I couldn’t wait for Warren to get home. It was nice to have access to his credit cards, cars, and money, but I missed him.
I had five hours to get ready for my man. I wanted to look super sexy. I wanted to go to Chike to get my hair done, but he didn’t have any openings. So I decided I was going to take my time curling my hair and applying my makeup. I started on my makeup while the curlers warmed up. I applied my foundation and then lined my eyes with black liner. I smudged a little and then accidentally knocked my eyeliner behind the sink. I reached to pick it up and next to it was a bottle of medication. Warren’s name was scratched off the bottle. I opened it and saw a yellow pill. What was he taking pills for? I took out one pill and put the rest of the pills back in the bottle. I noticed there was a small “C20” written on the pill. So I did an Internet search for “C20” and when the results came on to the screen, I covered my mouth in shock. He was taking Cialis! That explained why sometimes Warren could go all night and other times he was as soft as bread. I felt a little relieved to know that it wasn’t me, but why did he need them? I thought about asking him, but I didn’t want him to be ashamed.
CHAPTER 56
Tiffany
“So how was your date last night with Warren?” my stepdad, Wilson, asked.
“It was great. Just like old times. We sat and talked all night about our college days. Then he got me a hotel room, because he had to fly back to Los Angeles today. He set up a car service for me to bring me home.”
“That Warren was always a great guy. That’s the one your mother and I thought you were going to marry.”
“Well, thank you for pulling me out of the house. I am so happy I went and we ran into one another.”
I was feeling so good that I had to tell someone about my beautiful evening with Warren, so I gave Liz a call and asked her if she was free. She was, so I hopped in my car and drove over to her house.
Her house was littered everywhere with baby toys and she looked like she had been up all night.
“So what happened when you went to the auto show yesterday? Did you meet any men?”
“Yes, I did. I ran into Warren, my ex-boyfriend from college. I don’t know, it was so crazy. Wilson kept asking if I wanted to go with him to the auto show and I kept turning his invitation down. But finally something told me just go and get out of the house. And as soon as I got there, I saw him. We talked all night.”
“That’s all that happened?”
“No, we did more than talk, but he still cares about me. I felt such a connection with him. He’s doing so well. He’s retired from the NFL and has been in a few movies. You may have heard of him: Warren Michael Joseph.”
“Yeah, I heard of him. Your brother said he knew him, but never said how. He’s real handsome.”
“He was my first love. I should have married him.”
“Well, it’s not too late.”
“I know! He’s not married yet and he said whenever I’m in L.A. to come and stay with him.”
“You need to go out there and visit him. You know you have to keep that momentum going.”
“Then this morning look what he texted me.” I pulled out my cell phone and showed her his text.
I had a really nice time with you. Call me if you need anything and I wish you could celebrate my birthday with me.
“That was so sweet.”
“He invited me to his birthday party.”
“So are you going?’ ”
“No, it is all the way in L.A.”
“Okay, then you just get a flight to L.A., get a dress, and go get your man.”
“But I don’t have money for all of that, Liz.”
“I will give you the money to do everything you need to do. I’m so excited for you. You are getting a second chance at your first love. Please let me be in your wedding.”
“He did say he never stopped loving me. I’m going to do it. I’m going to L.A. to get him back.”
CHAPTER 57
Monique
I was lucky to have such a patient man who was so understanding. Dele would not wait around forever. He was kind, intelligent, handsome, wealthy, and most of all he loved me. He intentionally tried to make me jealous and it worked. Seeing him with another woman brought everything into perspective. I could not keep our relationship a secret anymore. I even asked CeCe her opinion and we both agreed that I shouldn’t wait any longer. And right after I told Kadir I was going to call Carl. I didn’t think he would care, because Kadir said he’d been dating.
Kadir was coming home from a seven-game road trip and as soon as he got in the door, I was going to sit him down and talk to him like the grown man he always tells me he is. I called Dele to see how much time I had.
“Hey, babe, are y’all back?”
“We just landed. Are you on your way to my home?”
“I am, but first I’m going to talk to Kadir about us.”
“Finally.”
“Yes. Finally.”
“Well, let me know how everything goes. He will understand, Monique. He knows I am a good guy.”
“As soon as I’m done, I’m coming. I might have to live with you for a few days until he calms down.”
I smoked five cigarettes and thirty minutes later I heard Kadir’s keys at the front door. He walked in and placed his luggage by the door. He gave me a lackluster “Hey Mom. Have you been smoking? Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, I don’t know, I just felt like a cigarette today. It’s no big deal. How is everything with you? You seem sad.”
He wiped his eyes and said, “I’m fine. I’m a little tired from the road and Abby caught me talking to this other girl and said she didn’t want to talk to me anymore.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that was your girlfriend.”
“She kind of was, but I was talking to a few girls that she didn’t know about and now she wants nothing to do with me.”
“She’ll get over it. How about sending her some flowers?”
“I tried that and she sent me a picture with them in the trash.” He showed me his phone with the red roses in a trashcan. I couldn’t hold in my laughter.
“Mom, it’s not funny.”
“Yes, it is. That’s something I would do. She’s probably really hurt.”
“Yeah. I understand. She’s hurt. She said I was the only guy she introduced her son to and that she didn’t have time for games.”
I couldn’t believe I was about to give him advice to get this girl back—a girl I didn’t particularly care for. “Kadir, just tell her that you made a mistake and you want to talk to her in person. Buy her some more flowers, take her out for dinner, and get her a nice gift. And tell her how much she means to you and that y’all are young, but could work on being in a relationship.”
“You think that will work?”
“It should.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m going to text her now. So how have you been? Anything going on with you?”
“No, nothing at all.” I couldn’t do it. He was already sad. I couldn’t make him feel worse. I would have to wait to tell him about Dele and me.
CHAPTER 58
Shanice
Why be a side chick when you can be a queen? Go where you are celebrated. And guess what? My teddy bear Deuce celebrates me. He loves me unconditionally. Fuck Jabril. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He treats me like trash. Why was I dealing with Jabril, a man whom I never will ever be able to have to myself? Zakiya and Jabrilah and everybody else will always come before me. I come in around number twelve as far as his priorities are concerned.
I’ve been back with Deuce for a month and he has spent all his available time with me. He holds my hand in public and introduces me as his lady. Deuce has no problem with me being on a reality show and he’s been helping me start my own my clothing line, Ms. Amore.
I was staying at his condo and now I was looking for a house for us right across the bridge in Jersey. Sometimes you have to put stability over chemistry. He sa
id we are going ring shopping next week and he is going to still give me a surprise proposal. I will marry him, buy our house, get my daughter, have my own company, have more babies, and he can drive over the bridge into New York every day for work.
“Deuce, baby, what do you want for dinner?”
“Whatever you make. You know I’m easy to please. I still can’t believe you’re in the kitchen.”
“Be quiet.”
“All right, babe. I’ll be there around six.”
After I made Deuce dinner, a text came in from Jabril.
WYD?
He was too lazy to type me a whole sentence and that’s why I couldn’t be with him.
CHAPTER 59
Tiffany
I bought a short black-and-silver optical illusion dress. All the southern eating had packed ten extra pounds on my little frame. Warren didn’t seem to mind the last time I saw him, but I wanted to make sure I looked amazing this time. I was going to call him to tell him I was coming out there, but Liz convinced me to just show up as his gift.
I packed enough clothes for a week and took a cab to the airport. On the drive there, a strange number appeared on my phone. I answered, only to hear Damien again. I was upset that I had been tricked into answering his call.
“What do you want?”
“I need you back, baby girl. I’m in the process of getting everything together. I know I was wrong to have you living crazy, but I’m back. Come home.”
“What are you talking about? You don’t even have a place for me to live.”
“I know, but I’m about to. I got some serious things in the works. I’m staying at my cousin’s. Back in Brooklyn.”
“Tevin in the projects?” I suddenly felt sorry for him. He swore he never would go back to the projects. “Are you okay, Damien?”
“I’d be better if you’d come back home. And I’m not in the projects. I can explain everything to you when you come up. I’m getting us a new house next week.”
“Damien, I’m not coming back. So get you a house.”
“Why not? I love you and you love me. Is it about the money? The money is coming back. I promise you the money is going to come back. I have some investments that are about to pay off.”
“Well, that’s very good, but Damien, I have to go.”
I made the wrong choice ten years ago, but I was going to make the right choice now. I needed a sure thing and that sure thing was Warren Michael Joseph. If he and I were to get married, it would make up for all the hardships I’d been through with Damien. I had to go and get the life I was supposed to have.
CHAPTER 60
Adrienne
I checked myself in the mirror ten times. Everything was flawless and yet I was still nervous. I was wearing a black-and-gold vintage Versace dress. I walked down the hall toward the steps. Then I walked back and checked the mirror once more. I don’t know why I was anxious. It was probably because it was my first time being the lady of Warren’s house. Tonight I would be meeting all of his friends and his parents. His father and mother were coming from Memphis and I wanted their approval.
I came down just as Morgan was walking in with a young Spanish guy on her arm. I gave her hug. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad I did, too. He’s cute, right?”
“He is.” I spoke to him and he just nodded.
“He doesn’t really speak English. It’s great, he can’t argue with me. And he knocked all the cobwebs off.”
“Oh.”
“You are doing well for yourself. You know you have me to thank.”
“I do.”
Edwin came up to me and told me Warren was looking for me. He took me to Warren’s side. Warren was in the middle of posing with his parents for a picture. After they were done, he grabbed my arm and said, “Mom, Dad, I want to introduce you to my lady, Adrienne.”
“Nice to meet you.” I went to shake their hands and they both looked confused.
“I thought you were dating Tiffany again?” his mother said. “I just saw her a few minutes ago. She came up to give me a hug.”
“She did? She’s here?”
“Yes, she’s here. What is going on, Warren?” his mother asked and his father looked over at him sternly.
They walked away. Warren would have to explain to me why his parents would think he was with his college girlfriend.
“What’s going on, Warren? Why is the girl who broke your heart here? And why do your parents think you two are together? Why would you invite her?”
“Because she is going through a bad divorce and I did tell her any time she was in town to come by, and I mentioned I was having a birthday party.”
“So do you still have feelings for her?”
“No, she is just an old friend. Be cool, Adrienne. It is not like that at all. I promise you.”
“Why are you being so nice to her?”
“I don’t know. That’s just me. I’ve always been the nice guy. I’m not going to knock someone when they are down. She’s my friend. Edwin let her in. Don’t be upset. Trust me, I’m not thinking about her.”
He could say whatever he wanted to, but I had to personally let her know that she was only here because Warren felt sorry for her.
Edwin pointed her out to me. She was cute, probably prettier in college. She behaved just like the entitled princess he described her to be. I had my diva ways, but the difference was that I had to work for mine. I didn’t have any respect for bitches whose parents handed them everything and who never had a job. I walked over to her and made it very clear to her that there wouldn’t be any sparking of old flames.
CHAPTER 61
Tiffany
After that great night we had together I knew he would want to see me. That thought hadn’t stopped me from feeling uncertain. He had invited me to his party, but what if he didn’t mean it.
He definitely meant it, I reassured myself. Yet I still wasn’t feeling that confident. I was starting to actually feel crazy. Like I had made the wrong choice. But it was too late, because I’d been dropped me off in front of Warren’s house.
I called Liz and said, “I’m about to go in.”
“You are? Go get your man, girl. Make up for lost time.”
“I am. Thanks for helping me get here. There’s security everywhere.”
“So? He invited you.”
“You’re right. Wish me luck.” I placed my cell in my bag.
People were stopping at the gate and I just walked through like I was already in the party.
“Ma’am, do you have an invitation or is your name on the list?” a man in a blue jacket with yellow security writing on the back asked.
“Of course I’m on the list. My name is Tiffany Holcomb. Warren and I are very good friends.”
“Sure you are, but I’m going to need you to wait right here. Step to the right please while I call someone to verify you, because your name is not on this list.”
“Okay.”
Moments later a man came out to where we were standing.
“And you are?” he asked like if I said the wrong thing he wouldn’t allow me to gain access to the house.
I looked at him and very politely said, “I’m Tiffany Holcomb, Warren’s college sweetheart. Warren said he was going to put my name on the list.”
“Tiffany. Yes. I heard of you. Let her in.”
I thanked him and walked with him up the driveway behind him.
Once I was in the party, I made my way through the crowd with one thought on my mind, and that was to find Warren. I walked over to the bar and ordered a glass of champagne. Instead of my finding Warren, his mother tapped me on the shoulder.
“Hi, Mrs. Joseph. You still look the same.”
“Tiffany, it’s been so long! How are you? What a surprise. I didn’t know you and my Warren were still in contact.”
His father was eating, but he still managed to wave to me with a mouth full of meatballs.
“Well, we just ran into each other, bu
t you never know. I just came to wish him a happy birthday. Where is he?”
“He’s around here. Well, take care until next time.”
I circulated through the crowded party looking for Warren, but he was still MIA. I decided to stand in one place. He would eventually walk past.
A woman in a fabulous black-and-gold gown came up to me and said, “I’m Adrienne Sheppard, Warren’s girlfriend. And you are?”
“I’m Tiffany,” I said, extending my hand out to her, confused. “Nice to meet you, Adrienne. I’m his college sweetheart and I’m here to wish him a happy birthday.”
“That’s very nice of you to travel so far just to say happy birthday. You could have sent a text or a card.”
“That’s true, but I thought him seeing me in person would make the perfect gift.” Right in front of her I spotted Warren. I walked over to him and gave him a huge hug and said, “Surprise.”
“Hello, Tiffany. Good seeing you.” He was acting as if we hadn’t just had mind-blowing sex weeks ago. He took Adrienne’s hand and told me to enjoy the party. I was shocked. How was this possible? He didn’t tell me anything about a girlfriend. I was becoming ill. How could he have done this to me? I kept my composure and waited until I saw Warren alone. I pulled him to the side and told him we needed to talk.
“You invited me and I came out here. And now I have to learn that you have a girlfriend. After seeing you, all those feelings from college came back and I thought we were meant to be.”
He looked around and then pulled me into the bathroom to talk to me alone.
“It’s good to see you, but what happened can’t happen again. I had a lapse in judgment. I have someone in my life. It was a mistake. My parents are here, so please don’t embarrass me.”
“It wasn’t a mistake. Look at me and tell me that night didn’t mean anything to you. Why did you invite me here?”
“I didn’t think you would come.”
I didn’t allow him to say anything else. I kneeled down and opened his pants and sang “Happy Birthday” to his lower region. He tried to squirm away, but I already had his dick deep in my mouth. I heard people walking back and forth past the bathroom. Someone even knocked on the door but that didn’t stop me from trying to suck the life out of him. He told me to get up and stop. I was so humiliated. What was I doing? I couldn’t even seduce him properly.
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