Luck of Love

by Aleman, Tiffany

  “Argh…Fuck Derrick!” she cries out throwing her head back again.

  Quickening my pace, pounding forward relentlessly, I grunt through clenched teeth, “Fuck baby. Are you ready?” The sweat on my brow begins rolling down my face as I explode my hot seed into Blake. Breathlessly I fall forward on top of her relishing her face in feather light kisses.

  Looking up at me out of breath, her emerald green eyes gazing back at my hazel ones, she says cupping my face in her hands, “I love you Derrick.”

  “I love you too,” I say sweeping her mused up hair from out of her face when her stomach lets out a loud growl. Laughter erupts from us both. Dropping a kiss on her lips, I lift myself up pulling out of her laughing, “Come on babe, I need to feed you.”

  “No, it’s okay. I know you’re tired of the smell of eggs. You go back to work and I’ll talk to you after I get out of class,” she replies covering her mouth over a yawn.

  Tucking myself away and situating my pants, I grab her face between my hands and lift it to mine.

  Lightly brushing my lips against hers I murmur, “Okay, but only because the smell of eggs is starting to become intolerable.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been craving them for the past couple of weeks and they taste so damn good,” she replies with a sheepish grin.

  Nodding I say, “I know. I don’t understand it, but I know.” Giving her one last kiss, I leave the room sending her a text telling her that I love her.

  Arriving at my office, I drop down in my chair and begin sifting through mountains of paperwork, reviewing and signing what I can before I leave for the day. A few hours later, I look at the clock on my computer as I sign the last document noting that it’s now seven in the evening. I reach across my desk wondering if Blake called me after she got out of class. If she did then I didn’t hear it, probably because I was so engrossed in my work. Noticing that I don’t have any missed calls, I decide to call her. It rings a few time and then finally goes to voicemail. “Hey babe, I just wanted to know how your last class went. I’m just now getting off,” I say shutting down my computer and adding, “Call me when you get this. I love you.”

  Entering the foyer of my house, I hear the muffled sounds of people talking. Cautiously, I make my way into the living room to see the TV on and a sleeping Blake covered up with a blanket on the couch. I walk around the sectional and crouch down in front of Blake watching her sleep peacefully. Her long lashes fan out across her high cheekbones. With her lips slightly parted, I can hear her steady even breaths. I reach up brushing the back of my hand across her cheek. She must have been tired because she didn’t even stir.

  Standing up, I hook one arm under her neck and the other under her knees lifting her up and off the couch. Carrying her to my room, Blake nuzzles into the crook of my shoulder murmuring something about ‘missing you,’ but everything else is incoherent after that. Pulling the covers back and laying her down gently, her eyes flutter open staring back at me. “Did you go to class and then come back here,” I ask in a hushed tone while I climb in next to her.

  “No, after I finished eating I fell asleep,” she replies whispering.

  “Babe, you’ve been tired a lot lately and throwing up. I’m worried about you. Is everything okay? I mean maybe you should go to the doctor,” I say pulling her body flush against mine.

  Circling my nose with hers she answers, “I think it’s just because I’ve been cramming for finals and my diet’s been off. I know once I get past these next couple of weeks and everything gets back to normal that I’ll be fine.” Pushing her soft full lips against mine she murmurs, “But thanks for being concerned about me,” she adds.

  “Of course I’m concerned about you babe, I don’t want you sick,” I say kissing her back.

  A smile flitters on her face as she says, “I know. Now let’s go to sleep because I’m exhausted.”

  Nuzzling her face into my neck, she slips her arms around my middle, squeezing me to her. I kiss her temple as her breathing starts to even out.

  I’m startled awake from the pouncing on my bed. My eyes flicker open taking in a wide-eyed and bushy tailed Dean smiling from ear to ear. “Happy Birthday Princess,” he says.

  Rolling over and away from him grunting, I slip my head under my pillow blocking out his happiness and the sunlight that’s filtering through my window. “Shouldn’t I be allowed to sleep in, since it is my birthday,” I groan.

  “Nope, I don’t think so,” he says lifting the pillow off my head. “Plus, you need to get up because we have somewhere we need to be in a few hours,” he adds.

  I roll my eyes as I turn over to look at him. “And just where is it that we need to be in a few hours?” I ask with a raspy just woken voice.

  Shaking his head at me smiling, “I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise. Now come on and get up before I drag your ass out of this bed,” he says pulling back my covers leaving me cold. “And do something about that breath,” he adds exiting my room.

  “Well maybe if you weren’t in my face waking me up you wouldn’t have to smell my breath,” I shout at him.

  Rolling out of bed yawning and stretching, I could do with another eight hours of sleep. I get up grabbing my towel and make my way to the shower.

  Climbing into the car, I reach back and shut the door. It seems so odd to be sitting it the passenger seat, but Dean insisted on driving. He’s the one who knows where we’re going, and God forbid Dean spoil the surprise.

  Strapping myself in, I look over to Dean arching an eyebrow and asking, “And why is that I can’t drive my own car?”

  “It’s a surprise. I already told you this; now stop asking and enjoy the ride will you,” he says starting the car. Crossing my arms over my chest, I sit back huffing and pouting.

  Pulling into the Atlantic City International Airport, my eyes go wide. “What the hell are we doing here?” I ask incredulously as he pulls into the parking garage.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he answers. I know my incessant questioning irritates him, but I don’t care.

  Pulling into a parking spot, he slips the gear shifter into park and turns in his seat to look at me. “Look I know, you have no idea why we’re here and I know you don’t care for surprises, but trust me, you’re going to love this one,” he says patting my knee. “Now hurry up, we have someone to meet,” he adds.

  Walking through the sliding doors of the airport into the baggage claim, I see Rachel coming down the escalator. Her long brown hair hangs loose over her cream-colored sweater dress. Rushing down the escalator, I can see tears glossing over her chocolate brown eyes. I turn to look at Dean completely shocked with a full-blown smile on my face. Jumping into his arms, I crush him to me murmuring, “How…when…you know what it doesn’t matter. I love this surprise. Thank you so much.”

  Patting my back he says, “I knew you would. Happy Birthday, Blake.”

  Breaking free of our embrace, I run to the escalators meeting Rachel at the bottom. Wrapping my arms around her, we hug each other laughing and crying happy tears. God I’ve missed her. It’s been a year and a half since I’ve seen her, and it’s so nice to see someone from back home. “Oh my God I’ve missed you! Happy Birthday,” she screeches pulling back and giving me a once over.

  I step back from her, wiping my fingers under my eyes to dry up the stray tears that have fallen. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I say laughing.

  Hooking her arm through mine, we walk back towards Dean following him to get Rachel’s luggage. “I know. Dean called me a few weeks back and said he wanted to surprise you for your birthday, and well you know me, I love surprises,” she says with a mischievous smile plastered on her face.

  “You two got me. I had no clue about any of this. How long are you staying?” I ask.

  “Just a week. I’d stay longer, but mom and dad have been on my ass about coming home for Christmas,” she replies with a shrug of her shoulders and rolling her eyes.

  “I’m so glad you’re her
e, and I can’t wait for you to meet Derrick,” I say sighing.

  A grin tugs at the corners of her lips when she asks, “Derrick huh?”

  “Oh yeah,” I say nodding my head and just as I’m about to elaborate, Dean approaches us with Rachel’s luggage.

  “Is this all you brought Rach?” He asks, holding up two suitcases.

  “Yeah, thanks for getting that for me,” she says patting his shoulder.

  “All right then let’s go,” he says nodding towards the sliding doors of the airport.

  When we pulled up in front of the apartment, Dean asked if he could use my car for a bit because he needed to run some errands. Rachel and I sat on the couch and talked for a while. We talked about everything that was going on in my life and hers. About school and the guys; in our lives. She told me how she had a brief relationship with the quarterback from the University of Florida, but it didn’t work out. It didn’t seem to bother her, casual Rachel, just like always.

  “Blake, Blake! Hellooo….” Rachel says snapping her fingers in front of my face pulling me out of my daydream.

  “Huh… what…I’m sorry, what did you say?” I ask while I lean against the back of the couch.

  “Thinking about Derrick again?” she asks.

  “No, actually I was thinking about how much I’m going to miss you when you leave. I’m so happy that you’re here. I’ve missed you friend.”

  “Ha! Yeah right, you were thinking about him again, but whatever. We need to get ready. We’re going out tonight, so make sure you look hot,” she says through a wide smile getting off the couch and walking down the hallway.

  “Where are you going, and what do you mean we’re going out tonight?” I shout at her from the couch flabbergasted.

  “I’m picking your clothes out for tonight. Now get your ass in the shower,” she yells back.

  Entering my room wrapped in a towel, my jaw hits the carpet when I see what Rachel’s picked out for me to wear. There laid out on my bed is a dark green satin strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and a pair of gold sling back Manolo heels. Dropping my towel, I lather myself in cocoa butter and slip into a white lace thong and its matching strapless bra.

  Taking a deep breath, I smooth my hands over the satin material, as I look myself over in the mirror. I pull my hair back in a sleek bun resting at the nape of my neck. I went with a natural look for my makeup, using different shades of browns, along with my black eyeliner and mascara. A nude colored lip-gloss and a pair of princess cut diamond studs along with its matching necklace helps complete the look.

  “Hey, did you see what I put out for you?” Rachel asks without even looking at me clutching her towel around her. Clearing my throat, she looks at me in the mirror,

  “Holy shit Blake,” she says shocked.

  Grinning I ask, “What? Do you think I look okay?”

  “Hell yeah, you look hot! If I was a lesbian your boyfriend would have some competition on his hands,” she answers laughing.

  “Whatever,” I say laughing at her. “Thank you for the dress and the shoes. I really love them,” I add.

  “It’s your birthday. I had to get you something and I know how you are about heels, the dress was just a bonus,” she says nodding.

  “Well I’m going to let you get ready, and text Dean to see where he’s at,” I reply walking out of my room shutting the door behind me.

  I jump from the sound of Dean’s voice when I hear, “Damn Blake you look great. I really like the shoes.”

  Sitting on the couch in a charcoal gray suit, white button down shirt, and slate blue tie, is a very sexy Dean. His brown eyes shimmer as he stands approaching me with his hands tucked in his pockets. “You look really nice,” I say looking him up and down smiling.

  “Where’s Rachel?” he asks.

  “She’s getting ready. Why?” I answer curiously.

  “We have somewhere we need to be in about an hour.”

  “Is it another surprise?” I don’t know why I’m complaining. This surprise actually turned out really well. Maybe another one wouldn’t be so awful.

  “Yes,” Dean answers. “Rachel, hurry the hell up! You’re going to cause us to be late,” he yells at her from the living room.

  “Shut up. Get your panties out of a bunch asswipe,” she says hobbling down the hallway trying to slip her other foot in her heel. Getting it on, I see Dean’s eyes almost fall out of his face when he sees what Rachel’s wearing. She’s in a red short halter dress, black stilettos that lace up around her ankles tying around the back. Her long brown hair hangs flowing against her bare back. Her brown eyes pop behind the gray and silver-eye makeup she has on, and she’s painted her lips a ruby red color like mine.

  “Is that what you’re wearing tonight?” Dean asks her while clearing his throat. Oh, she definitely affects him.

  Narrowing her eyes at him she answers, “Yeah, is there a problem with what I have on?”

  “Nope, not at all,” Dean replies quickly turning his attention to me.

  “Okay then let’s go,” she says straightening to her full height of five foot five.

  Waving his hand in front of us, he says, “After you ladies.”

  I burst with laughter at their banter, only to laugh harder when Rachel, tells me to shut up and elbows me in the ribs.

  The ride to the casino with Dean and Rachel was a journey to say the least. They’ve only been around each other a couple of times, but I swear you’d think they argue as if they’re brother and sister. Pulling into the underground parking garage and parking next to Derrick’s Range Rover, I hastily get out of my car, which is easier for me since Dean insisted on driving anyway. I can’t wait to see Derrick. I haven’t talked to him all day, which is a first for us because we’re either with each other, texting, or on the phone.

  “Damn Blake, could you have made a more graceful exit you know? In that dress and those shoes, you shouldn’t be jumping out of a car,” Rachel says as I start pacing back and forth in the parking garage waiting for them to hurry the hell up.

  “I’m so sorry, I just haven’t seen him in a couple of days and I haven’t really talked to him all that much. I miss him,” I say it like it should be obvious.

  “Well come on Dean, we don’t want to keep a woman in need waiting,” she says from behind me, nodding her head in the direction I’ve already started walking in.

  I hear footsteps quickly approach behind me. Looking back Dean flanks my right side while Rachel flanks my left. Linking our arms together, we walk to where I see Jimmy waiting for us.

  “Hey Jimmy, it’s nice to see you again. These are my friends, Dean Adams and Rachel Montgomery,” I say introducing them.

  “It’s nice to see you again Miss Riley,” bowing he adds, “Mr. Adams, Miss Montgomery, it’s a pleasure.”

  “And it’s a pleasure to meet you Jimmy.” Rachel curtsies to him and I swear I just saw the beginnings of a blush creep onto Jimmy’s face.

  Laughing at Rachel, I say, “Please don’t do that again. This isn’t the nineteen fifties.”

  Rolling her eyes she hisses at me, “Whatever.”

  “Please follow me; Mr. James has been awaiting your arrival.” We follow Jimmy dutifully through mazes of hallways. “May I say Miss Riley, Mr. James seems really excited to see you,” he says looking back over his shoulder smiling.

  Rachel leans in and with a hushed tone says, “Wow, he’s really for formalities huh.”

  Keeping my face forward, I nod while silently laughing.

  I’m so excited for Rachel to see the casino. I know she’s never been to one before. I watch her facial expressions morph from skepticism, to wonder, to one of awe, then finally excitement. I’m so happy that I get to share this experience with her. “Oh my God Blake this is amazing,” Rachel says mystified.

  “I know.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Dean asks.

  “About how amazing all of this is,” I reply.

  “Do you think we’re go
ing to get to play anything,” Rachel asks inquisitively, but I don’t have the time to answer her because Jimmy announces that we’re here.

  Entering the ballroom, Dean comes to an abrupt stop. Looking up at him and taking in his expression and hearing him utter “Oh shit” under his breath, I’m immediately concerned. All laughter, all excitement and every coherent thought leave me as my eyes fall on the side profile of who he’s looking at. Landon.

  With Derrick and Landon’s backs to us, they haven’t seen that we’re here yet. He’s standing there laughing with Derrick as if they’re old time friends or something. Wearing an expensive tailored suit, his sandy blonde hair has that just fucked look, and damn is he sexy. I see his eyes slide from Derrick’s to mine as he turns in my direction. His piercing crystal blue eyes have me frozen in place. I can’t look at or think of anyone else. I feel all the blood drain away from my face, my pulse begins racing, and my jaw is agape; I watch as Derrick’s gaze slides from Landon’s to mine smiling. The guilt and betrayal come back full force. Immediately his smile falters when he takes in my demeanor. I know that I should leave, try to run away or something, but it’s as if my feet are bolted to the floor, and I’m stuck in this moment of time.

  “Blake, babe, are you okay?” The concern in Derrick’s voice is evident, but I can barely register what he’s saying because my eyes are still locked onto Landon’s. As we stare at each other, I notice out of the corner of my eye Derrick looks from me to Landon and then back to me again. I can tell he’s putting two and two together. Landon breaks away from my gaze clearing his throat trying to regain his composure.

  “Blake, we need to talk.” I hear the iciness in Derrick’s voice as he snaps. He walks with a purpose towards me scowling. With his long strides, he’s in front of me in a matter of seconds. I can’t deal with this right now.

  Shaking my head frantically I rip my arms out of Rachel and Dean’s grasp. Panic seizes me as I croak, “I…I ha…I have to go.” Stammering like a complete and utter idiot warm tears cascade down my face as everyone tries to comprehend what I just said.