Trickin', page 18
“Oh my goodness!” Peighton gasped. “Girl, you look beautiful. I got to take some pictures of you ’cuz my friends back home ain’t gon’ believe I hung out wit’ someone as pretty as you.” Peighton picked up the Escada S perfume and sprayed herself with it as well.
“Aww, thanks,” Ra’Keeyah said gratefully. She walked over to her closet and grabbed a black clutch for Peighton and a silver one for herself.
“Do you think my camera is gon’ fit in here?” Peighton asked, taking the clutch from her hand.
Ra’Keeyah shook her head and laughed. “It should, or let’s just hope it does for your sake.”
Peighton laughed too taking half a dozen pictures of Ra’Keeyah before they made their way downstairs.
“Oh my goodness, look at y’all,” Ra’Keeyah’s mother squealed with excitement as they walked into the living room where she sat watching TV with Jaylen. “Y’all look so beautiful. Jay-Jay run and get mommy’s camera out of my room. Oh wow, look at my baby.” Tears of joy clouded her vision as she spoke. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young lady.”
“Mommy, don’t cry,” Ra’Keeyah said, feeling herself getting emotional too. “You gon’ make me ruin my makeup.”
“Okay, I won’t,” her mother promised. “Peighton, you look like a totally different person too. Y’all look really pretty.”
“Thank you,” Peighton smiled.
“Here you go, Mommy,” Jaylen said handing her the camera.
Ra’Keeyah and Peighton took more pictures for Ra’Keeyah’s mom. Ra’Keeyah took a few with her mother and brother and more by herself before calling Shayna to let her know that they were ready.
“Well, ladies, I’m about to leave for work,” Ra’Kee-yah’s mother said. “I want y’all to have a good and safe time at the block party.”
“We will,” they both said in unison.
“Happy birthday, again, Ra’Keeyah,” her mother said, kissing her on the cheek.
“Thanks, Mom,” she smiled.
“I want to tell you this before I leave.”
Here we go wit’ this same old speech, Ra’Keeyah thought.
“I’m not gon’ tell you not to be out there drinkin’ and gettin’ high. I don’t want you to do it, but I’ve been your age before and I know that’s what y’all into,” Ra’Keeyah’s mother said. “I’m not proud of it, but I did it too. All I can tell you to do is be careful while you’re doin’ it. You understand?”
“I understand,” Ra’Keeyah said, surprised, giving her mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ra’Keeyah never thought in a million years that her mother would be giving her a speech like that. She was used to hearing the one about not having anyone in her house while she was gone.
“Come on, Jaylen, it’s time to go,” Ra’Keeyah’s mother called out.
“I’m comin’,” he yelled.
“Oh, Ra’Keeyah,” her mother said before walking out the door.
“I know, Mom, be home before curfew.”
“No, that’s not what I was gon’ say. I was gon’ say enjoy yourselves tonight. You’re only seventeen once,” her mother winked and walked out the door with Jaylen in tow.
“Damn, your mom is mad cool!” Peighton exclaimed. “I wish my mom was like yours.”
“Yeah, she’s cool,” Ra’Keeyah boasted, not knowing what caused the sudden change. “Look, I gotta tell you somethin’ before we leave.”
“What is it?” Peighton asked, concerned.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Yeah, I can keep a secret,” Peighton answered. “Plus, who am I gon’ tell it to? You the only person I know in Ohio other than my dad,” she laughed.
Ra’Keeyah studied Peighton before talking. “Okay. We’re makin’ a stop before we go to the block party.”
“Where we goin’? To pick up some dope or somethin’?” Peighton asked curiously.
“Naw, fool,” Ra’Keeyah laughed. “Me and my friends are dancers, and we have to do a show before we head over to the party. We can come back and pick you up if you don’t feel comfortable goin’ wit’ us.”
“I wanna go. I ain’t never been to no strip club,” Peighton said, intrigued.
“We ain’t goin’ to no strip club. We do our shows in a hotel suite.”
“That’s fine too. Can I take some pictures?” Peighton asked.
“Let me guess, for your friends back home,” Ra’Kee-yah laughed.
“Yeah. They not gon’ believe the kinda’ summer I had. But I’ll have the pictures to prove it,” Peighton said happily.
“I don’t care, girl, as long as the pictures from the hotel don’t show up on Facebook.”
“I wouldn’t do you like that,” Peighton assured. “Shit, I don’t even have a Facebook account.”
Ra’Keeyah shook her head. “You need to get wit’ the program. I’ma hip you to a lot of new shit this summer.”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Peighton smiled.
“Shit, I almost forgot my overnight bag,” Ra’Keeyah said, rushing back upstairs to get it.
“What’s in there?” Peighton questioned once Ra’Kee-yah came back downstairs.
“Uh, nosy!” Ra’Keeyah joked. “I got my necessities in here. Condoms, perfume, FDS spray, clean panties. I got all kinds of stuff.”
“I can learn a lot from you,” Peighton said.
“Stick around and you will,” Ra’Keeyah laughed before taking a seat on the sofa to wait for their ride.
Ten minutes later Joe pulled up in front of the house. Shayna called Ra’Keeyah to let her know they were outside. Ra’Keeyah and Peighton walked out to the minivan.
“Damn, bitch, you look like a movie star!” Shayna got out of the van and said. “Your dress is bad!”
“Thank you,” Ra’Keeyah said, spinning around to show off her outfit. “Oh, Shayna, this Peighton, my neighbor from across the street, the one that I was tellin’ you about. Peighton, Shayna,” Ra’Keeyah introduced.
“Hi,” Peighton spoke.
“What’s up?” Shayna said. “You look nice too.”
“So do you,” Ra’Keeyah and Peighton both said. Shayna wore a yellow silk angel sleeve summer dress with a deep V-neck and a pair of gold cork-heeled stack sandals that wrapped around her ankles. She had on gold butterfly earrings and a oversized butterfly ring.
“Thank you,” Shayna smiled.
“I feel left out,” Quiana said, climbing out of the car dressed in a light blue halter dress with sequins right beneath the bust line, a pair of silver platform heels, and matching silver accessories.
“Quiana, Peighton, Peighton, Quiana,” Ra’Keeyah said. “Oh, and that’s Joe over there,” she pointed.
“Hi,” Peighton spoke to Quiana and Joe.
“Hey,” they both answered.
“We all look hot tonight,” Shayna bragged.
“We sho’ do,” Quiana agreed.
“Let take some pictures,” Peighton suggested.
“You and your pictures,” Ra’Keeyah laughed. “Hey, y’all, meet our own personal photographer for the night.”
“That’s right!” Peighton laughed too.
“Get out, Joe, and take some pictures of us,” Shayna demanded.
Without hesitation, Joe got out of the minivan and did as he was told. The ladies took enough pictures to almost fill up a photo album.
“I’m ready to get this night started,” Ra’Keeyah said, amped.
“Well, let’s go, then,” Quiana said before climbing back into the minivan with Joe and Peighton in tow.
“Let me holla’ at you for a minute,” Shayna said, pulling Ra’Keeyah to the side.
“What’s up?” Ra’Keeyah asked.
“Do this chick know what we bouta’ go do?” Shayna asked, skeptical.
“Yeah, I pulled her coattail.”
“You trust her?”
“Yeah, I trust her,” Ra’Keeyah answered. “If I didn’t, you know she wouldn’t be rollin’ wit’ us.”
“All right, then, if you trust her, I trust her,” Shayna said, still skeptical. “I know one thing. I better not see none of our pictures on Facebook.”
Ra’Keeyah started cracking up laughing. “I said the same damn thang!” she said, giving Shayna a high five. “But she don’t got no Facebook page.”
“Oh, well, we don’t got nuttin’ to worry about then,” Shayna laughed. “Let’s get this party started,” she said as she and Ra’Keeyah got into the minivan to head over to the hotel.
Chapter Twenty-three
Joe’s cell phone rang on the way to the hotel. By the sound of his conversation, Ra’Keeyah could tell he was talking to his sister.
“Yeah, I talked to ’em, and they wanna know how much you gon’ pay. They get paid two-fifty each from the men.” After exchanging a few more words, Joe ended the call. “Janice said she’ll give y’all two-fifty each as well,” he said to Shayna.
“I’m wit’ it,” Shayna smiled.
“Me too,” Quiana agreed.
“I ain’t,” Ra’Keeyah frowned.
“We’ll talk later,” Shayna said, not wanting to discuss their business in front of Peighton.
“That’s fine. But my answer is still gon’ be the same later,” Ra’Keeyah said smartly.
Joe pulled up in front of the hotel, and the ladies gathered their belongings before exiting the minivan.
“Don’t forget, Joe, we ain’t gon’ be here all night. I’ma call you when we ready,” Shayna said.
“A’iiiight,” he said before pulling off.
Like clockwork, the girls walked into the hotel lobby, Shayna got the key from the front desk, and they boarded the elevator.
“Surprise!” all the men yelled when the ladies walked in the hotel room.
“Happy Birthday,” Shayna said, giving Ra’Keeyah a hug.
Ra’Keeyah smiled widely. “Is this for me?” she asked looking around the room at all the decorations, food, and drinks.
“Yep,” Shayna replied. “Me and Quiana came here earlier and decorated the room, and Calvin has a friend who is a caterer, so he sent over all the food and drinks.”
“Thank y’all so much,” Ra’Keeyah smiled giving Shayna and Quiana a hug.
“You deserve it, girl,” Shayna said sincerely.
“No problem,” Quiana replied.
“I’m goin’ in the room to change,” Ra’Keeyah beamed.
“Me too,” Quiana stated and followed behind her.
“I’m about to take some pictures, and then I’ll be in there too,” Peighton said. She walked over to the table, pulled out her camera, and took pictures of all the food and decorations.
“Who’s the girl with the camera?” Calvin asked Shayna.
“Oh, that’s my cousin Peighton,” Shayna lied. “She’s in town for the summer and just wanna take pictures, so don’t mind her.”
“How can I not? She’s breathtaking,” Calvin said, admiring Peighton’s beauty, making Shayna jealous. “Is she dancing too?” he asked, hopeful.
“No, she’s not dancin’ wit’ us!” Shayna snapped while rolling her eyes.
“That’s too bad,” Calvin said and turned to walk away.
Shayna was heated about Calvin being so interested in Peighton. Envious was something she’d never been over another female, but the way Calvin stared at Peighton had her feeling just that. Shayna walked into the bedroom with Ra’Keeyah and Quiana as they got ready.
“Let’s take a birthday shot,” Shayna said, needing one to calm her nerves. She pulled their outfits and her favorite St. Claire Green Tea Vodka out of her duffle bag. Quiana grabbed the cups out of the bathroom. Once she removed the plastic from the cups, Shayna poured double shots in each of them.
“Don’t leave me out,” Peighton said, walking in the room.
“You betta’ come on then,” Ra’Keeyah said, handing her a cup.
Shayna poured Peighton a double shot as well. The four ladies held their cups up in the air and each took a turn making a toast before taking their shots to the face.
“One mo’ for my birthday,” Ra’Keeyah said.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Quiana said, holding her cup out so Shayna could refill it.
Once Shayna refilled everyone’s cup, they toasted one more time before taking their shot to the head.
“Say ‘cheese,’” Peighton said, lifting her camera up. The girls posed as Peighton started snapping away.
“OK, I’m goin’ to get dressed now,” Shayna said heading into the bathroom.
“Me too.” Ra’Keeyah followed her.
“Say ‘cheese,’” Peighton said to Quiana.
Quiana stopped getting undressed and posed for the picture. “Wait until we get dressed in our outfits, and then take some pictures of us,” Quiana said and continued getting ready for the show.
“Okay. Man, I can’t wait to show off these pictures!” Peighton smiled happily.
Quiana shook her head. “Now I don’t think these men gon’ approve of you takin’ their pictures because majority of ’em are married men.”
“Oh, wow. I wanted more pictures,” Peighton said, disappointed.
“Sneak and do it,” Quiana suggested.
“Yeah, I am,” Peighton smiled.
“Make sure you take a lot of ’em. We like pictures, especially Ra’Keeyah’s ol’ conceited ass,” Quiana laughed.
“I got chu’.”
“Let’s get’s this party started so we can blow this Popsicle stand,” Ra’Keeyah said as she and Shayna walked out of the bathroom dressed in a two-piece bathing suit.
“I’m wit’ you,” Quiana agreed.
“Wow, y’all look hot!” Peighton said, excited. “Let me get y’all’s picture.”
“You ain’t gay, are you?” Shayna teased.
“No, but my dad is,” Peighton said innocently.
“What?” Shayna and Quiana exclaimed.
“Never mind, y’all, let’s just take the picture,” Ra’Keeyah said laughing. The three girls took more pictures before walking out of the room.
Peighton sat on the sideline eating off the veggie tray as the girls danced. She turned the flash off on her camera and discreetly snapped pictures. The men were so into what they were watching they never even noticed. After a quick show, the girls collected their money and freshened back up. Shayna then called Joe to let him know they were ready. Some of the men were disappointed because they were expecting to get more, but the girls promised to make it up the next week. The four girls took one more shot to the face before heading down to wait on their ride.
Traffic was bumper to bumper as Joe drove the girls to the party. They could hear the music the DJ was playing from miles away. He had to drop the girls off four blocks down because the streets were blocked off by barriers and cars were lined up everywhere so he couldn’t go through to let them off any closer. They weren’t the only ones walking. Some people had to park ten blocks down.
“Damn, we got a long way to walk in these heels,” Quiana complained as she got out of the van.
“I know, right?” Shayna agreed. “Thanks, Joe,” she said, closing the door behind her.
“You’re welcome and call me when y’all ready.”
“I will,” Shayna said.
“My feet hurt,” Ra’Keeyah complained as they walked in the middle of the street like they owned it.
“Didn’t nobody tell you to wear them ten-inch heels,” Shayna joked.
“Ha-ha, don’t hate,” Ra’Keeyah smiled.
“Shit, I ain’t hatin’. I’ll be over to borrow them bad boys,” Shayna laughed.
“They are sharp,” Quiana agreed.
“Whaaat? Quiana givin’ me a compliment? You must want somethin’,” Ra’Keeyah said laughing.
“I do,” Quiana laughed back.
The closer they got to the party, the more excited they got. They couldn’t wait to show off their outfits. They were looking fly, and they knew it!
“I wonder what Brick gon’ think about your new look,” Shayna looked over at Ra’Keeyah and said.
“I don’t know and don’t care,” Ra’Keeyah said. “I’m still feelin’ some kind of way from him not tellin’ me about the block party.”
“Maybe he forgot,” Shayna said in Brick’s defense.
“How do you forget to tell someone that you talk to almost every day that you hostin’ one of the biggest parties of the year?” Ra’Keeyah asked. “ We done been out to eat and other places, and I have been over to his house several times during the past two weeks. I just don’t think he wanted me to come.”
“You got a point there,” Shayna laughed.
“And that bullshit Davinette said to me at the shop today still got me wonderin’,” Ra’Keeyah grimaced. “If he’d stoop that low to fuck wit’ a nasty bitch like her, then I’m cool on him anyway!”
“You don’t even know if what Davinette said was true or not,” Shayna said. “She probably was just lyin’ to get you out yo’ hookup.”
“I don’t know,” Ra’Keeyah said. “If she wasn’t lyin’ about it, then she can have him. ’Cuz he ain’t worth all the trouble.”
“Well, what you gon’ do when you see him?” Shayna inquired.
“Act like I don’t see him,” Ra’Keeyah stated, rolling her eyes. “It’s my birthday, and the St. Claire Green Tea Vodka got me feelin’ on point. If Brick don’t want this,” she said, pointing to herself, “it’s a lotta other niggas out here wit’ money that can get it! I’m tired of wastin’ my time fuckin’ wit’ niggas that wanna play games.”
“I feel you,” both Shayna and Quiana agreed.
“Is Brick your boyfriend?” Peighton asked, butting in on their conversation.
“No, we just talkin’,” Ra’Keeyah answered.
“Well, if y’all don’t go together, what you so upset about?” she asked.
Shayna shook her head. “You don’t got no boyfriend in Birmingham, do you?” she asked.
“Actually, I do,” Peighton answered.
“Wow, that’s surprisin’,” Shayna laughed, trying to get under Peighton’s skin. “I bet you still a virgin, ain’t you?”
