Page 200 of The Ninth

As the light turned yellow, I slowed all the way down. I was the first car while the van was right behind me. As it turned red, I came to a stop.

Duke: Okay. Where you at?

As soon as the other cars started moving at the intersection, I stomped on the gas, blowing through. About seven cars blew they horns while several mothafuckas cussed me the hell out. I watched as the van tried to blow through too, but some people stopped in the intersection, blocking them.

I hit ninety in that fucking AMG, barreling towards The Ninth.

Duke: Cassandra!

Me: I’m just going to look at new cars and wanted to see where you was. I didn’t bring enough money.

Duke: I gotch—

Me: But I gotta go, love you!

I hung up quickly as I needed both hands to keep from spinning out of control. There was not a single stoplight, stop sign, anything that I stopped at. All gas as I drove to the most secure place I could at the moment. As soon as I bent the corner where The Ninth was, I felt so relieved. I slowed down so I didn’t kill Timbo turning in.

“Hey! Can we close the gate?”

“Yup. You coo?”

“Yeah. Thank you!”

I finally felt safe and at peace. I couldn’t even let myself enjoy the feeling because I knew I had to leave at some point. After throwing my shit in park next to Devyn’s, I hopped right out and sped to the employee door. The security let me in after hugging me and asking to see my ring.

The smell instantly made emotions flood my chest. I hugged every single dancer, cook, bottle girl and security person that approached me. They flooded me with compliments, especially after seeing my ring. My most favorite was them saying how happy I looked, and they’re glad I’m doing well with my fiancé.

The Ninth always meant so much to me. After my parents died, I had Kelisha and Tati and then K3. It wasn’t until K3 went to jail that I was living on my own for the first time. It wasn’t until The Ninth that I worked somewhere and actually had a responsibility. It was scary. Different. But I got so much out of it. Learned so much from experience and not from another figure in my life. It’s so special being back here.

I looked over to the bar as everyone started to disperse. G, all I could do was laugh seeing Devyn stand behind the bar and make Liv a drink. She looked sweet and beautiful in a white sundress. From the smile on her face, I know Duke made her pay tariffs before she left up out that house.

I approached them, smiling while the phone rung off the hook with the manager listening to it. Liv looked at me and did a double take,

“YEAH, BRING YO ASS HERE!” she yelled.

“UNCTIEEEE! It’s not even business hours and you got that fucking clipboard. What I do?!”

“What you do? You had Jason Momoa running in here, taking everyone hostage and scaring mothafuckas from coming to work!”

Devyn rolled her eyes, walking towards the club phone behind the bar as it continued to ring. I smacked my lips.

“Liv, if you had a big dick nigga come in here and fuck you through the couch before telling you to grab your shit, you grabbing it!”

“Cassie, don’t piss me off. Ben knows too. He gon fuck you up when he see you! Let me see your ring.”

I giggled, handing my hand over. Devyn popped her lips before answering the call.

Devyn: And I just feel like it’s too early for you to already be calling about seeing some ass and titties! What you blowing up our phone for? HELLO?!

“Yeah, y’all need to get the fuck out!” Liv said, mugging my head. I cackled.

Devyn: Ohhhh! Hi, Benny. You recognized my voice? I miss seeing you in here.

My laughter only increased as I hopped the bar, rushing to Devyn so I could speak to Ben. She with that crazy ass nigga and still got Old Head making her come out of body.

Devyn: Cassie, shut the hell up!

Me: Girl, you fucking embarrassing us! You answered the phone all hard and now you moaning into the receiver talking about some Benny! You know you wanna throw that nigga some pussy, so why not say that. BENNY! YOU CATCHING IT OR NOT? CAUSE IF NOT, CONSIDER THAT SAFE EMTPY!