“Sharon, I’m over here.” I look up to see my sister, Rhonda, waving at me from across the restaurant. It’s always fun when Rhonda makes time to hang out with me. She doesn’t get to do it very often with having a husband and three small boys with the youngest being two always attached to her hip. I don’t envy her at all. They have a nice home and life in the Los Angeles area which is almost a two hour drive from Bakersfield.
Reaching our table, we embrace in a tight hug, giggling like teenagers. “Rhonda, I’ve missed you so much!” Sitting down, we go into conversation about everything since we last spoke a few days ago. Of course, discussion of Aiden finally makes an appearance, an unwelcomed appearance.
“Daddy told me that he gave you a hard time about you continuing to date Aiden. Tell me the truth Sharon, that white boy has you whipped, huh?”
My eyes almost pop out of my head! I can’t believe she’s sitting there smiling like a fool asking me that. “Rhonda! I can’t believe you just asked me that.”
“Girl, come on. He must have either some serious tongue action or gold in that pipe for you to be putting up with all the shit he’s been dishing your way. Or, is it both? Hell, good dick will have you all in denial. Believe your big sista, I know!”
I can’t hide anything from Rhonda. And to hear her, outside of her educated demeanor talking like this is funny as hell. Not being able to contain my laughter any longer, I blurt out, “that must be it because it’s the bomb!” Not that I have anything to compare our sex to but I’m sure it can’t get any better.
“Good dick has been the downfall to many women. Just don’t give him so much power and stop trying to please daddy. He’s lived his life and you are not his baby anymore. Even though, we all know he’s still paying that American Express bill of yours.”
All my life, I’ve looked up to Rhonda. I love my brothers, Ronnie and Sean, but she and I have a special bond. She has always been her own person, not allowing anyone to influence her. I remember when she met her husband, Michael. Our parents gave her hell because they thought he wasn’t good enough for her. Whenever he came home with her from college, my dad and brothers would torture him for no reason but he never allowed them to get to him. When my dad realized how smart and determined he was to succeed, he finally gave up and accepted him into our family. I can tell Rhonda anything and she never judges but will give the brutal truth.
“He only pays my bill because I’m single. If I ever get married, I’m sure that will change so for now, I will not complain.” Laughing, we give each other a high five on that comment. Getting serious, I ask, “Rhonda, do you think Aiden is capable of changing?”
“I think he’s capable of changing. He just hasn’t had reason to. Don’t take this the wrong way but you’ve never given him a taste of his own medicine. He knows you. He knows what you will do and he knows what you won’t do. The reason he doesn’t like you hanging out with Brian is because he knows if given the right opportunity, Brian would capture your heart.”
“I don’t see Brian like that.” Thinking about what she has said, I have to agree that she’s right. He knows I won’t cheat on him. “He asked me why I haven’t given him a key to my house the other day and he seemed really hurt by it.”
“Why haven’t you given him a key?”
“I told him that it was because he isn’t committed to me. I don’t trust him. I feel that it’s my house, I’ve worked to purchase it and I feel that it’s my haven of protection.”
“What in the world are you talking about? Do you feel you need protection from Aiden?”
Looking down at my hands and trying my best not to burst out in tears, I take a deep breath. “Rhonda, do you know how often my picture appears in the tabloids because of Aiden?” She shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head no. “It’s almost never anything positive but always attached to him cheating. And I think what hurts most is that dad is so disappointed in me. You should have heard our conversation. He was so mad that he was going from English to Tagalog, his Asian tongue, while we were arguing about my decision to stay with Aiden, or rather he argued and I listened, this past weekend. At least in my home, I can choose what or who I allow to come in. I know it probably doesn’t make sense to anyone but me.”
“Believe it or not, I understand what you’re saying. Just remember this, you hold the cards. Aiden isn’t any different from any other dog out there, he just happens to be in the public eye. By you dating him, you just give the media a better story. Let them take photographs of you all hugged up with some fine ass man and see how the story will affect Aiden. Men can dish it out but honey, they can’t take it when the role is reversed.”
“I guess you’re right. So, what are the plans for mom and dad’s anniversary?”
I need to change this subject. I didn’t want to end up talking about Aiden. He consumes too much of my life as it is already. That has to change.
An hour or so later, Rhonda and I have our plans in place for our family trip to the Bahamas to celebrate our parent’s 35th anniversary. Now we just have to collect money from Ronnie and Sean to purchase our tickets and pay for the resort on a private island. We plan to leave on September 16th, arriving the day before their actual anniversary date. That gives us just under two months. I can’t wait! Getting up from the table, we hug and say our goodbyes.
Chapter Fourteen
The time is drawing closer for our family vacation/celebration and I can’t wait! It seems that I’ve been so busy lately with work. Just last week alone, I went on two reading calls, one at the request of the writer for a new sitcom about a newlywed couple who are trying to juggle their hectic careers and marriage. I should know whether or not I landed the role in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, our day spa seems to be booming so I’ve been helping out there to give Camille a break. And then there’s Aiden. I laugh to myself each time I think about him. I love him so much but I always feel the need to protect my heart. I see that he’s trying and still, I’m waiting for the next drama filled event to drop.
Hearing my cell phone buzzing, I place my thoughts on hold and head for the kitchen where I left my phone. It’s Aiden. “Hello.”
“Hey babe, what are you doing right now?”
“Right this minute, nothing.”
“Well, since you’re doing nothing at the moment, how would you like to go to listen to some jazz tonight at Frank’s Place?”
Frank’s place is a restaurant located just outside of Bakersfield that features the best jazz and food you can imagine.
“Yes, I’d love to go to Frank’s with you.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven. Wait, what are you wearing right now?”
“Well now, I’m in my underwear so that I can take a shower before you get here.”
“Are you undressing while we’re on the phone?”
“Yeah, didn’t I just say that?”
“No, you didn’t. But give me ten minutes to get there so that I can finish undressing you. I’d like to eat my appetizer before we go to Frank’s.”
Laughing at him out loud, “you are such a freak! Hurry up.”
Chapter Fifteen
Arriving at Frank’s Place, the parking lot is packed. Driving up to have the car parked by the valet attendant, Aiden tells him that he’ll open the door for me and to be careful with his car. I decided to take Rhonda’s advice and give Aiden a taste of his own medicine – I’m wearing my black, one shoulder sheath mini that is tight as hell, revealing my curves and a pair of black, sling back stilettos. His expression was priceless when I walked out of my bedroom so now all I have to do is work my magic.
Walking into the restaurant, I notice several guys staring at us as we walk past them. Aiden must see them too because he’s pulling me to stand in front of him. The waitress tells us it’s going to be about a ten minute wait to be seated. Looking around, I see some fine ass men in here.
In a low tone, for my ears only Aiden is whispering, “I don’t know if I should have let you wear that dress.”
Looking back over my shoulder and feigning ignorance, “let me? Why, there’s nothing wrong with this dress.”
“You keep telling yourself that okay. I’m going to show you what’s wrong with your dress when we get home tonight – all night tonight as a matter of fact. Well, that’s if I don’t get arrested for beating the hell out of one these guys for staring at you.”
I guess my magic is working. “We’ll see.”
We’ll see hell! What was I thinking letting her wear this dress? I got a hard on as soon as she walked out of her room. I can only imagine what these bastards are thinking while looking at her. Sharon has the finest ass and legs to ever grace a woman’s body, my body.
“Sir, it will be right this way.”
The waiter has arrived and is leading us to our table. I glance up from checking out our surroundings and find this weak ass bastard staring at Sharon like he wants to eat her alive and what’s more disturbing is she’s staring at him like she’s contemplating his offer. Arriving to the designated table, this son of a bitch is trying to pull out the chair for Sharon to sit. Grabbing his forearm and squeezing it tight, I ask while staring him straight in the eyes, “what is your name?” I don’t wait for a response. “If you eye fuck my girlfriend like that again, I will kick your scrawny ass! Now go find your manager.” I pull out the chair for Sharon to sit while eyeing his ass as he makes an abrupt turn and walks away. Fucking bastard!
Whoa, “Aiden!” I scream at him. My eyes are as wide as they can possibly go. I can’t believe he just said that. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Don’t Aiden me. You behaved no better letting some man, who you don’t know, look at you like that. And what’s worse, you were looking back at him like I wasn’t even here! Don’t even think about fucking some other man because you belong to me. And definitely don’t do that shit in front of me!” I am mad as hell! “You know what? I’m ready to go!”
“First of all, I’m not going anywhere! How dare you sit there accusing me of wanting to fuck someone else when you’ve fucked, eye fucked and only God knows what else the entire time we’ve been together! Shit doesn’t feel good does it? You had no right to treat that guy like that. And for your information Aiden, I belong to me, not you!”
The manager is approaching our table looking scared as hell. He should be scared!
“Mr. Taylor, I hear we have a problem. How can I help you?”
This bitch is avoiding direct eye contact with me and he better not even glance at Sharon or I’m going to kick his ass on the spot. “What the fuck do you think? Would I be asking to speak with your ass if I didn’t have a problem? Teach your waiters not to blatantly eye fuck women, especially not my woman!”
While Aiden is yelling at this poor manager, I have had enough! “I’m going to the car.” Getting up from my seat, I can see that the manager is nervous as hell but he keeps his eyes glued to Aiden’s. I am so pissed. Walking past the growing audience, I can’t reach the door fast enough. If giving him a taste of his own medicine is this embarrassing, I’m going to make sure were not in so much of a formal environment next time. Oh Lord, here he comes all red faced and shit. Damn, it’s going to be a long night.
Basically shoving the ticket into the attendant’s hand to get my car, I’m yelling at Sharon not caring who can hear me, “why in the hell did you walk out here by yourself, you couldn’t wait by the damn door?” I am so fucking pissed right now!
“I couldn’t take another minute of your embarrassing behavior.”
Arriving with my car, the attendant looks nervous and he should be. Opening the passenger door for Sharon to get in, I’m glaring at her, “I embarrassed you? Are you fucking serious? Why did you look at that guy like that?”
This fool is taking long strides going around the car to get in and is driving off while closing the door. How crazy is this? “How did I look at him? And please slow down, you’re driving too fast.”
“Yeah, I should drive faster and kill your ass for what you did.”
I’m trying hard not to burst out laughing at this crazy idiot. Did he really just say that he wants to kill me? What the hell, I can’t stop the giggles from coming out because he is so crazy! Between my giggles I ask, “Aiden, what did I do?”
“You need to stop laughing at me. This shit isn’t funny at all!”
“Your right, this shit isn’t funny. But you are.”
“I’m funny huh? I’ll show your ass funny. Don’t do that shit again. You were totally out of line looking at that skinny bastard like that.”
He is so mad right now. “Do you feel that I disrespected you on tonight?”
Is this girl on drugs? I’m driving well over the speed limit with both hands on the steering wheel. It’s either the steering wheel or her neck and I’m not trying to go to jail for strangling her ass. “Yes, you disrespected me. Do you even need to ask?”
Coming to a stop sign, he finally looks at me. “Now you know how I feel Aiden when your picture is plastered all over the tabloids of you hugged up with some random woman. And how can you even accuse me of fucking anyone else when all I’ve ever been is faithful to you no matter how stupid you’ve made me look. For the record, how many times have you had sex with another woman since we’ve been together? Is that not disrespectful?”
“I haven’t had sex with anyone in over a year since being with you. As for the tabloids, they report what they report. I can’t control it and neither can you!”
“Aiden, you are such a liar!”
“You keep bringing up that one incident. I didn’t have sex with Holly. I let her give me a blowjob. There is a difference.”
“So I’m stupid! Is that what you’re saying? I’m stupid? Her sucking your dick wasn’t sex? And what about the text messages that I’ve seen on your phone? They weren’t all to Holly nor were they all from Holly!”
Pulling up in front of her house to park, I take a deep breath because this subject always ends up back here. “No, it’s not. If I don’t penetrate, then it’s not sex.” I’m saying this to her slowly because for some reason, she can’t get it through her thick skull that I didn’t have sex with Holly.
Trying my best not to cry in front of him, I ask in a low voice, “what about the text messages?”
Rolling my eyes and taking a deep breath, “what about them?” I know I probably shouldn’t say this to her but apparently she needs to hear it so she can move on. “You had no right to look through my phone in the first place. You went looking for something trying to catch me and all you caught was heartache over mere conversations with a few girls I met and chatted with via text messaging. That’s it. You’ve got to let this go.”
Shaking my head at him, I keep wondering why I’m wasting my time. “Goodnight Aiden.” Opening the car door and climbing out, I’m almost sprinting to my front door.
Why in the hell is she walking so fast as if I’m not going inside with her? “Goodnight? This conversation isn’t over yet and we haven’t eaten.”
“Oh, it’s over. Believe me it’s over. Now you know why you don’t have a key to my house. You are only committed to yourself Aiden. You got pissed at me because I smiled at a man. A man I don’t know and will probably never see again. Yet, you let a woman suck your dick and say it’s not sex. Next time a man flirts with me I’ll remember that as long as he doesn’t penetrate then it’s not sex.” With that, I close the door leaving him standing there with his mouth wide open – probably in shock from my last remark.
I guess Aiden is taking me serious for a change because he isn’t ringing the doorbell like crazy trying to get in. I’m really tired of our roller coaster of a relationship. Feeling overly exhausted from the events of tonight, I quickly undress, climb into bed and go to sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
I’m meeting Sebastian and the guys for basketball today. Last night didn’t go as I planned. Hell, we would still be in bed right now if I hadn’t gone off on that idiot waiter and his boss. Leaving her was
hard but I knew that too much had already been said between the two of us. She’s so hung up on the word ‘commitment’ lately which makes me nervous. One thing’s for sure, I don’t like her flirting with other men. It makes me sick to think about someone other than me touching her. And, what makes matters worse is the fact that she seems so moody lately, leading every conversation we have into an argument. I just need to call her.
Waiting for her to answer the phone, this can only go one or two ways. Taking a deep breath, she answers the phone on the third ring sounding all chipper.
“Hey babe, sounds like you’re having a good morning.”
“Morning, Aiden.”
That was dry. “Listen, I want to apologize for last night.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“So, you forgive me?” I hear her sighing which only means she’s contemplating her next comment. Oh, shit, time to change the subject.
“What do you have planned for today?” Now the chipper mood is back, I hear her smiling into the phone.
“Um, I’m meeting Brian for brunch.”
See, this is the shit I’m talking about. Why in the hell is she all chipper and shit when it comes to that sneaky bastard. “Doesn’t Brian have a woman?”
“Yes Aiden, he has a woman.”
Hearing the attitude in her voice lets me know I need to tread lightly. “Then why isn’t he having brunch with her?”
“I don’t know why and I don’t care. We always have brunch together. What’s the problem now?”
They always have brunch together? “Since when have you always had brunch together?”
“Do you want me to forgive you for last night?”
What is that supposed to mean? This female is so damn frustrating! Ugh, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. “Yes, I want you to forgive me.”
“Then stop trying to fight about me having brunch with Brian when it’s something we do almost weekly.”
His Choice, Her Decision Page 5
