Chapter 39: Blown.
"Atlantic City, baby." Barbie says beside me as we get off the bus.
I drag my suitcase behind me as we walk to the hotel. We're staying at the four seasons, courtesy of the club, aka Christopher.
"I can't wait to take a nap." I tell her.
"Nap? Girl, we are going shopping as soon as we drop off our bags." Barbie informs me.
"Why? I wanna sleep." I complain as we walk into the hotel lobby.
"You'll sleep after work. Now come one." She says, pulling me after her.
We spend the evening shopping for outfits that we didn't really need, but bought anyway. Now, we're at the club that's hosting this whole weekend getaway. Club Novacaine is packed, top to bottom and I'm currently giving Laverne Booker a lap dance.
"Damn ma, you sure can move." He says and I roll my eyes at him.
Turning around, I run my hand across his stubble and lock my hands behind his head as I grind on his member. He lets out a groan and I smile at him.
"You wanna get outta here?" He asks and I nod.
I need a distraction after the rollercoaster of a week I just had. Finding out Richard was my dad and Aaron was my step-brother really did a number on me.
"Do you have some Henny? 'Cause, that's the only way I'm gonna come with." I ask him.
"We can get some on the way." He says and I smile at him.
"Okay. I'll meet you by the bar in the five." I say, getting off him.
"Okay, sweetcakes." He quips.
I head to the locker room and I get changed. I put on my little black dress and heels. I spot Laverne waiting for me by the bar and I walk over to him.
"You ready?" I ask him.
"Damn." He says, staring at my tits.
"My eyes are up here." I say, snapping my fingers at him.
"Sorry." He gulps. "Let's go." He adds. Taking my hand in his, he leads me out of the club. Once we're outside, the valet driver brings Laverne's car and we get in.
"I'm gonna drive us to go get the Hennessy, okay?" Laverne tells me as I buckle my seatbelt.
"Okay." I reply, nodding.
He starts driving the car and I turn on the radio. Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" starts playing and I dance in my seat. Laverne watches me and laughs.
When we get to the liquor store, he leaves the car and buys a bottle of Hennessy.
Minutes later, we're pulling up to his house. It's a huge mansion surrounded by a beautiful garden. The automatic gates open with the click of a button and he drives in. He parks the car and opens my door for me. Leading me inside his house, he closes the door behind him.
"Can you put some music on?" I ask him and he nods.
He walks away to put music on, leaving me in the foyer. I take my shoes off and find the living room. The speakers in the living room start playing a familiar song and I sing along.
Laverne walks in with two glasses and he hands one to me. I smile at him and start drinking. He sits beside me and I snuggle into him.
"Do you throw parties here?" I ask him.
"Sometimes, maybe after games." He tells me and I nod.
"Sounds fun." I tell him.
"You should attend one." He tells me and I stare at him.
"I live in Los Angeles. I'm just here for this weekend." I tell him.
"I'll fly you out if I have to." He tells me and I raise an eyebrow at him.
"You'd really do that for someone you just met?" I ask him, amused.
"Absolutely. I like you already." He says and I smile at him.
"Wanna watch a movie?" He adds and I nod.
"Which movie do you have in mind?" I ask him and he smiles at me.
We end the night snuggling into each other watching "The Princess and The Frog". In the morning, Laverne makes me pancakes and waffles.
"You really didn't have to do all this." I tell him.
"I know, I just wanted to." He tells me, his hands grabbing the steering wheel.
"I'll call you." I tell him before I kiss his cheek.
"Be safe." He says and I exit his car.
I walk into the four seasons and head for the elevator. Pressing the button to call for the moving box, the doors open and I see Christopher.
I get in and none of us say a word to each other. Leaning against the velvet fabric on the elevator walls, I stare at the ceiling.
"For the love of God, Jasmine can you stop this?" Christopher says and I stare at him confused.
"Stop what?" I ask him, dumbfounded.
"You've been ignoring me for a while now." He says and I can feel his intense stare on my left cheek.
"Please, Chris. Just behave yourself." I tell him.
"Behave myself? How can I supposed to do that when I'm losing sleep thinking about you?" He asks me and I stare at him.
"I think we should just give this entire thing a rest. I'm leaving the club. In fact, I'm already gone. I only came here this weekend because of Barbie." I reveal.
"I love you, Jaz. I have for a while now." He tells me and I stare at him speechless.
The elevator doors spread open and I walk out. Christopher trails behind me as I walk to my room.
"Talk to me, Jasmine." He beckons.
"Chris, please." I say, walking faster. He catches up to me and spins me around. My breath catches in my throat as I stare at him.
"Look me in my eyes and tell me that you feel nothing for me." He demands.
I gulp as I stare at him and my mouth feels dry.
"It's complicated and you know it." I tell him, trying my best not to give him an actual answer.
"How? You either feel the same way or you don't?" He tells me.
"Can we talk about this when we get back?" I ask him.
"Can we talk about it over dinner?" He offers and I smile at him.
"Sure." I say, flashing him a smile before I turn around and walk into my room.
***
"How was last night?" Barbie asks me, anxious for the details.
"It was nice." I say, shrugging.
"Nice? Getting your back blown out isn't supposed to be nice." She says and I roll my eyes at her.
"Who said I got my back blow out?" I ask her, amused.
"You left the club with Laverne Booker. NBA's finest. Bitch, that man rocked your world." She says, convinced.
"For your information, Barbie, I didn't get my back blown out. We watched a Disney movie and fell asleep in each other's arms." I recount.
"Bitch, be fucking for real." She deadpans.
"What?! It's the truth." I tell her.
"So, you're telling me that shaka Zulu warrior of a man didn't try to do anything with you?" She asks and I nod.
"Yup. Not every guy is like that, Barbs." I point out, zipping my suitcase.
"I need to find me a man like that because these days all guy want is sex, sex, and more sex." She says, laughing.
"Tell me about it." I concur, rolling my eyes.
"What are you gonna do when we get back?" Barbie asks me as I place my suitcase on the floor.
"I applied to an art school in Italy, but I haven't heard back from them. If that plan doesn't fall through, I'll still leave L.A, probably take a gap year." I tell her.
"That's good. Your young, so you should enjoy your youth." She says, squeezing my cheeks.
"You too." I say, swatting her hands away.
"Girl, I am literally thirty years old." She says, rolling her eyes at me.
"And? You're young too and you should quit and come with me." I tell her.
"And who's gonna watch my daughter while we're gone?" She asks.
"She can come with." I suggest.
"Yeah no. Los Angeles is home to us." She tells me and I nod.
"If you change your mind, you'll know where I'll be." I tell her.
"Come on, we have a flight to catch." She says, grabbing her carry-on bag from the table. Walking to the door of the room, she places it on her suitcase.
My eyes scan the room making sure that I packed everything I came to New Jersey with before I join Barbie at the door.
We meet the other girls in the hotel lobby and we take a party bus, yes a party bus, to the airport.
Leaning back in my seat, I send Laverne a cute text and play some music. As the sound fills my Airpods, I close my eyes and relax