by Skyy
“You think so?”
“I know so.” They gave each other daps.
“Man, you know, even after Sahara leaving me, the thing that killed me most was the idea of not having you in my life anymore.”
“You can’t get rid of family.” Denise looked at Cooley. They hugged, both getting emotional, causing them to laugh.
“See, this shit right here, this isn’t cool.” Cooley laughed. “Got me all open and shit.”
“My guys!” Carmen squealed as she ran in and wrapped her arms around both of them. “I’m so happy now!”
“Carmen! Wit’ yo’ emotional ass.” Cooley let Carmen hug her.
That moment the front door opened. They watched as Lena walked into the house. She froze. She knew it was going to happen, but she didn’t expect to be hit with Cooley and Denise as soon as she walked in the house.
“Umm. H-hey,” Lena stuttered. She looked at Denise.
Denise wanted to say something, but she couldn’t. She stood up and walked out of the room. Lena’s head dropped. Carmen quickly came to her.
“Come on, girl. I figured out which room was yours and didn’t touch it.”
They opened the door to Lena’s bedroom. It still looked like it had when she was sixteen years old. The pink walls made her want to throw up. She knew she would never do that color for Bria.
“She hates me,” Lena muttered.
“Just give it time. Where’s Mish?”
“Had some stuff to deal with. She’ll be here later,” Lena informed her.
“Cool.” Carmen hugged Lena. “I’m gonna head back down. See you soon?”
Lena nodded, but she had no intention of leaving her room for the night.
Misha watched as Patrick walked out of the house. She grabbed Jaylin’s overnight bags out of the car. Jaylin ran into his father’s arms. Patrick hugged Jaylin like he hadn’t seen him in weeks. Jaylin ran into the house to get the gift Patrick had told him was waiting inside.
“Hey,” Patrick said as he took the bags from Misha.
“All his stuff is in here.”
“You know, he still has clothes here.”
“Yeah, but his Spiderman pj’s are his favorite. He won’t sleep without them on.” Misha closed the back car door. Patrick grabbed her hand.
“Misha . . .” He lowered his head. “I’m sorry about last time. I was tripping. A man kind of loses it when he realizes he’s losing the only woman he ever loved.”
Misha’s palm touched Patrick’s face. “You aren’t losing me. We are just changing our relationship.”
“But it’s hard for me to want to change it.”
“Me too. But it’s for the best. You know it, Patrick.”
Patrick sighed. He hated to admit it, but she was right. He knew in his heart that he would never be able to completely forget her past. He dropped Jaylin’s bags and wrapped his arms around Misha.
“I’m not going to fight you. I love you too much to bring you any more pain. We will work everything out.”
Misha breathed a sigh of relief. She wrapped her arms around his strong torso and hugged him tight.
“Thank you, Patrick. Thank you so much.” They hugged each other, neither wanting to let go. Misha finally pulled herself away.
“I have to catch this flight.”
“You want us to drive you?” Patrick asked. “At least then, you don’t have to pay for parking.”
Misha smiled. “That would be great.”
Patrick headed in the house to get their son. Misha could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Chapter 41
Lena could hear the laughter coming from outside. She could see the flames from the fire pit. She felt like a prisoner in her own home. She wanted to go outside, but the idea of being around Denise, and ruining Carmen’s day, made her stay in her bedroom.
There was a knock at the door. The door opened. Lena’s eyes widened as Misha walked in and closed the door.
“So you are going to hide in here all weekend?” Misha’s famous curly ’fro was bouncier than normal.
“When did you get here?”
“About an hour ago.”
Lena sighed. “I just don’t want to ruin anything.”
“Oh, and making people feel bad that you are stuck in your room isn’t going to ruin anything?” Misha sat on the side of the bed.
“She wouldn’t even look at me, Mish.”
“Maybe you should make her.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Girl, you two have been playing this cat and mouse game for years. Maybe it’s time for someone to finally to give in.” Misha gave Lena a hug and stood up.
“You and that hair.”
Cooley’s voice sent chills through Misha’s body. Misha turned around to see Cooley smiling in the doorway, her deep dimples inset.
“Don’t you flirt with me. I am still mad at you.”
“You are mad at me?” Cooley walked into the room. “Okay, I’ll take that. You know it was a mistake, right?”
“I know that you and your loose libido probably got caught in the moment. I do know you well. When you are mad, you do fucked-up things. Bad habit, Cooley. You need to work on that.”
“Oh, I am, trust me.” Cooley couldn’t look at Misha. She thought about Sahara. “My anger lost me both the women I ever loved and almost lost me my best friend.”
“Your anger didn’t lose me, Cooley. We just weren’t meant to be.” Misha sat next to Cooley. “I’ve thought about this a lot, and I think that in the end, it’s always been her.”
“So where is your boy?”
“At home with our son, and he’s not my boy anymore.”
Cooley’s eyes widened. “What?”
“We are getting . . . divorced.” It was still hard for Misha to say the word out loud.
“I’m sorry to hear that, boo.” Cooley put her arm around Misha. “I know you loved him.”
“I still do love him, but some things just aren’t meant to be.”
Sahara entered Cooley’s mind. “I guess you’re right about that. I guess me and Sha just weren’t meant to be.” Cooley smirked. “But can’t say I didn’t see you and him ending. You were way too good at eating pussy to give that shit up.”
“Shut up, asshole.” They laughed as Misha playfully pushed Cooley, but Cooley’s smile quickly faded.
“Misha, I really thought she was the one. Hell, I know she was the one. I’ve never felt that way about anyone. I just . . . man, I . . .” Cooley felt herself getting choked up.
Misha put her hand on Cooley’s leg. That gesture caused Cooley to break down. Tears flowed from her eyes.
“I feel lost without her.”
Misha wiped Cooley’s face. “Don’t worry, Carla. It will work out. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Please stop crying. It’s freaking me out.”
Cooley couldn’t do anything but laugh. She hugged Misha. They embraced as Misha consoled her in the way she needed, by laughing and cracking jokes.
Lena woke up in a hot sweat. She looked at her clock. It was 3:00 A.M., and the house was completely silent. Her stomach rumbled. She tiptoed out of her room and downstairs.
The old hardwood floor let out a loud creak when her bare foot hit the bottom step. She looked up, hoping that no one had heard her upstairs. She walked into kitchen and opened the fridge door. She grabbed an orange and closed the door.
“Shit!” Lena jumped out of her skin, dropping the orange on the floor when she saw the dark figure in the doorway. The figure walked into the room. Lena’s heart dropped as Denise’s face appeared. “Denise.” Lena slowly picked the orange up off the floor.
“Why, Lena?” Denise leaned against the wall.
“I don’t know what to say. It was a terrible mistake.”
“I’m not talking about Cooley, although that was some fucked-up shit. I’m talking about me and you. Why, Lena? Why could we never get this shit right?” Denise walked closer. The room was silent.
Lena swore she could hear Denise’s heart beating in the silence.
“I don’t know. I ask myself that question all the time.”
“I guess I just wasn’t enough.” Denise turned her head.
Lena looked at Denise. She didn’t feel sad; she felt irritated.
“You weren’t enough? Fuck out of here, Denise!” Lena put the orange down.
“Fuck out of here?” Denise couldn’t believe Lena had just gone New York on her.
“I fucking came to you. I left him. I left him pregnant to come to you, and you pushed me away. And you have the nerve to stand here and act like this was all my fault? Please! You had plenty of chances to get me. You chose not to.”
“Because you aren’t any good for me, Lena. You are like a fucking drug. I lose all grip on reality when you come into my life.”
“Well, it takes one to know one!” Lena picked her orange back up and headed to the door. “I came to you, Denise. You pushed me away, more than once. I know I did some fucked-up things, but so did you.”
“So maybe this has all been a big mistake since day one,” Denise mumbled.
“Maybe.” Lena shook her head. “All I know is that I’m not that same girl that you saw when you came to my house last time. I’m not allowing you to be fickle when it comes to me.” Lena turned away from Denise. She couldn’t look at her anymore. “I left him. I left him for you. But you didn’t give me a chance. But I don’t need it anymore.” Lena walked away, feeling stronger than she had ever felt before.
Denise was speechless. Lena was right. She couldn’t blame anyone but herself. She looked down and smirked.
“Fuck out of here. Did she really say that shit?” Denise shook her head in amazement. That wasn’t the little Lena she’d roomed with. She was so much more.
Chapter 42
The decorators had the back of Lena’s beach house looking amazing. An arch covered with bright blue orchids stood in the middle, with the ocean making the perfect backdrop. Carmen stared at the decorations from the window.
“It’s time to put on the dress, Carmen,” Lena said as she and Misha stood in the doorway.
Carmen turned around. They could see the pain on her face, even though she tried to hide it.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Misha patted Carmen on her back.
“Nothing. Everything is just so beautiful. I just . . . I just wish my mom wanted to come, and Nic’s family.”
“Well, Nic’s people were going to come, but—” Lena stepped closer.
“I know. Her mom is too sick to travel.”
“We are sending a perfect video of the whole thing. And if we have to go to L.A. and do the whole thing all over again, we will.” Misha smiled.
“Carmen, it’s your day. You should be happy,” Lena said.
“I am. I . . . I am.”
There was a knock at the door. Denise and Cooley walked in, both holding presents in their hands. Lena tried not to look at Denise, but she looked too good in her white suit, with her hair perfectly pressed and hanging down her back.
“Baby girl, we have something for you.” Cooley handed Carmen her box. Carmen opened it to find an old garter belt. “Your mom gave this to me to give to you.” Carmen’s eyes widened. “She said she couldn’t come, but she couldn’t let you go down the aisle without it.”
Tears flowed from Carmen’s eyes. “Oh my God, this belonged to my grandmother, and my mother wore it too.” Although her mom hadn’t come, that item let her know things would be all right in the end.
“This is from me.” Denise handed her the familiar blue Tiffany box.” Carmen opened it to find a beautiful diamond-encrusted hair clip. “It’s your something new.”
“And . . .” Lena handed Carmen another box. She opened it to find a pair of sapphire earrings. “This is something blue.”
“And something borrowed.” Misha put a silver bracelet on Carmen’s arm. The Chi Theta letters were engraved on it. “It’s the bracelet you gave me when we crossed.”
“Thank you, guys. I don’t know what to say.” Carmen couldn’t stop blubbering.
“You can stop crying so we can get you ready.” Misha blotted Carmen’s face with a tissue.
“We are going to check on Nic and make sure she hasn’t changed her mind,” Cooley joked, lightening the mood in the room.
Lena and Denise caught glimpses of each other, and neither wanted to turn away. Denise gave a quick grin before walking out of the room.
The friends stood around while Carmen and Nic stared deeply into each other’s eyes and the preacher gave words of encouragement and inspiration for their lives together.
“And now the couple would like to say their own vows.”
They could see the tears forming in Nic’s eyes.
Carmen held Nic’s hands. She struggled to get the words out. “Nicole, I love you so much. When there were times that I didn’t know what love was, you loved me. When I didn’t love myself, you loved me. And in times that I didn’t deserve your love, you still loved me. My life didn’t start until you entered it. And I’m ready to spend the rest of forever with you.”
A single tear fell from Lena’s right eye. Misha held Lena’s hand, while Nic wiped the tears from Carmen’s face.
“Carmen, you are the most amazing, fantastic, irritating, wonderful woman I have ever met in my life.” The group chuckled. “I knew from the moment I saw you, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Was it easy? No. But nothing worth having is ever easy.”
Nic’s words echoed in Lena’s head.
Nic went on. “I fought for you, for our love, and I promise here and now that I will never stop fighting for us. I love you, and life is complete with you in my life.”
Misha’s, Carmen’s, and Lena’s makeup were ruined as the tears flowed from Nic’s eyes and their own. Cooley found herself getting choked up. In moments there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.
The preacher said his final remarks. “And by the power vested in me and by the state of New York, I now pronounce you wife and wife.”
Cooley couldn’t help but shake her head at the preacher’s choice of words. They clapped and cheered, throwing orchid petals on the couple as they kissed for what seemed to be an eternity.
“I’s married now!” Carmen yelled out as she threw her hands up. They all laughed as she turned around. She threw her bouquet in the direction of Misha and Lena. Lena caught it. She looked up to find Denise staring at her.
The group headed to one of the local bars to party the night away. Carmen and Nic danced in their wedding attire. Carmen refused to take off the dress that she so loved. People congratulated them, even pinned money on her dress.
The group finally headed back to the house. Cooley and Denise walked together to the front door.
“So, I guess you will be next,” Cooley joked.
“Yeah, right.”
“Well, the chances of you finding someone before me are pretty obvious.”
“Are you sure about that?” Denise nudged Cooley and pointed to the front door. Sahara stood on the patio in a beautiful white and peach sundress. Cooley looked at Denise, then back at Sahara.
“I thought you two needed to talk,” Misha said as she walked up behind Cooley and Denise.
Cooley blinked. “You?”
“You want something, go get it, Cooley.” Misha smiled. Cooley hugged her.
“You are amazing,” Cooley whispered.
“I know. I know.” Misha smiled as she and Denise watched Cooley run to Sahara.
There were no words. They just embraced, locking lips like it was the first time.
“I think I’m going to go to the beach.” Denise smiled. She walked off toward the back of the house.
Lena got out of the car and watched Denise until she disappeared from view. Nic’s vows entered her mind. Something came over Lena. She pulled her shoes off and ran to the back of the house.
The beach was dark. If it wasn’t for the lights from the houses, it would have be
en pitch-black. Lena felt the sand covering her feet. She thought about her dream. It was now or never.
“We never really tried,” Lena yelled.
Denise turned around to see Lena headed toward her.
“Lena . . .”
“We never really tried. Neither one of us. Denise, when you wanted me, I didn’t try to make it work. When you told me to leave your room, I shouldn’t have taken no for an answer. And that day in your apartment, when I found out I was pregnant, you shouldn’t have let me go. You shouldn’t have told me to go back. We never truly tried, Denise. We both gave up at the first sign of trouble.”
“Lena, I know but . . .”
“But I want to try.”
Lena didn’t care. In that moment she didn’t want another day to pass when Denise was not hers.
“Denise, I’m standing here, letting you know I want to try. I want the chance we always deserved. I don’t care about anything else. I want this, and I’m begging you to please just give it a try.”
“So much has happened, Lena.”
“And I’m sure more will happen. But don’t you think we deserve to give it a shot? We owe it to each other to at least try.”
Lena stood in front of Denise. There were no tears. She was determined.
Denise stared at Lena’s face. She didn’t know what to say. Had too much happened? Was there too much baggage for them to even attempt to be more? Denise lowered her head.
Lena watched as Denise’s head dropped. She felt her knees go weak. “Oh.” Lena couldn’t breathe. She turned around. She had poured her heart out again. It had never occurred to her that Denise just didn’t want her anymore. She tried to move, but her legs were frozen. She mustered every bit of might in her to make her right leg move forward.
Denise watched as Lena slowly walked away. The cold waves crashed into her legs. She hadn’t realized how close she was to the surf. She looked back up at Lena.
“Lena!”
The call caused Lena to halt. She turned around to find Denise standing directly behind her.