by Love Belvin
“What’re you looking at?”
“Pix from last night that got leaked to the media—no,” I corrected myself. “Pix Spilling That Hot Tea seemed to have had exclusively and are now all over.” I scrolled. “By the way, I’m glad you responded to my assistant like that and not my PR people. They’ve been blowing me up all morning.” I glanced up at her with a smirk.
Wynter shook her head. “That fucking Spilling That Hot Tea is relentless. They kept posting shit when I was in Arizona. What are they saying about last night?”
“That I had Teke kicked out of the wedding because you two slept together.” Those words spilled easier than they felt.
To my gut, that thought twisted like a sword.
Wynter sucked her teeth and walked off. “Well, now I join my fake husband.”
“Join me how?” I asked to her back.
“I know how it feels to be lied on. You’re gay and I slept with Teke.” I froze and she peeped me over her shoulder. Wynter winked, leaning into the doorway. She smirked with sad eyes. “You never asked me.”
“I was afraid to.”
“We have so much ground to cover.” She shook her head as she left out of the room.
I lay back down on the bed, wondering what that meant. Was it bad? Then I decided to face the noise and call my PR people then Chesney, who’d been calling, too.
As I finished up with Chesney, who said he hadn’t heard anything about a lawsuit from Teke, I decided to shower in my bedroom en suite on the other side of the apartment. I still smelled like Wynter: her sex and sweat. I loved it, even though it reminded me of having to apologize to Young. I crossed the apartment, passing the kitchen where I smelled food and heard Wynter talking to someone on the phone. By the time I made it to the other side of the unit, I was done with Chesney and jumped in the shower.
When I was done, I sat on the bed with a towel wrapped around my waist and a heavy heart. After praying in the shower, I knew what I had to do, and right away. I dialed him. After three rings, he picked up.
“What it is?”
“I thought you weren’t gone answer,” I joked, not knowing where to start.
“I ain’t you, nigga.” I heard the amusement in that.
“Nah,” I sat up, sighing. “You’re better socialized than I am. I’ll admit that. My bad on this, Lord. Stress been eating at me so much, I guess I shut in. I was wrong.”
“You were,” his tone was confident. “The record is out. Ain’t nothing Jax and them gone do about that. The streams are off the chart, but that’s all that’ll be coming out of it.”
“I appreciate that.” For weeks, I’d been waiting to make a power move only I could pull off from my unique situation with L.I.T. Music. They wanted me. And from the day I saw Teke was moving too close to Wynter, I knew I could dead his career. After my shut in session, I realized that was one of the many things I had to give to God. I wouldn’t use that power play. I’d let the chips fall where they may. “I just wanna make sure we’re good.”
“We good. I get it. Pussy makes you crazy.”
I laughed at that. The pain of “yesterdays” from this arrangement with Wynter still echoed in my chest.
“Yeah. That, too.”
“So, y’all official?”
I brushed my hands down my face, struggling with that question. “I’m making it happen.”
“If it helps, word around here is he ain’t hit.” I exhaled, happy for the confirmation.
I knew Young had eyes in the program. That’s how I knew so much of what happened, but there were lines he and I didn’t cross, which was the status of my relationship with Wynter. He didn’t know about the blackmail. He didn’t know about my abuse. He only knew I was peculiar. And he chose to rock with me anyway. So, the favoritism shown to Wynter was on the strength of me, but the talent I’d heard about and how quickly she absorbed everything was exclusively her.
“Yep…” I exhaled again, fighting the awkwardness of this conversation.
It isn’t easy for a man to discuss his lady’s unfaithful pussy with his friends, whether it’s true or not.
“Anyway, think you should know, he’s been axed.”
My head shot up. “B City?”
What would happen to them?
“Collateral damage,” he explained.
“Man…”
“Jackson hit me this morning before they left for their flight. The lawyers’re on it now.”
I knew what that meant. Their lawyers would devise a plan to keep B City under L.I.T. Music but shelved. By the time their contract was up with the label, they’d be past their prime and not likely to sign to another legit deal again.
“If this was for me, I—”
“Nah. Teke made a few missteps along the way. Jax was beefin’ with him before boot camp. He let him go to redeem himself, but the thing with Wynter played out wrong. On top of that, he was taking shows without authorization from the label. Teke was being a wild bull. I ain’t know Wynter had shit to do with that record. B City was only supposed to do the cocktail hour. Elle arranged for that months ago and Jax ain’t wanna shut her down. None of B City stayed after the cocktail hour but Teke. He knew what he was doing. Staying at the boss’ party and getting drunk just to upset the boss’ guest ain’t cool. He’s done, yo.”
I nodded, understanding there was more at play in this than my relationship with Wynter. But for Teke, I knew this wasn’t about her. It was about him getting at my wife as an act of revenge for what went down between his moms and me.
“Look. I ain’t tell Kenny much about this shit between you and Wynter. I ‘on’t wanna dampen her perfect impression of you. You know she sees you as some wounded knight, who needs love.” He snorted. That image didn’t make me feel any better. She was probably right. “I don’t get the impression Wynter told nobody at camp either. So you good on that end, too. Plus, it lets me know Wynter’s a real one. I watched her, made her uncomfortable, but she ain’t show nothing I felt was suspect.”
“I appreciate this, man.”
“Not a problem. That’s what I was calling you for when you left L.A. But you ain’t pick up.”
Because I shut in, man.
“Again. My bad. You’s a real one, Young. Wisdom surpassing your age. Salute, king.”
Although I used charm, I meant it. Young was built different.
“A’ight.”
~13~
After I hung up with Lord, I tossed on sweats and a Mauve t-shirt I didn’t know I had, and made my way out to her. I felt dazed, tired, and couldn’t believe she was here. I was here with her. This felt like a dream after the nightmare. I had so many questions but didn’t want to scare her off.
As I got closer to the living room, I heard voices from the foyer. Then Wynter appeared, rocking an expression similar to mine. We had guests. The first thing I realized was how half-dressed she was in those short shorts and thin tee shirt with no bra. That couldn’t be appropriate for whoever was coming.
But before I could share that, she began toward the center table on bare feet.
“Is this necess—” her words stopped when a young lady stepped off the elevator behind Van.
Van was here? I knew he got released yesterday, but he’d been the last person on my mind in the past twenty-four hours. And by the way his eyes swept the walls and floors, I could see this was his first time here. They hadn’t seen each other since he’d been home. The young girl behind him swept the room, too.
“Hey, baby girl.” He sported a frown as he went to hug Wynter. Van looked a lot different outside of a uniform and cuffs. “You good?”
He pulled back from her and grabbed her at the shoulders.
“Yes, I’m fine, Van. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear in the news,” Wynter’s tone was stern with a trace of amusement.
That’s when his eyes moved behind her to me. “She ain’t that type of girl. She ‘on’t be fuckin’ around.”
I twisted my neck, not knowing what to say. Neither did I fee
l his explanation was needed.
“Van!” Wynter shunned him again, half smiling and half annoyed, it looked. She padded toward me with her arms crossed over her chest now. It was weird. A seek shelter type of move. I didn’t expect it but was always down with having her near. “You didn’t have to drag her all the way out here for this.” She stopped in front of me.
Shielding me?
“Her?” Van’s forehead wrinkled. He turned behind him to the young lady, who appeared just as physically uncomfortable as Wynter was now acting. “Come say hi to your family,” he ordered the girl. “Wynter, introduce her to your man. C’mon now.” Van’s tone was authoritative, but cautious.
Beneath me, Wynter’s head cocked to the side. “Hey, Reign,” her tone was dry, but not angry. “You know Ragee. Right?” That wasn’t a question.
When I looked at the girl now, it was through new eyes. She was young. Pretty, but not like Wynter. And she was shy, her eyes bouncing between the wall and me as she fought not to smile.
Man…
Wynter was shielding me alright. She was marking her territory to someone who once betrayed her. But this little girl? What could she do for me? I tried to remember how old Wynter said she was. Maybe twenty. Twenty-one?
“Nice to meet you, Reign.” I nodded her way as my hands went to Wynter’s shoulders.
The girl seemed to peep my touch on her sister.
“My bad,” Van broke out and approached us with his palm out. “I ain’t even give you a respectful greeting in your own house, my man.”
Wynter slid to the side just slightly, giving us enough room for dap. Then she slid back into place in front of me.
“How’s the pregnancy coming along?” That question was dry, too.
Reign didn’t look pregnant. She looked like a baby herself.
“Good. I tried to call you last week to tell you my mom’s gonna be home by my due date.”
“Oh! That’s good,” Wynter chirped and that sounded more sincere and engaged than the other communications. “I’m happy for you. I know she’s excited to finally meet her grandbabies.”
Reign nodded and smiled. She was intimidated by Wynter. That was clear to me.
“Anyway,” Van peered over to me. “Y’all sure y’all good? Got people blowing up my phone with these rumors about my baby girl. You need me for something? That Teke kid look light weight.” Van was for real, for real serious. No smiling at all.
“Van, you know fighting ain’t your thing!” Wynter fussed with him. “Most of the stuff out there is fake anyway.”
“A’ight.” He nodded, rubbing his hands together. “Long as you good. I know I been away too long, but I’m back now.” His eyes landed on me.
I kept mine empty, not knowing how to take Van. I honestly didn’t know if he was a threat or an ally. Time would tell, though. I knew that.
“Oh! And thanks for taking care of that thing for me.” His eyes were on me again.
I couldn’t figure out what “that thing” was.
“So, you two were in touch!” Wynter’s eyes swung up to me. “For how long?”
The loans…
“Long enough,” I answered, trying to keep that topic short.
“But I’mma pay you back. I got my job back. Start tomorrow.”
“You did get your job back?” Wynter leaped from me and onto her uncle. “That’s what’s up! I’m so happy for you.”
“I told you I had this!” Van tried not to smile.
Reign’s eyes were on her sister and uncle as she smiled. There was something so sad about her. Or was that just my assumption because of her kids’ father?
Wynter backed away from Van, still cheery. “But I’mma have to handle the payback on that loan. I’m sure with your restitution fees and fines…childcare, rent, and all the other shit you got on your plate, you can’t cover that. I got it.”
If Wynter thought I’d accept a dime from her she was out of her mind. I wouldn’t even ask her uncle to pay me back. That payoff was laughable.
I squeezed the side of her waist and murmured, “I’m going to eat.” I was done with this conversation.
“Oh!” She turned her head up to look at me. “I hope it’s not cold now. But your plate is in the oven.”
I nodded. “It was good seeing y’all…officially.”
“Ah, man!” Van approached me again, holding his palm out. “Same here, bruh. You pulling up at the party this weekend, right?”
“Party?”
“Van’s having a welcome home party,” Wynter explained, clearly having an issue with the party’s theme.
“Yeah, man! It’s gone just be family and a few friends,” Van explained. “I hope you come through.”
“Now that I’ve been formally invited…” My eyes roved over to Wynter. “Maybe we’ll make something happen.”
“No doubt, man!” Van was gracious as he gave me another dap. “But I’mma get outta here. Just wanted to come through to check on her, man. I gotta meeting with a new lawyer for my court date.”
“You’re meeting with a lawyer on a Sunday?” Wynter asked.
“Yeah. The court date’s tomorrow.”
“For what?”
As I turned the corner for the kitchen, the last I heard of the conversation was Van’s answer, “Child support. They was summoning me while I was in the county.”
That was interesting. Van…Reign… The dynamic in their family was…weird.
From the doorjamb of the kitchen his back was toward me. Shoulders globular, back stretched broadly with cuts. I’d forgotten how fuckable Ragee was. I guessed that was possible to do when we lived in different places. Last night was…intense. All of it: the wedding, reception, spectacle with Teke, finding out yet another secret of my husband’s past, and then forgiving him without pretense. I still didn’t understand it, but after having a crying spell with him last night, I believed the decision was right.
Just like now, Raj looked whole from this view: strong, virile, and confident as he ate his breakfast alone. But inside, he was troubled. Broken. And I wanted to help put him back together. I just hoped I had the wherewithal to do it.
I toed behind him and wrapped my arms around his brawny frame. At first I could feel him steel before he went lax in my fold. Then he hooked an arm around and hugged me in return.
“I guess I have to get used to being able to do this when I want. And you have to get used to my touch,” I whispered in his ear.
“I want to.” He cut into his plate. “This veggie omelet’s banging. Thanks.”
Gushing, I stood to clear the dishes I made before Van called, telling me he was downstairs. “Sorry about that unexpected visit. He asked where I was when he texted this morning. The next time I heard from him was when he was downstairs, needing clearance to come up. I didn’t even have time to tell you.”
“S’all good,” Raj replied before stuffing his face with the last of his food.
“I just don’t want you thinking I have people all up in your place. I don’t…” I paused to think. “Other than Ivie and Mya the day I arrived here. But you arranged that, I see.” I turned to look at him. “Why?”
He didn’t return my gaze when he drained the last of the juice in his cup. “Because you need your peoples. You been at this by yourself all this time. Gotta be crazy.”
“Thank you,” I offered, gathering his plate. “More juice?”
“Yes. Please…”
I stored his plate and fork in the dishwasher and headed toward the fridge.
“So what’s next?” he asked. I glanced up as I was grabbing the container. “With us. What’s next with us?”
“I don’t know. This is kind of weird. I got the email from L.I.T. Music. They’re offering me a publishing deal for writing. They sent it on Friday, but I guess I was so busy getting ready for the wedding and Van’s release, I missed the email.”
I filled his glass then set it on the table before planting myself against it, next to him.
�
��Congrats,” his voice was controlled. “Thought it was strange that you ain’t heard from them yet. You gonna sign?” He took a big gulp of his juice, the loutish way he did it had my thighs squeezing together.
“I don’t know. I desperately need the money and opportunity. After last night, it doesn’t feel as professional and shiny as it once did.” He nodded. “And I don’t want to put you in an unfavorable light. I don’t know what’s going to happen since the Teke thing.”
Raj faced ahead, wiping the corners of his stretched mouth with his thumb and index finger. “I feel you. Give it a few days and see how everything falls into place.”
Those words were laced with wisdom…and calm. “You seem so different.” I had to add. “Patient.”
His eyes came up to me. Then his hand brushed my right thigh, nearest to him.
“You know who’s not patient?”
“Who?” I wanted to shiver from his touch.
“Arnie.”
“Arnie?”
He nodded. “He’s been blowing my phone up. Even came up to the house a couple of days ago, asking about you.”
“What! Why didn’t you give him my number?” The thought of that man warmed me—in a different way than his little brother’s touch was right now.
“Because I didn’t know you wanted him to have it. Plus, I don’t think you want him blowing you up the way he does.”
“Does he want something in particular?”
Raj sat back in his chair and exhaled, gesturing he didn’t know. “He said something about a surprise for when you were done with work in Arizona.”
I wondered what could that be. “Hmmmmm…”
“Should I tell him you’re coming back to Sparta today?”
I shook my head, my heart racing at the prospect. I wasn’t ready to go back just yet. There was still a sting of betrayal when I thought of the estate.
“I have so much to do, especially with Van being home. This stupid party I have to do for him this weekend. And I want to look for a lawyer to help me consider the contract L.I.T. is offering. I don’t want to be so far away just yet.” I also didn’t have it worked out in my mind what Raj and I would be.
