Hook'd (15 page)

"Nice doing business with you, Mr. Lewis. We look forward to embarking on this new journey with you. And we are most confident you will bring this brand to a higher level."

Cam stood up, shaking the hand of the CEO. "No, thank you. It's an honor to be a part of the team."

He wanted to jump for joy. He had been able to land a 15 million dollar endorsement deal for the energy drink, ‘Refresh’, one of the top ranked brands in the country.

The company had reached out to his management with interest in doing business with him. And immediately Cam agreed and scheduled a meeting. He had flown out to LA to meet with the CEO and the executive team at the Refresh Headquarters. After discussing the deal and reviewing the contract with the presence of his lawyer, financial advisor, and Slick, Cameron signed the contract with no hesitation.

It had been such a blessing to even land this endorsement. Apart from the fact that he had been a fan of the brand for years, but to even be considered a prospect despite having such a tarnished reputation, he couldn't have felt more honored.

After the meeting, Cam walked out of the conference room with a sigh of relief.

"That's what I'm talking about." Slick wrapped his arm over his shoulder, patting his chest. "What did I tell you, huh? Didn't I tell you we were gonna turn this whole shit around?"

He nodded with a smile.

"We're on our way to the top, baby!" Slick rejoiced.

It was time to celebrate.

He had only 2 days in LA to spare and he planned on having a good time. Along for the trip, he brought his boys, Deshawn, Bryson, and his assistant Bug. Cam had booked a 2 bedroom presidential suite in which they shared for the time being. And tonight, they were hitting the town to check out the hottest clubs popping in LA.

"Damn, nigga! You still gettin' dressed?" Bryson called out.

"Man, calm ya hyper ass down. I'll be there in a minute," Deshawn responded from the bathroom.

"Bruh, you've been in the bathroom for a whole hour. You take longer than a broad, man."

With a grin, Cam shook his head. Times like these reminded him of back in the days when they were just mere youngins' in the projects, getting ready to hit the hottest parties in hopes of looking for girls. And whenever it was time to go out, Deshawn would always take the longest to get dressed. It was no surprise he earned the nickname Pretty Boy D. With his '97 Ginuwine looking ass.

"Man, I'm tryna get fuuucked up tonight, you feel me?" Bryson grabbed a bottle of Patron from the bar. He popped the cork then took a deep gulp. His face scrunched at the harsh taste and he nodded. "Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about. You want some, Cam?"

"Yeah, pour me a lil' bit."

"Iight."

Slouched in the sofa, he stared at his phone, tempted to text Reese. He had been thinking about her all day. He didn't know what it was about her, but he was drawn to her. Even with all her combativeness to go with it. She was a challenge. And that turned him on, in some odd twisted way.

He had invited her to come along for the trip. He would've liked to show her around the city and give her a taste of his life. But she declined, stating that she didn't want to blow their cover by being seen out in public together. And that bothered him. He understood her stance on it. Especially here in LA, where the paparazzi hounded celebrities like dogs. The media would've just stirred up rumors like usual. But at this point in his career, he didn't give a fuck. He had already been dragged through the mud by the media, so it didn’t matter what they had to say. He really didn’t see what the big deal was. However, if Reese didn’t want to come, that was her choice. He didn’t bother to push it.

"Here." Bryson handed him the drink.

Cam frowned at the full glass. "I said a lil' bit."

"Man, if you don't take this damn drink."

Shaking his head, he took it.

"Yo holdup, I know this fool ain't sleeping." Bryson turned his head. 

Cam glanced across at Bug slouched on the couch, fast asleep. He snickered.

"Nigga passed out from all that weed he was smoking," Cam joked.

"Watch this." He walked over to Bug and slapped his head, causing him to jump. "Getchyo bony ass up nigga!"

Cam burst out laughing.

"Yo, that shit ain't funny man." Bug snapped, rubbing his eyes. "Play too fucking much."

They all had a habit of messing with Bug. With him being the youngest in the crew, he was seen as the little brother that everyone liked to pick on for good fun. He had known Bug through his older brother, one of his good friends whom had gotten killed in a drive-by many years ago. Out of love, he decided to take Bug under his wing and look out for him. He didn't want him to fall to the wayside and get caught up in the streets. He was a good kid. Smart. Had the spirit of a hustler. So, Cam hired him as his assistant, therefore he could travel the world, get money, and take care of his family.

"Yo, pretty boy c'mon!" Bryson called out to Deshawn. "The hell you still doing in there? Putting on your makeup?"

Deshawn stepped out, tugging the collar of his button up. "Alright, I'm ready."

*

Cam bobbed his head to the music as he sat in VIP. Tonight, they partied at the hottest club in town, which was sprinkled with A-list celebrities, such as Rihanna, Drake, and many others. Although, he should've been enjoying the expensive liquor, the music, the women, the prestige of his status, he couldn't help but feel...bored. He couldn't count the many times he had partied at the same club. Been around the same people. Doing the same thing. It all began to feel old. Or maybe he was just a little too sober.

He looked over at his crew as they danced, drank, and socialized. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves and here he was, wallowing in his damn thoughts.

"Cam!"

He turned his head and much to his surprise, Farah stepped into VIP.

"Oh shit, whatsup?" He stood up and they hugged.

"It's so good to see you!"

"You too." He pulled away, assessing her frame. That short green dress couldn't look any sexier on her the way it snugged her tall, slim physique. No man on earth could deny Farah's beauty. With those bold green eyes, light olive skin, pouty lips, and puffy blonde curly hair, Farah was a dime. Not to mention, one of the hottest Victoria Secret models out right now. After gracing the cover of Vogue twice at 25, and killing the runways with her enticing presence, she was on top of her game.

They dated each other briefly in the past, but it never worked out due to their busy schedules. A norm in the business. It was nothing serious though, although the media tried to make it seem that way. However, they still kept in touch and would always hang out whenever they were in the same town. He really liked Farah. Despite being from the 'burbs of Beverly Hills, she never upheld the stereotype of being stuck up and superficial. She was a real cool, down to earth, chick.

"You just got here?" he asked.

"No, I've been here for a while. I was over there with a few friends." She pointed across and he averted his gaze to the high fashion model, Chanel Iman, and a few unfamiliar women seated in another section of VIP. "I just happened to notice you sitting here looking all mysterious with ya shades on and what not."

He smirked. "Just chillin'. How you been though?"

"I've been good. And I should be asking you that, actually. Congrats on the endorsement deal!"

"Wait, how do you already know about that?" He lifted a brow.

He had only signed the contract hours ago, the press release wasn't scheduled till Monday.

"It's L.A. You know how it is."

He nodded, not surprised. He almost forgot where he was. Nothing was a secret in Hollywood.

"But anyway, that's great. I'm happy for you!" She tapped his arm with a smile. "You should've told me you were coming into town. We could've hung out or something. How long are you here for?"

"Till tomorrow."

"Damn."

"I mean, we could still hang if you want. I'm ready to get up outta here anyway."

"Yeah, we could definitely do that."

*

"I was like, you can't be serious. A fake bottle? Really?"

Cam grinned. "So, what you do?"

"I kicked his ass out of VIP."

"Like a boss."

"Damn right."

They both laughed.

After leaving the club, they had gone to his hotel and chilled for the rest of the night. Although, any man would've probably tried to have sex at a time like this, the thought honestly hadn't crossed his mind. He just wanted to catch up with an old friend. So, he decided to leave the rest of his crew at the club, since they had no plans on leaving anytime soon anyway, and go about his business. They were sprawled comfortably on the living room couch, smoking a blunt and chatting the night away.

"I swear the guys here are so lame." She rolled her eyes.

"The girls too."

"True. Well, apart from me, of course." She flipped her bouncy hair playfully. He snickered, reaching for the blunt she passed to him. "I'm really thinking about moving, though."

"Where?" He took a pull.

"I don't know. Somewhere overseas. Maybe Paris or something."

"For real?"

"Yeah, I love it there. The people, the culture, it's so...diverse. It's not like L.A., where everyone looks the same, acts the same, talks the same. I just need something different, you know?"

"Yeah, I feel you."

He didn't blame her for wanting to move. At the beginning of his career, he had moved to Hollywood, thinking that life would be better. He had gotten the riches. The big house. The cars. The women. Only to realize, it had all been a facade. He had never seen a town more superficial and empty. Moving back to New York was the best thing he ever did. He had gotten his piece of mind back.

"So, anyway what's up with you, Candid Cam?"

"Yo, you and that corny ass name." He shook his head, as she giggled.

When they used to date, she would always call him that name just to mess with him.

"You corny, bruh." He took the blunt.

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, how's life? You got a girl, yet?"

"Now, why you gotta ask me all that?"

"Because I'm nosy."

"Nah, I don't got a girl."

"Still out here laying it down, huh."

"Nah. I'm celibate."

She gasped. "No, you're not."

"Nah, I am."

"Really?"

He nodded, fighting a smile. She sat there in shock.

"Nah, I'm just fucking with you."

"Ugh, I knew it!"

He laughed. "Should'a seen your face."

She shook her head. "And I actually believed you for a second, too."

"Nah, I met this one girl though. Well, woman actually." He took a puff of the blunt. "She's different, you know? Nothing like these superficial hoes out here that ain't about shit. She got her shit together. Runs her own business. Got her own house. Her own Money. One of them strong independent types, you know what I mean?"

She nodded, listening.

"So, we've been fucking around for like a month and a half. Not even dating or nothing, just fucking. And...she's cool with that."

She gave him a hesitant look. "And that's a bad thing?"

He shifted a bit. "Nah, of course not. I mean, what man wouldn't want that? I'm just saying, women...ya'll different. Ya'll can't just have sex for so long without catching feelings."

"That's not true."

"It is true."

"No, I've had sex with guys I didn't have feelings for.”

"Alright, but you're a supermodel. You got niggas lining up to be with you. I'm talking about regular women."

"That doesn't make a difference."

"Yes, it does."

"And how so?"

"It's just not the same."

"Okay, I'm not understanding though. Is it that you want her to catch feelings?"

"Nah, I'm not saying that. It's just...I don't know." He shrugged. None of this was making sense to him. He didn't even understand why it was on his mind at all.

"Well, do you have feelings for her?"

He thought for a moment. "I can't say. I mean, we vibe and everything. But I don't know anything about her. Which is weird to me. She doesn't open up at all."

"Maybe she's afraid to."

"Doubt that."

"Okay, here's my take on it. From a woman's perspective," she began. "It could be one or two things. One, she's probably really not interested and just wants sex from you. Period. Or, maybe she actually does feel something, but is afraid of going there with you."

"For what though?"

"Well, not too many women could handle this type of lifestyle. And plus, you don't really have the best reputation."