streets and enough to live better than this. He just didn’t flaunt it. That was admirable of him. I was making more than he and knew the traps of exposing one’s self to looking and living recklessly just because you have finances to do so.

  We sat in silence before the conversation was started up again by Leroy.

  Chapter 51

  Leroy

  Table for Two

  “How long have you been coaching?” I asked my son’s coach. I was asking because my son and the team he was on was having a fantastic season. I was impressed with the way that Corey was responding to him. Corey was a loner by nature, and I haven’t seen him with any friends like most boys his age. Now that he was on this team, he was more upbeat. He wasn’t depressed or anything like that, and he has been playing sports for a while now. It’s just a different response from him when he started playing basketball with this team, and even he developed a friendship with Dre. This guy is teaching Corey how to be a team player and a leader, and I’m grateful for it. I didn’t need help raising my son, but the way Corey talks about this guy and the way that I have seen him direct the team call for me to give props where it’s due.

  “I’ve been coaching for about ten years now.”

  “Coach, or can I call you Clarence?”

  “Clarence is fine.”

  “Clarence, I want to thank you for displaying great leadership in front of my son and trusting him in a leadership position.” I didn’t compliment men that often, but in this instance, it was necessary.

  “It’s easy to do with someone so great to work with.” He looked at me, and then at my son. I felt proud to receive the good news that I trained my son well.

  “Do you have any children?” He was someone who was good with children, so I assumed he had to have at least one.

  “None biologically, but I have many that I have sown into over the years.” His smile was a little smug. He had some arrogance, but most men did.

  “So, what do you do for a living? If you don’t mind me asking,” Corey’s coach asked me.

  “Well, I manage the supplying of a plethora of agents to people that help them escape reality,” I answered as aptly as I knew how. A drug kingpin just sounds rather boring.

  “A street pharmacist?” he smiled.

  “You can call it that too,” I smiled right back. It almost sounded like he was making fun of me or shaming me. I instantly caught an attitude and positioned myself straight up in the chair, looking him straight in the eyes. Man-to-man. For all I know he could be an undercover cop positioned to take me down.

  “There is no shame in suppling a need. A man making a living for himself and the ones he loves is very admirable and off-limits to judgement in my book. No matter what it is.” He earned my trust back just that easy.

  “I appreciate the honesty. It’s real out here, and there’s always another man trying to hinder your come up. Like this gay muthafucka that is pissing in my water, so to speak. This faggot is hiding in the closet and won’t show his muthafuckin’ face like a real man would. But he’ll have his day. It’s coming to an end. Best believe that.” Just thinking about it made me pissed off.

  “Tell ’em how you really feel, why don’t ya?” Coach said, and then laughed afterward. It did cause a smile to spread across my face. This guy was a class act in my book.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to lay my problems on the table. It’s just a man problem, you know.”

  “I know all about it.” He nodded his head. “We all have our enemies.”

  “Coach, I think I’m a good judge of character, and I have not been around you much, but I get the vibe that you are a good guy trying to do good things in the lives of young black men. I commend that. I just don’t see you as having enemies. Plus, my wife and son speak so highly of you.

  “I could actually use someone on my team like you. But something tells me that’s not the type of business that you want to get involved with.” He looked and sounded respectable, but it could have been a front.

  “You are correct. No disrespect. I like to stay in my lane.”

  “I understand that and hope that my business and dealings remain in the confines of your mind.” I didn’t want it to come off threatening, but I was serious about what I just spoke.

  “No problem. Your secret is safe with me. I wouldn’t dare speak a word of your business. I love the lane I’m in, and I appreciate it when others do the same. It’s all about appreciation and respect. Can’t have one without the other.” Clarence nodded his he
ad, and he kept his eyes on mine. Which was a sign of respect and agreement.

  “It’s cool to have another man of honor sitting across the table from me.”

  “I would agree with that as well. It’s a rare thing to see and do nowadays. There is so much backstabbing going on in the world. You can hardly trust anyone anymore.” He was speaking nothing but the truth.

  “Man, there is a strong trust factor going on with this gay faction of drug dealers and criminals. Them ass fuckers are loyal to this ghost guy for sure. It’s some crazy shit. I don’t understand it.”

  “Well, some things are just not meant to be understood.” He had a smirk on his face that gave me pause. There was something about it that just didn’t sit right with me. I’m going to have Dre do some research on this brother. I got to see who’s sitting at my table right now for sure.

  Chapter 52

  Monica

  Like a Leaf

  It felt like the dead of winter in my room, but I was sweating like a pig. I had been in my bed for hours. I had to detox myself off the wine that I was drinking like a fish in water. I knew that I had a problem when I called the coach at like five in the morning for a bottle of wine the other day. I wanted to have some with my lunch and dinner. It seemed like I couldn’t get through the day without it. I knew this was the sign of an addict. I didn’t think that I could or would be addicted to anything in my life. I knew that my husband had my attention, but now this damn wine was taking over too.

  There was a knock on my door.

  “Come in,” I yelled out. My son, Corey, peeked his head in, and then the rest of him followed. He came in and got a good look at me. My hair was all over my head, and I’m sure my face looked flushed. He looked at me in pity as he sat on the bed with me.

  “Wow, Ma, you sick?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I think so.” I am not going into details with him about the wine and all of that. It’s none of his business, and I don’t want him all in my business anyway. He is way too protective of me, and I don’t want to be smothered or micromanaged by a teenager.