Page 22 of Chrome

“That was Zinc. He asked if you could handle yourself and I told him you was ‘bout to go fuck the shit out of Chrome. I put like five blues on you. Thank you for coming through for me, boo.”

“Don’t piss me off, Onyx.”

“My bad,” she said holding her hands up in surrender. “How was it?”

I didn’t know whether I wanted to tell her how I still felt that man between my thighs or how bad my body missed hispresence. Nothing about that man was forgettable and I hated how easy it was for me to cave in to him. He was a hell of a fun time, but he was nothing meant to happen again.

“Memorable.”

“That’s it? All you got for me is memorable? Okay, I see I got to get specific. Did the nigga eat the pussy? Did he beat yo’ back in? Did he have you riding dick like it was hydraulics? Did the nigga have you calling out his name while he was long stroking likeunh, unh, unh?” She fired off question after question making sure to hit a vulgar pose. Sometimes Onyx talked too damn much. However, her questions were very specific and to the point.

“I want you to shut up. My daughter is upstairs, and I don’t need anything else to set her off. I think she has a crush on Chrome.”

“Who the fuck cares? She’s a fuckin’ child and that nigga ain’t checking for her, not even a lil’ bit.”

“Still Onyx, chill on the theatrics. Anyway, yes to all that. I’m so pissed I stayed and let that man have his way. I should’ve come home.”

“You deserved that time alone, Kosha. Houston fucked you over and your daughter has become the bride of Chucky. Being with Chrome was exactly what you needed to reset. I’m proud of you for having a night where you could be KoKo with no regrets.”

“But that’s the thing, bestie. I regret last night so much but can’t seem to shake the fact that I like being with him. That young ass nigga turned me every way but loose and dammit, if I didn’t sneak out of there this morning, he would’ve gave me another round.” I picked up the newspaper and fanned myself. Chrome caused me to sweat just from the thought of him.

“Looks to me like you got a decision to make because the way he got you hot and bothered just from a simple conversation saysa lot. Think about what the hell you ‘bout to do with him because I don’t think he’s gon’ let you be so easily.”

I knew he wouldn’t. He told me time and time again last night that I was his and I believed him every single time it left his lips. Not only did he claim me, he made sure my pussy didn’t crave nobody but him. He stamped me and I knew there was only so many things I could do to avoid him.

&

For the last month, I found myself going through withdrawal and that could’ve been because I still had his whip and smelled him all through out it. He had yet to come get it so I drove it when I felt like it. Today being one of those days.

Chrome did something to me and now I was fiendin’ for him. Anytime my phone rang, I thought it was him but quickly had to realize we never exchanged information. I was stuck missing a nigga who was probably having the time of his life with another bitch.

“Hey, KoKo, you look cute,” Henny said walking through the shop door.

Working seemed to be the only way I could keep myself distracted. Whenever I was home and alone, Chrome flooded every thought with the things he said and did to me. I couldn’t escape him.

“Thanks girl. I had to squeeze my tiny ass up in this, but I made it work,” I jested.

“Girl please. I was telling Amy the other day how I need to raid yo’ closet. You really be stepping on our necks with the fits.”

“It ain’t nothing special. All I wear is Fashion Nova or a few pieces from here and there. I just make this shit look good.”

“And that’s how it’s supposed to be. So, everybody looked at their appointment books, right? It’s graduation tomorrow which means we’ll be packed out today.” Henny reminded me of all the seniors that would be flowing through here.

She also reminded me of all the running around I did for Melanie. Regardless of how she treated me, I wanted her to feel loved at all times. She was my only child and having her back was all I could do. She was walking the stage tomorrow and that was a big fuckin’ deal. I called her father at his job maybe a week ago to let him know it was time, and he promised to show for her. He broke his vows to me, but I was hoping he kept his word for her. After all, I was the devil that wore Chanel in her eyes.

“Damn, I forgot,” Sadie chimed.

“I did, too. Well, let’s open up and get ready.” Lauren walked to the door and hit the switch cutting on the lights in the window.

I took a seat and indulged in a bowl of fruit. I’d taken a weird obsession to honey dew and cantaloupe. Before leaving the house, I drowned them in honey, and bagged up some whipped cream. It was so good early in the morning, and it hit every sweet craving I had. I’d always been a fan of fruit, but this particular combination had become a favorite.

Within minutes, the first client strolled in, and it went up from there. Neither me nor the girls could catch a break. This torture went on for hours and if it wasn’t for the street vendors walking up and down the sidewalks selling their meals, we probably wouldn’t have eaten. My stomach touched my back on more than one occasion leaving me wondering if I had a tapeworm or something. I just wasn’t getting full.

The shop didn’t slow down until around four in the afternoon and me and the girls were beat to hell. I was happy about the steady flow we created. K Blades was no longer the new kid on the block. Our customers broke us in nicely. Two monthslater we were known as the best barbers in town. We worked hard to get to where we were, and I applauded them for being dependable women.

With my back turned and face buried in a bowl of shrimp fried rice, I heard the bell on the door go off. Someone had entered the shop. I had no plans of turning around to see who it was. I completed my last head before I started eating so one of the girls could handle him. I munched away as a cloud of euphoria surrounded me. Eating these days brought me so much peace and happiness.

“Chrome? What you doing in here?” Amy questioned.

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