prologue
. . .
peace graham
“Are you sure I look okay?”I asked my cousin as I fiddled with the corset of my dress. My titties were spilling out of the top, and I feared my nipples would be exposed by the end of the night.
“Girl, you look incredible. You know I don’t believe in lying because I would never take you anywhere with me looking a mess.” My cousin, Samara, assured me. When I glanced in the mirror, I admired my own beauty. It had been a while since I got dressed up to go anywhere.
When our friend, Raylee, invited us to the masquerade party in my hometown, I almost declined, but I needed a night out. I broke up with my boyfriend a couple of days ago, after I found out he had cheated on me. For days, I kept myself locked in my room, crying and questioning why I wasn’t enough for him. It was depressing, and I couldn’t stand the woman I was becoming.
“Alright, bitches. It’s time for us to get drunk and turn up!” My girl, Raylee, walked into my hotel room with a bottle of Tequila and something in a small package.
“Aye, that’s what I’m talking about!” Samara cheered with hands in the air. I laughed because the two of them were dancing in the middle of the room.
“Come on, Peace. We’re about to find you a new man to lie under. No more crying over that loser you called a boyfriend.” Samara quipped. She never liked my boyfriend, Chop, and made sure to express her grievances whenever she got the chance.
“Girl, you need to leave that nigga alone and stop letting him walk all over you. I understand you love him, but how many times are you gonna let him hurt you and keep taking him back?” Samara grilled me as we rode in Raylee's car.
They were trying to cheer me up, but they were much harsher than I expected. I appreciated the fact that she loved me so much, but my feelings were still raw. Chop was the only man I had ever been with, and while I knew he wasn’t perfect, I never expected him to cheat on me.
“Oh, Samara. I understand you’re upset. Hell, I’m pissed off too, but she needs us to be here for her, not to judge her.” Raylee voiced.
“I want her to wake up and smell the coffee. I’ve been telling her for years that all men cheat, but she swore Chop was different. A man is gonna be a man, and it doesn’t matter how much you love them. Don’t waste your time trying to fall in love because you’re only gonna end up with a broken heart.”
“I don’t agree with you. There are a lot of good men out there who will love you the way you need to be loved. They may not be perfect, but they’re out there.” Raylee proclaimed.
“Yeah, well, if you want to live in delusion, then I won’t stop. All I want is for my girl to be happy and find a man who really wants to be with her. Chop is a street nigga, so she was silly for believing he would be faithful to her. The only thing they are loyal to is their niggas and their money. If you’re willing to put up with being last, then go right ahead. It couldn’t be me,though.” I always hated it when Samara made those snarky, judgmental comments because you never know what the next person was going through.
“You’re the reason I decided to come out in the first place. I don’t think I have any more tears to cry, and it’s time for me to have some fun.”
“Hell yeah, you do, and I have just the thing to make you loosen up even more.” She handed me what looked to be a fruit snack, and I peered at her curiously.
“It’s an edible, Pea. Don’t think too hard about it. It’s exactly what you need to unwind and have fun tonight. There are gonna be a room full of fine men in masks, who are single and ready to mingle. Even if you don’t end up fucking anyone, you can at least flirt with a few. Hell, I think a one-night stand would be good for you. I know you’re probably gonna take that fuck nigga back, so use this night to get your lick back before you go.”
She called me out, and I couldn’t even say she was wrong because I would more than likely end up taking Chop back. He was my first and only love, and the idea of us being done for good didn’t sit right with me.
“Don’t give me that look because you and I both know it’s the truth. Let your hair down tonight and explore. Consider this your one and only hall pass before you forgive Chop. You’re single, which means it’s not cheating. Plus, you’ll know what it feels like to be with someone other than him.” Samara urged.
I pondered her suggestion for a while, wondering whether I could go through with it. As hurt as I was about Chop cheating on me, I wasn’t sure if I had the balls to give my body to another man. I doubted any man existed with the capabilities of turning my head.
“Here, let’s take a shot and cheers to a great night and great vibes. I agree with Samara, Peace. Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, but don’t hold yourself back either. If youmeet someone and the vibes are there, then go for it.” Raylee cosigned.
“Yes! Cheers to our girl getting her back cracked by a fine ass stranger and getting rid of the trash back at home!”
I chucked at Samara’s shady comment as we clanked our cups together.
I was gonna go into this with an open mind. My heart was still broken, but I was open to talking and mingling with other men tonight. I couldn’t promise it would go any further than talking, though.
“Oh, here are some condoms because these niggas have cooties and you can never be too safe,” Raylee warned, while passing a few to me to put in my handbag.
“Oh, trust me, I’m always prepared. I need a man who can fit these, or they can’t even talk to me.” Samara held up the gold wrapper, and I burst out laughing.
“You ain’t wrong. I don’t want any shrimp dicks around me. I need to see a man about a horse, not a mini pony,” Raylee quipped. I snickered as we stepped out of the car.
“I almost forgot my mask!” I shrieked, reaching down to grab it from my purse. The idea of Masquerade balls intrigued me, so I was excited to experience my first one, even though this one had a sexier tone.
My nerves ran rampant, but I pushed them to the side. I channeled my inner vixen, deciding tonight would be about me. The alcohol gave me an extra boost of confidence, and it would only be a matter of time before the edible kicked in.
