Page 143 of Collect the Pieces

Hustler throws out a hand in my direction. “He started it, callin’ us all perverts.”

“Youarea pervert,” Z says. “Ol’ ladies are off-limits.” His gaze swings to me. “Sit the fuck down, Jiggy.”

Hadn’t even realized I’d gotten up and was leaning halfway over the table about to wrap my hands around Hustler’s neck.Ooopsie.Still glaring at him, I drop back into my chair.

He finally holds up his hands. “Sorry, you know I’m just fuckin’ with you, brother.”

I nod to accept the apology.

Rooster glances down at me, his eyes squinty with annoyance. “Can I continue?”

I hold out my hands. “No one’s stoppin’ you, brother.”

He blows out a breath. “I warned her filming it here wouldn’t be an option. The alternative she suggested is renting a house through Vay-Kay.com”

“She’s gonna need abigplace for that,” Hustler says.

Z holds up his hands. “Wait a second. We’re not bankrolling this ‘project’ of hers. It’s disgusting.”

This must be the answer Rooster expected or was hoping for. He bobs his head up and down. “It doesn’t fit her ‘brand’ of female-gaze, artsy porn, either. I feel pretty confident very few women want to watch this.”

“Wait.” Suds snaps his fingers. “Her films are supposed to be forwomen?” His face wrinkles with confusion. “Is that why they’re all shot in that weird hazy sunlight and there’s always so much pussy-licking in them?”

“Tell us you’ve never satisfied a woman without telling us,” I sing.

Laughter ripples around the room.

“Wait, why are we being so judgmental, Prez?” Eazy grins like an idiot. “Clubs run trains all the time. Not much different than that.”

“Thisclub doesn’t have a hundred strangers line up to drill anyone,” Z says through clenched teeth. “The porn business is sleazy enough. Let’s not make it worse.”

That wipes the smirk off Eazy’s face. “I’m just sayin’,” he mutters, sliding down in his seat.

“What’s wrong, bro? You want to sign up to be sloppy seventy-fifths?” I taunt.

“Only if you’re number seventy-four.” Eazy blows me a kiss.

“Fucker.” I laugh and sit back.

“The amount she’s requesting is in the mid six-figures.” Rooster passes a piece of paper to Z.

“Hah.” Z barks out an incredulous laugh. “In her fucking dreams.”

“Uh.” Grinder lifts one hand in the air. “I realize I’m old and maybe not ‘with it’ but should we be concerned?”

Z slides a cautious gaze toward our SAA. “About?”

“Seems to me like a sick cry for help, no?” Grinder turns, looking for one of us to agree.

Fuck it, I’m with Grinder on this one.

“Yeah,” I agree. “All jokes aside, can we all admit, this ain’t normal?” I hold my hands in the air. “Not trying to yuck anyone’s yum but come the fuck on.”

“Kinda feels like we’d be feeding a bulimic a sixteen-course meal,” Hustler says.

“Hundred-and-one course,” Grinder corrects.

No one laughs.

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