Georgia On My Mind

by Stokes Lee, Brenda

  “Hello.” He sexy deep voice answered.

  “Peanut? Is that you? Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you for weeks.” Peaches exclaimed, excited that he was still alive.

  “I had to go out of town for a little while to take care of some things.” He nonchalantly responded.

  “Why didn't you answer any of my calls?” Rashawn is silent. “Peanut! Are you still there? Hello! Hello!”

  “Yeah, I'm still here.” He finally responded.

  “Then say something. If you're mad then say so! But just don't ignore me. You're my friend and I care about you.”

  “What do you want me to say, Peaches?”

  “Look I know that you're mad, that's clear. But, can we at least talk about it? Please?”

  “Okay. Then talk.”

  “I don't want to talk on the phone. Can we meet somewhere tonight?”

  “Peaches, I don't think...”

  “Peanut please... It's important. I need to see you.”

  Rashawn hesitated. “Are you still running?”

  “Every morning at 6am.”

  “You running at the same spot?”

  “Yeah, where else?”

  “Okay, I'll meet you there tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay… Alright… Well, I’ll see you then. Thanks Peanut.”

  Rashawn didn’t respond. With mixed emotions he simply held the phone until Peaches hung up.

  Chapter 28

  Peaches arrived to their running spot early. She was apprehensive and nervous. It had been almost seven weeks since she saw Rashawn. She didn't have a clue what she was going to say to him. One thing was certain she had to smooth things over with him. He was a good friend and she needed him in her life.

  Rashawn was nowhere in sight. Worried he was going to be a now show, Peaches began her stretching routine as she awaited his arrival. Her heart stopped as she saw him coming up the path towards her. He looked good enough to eat and Lord knows she was hungry. Unfortunately he was no longer on the menu.

  “Fuck!” She breathed. “Peaches, you must have lost your damn mind letting a good looking man like that get away.” She scolded herself as Rashawn drew near. She instantly hopped up to greet him. “Hey, I was beginning to think you weren't going to come.”

  “Sorry, it took me a little longer to get here than I thought it would.”

  “Yeah. Did you move? I went by your townhouse, it was up for sale.”

  Rashawn started to stretch, before he quickly deflected Peaches question. He wasn't prepared to disclose his true identity to Peaches. “Yeah, I moved, before I went out of town.”

  Peaches assumed that he was vague because he was still upset about Charles, so she didn't press the issue. She finished stretching.

  “So, you ready to run?” He asked.

  “Yeah I'm ready when you are.” She smiled.

  “How long are we running?” Rashawn asked as he stretched his hamstrings.

  “I'm up to five miles now.” Peaches proudly announced as she prepared her iPod that Rashawn had given her, for the run.

  Rashawn smiled but chose not to comment. He was extremely proud of Peaches. She looked amazing. “Okay let's go.”

  Not really knowing what to say, they ran the five miles in silence as they both listened to their iPods.

  ~*~*~

  After the run they went to their favorite diner for breakfast. Rashawn could tell that Peaches had lost a significant amount of weight. She was sexy and curvy in all the right places and it was difficult for him to keep his eyes off of her. Still he tried to play cool although she was melting his heart.

  “Breakfast is on me. What are you getting?” Peaches announced.

  “The usual.” Rashawn said as he took a sip of his water.

  “I think I'll have the egg white omelet with spinach and turkey and low fat cheese. Maybe I'll have some fruit.” Peaches said as she cruised the menu.

  Rashawn couldn't hold it any longer. “Peaches I must say I am proud of you. You look incredible. I remember the first time we ran... You were ready to make funeral arrangements. And don't even get me started with that artery clogging breakfast you consumed. Look at you now.”

  “What can I say? I had a good no nonsense trainer.” Peaches teased. “Who I have to admit, I miss very much.” Rashawn pinched his lips together in an attempt to force himself to remain silent. “Rashawn I'm sorry about what happened that night when I invited you over and Charles was there. I can explain if you'd let me.”

  “I don't need an explanation.”

  “Maybe not, but I need to give you one anyway. Look, your friendship is important to me. And the last thing I meant to do was to hurt you. Charles and I have been through a lot of stuff together and it's hard to just break way without mixed emotions. I know you're not going to believe this but I actually invited Charles over for some payback.”

  “Is that what they call it now?” Rashawn sarcastically mumbled beneath his breath.

  Peaches heard him of course, but chose to ignore his little dig. “But then we started drinking wine and reminiscing about the good old days. Things started to feel familiar between us and I forgot that you were coming. I mean nothing happened, but...”

  “But, what?”

  “But... It did force me to realize that maybe Charles and I still had something worth salvaging. I mean he just got a promotion and my Interior design business is finally taking off. This is what we've always dreamed of.” She reasoned.

  Rashawn remained silent waiting for Peaches to say the words that would shatter his heart. Peaches hesitated and then dropped the bomb in his lap. “Charles has really come around and he's finally stepped up to be the man I've always wanted him to be. Listen to me rambling on like a silly ass school girl, for God's sake.”

  Rashawn knew exactly where the conversation was going but he wasn't going to make it any easier for Peaches to get to the point. He wanted her to feel the pain of every syllable, just like he had to.

  “So, to make a long story short… Charles asked me to marry him and I said yes.”

  Rashawn was floored but he somehow managed to maintain his cool. Still, if you listened hard enough you could hear the sound of his heart breaking. There were so many things that he wanted to tell Peaches. He knew she chose Charles for security. Marrying Charles would be a major mistake and Rashawn knew it, but he couldn't tell Peaches that. She had to figure that out for herself. Nor could he expose his true feelings for her. She would still think it was just the repercussions of his childhood crush.

  “What difference did it make anyway if she didn't feel the same about him?” He reasoned to himself.

  If she knew who he really was perhaps she'd choose him. But he knew he didn't want anybody, including Peaches, who only wanted him because of his wealth. So he did the only thing he could which was nothing, at least for now. And he said the only thing that he could say. “Congratulations! When is the wedding?”

  “Thank you. The wedding's in less than six months.”

  “Six months? Wow, that's pretty quick. What’s the rush?”

  “I know! Charles just wanted to get married right away. He tried to get me to marry him in a Judge's chamber but I wasn't having it. So we compromised and decided on a simple garden wedding with a few of our closest friends. So I have less than four months to find a place and plan my dream wedding.”

  “That sounds pretty challenging.” Rashawn tried to sympathize.

  “Yes, but thanks to you I will have no problem finding the perfect dress.” She smiled brightly as she held up her arms to show off her new figure. “Thank you so much for helping me finally get rid of the excess weight!” Peaches squealed as she ran around the table and threw her arms around Rashawn’s neck and kissed him on the cheek. “I can't believe it! I'm actually getting married.”

  Rashawn smiled and tried to pretend that he was happy for Peaches, but inside he was emotionally bankrupt. It was officially the worse of his life yet he had to pretend to be happy
for her.

  Chapter 29

  Rashawn moved into the mansion when he returned from Los Angeles. He had no clue that Peaches was the Interior Designer that Miracle had contracted to decorate the mansion. For the most part the mansion was finished and Peaches just had a few more pieces to place before she was completely done. Unbeknownst to him Peaches had a key and was scheduled to finish up at the mansion that day.

  Rashawn was relaxing in the den when he heard the cling, clang, bang, spitter, spatter, sputter that was uniquely Boss Hog.

  “What the hell? That sounds like Boss Hog.” He said as he quickly ran to the window just in time to see Peaches pull up and park in front of the mansion. “Oh shit! What the hell is Peaches doing here?”

  Rashawn watched as another car pulled behind Boss Hog and parked. It belonged to Chase.

  “Chase? What is Chase doing here? Oh hell no! Miracle hired Peaches of all damn people? F-U-C-K!” He screamed.

  Rashawn, feeling caught like a rat in a trap, immediately began to gather his things and look for a place to hide. Luckily he had driven his new Maserati and parked his vintage muscle car out of sight in the garage.

  As the two women headed for the door, Rashawn began to panic. “Okay. Calm down they can't get in unless you open the door. Just chill and wait for them to leave.” He said to himself.

  Well, at first that seemed like a good plan. Peaches rang the bell three times. There was no answer so she used the spare keys that Miracle gave her to open the door. Rashawn quickly grabbed his things, ran into the first floor Master Bedroom suite and locked the door, just before they entered the foyer. Sighing a breath of relief he quietly listened at the door as the two women talked.

  “Maybe we should have waited for him to come to the door. I mean Big Daddy's car is right out front. He's probably in here somewhere.” Peaches tried to whisper.

  “He’s in here alright. Probably, upstairs in his bedroom showing some lucky girl why they call him Big Daddy.” Chase giggled. “And why are you whispering? Girl he can’t hear you!”

  “Hey! Just making sure.” Peaches laughed. “What's he really like? Is he really that good looking?” Peaches asked as she goes to work.

  “Good looking doesn't even begin to do that man justice. That man is as fine as the hair on a new born baby frogs' balls.” Chase laughed.

  “Damn...That's mighty fine! That’s a good analogy!”

  “I got that one from a Brenda Stokes Lee novel. Have you ever read one of her books?” Chase asked as they made small talk.

  “Girl, I love her books! I’ve read every one of them! That Mye Queen was a damn trip!” Peaches laughed. “Speaking of trips, what happened between him and Miracle? Inquiring minds want to know.”

  “I'm sure they do. But it's my job to make sure inquiring minds never know. I told you I have a strict nondisclosure contract. And I’m not about to lose my damn job gossiping about Miracle.” Chase laughed.

  “Whatever! Nosey bitches like me are still interested, so spill the real dirt. Come on Chase... You know you can trust me. Besides it’s not gossip if you were there and know the truth.”

  “Yeah, I guess you have a point. Okay, you didn’t hear this from me… But from what Miracle told me I think he fell for the woman from his past. Miracle demanded that he cut her off and he wouldn't do it. Apparently they hooked up and he slept with her.”

  “So is this blast from the past drop dead gorgeous or what? I mean what's her story?”

  “I guess… Apparently... She’s bad enough that he cut Miracle loose to be with her.”

  “So if he's not with Miracle anymore why is she letting him stay in her house?” Peaches asked confused.

  “Girl, try to keep up! This is Big Daddy's mansion. I thought you knew that.”

  “What? Nobody told me. Miracle wrote the check and gave the orders. I assumed it was her house.”

  “Apparently, so did Miracle.” Chase snickered.

  “I wonder what she's like.”

  “Who?”

  “Big Daddy's new girl. Have you met her? What’s she like?” Peaches asked.

  “I’ve never met her. I can tell you one thing though. She’s lucky as hell! If a man gives up somebody like Miracle to be with you, he's definitely got it bad.”

  “I guess you're right about that. Hey, I ain't mad at her. Cause she's about to move into the most fabulous mansion that Atlanta has ever seen. Cause I hooked this place up! If I must say so myself.” Peaches laughed. And Chase agreed by giving her a high five.

  “Yeah, I must admit that you did the damn thing. This place is phenomenal, Miss Peaches. Okay?” She joked.

  “I mean, not to blow my own horn, but... "Toot - toot and beep - beep. Toot - toot and beep- beep. Bad Girl! I'm such a bad girl, talking about a b-a-a-d girl.” Peaches spontaneously started to dance and sing.

  Chase laughed and quickly joined in. “Toot - toot and beep - beep. Toot- toot and beep - beep.” They sang as Peaches continued to put the finishing touches on the great room.

  Rashawn laughed to himself. “This is going to be priceless when she figures out that all of this could have been hers.”

  It was at that very moment that Rashawn really considered what a world class ass clown Charles was and decided that it wasn't over yet. After all, once a fuck up always a fuck up and Charles was well over due to fuck up again. Rashawn knew that Charles couldn't keep up the charades of masquerading as a human being forever.

  Chapter 30

  Over the next few weeks Rashawn continued to be an ever present fixture in Peaches' life. The big day was quickly approaching and she wanted to double up on her training. It was more than evident to Rashawn that Peaches had feelings for him that transcended their platonic friendship. He noticed how she looked at him and made excuses to see and touch him. Her spirit brightened whenever he entered her space. Still, it was up to her to make the next move. He had played checkers with her the last time and lost. This time he was playing chess and every move he made was strategically calculated to win her heart. It was just a matter of time before Charles showed his ass and Peaches lost her king. So Rashawn remained hopeful and patient. Game on!

  Now, Rashawn was country boy from Augusta Georgia who loved to get his hands dirty. He could think of no other way to get his need to get down and dirty out of his system other than by working with the landscapers on his estate. Mindlessly mowing the enormous lawn of the mansion with a riding mower while the landscapers planted flowers he never heard Boss Hog coming.

  Moments later, Peaches pulled up and parked behind the landscaping truck. On her way to the mansion she spotted Rashawn on the mower and immediately flagged him down. Anticipating that he had finally been exposed Rashawn slowly exited the mower and walked over to meet her. Not sure what to say he said nothing.

  “Oh my God! Look at you. You finally got a job.” Peaches giggled. “Well it’s about damn time!”

  Stunned and relieved, Rashawn smiled. “Yeah, imagine that.”

  “Hey, let me tell you something! There are three kinds of men I love... A man hard at work... A man that works hard... And a hard man that knows how to work it!” She laughed.

  Rashawn chuckled. “Oh yeah, which one of those is Charles?”

  “Tee- hee - hee! I see you still got jokes, with your Big head self.” She swatted at him.

  “What are you doing out here anyway?” He asked curious.

  “This is the mansion that I did the Interior Design work on for the R&B singer.”

  “Really? But I thought that job was finished.”

  “It is. Actually, I'm on a Hail Mary mission to see if I can get Big Daddy to let me have my wedding here.”

  Rashawn looked puzzled. “Who?”

  “Big Daddy. Well, you probably know him as The Hit Man. He’s a baseball player that just signed with the Atlanta Braves. I think his name is Martin somebody. Anyway, he owns this place.”

  Rashawn chuckled. “Yeah I know, but why did you call him Big Daddy?”
>
  “That's just a name that the women gave him, for obvious reasons of course.”

  “Yeah, of course. Well, he's not home.” Rashawn nonchalantly replied as he took off his work gloves.

  “How do you know?” Peaches asked puzzled.

  “He left about an hour ago. I saw him when he left.”

  “But his car is parked right in front.” Peaches replied as she pointed to the Maserati parked at the front door.

  “Yeah, well you do know he has at least six cars counting that one. And that's just in Atlanta alone.” Rashawn remarked as he briefly looked at his car.

  “So how do you know all this?”

  Enjoying the opportunity to toy with Peaches, Rashawn took a chance of showing too much of his hand. “Actually he's a friend of mine. We went to college together. That's how I got this job.”

  “Oh really? So, do you think you could introduce me so that I could ask him if I could have my wedding here? It would mean...”

  Rashawn quickly cut her off. “Ahh... No, no, no, no mam! That would be the big hell no! He's very private and I don't think...”

  “Please, please, please Peanut. I can't think of any place more perfect to have my wedding.” She begged.

  “Perfect or not I don't think so!” Rashawn stood his ground. He could not even fathom the thought of his woman getting married to that ass wipe on his fucking lawn. “No to the N- O!

  “Peanut please, I'm running out of time and money. It can be your wedding gift to me.”

  “Or… I could just get you a damn toaster like everybody else.” He laughed. “Hell no! I am not going to approach that man with that bullshit!”

  “Please, please, please… I’m begging you please?”

  Unable to deny this beautiful woman anything, he quickly gave in. Rashawn sighed. “I can't introduce you, but I will ask him for you. But... I'm not making any promises.”

  Peaches jumped in his arms and hugged and kissed Rashawn on the lips. “Thank you! This is incredible. I know he's going to say yes. This is so perfect!” She squealed as she hugged and kissed him again.