"Don't be coy with us," Lisa snapped, "Come on with that bullshit, Lalana."
"Lalana, there are pictures of you naked with MC ROC?" Tina asked.
"Um, yes, there are pictures of me with him since I spent all that time with him. I figured a few pictures would surface. However, none show me naked."
"Yeah okay," Lisa said. "Pictures fine. But what's this we hear about a sex tape? I wish for once in your life you would listen. This is the time to sell!"
"There is no sex tape," Lalana replied curtly. "And once again, I will not be selling anything."
"So why's everyone reporting it? And Star magazine-"
"Lisa, I don't want to talk about this," Lalana interrupted. "There are pictures of me with MC ROC because I spent the weekend with him. But I was not taped having sex with him."
"But you said yourself, you guys had an orgy, didn't you? How do you know someone wasn't taping it?"
"Lisa, I did not say we had an orgy, I said, I attended an orgy with him. There's a huge difference. And I didn't consent to making any pornographic tapes with him or anyone else."
"Well, I don't know how you're gonna get out of this one," Lisa sighed.
Lalana wasn't sure if there was really anything she could say to shut Lisa up. But after a while, she didn't care whether Lisa believed her.
"Tina, are we still on for drinks later?"
"Um, yeah," Tina replied reluctantly.
"You guys are having drinks?" Lisa asked. "Nobody told me."
"No, I didn't," Lalana scolded, "and I distinctly asked Tina not to invite you. I don't feel like having to defend myself. Not about what I did with MC ROC, not about why I choose not to sell my story, not about how Logan can stand being with me after what I've done. I just want to go out with a non-judgmental friend and enjoy a cocktail."
"But I thought as friends we could talk about anything," Lisa defended.
"Do you ever notice how I can discuss something with Tina, and we can agree to disagree, and there's absolutely no love lost? But with you, I always feel like you're launching an attack. I'm always on my toes, wondering if my comeback will be good enough, wondering if you'll think less of me. I'm tired. It's too much."
"I never realized you felt this way," Lisa said.
"I'm glad to know that, because I was starting to wonder if we were frenemies," Lalana chuckled.
"NO!" Lisa shouted, "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, seriously, it's one thing for you to play devil's advocate; but the constant negativity is bringing me down. I don't need that kind of pressure right now. I need to be around positive people who accept me just the way I am, with all my flaws and imperfections. I don't want to be judged by my friends."
"I never thought about it like that," Lisa admitted softly.
"Now, you should keep in mind that I'm probably gonna do a few more stupid things," Lalana lectured. "I don't claim to know it all and I know that most of the times I'll make the wrong choices instead of the right ones. But I need to be able to turn to my friends for support, not more ridicule."
Silence.
"I never meant to come off that way," Lisa finally said. "Seriously, I look forward to spending time with you and Tina. I mean, I guess if I've been more on the negative side, it's only because I want you to think about all of your options, not just the stuff you think is good."
"And I can appreciate that, but sometimes it's just too much, and this is one of those times."
"I don't want an adversarial relationship with you," Lisa said. "I'm sorry if I said things to hurt you or things to make you feel like I'm judging. I promise I can work on that."
"Wow, that's good. I'm glad to hear that."
"So whassup? Can I meet you guys for drinks? I promise to be on my very best-est behavior," she giggled.
"Ooooh, c'mon Lalana," Tina whined.
"We're meeting at 5:30," Lalana said. "But the first negative comment will get you booted."
"Agreed," Lisa said.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tina was at the wheel, struggling to follow the directions they'd been given to get to the bar.
"Okay," Lisa read from a piece of paper, "it's supposed to be right here on Cahuenga between Selma and Hollywood."
Tina turned onto the main street "Oh, look," she said. "Maybe that's the building."
"It says here it's behind a blue building with an orange awning," Lisa said, confirming Tina's hunch. "We're supposed to go around back and look for the doorman."
Tina pulled into a parking spot. She, Lisa and Lalana piled out of the car and headed inside. "Oh yes, it's ladies night, and the feeling's right," Lisa howled as they strutted into The Room, one of Hollywood's hottest bars.
"Once in a while you've just gotta leave the boys at home, grab your girls and some gloss, and get ready to raise a glass," Tina said to Lalana.
The Room was known for some of L.A.'s best music. The long, dark bar boasted some up-and-coming DJ's playing to an all-everything crowd, which included up-and-coming actors and models.
"I just wish it wasn't so hard to find this place," Lalana said, adjusting herself on a seat at the bar between Lisa and Tina.
"Yeah," Lisa sang, "but we're here now. Let's cut the talking and get to drinking." She wiggled in her chair as the DJ spun one of Beyonce and Jay-Z's songs.
After nearly two hours of enjoying each other's company the way they used to, Lalana stepped outside to take a phone call. She knew she wouldn't be able to hear a thing if she hadn't.
"Hey, honey," she drawled.
"Where are you?" Logan asked.
"Um, girls' night out," Lalana shouted. She knew she had had one too many.
"Oh, why didn't you tell me you guys were going out? I would've sent a car. I sure hope you didn't drive."
"No way! Tina's the designee," she slurred.
"Where are you guys?"
"Um, at The Room. We've been here for a few hours now. I'm going to have Tina drop me off at home in a little while. You meeting me at my place?"
"I can, but I don't know if that's such a good idea. You sound pretty blasted to me." Logan chuckled.
"But I wanna see you!" Lalana insisted.
"Don't let those cocktails get you into trouble," he teased.
"Oh, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."
"If you say so," Logan said.
They had made weathered the storm together. Lalana wanted Logan, and she was glad to have finally found the gem in what she had.
She laughed, remembering how she met him four months earlier. He was just some guy who couldn't let go of their high-school days.
"You gonna come?" she asked again.
"Yeah, but a part of me is wondering if I should come and pick you up from the bar. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you hanging out and sounding like that."
"I'm fine, really, I'm fine, you just meet me at my place. Remember Tina's driving and she did have one drink when we first got here, two hours ago, but since then she's been on a water diet. Trust me, she's good. Nobody's trying to get a DUI."
"Just promise me one thing," he said.
"What's that?"
"The next time you all agree on a girls' night out, call me first. I'll send a car that way you'll have a driver and this won't be an issue, okay?"
"Ooookay," she said. "Hey Logan," she called out to him.
"Yeah?" "You're so good to me. I'm lucky to have you." She meant it from the bottom of her heart.
"No, I'm lucky to have you," he stressed. "Now get your drunk butt back in there and be home in two hours max!"
"Okay, sweetie," she sang.
Lalana felt good as she walked back into the bar. Finally, she had a man to call her own. Her path to real happiness had not been easy; but she had finally found her place.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Lisa slurred as Lalana stumbled up to the bar. "I'm try'n'ta make a booty call tonight."
"You sluts," Tina teased. "I thought we were gonna go someplace else. I can't believe you're both r
ushing home to hook up with some men. This is supposed to be Girls' Night Out, remember?"
"Um, yeah, and you heifers have had three hours of my time, four if you count travel time," Lalana joked. "Now I wanna go home and get a man to handle what no girl could do for me."
"'Nuff, said," Tina laughed. The three made their way outside and piled into the car.
"This was fun," Lisa sang, drunk. "We should do it more often. I mean, I know we get together and have breakfast, or go eat, but to hang like we did tonight, I think that was the best!"
"You know what?" Lalana screamed. "Logan said next time we hang, he'll send a car for us."
"What?!" cried Tina. "Why didn't you call him from the jump? You mean I could've been flying high instead of trying to find the freeway for you two drunks?"
"I didn't know," Lalana laughed.
"Well, damn," Tina said.
"Yeah, I know for next time. Benefits of having a boyfriend with a fleet of cars." Lalana leaned back in the seat, marveling at how far she had come.
There was something else Lalana was feeling: nervousness about what would happen when Tina finally dropped her off at home. There was no doubt in Lalana's mind that Logan would be waiting for her. She hoped it wasn't just liquid courage making her so horny for him.
Logan was undoubtedly sexy. And although he didn't have the ripped body of MC ROC, Logan was far from a slouch. Yet Lalana found herself suddenly wondering if he could satisfy her in the bedroom. Logan seemed to have it all: a thriving business, great attitude, and nice body. Lalana feared something had to be wrong.
"Hey drunkie," Tina yelled, startling Lalana from sleep. "Wake up back there. This is your stop."
Lalana looked around. They were at her place. She felt frozen to the seat.
"What's wrong?" Tina asked. "You scared to go home or something?"
Lalana laughed. Then, out of darkness Logan appeared and opened the car door. "Hi, ladies," he said. "How are you all this evening?"
Lalana looked into his eyes and smiled at the burning passion she found there. Her nervousness instantly vanished.
"Emph," Lisa mumbled.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Tina chided as Lalana scooted across the seat and stepped out of the car and into Logan's waiting arms.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The pain was mind numbing. Lalana opened her eyes to the sensation of sumo wrestlers tap-dancing on her brain. Hangover, she thought, and eased herself into an upright position on the bed while shielding her eyes from sunlight.
"What the fuck?" Lalana felt around and realized she had on a pair of silk pajamas. She couldn't remember putting them on. Her thoughts were disrupted by the sensation her skull was about to explode. Lalana grabbed her head and gingerly swung her legs onto the floor.
Lalana stood. Her thin legs wobbled. She went straight for the bathroom. It was a struggle to walk. She realized she was still very, very drunk.
Holding on to anything tacked to the floor, Lalana made her way to the bathroom while trying to piece together the previous night's events. She remembered Logan telling her on the phone that she should have called him. After that, everything seemed blurry.
"I need to crawl back to bed," she mumbled while squinting at herself in the mirror. She'd slept with her makeup on: eyes were ringed in black; and lipstick had smudged all around her mouth. Had Logan seen her like this? The more she tried, the less Lalana could remember.
She rinsed her mouth out with Listerine, nearly gagging when the liquid teased at her taste buds. Slowly making her way back to bed, Lalana decided to wait a few days before calling Logan. If, in fact, she had seen him last night. She couldn't be sure what happened.
Lalana finally made it back to bed. Once comfortable, she realized the light coming through the blinds was contributing to her massive headache. Lalana groaned. She pulled herself up and tried to focus on an item on the wall, hoping it would help with the spinning. She held on tightly to the nightstand, leaned over, and pulled the wooden blinds shut.
That done, Lalana pulled on a sleep mask before curling into the fetal position, and begging sleep to save her from her misery.
She heard a noise just then, and felt herself instinctively grow more alert. She snatched off her mask and looked toward the door, pulse racing.
Was someone inside her apartment? With her head thumping, Lalana's eyes darted around the room for something to use as a weapon.
"Who's there?" she yelled. "I'm calling the cops!"
Horror overcame her as her bedroom door swung open.
"Oh, Jesus!" Lalana cried, seeing Logan standing there. "You scared me!"
"I'm sorry," he smiled, "I heard you screaming. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
"How long have you been here?" she asked.
"Since last night, after you and your girlfriends closed down The Room," he reported coyly.
"Closed it down?" she asked.
"Didn't leave a drop of liquor." Logan chuckled.
"I can tell," she said, rubbing her forehead. "I feel like my head is about to explode."
"Well, I'm glad you're okay. The way you were last night, I wasn't sure you'd remember much."
Lalana wondered for a moment what happened between them. "Did I do anything I might regret once I sober up completely?" she asked.
Logan shook his head. "You wanted me, that's for sure." His smile turned serious. "But I begged you to wait."
"Are you for real?"
"Yup, you told me how good you are in bed, described some of your signature moves and even told me once I get a taste of your good stuff, you knew I'd be hooked."
"Please tell me you are joking. How embarrassing," she squealed.
"No joke." Logan raised his right hand. "Scout's honor."
"Please don't make me laugh," she cried. "I can't stand the pain." Lalana grabbed the sides of her head.
"You want me to help you with that?" Logan asked.
"Help me with what? This hangover?"
"Yup," he nodded.
"If you can make this go away, I might just make good on my promises from last night," she laughed.
"You wait here."
Logan left the room then returned with a glass. When he got close to her, she frowned. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Only if you think it's gin and juice," he chuckled.
Lalana shook her head. She didn't want to see another drink for the rest of her natural life.
"Just trust me," Logan said sincerely.
Lalana looked at him through uncertain eyes.
"After you drink this, I want you to lie back down and get some more sleep. You'll feel a whole lot better once you wake up again I promise."
Lalana got most of the drink down and eased herself back to bed. Logan lay down beside her.
"How long will it take for this to work?"
"Not long, but you need more sleep."
"So, I was coming on to you last night, huh?"
"Throwing it at me. I was dodging left and right; and trust me, it was not easy. 'Cause let you tell it, you know how to handle yours in the bed, on the floor, in the shower, you told me all of that."
"Wwwhat?" Lalana groaned, feeling her cheeks go hot. "Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack," he insisted.
"I'm so sorry." They both giggled.
"No worries." Logan put his arm around her. Lalana was amazed at how comfortable she felt with him.
"Get some sleep," he urged.
"Okay, but tell me one thing," she said.
"Yeah?" "Why didn't you? I mean, why didn't you allow me to rock your world?"
"Because I want you sober and in your right mind. I don't want you under the influence, or at least not under any drug-induced influence," he said.
"That makes sense," she said, cuddling up against him. Lalana fell asleep almost instantly, feeling completely safe and secure.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Nearly seven hours later, Lalana was sober, wide awake,
and in the middle of a hot shower as Logan stood on the other side of the glass shower door. She felt nervous with he was watching her - being on display made her self-conscious. Lalana wondered what he would do next, and when he would do it. The hot water prickled her skin like fine needles, targeting just the right tight spots. She could feel the stress seeping from her pores. Lalana dipped her head back under the water and opened her mouth. When it filled, she spit the water out and glanced at Logan. Her mind raced with sexual thoughts.
Logan slid the shower door open and watched Lalana a bit longer. His eyes rolled up her legs, waist and chest. He pulled off his shirt. Lalana took a deep breath as his chest became exposed. He was a well-chiseled piece of perfection. Lalana immediately imagined lathering his muscled ridges with her tongue. But she didn't want to make the first move.
"I wanna make this right for you," he whispered.
He was mocking her, but she didn't mind. He was so gentle. Next, Logan unbuckled his pants and let them fall to the floor. The steam had completely fogged up the bathroom mirror and the air between them; but Lalana still had a clear view of Logan's boxer shorts as they slid down his legs. Logan stepped out of the pile of clothes on the floor.
"You want me to make it right?" he asked, stepping into the shower. He was so close, she could feel the heat from his skin. They stood next to each other, beneath the shower head's spray.
"Does this feel right?" Logan scooped Lalana up into his arms and kissed her hard. Lalana surrendered instantly under the power of his touch. With her feet dangling off the floor, she felt her heart race. Logan's wet hands slithered over her breasts and teased her nipples, flickering and pinching them as they stiffened. He squeezed them firmly. Lalana was sure she'd lose her mind.
He was wet, she was wetter.
"What about this?" he asked, her nipple held between his teeth.
"Yes," she cooed.
He sucked harder.
Lalana held on tight. She clawed at his back, digging her nails into his flesh.
"What about this?" Logan added more pressure, his tongue beating against her nipple.
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