JUST FRIENDS

13

Drowning in work at the tattoo parlor seemed like the next best thing to get over Maze but he hadn't predicted to see Brazil in his chair again.

The last time she'd been his client was probably almost two-and-a-half years ago when she came in with Maze, the two of them joined at the hip and deciding rather excitedly to get their nipples pierced. Of course, Brazil was the only one who went through with it.

"It's been a minute since I've been back in your chair," she said to him with her arms crossed, "I thought the guy who gave me my consultation would be my piercer?" Brazil sat across from him in cotton black shorts and a tank top to match, catching every man's interest when she initially walked through the door. He could understand why; her face was stunning, her body insane, no doubt, but she had never been on his radar before and he was certain the feeling was mutual.

"Sometimes it works out that way, it really depends on our schedules."

It seemed as if she'd reclaimed her place as Queen B of the Red Room since the last few times he'd shown his face at the club, Brazil was the closer and Maze was MIA. He knew better than to think her absence was just because of him ending things with her, she wouldn't let any old thing come between her and her money, Maze just wasn't that type of girl. So as her ex, he was curious, but he wasn't about to go hounding Brazil for answers.

"Oh." She pursed her lip in thought. "Well I'm getting my clit pierced today so that should be fun."

He could see why she would be a bit uneasy, he'd be seeing so much of Brazil as her acquaintance. "Gotcha...Don't worry, I heard the pain is quite low on the scale."

She exhaled a breath, attempting to relax her shoulders.

"I promise I'll take care of you, I'm a professional."

"I believe you, I'm just-"

"Shy?"

"I guess so. I mean, you don't know me, but you know me..you know what I mean?"

"Listen, if you want Phil to handle this instead of me, no hard feelings. We do whatever makes you feel comfortable. He's available early tomorrow morning, I'm sure."

"No, no, it's fine. I've trusted you before, I'll do it again."

He had done all types of body jewelry- the most intimate parts were nothing new to him- many women requested him to do their piercings because of his charm, but his ability to make anyone who sat down in his chair comfortable was a plus. Shebazz began preparing his needles while she picked out the piercing she liked best, a comfortable quiet settling between them before he broke it.

"So you gave my boy, Angel that scar on his face, right?"

"What? No! I mean, yes but it was self defense. He had me jacked up in the bathroom that only the dancers know about, thinking that I was out to get him or some shit. He even kept his eye on me for two more nights after that incident before backing off. He's a fucking creep."

"Damn," he laughed, "bro was on one. Sometimes he gets all paranoid and starts tripping out. He hasn't stopped talking about you since though, I think he has a crush."

"Yeah, well he can choke on one. And don't laugh, I was literally terrified. He looks so... I don't know? Nice? No, more like pretty. I didn't expect that switch up."

"Believe it or not, girls go crazy for that 'switch up.' I've seen a bitch beg for him to wave his gun in her face when he got mad at her. Said weapons were her kink."

"You're lying."

"Sadly, I'm not. Matter of fact, we were at the Red Room. She was on her knees and everything, I was stunned."