Making Love Last
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Making Love Last Published by
L.A. Smith for Smashwords
Copyright © 2011 L.A. Smith
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Smashwords Edition License Notes
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Praise for L.A. Smith on “Making Love Last”
“LA Smith tells the story through flashbacks on how each character met and got to where they are today. They remained lifelong friends while dealing with their own issues about love and relationships. Although a past love tries to ruin their wedding, true love conquers all!! Making Love Last is worthy of 4.5 stars.” – Romonica Bass, DejaVu Book Club
“Reading this book made me feel like I was in a remake of the movie Brothers...Their loyalty for one another was unmatched and like no other. These men were off the chain and it was very pleasant to read into their minds and feelings.”. – Malika McLaughlin
“It's so sweet how the author provides some back story to the relationships as well.” – Barnes and Noble reviewer
“Some of the characters in this book melted my heart but the kicker is the surprise ending. Wow... I never saw it coming.” - Barnes and Noble reviewer
Making Love Last
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2008 by L. A. Smith
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
ISBN: 978-0-9776377-0-6
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing
Photograph by Eyeni Photography
Cover design by Enerdesigns
Excerpt from “Tattered Obsessions copyright ©
2010 by Black Angle Publishers
For more information or to order additional books, please contact:
Black Angle Publishers
Bowie, Maryland 20716
www.blkangle.com
Life equals Liberty, irresistibility, fidelity, and ecstasy. These are the feelings a man shares unconditionally with his soul mate. DaRon Mitchell.
Chapter 1—Life
“I plan on giving my future wife everything in life she could ever ask for,” my friend Chance Stritmatter announced as the four of us were relaxing in the pastor’s office waiting for the ceremony to start.
“You sound like one of the prophets.” Taleed was referring to either Chance’s brother Chaz or our friend Hakim.
“He sounds like he’s ready for the honeymoon. Horny,” KC, Chance’s business partner and our childhood friend, chimed in. Their computer technology business is based in the heart of DC. KC’s going to be the best man today. It would have been me, but someone had to escort the bride down the aisle, and because I’m her best friend, she asked me to do the honor.
“When I introduced the two of you six years ago, I didn’t think I’d be giving her away to be your wife,” I said to Chance, who is marrying my college friend Joelee. It started one day when I’d pulled my vehicle into the campus entrance near the train station and saw two girls struggling with large suitcases. I’d made a U-turn and pulled alongside of them, offering them a ride to the freshman dorm. They were cute but way overdressed for a hot afternoon. I could tell they weren’t from DC because nobody in their right mind would be wearing sweatpants in August.
One weekend, I took Joelee and her companion out with Chance and me. After that evening she became my instant friend. She also had a huge crush on Chance, but so did every other woman on campus. I knew there were other knuckleheads waiting in the wings, ready to set their fangs in her, so for four years I protected her. She was a southern girl and didn’t know about the game DC players were playing. As for the friend, she was cool in the beginning, but later became weak and got played by a lot of hustlers.
“Who’d thought in a million years that Chance, player of all players, would be walking down the aisle—and with Joelee?” KC nudged me back to reality.
“Hey man, it happens to the best of us. I’ve tossed in my player’s card a long time ago. I guess it’s up to the two of you to hold things down,” Chance said.
“Yeah, I can pretty much handle things in that department, if your boy DaRon ain’t trying to hog all the good ones,” KC told him.
“Since Mac is back in town, his program is going to be on hold for a minute,” Taleed added.
“Just to let both of you clowns know, I’m also turning in my card. After everything went down with Chance, it got me thinking how short life really is.” Last month some street thugs had carjacked Chance. During the mayhem, he was shot twice by Zene, his jilted ex-lover. One bullet grazed his shoulder and the other missed vital organs, but it was enough to scare us all. He stayed in the hospital for six days, and every one of them Joelee had been by his side.
I continued. “Mac is a good woman, and I don’t want to lose her. She was talking last year about us making a final commitment.”
“Word?” KC looked surprised.
“You knew it was bound to happen when she told you she was moving back home. All I ask is that you wait until I get back from my honeymoon before you have the wedding. I need time to plan the bachelor party,” Chance told me.
KC looked at me. “Are you serious about this?”
“I picked up her engagement ring when Chance was in the hospital recovering and asked me to get one for Joelee. I always knew I wanted to marry Mac. I’ve always loved her. Chance is going to be my best man; you’re my groomsman.”
“You better talk to Hakim before he kicks your ass about his little sister. You remember how he did it on the basketball court. All of us got a beat down because of that shit,” KC warned me.
“Yeah, and I’m not getting my ass kicked again—I’m kicking his ass back,” Taleed boasted.
Chance didn’t look convinced. “If he hears you say that shit to his face, your ass will get another beat down on the court.”
“I’ve already paid my dues for that shit. He knows I love her. We’ve already discussed that,” I told them.
“Stop cussing in church, young,” KC scolded us. Taleed shrugged. “Y’all are soft.”
“It’s not about being soft, son. One day you’ll realize that you can fall in love when the right woman comes along. It didn’t take long after meeting
Joelee before I knew she was the right one for me. She’s a beautiful woman. She snatched my heart before I even knew what hit me. No other woman ever did what she does for me,” Chance told him.
“You guys ready? It’s about time we start walking out.” Ivey, the event coordinator, stuck her head in the tiny room.
“I’ll see you clowns at the altar. Let me holla at Chance a minute,” I said to KC and Taleed. When we were alone, I told Chance, “Joelee was my best friend at the University.”
“I know this.”
“For four years in school, she was like my baby sister. I love her to death and will do anything to see her happy. When all this crap about you and Zene went down, I knew she’d stay by your side. All those years in school, you never knew how much she wanted to be with you. I knew then, but I didn’t tell you because she would have ended up on the short end of the deal. You’d have run a game on her like all the other honeys we played. I didn’t want that to happen, so I protected her from the knuckleheads like us. She’s in your hands now, but I’m gonna still love her no matter what. But I know if there’s anyone she should be marrying, it’s you, partner.”
“I know how you feel about her. She shared some of this with me when I was laid up in the hospital last month. I didn’t know you kept her away from me in school, but you’re right—she’d have gotten hurt back then. I wasn’t ready for a serious commitment. This story has a different ending. She is my soul mate. I didn’t know then, but I know now how much I love her. You can release your guards, because she belongs to me now, dawg.”
“It’s time to do this.” We slapped hands before giving each other a brotherly hug. “Let me go see how my girl is doing.” He and I walked out together.
“You don’t listen do you, son? I’m tired of having to explain to you that she is not your girl.”
“Yeah, but I’ll get some sugar before you do,” I teased. Chance went in the direction of the vestibule; I went toward the dressing area where Joelee and Neva were.
“Ladies, can I come in?” I tapped on the door. “Si, poppi—come in, DaRon,” Neva answered.
“Hey, sexy,” I said to her. “You look hot as hell.” I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame and lightly kissed her lips. Neva was my pearl at the University. She was a good friend. Over the past years of knowing each other, she and Joelee had also become good friends, so naturally Neva was asked to be the maid of honor.
“Wow, Joelee Selia Martin, don’t you look wonderful!” I said to the blushing bride. She was sitting in a chair waiting for her moment to walk down the aisle to become Mrs. Chance Stritmatter. I took both her hands and brought her to her feet. She looked beautiful. “Chance is so lucky to be marrying you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” she said to me as I twirled her around.
“He asked me to give you this.” I leaned into her and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“I know my baby did not tell you to kiss me. He’s probably a little teed off at not being able to see me for the last five days, thanks to you.” She’d been staying at Mac’s parents’ house since coming back in town. Joelee was a bit old fashioned and didn’t want to live with her fiancé before marriage. As Mac didn’t like the idea of another woman staying with me, it didn’t take too much encouragement to get her to offer an alternative. Nonetheless, the two of them were becoming close friends, as I hoped.
Ivey came into the room. “Neva, are you ready? It’s time for you to lead the bride down the aisle.”
“I’ll see you two at the altar.” Neva left us alone. I noticed Joelee was shaking. “Nervous?”
“Yes.”
“You should be. It’s your wedding day. And for your information, so is your soon-to-be husband.” I held her in my arms.
We walked together in preparation for the ceremony. Tri, the ring bearer, stood by the door waiting for his signal. “What’s up, nephew?” I asked the little man. Although Tri is Chaz’s son and not my nephew by blood, all the brothers adopted him in that role because of our closeness to Chaz and Chance.
“Hey, Uncle DaRon.”
“Cutie,” I greeted the flower girl, daughter of the caterer who just happened to be sitting next to Victor Rowe. Erion had catered a party we gave Chance last month after his release from the hospital. It’s still amazing how together Erion and Ivey managed to plan a wedding on such short notice, but then again Chance is known for getting things done quickly.
“Joelee, you know you mean everything to me.”
“I know that, DaRon.”
I walked Jo down the aisle to the traditional wedding march. The pastor asked “who gives this bride,” and I handed her to Chance. Who was no longer the same knucklehead from back in the day.
***
April 1998
“Honey on the right,” Chance pointed out. We were huddled in a corner near the entrance to JP’s. KC was at our table waiting for the queue to clear out. There were a lot of good-looking girls in the clubs, but for the most part, they usually traveled in packs of three. There was always one ugly one in the bunch. She was usually the hardest to deal with, so naturally she got played.
“Come here, girl. Where’re you going?” I followed within inches of the cutie. She kept walking to her table, and so did I. When she sat, I flashed a smile at her. She hadn’t noticed Chance standing on the opposite side.
“Drinks around the table,” he said to the waitress. I watched Chance take her by the hand. She grinned ear to ear, glad to be the center of his attention.
“Let me buy you a drink,” he said to her in his usually smooth and charming voice.
“Hello, handsome.” She looked up at him, pleased no doubt.
“I’m sitting over there.” He pulled her chair back while I took a seat with her two friends.
“Got a name?” I asked one of them.
“Let’s bounce,” KC said. These two were leftovers. That was how our “triangle offense” went. This night Chance would get the cutie, but next time it might be me or KC.
***
“You may kiss the bride.” Chance was officially out of the game. We watched the two of them walk back down the aisle smiling and greeting the guests until they were no longer in sight.
“That was a beautiful ceremony. I can only hope ours will be as lovely,” Mac said to me afterwards. Everyone was preparing to go to the reception hall which was about ten miles from the church.
“Yes, it was indeed nice. But baby, I can guarantee our wedding day will be the most memorable day of our lives.” Chance and Joelee were ushered by Ivey into a limousine that was now heading for the reception hall. “After the reception is over, will you come home with me?” I asked her. “We can begin the first part of our celebration.”
“Maybe I will—let me talk to my brother.” I watched her go over to Hakim who was talking to Victor and Chaz.
“Hola, poppi!” Ah, the sound of music. “Are you riding in the limo with me and KC?” Neva asked.
“I prefer to drive to the reception hall with Mac.” On cue, Mac walked back and wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m ready, baby.” She flashed a bright smile at me.
“I’ll see you guys at the reception hall,” I told Neva as I wrapped my arms around Mac.
“Not on my time, you won’t,” Mac said after Neva walked away.
“Are you jealous?” I asked her. She never answered because Neva returned then with KC holding onto her hand.
“It’s time to roll. You rolling with us tonight?” he asked me.
“Naw, man. I’m driving to the hall, and then after everything is over, me and my sweetheart are heading back to my place. Ain’t that right, girl?” I asked Mac.
“Cool. Let’s go, sweetness,” KC said to Neva. I didn’t like this show of affection, but there was very little I could do about it. He and I shook hands before the two of them walked away.
“There are many reasons why I love you, girl. You’ve never tried to change me or dictate my life. You were that way when we dated at the University, and even when you left me to start a career on the West Coast. I don’t want that to change. Everyone knows we’re in love with each other. So don’t rub her nose in it, please.” I kissed the top of her head and led her out of the church.
“I don’t like the way she flirts with you,” Mac complained. “And besides, I don’t want her to think I’m not on my game with my sweetie.”
My beliefs are to live life for the moment and take advantage of stolen opportunities to shine. Keon “KC” Carter.
Chapter 2—The Limo Ride
The stretch limousine was parked and waiting for us when we left the reception hall. The driver was standing ready and opened the door when Neva and I approached.
“We can have our own party right here,” I told her. There was a fully loaded bar, and neither of us had to drive home. That was the purpose of having a limo.
“I’m surprised none of your other friends wanted to take advantage of the limo,” Neva commented.
“Doesn’t matter. Everyone’s planning to roll out to their separate locations. Which isn’t a bad idea.”
“Will you take me back to my apartment?”
“We should take advantage of being chauffeured around. Besides, the two of us can have some fun time.”
“Where do you feel like taking me now? Not JP’s.”
“How about I take you to a world of ecstasy?” I reached for the back of her head and brought her to my puckered lips.
“KC.” She managed to mouth my name as I slid my tongue alongside her moist mouth.
“Getting a little action in the back of a limousine is everybody’s fantasy.” “Not mine.” She pushed me away. “There’s something not right about making out in public.”
“I bet I can change your mind.” I took her gown and lifted it towards her thighs, holding them both with my hands and sliding her tiny frame towards the edge of the seat. She giggled while I knelt on the seat between her raised legs. “It gets better.” I nibbled the side of her neck.
“I believe you, chico.” But before she could finish her sentence, the door to the limo opened. I ignored the intrusion as I assumed the driver had decided to continue his services.
“Oh, snap! Getting busy in the limousine—why is that not a surprise?” It was Taleed. “Look at you, couldn’t even wait to get out of the parking lot.”
“Man, close the door!” I yelled at him.
“Move over.”
“No, from the other side, fool.”
“Look, I don’t care if you getting your groove on with your boy’s lady. I need a ride to my car, and since no one else is going back to the church, some people might wonder why the two of you need this sixteen- passenger vehicle to yourselves.”
Needless to say, I was disappointed. But I said, “Man, get your ass in this car.” He took the seat facing the much longer one we were on.
“Yeah, I thought you’d see it my way. What’s up, Neva girl—doing alright?” She smiled at him while adjusting the gown.
“Shut up,” I said, knowing he was being facetious.
“Don’t blame me for—”
“Don’t say one fucking word to me or your ass will be walking.”
He snickered. “Dude, I don’t think so. You putting me out would be a little tough to explain.”
“Taleed, don’t, I’m warning you. I am not in the mood for your bullshit.” I hated to admit it but he was right. I would never be able to explain putting him out of the limousine, and it would be an act he would use against me for a long time.
If you receive love a second time around, take advantage
of this treasured opportunity. It may not come back for the third round. Victor Rowe.
Chapter 3—New Love
I scanned the small crowd mingling in the reception hall. My college friend Chance had married the “love of his life,” as he’d described his now-wife before the wedding ceremony.
“You need to slow down with the practice. Let your associates take over the more tedious cases. Victor, take some time out for yourself,” he’d said to me.
“Is that how you came to reunite with Joelee, by slowing down? You were out of control at one point,” I told him.
“Joelee came into my life at the right time. I had no clue she would be the one, but once I laid eyes on her for the second time, I didn’t want to let her out of my sight.”
“I understand she was in love with you back in school, but DaRon kept her under lock and key.”
“I wasn’t ready for a relationship back then. It was Divine intervention that we didn’t connect while I was at the university. Neither one of us were ready to settle with one woman.”
Joelee had returned to DC to attend a computer show with the marketing director of the company she worked for. Instead of leaving town after the show, she’d stayed with DaRon through the weekend. The two of them had been close friends in college and spent a lot of time together after class. However, they didn’t date. Basically his role had been to keep her safe from the rest of the vultures roaming around campus.
Erion Banks’ bright smile caught my attention. She’d catered a few events for our law firm after her company came highly recommended by Chance. She and I had been introduced about two years ago when Chance returned from Germany. I’d recently left a prominent law firm where I’d been an associate handling small civil matters. Afterwards I’d been trying to hang out my shingle in my real interest, criminal defense, when my dad suggested two of his fellow DOJ retirees who wanted to get into private practice. I genuinely welcomed their expertise. Months later, we were almost ready to launch the firm of Hynkel, Rowe, and Conrad.
Erion had been invited to the wedding as a guest of the groom. She was seated at one of the small tables with her daughter, the flower girl; Chaz, Chance’s older brother; and Chaz’s date, Jaxsen, the vice president of THG, the same firm where Joelee worked. Erion was a beautiful woman, about five six, very slim physique, whose hair was in shoulder-length spirals. I watched one of the hostesses whisper in her ear. She smiled.
***
May 2003
“What you should do is host an opening event for the law firm. Invite some friends from school who have their own businesses. I’ll contact some makers and shakers in the area. You’ve got to network, call in some favors. Every company should have good representation. Tech needs a corporate lawyer, so I can be your first client.”
“I’m a criminal lawyer, man.”
“Okay, but you get my point. Besides, I know the best caterer in town, and she ain’t bad looking either. Single mother, cute, no drama, a few years older then me. Take this.” Chance handed me a card. “Give her a call. Mention me and she’ll take care of you.”
I called her several times before finally receiving one in return. We met that evening to discuss the event. Like he said, she was very attractive. After we spent a few minutes getting to know each other, I learned that she too was struggling with establishing her own businesses.
“I appreciate you agreeing to do this on a short notice,” I told her. “Anything for Chance. Did you look over the menu I faxed over?”
We discussed the menu and my expectations, and she got it set up, even though she only had three days to put everything together. The opening of our suburban law office turned out to be a success with the food being excellent.
Afterwards I helped Erion and her assistant load their equipment into the minivan. “You did a wonderful job tonight,” I commended her.
“Thanks.” But she was avoiding eye contact.
I waited for her assistant to leave the two of us alone. “Do you think I could take you out some time?”
“Maybe when everything settles down. But right now it’s wedding season, and my schedule is pretty much booked up.”
Three weeks later she called. “Victor, this is Erion.”
I was glad to hear her voice. “Lovely Erion, how are you?”
“Things have gotten calmer, and I was wondering if you’d like to get together for drinks later.”
I wasted no time. “When should I pick you up?” “Why don’t we meet at JP’s at five?”
“I’ll be there,” I promised before hanging up the phone.
I was at JP’s into my third martini when my cell phone rang. “Victor, I am so sorry. Something came up, and I can’t make it.” She sounded panicky.
“Is everything alright, Erion? Is there anything I can do?”
“It’s my daughter. She’s running a temperature. I’ll call you in a few days. Victor, I’m really sorry.” I gave the bartender two bills and left the bar.
By a month later, it became obvious that if I wanted to see her again I would have to have her company cater another event. That’s exactly what I did: I got my receptionist to create a list of people who’d come out for the first one, then added anyone who might be interested in the second round. Family, friends, coworkers, college mates, and neighbors were welcomed.
This time I arranged to have my receptionist plan the meal with Erion. The day she came by, I intentionally shut myself up in my office.
The intercom buzzed. “Mr. Rowe, Erion Banks would like to speak to you.” “Whatever it is, take care of it.”
In less than a minute, the receptionist came back on the intercom. “She says it’s personal.”
Bingo. Come to papa. “Send her in,” I instructed.
I stood when she walked in. My eyes held her gaze. She was as gorgeous this day as she’d been when I first laid eyes on her.
“Victor,” she smiled.
“It’s good to see you again, Erion. Have a seat.” I motioned towards the one facing my desk.
“It’s good to see you again too. I want to apologize for breaking our date and not calling back. I hope we can still be friends.”
“You don’t owe me an apology, but I would love it if you would have dinner with me.”
“How about tonight?”
Again I didn’t hesitate: “What time would you like for me to pick you up?”
That evening I arrived at her home at eight as we’d planned. She was dressed nicely in a little black outfit with thin straps. Her curls were pulled up in a bun.
“Hi, Victor,” she greeted me at the door. I noticed her daughter sitting in the family room, eyes glued to the television. “I’m sorry but I’m on the phone.” She whispered. “This is my daughter. Cidne, say hi to Mr. Victor.” She motioned to me. “Have a seat while I finish this conversation.”
“Hi cutie. That’s my favorite show.” She was watching a video. “No it’s not.” She giggled, exposing her two missing teeth.
“It is too. I have the soundtrack.” “Me too, Mr. Victor.”
“Hakuna Matata!” we both said in unison. I looked up as Erion walked into the room. Cidne’s attention quickly returned to the movie. I stood.
“I know this nice quiet restaurant on the Easton Shore where we can have dinner,” I told her.
“Victor,” she had a sad tone in her voice. “I can’t go out with you tonight. My babysitter called and canceled. I was trying to get someone else, but it doesn’t look good.”
“That’s fine. Why don’t we take Cidne with us?”
“I’d rather not disrupt her schedule.”
“Ah, come on. We can go to that kiddie game room. The one by the mall.”
“Maybe the next time.” She stated flatly.
“Goodnight Cidne.” She waved goodbye without taking her eyes off the TV. “I’ll call you some other time,” I said to Erion before walking out of the door. I knew when it was time to move on to someone who had time for me.
***
The last time I’d seen her was about three weeks ago. Chance had just gotten out of the hospital and she’d been hired to cater a celebration dinner. That night we’d only spoken briefly as she didn’t have as much help with that event and had been given only two days to pull it together.
The ball was now in my court if I wanted to make up for lost time. “They make a wonderful couple, Joelee and Chance. Don’t you agree?” I asked while leaning into her.
“Victor Rowe. How are you?” “I’m good. Mind if I sit?”
“Not at all.” She patted the one next to her.
“What’s happening, Chief?” I said to Chaz, who was engaged in a conversation to my right with the gorgeous Jaxsen Morris. He and I shook hands.
“I’m glad my brother finally settled down. Who would have thought?” he told me.
I sat next to Erion. “Cute flower girl. What’s your name?” I kidded her daughter.
She giggled. “Mr. Victor, it’s me.”
“Oh, my bad. Cidne. I was about to ask the cutie for the next dance,” I said to Erion. “She’s so grown up. By the way, you look wonderful—second only to the bride.”
“Okay, mister—flattery will get you everywhere.”
“It’s about time, don’t you think?”
“Cidne, why don’t you find Tri and ask him to dance.”
“Mom, girls don’t ask boys to dance with them. It’s the other way around, right, Mr. Victor?”
“Hmm.” I thought about it, but shook my head. “Not in my book. If a woman wants to dance with me, she’d better ask me. Right, Ms. Erion?”
“Would you like to dance, Victor?”
“I would love to dance with you.” I took the lady’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Luther was singing “For You to Love.” Perfect, I thought as I wrapped my arms around her waist, bringing her into me. She felt wonderful. “We should have been dancing like this way before tonight,” I whispered in her ear.
“I agree,” she replied. This time I intended to make her hold up her end of the promise.
After the song ended, I led her back to the table. “Would you give me the honor of entertaining you after the reception? I would love to take you to some place quiet,” I told her.
“Sounds good, but where to?”
“Can you get a sitter? I was thinking about splitting in a few minutes. Would that be okay with you? The bride and groom are off having some real fun. You and I should do the same.”
“The Mitchells are taking Tri with them, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind having Cidne stay over too,” Chaz commented. I promised myself I’d thank him later.
“So what is it you have in mind?” she asked. I had no idea where I was going after rolling out of here, but I knew it was too soon to say good-bye to her again.
“Why don’t you two go for a midnight cruise on the Bay with me and Jaxsen?” Chaz suggested. He owned a thirty-five foot Cruiser Yacht, docked at a small marina in Annapolis.
A boat ride on the Chesapeake. This night would be a beautiful one to sit in the middle of the Bay and gaze at the stars. “Sounds like a winner to me. What about you?” I asked Erion.
“It sounds great, but I have to check with the Mitchells before I dump my child in their lap.”
“Let’s go. We’ll let Mom and Dad know that Cidne wants to stay with her new friend. We’ll meet you there,” I said to Chaz as I reached for her hand. I didn’t want her to have second thoughts about spending the remainder of the evening with me.
“We’re twenty minutes behind. I’m going to check on my son. Don’t worry Erion, they won’t have a problem with her staying with them,” he said to me as we dapped each other.
“It’s nice out tonight.” I said to her after we were anchored somewhere between the Chesapeake and Severn rivers. “But a little cool. Take this.” I wrapped my jacket around her. We sat in dual seats in the rear of the boat with Chaz and Jaxsen cuddled in the front. I put my arm around Erion bringing her closer to me. Her head rested on my shoulder. That night the stars were the only light that illuminated the vessel.
After about an hour, Chaz suggested we head back to the dock. It was close to midnight. The two ladies opted to go inside the cabin away from the spray. He and I sat together outside plotting our next moves.
When we got back to the slip, we secured the ropes from the boat to the posts. Chaz was the first to exit, extending his hand to assist Jaxsen from the boat onto the pier.
“Take it easy, partner,” he said to me before he and Jaxsen took off, leaving Erion and me alone for the first time that night.
“I should pick up Cidne from the Mitchells,” she said.
“We’ve already settled that. You can’t pop up at their house at two in the morning. What’s wrong with you, girl?” I reached for her hands and brought her body into me. “Besides, our evening is only beginning.” Kissing her soft lips, I effortlessly captured her tongue. “We’re just getting started,” I mumbled.
She smiled up at me. “And what else do you have—”
Before she could finish her sentence, I turned her away from me and softly nibbled the back of her neck. “There’s a lot I want to do with you, Ms. Erion,” I said between nibbles. “Come home with me tonight, and I’ll show you. I promise not to disappoint you.” I pressed my body against her backside so that she could feel my arousal.
“You’re going to make it very difficult for me to turn you down.” I could tell she wanted to come home with me. I was being a little aggressive, but I’d also waited a long time to have even one evening with her. Tonight would be a good one to get reacquainted.
“Yeah. That’s the plan.” I continued to kiss her neck, slowly sliding my hands inside her blouse until they located her soft mounds of flesh. I moaned. “So don’t turn down my offer,” I said in a husky voice aggravated by my sexual desire for her. “I want you to spend the night with me, Erion. Now that I have you in my arms, I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
“Don’t make this harder than it already is.” But her eyes were closed. She wanted to take this relationship one step further as much as I did.
“It’s already harder—don’t you feel me?”
“Yes, but I’ll have to decline your offer. How do you lawyers say it? Without prejudice?”
I moaned deeply, slowly pushing her away from my aroused state. It wasn’t easy. “The next time, you won’t be able to slip away this easily.” I forced a smile. Knowing that I might have been more aggressive than she was used to, I retreated. This time I felt I would get a second date.
“I’m sure.” She adjusted her blouse.
“There will be a next time. That I can promise you.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Let me get you home.” I got out of the boat, extending my hand to her.
I drove the lovely lady to her townhouse. When we reached the stoop, I said, “I’ll pick you up after our game so that you can get your car. It’ll be around noon.”
“Good—I can sleep in.” She turned to me. “I had a nice time tonight.”
“Thanks for spending the evening with me. I really enjoyed being with you.” I was sincere.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Oh, no doubt.” I leaned in for a good night kiss. She reached out for me, pulling me into her. I captured her tongue before she pulled out and away from my reach. I shoved my hands inside my pockets and she closed the door.
Friends have a bond that remains consistent through thick and thin. But there are times when I wonder what drives a sane individual to take desperate measures only to protect his name. DaRon.
Chapter 4—I-95 South
I’d recently purchased a three-family rental unit not far from the college and was preparing it for occupancy. A college student had signed a ten-month lease three days ago and would be moving in at the end of the month, leaving two units to be rented. I needed to place an advertisement in the city paper to rent the main level and basement.
I was removing leftover boxes from the unit when I noticed Taleed’s tinted- out sedan pulling into the empty space next to my sport utility vehicle. “What’s up, playa?” I greeted him. We shook hands and embraced.
“Yo, you rent that apartment yet?” he asked, pointing towards it.
“I have one lease on the upper level, a university student. I’m going to put an ad in the papers to rent out the other two. Why do you ask?”
“I want the main level apartment.”
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving B’more?” He was born and raised in Baltimore. The city was his home.
“Nope, I want to rent it for Lil’ Man and his mother. I’m hoping she’ll move back next month.”
“Done deal. Stop by the house later. I’ll knock off a few bucks to make it a little easier for you to handle.”
“Thanks, man. You know I appreciate that.”
Taleed arrived at my condo around noon so that I could get some information on Candice to complete this rental agreement. The main level rental would be a perfect place for her and her young son. Of the three units, this one had the most space.
He got her on speakerphone. “Yo, Candice—you gotta minute?”
“I’m kind of busy right now, Taleed. I’ll call you later,” she whispered.
“Busy doing what? I’m trying to get you and Lil’ Man in an apartment next month. I got everything all set up, but I need some information from you.”
Get off the phone!” We could hear a man’s voice in the background.
“We’ll talk about that later,” Candice said. I looked at Taleed.
“I said get off the phone!” the male voice repeated.
“Who’s that?” he asked her.
“I’ll call you later,” she said quietly.
“Candice, who the hell is that?” Taleed’s already strong tone got slightly louder. The line cut off. The two of us exchanged looks before he hit the redial button.
This time her voice cracked when she answered. “Yo, girl, is there a problem?”
“What do you mean?”
“You hung up on me—that’s what I mean. I asked you if you had a problem.” It didn’t take much for Taleed to lose patience, especially with the mother of his unwanted child.
The same male voice commanded from the background, “Hang up on that bitch!”