by Glenn, Roy
“When was the last time you saw CJ, Chris?” Tavarus asked.
Chris got that look on his face and then he dropped his head. “We had lunch yesterday.”
“The prosecution rests,” Tavarus said.
“You’re an accountant, Tee.”
“Whatever, Zack, the point is still the same.”
“We all can’t be as lucky as you, Zack, to have a woman like Angelique.”
I sat there for a minute and looked at my two closest friends. I never told them about the sexual issues that Angelique and I have, and I probably never would. Not that I don’t think that they’d understand or would make jokes about it; they just didn’t need to know her business. As far as they were concerned, they could go on believing that Angelique was the perfect woman. And she was in every way but sexually. I thought about Tyhedra and my mind began to wander. Thinking about having freaky sex, and her doing all the things that I know Angelique never would do.
“Zack! What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking about how lucky I am, that’s all. To be married to Angelique, I’m just lucky. To have good friends like y’all,” I said.
“You ain’t about to get all misty on us, are you, Zack?” Tavarus asked.
“I hope not,” Chris said and lit the blunt. “’Cause if you are, I’m leaving. I hate seeing men cry.”
“Nobody’s gonna be doing any damn crying. Just pass the blunt and pour me another drink. Damn, all I was saying is it’s not easy to find real friends, that’s all. There’s too many fake-ass muthafuckas out there, that all I’m sayin’. But you muthafuckas think I’m about to get weak and shit.”
“I know what you’re saying, Zack; I feel the same way. And quiet as it’s kept, Chris does too. I love you, niggas. Y’all are like brothers to me and I will fuck up the first one who calls me weak,” Tavarus said.
“Lighten up, Tee,” Chris said. “You’re too intense. It’s all that junk food you eat. You need to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.”
“Look, the only veggie I need more of is that blunt, so pass it over,” Tavarus said, taking the blunt from Chris and taking a long drag. “See, I’m more relaxed already.”
“Hey, Tee, who were the girls that showed up last time?” I asked.
“Just some freaks that live in the complex.”
“Which one you fuckin’, Tee?” Chris asked.
“If I told you I’ve fucked all of them, would that make you happy?” Tavarus smiled.
“No. I’d be mad ’cause you didn’t set them out,” Chris came back quickly.
“Who said I didn’t?” Tavarus came back just as quick, and looked over at me. I smiled and gave Tee some dap.
“You and Zack freaked all them hos?”
“No, just Kathy,” Tavarus said.
“Which one is Kathy?”
“The flat-chested one with the fat ass,” Tavarus said.
“But Tee is probably fuckin’ all of them,” I added. “Don’t worry, Chris, we didn’t fuck the one you left with.”
“You fuck her yet?”
Chris got that look on his face and then he dropped his head. “Same night.”
“When was the last time you fucked her?”
“Before I came over here,” Chris said without looking up.
“You payin’?”
“Hell no. She ain’t like that.”
“No, she just dances naked.”
“She said that was her first and last time,” Chris said and got defensive, like he does when we talk about him and CJ.
“Until the next time,” Tavarus added.
“We used to set out some pussy back in the day, Tee,” I said, choosing not to comment on that one.
“Damn sure did,” Tee laughed.
“I remember I came here late one night. Tee was on his way out the door. He said, ‘I left a little something in my room for you.’ I’m thinkin’ Tee left me a joint or a drink or something. I walk in and Michelle is layin’ up in bed with that fine ass totted up in the air. You remember that night, Tee?”
Tee hit the blunt and nodded his head.
“She was laying there talkin’ ’bout, ‘Hey, Zack.’ ”
“What you say to her, Zack?” Chris asked.
“I didn’t say shit. I just got undressed and went to work on that ass.”
While the poker game continued, I thought back to the night before me and Angelique got married. After rehearsal, me Tee drove to Chris’s house. Since we had the bachelor’s party the week before, I thought the three of us would just get drunk and pass out. They had other plans for my night. When we got to the house, Tee honked the horn before he got out the car. “What’s that, some kind of signal?” I asked.
“Yeah, man. We got a little surprise for you, Zack.”
“What’s that?” I asked as we approached the house.
Tee stopped in his tracks and waved for me to come closer. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you. Besides, you’re gonna die tomorrow, anyway.” We laughed our way toward the door. Tee rang the bell.
Chris swung the door open. “. . . Took y’all so long?”
I held up the blunt and Tee held up the Martel.
“I didn’t even have to ask.”
Tee handed him the bottle. “Then why did you?” I said and handed him the blunt.
“What’d y’all do, stop and get high on the way?”
“You know Tee drives slow when he smokes,” I replied, looking around the room. “So what’s the big surprise?”
“Sit down and relax, Zack. You aren’t getting married until four o’clock tomorrow. Unless you got someplace to go,” Chris said, and then he handed me a champagne glass.
“That’s right, Zack. This is your last night as a single man. So as long we have you dressed and sober by then, relax and enjoy the night,” Tavarus said, while he filled everyone’s glass with Moet.
“So like, Zack, is there anything or anybody, for that matter, you wanna do on your last night?”
I thought about it for a second or two, and spit out the first person that came to mind: “Carolyn Nelson. I damn sure wouldn’t mine fuckin’ her fine ass. But other than that, I’ll be cool just hangin’ out here with you guys.”
“Don’t worry, Zack. We’re gonna make this a night you ain’t ever gonna forget.” Chris held up his glass. “Good luck, Zack. I hope it all turns out good for you and Angelique.” Each of us turned up the glass and Chris quickly refilled them.
“Both of you are good people. You deserve to be happy,” Tavarus said.
Chris held up his glass. “I’m sure Tavarus already asked whether you’re sure about this, so I won’t even go there. You’re a good brother, one of the only good brothers I know.” We drank to that; the glasses were refilled and another bottle Moet was popped.
“You got you a good girl, take care of her. There aren’t many like her.”
“We’ve fooled around long enough,” Chris said, pouring the last of the Martel in my glass. “We all kicked in and got something we knew you’d appreciate. It’s in the bedroom. I hope it fits, Zack.”
“Y’all didn’t buy me a sweater, did you?” I asked on the way to the bedroom.
“No! It cost us a hell of a lot more than some damn sweater!” Tavarus yelled.
“Shut up, Tavarus,” Chris said. As I entered the bedroom, I heard Chris say, “Let Zack enjoy it.” I walked in the dimly lit room and stopped when I heard a female’s voice. “Hey, Zack.”
I leaned forward and tipped my head to one side. “Carolyn?” I couldn’t believe my eyes. There before me seated on the bed was Carolyn Nelson. I looked at her and then started for the door, thinking I’d walked in the wrong room. But I stopped and turned around. “What are you doin’ here?” I asked her as I approached the bed.
Carolyn got up from the bed and walked toward me. “I’m your surprise,” she said stopping in front of me. “Surprise.”
“What do you mean, ‘you’re my surprise’?” A
number of things crossed my mind in that second. She kissed me on the cheek as she passed by me on her way toward the bathroom. “I had something planned but you took so long gettin’ here,” she said, walking away from me wearing Chris’s Miami Dolphin sweatshirt and little else, if anything. “What were y’all doin’ out there anyway?”
“Congrats, you know. We drained two bottles of Moet.”
“Well, come with me,” Carolyn said, and went into the bathroom.
The bathroom was lit with candles and the Jacuzzi-style bathtub was filled. Carolyn had found a bottle of Lagerfeld and poured some in, so the water had a scent. She stuck her foot in to test the temperature. “It’s a little cold,” she said, turning on the hot water. I looked at Carolyn; she smiled at me and put her arms around my neck. “I want you to understand something: this is the only time this will ever happen between us.”
“I don’t mean to sound dumb, but—”
She kissed me.
“Did that answer your question?” she said, unbuttoning my shirt.
“Everything but the why.” At that point, as she slid the shirt off my shoulders, I really didn’t care why. But I knew I’d want to know later. “So why?”
“Zack, I’ve wanted to get with you since the first time Tavarus introduced us. Do you remember the day I came over there and Angelique came right after I did?” She unbuttoned my pants and took them off. “And then the three of us went to eat, and then to the movies?”
“Yeah. I remember,” I said, as Carolyn turned off the water and stuck her foot in again. “That’s perfect.” She stepped in and removed the sweatshirt. I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. Carolyn had more body than her baggy wardrobe let on. I took off my underwear and quickly joined her in the tub.
“Now, Zack, just relax. We have plenty of time.” I sat down and leaned back in the Jacuzzi as Carolyn began to bathe me. “Anyway, I was on a mission that day. I had made up my mind, you were gonna be mine. So I made up some excuse—boom, I was in there. Then Angelique shows up. I was gonna wait her out. But you seemed like you were so into her. I just let it go.”
“I never knew that.” But I did suspect it. When me and Angelique dropped Carolyn off after the movie, I remembered what she’d told me. That bitch wants you. That’s why I invited her to go with us. Make sure she knows that you’re mine. At the time I didn’t make much of it. You’re just paranoid, Angelique. The only one that wants me is you. I knew the real problem was that I wanted her. “I’ve wanted you since that day, too.”
“Did you really?” she said with a curious smile. “It doesn’t matter now. She knew I was on you. That’s why she dragged me along with y’all. So she could get all up in my face with it. Her attitude all night was, yeah bitch, I know you want him”—she spat while rockin’ her head—“but he’s mine. So this is my revenge. I’ll be the smile on your face in Cancun that Angelique just won’t understand.”
Once she finished bathing me, Carolyn dried me off and led me back into the bedroom. Carolyn rolled on her back and I sat on the bed. Without a word, I spread Carolyn’s legs and moved in between her thighs. Once I was inside her, Carolyn quickly wrapped her arms and legs around me.
I fucked her slow, sliding my dick in and out of her. I wanted to feel every sensation, every nuisance that Carolyn’s warmth had to offer. As I moved in and out of her, Carolyn planted kisses across my neck and chest. I could tell she was loving the way I felt inside her. It was either that or the feeling that she was getting her revenge. Either way, I didn’t care. I was just glad to be fucking her.
Carolyn began to move faster. I could feel myself expanding inside. My eyes and mouth opened wide, and my body became rigid. Carolyn began rocking her hips furiously, pounding her body into mine until she had taken it all from me.
I rolled off of her and laid flat on my back spent, out of breath, and smiling. Carolyn sat up in the bed quickly and took me into her mouth. She teased my head with her tongue, and then slowly worked her way down. Carolyn’s lips and tongue were soft and wet. I felt myself getting hard again, Carolyn relaxed the muscles in her throat so she could take more of me into her mouth.
When I was hard again, Carolyn straddled me and lowered herself onto me. She slowly began to move her hips from side to side. I was in ecstasy as Carolyn sucked my nipples while she moved up and down on my dick.
“I like how you feel inside me!” Carolyn moaned and ran her fingers through her hair.
I arched my back and pushed myself as deep and as hard into her as I could. Carolyn’s head drifted back, her mouth and eyes were wide open, but no words came out.
She rolled off me and smiled. “Payback is a bitch.”
Chapter Sixteen
Chris
Traffic was decent for a change and I arrived in plenty of time to make the morning meeting. I stopped and picked up Kim and headed for the meeting. Ivan didn’t like the idea of her coming to the meeting with me, but he’ll have to get used to it. It’s been two weeks now since she’s been going, and on a couple of those days, she went by herself. Kim said that since I wasn’t there, that he wouldn’t address any of our issues with her. When I got in, there was a voice mail from him saying, “Chris, I missed you at the meeting this morning. If you have a minute, please stop by my office. I have some issues to discuss with you.”
When I talked to Ivan, as usual it was nothing major. Nothing that he couldn’t have covered with Kim. But when I explaind to Ivan that he could have addressed the issue with Kim, he laughed that stupid laugh of his and said, “I’m just an old fashion guy.”
My natural reaction to that was, he didn’t like dealing with too many Black people. I was his house nigger and that was enough for him. But I’ve watched him interact with the women that work for him. I saw how he went off on Yvonne. She’s one of his floor supervisors, very nice white woman, in her forties I guess. He started tearing her down so bad that she left the building crying. I think he’s just one of those old men that believe that a woman has no place in the workplace, and should be at home, bare foot and pregnant.
Except CJ.
Ivan just loves him some CJ.
“Well, what does CJ think?” Is one of his favorite questions.
I’ve been spending a lot of time getting Kim up to speed on the system and the reporting functions, and she’s becoming quite capable. I’m giving very serious consideration to paying for her take some computer classes. In the long run, she could become a very valuable member of the team.
Once the morning madness was over, I returned to my office and walked right into— “CJ.”
“Good morning, Chris.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, happier to see her than I let on.
“If you would’ve returned my call last night, you’d know why I’m here. I think I have a fix for the problem we’ve been having with the interface.”
I sat for the next hour or so, watching CJ stare at the monitor, banging away at the keyboard. I listened without listening to CJ talk about how unhappy she was at home. I know it must be hard on her, married to a man who is underemployed, drinks too much, and is verbally and physically abusive. She’s the victim.
When CJ successfully finished her task, I walked her to her car. I walked alongside her, admiring her form, and I allowed myself the luxury of imagining what it would be like if I had pursued CJ when I had the chance.
“It’s too bad that you have to go. Miss Crawford is coming this afternoon to do a review of our procedures,” I said, and I could have sworn that I saw CJ roll her eyes.
“I know,” CJ said and got in her car.
“I thought it would be a good idea for you to hear what she has to say.”
“And if I didn’t have to work today, I would stay. I’m sure that you’ll take good care of her,” CJ said and started her car.
“I’ll call you tonight and let you know how it went.”
“Yeah, you do that.”
I stood and watched as CJ backed up and zoo
med of the parking lot. I walked back to the building and couldn’t shake the feeling that she was jealous. But I quickly convinced myself that that couldn’t be the case.
At one that afternoon, Tyhedra Crawford arrived at the building. I introduced her to Kim and Tina, and then I sat back and listened while they told her what their jobs were. Once they were done, Tyhedra asked them a lot of questions. Questions that I wished I’d thought of. But that is what I hired her for.
When Tyhedra was finished with the ladies, I took her around to meet the floor managers. Tyhedra only had a few questions for them, which they answered politely. Then I took her around to meet Ivan DeVito.
I stuck my head in the door. As usual, his head was buried in reports. “Got a minute, Ivan?”
“I always have time for you, Chris. Come on in and have a seat,” he said without looking.
“There is somebody I’d like you to meet.”
When Tyhedra walked into the office Ivan looked up, and I thought I was going to have to pick his tongue up from the desk. He sprung to his feet.
“Ivan DeVito, I’d like for you to meet Tyhedra Crawford. Miss Crawford is a Cisco consultant that I brought in to improve our procedures.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Crawford,” Ivan said. “Please, please, have a seat.”
“Thank you, Mr. DeVito,” Tyhedra said, and sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. When she crossed her long, sexy legs, Ivan’s eyes were glued to her. I knew it wouldn’t be long before Tyhedra had him eating out of her hand.
“Miss Crawford’s specialty is the reporting functions. Since that is a particular concern of yours, I thought it would be a good idea if she spent some time with you to make sure that you were getting all you wanted from the system. Miss Crawford has already spent some time with my staff and I took the liberty of having her speak with some of your managers to get a feel for what they do.”
“I think that is an excellent idea, Chris,” Ivan said and looked at Tyhedra. “So, tell me Miss Crawford, what do you think of the system?”
