by La Jill Hunt
Chapter 22
Paisley turned over in her bed for the hundredth time. She was exhausted and had been in bed for hours, but had yet to fall asleep. It was as if her body wanted to rest, but her mind wouldn’t allow it to happen. There was so much going on in her head that she figured she would be tired of thinking, wondering, worrying, and imagining; she was already on edge and her lack of sleep was making it worse. It was as if she could hear every sound in the house; from the water dripping in the kitchen sink to the whish of the air coming through the vents.
Climbing out of bed, she decided that maybe a cup of tea would help rest her nerves. She was careful not to wake the dog, sleeping in the sitting area of her bedroom, as she closed the door behind her. Landon’s loud snoring could be heard as she passed his bedroom door. He sounds like a bear, she thought as she slipped down the steps. The coolness of the kitchen floor surprised her and caused a chill to go up her body. I shoulda put on some socks. She reached into the cabinet and removed her silver “The Playground” mug with the pink logo and put it on the counter as she waited for her water to heat up on the stove. She went to the food closet and sorted through her vast array of teabags until she located a chamomile one and prepared her drink. The warm liquid burned her lips as she took the first sip.
As she drank, Paisley walked into the living room of her home—a room she rarely entered. Her attention was drawn to the large picture window, and she peeked through the venetian blinds. When she first saw the shadowy figure standing across the street, she began to panic. As she realized who it was standing in the darkness staring back at her, she thought she was dreaming, or seeing a mirage, at best. She opened the blinds further, and saw that indeed, the man was real. He saw her staring back and started to walk away. Ignoring that she only wore a tank top and a thong, Paisley didn’t hesitate disarming her alarm, and slowly opened her front door, ready to chase after him. She didn’t have to, because he was now standing in the doorway.
“Warren,” she gasped. Before she had the chance to say anything else, his mouth covered hers and his tongue danced with hers. As much as she wanted to pull away, she couldn’t. She kissed him back with as much fullness and intensity as he had. She put her arms around his head and he lifted her up, her legs wrapped around his body as he carried her into the house. Within minutes, she was fumbling with the buttons of his shirt and he was taking off her tank top, licking her neck and rubbing her nipples.
Paisley unfastened his belt and pushed down his pants in one motion, and they fell on the thick carpet. Her fingers ran along the thickness of his manhood and she arched her back as he removed her lacy thong. Neither one said a word, knowing that if they spoke, the magic of the moment may be broken. The heat between her legs intensified as she felt his tongue tasting her. She wanted to moan, but she couldn’t. Instead, she grabbed his head and held on as he sent her into a state of oblivion.
When she felt that she could take it no more, he entered her, slowly, intensely, as if he wanted to savor each moment, each second, each plunge. They stared at one another in silence, holding on to their passion, neither one wanting it to end. The rhythm of their bodies increased, faster and faster; she lifted her body to meet his with each thrust, clawing into his shoulders as they approached the point of ecstasy they both needed. The core of her body seemed to erupt as she climaxed along with him.
When it was over, they both lay intertwined in the middle of her living room floor, bodies wet with perspiration, neither one daring to move. Exhausted. He was hers, she was his in that very moment and nothing else mattered. Theirs was a forbidden love, a love that could never be, they both knew it. Their lovemaking had been wrong on so many levels, but to them, it was the most right thing in the world. She was content, and so was he. The much needed sleep she desired soon arrived.
“Paisley . . . Paisley . . .”
Paisley’s eyes fluttered open and she felt a hand under her chin. As she looked up to stare into her lover’s eyes, she realized that it wasn’t Warren at all, it was Scooter. She sat up.
“Baby, are you okay?” he asked, touching her face softly.
“I’m fine,” she said slowly, realizing that she had been dreaming. She glanced around, trying to figure out where she was and exactly what she had done. Oh shit, did I sleep with Scooter? Looking down, she was relieved to see that she was still fully dressed and lying on Chester’s sofa. “What are you doing here?”
“I came by to check on you,” he told her.
“I guess you got the text message, too, huh?” Paisley asked.
“Yeah, I did.” Scooter nodded.
“And the e-mail?”
“Yeah, the e-mail too,” he admitted.
Paisley shook her head in disbelief. Whoever was out to get her was doing a damn good job. Not only had they hacked into her Web site and posted the pictures of her and Warren, they also sent the pictures to everyone in her cell phone, and everyone in her e-mail address book. Her life had turned even more upside down than after the accident. She knew her parents were pissed. In an effort to avoid her mother, she hadn’t called them with her new cell number.
I can’t deal with Mama’s yelling and lecturing in addition to everything else that’s going on around here. Reporters and photographers were everywhere; once again she had to change her cell phone number, and she was considering closing The Playground until things died down again. One thing her clients appreciated was that they could come to class inconspicuously, secretly embrace that sexy diva within, get their workouts on, and leave, no questions asked. Now, with everything going on, her clients pulled out of the parking lot once they saw the paparazzi crowded out front.
Her only saving grace was Miriam “Magic” Johnson, one of the dancers they just hired for the club. Magic was the spitting image of Paisley; from their coloring to their build. Chester had begun teasing and calling her PJ or Paisley Jr. in rehearsals. When they called and asked if she could be Paisley’s decoy for a couple of days, which included staying at Paisley’s house, the young girl was ecstatic and didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“Life’s a bitch, ain’t it?” she asked Scooter. “The moment I decide to hang up my hat as the Sensual Seductress and get out of the spotlight, this happens.”
“Look at it as a sign that maybe you don’t need to hang up your hat,” Scooter teased.
She shook her head. “OK, He couldn’t give me some other sign, like maybe a part in a Spike Lee movie or something?”
“Come on, now how boring and obvious would that be? And you know better than anyone that God has a sense of humor,” Scooter told her.
“Don’t bring God into this, Scooter. That’s blasphemous.”
“You don’t know why this is happening. Maybe this situation will be the door that leads you and Warren back to one another.” He shrugged.
Paisley couldn’t help laughing at her friend’s sincerity. “But I thought you wanted the door to lead me to you.”
“I want the door to lead you to happiness.” Scooter sighed. “I don’t want you to be with me knowing that I can’t make you happy.”
“I don’t think a person’s happiness lies in another person, Scooter, you know that. Happiness is within one’s self. Only I can make me happy.”
“You know what I mean, Paisley.”
“I do,” she told him, then added, “I owe you an apology for my little disappearing stunt the other night. I’m sorry.”
“You did what you had to do. I admit I was pissed, but I know you and I know you did what you felt you had to do.”
“Paisley, I have to run out for a bit, but I’ll be right back.” Chester poked his head in the room. “Oh, and Dr. Singleton is here.”
She glanced up and saw Evan standing in the doorway behind her cousin, medical bag in hand. She smiled weakly. “Hello.”
“Hello, yourself. I allow you to get your cast off and this is what happens.” He shook his head at her. “I have to track you down for my house calls.”
“I
’ll leave you two alone.” Scooter excused himself.
“I told you a long time ago that you didn’t have to make house calls,” she told him, sitting up.
“Yeah, but it’s doctor’s orders, not patient’s orders. Remember that.”
“I’m fine, Evan.” She blinked, looking down.
“I’m not worried about the physical, Paisley, I’m worried about your overall well-being.”
“I guess you heard about what happened. I told you my life was chaotic as hell, aren’t you glad I won’t go out with you?”
“No, that’s why I keep asking you out,” he replied. “And, no, I don’t know what happened. Why don’t you tell me?”
She paused and stared into his handsome face, and suddenly, she realized that she wanted to tell him everything, and she did. She told him all about how she and Warren were the best of friends and how they eventually became lovers, about how his marriage to Kollette led to his success and how she loved him. And as she talked, she shared with him that seeing Warren on television beside Kollette had been the eye-opener that indeed, no matter how much she loved Warren and he claimed to love her, Kollette was the one who wore the ring and had his last name, not her. Paisley cried as she shared with Evan that she felt betrayed not by Warren, but by herself for allowing her heart to hold on to the feelings that she had for him, even after all these years.
“I’ve got to be the dumbest woman ever, huh?” She wiped away the tears that fell down her cheek. “Is dumbness a medical diagnosis?”
“If it were, it would be a worldwide epidemic.” Evan smiled. “And I would definitely be a survivor. You’re not dumb, Paisley, you’re just heartbroken and have been for a while. The good thing is, there’s a cure for it.”
“And what’s that?” she asked.
“Love,” he replied. “You have to open yourself up and allow someone to love you. You’re worth it.”
“Easier said than done.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Doctor’s orders.” He leaned over and kissed her gently. The softness of his lips touching hers was just as enjoyable as she had imagined. Their mouths parted and his tongue sensually danced with hers. They tasted each other for what seemed like endless moments. And when they finally broke apart, she realized that not Warren, nor Kollette, nor anyone else mattered.
“Scooter and I are about to order some food from Ochie’s,” Landon came in and announced.
Paisley had forgotten that he was there. After hashing it out in her office, she conceded that she did indeed need him. There was still some slight tension between them, but she realized he had a genuine concern for her safety and well-being. In addition to his feeling some type of way for my best friend. He acted like he hated to leave her at the studio when I told him I was ready to leave.
“No, I’m good,” Paisley told him.
“You haven’t eaten all day, Paisley,” Landon told her, “you’re getting something. If you don’t want Ochie’s that’s fine, I’ll get something else.”
“Would you like to stay for dinner?” Paisley asked Evan.
“Anything for my patient.” He grinned. “Besides, I need to be here to make sure you eat.”
“Ochie’s is fine. Get me the stewed chicken.”
“I’ll order something for Seymone, too. She’s stopping by when she leaves the studio. What do you think she wants?” Landon asked.
“You can get her the same thing.” Paisley tried not to laugh. Landon’s crush on her best friend was funny.
“Man, order me the curry,” Evan told him.
“Cool,” Landon said and went to place their order. An hour later, just as their food arrived, Seymone and Chester walked through the door. Paisley was relieved neither one commented on Evan being there beside her, but she knew she would hear about it later.
“Oh my God, is that Ochie’s?” she asked.
“Yep.” Paisley nodded.
“Thank God, I’m starving.” Chester began rummaging through the bags sitting in the middle of his dining room table.
Paisley looked at Scooter, who looked at Landon, who turned to Evan, who looked back at Paisley, and then all eyes fell on Chester.
“Oh,” Paisley mumbled.
“Oh, what?” Chester asked. “Say it ain’t so. I know y’all ain’t order Ochie’s, had it delivered to my house, and ain’t get me nothing!”
“Of course we got you something, Chester, calm down!” Paisley lied.
“We got you stewed chicken.” Landon reached into the bag, pulled out a greasy Styrofoam container, and passed it to him.
“I was about to say.” Chester smiled and they all breathed a sigh of relief. “Hold up, let me take that food in the kitchen and put it on some real plates. Just because the food came from the hood doesn’t mean we can’t eat off china, sweeties.”
“I’ll do it,” Paisley said and grabbed the bags. “Seymone, you can come and help.”
The two women walked into the kitchen and Paisley took plates from the cabinet.
“We’re gonna have to share one of those stewed chickens,” Paisley told her.
“I take it you didn’t order Chester anything?” Seymone laughed.
“Girl, I forgot about Chester to tell the truth,” Paisley told her.
“Did you forget me, too?” Seymone asked.
“Yep, but you know Landon remembered you,” Paisley teased. “I swear, sometimes I think he forgets that both of you are engaged.”
“No, he doesn’t. You need to quit, Paisley.” Seymone rolled her eyes as she gathered eating utensils out of the drawer.
“Whatever,” Paisley told her. “Was it a madhouse at the studio when you left?”
“It was until Magic left. It’s amazing how much she looks like you, especially when she put on those sunglasses and a hat. She walked out and got into the SUV and they were all over her. She even had the nerve to wave as she pulled off,” Seymone laughed. “She said she was going straight to the club.”
“I hope she’s okay,” Paisley commented. “I don’t want some fool harming her thinking that she’s me.”
“I think she’ll be good. Diesel is gonna have security meet her outside.”
“That’s good.” Paisley nodded, grateful that her friends seemed to have everything under control.
“What’s taking so long?” Chester called out. “I’m hungry!”
“We’re coming,” Paisley replied. Soon, they were all seated around the table cracking open a bottle of white zinfandel, and eating like one big family. They laughed and joked, and Paisley felt better than she had in weeks. Despite all the continual and constant drama, everyone at this table, along with Diesel and Fallon, had her back. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had someone she could confide in, without being judged. “When I went to see Warren the other night, he told me that someone had e-mailed him the picture. It was the first time I had seen that picture in years.”
“Do you believe he did this?” Evan asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t think he did.”
“But then again, you don’t know,” Seymone said. “Do you have copies of the pictures?”
“I have a few.” Paisley thought about the pictures that she had tucked under her mattress along with the negatives. She was actually surprised that Warren still had his set.
“Are you sure no one took yours and made copies?” Chester suggested.
“No one even knew that I had the pictures.” Paisley glanced over at her best friend who was shaking her head. “And I’m sure Warren didn’t tell anyone that he had pictures of us. That would be crazy.”
“What is he saying about all of this?” Seymone asked.
“I don’t know. I swear, I know you all don’t believe me, but I haven’t talked to him since Saturday night.”
“Well, according to Ebonie, no one has seen or heard from him since Kollette’s grandstand announcement about your stalking him and her having cancer,” Landon told her.
“Hmm, if I were marrie
d and still had sexy pictures of me and my ex, where would I keep them?” Seymone inquired, rubbing her chin as if she was deep in thought.
“Well, I’m not married, but I know where I keep mine,” Chester cackled.
“But what I don’t get is if I’m married, why would I keep sexy pictures of me and my ex?” Seymone shrugged. “Aren’t you supposed to get rid of stuff like that before you say ‘I do’?”
“Not if you’re still in love with the person in the pictures.” Scooter stared at Paisley. “You hold on to them. You hold on to all the memories.”
“But where would you keep them?” Seymone asked again. “In a shoe box? In your desk? It has to be somewhere inconspicuous. Come on, you all are men . . . Well, you’re excused, Chester.”
“Go to hell.” Chester cut his eyes at Seymone as they all laughed. “Now, if I were a married man—”
“A straight, married man,” Seymone corrected him.
“A straight, unhappily married man,” Paisley volunteered, swallowing the last of her wine and refilling her glass.
“A world-famous, straight, unhappily married man,” Scooter added to the list.
“Okay, if I were a world-famous, straight, unhappily married man who had sexy pics of me and my ex—” Chester began again.
“Your ex who was a world-famous video-vixen-slash-model with a successful business . . .” Seymone stated.
“We get the picture.” Paisley shushed her.
“Yes, we do,” Chester said. “I would probably keep the pictures locked away.”
“Now that makes sense.” Paisley nodded. “But what would you do with the key?”
“Hmm . . .” Chester frowned. “Scooter, what would you do with the key?”
“I would probably give it to Diesel and tell him if anything happened to me, take care of this.” Scooter shrugged.
“Why would you give the key to Diesel?” Seymone asked.
“How could you look at the pictures whenever you wanted to if Diesel has the key?” Paisley questioned.