Time seems to move in reverse as we wait for the tow truck. The officer has finished what looks to be a vandalism report. I stand feeling the chill of winter blow through my pea coat. Minnesota is worse than Chicago in the winter. When it’s cold be prepared for the frigid, crisp air. Holy hell, when it’s hot everything on your body is annoying. Not sure why anyone would want to move from here to there or vise-versa.
Must be something anatomically wrong with him. God, why is he a thought? I’m brought out of my reverie when the officer approaches me.
“Ms. Watts, if anything else like this arises, please feel free to contact me.” The officer hands me his card. It says Officer L. Chance badge #249. I look up at the officer as I try to stifle a chuckle after noticing his name.
Ford ushers me back to his vehicle; he lifts me up by my waist this time so that I’m standing on the step level. It catches me by surprise and I squeal.
“Warn me next time please.” He laughs as he closes the door before he walks back to the driver side.
“Where’s your friend?”
“He’s at Nona Rosa’s.” Ford turns to me so that I can see his face fully.
“Are you serious, Bria?”
“Yeah, Nona Rosa’s.”
“No, your best friend is a he?”
“Well, yeah, Bryant, he was at the club with us that night.”
“Which one?” He sighs as if he is irritated.
“Um, dirty blonde hair.”
“The asshole who tried to hit me.”
“What?”
“Yeah, the fucker took a swing at me when I delayed them from getting to you that night.”
“Right.” I wince, as I’m looking at Ford with an apologetic look. “I owe you.” I rub his shoulders for assurance.
“Yeah, you do.” He smirks. “The other was shitfaced. He gave me $100 to let them go.”
“Did you?”
He laughs. “I took the bill but the valet lost their keys.”
“Nice.”
“I was also off my shift,” he says.
I laugh as I nod in approval.
We’re a bit early. The restaurant looks crowded for 7:45. I had Ford take me by my house before coming to the restaurant, so I could freshen up a bit. I only changed my blouse and spritzed my hair.
Ford insists he’ll stay in the truck. I joke with him and ask if he wants to come in to make sure everything is clear.
“Ford, I can go ahead and go in so you get home.”
“I’m not busy tonight, so I’ll wait around until your party shows.” Just as quickly as he says it, Bryant pulls up in his Benz. I’ve never been a fan of Mercedes, but Bryant makes it look good. He gets out looking like a businessman. He’s dressed nice. Oh, why did I fuck Cruz? I really wouldn’t mind a Bryant sex-session tonight. I can’t seem to shake this feeling I’m having. I’m feeling a bit hot as I break out in sweat. Even pleasing myself wasn’t enough. I’m hornier than normal just sitting on this plush leather. I’m squeezing my thighs together and creating a sensation that needs to be unleashed. Oh, my God!
“Boss, are you okay? You look funny.” Ford breaks me from my thoughts.
“I’m fine, Ford. There’s my party. I’ll let you know when I make it home.”
“Okay, don’t forget,” he says while getting out of his truck to let me out. Bryant has gotten out of his car; he notices Ford helping me down from the truck. He starts to walk toward us and he looks upset. I walk ahead so that he and Ford have no contact.
“Hey, Bryant.” I smile to distract him. Bryant has always liked my smile; he says it’s attractive.
“Hey, Bree.” He hugs and kisses me on the cheek. “Why are you… um, where’s your car?”
“I’ll tell you inside; let’s go.” I turn to Ford, who’s now walking back around to the driver’s side. I mouth, “thank you.”
* * *
The restaurant smells divine. I absolutely love Italian food. It goes well with wine. Red wine. We are seated right away despite being early. We are in a private booth away from the front door near the bar.
“You still mad at me?”
“I am.”
“Bree, come on. We have been in each other’s lives for like fifteen years, you can’t take this seriously.”
“Bryant, you made me part of the deal. Would you like it if I pawned you off and made you a boy toy for someone?”
He chuckles. “I’d thank you.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say quietly.
“Bree, look, I’m apologizing to you the best way I know how. Usually we’ll choose a make-up movie, order takeout, and you know. That fixes things.”
He’s right; that’s how our make-ups go.
“I’m not sure this time, Bryant. You really hurt me.”
“You hurt me too, Bree.”
“How did I hurt you, Bryant?” He holds up two fingers, that’s his way of telling me how many times.
“Name them…”
“I wasn’t enough for you.”
“What? Bryant, stop it.”
“Bria, I don’t do it for you. You know it’s true.”
“What’s the other?” I ask him quickly, trying to change the subject.
“You fucking slapped me hard that day and it hurt.” He says, and starts to laugh.
I can’t hold it in. I begin to laugh too. “I hate you right now” I jokingly confess.
“I know,” he says while taking my hands.
“So this deal is happening Tuesday,” I say.
“I know it’s happening so fast, Bria. It’s one of the biggest deals ever.”
“I don’t need to be there, right?”
“No, I can email you the final plans to look over. Cruz is prepping his family as we speak. I just want to take this time to square everything away with you. Our friendship means the world to me, Bria. I can’t lose you to my selfish decisions.”
“Do you think you can save the company?”
“Oh, absolutely,” he scoffs.
The waitress brings bread and two glasses of water. We haven’t even looked over our menus. No need for me to. I’m aware what my meal will be tonight.
“Are you two ready to order?” the waitress asked.
“Yes, I am,” I say.
“Go ahead, I’ll have my order ready when you’re done,” Bryant tells us.
I order a starter bruschetta, lemon-blackened salmon with penne in butter-garlic sauce. I order a glass of Sweet Red just to take the edge off tonight. Bryant orders something I’ve never heard of with an entire bottle of Sweet Red. Bryant and I talk for about two hours. I find out he and Cruz have been talking every day. He hasn’t contacted me after he took me in such a way… my body’s starving for him right now. Just the thought of what he performed on me last night has my cheeks flushing red. Bryant must notice it because he calls me on it.
“You’re awfully red this evening.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. I think it’s because we’ve drunk two bottles of wine. Bryant, are you okay to drive?”
“I didn’t drink any wine, Bree.”
“Yeah, you did.”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t. I have to go sixty days without alcohol or drugs in my system. I won’t have to go to rehab; that’s the main goal.”
“The club the other night?”
He shakes his head.
“I thought you were drinking?”
“I had a club soda, maybe a few cokes, but no alcohol. Although Cruz was shitfaced, he still had enough sense to tell me that I better not try anything with you because he was wasted.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“So, Bria. What are you doing, really?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Vodka bar? The guy’s truck you got out of?”
I don’t usually lie to Bryant, but I do what I normally do when he asks me anything I don’t want to disclose.
“You know Mr. Wilke has me doing quite a few things for him.”
“Right.”
He nods. “So these guys are just work-related?”
“Yes, they are. Ford is actually a driver; that’s who I called after my car was keyed.”
“That’s weird, first your tires. Now it’s been keyed.”
“I know,” I say, sipping more wine.
“When Cruz told me someone flattened your tires, I got worried.”
“Why?”
“I thought it could be Cass.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that. She was with you though,” I inform him.”
“Bree, I’m not sure where she was after she left the hospital.”
“I was on my way to you when we found it like that. I don’t know. Why would she come there before calling us? It doesn’t make sense.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, Bree. I wonder how long they were like that?”
“I don’t know. I was in the house most of the day.”
“I bet.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Bree, I know you were with Cruz that night.”
“No, I wasn’t. We still hadn’t gone down that road yet, Bryant. He just gave me head.”
“Whoa, what?”
“No, we didn’t have sex that night.”
He laughs. “He was so relentless about having you.”
“You talked about it with him?”
“Well, kind of,” he admits.
“Oh, my God, Bryant, we barely know the guy.” I’m convinced I’m tipsy now. My words are slurring.
“You can’t be serious. Bree, look, I’m sorry about all of this. It’s all working out for the better. Tuesday will come and go; this thing will be a part of the past. Let’s get you home.”
“No, let’s go dancing,” I say excitedly.
He scrunches his face. “You don’t dance. I mean you do, but you aren’t random with it.” He pauses for a second. “Okay,” he says. “Dancing it is.”
I must be exhausted when I get into Bryant’s car; that or the two bottles of wine have taken over my body. I’m asleep before he even pulls away from the restaurant.
“Bree.” I’m shaken out of my sleep. I look up, focusing my eyes. “Where are we?”
“My house, you fell asleep before we were out of the restaurant parking lot.”
“Oh, was I really?” He gives me an ‘it’s obvious you just woke up’ look.
“Okay, let me get my heels back on, no dancing tonight.” I’m still slurring my words. I feel like I sound ridiculous.
“No, Bree, you are exhausted. Come on, let’s get you in bed.”
I’m barely walking when Bryant lifts me up over his shoulder.
“Bryant! My ass!”
“It’s nice, Bree, stop fishing for compliments.” He smacks me on the ass hard.
“Ow! Bryant!” He has no clue he’s just awakened my libido. No, no, my arousal is instant. I feel my center getting moist. No, no, you can’t get excited, I mentally tell my lower lady part. Bryant lowers me slowly. It doesn’t matter the room is still spinning.
“Bryant, I need water.”
“Okay, hold on, Bree.” He leaves the room and comes back a few minutes later. He gives me two pills I suspect are Tylenol and a tall glass of water.
“Drink,” he demands and I do as he places each pill on my tongue. He takes the glass then leaves the room. I make my way to the wall so I can remove my heels. That’s when I realize I’m in Bryant’s room. Why am I here? He usually lets me sleep in the guest room. It’s fine. I’ll just go there. I attempt to walk out the door.
“No go,” he says as he enters the room.
“Whaa, I’m going to bed, Bry.”
“I know, in here.” He points his bed.
“All right,” I say in defeat. I’m standing against the wall attempting to unfasten my blouse in the back. Bryant stands there and stares before he turns me around. I can feel the heat from his body. He’s still in his dress shirt and slacks. He unlatches the contraption of a blouse.
“Lift,” he says indicating I lift my arms so he can remove my blouse from over my head.
“I got it, Bry.”
“Lift,” he says again, loudly this time. I lift my arms, and he pulls my blouse over my head. I try to turn but Bryant grabs me around my waist. One hand on my stomach, the other he slowly runs all the way up to my neck. He’s at my earlobe when I feel his breath on me.
“Bree, you feel so damn good right here, right now.”
“Bry…”
“Shh…” He silences me with one finger on my lips. He pushes his index finger into my mouth while he bites down on my ear. Bryant grinds his hips into my ass while his finger is still in my mouth. All that’s on my mind is why these two men keep silencing me the same way.
“Please, Bry.” I try to stop him from going any further with this. It’s too late; he’s gotten rock hard. I mean it’s almost painfully poking me the ass. His hand that was on my stomach has now found its way to my breast. He’s pulled my bra down exposing my breasts to squeeze my nipples. They are standing at attention. He turns me around to face him. “Bryant, please, we can’t.”
“Why, Bree? It’s not as if anything’s changed between us. It’s Friday, Bree. This is what normally happens on Fridays anyway.”
“No.” I shake my head. I move to get out of Bryant’s hold. “Can I sleep in your guest room, please?” I whisper.
“Bree, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m tired that’s all.” He side-eyes me.
“You’ve been tired before, Bria, and rode me like a champion. Something’s up. What’s the problem?” He’s beginning to get annoyed with me denying him.
“Nothing, Bry, I’m just—”
“Wait,” he interrupts. “You said you didn’t fuck him that night, but you fucked him?”
I nod not looking up.
“Motherfucker!” he yells as he punches the wall.
“Bryant? What did you expect to happen?” I scream as I storm out of his room. Walking behind me, he closes the gap between us quickly. He grabs my arms.
“Let go of me, Bryant!”
“No! When? Tell me now.”
“Last night,” I told him quietly.
“Holy fuck, Bree! Why didn’t you…” he trails off. He lets go of my arm and steps aside. He knows I want to leave, not just his room, but also his home. I can’t even look at Bryant. I feel I need to say something. He runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
“That explains a lot.”
I look up at him. “What do you mean?” Our voices are low like there’s sadness in both of us. I mean, I know we shouldn’t celebrate, pop bottles, or jump for joy at my admittance. But damn, we’re both standing here like we lost our best friend; that’s how it feels anyway.
“Bryant,” I say softly to him. As I reach for his hand, he pulls away. “Don’t do this, Bry, please.”
He takes a few steps back. “I’ll… I’ll call you a cab in the morning unless you want to leave tonight.” I’m still tipsy, he knows how I get when I’ve been drinking or sick. I never want to be alone.
“Bry, please.” He holds up one hand, to stop me from talking.
“Tonight or in the morning?” he says.
“In the morning,” I answer. This way I have all night to try to apologize and convince him that Cruz was a mistake.
Cruz was a mistake. I keep telling myself so I believe it eventually. He was. He was a mistake. The act was a mistake. The way my body reacted, a huge mistake. What I can’t understand is the way Cruz reacted from it. He didn’t come; he demanded something from me I couldn’t give. His attitude is always changing. The guy at the hospital and the guy from Thursday aren’t the same. I can’t think about Cruz right now.
Bryant is the only person I am concerned about. I’m sitting in his guest room on the chair at the huge-ass window. Two hours pass. There’s no movement in the entire house. Bryant must be asleep. As soon as the thought enters my head, I hear the front door close. It’s like one in the morning, where is h
e going? Sitting in the chair, I get a great view of the streets below. Far away, I can see the city lights. The view is awesome for the wandering mind. Looking down, I notice Bryant getting into Cruz’s car. What. The. Hell? I wonder what the hell they could be doing at one in the morning. He hasn’t even responded to any of my texts. I call a cab. I’m not in the mood for Bryant or Cruz’s games. Fifteen minutes later, I’m locking up Bryant’s house or at least putting his alarm on. I leave the spare key on the table with no note to justify why I left. I don’t want to damage our friendship further.
The black leather hat that I wear is pulled down to cover my face or at least hide my eyes. For the sake of the cab driver and myself. I may lose my sanity if he comments on the expression I’m currently wearing. The thought of my sunglasses on at one in the morning might raise more questions to my not-so-sunny disposition.
A twenty-minute taxi ride has me reflecting on the past month of my life. It’s been interesting nonetheless. It’s not going to deter me from my life happening. Bryant’s friendship means the world to me; but he made me part of a deal that I will never forgive him for. Hopefully, not a deal gone bad. It’s not my fault he’s put me in that position. I’ll use it to my advantage, I’ll play the outsides against the middle. What they don’t know, won’t hurt them. It’s a well-kept secret amongst only those who know.
Cruz’s whatever-ship has no emotional effect on me. Physically it has. I will not admit this to anyone but myself. Physically giving me a feeling that can’t be duplicated. Thinking back to the night that he gave me multiple orgasms, my body tenses because I want—I need—that feeling again. I can’t believe just that one time has my body withdrawing from itself. What is it with him? He didn’t even come. I want his orgasm. I want to know that I make him lose it. I think that’s why I crave him. I want to know that I can make him edge over. My pussy and my mind need gratification. I smile at what I know, that they don’t. I’ll use who I can in this business, and take what I want for my own satisfaction. This is what Bryant started. I’ll finish it, by my terms only.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I’d like to thank Jesus Christ for giving me the strength to keep going on this journey. Some may criticize for this thanks, in such a read. He is a forgiving God.
What They Don't Know (Won't Hurt Them Trilogy #1) Page 26