My Cup Runs Over: The Ultimate and Final Deception (3 page)

“Hello?”

“Hello Desiree, how are you?”

“I’m good and how about you?” she replied.

“I’m fine. You really sound tired. So how did you enjoy Phoenix and the games? I tried to watch in my spare time.”

She hesitated before answering. She was still cuddled in Q’s arms and didn’t want to reveal they were together. 

“Yeah... I am tired but I’m glad you called. We’ve been playing phone tag since I arrived. When you get back, leave everything on my desk and I’ll take it home.”

“No problem and Desiree, thanks for allowing me to do this project.”

“Don’t mention it.  I’ll see you when I get back. Okay?”

“Cool...talk to you later.”

After hanging up the phone, she rolled over to give Q the biggest hug she could before getting out of bed. 

“Do you have time for us to go get a massage?” She asked. "All I’m going to want is to relax for the trip home because I know that plane is going to be packed with everyone trying to get back from the games.” 

“Whatever you want is fine with me as long as you’re happy. Let’s do it, before time runs out.”

The pleasure of having their bodies rubbed and meshed for an hour was the perfect prelude to the return trip home. As they pulled up to park, they could see that just as Desiree had predicted, the terminals were packed with people everywhere. She made sure to bring some of the roses Q had given her as they headed towards Regency Club until it was time for her flight to board.

Sitting in the lounge, Desiree’s eyes began to tear, not wanting to leave him. Q grabbed her by the hand attempting to console her. 

“Don’t worry. I’ll see you as soon as T-Bird arrives in Atlanta. I’ll be flying her in myself. Okay?”

She took one of the rose stems and gave it to him.

“Here, take this back with you. I want you to have something to think about while flying back home. And, if by chance, that doesn’t keep your mind on me, I put the very tee shirt I wore when we first met at T-Bird's press party in your bag. You know the one with all the holes in it. It still has my perfume lingering in it. I can still feel you inside me right now.  I love you Mr. Anderson,” she said before standing, preparing to leave the lounge to board her flight.

Coincidentally, as she approached the boarding area, one of the fans at the game remembered seeing them on the screen when Q arranged the message during the half-time event and began to tell the passengers in the boarding area. Giving Q one last kiss, she walked through the boarding door and down the jet way. Desiree felt like the most important person in the world, listening to the passengers talk about her at the stadium the night before. Q just stood at the window and watched the plane push back off the gate, before leaving.

The airline personal knew there was something special about Q, after hearing all the other passengers talk, but didn’t bother to ask, realizing so many celebrities were in the city. They just watched him walk away with the rose Desiree had given him and a smile on his face.

______________________________

It was Saturday afternoon and time was running out. Q was back home to finalize all of his affairs. Business was growing and it was a sure indication he needed to hire more staff.  He called T-Bird and asked her, Andre, Trey and JJ to meet at their usual VIP table at the Tea Pot to go over all the details and contacts for her arrival in Chicago. Surprisingly, she never thought he would go all the way back to Phoenix just to be with Desiree after being up practically all night at the dinner party for Carlotta’s mother. However, she had to satisfy her curiosity.

“So you actually flew back to Phoenix to see Desiree again?” She asked.

“Oh come on, T. Are you really going to go there? I told you I was going back to be with her. Did you not believe me?” Q just took the phone away from his ear.

“Well, I just didn’t imagine you’d fly back after being up all night. If it were me, I would have considered a rain check. I mean I’m just trying to be concerned.” 

“Yeah right. Of course.” Q replied. "However, if we were talking about Darnell, I guarantee you there wouldn’t even be a conversation over your decision. Please don’t even try to play me like that. Furthermore, I had to keep my word to see her. She's quite aware I’m going to be very busy helping you with the tour.”

“Ok...ok...I‘m not going to say anymore.Yawl got everything under control. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll be sure to tell everyone about the meeting.”

“No problem, I’ll see you then,” Q concluded before hanging up the phone.

Finally, he was able to head home and face the biggest challenge yet...for the remaining of the evening, h would be calling all his previous partners, telling them he could no longer see them, with the exception Carmen Perez. She was his latest friend and really had her shit together managing a Prime Corp Bank. If anyone had a fair chance at becoming a potential partner, she certainly did.

It was a hard chapter for him to close, as he thought back on all the good times he'd shared with so many women. As for Carmen, she deserved his presence when he expressed his decision and to have one last date while maintaining her friendship.  He then began to think about Trey, JJ and T-Bird and the challenges in their relationships, hoping he would avoid all that with Desiree.

For a moment, he sat in his chair, realizing love will make you do the unthinkable and now here he was for the first time, completely out of his comfort zone. This was his fork in the road. The only thing left to do was call Desiree to make sure she made it back to Atlanta safely. However, in that instance she called.

“Hi babe, I’m home! Oh my god what a crazy flight. Those passengers worked those flight attendants to death. They didn’t get a break the entire trip until preparing to land. I can’t believe I’m missing you already. So how is everyone and are they glad to know you’re back?” She was on hyper-drive!

“Yes they are, and as a matter of fact, I just talked to T-Bird to let her know I’ll be meeting with the team tomorrow afternoon, giving them the details on the transportation once she arrives in Chicago. I was just thinking about you before you called.  So what are you going to do for the rest of the evening?”

“Well, I’m afraid I’m going to be up all night. I have so much work to catch up on. I’ve got to select my best interviews and put together a center and four-page spread to present by Tuesday.  I also have to look at Darnell’s work and figure out just what I’ll be placing from his trip in Miami.”

“Well don’t let me slow you down. I better let you go so you can get started. You know something, I can still smell you. I’m going to have a lot to think about, every time you’re on my mind. Why don’t you call me when you finish?  I’d like to know what you choose to place.”

“I’ll be glad to. My, my... I’m impressed you’re interested enough to want to know.”

“Well I should be. I was there watching you work your ass off. Mostly, it’s a little sentimental knowing I was there with you while you worked it."

What a awkward and strange experience this was for Q, admitting he cared enough to ask about her work. However, he meant every word. Laying across her bed, she prepared to bring their conversation to a close listening to her cuz’s song. The words alone provoked her to curl between her pillows in the middle of the bed.

“Baby, I think we better hang up now. I can’t listen to this song any longer and you’re not here with me. I’ll call you later to let you know what articles I’ll be printing.”

“Okay, I’m going to try to get some rest myself because being without you isn’t going to be easy for me to shake either. I know everyone will be waiting on me...although the meeting won’t take long. We're just wrapping up the arrangements for the tour...”                                   ______________________________

It was Sunday afternoon and everyone was headed for the club. As usual, being at the Tea Pot was the glue that held them together as they caught up on business and talk about their lives.

“Well T, I have to say I’m excited. Everything is all set for us to be leaving in the morning.” Q said while ordering a drink and handing over all the papers to Andre for the transportation. 

“Dre, I guess you can take over from here.”

“Thanks for everything Q. I must say, I wish I had business partners like you guys.” 

“T, is there anything else you’d like to add?” Q asked. 

“Nope, I’m satisfied. I'm just excited to get started.” 

“Well, after tonight, you’ll be on your way, so let’s meet here at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. 

“So Trey how’s Carlotta and her mom?” Andre asked.

“They’re fine. We’re all going out tonight to see a play in the city.”

JJ picked up his glass of water. “Hey Trey, Carlotta agreed to come over and share some of her family secrets with Vivian in the kitchen. You’ve got yourself a winner. We like Carlotta and we know the feeling is mutual. 

Trey felt like he was ten feet tall after all the affirmation he received about dating Carlotta. 

“So T-Bird, have you heard from Darnell? JJ asked. T-Bird was shocked that he would part his lips to ask her anything about him.  Especially since she knew he couldn’t stand Darnell. However, it was his way of breaking the ice. Even still the expression on his face couldn’t hide how he really felt about Darnell. T-Bird tried to maintain her composure just to have the opportunity to rub dirt in back in his face.

“No, not since Friday morning. I’m really happy Desiree gave him the opportunity to go to Miami and interview DDG before they join us tomorrow.”

Trey took this moment to stand and interrupt the conversation.

"Look T-Bird, I guess I’ll have to be the spokesperson and say, on behalf of everyone, we want to you to know we want to be happy for you. If being with Darnell is a part of that, then we’re willing to support you in any way possible.”

T-Bird crossed her legs while looking at everyone. “Okay I can live with that” she responded.  “I know yawl want the best for me. You don’t know how much I appreciate that. I think Darnell is a sweet man. If he’s not the one I’m meant to be with, I know how to cut the cord and let go. I know yawl mean well...”

Trey gave her a smile, confirming his acceptance of her decision. 

“Oh and Andre, thanks for bailing Carlotta and I out, not knowing Kim’s name. We felt a little embarrassed standing there for a minute.” Trey continued.

“It’s cool man; it was actually my fault for not mentioning it before we got there. I called JJ at the last minute to ask if she could accompany me, for the sake of not going solo.” 

“Kim huh? Trey asked. “Well at least I know for the next time”

“Um... um...I didn’t know you roll like that, Andre.” T-Bird added, as she willing tried to take advantage of finding a moment create some humor for a few laughs.

“Well thanks for the compliment. I have a lot more potential than you think. My dear.” He replied while still enjoying the laughter. “No matter what I’m doing, I can call any one of my women at the drop of a dime and they’ll be right there.” 

“Oh really? Well I guess money can buy you anything after all. Huh?” T-Bird continued as everyone began to laugh again.

“Okay, don’t let me have to call Darnell and find out how much he’s charging you to be with him,” Andre elaborated. “I already heard how much you can’t be without him!”

All you could hear was more outburst of laughter from everyone for his comment; T-Bird had no alternative but to give him the respect he deserved. That comment seemed to temporarily shut her mouth, leaving her shaking her head. If you were willing to give it, you had to also be able to take it and finally she was getting a taste her own medicine. 

“Okay, you know I owe you one. So look out. I’m going to get you.” Andre just sat there laughing, leaving her speechless as everyone closed the meeting. 

Q left to go to his office and check on things, Trey finalizing plans to pick up Carlotta and her mother to take them into the city. JJ stayed behind to make plans for the club, before arranging to spend time with Vivian, and, Andre prepared for the responsibility of taking care of the band, leaving T-Bird the opportunity go home and relax before her morning plane ride .

After all the hills and valleys in her career, she was seeing a straight line in the road. Still, she was excited to call Darnell to tell him she was leaving in the morning only to get his voice mail after two attempts. Finally, after the third try, she left a message.

“Darnell, it’s me. I just wanted to hear your voice while I was packing for the tour... we leave in the morning. I know you’re probably busy trying to put together the articles for Desiree, but I just want to talk to you. Call me when you have a chance. I’ll be up waiting to hear from you. I miss you…. Bye.”

Even though she'd received everyone’s endorsement to be with him, there were still dark secrets yet to be discovered about Darnell. From the moment they met, all the times they'd shared and the love they'd made, really predicted a promising relationship. Out of all the men who wanted to be with her and give her anything she wanted to enjoy happiness, she was in deep with Darnell. 

After getting everything packed, she sat at the dining room table listening to the radio. She tried to stay awake to receive Darnell’s call. It was uncharacteristic of him to not return her call, especially with a message that she was leaving in the morning. Before she realized, it was morning and now her phone was ringing, waking her up. The calls from her associates in the music industry wishing her great success continued well into the morning. Even after waiting up half the night, the person she
wanted
to hear from still hadn’t returned her call. Before making any decisions, she tried once more, only to get no answer.