Just Can't Let Go (23 page)

CHAPTER 46

Alexis

“S
weetheart, remember when things were great between us?” I sat on my sofa. James lay on his back; his head was on my lap. Admiring how handsome he was, I traced his hairline knowing I'd never be happy with just him. Wondered if I'd ever feel complete with one person.

Familiarity brought us to this moment. “The weekend getaways are what I miss most.”

“Yeah, me too,” he said. “We can still do that, sweetheart. If you hadn't miscarried, the baby would've been due six months from now. That would've given us an estimated due date between Christmas and New Year's. Having a child would've been the best gift ever.”

I wanted to say, Nigga, stop lying.

We looked at one another. I should tell him I'm pregnant. This was not the time. He wanted to give our engagement one more chance and so did I. If I received all of my inheritance, I knew I could trust James not to want me for my money. Some of these Atlanta men were on some real scam bullshit.

“I was hoping it was a boy,” I said.

The room was quiet. No television. No music. Just the two of us chilling on a Sunday morning.

“You know I want a little girl.”

“You sure about that? We'd have to name her Princess Queen Diva Crystal Wilcox.”

He laughed.

The best part of this pregnancy was my certainty on the paternity. James would make a great father. We would be an attractive family. If I could have all of the money without having this baby, that would be my preference. A three-month early delivery usually came with complications for the mother and the child. Bed rest. Low birth weight, possible respiratory problems for the baby.

Was I that selfish that I'd have my labor induced or request a cesarean just to cash in?

My cell chimed indicating a text had come in. I picked up my cell from the arm of the couch.

It was Chanel.
You want to do breakfast at Copeland's.
My treat.

I replied,
Yes. I'd like that. Be there at eleven.

The Cumberland area was twenty minutes away. It was ten thirty. “Babe, I'm hungry. Let's go to Copeland's for brunch.”

James sat up. “Cool, I'm starved myself. Haven't been there in a while.”

We went upstairs, dressed. I packed my gun in my purse.

James shook his head. “Some things never change. When we do get pregnant, are you going to be fully loaded everywhere you take our baby?”

“Double loaded,” I told him.

“That's scary, but I believe you. I'll drive.”

We went to visitor's parking on the rooftop to get his car. James opened my door. His gentleman qualities were second nature to him. The sun was bright, sky clear. It was already eighty degrees. We drove past the St. Regis Residences. When I collected my millions, I was selling Conner's mansion and buying a two-bedroom condo at SRR.

They had valet parking, a spa, pool, and maid service. I lived for being in a place with amenities that would spoil me without me having to get in my car. The corner units had covered patios with a fireplace. Chops and The Lobster Bar were next door. Whole Foods was across the street.

Driving north on Interstate 75 was nice. Light traffic on the freeway.

“James, why do you love me so much. I know I'm not always deserving.”

“Yes, you are, Alexis. There's just something about you that keeps me coming back to you. You're the one for me.”

“What about LA?” I asked.

“Let's not discuss her.”

“Yes, let's. I didn't know you were attracted to white women.”

He exhaled. Gave me look out of the corners of his eyes, then focused on the freeway. “It's not about color. It wasn't supposed to happen.”

“It? What's it?” I questioned.

“Getting with her, Alexis. I didn't see it coming.”

That was a lie. Even if he didn't see it coming, he knew what he was doing when he was cuming.

“You love her?”

This exhale was softer. He didn't respond.

I asked him again, “Do you love her?”

He nodded. I became quiet.

Getting angry at James for letting another woman into his heart was not right when I knew I cared deeply for Chanel. Love? Not sure if that was what I felt all the time, but there were moments when I thought I had those feelings. My emotions were so guarded I didn't know if I ever truly loved anyone, including myself.

“You mad at me for telling the truth?” he asked.

Softly, I said, “Naw. Actually, I kinda understand how one person can be in love with two people at the same time.”

He parked next to Chanel's car. James opened my door. At the same time Chanel opened hers.

“Hey, Alexis. Hi, James.”

He turned around. To my surprise, they gave each other a hug.

James asked me, “Are we brunching together?”

Chanel answered, “I'd like that.”

This could be the beginning of a three-way relationship. The question I'd have to ask myself would be, If I had James and Chanel, would I be happy and satisfied?

A threesome was definitely in our not-so-distant future.

CHAPTER 47

Devereaux

U
nexpectedly, my cell rang. It was Dakota Justice. I hadn't heard from her since the locksmith copied Phoenix's keys.

Unenthused, I asked, “Hey, what's the latest?” not really wanting to know. I was starting to regret hiring her. Should've worked through my problems with Phoenix like normal people. On our own.

“I need you to meet me at the Dunkin' Donuts on Peachtree right now,” she said.

I checked my phone, it was ten o'clock at night. I had to get up early. “What's going on?”

“Now, Devereaux,” she insisted.

“Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes.”

Dunkin's was right up the street in Brookhaven. I put on a pair of pink sweats and a T-shirt, grabbed my purse and keys, then left. The white silk bonnet was still on my head.

I was torn. A part of me wanted to make love to my man. The flashback of the video footage of Phoenix at Ebony's made me not want him inside of me ever again. Setting him up was easy.

Not wanting to deal with Phoenix, I spent the day at Trés's. We meditated, prayed. Shared creative ideas for future series. Discussed doing an Indiegogo campaign to raise money to finance the next production ourselves. Being with Trés made me feel like I had a business partner and a friend. He didn't try to seduce me, but intellectually he'd stimulated more than my mind.

Parking next to Dakota's car, she leaned over and opened her passenger door. “Get in.”

I did.

“Close the door, Devereaux.”

I did that too.

“We're going to Ebony's house here in Brookhaven. Phoenix is there with Nya.”

Didn't make sense to ask how she knew. I questioned, “How do you know he's still there?”

“I have more than my eyes watching him, darling. I have security posted outside the home. Now, what we're getting ready to do is go there, enter the residence, and confront them.”

“That's breaking and entering,” I said. “I won't do that. What if they start shooting?”

“Think about it, Devereaux. With Nya there, they're not going to fire a gun or call the cops? Especially when we announce our names.”

She was right. I was looking for a way out. I told Dakota, “Okay. I trust you. But let me get Nya's car seat out of my car.”

Dakota pointed behind me. “Already got one. Let's go.”

My stomach felt like my intestines were tying knot after knot. Each loop pulled tighter and tighter.

“We have to be extremely quiet,” she said. Dakota turned off her headlights. We drove another block before getting out of the car.

I followed her to the door. She slid the key into the lock. This was worse than an episode of
Cheaters,
but I could definitely benefit from the experience when penning a future series. Everything happening in my life was an opportunity to create dramatainment.

Soon as the door cracked, we heard, “Yasss! Yasss!”

Sadly, that was the voice of my fiancé screaming like a bitch. I opened my mouth to call out his name. Dakota covered it. Tiptoeing, she motioned for me to follow her toward the staircase.

My gut told me to check the rooms downstairs. I headed in the opposite direction from Dakota. She followed me. I scanned the living room, a family room, two bathrooms.

Placing my hand on the knob of a closed door, quietly I turned it. The yelling upstairs was now the voice of Ebony's shouting, “Call me a bitch!”

Slowly, I opened the door. A night-light was on. My heart dropped to the floor when I saw my baby sleeping.

Dakota looked at me. I picked up Nya. Phoenix and Ebony could scream all night and fuck each other's brains out. Tears streamed down my face. My heart was numb. Tiptoeing, I didn't stop until my baby was strapped into the back car seat. I got in on the passenger side. Dakota started her engine.

My baby opened her eyes. Sleepily, Nya said, “Mommy, I love you,” then dozed off.

“I'ma kill him. It's over.” I told Dakota, “If I had gone up those stairs, only Jesus could've saved them.” Rocking, I started crying. “After all I've done for Phoenix. Four years.” I kept rocking. Crying. Ebony didn't have personal allegiance to me. My fiancé did.

“I have another idea,” Dakota said, driving south on Peachtree.

Dakota made a call. Instructed someone to meet us at Dunkin'. A man dressed in black slacks, a nice button-up, and shoes approached Dakota's car.

She told me, “Give me your car keys.”

I handed her my purse. Instructed her which pocket my key was in. She handed it to the guy. “Leave your car here. Take hers and follow us. I'll bring you back.”

“What are we going to do?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at my precious little girl. “We can't drive around with Nya all night.”

“We are going to take Nya to Mercedes's. And you, my dear, are going to act as though you have no idea where your little princess is at. Basically, honey, we're going to let Phoenix sweat this one out.”

Suddenly, the knots in my stomach untangled. “Yeah, I like that plan. In fact, I love it.”

We parked in Mercedes's driveway. I called her. When she answered, I said, “Open up the door.”

Mercedes appeared with a satin scarf on her head and wore a blue silk robe. “What in the world? Is everything okay?”

Dakota said, “We need you.”

“Come in,” Mercedes said.

Benjamin entered the living room from the kitchen the same time we stepped into the foyer. He was fully dressed. Slacks, shoes, shirt. His phone was in his hand.

I said, “I hope we're not interrupting you guys.”

Mercedes answered, “Benjamin stopped by to see the kids. He's leaving.”

Benjamin looked at me. “I see Mercedes has pulled you into her foolery with this private investigator shit. You women are never satisfied. When you have a good man, you neglect him. When he finds another woman that appreciates him, you blame your man. The problem with both you and Mercedes, you're hating the wrong people. Try giving us some of that attention you devote to the kids and your businesses.” He looked at Mercedes. “I'll be back to pick up my kids in the morning and take them to school like I've always done.”

Mercedes said, “Bye, Benjamin.”

I chimed in, “Bye, Benjamin.

My sister shut the door, took Nya from me. “I'm going to put this baby in the bed with Brandy. I'll be right back. You know where everything is.”

“I'll get us something to drink,” I said, heading straight to Mercedes's vintage wine collection.

I filled three glasses, then joined Dakota in the living room.

Mercedes walked in, sipped her wine, and then sat beside me. “Benjamin can try to turn this situation on me, but I did not make him fall in love with another woman. I did not make him stick his dick in another woman. I did not make him buy her a car, a house, or a ring. He chose to do all of that. Do my children need their father? Absolutely. Do I need my husband? Unequivocally, yes. Will I ever trust him with my heart again? Hell. No. Will I take him back? The jury is still out on that one. Enough about Benjamin. Tell me, what happened and what's the plan?”

CHAPTER 48

Blake

S
itting on the sofa, I held the card in my hand.

 

 

One dozen of the longest stemmed yellow roses I'd ever seen were in a gold vase on the dining table when I arrived yesterday. I must've smelled them a thousand times. I sat on the sofa holding one in my hand.

I'd called Bing to thank him. He was on a business call. Promised to get in touch with me soon as he was done. That was over twenty-seven hours ago.

Spencer had done some memorable things for me. The day we'd met he'd given me two hundred dollars saying, “Buy something for us.” I'd bought a sexy nightie and stilettoes that I'd never worn. I'd left everything at his place. Now that I was reflecting, whatever happened to those items?

Spencer had also surprised me with a night's stay in a suite at the Mandarin. That was the time I looked him in his eyes and lied. When he'd asked, “Have you had sex with any other man since we'd met,” I told him no. Most women in my position would've done the same.

Maybe his holding the ring in front of me convinced me to lie. Or that I was afraid to lose him convinced me to tell Spencer what I knew he wanted to hear. Regardless of my reasons, I lied like a man . . . with a straight face. I made a vow to myself never to deceive Bing.

I said aloud, “Hey, baby.”
No, that didn't sound right.

“Hello, handsome. You want to explore paradise with me tonight?” I said, then sniffed the rose.

That sounded better. I'd taken a bath. I was ready to initiate phone sex with Bing, but I wanted him to call me.

The tone from my phone made me smile. It was the new love of my life. I answered, “Thank you for the gorgeous flowers.”

“You are truly welcome. My apology for not getting back to you sooner. One thing after another came up. How was the drive? You settled in?”

Hearing him acknowledge he'd promised to call me back made me feel better. Why didn't more men do that? To a woman, the little things were important in a relationship.

“It was peaceful. Listened to music. Didn't talk to anyone on the phone. Thought about you. Us. How did you have flowers delivered before I got here?”

“I have my way of doing things. When are you coming back to Atlanta?”

“Saturday,” I said, hoping he'd be the first person I'd connect with.

“Can you fly in on Friday?”

Soon as he'd said Friday, I remembered that I'd forgotten to call his assistant to schedule my flight to Paris. Softly, I told him, “I can do that.”

“Great. Text me your departure availability. I'll arrange your flight on my jet and I'll have a driver pick you up at your place in Charlotte so you can relax.”

I felt myself frowning and smiling at the same time. “Okay. Thank you,” I said, hoping he'd mention Paris. I really wanted to go there with him.

“Get some rest, baby. You probably have a long day ahead of you. I'll call you tomorrow night.”

“Okay. Good night.”

What had I done to attract this man?