Let's Get It On (19 page)

He nodded. “I'll leave now, but I'll be back.” Maurice opened the door and found James standing on the other side. “What are you doing here?”

“The bigger question is what are you doing here? Haven't you hurt her enough?” James said angrily.

“So is this what you're doing? Swooping in to pick up my leftovers?” Maurice pushed his brother against the wall.

Kenya stepped in between them. “Stop it!” she exclaimed. “Maurice, leave.”

“Is there something going on with you two? From the moment we saw you at the resort, James has had some sort of fixation on you. What the hell is going on?”

James snorted. “You have the nerve to question her when you've been sleeping with Lauryn again?”

Shaking his head, Maurice turned to go down the stairs, convinced that James was trying to make a move on Kenya. Why else would he be there after midnight? Maurice vowed to get to the bottom of things, but not tonight. In the morning, when cooler heads would prevail, he, Kenya, and James were going to have it out.
I can't believe my brother is trying to do this to me,
he thought.
I'm pretty sure he's trying to comfort Kenya, but I can't help but feel like there's something else going on here.

 

 

Kenya shook her head as she closed the door behind James. “What are you doing back here?” she asked him.

“I didn't like the way we left things,” James said. “What does Maurice being here mean for the two of you now?”

“Nothing,” she said. “He was just telling more lies.” Kenya led James to the sofa. “Will you stay here tonight, on the sofa?”

“I guess I can. I don't want what happened earlier today to hurt our friendship.”

Throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tenderly, she said, “I'm sorry that I tried to put you in the middle of this thing with me and Mo.”

“You don't need to apologize,” he said. “Maybe it's time for me to stop trying to clean up Maurice's messes. He's a grown man, and it's time for him to take responsibility for his own actions.”

She nodded. “And I need to do the same,” she said. “Maurice and I don't belong together, and I've been trying to force this relationship, despite knowing that I didn't trust him. You can't have love without trust. And there was no way I could've married him.”

“Married?” James said incredulously. “When did this happen? Maybe you two need to talk, Kenya. If you loved him enough to accept his marriage proposal, then maybe it isn't over.”

She rose to her feet quickly. “And I thought you were going to stop trying to clean up your brother's messes.”

“I'm just being a friend, Kenya. You and Maurice can't seem to get enough of each other. After all that time had passed, the two of you found your way back to each other. Maybe it's destiny.”

She folded her arms across her chest and pursed her lips.

James continued speaking. “You love him. If you didn't, you wouldn't be in such pain, and he wouldn't be trying to convince you that the DVD isn't real if he didn't love you just as much.”

“Sometimes love isn't enough,” she mumbled.

“Then what is? If you and Maurice love each other, then you owe it to yourself to give it a chance or at least hear him out about this whole mess. What if Lauryn is just making trouble for you two because she's trying to worm her way into Maurice's pocket again?”

Rolling her eyes, Kenya said, “It's funny that Lauryn's trouble always ends up with Maurice between her legs. I can't think about this anymore tonight. I'm going to bed.” She headed for her bedroom, trying to push James's words out of her head. He was right, and she didn't want to admit it.

As she eased into bed, she decided to call Maurice in the morning to see if there was anything left to work out.

Maurice's first instinct when he woke up at six in the morning was to head over to Kenya's house and try to talk to her about everything that was going on. Instead, he picked up the engagement ring that he'd given her and stared at it. He thought that he'd done everything right this time. He'd remained faithful to Kenya, he'd put her first, and he'd been honest about his feelings. But in the end he was still alone.

Sitting up in bed, still holding the ring, Maurice stared into the stone, wishing it were a magic ball that could show him the future he'd dreamed he and Kenya would have. He thought their meeting at the Bahamian resort had been destiny giving them another chance.
Maybe this isn't destiny,
he thought.
Kenya doesn't trust me, and there's nothing I can do to change that. But I'm not going to let her think that I betrayed her again with Lauryn. She has to know that I won't be the same fool twice.

Maurice hopped out of bed and took a quick shower. All the while he thought about how he was going to make Lauryn pay for interfering in his life. After dressing, Maurice headed to Kenya's place. He wanted her to be with him when he confronted Lauryn with the evidence proving she'd faked the DVD. Maurice couldn't help but smile sarcastically as he thought about Lauryn. She had had him all to herself, but she'd chosen to be with Mya, and now that he was trying to move on with his life, she seemed to miss what she had.

As he drove, Maurice decided that he was going to let the chips fall where they may. If Kenya didn't want to believe him, then he wasn't going to force the issue. He was tired of fighting with her and trying to convince her that his love was for her and her alone. Nothing he did or said made a difference.

Maurice knew, however, that if things didn't work out, he wouldn't be fortunate enough to find another woman like Kenya, and if he couldn't have her, then he wouldn't spend his life looking for a replacement.

As he pulled up to her complex, he prayed that she'd be ready to listen to reason and give their love another try, one last try, because nothing was going to come between them again. That is if Kenya believed him. He got out of the car, dashed upstairs to her place, and knocked softly on the door, hoping not to have a replay of last night's drama.

When the door opened and he saw James standing there, his blood boiled. “What the hell? Did you spend the night?” Maurice snapped.

“I did, but it isn't what you think,” James explained. “Kenya needed—”

Maurice, unable to control his rage, punched his brother in the face, forcing him backward. “You've been planning this all along!” he hissed.

Kenya ran into the living room when she heard the loud crash. Since she'd just stepped out of the shower, she only had on a short terry-cloth robe. Maurice's eyes stretched, owing to incredulity.

“Are you two sleeping together?” Maurice demanded.

James rose to his feet and stood toe to toe with his brother. “You're an idiot. I spent the night here telling Kenya how much you two needed to work things out, and you come here accusing me of sleeping with her?”

“Besides,” Kenya snapped, “you're the one with the sex tape.”

Before Maurice could reply, James punched his brother, nearly breaking his nose. “That's just for being stupid,” he said.

Holding his nose, Maurice fought the urge to retaliate. “Is there something that you two need to tell me?”

Kenya walked into the kitchen and grabbed a dish towel. “Mo, we need to talk.” She handed him the towel so that he could wipe his bloody nose.

James looked from Kenya to Maurice, then headed out the front door.

“Maurice,” Kenya said, “you have a lot of nerve.”

“I have proof that this DVD is a fake. All you have to do is have an open mind about it. There's no way that I'd sleep with Lauryn again when I have you. You're the woman that I want, Kenya. I just can't keep trying to prove myself to you over and over again. I need you to trust me.”

“How can I? Trust is a two-way street, and the barbaric way you acted when you came in here shows me that you don't trust me, either,” she said, then abruptly stopped talking. “Then again, maybe seeing your brother in here this morning made you feel an eighth of what I've been dealing with.”

“But I haven't given you any reason not to trust me,” he said. “Since we found our way back to each other, I've been bending over backward to prove to you that I'm not the same selfish bastard I was in college. But at every turn, you've distrusted me.” He took her hands into his. “Do you want to fight for us?”

Looking away from him, she didn't know what to say. All night she'd thought about the answer to that question. “I wanted to hurt you back,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “When I saw that DVD, I felt like I had been transported back in time, and I was standing in your dorm room all over again. I thought I had learned something, y'know. I knew this time that things were going to be different because I thought you were different. But that DVD said that you weren't and I was a fool again.”

He gently squeezed her hands. “That DVD is a fake. I went to the videographer. He has the old videos that Lauryn brought in for him to splice together. But I don't want to prove that this is a lie and then, in a few weeks or a few days, Lauryn pulls another trick, and we're at this point again.”

Sliding her hands out of his grasp, Kenya rose to her feet and walked over to the window. “Maurice, maybe we aren't meant to be,” she said. “Right now, all I want is to see you suffer the way I have. That's why I tried to seduce your brother.”

“What?” he snapped. Maurice rose to his feet, dropping the towel from his nose. “I can't believe you. I have to go.” He headed for the door, not looking back at her.

Kenya closed the gap between them, grabbing his shoulder. “Nothing happened,” she said. “It wouldn't have changed anything or made me hurt any less.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I wanted you to hurt,” she repeated. “I didn't want James. I just wanted you to know how this feels. This is what I've been dealing with for years. That lurch in your heart is what I've felt every time I have seen you with Lauryn. . . .”

“I don't want Lauryn. I've never tried to do anything to purposely hurt you, Kenya. I thought you were different, but it seems like you and Lauryn are two sides of the same coin.” Maurice pulled the engagement ring from his pocket and placed it in her hand. “I don't want this. Sell it or whatever.”

“No, it's your ring. You keep it,” she said as she pressed the ring back into his hand. “Let's just let this be good-bye.”

Maurice dropped the ring, then rushed out of the apartment and slammed the door. Kenya placed her hand on the knob, wanting to open the door and tell Maurice that she was wrong. Instead, she reached down and picked up the ring, then headed into her bedroom.

On the other side of the door, Maurice stood, with his hand poised to knock on the door. He wanted to take back their good-bye and forgive her for what she'd done. But his pride wouldn't let him. She had embarrassed him, just like Lauryn had when she'd bolted from the altar. Kenya was the last person he'd ever thought would do something like try to sleep with his brother. But James wasn't innocent in all of this. Maurice ran to his car and headed for his brother's place. James had some explaining to do.

 

 

Kenya sat on the sofa, tears running down her cheeks. She couldn't explain her actions; she couldn't explain why she wanted to ruin her chance at happiness with Maurice. Looking at the ring, she wondered what would've happened if she had taken his word and not sought revenge. They'd be planning a wedding and looking for a nice island to honeymoon on. When the phone rang, she hoped it was Maurice.

“Mo,” she said.

“No, it's Imani,” her friend replied. “I heard from your mom the other day, and she said you're getting married. I thought we were friends. Why didn't you tell me?”

Rubbing her forehead, Kenya sighed. “There's not going to be any marriage. You and my mother can rest easy. Maurice and I are done.”

“So, that's why you were expecting him to call?” Imani questioned. “You don't have to lie to me about your intentions with Maurice. I just hope that for your sake, he has changed.”

“Imani, I don't feel like this right now. You and Angela can go have another conversation about my life and send me a transcript,” Kenya snapped.

“Whoa, Kenya,” Imani said. “I'm on your side. I was actually calling to let you know that I'm coming to Charlotte today.”

“Why are you coming here? You can say I told you so over the phone,” Kenya snapped.

“You have such a low opinion of me. Smith is having an alumni reunion in a few months, and I'm on the planning committee. Today is the general meeting, which the alumni association presidents have to attend.”

“Uh-huh,” Kenya said.

“Really. I'm calling to see if you are going to be free for dinner,” Imani said. “And it's your treat, since you're the big-time attorney, and gas costs a grip.”

Kenya's spirits were starting to brighten slightly. Hanging out with Imani would take her mind away from thoughts of Maurice. “I guess I can buy you dinner. But the drinks are on you. When are you getting here?”

“Well, I'm in Spartanburg right now,” Imani said. “I'll call you when the meeting is over.”

After hanging up with her friend, Kenya started cleaning her place. All of the nervous energy she had helped her whip her place into tip-top shape in no time flat. As she headed into her bedroom, she decided to organize her closet. When she opened the door, her suitcase fell from the top shelf, and an orchid petal floated down to the floor. As she picked it up, her mind wandered to the time she and Maurice had spent together in the Bahamas. If things weren't so complicated, they could be together and be happy.

I was a fool to think that Maurice and I could rewrite history and have a happy ending when I haven't forgiven him for what he did,
she thought.
Why can't I get past this thing with Lauryn?
Kenya didn't realize that she was crying until her tears hit the petal, making it look transparent. She tossed the petal toward the trash can, but it landed on the floor.
Pull yourself together,
she told herself as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
You got what you wanted. Maurice is out of your life.

But Kenya knew that losing Maurice was the last thing that she really wanted. She couldn't keep lying to herself. She wanted to be with Maurice, but after what had happened last night and her confession to him, there was no way he'd ever forgive her.

 

 

“Sit down and listen to me, for a change,” James snapped. “Kenya and I didn't do anything. I wouldn't betray you in that way. Whatever twisted relationship that you two have, it's not for me to come in between.”

“I do love her, and you did betray me,” Maurice snapped, refusing to sit down. “You kissed her, didn't you?”

“Yes, I did, but that was all it was. She admitted that the only reason she wanted to have sex with me was to hurt you,” James said. “I'm not going to be a pawn between you and her. I won't apologize for being her friend.”

Running his hand across his face, Maurice shook his head. “I don't know what to do. Maybe I should just throw in the towel.”

“No, you shouldn't, stupid. Kenya loves you, and you love her. Why would you stop fighting for her?” James asked.

“She doesn't want to be with me anymore. If she did, she wouldn't have tried to seduce you, she would've listened to me about that DVD, and every day wouldn't be a struggle between us. This is for the best,” Maurice said, though his words were hollow, and he didn't believe them.

“Lauryn wins again,” James said.

“No.”

“That's what it sounds like to me.”

“What were you doing at Kenya's place this morning? Why did you go back?” Maurice demanded.

“I wanted to make sure we still had a friendship, despite what had gone down. And when I saw that DVD, I realized it was a fake, so I was trying to convince Kenya of that most of the night, until she tuned me out. Then you came over this morning, playing Rambo. Maybe you scared her off. Maybe she saw a side of you that she doesn't want to deal with, or maybe she just needs some reassurance.”

“And are you supposed to give that to her?” Maurice questioned.

“I'm done. I'm out of your relationship with Kenya, and if you two are going to get together, it's going to be without my help,” James said. “I'm tired of cleaning up after you.”

“That's what you think?” Maurice asked.

James nodded furiously. “The first time you and Kenya broke up, I had to sit there and tell her you were a good guy, just misguided. When Lauryn left you at the altar, I had to dig you out of your self-imposed hermitism. I'm tired. So, go out and do whatever you have to do to get her back and send me an invitation to the wedding.”

“All right,” Maurice said. “I know what I have to do. I've got to get ready for training camp, and everything else is just going to have to be secondary.”

James shook his head but didn't say anything. If Maurice wanted to be a fool, then he was going to let him deal with it.

 

 

Kenya and Imani walked to the patio of the Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. The evening weather was beautiful, and they'd decided to dine outdoors. Holding two cocktails, they sat at a table closest to the sidewalk so that they could watch people walk by.