Free URBAN: Chosen By A Kingpin by Shantel Johnson

built like a linebacker.” I teased her.
    “The color don’t matter, I just like them big. I like turning men into teddy bears.” She swayed her hips over to the security guard. She pressed her bottom against his crotch. He shook his head but she was still going. I could tell that he wanted to dance, but obviously he was at work.
    “Okay, ease up on him.” I pulled her away. “The man has got to work.”
    “But that doesn’t mean that he can’t have a little fun.” She winked at him.
    “Girl, I can’t believe you.” I said once we were out of ear range. “What’s got you going crazy?” She shrugged her shoulders.
    “Oh shit.” Janet cursed after we went back to VIP. We were still getting a bit of attention. People were still looking at us. I figured it was because when we got back to the VIP section, some more bottles were sent to us.
    “I know it felt like we were celebrities. This is the type of shit that would have bitches feeling themselves. I guess this is why some girls be fucking for VIP treatment.”
    “No, it’s not that. I’m not even talking about that.”
    “Then what are you talking about?”
    “It’s just that I’ve seen a ghost.”
    “Oh which one of your exes have you seen now. You’re always bumping into them. I swear every other day your ass is calling me about some ex you seen at the supermarket, a bar, a library, or church.” I scanned the room. “Where he at?”
    “I’m not talking about my ex, but yours. Tell me that’s not Michael across the room by the door.”
    “No….” I dragged out and sure enough there he was.
    I haven’t seen Michael since I unleashed the beast of East Flatbush Brooklyn all over him. He didn’t even call me after that. I just told him that it was over and he seemed cool with it. And then from there, it was like he was gone. It was like nothing ever existed. To see him was a bit weird, but when we caught each other’s eyes, I felt my heart speed up.
    “Oh fuck.” I leaned into Janet’s ears. The music was now louder and the party was underway. “He saw me looking at him.”
    “I figured as much.” She told me
    “Why is that?”
    “Because he’s on his way over here.”
    By the time I turned to check, he was already on the other side of the velvet rope that separated us in VIP.
    “God, you look gorgeous.” He said and threw my whole game off. I was going to say something rude and mean, but when he said that, I actually smiled.
    “Thank you.”
    “I mean, I saw you come in but I thought I was tripping. I was just wondering who this beautiful woman was and ...it’s you.” He smiled and then that familiar cologne hit me. As soon I inhaled it, I was flooded with so many good memories. It was so easy to hate him when I really wasn’t seeing him, but now that he was in front of me, I felt a little different.
    “Hey asshole.” Janet greeted him and I cut my eyes at her. I gave her a slight smile because I know where she was coming from. “You’re just going to come here and not say anything to me. I know you weren’t a dick to me, but don’t start being a dick to me now.”
    “I can honestly say that I miss you talking shit to me.” He laughed. “Hi Janet.”
    “Hey.”
    “So, Mel,” He looked me right in the eye. “Can I get you something to drink?”
    “We have bottle service.”
    “Okay, then can I have this dance?”
    A big part of me was telling me not to do it, but he was right in front of me and I liked the song. I didn’t really answer, and I just nodded my head. He slowly moved the velvet rope and extended out his hand. He brought me to the dance floor. The song was really fast paced and not romantic at all. Like who could really get in the mood to trap music? But he held me close anyway.
    “You look so good.”
    “Thank you.” I blushed.
    “You smell even better.”
    “Thank you.”
    “And you still feel so good.”
    “Thank you.”
    ***

Jamal
    I can’t believe I just saw the mystery girl from the