Afterburn: a novel

by Zane

  He chuckled and I could imagine him blushing. “Kind of.”

  “I’m not sure dinner at your parents’ is the right atmosphere for us to get intimate.”

  Kahlil sighed into the phone. “Can I be honest?”

  “Certainly.”

  “I took the liberty of telling my parents that I’ve been seeing this great woman for several months and I’ve really played the whole thing up.”

  “Ah, let me guess.” It was becoming clear. “There’s no woman and now that there’s a family dinner in the works for you to present her to the world, you need someone to present?”

  “I’m totally embarrassed by this but, yes, that’s it exactly.”

  I couldn’t help but be amused. On top of that, I was flattered. Out of all the women I was sure Kahlil knew casually, he’d chosen me to be the type to take home to his momma.

  “Sure, I’ll do dinner.”

  “Really?” Kahlil yelled in the phone. I could hear the relief in his voice. “That’s great, Rayne.”

  “What day and time would you like for me to be ready?”

  “Saturday at six.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  “Thanks, Rayne.”

  “No biggie.”

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.”

  I was about to call Chance to spill the news, but a sporadic dial tone alerted me to messages waiting. I dialed into my voice mail service and there were two calls from Momma wanting more cash and one strange one. Someone was only breathing on the line for a few seconds and then hung up. I assumed it must’ve been Kahlil since my Caller ID registered my last two calls as “Blocked ID.” He’d probably called one time earlier and didn’t want to leave a strange message. No matter. I was simply happy as hell that he’d called back.

  Boom hooked my do up once again. When Kahlil showed up Saturday evening, I was ready to make my official debut as his woman. I went out and purchased a three-hundred-dollar suit, which was totally absurd behavior for me. If it meant winning Kahlil over and, better yet, his parents so they’d sweat him about getting serious with me, then it was well worth it.

  I was waiting out front when Kahlil pulled up in his Volvo; another first. I never wanted to seem pressed about a date, but I was standing there anxiously with a grin on my face when he pulled up. When I spotted another brother in the passenger seat, I was shocked. Granted his friend was fine. I couldn’t help but notice when he got out of the front and hopped in the back. Kahlil got out the car also, walked around, and held the door for me. I reached out my arms to hug him, but didn’t even get so much as a kiss on the cheek in return.

  He introduced his friend as Oliver. Oliver was golden honey with brown dewdrop eyes and an aquiline nose. I could see Chance hooking up with him right off the bat, if Ricky weren’t in the picture.

  The ride out to Kahlil’s parents’ house in Alexandria, Virginia, was a pleasant one. Oliver did most of the talking. He’d moved to the D.C. area less than a year before from San Diego and was struggling to get his PhD from American University. Kahlil seemed kind of preoccupied. I wondered what all that was about.

  “You okay, Kahlil?” I asked him.

  He took his eyes off the road long enough to flash me a cinematic smile. “I’m fine. Just wondering if we need to go over a few things before we get there.”

  Oliver started chuckling in the back seat. Obviously, he knew Kahlil planned on passing me off as his longtime girlfriend; even though we hadn’t seen each other in ages.

  “What types of things?”

  “How long we’ve been together, where we met, those sorts of things,” Kahlil replied.

  “You think your parents are going to ask me all that?” I felt a sharp pang in my stomach. I hadn’t thought of the possibility when I’d accepted his invitation.

  “I’ll try to keep them away from you.”

  Oliver was still laughing. “Kahlil, you’re going to scare Rayne. With hundreds of people at the party, your mother won’t have time to go for the jugular.”

  Jugular? Was Kahlil’s momma a queen bitch or something?

  Kahlil turned the radio up and Nina Simone cranked through the speakers the rest of the way there. We pulled into a long, circular driveway and pulled up to a palatial home. There were dozens of cars parked on the spacious lawn and three valets standing out front to do the honors.

  I was glad I’d parted with the cash to buy an expensive outfit. It made me feel better when I met “the folks.” Rich and phony; an interesting combination. Luckily, they barely said ten words to me between the two of them. His mother simply looked me over and made no effort to mask her actions. His father zeroed in on my bustline, licked his lips, kissed my hand, and then headed into another direction.

  Oliver seemed to be having more fun than anybody. He danced with practically every available woman in the place; from twenty to eighty-five. I was checking him out big time for myself. I was crazy about Kahlil, always had been, but Oliver looked like he could show a woman a good time.

  I was lost in the buffet for most of the night. I hadn’t seen a spread like that since a Christmas party I’d attended a few years ago at a bonafide billionaire’s home. Rack of lamb, crab meat parmesan canapés, roast duck, braised veal with green olives and capers, vegetables in spicy cream sauce, parisienne apples with calvados butter. It went on and on as far as my eyes could see. Throughout the night I tried a little of everything, vowing that I’d utilize my lifetime membership at Bally’s the next morning and endure at least two step classes.

  I was nursing a pink pony, beginning to feel the effects of the tequila, when the live band finally played a song I was feeling. I surveyed the room, searching for Kahlil so we could take a spin around the dance floor but he was nowhere in sight. Neither was Oliver.

  I ventured out of the ballroom and explored the mansion. The farther I got away from the center of the party, the quieter it became. I was about to forget about looking for them and head back to the party when I heard a noise coming from the end of the hall.

  After pushing open a set of French doors, I saw them. Oliver and Kahlil were tonguing the shit out of each other in front of this painting of a woman that was larger than both of them. They didn’t see me, thank goodness. I wouldn’t have known what to say. I’d seen a lot of things in my life up until that point, but I’d never seen two men slobbering each other down. I watched for a few minutes in silence, my feet glued to the floor. Then I high-tailed it out to the parking area where I begged one of the valets for a ride. He said he didn’t have a car. I convinced him that it would be all right to borrow a car from one of the guests since the party was still in full swing. All he saw was pussy potential, but I didn’t care as long as I made it home.

  I had him drop me off on the corner of Wisconsin and M, gave him a fake number, and then walked the rest of the way home. Kahlil had left three messages on my voice mail, wanting to know why I’d left the party. I was so disappointed, I cried. I was sick of men. I didn’t really fault Kahlil. He was what he was and felt obligated to put up a pretense in front of his parents. He could’ve been open with me and I probably still would’ve gone with him. After all, it was hard as hell for me to tell anyone “no” about anything. But he shouldn’t have let me get my hopes up about the two of us. Why did men always insist on playing games with me?

  That was it. I was done with all the foolishness. All the good men were taken, scooped up by sisters who had determined what they wanted and needed early enough in life to still grab a decent one while the grabbing was good. I wondered what lucky sister had snagged Yardley Brown. Now he was definitely a keeper.

  He came into the bank on Monday, looking like he’d stepped out of GQ magazine. Chance cleared her throat and pointed in his direction, as if I could miss his fine ass. He had on a perfectly tailored black suit and a wool overcoat. His hair had been freshly cut. I noticed he was growing a goatee. Sexy as sin.

  He did the usual. Waited in line at the teller window
for next available and then made a deposit. He was on his way out the door when he stopped dead in his tracks, turned in our direction, and walked straight over to my desk.

  I started shuffling some papers around, trying to look busy. I was a nervous wreck.

  “Excuse me, Miss. I was wondering if you could assist me with something.”

  I looked up into his eyes and almost creamed in my panties. He was ten times, a hundred times, finer up close.

  “Yes…yes…yes…,” I stammered. “What can I do for you, Mr.?…”

  I already knew his name, but didn’t want him to know that Chance had reported back to me after her inquisition.

  “Brown. Yardley Brown.” He extended his hand and I took it. It was strong, but he had very soft skin.

  “Rayne Waters.” I motioned to the chair across my desk. “Please have a seat.”

  “Thanks.”

  He sat down and his cologne invaded my nostrils. All I could think about was licking him. I told myself to gain some control. While not married, according to Chance, he was definitely involved.

  We stared each other down for about thirty seconds. It was the longest thirty seconds of my life. I broke the gaze, straightening up my desk and folding my hands on top of my desk pad.

  “Mr. Brown, how can I help you today?”

  “I’d like to reorder some checks.”

  “Oh, well, you could’ve done that at the teller window. It’s a really simple process, if you’re getting the same type and number sequence. However, I’d be more than happy to take care of it for you. It won’t take but a moment.”

  “Actually, I’d like to look at the others you have available. I feel like I need a change in my life.”

  For the next fifteen minutes, I showed him the binders full of designs for checks; everything from angels to athletic teams. He finally decided on a modern design and I helped him complete the paperwork. He was indeed a chiropractor, which explained the soft hands. Who wants ashy hands all over them?

  “Well, that should take care of it,” I informed him.

  “Can I ask you a question, Rayne?”

  “Certainly, Mr. Brown.”

  “Please call me Yardley.”

  “Okay.”

  I glanced over at Chance and she was hanging on every word.

  “Are you seeing anyone right now, Rayne?”

  I almost fell out. He was coming on to me.

  “Uh, no, not really.” I didn’t want to seem desperate so I added, “I do have friends but I’m not seriously involved.”

  “Me either.”

  Was he for real? How could a man that fine be unshackled?

  “Rayne, I was wondering if you’d like to take in dinner or a movie sometime. Maybe a play. There’s a new one down at the Warner Theater. The latest one from the Destiny Wood National Theater Group.”

  Chance was about to pop her eyeballs out to get my attention, mouthing the words “go for it.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Brown, but I don’t engage in flirting with customers of the bank. It appears unprofessional.”

  Chance yanked her index finger across her throat, putting me on alert for the beatdown she planned to dole out later.

  “I see,” Yardley responded, looking like someone had already slashed his throat. “And here I thought I’d found the lady of my dreams.”

  I started shuffling some papers around on my desk again, adding his check reorder form to my outbox so it could go to the correct department for processing. I looked up at him and his sexy ass eyes and melted.

  “I do wish you the best in finding the young lady of your dreams. You’re very attractive and you seem to have it together, so finding a mate should be a breeze.”

  Damn, why did I say that? Here was the man of my own dreams, asking me out, and I was turning him down because of work ethics. Or was it simply old-fashioned fear?

  “No, it’s definitely not a breeze,” he corrected me, standing up and putting on his wool overcoat.

  “Under different circumstances, I’d consider getting to know you better myself. I do know a good thing when I see it.” To this day, I still don’t know where those words came from but I was definitely flirting with him.

  “Different circumstances?” he asked excitedly. “So, if we were to run into each other someplace else, say the grocery store or out on the street, you’d talk to me?”

  “Rayne, shut the hell up!” my insecure side screamed up my ear canal.

  “Yes, I’d say that’s a safe bet,” I replied.

  “Well, I better get back to my office. Thanks for assisting me with my checks.”

  I stood up to shake his hand. “It was a pleasure.”

  Yardley started for the door and Chance wasted no time jumping up to come over to my desk. I was hoping she didn’t plan to lay me out in Spanish.

  Before she could open her mouth, Yardley turned around and came back.

  “After work today, around five, I think I’ll check out that new bagel place a couple of blocks away. Bagels by the Bag. Ever been there?”

  “No, can’t say that I have.”

  “I hear they have the most delicious coffee,” he said, eyeing me seductively. “Maybe you should try it out sometime. Maybe even today.”

  Chance elbowed me in the side and pinched my arm. I yanked my arm free.

  “Maybe I will.”

  Yardley started backing away from us. “Have a nice afternoon.”

  “You, too.”

  He walked out and paused outside of the window long enough to wave. Chance and I both waved back.

  “Rayne, if you don’t go to that bagel place tonight, I’m going to kick your fucking ass!” Chance warned me.

  I plopped down in my desk chair. I’d been through so much shit lately with Will, Basil, and Kahlil; even Conquesto. I’d always told myself that I’d judge each man individually, but saying it and doing it were two entirely different things. The bottom line was that an opportunity had presented itself. I didn’t embarrass myself by going after Yardley. He’d taken the leap of faith and come after me. The only question was would I leave him hanging.

  Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.

  —Leo Buscaglia

  Sixteen

  Yardley

  I couldn’t believe I’d done that. Then again, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t done it sooner. Rayne Waters had invaded my thoughts for a long time. It was time to see where her head was.

  I went back to my office and saw my afternoon patients, glancing at the wall clock or my watch every thirty seconds. Five o’clock couldn’t get there fast enough for me. If Rayne showed, that meant we could at least explore the possibilities. If she stood me up, then I’d know she simply wasn’t interested and I’d have Lisa make all the deposits from that moment on.

  I got to Bagels by the Bag at four-thirty. I couldn’t wait until five. I was worried she might show up early, see I wasn’t there, and leave before I even arrived. I peered inside and the place was deserted; except for a teenager with freckles behind the counter.

  I paced the sidewalk out front for ten minutes before deciding I looked ridiculous. I went down to the newsstand on the corner and browsed the latest sports magazines. There were a ton of them I hadn’t heard of before. It seemed like every sport from golf to cycling had its own monthly. The days of Sports Illustrated cornering the market were over.

  I spotted Rayne in the crosswalk at three minutes to five. I started to dash for the door of Bagels by the Bag so I could beat her inside. I didn’t want to seem hard up so I let her go in first, but I was right on her tail.

  When I came in she was standing in front of the long glass case inspecting the different varieties available. I walked up close enough behind her to smell her vanilla-scented shampoo. I could see her reflection in the glass and she was eyeing me.

  “Excuse me, this is my first time here and I was wondering if you could suggest a flavor,” she said. It was music to my ears. “I always have such a difficult time mak
ing up my mind when there’s so much to choose from.”

  I tried not to laugh at her little game. She actually intended to pretend like we’d never met.

  “This is my first time here also. However, the cinnamon raisin ones look delicious.”

  “I hate raisins,” she replied, glancing over her shoulder at me.

  I locked that into my memory so I could fantasize about her later that night, glancing over her shoulder at me while I was riding her from behind. I had no grand illusions about taking her home with me from the shop. She definitely wasn’t the type, nor was that the type I was looking for.

  “The sesame look good, too.”

  “Yes, they do. Sometimes sesame seeds get stuck in my throat though. I wouldn’t want to choke.”

  “No, we definitely don’t want that.” I moved to her side and tapped my index finger on the case. “Ever tried garlic parmesan bagels?”

  “No, I try to stay away from garlic.” She giggled. “They say it’s healthy but it causes bad breath.”

  “True, and you never know when some stranger might kiss you out of the blue. You always want to make a good first impression.”

  She blushed. She was so damn gorgeous. “I think I’ll have a plain bagel with vegetable cream cheese.”

  “Plain? All of these choices and you’re going with a plain?” I chided her.

  She grinned and batted her long eyelashes at me. “I always like to proceed on the side of caution.”

  “Can I help you, sir?” the teenage employee asked.

  “Yes, I’d like two plain bagels with vegetable cream cheese,” I told him, not wanting to risk bad breath either.

  “For here or to go?”

  “For here.” I turned to Rayne. “You don’t mind if I buy yours, do you? I haven’t done my good deed yet for today and I can’t go to sleep at night knowing that I missed an opportunity.”

  Rayne rubbed her shoulder up against my arm teasingly. “I wouldn’t want to be the cause of you losing any sleep, so buy away.”