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D omaneek

Today was a workday. Both regulars and others crowded the bar because of March Madness, and Saint Patrick’s Day was around the corner.

Lucid’s Titty Bar and Lounge stayed crowded for three reasons—we had the best food, drinks, and topless servers.

The servers didn’t have to be topless unless they wanted to.

I wasn’t a topless server, but I would do it if my tips were low or there was a slow night.

There was nothing slow about tonight. I’d already made five hundred dollars in tips.

That was enough to get my hair, nails, and feet done, and throw the rest on my utility bills.

My portion of the bills were pretty low because my high school best friend, Briya, was my roommate.

We’d lived together blissfully for the last three years until she went out one night and met some damn ex-con named Zay.

I still didn’t know what Zay was short for, but I hated him the moment we met.

He was mean to her, a drug dealer, and a lazy ass nigga.

Zay didn’t live with us because I didn’t play that shit, but he was over more than I liked him to be.

I worked late nights to avoid both of them at times.

Briya was so damn delusional for him that if he gave her a pile of shit covered with whipped cream and told her it was cake, she’d eat it.

My girl was hard up for that bum ass nigga.

I’d stacked my coins because I couldn’t take much more of that shit.

I loved her like a sister, but if she didn’t limit his visits, then she’d have to go outside with him.

My peace and boundaries were constantly crossed, and I was beyond tired of it.

Her stay was supposed to be temporary as well, but since we were besties, I allowed her to stay.

Zay’s ass didn’t get a pass like that. I owed his broke ass nothing.

That was why I prayed like hell that when I pulled up to the apartment, they were out or asleep.

I didn’t have it in me to deal with any drama.

My feet barked from walking around in eight-inch platform heels longer than I usually had to.

I stayed three hours longer because two servers called off, so I decided to stay to make some extra money.

I could use all the extra funds I earned because I had dreams to open an online store to sell my party treats.

It was what I was most passionate about.

I was damn good at making treats for all kinds of parties.

If there was an event and treats were needed, I gave it my all.

I could create my treats in any design. It didn’t matter.

I’d been booked for kids and adult parties, business openings, anniversaries, and much more.

Every time my services were reserved, I delivered.

I’d even done the events at Lucid’s. He had faith in me, and I never let him down.

A customer had an upcoming March Madness themed bachelor party.

I’d already received twenty-five hundred dollars for the first down payment, and I would get the remainder of my fee once I delivered the treats.

The idea I had in mind for the treats he wanted was something I’d never done before, but I knew I would eat it down.

My SZA playlist crooned throughout my car, and my mind drifted to the sad lady cop.

She’d been a regular customer for the past three months.

I knew she was a Chicago police officer from her plain clothes, gun holster, and badge on her waistband.

I wasn’t sure if she was a detective or not, but I did know she was married.

There was a gold band on her finger. The question was if she was happily married.

She didn’t always look sad. When her crew was around, she laughed and smiled.

Once alone, the sadness returned. Her eyes wandered over all the female servers, me included.

She never looked at a man unless he walked past her usual booth seat.

I wondered if she played for the same team as me.

I was an open bisexual. I enjoyed dick and pussy, and if it was at the same time, even better.

My parents kicked me out because of my preferences, but it no longer bothered me.

I’d gotten over their disappointment years ago and fully accepted myself.

It was their loss, not mine. The lady cop had me interested, though.

I wanted to know her story. One night, I’d reach out.

The flirt in me wouldn’t be able to help it.

I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building.

When I climbed out, I saw Briya’s red sedan parked a few cars over.

She was here, but I prayed like hell they were asleep.

I had to get up early and make treats for the farmer’s market on Saturday.

Tomorrow was Friday, and I also had to work at Lucid’s.

I was a busy bee, but I had goals for myself.

There was more in this life I wanted to achieve, and I refused to miss out.

I collected my work bag and allowed my memory foam furry slides to guide me into my building.

I waved at Steve, the night security guard and receptionist, then climbed onto the elevator.

Once off, I walked to my place and unlocked the door.

I immediately stopped in my tracks at the sight of porn playing on my big screen TV on the wall and that nigga Zay beating his dick on my couch.

“Nigga! Have you lost yo’ damn mind?” I screamed then slammed the door.

Zay stopped and looked at me as if he didn’t have a care in the world. I stood in my kitchen equipped with an island and all steel amenities, while he relaxed his big ass on my chaise, in my fully furnished and decorated living room, and beat his dick. That man had lost his mind.

“My bad, Dom. I thought you’d be out later. Don’t mind me at all. I know you probably tired from work, so go get you some rest,” he spoke nonchalantly. He turned away from me and went back to beatin’ his dick.

The audacity that nigga had.

“I’m not going no-damn-where! You get yo’ big ass out of my living room, and go in Bri’s room to do that shit. My living room ain’t the place for this shit!” I yelled.

Zay turned and mugged me.

“Either I bust this nut here, or I make you get on yo’ knees to do it, and I won’t be nice about it,” Zay replied in an evil tone.

I chuckled and removed my baby Glock from my tote bag. “You gon’ make who suck yo’ little dirty dick?” I asked, aiming my gun at the lamp then firing it.

He jumped. Zay was startled that I packed heat and wasn’t afraid to use it.

I didn’t feel the need to become a concealed carrier until I met the menace that required it.

I’d been on my own since I was twenty, and I always carried my taser, knife, and pepper spray, but for Zay, I knew a gun was necessary. It turned out I was right.

“Bitch, you crazy!”

“You ain’t seen shit yet. Now, get the fuck outta my house before I pump two bullets in your chest right now!” I commanded.

As Zay slowly stood, Briya raced out of her room and stood next to me.

“What the hell is going on? Zay, why the fuck is dick yo’ out?” She turned and looked at the porno that played damn near in surround sound. “How many times did I tell you to stop coming out here and doing this shit?”

Zay tucked away his dick then walked up on us. “I said I was sorry. If that ain’t good enough, then fuck both of you big bitches.” He slightly bumped Briya out of his away.

I aimed my Glock at him. “Don’t even try me, my nigga. Get the fuck out.”

Zay stormed away and out the door. I locked the door behind him then marched into the living room.

“Dom, I’m so sorry. I told him about doing whatever the fuck he wants to do in here,” Briya voiced in an apologetic tone.

I cut the TV off. Right now, I couldn’t speak.

If I said what my emotions wanted me to, then I’d no longer have a friend.

I walked past her and to my room. Briya followed me.

The smell of jasmine and plums filled my nose.

I was back in my comfort space. My home used to be that before I allowed Briya and Zay into my space.

Now, only my room brought me peace. I slammed my things down on my bed and entered my bathroom.

A shower was much needed right now. I turned on the water, then I stilled.

My eyes traveled to my body wash bottle, and I grew more livid.

The light orange color of my soap spilled down the bottle, which also had dirty fingerprints on it.

What the hell? I grabbed some tissue then the bottle and stalked back into my room.

“Briya, what the hell is this?” I shoved the dirty bottle in her face.

She gave me the yikes look. Her mouth pulled into an uneasy smile and her eyes shifted from side to side.

“I-I told Zay he could use some of your soap since I had run out. I didn’t think he’d leave it like that,” she responded, looking down at her lap.

“Briya, I’m tired of this shit. I can’t continue to live like this. I’ll give you three months, but you gotta find somewhere else to live if you plan on staying with Zay. He can’t come to my house no more. I’m at my wits end.”

She jumped up from the bed in shock. “Come on, Dom. Let’s not make rash decisions here. I don’t have any place to go.”

“Exactly! Yet, you let that bummy ass nigga fuck up the only place you had. I’m tired of trying to get you to see that something is wrong with Zay. He ain’t the man for you, but if you want to keep hope, then that’s yo’ business, just keep me the fuck out of it. You got three months, Briya.”

“Fuck it then. You let a few funky ass incidents come between our friendship, then maybe we wasn’t friends from the beginning! I’ll be out yo’ place, face, and life sooner than you want me to.”

“Good! That means I’ll have peace again and won’t have to deal with you or Zay’s dirty ass!”