Frick laughed out loud.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I said. “Money talks and bullshit walks, doesn’t it? Until next time, holla.”
“Holla back,” he said, and we both laughed.
My shit was already packed because I knew that after I spoke to Frick, I was taking my butt home. I wanted to stop and say good-bye to Shane, but I said fuck it. I called for a bellhop to assist me with my things and jetted. By the time I made it to the airport, I was moving so quickly that if you blinked, you missed out. I went to pick up my ticket, but they informed me there was a short delay. I was cool, and since I knew I was on my way home, I sat down in a chair and chilled.
Within the next hour or so, my plane was ready to depart. I took a seat, closing my eyes, in deep thought. I hoped and prayed that Nokea would be home so that we could talk. The last time I spoke to Nanny B, she said she hadn’t heard from Nokea. A part of me didn’t think she’d be stupid enough to go back to Collins, but I knew if she wasn’t at home, then that was exactly where she was. Bottom line, she had some serious explaining to do. She might have run out on me at the restaurant and hotel, but when I got her in my territory, there would be nowhere for her to run.
As soon as the plane touched down, I was already out of my seat belt. Slowpokes were getting cursed out again, but this time it was underneath my breath. The moment I grabbed my luggage, I thought about using the pay phone to see if Nokea had made it home. Instead, I grabbed the nearest taxi and asked the driver to hurry and get me home.
Seeing my house felt like standing at the gates of heaven. I paid the driver and hurried out of the taxi. I walked to the front door and took a deep breath before opening it. I kept thinking, God help Nokea if she isn’t home, and God help her even if she is.
When I pushed the door open, the first person I saw was Nanny B. She was on the couch, soaking up air from the fans that hung from the cathedral ceilings. When she saw me, she gave a half grin and stood up to greet me.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said, hugging me tightly. I dropped my luggage and held her back.
“Where’s Nokea and the kids?” I quickly asked.
“The kids are resting, and Nokea is in the bedroom. Please go see about her, Jaylin. I’m really—”
I didn’t give Nanny B time to finish. I tossed my jacket on the leather chair and made my way to our bedroom. When I opened the double French doors, I saw Nokea standing by the doorway to the balcony, looking out. She wore one of my white, crisp button-down shirts and quickly turned to me.
I defensively held my arms apart. “Why in the hell did you leave me like that? You just gon’ walk out on me—this marriage—just like that?”
Nokea rushed over to me with red and puffy eyes. She reached around my waist, placed her head on my chest, and held me tight.
“I’ve never been so happy to see you in my entire life,” she admitted. She then reached up and grabbed my face with her hands. She covered my lips with hers and aggressively stuck her tongue in my mouth. “Make love to me,” she demanded. “I want to ... need to feel you now!”
I broke our kiss and held her shoulders with my hands. “Sex is not the answer to this problem, Nokea. Do you think that just because you get all emotional and shit, I’m supposed to forget about your visit with Collins? And then not trip off of you saying you should have fuck—”
She moved her head from side to side and spoke in a teary voice. “I don’t care about Collins. To hell with him and Scorpio. It’s over, baby. It’s all over. I ... I’m sorry for leaving you. Please forgive me. I should have been there for you, no matter what.”
“Why are you saying all of this to me now? Are you feeling guilty or something!” I pulled away from her and took a few steps forward. My heart raced. “Baby, if you slept with Collins, this marriage is over! There is nothing that you can say or—”
Nokea reached for the sleeve to my shirt and pulled me to her. She grabbed the back of my curly hair and squeezed it tightly. Her lips found mine, and again, she insisted that we make love. “This marriage is not over,” she said, aggressively moving me back toward the bed. “I did not have sex with Collins, and I would never betray you.”
I fell backward on the bed, and Nokea rushed on top of me. She ripped my shirt open and reached for my belt buckle. Once she had it undone, she began to unzip my pants. I held my hand over hers to stop her. We looked deep into each other’s eyes.
“Swear to me you didn’t sleep with him, Nokea. Tell me that I am all you will—”
“I swear to God I didn’t sleep with him, and you have my word that I will never, ever allow another man to have me. You are all I want, need, and desire. All I want is the same in return. Can you promise me the same in return?”
I reached up and moved Nokea’s sweaty bangs from her forehead. “Yes, baby, yes. You are my everything. Since we’ve been married, I have never had sex with another woman.”
“Please don’t lie, Jaylin. Now is the time to tell me. Please be honest with me about Scorpio.”
I held Nokea’s face and spoke sternly. “It never happened. I swear on everything I love that sex between us never happened.”
She leaned forward and wet my lips with hers. I started to feel excited, and Nokea could feel my dick on the rise. She eased her way down and pulled the zipper over the hump in my pants. She then reached for what she wanted and gulped it far down in her mouth. What a good-ass feeling, I thought while removing my pants. But before I even had a chance to enjoy the feeling, my toes curled and I let loose. I grabbed Nokea, flipping her upside down. Her legs straddled my face, and I stood up. She knew the routine. I made my way over to the wall and laid her back against it. Her legs tightened around my neck, and it was time that I returned the favor.
For a long while, Nokea’s juices quenched my thirst. I had her pussy on fire, and when she came, I damn near dropped her on the floor. Instead, I gently laid her down. She got on her knees, and I kneeled behind her. I reached my hands around to her perky, tight breasts, massaging them together. And as my hands were in motion, she turned her head to the side, pleasing me with long and wet kisses. Kisses that made me reach my hand down to her clit. I stroked it a few good times and then used my middle finger to moisten her hole. It was more than ready for me, so after a little more finger action, Nokea bent down and separated her knees. I wiped my goods along her wet slit before searching inside. She gasped from the feeling and leaned forward. Realizing that I’d most likely hit bottom, I put my hands on her hips and pulled her back to me.
“Is that better?” I said, giving it to her Jaylin’s way. Only those who’d had it knew what it felt like. And for those who’d missed out, they obviously had to use their imagination.
“Better,” Nokea moaned. “Oh, you have no idea. No idea how much I love this ... and love you more.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
Nokea and I made up for lost time. She said that I didn’t know how much she loved me, but now I for damn sure did. Not only that, but I knew how much I loved her more. There wasn’t competition between us pertaining to who loved who the most, but just the tiny thought of her not being in my life had caused me to lose my mind. Peace had made its way back into my home, and I hoped like hell that it stayed there.
SHANE
18
After getting ignored by me, Scorpio gathered her things and left. I just wasn’t up for no arguing, and I was tired of her always having to explain. The apologies were enough to drive me crazy; and I felt that if she hadn’t done anything wrong, then what was her apologizing for?
No doubt, I wanted to hear her full side of the story, because I thought it was fair that I, at least, heard her out. But today was not the day. Since Jaylin had left, I’d visualized the whole encounter in my head. I had allowed them a few hours alone, and she couldn’t even control herself. First, to be running around, half naked, was definitely inappropriate and disrespectful. She could have easily grabbed my robe and covered herself, bu
t that would mean Jaylin couldn’t see all that he’d been missing. I’m sure that was her intention for wearing what she had on; and she knew for a fact, him being married or not, being dressed like that would arouse him.
I guess Nokea’s phone call saved everybody. Whatever was about to go down before she called, it was clear those two hotheads probably would’ve fucked. And then in my house? On my bed? Underneath my sheets? Of course I was mad. Maybe that was why Nokea and I felt as if our kiss wouldn’t hurt nobody. I was surprised when she brought her lips to mine, and even more surprised when I didn’t back away. Yes, it was wrong, but I was upset with Jaylin about his remarks. Even if I was making a big mistake by being with Scorpio—and he could still have her whenever he wanted to—his words left a bad taste in my mouth. Getting back to Scorpio . . . she knew better. I’d been nothing but good to that woman, and she had no reason to open her legs up to any man. I didn’t give a shit about her past with Jaylin. It had been time to move on, and both of them very well knew it.
Instead of lying around all day, fucking, I was kind of glad Scorpio was gone. I had mega work that needed to be done, and for the last few weeks, Alexander & Company had been on the back burner. I knew that if I wanted to make more money, I’d better get busy. So, I went into my office and continued on my sketch for the Mayor’s Group. Since picking up my account with them, I’d already gotten another one. It was recommended to me by one of my previous clients through Davenports. When Felicia and I parted ways, I took a wealth of the business with me. I was surprised that I hadn’t gotten a phone call from her about an attempt to sue me.
I guess everything must have worked out with the situation between her and Jaylin. He didn’t say anything about it, and frankly, I was tired of calling him to find out. I figured he must have been busy, and I hoped that the reason he wasn’t calling was that he was behind bars.
By 1:30 P.M., I could see the progress I’d made on my client’s design. I had a few setbacks, as I remembered I’d left some of my expensive art tools at Davenports. I had planned on going back to get them, but it never seemed to be the right time. And since I still had a key to let myself in, I put on my mahogany velour tracksuit and made my way to Davenports.
I hoped that Felicia was still in the hospital, but when I pushed the door open and saw her from a distance, my thought was short lived. She was casually dressed in some khakis and a royal blue button-down shirt. Her micro braids were pulled back, hanging several inches from her shoulders. As I walked farther in, I could see her mouth moving and someone who sat in front of her. I didn’t think it was one of her clients, because she aggressively pointed a pen in the person’s direction with every word that came from her mouth.
When I finally made it to her doorway, I was shocked to see Stephon sitting in front of her. Even more than that, I was surprised to see how bruised her face was. She dropped back in the chair and placed the pen in her mouth.
“Well, well, well. Look what the devil done dragged in,” she said.
Stephon turned, glanced at me, and ignored me. His bitterness was obvious, but I wasn’t the motherfucka stabbing friends and family in the back because of a drug habit. He was.
Wasn’t no love lost for me, so I turned to Felicia, telling her my purpose for being there.
“If you don’t mind, I need to gather some of my art tools I left behind. I promise you I won’t be long.”
“Just make sure I see everything you leave here with. And please don’t take anything of mine, because I know what I own, piece by piece.”
I didn’t say a word, just walked away. A bully must have taken that bitch’s lunch money when she was a kid, because I couldn’t ever remember a time when she wasn’t angry at the world. What in the hell made me give my dick and heart to a woman like her in the past, I would never know.
I spotted several of my tools lying around here and there, and then entered my old office and opened the drawers. After seeing a few more items I’d left behind, I took a seat and rummaged through the drawers. As I placed the items on the desk, I peered up and saw Stephon standing in the doorway. Since the last time I’d seen him, he did look a lot better. The last time I saw him, he was anxiously standing in an alley, making an exchange with a dope dealer. I walked up and snatched the drugs from his hand. He wanted to fight, and when I didn’t give the dope back to him, he sucker punched me. Being a concerned friend, I didn’t hit him back, and after giving him a piece of my mind, I went to the crib. Hours later, he showed up, acting a complete fool. He begged me not only for the drugs back but also for some more money. He tried to make me feel guilty because Jaylin and I had moved on with our lives. When I told him how much bullshit that was, he jetted. But not before stealing an expensive ring that my grandfather had given to me. I was furious, and when I called to ask him about it, of course, he didn’t know where it was. After that, our friendship was over.
I snapped out of my thoughts. “What’s up, Stephon?” I said.
He walked in and stood in front of the desk. “Nothing much, Shane. I wanted to come in here and thank you for turning your back on me. Now, though, thanks to your partna, and my long lost cousin, Jaylin, things are looking up again.”
My forehead wrinkled. “I’m glad things are looking up for you, Stephon. But I’m not really sure what Jaylin has to do with it. I’m sure he doesn’t want credit for, and I quote, ‘bringing you back to life.’”
“A million dollars is enough to uplift anybody’s spirits.” He placed his hand on his chest. “Even though I’m only entitled to half, I knew that someway, somehow, or somewhere, I would get what was owed to me.”
“Stephon, your grandfather left Jaylin that money because, I’m sure, he was a wise man. You didn’t deserve one penny of it, and thank God that your grandfather was in his right mind when he died. He must have been able to predict the future, and right at this moment, so am I. I predict that whatever money you’re talking about, it is more than enough to send you back to your previous unfulfilled, dark-shadowed life. After all, Stephon, Felicia’s back. With her around, you can’t possibly come in here smiling at me as if your future is so bright.”
Stephon leaned on the desk and winked. “Shane Alexander, you don’t know shit. Your words sound like Jay’s, so it’s obvious that his bullshit has rubbed off on you. For the record, though, my grandfather was a wise, rich man. But he had the same problem that many of the men in our family had, and that was his major love for pussy. Nanny B was the one who inherited his estate. Not Jaylin. She was kind enough to turn it over to him, but he decided that he didn’t want to share. I lost respect for him then, and I don’t have any left for him now. As for Felicia, the pussy doesn’t control me. I control it. You can say what you want about me, but you can never say I let a bitch come between me and my friends.”
Stephon took a step back and stared me down. “When it comes to you and Jaylin, losing friends is a ritual. Friends dropping off like flies, because the bitches that both of y’all had were out of control.” Stephon held his hand out and started to count his fingers. “Nokea? Been there and done that. Scorpio? It was fun while it lasted, but I could damn sure use some more. And Felicia ... Well, let’s just say that freak can’t never get enough. In case you haven’t noticed, this love triangle then turned itself into one big circle. Jaylin, ole punk-ass, is too afraid to admit how hurt he is by you shaking down his ex-whore, and when the truth comes to the light, that opens the door for you and Nokea. So, tick-tock-tick-tock, the clock is ticking away. If Scorpio doesn’t destroy your, and I quote, ‘friendship’ with Jaylin, whenever you lay the pipe to Nokea, that for damn sure will.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You are really, really one sick man, Stephon. This obsession that you have with Jaylin has gone overboard. Please don’t hate, my brotha. It’s truly an ugly thing. If money is the key to your success, then go on and do your thang. I ain’t tripping, and I assure you that neither is Jaylin. Because you see, Stephon, the past is the past. Nokea, Jaylin, Scor
pio, and I are all living in the present, striving hard for a better future. Mistakes have been made, and nobody’s been perfect. Not even you.”
I picked up my belongings on the desk and walked past Stephon. I gave him one last look. “Pertaining to your life, the history books have already been written. You have the opportunity to change some things around. From a good friend to the most backstabbing-ass Negro I’ve ever known, I suggest you start making some for-real plans to change your life around. To me, it still stinks, and I can smell bullshit all over you.”
Stephon smirked. “Fuck you, you slave-driven-ass nigga. You ain’t nothing but another one of Jaylin’s bitches... .”
As Stephon continued to rant, I snickered and went into Felicia’s office to show her the several items in my hand. She examined them.
“I don’t have much to say to you, Felicia, but you’d better watch your back. I hope like hell you know what it is you’re dealing with.”
Another stubborn-ass person, she tooted her lips. My business was finished, so I went on my happy-go-lucky way.
Before I returned any of Scorpio’s calls, it had been almost a week. I did, however, leave her a message to tell her how awfully busy I was. The truth of the matter was, yes, I was busy, but I was also still upset with her. No doubt, I was the type of man who didn’t have time for apologies, especially if they came every other week from someone who claimed to love you. Besides, Scorpio said she’d been missing Mackenzie, so I felt as if time apart would do both of us some good.
Since I spoke to her earlier, I was on my way to Jay’s to see her. She sounded so damn pitiful, and when I asked her what was wrong, she wouldn’t elaborate. As I was on my way out the door, the phone rang. I checked the caller ID and was surprised to see Jaylin’s phone number. Since he hadn’t responded to my previous phone calls, I hesitated and then answered.
“You got me,” I said.
“What’s up? Why ain’t a brotha heard from you? I know you ain’t tripping off—”
Too Naughty Page 12
