Page 38 of The Ninth

“That’s why I said she’s fired!” Liv walked up.

“Nigga, shut up! I seen her peel you off.” They both laughed as Ben slapped her hand. “Wassammm?!”

“Fuck all that, Ben. Come on...” Kenzie all about moaned.

“Y’all do this every time I pop up. I got a niece just a few years younger than y’all. Unc can’t take any of y’all under. I’m sorry, Loves. Y’all act like a nigga fine as fuck up in this bitch!”

“You are...” the words left my lips like silk. I didn’t even mean to let them go.

The girls cracked up while me and Ben held eye contact, smiling. He looked me up and down quickly before shaking his head. I knew right then he knew he wasn’t fucking with me because of my age. That’s fine. He just earned a spot on my nigga wish list.

“All y’all trouble. Get the hell outta here. C-Dollas, stop ruining niggas lives in here! They getting home realizing they spent they mortgage!”

“NEVER!” Cassie cackled, grabbing her things.

The girls all flew from the bar and out the club. I walked the long way around, coming and standing directly in front of Ben. He smiled big, tilting his head to the side.

“Wassam, you straight? I need to kill a nigga?”

“You gon kill for me?”

He chuckled, “Just let me know the word.”

I stuck my hand out. He took it into his, shaking it slowly.

“Bye Ben.”

“Bye Dev.”

Never in my life have I switched as hard as I did out that damn club. I didn’t look back to see if he was watching. It didn’t matter. Me and Ben would never be. But playing into it was fun as hell. I also had an age limit and Ben was over it. In another life....

I got in the Range Rover. Cassie turned around, giddy as hell, “Did you kiss him for me?!”

I laughed, “Nooooo! Y’all already told me that man was forty-one! He got thirteen years on me; he needs a wife. Take me home. The damn world spinning.”

They all laughed, talking about Ben the entire way back to Cassie’s. Cassie just think he’s sexy for his age. Tati and Kenzie were trying to find a way to change his mind. My drunk ass gripped the door, counting the seconds until we were back.

****

Buzzzz. Buzzzzz. Buzzzzzz.

I smiled to myself a little once the phone stopped ringing. This guest bed was like laying on a cloud. We came home, ate pizza, drank again, and danced. I took my ass right back to sleep.

Buzzzz. Buzzzz. Buzzzz.

I groaned, grabbing my phone and answering it.

Me: What do you neeeed?

I moaned out. Silence.

Man: Anything? Do I get three wishes?

I sat up on my arm quickly.

Me: Who is this?!

Duke: Mr. Chicago. Remember? You showed me your smooth, brown ass?