COMPLICATED

by Chenell Parker

  “Enough said, don’t even tell him I called Frank. I’ll talk to him later on when he gets home. Good luck with everything,” Rylee said before hanging up the phone.

  After popping a few Advil’s, Rylee grabbed a nightshirt and went straight to the shower. Once she was done, she made a big mug of hot tea and got into her big comfortable bed. She had flipped through a few channels on the TV before she felt herself drifting off to sleep. Not even five minutes into her nap, Rylee’s phone was ringing displaying Zyra’s picture.

  “Hey boo,” Rylee answered groggily.

  “Hey, I just called your job, and they said you left sick. What’s wrong? Do I need to come over there?” Zyra rambled.

  “No girl, my cycle came down, and these cramps are kicking my ass,” Rylee chuckled.

  “Oh, so I guess you don’t need to take a pregnancy test anymore,” Zyra acknowledged.

  She felt bad, but she was secretly happy that Rylee wasn’t pregnant. That would only further complicate things if she ever were to leave her husband. Knowing Mekhi, he would use the baby as an excuse for them to stay together. Rylee was big on family, and everybody knew that.

  “No, I’ve already canceled my doctor’s appointment. With the way I’m feeling now, I’m thinking about getting back on my pills. I’ve never experienced cramping before until now. This shit ain’t a joke.”

  “That was the only good thing about me having a hysterectomy. I don’t have to deal with that shit anymore,” Zyra chuckled.

  “Don’t rub it in heifer,” Rylee laughed.

  “So how did Mekhi take the news? I know you said that he was excited about everything.”

  “I didn’t tell him yet. He had an inspection at MJ’s and he’s going crazy. We’ll talk when he gets home,” Rylee said just as one of Mekhi’s phones started to ring.

  “What’s that,” Zyra asked referring to the music that was coming from the other phone.

  “That’s his phone. He left both of his phones and his wallet on the nightstand. He must have really been rushing to get out of here.”

  “Oh, well what are you planning to do for the rest of the day? We can do happy hour now since you know for sure that you can drink.”

  “Cool, but I need a nap first. What about five or six this evening? I’ll pick you and Amber up if y’all want me to.

  “Sounds like a plan. Get some rest and call me later,” Zyra said before disconnecting the call.

  She didn’t have to tell Rylee twice. She turned over and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. And just like before the phone just would let her be great. It was like her phone and Mekhi’s work phone was tag teaming trying to see who could drive her crazy first. Rylee picked up her phone first to see that her grandmother and Amber had tried to call. They probably called her job just like Zyra did and were given the same message. She knew that her grandmother would worry, so she decided to call her first. That was before Mekhi text message alert sounded off. Figuring that it was one of his off-duty employees, Rylee grabbed the phone to see who it was.

  “What the fuck!” Rylee bellowed as she sat upright in the bed.

  The picture of a woman’s private area staring back at her almost made her vomit on her plush comforter set. Rylee’s vision blurred with unshed tears as she read what the sender had written.

  “We miss you” was all it said, but that wasn’t the worst part. The colorful bed of roses tattooed right above her genital area that read “MJ’s honey pot” was what did it for Rylee. It was all the proof that she needed to know that her husband was cheating on her. The question was with whom. Rylee looked all through the phone, trying to get a face to go along with the picture, but that was the only thing that she saw. The sender must have used some kind of app or special technology to send it because the number showed up as all zeros. Apparently Mekhi must have erased the previous conversations because the phone was empty. Rylee even went to the missed call log, but all of the numbers were restricted. He was a slick bastard, but he had the right one. Rylee forwarded the picture to her phone and jumped up from the bed. Through teary eyes, she threw on some clothes and grabbed her suitcase and overnight bag.

  “Oh God!” Rylee screamed, and she fell to her knees in the middle of her huge walk in closet. The reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. Her husband was cheating on her, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. She was a damn good wife, or, at least, she thought she was. She cooked, cleaned and kept her house spotless. She fucked him into a coma most nights and sucked him until her jaws ached. She kept her figure tight and her wardrobe up to date. Obviously, that was all for nothing because she couldn’t stop her husband from cheating on her. With her knees pulled up to her chest, Rylee cried and rocked herself back and forth in a state of shock. Mekhi was her rock. He was everything to her outside of her family. He treated her like a queen and she adorned him with a crown just the same. True, they had their disagreements and arguments, but what couple didn’t? At the end of the day, they were back at it like nothing had ever happened. Rylee couldn’t figure out what she did so wrong, but it really didn’t matter anymore. She was done. She’d never cheated on Mekhi, and she refused to stay with him knowing that he couldn’t give her the same respect. Once a cheater always a cheater was what she was taught, and she couldn’t agree more. The fact that he was doing her wrong and she never suspected anything was enough for her to see just what kind of sneaky dog she was married to. Rylee hated to doubt herself, but she couldn’t help it. She had to be doing something wrong to make him stray. But how could that have gone over her head? She wondered when it started and how long it had been going on. She never doubted Mekhi’s faithfulness and he’d never given her a reason to. He was always accusing her of doing something wrong, and now she knew why. He was the guilty one, but he tried to shift the blame on her. As much as Zyrian tried to get her to mess around with him Rylee declined every time. She’d even gone so far as to stay away because she didn’t want to be tempted by him. Obviously, her husband wasn’t as strong willed, and the proof was staring her right in the face. Rylee couldn’t stop staring at the picture even if she wanted to. The fact that the woman got her husband’s initials tattooed on her let Rylee know that the affair had to be an ongoing thing, and it didn’t just start. Although she couldn’t be mad at the other woman, she still wanted to know who she was.

  Two hours later Rylee was still in the same spot that she was in before. Her eyes were swollen and burning from all the crying that she had done. Finally gaining the strength to get up, Rylee started throwing items in her bags. She had so many clothes and shoes that it would probably take an entire day to have everything moved. She started with the basic items like work clothes and most of her hygiene items. She would have Zyra and her cousins help her come for everything later. She would probably have to buy a few things, but that wouldn’t be a problem. She had a lot to figure out, but one thing she knew for sure. Her marriage was over, and there was doubt in her mind about that.

  Chapter 15

  It was after three that afternoon when Mekhi finally left the bar. He was in such a hurry when he left that morning he hadn’t taken any of his cell phones or his wallet. He was happy that he didn’t get stopped because he was damn near doing one hundred trying to get to his bar. Thankfully the problem at MJ’s was fixed, and they were able to get the kitchen spotless before the inspector came. He was in full panic mode earlier that day, but everything worked out fine. MJ’s passed with flying colors and Mekhi was finally able to exhale. Mostly all of his employees came in to help, and he made a note to do something special for them soon. Mekhi was an asshole most of the time, but he had a soft heart when he wanted to. He was tired, but he wanted to be back at MJ’s later that night when they opened. He didn’t plan on staying long because he wanted to spend some time with his wife. Pulling up to his house, Mekhi was surprised to see Rylee’s car in the driveway. She wasn’t due home for another two hours, and she rarely left work early. He pulled
his car right next to hers and made his way inside. He heard Rylee on the phone, and it almost sounded like she was crying. When he walked into their bedroom, Mekhi’s heart dropped at the sight before him. Rylee’s swollen red eyes and tear stained face was nothing compared to the mess that she’d made of their room. She had her clothes thrown all over the place while she stuffed some more into huge black garbage bags.

  “What the hell is going on Rylee?” Mekhi inquired when he walked up on her.

  “Don’t say shit to me. The next time you see me will be in divorce court,” she promised.

  “Divorce Court!” He yelled in shock. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “This is what I’m talking about nigga,” Rylee yelled as she shoved his work phone in his face.

  Two other text messages came through with the same picture, but this time, the person wanted to know when he would be free to meet up. She even mentioned them hooking up in his office at MJ’s again. That was all the confirmation that she needed. It took everything in Rylee not to reply. As far as she was concerned her problem wasn’t with the other woman. She wasn’t doing anything more than what Mekhi was allowing. Rylee had forgotten all about Zyra being on the phone. She was too busy trying to see Mekhi’s reaction to the picture that she’d shown him. He tried to play it cool, but Ryle could see the sweat forming on his brows.

  “Who is that and why are you showing it to me?” Mekhi asked like he was shocked.

  “Okay Mekhi, if that’s the game that you wanna play I’ll play along. You’re a fucking liar and a cheater. As far as I’m concerned this marriage is over. I’m happy that I’m not pregnant by your dog ass. Maybe my next man will appreciate me, and I can give him some babies,” Rylee snapped.

  Her hurt had turned in rage, and she was done crying for now.

  “You must be out of you fucking mind if you think you’re leaving me behind some bullshit that I don’t know nothing about. Somebody probably sent that to the wrong number, and you’re blowing up on me over it.”

  “I figured you’d say that. I guess the person that she wanted to send it to has your initials too huh. And I guess they also have a business called MJ’s. You’re busted, plain and simple. Do us both a favor and keep it real. It’s over, so no matter what you say my mind is already made up.”

  “You ain’t going nowhere,” Mekhi yelled as he grabbed one of her bags and dumped the clothes out. “Somebody is fucking with you and you’re dumb enough to take the bait. We’re married, and we’re going to sit down and talk about this like adults.”

  Mekhi tried his best to sound unaffected, but his heart was beating out of his chest. He was indeed busted, but he would never admit that to his wife. The thought of Rylee leaving him was something that he never contemplated. She was his whole world, but he didn’t think about any of that when he was doing wrong.

  “I’m dumb?” Rylee asked while pointing to herself. “No nigga, you’re the dummy if you think I believe that shit that’s coming out of your mouth. Give me my shit and get out of my way.”

  “I said you ain’t going nowhere,” Mekhi yelled while pulling her by her long ponytail.

  “Nigga you must have lost your damn mind,” Rylee screamed as she turned around and started swinging on him. She dropped the phone, so she never heard Zyra yelling that she was on her way over. She had already asked Buck to go over there just in case something popped off. She knew that Mekhi wouldn’t take Rylee’s leaving too well, and she was prepared.

  “Chill out Rylee. I’m trying to keep from hitting you, but you better calm the fuck down,” Mekhi yelled as he tried to block some of the punches that she threw his way.

  “Let me go,” Rylee yelled when he grabbed her arms and held them to her side.

  “Baby, please calm down and let’s talk about this,” Mekhi begged.

  “We can talk, but only if you’re planning on telling me the truth,” Rylee answered out of breath.

  Mekhi contemplated his next move, but he really didn’t have a choice. He had to come clean, but he wouldn’t dare reveal everything.

  “I swear I’ll tell you everything that you want to know,” Mekhi lied with a straight face. “But you have to promise me that you won’t leave me when I do.”

  “Okay, I promise,” Rylee agreed as he let her arms go. “Who is she and how long have you been messing around with her?”

  “You don’t know her, but we met at MJ’s,” Mekhi said as he looked at the tile underneath his feet.

  Rylee knew that he was lying because he could never look her in the face when he did.

  “How long?” Rylee repeated the question that she really wanted to be answered.

  “A few months,” Mekhi said as he continued to study the floor.

  “Do you love her?” Rylee asked as a few stray tears escaped her eyes.

  Mekhi’s gaze landed on her as soon as the words left her mouth. “What? Baby no, I don’t love her. I’ve never loved another woman besides you.”

  “Obviously, not enough though right?”

  “Rylee please don’t do that. Don’t doubt my love for you. I fucked up, but I swear I’ll do anything that I can to make it right. Just tell me what I have to do,” Mekhi pleaded with tears in his eyes.

  “Just sign the divorce papers when they come,” Rylee urged.

  “You just promised me that you wouldn’t leave.”

  “Yeah, just like you promised to always be faithful. I guess we’re both liars,” Rylee said right as the doorbell rang.

  She raced to the front of the house with Mekhi right on her heels. She swung the door open, and Zyra came strolling right on in.

  “Who the fuck invited you to come in?” Mekhi snapped.

  “Fuck off Mekhi. I’m coming to check on my friend. You need help with your bags Rylee?” Zyra asked.

  “Nah, she ain’t going nowhere, but you need to go.”

  “I invited her here, and she’s not leaving without me. Come on, I have a few bags packed already,” Rylee said to Zyra.

  Mekhi stepped up and blocked them from going into their bedroom. “You need to tell you, girl, to keep it moving. We need to talk.”

  “We’ve already talked, and I’m done. Let me get my shit and I’m out of here. You can do whatever you want once I’m gone. You don’t have to sneak around anymore,” Rylee assured him.

  “You need me to call my cousins Rylee?” Zyra offered.

  “Am I supposed to be scared Zyra?” Mekhi asked. “You can call whoever the fuck you want. Nobody ain’t scared of your cousins. Them niggas ain’t the only ones with guns.”

  “Nah, but we ain’t scared to use our shit,” Grim replied as he and Buck walked through the opened front door.

  Mekhi wanted to piss in his pants, but he kept a straight face. Zyra must have already made some calls before she came to their house and he wasn’t prepared for the trouble that would come with it. He wasn’t a killer, but Grim and Snake’s resumes proved that they were.

  “What’s going on bruh?” Buck asked his boy.

  “Whatever is going on is between me and my wife. I don’t even know why y’all are here,” Mekhi spoke up.

  “Damn Mekhi, it’s like that?” Buck asked sounding offended.

  “Nah man, but this is a personal issue that we need to resolve on our own. You know we’re cool Buck, but this don’t have nothing to do with nobody else, but me and Rylee,” Mekhi reasoned.

  “Alright then man. I respect that. Let’s go Zyra,” Buck said to his cousin.

  “No, not unless Rylee wants me to leave. Are you staying Rylee? It’s okay if you are, but I want to know that you’re going to be alright,” Zyra asked.

  “She’s good,” Mekhi snapped in irritation.

  “Nigga your name ain’t Rylee, and you better watch your tone with my cousin. I would hate to do you dirty in your own house, but I will,” Grim yelled.

  “Chill out man. We’re wrong for even being in this man’s house like this, so calm down,” Buck reasoned. “Wha
t’s up Rylee? You good or what?”

  “No, I’m leaving,” Rylee said breaking Mekhi’s heart into a million pieces.

  “Don’t do this Rylee. Can we just sit down and talk about it?” Mekhi begged.

  “Maybe in a few days, but I can’t talk to you right now,” Rylee replied.

  “What about your doctor’s appointment tomorrow?”

  “I canceled it. My cycle came on this morning. That’s why I came home early, and that’s how you got busted.”

  “Where are you going, Rylee?” Mekhi asked.

  “I don’t know yet.”

  “Can you please go to your grandmothers’ and not to her house?” Mekhi pleaded while pointing at Zyra.

  He would go crazy for sure if he knew that his wife was sleeping under the same roof as Zyrian. He’d done his share of dirt, but he couldn’t wrap his mind around Rylee being with anybody else.

  “Okay,” Rylee agreed.

  Mekhi stepped aside and allowed his wife and her friend to grab some of the clothes that she’d already packed up. Once they were gone, he cleaned up the mess that Rylee had made and went to take a shower. He was supposed to be going back to MJ’s for a while, but he really wasn’t in the mood to do much of nothing. The first thing he did want to do was call the dumb bitch who sent the picture to his phone, though. It wasn’t her fault that he got caught cheating, but some of the blame was being placed on her anyway. God forbid if Rylee ever found out who it was. She would be divorcing him for sure if she did.

  ***

  “How you feeling boo,” Zyra asked Rylee.

  “Stupid,” Rylee mumbled as she stared at the wall and wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “You are not stupid Rylee. Stop beating yourself up for something that wasn’t your fault.”

  “But why didn’t I know Zyra? How could my husband have a relationship with another woman and I had no idea? I mean, not even a clue that he was cheating on me. That shit even sounds crazy.”

  “I don’t know honey, but don’t be too hard on yourself. It happens to the best of us. Look at my situation. At least, Mekhi didn’t bring the bitch home to you like Tommy did me.”