"And just what you want me to do, Janeka, fire her?"

Koji was leaned back in his black suede chair, jaw tight and face pensive. 

"Fuckin' right! You tell us day and night not to be trickin' in this fuckin' club then you got that- that- WHOLE ASS BITCH eatin' pussy on stage like this some freaknik. Do somethin'!" Janeka snapped her neck as she pointed her finger at the door.

"Nah, hol up. You not about to talk to me like you the boss and I'm the hoe shakin' ass for a blueface." Koji leaned forward towards Janeka with a dark glare, making her step back.

"First the fuck of all. You Work for Me. Get that shit clearer than crystal. And at the end of the day, yeah I said y'all can't be fucking the customers but if Neko want to put on some fake freak show to bring in money. What you real mad 'bout? You jealous that's not Your Pussy she eating? Keep it real-"

"Man, fuck you, Koji. Straight up." Janeka threw her hand at him with a scoff and turned on her heel to walk to the door.

"Nah, Janeka. You the one fuckin' buggin'. And to be straight up with you, you tiptoeing on thing fuckin' ice with that fuckin' temper. You think I can't get another bitch in here badder than you with LESS mouth? Get fuckin' real-"

Florice, standing up to stand in-between Janeka and Koji, held her hand up in protest. "Now, Koji, chill-"

"Nah, fuck that. You lucky this your girl or I woulda been tol' her tired ass to flip a stack at the Butter Biscuit & Bitches spot down the fuckin' way." Koji snatched his toothpick out of his mouth, nostrils flaring. "Matter of fact, you fined for the whole fuckin' night. Next time you come in MY office tryna check me about some fuckin' money YOU not making you fined for the whole fuckin' week." Koji turned his back to both Florice and Janeka, calmly placing his hand on his Koi tank. 

"Now get the fuck out of my office."

Florice, biting her lip, opened her mouth to interject. "Ko-"

"I said she needs to get- out."

Janeka, with a face of disbelief, sucked her teeth and walked out the room with a loud slam of the door, causing a nearby bamboo plant to topple over.

Koji was dead silent, almost to the point of making Florice stand on edge. When Janeka walked out, she immediately headed over to the plant to pick up the dirt with a piece of paper.

"Leave it. Come here, Florice." Koji's tone softened, his chest still rising and falling from the recent alteraction. "Just for a second."

Florice shook her head silently and dropped the paper. She walked over to Koji and placed his hands on his large back to signal her presence. "Koji you ain't have to cuss her out like that. You know Janeka just made about that shit bec-"

"That shit don't matter. Money is made as long as she not on her back for one of the niggas here. You know I ain't going to fire her." he replied to her silent question. 

"Then why are you so hard on her?" Florice traced her hands up to his shoulders and squeezed gently, feeling the tension dance across his trapezius muscles. "Is it cause she started the club with you? What is it?"

"It ain't even none of that. Janeka is good. Real good. She can be the top bitch here but its her mouth. I'd french kiss a whole python before fuckin' with her and truth be told, Florice, I can't save her from herself. So, I gotta keep it gutta wit her when she with that shit."

"You don't think the other girls notice you be extra friendly with us but extra, like, I don't know, brother like?"

"That's what you calling it now? A brother?" Koji turned around and held Florice by her waist, his smoldering black eyes looking into Florice rich brown hues. "I don't think you should be lovey-dovey with your brother, at least not like this." Koji gave Florice bare ass a squeeze, his eyes never leaving hers. "Just tell her i'm sorry."

"You mean it? Or you just trying to apologize to me and not her."

"Man, stop playing girl. You know I love Janeka with all my heart, I ain't going to put her in no cheap shit like-"

"Butter Biscuits & Bitches." they both said together, making Florice drop her head into Koji's chest in a fit of laughter.

"Hey, Alexa, play Body by Summer Walker. And lock my door."

Got it. Playing Body by Summer Walker.

-

Zookie and I was walking out of the Toki room with my hand full of hundreds and a smile on his face. I ain't do shit but grind on that nigga lap and let him touch on my titties and pussy for a few minutes before he ended up coming on his own. 

"Aye, if you ever want to vibe wit a nigga and get in on some real money, hit my line." he winked at me before walked ahead of me, waving his hand to his homies that they was out. They all followed suit, tucking their wads back into their pocket and walking out the club in mass groups.

BJ took a final swig of his Hennesey and jogged out of the establishment moments later.

When I was walking to the dressing room, Janeka stormed passed me in sweats and a baby tee, and her face looked bright red. That shit with Neko must've really pressed her. And what was Koji doing listening to Summer Walker? 

Shit. Whatever, I got my money and I'm ready to call it a night.

"Ayo, Ari!"

 I knew that voice.

I turned around and saw Q standing at the bar with an all black Ralph Lauren v-neck on and black denims with red and black Jordan 12s on. 

I smiled and waved shyly at him. I  was standing there with no bra on and just a g-string on.

"Whatchu doing here?" I walked next to him, tucking the wad of money in my money satchel- not going to lie I was pretty tired so I was hoping he'd be willing to offer a ride.

"I'm here to pick up Florice but she ain't answering her phone so I got worried. So, uh, i'm guesing you had a busy night?" he maintained eye contact with me but smirked playfully.

"Boy it ain't even that type of party! Don't act liket his your first time in the club." I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes the opposite direction.

"You right. So, what, you want to call it a night early and we catch the late movie? Your treat?" this time a playful grin spread clear across his face.

"You know what- alright, cool! I'll be out in 30 minutes."

"Make it 40." he looked down at his vibrating phone and scrunched his phone at the caller ID.

"You know my car right?" he looked at me with concern as he placed the receiver to his ear. "Speak!"

I nodded and waved him off. He took the signal and made a beeline out the door.

-

Florice decided to get dropped off to Janeka house over in Zone 6. Her house resembled them row apartments all painted that same bleak-colored brown with red rustic accent as brick. Or at least it looked like brick. Some dudes selling was hanging right around the corner and it made me kind of clutch my duffle closer even though I knew no threat was on us.

"Florice and Janeka grew up together right down the street from here."  Q pointed at some forest green duplex-style apartments that looked like a housing project, its large vacant plot of land causing the apartments to form some kind of square shape around eachother.

"Janeka stayed because of her mama. She real sick. And her little brothers are only 10 and 14 so she don't want to just leave. Feel me? So- yea. Janeka- Ion know man, she just different. It take a strong person to be her friend and a stronger nigga to be with her."

"Mmm." I nodded in response. I was really just making sure Florice made it inside.

Once she waved us off Q sped down the opposite way.

"So, what movies you into?" Q rested his right elbow on the arm rest, left hand on the steering wheel.

"I like everything. But I love me some crime or horror shit." my eyes glimmered at the idea that a new episode of Deadly Women Was recorded on my DVR.

"Alright, so now I know to watch you when you putting special seasoning in my food and shit." he chuckled at his own joke.

I eased him playfully and rolled my eyes. "Boy, you about 6'4 250. What i'm going to do?"

"Not kill me."

"We'll see." 

"Wildin'. So, lets go see The House That Jack Built. See how tough you are."  his grin spread from dimple to dimple at his little game.

"Cool. I buy the pizza pretzel and you buy the fried oreos."

"Damn, you tryna impress me? That's my favorite pizza combo."

"Not even! Its my cheat day and all that ass shaking got me hungryyyyy!" I rubbed my stomach with a pout before the both of us bust out laughing.