by Shane Morgan
“And I didn’t?” he interrupted, keeping his voice at a whisper yet it sounded as if he was scolding me. “You’re forgetting one thing, baby girl. Your momma took that from me.”
I sank back on the chair. “Please, I’d really like you to stop blaming her and face the truth, because you’re just as guilty for what happened. She wronged me by making me believe you didn’t want to be part of my life, but you also wronged me by not pushing harder. You had plenty of opportunities—”
“Come on you two,” Branden chimed in. “Don’t do this. Pointing fingers won’t make anything better. What you need to do is work on building a relationship now.”
We both looked over at him, spotting how true those words were.
Swallowing my pride, I was the first to mutter, “Sorry.”
“Me too,” replied Dad, settling back on the chair. “Moya, we barely get to see each other. I don’t want us to fight every time we do.”
I nodded my agreement. “I know, and that’s my fault.”
Branden coughed, following my remark. I glared playfully at him. “Yes, even I can admit it’s me.”
“But’s it understandable,” Dad added, placing his hand on top of mine. I brought my attention back to him. He smiled as he went on, “Let’s make a deal that from here on we’ll start fresh; find a way to reconnect. What do you say, baby girl? Please.”
“I’d like that, Daddy.” I smiled in return and squeezed his hand, saying softly, “I really would.”
“So,” Branden chimed. “Are we good now?” He eyed between me and my father with a questioning stare, looking for a sign that there would be no more arguing.
We both bobbed our heads at him, then he called the waiter over to take our orders. After having lunch, Dad and I talked a while before he took off. It really was good seeing him today. In spite of me going into defense mode for a moment there, my heart felt at peace…for now.
When Branden brought me home, he wanted to cuddle on the sofa. It was a nice thought, but I was still apprehensive about putting too much weight on his body.
“Why don’t we sit down instead?” I suggested. “Hang out…chat.”
He scowled. “We can chat with me holding you.”
“I know, but…” I didn’t want him to know his health still scared me, even though Doctor Henderson said he was better now. “I feel more comfortable talking to you sitting up. If we lie down and cuddle, things could get heated again. Then I wouldn’t be able to think straight.”
Branden stepped closer and snaked his arms around my waist. He lowered his head, pressing it against my forehead as he gazed passionately into my eyes and whispered, “What’s the matter? You can’t control yourself around me?”
A nervous laugh escaped my lips. He was right. But I didn’t want him to know he had that much power over me. “Oh, I can control myself, babe. I don’t know about you though.”
“Is that so?” Drawing me closer, Branden tilted his head and kissed my cheek. He gently brushed his lips against my skin as he carried them back to my mouth, only to tease me by coming in then pulling away. Still, the closeness between us remained.
I pressed my eyes shut and linked my fingers around his neck—trembling, breathing heavy, lips parted, and waiting for his sensual kiss. It wasn’t happening.
After a few seconds past, I began to grow impatient. I opened my eyes slowly to see what was taking him so long. Branden had a satisfied grin on his face.
“Well, look who said she can control herself. Just one touch and I already have you falling to pieces,” he teased, a cocky laugh fighting to break free.
I unhooked my fingers from around his neck and pushed him away. Pretending as if I was mad at him, I crossed my arms abruptly, pouted, and glared at him, muttering, “Whatever.”
Branden composed him and moved forward, towing me into his embrace. I caved, wrapping my arms around his waist and breathed in his earthy scent.
We stayed like that for a while until Branden left so I’d have time to get myself together to drive back to school.
My cell phone didn’t ring at all when I was out for lunch, and there weren’t any text messages from Vanessa. She was probably going back to Harrington by some other means in order to avoid discussing her dilemma with me. Whatever the case, we were best friends. She had no reason to keep secrets from me.
I would never judge her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Branden
Well, that was a start. Maybe now Moya and her father could work more on reconnecting and possibly end up having a good relationship like when she was younger. Regardless of where they’re at now, it was still better than what I had at my home—if I could even call it that anymore.
After returning from Berlin Heights, I headed straight for my room the second I walked through the front door.
“Branden, just a moment,” Mom stopped me. I paused on the stairs and peered into the living room, seemed like she had a visitor.
Walking over to the arched doorway, my eyes landed on the one person I wasn’t expecting to see ever again.
“Samantha, what are you doing here?”
“Branden, don’t be rude. She’s only visiting—”
“Why do you keep giving her false hope?” I asked angrily.
Mom stood, folding her arms. She spoke in an authoritative tone. “Honey, I like Moya. She’s a nice girl. But you and Samantha had something really special, and I think you should give serious consideration to whether or not you truly want to throw that away.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “You know, Mom you’re such a hypocrite,” I said through clenched teeth, feeling confused by the way she’d been treating Moya, yet holding out hope I would get back with Samantha.
Her brows shot up. “I’m only looking out for your best interest.”
“Best interest my ass—”
“Bran, don’t be upset with your mom,” Samantha intervened. “I shouldn’t keep coming by like this, not until you want me to.”
“I’ll never want you to,” I elucidated. “Why can’t you get it? I love Moya.”
Samantha winced, hearing me declare my love for another. She couldn’t fathom the possibility I would move on from her, even if she dated after dumping me.
Mom placed a few strands of hair behind her ears and excused herself. “I’ll let you two talk.” Stopping beside me, she added, “Branden, please hear her out.”
“Geez…” Good thing she was my mother. I seriously wanted to tell her to get off my back.
When Mom disappeared out of the living room, I turned and gestured towards the front door. “Sorry she wasted your time.”
Samantha moved closer and touched my arm. “I’ll never stop loving you, Branden. What I said and did on that day, and even after, it was stupid. Tell me what to do to fix it. I’ll do anything. Please…I just…” she tightened her grasp on my arm. “I love you and I want to be with you so bad.”
Her pleading pissed me off. It was different from the way she was the day she left me. She was bolder, not hesitating to break my heart. I yanked my arm away.
“Leave.”
“But…Branden—”
“Get out.”
Her eyes welled with tears. She covered her mouth and started to cry, shivering as she did like she was experiencing a great amount of pain. It was such a pitiful sight. I actually felt sorry for her.
“Look, I can’t give you what you want.”
Before I could stop her, Samantha plunged into my chest, clinging to my body for dear life.
“Please…Branden,” her voice trembled. “Please, I love you so much,” she sobbed even more. “Give me another chance. I won’t hurt you again, I promise.”
Her tears were starting to soak my shirt. A part of me wanted to shove her off and drag her out the door; only the kinder part overcame that. I lifted my hand to her head, stroking it gently. I was only trying to help ease her pain. But what was I thinking? This would only intensify her desire to get m
e back.
I eased Samantha away from me. She looked surprised. “Branden—” she started to speak again in that sorrowful, child-like voice.
I cut her off, “You’re only embarrassing yourself. Just go, find someone else. After all, it’s easy for you to do that, remember?” Her words exactly.
Chest heaving, Samantha aggressively wiped her cheeks and marched past me, her boots making a ruckus along the way. When she reached the coat closet by the stairs, she glanced over at me before taking hers out. “You’re gonna see, Branden. Soon, you’re gonna come looking for me.”
I snorted, doubting that.
She sniffed a few times while looking at me. I spun away from her cold stare. Hard to think there was a time I’d believed there was nothing better than peering into those gray eyes. Now it was so easy to look away.
At the sound of shuffling, I glanced over again. Samantha hurried to get her coat out, put it on, then bustled out the front door, slamming it shut. How rude. This wasn’t even her house.
Mom came walking down the hall. She eyed me with raised brows then glanced at the front door.
“What happened?” she asked in a raised voice.
I scoffed and walked past her, going up the stairs. When I reached the top, I turned halfway around and gazed down at her. “Don’t do that again. You’re only making it worse for her.”
“Branden, she loves you.”
“I love Moya.”
She pursed her lips and rested her hands on her hips. “How long before that ends? How long before she realizes she wants to be with someone on her level?”
Gripping the railing above the stairs, I asked through gritted teeth, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Mom turned and walked into the living room, uttering out over her shoulder, “In time, you’ll see.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Moya
I felt reenergized by the time Monday swung around. Only a few days left before the holiday break and I couldn’t wait. The butterflies sprang into action when I started to think about the weekend getaway with Branden, only to have them suppressed when Vanessa entered the campus café. I’d sent her another text this morning telling her to meet me here.
She looked like herself now, dressed in a red, single-breasted hooded trench coat she’d bought when we went to Harborplace Mall on Saturday. She had on a white cashmere pullover top inside, black tapered trousers, and matching leather ankle boots. I also noticed her braids were gone, replaced by her natural curly afro.
Vanessa sat down on the wooden chair across from me, settling her bag on the one beside her. “Okay, tell me what you know.”
“Well, how about you start by telling me who it is and why have you been cheating on Calvin?”
She fell back on the chair, releasing a gasp. “I really wanted us to work. We started dating in Junior High; we have a lot of history. But things have changed.”
“That’s why you decided to cheat?”
“No, girl. I didn’t go out looking for someone else. He and I just…happened.”
I folded my hands on top of the table. “So, who is this guy? Are you gonna break up with Calvin?”
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know what I’m gon’ do. The last thing I want is to hurt Calvin, but I don’t want to hurt Warren either.”
“Warren?” the name sounded familiar. “How did you two meet?”
She drank some of the coffee she came in with before answering, “I ran into him a month ago when I was leaving Calvin’s practice. We’d had another argument. I was so pissed. Anyway, I didn’t want to call you with another complaint about my relationship, I mean it doesn’t take a genius to see how annoyed you are.”
“That’s not true, Nessa. I’m always willing to listen—”
“So you say,” she cut me off. “Truth is, you’re not. You’re as overwhelmed by my complaining as much as any other person who knows us. I guess I was looking for a new listening ear. That’s when I bumped into Warren. He was coming for basketball practice and he seemed really concerned—”
“Wait a sec,” I lifted a hand to stop. “Hold up. Girl, Warren plays basketball for Easton U?”
“Not yet, he just joined the team so he’s been training for next season—”
“Which means your man and your sideboo will be on the same team.” I fell back on the chair, amazed. “Nessa, what the hell?”
“I know, it’s complicated.”
“Complicated isn’t the word. Does Warren know you’re seeing Calvin still?”
She screwed up her face. “Not…exactly. I kinda told him we broke up.”
“Oh my gosh.” I rested my elbows on top of the table and lowered my head into the palm of my hands, muttering, “Nessa, I expected better. You always used to say you’d never do that. How cheating was low and you’d rather break up with Calvin before you ever considered it.” I glanced up at her. “So what’s this? What are you doing?”
Rolling her eyes, she looked down at her lap. “I knew you would do that.”
“Do what?”
Her head snapped up. “Judge me.”
“Oh please. I’m not judging you, I’m only telling you—”
“How disappointed you are in me.”
I took a moment to check myself, if my tone came out the wrong way. Nothing gave me that impression.
Vanessa peered out the window, lost in thought. I wondered what was running through her head. There was a quiet air around us, with light chatter, utensils clanking, and orders being prepared in the background.
Finally, I broke the silence, “Nessa, I’m not disappointed. I’m only worried about you.”
“I know girl.” She looked at me and smiled half-heartedly, then reached over to take my hand. “I didn’t mean to get all snippy with you. I guess I’m mad at myself for getting into this mess.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I have feelings for them both.”
“But,” that surprised me. She’d been with Calvin for years. They came to the same college together. Surely she’d choose him. “Are you thinking about leaving Calvin for Warren?”
She didn’t answer, only got her bag off the chair and stood. “I’m still trying to make a decision. Look, I gotta get to my next exam. I’ll call you later, girl.”
“Okay. But honestly though, I hope you come clean about this for your sake as well as for the guys.”
Nodding, she took up her coffee off the table then left.
I stayed behind a while longer to finish my coffee and run over some stuff for my next exam. When I started to gather my things together, I saw Tobias enter the café.
Just my luck.
In a hasted manner, I snatched up my bag and bustled for the exit, he glimpsed me on my way out.
“Hey, Moya. How’ve you been?”
I brushed past him, not saying a word. Tobias followed me outside and down the concrete path.
“Listen, I’m sorry for what happened. I was out of line.” His apology sounded sincere, yet there was still that hint of cockiness nestled within his deep baritone.
“Whatever.”
“Stop acting like you didn’t enjoy that kiss,” he teased.
Agitated, I halted my steps and spun around. “I don’t know what gave you the impression that I was into you, but you read it wrong. I’m not, nor will I ever be. I have a man that I love, whose kisses make me weak in the knees.”
Tobias went tense all of a sudden. His face stiffened, his jaw twitched. I kept going, hoping he’d get the point and leave me alone, “That God awful thing you shoved on my poor lips the other day doesn’t even come close to a passionate kiss. No wonder you’re single.”
I turned and continued down the path. Tobias hurried after me, gripping my arm. He twisted me around, appearing angry as he inched close to my face. I covered my mouth, fearing he would kiss me again.
“You think you’re so great—Miss high and mighty. But you know what?”
&n
bsp; Backing up, I pursed my lips and crossed my arms tightly at my waist. “What?”
“You’re secretly dying for me to kiss you again.”
“Say what now?” Vanessa appeared unexpectedly. Her big eyes had expanded even more. She sashayed up to us, giving me an infuriating gaze.
“Nessa, I can expl—”
“You have some nerve lecturing me about cheating when you’re here kissing another guy.”
“It’s not like that—”
“To hell it ain’t,” she shushed me. “Does Branden know about the kiss?”
“No…but—”
“Exactly!” she pointed an angry finger at me. “That, my dear, is cheating. And there you were talking ‘bout how you expected better from me.”
“This is a completely different situation. Tobias kissed me by force. I didn’t want it,” I explained myself.
She raised her palm in front of my face and twisted her body, choosing not to listen to my reasoning. “I hope you come clean about this for your sake as well as for the guys.”
“Huh?” I fumed. “You did not just quote my own words back to me.”
“That’s exactly what I did.”
She cut her eyes and started to walk past me, slowing down to hand me something. “Here, took up one of your notes on accident.”
Without waiting for my response, she continued in the direction of the building where her next exam was taking place. I stood in place, watching her disappear out of sight.
I felt like crap. My best friend was mad at me for the first in years.
Tobias cleared his throat, reminding me he was still standing there.
“Looks like you and your girl have issues.”
“None of your business,” I barked, looking over my shoulder at him with a death glare. “Jerk! This is all your fault.”
“All right, sorry about that too. I am still interested in you though.”
Enraged, I huffed out a breath and said for the last time, “I don’t care. I don’t want you. Stay the hell away from me or I promise you’ll regret it.”
Tobias clamped his lips shut, amazed by the fury in my voice. I spun on my heels and continued down the concrete path, hastening my steps to the Arts and Science building for my next exam. He’d better not antagonize me after today. I was beyond tired of it, and I didn’t need anybody trying to disrupt what I had with Branden.