Looking away from him, she didn’t know what to say. All night she’d thought about the answer to that question. “I wanted to hurt you back,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “When I saw that DVD, I felt like I had been transported back in time, and I was standing in your dorm room all over again. I thought I had learned something, y’know. I knew this time that things were going to be different because I thought you were different. But that DVD said that you weren’t and I was a fool again.”
He gently squeezed her hands. “That DVD is a fake. I went to the videographer. He has the old videos that Lauryn brought in for him to splice together. But I don’t want to prove that this is a lie and then, in a few weeks or a few days, Lauryn pulls another trick, and we’re at this point again.”
Sliding her hands out of his grasp, Kenya rose to her feet and walked over to the window. “Maurice, maybe we aren’t meant to be,” she said. “Right now, all I want is to see you suffer the way I have. That’s why I tried to seduce your brother.”
“What?” he snapped. Maurice rose to his feet, dropping the towel from his nose. “I can’t believe you. I have to go.” He headed for the door, not looking back at her.
Kenya closed the gap between them, grabbing his shoulder. “Nothing happened,” she said. “It wouldn’t have changed anything or made me hurt any less.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I wanted you to hurt,” she repeated. “I didn’t want James. I just wanted you to know how this feels. This is what I’ve been dealing with for years. That lurch in your heart is what I’ve felt every time I have seen you with Lauryn. . . .”
“I don’t want Lauryn. I’ve never tried to do anything to purposely hurt you, Kenya. I thought you were different, but it seems like you and Lauryn are two sides of the same coin.” Maurice pulled the engagement ring from his pocket and placed it in her hand. “I don’t want this. Sell it or whatever.”
“No, it’s your ring. You keep it,” she said as she pressed the ring back into his hand. “Let’s just let this be good-bye.”
Maurice dropped the ring, then rushed out of the apartment and slammed the door. Kenya placed her hand on the knob, wanting to open the door and tell Maurice that she was wrong. Instead, she reached down and picked up the ring, then headed into her bedroom.
On the other side of the door, Maurice stood, with his hand poised to knock on the door. He wanted to take back their good-bye and forgive her for what she’d done. But his pride wouldn’t let him. She had embarrassed him, just like Lauryn had when she’d bolted from the altar. Kenya was the last person he’d ever thought would do something like try to sleep with his brother. But James wasn’t innocent in all of this. Maurice ran to his car and headed for his brother’s place. James had some explaining to do.
Kenya sat on the sofa, tears running down her cheeks. She couldn’t explain her actions; she couldn’t explain why she wanted to ruin her chance at happiness with Maurice. Looking at the ring, she wondered what would’ve happened if she had taken his word and not sought revenge. They’d be planning a wedding and looking for a nice island to honeymoon on. When the phone rang, she hoped it was Maurice.
“Mo,” she said.
“No, it’s Imani,” her friend replied. “I heard from your mom the other day, and she said you’re getting married. I thought we were friends. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Rubbing her forehead, Kenya sighed. “There’s not going to be any marriage. You and my mother can rest easy. Maurice and I are done.”
“So, that’s why you were expecting him to call?” Imani questioned. “You don’t have to lie to me about your intentions with Maurice. I just hope that for your sake, he has changed.”
“Imani, I don’t feel like this right now. You and Angela can go have another conversation about my life and send me a transcript,” Kenya snapped.
“Whoa, Kenya,” Imani said. “I’m on your side. I was actually calling to let you know that I’m coming to Charlotte today.”
“Why are you coming here? You can say I told you so over the phone,” Kenya snapped.
“You have such a low opinion of me. Smith is having an alumni reunion in a few months, and I’m on the planning committee. Today is the general meeting, which the alumni association presidents have to attend.”
“Uh-huh,” Kenya said.
“Really. I’m calling to see if you are going to be free for dinner,” Imani said. “And it’s your treat, since you’re the big-time attorney, and gas costs a grip.”
Kenya’s spirits were starting to brighten slightly. Hanging out with Imani would take her mind away from thoughts of Maurice. “I guess I can buy you dinner. But the drinks are on you. When are you getting here?”
“Well, I’m in Spartanburg right now,” Imani said. “I’ll call you when the meeting is over.”
After hanging up with her friend, Kenya started cleaning her place. All of the nervous energy she had helped her whip her place into tip-top shape in no time flat. As she headed into her bedroom, she decided to organize her closet. When she opened the door, her suitcase fell from the top shelf, and an orchid petal floated down to the floor. As she picked it up, her mind wandered to the time she and Maurice had spent together in the Bahamas. If things weren’t so complicated, they could be together and be happy.
I was a fool to think that Maurice and I could rewrite history and have a happy ending when I haven’t forgiven him for what he did, she thought. Why can’t I get past this thing with Lauryn? Kenya didn’t realize that she was crying until her tears hit the petal, making it look transparent. She tossed the petal toward the trash can, but it landed on the floor. Pull yourself together, she told herself as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. You got what you wanted. Maurice is out of your life.
But Kenya knew that losing Maurice was the last thing that she really wanted. She couldn’t keep lying to herself. She wanted to be with Maurice, but after what had happened last night and her confession to him, there was no way he’d ever forgive her.
“Sit down and listen to me, for a change,” James snapped. “Kenya and I didn’t do anything. I wouldn’t betray you in that way. Whatever twisted relationship that you two have, it’s not for me to come in between.”
“I do love her, and you did betray me,” Maurice snapped, refusing to sit down. “You kissed her, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did, but that was all it was. She admitted that the only reason she wanted to have sex with me was to hurt you,” James said. “I’m not going to be a pawn between you and her. I won’t apologize for being her friend.”
Running his hand across his face, Maurice shook his head. “I don’t know what to do. Maybe I should just throw in the towel.”
“No, you shouldn’t, stupid. Kenya loves you, and you love her. Why would you stop fighting for her?” James asked.
“She doesn’t want to be with me anymore. If she did, she wouldn’t have tried to seduce you, she would’ve listened to me about that DVD, and every day wouldn’t be a struggle between us. This is for the best,” Maurice said, though his words were hollow, and he didn’t believe them.
“Lauryn wins again,” James said.
“No.”
“That’s what it sounds like to me.”
“What were you doing at Kenya’s place this morning? Why did you go back?” Maurice demanded.
“I wanted to make sure we still had a friendship, despite what had gone down. And when I saw that DVD, I realized it was a fake, so I was trying to convince Kenya of that most of the night, until she tuned me out. Then you came over this morning, playing Rambo. Maybe you scared her off. Maybe she saw a side of you that she doesn’t want to deal with, or maybe she just needs some reassurance.”
“And are you supposed to give that to her?” Maurice questioned.
“I’m done. I’m out of your relationship with Kenya, and if you two are going to get together, it’s going to be without my help,” James said. “I’m tired of cleaning up after you.”
“That’s what you think?” Maurice asked.
James nodded furiously. “The first time you and Kenya broke up, I had to sit there and tell her you were a good guy, just misguided. When Lauryn left you at the altar, I had to dig you out of your self-imposed hermitism. I’m tired. So, go out and do whatever you have to do to get her back and send me an invitation to the wedding.”
“All right,” Maurice said. “I know what I have to do. I’ve got to get ready for training camp, and everything else is just going to have to be secondary.”
James shook his head but didn’t say anything. If Maurice wanted to be a fool, then he was going to let him deal with it.
Kenya and Imani walked to the patio of the Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. The evening weather was beautiful, and they’d decided to dine outdoors. Holding two cocktails, they sat at a table closest to the sidewalk so that they could watch people walk by.
“Charlotte really reminds me of Atlanta,” Imani said. “Just with much better traffic.”
Kenya laughed and took a sip of her drink. “Much better traffic. How was your meeting?”
Imani shrugged. “Interesting. I saw a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years. And some people I hadn’t wanted to see ever again in my life.”
“Give me the dish,” Kenya said, wiping a leaf from the table. Inadvertently, she thought about the orchid petal in her house. Stop it, she thought and tried to focus on what Imani was saying.
“And Yvette Mason was there. God, I’d forgotten how annoying she could be. She’s a writer with the Charlotte Business Journal. Guess what she’s working on this week? Hello, Kenya? Are you listening?”
“Yeah, yeah, annoying Yvette,” Kenya said distractedly.
“She’s working on a story about your law firm. She wanted me to give her your number, but I took her card instead.” Imani handed it to Kenya. “Are you still thinking about Maurice?”
“No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I propose a toast. Here’s to my life without Mo Goings,” Kenya said more confidently than she felt.
Imani raised her glass. “I hear that.” The women clanked their glasses, and Kenya fought the urge to cry.
Chapter 22
Maurice hadn’t realized how hungry he was until his stomach started rumbling as he passed the Rock Bottom and smelled the grill smoke billowing from the restaurant. Since he’d just finished a three-hour workout and a pickup game of hoops with some guys at the University City YMCA, he felt as if he deserved a juicy steak and a fresh green salad.
His workout hadn’t taken his mind off Kenya, as he’d hoped that it would. While he’d been lifting weights, a woman with a striking resemblance to Kenya had walked in, and Maurice had nearly dropped the 350-pound barbell on his chest.
As she’d gotten closer to him, he’d realized that it wasn’t Kenya. She’d smiled at Maurice, mistaking his stare for interest. When he’d moved over to a machine to work on his quads, he’d seen another woman who reminded him of Kenya. As she’d squatted on the machine, he’d called out Kenya’s name.
“Sorry,” she said. “I’m Lola.”
Maurice had mumbled his apologies, then attacked the machine for the next hour. All the while, thoughts of Kenya had danced in his head. He knew that he wasn’t over her, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Parking his car across from the restaurant, Maurice dashed across the street and came face-to-face with Kenya. God, she’s beautiful, he thought as he watched her take a sip from her glass. She smiled at the waiter as he set her dinner in front of her. His heart told him to leap over the green railing, pull her into his arms, and kiss her senseless. But he walked into the restaurant, avoiding a confrontation with Kenya. Suddenly, Charlotte felt like a small town. Maurice knew he was going to be running into Kenya, because they liked most of the same restaurants and went to the same shows and movies. He took solace in the fact that he would be heading to minicamp in a couple of weeks, and he’d be too tired to think about Kenya or anything else, other than learning the new offense.
While he waited to place his take-out order, Kenya walked into the restaurant from the patio and bumped into him.
“Excuse me,” she said, then looked up at him. “Maurice.”
“Kenya.”
“I was just . . . excuse me,” she said, then dashed away.
He had wanted to grab her arm and stop her, but when he saw that she was headed to the restroom, he was glad that he hadn’t.
“Sir,” the waiter asked, “are you ready to order?”
“You know what? I think I want a table outside, next to that woman who just walked in.”
The waiter raised an eyebrow, then led him to the empty table next to where Imani was sitting. When she took a look at the man who’d taken a seat at the table beside her, Imani waved for the check, even though she and Kenya weren’t finished with dinner.
“Imani,” Maurice said, “why are you tripping?”
“Because when Kenya comes back over here, you’re the last person that she needs to see.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Imani,” Maurice said sarcastically. “You look great.”
Imani shook her head. “Haven’t you done enough? You haven’t changed at all, have you?”
“Is this your business? You have no idea what’s going on,” Maurice snapped.
“I know that you’re an asshole. You hurt her in college, she forgave you and gave you another chance, and you blew it again. What’s wrong with you? Don’t you realize that Kenya is the best thing that ever happened in your sorry little life?” Imani’s voice had risen with anger, causing a few patrons to turn around and look at them.
Maurice shook his head. “Still the same old Imani. Always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Imani looked toward the door and saw Kenya heading their way. “Mo, why don’t you just leave? We’ve already toasted you out of her life.”
“Are you done?” Maurice asked when he saw Kenya approaching the table. “Because I’m pretty sure that Kenya doesn’t need you to speak for her.”
“What’s going on over here?” Kenya asked as she took her seat.
“Are you ready to go?” Imani asked.
Kenya looked over at Maurice and knew that she should’ve left. But she couldn’t leave. There was so much she wanted to say to him, so much she needed to get off her chest. She needed closure, because she knew that they’d run into each other from time to time. Smiling at Imani, she said, “I’ll meet you at the car.”
“Kenya,” Imani said.
“Imani, I can handle this. Meet me at the car. I’ll take care of the check.”
Placing her hands on her hips, Imani shook her head at her friend, as if she was silently telling her that she was making a mistake. Kenya nodded as she sat down. Turning to Maurice, she asked, “Was all of that noise about me?”
“Your friend needs to mind her business,” he said.
“Imani’s just looking out for me, and I’m not going to be mad at her for it.”
Maurice rolled his eyes as he turned around and faced Kenya. “And I’m the bad guy here? I’m the one who tried to seduce your sister to prove a point?”
“No, you just had sex on DVD for me and the world to see,” she countered.
“How many times do I have to tell you that DVD was fake? Even James tried to tell you, or were you too busy sticking your tongue down his throat to hear him out?”
Kenya reached for her purse, pulled out enough money to cover dinner, then rose quickly to her feet. “Go to hell, Maurice.”
Standing, he reached out and touched her arm, willing her to stay. “Wait. I don’t want to argue with you,” he said. “We run in the same circles, and we’re going to run into each other. Does it have to turn into a fight every time we say hello?”
“I guess we have no choice since my firm represents your realty company,” Kenya said begrudgingly.
“Good thing you assigned us another attorney,” he said flippantly.
/> She jerked away from him. “Then that means my office is off-limits. If I have anything at your place, burn it. The only thing left between us is business.” Kenya stomped off.
Imani was waiting at the car, with baited breath. She could imagine Kenya telling her that she and Maurice were going to give it another try. But when she saw the look on her friend’s face, she knew that was not what she was about to hear.
“I don’t know why I even talked to him. What was I thinking? I must like this. I must like letting him trample over my feelings,” Kenya said, her voice peppered with anger.
“What happened?”
“We argued, as usual,” she said. “Maurice and I should’ve just ignored each other in the Bahamas. Why can’t I get that man out of my system?”
Imani shrugged her shoulders. “For whatever reason, you love him. But Maurice is selfish, and the only person he cares about is himself. Look at what he’s done to you again. You’ve never done anything but love him, and he hurts you at every turn.”
Looking at her friend, Kenya thought about what she’d done with James so that she could hurt Maurice. She wasn’t innocent, and she couldn’t pretend that she was. She’d made the choice to seek revenge, and the consequences were losing Maurice. But she’d never felt as if she had him, anyway. Kenya had been constantly looking over her shoulder for Lauryn. And the old adage had proved to be true: when you look for trouble, you find it.
“Let’s get out of here. The House of Jazz is hosting Mike Phillips tonight. Do you want to go?” Kenya asked.
“Sure. But can we head to your place and change first? I’m going to show you guys how we get down in Atlanta. And I need to call my husband.”
Kenya smiled weakly. Maurice was supposed to be her husband. They should’ve been making wedding plans instead of breaking up again. “How’s Roland?”
Let's Get It On Page 20
