Page 100 of A Capo’s Love: Featuring A Don’s Love

“No, cause at this point, you need an intervention.” She rolled her eyes.

I sat up myself and snatched my phone from off the table. I could clap back and tell her she been needed an intervention to get off the man that constantly made a fool out of her but decided against it. I had Royal on my mind and other important shit like looking for my own place to move into.

Granted, I loved my father to death, but he considered Royal an enemy, which should have made him my enemy as well. It’s just sad that it wasn’t the way I viewed Royal.

“Look at you, dazing the fuck out… You haven’t even said more than five words to me since we got here!” Keisha yelled loudly over the music.

I started to feel some type of way toward her and couldn’t shake the feeling. I might’ve always talked shit to her about her and my dad, but I remained a true friend and was always her shoulder to cry on. I shut down talking to her about Royal when she kept mentioning how it was stupid of me to fuck him since him and Maniac didn’t get alone. She made it clear that she was taking her man side in the matter, so I really didn’t see the point in telling her just how deeply hurt I was about the entire situation.

I ain’t never chased a man in my life but found myself ready to chase the fuck out of Royal like I ran track. My stomach twisted as a painful lump crawled up my throat.

“Awww, Mari⁠—”

“I’m good.” I swallowed down painfully. “Let’s have a good time and bring our New Year in right.” I forced a smile, just wanting to get her off my back.

“Okaaayyyy!” Keisha sang out, dancing in her seat.

I playfully rolled my eyes and watched her pour us both up another shot. After we took down our shots Keisha threw both hands in the air dramatically.

“Tonight, we shaking ass for your healing!”

I laughed at that, because that was a fucking joke. Next thing I knew, she grabbed both my hands and pulled. I gave in and stood to my feet with her, readjusting my short mini strapless sequin dress that cuffed right underneath my ass. I haven’t dressed up like this in so long that it felt awkward. My ass was sitting up high, and the six-inch heels I had on made my butt jiggle with each step I took.

“Fine tall ass mutha fucka!” Keisha slurred.

“Come on, I need to see that thang move.” She smirked. “Somebody gon’ get behind it and try to catch it.” She reached around and slapped the top of my ass.

I dropped my head slightly and giggled, there was no point remaining in my feelings. For now, I’d let the music and liquor carry my sadness away and deal with my thoughts later, alone. Keisha dragged me away from the booth to the dance floor. The crowd swallowed us instantly as the music vibrated beneath my heels.

Blue and gold lights flashed across the room while smoke machines pumped soft clouds through the air. Everybody continued to look like they were chasing a good ass time. Keisha stood in front of me looking beautiful as usual in a bodycon red mini dress. Her hair was in loose curls with a part down the middle.

She lifted her drink, swung her hair, and started to twerk her ass like a pro. Liquid courage was something that needed to be studied in the near future because it had me spreading my feet apart standing still and making my ass bounce. I was far from a dancer. I actually liked to two-step and twist my hips every now and then depending on the song.

I felt eyes on me, enhancing the confidence I already wore like a second skin. Despite my sadness, I still felt like that bitch. I was pretty as hell, carried my weight sexily and the dress and heels boosted my confidence. My sister locs sat right above my ass; they were curled at the tips. I had my loctician re-dye my hair. She called the color lion’s mane.

My roots were a deep espresso brown; rich chocolate brown was added in with golden brown woven through the middle. She even had honey blonde highlights with amber gold locs scattered throughout my head. To finish the lion’s mane look, she added burnt caramel pieces for warmth, copper gold accents near the ends with light golden blonde tips that were almost sun bleached.

It was my signature look that I always received several compliments on.

“There you go! Make that big ol booty bounce!” Keisha encouraged me.

We started dancing together in the middle of the crowd while the Dj bounced between songs and screamed into the microphone every thirty seconds. He did a good job at keeping the crowd pumped up and live. I made a mental note to hire him again in the near future.

Minutes into me losing myself dancing, I smelled a masculine presence behind me. Expensive woodsy cologne, he felt tall in height but I couldn’t be so sure. I quickly turned to check out who was bold enough to get behind me. He was a fine light skinned man with a fitted hat sitting low above his hooded eyes. I didn’t care to get to know him nor introduce myself.

We communicated kindly with our eyes, smiled at one another, and I got right back to dancing with him pressed against my ass, keeping up with every dip in my hip. He held my waist like he was familiar with my body and kept up with the pace I was going which was a plus.

The Dj switched tracks and the crowd exploded soon as the opening beat hit. People started yelling the lyrics as my stomach tightened. I slowed my steps as BossMan Dlow blasted through the speakers.

“You gotta fuck it up to this!” Keisha screamed over the beat.

I blinked my eyes, snapping out of my trance. I glanced toward the entrance and immediately wished I hadn’t. Royal and his two men flanked either side of him. We locked eyes and his cocky ass had the nerve to wink my way. He unbuttoned his white suit jacket, exposing his chocolate body and bare eight pack. His gold chains gleamed perfectly against his tatted chest. My eyes traveled down to the thick bulge behind his crisp white dress pants.

He knew he was fine, and to add insult to injury, he stepped to the side to let four stripper-looking chicks walk in front of him. He walked behind them with Tabari and Brutal on his heels. Jealousy hit me so hard I almost choked off it.

“You good?” The deep voice whispered right in my ear, further annoying me.

I nodded my head, turned to him and told him I was heading over to my section for a drink break. Keisha was right on my heels as my chest rose and fell violently. What the fuck was he on, showing up here with bitches? I felt like it wasn’t my place to act a plum fool, but I wanted too…badly. Royal had me royally fucked up and ready to act all the way out of character.