Something Just Ain't Right

by Sheena Binkley

  Once Lamar got his order he went straight over to Hayley’s table. I gave the side eye, wondering if I should even walk over there, but Hayley saw me staring at her, so I didn’t have a choice.

  “So, I see you’re hanging out instead of studying.”

  “So nice to see you too, Lamar. I’m doing great, by the way.” Hayley retorted with a sly smile.

  “Don’t start, Hales.”

  “Start what? Honestly, I didn’t think I would be going to college with my dad, but I guess I am with how you’re talking to me.”

  Lamar rolled his eyes while I grinned.

  “Someone has to watch over you.”

  “Lamar, how many times do I need to tell you that I can take care of myself? I don’t need you to protect me.”

  “Maybe not now, but eventually, you will.”

  “Trust me, Lamar, Hales is in good hands.” Brandon said as he snuggled closer to her. I wanted so bad to chop that damn arm off of him.

  Hayley looked at me. She quickly looked away and got up from the booth.

  “I’ll be back.” She said to everyone. She went in the direction of the restrooms, which gave me an idea. Paula stared at me and shook her head, but I didn’t care.

  “I’m going to the restroom.” I told Lamar and went behind Hayley.

  As soon as she was going around the corner, I grabbed her and pulled her back to the wall. She stared directly into my eyes with a displeased look.

  “What do you want, Morgan?”

  “I needed to talk to you.”

  “About what? You made it clear this morning when you left without saying anything.”

  “You know I had to, just in case Lamar came by.”

  “Stop it! I’m tired of you using my brother as an excuse. Just admit that you only wanted to sleep with me. Well, you got your damn wish.”

  “You know that’s not true. Hayley, I do care about you and hurting you is not something I wanted to do.”

  “Really, well you’re doing a damn good job of it.”

  “You think I want to do that when all I want to do right now is kiss those sexy lips of yours. How much I want to take you back to my place, undress you and make your body cum over and over again until I have you begging me to stop.”

  Her eyes gazed over my body as I grabbed her waist. I pinned her against the wall and kissed her. She tried to resist me, but she didn’t stand a chance. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. After last night, I didn’t know how much longer I could stay away from her. If I had my wish, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.

  She pulled me closer to her as I leaned my body against hers. She stopped kissing me and stared into my eyes.

  “What are we really doing? We danced around our feelings for years and we finally gave in last night. What would make me believe that we’ll go back to where we started?”

  “If you’re referring to this morning, just know that I didn’t want to leave you.”

  “You didn’t have to. You had a choice and you made it by walking out. I don’t know if I want to keep playing by your rules. Don’t expect me to sit around and wait for you, because I’m not.”

  “I don’t want you to, but I want to make you see that I really do care about you; I just wish things could have been different.”

  Hayley shook her head. “It can be, if you just try hard enough.”

  She pushed past me and walked back to the lounge. I cursed under my breath and punched the wall. I was trying my hardest to make her see that I could be who she wanted me to be. After last night, I would do everything in my power to make her change her mind; even if it did cost me my friendship with Lamar.

  Hayley

  After that awkward moment with Morgan, I went straight to the table and told everyone I had a headache and left. I needed to get away from there as quickly as possible, so I ended back in my room.

  I stared at the wall, trying to contemplate on what to do. I really wanted to call my mom. Besides Paula, my mom also knew I had a crush on Morgan. She figured it out one day when I was nine and was following him and Lamar around the backyard. She thought it was cute and told me maybe things could change when we both became older. Boy, was she wrong.

  I looked at my phone, wondering if I should call her, when I saw a text from Morgan. I rolled my eyes and threw it on the bed. I was not going to talk to him. Although, I wanted for us to find some leeway for a potential relationship, I knew I couldn’t. He made his decision when he left my room earlier.

  The two of us had shared some close moments together, but last night really showed that there could have been something between us. Maybe he was right; we shouldn’t have tried to pursue anything. Honestly, I didn’t know why I would want to if he was being this way. If he couldn’t stand up to my brother and declare his feelings for me, then he wasn’t someone I should be with. Plain and simple.

  There was a knock at the door and I went to it. I opened it and saw Lamar’s girlfriend, Tamara, on the other end. Ever since the two of them has been together, she has become a really great friend to me. While Paula was more of the free-spirited friend, Tamara was the reasonable one. I was always able to get good advice from her, whether I wanted to hear it or not.

  “Hey, come on in.” I said as I opened the door wider.

  “Thanks. Lamar said you wasn’t feeling well, so I brought over some notes for psych.”

  I looked at the clock on my nightstand and sighed. I didn’t even know I missed my class. Shit!

  “Thanks. I must have been out of it.”

  “I guess so. How are you feeling?”

  “Better, now; thanks.”

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with a certain guy, does it?”

  I looked at her while she gave a smirk.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  “Oh please, I know when it’s about a guy. So spill, is Brandon giving you a hard time about something? Or is it that stubborn Lamar? I told him to leave you two alone.”

  I gave a sigh of relief when she said Brandon. If she knew about Morgan, she would definitely run and tell Lamar. Those two didn’t keep anything from each other.

  “Everything’s cool, Tam.”

  “Really? I could talk to Lamar again.”

  “You don’t have to. In fact, we’re planning on going out later this week.”

  “Hopefully it’s not tonight. Some girls from the sorority and I were going to hit Onyx and I wanted to see if you wanted to come with.”

  “I don’t know. I have a lot of studying to do.”

  “Oh, well I don’t want to keep you from it.”

  “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t going.”

  Tamara smiled. “Okay, well we’re leaving at 9, so we could swing by here if you want.”

  “No, I can meet you all there. I’ll probably bring Paula though.”

  “That’s fine, but you’re taking care of her if she gets sloppy drunk.”

  “Don’t I always?”

  Tamara smiled and went to the door. “And you don’t have to worry about Lamar. He’s going out with the guys tonight.”

  “When do I ever think about Lamar?”

  “I know you don’t, but it was a reminder.”

  I nodded and Tamara left the room.

  I went back to the bed and lay down. I really did need to study, but I also needed to take my mind off of Morgan by going out and having some fun.

  ***

  After getting a few hours of sleep, I was able to start getting ready for tonight. I looked at myself in the full-length mirror, wondering if the black and grey printed minidress was the perfect outfit. I was going to try on another one, but decided I didn’t need to. I wanted to feel sexy tonight and this dress was definitely doing it for me.

  I worked my hair into a nice twist, but decided to take it down. I loved how my hair looked when it was free.

  I looked at my reflection and thought about the other night with Morgan. His kisses set my entire body on fire. The way
he was with me was a little rough, but gentle at the same time. It was as if he didn’t know whether to be one way or the other with me; as if he didn’t want to hurt me.

  I knew then that his feelings for me were a little different from the other girls he’s dated. I knew he wanted to change and in some way, he was willing to; but with his loyalty to my brother, it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. For years those two has been involved in some sort of pact that made Morgan stay clear of me. I don’t know what it was that Lamar had over him, but it had to be big. One thing I know about Morgan Carter is that he didn’t give a shit about anything and anyone; so whatever it was, it was destroying any chance of us being together.

  I looked at myself one last time before grabbing my car keys and clutch. I told Paula I would be at her room by 8:45. Hopefully she was ready to head out.

  Morgan

  I glanced at my reflection and sighed. I really didn’t want to go out tonight, but since Maurice had just dumped his girlfriend today, he felt he should have celebrated by going out. Honestly, I thought he would have taken it hard since he found her cheating with his brother, but he was taking it better than I thought. He even invited his brother along with us, but he declined, thinking he probably was going to beat his ass later. Really, after a few drinks in him, he just might have.

  One good thing about tonight was that Lamar wouldn’t be with us. He was going out with his frat brothers to a concert, so at least I didn’t have to put up a front for him. Since last night, I couldn’t even look at him in the face without thinking about Hayley. Once he found out about us, he would be pissed and probably try and kill me, but at this point, I didn’t care. I really wanted to be with her, but now, I had to show to her that I really wanted to. I let her down when leaving her earlier in the day; so now, I really have to mean it if I wanted to go all out for her.

  I put on my brown leather jacket over my black T-shirt and looked at myself again. I looked good. Hopefully tonight, I could try and have some fun.

  Once Maurice and our other friend, Caleb arrived at my apartment, we headed to Onyx. Caleb was already drunk as he stuck his head out of the window, whistling at every female that walked past the car. Couldn’t take his ass anywhere. While Lamar was the serious one, Maurice and Caleb were the fun ones. They would make you forget about your problems in an instant. So no matter what I was going through right now, I knew I would have a decent time with those two.

  “Damn, who is that?” Caleb asked while looking ahead.

  I looked in the same direction as Caleb and took in the black and grey minidress. Even though her back was turned from us, I knew that body from anywhere. Her hair was a dead giveaway as she pushed some from the side of her face.

  “Shit, that’s Hayley. Good thing Lamar isn’t here; he probably would have killed my ass.” Caleb said while laughing.

  “I don’t understand what Lamar’s deal is? Hayley is fine as shit.” Maurice added.

  “If you think so, then why you haven’t stepped to her?” Caleb asked.

  “Because I was with Shannon, which was a damn mistake. Next time, if I mention anything about online dating, just deck me.”

  “I told you about getting with someone from a dating site.” Caleb said.

  I looked at the two then back at Hayley. She finally turned around and saw me staring at her. Our eyes locked as she slowly licked her lips. She gave a sexy smile as she went inside with Paula and Tamara.

  “What was that?” Maurice asked.

  “What was what?”

  “That exchange you two did? Her licking her lips at you. Is it something you need to tell us?”

  “No, nothing at all.” I replied.

  We went inside and the latest from T.I. was bumping on the speakers throughout the club. The first thing I needed was a drink, so I headed straight to the bar. Once I ordered a beer, Hayley approached me and ordered a vodka cranberry.

  “Shouldn’t you be drinking a soda?” I asked.

  “Shouldn’t you be minding your own business?” She retorted and looked ahead.

  “What was that outside?”

  “What was what? I just thought you might have wanted something to think about on your way home to your lonely apartment later. Or for all I know, you’ll probably be getting some sleaze to take home with you. Just know she would never be me.” She said with a sly grin.

  She was right about that.

  “Hayley…”

  “Like I said earlier, you made your choice, so just deal with it. Enjoy your night.” She said as the bartender handed her drink.

  Before I could say anything else, she walked off into the crowd.

  I looked ahead at my beer and quickly drank it. I knew I shouldn’t be drinking. I usually didn’t because of my past; but tonight, I needed something to calm my nerves before I did something wreck less.

  I ordered another one and went to find an empty table. I saw Caleb and Maurice already on the dance floor with two random chicks. I sat down and looked around, spotting Hayley near the center, dancing with Tamara. Damn, she looked sexy. I was enjoying the view when Paula quickly blocked it by sitting in front of me.

  “She looks good, doesn’t she?”

  “Why are you sitting here? Shouldn’t you be looking for your next victim to date?”

  “Ha, ha, real funny Carter. If you didn’t know, I’m very happy with the guy I’m with, thank you very much.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Listen, I know what happened between you and Hales and I have to say you should stay away from her.”

  I gave her a blank stare and continued drinking my beer.

  “I know you hear me, Morgan.”

  “I heard you loud and clear. In fact, even with the music blazing everyone heard you with your loud ass.”

  “Don’t play with me, Morgan! Hales is my best friend and I do not want to see her hurt. Just thinking about what happened goes to show that you can’t handle a relationship with her, so just move along and find another girl to screw and let Hayley be with someone stable, like Brandon.”

  “Please, he can’t do anything for her.”

  “He can be a great boyfriend for her, unlike you. I know you have baggage and Hayley doesn’t need that in her life. She has a bright future ahead of her and she doesn’t need someone like you bringing her down.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about? As you can see, I’m in college like you trying to further myself, so don’t come at me like I’m not doing anything with my life.”

  She rolled her eyes at me and sighed.

  “If I didn’t know any better, you’re probably jealous because I never made a pass at you; isn’t it, Paula? You probably wondered why I never tried to get with you; just admit it.”

  “You’re full of yourself.”

  “And you wished I wanted to fuck you.”

  She jumped up from the table and tried to grab my drink to throw at me, but I was too quick.

  “You’re a fucking pig.”

  “And I’m speaking the truth about you. In my opinion, Hayley deserves a better friend than you.”

  She turned around and walked onto the dance floor.

  I laughed and drank the rest of my beer. That’ll get her to leave me alone.

  I continued to watch the dance floor when my phone started to vibrate. I dug into my pocket and looked at the name flashing across the screen. I sighed and put it back into my pocket. I knew I should answer it, since it was my mom, but I couldn’t. Not right now. That’s the third time she’d called today. Normally, she only called once a week, but I knew when she did multiple callings; it was only to talk about what happened.

  That’s a part of my life that I didn’t want to relive. I had to move past that and actually be happy. I couldn’t have a constant reminder of that night and the consequences it has caused me. I guess that’s why I was the person I am today. I tried to block it out anyway I could, even if it was being with multiple women.

  The sudden mood change made
me get up and head back to the bar. I needed another drink.

  ***

  After an hour later and three beers in me, it was time to head out. I wasn’t feeling the atmosphere as I glanced at Maurice and Caleb still dancing with the same girls from earlier. Now I wished I had driven my car. Since they were my ride here, I couldn’t leave.

  I sat at the same table, when a girl came over wanting to dance with me. I waved my hand away and the girl pouted and stormed off.

  “Whatever.” I mumbled. That was the fourth girl who came up to me. Normally, I would have probably danced with one of them and tried to fuck her in the bathroom, but I wasn’t trying to go there tonight. The only thing I wanted to do was finish out this night so I could go back to my place and crash.

  I was checking my phone when I heard someone shouting and glanced over to the center of the dance floor. I saw the huge crowd surrounding something that was going on. I got up and went over to the scene with a curious glance. I stopped and saw what was happening. I saw Hayley dancing on some dude. Her dress was hiked up to her waist. She was slowly grinding on him as if she was having sex with him.

  I glanced at the scene and shook my head. Why would she do this to herself? Evidently, she was drunk.

  I pushed my way through the crowd and went over to her. I picked her up and put her over my shoulder when the crowd started booing.

  “Put me down!” She yelled as she started hitting my back.

  I ignored her as I continued out to the door. I didn’t know where the hell Tamara or Paula was, but they should have been keeping an eye on her, especially since she was drunk.

  I went over to the parking lot and to her car. I still had her over my shoulder when I realized she didn’t have her keys.

  “Shit.” I said.

  “Ha, can’t find my keys, huh.”

  “Does someone have your things, Hales?”

  “No, they’re in my bra, so you’re going to have to search me.” She said and giggled.

  I sighed and put her on her feet. I leaned her against the car, wondering if I wanted to do this.