Material Girl 3: Secrets & Betrayals (3 page)

“You shouldn’t have taken yo’ ass over there in the first place! You don’t owe that muthafucka no explanation!”

“But—”

“But nothin’! If that muthafucka didn’t get the hint that it was over when you walked out on his ass then oh the fuck well! You had no business going to see him, Dylan. Especially without tellin’ me!”

“So, are you sayin’ it’s my fault I got hit? All I was tryna’ do was the right thing, Angel. What I did to him was wrong and all I was tryna’ to do is apologize so excuse me for having a fuckin’ conscious!” Dylan spat.

“It’s not about that! It’s about you lettin’ me know what the fuck is going on so shit like this won’t happen!”

“Well, excuse me for living!”

“Whateva, I’m up.” Angel announced, grabbing his keys.

“Where you going?” Dylan asked, praying he wasn’t leaving for good.

“To pick up my son!”

Normally, Angel wouldn’t yell at Dylan for doing something he didn’t like and then turn around and do the same damn thing but in this case rules were meant to be broken. There was no way on God’s green earth that he could allow Cruz to get away with putting his hands on his woman. He was tired of being Mr. Nice Guy. It was time for people to understand why he’d become a boxer. It was time to put an end to all the drama once and for all. At any cost Angel, Dylan, and Mason were going to have a normal, peaceful life, even if his life depended on it. After parking, speaking with the concierge and boarding the elevator, Angel got off on the tenth floor and knocked on Cruz’s door.

“I knew you’d come back.” Angel could hear Cruz say from the other side of the door.

“Baby, I’m sorry for puttin’ my hands on you. I just got upset. I swear it won’t happen again.” Cruz pulled the door back and came face to face with Angel.

“You damn right it won’t happen again.” Angel’s killer instinct kicked in and he blacked out.

An hour later, Angel returned home with Mason as promised. Dylan was in bed asleep. Despite the bruise on her face there was no denying her beauty. Dylan was 5 feet 6 and possessed the creamiest honey colored skin. Her eyes shined like diamonds. She had the perfect heart shaped mouth. Angel often found his self dying to kiss her lips. Dylan had a body most chicks would die for. She could rock anything straight off the rack. She and Rihanna could’ve been twins.

“Baby.” He nudged her thigh.

“Huh.” She turned over and looked at him.

“You still love me?” Angel kissed her on the cheek.

Dylan nodded her head and smiled. She could never stay mad at Angel long. The sight of his handsome face alone made her heart melt.

“You love Mason?” He sat him in front of her.

“Of course.” Dylan pulled her son into her arms and kissed him all over his face.

“My bad for going off like that,” Angel apologized.

“I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have gone over there without telling you first.”

“It’s all good man. I ain’t even trippin’ off that shit no more.”

“What took you so long to come back?” Dylan rubbed her eyes.

“I had to take care of some last minute business first.” Angel pretended to go through his phone to avoid eye contact.

“Just tell me you didn’t do anything that could get you in trouble,” Dylan said, as a jolt of panic went through her.

 “Look at mommy playin’ detective. She need a part on CSI don’t she Mason?” Angel tickled the baby’s stomach.

“Just answer the question,” Dylan demanded.

“Everything’s good.” Angel assured. “You hungry? I bought home some Chinese food.”

“Hell yeah. You know I never pass up a meal and I hope you got me some crab rangoon.”

I can not see tomorrow if you’re not in my tomorrow.

-Jhene Aiko, “You vs. Them”

Chapter 3

“I guess married life agrees with her. This heffa finally arrived somewhere on time,” Tee-Tee said to Billie as Dylan and Mason entered Benton Park Café for breakfast.

“You better leave my sister in-law alone.”

“Oooooh she got on shades,” Tee-Tee whispered. “Cruz must’ve really got in dat ass.”

“Shut up.” Billie hit the top of his hand.

“I’m just sayin’.”

“Hello ladies!” Dylan spoke cheerfully.

“Hey girl,” Tee-Tee waved. “How yo’ eye feelin’?”

“The same as yo’ asshole, trick.”

 Dylan sat Mason inside a high chair then took off her shades.

“Aww shit, I thought you was puffed up underneath them glasses,” Tee-Tee flicked his wrist, disappointed.

“Right. You made it seem like Cruz boom bopped yo’ ass.” Billie laughed.

“He did. My face was red for a couple of hours. My lip is still healing but I’m good. Nothin’ can keep this pretty girl down.” Dylan waved her head like she had long hair.

“Ughh whatever.” Tee-Tee clicked his tongue as if he had a bad taste in his mouth.

“So what’s the tea chicas? Why was it a must that we have breakfast today?” Dylan took a sip of water.

“Since you and my brother ran off and eloped Tee-Tee and I have decided to throw ya’ll a lavish reception at the 360 Rooftop Bar next Saturday,” Billie beamed.

“For real?” Dylan’s face lit up.

“Yes ma’am and it’s gonna be fabulous. Kate Middleton and Kim K’s wedding reception won’t have nothin’ on yours boo boo,” Tee-Tee snapped his fingers.

“Oooh I’m so excited. Mason, that means I get to buy you another tuxedo.” Dylan pinched his cheeks. “Oooh and I can wear my wedding dress again,” she clapped.

“I think not,” Billie disagreed. “My brother would have a fit.”

“Aww yeah, you’re right,” Dylan poked out her bottom lip. “That would be a fashion faux pas.”

“The good part about it is we get to go back to Mrs. Wang and buy another dress. But this time instead of a ball gown I’m gonna go for a mermaid style dress.” Dylan danced in her seat.

“Loves it,” Billie agreed.

“Well, it’s settled then,” Tee-Tee raised his glass for a toast. “Get ready to party bitches!”

Listening to Kelly Rowland’s melodic, heartfelt tune
Keep It Between Us,
Dylan pulled into the parking lot of Angel’s gym. With the car in park she closed her eyes and sang at the top of her lungs:

“Not a thing in this world,

I won’t give up,

Can’t live in this world,

If I’m not next to you.”

Dylan was so caught up in the words and her emotions that she forgot that she couldn’t sing worth a damn which caused her to scare the shit out of Mason who had began to cry.

“Oh honey, I’m sorry.” Dylan turned around in her seat and rubbed his knee.

“Mama didn’t mean to scare you. Come on let’s go see daddy.” She turned off the engine, grabbed her purse and got out.

Walking around to the opposite side of the car she opened the door and unbuckled Mason’s car seat. With him securely in her arm, she closed the door, chirped the alarm and sashayed inside the gym. Immediately the sound of Angel’s fist hitting the pads engulfed her ears. Dylan loved to watch Angel train. Everything about him was primal and methodical. The killer instinct that he tried his hardest to conceal outside of the ring was on full display. His overpowering strong physique and aggressive intensity sent chills up her spine. She was sure to get a piece of him later on that night.

“Time!” Angel’s timekeeper yelled, after he’d beaten the bag to a pulp.

Breathing in and out, Angel paced back and forth until he spotted Dylan and Mason out of the corner of his eye. Even when she wasn’t trying to do the most, Dylan always looked impeccable. The other men in the room tried not to ogle at her but no man could take their eyes off of Dylan. She was sexy beyond words.

That afternoon she was casually dressed in a mustard colored, Silence & Noise blouse with the sleeves rolled up, printed booty shorts, a camel colored vintage clutch and 1920’s inspired, crystal ankle strap, Jimmy Choo platforms with a plexiglass heel. The shorts highlighted her firm toned legs and round, plump ass.

“How long you been standing there pretty girl?” Angel wiped the sweat off his face with a towel and walked over to her.

“Just for a minute.” Dylan smiled, looking him up and down.

His muscles were out of control.

“You lookin’ at me like you wanna do something.”

“Oh I do,” She licked her bottom lip suggestively.

“Not in front of my son,” Angel joked, kissing Mason on the cheek. “C’mon man.” He took Mason from Dylan’s arms.

“Daddy wanna show you some moves. Mommy you come and get in the ring too.”

“You gon’ show me some moves later on?” Dylan flirted.

“It’s going down tonight. You gon’ get nasty for me?” Angel held the rope up for her.

“You ain’t even gotta ask twice, daddy.” Dylan climbed inside the ring. “Now what’s up?” She bounced around, throwing jabs at the air.

“What you gon’ teach me and Mason?”

“First of all, Apollo Creed, calm down before you break something.”

“Whatever,” Dylan rolled her eyes. “You know I know how to throw them thangs.”

“Uh huh,” Angel nodded his head mockingly. “Mason, yo’ mama think she a thug.”

“I am. Westside fool.” Dylan threw up a W with her fingers. “Ooh babe I forgot to tell you Billie and Tee-Tee are gonna throw us a reception next Saturday at the Three Sixty Rooftop Bar.”

“That’s what’s up.”

“So, I was thinkin’ about buying a new dress,” Dylan batted her eyes and turned from side to side like a little kid.

“I don’t care Dylan. That’s if you already haven’t. Knowing yo’ ass you probably have already bought like five dresses.”

“O ye, of little faith,” Dylan grinned because Angel was right.

“Yeah a’ight, I know you did.”

“Okay, but you were wrong. I only bought three. They all were so cute I couldn’t decide. I swear babe you’re gonna love whichever one I pick.”

“All I know is this better be the baddest dress I’ve ever seen.”

As promised Dylan’s dress not only wowed Angel but all of their family and friends as well. She stunned the crowd in a 60’s inspired, pale pink, feathered trimmed; Marchesa, baby doll dress and nude peep toe Christian Louboutin five inch heels. But as much as everyone was in awe of Dylan’s outfit she was even more impressed by the venue. The Three Sixty Rooftop Bar was constructed atop the 25-story east tower of the Hilton hotel and offered a 360-degree view indoor and out, of the riverfront, Arch, city skyline and Busch stadium.

And although Dylan’s dress was a show stopper, nothing could compare to the outstanding décor of the bar. The sleek, urban space featured a giant outside bar, several indoor bars, dozens of flat-screen TVs, Zen-like fire pits and several private and semi-private dining spaces. On each of the tables were centerpieces made of white roses, and orchids. Once again Billie and Tee-Tee had outdone themselves. Dylan didn’t know how on earth she’d be able to repay them for their love and generosity.

“Do you love it?” Billie gleamed walking towards her with open arms.

“I die,” Dylan hugged her. “I mean Billie this is like on another level.”

“I think I need to add party planner to my list of careers, if I do say so myself.” Billie dusted off her shoulder.

“Ah uh honey, you don’t need no more jobs on yo’ resume.” Tee-Tee chimed in. “You’re already overqualified.”

“Bye Fa’Hater!” Billie put her hand in his face.

“Girl bye,” Tee-Tee said with a laugh.

“An-y-way you look FIERCE mama!” He snapped his fingers.

“Thanks boo boo,” Dylan curtsied. “You look hot too. I’m loving the Basketball Wives Miami look you got going on.” Dylan admired the one shoulder, blue sequined dress he wore.

“It’s cool. I already know I’m hot.” Angel shrugged his shoulders and posed.

The John Varvatos tuxedo he donned fit his body like a glove.

“Baby, you are too fine for words.” Tee-Tee winked his eye at him.

“Yo.” Angel furrowed his brows and curled his lip.

“Alright, alright,” Tee-Tee stomped his foot. “Yo’ outfit tight dog.” He said in his lower register.

“Eww you sound like a fool,” Dylan laughed.

“Why you think I look like this?” He ran his hands down his hips. “Me and butch just don’t mix.”

“You got that right,” Billie agreed.

“CHUNKY!” Candy, Dylan’s mother, came stumbling towards her.

As always Candy had a drink in her hand and was dressed like a hooker fresh off the hoe stroll. Dylan thought she was out there with her fashion but her mother took the cake. It was like she pulled the most sluttish outfit she could find. She wore a black, tube dress with cut out slits going down the side of the dress, revealing the fact that she wore no panties and patent leather, platform, over the knee boots.

“Hello mother.” Dylan spoke dryly.

“What the hell are you wearing? Why you dressed like Betty White?” Candy tuned up her face.

“Ooh ma.” Dylan examined her leg. “You got a run in your stocking. Oh, sorry, it’s just a spider vein.”

“Touché,” Candy raised her glass then took a long drink.

“On the real Candy, you look hot,” Angel said, chuckling.

“Don’t make a black girl blush,” Candy smiled, coyly.

“Speaking of sexy, here come trouble,” Tee-Tee shot a devilish grin.

“Ah uh who invited him?” Billie glared at State, Dylan’s ex-fiancé.

He’d just gotten off the elevator and was searching the room for someone he knew. For over three years Dylan and State were in an on-again off-again relationship. They were even engaged for a short while but after State announced that he didn’t want to be a father or a husband, the two broke up. Unable to let him go, Dylan found herself right back in his arms only to learn that he’d gotten married to someone else. For a while, she didn’t speak to him but Dylan and State had an unshakable bond that many couldn’t understand. They now were strictly friends, who called upon one another for advice and support.