BENEATH THE SURFACE

Chapter 1. In the streets

Myeisha leaned against the wall of the club, watching the crowd. The music thumped through her body, but her mind was elsewhere—on her bills, her dead-end job at the corner store, and the never-ending cycle of trying to survive. Her best friend Tasha nudged her.

Tasha: "Girl, stop lookin' like somebody stole your purse. We out here to have fun!"

Myeisha sighed.
Myeisha: "Yeah, yeah. I'm just tired, Tash. This grind never stops."

Tasha: "Forget that for tonight. Look, we got bottles, we got the music—live a little."

That's when Myeisha spotted him. Trip walked into the club like he owned it. His gold chain glistened under the lights, and his eyes scanned the room until they landed on her. For a moment, the noise of the club faded away. She felt his gaze pierce through the crowd.

Tasha noticed and grinned.

Tasha: "Oh, you seein' what I'm seein'? That's Rashawn, but everybody calls him Trip."

Myeisha: "I know who he is. Ain't he the one movin' weight on the south side?"

Tasha: "Yeah, but forget all that. He fine as hell. And he's definitely lookin' your way."

Myeisha: "He's trouble."

Tasha laughed.
Tasha: "Girl, you act like you ain't never been with trouble before."

Trip started walking toward them, and Myeisha's heart picked up. He stopped right in front of her, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Trip: "What's up, ma? You lookin' like you need a drink."

Myeisha eyed him carefully, crossing her arms.
Myeisha: "I'm good."

Trip: "You sure? Cuz you standin' here like somebody messed up your whole night. Lemme fix that."

Myeisha couldn't help but smirk. There was something about his confidence, the way he carried himself, that intrigued her.

Myeisha: "You think a drink gon' fix all my problems?"

Trip chuckled, leaning in closer, his voice low.
Trip: "Nah, but maybe I can."