Jaylin

by Brenda Hampton

“My body looks pathetic, I know. So does your face, especially when you come here acting as if the sight of me sickens you. But to answer your question, Jaylene is not here. She’ll be home tomorrow. All you had to do was call your mother or Nanny B to find that out.” I leaned against the door, posing as I crossed my arms. “Now, is there anything else, and do you still want to come inside?”

  “Nokea,” Travis yelled. “Come on! I’m ready to go.”

  A smirk was on my face. I was so sure he was ready; he wouldn’t dare allow Nokea to stay much longer. She ignored Travis while struggling to keep her eyes focused on my face.

  “Maybe I should have called my mother, but oh well. I wanted to stop by and thank you, again, for all of your help with the fashion show. You left before I could say thanks.”

  “You had plenty of time to thank me, but I assume you didn’t want anybody’s feelings to get hurt by mentioning me. Travis wouldn’t approve, but it’s all good, baby. You’re welcome, and before you get yelled at again, allow me to return to my bedroom and encourage you to have a good night.”

  This time when I closed the doors, Nokea walked away. My only thought was, fuck her and that sorry-ass thanks. It had come too late. I no longer needed it.

  SCORPIO

  I was too smart. Too beautiful. Too sexy. Too creative in the bedroom. Too caring, and too in love with myself, and with my children, for me to accept a man who wasn’t worth millions. In return, I gave that man all of me and then some. Jay Baby could vouch for that; Lord knows I’ve been down with him for a very long time. I had his back, he had mine. While we decided a few years ago to cut the sex, we still managed to have a respectful relationship, especially for the sake of our children.

  Without sex, I found myself loving him even more. I looked forward to our family days together, and most of the time, Jaylin was a joy to be around. He was still overly confident, still in control of what he was allowed to control, still a bit demanding when it came to our kids, but I could deal with that. I could deal with his mood swings, too, and at the end of the day, there was no question in my mind that Jaylin Rogers loved me as best as he could.

  But this was a new day. His love wasn’t good enough. I needed more. I needed a man to hold me at night, make me feel safe and secure, and, yes, a wealthy man who could take good care of me. I needed to know that I was his number one. Jaylin could never offer me that, and I would be a damn fool if I opted to be with another man who wasn’t on the same level as him. There was too much power in this V, for me to settle for anything less. Thankfully, I met a man who offered me nearly everything my heart desired.

  Mario S. Pezzano was my new man and soon-to-be husband. Tomorrow was our big day. My wedding planner was the absolute best. Her services had cost a pretty penny, but her price was so worth it. My sister, Leslie, and her kids were on their way to Florida. So were a few of my other friends from St. Louis who were only coming to my wedding to be nosy. Jaylin, Nokea, Nanny B, Jackson, my uncle and the kids would be there. So would my housemaid, Loretta, and a few other ladies we hung out with from time to time. The other guests were all on Mario’s side of the family. We were expecting over four-hundred people tomorrow. I was getting a little nervous, but I hoped that my bachelorette party this evening helped to put me at ease.

  Until then, Mario and I made plans to show Jaylin the mansion we would soon call home. He’d made a big fuss about where the kids would live. We didn’t mind giving him a tour not one bit. Besides, I couldn’t wait to give him the keys back to the penthouse he’d purchased for me years ago. He said he was going to put it up for sale. Hopefully, he’d get most of his money back; I predicted that he would. Our new place was only fifteen minutes away from Jaylin’s house. It was nearly 21,000 square feet, had six bedrooms, 7.5 baths and two kitchens that would be utilized by Loretta, more than me. The moment I saw the place, I had to have it. I was sold on the grand staircase that traveled from the basement to the upper level. The marble floors throughout made the place look fit for a king and queen. The master suite was to die for, and the kids’ rooms were even more spacious than the ones they’d had at Jaylin’s house. Mario wanted me to have whatever I wanted—my happiness was important to him. He also had me spoiled rotten. When it came to proving his love for me, he had gone above and beyond my requirements. In addition to that, we had a fun and exciting relationship. I loved his family, and most of them, not all, loved me, too. Maybe because I have Italian blood running through my veins—I’m sure that was why many of them approved.

  I was standing in the kitchen drinking cranberry juice when Jaylin came in. A big problem I always had with him was, he never knocked, just came right in. Mario had a problem with that as well. That was why after we got married, he wanted us to have our own place, where only him and me had keys.

  I put the glass on the counter, looking at Jaylin as he stood casually dressed in jeans and a silver, soft cotton shirt that rested on the muscles in his carved chest and biceps. His healthy curly hair was sharply lined, sexy goatee suited his chin to perfection, and his soft-to-the-touch lips were made for sucking. His attitude, though, sucked.

  “We need to hurry this up because I have somewhere else I need to be by noon,” he said. “Where is Mario?”

  “He said we could meet him at the house. I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer your phone.”

  “Too late. I’m here now, so let’s go.”

  “Can’t you wait until I go put on my shoes and get my purse?”

  “I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  I walked off to my bedroom, wearing a pair of white, wide-legged linen pants with a matching, crisscross top that showed much of my butterscotch skin tone. My hair was down and full of loose, wavy curls that flowed many inches past my shoulders. It had grown so long that I wasn’t even sure what I was going to do with it tomorrow. I sat on the edge of my bed, slipping into my strappy sandals that showed my perfect pedicure. My nails had just been done too—it was one less thing I had to do tomorrow, before my wedding. I sprayed on a dash of sweet smelling perfume, grabbed my purse, and then headed back to the kitchen where Jaylin stood, looking at the TV mounted above the fireplace. His eyes shifted to me—he studied me with those mesmerizing eyes.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am. Are we going in my car or yours? Before you answer, what’s up with your funky attitude? Who done pissed you off or how much money did you lose this week?”

  “To answer your ridiculous questions, there is no way in hell I’m riding with you because you can’t drive. My life is too valuable. I have an attitude because I don’t like when people change plans at the last minute. Pertaining to my money, I never lose. Now, go get your panty-less self in my car and let’s go.”

  I happily paraded in front of Jaylin, just to confirm that I wasn’t wearing any panties. It didn’t surprise me one bit that he had noticed.

  I hadn’t had the pleasure of riding in his Maybach, but the kids told me all about it. The second I got in and opened my compact mirror to put on some ruby-red lipstick, he started complaining.

  “Really, Scorpio? You gon’ do that shit in here with my white leather seats? You should have put that on while you were upstairs.”

  “I would have, had you not rushed me out of there. So be quiet and chill. You’re starting to irritate me. Besides, why would you purchase a car like this, knowing that the kids are going to mess this up? I can see Justin’s chocolate hands all over these seats. Are you going to fuss at him when he touches them?”

  “Nope. Never.”

  “Then why are you fussing at me over lipstick? I guess I don’t get a pass, huh?”

  “As a matter of fact, you don’t. So put the lipstick away and sit quiet like a good girl.”

  Just to piss him off, I kept the lipstick tube in my hand, pretending to scribble on the dash with it. He attempted to snatch it, but when he grabbed it, the tube dropped on the white carpet, leaving a mark. I covered my mouth, my eyes grew wide.
Jaylin’s brows scrunched inward.

  “See, this is exactly what the fuck I was talking about. Damn, Scorpio. You be tripping!”

  I couldn’t believe how mad he was. Displaying a frown, he sped to the nearest gas station so he could tend to the red tiny stain that really wasn’t that big of a deal. I messed with him as he used a rag and stain remover to take care of the mark.

  “Looking good,” I teased. “Get that spot. Get it good, baby, and don’t hurt yourself down there.”

  Jaylin cut his eyes at me and continued to doctor the stain. I kept bugging him.

  “By any chance, do you think you could close the top, before you drive off? My hair is blowing all over my head, and it’s really getting messed up.”

  He ignored my request. After he removed the stain, he drove off with all of the windows lowered so my hair could blow even more. I provoked him, again, by pulling out another tube of lipstick. That made him swerve the car over to the curb.

  “Call Mario to come pick you up right now. I refuse to ride in this car with a messy ass woman.”

  “I’m not calling Mario to tell him anything. Drive and stop being so ridiculous. You just want me to get out of here so you can flirt with that chick behind us. She’s been following us for a while. I assume you must know her.”

  Jaylin snatched his sunglasses away from his eyes, squinting while looking in the rearview mirror. When the light changed, the woman in the car drove by us. She smiled and waved at Jaylin. He nudged his head, saying that it was someone he’d known from somewhere, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

  I laughed and shook my head. “And here I was thinking that you couldn’t even get that thing up anymore. I guess you got it up for her, because she’s been following us for a loooong time.”

  “No she hasn’t. She was only behind me for two minutes. As for getting it up, I just can’t get it up for you. It can get up real high, if I want it to. Trust me.”

  We’d had this little debate plenty of times before. Honestly, I did not know who Jaylin had been having sex with. Whoever it was, he kept her/them a secret. I knew for sure it wasn’t Nokea, and the kids never mentioned seeing anyone with Jaylin. I popped up at his house quite often. No one was ever there. There had to be somebody, probably women who lived in other cities. It was impossible for Jaylin to go months and months without having sex.

  “If you say you can still get it up, cool, I believe you. But since you’re not getting it up for me or Nokea, who are you getting it up for?”

  Jaylin pressed on the accelerator and drove off. “None of your damn business. I don’t know why you’re so concerned about me. Aren’t you getting married tomorrow? I’m sure Mario wouldn’t approve of the questions you’re asking me. He may think you’re trying to get some.”

  “Why settle for some, when I can have plenty from a man who gives me every single thing I want? That wouldn’t be the reason why you’re so bitter today, would it be?”

  Jaylin pressed on the brakes at the red light, looking at me with seriousness in his eyes. “I assure you that I am in no way bitter about you getting married tomorrow. I am so glad to finally get rid of you for good, and I can’t wait to throw you out of my penthouse so I can sell it. Mario can have you. He is a much better man than I am, and to be frank, your ass has gotten too expensive to be in my circle.”

  I laughed then reached over to touch the soft curls in his trimmed, coal black hair. “Baby, as hard as you may try, and as happy as you may be tomorrow at my wedding, you need to know one thing. You’ll never be able to get rid of me. I’ll be yours forever.”

  “Very few things last forever—that would not be related to us. And if I have to walk you down that aisle myself, just to get you out of my circle, I promise you I will.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll walk myself. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, as I wouldn’t miss telling you that this car is so Jaylin Rogers. You look good in it, and if I was still in your circle, I would have me one just like it.”

  All Jaylin did was laugh. I knew I could get him to perk up, even if it was just a little. I didn’t think he was jealous or bitter about the wedding. I already knew how he’d felt about us. That was why Mario was now my number one. I had a real connection with him, too.

  As soon as we arrived at the house and entered through the front doors, Mario was coming down the staircase with a sexy smile etched on his cleanly shaven face. His sleek hair always appeared wet, and was neatly slicked back to the tip of his shoulders. The peach shirt he wore was unbuttoned at the top, displaying minimal fine hair on his chest. His white, straight-legged pants tightened on his legs; his slender build was packed with tight muscles. Looking polished and handsome as ever, he made me feel proud to soon call him my husband.

  “There she goes,” he said, admiring me with his deep-set green eyes. “The love of my wonderful life.”

  Glee was in my eyes as I stood waiting for him to join us in the foyer. Jaylin was next to me, looking up at the high cathedral ceiling and expensive crystal chandelier that hung from it. He had to remove his sunglasses, just to get a better view of things. As he examined his surroundings, Mario eased his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. He rubbed his pointed nose against mine, smiled and then assaulted my lips with his. I loved how his attention was always focused on me. The way he searched into my eyes clearly showed how he’d felt about me. If Jaylin wasn’t here, we definitely would have been doing something more than just tasting each other’s lips.

  Mario backed away from me and reached out to give Jaylin dap. “Come on, man,” Mario said. “Let me show you around. It’s laid out. The whole place is sick, and we got it all hooked up for the kids.”

  Jaylin seemed to be in a better mood. “I’m sure y’all do, but the only things I’m really interested in seeing are the kids’ rooms. Are they upstairs?”

  “Yes,” Mario replied, politely. He reached out to hold my hand. “Follow us.”

  While continuing to hold my hand, we all made our way up the grand staircase that had a black twisted rail. A gold colored plush carpet was on the stairs, our feet sunk into it with each step. Jaylin was behind us; I couldn’t help but to wonder what he was thinking about all of this. The first room we entered was down a long hallway, right by the elevator.

  “I think we’re going to make this Mackenzie’s room, right babe,” Mario said, looking at me for confirmation. I nodded and agreed.

  “I believe so.”

  “She’s the oldest,” Mario added. “So she needs the biggest room.”

  Jaylin looked around at the spacious room that had its own bathroom suite. It was perfect; there was nothing to complain about. He walked over to the curved windows that provided nearly the same view of the breathtaking ocean as his bedroom did. And after he nodded, we went to LJ’s, Jaylene’s, and Justin’s rooms. They were just as awesome, only smaller.

  “The decorators will be here all next week,” Mario boasted. “We asked them to tackle the kids’ rooms first. The furniture has already been ordered, we’re just waiting for it to be delivered.”

  Jaylin appeared pleased. He reached out to shake Mario’s hand. “This is nice. Real nice and I think our kids are going to love it here. Thank you. I appreciate all that you’ve done, and what you will continue to do. I’ll see you and Scorpio tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you want to see the rest of the house?” I asked.

  “Not really. I already saw what I needed to see.”

  Jaylin turned to leave, and after he was gone, Mario and I went to our master suite that was on the main level. We embraced each other while discussing our big day tomorrow.

  “I hope you get some rest, babe, because you know me and my relatives love to party hard,” he said.

  “Trust me, I know. My bachelorette party will probably be boring as heck. I’m sure I’ll be in bed by ten. What are your plans for the evening?”

  “I can’t tell. It’s a secret,” he joked and grinded against me as he continued to hold me in
his arms. “Probably a lot of naked women and a whole lot of boos. Who knows? No matter what, I’ll see you tomorrow. Three o’clock, my queen. Don’t you dare be late.”

  “Never.”

  We kissed, and after Mario made a quick phone call, we left. He dropped me off at home, and by seven o’clock that night, I was hyped and ready to get my party started. Looking sexy as ever, I rocked a metallic, see-through mini-dress with a plunging V-neck. Unfortunately for me, though, during my party, my mind started drifting elsewhere. The two half-naked men dancing around couldn’t hold my attention. Neither could all the laughter, music and drinking we’d been doing. I appreciated Leslie for throwing this party, but I just couldn’t get into it. Leslie could sense that I wasn’t being my usual self, and when we stood outside near the pool area, she inquired about my demeanor. I tossed back a shot of Vodka and cranberry juice before answering.

  “I’m fine. It’s just that I’m a little nervous about living up to Mario’s expectations of me. He’s so sweet and I love him so much. I just don’t want to disappoint him.”

  “Disappoint him how? I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

  I released a deep breath, finally telling someone what I’d been feeling inside. “Don’t take this the wrong way, because when all is said and done, I’m happier than I have ever been in my entire life. The problem is, I still have some really deep feelings for Jaylin. I know for a fact that we will never, ever be a couple again, but that doesn’t make my feelings go away. On the other hand, there’s Mario. He is my everything, but if I don’t release what I’m feeling inside for Jaylin, I think it’s going to hurt my marriage down the road.”

  Leslie stood in front of me, teasing my hair with her fingers. “Look, nobody ever said you should ignore your feelings for Jaylin. But don’t allow those feelings to fuck up everything good you have going on. Girl, many women would love to be in your shoes. And I’m not just talking about Mario’s money. He’s sweet, loves you to death, and the kids couldn’t ask for a nicer stepfather. I understand how you feel, but overtime, all of those feelings for Jaylin will dissipate. Now, changing the subject. I love your hair. It’s beautiful, but what are you going to do with it tomorrow?”