Crossroads

by Skyy

  The two friends looked at each other. They gave each other daps. Farih walked over to them with a new glass of champagne. Denise put her arm around her.

  “Hey, I just heard that your girl is arriving next.” Farih handed Cooley a new glass of champagne.

  “Well, let’s go see this. She’s gonna be surprised I’m here so early.” Cooley grinned as they headed to the door.

  Cooley, Denise and Farih watched the papz go wild when Bobby Dee and Sahara stepped out of the limo together. Bobby Dee was flashy as usual with a black tuxedo with custom Louis Vuitton Air Force Ones. Cooley felt pride as Sahara waved at the crowd. Her pink KLS mini dress looked ravishing on her body. Bobby Dee put his arm around her back as they took pictures for the crowd.

  They walked over to the MTV cameras that were set up. Cooley took a deep breath.

  Farih put her arm around Cooley.

  “He might get to walk in with her, but you get to go home with her.” Farih winked.

  Cooley kissed her on her cheek. Cooley watched a little longer while Bobby Dee absorbed all of the time in the limelight that he could. He caressed his hand up and down Sahara’s back. Sahara stood and smiled, flirting at times when he would hold on to her.

  Cooley wanted to scream. “Yeah, I don’t want to see anymore of this.” Cooley turned and walked back into the party. Denise and Farih followed.

  Cooley excused herself from Denise and Farih. She chatted with many of her industry colleagues.

  Cooley caught a glimpse of Sahara and Bobby out of the periphery of her eyes. She turned around and walked closer to the action. Bobby Dee had his arm around Sahara while talking to a group of people. Cooley watched as his hand roamed down her back, cupping her butt. Cooley couldn’t take it anymore. She made her way through the crowd, ready to rip Bobby’s head off.

  As she grew closer her eyes focused on Sahara. Sahara’s eyes were focused on Bobby Dee. Bobby pulled Sahara close, planting a sensual kiss on her lips. Cooley froze in her spot. The room started to spin.

  She started to storm over when someone held her arm.

  “Hey, you’re Cooley, right?” A beautiful girl flashed a smile at her.

  “Yeah. Do I know you?”

  “Not really. I was an intern at Jam Zone. My internship ended last week, but they still gave us tickets to the event. My name is Heather.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Heather.” Cooley shook her hand, ready to start back on her mission.

  Heather held on to her hand. “I hope this isn’t too forward of me. But you have got to be the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I used to feel so ... wild whenever you would pass by.”

  Cooley looked Heather up and down. “So why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  Heather smiled. “It was against the internship rules.” Heather walked closer, holding Cooley’s hand. Her eyes slanted, giving an alluring vibe. “But I’m not an intern anymore.”

  Cooley stared at Heather. She could tell she had a nice body from the mini dress that was hugging her frame. Cooley glanced back over at Sahara; she was still next to Bobby Dee, talking to a group of men in suits.

  Cooley turned back to Heather. “How about we go check out the sting rays?”

  Cooley took Heather by the hand. She flashed her All-Access pass to security. They walked into the exclusive VIP area.

  Heather gazed in awe at the beauty of the arctic tunnel. She looked at the fish over her head and the celebrities standing all around her. Cooley didn’t notice her excitement. She couldn’t take her mind of Sahara.

  The large viewing room that usually hosted children and parents was covered in small private booths. The gigantic viewing window combined with blue mood lighting created the perfect romantic hideaway. Cooley and Heather found an empty booth and sat down. Heather scooted her body as close to Cooley as she could. She placed her hand on Cooley’s knee and smiled. Cooley paused. She looked into Heather’s lust-filled eyes. Sahara entered her mind.

  “You know what ... I don’t think I can do this.” Cooley removed Heather’s hand from her knee.

  Heather’s smile dampened. “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

  “Nah, it’s not you.”

  Heather crossed her legs. She placed her hand on Cooley’s thigh, rubbing up and down. “Then what is it?”

  Sahara’s face entered Cooley’s mind. Cooley blinked. Flashes of Bobby Dee grabbing Sahara’s ass flashed in her mind. She could see the kiss as though it was happing right in front of her. Cooley blinked again. Heather looked puzzled.

  “Fuck it.”

  Cooley leaned in, planting her lips against Heather’s.

  ***

  “OK. I’ll see you later then.” James smiled until the cute video vixen walked away. His smiled quickly turned into a frown. The video girl was known as an easy fuck and she still wouldn’t do him. He restlessly sat in the small, hard booth. He thought about beating his meat right in the VIP booth.

  James drank the rest of his bottle of champagne. His manhood finally died down. He stood up, ready to head out to try again. He decided to set his sights on a groupie or a wannabe he could bang with promises of a career.

  James stood up and headed out of the VIP room. Something caught his eye. He turned around, his smile immediately returned. He shook his head as he spied on Cooley and some hot chick that wasn’t Sahara. Maybe his night would get exciting without sex.

  44

  Sahara couldn’t get away from Bobby Dee quick enough. She finally pulled herself away from his hooks. She was furious. Bobby Dee kissed her in front of everyone, even though he knew it was against the rules. She wanted to be back in the safety of her woman.

  “Hey, Denise,” Sahara walked up to Farih and Denise. “I’ve been looking for Cooley and I can’t find her.

  Denise scanned the crowd. “I haven’t seen her in a minute. She was near the door when you walked in. I thought she was waiting for you over there.”

  Sahara’s jaw dropped. “Oh, I hope she didn’t see what Bobby did.”

  “What are you talking about?” Denise questioned.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m gonna go try to find her.” Sahara walked away before Denise could pry.

  Sahara was becoming restless. The large aquarium offered too many areas to search, and being stopped by people every few seconds didn’t help either. Her text messages to Cooley were going unanswered. She knew something was wrong; she could feel it in her stomach. Her performance time was drawing close and she wanted to find Cooley before she hit the stage.

  Sahara noticed the VIP sign hanging under the Ocean Voyage exhibit. She knew that was her last bet. Sahara walked past the DJ booth, smiling and waving at associates.

  “Sahara.”

  Sahara turned when someone caught her arm. She rolled her eyes. “Hey, James.”

  James stood with his devilish grin. Thoughts of how to get away from him quickly ran through her mind. He took a sip from a glass of champagne. “Looking for someone?”

  Sahara put her guard up. “Actually I am, so I have to go.” Sahara turned around but James managed to grab her arm.

  “Chill out. I know who you are looking for.” He gulped down the last of the bubbly. He picked up the champagne bottle. “You are looking for Wade.”

  “Actually yes, I am. But don’t worry I’m not going—”

  “It’s cool, Sahara.” James smiled. “I know how much you care about her. I meant to tell you how sorry I am about tripping over you two.”

  Sahara’s eyes slanted. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” James flashed his pearly whites. “I just told Cooley the same thing.”

  Sahara’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen her?”

  “Yeah, I told her about the VIP area. It’s real secluded, bunch of naughty shit going on in there. She went to go secure a table, for you.”

  Sahara’s stomach filled with butterflies. The bad feeling disappeared. “Thanks.”

  “Wait.” James handed the bottle of champagne to Sa
hara. “Take this. I really do wish you all the best. You make a ... great couple.” James flashed his smile again.

  Sahara gave a friendly nod and walked away. She didn’t know what came over James. She figured the champagne had something to do with it.

  James watched as Sahara walked through the crystal beads hanging from the entrance of the VIP area. He knew he couldn’t walk in right with her. It would be too obvious. James waited a moment then headed behind her.

  “James, this is your lucky night after all.”

  45

  Lena stood on her balcony. The night view of the Memphis Bridge was the only thing keeping her calm. She held the piece of paper her doctor gave her in her hand. She wanted to let go of it, act as if it didn’t exist. But the baby inside of her wouldn’t disappear that easily.

  She heard the door unlock. Brandon walked into the house. Lena took a deep breath. She opened her eyes wide. The cool breeze helped to dry the tears forming in her eyes. Brandon slid the balcony door open.

  “What’s up, Lena?”

  Lena could hear the attitude in his voice. “How are you?” Lena couldn’t turn around. She couldn’t face him.

  Brandon sighed. “I’m fine. You called me to come over. What’s up?”

  Lena held her hand out.

  Brandon looked down at the piece of paper in her hand. He took the paper and read it. Brandon’s heart raced.

  Tears fell from Lena’s eyes.

  Brandon looked up at Lena, who still couldn’t turn around.

  “How is this possible?” Brandon’s voice quivered.

  “The last time we had sex, it was spontaneous. We didn’t use any protection.”

  Brandon’s mind raced. He remembered the angry sex they had. The day they’d separated for good.

  He felt his legs going weak. He sat down in the chair.

  “I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to do. I’m sorry, Brandon. I ...” Lena began to choke up. She couldn’t get the words out.

  Brandon turned to his soon-to-be ex-wife. He sighed. He stood up. Brandon moved behind Lena. He placed his big hands on her arms. Lena turned around. Their eyes met.

  “Don’t cry, Lena. It’s going to be OK.” Brandon wiped the tears rolling down Lena’s face.

  “How, Brandon? How is it gonna be OK? We are divorcing. My mother won’t even talk to me. And I ... I’m a mess! I keep messing things up worse and worse. No wonder you hate me. I’d hate me.”

  “Lena, stop it.” Brandon’s deep voice rumbled. He held on to her tight. “I don’t hate you. Damnit, girl, you know I love you.”

  “But last time.”

  “I was pissed off!” Brandon threw his hands in the air. “Lena, do you know how hard it is for me to know I did this to you?” Tears rolled down Brandon’s face. “I turned you gay.” Brandon walked into the house.

  Lena’s body froze. She watched Brandon pace back and forth. He stopped, falling down on the couch. Lena ran inside.

  “Brandon, this isn’t your fault. You didn’t turn me.”

  “If I would have been a better man, you never would have gone to her.”

  “Brandon.” Lena fell to her knees. She put her arms on his knees. “I can’t explain how it happened. All I know is that it did. It wasn’t your fault or my fault. You ... you can’t help who you ... fall in love with.”

  Lena dropped her head. She couldn’t bear to look at his hurt-filled face.

  Brandon took a deep breath. He looked up and let out a long sigh. He put his hands on Lena’s shoulders. Lena’s lip trembled as she looked at Brandon’s face.

  Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off of Lena. Thoughts of the happy times ran through his mind. He put his hands under her arms and helped her to the couch. Brandon put his arm around Lena. Lena placed her head on his chest.

  “Lena, you know when we first met, you were so real to me. I was so crazy about you, even though I didn’t want to show it. I was a freshman in college crazy over a damn sophomore in high school.” Brandon cracked a smile.

  They could feel the tension clearing.

  “I remember. We used to talk about everything. You were my bestfriend.” Lena looked up at Brandon’s face. She ran her fingers through the beard he was growing.

  Brandon took a deep breath, his large chest pushing Lena up and back down.

  “What happened?” Brandon whispered.

  “I think somewhere down the road we stopped communicating the way we used to, and we grew apart.”

  “Lena, I look at some of my crew and teammates and the way they are with their exes, it’s so brutal. I don’t want that to be us. I don’t want to bring a baby into something toxic.”

  Lena sat up and turned toward Brandon. Brandon held her hands.

  “I don’t want that either. Brandon, you are the only man I’ve ever loved. You are one of my bestfriends. I think if we can just work on rebuilding our friendship, being honest with each other, we can make things work.”

  Brandon stared at Lena. “Lena ... I want you to be happy.” He fought to get the words out of his mouth. “Even ... if it’s with a woman?”

  Lena gazed into Brandon’s eyes.

  Brandon let out a loud moan. He covered his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch.

  “Damn, do you really think this is that serious? Lena, for real, can you sit here and tell me that you are gay. Can you say you never want to be with a man again?”

  Brandon’s questions hit Lena with force. She paused. Lena didn’t know the answers. She had been trying to figure it out. Was she completely gay? Did she never want to be with a man again? She still didn’t have any answers.

  They stared at each other. Lena’s hands trembled, her bottom lip quivered.

  “I ... I don’t know.” Lena held Brandon’s hand. “I don’t know if this is something that is forever or if it is something that could change. All I know is that I fell in love with someone, and that I really, really like someone else, and they both happen to be women.”

  “At one time you loved me,” Brandon said, placing his other hand on top of hers.

  “And I still love you. You are the only man I’ve ever loved. That doesn’t just go away. But I can’t deny the other feelings I have. And I think it’s something that we are both just going to have to deal with.”

  They sat in silence. Neither wanted to let go forever, but both knew that the love they felt would never be the same.

  Brandon let out another deep moan. His lips curved upward, he smirked.”

  “This would have been so much easier if you would have given me a good-ass threesome.” Brandon started to laugh.

  Lena smiled. She hit him with a pillow from the couch.

  “Ugh! OK, OK, I’ll be all right. My baby mama is a lesbo. But, damn, can you leave these nigga-lookin’ girls alone and at least get you a fine-ass bitch? Hell, you too damn fine yourself to be with these little boy-girls.” Brandon sighed. He put his arm around Lena.”

  “Yeah, let me go find an Alicia Keys to date.”

  “Hell yeah, that will work. Maybe we can do it She Hate Me style, and I can date both of you.”

  “Shut up.” Lena hit Brandon on his arm.

  They both laughed.

  Brandon wrapped his arm around Lena. She rested in his arms again. Lena still felt safe in Brandon’s arms, but she knew it wasn’t in an intimate way anymore.

  “We’re gonna be OK.”

  “Yeah, baby doll, we are.”

  Lena, and Brandon’s eyes met. Brandon leaned in, planting a kiss on Lena’s lips. They both knew that the flame that they used to feel for each other was dying out, yet a friendship was rising from the ashes.

  46

  Sahara’s body was on fire. She wanted to feel Cooley next to her. The beautiful atmosphere was making her wet in anticipation. She took a swig out of the bottle of champagne as she walked into the main VIP room. She peeked into each of the booths. Others were involved in their own affairs. She was ready to have one of her own.<
br />
  Sahara caught a glimpse of the back of Cooley’s head. She smiled, walking through the booths to the corner. She smiled, wondering what Cooley was looking at on the wall. Sahara walked closer, and she noticed a small arm wrapped around Cooley’s back. She gasped at Cooley kissing someone. Her heart pounded. She rushed over to the table.

  “So, is this the new look?” Sahara stood over the table.

  Cooley turned to face Sahara. Heather’s face filled with fear.

  Cooley sat back in the booth. “What’s good, Sahara?”

  “What’s good? You tell me.” Sahara turned to Heather. “You got five seconds to get the fuck up out of this booth.”

  Heather took heed.

  Cooley grabbed her hand. “You don’t have to go nowhere.” Cooley looked back at Sahara. “Why don’t you go back to ya date? That’s where you wanna be right.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Sahara’s high voice caused others to turn around. “You back here, fucking with this bitch because of Bobby?”

  Cooley remained calm. “You’re causing a scene.”

  “Does it look like I give a damn about a scene?” Sahara yelled. She pointed at Heather. “You better get the fuck out of here.”

  Heather was too afraid to move.

  “Don’t threaten her. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Now, like I said, go back to your little date. We’re done.”

  Cooley’s words spewed like venom. Sahara’s mouth dropped. She couldn’t speak.

  “We got a hot show coming up for y’all. Sahara is about to hit the stage in a few.” The DJ’s voice echoed through the building.

  Sahara couldn’t take her eyes off of Cooley.

  Cooley looked at her. She glanced away, unable to look Sahara in the eyes. Sahara shook her head. She took the bottle of champagne and shook it, spewing the contents all over Cooley and Heather.

  “Fuck you, Cooley.” She threw the bottle down on the table. “I hope it was worth it.”

  Sahara ran all the way out of the room. Cooley was frozen from shock and the cold champagne. Heather screamed, standing up, shaking her dress. Cooley picked up a napkin and wiped her face. She walked away, leaving the soaked Heather in the corner.