by J. Nichole
Jennifer laughs. “Monica, we are corrupting you. Your parents thought you were in good hands with us.”
Jennifer and I glance over at Monica as she snores. I toss the throw blanket on top of Monica and lay Nicole across the bed. I crawl over Nicole and snuggle with the pillow. I’d much rather be cozied up next to Chris.
Chapter Three
“Damn do you see that line?” Nicole yells over the music. “It is at least ten times longer than the line at Gladys'.”
As I circle the parking lot for the third time, the girls are getting antsy. Jennifer, who has probably had a few swigs of Nicole’s drink, is hanging out the window. “How about we hop out and get in line while you find a spot.”
“By myself?” They must be crazy if they think I’m going to be the designated driver and walking a mile by myself.
Monica leans forward and says, “I’ll stay in the car. Let these two out.” I pull up to the end of the line and let Jennifer and Nicole out of the car. Monica gets in the front seat. “Okay, earlier I had too much to drink but I’m chilling tonight.” I smile at Monica and keep circling the parking lot. “With these heels on I don’t want to walk too far but there was a public parking lot a couple of blocks back, maybe we should check it out.”
Sighing, I turn the car around and head towards the parking lot. “Didn’t I teach you last year to bring flats in your bag?”
Monica laughs. We finally find a parking spot and start walking towards the club. The streets are packed and extra lively. “We don’t even need to stand in line for the club. I’m sure we could have just as much fun out here.”
“We’ll have a hard time convincing drunk and drunker to stay out here though.” Monica gives me a concerned look. “What’s up with Jennifer? We told her to chill out and she has really chilled out.”
Monica knows about Jennifer’s situation with her ex-boyfriend, but it’s not my business to share about her issue. “When we get back to Tallahassee we should all sit down and have a talk.” I scrunch my nose and shrug my shoulders.
“Spill it. You are the worst at lying. I know you have more information than you are sharing.” Monica stops in the middle of the sidewalk, prompting the people behind us to walk in the street to get around us.
"Maybe I do, but I'm not saying anything. Let's go. We still have a block before we get back to the club."
Groaning, Monica keeps walking. The line to the club is still winding down the street. Monica calls Nicole to find them in the line. At the front of the line I see a group of Ques with their gold boots and camouflage pants. I should have asked Chris where he was going to be tonight.
"They are almost at the front of the line. Nicole said the line is moving fast, so we need to hurry and get to them." We walk as fast as our heels will allow. "By the time we get in I won't be able to do anything but sit my ass down."
“Shit, my heels are nothing in comparison and I’ll need to sit down too.” The girls are waving as we get close. Jennifer is leaning against the wall but hops up with excitement as we slip in the line. A few minutes later and we are finally in the club. When Monica flashes her driver’s license, the lady at the door stops us.
“Honey, you aren’t eighteen. You can’t get in.”
The guy behind us speaks up. “Shannon, I think we can make an exception tonight, at least for this one.” Smiling at us, he squeezes by and signals us to follow.
Loyal is playing, and before we can say thank you, the mystery man has disappeared. Jennifer leads us to the dance floor and bumps up to the sexiest group of guys I’ve ever seen. One of the guys slides in behind Jennifer and Jennifer takes it up a notch.
The other guys try to pair up with us, but I succeed at keeping my distance. Up close, I see the guy moving in is definitely a looker. Smooth skin, straight teeth, and a fresh edge-up. He is gorgeous. He must have noticed me backing away. Leaning into my ear he says, “Don’t worry about your boyfriend tonight ma. I’m not trying to take you from him.” Smiling he slowly licks his lips. “Unless you want me to.” My mind goes numb.
I feel a tug on my arm that breaks my trance. “I need to take a seat.” Whispering in my ear Monica says, “And you need to step away before you get in trouble.”
We wind through the dance floor to the back of the club in search of a table. In the middle of the dance floor we see the group of Ques from the line. Moving past them I can’t help but check them out. I halt when I see Chris. Monica stops and follows my stare, and then turns to me, grabbing my shoulders. “They are just dancing.”
The hell they are. That’s the same way he gyrated on me the night we met. "Hell naw. Just dancing would have a bit more space between it." Monica tries to pull me off the dance floor but not before Sean catches me walking away. I think I saw a grin on his face. That bastard would probably be happy to see me hurt.
"Laila, are you going to be okay? Maybe being in the same club as your boyfriend is asking for trouble." Monica sits me down on a barstool.
“Maybe I need a drink.” Looking around at the guys surrounding us I look for the one who would be willing to buy me a drink.
“Uh, the purpose of a designated driver is to stay sober.”
Tapping the arm of the guy beside me, I smile sweetly at him. “I’m thirsty, care to buy me a drink?”
He laughs but then asks, “What would you like to quench your thirst?”
“Whatever you are having is fine.”
“You may not want this.” He holds his glass at my eye level. “It’s a Hennessy straight up.”
“You’re right. I’ll take a Long Island.”
“I never took you for the jealous type.” Pulling my face to look at her, Monica shakes her head. “As long as Chris isn’t taking that chick to the room after the club you should be good.”
“Except I’m in the club acting like I have a boyfriend. Did you see that dude? He was sexy as hell but I avoided getting close.”
Monica sighs. “I’m getting nowhere with you. Drink up.”
“Thank you,” I say to the guy next to me. “What’s your name? I think once I’ve finished my drink I’ll owe you a dance.”
“I’m Matthew, and you?”
“Laila.”
“I’m headed to the dance floor. Catch me out there.”
I bypass my straw and throw my Long Island to the back of my throat. Taking a long breath, I climb off of the barstool and head back to the dance floor.
Monica snatches my arm. “No ma’am, not that way. Let’s go this way.” I reluctantly follow her. I don’t want to see Chris dancing with that girl. But I do want to see him dancing with that girl.
Before we can get back to Nicole and Jennifer, a group of guys is fighting in front of us. This night couldn’t get any worse.
Grabbing Monica’s arm, I guide her around the guys and we find Nicole and Jennifer. Jennifer and the guy are still dancing. Monica grabs Nicole and whispers in her ear. Before I can object, we are leaving the club, with the guys following behind us like sick puppies.
When we get outside of the club, Jennifer exchanges numbers with her guy, and then catches up with us. “Just when we were starting to have fun.” She looks at me and laughs. “You better be glad I love you.”
Pouting, I say, “I didn’t ask to leave. I just needed a few drinks then I would have been good.” Glancing at Monica with a raised brow, I say, “But this one here didn’t seem to think so.”
“Dudes fighting and your jealousy is reason enough for us to leave the club.” Monica sticks her hand out. “Hand me the keys.”
“What? I only had one drink. I’m good.”
"Look, Laila, none of us are drinking age. The last thing we need is for you to get pulled over."
Digging my keys out of my purse, I hand them to Monica.
On our drive back to the hotel the girls try to talk me out of being mad at Chris. Nicole looks at me with tight lips and her brows raised. "Look, Laila, it was just a dance. Chris is a good guy. After tonight, just talk to h
im about it and tell him you'd appreciate if he didn't dance with girls at the club."
“Then I sound crazy.”
They all burst out laughing. “Sorry to break it to you but you are insane. I told you not to let Chris turn you crazy like Courtney." Nicole begins to laugh uncontrollably.
My phone vibrates in my purse. When I see Chris’ name on the screen I roll my eyes and shove my phone back in my purse.
Monica swerves and I just about come out of my seat. “Whoa! What are you doing?”
"I saw something in the road. Chill out. I'll get us back to the hotel safely without a single scratch on your precious car."
My phone vibrates again and instead of even looking at the screen I ignore it.
Jennifer perks up and says, “I told those guys they could meet us in the hotel lobby.”
Nicole looks at me and rubs my hand. “Maybe you could use a little male company.”
"The same hotel Chris is staying? He could see us in the lobby with them."
“Exactly. Make him a little jealous. Payback is a bitch.”
Monica turns down the music. “We are here. Safe and sound.” She finds a parking spot and we climb out of the car. Before we can get into the lobby my phone vibrates at least two more times.
“They should be here in a few minutes. Let’s run up to the room and freshen up a bit.” Jennifer looks extremely giddy, but strangely, she doesn’t seem like she’s drunk anymore.
In the room, I step into the bathroom to reapply my make-up. Jennifer’s phone rings and she shouts, “They are here … let’s roll.”
As the elevator opens, I see Chris standing there staring at his phone. He looks up and walks off the elevator, grabbing my arm.
“Chris. What’s wrong with you?”
“Laila, you alright?” Monica stands in the door of the elevator to keep it from closing.
“She’s good. Let me talk to her for a second. I won’t keep her long.” Chris looks at me, waiting for me to confirm.
“I’ll meet you down in the lobby in a few.” After the door closes, I pull my arm away from Chris.
“Laila, after the gunshots and commotion at the club Sean told me he saw you there.”
My mouth drops. “Gunshots?”
“I was so afraid something had happened to you when you didn’t answer.”
"We saw a fight and decided to leave." Leaning against the wall, I start massaging my temples. "I'm happy you are okay. Was anyone hurt?"
"To be honest, I don't know. All of the guys I came with got out of the club okay. I rushed back here to make sure you were alright." Although this is a serious situation, I can't help but smile.
“Thanks.”
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” Chris steps in close and pulls my chin up.
I take a long breath and look away. I don't want to say anything, especially after what he's just been through at the club.
“Laila. What happened?”
“Okay, look, I don’t want you to think I’m crazy. I saw you dancing with that girl and I got pissed. Didn’t think I could get that angry.”
Chris throws his head back then looks me deeply in my eyes. “I’m really sorry you saw that, Laila.”
“It’s not just that you were dancing with her, but with the same moves you pulled on me the night we met.”
“I don’t want you to be upset. It didn’t mean anything.”
“Alright.”
"It's not alright. You still look upset."
“I’m just in my feelings. I’ll be good. Eventually. I need to catch up with the girls.” I hit the elevator call button.
“I’ll be in the room. 545.” Chris walks away.
The girls are surrounded by a group of guys in the lobby. Monica signals me over and scoots over on the couch. Jennifer makes introductions, “These guys are on the A&T basketball team.”
I lean my ear in closer to Jennifer. “A&T basketball team?”
The guy who attempted to dance with me earlier makes eye contact with me. “You don’t hold it against us that we are from A&T do you?” he says.
"No. I know one of your teammates," I tell him.
Exchanging looks with the other guys he looks back at me. “Really? Who?”
“Josh.”
His head snaps back. “Oh shit. Josh. How do you know him?”
“He’s my best friend’s brother.” And the guy I had a crush on most of high school, despite the fact I had a boyfriend. “Is he in ATL this weekend?”
“Yeah, I hear he is here with the other half of the team.”
"Well, where are y'all staying at this weekend?" Nicole interrupts, not wanting the attention off of her. She leans in toward the guy she is talking to, attempting to shove her tits in his face. "Maybe we can get together tomorrow."
“Maybe so, but tonight isn’t over yet. You trying to leave us already?”
Monica leans in and whispers in my ear, “Looks like the stars are re-aligning. Upset with Chris and now Josh is in town.” She winks at me.
Chapter Four
My phone, vibrating again, awakens me. Chris hasn’t stopped texting me all night. After he saw us in the lobby with the A&T guys, and when I didn’t come to his room, I’m sure he was worried that I’d slipped away. I turn over and Jennifer is sprawled out across the bed. Monica and Nicole are passed out on the other bed.
What time is it? Checking my phone, it’s ten o’clock and I have about ten messages from Chris and another message from an unknown number.
850-345-6789: I hear you are in the A?
I'm not sure if the person is from home or Tallahassee. Sucks that they have the same area code.
Laila: Who is this?
“Rise and shine ladies. I’m hungry. If you don’t get up you’re going to miss a ride,” I tell them. The only person who moves is Jennifer.
“Isn’t it too early to eat? I feel like we just went to bed.” She looks at me through one eye, half-opened.
“It’s ten o’clock … the game starts in a few hours but I need to eat before I can even think about getting dressed.”
“I have snacks in my duffle bag, and you can have them all if you let us sleep for another hour,” Jennifer offers.
"You better have some good snacks left." Getting out of the bed I search through Jennifer's bag and find a few bags of Jalapeño chips and a Snickers. Guess this will do. Grabbing my bag, I head into the bathroom. At least I can get dressed while these hung-over bums sleep.
While the shower runs, I examine myself in the mirror. My hair is all over my head. I should have wrapped it last night. My eyeliner is smeared all over my face like I’ve been rubbing my eyes all night.
When I climb into the shower my toes are almost scorched. The water is hot as fuck! I step out to adjust the water. When I get back in it’s nice and warm. Last night should have been much different. I should have been waking up next to Chris. Instead, I’m eating convenience snacks and waiting for these heifers to wake up.
Washing every inch of my body, my towel lingers between my thighs for a moment too long. Closing my eyes I drop my towel and slowly slip a finger into my lady parts. I imagine Chris' lips, and it doesn't take long for me to be dripping wet. I rub faster and faster and my clit engorges like a round cherry. My body is heaving and my thoughts of Chris are interrupted by an image of Josh. I quickly move my hand and open my eyes. Dammit, I do not need to let Josh creep into my mind. I'm in love with Chris, even though I'm still mad at him.
I rinse, then turn off the shower, and grab my towel. I hear someone moving in the room. Finally!
The girls are all awake. Nicole looks at me and cocks her head. “That shower was a little long. You alright?” She laughs.
“How do you know how long it was? You were sleep.”
"I heard you when you got up, loud talking. I just kept my eyes closed." She looks at Jennifer, then Monica. "I got next. Laila used most of the hot water. There won't be much left." She hops out of bed and runs into the bathroom.
/>
Monica gets out of the bed and starts walking towards the bathroom. “I have to piss. Oh and Laila, your phone has been vibrating.” She stops walking. “You aren’t still mad at Chris are you?”
“Something like that.” I grab my phone and see I have another text from the unknown number.
850-345-6789: It’s Josh. I thought you had my number.
Oh Shit! I knew I should have kept his number on my phone.
Laila: My bad. No excuses. Yes, I’m in ATL.
850-345-6789: Maybe I can catch up with you before you leave. Hit me when you have time.
Jennifer looks at me with a grin. “And who is that?” She tries to snatch my phone. “Can’t be Chris if you are still mad at him.”
Hiding my phone behind my back I say, “It’s Josh. Thanks to your new boo he knows I’m here.”
“Well from that look on your face you don’t seem too upset.”
Rolling my eyes I say, “Hurry up and get ready. Your Snickers and chips won’t hold me over for too long.”
"Damn. Did you eat the chips and the Snickers? Greedy!”
The L.U. band is on the field and they are exciting the crowd much more than the football team. The scoreboard looks pitiful, seven to thirty-five. At least our band is on point.
The band plays Holy Grail and we are all on our feet cheering. As they exit the field for A&T's band, Nicole and I head to the concession stands. The Georgia Dome is massive and almost every seat is occupied. The lines at the concession stands are long. Our theme for the weekend. Long lines.
“You talk to Chris yet?”
"No, I'm being stubborn. I can't get over him dancing with that chick."
Nicole shakes her head and sighs. “You have to get over it. You don’t want to lose a good guy over a dance.”
“Good point.”
While we are waiting on our nachos, someone taps me on my shoulder. I turn around, anticipating a random person, but when I see Josh’s hazel eyes, I freeze.
“I thought that was you standing in line.” Josh smiles and my stomach does a couple of flips. I take a long look at him, examining his outfit. His jeans are hard pressed, his Polo shirt complements his brown skin and his loafers add a touch of sophistication.