Free Careful of the Company You Keep by Angie Daniels

before you leave.”
    I nodded, then sashayed back to the table and caught Ron staring. I tossed my head back and laughed all the way back to our table. Good for his ass.

8
    Renee
    I went and got another round of drinks even though I knew good and well neither one of us needed another. But what the hell? You only live once, and I knew I wouldn’t be back in this place again anytime soon. Although I have to admit I was having a hell of a time with the few folks in this place that were my age. I returned to the table just as Danielle came back and lowered onto the seat.
    â€œWho the hell was that fine mothajumper?”
    â€œHis name is Chance.”
    â€œChance?” I frowned as I watched him move around the bar. “Where’s he from?”
    â€œSt. Louis, can you believe it?”
    â€œSt. Louis?” Something about him suddenly seemed familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t know. I was wondering if I knew him.” There was something about him, but there was no telling. I knew a lot of people. “So whassup with him?”
    â€œNothing really. I gave him my number so I’ll see if he calls me.”
    At least she gave him her number. I thought with Ron being in the room she’d be scared to even try to step to another. The last time she did, Ron’s ass clowned Calvin. He stole on that negro before he saw it coming. Hee-hee! That was some funny shit. That’s a good sign. Maybe she was ready to move on. And it’s about damn time. Ron just ain’t worth losing sleep over.
    I looked over and saw Landon heading our way. Leslie was nowhere in sight. “Whassup?” I asked as if I hadn’t been watching him since he left our table.
    â€œI’m so sorry about all that.” His apology seemed sincere.
    â€œWhassup with you and Leslie? ’Cause inquiring minds want to know.”
    He shrugged like it was no big deal. “That’s the past.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Must not be, the way she was sweating yo ass.”
    Danielle gave him a hard look. “I think you need to go on back over there with her, ’cause Ima have to whup her ass if she come over here trippin’ again.”
    â€œShe left.”
    I smiled. “Good, then have a seat.”

9
    Danielle
    I waved Renee good-bye. I should have known she was going to take Landon home. Hell, I wasn’t no hater. If I had my way I would have been inviting Chance home with me. But as I followed the crowd out of the club, hoping to run into him again, I couldn’t find him. Hopefully he’ll call me—soon. In the meantime, I would have to go without getting any dick tonight.
    You can always pull out your vibrator.
    Hell no. I needed something tonight that a piece of plastic could not give me. Something rough and dirty that only a thug could offer.
    I reached inside my purse for my keys and crossed the street. Everybody was coming out of the club, and both the street and sidewalk were crowded. Nobody appeared to be in a rush to go home. Neither was I, but where else did I have to go?
    When I got close to my vehicle, I almost tripped on the heel of my boot when I spotted Ron leaning against the hood of my Durango smoking a blunt. Cops were circling the area, but leave it to him not to give a fuck.
    My heart soared when I realized he hadn’t gone home with that slut. Bitch, you gotta play it cool. I couldn’t let him know how happy I was to see him waiting for me. Instead of running into his arms like I was dying to do, I ignored him and walked around and unlocked my door.
    â€œYo, whassup?”
    I simply shrugged. “What’s up wit you?”
    â€œNothing,” he said and took another hit. “Where yo nigga at?”
    Oh, he had noticed. By the frown on his face, I knew it pissed him off. Good .
    â€œI don’t have a nigga.”
    Ron dropped the blunt to the ground and put it out with his foot. The