Crossroads: An Anthology

by LaShaun, Elizabeth

“Jealous of what Stacy? A woman that is using you for the check you get and the pus-”.

  The slap across his face immediately silenced Riley.

  “You slapped me because I talked about a bitch that hasn’t done a thing for you?”

  “No, I slapped you because you were about to disrespect me and put a major strain on our friendship.”

  The laugh that came from Riley was throaty and hurt filled. “You let a woman that you have been with for a year disrespect you on a daily basis, but you slap me for telling you the cold hard truth?”

  “You know what maybe,” Stacy began but grew silent.

  “Maybe what,” Riley questioned.

  Being faced with silence for a few minutes he asked again with more force.

  “Maybe Janelle is right. You are jealous because you don’t have anyone that loves you so you want to cause trouble in my relationship,” Stacy yelled the anger, hurt, and confusion boiling over.

  Immediately she regretted her words as she watched the hurt on Riley’s face. Quickly it turned into blazing anger and then indifference. She didn’t mean to say what she had but each truthful word cut like a knife to heart as they left his lips leaving her exposed.

  “Nobody loves me,” Riley whispered at first as if it were a question then as a statement.

  Shaking his head with a sad chuckle Riley strolled away from her without another word. His head held high, shoulders back.

  “Riley,” Stacy called after him over and over again falling on deaf ears.

  Chapter Four

  Janelle could not ask for a better day. Summer was in full bloom and the sun was kissing her bare back as she made her way to the photo shoot. She changed from her workout gear and was now clad in a peach halter summer dress. It was funny how her attitude and perspective changed when she left the gym.

  “Not in your lifetime,” she mumbled under breath to the average man in Swan Park checking her out.

  Looks and money were important to her and the joker in the Dockers had neither. Thinking about her preference in a partner, her mind went to Stacy. She really loved her and believed she showed that by staying with her. Librarians didn’t make much money, but Stacy always went out of her way to make sure Janelle was happy.

  Continuing on her journey she came to the Morning Perk and slowed her pace. She wanted to see if she spotted Stacy in the dump.

  “Nope,” she said after reaching the diner from the huge windows. Taking account of the patrons inside, a slight frown appeared on her face. The people were so mediocre and trifling.

  “Look at these fews,” she thought taking in two men with scary smiles on their face awkwardly standing in the restaurant. Stacy called the establishment retro, she called it tacky.

  “Oh well,” she shrugged deciding to talk to Stacy when she arrived home.

  You need to be really nice to her tonight, her mind threw at her. Janelle shook her head in the affirmative allowing her mind to wander again, but this time to Mr. Chad. She was going to bed the man, there was no doubt, but she didn’t want to hurt Stacy. This afternoon the perfect idea came to her, but she had to be very careful to pull it off.

  “Well look at who’s on time,” her best friend Tamya joked. Janelle looked at Tamya in shock. She was so engulfed in her scheme that she didn’t even realize she was at her photo shoot.

  “Shut up trick,” she joked, kissing Tamya on both cheeks. Janelle took in her best friend and summed her up in one word, decent. Tamya’s butterscotch skin covered her 5’10” frame. Her body was very lean and had no curves at all. Her short, edgy haircut complimented her pretty face making her typical model material. In short, she was no competition for Janelle’s striking looks, making her the perfect best friend.

  The two entered the shoot and greeted the photographer before heading to make up. The shoot was the usual low budget catalog shoot, but not to Janelle. Every shoot was her potential big break and she quickly told the make up artist what he could and could not do.

  “Relax girl,” Tamya chuckled sitting next to Janelle. “Let the man do his job.”

  Janelle rolled her eyes but didn’t comment. If Tamya was content with being a catalog model that was fine with Janelle, but she had Paris and Tokyo to conquer.

  “How was your anniversary,” Tamya asked while the make up artist applied her eyelashes.

  Silently, she listened as Janelle recounted every detail of the night and the gift Stacy gave her.

  “Sounds steamy, what did you give her,” she asked.

  Janelle mumbled a nothing while her artist applied her foundation. Tamya gave her best friend a look, of course unseen by her. Stacy was a nice person and she hated to see her mistreated.

  “Who is doing wardrobe,” Janelle asked looking in the mirror, somewhat pleased with what she saw.

  “Riley,” Tamya managed to get out before Janelle began demanding that the artist fix her lip liner.

  “This day seems to be going from bad to worse,” she spat as she hastily stood and rolled her eyes at the frustrated make up artist.

  Riley was a fashion consultant and rarely crossed paths with Janelle. He normally worked with couture designers and the music industry. He had been to fashion week in Paris and New York for the past three years. Janelle loathed the man. No matter how nice she was he would never help her in the advancement of her career. She had told Stacy on numerous occasions that her best friend was gay. He had to be; he had seen her naked at a fashion show they both worked and he didn’t even glance her way.

  Tamya was trying not to burst in laughter as she watched Janelle. Her face was so contorted it looked like she had sucked on ten lemons. Her friend hated Riley with a passion, but always went out of her way to suck up to him, learning that her diva persona was getting her nowhere.

  Janelle was a bitch with a capital B and seemed to be proud of the fact. At the first runway show Janelle did with Riley she threw a tantrum when he showed her the outfits she was suppose to wear. Riley stood silently as she called him an idiot and incompetent. When the show began, Janelle didn’t have anything hanging in her dressing room. Livid, she marched up to Riley and asked what his problem was.

  “I was an idiot to think you would look decent in anything that didn’t have a name written across the front,” he said calmly, really pissing Janelle off. “As soon as I find something of a higher caliber I will make sure you have it.”

  Nevertheless, she didn’t walk the runway and had a hard time finding work for some time.

  Janelle would never admit it, not even to herself, but Stacy was responsible for her career. It was common knowledge that Riley had black balled her from the industry. It wasn’t until she began seriously dating Stacy that she began receiving gigs again. Tamya noticed Janelle’s attention go to the door and turned to find Riley standing there with a rack of clothes.

  “Hey Riley,” Janelle squealed with delight, making her way to him.

  “What’s up,” he returned dryly, removing clothes from the rack.

  Tamya had to admit the brother had it going on in every way imaginable; the simple red thermal and baggy, not sagging, dark denim and red jeans looking damn good on Riley’s chiseled body. The brother definitely had some serious swag. Grabbing her clothes from Riley, Tamya went to the dressing room before she vomited from the performance Janelle was giving.

  “You talk to Stacy,” Janelle asked making small talk.

  “Yeah, for a minute,” he returned taking his eyes from the clothing rack and looking into her eyes.

  “She seemed a little sad. You know she took the day off, but when duty calls we must answer, huh,” he threw out looking at the dreary fitting room before his eyes came back to Janelle’s. Before she could open her mouth, he had given her three hideous dresses and told her he would see her around.

  ***

  “Are you coming or not man,” Brandon impatiently asked Chad. Tonight the most popular fraternity was having a party and Chad swore he was going.

  “Where is it again,
” Chad asked stalling.

  “Man your ass is not going, stop playing,” Brandon threw out turning off his Pontiac. “You always say you are going, but never come,” he continued as Chad felt like a punk as he listened in the passenger seat.

  He wanted desperately to go to the party, but he had to visit the sick and shut in early tomorrow morning and his father said he wanted to talk to him tonight. I think his ass has a fucking radar, Chad fumed inwardly. It seemed like his father always wanted to talk when he wanted to go out.

  “Look man, I have to get ready. Fine ass Raven is going to be there and I am hitting that so I’ll holla,” Brandon said in one breath and unlocked the door.

  Knowing there was nothing else to say, Chad exited the car and made his way to the prison he had called home for the past twenty-two years.

  Chapter Five

  “What’s up,” Chad greeted as he approached Janelle, sounding far more confident than he actually felt.

  “How are you,” Janelle returned amiably, excited that the chocolate Adonis had finally made a move.

  Chad smiled and the two conversed for a few minutes. The conversation was basic and only gave him to time to build up the courage he needed to state his purpose. Sex was what he wanted and nothing else. Chad was tired of living the good holy life to please his father. Overhearing his father promise to take care of an activist by the name of Jaheem chilled him to the bone. Pastor Toplin never went into detail, but his tone foretold his malicious intentions.

  “So you wanna fuck,” Janelle whispered into his ear, allowing her sweaty breast to touch him.

  Chad’s mouth slightly dropped and his throat was as dry as the Sahara but he managed a yes.

  “I will be in touch,” Janelle purred, noticing her next client entering the gym.

  Chad watched her hips switch in the tight electric blue biking shorts. Janelle was perfect for his first lay. She was beautiful, shapely, and above all not his type. Watching her bend over as she helped her client stretch, he smiled as his manhood came to life, the thoughts of her spread eagle overtaking him.

  ***

  Stacy was looking out of her bedroom window at the children outside jumping double-dutch. She couldn’t help but smile as the girls had a small argument about who was going to jump first. Soon an older boy, she assumed their brother, approached the girls and played mediator. Seeing the handsome and calm young man brought her thoughts to Riley. She hadn’t spoken to him since he came to the library to talk to her on her anniversary. He accused Janelle of using her, which Stacy quickly denied. She wanted to leave the conversation alone, but he kept provoking her. Before she knew it, she told him he was jealous because nobody loved him. The look on his face made her shudder as his painful eyes burned into her. She opened her mouth to speak but he quickly left the aisle they were in heading to the exit.

  “Dinner is ready,” Janelle said sweetly interrupting her thoughts.

  Stacy smiled and told her she was on the way. She hated that she was at odds with her best friend, but he was wrong. Janelle was not using her and was very remorseful about forgetting their anniversary. Her woman had gone out of her way to make her feel special. She cooked her dinner every night and had a bath drawn for her as soon as she was done eating.

  Janelle watched Stacy closely as she ate. She betta say yeah, she brooded, recalling the hard work she put in to make Stacy happy.

  “That was great baby,” Stacy said pulling Janelle by her arms and leading her to the beige, cloth sofa.

  “I am happy that you enjoyed it,” Janelle told her before kissing her deeply. “Stacy do you love me,” Janelle asked, with just the right hint of doubt.

  “Of course, I do,” Stacy quickly reassured stroking her face. “Why you ask that,” she asked hating that Janelle could doubt her love.

  Sighing and pausing for effect, Janelle told her that she didn’t think she loved the real her. Seeing the confusion written on her lover’s face she hedged forward. She explained that like it or not she was bisexual and was still very attracted to men.

  “So you’re breaking up with me,” Stacy asked with an incredulous look, working overtime to keep her tears at bay.

  “No baby,” Janelle said. “Never, I want,” she trailed off again for effect, causing Stacy to quickly ask her what she wanted. “I want to have a threesome.”

  Stacy quickly removed her hands from Janelle with widened eyes.

  “See I knew you would react this way,” Janelle returned forging hurt.

  “I’ll do it,” Stacy told her as the first tear escaped from her right eye.

  The smile instantly came over Janelle’s face and she kissed her lover with immense passion. I knew she would go for it, she thought cockily. Okay its time to go in for the kill, she continued to brood as she began to tug at Stacy’s sweats. Giving head was not something that she enjoyed. She only performed the act after she had at least two orgasms herself.

  Stacy moaned deeply as Janelle satisfied her. She was so gentle and attentive, which was rare. Most times Janelle seemed to be in a rush. Pushing the thoughts out of her mind she returned to her boo, who was pleasing her. Janelle brought her to her end twice and never asked for any pleasure or Willis. Instead she simply kissed Stacy on the cheek and went to retrieve a soapy washcloth. Reality set in quickly for Stacy. She had agreed to participate in a threesome. She had never been with a man and vowed to never be with one. If you don’t do it she will leave you, her heart threw at her. Immediately she resolved to see the threesome through. Janelle had sacrificed a year of her sexuality, she could at least compromise.

  “Riley would go off if I told him this,” she mumbled as her mind once again went to her best friend.

  As much as she tried to block out his words they were ringing loud and clear. The gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach told her he was right.

  ***

  Janelle stood in the doorway watching Stacy. She heard her comment about Riley and dug her fingernails into her left palm to keep from screaming. She was tired of Riley’s ass, but soon he wouldn’t be a problem. A sinister smirk appeared on her face just as Stacy turned her attention to her. Thankfully the lights were off, so all she could see was her silhouette.

  “Are you just going to stand there,” Stacy joked trying to lighten the mood, avoiding her feelings being much easier. Janelle told her she was just admiring her and headed to the bed. Pulling her love close to her warm body, Janelle whispered in her ear, “It’s only for one night.”

  Unable to talk with the lump in her throat, Stacy nodded her head in agreement. Deep down inside she had a feeling that one night would change a lot of things.

  Chapter Six

  Chantrese’s thong was soaked and her skin was on fire as her eyes slowly scaled Riley’s burly body. The god was perusing samples for a show and had no knowledge that she was watching him. His freshly and neatly twisted dreads concealed his face making him appear untamed. Chantrese felt her nipples begin to her harden and her nerve dwindling. There was no way Riley would be her date for the after party. Chantrese was twenty-two and new to the couture modeling scene. She had witnessed Riley turned down beautiful women and some even said he was gay. Chantrese knew better though, Riley was anything but gay. In the blink of an eye Riley looked up, his eyes connecting with hers.

  “Hi,” Chantrese managed feeling like a complete fool after they both stared awkwardly for several seconds.

  Riley returned the greeting and was heading to the closet when Chantrese blurted, “Who are you taking to the after party?”

  Riley stopped in tracks and turned to face Chantrese. It wasn’t until that moment that he realized she was interested in him, the slight blush and diverted eyes giving her away. Riley lips quickly prepared to turn her down, but the cold words Stacy threw at him came to him. He would never admit it, but her words had hurt him deeply. Chantrese fidgeting brought his thoughts back to her. He took in the beauty before him. Her creamy peanut butter skin was flawless. He had never noticed he
r hazel eyes that peaked through her overgrown bone straight bangs. For a model, she was curvy. Her hips were subtle. In her profession, the plump ass she possessed would be a curse but he was loving it. A smile grazed his face as he thought about the sisters that actually wrapped their asses with ace bandages to flatten it.

  “I wouldn’t mind going with you,” he told her as she smiled pulling him into her essence.

  ***

  Stacy was a nervous wreck as she sat in the living room waiting for Janelle’s fantasy to walk through the door. She couldn’t believe that she was doing this. Her stomach did a summersault as she watched her supposed lover prance around the house in a silver teddy, drink in hand as if she was on top of the world. She couldn’t remember when she had last seen Janelle this happy. You are acting dumb as hell, her mind threw at her at the same time that her heart told her to be understanding. Before she could get her thoughts together the doorbell rang.

  The deep breath she had quickly taken left her when her eyes connected with the sexiest eyes she had ever seen. Before she knew it, damn, had left her lips.

  Chad expected Janelle’s lover to be fine but never as beautiful and erotic as the woman before him looked. Her dark doe eyes penetrated his being and her wild naturally curly black hair was extremely sexy. Allowing his eyes to lazily scan her toned body he had to stifle a moan he wanted her so bad. Her breasts were perky and begging to be released from the satin cloth detaining them. His breathing grew ragged as he looked at her shapely legs. He could tell from her peach nightie that she was reserved and shy. For the life of him he couldn’t figure out why, she was breathtaking.

  “Well,” Janelle said with an edge to her voice. “Chad this is Stacy, Stacy this is Chad,” she introduced them through tight lips.

  Neither took their eyes off the other as they shook hands. Janelle knew Stacy was beautiful, but she usually downplayed it by wearing oversized clothes, hats, and shades.

  “Well don’t just stand there let’s go to the bedroom,” Janelle laughed grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the bedroom.