Eve (22 page)

“I can't believe I let y'all talk me into this shit,” Eve said, tugging at her blouse.

“Why don't you stop whining?” Cassidy sucked her teeth. “You act like one night away from the block is gonna kill you. You need to get out more often.”

“Besides, you look cute, Eve.” Sheeka winked.

Eve had been getting compliments all night. After quite a bit of convincing, she had agreed to let Cassidy and Sheeka gas her into a girls' night out. Cassidy claimed she felt like she wasn't spending enough time with her peoples. Eve didn't really want to go, but she agreed to anyway.

Eve had on a pair of tight-fitting, black, three-quarter knickers. From the rear her ass looked like a heart. Her black Prada sandals criss-crossed up her toned calves, giving her more of a brick-house appeal. She wore a sleeveless white top that caressed her delicate neck and was tied off in the front, showing off her tight abs. Sheeka had flat-twisted Eve's hair into spirals that snaked up the side and back of her head.

“I ain't staying long.” Eve folded her arms.

“Don't be like that,” Cassidy said, pulling her along. “Our click is gonna be up in there. We're gonna get drunk and have fun.”

“Y'all can get drunk. Somebody's gotta stay sober so you don't end up playing yourselves.”

“Whatever,” Cassidy said, pulling her friend through the doors of The Sugar Shack. “Just come on.” She tried to contain a smile, knowing who Eve would encounter once they got inside.

The bouncers barely spared the girls a second look as they crossed the threshold. There were a good amount of people inside the lounge, but it wasn't crowded. As Eve and her crew passed by the one of the tables, a kid sporting a wavy czar touched her hand. Eve glanced at him but kept moving. She thought that he was attractive, but she figured she'd just have a few drinks and keep it easy. All that changed when she saw Felon sitting at one of the tables in the back.

 

Felon and Teddy were crying-laughing as they watched Butter try to sing along with an R. Kelly song to a young lady he was dancing with. He half stumbled, half swayed, clutching a bottle of champagne, trying to hit the high note. It was an act of pure comedy.

Felon sipped on his Remy and continued to talk shit with his boys. He didn't want to come out at first, but he was glad that he did. He had been so consumed by the hustle that he rarely got to enjoy his life. He missed being able to just kick it with his peoples and talk shit. A shadow looming over him caused Felon to turn around. His breath was almost stolen from him when he saw Eve standing behind Cassidy and Sheeka.

He caught her eye and immediately felt his heart begin to pump faster. It had been a while since he had been in such close proximity to Eve and she was looking damn good. Looking at the tricks the lights were playing on the warm shades of her hair made him want to reach out and run his fingers through it. Felon almost gave deed to thought, but settled on a simple hello.

“What's up, nigga?” Cassidy sang.

“Sup, Cas. What y'all doing in here?” he asked.

“I invited them,” Butter cut in, draping a drunk arm over Eve's shoulder. “Damn, you looking good, baby girl.”

“Get yo drunk ass off me.” Eve removed his arm.

“Oh, shit. I don't want Felon getting mad at me for touching on his boo.”

“Why you play so much?” Felon said, embarrassed as hell.

“Cause he's a silly muthafucka,” Eve said.

“Teddy, why don't you get up and let a lady sit down?” Cassidy suggested.

“A'ight, damn,” he said, sliding off the chair.

“As a matter of fact, Sheeka wants a drink.” Cassidy said.

“I do?” Sheeka asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes, you do.” Finally catching the hint, Sheeka went off with Teddy to the bar. “What's good in the hood, Felon?” Cassidy picked up. “Ain't seen you in a while.”

“I could say the same for you,” he said, giving Cassidy a look like he knew something he wasn't supposed to.

“I've been around.”

“Fuck that,” Butter said, “we need some drinks.” He summoned the waitress, who took their orders, then went to fetch them.

After the drinks arrived at the table the quartet sipped champagne and made small talk. Eve found herself sipping a little faster than she normally would out of nervousness. Every time she looked at Felon, she couldn't help but think how much she wanted him. His shape-up was crisp as usual and he smelled like roses. More than once she thought she felt a dampness in her panties.

Felon tried to be discreet with the lustful glances he was sending Eve's way. He had never seen her wear her hair like that, but he liked the style on her. It made her look regal. Her lids were lightly brushed with a mahogany powder and her lips painted to match. Every time she laughed or shifted her position, his eyes went to her ample breasts, which looked like they were threatening to spill from her shirt. When her scent wafted into his nose, his dick began to rise ever so slightly.

Throughout the whole evening, Felon and Eve made it a point to avoid eye contact. They conversed with the rest of the group, but there was no intimacy to it. Cassidy excused herself to go to the lady's room, leaving Eve with Butter and Felon. At least she hadn't left them alone. Things were awkward, but everyone was having a good time. That all changed when Carlo walked in.

 

“Fuck invited this nigga?” Butter said venomously.

“Fuck should I know? It was your little plan,” Felon answered.

“Butter, don't start,” Eve warned. “I gotta use the bathroom.” Eve got up and went to warn her friend just before Carlo made it to their table.

“Sup, fellas?” Carlo greeted them.

“Chilling, Carlo,” Felon replied.

Butter just nodded.

“I see you guys are in here having a good time,” Carlo said, inviting himself to a seat.

“It was kind of a private party,” Butter said, staring directly at Carlo.

“Oh, was I interrupting?” asked Carlo, but he made no move to get up.

“Nah, you're good,” Felon cut in. “We're just having some drinks for my birthday.”

“Your birthday? This calls for a celebration.” Carlo motioned for the waitress and requested three more bottles of champagne. “It's not every day a man gets to celebrate one more year on earth.”

“It's just another day to me, man,” Felon said.

“What, are you kidding? It's a freak'n joyous occasion. Some guys don't get to make it to their prime.”

“We wouldn't know nothing about that,” Butter added to the mix. “Me and my niggaz is gonna live forever.”

“Wishful thinking.” Carlo smiled.

On the other side of the lounge, Eve and Cassidy moved silently along the bar. Cassidy had thrown a fit when Eve delivered the news about Carlo being there. She was having a good time, and he was sure to blow it. Eve convinced her that they should just leave and make up a story to tell Butter and Felon another time. In all truthfulness, Eve just wanted to be away from Felon.

They slipped back and forth through the crowd of people, trying to find Sheeka so they could go. They spotted her across the room, lounging with Teddy, and moved to retrieve her. Cassidy had successfully made it to where her sister was sitting without being seen. Now all they had to do was slide out and no one would be the wiser. That's around the time when Butter's drunk ass blew it up.

“Cas!” he shouted from across the room. “Where you going, ma?”

Cassidy turned slowly in his direction and smiled. Carlo was sitting on the other side of Felon, but she could see him staring at her. This was the last thing she needed. If Butter was going to find out about her and Carlo, she didn't want it to be like this. There was nothing she could do about it at that point but put on her game face.

“You leaving?” Butter asked as Cassidy approached the table followed by Teddy and Sheeka, with Eve bringing up the rear.

“Nah, I was checking on Sheeka,” Cassidy lied.

“I wasn't gonna hurt her,” Teddy joked.

“Hey, Cas,” Carlo spoke up.

“What's up?” she said with a weak smile.

“Y'all know each other?” Butter asked, surprised. He kept looking from Cassidy to Carlo. Eve just put her head down.

“Sure we do,” he said, smiling.

Butter saw the sarcastic look on Carlo's face, and Cassidy wouldn't look at him at all. Suddenly it all made sense to him. “Hold up. This is why you stopped fucking wit me?” asked Butter, pointing at Carlo.

“Hold up, Butter…”

“Hold up my ass,” he cut her off. “Cassidy, you fucking with Carlo?” Her silence was enough of an answer for him. “Muthafucka!” Butter rose from his seat, holding the champagne bottle. Big Steve took a step in the direction of the table, but Teddy blocked his path. He didn't draw his weapon, but his eyes told Steve that he wouldn't hesitate. The situation was about to get very ugly. Just as the violence was about to pop off, Felon rose and stood between them.

“Ease up, my nigga. Don't do it like that,” Felon said, placing a hand on Butter's chest.

“Don't do it like that?” Butter slurred. “What about how they did it?”

“Butter, I'm not your girl. It's not like I was creeping on you by seeing Carlo.” Cassidy said defensively.

“Cassidy, don't even try to justify this shit. Yeah, you might not be my man's girl, but you were fucking him. Now you're fucking his partner? Yo, shit like that can get a nigga killed.” Felon said venomously.

“It ain't that serious, Felon. It's just a piece of trim.” Carlo said mockingly.

“Fuck you!” Butter snapped, trying to get at Carlo.

“Cool out,” Felon said, restraining Butter.

“You watch your fucking self,” Carlo warned, pointing a finger at Butter. “Felon, you better teach this guy some manners before he gets himself fucked up.”

“Everybody, calm the fuck down! Carlo, hold them threats,” Felon demanded. “Ain't nothing popping off in here tonight. Butter, put the fucking bottle down. Now!”

Butter's face was still twisted into a mask of rage. Cassidy had hurt him very deeply. He would've dealt with it a little better if she had gone outside his camp, but she had the nerve to fuck someone he did business with on the regular basis. The more he thought about it, the madder he got. He knew that if he didn't put some space between himself and the turncoats something was going to happen.

Eve watched the exchange, holding her breath. She knew that something would end up happening because of Cassidy's poor choices in men. At first she thought Butter was going to press the issue and crash Carlo with the bottle, but to her surprise, he just kicked the table over and headed for the door. As he passed her, she could see the hurt in his eyes. Not really caring to be around for the fallout, Eve slid out behind Butter.

 

“What kind of bullshit is this?” Felon asked, looking from Carlo to Cassidy.

Carlo shrugged. “Hey, your boy flipped out.”

“Carlo, you knew he was seeing Cassidy, so why fuck with her? You violated, son.”

“Felon, Butter is
your
boy. I do business with
you,
and
you
do business with
him.
I ain't got nothing to do with that arrangement,” Carlo said. “I was attracted to Cassidy, she was attracted to me, and the rest is history. I don't hang with the kid, so how did I violate?”

Technically, Carlo had a point. He and Butter did business together, but it's not like they had a personal relationship. Cassidy was looking for a come-up and Carlo was giving her what she wanted; he was just getting some pussy in the exchange. That still didn't change the fact that what they did was fucked up. Butter had genuine love for Cassidy, and she totally disregarded it by the snake move she pulled.

“Felon, I know you're tight, but I didn't mean any disrespect. She told me that she didn't mess with him like that,” Carlo told him.

“Yo, Cas. I'm real disappointed in you. You're supposed to have more class than that,” Felon said coldly.

Cassidy was momentarily speechless. The words stung, but coming from Felon's mouth made them hurt more. They had grown up together and shared many a good time over the years. She thought about crying, but didn't want to give either of them the satisfaction. “Fuck this,” she said, storming out the door.

Carlo called after her, but she never stopped. Felon just flared his nostrils and stared at Carlo. Sheeka looked around, wondering what had just happened, and went to join her sister.

 

“I had so much love for that girl, Eve,” Butter sobbed into the bottle. He had held his cool when he was inside the lounge, but once he was alone, he let himself go. Eve had walked up the block and found him on a stoop, sobbing.

“It's all good,” she rubbed his back.

“I ain't all good,” he insisted, guzzling from the bottle. “I know Cassidy is a girl that likes to have nice shit, so I tried to give her what she wanted. I guess my paper wasn't long enough?”

Butter continued to rant while Eve tried to console him. A few minutes later, Eve saw Cassidy and Sheeka come out of the lounge. Cassidy stared in their direction, but Eve waved her off. There was no telling what the alcohol and his sorrow would cause Butter to do if he saw her. Eve motioned that she would call Cassidy, to which she nodded and left.

The next person to come out was Felon. He paced back and forth in front of the spot, trying to kill a Newport in three pulls. He glared over at Butter but didn't move in their direction. Even from a few yards up, Eve could see the hurt in Felon's eyes. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. In a sense he did. Carlo had been a valuable asset to them and their cause, but the bad blood between him and Butter was threatening to spoil that.

“How is he?” Felon asked, finally approaching them.