I turned around, looking at my backup plan as he lay naked in bed, resting peacefully. I hadn’t intended on being with Lance, but when things didn’t go according to plan, I had to make moves elsewhere. Lance had been in love with me for quite some time. I wasn’t feeling him at first, but I was grateful to him for helping me pick up the pieces after my heartbreak.
Lance slowly cracked his eyes open, only to see me standing there looking at him. He smiled then patted the spot in front of him on the bed. “What are you doing up so early?” he asked. “You need to get back in this bed and finish what you started, Miss Lady.”
I didn’t mind finishing what I started. I was okay with running away from what wasn’t good for me as well. That would be Jonathan Tyrese Taylor. As far as I was concerned, he and that bitch he was with could burn in hell. I was done with them both.
CHAPTER 21
JONATHAN
I lay in bed, disappointed and devastated like hell. Didn’t know how I’d gotten myself in a situation like this again. Why couldn’t I keep a woman happy? Why did they always have to cheat? Why pretend that you wanted to be with somebody when you were in the arms of another? I just didn’t get it, but then again, yes, I did. I hadn’t been on the up-and-up either, but even if I had been, it appeared that, prior to my relationship with Sylvia, Lesa had already been seeing someone else. I brought her into my home because I thought she was the one. I truly thought I had someone special, and, aside from my setback with Sylvia, I was ready to be all that Lesa needed me to be. I was so hyped about Vegas, and it was unfortunate that it wound up turning into a disaster.
Thing was, I couldn’t say that I hadn’t been warned. I hated that Jaylin was right. Why couldn’t I see the things in Lesa as he had? Why did I ignore the signs? This wasn’t the first time I ignored them, and that made me feel more foolish.
And then the baby. Dana lost our baby, and now this. There was always a child involved. I couldn’t help but to think about if Lesa’s baby was mine. Hell, what if it wasn’t? Would she lie to me and say that it was? Make me raise another man’s baby, knowing damn well that I wasn’t the father? I had so many questions, but I didn’t want to know the answers. The answers wouldn’t do me any good, because it was over. No woman would ever spit on me, refer to me as a nigga, and then see me in her presence again.
The truth was I should’ve taken more time to get to know more about her. Two years wasn’t enough. Hell, five years wasn’t in some cases, and this was on me. I swept too many things under the rug. I rarely questioned her late nights, didn’t inquire about her phone calls in the middle of the night, nor did I get to know the people she referred to as her friends. Had I dug a little deeper, I would’ve discovered more about her. I was shocked by the way she’d clowned on me. And then to call Sylvia ghetto; she had no room to talk. I didn’t care how upset she was, but the slap, the shoe throwing, and the name calling was uncalled for. I didn’t want that kind of woman in my future. Hell no. I could do without it. She was the one who had fucked up and attempted to use Sylvia like the shit was justified.
Well, Sylvia didn’t make her seek not one but two lovers. She didn’t make her have an abortion, and she didn’t make her put up with a limp dick, so she said. She was trying to get me where it hurt. I admit that she did, but, just like the last time, I had to find a way to pick up the pieces and carry on.
Later that day, I checked out of the hotel and took the first flight back home. It was extremely embarrassing for me to contact some of the people close to me and tell them the reception had been cancelled. Basically, there would be no wedding because the woman I was supposed to marry wasn’t really who she claimed to be.
“Wow, I’m sorry to hear that, Daddy,” Britney said. “I’m speechless right now, and I can’t believe Sylvia came all that way to tell you the truth.”
Britney had always wanted Sylvia and me to be together. She was crushed when we parted ways, but the last thing on my mind right now was Sylvia.
“That was nice of her to do,” I said. “I’ll be sure to thank her. Meanwhile, how have you been doing? We’ve been playing phone tag a lot. I feel as if you’ve been hiding from me. When are you coming home to visit?”
“Soon. I’m just trying to get familiar with all of this stuff about the law. How did you do this? These classes are hard. It takes a brilliant person to get through this. I don’t know if I’m cut out for it.”
“Yes, you are. Don’t talk about what you can’t do, and focus on what you can do. All you have to be is determined. And you know I’m here for you. If you have any questions on your assignments, just let me know.”
“Ooookay. Keep your head up too. I wish I was there to give you a big ol’ hug, but since I’m not, why don’t you try calling Sylvia? She’s nice and—”
“I don’t feel like being bothered. I would like a hug from you, though, and if you don’t get here within the next few months, I’m coming to see you.”
“I told you I’m coming. I got a surprise for you, too, and trust me when I say you’re going to love it. Then again, I’on know.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of. Good-bye, Britney. I love you.”
She laughed. “Love you too.”
Talking to my daughter always made me feel better. Working did, too, so I did what I knew best and dove right in. I thought about calling Jaylin to tell him how things had turned out, but I was in no mood to hear him talk about how right he was. Instead, I called the planner who assisted me with the arrangements for the reception. I asked her to contact some of the individuals I invited and let them know it was cancelled. I didn’t feel like answering questions; I knew there would be plenty.
At one in the morning, I was in my home office getting some work done. There was still a lot of buzz around Taye’s case that had been dropped. Several people had been reaching out for me to help them too, and, unfortunately, there was already another case in the news about three police officers filing a false claim about a crime the black man insisted he didn’t commit. I was watching the news when I received an unexpected phone call from Crissy. I had been meaning to call her, but she beat me to it.
“I know it’s late, but I wanted to check on you,” she said.
“I didn’t think you cared, but I’m doing fine.”
“Jonathan, you know I care. It’s just that we don’t always click when it comes to business. As far as I know, you’re going to be my business partner for a long time. I care about your well-being, and don’t you ever forget that.”
“I was feeling better, until you said that we’d be business partners for a long time,” I said jokingly. “I was hoping that you would be done with the business and go do something that you really enjoy doing.”
“Oh, I love what I do. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Like father, like daughter; you know what I mean.”
I couldn’t help but to think about me and Britney. Maybe she would work at my firm one day, too. I was looking forward to it. “Yeah, like father and daughter. I’m sure your father is proud of you for doing all that you do.”
“I’m sure he is too. But other than that, how are things with you and Lesa? Have you spoken to her since you’ve been back from Vegas?”
“Nope. We really don’t have much to say to each other, and we pretty much finalized everything in the hotel room. I’m surprised Sylvia didn’t tell you about it.”
“I haven’t spoken to her. She called and said that she was staying in Vegas until the weekend, just to get her head straight. She’s really been through a lot with you. I can’t help but to ask if you see a woman like her in your future.”
“Truthfully, I’m not even thinking about me and Sylvia at this moment. Why is everyone trying to push us together? I’m not feeling us the way I used to, and I prefer that we remain friends.”
“Well, friends do have sex and friends do lean on each other when in need. I know that all too well. Been there and done that before.”
“If you say so. I need to get ba
ck to what I was doing, but before we go, send that package to me that the private investigator showed you. I want to see all of it. While it doesn’t make one bit of a difference, I just want something to throw in Lesa’s face if she ever comes here talking shit. I know she’s coming to get her things. I just don’t know when. This time, her shit will be packed.”
“Good for you. I’ll gather everything and send it to you in the morning.”
Unfortunately, by morning I hadn’t gotten any sleep. I was still in my office, working on an upcoming case. My phone rang again. This time, it was Jaylin. I hesitated to answer, but then I figured that he would find out sooner rather than later that he was right.
“It’s too early,” I said, answering my phone. “Don’t you ever sleep?”
“Big dreamers and thinkers don’t sleep. They’re always cooking up something, so I called to see if you would like to invest in another big property venture I’m seeking to get my hands on in Detroit. The area is booming right now. Millionaires can easily be made.”
Jaylin provided more specifics about the deal. I told him to count me in. We also talked about how Taye’s case panned out. He teased me about becoming an up-and-coming star.
“I saw you on TV. You think you bad, don’t you?” he said then laughed.
“I know I’m bad. Badder that your attorney Frick is, but you’ll never admit it.”
“Pull back, bro. You ain’t that bad yet, but I gotta give credit where it’s due.”
“So do I. And what I mean by that is you’re good. Good at knowing things about women that I don’t know. Lesa and I are done. She was cheating with two other men, and she had an abortion that I didn’t know about.”
I continued to tell Jaylin about what had happened in Vegas. When I told him she called me the “N” word and spit on me, he interrupted.
“Yeah, that’s a wrap. No woman should go there, and you should have smacked her ass into the next day. I’m glad you came to your senses. You may want to thank the hell out of Sylvia for stopping you from making a big, huge mistake. Have you spoken to her?”
“Naw, not since I’ve been home. I got so much on my mind right now. I can tell you that this shit don’t feel good.”
“No, it doesn’t. Women act like they’re the only ones who go through shit. We do too, and I understand your pain. But the cure to that pain is money. Fall in love with it, and you’ll always have yourself a real winner.”
“I’m already in love with it. Let me know when you need me in Detroit. I’ll be there.”
We concluded our conversation, and I got back to what I had been working on. I quickly thought about how I hadn’t thanked Sylvia for preventing me from making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I figured she was upset with me for leaving Vegas so abruptly, but I intended to go see her real soon.
CHAPTER 22
SYLVIA
Jonathan got the hell out of Vegas. I didn’t even get a chance to say good-bye. While I figured he would be upset, I wondered if he was upset with me. He hadn’t contacted me to say one word. I felt some kind of way about it, too, especially since I had come all this way hoping for a better outcome between us. I wasn’t going to be the one to call him first, and the least he could do was call to thank me.
Instead of going home, I stayed a few more nights in Vegas. I spoke to Brian while I was there, and his conversation helped to put me at ease. He wasn’t sure if I had done the right thing. He also seemed concerned about Jonathan not reaching out to me.
“The least he could do is thank you for traveling that far to save him. I don’t know what kind of man wouldn’t at least do that.”
“I agree, but you know what, Brian? Let’s talk about something else. You’ve been so patient with me, and I know you get tired of always hearing about me and my ex. You mentioned that you were looking for another job. Any luck?”
“I think so. I had an interview at GMAC. They’re hiring for the third shift. I would love to work there. Say a prayer for me, and I’ll say one for you too.”
Brian was really a nice guy. Most men were in the beginning, and there was so much more about him that I didn’t know. Thing was, I wasn’t so sure about dating him. We just didn’t click like I needed us to. He was more of a companion to me than he was anything else.
We talked for a little while longer, and then I headed to the casino to play blackjack. I was up $700, so I called it quits and returned to my room. I knocked out eight hours of sleep, and the next day I headed back to St. Louis.
The second I got home, I unpacked my bags, and after I took out the trash that had been left there for days, I also cleaned my kitchen. I was ready for another nap, but as soon as I got comfortable in bed, there was a knock at the door. I tightened my robe then went to the door to see who it was. On the other side stood Jonathan. His head was down, but I could see his flowing waves.
I opened the door, and he was staring face to face with me.
“I came to thank you for always being there for me,” he said. “May I come in?”
No, was what I wanted to say. I was bitter about how things had turned out in Vegas, but I didn’t want my griping to turn him away. I knew he’d been going through hell too, so I decided to widen the door and let him come inside. Jonathan strutted in, casually dressed in jeans and a button-down silk shirt that fit his frame as if it was tailored. One by one, he undid the buttons while keeping his eyes locked on me. I opened my mouth to tell him to leave, but he immediately kept me silenced when he covered my mouth with his. The sound of our wet lips smacking sounded off in the room. It wasn’t long before we started stripping off each other’s clothes. A pile of our clothes were stacked behind me as I stood naked. Jonathan reached for my waist, pulling my warm body to his.
“Thank you, again, for saving my ass,” he said. “I owe you.”
“Yes, you do, and thank you for spreading my ass.”
That’s exactly what he did, when he moved me over to the couch and bent me over. His dick filled me to capacity and my pussy juices ran over. My breasts wobbled as he pushed me forward with rhythmic thrusts. The feel of him was so spectacular that I could barely stand. My legs shuddered, and with his fingers tickling my clit, I couldn’t take it. I jerked forward, causing his meat to quickly exit my precious hole. He held his heavy meat, while I positioned myself on my back. He kneeled in front of me then placed my legs against his chest. With my ass barely situated on the couch, he entered me again. His eyes slowly shut; so did mine. All I felt was his long inches working me over. His hands massaged my breasts, and his tongue tantalized my nipples. I was being completely worked over and loved every minute of it. Loved it so much that I removed my legs from his chest to spread them wide like a V. He instructed his mushroom head to toy with my clit, and after his dick traveled from my mouth, back to my pussy, I came all over him. He quickly buried his face between my legs, sucking me up like a brand new vacuum cleaner. My pussy remained hot to the touch, and from the floor to the door, we explored sex in more ways than one. I wasn’t sure if Jonathan still had it in him, but he left me wishing that we could go on like this forever.
The next day, nothing needed to be said or done. Jonathan strutted around the office as if he was a new man. I certainly felt like a new woman. I didn’t want anything or anyone to ruin my day, but there was always something to deter me from my good mood. I got a phone call from Dana, telling me that it was urgent for us to speak. She left the message on my voice mail, but I deleted it. I was so done with her. At this point, I didn’t care what she had to say. The devil was trying to steal my joy, but not today.
After work, I headed to Applebee’s to meet Brian for dinner. He had been so nice to me; I didn’t want to cancel. He was all smiles when I got there. I found out why after we sat at a booth and ordered drinks.
“I got the job,” he said with a wide smile. “I start next Monday, provided that everything checks out with my drug test. I know it will, unless weed is still in my system from high school.”
We both laughed. I congratulated him on getting the job. “I’m happy for you, and I know how much you wanted this. I prayed that everything worked out, and isn’t God good?”
“Very good. We prayed that my situation worked out, but how about yours? Is everything working out for you, too?”
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but things are good. I’m seeing some progress with some of the things I want, but I’ll have to wait and see.”
“I take it the progress you’re speaking about is with you and Jonathan, right?”
“Mmmm, maybe. Like I said, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. His relationship with Lesa is completely over, but I’m not exactly sure where that leaves us. I’m giving him time to take in all that happened. Eventually, we’ll get around to talking about us.”
Brian picked up a chip then dipped it in salsa. He put it in his mouth and chewed. “If you don’t mind me asking, did he thank you yet?”
I thought about last night. Hell, yeah, he thanked me, and then some. “Yes, he thanked me. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t stop thanking me.”
“I guess that means the two of you had sex then. He thanked you by offering you sex.”
This conversation was starting to make me feel uncomfortable. “I really don’t want to say, Brian. Can we talk about something else?”
“Of course we can, but can I be honest with you about a few things?”
“You can always be honest with me. Say whatever it is that you need to say.”
“From a man’s perspective, I believe that Jonathan is using you. When a man is hurt, he turns to women who are willing to comfort him. You told me yourself that he did it before. Why wouldn’t he do it again? You’re going to get hurt, Sylvia. I really wish that you would give us a chance, instead of going back to a man who will not show you anything different.”
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