by Niquel
My eyes started to swell full of tears.
“I love you, Alecia.”
“I love you, too.”
“Hey, where are your keys? I’ll go and grab some dinner.”
“They’re in the side pocket of my bag. I’m locking the door behind you though, so you better think of a creative knock to get back in here.”
“If you don’t want your food to get cold, then you’ll let me back in regardless.”
“True, but you had still better knock first.”
“Whatever.”
Dressing himself in an all gray hooded sweat suit, with my keys in tow, he left the room and shut the door behind him. I quickly locked it and waited for him to return. No one knew where Jake was and I refused to have any surprises. I ran to the window and watched Al speed down the street. He was only gone for thirty minutes at most, but it felt so much longer sitting alone in his room.
Four quick knocks and a whistle later, I let him back in the room.
“Was that creative enough for you?” he said, while holding a bucket of chicken, and two small paper bags.
“Very, now let’s eat! I haven’t had King’s Chicken in forever.”
He took a step back through the door, and grabbed our drinks and another bag from the hallway. He pulled out a mini chocolate cake, with white frosting and chocolate chips.
“I knew you’d appreciate this, no girl can resist chocolate.”
“How thoughtful! Thanks, babe.”
After dinner I decided to go and take a nice hot shower.
“Where are you going, Ice?”
“To wash my ass, is that okay?”
“For, what?”
“I’m sure you’d like to taste something sweet, too, right?
“Damn right.”
I took a brief shower and ran back to his room to find him missing.
“Al? Where’d you go?”
I had no idea where he went, but I ransacked his closet and pulled another white oversized t-shirt off the hanger and lay back in his bed. The shirt had a saying on the front in bold blue letters, ‘If we get caught, it’s all your fault’.
“Miss, me?” he said while peering around the open door.
“Where the hell did you go that fast and why do you still have clothes on?”
“I got you something, close your eyes and open your hands.” He placed a heavy glass object in between my palms.
“Now open em’.”
“They’re beautiful!”
He had snuck off and brought me back a pretty purple vase full of white orchids.
“Since I never gave you a proper goodbye, I felt you deserved these.”
My heart pounded so heavily in my chest after hearing those sweet words that I swore it was going to explode. He stood there anticipating my response, but I was too choked up to give him one.
Placing the orchids on the floor, I ran and jumped into his arms, giving him the most passionate kiss we’ve ever shared. I pulled back his hood and ran my fingers through his chocolate brown hair.
“Come lay down with me.”
It began to rain outside and I watched as it left tiny droplets on the window screen. Embracing his warm body against mine, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. Something must have happened while I was sleeping because once I woke up the next morning Al was staring at me funny.
“Hey Ice, who’s Lance?”
“Why?” I said wiping the sleep out of my eyes.
“He kept calling your phone last night, but you were sleeping so peacefully that I didn’t bother to wake you.”
“He’s the guy from the club I told you about.”
“Well, now that I’m back, he needs to stop calling you.”
“I haven’t heard from him in weeks, so I have no clue what he wanted.”
“The same thing I want--you.”
“I’m gonna, go Al. I don’t want to get stranded out here.” I didn’t really have to go, but Lance called for a reason and I needed to know why.
“Why? Stay maybe I can show you how to fix some shit.”
“That sounds great but, I don’t have anything else to wear. I’ll come back later, I promise.”
As soon as I closed the door to my Malibu, I returned Lance’s call.
“Hey Alecia, you must have been sleeping last night, I’m sorry for calling you so much.”
“Well, what do you want Lance?”
“Just to say I’m sorry, my distance had absolutely nothing to do with you. I lost the case I had that day, and that was the first time I’ve ever lost one in my whole professional career. It was a sexual assault case and the plaintiff didn’t even show up, I guess she was afraid to testify. I didn’t want to take my frustrations out on you, so I figured once I cooled off we could pick up where we left off.”
“Lance, I can’t.”
“Why, things were going so good before this.”
“I know but-.”
“Is there someone else?”
“There was always someone else Lance, he just wasn’t around at the time.”
“I see, well I know there was definitely something magical happening between us and I still want to see how things turn out.”
“Lance, I-”
“Just give me one more chance Alecia, please. Let me take you on one last date and if you feel absolutely nothing for me, I’ll leave you alone for good.”
“I guess we can go out. When?”
“Tonight, I’ll pick you up after work around 5:30.”
“Tonight? That’s so, soon.”
“I know, but I only have one shot at this and things have to be perfect!”
“Okay, I’ll be home.”
Chapter 12 : Last Chance
The weather was still terrible; the skyline became darker and darker as it became later in the day. By the time Lance was supposed to pick me up, the torrential downpours kicked in.
I french braided one side of my hair and brushed the rest of my locks into a neat bun above the nape of my neck. The rain is not kind to my hair when it’s out. Natural curls come with natural frizz.
My phone rang and there was that sleeping pic of Al and me on my screen.
“Hey, babe.”
“Ice, I’ve been thinking, why don’t you stay the whole weekend with me, instead of just the night?
“Al, you know I can’t do that, I have a final on Monday, and I have to work. You’re a lot further away from both than when I’m at home.”
“Alright, it was just a thought. I’ll see you later then, bye”
“Bye.”
Lance pulled into the parking lot while I was on the phone with Allan and Lacey let him into the apartment.
“Sorry, I was on the phone.”
“It’s alright, it’s pouring out and I wanted to bring my umbrella in, so I could try and keep you dry.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I have tons of umbrellas in the closet.”
“I’m sure, but now you won’t have to worry about lugging it around with you.”
He opened his black over-sized umbrella and escorted me to the passenger side door. I slipped inside the yellow wonder and to my amazement not a drop of rain touched my skin.
“Where are we going?”
“To The Cheesecake Factory, have you ever been?”
“No, but I do love chocolate cheesecake.”
“They have the best cheesecake you’ll ever eat in your entire life.”
“Well, hurry up and get me there!”
There was a parking garage located right next to the restaurant, and we found a great spot on the first floor. Placing his arm around me, we walked through the double doors. The place was packed; and there was a line of people waiting to be seated.
He approached the hostess and said, “Doherty, party of two.”
“Right this way Mr. Doherty, your table is ready.” The tall brunette said, after scanning the seating chart in front of her.
“Wow, right this way ‘Mr. Doherty’ must be nice. What are
you like a VIP here?”
“No, I made a reservation over a week ago in hopes, you’d be accompanying me.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I showed up, or you would be eating alone.”
“No, I would have just brought my kid instead.”
“Wait, you have a kid?”
“Yes, a son named Junior.”
“Well if he grows up to be anything like you, he’ll make a woman very happy.”
“Thanks. So, enough about me, we need to catch up.”
The waitress interrupted our conversation to take our order.
“What can I get for you two today?”
“Fried Buffalo Rolls and a bottle of Chardonnay,” he said.
We talked for hours upon hours. Everything he ordered tasted delicious and I couldn’t wait to try the infamous cheesecake he was raving about. I ordered the triple chocolate cheesecake and I swear every crumb of it melted in my mouth.
“That was the most delicious dessert I have ever eaten!”
“I told you so.”
The waitress came over with his change and he handed her the parking garage ticket to be stamped.
“What’s that for?”
“For discounted parking, since we had dinner here they offer a flat rate when you park next door.”
“Well that’s awesome.”
Lance paid the teller fifteen dollars to let us drive underneath that annoying yellow and black mechanical arm.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Of course, I can really let my hair down with you.”
He laughed, “Gee that sounds awfully familiar.”
“Does it? I heard it once from this awesome lawyer, but I’m not quite sure what happened to him.”
“I see well maybe he’ll make it up to you, by taking you out on part two of your date tonight.”
“What’s part two?”
“You’ll see.”
I was pretty anxious and excited all at the same time. Lance always had a way of surprising me and I loved his sense of adventure.
“We’re here.”
“Really Lance, a hotel? Well this is very romantic.”
“It’s not just a hotel, and that’s not where I’m taking you, yet.” He grabbed my hand and led me onto a long wooden pier, with thin railings on each side of it. The rain had ceased just before we arrived, but the smell still lingered in the air and it was very refreshing.
The cool breeze blew through my hair as we walked along the pier. He led me down a shorter ramp towards a collection of docked sailboats. There was one in particular that I couldn’t quit staring at. It had two huge sails with strings of white luminescent lights tracing the outside.
“It’s so beautiful; I’ve never seen one of these up close before.”
“Well, you’re about to see it a lot closer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I rented it for a few hours. We can’t physically drive the boat, but I hired someone to take us out on the harbor.”
“Lance, you didn’t have to do this! This must have cost a fortune.”
“When I’m with you Alecia, money is the least of my concerns. I enjoy seeing the sparkle in your eyes, and the permanent smile you wear every time I’m around you.”
I could see the tears start to form in his eyes, he never shed any, but the glossiness remained. Lance had fallen in love with me.
“Kiss me, Alecia,” he said, while grabbing the back of my head and slipping his tongue into my mouth. I’ve never seen him be aggressive before, but I kind of liked it.
An old gray haired man escorted us onto the boat. “Y’all sure are a lovely lookin’ bunch, follow me.”
We walked across a small platform that connected us from the pier to the inside of the boat.
“Close your eyes, and take my hand.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me.” He guided me for a short walk along the boats deck.
“Watch your step. Now, uncover your eyes.”
We were on the lower deck of the boat. The wooden floors looked so smooth and glossy that I was afraid I’d slip on them. There were two metal rod’s bolted to the middle of the floor supporting the deck above, a large round booth with plush seat cushions built right in, and a wooden table that was also bolted to the floor. On the table sat two small candles and a huge round basket.
“What’s in the basket?”
“Open it and find out.”
Inside was a long black velvet box, a small tray of dark chocolate covered strawberries, and a bottle of champagne.
He grabbed the velvet box out of my hand.
“You can’t have that just yet.”
We both sat down in the booth, across from each other. I picked up the biggest strawberry from the bunch and slowly savored it. A few drops slid down the sides of my mouth and Lance started laughing at me.
“What’s so funny?”
“Looks like you’re really enjoying yourself over there.”
“Shut up, and don’t judge me. These are freakin’ delicious.”
“Let’s go back upstairs and enjoy the view of the harbor.”
The moon was shinning very bright tonight, almost as if it were a spotlight beaming directly onto the water. Tiny bubbles brushed the sides of the boat as we drove further into the harbor. Resting my hands upon the metal poles in front of me, Lance snuck up behind me and lovingly wrapped his arms around me. He pulled the velvet box out of his pocket and handed it to me.
“Open it.”
I nervously opened the box to uncover a gold picture locket.
“Lance, I-”
“You don’t have to say a word, just make sure you put someone special inside.”
“Alright you two love birds, we’re back at the dock and my shift is over. Please exit the boat safely and enjoy the rest of your night.”
Lance placed the locket around my neck before we left the pier and I remained silent the whole walk back to the car.
“Are you alright?”
“Yea, I’m fine.”
Lance opened the door for me and I sat quietly in the front seat, rubbing the gold heart back and forth between my fingers, as he drove me back to my apartment. I already knew who I was going to put inside the locket, my grandmother, Tina. She practically raised me from birth and I missed her so much. She died of cancer five years ago and not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about her. That’s why no matter what happens to my car, I patch it up and keep driving it, because it was a gift from her. I felt like she was still with me when I drove it.
“We’re here.”
“Oh- yeah, thank you for everything.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, what am I supposed to sleep with you after every date now?”
“No, it’s not like that, but I was hoping to know where we stood.”
My cell rang in my pocket before I got a chance to respond.
“Yes?”
“Hey Ice, what time are you coming over?”
“What?”
“Did you forget you were coming back over here tonight?”
“Uh, let me call you back.”
“Must have been Allan, well I guess you’d better go. Don’t let me hold you up.”
“Lance, don’t say that.”
“Alecia, you need to make a decision. It’s either him or me. I’ll give you a week to decide and then we can go from there. Have a goodnight.”
I slammed the door behind me and stormed into my apartment. What did I just get myself in to? I was torn between two great guys with two completely different personalities. The only thing they had in common was me. Allan’s strong, caring, rugged, and fucked me like no other. Lance, on the other hand, is very sweet and compassionate, takes me to different places and lets me experience things I’d only imagine in my dreams. The sex wasn’t bad either. I was too embarrassed to call Al, so I texted him instead.
Me: I’m not coming tonight, I’m exhausted.
He immediately call
ed my cell.
“What do you mean you’re not coming tonight? Ice, are you fucking kidding me right now? Why the sudden ‘change of heart’? Let me guess, Lance?”
“Shut up, Allan.”
“It’s true isn’t it? You were with him when I called, that’s why you forgot about coming over here. Ice, you need to make a decision, me or that loser. I expect an answer when you get over here TONIGHT.”
My last day of school was on Monday and now I have to deal with this. I decided to pull up my big girl panties and drive to Allan’s house anyway, arriving well after midnight.
“I’m outside, let me in.” He opened the side door and waved me over.
“Glad you saw things my way.”
“Listen, I don’t know what to do, when you left me I was a complete mess. It took me months to go anywhere besides class, and my social life completely died. Then I met Lance and he helped me get over the sadness. So, I can’t just kick him out of my life because you said so. I need time to really think about this.”
“Alright, we’ll talk about it in a week or so. But until then, I think you should remove those clothes.”
“Why?”
“Well for one, I can smell him all over you, and two I want to fuck you, so get in the shower.”
After my shower, I came back into the room. Al was waiting for me with his hand underneath the sheets.
“Take that robe off, Ice, and let me see those perfect tits.” I let the robe fall off my shoulders onto the floor, obeying his command.
“What else would you like me to do?”
“Turn around and let me see that perfect ass of yours.”
I turned around and looked back at him, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “Now, what?”
“Get over here and ride this dick.”
I got so wet hearing him say that. I walked over to him slowly, watching his erection grow bigger and bigger with every step that I took. I climbed on top of him, and slid his stiff cock inside of me. He grabbed the back of my hair and thrust himself deeply up into me. Then I took over, bouncing up and down on his rod as he clutched my hips with both hands. He let out a loud moan, which made me bounce harder before I released all over his legs, and collapsed on the bed next to him.
“Fuck, that was amazing, Ice.” he said, while kissing me on the cheek. I rolled onto my side and fell asleep.