His Last Name

by Daaimah S. Poole

  Warren had everything I needed—money, good looks, and star power. He had a few simple flaws, which could be worked on. He worried a lot and overanalyzed everything. I think he worked himself up sometimes so much, he couldn’t concentrate when we were having sex. It’s strange, he was very sensual, but sometimes he went all night and other times he came in minutes. It was most certainly not a deal breaker; those things could be fixed. I’d rather have a rich boyfriend with a fifty-fifty stroke than a broke one that could always get it up.

  I couldn’t wait to get to Georgia and get my Asia. Six months had passed by and I had everything the judge wanted me to have: a steady source of income and I had completed my online parenting classes. This time I walked into the courtroom feeling very confident. Not only did I have my attorney, but Warren hired an additional attorney and sent his uncle with me to court.

  DeCarious’s mouth dropped when I walked in with my legal team. Needless to say, I won. The judge granted me primary custody and I could take Asia with me to California, effective at the end of the school year. I could live with that, because I wasn’t sure exactly what I would be doing or where I would be living.

  I thanked my lawyer and called Warren. “Babe, I won. I’m about to pick her up from school and then I’m going to spend a few days out here.”

  “That’s great news . . . Okay, I will. Give me a minute.” He was in and out of the conversation.

  “What are you doing, Warren?”

  “Nothing.”

  I heard a female voice say, “We need to be out of here in fifteen minutes.”

  “Who is that in the background?”

  “The publicist for the movie. I have to call you back. She needs to prep me for the red carpet. Congratulations, babe. But I got to go. I can’t wait to meet Asia.” He hung up before I could say good-bye.

  Warren never called me back and I felt a little uneasy, so I called him back. And he didn’t answer. Warren had called me every day, but since the premiere not one phone call. Not one text. What was going on? I didn’t even know if he was still in New York or on his way back to L.A.

  Now back in L.A., I called his phone and my call went straight to voice mail. I went to work out to get my mind off the fact that I hadn’t talked to my man in two days. I felt like I was about to lose my mind. I kept thinking about all of the beautiful, stylish New York supermodels and actresses who would love to date him. I felt a little insecure. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to call him again, but instead I decided to go to Morgan’s and pick up the last of my things. I could only imagine what she was going to say when I went back to retrieve my things from her house, so I decided to give her a call and let her know I was on my way.

  “Hey, Morgan, I’m coming by to get my things.”

  “Okay. I have your last paycheck and my new assistant already packed your things.”

  When I first met her I was down and out, and Morgan had a life I could only dream of. Now I was standing almost on the same level as her. Granted, I didn’t have the alimony and the kids yet. I knocked on her door. Morgan answered and had everything packed neatly for me in storage containers.

  “Thanks, Morgan, for everything.”

  “Yeah, you’re welcome. I hope everything goes well for you. I wish I could tell you that you have a job with me if everything doesn’t work out, but I would be lying to you.” She laughed at her own joke and then smiled.

  “No, I won’t be needing it. Thanks for the opportunity. I owe you.”

  “You do and I will come and collect one day. Be careful. I’m happy you found love and got a good one. He would have been nice for me, but who knows . . . RJ is getting a divorce, so anything is possible.”

  “It is.”

  * * *

  I knew people who worked doubles and still managed to call their significant other. And with all the modern technology Warren couldn’t find a way to communicate with me in five whole days! That was unacceptable. I was done calling him. Eventually, he would have to come home and then he would have to explain everything. I cleaned out his closet so I would have more room for my belongings.

  On the sixth day Warren came in calling out my name. I purposely walked past the door and acted like I didn’t see him.

  “So what am I, invisible? I know you seen me just come through the door.”

  “Well, maybe I’m treating you like you have been treating me for the last six days. How is it possible that you can’t answer your phone?”

  “I was working.”

  “You found time to tweet and post pictures.”

  “Are you serious? I don’t do that; you know the PR team is in charge of that. I haven’t had three hours of straight sleep since I’ve been gone. Even on the plane they had me working. Interview after interview, radio station after radio station. Since I was in New York, they decided it would be a good idea to have me do some surprise advance screening appearances at a few theaters. I’m exhausted. I have been in nine states in three days.”

  “You couldn’t have sent one text message? There is no excuse.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and said, “You know what, Adrienne. I’m sorry if I didn’t answer your call. I’m so tired. Come get in the bed with me.”

  I pulled away from him. “No, because I don’t know who else you have been sleeping with.”

  “Who I have been sleeping with? Whatever. Don’t start acting crazy on me. There isn’t anything going on. You are my lady and to prove to you and the world I’ll let you walk the red carpet at the premiere here. Will that make you happy?”

  “Yes, it will.”

  CHAPTER 52

  Adrienne

  It was a full-circle moment. I was staring at myself in the mirror and I couldn’t believe my life. I felt like Cinderella and Warren was my Prince Charming. It was only a few months ago when I was about to go back home to Philly, but then I decided to stay in L.A. I went to the salon to get my hair done, met Chike and he told me that Morgan was hiring. Now I’m dating Warren and I’m going to the premiere of my boyfriend’s movie. I snapped a picture of myself with my cell phone to send to my mom. Even she couldn’t believe how much my luck had changed.

  The red carpet opened at six p.m. I was nervous as we approached the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Warren grabbed my arm and he helped me out of the limo. The carpet was much longer than it appeared on television. Fans were lined on both sides of the carpet taking pictures with their phones and screaming Warren’s name. Hollywood Daily approached us. I stepped to the side and just smiled and kept looking away from the camera.

  “Hello, Mr. Joseph. You and your date look amazing,” the correspondent said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Who is your lovely date and what is she wearing?”

  “This is my girlfriend, Adrienne Sheppard. Babe, tell them what you are wearing.”

  I stepped in front of the camera shyly and responded, “Elie Saab.”

  “Very nice.”

  One movie premiere, a six-thousand-dollar dress, a champagne buzz, and an after party in the Hollywood Hills at the director’s house. My night was going great and we were winding down at home. We had just made it to the house when Warren began to freak out.

  “I hope everyone likes the movie. A few critics slammed it. They said my acting was unintentional comedy. I really want this to work.”

  “It will. Warren, Just relax and let me take care of you. You had a hectic night and it is time to ease your mind.”

  I walked downstairs and pulled out a bottle of vodka. I made him a drink and one for myself, mixing the vodka with raspberry and cranberry juice.

  “Adrienne, you are the kind of woman that I need in my life.”

  “Do you mean that?”

  “I do.”

  He sat on the sofa and I fell to my knees. I unzipped his pants and took out his dick and covered it with my mouth. I sucked and sucked, I pulled up and down, but he didn’t have any reaction. So then I used my hands and my mouth, but still nothing happened.
After twenty minutes, I had lost my buzz and gave up.

  CHAPTER 53

  Tiffany

  I was feeling alone and useless back home. My stepfather tried to cheer me up. He asked if I wanted to go to the auto show with him. I knew my mother had put him up to it.

  My mom peeked her head in and said, “They have great food, a silent auction, and some guys from the firm will be there. Lawyers that may ask you out on a date?”

  “No, I’m okay. I think I’m staying here.”

  “You need to get out. You never know who you might meet.”

  “Mom. I haven’t even filed for divorce yet. I don’t care about meeting anyone. But fine, I’ll go.”

  I reluctantly went with Wilson. I figured that at the very least I could meet someone and go out for dinner. I was glad I did my makeup and decided to straighten my hair, because there were plenty of available men there. There were a bunch of exotic and fast cars on display. That part reminded of Damien: he loved cars. I was walking past a red Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet when I saw Warren, my ex-boyfriend from college before Damien. What was he doing here? Oh, my God, I couldn’t let him see me. I hadn’t seen him in forever. I knew Warren was also in the NFL and was even in a few movies. He was the guy my mom said I should have married. He still looked so handsome and polished. He was wearing a black tailored suit with navy shoes. Although I didn’t want to see him, he had already noticed me.

  “What are you doing here? It’s been so long.”

  “I’m with my stepdad—you remember him?”

  “Yeah, I do. Where’s your husband, Damien? How are things? I saw something in the paper about him?”

  “He’s fine. We are separated. I recently moved back down here. I’m starting over.”

  “Separated. I’m sorry to hear that. So what’s next for you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You are still the prettiest girl at the party.”

  “And you still know exactly what to say.”

  “Yeah, you know I use to play for the Panthers and I retired last season. So I’m doing some meet-and-greets for them as well as pre-promotions for my next film.”

  “I saw you over the years at games when your team played the Broncos. I always wanted to say hi, but I couldn’t.”

  “I understand. I wouldn’t want my beautiful wife talking to her ex, either. Well, let me say this. I haven’t seen you in ten years, but I know I can’t let you get away again. You have to hang out with me for a little after this. I’ll drive you home.”

  “Okay. We can. Let me just tell Wilson.”

  CHAPTER 54

  Tiffany

  Why hadn’t I stayed with him? I kept asking myself the same question over and over while staring across the dimly lit table at Warren Michael Joseph. We went to a southern restaurant that also featured a live jazz band, not too far from the convention center. So many years had gone by, but our chemistry was still the same. We were already on our second drink, reminiscing about the past. Warren was always easygoing and a pleasure to be around. He had some other things going on in his life, but the good always outweighed the bad with us.

  “Being together tonight reminds me of being back at the library studying, pulling all-nighters. You would run and get the Mountain Dews and I would bring all the Jolly Ranchers and Swedish Fish and somehow we would make it to class and pass our test.”

  “We sure did, with A’s and B’s”

  “Just imagine if we would have stayed together. We probably would have a bunch of kids by now,” Warren said.

  “I was just thinking that. We used to have a lot of fun.”

  “Yeah, I remember all of that fun. Then you had to go and leave me?”

  “I’ve wanted to apologize. I’m so sorry.”

  “No, it’s just I didn’t see it coming. One day we were the happy couple and the next day I’m walking around campus and people are saying, ‘Damien stole your girl.’ ”

  “I know. I felt so bad, but I . . .”

  “I had to go check myself into one of those places for the weekend.”

  “Check yourself in where?”

  “A mental institution. I was just dealing with a lot at the time. They had me on suicide watch. I questioned everything in my life after.” He threw his drink back and then said, “I never loved anyone how I loved you. We were so close. I shared everything with you. You knew everything about me. Then you just got up and left me. That was devastating. I’m okay now. Time heals everything.”

  “I never knew that. I loved you, too, but, Warren, I was young and I didn’t know any better.”

  “Yeah, we do a lot of stupid things in our youth. So now after all that, you guys are getting a divorce. Was he cheating?”

  “No, I left him. We were having financial problems.”

  “Finances, right. I heard he was running out of money after he got hurt. I thought you two were going to be together forever.”

  I didn’t want it to sound like I left him because he was bankrupt, so I spun the story some.

  “No, we were having problems in our marriage, before the injury. So how many movies have you done?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “I filmed an independent movie last year. Including that, two coming out this year. I’m up to five. I’ve been back and forth between here and Los Angeles. But now that I’m done playing, I’m just going to stay out there. You have to come out to the West Coast.”

  “We will see, but right now I have to go to the restroom. I’ll be back.” I was feeling my drink. I walked into the bathroom and tried to make sure I looked good. I fluffed my hair and my phone rang. I knew it was my mother calling me to give me advice. I’m sure Wilson had told her I ran into Warren. She was probably planning my second wedding. I answered only to hear Damien crying on the other end of the telephone. I didn’t have time to deal with him right now.

  “So you left me with no explanation. I gave you everything, Tiffany, and you just left me.”

  “I didn’t leave you, Damien. I left misery. You’re miserable and just because you fall down, doesn’t mean you have to give up. I can’t talk right now.”

  I disconnected the call and powered my phone off. I was amused at the irony. Damien had stolen me from Warren, and now he was calling me crying while I was out with Warren. I came out of the restroom and Warren was on a call. I sat patiently until he hung up. “You were in there for a while.”

  “Not that long.”

  “So it’s getting late. I thought I would be able to drive you home, but honestly I think I had one too many. Let’s get you an taxi or I can get you a hotel room.”

  I would have preferred if he asked me to stay with him. I was enjoying spending time with him.

  “It’s going to be crazy driving in a car with a stranger for thirty minutes. And you don’t have to get me a room.”

  “Well, you are welcome to stay with me and I’ll get you a car in the morning.”

  “Then I’m staying with you.”

  “Let’s have one more drink and toast to old friends,” Warren said, holding his glass up.

  “How about old friends becoming new friends?” I said as I winked at him.

  “Sounds even better.”

  Once we were in his room, I sat on the sofa and he began talking again. And then he planted a gentle kiss on my lips. I already knew that once I was in his room, I would allow him to seduce me. I wanted to make up for ten years ago and show him I was a new woman.

  We made passionate love. He was so excited and he came in minutes, but the second time we went at it, he took two hours just to release. It was rock hard and would not go down. Warren made me feel like a new woman again. I cried in his arms and told him about everything I’d been through with Damien. From him filing bankruptcy, to the lights being cut off and me having to move back home with my parents. Warren wiped away all my tears and held me. He told me not to worry anymore, that everything was going to be okay because he was back in my life.

  In the morning we
showered together and Warren dried me off and lotioned every part of me from my toes to my shoulders. He tucked me under the covers and then he ordered breakfast and cut up my bacon omelet and buttered my toast and fed me.

  “I can feed myself.”

  “I know you can, but I loved taking care of you. Remember when I use to feed you Pop-Tarts straight out the microwave.”

  “Yes, I remember, but you can’t do all this spoiling and then get on a plane and go home. When are you leaving?”

  “I am going back to Los Angeles tomorrow, but I do want to see you again. Whenever you are in town, I want you to come and stay with me. I’m having a birthday party in a few weeks; maybe you can come out then? And from there we will see where this will go.”

  “Okay.” He finished feeding me and then we began to make love again.

  CHAPTER 55

  Adrienne

  “Warren, how is Charlotte?”

  “Cold. Not too much going on here. I saw a lot of cars I liked, took some pictures, and basically made nice with some sponsors and car company reps. I had a lengthy conversation with the owner and his friends. They were asking me about possibly doing some coaching.”

  “Will you do it?”

  “No, I don’t want to coach. Not yet anyway. I can’t wait to get back home to you. I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.”

  “I don’t have anything else scheduled until after my birthday. The trip was actually really good until I ran into my ex. The one from college. I felt sorry for her. She was crying about her husband going broke and financial problems. The guy she left me for.”

  “How sorry did you feel for her?”

  “Adrienne, come on. Not that sorry. She had her chance, but she blew it ten years ago. I’ll be there in the afternoon. See you then.”