by CY Jones
The house is so empty and eerily quiet. Vinny isn’t here, but she did have dinner ready and waiting on me in the warmer. Today is a gym day, but I'd rather not see Rob right now. Not with this unresolved issue with Tyson. I need to know if he still wants me. And then what, Jade? You’re leading on the men in your life just so you’re not alone. Not every man is like your father. My inner self is right. I have some serious daddy issues, but I don’t want to acknowledge them right now. I want Tyson back inside me while I show him with my body how sorry I am.
Using my finger, I get jiggy with it by myself as I think about how I’d apologize to Tyson and as selfish as my wants and needs are, McHottie and Rob cross my thoughts as well. I’m a horrible person. This is the conclusion I come up with when I leave the tub.
25
Tyson
“You can’t avoid her forever, you know that son,” Dad tells me as soon as I walk through the front door. I haven’t stayed in my childhood home in years, but I have been staying here for the last week since my fight with Jade. I’m not ready to go home and face her yet. If I go before I’m ready, there’s no telling what I’ll do.
“Why not? Are you kicking me out, old man?” I ask, putting on a fake smile, but of course my father knows it’s not sincere. He’s like God and knows everything.
“You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want, but is that what you really want?”
I haven’t seen Jade since our fight. The first two days she called out sick. I would have been worried that our fight stressed her so much it made her unwell if my father didn’t tell me she’s been seen out with Nichole. Like I said before, my father knows everything. The last day, when she did decide to come to work, I avoided her by not coming into the office, instead choosing to stay and work in the courthouse and then come straight to my father’s mansion on Park Avenue.
“You must think I’m a pussy by not going home to my own house just to avoid a woman,” I tell him.
“Now, son, let’s be truthful here, Jade is not just any woman. You love her, don’t you?”
“Why would you think that?” I scoff, picking at my nails.
“Do I need to treat you like a case and lay the proof out?” When I don’t say anything, he continues. “You’ve never dated a woman more than a week and you’ve been with Jade over three months, Jade resides with you, and even though you two have been separated for a couple of days, you’ve haven’t gone out with anyone else or asked her to leave your place. Instead you’ve been home with me, brooding. You don’t need me to tell you you’re in deep with that girl, son. You’re smart enough to already know. The sooner you stop denying it, the better.”
“I haven’t been brooding,” I state.
“That’s what you took out of all that,” he says incredulously.
“I heard you, but you’re wrong. I admit, I thought I did fall in love with Jade, but that was probably just lust. We’re no good for each other.”
“Well if you truly feel that way, I can tell her she should go back to her own place for you on Monday.” I know he’s testing me. He doesn’t fully believe my words and I don’t blame him. I halfway believe them myself.
“Sure, that’ll be great. I’ll make sure I won’t be in the office that day.” He eyes me over his glass of wine and grunts his approval before I turn and go to my room. Once I’m by myself, I take a hot shower and change my clothes to go out. I needed a drink and not here with my father.
It doesn’t take long for me to get to my favorite bar downtown. Since it’s Friday night, the place is packed. This bar gives off a comfortable vibe and people of all types flock here, looking for a good time. It’s also a sure place if you’re looking to get laid. I don’t think I ever left here without a girl or two on my arm. In fact, as I take a look around I see a lot of women I have fucked here, looking alluring and seductive, waiting for the perfect catch.
When the bartender who usually serves me sees me, he makes my usual drink without me having to order and slides it over. Grateful, I take it, taking a long drink, relishing as the hard liquor burns down my throat. “Has it been one of those days?” Chuck, the bartender, asks.
“More like one of those weeks,” I answer laughing.
“You haven’t been here in a while. Don’t tell me it’s over between you and the sexy brunette you’ve been photographed with already. I was positive you’d marry her.” I don’t say anything. What can I say? I know Chuck is inquiring for himself. He’s more than once picked up my leftovers and Jade has caught his eye.
I don’t know why, but I tell him, “This isn’t her scene. Plus, she’s pregnant.”
“Oh shit. For reals? Man, congrats. No wonder you’re in here.” I don’t bother to correct his assumption that the baby is mine, nor do I stop him when he pours me another drink on the house to celebrate the occasion. I just take the drink, guzzling it down, trying hard as hell not to think about the green-eyed siren that sent me running to this place.
When he goes to serve someone else, I’m not alone long when a woman in a short cocktail dress takes the stool beside me. “Hey there, sexy. Want to buy me a drink?” She asks in a seductive voice. She's beautiful, of course, and the dress she has on leaves little to imagination, highlighting her intensive curves.
“Sure, why not?” I say, waving Chuck over. When she gives him her order, he runs off, giving me a sly smile before returning with her drink.
“I’m Christine, by the way,” she says, extending a dainty hand and I take it. “I haven’t seen you around, are you new in town?” she questions.
I call bullshit. No way in hell does this chick not know who I am. In fact, I saw her standing with Lydia, a woman I used to fuck for fun when I was bored, but if she wants to play this game, then so can I. “I’m from here. I just haven’t been here in awhile,” I answer coolly.
“Why’s that?” she prods.
“Been busy with work.” Before she can ask what I do, I ask if she’s from here.
“Yes, I’m from Brooklyn. My friends and I are having a ladies’ night.” I turn my head and see a group of women looking avidly in my direction, Lydia included. When she catches my gaze, she licks her lips in an inviting way. Tempting, Lydia was a good dick sucker.
“Maybe I should leave you to your friends,” I say and she leans over and runs her hand slowly up my thigh, inching her way close to my dick.
“Oh, they won’t mind.” She licks her plump lips like Lydia and I bet if I wanted, I could take both her and Lydia to a hotel for the night. Hell, probably the whole table of women.
When her hand gets to the prize and gropes my dick, I realise something right away. I’m not hard. Any other time, when I’ve had some drinks in me and an attractive woman gropes me, I’d be ready to take her in the bar’s bathroom, but not now. As if there’s something wrong with me, she squeezes again harder this time.
“You might as well let go, sweetheart. You’re not the one for me,” I state and she lets go like I have the plague. With a toss of her auburn hair, she stomps away, back to her table of friends, licking her wounds.
“Man, you must really love your girlfriend,” Chuck says incredulously, having watched the whole thing and by the look on his face, he’s just as shocked as I am. Never have I ever turned down pussy for another woman.
“Yeah, I really must. Fuck me,” I growl and Chuck pours me another drink.
26
Nichole
Out on the terrace, I take a deep whiff of the medical marijuana my doctor prescribed, hoping it’ll help ease my pain. I’ve overdid it this week and my frail body is screaming at me to go sit down. It was nice spending time with Jade, even though she sees too much. Her questions were spot on, but I did a good job at deflecting her. It also helped that she seemed to be avoiding her own problems. I know a lover’s spat when I see one. I can’t say I’m not happy that her and Tyson are on the rocks. He’s been a major thorn in my plans and now with time left alone, he’s working his way out. If only I can g
et Grayson to take advantage of the situation and strike when Jade is the most vulnerable. My body is warning me I don’t have long. I know he cares about Jade, a lot, but he has this valiant nature in him to always do right by me. I’ve tested his resolve, but he’s proven he isn’t fallible. Jade’s charms, as much as he tries to ignore them, are gradually sinking in. He just needs a little push.
A noise in the house reaches my ears and I drop the joint over the banister and start waving the smoke away before pulling out my body spray I keep out here for this very reason and spray myself and the air around me. When Grayson steps out on the terrace, I give him a weak smile.
“You’re home early from your poker game,” I tell him.
“You know how much of a sore loser Johnson is. I got tired of hearing his whining.”
“I take it you won a lot tonight then?”
“I did. I nearly made the money back you spent this week on baby stuff,” he chuckles before moving close to wrap his arms around me. Sniffing the air, he says, “Why does it smell like weed out here?”
“I thought it was a raccoon I saw running past earlier, but it must have been a skunk,” I lie. It’s starting to get too easy to lie to everyone. Not hard when my whole life lately has been a big, fat lie. I saw my mother today, leaving a letter behind. I told her everything and made her swear not to tell Grayson or my father. They can’t fix what’s going to happen. They’re not God.
“We’ll have to call animal control and have them lay some traps out,” he grunts and I move out of his arms.
“Why do that? This is their territory, after all. We’re the intruders.”
“You’ll say differently when summer comes along and the sun is out and you’re relaxing in the yard and you get sprayed,” he teases.
“Well, when the day comes, you can say I told you so, but until then, leave the poor creature alone.”
I let him lead me back inside where I take a shower and brush my teeth. When I’m done, he’s already in the bed, completely naked. Grayson hates wearing clothes to bed, he’s always been like that. A plan forms in my head and on impulse, I give him a sly smile as I cover his body with my own before sliding down the length of him slowly. “Nichole,” he says with a husky voice that used to send me in a panting fit before cancer ruined sex for me. Catching his gaze, I shush him, placing my finger to my lips.
When I get to my prize, I take him in my mouth and he groans as his big hand moves to my head, gripping the strands of my hair. Finding my rhythm, I move up and down his length, relishing in his moans of pleasure. Right now, I may not be helping my case with trying to push him towards Jade. In fact, I may be hindering my own process, but I need Grayson in a good mood to do what I want and him getting a blowjob will definitely put him in a good mood. When his dick starts to throb, I know he’s close and I amp up my efforts. My jaw is already getting sore and my aching body is feeling the strain of holding its weight. I was excited at first, but now I want to get this over with already. I hate that I’m this way, but sex of any kind no longer excites me. It just reminds me of what I’m losing. What I already lost. When he blows, he roars my name and I hold his cum in my mouth. Inconspicuously, I turn my head and spit his cum into the sheets. If I swallow him, I’ll definitely throw up, and that will ruin all of my hard work.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he says, grabbing my hips when I try to lay beside him.
“To bed, where else?” I ask, raising my brow.
“What if your husband wants to return the favor?” One hand moves lower towards my sex as the other cups my nonexistent breast. When I shy away from his touch, he frowns. “What’s wrong, Nichole?”
“Nothing, I’m just tired now,” I answer, laying back down beside him.
“I’m not trying to rush you or anything, but don’t you want to, I mean don’t you, um?”
“Want to have sex?” I finish his sentence for him.
“Yes, that. I feel like I’m failing you as a husband.” He moves closer, throwing his arm over me and I duck my head so I don’t have to look into his eyes. Maybe blowing him was a bad idea after all.
“You’re not failing me. In fact, you’re one of the best husbands there is. Not many would have stood by me and done everything you have done for me. I’m blessed to have you. If you really want to make me happy, you should patch whatever is going on between you and Jade.”
“Please, not this again,” he says, tilting my chin so I have no choice but to look at him. “She’s with Tyson now and he knows what we did to make the baby she’s carrying. Me being around, even just to be supportive, is a bad idea. Jade is Tyson’s first real relationship and he’s not hiding that he’s pissed all over her.”
Wrinkling my nose, I reply, “Your language is starting to turn as colorful as Jade’s. Is your motorcycle phase coming back to the forefront? Do I need to worry about you getting a new tattoo?” I tease.
“You know what I mean. Jade is Tyson’s now and he doesn’t want another male, especially me, anywhere near her.”
“Well, that may not be a problem anymore,” I say, drawing his attention and it works.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the reason why Jade has been playing hooky from work is to avoid Tyson. I'm guessing they must have gotten into a big fight.” He doesn’t say anything for a while as he thinks over my words.
“Doesn’t matter, he’ll be back. Jade is a special girl. The kind you fight for when you’re lucky enough to have her. He won’t let her go for long. I’m not sure, but I think he’s already in love with her.”
“Tyson Garfield in love? Don’t be silly. Jade is an infatuation and as soon as he starts missing his old life of whoring around, he’ll leave her like yesterday's news.”
“Why do you care so much?” he asks, giving me an odd look and I school my features. Have I let on too much? He can’t find out how invested I am in Jade.
“I don’t want her upset unnecessarily. If, no, when Tyson breaks her heart, I will be happy knowing you’re there to help her in her time of need, for the baby’s sake.”
“I’ll give her the support she needs, but I doubt she’ll need it. Jade is strong. She won’t fall apart just because a man left her. Besides, she’s not the type to get that close to anyone. If anything, Tyson will need someone when she leaves him.”
“Maybe or maybe not, but either way, I’d like for you to be there.” I don’t say anything else, instead I pretend to fall asleep until I hear his breathing even out. Once it does, I leave the bed slowly so I don’t wake him and venture outside. The air is crisp and I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts snowing soon. Winters in New York are always brutal. Out back, I find the joint I threw and toss it in the trash, just in case Grayson comes out here searching for skunks. Standing out here for a few more minutes, I gather myself and look up at the night’s sky. A shooting star flies over my head and I watch it as it streaks across the sky. When it’s far from view, I head back inside, leaving the night and stars behind. There’s no point in asking for wishes I know won’t come true.
27
Jade
It’s Monday morning and I’m starting to get worried. It’s been almost a week since I’ve seen Tyson. I missed him and hate that he’s avoiding me. Sure, I avoided him the first couple of days to give us both time, and he didn’t come in at all on Friday when I was finally prepared to see him again. I thought for sure he’d come back this weekend, but as of now, he’s still a no show and I know why. Someone, I suspect Nancy, happily left an issue of the latest gossip rag on my desk with a picture of Tyson looking real comfortable with some auburn haired bombshell at the bar. As heartbreaking as the picture is, the captions are even worse. I mean, what did I expect? I broke his heart now he’s wasting no time telling the world he’s free. A tear leaks from my eye and I quickly wipe it away. I will not show weakness at work. I bet that bitch Nancy is hiding in the corner waiting to jump out when I’m most vulnerable. Tyson is nothing to me. Sigh, I can’t even
lie to myself.
“Jade, how are you?” Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Not being able to help myself, I throw the mag on the counter in front of him. “Not as good as you, apparently,” I spit out hatefully, betraying my true feelings.
He picks up the magazine and narrows his eyes at the picture. “Now, jewel, you know better than to believe anything in these magazines. They make a fortune off lies.”
“So I’m jewel again?” I snark, making my voice hard. I will not show weakness I repeat to myself. “What do you want, Tyson?”
“I want to ask my girl to lunch,” he answers.
“Why? You can easily break up with me right here and now, in fact, let me help you. Tyson fuc..” His hand comes across my mouth, stopping my reply before he pulls me towards his office with me mumbling an impressive string of cuss words across his palm when I realize his hand isn’t budging. If he offs me, at least there are witnesses I think as we pass a couple of junior associates and a scowling Nancy. Once we’re in his office, he locks the door and pushes me on the leather chaise against the back wall of his office.
“Tyson, what the fuck?” I growl.
“You’re not going to finish what you were about to say. You’re going to listen to everything I tell you or so help me God, I’ll put you over my knee and spank some sense into you.” When I stay quiet, he carries on, “I love you, Jade. I really do, but you make me want to strangle you at times. I needed my space, so did you when you didn’t come back to work. I wasn’t ready until today to actually see you because I knew once I did, nothing will stop me from fucking you and branding you as mine. I want to tattoo my name across your body so that there’s no question who you belong to.”