Nappily in Bloom

by Trisha R. Thomas

  “Hey, I’m having a private screening of my new movie tomorrow night. Only two hundred of my not-so-close-friends. It’d be nice to have someone there who I’ve actually known longer than a season.” She spoke to both of them equally but landed on Jake for the final decision.

  “I’m not sure. My boy here is only in town—”

  “Miss a screening of the lovely Sirena Lassiter? Insane. We’ll be there.” Legend had a defiant glint in his eye. Jake was used to women falling goo-goo-gah over his friend. Nothing had changed since the days of high school, when Jake lured them in and Legend took care of the follow-through. Nothing wrong with teamwork.

  “No promises,” Jake whispered to Sirena as he hugged her good-bye. “Nice seeing you.”

  “Damn that.” Legend received his fresh drink in the nick of time. He took a long swig. “You’re married, my brotha. Not dead.”

  “Not yet anyway. Stay focused, man. If I don’t figure out how to get clear and free of Byron Steeple’s reach from the grave, I’m going to be right there buried next to him.”

  “Even more of a reason to taste the fruits of life. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.” Legend held up his glass.

  For whatever reason, Jake raised his, too. They clinked glasses. “Touché.”

  Come Out, Come Out,

  Wherever You Are

  Patience was a virtue but also a curse. Jake realized two years of his life had been wasted in fear since Byron Steeple was beaten to death. He was only thirty-five years old, and he’d folded his cards and settled for a suburban existence in oblivion, doing his best to keep a low profile. He’d been waiting patiently for a knock on his door and his freedom to be taken away. Of course, he didn’t have anything to do with Byron Steeple dying, but he had been there. It was one of those catch-22’s. He always felt Byron’s hands in his sleep, gripping his sleeve. Knowing he could’ve saved the man’s life only added to his stress.

  Legend was right, tomorrow wasn’t promised. Exactly what he kept telling himself as they walked in to Sirena Lassiter’s home for the movie screening’s after-party. Jake couldn’t have told anyone what the movie was about if his life depended on it. He sat in the dark theater, his mind swirling with scenarios of how he could end the constant fear he’d been living in over the last two years. Byron Steeple.

  “There you are.” Sirena’s eyes were like lasers zeroing in on his. Please don’t ask, please. “So how’d you like the film?”

  “I’d say you have a very bright future.” He quickly changed the subject. “How’s your family doing, your dad?”

  “Everybody’s real good. As a matter of fact, I talked to him today, told him I saw you. He got so excited. He totally thought we had a future together. You would’ve made the perfect son-in-law.” She gently gripped his chin. “Oh yeah, you’re happily married now. Looks good on you.”

  “Thank you.” He wanted nothing more than to run out of there. Admit he’d made a mistake by coming. Legend had pushed and pressured, and now he was nowhere to be found. “You want to point me to the restroom?” The music was loud. The air felt heavy. “The bathroom,” he repeated. Maybe if he got a chance not to breathe the same air as her, he could stop visualizing her ass firmly in his grip.

  “This way.” She took his hand and wouldn’t let go. Jake’s legs followed like heavy weights wrapped around his ankles. They zigzagged through people. Sirena wasn’t allowing anyone to stop her. She simply nodded and smiled at her guests. She was amazingly strong. Her arms amazing. Her back amazing. Her ass amazing. It all came rushing back to him. Her body, amazing. They’d met shooting the video for his hit song. At nineteen, she was already a teen household name from her debut album. Sexy as hell, she walked on the set wearing black ankle boots and a pair of leather booty shorts. He knew the second he laid eyes on her he was going to have her by the end of the day. What he hadn’t planned on was spending the next six months, every day, noon and night, entrenched in the moistness of her body. They held hands everywhere they went, only to fall into each other the minute they were behind closed doors. Kind of like now, Jake was thinking.

  The music grew more distant with the beat of his own blood strumming against his temples. She led him up the spiral staircase. The bathroom can’t be this far, he meant to say out loud, but his lips wouldn’t move. Somebody save me.

  Sirena didn’t say a word. Her grip stayed tight. She pushed the bedroom door open with her free hand. Once inside, she used him to push it closed, his back up against the door and her body against him. Passion Run, he was trying to remember the name of the movie, at least if his wife asked he’d know the name of the movie. Maybe he would even remember what the movie was about.

  Her mouth was warm and sweet. She sucked on his bottom lip while slipping her hand in his pants. She found what she was looking for with little effort. The gasp of victory left her lips. “You are happy to see me.” She pulled her dress over her shoulders then off completely. Every curve measured to perfection. Round and perky breasts, sizably larger than the last time he’d seen them, begged to be touched. “Tell me what you want.” She slid down the length of his torso, lifting his shirt to the firm six-pack prize underneath. “Your ass is so fine. You are still the most beautiful man I have ever seen.”

  He was ram hard. “Sirena, damn.” His mind was fighting hard, but losing the battle. Every muscle in his body tensed. He gripped her shoulders and pulled her up to face him. “C’mon now. You know me. I can’t do things halfway.”

  “I do know you.” Her tongue traced the arch of his top lip then slid gently all the way around. Her hand gripped and tugged with gentle precision. “All too well. And I don’t want it halfway—I want it all.” She shifted her body and deftly pushed him close to the point of no return.

  He slipped his fingers inside, hoping to buy himself some time. He needed to talk to the hardwiring. The system that was built to take advantage of a situation such as this one had been put in place long before Jake entered the world, yet as old and established as it was, there had been no upgrade. A man was weak to the proposition of physical pleasure. Stupidly weak and subsequently in danger of ruining everything for even the smallest promise of satisfaction.

  She whispered in his ear, “I have a condom.” She moved with ease to her nightstand. In those few priceless seconds, Jake could breathe and think. If memory served him right, she didn’t take rejection well. He knew how passionately she loved and lost. He’d seen her cry, laugh, and climax all at the same time. She bent over to open the drawer next to her luxurious bed. Her naked ass au naturel, bare and smooth individual mounds. Memory also told him he was giving up what most men would sacrifice everything for, even for one night of brilliance.

  Fast. He had to make a decision. Sirena’s lips were back on his with tongues swirling. His arms wrapped around her small waist, and he held her tight, summoning up the strength to do what he knew he had to.

  “Why are you shaking? You’re scared of . . . me?” she asked incredulously. “Don’t worry—it won’t hurt,” she chided into his ear. “Well, maybe a little bit.”

  He thought about the things he’d want if he could have anything at all. Like a dying man’s last wish. He knew Sirena Lassiter should’ve been on that list. She was beautiful, famous, and deliciously sexy. He’d watched her from a distance like everyone else, via tabloids or gossip media.

  “I wish,” he said, kissing her lightly on the forehead, “that you and I had better timing.”

  She realized instantly what he was saying. The heat off her body not so easily put out. She kissed him one last time. Inhaling his goodness. She tucked him back into his pants and zipped him up. Her large doe eyes blinked disappointment. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”

  “I know exactly how you feel.” He leaned over and picked up her dress. She covered herself up with it. He couldn’t help touching her bare shoulder.

  “I’d love to meet the woman who owns your heart. She must be something.” Her eyebrow rose with curiosi
ty.

  “We’ve been through a lot.” What he didn’t add was that he couldn’t break his wife’s heart, not ever again. Not even for one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known.

  “Is she one of us? In the business?”

  Jake shook his head and vowed not to get in to the discussion of who Venus was or how they’d met. He understood the process always started out innocent enough. Then the questions would turn inward and out, looking for weaknesses and cracks in the armor. Somehow she would find the right button to prove he needed more than he was getting.

  “What about kids? Do you guys have kids?” And so it began.

  “One daughter, four years old.” Jake tried not to, but he did it anyway. He flipped out his wallet. “Mya, a total trip. Every day’s an adventure.”

  Sirena hesitated. “She must look like her mother.”

  “Yeah.” He shoved the wallet back in his pocket.

  “I always wondered what our kids would’ve looked like.” She snapped the buttons in the back of her halter dress. “Two, a girl and a boy . . . Remember we said we’d name them Gravity and Theory? Those are the kind of names destined for stardom.” She adjusted her hair and made sure she had on both earrings. “So are you planning to have more kids?” Her shimmering turquoise dress skimmed barely past her upper thigh. Now that Jake knew she wasn’t wearing any panties, it made him nervous when she bent to slip on her high heels.

  “It would be nice.” His face had betrayed him. He hoped she’d have enough tact to end the third degree.

  “Nice? With all that artillery you’re packing, you should have your own Little League team. You’re only thirty-two. How old is your wife?” She zeroed in on the bull’s-eye. “How old is your wife, Jake?”

  “You better get back down to your guests. I’m sure they’re looking for you.”

  “So you went for the older woman, huh?” She slipped in front of him before he could get the door open. “But surely she’s able to give you a son. You always planned on having a son.” She’d found a hole. The biggest one of them all.

  “Sometimes planning’s not enough.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Why not? Why stop now?”

  “Why did you come up here with me? What made you follow me up those stairs and straight into my arms if you didn’t want to be here? Then all of a sudden, I’m not worth the risk.”

  “I never said that.”

  “You did, too—loud and clear.” She had him pinned against the door. “Now I’m not good enough for you? You’re Mr. Holier Than Thou.”

  “I think—” He was looking for an easy way to say it. “You and I both know the possibility of things going very wrong here. This wouldn’t be a one-time thing. You and I both know this wouldn’t be a one-time thing.”

  “So let it not be a one-time thing.” She cupped his face and kissed him deep and hard. He would go to hell for this, that much he knew for sure.

  Jake left Sirena’s bedroom first. She came out a few minutes later, fresh faced and retooled. There was still no sign of Legend. Jake decided he’d have to find a ride if his boy didn’t make a showing in the next ten minutes. He had to get out of there. Unlike Legend’s prediction, tomorrow may not be promised, but you damn well better be able to live with yourself if it came. Watching Sirena come down the stairs, he couldn’t help but ache with regret.

  “Jake.” Sirena said his name, and he wasn’t sure if it was the here and now or already the memory clouding his senses. She squeezed his arm. “I wanted to introduce you to my manager, in case you thought about using your good looks and charm for greater good than seducing old girlfriends.” She linked wings with his and guided him through the crowd that had grown in the time they’d been upstairs.

  “So I seduced you? Is that your story?”

  “And I’m sticking to it.” She tapped a sharply dressed man on the shoulder. “Mr. Gray Hillman, I’d like you to meet the multitalented Jake Parson.” She watched as they shook hands like fighters in the ring before slipping off in another direction.

  “I know exactly who you are. I was a fan.” He tilted his head. “You segued into the fashion industry successfully. Very well done. So what’s next, now that the hip-hop clothing industry has pretty much died a righteous death?”

  “I’ve dabbled in producing,” Jake said, still keeping his eye out for Legend. “Not really sure. I’ve been preoccupied.”

  Gray nodded. “I understand how that could be a problem.” His eyes landed on Sirena. Jake didn’t have the time or inclination to correct his assumption. “If you want to talk about your next career move, give me a call.”

  Jake took his card and resisted the urge to do a one-finger toss. “Yeah, see you around.” He felt Sirena watching as he headed for the door. The great escape was thwarted by Legend as he rushed in front of him. “Where tha hell you been, man?”

  “He’s here,” Legend huffed, out of breath with panic. “Ronny Wilks is here.”

  “Where is he?”

  Legend double-nodded, and Jake took off in his direction. “Ah, shit.” Legend moved behind him. “You don’t want to do this.” Jake took hold of his friend’s arm. “You don’t want to do this right now.” Jake twisted around to see Gray Hillman and Ronny face-to-face. Ronny was a stubby short guy with a thick neck. He pressed his forehead into Gray’s chest like a bull squaring off.

  “Not here, uh-uh.” Sirena had stepped between the two of them and grabbed Ronny’s shoulder. “I paid too much damn money for this house. Y’all got to go outside.”

  Ronny’s elbow connected with Sirena’s jaw accidentally while he was shaking her loose.

  Jake felt Legend’s grip go even tighter. “Don’t. She can handle it. Let’s go.”

  If Jake remembered anything, it was not to get in the middle of a dogfight. But he also couldn’t walk out the door after what he’d just seen. He moved swiftly, faster than Legend could stop him.

  “C’mon.” Jake grabbed Sirena around the waist, lifting her nearly off her feet.

  “Wait a minute. I’m not going anywhere.” She clawed at his arm. “I didn’t even invite him. I’m not letting that thug tear up my house.”

  Jake let go of her once they’d gotten a good distance away. One of Sirena’s girlfriends rushed to her side. “Are you all right?”

  Sirena straightened her dress. “Call the police, I’m not letting fools destroy my house. I worked too damn hard.”

  “I have to go. Stay out of it, whatever they got goin’, it’s not worth getting hurt.”

  She frowned and pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “Your people, your people.” Something they used to say to each other. Their way of questioning what never made sense.

  “See you later,” Jake said, knowing it wasn’t the time to say goodbye. He moved past the two men who’d already simmered down. Gray was doing all the talking. Maybe the man’s card would come in handy after all.

  Easy Like Sunday

  Morning

  Jake had stumbled in the dark, coming to bed around three in the morning. He’d thrown his leg across mine, followed by his whole body. “You are the most beautiful woman in the whole world. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you.” Not that it wasn’t a truthful statement, just that whenever he used the term whole world, he’d usually been faced with a come-to-Jesus moment after being tempted by long hair, sexy hips, and fat juicy lips. We made love like ravenous teenagers. Someone had lit his fire, and I was the lucky girl that got to put it out. He rolled over and fell into a deep loud snore.

  So I’d expected him to sleep in until at least ten in the morning. I’d planned to make him a big breakfast. Then midway through, give him a warm succulent kiss and tell him there was more where that came from once the house was cleared of the unwanted guest. In other words, Legend must go. However, the clock read eight thirty, and Jake was already gone, so my plan was spoiled.

  Sunday was the only day In Bloom was closed and I could relax. No weddings
. No funerals. No bar mitzvahs. My cell phone blinked to let me know I had messages. The first message was Jake’s, sweet and deep: “Babe, we hit the court this morning. See you around noon.”

  The second message was Vince. “I hate to be the messenger of bad news, little lady, but the shop was ransacked. Stuff turned over and broken everywhere. You probably should get down here.”

  Somehow, I thought I’d missed something. I replayed the message three more times before calling Vince back. I paced around the bedroom, determined not to panic. “Vin, are you kidding me? In Bloom was broken into?” I still couldn’t believe it. “How? Is the window busted out, or the door kicked in?”

  “Actually, the door was locked.” Vince got quiet, as if it had hit him that someone could still be in the shop and he was a sitting duck. “I’ll call you back.”

  “Vin . . . wait.” The phone went silent. I dialed Jake’s number, and no one answered. I wasn’t about to drag Mya to a crime scene. I pushed the button to answer the vibration.

  “All right, we’re all clear.” Vince said. “Looks like they broke the window.”

  “I can’t handle this right now. I’d appreciate it if you could call the police and file a report.”

  “Nah, can’t do it.”

  “Why not? I mean you’re there, you’re the one who saw the place first. You’re the only one that will have any information.” I paced back and forth.

  “I don’t have any information. Either one of us could’ve walked in here and seen this mess. I’m of no help.”

  “You’re a help to me if you just call and at least get the police report filed. I’m probably going to need it for the insurance claim.”

  “Nah, can’t do it.”

  “Okay . . . you’re scaring me. Is there something you want to tell me?”

  “Nope.”

  Frustration permeated my brain. “Fine. Fine. Whatever.” I slammed the phone closed. Unbelievable. What next? This was unlike Vince. Had everyone gone mad? I dialed Jake’s number. He didn’t answer. He and Legend were out fondling balls while my life was being turned upside down. I thought about how angry Trevelle had been about me not accepting her bribe. Maybe she’d decided to give the money to some goons on the street to tear up my place. Racing through my mind was a list of people who had it in for me. The lady I’d cut off getting on the freeway. She’d honked and given me the finger. My In Bloom van was slow getting up the ramp. Maybe she had remembered the name of my shop and exacted her own kind of road rage justice.