“Someone from back in the day?”
“Yeah, man, Langston Hughes days.”
“Who?” Israel wondered.
“Rocky, bro.”
“What?”
“Yes,” Khalid laughed. “Can you believe that? Of all people, Racquel Alexander.”
“That was definitely accidental,” Israel chimed, knowing well the tense history between the two.
“Man, listen,” Khalid agreed.
“How did that happen?”
“She was stranded on the side of the road, bro. I couldn’t just leave her out there.”
“Well,” Israel began. “You could have,” he chuckled, “but that’s not the Ali way.”
“No, it’s not.”
“But you were tempted, though,” Israel chortled.
“To pass her by?” Khalid laughed.
“Yeah, to leave her stranded,” Israel teased.
It took a minute for Khalid to stop laughing before he answered.
“I’ll take the fifth.”
Chapter Four
Across town, a similar conversation took place.
“I thought you was gone call me earlier,” Naomi Singleton asked. She was Racquel’s best friend and had been since elementary school.
“I was, but I ran into a little problem,” Racquel huffed. She’d taken a minute to take off her wet clothes, take a hot shower, and put on something a little more comfortable.
“What kind of problem,” Naomi questioned.
“Girl, I got a flat on the interstate,” Racquel fussed.
“How’d you manage that? Didn’t you just put new tires on the BMW?”
“I did, and that’s part of why I was so pissed. I spent $1200 on new tires only to hit something I couldn’t dodge in the middle of the damn lane because it was so much traffic out there.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t crash into anyone,” Naomi noted. “A blow out on the highway? That’s dangerous as hell,” Naomi observed.
“Fortunately, the tire didn’t blow,” Racquel clarified. “Whatever I hit must have punctured the tire but stayed lodged in enough to cause more of a slow leak than an outright burst.”
Naomi giggled.
“What’s funny?” Racquel drilled.
“Nothing, girl,” Naomi chided.
“Clearly something is,” Racquel mentioned as her friend continued to giggle on the other end.
“You sound just like your dad,” Naomi offered. “I remember all those times he had us standing out in the hot sun explaining how we need to be independent and able to handle some things ourselves, especially when it came to cars.”
“At least one of us was listening,” Racquel quipped.
“Girl, you know I am much too dainty to be lifting a lid to a car, or God forbid getting down on the ground to change a broken tire,” Naomi sighed.
This time it was Racquel who cracked up laughing. “A lid, Naomi?”
“Yeah,” Naomi affirmed. “The lid.”
Racquel hollered with laughter again, doubling over from her friend’s commentary. “It’s not a lid, Na,” Racquel chuckled. “It’s a hood, girl.”
“Whatever,” Naomi dismissed, throwing her hand in the air. “You know what the hell I was talking about. Anyway, why didn’t you call me?”
“Because,” Racquel giggled, finding it hard to stop laughing. “What were you going to do?”
“I could have picked you up at least, Naomi reasoned.
“To add insult to injury, my phone wasn’t working. I guess it was because of the storm.”
“Then what did you end up doing?”
Naomi heard the laughter fade, and then there was a pregnant pause with Racquel not saying anything. She pulled the phone away from her ear to see if the line had somehow disconnected, but the clock on the screen said that it hadn’t.
“Rocky? Did you hear me?”
“I heard you, Naomi,” Racquel hissed. Just thinking about what she had to do to get home left a bitter taste in Racquel’s mouth.
“So? How’d you get home?”
“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you,” Racquel hummed.
“Try me,” Naomie encouraged.
“Khalid,” Rocky mumbled.
“Ali?”
“Girl, yes.”
“What in all the worlds? How in the entire hell did that happen?” Naomi was all ears, sitting on the edge of her couch, waiting to hear her best friend's response.
“I guess when he saw a woman standing outside of her car in the rain, he decided to pull over. He didn’t know it was me until he walked up on me.”
“Girl, that’s crazy,” Naomi bellowed. She, too, was all too familiar with Rocky and Khalid’s past. “Is he still fine, girl?”
“Seriously, Naomi?”
“Hell yeah, I’m serious,” she chimed. “You know Khalid was fine back in the day. I just wanna know if he still fine as wine now?”
“I didn’t notice,” Racquel mumbled.
“You’re a lying ass,” Naomi laughed, “which means he is still fine!”
Racquel refused to give Naomi the satisfaction of relaying what Khalid currently looked like. She didn’t want to acknowledge it herself. That moment when their eye’s connected swept through her memory, causing an unsettling stirring in the pit of Racquel’s stomach. She was perplexed as to why they couldn’t stop staring at each other. It was bothersome that she felt some kind of stirring on the inside from his nearness. It was a reminder of a familiar feeling she’d had one time before. Racquel didn’t like remembering. She didn’t like having that feeling, but Naomi wouldn’t let it go.
“Rocky, just tell me, girl, is he still tall, dark and handsome?”
“Was he ever?” Racquel scoffed.
“You know doggone well he was,” Naomi countered.
“Anyway, let’s talk about something else, please,” Rocky suggested, trying to divert the conversation.
“Fine, since you don’t want to talk about Khalid, we can talk about his other fine ass brothers.”
“Naomi,” Rocky hissed.
“You know as well as I do that all the Ali brothers were not just fine but fiinneee!”
“And that’s not really changing the subject now, is it?”
Naomi loved messing with Racquel. She was so easy to agitate.
“I’ll let it go,” Naomi acquiesced, “for now.”
“Thank you.”
“Shift in conversation,” Naomi smiled. “Did you get your invitation in the mail?”
“What invitation is that?” Rocky asked.
“Our ten year class reunion in a couple of weeks,” Naomi replied. “That invitation.”
“I’m not going to that mess,” Rocky dismissed. “I didn’t like half them folks back then. Why in the world would I want to see them again?”
“Rocky, we have to go,” Naomi whined. “There were at least a few people you liked.”
“But I don’t talk to those few people anymore except for you, so what’s the point?”
“The point is getting reacquainted, seeing how people are doing, having a chance to get all dressed up looking cute so other folks can see how well we’re doing,” Naomi giggled.
“That’s really why you want to go, isn’t it? To have an excuse to go shopping for some new clothes so you can show off.”
“Whatever,” Naomi said, rolling her neck and smacking her lips. “Sounds like as good of a reason as any. Besides, you got a head start on the getting reacquainted with your little run-in with Khalid.”
“And look how that turned out,” Racquel dismissed.
“I think there’s more to that then you’re saying but like I said, Im’ma let it go for now.”
Rocky and Naomi talked for a while longer before Rocky decided it was late, and she wanted to retire to her bed. Naomi still tried to get her to say more about Racquel’s encounter with Khalid, but what more was there to say? At least, that’s what Racquel said when she laid down in bed. The television play
ed in the background, more as white noise than something she would focus on. But what Naomi said, that stolen moment between she and Khalid was what replayed over and over in her mind, despite Racquel’s valiant efforts to fight it. And before long, she drifted off to sleep.
The very air around her seemed electrified, charged with an energy that heightened her awareness. He was close. She felt it. The air was weightier, her breathing began to halt, and her body started to tingle from his nearness. And then, there was no space between them. His touch upset her balance as the sweetly intoxicating musk of his body overwhelmed her senses. At the base of Racquel’s throat was a pulse beat that swelled as though her heart rose from its natural place in her chest to the base of where she tried to speak his name. But no sound came out of her parted lips, no sound at all. His lips slowly descended to meet hers, kissing her devouringly. She fought against the domination of his lips, pushing against his masculine chest with everything she thought she had, the desire to fight against him. But her push fell away as the pull on her loins magnified. Her mind told her to resist, but her body was woefully uncooperative, giving in to a man she swore she didn’t like. Yet his mouth tasted like the sweetest morsel of her favorite dessert. His tongue probed hers discovering the recesses of her heart, and his lips pressed unrelentingly. There was a part of her that still wanted to fight against him, to refuse to succumb to his scintillating presence, and his presence was scintillating and haunting and dangerous and undeniably sexy.
She panted against his mouth when he gave her a second to breathe, and it was only a second before his mouth ravaged hers again with an urgency that surprisingly resonated in her soul. She returned his kiss with reckless abandon as the touch of his lips on hers sent a current of shockwaves through to her core, and then the wave hit her again. When her knees buckled, his strong arms were there to hold her up, pin her against the wall so she couldn’t escape his closeness even if she wanted to. Their history said she should want to, but once again, her body defied her again. Even though her mind and her body pulled Racquel in opposite directions, he honed in on her neck, leaving a trail of hot, seductive kisses and nibbles until he reached the place where her pulse echoed at the base of her elegant neck. He lingered there as the beat of her heart throbbed against his lips, and she panted again.
“Stop,” she whispered against his wanton lips. She wanted to mean it. She wanted to end the betrayal of her thoughts past and present. She wanted to not like him in the heat of the moment and the curiosity of the moments before.
“Stop, she uttered again, feeling the warmth of his exhale against her flesh. He did. Their eyes met again. He wouldn’t push past her words. He wasn’t that kind of man. Yet, when their eyes locked and she saw the desire in his that was replicated in her own, she kissed him hungrily. Her emotions whirled like a tornado and skidded like a fast-moving car doing 360-degree circles with the brakes on. She didn’t want him to stop. She felt the press of his full-frame against hers and the push of his manhood against her belly. The knock in her yoni was so hard it made her legs quake, the desire she didn’t know was there rising so high, and so fast it couldn’t be contained. His hands fell to the thickness of her thighs, arousing her passion while his grew ever stronger. But he wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want him to do.
“Do you want me to stop,” he breathed against her ear after recklessly releasing her lips. “I’ll stop if you want me to,” he crooned as his mouth tickled her earlobe.
“Please,” she gasped.
“Please what,” he tormented her, his velvety voice waxing and waning against her flesh.
“Please, don’t stop.”
And then, she woke up.
And then, he woke up.
Chapter Five
Two Weeks Later
Gold and green, the high school’s signature colors were on full display with balloon arches that created a colorful entry to the space. Cars lined the street and valet service was busier than ever outside Upstairs Atlanta, located in the heart of West Midtown; a refurbished factory converted into a party space with floor to ceiling front windows that displayed a sweeping view of the Atlanta Skyline. Perched atop a hill, Upstairs Atlanta was the host to Langston Hughes ten year reunion party.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Racquel fussed as she eased her BMW into the valet parking line.
“But you look cute, though,” Naomi sang as she checked her makeup in the lighted visor mirror.
“You look cute, too,” Racquel huffed lazing, dragging her eyes over her best friend. Naomi was stunning in an emerald green mini dress that rode the thick of her thighs and sparkled under from layers of iridescent paillette sequined discs that made the dress shine even in dark places. Racquel’s was radiant as well in a matte gold lame mini dress that hugged her voluptuous curves. The front of the dress plunged into a deep v that nearly reached her belly, and the dolman sleeves added beautiful body and glamorous effect to the otherwise sleek dress.
“Ladies,” the valet addressed as one approached on the driver’s side and another approached on the passenger side. They opened the doors and assisted the ladies to their feet. Naomi and Racquel made a brief pause at the valet station, securing her ticket before entering the party space. The line of cars outside was indicative of the crowd inside. The welcoming committee greeted each guest and gave them a badge with their name on it. Racquel was already irritated, taking the badge and putting it in her clutch instead of pinning it to her expensive party dress.
“Are you going to be like this all night?” Naomi fussed.
“Probably,” Racquel hummed.
“Well, if that’s the case, we need to stop at the bar first.”
“I’ll toast to that,” Racquel hummed.
“Thanks for coming with me,” Khalid said to his younger brother, Tareef.
“Hey, it gives me a chance to check up on some of my lady friends from back in the day,” Tareef chortled.
“You always did like an older woman, huh, bro,” Khalid teased.
“Hey, experience is everything,” Tareef quipped. Although Tareef was two years younger than Khalid and was a sophomore when his brother was a senior, Tareef didn’t hang out with people in his own class. It was much cooler to hang out with his big brother. Khalid’s friends became Tareef’s friends, and the girls that trailed behind his older brother, who Khalid didn’t give the time of day, became fair game for the younger Ali.
“I hope they don’t play you off tonight like they did back in the day,” Khalid teased.
“Man, I got plenty of girls then, and I can get them now,” Tareef bragged.
“Yeah, but this time they've grown and have probably stepped up their game. Hopefully, you’ve stepped up yours.”
“Khalid, I got this,” Tareef smiled, stroking his newly trimmed beard. “You worry about yourself tonight, okay?”
“I’m just here to show my face and maybe make some business connections. I’m not looking for anything,” Khalid defended.
“That doesn’t mean somebody won’t be looking for you.”
Tareef’s comment was a nod to Khalid’s popularity. Not only was Khalid president of the student government, but he was also the star quarterback for the football team, the captain of the speech and debate team, and an accomplished hurdler for the track and field team. He was the scholar-athlete at Langston Hughes, heavily recruited by colleges all over the country and readily swooned over by the girls from the freshmen to the seniors. He was the envy of every guy in school. Khalid could have any girl he wanted, and everyone knew that. But he didn’t play the field. Khalid never really dated anyone exclusively while in school. He seemed much more focused on his studies and extra-curricular activities than the ladies. Yet, he wasn’t cocky with his popularity. The teachers loved him. He was not only smart; he was respectful, helpful, and polite. Khalid Ali could do no wrong, and everybody loved him, except for a few. Racquel Alexander was a part of that few.
As they reached the va
lets, Khalid and Tareef stepped out of the Mercedes Maybach and stopped at the valet station before entering the reunion.
When the Ali brothers stepped across the threshold, cameras started flashing.
“Mr. Ali, this way,” cameraman after cameraman called out. They were an item, two of the most eligible bachelors in Atlanta, international businessmen, and billionaires? Whether it was a national red carpet or the one for Khalid’s high school reunion, the Ali brothers drew the attention of the media. The brothers paused long enough to allow for a few pictures to be taken.
Inside, Naomi and Racquel saw the flashing lights.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Naomi mused, meandering towards the glass that separated the reunion space from the hallway entry. Racquel didn’t bother to leave the well-stocked bar. She could care less what the ruckus was about, as she took another sip of the apple martini she was drinking.
“Rocky, you won’t believe this,” Naomi smiled as she turned and looked at her friend. “Come here, girl,” Naomi encouraged, seeing the resistance painted on Racquel’s face. Taking another long sip of her drink, Racquel sashayed over to where Naomi stood. There were so many people gathered around the flashing lights, it was hard for Racquel to see what Naomi was making such a fuss about. Then the crowd parted.
“Girl, its two of ‘em, and one of them is Khalid,” Naomi beamed, biting her lower lip and releasing it slowly as her eyes focused on the younger Ali. She remembered him from high school, and although he was younger, he was cute. Now, she could see that Tareef was grown, all the way grown and cute had become handsome and fine as hell.
“Should have known,” Racquel dismissed, quickly turning from the window and making her way back to the bar. She signaled to the bartender to refill her glass. Naomi followed suit, finding it difficult to tear her eyes off Tareef.
“So, what are you going to do, act like he doesn’t exist?” Naomi asked.
“For me, he doesn’t,” Racquel sighed.
“That’s what your mouth says,” Naomi taunted. “We’ll see, though.”
Khalid Page 3
