by Nia Arthurs
“Clayton and I are over,” Kelly said quietly.
“For real? You’re not just pulling my leg?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Oh, man. I can’t wait for lunch!”
“See you then.” Kelly waved goodbye to her friend and focused on balancing the books.
When lunchtime rolled around, Kelly and Rene trotted to a nearby restaurant. They found seats in the open aired section of the bistro, gave their orders, and then dove into the long awaited girl chat.
Kelly started from the beginning of her mix-up with Bianca’s identity to the end where Benjamin rescued her from Marco’s beating. Throughout the tale, Rene’s eyes widened, her nose flared, and her cheeks blushed.
“And that’s… what happened yesterday,” Kelly concluded.
“Give me a moment to process.”
“Of course.” Kelly dug into her order of rice and beans and barbeque pork chops. The tangy taste of the sauce reminded her of the girls’ horrible attempt at cooking on Saturday. She smiled softly to herself.
“Let’s break this up into sections, shall we? If I try to tackle everything at once, I’ll explode.”
“Go ahead.”
“You went on a trip with our amazingly hot boss, where you succeeded in keeping your clothes on and not sleeping with him while you were there?”
“It wasn’t by choice. Trust me. I just didn’t have an opportunity. His little sister and her friends were always around.” Noticing how that must have sounded, Kelly added. “Not that I minded. They were awesome and I enjoyed myself.”
“Then when you came back, you broke up with Clayton. For real this time?”
“I realized that his version of love and my version of love weren’t the same thing anymore. The sex is great, I admit, but it’s not enough. Even without touching me this weekend, I felt more cared for with Benjamin than I ever did with Clay.”
“You sound so mature…” Rene shook her head. “Are you sure you’re my best friend?”
“Very funny.” Kelly chewed thoughtfully. “I don’t know. Seeing Maria run after Marco and stand up for him even though he beat her so badly, I wanted to call her stupid. I wanted to look down on her and judge her, but I couldn’t. Not when I was putting up with a man of my own, not when I kept returning to Clayton even when I said I wouldn’t.”
“Ah, love. The bane of the female existence.”
“Was it love though? I’m not saying Benjamin is perfect, but he actually takes the time to get to know me. He’s concerned about my safety and whether or not I’m comfortable. He treats me like the most valuable thing in the world. Not to mention he looks like a Greek god—”
“Kel, I don’t know if you can hear yourself right now, but I think Benjamin’s become more than sex on a stick to you.”
“What?” Kelly sputtered. “Never. The connection between us is only getting stronger because we haven’t consummated. The minute I get him into bed—” she snapped. “It’ll turn off like that.”
“Maybe that was possible in the beginning,” Rene said thoughtfully. “But your romantic weekend getaway changed things. I haven’t seen you this excited in a while, not even during your best days with Clayton.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was this burden to your joy. Maybe because deep down you felt guilty? I always thought your feelings for Clayton were like anchors keeping you from being truly happy.”
“And you’re just saying this now?”
“I’ve been saying it all along!” Rene yelled. “You’re just listening.”
“True,” Kelly sighed and thought of Maria. “That’s why I feel this connection to that girl from last night. I want her to be free too.”
“You should know more than anyone that ‘love’ makes you blind and deaf. She won’t listen, no matter what facts you bring. Not if she truly believes that her love can change him.”
“Ugh, you’re right. I just don’t want to give up.”
“Nobody says you have to give up. Think about your own journey. It’s only been a day since you kicked Clayton to the curb. I’ve seen you hold out for a month at most before you took him back. What could anyone have done to help you come to your senses?”
She bit on her bottom lip and set her fork against the table. “Nothing.”
“That’s not true.” Rene disagreed. “Someone did come through for you. Someone showed you what love was supposed to look like—what respect and affection are supposed to be. Someone did that for you without getting sexual. Maybe you can do that for Maria.”
It was a sobering thought, and Kelly wasn’t quite sure she was up to the task. Rene had a point. What if she went back to Clayton in a few days or a few months? How could she claim to be an expert on escaping dysfunctional relationships when, the truth was, she was more adept at returning to them?
Do It For Me
That night a knock sounded at her door. Kelly’s head was buried in a mystery novel and she glared at the interruption. Had Clayton returned to beg for her forgiveness? She scratched the hair beneath her weave and plodded to the door, her expression sour.
“Kel!” Bianca’s bright blue eyes and wide smile greeted her as soon as she pulled the door open. Without waiting to be invited, the young lady barged in, her gaze scanning the apartment.
“I’m sorry about that,” Benjamin said, jerking his chin toward his sister. “She’s already taken to you and I’m afraid that means she’s lost all sense of her boundaries.”
“It’s okay,” Kelly said, waving them in. Now that she had kicked Clayton to the curb, she really had no one to stop by and chase the loneliness. “What are you guys doing here?”
“You mentioned you had a light bulb that needed screwing?”
Kelly froze, sure her dirty thoughts were splayed all over her face. She coughed. “S-screwing?”
“Did you put it in already?” Benjamin frowned. “When I got home tonight, I remembered that you’d asked for my help. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get here.”
Kelly glanced over her shoulder at Bianca who was gazing at the picture frames on the mantle. The scenario she’d had in mind was playing out completely different in reality.
“I bought a new light, but I haven’t had a chance to install it yet,” Kelly said. “It’s in my bedroom.”
“Just point me in the right direction and I’ll take care of it.”
Kelly led the way to her bedroom. Okay, Bianca was here—meaning they had an instant romance-killer, but she could still salvage this.
“I’m afraid it’s a little messy,” Kelly said, bending over to pick up a bundle of clothes. She intentionally let the black lace bra on the top of the heap slip to the ground. “Oops.”
Benjamin’s eyes followed the arch of her back as she bent over and picked up the lingerie. Gazing at him, she raised her eyebrows. Instead of reacting in any number of lustful ways, he smiled—obviously amused. Had she been too aggressive?
“Is it the light in the fan?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Kelly set the clothes in the laundry basket and pointed up. “You can stand on the mattress to reach it.” She walked to the bed and sat down, allowing her gaze to turn sultry as she stroked the top of her blanket.
“It’s okay.” He strode out and grabbed a chair. Standing on the furniture, he undid the light bulb. “I’ve got it here. You can go outside.”
Annoyed that he wasn’t taking the bait, Kelly huffed and strolled into the living room. Bianca turned to her, eyes bright. The kid’s sweet spirit was contagious and Kelly’s irritation vanished.
“Is this your mom?” Bianca asked, turning over the photo she clutched.
Kelly drew near to her and brushed her fingers along the brown face that she had known better than her own. “Yeah. It is.”
“She’s beautiful. Does she live in Belize?”
“She died when I was eighteen.”
Bianca gasped. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.
”
“Can I ask how she passed?”
“Mom was very sick, but she and my grandmother kept it from me. She was going to see her doctor when she collapsed on the street…” It was still hard to think about and Kelly choked up, unable to continue.
“You poor thing,” Bianca cooed and rubbed her back. “Did Belize not have the equipment to treat her sickness?”
“No and my mom and grandmother were saving up to send me to college so they couldn’t afford it even if they wanted to. Mom refused to exchange her health for my future. If I’d known...” she fisted her hands. “But I didn’t find out until a couple of years ago.”
“Kel, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through—with cancer and your dad.”
“Everyone has struggles. That doesn’t make your heartbreak any more or less painful than mine.”
At that moment, footsteps sounded from the hallway. Bianca and Kelly spun and watched Benjamin’s approach. He eyed her in concern before turning to his sister.
“Did something happen?”
“We were just having a little chat,” Bianca said. She slid over to her brother’s side and gripped his arm.
He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “The light should work fine now, Kel.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Awesome. Now that that’s done, what should we do tonight?”
“I have to work, Bee.”
Bianca pouted. “Work? Tomorrow’s my last day in Belize before I have to go back home.”
“And that’s why I’ve taken the day off to spend it with you,” Benjamin said.
“Yeah, but Kel won’t be able to take the day off tomorrow. Can you?” Bianca arched an eyebrow.
Kelly threw her arms in the air. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I can’t miss anymore days. I’ve been slacking off already and the project I’m working on is due by the end of the week.”
“See, I won’t get to say goodbye.” Bianca swung her brother’s arm and pushed out her bottom lip. “Let’s do something together tonight.”
“I’m down with that.” Kelly nodded. She truly enjoyed Bianca’s company and would be sad to see the kid go. Though she wouldn’t mind the extra-alone time with Bianca’s big brother…
“It’s already seven o’clock. Belize isn’t like back home where there are a ton of places to go after five. It’s better to stay in.” Benjamin was grasping at straws but Kelly could tell that he was caving.
“Don’t you have an arcade in the city?” Bianca asked her.
“We have one, but it’s got a limited number of games. There’s a bowling alley that might be more fun.”
“Cool!” Bianca jumped up and down. “Let’s go there.”
Benjamin had no more arguments in his arsenal and so, thirty minutes later, the trio found themselves at Queen’s Bowling Alley.
Tacky neon lights adorned the walls and the glow of arcade games bounced over the shiny red-and-white checkered tables and tall standing chairs. The weekday crowd was surprisingly thick. Kelly hadn’t expected to see so many teenagers out on a school night.
“Should we divide into teams?” Bianca asked, stroking her short purple wig. Her eyes scanned the crowd and she stopped on a skinny, dark-skinned boy with an earring in his ear and a sour expression. “He looks like he wouldn’t mind.”
Kelly followed the line of Bianca’s gaze and shook her head. “I wouldn’t do it.”
“I’ll be right back.” She turned on her heels, her purple skirt fluttering around her legs like a flower in bloom.
Kelly looked up at Benjamin. “She’s completely fearless, isn’t she?”
“She was born that way.” Benjamin tucked his hands into his pockets, the move drawing her eyes downward. He noticed her watching and smirked. “How are your bowling skills?”
Slightly distracted by the thoughts roaring through her mind, Kelly absently replied. “How are your losing skills?”
“I don’t lose, Ms. Banner.” He took a step toward her and touched her chin, forcing her gaze up to his eyes. “Not if I can help it.”
“We’re going to have a problem then.” She shifted toward him. “Because I don’t lose either.”
His blue eyes darkened. “I won’t go easy.”
“Go as hard as you like.”
“We’re still talking about bowling here, right?”
“That depends.”
He tilted his head. “On what?”
“On the kind of mood I’m in after I win.”
Their gazes caught and held. Benjamin licked his lips and Kelly watched the slow flicker of his tongue as heat throbbed in her middle. Whoo. She’d started this fire, but in the end, she was the one getting consumed by it.
“I told you,” Benjamin leaned down and spoke in a tone that was only for her, “that expression is very dangerous.”
“Hey, you two! Meet James!” A chirpy voice shattered the moment. Kelly jumped back while Benjamin calmly tucked his thumbs into the back of his jeans and glanced at Bianca.
“Sup.” James gave them a half-hearted wave. “I heard you guys needed an extra-player?”
“I was thinking James and I could pair up,” Bianca said.
“No!” Kelly and Benjamin yelled as one.
“Um… okay?” Bianca’s gaze bounced between the two of them. Her lips tipped up at the corners as if she alone was privy to a special secret.
“Girls against boys.” Kelly strode forward, grabbed a bowling ball and held it up to her face. Peering over the ball’s smooth surface, she glanced at Benjamin. “Winner with the most points gets one wish.”
“One wish?” Bianca scrunched her nose. “Like anything?”
Kelly nodded. “Within reason of course.”
“Whatever,” James said, gracing them with another half-hearted shrug.
“What if I win?” Bianca protested. “I’m leaving tomorrow so I won’t get a wish.”
“I’ll grant your wish, B.” Benjamin ruffled his sister’s hair.
Kelly turned away and smiled. Growing up, she had spent countless hours at the Queen’s Bowling Alley with her friends. At the end of the night, Benjamin would be granting her wishes too.
Every last dirty one.
Lost In You
One point. He beat her by one tiny point. Kelly sulked in the corner of the restaurant as Bianca and James—Bianca’s new best friend—chatted beside her. She was smashed against Benjamin, pressing his side from the tip of her shoulder to her feet.
If the night had gone her way, Kelly would have exploited their close proximity to the fullest, touching him in whatever manner she could claim as an accident. She would have… but that stinking point…
“I demand a rematch!” Kelly hissed, glaring at her boss from the corner of her eye. “You distracted me on that last round.”
He grinned. “ I had no idea you were such a sore loser.”
“Rub it in. Go ahead. Have your fun.”
“And how did I distract you?” Benjamin leaned his head close to hers.
She swatted him away. “Like right now. Hovering over my shoulder. Throwing me off my game. You knew what you were doing to me back there.”
“What was I doing to you?” he asked, his eyes sparkling as he tossed a fry into his mouth.
She glared. “Don’t look so smug. We’re going to have that rematch and this time, you can cling to me as much as you like. I won’t be shaken.”
Benjamin rested his chin on his hands and stared at her. “You’re cute when you’re competitive.”
“You’re annoying when you win. What’s your wish anyway?”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“Don’t think too long. There’s an expiration date.”
“Nope.” Benjamin shook his head. “An expiration date was never mentioned during the game. You can’t stick one on me without prior notice.”
“Watch me.”
Before they could argue further, Bianca tappe
d Kelly on the shoulder. “Guys, James is leaving now.”
“Yeah,” the teenager said, rising to his feet and setting his brown cap back on his head. “I’ve got to get home before my mom freaks out.”
“I didn’t realize it was getting so late.” Benjamin glanced at his watch. “Thank you for joining us tonight, James. It was good to meet you.”
“You too, sir. Ma’am.” James did a little head bop toward Kelly. “I enjoyed the game and the food.”
“I’ll walk him out.” Bianca wasn’t asking. She scooted out of her seat and followed the tall, slim boy toward the door marked ‘EXIT’.
“I think that’s the longest I’ve heard James talk tonight,” Benjamin said, sipping his soda.
“He’s a cute kid.”
“Robbing the cradle, Kel?”
“At least he had the sense to lose to me. Unlike other people.”
Benjamin tilted his head toward the ceiling so that she got a good look at his perfect neck. “Are you still on that one point?”
“I’m not going to get off it until I beat you.”
“You can try.”
“Is that a challenge?”
His eyes dipped to her lips. “How about you do your best to distract me next time? I’ll still win, but if it will make you feel better....”
“How kind of you to offer.”
“My father raised a gentleman.”
“Your father?” She arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t the term: my mother raised a gentleman?”
“My mother didn’t raise anybody.” His eyes darkened but the light returned when Bianca rushed to their table.
“Benji!” She bounced on her toes. “It’s open mike night. You should sing a song.”
Kelly’s jaw dropped. “You sing?”
Could the man be any more perfect? Kelly had a serious weakness for guys with musical talents, and handsome singers were high on her hit list.
“Not often.” Benjamin shook his head slightly. “I’m not really in the mood tonight, Bee.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow and I don’t know when I’ll visit you next.” She pouted. “Sing a song for me please?”
Kelly was familiar enough with Benjamin Levy to know that any further objections would be overcome by his love for his little sister. As expected, he gave in five seconds later.