Page 21 of Tainted

Even Rajah, who usually had a witty comeback for everything, paused for a beat before complying with his demand. Without another word, she straightened up and walked toward the door.

As Rajah passed him, he didn’t move, just stood there, looming like a dark cloud while my heart thudded in my chest.

“Rajah can’t save you now,” Phoenix chuckled because watching me get in trouble was the highlight of her life.

“What is your problem?”

“It’s you, thinking you can waltz in here and do what you want. One good night on the big stage doesn’t make you a star, sweetie. It’s consistency, and every time you step on that stage, the lights get bigger and brighter.”

“The real issue is you see my talent, and with time, that’ll make you irrelevant. Hating ass bitch!”

“Baby, please. Your little twirls arecute,” She smiled, mimicking a baby voice. “But sex sells, and I mean really. Look at me and look at you.”

“Once you get past the clown makeup and bad wigs ain’t shit to them busted ass moves. I can dance circles around you on my worst day.”

“Alright, that’s enough!” Megan finally interjected, but it was clear whose side she was on.

“Let her put her money where her mouth is. She can take my spot at Keyes’s party since bright lights don’t bother her.”

“Keyes party isn’t the place for an amateur. Settle yall’s shit another way, but it won’t be there,” Megan declared, putting her foot down.

“I’ll do it,” I said, speaking up because anything less would have made Phoenix think I was scared, and I wasn’t.

Megan’s neck rolled between us, but nothing was left to say, so she finally agreed.

“That one performance can make or break you in Northbridge, so you better be ready.” Megan patted my shoulder and walked out with Diamond and Phoenix behind her.

I wasn’t worried before, but Megan’s concern made me question whether I had made the right decision. I didn’t evenknow who Keyes was or why his birthday was such a big deal. My thoughts were about to take a deep dive, but Rajah walked back in.

“Well?” I asked, walking across the room.

“Well, what?”

“He was pissed, and I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“Relax,” Rajah said, glancing at me with a grin. “She’s not going to do anything. Megan’s more bark than bite.”

“What about Kross? He looks like his bark matches his bite.”

“Depends on the day, but even he can’t deny the cash this ass brings in. You’re fine, Freshie.”

“I’m not. After you left, Phoenix suggested I dance at Keyes’ party, and I couldn’t back down.”

Rajah threw her head back and laughed

“That bitch is cold-blooded.”

“What’s the big deal about Keyes’s birthday party anyway?”

“Girl, that’s not just any party. It’stheparty. There’s going to be so much money in here. Since you’re the new girl, every single one of them is going to be watching to see if you can keep up.”

I bit my lip, wondering if my competitiveness got the best of me on this one. Rajah noticed and snapped her fingers in my face.

“So what she’s setting you up to fail. It doesn’t mean you have to. I’ve seen you dance, you got it and she knows it too. Go out there and show everybody else.”

Who is Keyes anyway?”

“Oh, you’ll see. Make sure you wear your big girl panties, Freshie, because every nigga with money or who’s after some will be at that party. The stage will be bigger but Keyes is easy to please if you do your job.”

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