Empty

By Nyerra

Life had never been easy for Caleesi Thompson. While struggling through college, she decides to take a position at a gentlemen’s night club in order to make ends meet. However, when she learns that her mother has been diagnosed with cancer, everything in her world seems to fall apart. But one night while dancing at the club, she crosses paths with someone special from her past.

Zack Warren had always been the problem child during their younger days. His behavior causes his parents to send him away in order to flee his troubles. But now that he’s returned, he’s determined to take over his family’s business. Zack wants no distractions while on his quest to become a CEO; but when he and Caleesi reunite, she seems to be the only thing he can focus on.

Their chemistry is undeniable, which ultimately leads to a relationship that neither of them saw coming. Before Caleesi can fully grasp the fact that she’s fallen in love with Zack, her mother’s cancer progresses, unfortunately claiming her life. Caleesi is completely broken and leans toward Zack for support as she falls into a dangerous depression.

But when their relationship suddenly takes a turn for the worst, Caleesi fears that rock-bottom is her final destination.

Kamal Wright had a tough childhood. Watching his mother endure physical abuse at the hands of his father has taken a toll on his mental health. His anger is so far gone that he’s been forced to consume medication in order to stay sane. Kamal, however, refuses the pills and trusts himself to fight the condition on his own.

When Zack asks him to accompany Caleesi’s best friend, Nique, on a double-date; Kamal immediately finds the new source of his mental peace. His anger has ran many women off in the past, but Nique is completely different. She’s patient, kind, and understanding to what he’s going through. She makes it so easy to trust her with his heart and that’s exactly what he does.

The fact that she also dances at a gentlemen’s club has no effect on Kamal’s feelings for her. But when she’s approached by a heavy hitter in the streets named, Spank, her occupation suddenly becomes a problem. Spank wants Nique to dance at a private party for him, but Kamal is uncomfortable with the entire situation. Despite voicing his opinion, Nique agrees to dance at the party, which causes an unexpected disturbance in their relationship.

Will love be able to save these couples from the turbulence they’re experiencing? Or will they be left empty beyond repair?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nyerra
• Release date: Aug 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005964023

Nyerra

The Lonely Nights: Book 2 Is Available Now On Amazon.com

Book preview

Empty

A Black Romance

Copyright © 2021 Nyerra

Published by Blue Sanity Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events, and incidents, are the product of the Author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events, are entirely coincidental.

Before you began reading…

Please note, this is a completed, two-part series. If you are not into urban fiction, which contains heavy profanity and/or graphic content, this may not be the reading experience for you.

Chapter One

"I’ll never give myself to another

the way I gave it to you."

−Rihanna

Raleigh, North Carolina ♥ 2014

The sound of ‘Come Get Her’ by Rae Scremmurd blared from the speakers as Caleesi dropped down and swung her hair over her shoulders. She looked back at the thick crowd that surrounded the stage as she put on one of her best performances for tonight’s event. She was a part-time stripper at one of the hottest strip clubs in Raleigh, The Mad Houz. She had scheduled this particular weekend off; however, when she was informed that the club was being rented out for a party, she decided that she would be in the building.

Whenever the club was rented out, it always ended well for her pockets. As the money rained down on her like a tropical storm, she tried to ignore the pair of eyes that had been intimidating her all night. Stripping was nothing new to Caleesi. She had been doing it for the past seven months and the money it granted her was something she would forever be grateful for. She was struggling to pay her bills while in college and when her best friend, Nique, offered to get her on at the club, Caleesi didn’t hesitate.

She was grinding to get her bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration and whatever it took to keep her bag right on that path is what she was willing to do. Besides, dancing had always been her first love. Her Instagram and YouTube accounts had a decent following from the original choreography that she and Nique constantly uploaded. Showing a little extra skin in the club didn’t concern her at all. This was business and Caleesi always handled hers.

Yet, as she continued to dance; for some odd reason, she was starting to feel like she was under pressure. That didn’t happen often. Caleesi had always been a confident performer, but as this stranger watched her every move, she felt as though she was under a spotlight created by him. He was fine as hell and he damn sure hadn’t been stingy with his paper−especially when it came to her. But she couldn’t seem to figure out why his gaze was so daunting.

When the song changed and ‘Still In This Bitch’ by B.O.B came on, it seemed to crank things up a notch. The lights were dim, bills were spewing from money guns, and ass was clapping like a round of applause. For a moment, Caleesi forgot that she was under the radar. She was so wrapped up in putting on a show that her mind drifted away from the stranger, whom she’d had intense eye contact with.

When the night finally came to an end, she was more than satisfied with her earnings. Her decision to step into The Mad Houz tonight was definitely a wise one. She smiled to herself as she twisted the cap off of her Dasani and took a long swig.

Leesi, did you peep who that was? Nique asked, walking up behind her.

No, Caleesi answered. But I need to thank whoever he was. I ain’t never made this much money in one night.

Nique pulled on her t-shirt then pulled her hair into a high bun. Girl, that was Zack Warren from junior high. I can’t believe you didn’t notice.

You’re tripping. That was not Zack. Didn’t he move to Chicago a couple years ago?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t come back. I’m telling you that was him. I saw his brother Trez out there too. Them niggas came up.

Caleesi grabbed her purse, still not convinced that it was Zack; but she wasn’t gonna debate with Nique about it. Let’s get out of here.

The women headed outside and began walking toward Caleesi’s Grand Prix. They got inside, but when Caleesi put the keys in the ignition, the car wouldn’t start. Shit, she cursed to herself as she continued to try and turn the key.

Damn, Caleesi, Nique fussed. When you gonna get that starter fixed?

I told you I’m not putting no more money into this car.

Then you need to get a new one. This shit is getting ridiculous. I knew I should’ve drove tonight.

Caleesi ignored Nique and grabbed her phone from her purse. When it came to her coins, she watched every penny carefully. Her student loan debt was a nightmare in itself and she’d also fucked up by getting in credit card debt. However, she was determined to make it out of her situation, no matter the struggle; even if that meant riding around in a car that barely made it half the time. Until Caleesi was ready to buy an entirely new vehicle, she wasn’t spending another dime on her car.

She got out and leaned against the door, while dialing Triple A. As she impatiently waited on hold, her eyes roved across the parking lot and landed on the stranger that she’d been eyeing all night. He was standing with two other men, while they smoked and conversed. But when she noticed that they’d caught her staring, she tried to quickly look away.

Aye, come over here for a minute!

Caleesi wasn’t sure who had made the demand, but she wasn’t gonna respond to it. That wasn’t the way to get her attention. She got back inside her car, flustered that she was still on hold.

Caleesi, let’s just call an Uber, Nique suggested. We can come get your car tomorrow.

Hell no. Somebody’s gonna answer in a minute. Just chill.

Caleesi heard Nique mumble something under her breath, but she paid her no mind. She was just about to hang up when a representative finally answered. However, before Caleesi could respond to the rep, she was surprised to find the man that she had continuous eye contact with now knocking on her window.

That is definitely Zack, Nique declared.

As Caleesi continued to stare at him, she couldn’t believe her eyes. She hung up her phone and told Nique, Call Triple A from your phone.

She then got out the car and shut the door. Now that he was directly in her face, there was no denying it. But this was a completely different Zack from whom she remembered from junior high. His tall, lanky, frame had morphed into an athletic build of pure muscle.

Every inch of his rose-beige skin seemed to be covered in tattoos. His braces no longer existed, nor did his glasses; giving Caleesi an easy view of his dark brown eyes. A neatly trimmed goatee now covered what used to be a bare face and he rocked a low-cut fade. Caleesi’s senses were immediately attacked by his cologne as he held his hand out.

How you doing, Caleesi?

Damn, Caleesi thought. Even his voice had converted into a deep baritone. She was beaming as memories of their childhood resurfaced. After shaking his hand, she replied, I’m good. I can’t believe I’m looking at you right now. When did you come back to Raleigh?

A little over a year ago.

So, you’re back for good?

Yeah. The Chi was always temporary for me.

Caleesi quickly took a look at his drip. He was clean in an all-black Louis Vuitton fit, with the matching sneakers. He didn’t rock any chains, but she was positive that the diamonds in his ears were worth enough to pay off every bit of debt that she was in.

Well, it’s good to see you. You look great, she complimented.

So, do you. Always have.

Caleesi smiled, thinking about how Zack crushed on her all throughout junior high. She remembered him being such a nice guy, who constantly got bullied. He got suspended on several occasions for fighting; but she never felt that any of the altercations were his fault. He was just defending himself from the cruel kids who continuously made fun of him.

Thank you, she finally replied. "What brought you into The Mad Houz tonight?"

"It’s my brother’s birthday and we heard The Mad Houz was the place to be. I’m glad I pulled up or I never would’ve crossed paths with you."

Yeah, I guess that’s true.

You a’ight over here?

Caleesi looked at her car and shook her head. My starter is acting up, but it always does this.

You need a ride?

I appreciate it, but roadside assistance should be pulling up any minute.

A’ight. Well, I’m ‘bout to get up out of here. Would you mind if we stayed in touch?

Of course not. She handed him her phone and watched him put his number in.

Hit me up whenever.

I’ll do that.

Bet. Take it easy. Those were his last words before he made his way back across the parking lot.

Caleesi got back inside her car and instantly got interrogated by Nique.

So, what did he say?

Not much. Did you talk to Triple A?

Yes, they should be here soon. Did you give Zack your number?

No, he gave me his.

Lil’ hot ass, Nique teased.

Girl, stop. It’s not even like that.

Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.

Caleesi just laughed to herself. Honestly, she didn’t know what to think about her interaction with Zack. He had been on her mind from the moment they first made eye contact and now that his identity was revealed, she was completely shook. Dealing with men wasn’t something she took too serious at this point in her life, as her main focus was obtaining her degree. But as she looked out the window and saw