Falling for a Hustler: A Benton Harbor Love Story by Jerniqua K. Read Free Book Online Page A

white teeth. The moment he opened his mouth to speak to me, I could have fainted. His dreads hung past his shoulders, his cinnamon-kissed skin had no marks or blemishes, and he sported a neatly trimmed goatee. His lips were a dark pink, and I would bet my last penny that he smoked weed. I usually didn’t like men who smoked, but the way he licked his lips had me saying fuck it! His hazel eyes roamed my frame, and I felt like a schoolgirl under his gaze.
    We talked for a moment, and then he went and got us drinks. The liquor had me feeling good and before I knew it, I had allowed him to sneak me into one of the bedrooms. As soon as we hit the room, he was all over me and I didn’t even try to stop him. It had been almost four months since me and Bird had been broken up, and I was well overdue.
    After we were done, he offered me a ride home but I declined, telling him that I had driven. All I wanted to do was get out of his presence. I was embarrassed that I had fucked this nigga after only knowing him for two hours. I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. I’ll never forget the way he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him.
    “You grown ma. I ain’t judging you.” He slid his phone from his pocket and handed it to me. “Put ya number in there. I’m trying to see you again. Under different circumstances, of course,” he smiled, and again I got lost in his dimples.
    That night changed my life! After two months of dating, he moved me into this bad ass house on a private lake. My Cavalier was replaced with a new Camaro, and my closet was out of this world! He opened my eyes to new things, and I loved every moment of it.
    I felt bad that I never told him about my son, but I didn’t want him to deem me as some unfit mother trying to lockdown a street nigga. I was so much more than that! I had made one stupid ass mistake that had cost me my son, and I would spend the rest of my life dealing with the shit. I didn’t need someone else judging me.
    A year later when Bird saw that my relationship was still going, he started calling and like the fool I was, I always answered. He said how he was wrong for leaving me and all that good shit. I won't even lie and say I didn’t fall for the shit he was saying, because I almost did, but, I got over the shit quick. I knew Bird well enough to know that he didn’t want me; he just didn’t want anyone else to have me. Though I didn’t have any intentions on taking him back because of how he left me, I agreed to meet up with him, and here I was looking stupid and allowing him to manipulate me once again.
    “Of course I didn’t forget about my child, Bird! I just don’t see what Brick has to do with this.”
    “That nigga got money and we need that shit. I know that nigga done told you where his shit at.”
    I looked at him and said nothing, trying to see what he was getting at.
    “Bae look...all you gotta do is set that nigga up. I heard about him getting pulled over with that shit in his car. The boys been trying to get him on some type of charge, and now that they got this I can guarantee he get some time. We can hit his safe and then tip them off. They’ll find the rest of his shit and give him distribution charges. We’ll never have to worry about his ass again.”
    I thought about what he said, and the shit did sound tempting. As much as I liked Brick, Bird always had my heart, and all I wanted was for our family to get back together. He put his hand into my shorts and played with my pearl. A moan then escaped my lips.
    “You in, Nee?” I saw the way he stared into my eyes, and I could see that he needed me.
    “I’m in. I’ll call you once I get to the store,” I pecked his lips and was out the door.
    When I made it to the store, I didn’t get out the car right away. I couldn’t believe what I was about to do. I knew that if he ever found out about what I was doing he’d kill me, but I told myself that I had to do it for Justin. With a new wave of confidence, I