Pretty Fly for a White Guy: The Complete Series Collection (18 page)

Life was turning out to be pretty good. We had a wonderful evening out, and my paranoia was dying down.

#Chapter6

“
I always wore red lipstick when I wanted to look severe. I was in a severe kind of mood.”

Nicole

The first week of our diet and exercise plan was pretty hard.

What in the hell was I thinking doing an alcohol free diet? Everyone knows that I’m a lush.

No one warned
 me about how difficult it would be. I’m used to going home and pouring myself a glass of wine, ordering a cocktail during lunch meetings, and grabbing a glass of champagne at networking events. I didn’t know that giving it up would be so damned hard. Alcohol is a huge part of my life. Kenneth loves reminding me that I can’t have any when we go to events. I want to be upset with him when he says it, but I knew that I planned on conveniently forgetting.

On the upside, our fitness regime
 had been going well, and I loved going to the gym with him. He was right about being a drill sergeant, but I didn’t mind because I wanted to push my body to do more. There were also a lot of hating women at the gym. They were there to find men, and I brought one with me. It’s not my fault that he’s so damned fly.

Everything has also been going great with Desmond. I saw his collection in person a couple of days after our meeting, and I was still blown away. I took his portfolio to a few of my clients, and they fell in love. So now I’m here at his studio, and we’re working out a contract. I was about to bring him a lot of business, but I had to make sure that all of our ducks were in row.

I’ve come to the realization that Desmond is a huge flirt by nature. It’s as if it’s in his blood, and he just can’t help it.
 It would be easier to deal with if he wasn’t so damned fine. He gets my blood boiling, and I have to ignore it, I’m not cheating on Ken. But dammit, I can’t stop staring at his lips. They’re so…juicy.

“Okay so this contract looks pretty good,” he said.

“Yep, you have your lawyer look it over and if he approves, then we’re good to go.”

“That’s sounds like a plan to me. Thank you so much Nicole. I really appreciate this and I know that I’m in good hands.”

“Yep, you just make sure that you continue to spread the word and show the right people your line. You’re about to blow up, so get ready,” I said.

“I was born ready,” he grinned, “I’m throwing a party this weekend, and I would love it if you and your man could roll though. Everyone is going to be there. Patrice and Nicole have already confirmed.”

“I really wish that I could I have to work out that very next morning and I’m trying to avoid alcohol because of my diet,” I said.

“Well that’s disappointing,” he said with a fake pout.

“Oh, I’m sure that you’ll have plenty of fun without me. You’re the new guy in town and the ladies are buzzing.”

“You think I’ll get some action?” he asked playfully.

“I know you’ll get some action, so wrap it up.”

“Always better safe than sorry,” he laughed.

*

The day of the party arrived, and I was looking forward to a quiet evening with Ken because I knew that he wouldn’t be attending a party hosted by Desmond that is for sure. He and I were overdue for a movie night, and I wanted to do a whole lot of cuddling. I called him a few times to invite him over to my place, but he didn’t answer the phone and he didn’t answer my messages. I was a little sad about it, but it was my fault because I hadn’t asked him earlier. I waited until the last minute and so my night would come to a close early. I drifted off to sleep without the aid of alcohol. I am starting to sound like an alcoholic but it is not that bad honestly.

In the morning I had an extra pep in my step because I knew that I would be seeing Ken at the gym. He still hadn’t answered my messages, but he never missed a workout.

I waited for a half hour for him to arrive, and he never showed up. I started my work out without him, and I was getting more and more pissed as the time went by. Why in the hell did he drop off the face of the earth? I don’t like that kind of behavior from my man and he knows that.

I went through the rest of my workout so that I could get my rage out. I couldn’t wait to see my friends in a few hours because I had some serious venting that I needed to do. Who in the hell did he think he was? He would have a complete fit if I disappeared on him the way that he did.

I went home to shower, nap, and to put on a great outfit. I wore my hair up in one of those buns that I love so much, put on a huge pair of earrings, and wore deep red lipstick. I always wore red lipstick when I wanted to look severe. I was in a severe kind of mood.

I showed up to the restaurant and my girls were already seated. As soon as I sat down Patrice lit into me.

“
Girl why weren’t you at the party last night?”

“Well Ken and I had a workout this morning, and I didn’t want to be tempted to drink,” I said.

Jasmine and Patrice looked at each other and then gave me a puzzled look.

“
Ummm, Ken’s ass wasn’t fit to work out this morning,” Jasmine said.

“Why not?” I asked.

“He was boozing it up last night at the party is why.”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me, “I said in disbelief.

“No girl, we’re not kidding. He was knocking down shots like they were water. He was the life of the party. And the soul!”

I was so angry that my hands began to shake. Clearly partying was more important than the agreement that we had. Why would he go to Desmond’s party and not tell me? Why would he even go to Desmond's party in the first place? Unless Josh dragged him along.

Either way, he was being such an inconsiderate asshole. He wasn’t supposed to be drinking at all. I wasn’t sure if I was more jealous or pissed. I tried my best to hide my anger because I didn’t want them to know.

“Oh okay, he told me that he was going out but I didn’t realize that’s where he was going,” I said coolly, “I guess some stuff got lost in translation.”

Jasmine gave me a suspicious look but let it go, “Anyway, Ken and Desmond squared up to each other and it looked like it might get heavy. It was a huge debacle but luckily it was squashed before anyone threw a punch.”

I gave a huge sigh, “Why must men act like such douche bags in public. That’s what happens when there is too much testosterone and alcohol in one place.”

“You’re right about that,” Patrice agreed.

So not only did Ken go out behind my back, he was also trying to start trouble with Desmond. That was probably his whole motive for going there in the first place. This entire situation was unacceptable, especially since Desmond was my client now. My boyfriend went to one of my client’s parties and tried to start a damned argument with him. I didn’t have to be there to know who started that confrontation. I made a mental note to apologize profusely to Desmond later. I could only hope that it wouldn’t affect our business relationship. I don’t play around when it comes to my career, and I didn’t like the idea of him jeopardizing it.

“I’m sorry ladies; I have to go see Ken. I spent all that time being upset with him, and it was my fault for being so forgetful.”

“Alright Chica, call us later,” Patricia said.

“Bye hun, love you,” Jasmine said as I got up from the table.

I kissed them both of the cheek, “Love you more.”

*

I headed to Kenneth’s house in a fury. I hoped like hell that this isn’t what our year was going to be like. He couldn’t disappear off the face of the earth, go partying, and start trouble while we were together. It didn’t just make me look bad, but it made him look bad too. Word travels fast and if he looks like a loose cannon people will drop him as their accountant. Everyone loves to see a fool, but no one wants to work with one.

I showed up to his new apartment because I had a huge feeling that it was where he would be. I leaned on the doorbell because no one was answering me, but their cars were outside. Someone buzzed me in, and I walked to the door. Joshua was there with a smirk. I wanted to wipe it off of his face, but I chose not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me upset. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every minute of it. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him and Kenneth, and so I had to pick my battles wisely.

“You must be looking for Ken,” he said.

“Yes, is he here?”

“Yep he’s in the room,” he said as he opened the door wide enough for me to come in. I had to brush past his body to get inside of the apartment. He was being a dick. I walked to Ken’s room and saw him damned near passed out on his bed. If I was evil I would have doused him with water, but I was going to be nice this time.

“Ken,” I said as shook him awake.

“What?” he asked before he opened his eyes.

“Wake up, I want to talk to you,” I watched as his eyes slowly opened.

“Oh hey babe,” he reached towards me and tried to get me to lay down with him. I was disgusted because he still smelled like alcohol. Being with someone that was drunk wasn’t any fun unless you were in the same state.

“This is ridiculous Ken!”

“Oh hell no. I know you didn’t come over here to nag me.”

“I’m not nagging. You broke our agreement, and you stood me up this morning,” I said.

“Oh babe, I am sorry I just remembered” He said slowly. “I honestly forgot about the workout.”

“Whatever, you came up missing on me last night. I don’t play that shit. This morning would have been easier to forgive if you would have kept it real with me in the beginning,” I spat.

“Babe, I’m sorry. You’re right I should have called. I promise that I’ll make it up to you. Josh and the guys just dragged me out last minute.”

I knew that he was just apologizing so that I would be quiet but how can you continue to berate a person that had apologized? He reached for my arm again and pulled me into a liquor soaked hug. I laid next to him for a few moments, and he began to snore in my ear. I pushed his arm off of me and left his house still pissed off. It was an annoying fuck up but I guess I was over reacting. He really did seem like he forgot.

I decided to contact a potential client to see if she wanted to meet up to discuss some things. She was one of the few boutiques that were open on Sunday and I hopped in my car and prepared to head across town. One thing that always made me feel better was the prospect of making more money.