Page 42 of Finesse
“Hey,” I flip through Netflix and trying to figure out what I can watch that isn’t a sappy romance. Maybe I should watch something about a woman who plot revenge on a man. That seems more my cup of tea.
“What’s up?” Meadow drags the bags to her bedroom. “Ready for tonight?”
Tonight was supposed to be my graduation bash at the same nightclub where I met Cameron. It’s also the same nightclub Que owns. The odds of me running into Cameron or seeing him all boo’d up with another female isn’t lost on me. “Yay.”
Hayley sits beside me on the couch and moves my feet to the floor. Well, fuck you, too, bitch. “What’s up? I know you’re not still moping about Cam.”
“It’s only been two weeks,” I counter as Meadow rejoins us. “I’m allowed to mope.”
Hayley talks to Meadow. “She’s still moping about Cam.”
“Ah,” Meadow nods. “White boy really put it on her, huh?”
“First boyfriend,” Hayley sighs and I hear the slight dangles of her expensive jewelry, “first everything, really.”
“Okay, fuck. I’m right here.” I sit up, gathering my feet to my chest. “What the hell, guys?”
Hayley shakes her head. “I still think it was a mistake you two broke up.”
“I’m not dating a drug dealer.” I know Hayley doesn’t give a damn but I do.
“And so?” Hayley shrugs. “He’s a drug dealer, so what?”
“So what?” I feel like I’m in Bizarro world. “Don’t you think it’s fucked to date someone who ruins other people’s lives on the regular?”
“People ruin their own lives when they do drugs, Pooh.” Hayley runs a hand through her hair. “No one is forcing them to turn to drugs.”
“He’s supplying his own sister-in-law, his brother’s wife!” I’ll never forget how apologetic Robert was. Cameron is younger than him and it was clear to everyone Cameron owned Robert. “And I should look the other way?”
“You have that same energy for all those billionaires out there? All those people who own the online stores, those big box stores, those fancy designers who make their products for like ten cents and sell it to you for a grand?” Hayley shrugs. “You have that same energy to those people who pay their workers pennies on the dollar while they’re getting richer by the year? Those same workers who can’t get off welfare despite they’ve been at that same job for years? Girl, wake the fuck up! Everyone is a drug dealer. Some are legitimate and some aren’t.”
“So, I just shut up and eat my food while all of this is going on?” I don’t know why I thought Hayley would be the voice of reason. She is not giving up her Gucci just because Que is doing some underhanded shit. I should’ve known better.
“Let’s break it down…” Hayley bends over like she’s at some crap game. “You don’t want to be with Cameron, fine. Are you going to report him to the police? And what are they going to do? They might talk to him over a round of golf or some beers, but are they going to do anything? No, and here’s why – Cameron’s daddy is buddy-buddy with them. Mr. ‘I Support The Cops.’ Mr. ‘Stand Up and Salute the Flag.’ Mr. ‘All Lives Matter.’ You think they’re going to go against someone who has publicly support them, especiallyright now? Girl, you smoking that good shit!” Hayley shakes her head. “You report Cameron and the only person who will get in trouble isyou,Taylor. And they won’t even come after you.” Hayley pauses and looks away for a moment. “They’ll target the next person closest to you.” She looks back at me. “Trust.”
Cameron spoke so highly of my father, I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Now I know better as a shiver creeps up my spine. “I can’t be with Cam.”
“No one says you have to but this is some business you really need to stay out of.” Hayley stands up and heads to the kitchen. “If this is who Cameron is, you need to take it or leave it. He will not change because it’s you.”
“Whatever,” I drop the subject. I feel like it’s a lost cause trying to reason with anyone, especially Hayley. Her and Que are still going strong and I’m not too naïve to think Hayley isn’t reporting back to Que in some form.
I guess we’ll find out everything tonight.
~~~~~
My graduation celebration isn’t so bad, after all.
Turning 21 has its benefits. I can legally drink and that’s about the extent of it.
As we’re living it up at the VIP section of the club, I’m wearing a tiara and a sash that saysCollege Gradon it. The music is slammin’ and Hayley has bought drinks for our entire crew of girls. I know it’s Que’s money because Hayley doesn’t have any.
I’m not thinking about Que or Cameron, for that matter. It’s my born day and I’m happy to live it up with my girls. We caught the attention to some fine guys down beneath us and I have my eye on one deep chocolate brotha.
He has a nice, clean fade. Perfect white teeth, and a skin tone that tells me he would complement my brown. I immediately started wondering how that would look. As I made eye contact with him, I saw a familiar face pull up next to him.
It was a man who simply went by Lexus.
He’s the most ruthless drug lord in the city. He controlled all of West Highlands, Carey Park, Grove Park, and Center Hill. It was rumored he was making his way towards Bankhead.
