She smiled back and held the flowers to her nose. She unlocked her door and watched as he walked away. She turned on the lights and saw the first dozen roses sitting there. She put the second bunch of roses in the vase that used to have Kevin’s in it. She carried them upstairs and saw that there were some messages.
“Message one”
“Girl, Kevin just called and is freaking out. Call me when you get this.”
“Message two: you better call me as soon as you get in the house.”
She pressed the number seven. “Message Deleted.”
“Next Message.”
“Cheryl, it’s your mother, we are concerned about you. Have you been drinking?”
“Message four: Cheryl, where are you? This is your husband. You better call me when you get this message.”
She pressed number seven.
“Message deleted, next message.”
Again she pressed number seven
“Cheryl I had a nice time. I love the way you smile, don’t ever let someone take that. Have a nice night.”
She pressed the number seven but not before listening to it again.
She called her mom first and had to listen to the lecture about the dangers of drinking and driving and told her a lie that Kevin was on the other end so she could get her off of the phone. She hung up from her and called Dee who had millions of questions that she dodged or just didn’t answer.
“Now that the world is taken care of, I can make that last call.” She said as she dialed the hotel
“What did you want?” she asked as soon as he picked up the phone
“Are you home?” he asked her in return.
“I’m calling on the house phone aren’t I?” she said.
“I’m the one who should be asking the fucking questions here!” he yelled.
“Well, anyway, I was just calling you back since I HAD to call you when I got in.”
“I told you go have some fun, not go out and get fucking drunk. You are such an embarrassment that I don’t know what to do with you.”
“You don’t have to do a thing with me.” She shot back.
“Oh, you have a smart mouth when I’m not around. Well let’s see if you have that same mouth when I get back?”
“Whatever. Is this what you wanted?” she asked.
“Don’t get cute.” He shouted back “You acting all shady and shit and now you call me with fucking attitude.”
“Whatever. I’m tired of talking. I am ready for bed.”
“I don’t give a fuck if you are tired, you gonna listen to what the fuck I have to say! I bust my ass for you and you don’t appreciate shit.”
“Whatever, did you and my mom come up with that line? I have busted my ass for you and this marriage and I get kicked in the teeth for it. I guess the girlfriend is the only one who understands you, huh?”
“Let me tell you one fucking thing, she is twice the woman you will ever be. She appreciates the small shit I do for her and don’t complain either. I was going to wait until I came back to tell you this, but I want a divorce and I am moving out as soon as I get back!”
“What…what…wait.” She stammered into the phone. “Kevin, you don’t mean that. You would never leave me would you? I mean, I know we have our problems. We can work this out, I know we can.”
“So now you aren’t so tired, are you? Bitch you are a piece of work you know that?”
“I’m just tired, that’s all. It has been a long day and…”
“Shut the hell up! Now you want to fucking explain. You better be glad I’m not there. Just remember what I said, this marriage is over. I need a real woman and you are not it!”
She stood in the middle of her bedroom. She heard the annoying sound coming from the phone but she couldn’t grasp what had just happened. She had to make this right, somehow.
Kevin slammed the phone down and let the curse words fly. He had just about enough of her smart mouth and as soon as he got home he would deal with that. Then he would make sure his daughter was taken care of and then leave her.
He called Cory and told him he would be turning in for the evening. He had a lot of thinking to do.
He decided to get the ball rolling on one of his plans. He called Rebecca to his room.
Rebecca arrived and his eyes couldn’t help but stare at how pretty she was. She was everything that Cheryl was not.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Uh, Cheryl and I just had a big blowup and I told her I wanted a divorce.”
“Whoa. Are things that bad?”
“Not only are they that bad but sometimes she pushes me so far that I forgot myself and I do things I don’t want to.”
“Like what, things exactly have you done?” she said as she sat down in the chair facing the bed.
He sat in the chair at the desk and leaned forward, with his elbows resting on his thighs and his head in his hands.
“Look, I’ve done some things while I have been married to her that I am not proud of but I don’t…” he stopped and looked at her when she grabbed his hands.
“Well, you brought it up. I am only trying to help or listen or be whatever you need me to be right now. You look like you have a lot on your mind. I just want to ease some of that. Today was a great day and I don’t want anything spoiling it.” She said as she pulled his hands down from his face.
“I’m not proud but sometimes Cheryl pushes me to the point that I grab her and have to shake her a little; you know, nothing hard or anything, but you know just hard enough to make her stop talking. She has this habit of nagging and it gets on my nerves.”
She pulled herself up with his hands and hugged him tightly. “Tell me what you want. I will be there for you, no matter what. Ok. A man in your position shouldn’t have to worry about his wife stressing him out and not being in his corner. Please know that I am always in your corner.”
He hugged her tightly; breathing in the smell of her shampoo and letting the feeling of security wash over him like a hot shower.
“Thank you.” He said into her shoulder, “I knew I could count on you.”
“Now, tomorrow when we sign that contract that will be a big day for us. So I think we need to get some rest.” She said as she pulled away from him.
“You want to stay here tonight?”
“Now you know I want to but what is our rule?”
“Hey I know. When it is time for business it’s time for business.”
“Exactly, I will say this; tomorrow night, we will have our own celebration. Deal?” She kissed the side of his neck and let her teeth nip at his ear.
He let her go after a prolonged kiss and made another call to his lawyer. He wasn’t sure of many things but he was sure that he wanted her to be a partner along with Corey He knew Corey wouldn’t go along with his idea, but he would need to deal with Corey’s reaction tomorrow. Right now he wasn’t going to let anyone or anything ruin his good mood.
Chapter 29
Things are going to change
Kevin had come home from his business trip flying higher than a kite. The business was expanding and the new investors were building an office in Atlanta. They deplaned and headed to baggage claim. Corey was already on his phone with Ashley and planning his evening with her. Kevin and Rebecca walked hand in hand to retrieve their bags.
As they neared the carousal, Kevin spotted his first and lifted it off.
“Rebecca,” he said as he turned to her, “I know that this hasn’t been the most romantic trip we could have taken but I want so much more with you.” he said just as he turned back to pull her first bag from the carousal.
“This wasn’t meant to be romantic. This was for us to push our company to another level.”
“You’re right but I wanted to spend some time alone with you, and I never get the chance to do that. I want you to know that I do love you…”
“I know.” She interrupted.
Kevin rolled his eyes because that was the one thing that
he hated about her. “Let me finish before you start being rude.”
She smiled at him and let him finish.
“Like I was saying, I just want you to know that I do look at this like our company and I want you to feel that it is your company too.”
“Not to interrupt you but my other bags just went around.” She said as she pointed to the bags disappearing behind the wall and walked over to the furthest end of the carousel.
He followed her and as she pulled one of her bags from the belt, he grabbed the other.
She sat her bag down and wrapped her arms around him before she spoke.
“Honey, I know that you love me and whatever our lives hold, you know I will always be there with you. I took this ring to show you just how serious I am about you.”
He hugged her tightly and let the moment take the stress from his shoulders. He knew at this moment that he wanted her to be a part of his everyday life. Kevin knew that Corey didn’t like the idea and refused to talk about it in Atlanta. Kevin knew it would be a fight with Corey, who felt he was moving too fast but he wanted Rebecca to know he was serious so he presented her with a two carat pear shaped diamond, as his promise that in less than a year she would be picking out her engagement ring.
He came home and noticed the yellow roses on the counter. He didn’t tell them two dozen.
“She don’t deserve that much,” he said to the air around him.
Cheryl wasn’t home, but he could care less. He didn’t feel like dealing with her bullshit just yet. Although he had just left Rebecca, he had to hear her voice. He went to his office and called her.
“Hey sexy.”
“Hey yourself.”
“Miss you.
“Miss you more.”
“Love you.”
“Love you more.
“You know, we can’t have an entire conversation like this.”
“Yes we can.”
“I want to hear that sexy voice of yours.”
“I can barely talk now. My throat is so dry. You can’t keep doing this to me.”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
“Really, having me beg and scream until the neighbors hear…I think you know exactly what I am talking about.”
Yeah, but that is what turns me on. I can’t get enough of you. It feels like I am going to explode.
“Well, each time you bring me to climax, it gets better and better.”
“Yes, I noticed.”
“Oh, did you now?”
“Yes I did.” Kevin turned in his chair to see Cheryl’s Expedition turning into the driveway. “Babe, I gotta run. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She said before hanging up.
He heard the familiar chirp of the kitchen door telling him that someone had just entered. He heard her footsteps in the kitchen and then walk through to the living room. He waited for her to make her way to his study but that never happened.
“Just as well; I am in too good of a mood to have to deal with her today.” He said as he turned back in his leather office chair and pushed the silver button on the hard drive waiting for his computer to come alive.
The week progressed with cheerleading practice for Kayla, Donnell was at his friend’s house and Cheryl wasn’t talking. At least not directly to Kevin.
Kevin was in his office looking for files that he thought he had placed on the corner of his desk but couldn’t find. He opened his office door and yelled up the steps.
“Cheryl, what did you do with my damn files that were in my office on my desk?”
“What files?” she shouted back.
“The ones that were sitting on my desk; the ones that were in the bright fucking orange folder.”
“I don’t know.” She shouted back. “I didn’t touch them.”
Still shouting Kevin began walking up the stairs “You must have. I see you been in here cleaning, when I specifically ask you not to.” He was now standing with her in the kitchen.
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you to let the damn cleaning service do it. At least they know how to leave shit alone.”
She whirled around and slammed the towel on the counter, “well if you don’t want me cleaning your office, say so. I swear I have to pick up after you like you are a teenager.”
He grabbed her by the arm and she snatched away from him.
“What is your damn problem?” he asked her but she was already moving away from him.
“Nothing.”
She moved into the living room and began pushing the vacuum around the floor.
He yanked the cord from the wall and she stepped on the pedal. She turned and saw him holding the end of the plug.
“I’m trying to clean.” She said as she walked up to him and snatched the cord from his hand.
He grabbed her arm and spun her around.
“Kevin, what the hell do you want?”
“You better get ahold of yourself before I do it for you.” He said as he let her arm go.
“Look, you have walked around here for damn near a week and haven’t opened your mouth to me and the first time you do it is to ask about some damn files.”
“You are the one walking around here with your fucking ass on your shoulders.”
“And shouldn’t I be. You call me from wherever and tell me you want a divorce! What am I supposed to do? Jump for joy? Well, I will tell you this, don’t push me too far Kevin or you will be on the losing end of it.”
She turned to leave but Kevin grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Get your damn hands off of me.” She said while taking a swipe at him.
“Don’t you ever, in your small little life, threaten me, do you hear me?” he said and slapped her as hard as he could.
She slapped him back, more out of reflex than a purposeful act.
“Fuck you Kevin. I am not threatening you; I am merely saying the truth.”
“Don’t fuck with me Cheryl.”
“Psst, if you only knew.” She mumbled.
“What did you just say?” he said as he grabbed her by the throat.
“Nothing.” She said as the act caught her by surprise and grabbed his hand.
“No, repeat what you just said little miss smart ass.” His hands were getting tighter and tighter.
Kayla came to the door.
“Mom?”
Kevin loosened his grip and Cheryl started coughing.
“Yes sweetie.” she said as she opened the door and rubbed the spot that Kevin had just released.
“See what you did” Kevin said while pushing past her.
“What I did? You the one acting all macho, grabbing all on me. You knew she was upstairs.”
“I’m going out, and when I get back, you better believe we will finish this discussion.”
“Whatever.” she whispered.
After Kevin left she went into the living room and grabbed the cordless phone.
“Hey, can you talk.”
“For you, anytime.” Matthew said.
She considered Matthew to be a friend. He always listened when she called and needed an ear. She could talk to him openly about anything that bothered her and he always had encouraging words for her.
After she took a breath he again told her about leaving and how there were programs to help ‘someone like her.’ Although she knew he was right, she didn’t want to subject Kevin to the humiliation of the bad publicity that would surround him if this ever got out.
Chapter 30
The wedding march.
Standing in the bridal shop, Cheryl was trying to forget what Kevin had said to her. Her mother wasn’t helping the situation because she agreed with Kevin.
“Yep, even though Cheryl thinks she doesn’t want kids, I want at least two. So I will do whatever is necessary to make that happen.” He said while staring at her.
“You know sometimes that girl don’t know what she wants.
She can be a little flighty at times; you just have to know what to do.”
Her mother continued pulling dresses and walking around with Kevin like it was their wedding and not her daughter’s.
“Damn Cheryl, stop standing around looking lost. Go pick out something. I don’t have all day to be in here shopping for your damn dress. I have to head to the Brooks Brothers to shop before it closes.”
“Ain’t nobody ask you to come anyway. Go on if you want.” she said as she sucked her teeth and blew a heavy sigh.
He mumbled something and continued talking to her mother. The bridal consultant came over and finally took over the task of picking out some dresses for her to try on. Her dressing room was number twelve so she walked back while the consultant hung the dresses. She found a hand on her back and jumped.
“You startled me.” she said when she saw that it was Kevin. “You aren’t supposed to be in here.”
He then grabbed her arm and tightened his grip
“Don’t you ever speak to me that way in front of anybody. Do you understand me?” he said through clenched teeth.
“What are you doing, get your hands off of me.” she said while snatching away from him.
“Look, don’t make me hurt you. Make sure you know your place and make sure you don’t ever disrespect me again. Do you understand me?” he said as he pulled her closer to his face. “And FYI, I don’t like that dress. Pick something else,” he said over his shoulder while leaving the dressing room.
Cheryl stood with her mouth open and a stunned look on her face. She swallowed hard when the door began to open. Her mother walked in, said something about Kevin not liking the dress and Cheryl told her what happened. The next reaction stunned her more.
“Well, sweetie, some men don’t like to be embarrassed,” her mother said as she walked out the door.
Cheryl took off the dress and tried on the others but they didn’t give her the same feeling as the first dress. The one she really liked.
“I don’t like it,” he announced to the bridal consultant when she came out in another dress.
“Well, honey. It’s not about you. It’s about my bride and she really likes this dress. Don’t you?” she said while turning towards Cheryl. She had positioned Cheryl on the small platform with the mirrors giving her the perfect angle to see herself.
Let Me Just Say This Page 12
