“I’d like to introduce you to Demi Hayes, the district manager for marketing. Starting today, you will report directly to Demi. I’ve assured her that you all are hardworking and she can count on you for results. Demi.”
The woman walked up to the podium, barely smiling. She didn’t even say hello before telling them, “We will make every effort to assist those affected by the staff reduction with possibly finding other positions within the company. We will also be offering early retirement bonuses for those who wish to take advantage.” As she spoke, Avery tried to rack her brain and figure out where she knew the woman from. “There will be schedule changes, including nights and weekends for some of you. And as Kurt has already said, you all will report directly to me. I’m sure that that is understood and therefore, this will be a smooth transition for us all.”
No one moved when Demi walked away from the podium and out the door. They all just sat in silence, not knowing what to do next.
Reduction of staff . . . nights and weekends . . . customer service . . . stolen wallet . . .homework and school ...it was all too much for Avery to deal with and her head began to pound harder, her coffee cup was now empty.
Finally, Avery stood up and said, “I need some caffeine and the strongest pill you got, Tabby!”
“I need a drink,” Malcolm said. “And a couple of pills myself.”
“Fuck all that,” Tabitha said, frowning. “I need a blunt.”
Chapter Three
“I can’t believe you found it,” Avery told Mr. Niwab, the store manager who called her and told her right before lunch she could come pick up her wallet. She got permission to take an hour lunch and rushed over to Food Zone.
“It was behind some boxes of cereal. Someone must’ve stuck it back there,” the Indian man said, nodding. “Check it, is everything there?”
“Everything but the cash,” Avery said, seeing her license, insurance card, and work badge all sitting in place. “But, that’s fine.”
“It was probably some kids,” he told her.
“They come in here and steal all the time. Chips, soda, candy, it’s ridiculous. We will be selling this place soon enough.”
“Really?” Avery asked. She wasn’t surprised by his announcement and she didn’t really blame him at all. Then, she thought about the fact that it was the only store within a ten-mile radius and the only one the elderly people in the neighborhood could get to. For a moment, she felt bad.
“It’s no longer worth it. The thieves are taking more than we are selling,” he said. “I remember when we first bought this place from Mr. McGregor. He was excited because we bought it rather than the big chain that would come in and make all the prices higher. He wanted to keep it family owned.”
“Mr. McGregor,” Avery said. “I remember him.”
“Yes, he was a nice man. But the young people here have nothing to do. No activities or anything to keep them busy, so they fall by the wayside and steal from us. No more, we are leaving.”
“That’s sad,” Avery sighed. She said good-bye and headed back to work. She thought about the days she worked at the neighborhood rec center and the lives she tried to impact. It had closed down before she had graduated from college, when the city said that it no longer had the funds to keep it open. Funny, they seemed to have enough money to build new jails and parks in the suburbs. As she drove home, she looked around. It was hopeless and there was nothing she could do about it. As she headed out of Coleman Village and emerged onto the interstate, the sky seemed to brighten as if the world was a better place.
“That’s great news, baby,” Duke said when she called to tell him they found her wallet. There was something in his voice that wasn’t right.
“What’s wrong, Duke?” she asked.
“Man, they just told us that some investment company just bought the shop and the store. I can’t believe this shit. Now some shirts and ties are gonna be in charge,” he sighed.
“They’re not laying off, are they?” Avery asked. She hoped not, especially with the possibility of losing her own job.
“Naw, they ain’t say nothing like that. But you know they are gonna come in here and try to change shit,” Duke replied. “I know Mr. Tangier ain’t have nothing to do with this, it’s his sons. Backstabbing bastards. Those spoiled brats don’t know anything about hard work.”
“At least you still got a job, baby. And maybe this will be better for you. A bigger company means better benefits, like health insurance and 401(k),” she told him.
“Man, I ain’t thinking about that. I’ll have benefits when we get married,” he said. “Right?”
“Well, I guess,” she said slowly. In a sense, he was right—he would have health benefits through her job, but Avery wasn’t ready to get married. And more importantly, she wanted him to see the importance of having his own benefits.
“You guess? You guess what? You guess you’ll marry me?” He laughed through the phone.
“If this is your idea of a proposal, it’s pathetic,” Avery told him, pulling into the parking lot. “But I gotta go, I’m back at work.”
“Okay, are you working late?”
“Probably. I gotta makeup the extra time I took for lunch, and then they’re probably gonna make us work overtime.”
“Well, I love you and I’ll see you when you get home.” Duke said it so tenderly that Avery wanted to turn around, go to his job, and hug him tight.
“Love you too.”
“I’m glad you got your shit back” he laughed, “And baby?”
“Yeah,” she said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure I go to the store and pick up some milk.”
Despite having to work an extra two hours, the rest of the day went by quickly, mainly due to the back-and-forth banter between Tabitha and Malcolm, who provided plenty of entertainment between the massive number of calls from their shipping clients. Avery was surprised to look up and see that it was time to go home. As usual, they were the last ones on their floor to leave. They all packed up and she and Tabitha made a pit stop in the bathroom while Malcolm waited to escort them to their cars.
“So, do you think this thing between him and Sharice is really serious?” Tabitha asked from the stall.
“I don’t know,” Avery said. “It’s too early to tell. I will tell you that I don’t think she’s the type to run game on him though, Tabby. She seems like a nice girl. You are so overprotective of him.”
“Because he’s so bloop-bloop sometimes,” Tabitha said, “I have to be. He should be grateful. If it wasn’t for us, he would be trapped by one of these office whores. You know they prey on his adorable, goofy ass.”
“The same way you prey on Kurt,” Avery teased.
They both came out of the stalls at the same time and washed their hands.
“I don’t prey on Kurt.” Tabitha closed her eyes and said dramatically, “I long for him.”
“So, why don’t you make a move?” Avery asked. It seemed as if Tabitha didn’t have a problem with anyone knowing she was feeling Kurt except Kurt himself, which seemed crazy. “He’s single.”
Tabitha became serious for a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m kinda scared.”
“Of what?” Avery frowned.
One of the stall doors opened, startling both of them, and out stepped Demi Hayes.
“Oh, sorry,” Tabitha said, smiling. “We didn’t realize anyone else was in here.”
Demi looked Tabitha up and down and gave her an icy smile, which Avery could see was as fake as the gray contacts their new supervisor wore. “That’s okay.”
Avery pretended to be focused on putting her lip gloss on while sneaking glances at the petite woman. Her hair was a weave, but a damn good one. The contacts made her keen face even more catlike than it already was. Avery tried to picture in her mind what she might possibly look like with brown eyes. I know this chick—I know I know her . . . Demi Hayes . . . Demi Hayes . . . The only Hayes Avery could think of was a girl from high schoo
l who they called “Meaty,” who was even bigger than Avery had been. A quiet girl who rarely spoke to anyone and kept to herself. Avery looked up in the mirror and their eyes met.
“Meaty?” Avery said before she could stop herself. Demi suddenly looked away and Avery realized she may have made her uncomfortable. She quickly tried to correct herself. “Demetrius Hayes, is that you?”
Demi glanced over at Tabitha and laughed nervously. “Well, I like for most people to call me Demi, but yes, Demetrius is my first name.”
“Wow, you look so different,” Avery said. “I mean, really, you look like a totally different person. I haven’t see you since high school.”
“Avery Belmont, from Coleman Village, right?” Demi asked.
“The very one,” Avery said.
“I thought that was you,” Demi countered. “I look like a totally different person and you haven’t changed a bit.”
Something about the way Demi said it made Avery a bit uneasy. She picked up her purse and said to Tabitha, “You ready to go?”
“Since eight this morning,” Tabitha replied.
“It was nice seeing you again, Demi,” Avery said, as they exited the bathroom.
Demi didn’t say anything, just nodded.
“You knew her in high school?” Tabitha asked when they were on the elevator.
“Knew who?” Malcolm asked.
“Demi, our new supervisor.” Avery shrugged. “We went to high school together.”
“Was she an ice queen back then, because she sure seems like one now,” Malcolm said, leaning against the elevator wall.
“Yeah, she was,” Avery told them. “I guess some things never change.”
And who is gonna love you like I do?
Avery knew something was up the moment she walked through the front door and heard Babyface singing. The smell of garlic and spices filled the air, which was a clear indicator that Duke was cooking. Slipping out of her jacket, she continued into the dining room and smiled at the candlelit table, perfectly set.
“Welcome home, boo.” Duke walked up behind her and kissed her gently on her neck. “How was your day?”
“It started out rough, but it keeps getting better and better,” she told him as she turned and put her arms around him. “How was yours?”
“Better, now that you’re home.” He leaned in and covered her mouth with his. Avery felt herself melting. The wetness of his tongue welcomed her and she indulged herself in his taste, moaning in the process. After all these years, kissing him still made her weak at the knees. His hand slipped under her shirt while the other one unbuttoned her skirt. The brush of his fingertips through the lace of her bra made her already hardened nipples even more erect. Avery ran her hand down his body until it arrived at the noticeable bulge in his sweats. It only took a few seconds for her fingers to make their way into his pants and wrap themselves around his thick hardness. There was no bigger turn-on for Avery than knowing she had the ability to make her man hard like this. She was still almost fully dressed and he looked as if he was about to explode at any moment. The more she massaged him, the bigger and harder his dick became and the hotter she got. She stepped out of her skirt and his free hand now reached between her legs, pulling her panties to the side. She stepped wider to give him more access to what he was searching for. When his fingers entered her wet center, she gasped and he lowered her onto the floor.
“Damn, baby,” she said, staring into his eyes seductively, “We’re not gonna eat first?”
“I’m about to eat right now,” Duke said, sliding her body in front of his kneeling body and pushing her legs back. Avery closed her eyes in anticipation of the satisfaction she knew she was about to experience. Duke began pleasuring her with his mouth, slowly at first, with soft kisses between her thighs and all the way until his tongue plunged into the center of her waiting core. The sensation of him teasing her clit, while moaning and groaning as if it was the tastiest fruit he had ever eaten, was nothing short of a thrill for her. Avery arched her back and reached between her legs, rubbing his bald head. She tried with all her might to suppress the eruption she felt erupting.
“Baby, you’ve gotta stop,” she told him.
“Mmm-mmm.” Duke refused and began sucking with even more determination, his tongue reaching even deeper than it already was.
Avery gasped as she found herself caressing her own breasts. She loved her body; her full bosom, her thick thighs, every curve and crevice, to her was beautiful, which was why she was so in tune with what she liked, what made her feel good. Her body began to swerve against Duke as if his mouth was a song playing in her and she had to dance. Faster and faster, she moved and he played and just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, she felt his rock hardness now replaced where his tongue was moments before.
“Oh, damn,” Duke moaned as he thrust into her. Their bodies now moved in natural rhythm, and he stared into her face as he told her over and over again, “I love you.”
Avery watched him carefully as she tightened her walls around him and rocked her body. She knew she was driving him into a state of sexual intoxication, which she knew he loved. Back and forth, over and over, faster and faster until the both climaxed together. Duke collapsed on top of her, gasping. For Avery, laying there, was complete and total bliss. It was if she was exactly where she was supposed to be, exactly where she needed to be, and exactly where she wanted to be. She closed her eyes and smiled.
“That was incredible,” Avery said, taking another bite of pasta. After another round of lovemaking and showering together, they had finally settled down to enjoy the meal Duke had prepared.
“You are incredible,” Duke replied. “That’s why I want you to have my baby.”
Avery looked up at him as if he was as crazy as the statement he had just made. “Now that’s funny.”
“I’m not joking,” he said. “I want us to have a baby.”
“Okay, where is all this coming from, Duke?”
“What?” Duke frowned. “Avery, we’ve been together for seven years.”
“Five,” she corrected him.
“Well, I fell in love with you seven years ago. Just because your ass wasted two of them turning me down, doesn’t mean they don’t count. Anyway, you know how much I love you and you say we’re in this forever. But, lately, every time I bring up getting married, or having a baby, there seems to be a problem. I don’t like this vibe I’m getting. What’s up?”
Avery stared at Duke. There was no doubt in her heart that she loved him. She couldn’t imagine her life without him. The problem was the questions in her head. Five years ago, marrying Duke, raising a family, and living happily ever after sounded ideal. But now she wondered if that was enough. Duke was happy living in Coleman Village, working his regular nine-to-five. She wasn’t.
“Nothing’s up, Duke,” she assured him. “I still want that. But now is not the time.”
“Why not?”
“You know I’ve got so much going on right now. I’m working all these crazy hours, trying to finish school. Sometimes, I’m overwhelmed and it’s just me and you, right now. I’m not ready for a baby, and neither are you. We are definitely not ready for a baby.”
“Fine,” Duke relented, and then told her, “I’ve got something for you.”
“Duke,” Avery sighed as he walked out the room. He always did this, bought her nice things for no reason. His spontaneity, although at times irresponsible, was part of her attraction to him. She prayed he hadn’t gone off on a whim and bought a crib or a stroller since he was on a baby kick, and was relieved when he came back in carrying a familiar gold box with a black bow from her favorite store. She couldn’t help but grin. For some men, the thought of being unable to shop for their women at Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood may have been embarrassing. The fact that she was too much of a woman, so to speak, to wear La Perla or Dolce V in the bedroom didn’t matter to Duke. He had no problem walking into Lane Bryant and searching until he
found the sexiest Cacique lingerie he could find. She opened the box carefully and sifted through the tissue paper until she saw a sexy red and black lace corset with a matching garter and thong.
“Dinner was on me, dessert is on you.” Duke winked. “I’ll be right up after I clear this mess and clean the kitchen. And I want the Jessica Simpsons on, the black ones!”
It was after ten, and as much as Avery wanted to continue their romantic evening, she knew she had to catch up on the homework she had been neglecting. She not only had a quiz Friday night, but she also had a major project due, which she hadn’t even started on.
“Baby,” she said, “I can’t. I gotta study and get some work done.”
“What? Come on, Avery. Not tonight. Study tomorrow night.”
“I gotta study tomorrow night too,” she laughed.
“Fine, handle your business.” Duke shrugged and began clearing the table.
Seeing the disappointment in his face, Avery stood up and pulled him to her, “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“Don’t start nothing you ain’t gonna finish,” he said, shaking his head. “Go ahead and get your study on.”
Avery kissed him once more before she grabbed her box off the table and headed upstairs to face the dreaded schoolwork she had been neglecting.
Chapter 4
“Baby, do you remember Demetrius Hayes?” Avery asked the next morning as she got dressed. “Meaty?”
“Meaty? Played football? Hung out with Anthony Marshall and the crew?”
“No, Duke, that’s Meachie,” Avery laughed. “Meaty is a girl.”
“Oh, yeah, lived on the other end of the block.” Duke nodded. “The fat girl.”
Avery turned and scowled at him. He knew she hated comments referring to a person’s size.
“What?” he asked innocently. “You know what I meant.”
“No, I don’t, especially since some people may consider me a fat girl,” she replied.
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