Free Falling for a Hustler: A Benton Harbor Love Story by Jerniqua K. Page A

with that bullshit. I’m talking to Brick!”
    “A'ight, Imma get up with you later bro. I don't want Mariah to kill you cause her spoiled ass ain’t gettin no attention.”
    He agreed, and then we ended the call. Those two were truly something else.
    ***
    “Where are you taking me, Brick?” We had only been riding for five minutes, and she was already asking questions.
    I looked at her and smiled. “Does it matter?”
    “Yes it matters! Nigga I just met you. How I know you ain’t taking me to the boonies to rape me or some shit like that?” Her ass was feisty, and I liked that shit.
    “Rape you? Baby girl I ain’t gotta take shit. After tonight, you gon’ be tryin to throw the pussy at me any way,” I joked with a shrug. Her mouth fell open, and then she smacked me before we both fell out laughing.
    “I don’t just throw my shit around. This pussy is like no other, boo. You gotta earn a taste of this.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Pretty much.”
    I nodded my head at her. I turned the music up and let Trey Songz take over as I thought about my next move. I really didn't have anything planned; I just needed an excuse to spend time with Lyric. I looked over at her, and she was looking out the window. The moonlight was hitting her face just right, making her skin glow. Suddenly, I had the perfect idea.
    We arrived at Tiscornia beach in less than ten minutes. It was already dark, and the beach would be closing to the public soon, but I didn't care. Everyone had already left or was beginning to leave; it was the perfect time to be there. After I put the car in park, I jumped out and went over to her side, opening the door for her. Smiling, she stepped out and shut the door. I grabbed her, and together we walked toward the pier.
    “Oh my God, this is so nice, Brick. I never thought that the water could be so beautiful in the dark,” she said as she stared at the waves.
    “Call me Bryce.”
    “Well thank you, Bryce.”
    She turned toward me and placed a soft peck on my lips. I wanted to snatch her up and bend her over the rail, but I refrained from doing so.
    “It’s crazy I know nothing about you, yet I don't want to be away from you,” I admitted.
    “We have plenty of time for that.”
    That night we walked up and down the beach, just laughing and getting to know each other. She told me all about her childhood, and I felt terrible for her. I couldn’t imagine how I would have turned out if I had lost my mother. Luckily, she had an aunt that was willing to take her and her sister in. Just hearing her talk about how she got through it gave me a greater respect for her.
    “I have this little gig now. I’m making decent money but, it ain’t coming fast enough,” she answered after I had asked her how she was getting by. I noticed that she didn't tell me exactly what she did, but I didn’t press the issue.
    After almost three hours of random conversation, I dropped her back off at home. I didn't really want to, but it was late and I figured she would have to go to work soon.
    “I really enjoyed myself with you, Brick.”
    “I enjoyed you as well. Next time we’ll do dinner or something.”
    “Next time?” she asked with her brow raised.
    “Quit actin like you don’t know, Lyric. You’re already mine, I’m just trying to get all this formal shit out the way first.”
    We both smiled. She leaned over and kissed my lips for the second time that night; only this time, there was a bit of hunger to it. When she pulled away, she grabbed for the door handle and got out of the car.
    “Goodnight Bryce.”
    “Goodnight Lyric.”

 
     
    Destiny
     
    “Have you talked to your sister yet, Des?” Dominic asked while rubbing my feet.
    “No. I still don’t even know if I want to go through with the shit,” I replied honestly.
    “What the fuck you mean you don’t know if you want to go through with it. We’ve already talked about this shit, man. You carrying my fucking seed ma, I can’t have you out there