“Oh, please do!” Paul said.
“Do you know what you’re having?” Karen inquired.
Rubbing my stomach, I lied, “Not yet.”
Their faces lit up. They hugged each other. What the fuck were they embracing for? They didn’t know it was a boy.
“No more questions. I have your number,” I said. Redirecting my attention to Spencer, I stood. “Let’s go.”
Retracing our steps back to my brother’s gig, I wondered if that couple was God’s way of giving me an out. What West-Léon was up to? Hadn’t heard from him, but I needed to have sex tonight.
“Your lunch break should be over. Here, take my popcorn.”
“You forgot where I work?” my brother said, then gave me a hug. His voice trembled. “Text me those weirdoes’ particulars. And pay extra attention to your surroundings when you leave here.
“A carjacking recently went down in this parking lot in broad daylight. Two dudes with black hoodies approached a guy with a Benz. Didn’t know what ole boy was focusing on but any bitch sportin’ a hoodie in eighty-degree weather was automatic suspect. One put the barrel of a .45 in the dude’s chest, demanded the keys. Punk-ass robber drove off. Other asshole took off running.”
“Bet they can’t out run this.” I dug in my purse, put my finger on the trigger. If Paul, Karen, or any other fool tried to lay claim to my Maybach S600, they wouldn’t live to do it to anybody else.
Spencer’s secret was safe. Our dad used to beat Spencer’s mother really bad. Sent her to an early grave. Some shit people couldn’t bounce back from. Some people didn’t deserve to live. Even the Bible said, an eye for an eye.
As I headed to my car, the feel of a man’s hands caressing my naked body was what I wanted. I seriously had to catch up to West-Léon or some other man was taking his spot.
CHAPTER 21
Devereaux
“Quiet on the set! Take eight!” the director said, then snapped the clipboard.
West-Léon, dressed in a fitted black designer suit, greeted his side chick, Emerald, with a kiss, slapped her ass, then stood at the kitchen counter. Emerald was in a white long tank top and a thong. She put away a few dishes, telling him, “I have to renege on taking you to the screening tonight.”
“Why? What’s up?”
“Not what. Who. I’m going with someone else.”
“But I’ve already told my wife I’m going to be out of town. I’ll chill here until you get back.” West-Léon sat on the sofa. Reclined.
His side shook her head. “You need to make other arrangements. I have plans afterward, babe.”
“We have plans,” he protested.
“Had,” she said. Snapping a cap off a bottle of beer, she gave it to him.
West-Léon pushed her hand away. “What’s the real situation here?”
“Nothing. Stop tripping.”
“You’re fucking somebody else?” he questioned.
“How’s your wife?” Emerald asked.
“Fuck her! We’re talking about you.”
“Let yourself out. Be gone when I get out the shower.” She gave him a passionate kiss, then added, “Please.” Emerald exited the kitchen.
“Cut!” the director said.
Approaching me, the director commented, “We need to do it again. I need to see West-Léon go from happy to see her, to frustrated with her decision, to pissed the fuck off like he’s not going anywhere when she walks away. Emerald needs to tease and pull him in with her seduction while crushing him with her every word.”
Either I wanted my pride or I wanted my show to be number one again. Ratings were declining since I’d released Phoenix’s side from her contract. New shows were premiering this season. I knew the solution. I needed to get over what happened with my ex and rehire Ebony Waterhouse aka Goldie Jackson.
West-Léon’s problem wasn’t with Emerald. His energy fed off of Ebony’s.
“We need to make a change,” I told the director.
“But what about—”
Interrupting, I said, “I’ll have my assistant work out what I should have done sooner. We need Ebony back.”
Goldie got what she deserved at that time. I’d exposed a secret she wasn’t aware of. Her marriage to Buster Jackson wasn’t legal. Buster Jackson had married his husband first. My attempt to have Goldie deported was out of anger. I’d prayed she’d lose the home she owned in my neighborhood where my ex had a key to her front door. Her inability to get a role on any other show was my satisfaction. I’d locked her ass out of television and film.
“You sure you want to do that?” the director asked.
“Positive. This is a business decision.” Goldie need me but more importantly, I needed her.
West-Léon approached us. “Devereaux.” He gestured with his hands. “You have to find my Ebony. Please, set up an audition for my gurl.”
“Your gurl?” I told him no relatives. That included females he’d sexed. As I shook my head, West-Léon placed his large hands on my shoulders. “She’s not related to me, but I think she might be your family. Her name is Alexis Crystal.”
Laughing, I replied, “You must be kidding.” His response did not shock me. Alexis had her way of getting the job done. “I’m not sure you or I am ready for her. My show is Sophisticated Side Chicks ATL, not Sophisticated Side Chicks with Guns and Dicks.”
An unexpected uneasy laugh came from West-Léon. “Aw, man. Are you serious?”
I frowned. “You must not know my sister well. Besides, she’s pregnant. She a definite no for that reason. I’m going to offer Gold—”
“What! What! Goldie?” West-Léon jumped high and higher. Soon as he shouted, “Yes!”
Nodding, I heard, “Dev! Dev! Dev!”
My director shook his head, told West-Léon, “Let’s do the scene again.”
“Dev! I know you hear me!”
I told my director, “How about we wrap up now?”
“Time is money. We’re on a budget. We need to do this until it’s right. Why do you let your ex keep showing up here?”
It was my damn money! “Wrap it up. Now,” I insisted, then walked away.
He wasn’t on my payroll to dictate to me outside the scope of his contractual responsibilities. I agreed with my director in that I had to find a way to make sure this was Phoenix’s last time acting a fool. Opening the door, I yelled, “Phoenix, what do you want?”
“My family,” he cried, dropping to his knees. “My fiancée. My baby girl. I apologize, Dev. I’m sorry. Please, take me back. I’ll never cheat on you again.”
Phoenix looked worse than before. I used to love that man. Two years of cheating on me with the same woman? Picturing Mercedes’s face, I shook my head. A Ferrari cruised onto the parking lot. The doors went up. Alexis stepped out sporting wide-lens sunglasses, a red and purple halter minidress that covered her cute baby bump. I wished she’d retire the stilettoes.
Bypassing Phoenix, Alexis said, “Hey, Sis. I came to audition for my part.”
“Girl, you are not going to be on my . . .” I paused. Hmm, maybe I should write her in instead of bringing Goldie back. “I’ll think about it.”
Her eyes lit up. Alexis was too cool to scream or jump up and down the way West-Léon had done. She gave me a hug that was tighter than usual.
“You heard from Mom?” I asked.
The excitement dissipated from her face. She whispered, “I have an appointment tomorrow,” touching her stomach. “Spencer is going to take me.”
With that statement, Alexis suctioned the life out of me.
A text registered on my cell. It was from Antonio. Meet me for dinner tonight. I need to see your beautiful face.
Whoa. I thought he’d either forgotten about me or he wasn’t serious. My spirit danced in the midst of adversity.
“How’s my baby girl?” Phoenix asked, redirecting my attention.
I’d forgotten he was on the ground. “Get up and get off of my property. Now!”
The man I
used to spoon with at night. The thought of him touching me made me cringe.
Alexis added, “And don’t bring your nasty, dirty stank ass back here again.”
“I’m homeless, Dev. Please. Just let me shower and get a change of clothes, and something to eat and I’ll be gone. I promise I won’t take long.”
My eyes and heart softened.
“Fuck that bitch-ass nigga,” Alexis said.
I wasn’t sure which one treated Phoenix worse, Alexis or Mercedes.
“He didn’t give a damn about you when he was fucking Ebony aka Goldie Jackson’s nasty ass. Go shower at her house, ho. You got the address. You still got the key? Oh, that’s right. Oops. Boop. Her ass was deployed.”
His brows grew close, almost touching, as though he didn’t know Goldie’s whereabouts. I didn’t either but I’d have my assistant find her. Phoenix stood. His jaws and fists were tight.
Eyes filled with hatred, he asked, “You gon’ let her disrespect me like that?”
Pitted again between respecting my ex or my sister, I told Phoenix, “Put your hands on my pregnant sister and you will do serious jail time.”
“Let a nigga leap. You know how I roll,” Alexis said, patting her purse. “You heard from Mom?”
“She got into Atlanta today but I’m not sure if she’s continuing to Charlotte. I don’t know where she gets off acting like it’s okay to abandon us for a man. We’ve dealt with that all our lives.” I didn’t want to relive this moment longing for my father with my only sister that had met hers.
“Yeah,” Alexis agreed. “We need to let her know we’re not having her neglect us.”
I told my sister, “I have an idea. I’ll confirm where Mother is, then I’ll let you know, and I’ll call Mercedes and Sandara. If she’s home, we’re all going to surprise her.”
I texted Antonio, 9pm okay?
Great, I know you’ve had a long day and an early start. I’ll choose something in Brookhaven close to your place.
I smiled. Men always made assumptions. That was cool. He didn’t need to know everything. I texted, Looking forward to seeing you.
“What you grinning for? Who you texting, Dev? You gon’ let me sleep in my car while another man take my spot in our bed? Dev, please. Have a heart.”
I’d forgotten again that he was here. Maybe ignoring Phoenix would work. I didn’t want to call the police and have him arrested for trespassing.
West-Léon opened the door. His face lit up. I looked at my sister. Her eyes shined, lips spread wide. Their chemistry was undeniable. I’d never seen Alexis shine for James, Chanel, or any of her conquests.
Pairing these two on set could work well. Knowing my sister, it was just a matter of time before the real-life off-set drama with West-Léon began. He had no idea what he was in for.
Goldie Jackson or Alexis Crystal?
Either way my ratings would definitely soar.
Maybe I should hire both.
CHAPTER 22
Blake
The moment we stepped off the jet, Bing told our flight attendant, “Thank you, sweetheart.”
As I recalled what she’d done to me, my vulva tingled. I nodded at her.
“You’re released from on-call. I’ll have your last compensation in your account by noon tomorrow,” he told her.
Released? Last? What happened to if I liked her we’d keep her?
“Thanks for the opportunity,” she told him, then said to me, “The pleasure was mine.” I watched her walk away. She got into the back of a black SUV with tinted windows.
“I could tell you were uncomfortable even though you wouldn’t say it.”
No, I wasn’t.
Bing continued, “Repeats could potentially lead to ties if you’re not accustomed to this type of entertainment. Plus, women are smarter, shrewder, and sexier than men. My assistant will find her replacement. She knows what I like.”
I felt my forehead shrink. What you like?
Pulling me close, he commented, “All work and no play makes Bing a very naughty man.”
Hmm. “I hear you.”
As we approached his driver, the man opened the back door. I wondered if we’d ever have a threesome with a guy or would it always be a woman of his choice.
“After you, sweetheart,” Bing said.
Although he laughed as he let me go, I knew he was serious about that all work statement he’d made earlier. Playfully he rocked me side to side. Minutes later we were in his town car on Interstate 75, headed north to my home in Buckhead. Traffic was congested as usual. I was in no hurry to be home alone. Nor was I enthused to resign as he’d requested.
As I thought of my, make that our, girls, guilt attached itself to my conscience. I knew my children needed me while I was away and I’d abandoned them.
“Give me a second,” I said, powering on my cell. Soon as it started chiming nonstop, I put it on do not disturb. I had a 101 missed texts. Glancing at the last one, I responded to Devereaux, I’ll be at my Buckhead home shortly.
I missed my Yorkie. Decided not to ask about Max yet. Got a glimpse of Devereaux’s previous message. Nya’s name stood out. No. Their burdens are not yours. I dropped my phone in my purse, then quickly regrouped.
“Sweetheart, you are a trouper. Since you’re quitting your job,” Bing said, holding me, “I’ll be in North Carolina for a while working long hours terminating contracts and finding suitable new locations for my restaurants. I want you completely available to me in seventy-two hours. Get KingMaxB from Sandara and bring him with you. I’ll arrange a walker and sitter for him. And he’ll have a room suited to his name. Leave that stuffed animal at Sandara’s and buy my boy a real girlfriend.”
Max might be okay with having a female companion. My concern was after he was done humping and shooting blanks would he be okay with sharing his territory with her?
“You sure you can’t stay with me tonight?” I asked, enjoying the ride. “We can get an early start and leave together in the morning.”
Considering our eight-hour on-and-off mile-high rendezvous that I could only share with my friend Brandon, I better understood why my daughter Alexis enjoyed being with women and men. That episode did not convince me to cross over. Nor was I planting my lips on any part of a female’s genitals again.
“If I told you my schedule for tomorrow, you’d think I was crazy for escorting you home from the airport. Now if you want to go back to Hartsfield, we can go to Charlotte together. Tonight.
“Here we are,” Bing said, waiting for his driver to open our doors. “Take all of Mrs. Crystal’s luggage upstairs. I’ll have someone come to unpack everything. All you need to bring to me is you.”
Exiting his car, I asked myself if this was the future I wanted. Would I be happy or content being a well-kept wife?
Settling into my Buckhead home felt odd. I didn’t want to be alone tonight. Had to admit I’d been spoiled beyond my imagination. Resigning wasn’t happening until I legally had the title Mrs. Blake Sterling. I wanted to jump the broom, not the gun.
Initiating another hug, I shivered against his abs, hoping he’d make time for a quickie.
“I need you to get the ball rolling on the wedding. Don’t fire the planner. Remember, she works for us, not the other way.”
Whoever she was, she was going to have a he assistant. Brandon was going to be my liaison and personal consultant. He’d keep everyone in check.
Bing held my face in his palms. I placed my hands on his sides, slid them up and down his spine, then embraced his broad shoulders. His chest pressed against my breasts, making my entire body trimmer. I was too seasoned to let this or any man turn me into a freak.
“Hold on to those sparks,” he said. “I have a surprise that’s going to ignite a wild fire in you. You’ll learn to ask for what you want. I prefer that you take it. Nice women don’t always get what they deserve or what they expect.”
Accustomed to taking care of my exes, my children, I wanted to relax. At fifty, I welcomed op
portunities to experience the unknown with a man that I loved and trusted, but I didn’t want to take charge in my relationship.
Why not? Why me? Hard to stop questioning my reality. Bing was a confident gentleman that no woman—including my daughter Alexis—could take from me no matter how hard they’d try.
“I’ll call my boss tomorrow.” That was true.
“I hear you,” he replied. His tone was filled with doubt.
Dreading checking my e-mails, texts, and voice mails. I wasn’t concerned about my supervisor. My crazy coworker Herman, and the four girls I’d given birth to were my immediate worry.
Bing reassured, “My travel agent is yours, too, sweetheart. There’s no need to call and let me know you’re coming.”
This man would land his jet on my roof if he could. The driver was parked out front waiting to take Bing back to Hartsfield for his flight to Charlotte.
“Okay. I’ll make arrangements in the morning.”
First, I had to rescue my Yorkie from Sandara and my grandbabies. I wondered if they’d pampered Max the way they used to or if he was being neglected.
“I gotta go, sweetheart. Tell our girls I’m looking forward to seeing them soon.”
Between our dates and trips abroad, I hadn’t formally introduced Bing. Honestly, I was stalling. I didn’t want Bing to leave. Didn’t want to give my girls complete access to my fiancé.
Escorting Bing to the door, I couldn’t stand to watch him walk away. I turned the lock, went to the kitchen, opened a bottle of champagne, and chilled.
I was alone. Not lonely. Felt good.
CHAPTER 23
Alexis
In the nick of time, I blocked that black luxury town car parked in our mother’s driveway, unlocked my Ferrari door.
Bing was not getting away until I gave him permission.
Marching on my four-inch stilettoes, I confronted Mr. Bing, bang, sexy hot damn! Up close, he was too sharp for my mother, and a few years too old for me, but I’d make an exception. What did Spencer and Bing see in my mom? Blake was boring.
“So you can take my mother from me, not let her return my calls or reply to my texts. It was an emergency, man. I almost died.”
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