Violation

by Lolah Lace

  “He’s cooking. Looks like he’s cooking. That makes him busy.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “I don’t give a fuck. I texted him six times and he hasn’t texted me back.”

  “He has his hands full.”

  “Fuck him! He better answer my text!” Her voice bellowed but the sound of the music drowned her out. She was minutes from making a scene, possibly minutes from getting escorted to the curb or the nearest street corner.

  “You, chill the fuck out. I will talk to him.”

  “You do that.”

  “You calm down.”

  “Whatever No-Hart.” She flicked her wrist at me seemingly dismissing me from the table.

  I strolled over to the grill. Dee was bobbing his head to the music and flipping burgers.

  “No-Hart what up?” I hated that nickname. I have a heart. No-Hart and Hart-Less, fans and friends loved throwing those names at me. “You eat yet?”

  “Not yet. Maybe later. Vanessa is upset.”

  “Who?”

  “Vanessa over there.” I motioned toward the table.

  “What now?”

  “She says you’re ignoring her.”

  “Man I’m cooking my Bar-B-Que burgers.”

  “I told her that.”

  “You give these hoes some dick and they want the world.”

  “Shit bro, I bet you are promising the world and some planets and shit.”

  “You right. I do.” We both started laughing.

  “She said she’s been texting your ass and you won’t text her back. Why don’t you drop her one of your infamous lines? Throw in some damn heart emojis before she shows her ass.”

  “Damn, dude I don’t have my phone on me. Shit I left it upstairs in my bedroom. If this hoe is texting me like crazy I need to get the phone before Serena gets home. She loves going through my shit.”

  “Yeah I think that’s a good idea to get the phone.” I laced my words with sarcasm. Dee can be so stupid sometimes when it comes to the ladies.

  “Bro’h, go get it for me.”

  “What, why me?”

  “Cause you my Ace, my partner in crime, my row-dog, bro’h, get my cell.”

  “How about I man the grill?”

  “Oh hell na’aw. Don’t nobody touch my BB grill up in here.”

  “You owe me.”

  “Yeah man add it to the list of favors I owe your pale ass.”

  I thought of going to Vanessa first but I decided just to go get the stupid cell phone. I didn’t owe her an explanation. Serena wasn’t home yet and I think Vanessa knew better than to make a scene. She could easily be replaced with any of the other girls Dee had waiting in the wings.

  I went into the house from the back door. I took the back staircase. I knew my way around the house. Dee had given me a tour of his place when I first got signed to the team. I had dinner over here a few times, more than a few. I was one of only a few guys that didn’t have a family. About eighty percent of the team was married.

  I reached the second floor and went down the hall. I entered the master bedroom in search of Dee’s elusive cell phone. It wasn’t on the bed. I walked over to the dresser. It wasn’t on top. I doubled back and there it was on the nightstand beside the bed.

  I heard a sound, a hum. I looked across the room at the door that connected the master bedroom to the master bath. The door was open, more than slightly ajar. I got a glance of a white towel wrapped around a smooth golden body. The woman removed the towel from her body and started drying her long legs. She slowly bent over. Her ass was pointed right at me. I knew right away I was eyeing Serena.

  I was frozen a few feet away, in awe really. She was inches from touching her toes. That gesture would give me an intimate glimpse inside her.

  My grip on the cell phone was tight. I wanted my feet to carry me backward but they wouldn’t let me leave. She stood up and tossed the towel out of my line of sight. Her body turned toward me but her face never looked my way. I saw it all in that moment, her full tanned breasts with nipples the color of plums. Her hourglass waist and divine hips, her sweet, shaved pussy was so close to me. She grabbed lotion from somewhere and started rubbing it over her breasts. My eyes refused to blink. If she tilted her chin a bit to the left I would be caught red-handed.

  Walk away! Walk away! Peeping Noah! Walk away!

  Finally my brain was working again. My mouth had come undone but my feet moved one at a time. I backed out of the bedroom soundless and slow. I didn’t breathe until I was safely downstairs in the kitchen. I was slightly aroused by what I had just encountered. I walked out of the house with Dee’s cell in hand. As soon as I saw him behind the grill my dick went back to sleep.

  This party was supposed to be chill. What’s the word for the opposite of chill? I served Dee his cell phone and made me a plate of food. Eating might help take my mind off her sexy body.

  I took a seat far from angry Vanessa. It wasn’t my job to corral Dee’s wild horses. I’m not a ranch-hand. I ate peacefully and when I went to throw my plate away I ran into some of my teammates. I had three beers and discussed our future plans for the next season. Beer ran right through me. I went into the kitchen to use the restroom that was off in the corridor. I walked out of the back door to the house and there she was.

  “Noah.” Serena was headed right toward me. She was fully dressed in a beautiful flowered short sundress. It was fitted and hugged her hips. Hips I remember lucidly. She was smiling at me and that didn’t stop the vivid images of her wet nude body from seeping into my brain.

  “Serena.”

  “I didn’t know my second favorite Cav player was in the house.”

  “Second? I’ll take it.” She leaned to hug me like she had done so many times before. This time was different for me. I had to will myself out of an imminent erection. Please no erection. Please no erection. I gave her a quick peck on her cheek like I always did. “I’ve been here for awhile.”

  “I just got here myself. I’m glad you could join us at our little shindig.”

  “You know I wouldn't miss it. Dee is on the grill cooking up his famous steakburgers.”

  “I love his steakburgers. I told him he should get a restaurant but he never listens to me.”

  “That’s a great idea. You have a business degree. I’m sure it would be a success with you at the helm.”

  Serena grinned. “You remembered that, my degree?

  “Yeah, I have a good memory. One of my little quirks.”

  “That’s not a quirk. That’s a gift. People are impressed with people who actually listen when they talk.” I shrugged, not sure how to take a compliment that wasn’t about my performance on the basketball court. “Where’s your girlfriend?”

  I checked my pants pockets and patted them. “I don’t have one yet.”

  “You are always making jokes. Oh, I thought you would have grabbed someone by now.”

  “Nope.”

  “I guess you’re still running around with this one and that one. You’ll get tired one day and settle down.”

  “I’m tired now. Where is she?” I clowned but was actually serious.

  “Man please.”

  “Serena, I am ready.” I really wanted to be in a relationship.

  “You have to give someone a chance.”

  “I would love to give someone a chance.” All the good ones are taken, she should know that.

  “Oh please, you’re a great catch. Your time is coming.”

  “I sure hope so. I’m tired of showing up everywhere alone.”

  Serena smiled as she patted the outside of my forearm. “Noah my dear, why would you bring sand to the beach. There are a few pretty ladies here.” She waved her hand out in front of her. “Maybe you should make the first move.”

  “I’m shy.”

  “Yeah right. You can’t fool me Noah Hart. I hear the shy ones are the ones you have to look out for.”

  “Could be.” I shrugged.

  “Go out there and talk to som
eone. Believe me, as soon as you open your mouth someone will jump in it.”

  “Okay.”

  “That’s an order. Go on.”

  “Yes coach.” I walked away replaying my words to her, hoping I didn’t say anything out of line. I knew I may sometimes come off as a flirt but it’s not on purpose. I wish I could erase Serena’s nakedness from my recollection. I’m sure in time I would forget all about it. Accidentally seeing your best friends wife in her birthday suit was a beautiful nightmare. Her nipples were so perfect.

  I made my way to the other side of the pool. I was going to introduce myself to the sexy blonde I noticed a few minutes before my eyes were scorched by milk chocolate nipples and a completely shaved tan pussy.

  I needed someone to take my mind off of Mrs. Serena Jones. I hope this blonde in my line of sight is single. I can try to get her to go home with me. I hope she will fuck me tonight, ride me and blow me. I need to ejaculate today in order to erase Serena from my memories.

  “Hi, I’m Noah.” I extended my hand to the tall blonde and she took it.

  “I’m Shelley, so pleased to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is mine, all mine.” I scanned her body as quickly as I could without looking like a pervert. Yes, she’s good. She will do just fine. This should be easy. I’m Noah Hart. I smile at them and they get wet.

  CHAPTER 7

  PRESENT DAY

  The three-day weekend came and went without a word from Serena. There were no calls or texts. I’m not sure what I expected. She wasn't in a position to have a lurid affair with me. Did I even want that? This was just too close for comfort. This was even low for me. I wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t this guy. I wasn’t the guy that lusted after an unobtainable woman. I wasn’t the guy that put a knife in his best friends back.

  I had apparently become that despicable guy. The guy that tried to make up excuses as to why it would be okay for me to sleep with my best friend’s wife. I told myself that she was unhappy in her marriage. I told myself she needed to be satisfied. I said to myself that Deshawn ‘Superstar’ Jones was a chronic cheater. He was mentally abusive and absent from the marriage. Those were my so-called reasons.

  Serena was a victim of his cheating ways. She needed to pay him back for all his years of infidelity. I even tried to convince myself that he wouldn’t mind if I got a piece of her. After all, he had several women he kept. That last dumbass thought was after I was passed out drunk. No sober person would think his friend would loan out his wife for another man’s pleasure.

  The crazy things I dreamt up when I’m alone. I put Jamie Foxx’s Blame it On The Alcohol on repeat and blasted it for hours all day on Saturday. I felt a mountain of guilt. I felt a cornucopia of remorse. I felt like a douche for not feeling more guilt and remorse. I feel like shit for wanting to stick my dick where it doesn’t belong again and again. Maybe if I go see a professional I could forget about her. I had a complete mental breakdown the one time I slept with a stripper and I didn’t seek professional help. I was losing my marbles. So it was best that I sleep this obsession off.

  I called my mother on Sunday when I was sure she was home from church. I needed to hear her easygoing voice. I needed to hear some of her words of motherly wisdom. I needed someone to reassure me that I was still a good person despite my forbidden tryst.

  I didn’t tell my mother what I did. But talking to her gave me a distant form of absolution. Forgive me Father for I have sinned and all that. This was what she unwittingly provided for my wounded soul. I felt a little better. I wasn’t pond scum, just regular scum. I wasn’t the worse of the worse. I had just made a mistake. Shit happens. My mother helped me remember I was a good guy.

  I’m not sure why I thought Serena would call or text. Why would she? I started to question whether or not she enjoyed herself. I started to wonder if I was being used in some grander revenge plot. I wondered if I was too rough with her during sex. I hit it hard, knocked it right out the park.

  Why did I feel rejected? I felt like I fouled out. I felt like that fat kid sitting on the bench watching everyone else play in the game.

  I needed basketball. It was the only thing that would soothe me. It was the only thing that would ail my aching ego. My heart wasn’t aching. It couldn’t be. That would be too much. That would be insane.

  Practice at the stadium was bright and early Monday morning. We had an important game tomorrow. I needed to get out of my head. I was the first player to arrive. Lance was next. I was closest to Dee and Lance. They were like my brothers. I really only had an older sister Justine. She lived in Paris with her girlfriend. The lesbian thing was a secret. I don’t know why Justine wouldn’t come out to our parents. Sure our mother was religious but I thought she could handle it. Justine didn’t think so. Just another thing I don’t understand.

  Lance was ready to greet me with his regular small talk when my feet hit the court. Lance was funny without even trying. He had a family and he seemed to be happy. He wasn’t like Dee. Lance had cheated on his wife before, but he didn’t make a habit of it. He didn’t have full-blown affairs with women. He was very discreet and the entire time, the eight seasons I was on the Cavs I had only known him to cheat twice. He wasn’t Mr. Perfect but he was remorseful. He had a great family and his wife Tiffany was very understanding after she found out about one of his infidelities.

  “How was your weekend?” Lance was grinning hard.

  “I just hung out at home.” I hoped I had convincingly shrugged off my monotonous life.

  “That’s what you always do.”

  “What did you do Sir Lancelot?”

  “I took my kids to the Water Park up North. If you opened your mouth you could have come up there with us.”

  “No, I was cool chilling by myself.”

  “Whatever man, you’re turning into a shut in.”

  “I promise the next time you guys go to the strip club I will buy the bottles.”

  “Okay next time. I’m going to have to remind your ass. You hate the strip club.”

  “Why are you always on my ass? I don’t like throwing money at women’s asses.”

  “Yeah man you would rather wine and dine.”

  “Well wine. I’m down for that.” I grinned when I thought of the four bottles Serena and me drank that night. Fun times. Nasty fun times.

  Deshawn joined us on the court with five minutes to spare.

  “Dee you are always on CP time,” Lance yelled at Dee as he jogged toward us.

  “Look man I’m on time.”

  “Nah man you just made it. What happened Dee? Your dog ate your homework?”

  “No, I got stuck in traffic. Nah, I’m lying. I got stuck in Vanessa.”

  “TMI,” Lance grumbled. “You could have kept that bro'h.”

  “Yes Lord I think I will keep that. I might have to get that girl a new car.”

  “You need to stop spending money on these hoes,” Lance added.

  “Look man, my bills are paid.”

  “And so is hoe number one, hoe number two, hoe number, must I go on?”

  “I played basketball my whole life so I always keep it gangsta.” Deshawn turned his attention to me. “Why are you so quiet No-Hart?”

  “I get quiet when I listen to bullshit,” I responded with a little enthusiasm. I hope not too much.

  “Dee, you know you got to talk in code when you around Saint Noah.”

  “Funny.” I faked a smile. I’m not a saint. I’m not even a good guy.

  “Look No-Hart, I can get Vanessa to hook you up with one of her friends.”

  “No bro, I don’t do video vixens.”

  “Noah bro’h, she got white friends too.”

  “I don’t do white video hoes. No hoes, no vixens, no strippers. No, no and no.”

  Lance laughed out loud. “Dee you need to drag a nice woman out the Catholic Church for your boy No-Hart.”

  “Yeah I bet he cry his Hart out after sex.” Dee joked.

  Lance thought that
was hilarious. I never get tired of the incessant Hart puns, sayings and quotes. I’ve heard them all my life.

  “Dee and L you seen how I dunk. You seen that shit right?”

  “We’ve seen it. What’s you point?” Deshawn muttered.

  “When I dunk, I slam the ball inside in the hole and I hang on the rim for a few seconds. That’s how I treat the pussy. I slam my dick in and I hang inside for a minute. Now I know Lance cool but Dee if you want me to give Vanessa a Hart-to-Hart you can send her ass over to South Barrington. Take a chance bro, see if she comes back to you.”

  “What up Dee?” Lance goaded. “Send Vanessa over to No-Hart, see what she does.” Lance egged on the ridiculous banter with ribbing of his own.

  “C’mon Dee, let me give her a real Hart-Attack.”

  “Damnnnnnnn Dee, you going to let him talk shit like that?”

  “Look fool I ain’t crazy. I’m not sending my side-piece anywhere near your thirsty ass. You never get pussy so you might throw Vanessa’s back out. I ain’t that stupid.”

  “Can we play some motherfucking ball?” I asked.

  “Yeah let’s do this shit.”

  “I hope y’all old ladies can keep up.” I jogged away from them before Coach Tucker could yell at us for goofing off.

  I hit the drills hard at practice. I didn’t think of her once while I was on the court. Everything had gone right back to usual. Everything had appeared to return back to normal. I was back shooting the shit with Dee and Lance. It started off strange but I got my mind right. Now I can forget what I did. It will never happen again. I made a mistake and I’m sorry it ever happened.

  TUESDAY

  We played Houston. We were down in the first half but pulled it together and won. I was on fire tonight. I nearly hit every single shot I put up. I was unstoppable and so was Deshawn. He was the leading scorer tonight. I was the highest in assists, rebounds, and threes. I made sure I got him the ball and he took it to the hole. It was undoubtedly my guilt consuming me. I needed to make sure he had a good game. Tonight he had an excellent game.