We all gave her a hug before heading to our dressing rooms, and unfortunately, the background dancers had to share. Brittany was cool, but I didn’t like being around Dionne ever since she expressed her love for Belly. I wish I didn’t even have to work with her ass, but I wasn’t missing out on an opportunity just because she was a delusional hoe.
“Hey.” Dionne walked up on me as I removed my heels. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“About?”
We both sat down on the couch at the same time, but not intentionally. I began removing the clips from my hair as I stared in her eyes, waiting for her to speak up.
“Well, I firstly want to apologize for springing that news about Belly on you.” When she finished, I noticed Brittany watching a little bit. “I didn’t mean to put you in the middle. I just don’t have many friends, and I felt like you could be one. That was wrong though, because your loyalty is with Blaise.”
“I’m glad you see that.” Maybe she wasn’t so bad, but I was still leery of her.
“Yes.” She touched her bracelets then sighed. “I’d like to ask you something,” she whispered, just as Brittany left the room.
“Okay.”
“Have you ever slept with or even kissed Will? I know it’s weird for me to ask, but I saw that you posted some photos yesterday, and I can tell he took them; I know his style of photography well.”
“What the fuck, Dionne? I have a boyfriend. Why would I involve myself with yours? Not to mention… he’s yours.”
Even though I felt everything I’d just said, the fact that Will and I had kissed and almost fucked, nagged at me. Here I was judging her and being a bitch, but I’d almost slept with her man behind her back. Suddenly, I felt the need to at least be cordial to her ass to somehow make up for what I’d done and almost done.
“No, I know. I’m sorry!” She frowned, facing her lap as she shook her head at herself. I felt like shit for making her think she was crazy. “It’s just I know Will has been with someone or multiple women. The perfume that’s on him sometimes, his lack of interest in sex, how some days he goes the whole twenty-four hours without even calling or texting me.” She began to sob. “I’m sorry. I’m doing it again. I know you don’t care—”
“No, Dionne. I don’t mind listening.” Whomever the hell Will was messing with, it surely wasn’t me. “Did you maybe ask him about it?”
“Not yet. He found out I’d been still trying with… Belly… and we broke up. He wanted me to cut Belly off, but I was honest and said I couldn’t. I mean, I could if maybe Will gave me the attention I needed, but with him acting the way he does, it won’t be long before I’m chasing behind Belly or hell, even someone new.”
“Well.” I grabbed her hand. “I say you get in contact with him when you’re ready and find out.” Shit, find out for us both. I was curious and a little bothered. Yeah, I had Rafi and would never leave him for Will, but I was a bit jealous because I thought Will and I had a slight connection. Clearly, he was just looking to stick his dick in anything but Dionne… and me too for that matter since he couldn’t get it up.
“Yeah, I will.”
“And leave Belly alone, Dionne.”
“But aren’t they broken up? Now that Will and I are apart, I’m free to fuck with him. I mean he—”
“Yeah, they are broken up, but Belly’s still not available, if you know what I mean. As trash as he is, I do believe he loves Blaise, and vice versa.”
Dionne looked sad for a minute, and then she nodded to say ‘okay’. I didn’t know if she would listen, but I’d do my best to try and make sure she did.
I sat with Dionne for a while, and then we both finished changing before leaving. When I got home, my kids were already asleep, but I could hear music coming from Rafi’s studio. It was almost 9 p.m., so I knew he was probably just starting. He rarely used his home studio, but when he did, that meant he planned to pull an all-nighter.
“Hey, baby.” I came in, closing the door behind me. Rafi said nothing; he just gave me a light smirk before turning back toward the computer screen. “Are you still working on the album? I thought it was finished.” I sat at the mixing board next to him.
“I am, but I got a few extra songs just to make sure everything is perfect. After my speech at the awards show, mentioning you as my girl, the label has been on my head.”
“Why does it matter? Your personal life has nothing to do with your music, Rafi.” I frowned.
“Yeah, Prissy, it does.” He finally gave me his full attention. “I explained to you that the shit between Yesenia and I was for publicity. She’s my label mate, and our relationship was to help her. But since I got up there and pretty much admitted that the shit was fake by thanking you as my woman, that plan has gone to shit, so the label is pissed as fuck.” He shook his head, moving some waveforms around on the computer screen using a mouse ball.
I didn’t know what to say at first, so for a few moments, it was pure silence between us.
“I’m sorry, baby. Just seeing you and her together on that red carpet like some real couple messed with me.”
“But I told you the shit was fake, baby.” His face twisted up out of irritation.
“I know, but that was just the straw that broke the camel’s back, Rafi. I’d been struggling with us being a secret for a while now. I want to be able to be a regular couple and go places together, holding hands. I don’t want to meet you for dinner; I want to go with you to dinner. I don’t want men in my direct messages, asking if I’m single. I want them to know I’m not. I want to post the memories we make together on social media and not have to keep it a secret.”
Rafi just shook his head before grunting, placing his big hands over his handsome face.
“I hear you.” He reached for me, so I went to sit in his lap. “I’m sorry for keeping us a secret; it was just what I felt was best at the time. But I’m more than happy for everybody to know you’re my girl.”
Smiling as hard as I could, I crashed my lips against his as he started to undress me.
About two weeks later…
Tonight, Blaise, Alivia, and I were at Rafi’s show. We were in the area sectioned off for family and friends, so we could see every damn thing. Not to mention, we had people bringing us drinks and food.
I’d been to Rafi’s shows before, but he’d usually have me backstage and not over here. Anybody in this section would have close eyes on them, and since we were a secret, he didn’t want that.
“I’m surprised you had time to come somewhere with us tonight.” I nudged Alivia. She’d been with Yono all the time and could barely see us. I didn’t know her that well, but she seemed cool, so I’d extended invitations to her here and there.
“I know. I’m going to do better. I umm… I haven’t had a boyfriend in a year, so I think I got carried away.” Alivia shrugged, taking a sip of her drink.
“Wow, a year? That actually sounds nice. I think I’m going to do the same, as soon as I get this one date over with.” Blaise swayed to the music, grinning.
“Date?” Alivia and I spoke up together. Currently, Rafi’s opener was performing, and though he was cool, I wasn’t exactly a fan. By saying that, we could use this time to talk.
“Yes. Romelo asked me out. He’s been trying for weeks, and finally I gave in.” She rolled her eyes.
“Wow. He’s so sexy.” Alivia raised her brows. “Y’all would be cute together.”
“Umm, no. Yes, he’s very sexy, especially when he’s in character, playing a kingpin and what not, but I have no interest in a new relationship at the moment. I’m only going because the poor boy has been putting in work, calling, texting, walking me to my car, gifts, the whole nine.”
“Damn,” Alivia and I said together.
“Yeah, so one date, and then it’s going to be done.”
The lights in the venue changed, pulling all three of our attention away from one another and to the stage. The crowd screamed loudly as hell when Rafi appeared on the screen. It was just a
video, something he played as an intro to his arrival on stage.
“Why is she over here in this area?” Blaise pointed, and when I looked, I spotted Yesenia hugging Rafi’s free loading ass friend Albert.
“I guess because she’s a friend.” I shrugged like it was nothing, but I was in fact bothered.
“Okay,” Blaise replied.
“What, Blaise?”
“Nothing.”
“Say it!” I kept darting my attention between her, Yesenia dancing, and Rafi on stage.
Alivia had her mouth on her straw with her eyes slightly widened like she was afraid something was about to pop off.
“I think she’s over here for a reason, Priscilla, and not because she’s a friend. I mean Rafi ruined their publicity stunt, so why does she need to come to his shows? And shouldn’t she be angry with him? I mean, he sabotaged the plan to help boost her name. It’s just fishy.”
“I understand you, Blaise, but Rafi isn’t like that. He’s always been honest with me, and he’s never cheated, so I can’t see him doing it now.”
“Alright.”
“I’m serious! Not every man is like Five-Star or Belly.” I immediately regretted my words as soon as I said them.
Calmly, Blaise turned to me and responded, “I said alright. I’m sure you know, and I’m sure he’s nothing like Five-Star or Belly. Or maybe it’s that you’re nothing like me, so men don’t feel the need to be unfaithful.”
“Blaise, I didn’t mean it like that, and nothing is wrong with you. I already told you I admire you, and any man that would be unfaithful to you is purely foolish.” I moved her way to hug her, but she didn’t reciprocate it. I kissed her cheek, hugging her tighter. “Blaise, I swear I didn’t mean anything by it!” I stomped my foot like a child, backing away.
“It’s fine, Priscilla.”
“Then hug me back.” Rolling her eyes, she put her arms out, so I hugged her. “I love you.” I kissed her cheek again.
“Love you too.” She smiled.
“And for what it’s worth, I think Belly loves you; he’s just kind of dumb sometimes.”
The three of us giggled before I turned to face the stage and enjoy the show with my friends.
It was over a few hours later, so Rafi’s bodyguard escorted the three of us backstage and to this big lounge room with food and drinks. More people piled in as time went by, so everyone was kind of hanging out, eating and conversing.
I spotted Yesenia walk in, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her, thinking about what Blaise had said. Yes, I trusted that Rafi would never cheat on me, but Blaise made some valid ass points.
“Where are you going?” Blaise asked when I got up. I knew she didn’t want me to leave, because two of Rafi’s rapper friends had been on her and Alivia’s bumper since we sat down.
“Just across the room. Be right back.” I set my plate on the short table by the couch we were seated on and then made my way over to where Yesenia was. “Excuse me.” I smiled. She was in the middle of talking to a group of niggas. “Let me talk to you for a second,” I added once they all looked to me.
“Um sure, okay.” Yesenia grinned. She was a pretty girl, making this even worse to think about.
I led her outside of the room since it was too loud due to the music and conversation.
“Okay, so I just want to ask you something, and I’d really like for you to be honest with me. I’m not here to fight you or be confrontational in anyway; I just need the truth,” I half lied. I did plan to be calm and collected, but depending on what she said, I might slap her ass.
“Okay, what’s up?”
“Have you ever done anything with Rafi? Like, I know you guys had to pretend to be romantically involved, but has that ever led to something real? Even if only for a second?”
“Oh wow. No, no way. Rafi is almost like an older brother to me. Literally when we had to spend time together, it was just him teaching me the game. Like, we barely even held hands or anything for the cameras when we were pretending because we don’t even vibe in that way.”
Cheesing because I was happy to hear that, I replied, “Okay, great. I didn’t think so, but I just see you’re still around, so I was wondering.”
“Same label, and it’s good for us to be seen supporting one another. That’s all.”
“Makes sense. And Yesenia, let’s keep this conversation between us girls, okay?”
“Absolutely.”
We headed back to the lounge room, and I saw Rafi was finally finished changing and stuff, so he was chilling over by where Blaise, Alivia, and a few friends were. Making my way over, I touched his shoulder, and when we made eye contact, he welcomed me into his lap.
Alivia
How you keep your toes white and the pussy tight?… Ohh, the 42 got you feelin' nice…
The girls and I were still backstage, just hanging out with everybody. It was so relaxing just chatting with new people and having a few drinks.
“Oh shit!” some of the guys hollered as this one girl gave some nigga a lap dance to “Swish” by Tyga. Blaise, Priscilla, and I just watched along with some of the other women. This girl was clearly trying to get chose tonight, and I just shook my head at the thought.
“At least she can dance,” Blaise commented, and I nodded in agreement.
“You said you’re single, Blaise, so what’s up?” One of Rafi’s rapper friends smirked at her.
“Nothing is up. I’m single and celibate… and will continue to be for the next six years.”
Priscilla spit a little of her drink out as she laughed along with me and a few others who weren’t fully captivated by lap dance girl.
“I’m gon’ get you, watch.” He licked his lips, but Blaise declined to respond.
“So you’re dating Yono?” A woman with golden blonde hair sat on the couch arm so that she was right next to me.
“I am.” I looked up at her, making her nod. Her friend came and stood on the side of her, swaying a little to Tyga’s song.
“You deejay, huh? I’ve seen your name on a couple flyers, and I’ve seen you out,” the friend added, tossing her pink and black braids.
“I am,” I repeated. They both just looked at each other, then giggled lowly.
“Is something funny?” Blaise quizzed, making me glance her way.
“Oh, just an inside thing. But yeah, Yono is dope. I love his songs. He’s my favorite.” The blonde stared down into my eyes.
“So did you fuck him, and he stopped calling, or…?” Blaise blurted, making everyone in earshot comment in shock or laugh.
“Excuse me, sweetie?” The blonde one palmed her chest as if she were appalled.
“I mean, you came over here asking questions and trying to be slick, so you must’ve gotten smashed and then nothing else,” Blaise elaborated.
“Shouldn’t you be worried about Cortez Khalil? I’ll be at his next match, and I’ll be sure to let him know one of his bitches was being real protective of another man. But, after I fuck him.” The one with the braids laughed at her own comment before slapping hands with the blonde.
“Wow, is that all you do? Fuck famous men just to brag? Because it’s obvious you’re not benefitting from it.” Blaise moved her hand up and down, gesturing toward the girl’s lack of style and upkeep.
I tried to be quiet, but I couldn’t help but to laugh along with everyone else on the couches.
“Actually, I get plenty. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean anything!” the girl snapped.
“No, I heard your ass about ten minutes ago saying you were getting your first Rolex next week. Baby girl, as long as you’ve probably been giving that box up to rich niggas, you should have ten Rolexes. Do some Kegels and step your pussy up.”
I guess the girl had, had enough since the whole room seemed to roar with laughter. Her next move was to reach for Blaise, but Blaise was faster, snatching her up by her braids. Before any fight could break out, Rafi’s friends and two other guys pried Blaise’s hand fr
om her hair.
“She gotta go,” Rafi told his bodyguard who made both women leave as they yelled different shit.
We laughed about that fiasco for a good half an hour. And even though Blaise had handled them hoes, their comments, including hers, had bothered me. Had they really slept with my man? Even if it was before me, I didn’t like the thought.
It wasn’t until 2 a.m. did we actually leave, and Rafi’s driver dropped me off at home. I was going to do my best to sneak into the house, avoiding my parents so that I wouldn’t have to hear their mouths, at least until the morning.
Lately, my parents and I had been bumping heads because I’d been staying out all hours of the night with Yono. I liked him a lot, and the mere thought of telling him I had to go home so I couldn’t see his show or chill with him in the studio, made my skin crawl. Not to mention it was embarrassing! I was a grown ass woman and should be able to do what I wanted with my time and my body. And I was enjoying the time I was spending with Yono and with Blaise and Priscilla. Tonight had been so much fun.
Entering the house, I slowly closed the front door and then put on the alarm code. I had my heels in my hand as I crept to my bedroom, and once I got inside, I let out a deep breath. Undressing, I went straight to my bathroom to remove my makeup, trying to erase the negative thoughts of those… thots. After a hot shower and brushing my teeth, I was in my nightgown, slinking under the warm covers of my bed.
The very next morning… a little after 10 a.m.…
I woke up feeling like shit from all the vodka martinis I’d had last night backstage. I felt my phone buzzing, so I looked to see Yono had texted me a few times. I couldn’t answer right now because I was still dead tired but had to pee. After using the bathroom and brushing my teeth, I grabbed my iPhone and left my bedroom to head to the kitchen since I smelled pancakes.
“Good morning.” I smiled at my parents who were at the table. My dad was reading a newspaper with his usual cup of coffee, and my mom was piling the pancakes up onto a tin platter.
“How was last night?” my mother inquired, placing a plate in front of me.
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