I heard the bed creek slightly. He got up. His arms wrapped around me from behind. “Baby, it’s all you. Wouldn’t have mattered what you were wearing.”
“Thank goodness. Then I’ll take it off.” I went to peel back the long shimmering wig and he stopped me.
“Not yet.” He looped the hair over one shoulder and nuzzled the back of my neck.
Prickly hairs rose with my awareness. “But I … thought …”
“Just keep it on for a few more minutes,” he breathed hotly around my ear. His nature was at full direct attention.
I closed my eyes and let the warmth overtake my mind and body. I didn’t want to hear what he was really saying. But it was working. His hands trailed, starting at my shoulders, smoothing over my breasts, past my waist, and down to my thighs. He turned me around, facing him. His soft lips glistened light pink from having kissed and suckled all over my naked body.
He pushed me back onto the bed and roped my legs around his shoulders for round two. I held on for the ride. He hadn’t made love to me this way in some time, pulling me deeper against him with every movement. His muscular shoulders driving with every thrust. I tried to take hold of his face so that he would look at me but his eyes stayed closed. Faster and harder, he rose into a crescendo, then dived with reckless abandon.
His jaw tightened and released as he moaned out his satisfaction. Within moments he was snoring lightly right beside me.
I threw on my trench and grabbed my bag and was out the door. I’d left him sprawled naked, entangled in the sheet. Leaving without awakening him wasn’t difficult. Jake was exhausted and needed every drop of sleep.
When I got to the airport I called and left a message on his phone, knowing it was still turned off. “Hi, baby. I’m going home. I’ll see you when you get there.” I paused, waiting for smarter words to leave my lips but there were none. Only the truth. “You don’t need me here. I’m just in the way.”
I shouldn’t have come, I wanted to say. The woman who arrived was not me. She was a desperate wife who needed your approval. I only need your love. That’s not me.
The trip was a dismal failure. It was in his eyes that he hadn’t wanted me there. Inside the airport bathroom, I caught a glimpse of myself. I’d forgotten the silly wig was still on my head. So much for the great experiment. The false tresses may have won Ben back for Miriam, but for me it only won the part of Jake I could do without. I needed his heart, not just his desire. I needed his goodness and honesty. I needed him to say he loved me and that we were going to be fine. Every family has its ups and downs. Every husband runs into his old lover, who happens to be voted the most beautiful woman. Every wife finds herself lonely and insecure at some point. But we all get through it. And what we find on the other side is ourselves, better, stronger, and ready for a fresh start.
I tossed the mop of hair in the trash. I undid the rubber band and poofed out my natural ball of wonder.
“Now there’s the girl I know and love,” I said smiling.
I slept all the way home, only waking when the plane’s wheels touched the ground.
Jake awakened with a start. The hotel room was quiet. The entire night had felt like a dream. He relived the intense lovemaking, already feeling himself growing again. He’d needed the touch. Her visit was right on time. He rolled over to see the bathroom door was open and the room was empty. Maybe she’d gone to get coffee. He sat up and looked around, noticing there wasn’t a trace of her. The woman with the sultry hair, sexy high heels, tiger thong, and bra had been a figment of his imagination.
He closed his long lashes and washed a hand over his face with the realization she’d been really there but now was gone. What had he done this time?
He might catch her before she got on a plane. He moved rapidly putting his pants on, shirt, socks, and shoes. He moved like a man with a mission, ready to give chase, and then he stopped in his tracks. Men stood posted outside his hotel room, pointing cameras at him like guns. The only thing they didn’t say was freeze.
What they did say, “You’re busted, JP. Who was she? It’s easier to tell us.” One of them gave a wise guy smile. It was a United Nations of paparazzi.
The black one with an English accent interjected, “Or we’ll have to start guessing. I say it was his co-star, Sirena Lassiter.” He opened up his camera viewer. “Yep, looks just like her. But who can really tell with the sunglasses and long flowing hair? Bangin’ body, though, chief.”
“Wait a minute. You guys got it all wrong.” Jake’s shirt was still open from having thrown it on. He raised his arms like he was under arrest, or giving in. Either way, he needed to clean it up. “That was my wife. Plain and simple. Her name is Venus and you guys know that.”
They all laughed. Pictures of his wife were worthless and they all knew that too.
He was at their mercy. If they sold pictures of lies, saying it was Sirena, they’d make top dollar. Only Jake would be in trouble with Earl Benning and the rest of the execs at Rise, putting his career very close to death’s door. Earl made it clear he didn’t want any scandal that made Sirena a marked woman. If the scarlet letter of shame landed on her back, he’d hold Jake personally responsible.
“Seriously, it was my wife,” he explained pointedly. “She came to surprise me. The hair, the high heels, and trench—you know what I’m saying? The sexy-spy thing. You know what I’m saying?”
“That’s not as much fun, JP. In fact, if that was your wife, the pictures wouldn’t be worth half a cent,” the Asian one with his hat half slanted said coolly.
“Dude, I’m telling you, this is a case of mistaken identity.” Jake pulled out his phone. He raised it up. “She left me a message. I’m on my way to find her at the airport. Now why you want to mess with a man’s life?” He shook his head. “Enough, all right? I gotta go. Y’all have a great fuckin’ day,” he said, sliding past them and daring one of them to touch him.
He knew from the minute he set foot inside the airport, he had no idea where to find her. It was only in the movies when you caught the woman you loved, right before she stepped on the plane, and told her you loved her and couldn’t live without her. It was only in his mind that he thought he could convince her anyway. He’d tried to make her believe how deep, and how much he loved her for so long, he was nearly weary.
Maybe this time he’d give her what she wanted. He turned around and walked out. The plane flying overhead sounded loud and ominous, as if she were staring down at him that very moment. Maybe it was time to let her go if that’s what she wanted.
Last Call
Jake couldn’t get the scene right for the sixth time.
The director seemed to yell, “Cut!” every time Jake opened his mouth. “Okay, really, JP, you’re killing us. Everybody, let’s wrap and move to the next scene.”
Jake helped Sirena out of the cold bathwater. She wore a one-piece, flesh-toned suit, but it left nothing to the imagination. “What’s the problem, man? I’m freezing my ass off and you can’t spit out two lines?”
“My head is somewhere else.”
“Are you still tripping over those paps at your door? Welcome to my cold-ass bathwater—they’re everywhere.”
“Not just that … listen, I need to head home.” Jake’s hair was parted on the side. His twenties-style pleated pants and suspenders still hung around his muscular abs, but he was quickly pulling the wet wife beater that was supposed to be soaked with perspiration over his head. “I have to go check on Venus.”
“Are you serious?” Sirena’s eyes narrowed and cut left to right to make sure no one else heard the ridiculousness spouting from his mouth. “We are in the middle of shooting a film. You can’t run off chasing your insecure wife every time she loses her damn mind.”
Jake nodded. “Thanks for the spectacular advice. But until you’re with someone longer than the six o’clock news, don’t try and tell me how to run my relationship.”
“That’s what you call it? A relationship? Okay,” she sc
offed. “You’re a babysitter. You talk about me, not knowing how to be in a relationship. I can tell you one thing, I’d know not to show my ass every time we were having an issue.” She pulled the towel around her shoulders and gave another quick gaze around the set. She lowered her voice. “Jay, please don’t go. This could hurt your career. They could fire you.”
His eyes sparkled with the acknowledgment, as if she’d hit a nerve. “Cee Cee, having notoriety, fame, money don’t mean a hell of a lot when you don’t have the person you love. One day you’re going to know that.” He turned and started walking away.
“I already do,” she shouted. This time she didn’t care who heard. She rushed to catch up with him in her bare wet feet. “You don’t think I know? Why do you think I’m standing here in front of you? You think all this is happenstance? I just happened to pick your name out of a bit ol’ hat to be in True Beauty? Then I just happened to push the director into casting you for this one?” She pushed the wet tendrils of hair out of her face. “That’s love, Jay.”
“That’s not love, sweetheart. It’s bribery.”
“Well, how about we upgrade to extortion? You walk out of here, you’ll never see Christopher again.”
“If that’s what you want, so be it.” Jake turned around and kept moving.
Have and to Hold
I fluffed Miriam’s veil and made sure her train was straight. She turned around and faced me. “Why have you been so quiet?”
“I’m focused. There’s a difference.”
“You still haven’t talked to Jake yet?”
I shook my head, no. Two days and counting. “I’m not about to talk about this on your big renewal day. It’s your time to be happy, not thinking about my marital woes. Now turn back around, you ruined all my straightening.”
Miriam faced me again. “When he’s finished filming you guys will get back on track. Mark my words. Things will get normal again.” She fanned out her arms. “Now how do I look?”
“Like a happy bride. Beautiful.”
“Okay, ladies. Time to get the show on the road.” Judy, the wedding coordinator, stepped between us. “Line up, girls,” she said to Lizzie and Mya. “And where is our maid of honor?”
I had noticed Jeanette was missing, but was afraid to ask for fear I’d leak more concern then I could control.
“She’s late,” Miriam chimed in.
That was an understatement. Wondering if she’d gotten confirmation of her pregnancy or not, I finally spoke up. “Is she doing okay?”
“There she is,” Judy announced. “Come, come. Line up.”
Jeanette was wide-eyed but obviously had just finished a good cry. “Sorry I’m late.” Her dress was shifted awkwardly. She worked quickly to get herself together. Her long black hair hung slightly over her face. We were all supposed to wear a gardenia pinned back.
“Goodness, gal, you look a mess,” Miriam whispered. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I … need to talk to you,” Jeanette stuttered.
“We are on the clock, ladies. All this sentiment will have to wait.” Judy clapped her hands and snapped. Any minute she would stomp her feet. “Let’s move.” She herded everyone to the door.
Jeanette hung back.
“Maybe you should talk to her after the ceremony,” I gauged before saying more. She knew immediately that I was privy to the situation. “You know, it’s not like this day changes anything. They were married before, and they’ll still be married whether you speak up or not. Maybe you can just let it wait.” I pushed her hair behind her ear and placed the bobby-pinned flower. “Let her have this day.”
The bridal party headed out. I got in line with my escort and we started down the hall, shoulders back, head out of Miriam’s business. She’d be endlessly hurt if she knew I knew, and never said a word. The music started and Judy snapped for our attention, and from that moment I drowned out the gnawing guilt and took one pointed-toe step at a time.
The small crowd clapped and cheered for the bride and groom. I was swept up and relieved all at the same time. Glad Jeanette decided to stay behind. Miriam barely noticed. She spoke her renewal vows. Ben recited his. The harpist played a sweet romantic melody while their pastor announced them husband and wife again.
Ben hugged Miriam and kissed Lizzie. They were a beautiful family all dressed in white. After a few perfect pictures we gathered in the courtyard for the reception.
“You look beautiful.”
I turned around, surprised to see Jake, flawless in a pinstriped suit, white shirt, and black tie. “You look beautiful too,” I said. “Damn.” I walked toward him. “I may not have told you before, but the mustache is working for you.”
“Yeah, you like that older man feel?”
“It suits you,” I purred, stepping into his arms.
“You just showed up, sexed me all good, then walked out the door. Okay,” he chuckled. “Don’t ever do that again. You had a brotha sprung.”
“Just wanted you to know what it felt like.” I kissed him softly on the lips. “I promise not to ever do that again. In more ways than one, you have no idea.” I accepted the shame, then tapped his nose. “What’re you doing here? You’re not finished filming?”
“I told the director I needed a minute. He said take two. I have to be back Wednesday morning. You still got the wig?”
I smacked him on the shoulder. “Have a little shame.”
“None. I have absolutely none.”
“Well, I do. I’m sorry about being so selfish. You are who I want to be when I grow up.”
“I got news for you, you’re already who I want to be. The way you jumped into motherhood, the way you would sacrifice anything for Mya, it makes me love you even more.”
I was beginning to feel the familiar lump in my throat. “Thank you,” I squeaked out. The sun was beginning to set. Jake held me even tighter, not realizing my shivering wasn’t from the weather, but because he was near.
“I understand about your feelings toward Christopher. I was wrong to just drop that on you.”
We started slow dancing even though the small band had begun to play “Dancing on the Ceiling,” by Lionel Ritchie. We rocked steady side to side. “I read online about the problems you were having on the set from Life ’N’ Style. That crazy reporter, Melba Dubois, must have a bug up her butt. She sends minute-by-minute tweets of your every move. I cracked up when I saw the mystery woman wearing a trench and sunglasses and the headline, ‘Busted.’ ”
“I tried to tell them it was you.”
“I hope she got fired.”
“Let me explain something,” Jake said, feeling his opportunity. “I was given strict instructions from the execs for you not to run into Sirena. I was nervous about you seeing her and her seeing you. That’s probably what you sensed. I wanted you there, but I was threatened not to put Sirena in a position to look like a home-wrecker.”
I scrunched up my nose. “Seriously? She was doing a fine job of that all on her own.”
“Number two, I was feelin’ the animal print and heels, and the hair.” He threw back his head. “Damn if I’m not guilty, but baby, you were smoking hot. I swear, who you are, is who I want. I don’t give a care whether your hair is straight, short, chopped, or bald to the scalp. You are the most gorgeous, lovin’, sexiest woman, and you’re mine.”
I wrapped my arms tight around his collar while he lifted me off my feet. I was about to continue the lovefest with my own set of compliments when the sound of screams and a gunned car engine turned our heads.
A speeding car came out of nowhere, taking down a few rosebushes with it. We all watched in horror as the car didn’t slow down. Screaming guests and the bride yelling at the top of her lungs didn’t impede the car’s progress. In fact, it sped up.
Ben was sideswiped, throwing him on impact. The small car ran into the hedges.
“Oh my God, Ben.” Miriam ran to him. He was bleeding from his head and his leg looked twisted.
The pa
ndemonium only got worse when Jeanette got out of the car screaming, “I hope you’re dead, you coward. I hope you die.” She staggered to where he lay on the ground, standing over him. “You’re nothing but a liar and a coward.” She held her own bleeding head where she must’ve hit the steering wheel.
Miriam was mortified, kneeling under Ben’s head, dripping blood all over her starched white fluffy gown. She put out a hand to keep Jeanette from getting any closer. “Stay away from him. What are you talking about?”
“He’s been paying for my apartment, taking care of me. Telling me the whole time we were going to be together. He kept telling me he was going to tell you before this fake ceremony, but he’s a coward.” She sneered, blood dripping from her busted lip. She held her stomach in pain and slumped down. “I think I need an ambulance.”
Miriam let go of Ben’s head. He moaned in agonizing pain when she let it hit the tight hard lawn. She stood up and pulled the wig off her head and slapped Ben’s face and head with it. She took the brand-new ring and dropped it on top of the mound of hair. “Did it have to be my cousin?”
She took Lizzie’s hand and headed back into the hotel, leaving a bruised and battered Ben and her distraught cousin to fend for themselves.
“Is Daddy going to be all right?” Lizzie asked.
Miriam didn’t look back. “We have a beautiful suite. No sense in letting it go to waste.”
“Somebody call an ambulance,” the crowd all seemed to say at once. I watched Miriam stomp off across the grass, not caring whether Ben’s injuries were serious or not.
Jake held on to my hand. “Come on, nothing we can do here.”
“No, I should stay and at least wait for the ambulance. I kind of feel responsible.”
“You?” Jake reached out and hugged me. “This I have to hear.”
Un-Nappily in Love Page 24