by Ray, Shamara
I heard the running water in the bathroom. I tossed the clothes on the couch and then wandered down the hallway, pausing outside the bathroom door. I turned the knob quietly and entered the steam-filled room, closing the door behind me. I pulled the shower curtain back and Melina startled. Her hair was wet and soap bubbles were streaming down her body. I shed my shorts and stepped into the shower behind her. I rubbed the front of my body against the back of hers, reaching around to squeeze her breasts.
I guided her hands to the shower tiles in front of her, gripped her hips and then entered her pussy from behind. I was in so deep, in more ways than one.
CHAPTER FORTY
MELINA
After my interlude with Malik in the shower, we went to our respective rooms. I lay across my bed in my robe, head wrapped in a towel. Every time I nodded off, my eyes popped back open. It was three-thirty in the morning and my mind raced. Guilt battled with disbelief, confusion and shame. My head throbbed and my stomach ached. It was the tequila having its revenge and I deserved it and more.
I had done the unthinkable. I recklessly cheated on Ellis. My fiancé. Nothing that had transpired between us gave me license to be with another man. Not just any man, but Malik. The man Ellis didn’t want me living with in close quarters.
I placed my hand on my churning stomach, hoping to soothe it, but my thoughts drifted to Malik’s hand pressed against my stomach as he sexed me from behind in the shower. My stomach lurched. I wasn’t sure if repulsion or exhilaration was the culprit. I was so ashamed of what I had done, but it was impossible to ignore how good Malik made me feel. I fell asleep trying to figure out how I would face Ellis and Malik in light of what had transpired.
• • •
“Mel, wake up. Mel.”
I roused to Malik calling my name from the doorway of my bed-room. The phone was ringing. My head . . .still pounding. “What?” I croaked.
“You need to answer that. Your boy has been ringing the phone nonstop for the past ten minutes. He lets it ring, gets the voice-mail and then calls back.” Malik turned and left, closing the door after him.
I rolled my head to the side to look at the clock. Five a.m. The ringing stopped and then immediately started again. I hadn’t heard it in my comatose state. I reached over to the nightstand and picked it up. “Hello,” I said in a voice that hardly sounded like my own.
“Lina? Is that you?”
As soon as I heard the fear in his voice, the guilt crashed down on me tenfold. “It’s me, Ellis.”
“I was so worried about you. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“I have been calling you all night—ever since you left here. I was about to call the police.”
“Thank goodness you didn’t. I’m okay.”
“I can’t believe you would drive off in a snowstorm—”
“Not now, Ellis.”
“Fine. I’m sending a car for you.”
“No, I’ll make my way back there in a few hours.”
“I don’t think so. The roads are terrible and I think you need to get here before your parents come down for breakfast. I didn’t disturb them when you left. As far as they know, you’re still here—you never left.”
I knew he was right. I did not want to drag my parents into my drama. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good.” He hung up without a good-bye.
I struggled to lift my body from the bed and over to my dresser. I pulled out the most comfortable thing I could find to wear. An oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings. I sunk my feet into my Ugg boots and went about tackling my hair. It was damp and waving up on me. I pulled it back into a ponytail bun and threw on a knit hat. There was no help for the dark circles under my eyes.
I went into the bathroom and washed my face and brushed my teeth. I dotted on a bit of lip gloss, then went to the kitchen for a bottle of water. I needed to hydrate and to flush the tequila from my system.
Malik was stirring in his room, but he didn’t come out. I spotted my bra and panties on the sofa next to his tank top that he used to wipe his semen from my stomach, and a fresh pang of guilt hit me. I tossed my underwear and my cell phone in my purse, then left the apartment to wait downstairs for the car to take me back to Long Island.
I dozed off on the ride. As the car pulled into the driveway I saw Ellis standing at the front door, still wearing his clothes from the day before. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.
Ellis held the door open for me as I entered the house. I removed my coat and boots with him looming over me. I shut the closet door and turned to see his outstretched hand. I paused a moment before grasping it. He headed toward the staircase, my hand in his. We went into his bedroom and closed the door.
Ellis released my hand and pulled me into an embrace. “I get it, Lina. I’m sorry.”
I leaned back, so I could see his face. “Ellis—”
“I am sorry.” He led me over to the settee at the end of the bed. “I know my mother can be difficult, but I honestly believe she has good intentions. Now before you say anything, let me finish. Obviously, there’s a serious issue between the two of you. I intend to do everything I can to rectify the problem.”
“Ellis, you’re part of the problem. You facilitate your mother’s behavior.”
“She’s my mother. She has such a different outlook on how to treat people. It’s hard for me to admit this, but she’s so accustomed to interacting with people of her own ilk, that sometimes she’s a bit callous to others. I had hoped that she would see the beauty that I see in you and love you like a daughter.”
“It’s not likely.”
“I think it would have been different if my father was still here. He loved you, Lina. He would have never abided by Mother treating you the way she does. He kept her grounded. She would’ve followed his example and truly welcomed you into this family.”
“But your father isn’t here.”
His shoulders hunched. “I know. It’s times like these when I miss him. There are so many days when I need to talk to him about work . . .about life . . .just about anything. There were so many things left unsaid between us.” Ellis seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a minute. “He would know what to do about my mother—I don’t.”
“So what do you expect me to do?”
“Let me handle her.”
“You have failed miserably in that department. If your father wouldn’t have tolerated your mother’s behavior, why do you?”
“I promise you, I will make things right.”
“I want to believe you, but—”
“Last night, when I couldn’t find you, it was unbearable. I didn’t know if you were safe or not. The thought that I drove you from the house, and something could have happened to you, was maddening. The prospect of having to account to your parents and explain to your father that I didn’t take care of his baby girl scared the hell out of me. I swore that if you returned safely that I would move heaven and earth to bring peace to our family. We are a family, Lina. You’re my future wife. I love you.”
I began fidgeting with my hands, turning my ring around my finger as I tried my hardest to hold back tears. “I love you,” I whispered with a hoarse voice.
“I know we’ve discussed it before, but I want you here with me. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be living together. We can start packing your things this week.”
I nodded.
Ellis leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Things will get better.” His kisses trailed down to my neck. “Trust me.”
Trust. I had violated our trust. A tear rolled down my cheek. Ellis drew me onto his lap, planting kisses all over my face. He ended with a lingering kiss on my lips that nearly made me start bawling. Ellis led me over to the bed. We laid on top of the duvet, fully clothed, and spooned. Ellis on his bed with clothes on—I suppose people do change.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
MALIK
I was at the window, staring down at a snow plow boring
a narrow path in the middle of the street, while burying the cars parked at the curb. There would be a lot of pissed people trying to dig their cars out later. The snow had stopped and the sun was shining bright, but it was cold, and the wind was still brutally whipping out there.
I heard Melina when she left the apartment at five-thirty a.m. obviously heading back to her fiancé. I knew she had to go back, but nevertheless it was fucking with me. She left without even speaking. What was I expecting? Some crazy shit went down last night. What was there to say about it?
I walked over to the couch and turned to the news on the television. The news anchor cautioned people to stay off the roads if they didn’t need to travel. There were airport delays and many businesses were opening late. That was all I needed to hear. I would be cooped up in the apartment all day, but unlike yesterday, there would be no drinking. No more wallowing in anger. I’d spend my day working on my business plan. The first thing I needed was a hot cup of coffee. I hadn’t slept much after I “showered” with Melina. I could still feel me inside of her; she covered me like a glove. I shook the thought from my head. It would be a long day if my mind kept wandering to what took place in here last night.
I couldn’t explain it, but I wished she hadn’t left. I wanted her near me. I understood it was improbable—her parents were in town. Melina was doing what she had to do and I needed to do the same. I went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of coffee. I set up shop at the kitchen table and got busy on my plan.
I got a text from Terrence at noon, saying that the snow couldn’t stop him and he was on his way over. College football was on all day and my boy wanted to hang. I had put in two solid hours of work, so I was down.
I straightened up the living room and then made some hot wings to grub on while we watched the game. I was throwing some frozen fries in the oven when the buzzer rang. I gave Terrence a brotherly grip at the door. “Come on in and get comfortable, man. Make sure you kick off those snowy boots.”
Leave it to my boy to tote cold beer in with him. “Put these in the fridge, Malik.” He handed the beer to me, then got situated in front of the TV.
I returned from the kitchen with a tray of wings. “Man, Dru let you out of the house after the storm we just had?”
“C’mon, man. You know I call the shots,” he said, laughing.
“Hold up. Let me get that on tape.”
“Nah, man. You know what’s said between brothers stays between brothers.”
“Oh, no doubt. That’s why I’ll play the tape for her, instead of telling her.”
He howled. “I’d have to revoke your players’ card for that infraction.”
“Man, your players’ card disintegrated once you got engaged.”
“You got jokes.”
“All day.”
“Well, you can take five while I go wash my hands.” He left the room, laughing to himself.
I poked fun at him, but I was glad he found Dru. She made him a better man. We had been partners for a long time and got into lots of trouble together. I remember one time we went to Atlantic City for the weekend. We met a set of twins from A.C. at the casino. Sherri and Berri were their names. We argued over which one of us would get Berri. Never mind that they were identical and equally hot. We figured with a name like Berri, she had to be the freaky one. We spent the night gambling, drinking and getting to know the twins much better. They came up to our room and things happened. It was a wild Saturday night. We both had Berri. We both had Sherri. In the morning, the twins asked us to give them a lift home. They gave us directions, not to their house, but to their father’s church. He was a minister. He was standing at the entrance to the church greeting his parishioners and saw us when we pulled up. He walked up to the car, scowling until Sherri and Berri introduced us as their college classmates that would be coming to service that morning. They dragged Terrence and me into the church. Four hours later, we were still sitting in the front pew, listening to their father’s fire and brimstone sermon. At one point Terrence nodded off and the minister called him out from the pulpit. As soon as the benediction was read we shot out of there. Sherri and Berri were on our heels, but we were too fast for them. We jumped into the car like Starsky and Hutch and peeled out of there, tires screeching all the way down the street. We’ve got a million stories like that—and worse—that stay between us. At least Terrence had the good sense to change direction. I was still adding to the storybook collection.
• • •
I was chuckling when Terrence walked back into the living room.
“What’s funny?” he asked.
“Sherri and Berri.”
“Aw, man. I let you get me into some situations back in the day.”
“I got you into situations? We both know that ain’t true. You corrupted my ass.”
“I prefer to call it mentored.” Terrence laughed. “But you took it to a new level.”
“Man, go head. I’m not even trying to listen to you rewrite history.”
“I know the truth hurts. I’m going to grab a beer. You want one?”
“Nah, I’m abstaining from the liquor today.” I told Terrence about losing my job and Kai’s disappearing act. “I put a hurting on the Patron yesterday. The bottle is as dry as a desert.”
“Dude, you drank an entire bottle of tequila?”
“I had a little help.”
“Kai stayed here drinking with your angry drunk ass?”
“Me and Mel.”
“Me and Mel?”
“We had sex last night,” I blurted out.
“Man, what the fuck? Tell me you didn’t.”
“I wish I could.”
Terrence muted the television. “Malik, what are you doing, man?”
“I wanted her, T.”
“Oh, you wanted her? Just like that. You couldn’t control yourself?”
“Come on, man. Don’t bust my chops. I’m wrestling with this shit. Last night things just happened. We were talking and I made a move.”
“Malik . . . ”
“I know, man. She was pissed at her man and came home. We both just got caught up in the moment. T, it was crazy. I started touching her and then we started kissing. We went at it raw, man. That’s how crazy it got in here.”
Terrence shook his head from side to side. “Now what?”
“I don’t know,” I mumbled.
“Where is she now?”
“She went back to Long Island.”
“Back to dude.”
“Her parents are in town. She had to go back.” I wondered to myself whether she would’ve gone back to Ellis’s if her parents weren’t there.
“I don’t know if you want my advice, but I’m going to give it to you anyway. Leave Melina alone. She’s about to get married, man. Respect her situation.”
I silently nodded. I didn’t have a rebuttal for Terrence. I took the remote and unmuted the television. The referee was calling a play on the field. Offsides. I waited for the penalty.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
MELINA
When my mother and I returned from dress shopping, Daniella was at the house. She gave me a big hug when I came through the door. I introduced her to my mother and she bestowed her with the same effusive greeting. She was so sweet. I hoped Daniella would never become like her mother.
“Did you find a dress?” Daniella asked.
“Actually, we did,” I responded.
“And it’s beautiful,” my mother said, beaming.
“I can’t wait to see it. I know Melina is going to be a beautiful bride.”
“I also found the bridesmaids’ dresses. I’m going to coordinate a fitting for you, Charlee and Giselle, in a few weeks. So keep your calendar open.”
“Just let me know when and I’m there. Everyone’s in the sitting room,” she said, rushing us along. “We were waiting for you to get back. Ellis said he wanted to share something with the family.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a second. Mom, you can go with Daniell
a. I need to take a couple of aspirin for my headache.” I wondered what was up. Ellis hadn’t made me privy to any announcement he wanted to make.
I went up to Ellis’s bathroom to get the pills from his medicine cabinet. My head had been aching all day. The tequila, combined with a lack of sleep, was taking its toll. Earlier, Ellis and I had dozed for about an hour before he got up. He practically had to use a cattle prod to get me up and running. After he left the bathroom to get dressed, I went in and closed the door behind me. I inspected my body from head to toe to make sure there was no physical evidence from my night with Malik. I checked for love bites, scratches or anything that wasn’t supposed to be there. There was slight redness where Malik had repeatedly slapped my ass in the shower, but other than that, all was clear. I took a scalding hot shower, trying to let the lingering memory of the night before drain away. I just needed to get through the weekend with my family and then I could deal with what I had done. I wanted to ask my mother if we could cancel our plans to go dress shopping, but I knew she wouldn’t understand. Hell, I didn’t even understand. All I knew was that shopping for a dress after my night with Malik didn’t feel right. When I finally went downstairs to meet my mother, she asked if everything was okay. Obviously the concealer I applied on the dark circles beneath my eyes wasn’t covering up a thing. I assured her I was fine and we headed to the bridal shop. On the ride over, I caught her peeking at me. I could tell she wanted to ask me something, so I preemptively started a random discussion. Thankfully, by the time we began to look at dresses her concern had dissipated. I must have tried on at least twenty gowns before we settled on the very first one in which I had started. It was an organza A-line gown, with a fitted bodice, sweetheart neckline and a long, sweeping train. I knew it was the one. Posing in the mirror, I was picture-perfect. In reality—nothing was further from the truth.
I interrupted my father’s entertaining recollection of how he used to chase my boyfriends off when I was younger. They were all laughing at his exaggerated tale of inciting fear in any guy that dared to ring his doorbell.