~Stenton~
Everything was at least stable in my life. I’d just sent Jordan off with his grandparents to South Carolina the day before for Sarah’s birthday. It was my weekend to keep him, but she was due down there for a birthday getaway, and I so happened to add to the agenda of her trip a surprise gift from me. I’d been attending counseling sessions that were starting to resonate. It had been three months since my break up with Erika, and that relieved a lot of the pressure I was under since the spring. My training numbers had been improving. I was in a great place.
That was until I decided to go out to a low key party my boy, Hakim, was giving at his loft near the Main Line in Philly. Hakim’s a freelance photographer who’s well-known in the industry for his talents with the camera as well as his affinity for networking among the elite. The only reason I considered his invitation was because the gathering was at his home and not at a facility open to the public.
As I walked through the door, I observed the contemporary, yet industrialized décor of the place. There was lots of brick and chrome. There were reds in the detail of the place mixed with black leather. I saw big ass abstract art posted on his walls. Hakim’s place was nice. People lined the walls, socializing and sipping.
“Hey, Stent!” I turned to a small hand grabbing my lower arm. I looked down to find Alaina, Hakim’s cousin, who had been after my cock for at least two years. I’d known her for years, but her interest in me was more recent. She was a decent looking woman, flawless cocoa skin, slender with a medium ass. Nothing I couldn’t work with. It was that she was too fucking young. I didn’t do young girls; only Zoey a few years ago, but no one since her. I’d had no desire since her either. “Al and Hakim are in the kitchen,” she muttered somewhat sensually, to which I nodded. “Come see me before you leave, I want to chat with you about something.”
That was definitely seductive. And I wasn’t beat. I nodded politely and walked off into the direction she pointed me to. The last thing I needed was a woman. I had no fucking capacity for or interest in taking one on at that point in my life. I was barely surviving the few I’d had.
When I entered the kitchen, it appeared almost as crowded as the corridor with people standing around chatting it up. I spotted the fellas almost right away. It was hard not to when I saw a cypher that was up in laughter every few seconds. It must be Al in the middle of that circle.
As I drew closer I heard, “And that bitch said, ‘I thought you said me, you and a few friends tonight’.” Alton grabbed his crotch. “I said, ‘Yeah, bitch. Here my other three friends right here. Now be polite and say hello to my little friends!’”
I shook my head as the small crowd busted out laughing. Alton was known for his lewd talk, but sometimes I wondered how much of his stories were fictional.
“StentRo!” Alton shot over to me and gave me some dap. “I ain’t know you was coming out, man.” He looked at me a little suspiciously.
At that same time, Hakim turned to me, throwing his shoulder into me as we clasped hands. “I’m glad you made it, Stent. I never know with you.”
I turned to Alton. “I just wanted to stop by for a few minutes to show my man some love.” Then I glanced over to Hakim. “Love what you did with the place. It’s nice as hell.”
“Thanks, man.” Hakim gave a slight bow.
Out the corner of my eye I could see Alton still shooting daggers at me. I turned back to him.
“What the fuck done crawled up your ass?” I asked. “I can help get it out.”
“Hang on a sec, Stent,” Hakim said before stepping off.
Alton damn near jumped up to my ear. “Yo, man, Tynisha is here.”