Flip Side of the Game by Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker Read Free Book Online Page A

he immediately stepped into my personal space, and he continued until I bumped my head against the wall and had nowhere to turn. His breath was hot and heavy, and I enjoyed the radiance. I was melting with each word, with each touch. My nipples were erect, and my vagina had relaxed, waiting for him to take over.
    He placed both of his arms on the sides of my head, resting his hands on the wall. Softly kissing me on the lips, he said, “So, are you ready to change your standards?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy are you lying?”
    â€œI’m not.”
    â€œStop it.”
    â€œStop what?”
    â€œStop lying and tell the truth. It’s a lot sexier when you tell the truth.” His breathing was rapid, and he was smelling of Cool Water as he started kissing me on my neck.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” I asked.
    â€œExactly what you need me to do.”

Step Three
    â€œYou know I can rap,” Taj said out of the clear blue, and for no reason in particular, other than to hear himself speak. I think he liked the sound of his own voice. Why else would he say some stupid shit about how he liked to rap?
    â€œThat’s really nice. I guess in your human beat box days they called you M.C. the M.D.?”
    â€œHilarious! Do you think I have been a doctor all my life?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œPlease. You don’t know the half of it.”
    â€œHalf of what? What, you used to sling rocks? What were you, a baller? Please, Taj.”
    â€œAnd if I was, I wouldn’t tell you. Yo’ ass would sell me out in five minutes.”
    â€œOh, no you didn’t. I’m a down-ass chick.”
    He cracked up laughing, but I didn’t think the shit was funny. He said, “You are so corny. You have outgrown the project shit, so stop tryin’ to be down.”
    â€œAnyway,” I said, nixing his comment, “what half don’t I know?”
    â€œMy better half. She’s in Newark with my three kids.”
    My heart dropped. “What? What kind of game are you playing?”
    â€œAw, I peeped your card, caught you caring about the game.”
    â€œLook, what’s your point? I’m laying up here in the bed with you, naked, and all you can think to say is a buncha stupid shit!”
    â€œWhat’s the problem? I thought you liked it that way.”
    â€œWhat way?”
    â€œGames and shit. Zero commitment.”
    â€œI never said anything about games, but zero commitment, yeah, I can dig that.”
    â€œThen why would you care if I have a wife and kids?”
    Usually I didn’t care, but this time was different. “Do you have a wife and kids?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen there’s no point to this conversation.”
    â€œThere is a point.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re in love with me.”
    â€œIn love with you? Negro, please! Let me tell you what I love. See, the new Louie V. Japanese Line, I love that, the new Manolos with the water colors and the embroidered beads, I love those.”
    â€œOh, so you’re shallow?”
    â€œNo, I’m just not committable.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI’m just not.”
    â€œBut why not?”
    He was beginning to push my buttons and piss me off. “Look, what are you driving at? You want me to love you, fine, I love you. But I got a crackhead for a mother, a child molester for a father, and a humdinger that raised me. Take it or leave it.”
    â€œMe take it or leave it? You have to decide that. All I want is you.”
    â€œThat’s a part of me.”
    â€œIt may be who you’ve been, but it doesn’t have to control who you are. Do you think you’re the only person that had it rough? What do you think South Fourteenth Street in Newark is, the suburbs? You really don’t know the half of it. The ghetto is filled with dreams. From the dopefiend to the bum on the street, everybody has a dream, but it’s up to you to make