There was a white woman standing near the door, both she and Jaxon turning to look at me on the floor.

I can't do shit right, I thought as I pulled myself up, pushing down my embarrassment.

The woman glanced at me briefly before directing her attention back to him. "I see you're paying for pussy again."

Bitch.

Jaxon shot her a glare, "I see you're concerning yourself with my affairs again."

It couldn't be his wife as I doubt she'd be so calm in a situation like this. However, she said "again", so it very well could be his wife and she's just used to him cheating.

I stood quietly and watched them continue to exchange scowls, seemingly having a conversation that I wasn't privy to.

"Kyser," Jaxon finally said, "I'd like for you to meet my sister, Cheyenne."

Now that he said it, I placed her as one of the women in the picture I'd seen when I went to his home that day.

Her eyes came back to me again, the irises a cold, hard blue, "It's a pleasure."

Whew chile, the lie.

Instead of calling her on it, I smiled in a way that showed I didn't give a single fuck about her looking at me like that, "Likewise."

Cheyenne made no effort to leave the room folding her arms across her chest and returning her gaze to Jaxon.

"Kyser, if you'd give us a moment?"

"Of course." I replied walking back into the room and pulling the door all the way closed.

My ear returned to the door, hoping they'd speak in loud enough voices that I could hear.

"I hope you made her sign a NDA." Cheyenne said.

"Of course I did. I'm not that stupid."

She scoffed, "You were that stupid once before. It's a shame you aren't able to just have sex wi-"

"Why are you here Cheyenne?"

I wanted her to finish the sentence. In fact, I wanted them to finish the entire conversation so I could eavesdrop on everything.

Their voices got noticeably lower, as she told him her purpose for being here.

The fact that she asked if he'd made sure to make me sign a NDA pointed to the possibility that someone had previously used the fact that he pays for escorts against him.

Disappointed but not surprised.

Walking over to the bed, I put my laptop into my bag, preparing to go home. I didn't exactly see the point in staying any longer since the bitchy sister had ruined the mood.

I opened the door and walked out, making them halt their conversation.

"You're leaving?" Jaxon asked.

What does it look like sir?

"Yeah" I replied, "It's getting late."

It was actually only 7 but who cares.

He nodded, "Text me when you make it home."

Cheyenne's eyes were once again trained on me as if she were searching for something, "It was nice to meet you."

Girl bye.

"You as well." I said politely before excusing myself from the room.

An unpleasant encounter to say the least.

• • •

Why would I go out on a random Thursday night?

Because Nasir asked me to. We were sitting in Rainbows, a gay club, watching a drag show.

He was more so watching then I was, since I was taking shots with the man beside me, having an interesting conversation about his skin regimen.

"I just think that." I paused to remember where I was going with the conversation, "That your skin is like, bomb as fuck."

"Thank you. I don't use anything but African black soap."

I shook my head, "But that breaks my skin out. I think it's too harsh."

"Semen works too."

I'm sure the reason I laughed so hard was because I was well on my way to being drunk.

"I don't have a man for that." I explained, "I'll have to try something else."

The guy, I'd forgotten his name a while ago, rolled his eyes, "I don't believe that shit." He leaned across me to tap Nas, "She said she don't have a man. She's lying right?"

I wish I was lying.

Like most women, of course I'd like to have a companion. Someone to talk to or call when I'd had a bad day. Someone to spend time with, not necessarily doing anything, just enjoying each others company.

I'd long since stop expecting to find someone until I was done doing this, finding it beyond disrespectful to sleep with other men while in a relationship. It didn't help that I didn't know anyone worth being with.

Nasir shook his head, "She's telling the truth. The boys aren't good enough for my sis."

I snickered and reached for the water in front of me, allowing them to continue talking across me.

My eyes wandered around the club looking at everyone enjoying themselves, watching the well put together men sashay down the makeshift runway.

"Are you ready?" Nas asked, "It's almost 1."

The thought of going home to sleep in a cold bed wasn't the least bit appealing but I had a 8'oclock in the morning. I should have already left to be honest.

I bid goodbye to the skin expert I'd met and grasped Nas' hand as we exited. He was the driver since he hadn't had a drink tonight.

The ride home was quiet. I'm not sure what he was thinking about, but I was just watching the city lights, my mind free of any thoughts beyond the scenery.

We arrived home quickly, or maybe just my perception of quick since I had to be awakened.

Music came from the cars parked closest to the entrance of our building, calling more attention to the men who surrounded it, laughing and talking loudly as if it weren't the middle of the fucking night.

"I hate them so much." I told Nasir with a shake of my head.

My voice may have come out louder than I intended since of them turned to look at me.

"Damn how much they be together you'll think he'll be getting some pussy." He said with a smirk.

"Too much of it out here to be gay. Niggas be faggots for no reason."

Eric looked in our direction before putting his head down.

We continued inside, ignoring the ongoing insults they hurled at Nas.

He look nor seem the tiniest bit bothered, likely used to it from growing up in schools where gay males were ridiculed relentlessly.

And Eric would still come sneaking into his house tonight.

I gave him a silent hug goodnight before entering our apartment.

The t.v was on, Nick at Night playing louder than necessary. I knew before I even went and looked that it meant Jr was on the couch asleep.

Paisley's phone charger was plugged into the wall so she'd probably left him here after my grandma went to sleep.

I scooped him up, walking down the hall slowly as not to wake him, and laid him on the other side of my bed.

Tears pricked my eyes at the sight of him still wearing his school clothes, the ones Paisley was supposed to replace with the money she was given.

Brushing them away, I pulled the covers over him and went to go take a shower.

One day, I'll escape from this life.

_____

author's note: pls note that the derogatory slur used in this chapter, and if used in any future chapters, does not reflect my person opinion towards the LGBTQ community.

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