by Anna Black
“She sure did and told me she never wanted to see me ever again. And you talking about a broken heart. I wrote her letters, brought her flowers, and followed her around, begging her to take me back.”
“How did you get her back?” Chase asked.
“Yeah, Dad, what made you two get back together?”
“Well, I finally gave up trying. It was four months later that your mother decided she loved and missed me enough to accept me back. When she came back, she asked me again, did anything happen between me and Corrina, and I told her that I never touched that girl, and I only loved her, but it was the worst four months of my life.”
“So, you know how this feels?” Chase asked.
“Yes, I do, son, and your mother is the only woman I’ve ever loved this deeply. If she hadn’t come back to me, well, let’s just say, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
“But what if she never comes back?” Chase asked sadly.
“I think she will. What we did was crazy, but it’s nothing you two can’t come back from, li’l bro,” Damon said.
“If she truly loves you, she’ll forgive you at least, and if you two never get back together, Chase, well, we’ll have to cross that bridge when we get there, li’l bro. We had good intentions, but we just did it in a fucked-up way,” Travis said.
“Yes, we did,” Chase said. “I should have just told her the truth when I realized how important she was.”
“Well, son, let’s move forward. I’ll call Mr. Atkins and see if he will allow me a word with Madison. Hopefully, she’ll hear me out; then, hopefully, you two can put this behind you.”
“I hope so,” Chase said. They all stood.
“Now clean up this place.”
“Don’t push it. I have to get Madison back before I can get back on track.”
“Whatever.” Lance shook his head. “You stink like hell,” he said as they all headed for the door.
“Whatever,” Chase said. He took a whiff of his underarms and decided he could at least shower.
Chapter Twenty-four
Madison headed toward Houston, thinking she’d never return to Tyler again. Everywhere she went, people whispered about her and Chase. She was the laughingstock of the town now that word had gotten out, so she figured she would lie low for a while. Besides that, she was tired of running into Chase and people advocating on his behalf. She had visit after visit from someone trying to convince her to talk to him. His brothers came by every day, so she moved back to her parents’ just to not have a Storm ring her doorbell every five minutes. They told her Chase really loved her. Hurt and embarrassment had destroyed her world, and she wanted to get away from it all. Then when her father came to her and spoke to her about seeing Chase’s father, she refused. She didn’t want to see another Storm. Her dad told her that she was being a bit stubborn, and for a moment, she considered what her daddy said, but decided it was her life, and she’d be as stubborn as she wanted to.
She’d had an encounter with Hope, and the only thing that kept her from ripping the other woman’s eyeballs out was Deena, who happened to arrive just in time to break them up. Hope had said that now that Chase was a “free man,” she’d make him hers, and Madison wanted to beat her to a pulp. Deena couldn’t confirm whether Chase was seeing Hope or any other women, because he was barely speaking to his brothers and hadn’t been to his office since the breakup.
Madison couldn’t get out of town fast enough. She had hired an assistant manager before the salon’s reopening. She could handle the day-to-day management, and whatever Madison needed to do could be done from her laptop or tablet.
“Why are you running away, chile?” her mother had asked while she was loading up to leave. It had been three weeks of ducking and dodging Chase, his brothers, their wives, and Chase’s parents. After the flowers, phone calls, text messages, and Facebook posts from Chase had ceased, she guessed he had given up trying to win her back and was with Hope, the sexiest bitch in Tyler, or back to his old whoring ways.
“Momma, please. You know why. We’ve been through this. My relationship with Chase was a joke, a big fat lie, and now he’s with Hope. I wish them well.”
“Madison Grace, now I know you don’t believe that bullshit. From day one, you were caught up in a magical romance with Chase. As I’ve told you, it doesn’t mean a hill of beans how you two came together. What matters is how you end up. And, Hope . . . You know she only said that to get under your skin. Humph, with her family’s secrets, she need to go and sit down some-damn-where. Hope Gardener has nothing on you. She’s a spoiled bitch, and you’re doing exactly what she wants you to do. It’s okay to take him back if you truly love him, darling, and I know you miss him. It doesn’t matter about the bet. You fell in love, something you thought you’d never do after Dre,” Martha said tenderly.
Madison paused and thought about what her momma was saying. She did miss him, and she did want him back, but how could she go back to him after what he and his family had done to her? Why didn’t he just tell her? Would it have changed things, or would she have still left? Madison was even more confused about what she should do. She needed to get away from Tyler. Clear her mind, sort things out, and reevaluate it all. The answer about what to do wasn’t going to come easy. She blew out a breath.
“Mother, what you are saying is right, but I don’t know. All I know is that we ended up here, Mother. We are done.”
“Because you won’t take him back. Chase has done everything in his power to win you back, but you won’t budge. I know you’re hurt, pissed off, and feel like this was all a joke, but it wasn’t, baby. Yes, this all started with a bet, a stupid bet. Men do dumb shit like that, Madison. They think they’re clever, but we both know that they’re not, and in the process, you put a move on the man’s heart, and he loves you.”
“Why didn’t he tell me, Ma? He could have told me.”
“And would you have stayed, Madi, or would you have done what you’re doing now? You kicked the man to the curb. I know you love him, baby. He was a jerk for agreeing to something so foolish, but that wager, that bet, or whatever his brothers put him up to, put two hearts together. Chase is not that same old playboy that he was. When he talks about you, Madi, his eyes dance. His words are sincere, and if he didn’t give a damn, he’d have said fine and not even attempted to win you back. Don’t leave like this. You and Chase can start over. I know you love him.”
Madison was quiet. She did love him, and her heart ached for him. She was just still so damn angry.
She felt like a project or a specimen. She was the ugly girl someone paid $6 million to date. The feeling was awful.
She had thought their romance was genuine, but it was a setup. She couldn’t get past that. “I gotta go, Mother. I’ll be in touch,” she said. She grabbed her last bag and put it in the truck and then shut it. She got in and cranked her engine as her mother stood on her porch and watched her get into her car. “All of my bills are set up on autopay. The only mail I should get is junk. I love you, Ma,” she yelled and waved bye.
“I love you too. You’re making a big mistake, Madison Grace.”
“Oh yeah? It’s my mistake to make. I’ll call you when I get there.”
She pulled out and headed toward the highway. She drove telling herself she was doing the right thing. Something in her wanted to go to Chase’s and tell him she would take him back, but she drove on.
* * *
“Nakia,” she yelled when she saw her friend. They hadn’t seen each other since the death of Dre and the boys.
“Look at you, girl,” Nakia said. “I thought I packed on the pounds.”
“Don’t even start that shit.”
“You know I ain’t trippin’. Come on in.” Madison followed her inside.
The two women sat up all night drinking and catching up. The next morning, Madison woke up and found herself alone. She figured Nakia had gone to work. She showered and decided to get out. She visited some of her old stomping grounds, her
old job, and caught up with a few old coworkers, and then hit the grocery store before heading back to her girlfriend’s place.
“Hey, girl, you’re cooking?” Nakia said when she walked in. She went to the fridge and grabbed the wine to pour herself a glass.
After taking a sip from her glass, Madison said, “Yes, I wanted to fix something nice for you to say thanks for letting me come out here to clear my head.”
“Girl, we’ve been friends since college. You know better. I’m here when you need me.”
“I know.”
“So, you’re really done?”
Madison sighed. “Yes, love is no friend of mine.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I’m serious. As soon as I got out there to love again, I got a fraud. A fake.”
Nakia stood and walked around the counter. “Listen, Madi, you need to stop doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“I’ve heard all you’ve said about Chase, and what he and his family did was a bit odd, but look what happened. You two fell in love. What’s the harm in that? And to be the recipient of a few millions ain’t a bad rap to me—”
“Chase turned down the money.”
“That’s even more of a reason to take him back. I’ll admit, it was a jacked-up way to hook up, Madison, but after you started to date him, I heard from you more, and every time you sounded superhappy. It’s okay to take him back, girl. Especially after everybody has had their two-cent opinions. To show them, marry him and live happily ever after. Trust, there will be no more chatter once you two exchange vows. I mean, you sound crazy as hell up in here complaining about a stupid-ass bet. I mean $6 million, Madison. Hell, introduce me to one of those Storm men. Some men do way worse shit than that. He didn’t cheat on you, hit you, nor does he have a secret crazy-ass fetish. The man loves you. He’s apologized. His family has apologized. You gon’ walk away from love over that? Girl, bye!” Nakia said and polished off her wine. She got up to refill her glass. “By the way, when you get married, send yo’ girl some of those millions that makes you feel uneasy. I’ll spend it,” she joked, and they laughed.
Madison gave it a little thought. Chase had been the perfect gentleman, and he treated her more than well. And the lovemaking was insane. Was she overly dramatic? What is all that serious? Now, she felt a little crazy for reacting as she had. “Why are you always making sense of shit?” she asked Nakia.
Nakia smiled. “Because I’m your voice of reason. Just like in college.”
“Yes, you are, but still, I’m going to visit for a little while, if that’s okay. I have to process things. I’m still mad at him.”
“Really, Madison? Seriously?”
“Okay, I’m not mad. But I am embarrassed. I’m no charity case.”
“Girl, the man bet six mil on your ass. And didn’t lose. Hell, call me charity. I’ll be like here,” she joked raising her hand. “So, go get your man and make his family pay up. Hell, send me a couple of million for this session, and you still have to name your daughter Nakia.”
Madison laughed. “Oh my God, I forgot about that.”
“Well, I didn’t. You just had two boys first, but you promised you’d name your daughter Nakia, and if you don’t get back to Chase and work on that little girl, it will never happen.”
Madison swatted her arm. “Oooooh, you make me sick, but I love you.”
“I love you too, girl.”
“You are going to visit me in Tyler?”
“Yes, I promise this time.”
“Good, now let’s eat. My appetite hasn’t been this good since the breakup.”
“Well, your crazy ass should have came here day one of the breakup, and you and Chase would have been back together already.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Hell, I’m always right. Let’s eat,” Nakia said.
* * *
That night, Madison lay in bed dreaming of Chase and making love to him. She woke up and realized the moans she thought were from her dream were not. In the next room, Nakia was making things happen. Madison got up to go for her headphones and then remembered she hadn’t packed them.
She went into the kitchen, poured a glass of wine, and sat outside on Nakia’s patio. She looked out at the city and thought back to her life with Dre.
He had been a simple guy; nothing fancy about him, and he hadn’t taken much time or pride in his appearance. He was a jeans-and-Polo-type of guy, and since they got church from TBN, he didn’t have anything fancy to wear. They’d always find themselves hitting the stores for weddings, graduations, or Dre would be the repeat outfit guy.
She smiled because, although he wasn’t GQ, he was her friend. He was a great father, and he always managed to take care of business. But he wasn’t spontaneous, and he didn’t turn it out in the bedroom. She sighed.
Was I really happy, or did I just settle? She loved Dre, there was no question, but after experiencing a whirlwind romance with Chase, she realized things with her husband had been dull. Her relationship with Chase was magical, romantic, and full of sweet surprises. And Chase made love like he invented the Kama Sutra.
“God, please, I don’t want to compare them. I didn’t want Dre dead,” she said, feeling guilty that her relationship with Chase was more romantic, more exciting, and just mind-blowing. He was gentle when he had to be, and he fucked her senseless when she needed him to. She missed him.
“I don’t love him more than you,” she said, looking up, speaking to Dre. “I would have lived a million years with you just how we were. Things with Chase are different, but I loved every moment of my life with you.”
Dre was a great man, a man she’d always love, but Chase was the man. The man she craved. Brilliant, cocky, and stylish. If she invited him somewhere, he could hit his closet, not the mall. She’d hardly seen a repeat outfit on him, and he smelled good on every occasion.
He took pride in his appearance, and his cockiness turned her on. Her thighs trembled. She took a sip of her wine and rocked from side to side, because her entire being missed Chase, and she wanted to be back in his life, back in his arms, and definitely back in his bed. “I miss you, Chase,” she said out loud. She admitted it. “Why didn’t you tell me, baby? Would I have left you?” Would it have made any difference? she asked herself again, still not knowing the right answer to that. If he had told her sooner, would she would have acted differently?
“No, it would make no difference, because regardless, I’m in love with you, and I know you are in love with me.”
She got up and went inside to refill her glass and was greeted by a naked god. “Oooooh,” she said, covering her mouth.
“Madison, right?” he said casually like he wasn’t in his birthday suit.
She nodded.
“Funny meeting you like this. I’m Charles, Nakia’s boyfriend. Good night,” he said. She eyed his tight end as he headed back to Nakia’s room.
I am going home soon. Hearing Nakia and her lover had made her realize just how much she missed her man. She got her refill, went back to her room, and prayed that they were done fucking for the night.
The next day, she got a room at an upscale hotel to have a few days alone before heading back to Tyler. It didn’t matter what Chase was doing or who he was doing it with.... She was going to reclaim her man.
Before she left, she hung out with Nakia, and they promised to visit more. The drive home was the worse because she couldn’t get home fast enough. She was more than ready to reunite with her man. “I’m coming, baby, and I still want to be your wife,” she smiled.
Chapter Twenty-five
“Chase,” Hope yelled.
“What?” he snapped.
“Didn’t you hear me? I just asked if you’re coming with me to Shelly’s annual barbecue. I’ve only told you this five times.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Chase Storm, you’re going to have to snap out of this funk. And shave, for crying out loud. I mean, a beard is sexy,
but you got a Paul Bunyan thing going on. So not attractive.”
“Hope, you and I are not ‘you and I.’” He paused. “You know what it is. I told you where I stood, so if you can’t deal with it, please, go. I don’t need you or want you here.”
“Listen, Negro, I’m the only one who wants your ass at this point. Word on the street is you are a joke, so you ought to feel privileged to have someone like me. She’s gone, Chase. Gone. That fat bitch wasn’t cut out for people like us. We do what we have to do to get what we want, so suck it up. I expect you to be at my parents’ at seven for dinner tomorrow night. It’s my little sister’s birthday. And for crying out loud, go and see a fucking barber and shave that shit off of your face. It’s not cute anymore.” She slammed the door on her way out.
He cringed. Why did he let her in? Why did he let her comfort him after accepting he and Madison were done? He had let her suck his dick because he needed the release, and now, they were supposedly back together. Damn.
He got up from the sofa and looked around. His place looked like shit, and from the reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall, so did he. He grabbed his phone and dialed Madison’s. Again, it went straight to voicemail. She still blocked him. His eyes watered, and he wondered what his next move would be.
He drove out to her house again. Normally, he’d sit on her porch for hours, wondering where she had gone, but this day, he saw her mom coming out of the house.
He got out of his car. “Mrs. Atkins, hi. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Chase,” she said. The look on her face confirmed he looked like hell.
“Listen, Mom . . . Can I still call you Mom?” he asked.
“Of course, darling. I never told you not to.”
“Where did she go? I miss her, and I’m, like, insane at this point. I just want to see her face. I come by here every day and no Madi. Please tell me where she’s gone. I’ll go there. I need to bring her home.”
“Sit down, son,” Martha said. He sat on the steps, and she joined him.
“I’m so sorry for hurting her,” he said. “I didn’t mean to. I’d give up everything to have her back.”
