Reclaiming What Is Mine

by Sheena Binkley

  "That's awesome. Even though you didn't know which direction to go in life, you still found your way. My husband is 27-years-old and still doesn't have direction. I don't know if he ever will."

  "You don't know that, though. Maybe he's scared to try something new. Maybe he needs encouragement to get him going."

  "Believe me, I have been encouraging him for years. I think I've encouraged him more than he has me."

  Bryon didn't know how to respond to that statement. We sat in silence, while I logged off of my computer.

  "You want to go do something?" I asked.

  "What do you have in mind?"

  "Something fun. I think we both might need it."

  He nodded. "Okay. I think we're pretty much done with the campaign anyway."

  "Cool. But first, I need to grab another outfit from my car. What we're going to do is a jeans-and-T-shirt type of adventure," I explained.

  "You have clothes in your car?"

  "Yeah. With my current situation, I never know when I'll need to get away from my aunt-in-law."

  "It's that bad?"

  "Let's just thank her for our chance meeting at the coffeehouse that day. She was the reason I was there."

  Bryon laughed, and I went outside to my car. I went into the trunk and grabbed a pair of jean carpi shorts and a flowy, sleeveless black top. I dug around for my black sandals and went back inside when I found them. Bryon had changed, now wearing a black V-neck shirt and khaki shorts.

  "You're not the only one who has clothes in unusual places. I usually keep mine here for after I work out."

  I smiled and headed to the restroom near the back of the office. I pulled off my dress and heels then put on my other clothes. Then I suddenly saw that I forgot to close the door all the way. When I looked up, Bryon was staring at me. I felt a little embarrassed, realizing that he peeped me in my bra and panties, but he seemed to like what he saw. I turned around with a smile on my lips; maybe it wasn't so bad that he did see.

  This would be an interesting night.

  Bryon

  After Asia changed clothes, we headed to her surprise. We each drove our own cars so she could go home when we finished, which wasn't a problem for me. As she changed in the restroom, I tried not to stare, but I couldn't help it. Her body looked just as I'd imagined, and it took everything in me not to go kiss her and rub my hands all over her. She was beautiful and being around her made things complicated. I had two strikes against me: Asia was married, and I was investigating her. When I was assigned this case, I didn't think it would get this messy, but it had been six months, and my mind was all over the place.

  Twenty minutes later, we pulled into a parking lot, and I laughed. She got out and waited for me to do the same.

  "You know, I haven't done anything like this in a minute," I said, looking at the building.

  "I figured we could be big kids tonight."

  "I have no problem with that."

  I was about to reach for her hand but decided against it. This wasn't a date; it was just a friendly outing. Nothing more.

  She realized what I was about to do and smiled apologetically, letting me know it was okay.

  We walked inside and immediately went to the go-kart area. I paid for us, then we went inside the track to get out karts.

  After the employee explained the rules to us and the other participants, he waved a checkered flag for us to start. I immediately stepped on the gas and sped past Asia, who was still trying to get on the track. A few more people passed her, including a pair of twins, who looked about nine.

  I was heading for my second lap when I suddenly saw Asia zoom by me. She threw her head back with laughter then sped around the track. I shook my head, realizing we both needed this. I hadn't done this since I was 10, when my dad took Jason and me . It was just as fun now as it was then.

  ***

  After three more turns around the track, we ended our go-kart adventure and got something to eat. We stopped at a gourmet pizza parlor and spilt a California-style supreme pizza. I watched Asia stuff her face with a slice, realizing she was on her third one. She was putting those slices away, making me wonder where the food was going. She was a little thick, there was no denying that, but in all the right places. The image of her changing clothes flashed in my mind, and I tried to block it by grabbing another slice of pizza.

  "I guess I was really hungry," Asia announced, going for her fourth slice.

  I smiled. "I'm not complaining. I like a woman who likes to eat."

  She smiled. "Well, that's one thing I love to do, especially for the past few months. I've even gained a little weight."

  I glanced at her. "I can say it agrees with you."

  She looked down then back up at me. "Really? I was thinking about going on a diet soon. I'd always been the same weight since high school and can practically eat anything, but I guess with all the issues I've been facing, the weight gain sort of snuck up on me."

  I stared into her eyes, and she seemed a little timid. "You look beautiful, Asia."

  We were looking at each other when I heard someone clear their throat. I turned around and saw Courtney behind me with a heated expression. Her friends stood nearby, giving Asia and me dirty looks. I glanced at them, wondering why the hell they were staring at us. Courtney and I weren't together anymore.

  "Nice to see you here, Bryon. Who are you with?" she asked, while looking Asia up and down. I could tell she was getting a little nervous, but she didn't need to be, because I was about to shut this shit down.

  "What do you want, Courtney?"

  "Oh, so you're out with her when you just fucked me last night?"

  I smirked. I hadn't seen her since that night six months ago, but I knew where this was heading.

  "Listen, you and I are not together. I have tried to make that clear for months now. Yes, we did sleep together, six months ago. That night was probably a lapse in judgment on my part since you're acting like you have no common sense right now. But let me give it to you straight: We will not get back together because I don't want to be with you; you're boring as hell. And the fact that you're trying to show out in front of your friends is even more pathetic. Now, why don't you go so I can continue my evening? Good night."

  Courtney was speechless. She turned her nose up and sneered at me.

  "You're going to regret that, Bryon. Trust me." She stormed out of the restaurant with her friends following. I rolled my eyes and looked at Asia, who looked stunned.

  "I'm really sorry about that. She's someone that I probably shouldn't have dealt with."

  She shrugged. "You don't have to explain yourself. You don't owe me anything."

  "I don't, but I felt like I needed to."

  She stared at the slice of pizza on her plate before looking at me. "I'm sure you've had a lot of women coming after you."

  "I wouldn't say that. Yes, I have made some mistakes in my past, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I've never found someone I wanted to be with. Jason has always been the committed type, but I've always dated women without wanting to be with just one."

  "Do you still feel that way?"

  "Not really. I actually want to commit to someone, but it has to be the right woman, and I haven't found her yet."

  Asia nodded. "I understand."

  "Hell, I'm lying. I have found her, but she's taken. I'm not saying I'm in love right now, because I'm not, but if I continue to be in her presence, I know I will be eventually."

  She took a deep breath, and I took her hand and caressed it. "I'm not trying to scare you, but I just had to make my feelings known. I really do want to get to know you better. Even if it's just as friends, I'm cool with that. I just want to be a part of your life if you want me to be."

  She gave a tiny smile and nodded. "I do, Bryon. I really do."

  I smiled. "I think we'd better go."

  We got up from the table and went out to the parking lot. We approached our cars, and it hit me that we were leaving each o
ther for the night. I really didn't like this. I knew I shouldn't feel this way, but I didn't want to leave her.

  "I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Asia said.

  "Yeah. I would like you to accompany me to the Drake Motors campaign, if that's okay with you."

  She nodded. "Sure, whatever you need, I'll be glad to do it."

  "Great. Just meet at the office at nine, and we'll ride to the dealership. After that, we can grab some lunch, and you can have the rest of the day off to write."

  "You sure?"

  "I said you'd have time to write as well, so yes."

  "Thank you, but you're still not reading my story."

  I laughed. "I figured as much. Eventually, I will though."

  She smiled and opened her car door. "Until tomorrow."

  "Until tomorrow. Drive safely, Asia."

  She nodded and got into the car.

  I watched her leave, thinking about if I wanted to continue with this case. I knew if I did, I could hurt her when she found out the truth; but if I did find some dirt on Dwight, it could be a way for me to get with Asia. However, I didn't want to play dirty to be with her.

  Regardless, it was a fucked up situation that could lead to even bigger problems once the truth was exposed.

  Asia

  I drove to Jordan's house, still a little weirded out by everything that had happened. I really had a fun time with Bryon – actually, a little too much fun. It was great to hang out and do something different instead of being on edge like I was every time I was around Jordan and even Dwight. I was glad Bryon had fun too, because it seemed like he needed an outlet as well. I felt so many emotions at the pizza parlor when Courtney mentioned that she and Bryon had slept together. I was jealous of the idea that another woman had been intimate with him. I knew it was crazy to feel that way, but I did because I wanted to be with him. And I hated myself for it.

  If I wanted to be with him, what about Dwight? Although we'd recently had a special moment, it still didn't change the fact that problems still lie between us. Our lives were still the same, and honestly, I didn't think anything would change. In that case, why was I with him? A part of it had to do with the fact that he was my first of everything. I still had love for him, and that was killing me, because I should be fully in love with him.

  I approached the house, dreading going in. Anxiety surged through me, so I took a few deep breaths. I always felt like this before entering the house. I still hadn't adjusted to staying there, and I probably never would.

  I slowly gathered my belongings and went to the door. I rang the doorbell, hoping Dwight was there so he could open it. To my disappointment, Jordan did. She looked at me strangely before letting me in.

  "Didn't you have on different clothes when you left here?"

  I sighed. I should have changed before coming back.

  "I did. I spilled soda on my dress and remembered I had clothes in the car."

  "How convenient."

  I walked into the house and straight to our room. I didn't have the energy to argue with her. Sometimes you had to pick and choose your battles, and this wasn't one I wanted to start.

  I sat on the bed and looked around, wishing I was in my own place, in my own bed. I missed those moments that I'd taken for granted. I became a little misty-eyed thinking about those times, wishing things could have been different. I knew we could get back to that point in our lives if we tried. We had to.

  I saw a light coming from my purse and realized it was my phone. I checked and saw it was a text from Bryon. He asked if I made it to the house safely, and I replied that I did. He then replied to keep my head up and that things would get better. I smiled, told him thanks then put my phone onto the nightstand. I was taking off my shoes when the door opened and Dwight walked in. He smiled before sitting down beside me.

  "How was your day?"

  "It was good. How was yours?"

  "It was okay. It's better now that I see you."

  I gave a tiny smile and he kissed my forehead. I'd missed him today to an extent, which was kind of sad considering that at one time, he was the one person I'd thought about all day, every day.

  We both changed out of our clothes and did our nightly routine before going to sleep. He turned off the lights, and as we both settled into bed, he didn't put his arms around me like he usually did; instead, he kissed the side of my forehead and moved onto his side of the bed. I rolled over onto mine as tears started streaming down my face. It wasn't because of Dwight. It was because I was thinking about another man, and it was tearing me up inside.

  ***

  "Are you ready?"

  I looked at Bryon, while he straighten his suit jacket. It was the next day; we were sitting in the waiting area of Drake Motors. We were about to give our presentation, and for some reason, I was nervous.

  Since I'd come up with the concept for the campaign, Bryon wanted me to present alongside him. I normally didn't get this nervous before a presentation, but with Bryon standing beside me, looking as good as he did, my anxiety was at an all-time high.

  I hid my nervousness and gave him a bright smile. "As ready as I will be."

  "You'll do fine. From what I know of the owners, they're great people." A petite young woman come up to us and let us know the owners were ready to see us. We followed the receptionist through the hall to the back of the dealership and stopped at the conference room. Two men and a woman were perusing various campaigns from other companies. The receptionist announced us as we walked in, and they all looked up with smiles.

  "Mr. Gibson, it's nice to meet you," one of the men greeted, standing up to shake Bryon's hand.

  "Mr. Drake, it's great to meet you as well. I would like to introduce you to a new employee to The Gibson Group, Asia Alexander. She will also be presenting the campaign to you all. Asia, this is Simon Drake, his brother Oliver, and Simon's wife, Brenda."

  I greeted them and shook their hands, then Bryon and I went to the projector near the front of the room. I looked over and saw Brenda Drake staring at Bryon like he was a piece of meat. She seductively gazed at him while he was getting the presentation together. I didn't know how I noticed this and he didn't.

  "Good morning, everyone, and thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to allow us to present to you all," Bryon began.

  I studied him, noticing his professionalism, which was very impressive, not to mention a huge turn-on.

  When it was my turn to present, I took a deep breath before delivering my speech. The three seemed very impressed with the video we'd shot which included an African-American family in search of a vehicle to fit their traveling needs. We even used the showroom, illustrating the family talking to a salesman and the kids enjoying themselves in the dealership's playroom. As we continued watching the mock commercial, I glanced at Bryon, who winked before turning back to the screen. My heart skipped a beat, wondering when this feeling would go away. I wanted to be able to be around him, but I knew I should be focusing on repairing my marriage. That was hard to do with the way he constantly stared at me.

  After the commercial, we concluded the presentation by asking the Drakes to consider us for their promotional needs and letting them know we would excel at showing them in the most positive light in the community and in the city. After everyone said thank yous and good-byes, Bryon and I left the conference room and headed outside. I went to Bryon's car and got inside, relieved that it was over. I waited until he got into the driver's seat then closed my door.

  "Wow, great job, Alexander," Bryon praised me while giving me a high-five.

  "You didn't do too bad yourself, Gibson," I replied.

  He smiled, looking ahead at the building. "I think they were impressed."

  "Why wouldn't they be? We even did a mock commercial. I could tell from the looks on their faces that they were imagining themselves as that family. It's a done deal."

  "You're very confident that we got this."

  "Why wouldn't I be? It was a great camp
aign."

  "No doubt it was. I'm really glad that you're onboard with us."

  "So am I."

  We stared at each other for a few seconds, then Bryon started the ignition. "Now, let me take you out, so I can feed you."

  I nodded, completely high from what just happened. I reached into my purse to retrieve my phone so I could text Dwight and tell him about the presentation. He replied, saying he couldn't talk and that he'd be working late tonight. I glanced at the phone, realizing this was the second night he was working over. Although I probably shouldn't have, I found it a little strange because normally, his store didn't really offer overtime since they were fully staffed.

  "Everything okay?"

  I looked over and saw Bryon wearing a concerned expression.

  I smiled. "Everything is fine. Now, let's go to lunch. I'm starving."

  He smiled and pulled out of the parking space. I looked out the window, wondering if Dwight was really staying over or if he was doing something he shouldn't be doing.

  Dwight

  I stood outside of Tyrone's house, contemplating if I should ring the doorbell. For the past few days, I'd been thinking about working for him again; I didn't want to do, but I figured it was the best option if I wanted quick money. And since Warren had begged me to come back, I decided to do so. Actually, it wasn't because of his begging, it was something else he'd brought to my attention that I thought I'd buried.

  I had just turned around when I saw Warren walking up to the door.

  "Oh no, you're not going to leave, D. You have to do this."

  "I don't have to do anything."

  "Are you sure about that? Remember that talk we had earlier about everything you did back in the day? Things that even Asia doesn't know about?"

  I sighed and moved to the door. When Asia and I were in the "getting to know each other" phase, I left out things about my past, including something that had happened just before our first encounter. Although I'd never told her about my involvement with Tyrone, the secret that Warren had over my head was much worse than me selling drugs.