Eli
After all the shit that went down with Key in my shop earlier this week my attitude has been on 10. I still can't believe him and his girl had the audacity to pop up at my shop and cause a scene during the busiest part of the day. I wish I could rewind time just to slap the black of him and his girl but it was whatever.
Friday at the club I walked in a bit behind schedule and made my way over to the bar. I needed a drink and I didn't even have to tell Leah what I wanted as she sat down a glass of Hennessy in front of me.
I thanked her and took a long sip but couldn't enjoy myself when Stephanie walked up beside me. Instead of saying something right away she just stared at me like she I was supposed to know why she was all in my face.
"Is there a problem," I asked her.
"Do you think it's wise for you to be drinking on the job?"
She always had this tone when she talked and her nose in the air looking down on everybody as if being Chance's assistant made her better than everybody around her.
"And did you pay for that drink?"
I bit my tongue and finished my drink paying her no mind before sitting my empty glass down, "Thanks Leah. I'll be back down later."
I turned and walked away from Stephanie without another word because I knew if I did say something to her and she responded back with something smart I would go off on her. I had a lot of built up anger and frustration and I was just itching to take it out on somebody.
Soon it was showtime and the club goers started filing in the club. Since I was in a mood the music I was playing reflected that. Nothing but hardcore rap and hip hop, nothing but classics. It went on like that for an hour and as Biggie's Dead Wrong blared through the club speakers I felt a hard tap on my shoulder.
Turning around about to go off on whoever had the audacity to touch me but paused when I noticed it was Geo. Taking my headphones off we shook hands and I asked him what was up.
"Why you playing all this riot music like you trying to start a fight?"
"I'm playing classics."
"All I know is you need to play some Beyonce or better yet some Chris Brown or Trey Songz. How am I supposed to pull a bitch to the shit you playing?"
I couldn't help but to laugh, "You should be able to pull bitches regardless of what I'm playing."
My comment made him suck his teeth, "Look just play something else."
I looked at him like he was crazy so he quickly added, "Please?"
"Fine," I rolled my eyes and turned back around putting back on my headphones. I let the song finishing playing out before I set the tone and played Migos' Bad & Bougie which seemed to never get old. The crowds atmosphere changed and all the girls headed out on the dance floor with their hands thrown in the air.
Geo thanked me before disappearing. From there I played the type of music came to the club to really hard. Something that made them want to drink, let loose and forget about the work week.
I looked out into the crowd as I did my thing and spotted Stephanie walking through the crowd with Chance making their rounds. They reached the bar and I watched as Stephanie said something to one of the bartenders. Probably telling them how to do their job when her ass didn't know shit. Before I could looked away I saw Chance glance up my way and quickly turned my head so he wouldn't see me staring and hoped he didn't catch me staring.
I could feel someone staring and thought assumed it was him. When I got the nerve to look over by the bar again where I last spotted him he was gone. I looked to the left and right but couldn't spot him anywhere. I assumed he went back to his office, that was until I felt someone behind me.
"Looking for me?"
He whispered in my left ear causing me to jump out of instinct I elbowed him and turned to see Chance holding his chest.
"I'm sorry," I apologized feeling bad for hurting him but then apart of me felt like that what he deserved for scaring me, "Why the hell are you sneaking up on me?"
"Did I scare you," he asked rubbing the spot where I elbowed him.
I'm sure he saw me jump so I knew he was being funny.
"What do you want?"
"Wanted to see if your phone was broke for one," instead of trying to yell over the music he leaned in and spoke in my ear.
Usually when I got to the club I would always pop in his office to say hi or we would talk but in all honestly I just didn't feel like talking. I had a feeling he would see I wasn't in the best mood and somehow he always had a way of getting me to share shit I didn't necessarily want or need to.
"My phones not broke."
"So you didn't get any of my texts?"
"Honestly I wasn't in the mood to talk," I kept it real with him, "I wasn't in the mood to talk to anybody so it's not just you."
"What's wrong," he asked leaning down to look at me.
I shrugged looking out at the crowd, "Nothing. Shouldn't you be making your rounds?"
"I already did but decided to save the best for last. Didn't expect to come up here and get assaulted."
"You shouldn't have snuck up on me and I said I was sorry."
"Make it up to me by dancing with me."
I turned to look at him like he was crazy because he obviously was, "I'm sure there are plenty of women that would love to dance with you."
I just wasn't one of them.
"That maybe true but if I wanted to dance with just anyone I would have asked them but I'm asking you."
Any female in this club would jump at the chance to dance with him. Hell most women came to the club to find themselves a man and here he was standing in my face asking me. He confused me.
"I know what your thinking."
"So you read minds now?"
"No but I can read you."
My eyebrows shot up at that, "Oh really? So what am I thinking?"
I waited for him to respond and wasn't all that surprised that he got it right, "Your wondering why out of all these women I asked you to dance. Am I right?"
"You are."
"And the answer is none of these other women peak my interest like you do."
I didn't know how to take his compliment and hated the mixed signals he would occasionally throw my way. We were friends but none of my friends called me beautiful, took me out to lunch, said shit like him and didn't look at me the way he looked at me.
"I can't dance. And even if I wanted to I'm working."
"I'm your boss remember."
I bit my tongue at his comment and turned around to look out at the crowd. I figured by turning my back to Chance he would get the hint and leave me be. Drake's Controlla was currently playing and I'm sure most of the guys in the club were happy with my song choice the way most women were rolling their hips to the beat. Dance ha, yeah right. I felt hands on either side of my waist and jumped.
"What the fuck?"
"I'm going to teach you how to dance so just follow my lead and relax."
Follow his lead? Relax?? How was I supposed to relax with his hands on my waist??? I should have pushed him away or told him to get the fuck off of me but instead I tried to follow his lead and relax. It was hard to do considering this was the most I let anyone touch me in years. He stood behind me softly guiding my hips to the rhythm of the song. How was I supposed to concentrate and do my job with him distracting me the way that he was?
"Don't focus on me or anything else, just relax and focus on the music. Let it guide you," he whispered in my ear. One of his hands inched lower one settled on my hip while the other snaked around and stayed planted on my stomach. I was more than relaxed and I don't think you could even consider what we were doing dancing. We looked a lot like the freaky couples I spotted dancing in the club and to me it almost looked like they were having sex with their clothes on.
Sex. I haven't had sex in...ever honestly and never even had the urge to do it ever again until now. I wondered what sex would be like with someone like Chance and felt shameful for the visions that appeared in my head but was too far gone to into it to care. He was making me feel things I never felt in...never.
The longer we danced the more I felt like following everyone's advice and throwing caution to the wind. I felt myself breaking out in a sweat and I was barely moving anything on my body but my hips. His facial hair tickled the side of my face and when I felt him press his lips against my neck at the same time I felt something poke me in my back. My eyes shot open and I panicked bumping the table that my laptop and equipment sat on.
Luckily for me that record that was playing didn't skip and nothing messed up. Except something was messed up and I was to embarrassed to admit it. My heart was beating fast as hell and that wasn't my only dilemma. I was embarrassed to say the least, too embarrassed to face him so I faced forward. Chance let me go but the heat from his body still lingered against mine.
"You dance just fine to me."
I glanced over my shoulder and wasn't too surprised to see the cocky grin he was sporting. I was too fucked up over what just happened, what I just felt and I couldn't find my voice. Luckily for me his next words were like music to my ears.
"I should get back to work and so should you."
I nodded in agreement, he couldn't walk away fast enough. He took two steps before turning back around to me, "I'll have one other waitresses bring you some water. You look...rattled."
He flashed me one of those perfect smiles that showcased his perfect teeth before he strutted off like he was the shit. Damn him, I was fucking losing it!
I took a deep breathe in and exhaled deeply and couldn't help but scan the crowd for Chance only for my eyes to land on Key. He was staring right at me but I didn't give a damn about him. I looked around until I spotted Chance making his way through the crowd and stopped one of the waitresses and pointed up at me. The girl nodded and Chance looked up and we locked eyes and that fluttering feeling in my stomach picked up.
I quickly glanced away from him. I wasn't about to fall all over him and start acting like no groupie. There was no way I was going to let him think that he had one up on me. Hell no! For the rest of the night I spun records and one of the girls brought two bottles of water which I drunk down back to back when I probably shouldn't have.
I had to go to the bathroom so I put on a short mix giving myself 15 minutes to use the bathroom and stop by the bar for something strong to drink. After using the employee bathrooms I moved through the crowd and over to the bar. Once I got to the bar I ordered a shot and a bottle of water. I downed the shot and followed it with a few sips of water.
I reached down in my wallet to pay out my tab for the night and turned to leave and came face to face with Key.
I rolled my eyes thinking back to what Matt said about him and his girl setting niggas up. Of course they would come to the club, it would be the perfect place to do it. Nigga's always were looking to take a chick home after the club and barely about anything other than getting some. I thought about Vin but quickly recovered before I could get in my feelings.
"What do you want Keyon," I asked calling him by his whole name.
"Saw you up there with him. I don't think I ever saw you dance like that and you damn sure didn't dance with me like that."
"So your keeping track of what I do now?"
"Nah, I just wanted to see if you thought about my offer. I know we ended bad but I thought we could at least be friends. I miss you."
He looked serious but I wasn't no dummy and he was wasting his time.
"Well that only makes one of us because I don't miss shit about you. This makes twice in what a week? Your ass is coming off real desperate and your only making me wonder why now after all this time?"
I studied him and knew he was on some shit when he glanced around the room. I followed the direction he was looking out and my blood started to boil. His girl was all over Chance and I put two and two together. Key didn't give a damn about me, he was plotting on Chance and I was in his way.
"Your a weak ass nigga," I didn't hold back and I wasn't going to.
"What?"
"You heard me. What kind of nigga has his girl hoeing herself out all to rob nigga's? A bitch nigga that's who!"
I let him know that the cat was out of the bag. I knew what he was up to and I wasn't the first one. I bet you he thought he was being careful and nothing could be traced back to him or his girl. Wrong.
"You don't know shit!"
"I know all about you and your girl robbing and setting niggas up. I don't give a fuck what you and your bitch do but Chance is off limits so I suggest you tell her to back up off him."
"Or else what?"
"You know me Key and you know what I'm about. Don't play with me."
He eyed me up and down but I think he took me for a fucking joke by the goofy ass grin on his face.
"I don't know what that nigga see in your hoe ass no way. You still be dressing like a nigga I'm surprised you even like dick. Eli should be short for Elijah."
This nigga had really lost his mind trying to play me. I was already pissed off about what he did so today I was going to take it there with him. I could give a fuck about Key, his feelings or anything that involved him.
"And you should change your nickname to gram. Fronting like you know something about moving Keys when you begged me to put in a good word for you so my brother and crew could put you on. The only reason the niggas on the block fucked with you is cause of me. I gave your some street cred and some shine. How many times did I have to foot the bill when we went out? About to be 25 and you still a corner boy you lame ass bitch ass nigga. I know little ass kids that got more heart and move more weight than you."
I could tell he was big mad by what I said and I smiled inside. I knew he was sensitive about still being a corner boy, especially when everyone around him had moved up in rank. It was because he was lazy and every time shit got rough his ass ran for the hills.
I laughed at him being angry, "And don't worry cause I know plenty of nigga's who like me just the way I am. Don't get me started on how many of your niggas I had to cuss out back in the day for trying to get a piece of me behind your back."
He frowned, "That's bullshit! They used to clown me for being with you!"
"They used to clown you because they were jealous. They used to talk so much shit about you behind your back and I always defended you. I never let them touch me or disrespect you and always had your back. The only reason why I never told you about any of the shit they did was cause they were your friends and I knew there was a chance you wouldn't believe me."
He was quiet, most likely thinking about what I said. I don't care if he believed me or not cause it was old news. I was telling the truth and had no reason to lie. He wasn't loyal to me but I was always loyal to him and he couldn't deny that.
"You's a fucking lying ass bitch. Loyal to me when you were probably fucking one of those other niggas you was always hanging around. You didn't want to do shit but talk shit, play basketball and hang on the block. Only reason I was with your ass was because I wanted you to put me on with your brother. That's why I was fucking around on your ass the whole time we was together."
He looked at me all smug like what he said was supposed to make me burst out in tears. I never shed not one tear over his broke ass and wasn't about to start today.
"You think you telling me that you cheated on me back in the day is supposed to hurt my feelings? I'm all the way over you nigga so anything you say won't faze me. Since your confessing shit maybe it's time for me to confess some shit."
"What? That you were a hoe," he laughed but he wasn't laughing for long when I dropped my truth bomb on him.
"That I was pregnant when you broke up with me."
His face went from smug to confused and I knew that he was trying to work through what I just said. Only two people knew of what I did, Missy because she scheduled and took me to my appointment and watched over me and Tiffany because when I ran down the story on Key I told her what I did.
"You were what?"
"Pregnant."
"Nah stop lying."
I wish I was but I wasn't. I got pregnant during my first time, how fucked up was that? I swore I told him to put on a condom and I thought he did but I was out of it a bit. I smoked a blunt and had to take shots before I was even comfortable enough to take my clothes off in front of Key. That's how you know my ass had no business having sex. On top of that the shit hurt the whole damn time and only last five minutes before he started barking and pulled out of me. Afterwords I felt disgusted with myself and knew I made a mistake but it was too late to take back by then.
"How would you know? You broke up with two weeks before I found out and as soon as I did I scheduled an appointment to get rid of it. Wasn't no way I was about to have a baby by your bitch ass."
I had no remorse about what I did. I was young, my brother just died and there was no way I was fit to care for a baby. I wasn't even out of high school yet. Key just looked at me he looked shocked but I see he stopped all of that hoe this and hoe that. He knew damn well I wasn't messing around on him and when we slept together that I was a virgin.
"You had an abortion," he looked at me in disbelief. I didn't see why he was so upset and I could see that he was hurt. Back when we were together he talked all the time about having kids and when shit was good with us he used to joke around that I was going to have his babies one day. Maybe if he hadn't broken up with me and truly loved me like he said he did then he would have gotten his wish.
"I did. My brother just died and not even a whole day after his funeral did you wait to break up with me. You think after that move you pulled that I would want to have anything to do with you?"
"You fucking bitch," he yelled at me, his fist were clenched and he was mad as hell but I had one more bomb to drop.
"Your mama nigga!"
"I fucking hate your ass. You just wait til I catch you out on the street," he threatened but it went in one ear and out the other.
"Stop fooling like you about that life cause I know for a fact you ain't. That's why I was the one that robbed your weak ass all those years back. Your bitch had more money in her purse than you had in your whole wallet. To top it off your earring were fake, so were the gold chains around your neck and so was that watch I copped off you. The only thing worth any value was your truck. Omar gave me 3000 off that shit and I spent it on some real gold."
I smiled showing him the golds fitted to the bottom row of teeth. I slipped them in before I left the house just cause and now I was glad I did. There was nothing more to say to him, he tried to play me but he only played himself. I think it took his ass to really get what I was talking about and when he did I saw his eyes darken. He charged at me and punched me in my jaw causing me to fall to the floor and he fell on top of me.
His crazy ass was calling me all types of bitches and telling me he was going to kill me as he tried to wrap his hands around my neck. I clawed at his face with my nails digging into his skin and then got him good in his eye. He pulled back from me and I punched him in his face and tried to push him off of me but someone beat me to it and yanked him off of me.
I watched from the ground trying to come to terms with what just happened as I watched him struggle with security. He looked like a mad man and out of nowhere his girl came over yelling at him to calm down but he was still going off. Once I was standing I touched my jaw and tasted blood in my mouth and couldn't believe he really just punched me in my face.
"Key calm down please," his girl pleaded with him. Only for him to shake security, push his girl to the ground and charge my way again. I reached for my back and realized Trell never allowed me to have my gun inside and the habit of leaving it in my car stuck even after Chance took over.
I had no choice but to square up but before he could get to me Chance stepped out of nowhere blocking his path. I heard a few loud gasps and noticed Key throw his hand up and stutter something. I didn't understand what was going on until I noticed Chance had one of his arms raised and in his hand was a gold 92fs Baretta pressed to the middle of Key's forehead.
Despite the pain even my jaw dropped. The whole club was quiet and the short mix I was playing had cut off I don't know how long ago. Me and Key probably caused a big ass scene when we were arguing but our fight only made it worse. I don't know where Chance got a gun from and didn't even know he owned one.
"Get him the fuck out," Chance spoke. His voice was calm but deadly and I almost didn't recognize him because he was always so composed and polite.
Security came and grabbed up Key and dragged him out and Chance lowered his gun. Everyone was still quiet and probably in shock. Some people were watching security drag key out, some people were looking at me but mostly everyone including myself had their eyes planted on Chance. He looked around and tucked the gun behind his back and then his eyes landed on me. If looks could kill my ass would be in some serious pain right about now.
He looked away from me and made his way through the silent crowd in the direction of his office. I wanted to go after him but decided against it. I knew I had fucked up and decided to let him cool off. I headed up to my section and decided to do my job. I played Migo's Slippery to get the crowd back into the groove and it took a while but eventually everyone who stuck around relaxed and went back to clubbing.
Closing time couldn't come fast enough for me. I didn't even put my equipment away, I simply took my headphones from around my neck and headed in the direction of Chance's office hoping he was still here. I knocked on the door but didn't get any response so I knocked again this time louder.
I heard him mumbled what sounded like come in and took a deep breath before pushing the door open. I peaked in first and spotted him laid out on the couch. Next to him on the floor sat an empty glass and I wouldn't blame him if he came up here and had a drink or two. He had his eyes still shut and he didn't open them until I shut the door behind me.
He opened his eyes and his met mine but the frown on his face told me that he wasn't happy to see me. I couldn't blame him and I felt bad about what went down. I came in here to plead my case but I don't think any amount of pleading was going to help me judging by the way he was looking at me.
"What do you want Eli," he asked, he sounded like the last person he wanted to see was me and it threw me off.
"I umm," I hesitated trying to find the right words to say.
"Spit it out."
"I'm sorry," I blurted out, "But it wasn't my fault. I was just-"
"Nothing is ever your fault," he sat up and stared at me hard, "One day your going to have to own up for the things you and start take responsibly for your actions."
Responsibility for my actions?
"So it's my fault that this nigga came in here starting shit with me?"
"You could have walked away before it escalated to that point. You could have told security or better yet you could have came to me and I would dealt with it. What happened tonight was unacceptable."
What did I look like running to security or him? Yeah, what happened tonight shouldn't have went down like it did but I still don't think the shit was my fault. I wasn't the one who threw the first punch. It wasn't my fault Keys punk ass couldn't deal with the true but it was cool because he was going to get his.
"You know what," he rubbed his chin, "I'm tired and I don't have time for you right now."
Time for me? His words were like a slap in the face. I watched he reached down and grabbed the glass before getting up and walking over to his personal bar and poured himself another drink with his back to me. I wanted to say fuck it and leave him in his feelings but I didn't want him to be mad at me and I needed him to hear me out.
He turned around and sighed when his eyes landed on me, he took a long sip of his drink before speaking, "Your still here?"
I sucked my teeth. I wasn't about to stand here and let him talk to me any kind of way especially when I was already feeling bad about what happened.
"I'm trying to apologize but your not making it easy."
"Why should I make it easy? I had to pull out my gun, in the middle of a crowded club because of you."
"No one asked you to."
"So you wanted me to just stand by and watch him beat on you some more?"
"I had it handled."
"You had it handled huh," he let out a dry laugh but I didn't find shit funny.
"It's not the first time a nigga has put his hands on me and it probably wont be the last," I told him straight up, "I'm good."
"Your good," he mocked me shaking his head from side to side before finishing off his drink and looking at me like he was looking at me for the first time.
"Your fucked up you know that right? Don't get me wrong your beautiful, smart and you need to work on yourself."
Another slap in the face this one even harder than the last. I didn't see where all of this anger was coming from all of a sudden. Things with us were going great or at least I thought so where was he all this coming from? I apologized so I didn't know what more he wanted from me. The whole fight started cause I called myself looking out for him, I was starting to think now I should have just let Key do whatever he wanted with Chance. Even thinking it didn't sit right with me.
I pointed to myself, "I need to work on myself?"
"It's obvious you were raised by a man because you don't know how a real women is supposed to act. Your not untouchable so you need to stop acting like you are. Your not powerless over your own life so stop blaming everything and everyone around you for you problems and the situations you put yourself in. You need to stop making excuses and own up to what you do and start making some changes."
I thought he was my friend but right now I wasn't so sure and I regretted ever opening up to him. I was hurt and wanted to lash out at him, scream at him that he didn't know shit about me but that would just prove him right. Shit, maybe he was. Instead of giving him the luxury to go in on me even more I turned and left his office.
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**I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been reading this story. It hasn't been as popular as the last books I put out but I wanted to do something different and I hope you all like it and will continue to read it. It's been kind of slow but there are more twist and turns coming. Trust Me. Also this is the last time I change the book cover I promise, lol.**