Material Girl 3: Secrets & Betrayals (6 page)

“I really don’t see it that way. We are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less.” Dylan folded her arms across her chest.

“So despite how I feel and everything I got going on you still gon’ talk to this man?” Angel asked, one last time.

Instead of answering, Dylan exhaled and rolled her eyes.

“What do you want me to do? He’s my friend, that’s it.” She finally responded.

            “You know what?” Angel stood up pissed. “I don’t want you to do shit. Go marry that nigga.” He threw his napkin down on the table.

            Shocked that Angel would hit her with something so cruel and then leave the room Dylan sat silently and looked over at Mason who was staring back at her. Mason had a look on his face as to say mama you done fucked up now.

            Hours later after putting Mason to sleep, Angel still wasn’t speaking to Dylan. He couldn’t understand how she didn’t realize that the mere sound of State’s name made him enraged. Dylan was the love of his life and to know that she cared for another man as much as she did for him never sat well with him. State was the only other man that Dylan fell head-over-heels in love with.

            It took her years to get him out of her system or had she? The fact that she maintained a so called “friendship” with State made Angel wonder was she truly over him? Did a part of her still love him and hold out hope that they could reconcile? Why else would she keep in constant contact with him? She’d hurt Angel in the worst possible way when she’d cheated on him with State.

            Angel opened up his heart in ways he’d never had with any other woman only for Dylan to shit on him and fuck another man behind his back. That scar had never fully healed and it never would with State being in the picture. If Dylan didn’t recognize that her actions were hurting Angel to the core then that was on her. He had no time to try to make her see otherwise.

            Angel was facing up to five years in jail and had a fight to defend his title as heavyweight champion of the world. If Dylan wanted to act like a selfish brat then so be it but he didn’t have to tolerate her inconsiderate behavior. If she wanted to remain friends with State, Angel would do what he knew she hated the most, freeze her out. He’d give her his whole ass to kiss as well as the cold shoulder. While preparing for bed they both stood in the bathroom in front of their perspective his and her sinks and brushed their teeth.

            Dylan gazed in the mirror at Angel who wouldn’t even acknowledge her presence. Normally he’d wink his eye at her or make a funny face while they brushed their teeth but not that night. Angel acted as if Dylan didn’t even exist. Dylan knew that he was ignoring her on purpose so she tried not to let it affect her but she failed miserably. She absolutely hated when Angel ignored her. It drove her insane.

            An underlining fear that he might leave her again always crept onto the surface causing her anxiety. Dylan wasn’t in the business of divorce so she had to make the situation better before it got even worse. Once they were finished brushing their teeth Angel and Dylan climbed into bed. Usually they’d lie in bed and watch television with one another but not that night.

            Angel got into bed, turned off the light and closed his eyes without saying a word. Flabbergasted by his childish behavior, Dylan sat up staring into the darkness wondering should she go off or try to have a reasonable conversation with him. Deciding to go the reasonable route; Dylan turned back on the light, pulled Angel over onto his back and straddled him.

            “What is it, Dylan? I’m trying to go to sleep,” Angel asked, dryly not even looking her in the eye.

            “So you just gon’ go to sleep and not say goodnight? When we start doing that?”

            “Goodnight. Now can you get off of me?” He shot sarcastically.

            “No, I can not. Look, I understand where you’re coming from but I need you to understand this, I love you and only you. No other man on this earth can compare to you. I don’t want anybody else but you. I know what happened between me and State in the past was fucked up but that’s exactly what it is, the past. I don’t want him and he for damn sure doesn’t want me. That ship has sailed and sank like the Titanic. We’re just friends and that’s all it is and is ever gonna be. I love you and I would never to do anything ever to hurt you. You’re my best friend,” Dylan said, sincerely.

“I don’t wanna fight with you.” She leaned down and kissed his lips. “I wanna make love to you.” Dylan slid her hand down his stomach and rested her hand on his dick.

Never one to pass up the opportunity to fuck, Angel swiftly tossed Dylan over onto her back. Before she knew it her legs were on his shoulders and he was hitting her with the death stroke. Angel’s dick felt like ten inches of pure, adulterated, sin. She could feel it all the way up in her ribcage. A hour later after fuckin’ her in every position imaginable Angel and Dylan climaxed.

Dazed from her orgasmic high Dylan lay on her side trying her damnest to catch her breath. She assumed she and Angel would cuddle like they normally do after sex but Angel had other plans. Just as before, he turned over and closed his eyes and pretended like she didn’t exist. Dylan’s ass was on punishment until further notice. It was time he teach her a lesson.

If I could forget him, I would.

-Jazmine Sullivan, “I’m in Love With Another Man”

Chapter 6

            A few days later Dylan, Tee-Tee and Billie decided to meet up for lunch at a hip, new Mexican restaurant located in the Central West End called Gringo. Gringo was owned by red blooded American’s serving authentic Mexican food with a twist. The restaurant was spacious with wood floors, brightly colored turquoise chairs and chalkboard walls. Dylan welcomed the friendly invite to have lunch with her friends, especially after days of tip toeing around Angel because he was still mad.

            Dylan tried waving the white flag numerous times but Angel still wanted to be at war. He was not willing to retreat. It didn’t help that Dylan hadn’t changed her stance on the subject either. She and State were just friends. She shouldn’t have to prove that to Angel. He should automatically trust her and move on. But since that wasn’t the case, Dylan decided to pick Billie and Tee-Tee’s brain on the subject.

            “Yes, you are wrong as hell,” Tee-Tee declared. “You’re more wrong than Mama’s Dee leave out, honey. You’re more wrong that Lebron James deformed ass feet.”

            “Well, goddamn,” Dylan giggled. “But nothing is going on between us, that’s the thing.”

            “It might not be but there was something between you two before. Put yourself in his shoes, selfish ass.” Tee-Tee retrieved his straw.

            “I guess,” Dylan responded, not fully convinced.

            “Ain’t no guess to it, bitch. I’m always right,” Tee-Tee joked.

            “I frankly don’t understand why you want to keep such a vile, disgusting person around you in the first place.” Billie chimed in.

            She sat all the way back in her seat with her legs crossed and an annoyed expression on her face.

            “We’ve all known from day one State wasn’t shit. He treated you and everyone,” she stressed, pointing around the table “else in his life like crap.”

            “Lies you tell. He loves me,” Tee-Tee popped his lips.

            “He doesn’t care about anyone but his self,” Billie continued, rolling her eyes. “He will
neveeeer
change. People like him with no heart or conscious are incapable of change.”

            “Well tell us how you really feel.” Dylan’s eyes bulged.

            “I’m just sayin.” Billie sat up straight. “People like him are put on this earth to destroy everyone around them without a thought or care. You really think State care about you? ‘Cause if you do you are sadly mistaken. He will chew you up and spit you out honey. He ain’t worried about you or your marriage. Hell, he wasn’t even worried about his own damn marriage for that matter. He’s already made you look crazy enough. Don’t end up lookin’ like no fool. State is not someone worth having in your life on any term. Trust me, I know.”

            “What you mean trust me, I know?” Dylan eyed her quizzically.

            Realizing she’d said too much, Billie cleared her throat.

            “Nothing, I’m just saying I know when a person is being used, that’s all,” she said, flushing in distress.

“Mmm,” Dylan said, not fully convinced.

 “You know what I am such an idiot.” Billie slapped her hand against her forehead. “Today is my day to pick up the kids from school. Forgive me but I gotta go.” She air kissed Dylan and Tee-Tee’s cheeks.

“But we haven’t even got our food,” Tee-Tee objected.

“Don’t worry about it. Lunch is on me.” Billie yelled over her shoulder leaving out.

“What the hell was that about?” Tee-Tee wondered out loud.

“I have no freaking idea. Homegirl has been on ten since the party. I thought it was just me that noticed it,” Dylan said, still taken aback.

“No sweetie, mama is having a full blown nervous breakdown right in front of our eyes. You think its Knox or Cain?” Tee-Tee asked.

“I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything to me. You know the bitch is weird.”

“You’s a shady bitch,” Tee-Tee cracked up laughing. “Well since lunch is on Billie I think I’m gonna have another margarita. Oh waiter!”  

I don’t wanna lose you now. I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me.

-Justin Timberlake, “Mirror”

Chapter 7

            Filming for HBO’s 24/7 featuring Angel Carter and Trevor Thomas had begun and the city of St. Louis was on fire. With sports media crews and paparazzi in town all eyes were on the king and queen of the Lou. Angel was pumped and ready for the full on media blitz, non stop training and sparring sessions. His body was in its physical peak and his mind was 100% focused on the bout. Nothing, not even Dylan and her thoughtless bullshit could get him off track.

            Since 24/7 was a reality series based on the life of a boxer as he prepares for a fight Angel had to pretend like nothing in his life was off kilter; especially not his marriage to Dylan. They couldn’t withstand anymore negative press so when she and Mason arrived to be with him as he trained in front off the press, Angel put on a strong face. He greeted his wife with a sweet kiss. Dylan was overjoyed by the show of affection from her husband.

            The heart wrenching silent treatment that he’d been giving her was tearing her apart. She absolutely hated being in the midst of Angel’s wrath when he was mad. The man could hold a grudge like no other. She just wished that he could see things her way. She would never betray Angel’s trust as she’d done in the past.

 If he would only listen to her things between them would be good. By the kiss and the warm hug he gave it seemed like he’d come around. Maybe he finally realized that State was of no threat to him.

“Dylan?” A reporter from ESPN shouted.

“Yes,” she smiled, as Angel stood firmly by her side, drinking a bottle of water.

“How have you been keeping up knowing that your husband might be facing five years in jail? Are you afraid?”

“No, I’m not,” Dylan said, confidently although she was lying. “My husband did nothing wrong but try to protect me. Once we have our day in court the truth will be revealed.”

“My wife is a soldier, that’s why I married her.” Angel told the reporter.

“Throughout this entire fiasco she’s stood by my side and loved me unconditionally. I couldn’t ask for a better wife or mother of my son.” Angel lovingly kissed Dylan on the forehead causing her heart to flutter.

“Now enough of me sounding like a girl let’s get back to boxing.” Angel threw on his wickedly addictive charm.

Hours later after hitting the bag, jumping rope and numerous others exercises the media crews left. Angel sat catching his breath while Dylan wiped mounds of sweat from his face.

“You did so good, baby,” she gushed, proudly.

“Thanks,” Angel replied, dryly. “Come here man.” He called out to Mason who was walking around the room.

“Daddy!” Mason wobbled over to his father.

“His little self is getting so big. I wish he could stay this size forever.” Dylan poked out her bottom lip.

“Nothing stays the same for too long. You proved that, right?” Angel said, in a brash tone.

“What is that suppose to mean?” Dylan snapped, taken aback by his attitude.

“It means ain’t shit changed,” Angel stood up with Mason securely in his arms. “You still rock wit’ ole boy, right?”

Dylan stood speechless.

“A’ight then,” Angel walked away.

Out done by the fact that he was only being nice to her for the cameras, Dylan shook her head. She was tired of the back and forth arguing between her and Angel. This whole thing had to be resolved and fast.

After Angel served his entire firm, ass to Dylan on a platter she left the gym in search of answers. She was still very much conflicted by her views on maintaining a friendship with State. Deciding it was best to go straight to the source, Dylan headed over to State’s office building for a chat. Being the media mogul that he was State’s office was located in the heart of downtown St. Louis. He had an entire ten floor building that housed his record label, clothing line and staff. As soon as Dylan walked into the building she was greeted by the front desk manager, Laila.