Page 1 of Rhoni & Dreaux

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Rhoni.

“I thought tonight was supposed to be fun.” I sank the red three ball into the left corner pocket, straightened, looked at the pool table once more, and lined up for my next shot.

“Five, side pocket,” I mumbled before leaning back over the side and taking the shot. It went in. “This is fun.” I glanced at my cousin Tyren who groaned his displeasure.

“Losing two hundred dollars that I don’t have isn’t fun, Rho.”

“You have it. You just don’t want me to have it. Eight ball, corner pocket.” My cue moved forward, sending the cue ball across the table. It collided with the eight ball which spun, rolled, then dropped into the pocket.

“Game, make that two fifty.” I winked at him and he shoved his hand into his back pocket, removed a fold of cash, and tossed another fifty onto the table.

“I’m done.”

I lifted my Corona and grinned behind the bottle after I took some down. “You don’t want to let me round that up to an even three.”

“Three isn’t fucking even, Rho. Get the fuck outta here. I’m going to find some pussy to settle into to make me feel better about the money I just lost. You might want to do the same.”

“Pussy is not my thing and at the moment men aren’t either. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re here tonight to get my mind off your sorry ass friend who decided I wasn’t worth him being faithful.”

“Man, it’s been three months. You need to find a dick to hop on. It will make you feel better and will be a lot cheaper for me.”

I frowned at my cousin, shaking my head. “Aren’t you supposed to be protective of my honor or some shit like that? You’re encouraging me to have sex with a stranger.”

His lazy smile had my eyes rolling. I was about to get hit with some bullshit.

“You’re grown, Rho. Thirty-two trips around the sun kind of grown. The fuck I look like telling you what to do with your body. And if I did, would you listen?”

I grinned and he shrugged. “That’s what I thought.” He removed another fifty, tossed it on the table, and pointed to the money. “You got me out the house. I kept you distracted while you beat my ass in pool and stole from me. Drinks are on me but the rest of the night you’re on your own. If you decide to take my advice, be safe and make that nigga strap up. I can’t imagine another one of you in the world. That shit would be tragic.”

“Fuck you…” I managed to choke out after what was left of my beer barely made it down my throat.

“I’m just saying, Rho. You’re a different kind of special.” He winked, walked up to me, and dragged me into a hug. “I love you kid. Fuck that nigga, aight. Every man isn’t a fuck boy like Wills.”

“I know,” I said lowly and hugged him back. I wasn’t ready to try again with a relationship, but he was right, I needed to end this self-imposed celibacy. It just wouldn’t likely happen tonight. “I love you too.”

“I’mma head over here and see if I can make some shit shake.” He pointed to a group of friends who had a table full of empty glasses. They were all pretty, sporting smiles and hooded eyes.

“Taking the easy route I see. Don’t want them turning your ugly ass down.”

He laughed, narrowing his eyes my way. “You look just like your momma and I look just like mine. They’re identical twins, Rho. If I’m ugly, yo’ ass is ugly too.”

He walked away and I reached for the two fifties, but a hand covered mine when I attempted to take possession of the money. My eyes shot up to find an unfairly handsome face, deep jet black waves on top of his head, attached to a very sexy body.

A chiseled jaw covered in a sheen of black, deep penetrating eyes, and delicious lips made him gorgeous. I had only enjoyed the one beer, which I’d just finished, so it wasn’t the alcohol. His ass was fine. My pulse quickened when his eyes lingered on my body, dragging over me in a lazy, unhurried manner until they landed on my face again.

“That money is mine?” I narrowed my glare and he smirked.

“It is. I watched you win it.”

“Then why is your hand on my money?” A stampede of butterflies took up residence in my stomach when he moved closer. He smelled really good and his body thrummed with a pulse of trouble.

“Because I figured since your boyfriend tapped out, you might be interested in winning some of mine.”

“Cute but seeing as how he’s over there in another woman’s face, you know that’s not my man. Rethink your pickup line.”

“Maybe it’s an open situation.” His eyes danced with amusement. “Maybe he’s in her face propositioning a night for the two of you.”

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