Page 16 of Never Want to Love Again

“Awww, Asia,” I cooed. “Thank you, girl, but don’t start that crying.” We laughed in unison.

She patted her eyes. “I’ll try not to. We’ll talk about it tomorrow morning then. Tonight, we are going to party with the hottest rapper out!” Asia squinted, throwing me off.

“What?” I queried.

“He flew me on a PJ for you. Why did he do that? Has he been flirting with you?”

I snickered. “No, Crown has been a gentleman.” That’s what I told her, but I think Crown has been flirting with me, but it was light. “He’s called me pretty or whatever, but I’m his employee. Crown could have any woman he wants. Anyone that’s in the industry. I read that he and a famous singer, Jania, had a thing. They would make a cute couple, in my opinion.”

Asia waved me away dismissively. “Girl, please. Do you think that nigga cares if you’re his employee? He’d still hit.” She rolled her eyes.

“Asia! I am not letting Crown fuck. He is fine, but I would love to keep this a business relationship and nothing else. I could not handle being in the blogs every day anyway. They would find anything for a story,” I told her with a shake of my head.

“Fuck them! I’m just saying first the basketball game, and now y’all outside partying… What celebrity brings their social media manager to games and invites them to a hosting? Wake up, Kupid!”

Alec texted me, alerting me that he had arrived. Asia and I gathered our things and left the house. My friend was cute in a black and white plaited skirt, black body suit, and black thigh-high boots. The skirt lifted when she walked. Shamar would have a fit.

“How did the outfit get past my brother?” I giggled as we scurried to the Hummer.

“Giiirl, I had to hide it. He was already mad because he wasn’t invited.” Asia sniggered and said, “Hey,” to Alec before jumping into the Hummer. He spoke back before turning to me.

“Good evening, Alec.”

He nodded his head. “Good evening, Miss Love. Any stops?”

I shook my head. “No stops.”

I slid in, and Asia was already pouring pregame shots. Alec shut the door. The light wind had my nipples hardening against the pasties. I hoped Alec didn’t think of me in any way being dressed like this, but then again, Iwasheaded to a nightclub. How else did he think I was supposed to dress?

It took Alec no time to pull up to Houston, a popular nightclub in Heartville named after the club owner, Houston Reid. As soon as I made it home from Crown’s place, I did my research on it. I read that it was the most popular club and was packed every weekend. It was also said that they had the best hot wings, too. Asia and I used to bust down a plate of chicken wings every time we’d go out in Crestview.

Alec opened the door to the Hummer and helped both Asia and me out. A big, burly Black guy dressed down in Burberry was approaching, and I started to reach in my purse for my pepper spray.

“How are you security dressed in Burberry from head to toe?” Asia snorted through a laugh when the guy was in front of us. She pointed a thumb at him. “This is Crown’s security guard, AD.”

I would ask how Asia knew, but then again, Crown was her favorite rapper. I wouldn’t be surprised if she knew his social security number. The man’s expression was stoic. It was as if he was ready to go back inside and turn up rather than retrieve twofemales who could clearly walk inside themselves. Crown must have sent him.

“Kupid Love?” he asked, looking from me to Asia.

“I’m she,” I said, picking up a hand.

He nodded and licked his lips. “Crown sent me to make sho’ you and your friend get inside safely.” His eyes roamed over me and covered my chest with my arms. They then landed on Asia. “I see why.” He tried to mumble that last part, but I caught it. He chuckled. “Follow me.”

Asia nudged me and rolled her eyes behind AD’s back. I stifled a giggle with my hand. Once we made it past the bouncers, Asia began to clap her hands and twerk her ass.

“We ‘bout to act bad, friend!” she yelled.

That’s one thing I loved about Asia; the girl was outgoing and didn’t give a damn who was watching her. She was unapologetically her.

She reached a hand back, and I grabbed onto it as we walked through the throng of people dancing or just standing around. The club was dark, with colorful strobe lights dancing along the walls. The walls were matte black glass, which I found crazy because having faith in all these people not to break them was… a lot of faith. They made the club appear sexy, though.

AD led us up several stairs and into a section that appeared to be over capacity already.

“Shout out to all my people wit’ me tonight. This family!” Crown’s raspy voice boomed into the microphone, causing chills down my spine.

Asia entered the section first. She was so confident wherever she went, and I already wanted to go home because there were too many people. Maybe I just needed a few more shots, and then I’ll loosen up. Trae nodded at me, and I offered a little wave. Two women dressed in shit that looked like bikinis wereon either side of him on the plush red chaise. Titties were spilling out of their tops.

“Glad you were able to make it, Miss…Love”

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