“Let me get a bottle.”
“Of what?”
“The best champagne y’all got back there.”
“Alright. I’ll have that right out.”
Silently, I matched Flocco’s gaze. It never left me.
“It’s a shame, Hyph.”
“What is that exactly?”
“The fact that I’d rather be here than the five-star, bougie bullshit I made reservations for. Ain’t shit like club wings. Ain’t shit like beautiful women with beautiful bodies surrounding you. Ain’t shit like ya hood.”
“There’s nothing like Dooley.”
The night was seamless.Saga danced until her feet hurt. I smiled until my mouth hurt. By the end of her shift, I was sprawled over Flocco’s arms like a blushing bride as he lowered me into the passenger seat of Saga’s car.
We’d tossed money all night. We’d shared secrets. We’d laughed. We’d eaten every wing on the tray and ordered more. This time with seasoned fries.
And, the best part of my night was the smile that never left Flocco’s face. Even when he wasn’t smiling, I could see the smile in his eyes. I’d encountered him so many times before and I’d never known how pretty his teeth were. One never saw thembecause his mouth was always closed and smile lines didn’t wrinkle the corners of his eyes.
“Y’all gone be good or you want to leave her car here and I take y’all to the crib?”
I shook my head.
“Saga had her last drink before going on stage. She’s fine.”
“She’s tired.”
“And she lives just a few blocks away.”
“I’m going to follow,” he announced.
“Okay.”
I was aware he wouldn’t be taking no for an answer. His lips pressed against my forehead.
“Goodnight, Hyph.”
“Goodnight.”
The door closed and like magic, he was gone.
“Not you done let this man get you wasted,” Saga laughed.
“And it’s taking everything in me not to suck his dick,” I sniggered. “I felt that motherfucker. Bitch I won’t be able to get off of it if I get on it.”
“Shut up!”
“I can’t do it friend. He’s dangerous.”
I was speaking sober thoughts.
“I’m not good for him. I’m not what he needs right now. I don’t have the capacity. I want nothing more than to fuck niggas over right now. Not fall for one. I tried that. It sent me right back to the trenches. Heartbroken.
“That shit doesn’t feel good. I can’t give anyone else that much of me. I can’t give anyone else the power to hurt me like that. I don’t deserve that, Saga. So, my guard is up. I’m protective. I have to protect the woman I am about to become. I have no love for niggas. Not right now.”
