The Hustle

3

Los Angeles, CA
4Gentlemen's Club
2:33a.m.
2017

"Normani, Solona, listen and listen good. I just got a phone call that we were having a group come in. It shouldn't be no more ten or twelve. Think you guys can handle it?"

I look at my girl before I agree. I know I can handle, and she can too. It's just always best to check before hand though.

"Yeah, we got you Mikey." SZA says

He chuckled. "I told you about calling me that." He walked off.

"Mm, mm ,mm that man all types of fine. You hear me?" I roll my eyes. "You need some help."

"Now come on, let's get ready. What set are you wearing?" I asked as I go to the my vanity.

"I don't know, I'm thinking black and red or all black. What about you? Do you want to match."

"Um, yeah sure. Ooo, we can even do that routine we practice all the time!" I say excitedly.

"Sure, you think we're ready for it? You know what nevermind I know we are."

That's what I loved about SZA, she always tried to stay positive.

I met her around my second month out here, when I was looking for a job. At first I was a little scared then I saw what she made in night or in an hour and I was on board. College was not cheap and this was perfect for that.

I stayed in the back till it was time to come out and perform. I worked almost every night except for Sunday. I usually only danced for big spenders, not chump change.

It wasn't my choice, but Micheal's he said I had a aura about me or whatever.

I was on my phone, when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." "Kordei, they're ready for you." "I thought me and SZA were dancing together?" "You are, but yall have different sets to perform, she went first, and now you she's almost done so hurry." I give her a thankful smile.

I checked my appearance one last time, and prepare my self to go up on stage.

I saw SZA's last little part before I got up on the stage. It was turned backwards, and it doesn't turn till my music starts. I only do a handful of songs, so whatever they play I already know. But every now and then they change it up on me. Like now.

They better be glad I know this damn song.

I dance seductively to the music, while I look for a target. My eyes fall on this nice looking light skin man. He had tattoos like the Rock. I bit my lip and made eye contact with him almost the whole song. I couldn't do it long because they're were other people around. They were all throwing money at me and I was loving it. Eventually the song came to an end, but I had to go to the back and change for SZA and I performance.

"Girl, you did your thang out there. Did you see that fine as woman looking at you?" Woman?

"Woman? What woman, it was only men out there." She shook her head, before taking a hit from her blunt.

"No, bitch. It was a woman out there right in the middle of all of them." I didn't even notice.

"What she had on, and did she actually look like a woman." She laughed at the last part, but I was dead ass serious.

"She was blonde, had on a polo white cuff collar shirt, navy blue pants, and some blonde heels. Oh and she had a couple of rings on her finger. You know what that mean." She raised a eyebrow at me and I gave her a face.

"No. No I don't. But I'll look for her next time we go out there." "Guh after this dance, they'll definitely want to see us again." I hit her shoulder.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Please get your money out for the impeccable duo, NORMANI and SZA!!!!"

•

"What's your name again?" The woman asked. "Usually in these type of situations, you don't talk. You just sit back and watch. And don't-" I slap her hand. "touch." She chuckles.

SZA was right after the dance we did they definitely wanted to see us again. More specifically me. Don't get me wrong they went after both of us, but the argued the most about me. Only because Micheal told them that I was only doing one more dance. Eventually they let the girl, who is sitting and I'm grinding on have the dance. She also goes by DJ. At least that's what her friends called her.

She has been trying to get me to talk, since we been back her. I wasn't bugging, until she cracked a few jokes.

"Well, maybe I want to get to know you better. I mean you fine as hell
Shawty." I look back at her, she bit her lip. I smile shyly.

"Thank you, but I'm just doing my job. I don't date clients." I smirk.

"Well, what if I agree to never come back?" She fired right back. I laugh loudly.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that." She held my hips and this time I let her.

"I want you Ms.Normani and I'll stop at nothing to get you." She took a sip out her glass.

"Is that so..." "Dinah, Dinah Jane." She held her hand out. I shook it, her hands were soft.

"Is that so, Dinah Jane?" By now I stopped dancing. I don't think she cared. "I always get what I want Normani and I want you." She pushed me gently so she could stand up. Damn, this bitch kindy tall, heels or no heels

"Look, I got to go, but let me get your number." I cross my arms. "Nope." I smirk.

"Why you bugging, I know you feeling the kid." I tried to hide my smile, but its useless.

"Fine, I'll give you my number," She smiles. "only if you hook my homegirl up, with one of your boys."

"Who? The one that was dancing with you? Shawty was banging too." She looked at my face.

"I was joking, damn."

"And no, not her, my other friend, she's not here tonight." She nods and pulls her phone out so I assume we have a deal. I give her my number and a hug, before leaving out the room. She smelled amazing and I couldn't help but bite my lip when she walked away.