1 Night Stand

by Amaleka McCall

  “But we survived. What about you? Are you okay?” Ron asked, his eyes darting around the packed lobby. “And everything here?” he continued, jerking his chin toward the crowd.

  Harmony sighed. Her shoulders slumped. “It has definitely been emotionally taxing. One minute up, next minute down. You just never know how much pain and resentment or even good memories you’ve buried until you have to relive it.” She sighed. “And all of this . . . this circus doesn’t make it easier.” Harmony nodded toward the hungry paparazzi and all of the members of Melody’s entourage that were zipping around as if the funeral was one of her concert productions.

  Ron shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets and nodded his understanding. Harmony noticed the strained look on his face.

  “Enough about me. I don’t want to be selfish. How about you? Are you okay? Being back in New York. I mean, the last time you were here . . .” Harmony’s voice trailed off.

  “No. No. I’m fine.” Ron waved his left hand and smiled. Harmony eyed him with suspicion. “Hey,” he touched her chin and looked down into her eyes. “Trust me. I know what I need to do to always be here for you and Aubrey,” Ron assured, winking at her.

  Harmony tried to search his face for any signs that he might be struggling with being back in his old stomping grounds, but she knew that Ron had mastered his poker face years ago. She didn’t want to be pushy and cause an argument, but she also knew all too well that addiction was a disease that needed to be treated every single day. It didn’t matter that Ron had been clean for three years. Harmony knew it would only take one single trigger to make him relapse.

  “We are ready to start,” One of Melody’s assistants came over and said to Harmony. Harmony nodded.

  When the woman walked away, Harmony turned to Ron. “This is how it’s been. All of her people telling us little people what to do.”

  Ron grunted and placed his hand on the small of Harmony’s back as they made their way into the funeral chapel. “Well, hopefully it won’t be for that much longer. After this is all said and done, we will return home to our simple life in our little honeycomb hideout and forget about the rich and famous and all of their pretentiousness.” He followed up with a peck on Harmony’s cheek.

  A cold chill shot down Harmony’s back, and she shivered. She still hadn’t told Ron that she would need to stay in New York a while longer than they’d both expected. She had promised Lyric that she wouldn’t abandon her ever again, and she meant it. Harmony knew that if she left Lyric now, she would probably lose her forever. She also knew if she neglected Ron for too long, it might send him spiraling backward and she’d lose him forever too. Harmony closed her teeth down on her bottom lip and bat-sized butterflies fluttered in her stomach just thinking about how she could save her little sister and also keep her family intact.

  Chapter 11

  Melody

  Melody watched as Harmony walked into the funeral chapel with her little family. She noticed Harmony’s husband’s supportive hold on Harmony and the love in his eyes. Rough waves of jealousy suddenly swirled inside of Melody like a high tide, making her feel like she was choking. Her eyes went dark and her mouth flattened into a straight line. All of the money in the world couldn’t buy her the love she’d been looking for, the kind Harmony seemed to have now.

  Melody hid behind her dark shades, furtively staring at Harmony, her husband, and her little sweet-faced baby. Melody’s temples pounded and her stomach curled into knots. She was supposed to have everything. She was supposed to be the happiest. That’s what Ava had promised. Melody was supposed to be the only one worthy of the perfect life. Those words had come out of her mother’s mouth. They were all lies.

  Melody turned away. She couldn’t stand to watch Harmony with her headon her husband’s shoulder and his arm around her. It was making Melody physically sick.

  Melody shifted in her seat. Her insides ached with loneliness. It was the kind of loneliness that couldn’t be assuaged even as she sat in a room full of people. Melody knew deep down inside she couldn’t even pay for the type of love and companionship she longed for. She had Sly, but Melody knew he wasn’t all hers. She knew that they did an unhealthy relationship dance and fronted for the public like they had the perfect love. Melody wanted Sly to love her and only her.

  The pastor Melody had hired stepped up to the microphone and opened up the service. “Tonight we celebrate the life of Ms. Ava Love, and I want to begin with the theme of tonight’s memorial, and that is, Everybody Needs Somebody and We All Need God.”

  “Amen,” a few people in the crowd shouted.

  “We all need love, do you agree?” the pastor asked.

  Melody reached down next to her and forced her hand into Sly’s hand. It was a bold move, but she wanted to let him know she needed him.

  Melody could see Sly’s perplexed reaction out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored it. She told herself that he would get it, that in that moment he would love her like she needed to be loved. Melody curled her fingers around his the way she imagined a couple in love, like Harmony and her husband, would do it.

  Sly didn’t return the affection; instead, he shifted and twitched in his seat like the public display of affection made his skin itch. Melody knew that they usually staged their public affection, agreeing to hold hands when leaving their building in the city, sitting cozy next to one another at a basketball game, or Sly admiring Melody from a distance while she walked a red carpet. They were all public relations–advised activities. This handholding now hadn’t been discussed or planned. Melody felt her heart drop, but like usual, she put on a brave face.

  “We all need love, but you won’t know love if you don’t know God first,” the pastor preached.

  “Amen,” Melody murmured. With that, she released her hold on Sly’s hand and turned her body away from his. She would find love for herself, no matter what she had to do to get it.

  After the service, Sly did his usual—took his people and left. He planted a dry kiss on Melody’s cheek and told her he would come later to the private repast she was having at her estate in the Hamptons. Melody wandered out of the funeral chapel alone. Her security team immediately surrounded her, ready to escort her to the waiting fleet of cars outside.

  “Give me a minute.” Melody called them off when she spotted Harmony and her little family huddled together. Melody bit into the inside of her cheek, inhaled deeply, and plastered on a fake smile as she sauntered over to her sister.

  “All of these days we’ve been together and you didn’t tell me about this little sweetie,” Melody said cheerfully, stepping up to Harmony and Ron. Melody noticed Harmony’s body stiffen and her facial expression flatten.

  “Now who is this little doll? Is this my first niece?” Melody inquired, extending her arms toward Aubrey.

  Harmony looked at Ron nervously as she clutched her baby against her chest, suddenly guarded.

  “Come here, sweet girl,” Melody pressed. This time she put her hands on Aubrey’s arm and tugged her gently away from Harmony.

  Harmony sucked in her breath and reluctantly released her protective death grip on her baby.

  “I’ll give her right back.” Melody was familiar with the horrified look Harmony wore on her face. She had seen that look so many times when they were kids—like the time Harmony had gotten a beautiful black Barbie doll for Christmas, one that Ava didn’t think Melody would want, but when Melody decided she liked Harmony’s doll better than hers, Ava took it away and gave it to Melody. Melody got to keep both dolls, hers and Harmony’s, that year.

  “Oh my goodness,” Melody cooed, holding the baby’s face in front of hers. “You are the most gorgeous little thing. You look just like your daddy,” Melody babbled in a baby voice.

  Harmony shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her hands moving aimlessly at her sides.

  Melody pressed Aubrey against her, closed her eyes, and inhaled the baby’s scent. She immediately felt intoxicated. Now she unders
tood why women rushed to procreate. Melody felt warm and full inside. Was this how unconditional love felt?

  “Let me go change her.” Harmony grabbed Aubrey and interrupted Melody’s little moment.

  Melody had to blink a few times to snap herself out of the little trance she’d fallen in. She chuckled nervously.

  “Did I get carried away?” Melody released Aubrey back to Harmony.

  “And you are?” Melody extended her hand toward Ron. She knew full well who he was. Melody had seen Ron appear in court alongside Harmony when Harmony had sued the record label and the group for back royalties and publishing rights. Melody had also paid top dollar for private investigators to find out all about where Harmony lived, whom she was married to, and all about the dance and acting school she had opened with the money Melody felt Harmony stole from her through the lawsuit. She also knew all about Ron’s past as a child actor and his stint in drug rehab that Harmony had funded, also with money Melody felt Harmony wasn’t really entitled to.

  “Ron,” he answered simply, taking her hand for a quick, firm, businesslike shake.

  Melody felt something spark inside of her when he touched her hand. He wasn’t just a normal good-looking man. He was movie star fine. Melody’s cheeks burned. She flashed her gorgeous, shocking white smile and flicked her long hair.

  “Nice to meet you, Ron. Should I call you brother-in-law? Baby daddy? What?” Melody asked sardonically.

  “Definitely brother-in-law,” Harmony interjected. “He’s my husband,” she said flatly.

  Melody laughed. “Okay, okay. Don’t bite my head off. Never can tell these days. Again, nice to meet you . . . brother-in-law.” Melody sniggered, knowing that her antics were pissing Harmony off.

  “Please do join us at my Hamptons estate this evening. It’ll be the last of the homegoing events for our mother,” Melody said to Ron directly, as if Harmony weren’t standing there.

  “Whatever my wife wants to do,” Ron answered, putting his arm around Harmony’s shoulders.

  “Eww.” Melody widened her eyes, feigning shock, and turned her attention to Harmony. “Whatever his wife wants to do. Sounds like he’s a keeper, big sis.” Melody chuckled, touching Ron on the chest playfully. “He defers to you for decisions, but you make decisions without him?” Melody asked, smiling at Harmony.

  Harmony frowned. Ron looked at her and back to Melody.

  “Oh, what? Your wife hasn’t told you she’d be going out on tour with me in a few weeks? I’m having my sisters make an appearance on my 1 Night Stand tour.... You know, so they can make some money, get some of this spotlight, live a little,” Melody said.

  Harmony’s nostrils flared open. Ron’s eyes hooded and his jaw went square as he looked at Harmony expectantly.

  “You did tell him. Right, Harm?” Melody winked.

  “Melody, your car is waiting to take you to the burial. Everything has been delivered and set up for the party just like you requested,” one of Melody’s flunkies stepped over and said.

  “Well, Ron, I have to run. I’m hoping I’ll see you later,” Melody said coquettishly, extending her hand toward his chest again.

  Harmony stepped in front of Ron. “I’m not sure we will be able to come,” Harmony said through her teeth.

  “Aw, come on, sister. We’ve been through the rough stuff. Now come and let me show you all a good time. I mean, you do want to experience how the other half lives, don’t you? You were the one who said we need to rebuild our relationships. Remember your promise to Lyric,” Melody replied, smiling at Harmony.

  Several emotions played across Harmony’s face at once.

  “That’s what I thought. I’ll see you both later.”

  With that, Melody’s security team surrounded her and whisked her away, but not before she heard Ron say, “What the hell, Harmony?”

  Chapter 12

  Lyric

  “Damn, this house is lit,” Rebel said, craning his neck to look out of the limousine window as it snaked its way up the long winding road that led to Melody’s East Hampton, Long Island estate. “This shit got more windows than the projects. Damn. She really live in this big-ass house with no kids, nothing?” He continued, completely amazed by the sprawling, red brick front mansion with its castle-like appearance.

  Lyric wasn’t impressed. Anything that Melody had, Lyric felt it was because of her sacrifices. “She probably don’t live here. I’m sure she’s got ten more like this all over the world,” Lyric replied, a hint of resentment underlying her words. “Too bad none of the rest of us got on like she did. We never made the kind of money she made, even as a group. If we did, we—me and Harmony—didn’t see a dime of it.”

  “Shit, the past it the past. You better make nice with her. If what you said is true about her taking you on tour with her, that could be a good look for you and for me. You could make some money, get our names back out there, maybe get me on a collabo with Sly or some shit,” Rebel said, excitement building in his voice with each insane idea.

  “Stop dreaming. A dude like Sly wouldn’t even sneeze at your washed-up ass, and Melody inviting us on tour is probably all talk,” Lyric said as the limo came to a stop a few luxury cars back on the circular driveway. Lyric tugged on the door handle before the valet could open her door and exited the limo. “Because Melody Love is all about herself,” Lyric murmured.

  Once inside, Lyric and Rebel looked around in awe. There were two rows of poster-sized pictures of Ava lined up on easels on either side of the grand foyer. Lyric recognized some of the pictures, but others were of Ava when she was much younger. Lyric shrugged her shoulders. If only Ava’s outer beauty could’ve been turned inward, she might’ve made a wonderful mother.

  Everything inside of the mansion was decked out in off-white and gold. It was just Melody’s style—over the top. Lyric watched as servers walked around with trays. She noticed carving stations and the elaborate food spread. There were so many people milling around that Lyric got dizzy trying to figure out who they all were.

  “This shit look more like an industry party than some after-funeral dinner,” Rebel commented as he bopped his head to the old school disco music blaring through the built-in sound system.

  It was Donna Summer’s hit song “Last Dance” playing. Lyric knew every word to that song by the time she was just two years old because her mother played it so much. It was fitting for Ava’s last dance.

  “Trust me, this is how Ava would’ve wanted it,” Lyric said, snatching a drink from the tray of a passing server. She would need a drink and then some to survive this.

  “Shit, this is better than some of the top industry parties I been to,” Rebel said as he shoveled a handful of bacon-wrapped shrimp into his mouth. “This is that shit,” he mumbled with a mouthful, heading straight for one of the six bars situated around the estate.

  Lyric shook her head. “This dude. Always looking for free food and a free high.”

  She didn’t care if Rebel got lost. That would mean she could get high in peace. Lyric gave her bag a squeeze.

  Just me and you later.

  Lyric finally dissected the palatial living space and spotted Harmony sitting on a beautiful white chaise lounge, holding Aubrey on her lap. Lyric’s shoulders eased with relief. She rushed over, smiling.

  “Hey.” Lyric sat down.

  “Hey.” Harmony seemed to light up at the sight of Lyric. “How are you feeling? You had rough morning,” Harmony said all in one breath.

  “I’m good. You officially blew my high,” Lyric joked. “Hi, cutie pie. Oh, man, she is so adorable, Harm. She looks like a little angel,” Lyric said.

  Harmony didn’t answer; instead, she looked at her baby sadly. Lyric took her eyes off of the baby and looked at her sister’s face. She immediately noticed the sadness that had suddenly crept into Harmony’s eyes.

  “What’s up? Are you okay?” Lyric asked.

  “I’ll be okay. Just a little disagreement with Ron,” Harmony replied, shifting the baby
so she was facing Lyric. Lyric put her pointer finger in Aubrey’s little fist.

  “Hey, pretty girl,” Lyric sang. Aubrey kicked her legs and smiled at Lyric.

  “Why? What happened?”

  “Melody happened.” Harmony sighed.

  “What the hell did she do now?” Lyric asked, biting down on her bottom lip.

  Harmony sighed loudly. “We can talk about it later.”

  “No. Tell me now,” Lyric pressed.

  Harmony shook her head. “Back at the chapel, Melody told Ron we were going on tour with her,” Harmony said.

  Lyric’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “Melody made it seem like you and I had agreed to go on tour with her. Like we had a discussion about it and that I had made a decision behind Ron’s back. Ron is upset because he thinks that I didn’t discuss something as big and important as that with him. We always talk about anything that affects the other person before making a decision.

  “I tried to explain to him that Melody was jumping the gun, that neither you nor I had agreed to go with her on tour. I mean, look how we found out that it was even a thought—the damn paparazzi. We don’t even know the terms of her offer yet. We don’t even know if we can trust her after what we’ve been through. She doesn’t have the greatest track record. But he just got so upset. It didn’t matter that I told him I hadn’t really made a decision, that I didn’t know if it was something that I would even consider at this point in my life,” Harmony relayed, shaking her head.

  “But you’re going to say yes to the tour, right?” Lyric inquired. “I mean, you said it yourself. We need to rebuild . . . everything. This would be the perfect opportunity for us.”

  Harmony closed her eyes and threw her head back. “Lyric, I don’t know. Everything is happening so fast. I have to think about Ron and the baby. I have a business to run and—”