Baby, You're the Best (19 page)

CHAPTER 43

Spencer

 

 

 

G
lad to be back at work, that was the craziest episode ever. Charlotte’s wylding out almost made me late.

I wanted to tell LB what had happened but he wouldn’t believe me. Hell, if I weren’t in the mix of that situation, I wouldn’t believe it either. It felt good shaking my first drink.

Pouring a vodka martini, I thought about Fabulous. I’d texted her in transit. She hadn’t hit me back. I understood. After putting in QT between her legs, I’d probably fucked up her head.

“How was it?” I asked LB. We hadn’t spoken since church yesterday. “Alexis, what’s she like, dude?”

“Man, thank you,” he said, gnawing on his knuckles. Any harder and my boy would’ve drawn his own blood.

“Damn. Like that?”

“All the way freak, man. Alllll the way, you hear me.” His eyes rolled to the top of his head. He moved to the opposite end of the bar.

Tending to my customers, I didn’t want to mess up again or give Derrick a reason to come for me. Checking out the female who just squatted on the wicker stool in front of me, I tapped the bar once, then said, “What’s your pleasure?”

As she ordered, my dick got hard. I swear that nigga couldn’t stay focused.

LB stood next to me, then whispered, “I’m tapped out, bruh. She’s all yours.”

Tapped out?
I pictured Alexis sucking me off in seconds. I was going to have to have a talk with my dick about that shit. He was not a one-minute man. But that Alexis had given me the best nut I’d busted from a quickie.

I took a few orders, mixed, poured, and served drinks. Chatted with a few of my regulars.

“I missed you the last few days. Did you go on vacation?” she asked as I placed her usual, a glass of cabernet, in front of her.

“Nah. Had to take care of some things.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. “You’re looking good.”

“Not so bad yourself,” she commented with a wide smile.

This one was harmless. She had so many dickatunities it was redickulous. I watched her come in here, sit alone, busy herself on her iPhone and laptop writing them nasty books. Never failed. A guy would sit next to her, offer her a drink, and end up paying her entire tab.

I wasn’t supposed to be jealous of LB, but a part of me was. I was surprised Alexis let my boy hit it on the first date. I mean her mom giving it up was understandable. Fabulous was fifty but Alexis was so fine every dude had his eyes on her.

In between servicing customers, I pressed LB for details about what Alexis had done. Blow by blow that shit blew my mind.

I whispered to LB, “You let her do what to your ass, man?”

“Wasn’t like I let her do all the other stuff. After I let her tie me up I didn’t have a choice.”

Hot wax. Massage. Hot towel on his back. I wanted all of that but she could squash that butt plug shit. I was no stranger to a finger in my ass. That was cool. Objects were not.

Wondered if my boy knew she was into females and she was engaged. Wasn’t my place to tell him. I was more concerned about Alexis checking me than I was with LB questioning my source.

“When y’all going out again?” I asked.

“I invited her out this weekend. She said she had to get back at me. Don’t try to push up on this one, Spence. I like her too much.”

I didn’t want to do Alexis’s nasty ass. After all the shit LB told me, I had to!

CHAPTER 44

Alexis

 

 

 

T
he sixth had come. My rent wasn’t paid.

Walking up to my door, I removed the plastic bag that hung on the knob. I knew what was in it. A collection notice for $2,000, plus a $150 late fee. I went inside, texted Chanel,
Come over before you go to work.

Sitting on my couch, I kicked off my heels, went to the kitchen, mixed a drink. Thank God I was almost done with school. Graduation was next year. The lovers in my life today would be gone by the time I walked the stage. Not because they wanted out. I needed to draft more players. There wasn’t room on the home court for everyone. Maybe I’d do like James. Date a white person who lived out of state.

All I have to do is get through this semester and the next one and I’m done.
Applying for a job wasn’t a bad idea but being on a schedule other than school wasn’t for me. I’d rather use my title of Dr. Crystal to lure in a class of men wealthier than James. Like team owners. Let my new crew fulfill my desires.

Chanel replied,
I can’t keep letting you break my heart.

Women. One minute they were in love, then they were confused. Chanel wanted to end it but not really. She sent that response to get my attention. I sighed.

So she didn’t forget. Chanel intentionally didn’t give me her tips Saturday night. She did not appreciate that I’d gotten out of my bed, sat in the club, watched her perform, followed her to her house. What was I to do? I couldn’t bring her back to my place. LB was still tied to my bed. I told her I’d spent Sunday with my mom. That was mostly true. Just not the part when I’d texted,
I’m spending the night.
I’d spent the night at James’s house.

I opened one of the drawers to my coffee table, placed a big black dildo on the sofa beside me, removed my clothes. Lounging back on a gold pillow, I turned my video camera toward me. Looking at myself, I softened my eyes, pressed record, waited a second, then said, “We miss you, baby. Wanna see how much?”

I circled the eight-inch dildo around my tongue. I licked the corona, then slowly lowered my mouth over the head. Opening wide, I let saliva roll off the tip of my tongue onto the top of the head and down the shaft. I teased my clit, slid the wet dildo in and out of my pussy. Letting go, I forced the dildo out using my muscles. Captured it lying between my thighs. The head touched my vagina. Picking it up I braced my knees to my ears, pushed it all the way in my asshole. Took it out. Held it up. It was clean and shiny. Making a pouting face, seductively I said, “We’re ready for you and only you.”

Ending the recording, I replayed it twice.

I texted the video to Chanel, this new girl I’d met, LB, and James.

James texted back.
Rent check? Rain check.

Cute, Wilcox. Your days of having the pleasure of my fucking you in the ass are limited.
I could pawn his ring but I was sure that wasn’t going to be necessary. I always got whatever I wanted. My last resort would be to charge my rent to the credit card James gave me for incidentals. Quickly, I decided against that. I didn’t want him to cancel my card.

I hit a few other options in my rotation. The two over fifty would give me the money in cash today but I didn’t enjoy sexing either one of them. They were my backups.

Sending the video to Spencer wasn’t necessary. Men talked more than women and I was certain LB had told Spencer what I’d done to him and I was positive he’d show the video to Spencer for me.

Mercedes texted,
We’re meeting at Mom’s house. She needs us. See you then in an hour.

Good, hopefully Spencer would be there since we got rid of Charlotte’s ass. I texted,
LB, Is Spencer at work?

I was going to drop by the bar with my mom,
I lied.

If I told Mercedes I needed two grand for school, she’d pay it directly. She might need her funds to pay for her divorce when she found out Benjamin has a mistress. Devereaux had it but didn’t have it to spare. Sandara, the thought of her finances made me shake my head.

LB texted back,
Damn, that video got my dick hard as concrete. Can I cum over after I get off so you can finish what you started doing to me? I close tonight and I’m off tomorrow.

I’d already grown bored with him. He had no imagination.
I’m a little short on my rent. Will you help me out this one time?

He replied,
How much?

He texted,
Damn!!!!! That’s a little?

Yes LB. Next week,
I lied. I didn’t have any student loans.

That’s cool.
He was probably telling the truth. I didn’t know or care what he’d have to do to get me the cash.

He texted back,
See you tonight.

I didn’t respond. It was best to let him send the last text. I might have to strap-on for him tonight. But that was only if he had my money in his hand. Men lied to get laid more than women.

Chanel texted,
I stopped by the office and paid your rent plus the late fee. Come see me at the club tonight.

Class would allow me to ditch LB for the rest of the day if I wanted to. I didn’t get a response from LB. Didn’t matter. It was his money until he’d give it me.

Heading out, I decided to check if Spencer was home. I knocked on his door. No answer. I knocked again.

He opened the door. His body was wet. A black towel was wrapped around his waist. OMG! He looked delicious.

“Hey, Alexis. What’s up?”

“Just dropped by to make sure you’re okay. Mind if I come in?”

He smiled. “Yes. I do. I’m headed to your mom’s,” he said.

“Me too,” I said with a sexy smile.

“Then I will see you there.” He closed the door in my face.

Thinking he was playing, I waited . . . and waited. Why was this bitch acting brand new? I was not knocking again.

I left.

CHAPTER 45

Blake

 

 

 

I
refused to chase another man. I’d rather be alone.

Seemed as though Spencer wanted out and a call from whoever that was gave him a reason. It took a lot of willpower not to call or text him but I made it through the night, this morning, and this afternoon. I hadn’t gone upstairs. That was one thing I appreciated Spencer doing for me when I needed something.

His leaving had an upside. Last night I’d spoken with each of my daughters and I’d told my girlfriend Echo everything that had happened starting with Fortune’s death.

Standing in my doorway, I watched Echo park her car in my driveway. She would’ve come when I called but she was in New York. She hurried up the stairs.

“Blake, you should’ve called me sooner,” Echo said, hugging me. “I came straight from the airport.”

I wrapped my arms around her. We rocked side to side. “Things worked out the way they were supposed to. I’m glad Fortune is dead.”

“You don’t mean that,” she said, letting go.

Yes, I did. I was relieved. His dying wasn’t my fault. His being gone was like a burden lifted from my life. All the tears I’d shed for him while he was here had drained me. Not one teardrop fell from my eyes for that man since the day he’d died and it would stay that way until the day I died.

I told Echo, “Honestly, I do.”

She looked at the pictures on the mantel. “Oh, my gosh it’s been so long since I’ve been here.” Echo picked up the photo of us together at a Falcons versus Saints game. We had lots of fun that day. We always had a good time wherever we went.

“This was five years ago but I remember it well. We got our ass
whupped,
” Echo said, then laughed. “Have you been to any games since this one?”

Admiring my girl, she was still inside-out beautiful. Her round face blended her cheeks with her chin. Her nose was flat, wide, with no bridge. Her marbled-shaped chocolate eyes beamed with energy. She hadn’t gained a pound. Still had that perfect size fourteen. Small waist. Gigantic booty. Itty-bitty titties.

“I went to a few with Fortune. The ones I’d bought tickets to.” Disgust rose in my voice. That man was dust and the thought of his selfish ways still angered me.

Echo placed the frame back in the lineup. “Let it go, Blake. Don’t let hatred eat away your soul.”

She was right. “I like your purse. What designer is that?” I asked.

She handed the tan bag to me. “Long as it looks good you know I have no idea. You tell me.”

I placed it on the table behind the sofa. “It doesn’t matter.”

Her maxi sundress dragged on the beige carpet. Her B-cup boobs sagged a little. Were those her areolas I could see? Shaking my head I couldn’t miss the red panties. Maybe her breasts appeared small because her ass was so big.

She was the one friend that I had who was optimistic ninety percent of the time. She wished people well when they spoke ill of her. Uplifted her man in positive praise through their toughest times even after he’d cheated on her.

If Echo couldn’t help a person become better, she didn’t stand by to watch them fail. Guess that was why she’d stopped hanging out with me. I missed being in her presence.

“Not that I need to say it but make yourself at home. Let me get some champagne. I chilled it just for us,” I said, heading into the kitchen.

“When do you go back to work again?” she shouted from the living room.

“Not soon enough! In six days! I’d go back today if I didn’t have to list this property and purchase another one.”

“Shut up! You’re selling your house! Are you staying in this area? You should buy the house next door to us.”

We’d been friends for thirty-five years. Part of the reason I hadn’t reached out to her until now was it was hard for me to be happy seeing her in a healthy relationship knowing mine was screwed up. Her friendship always remained in my heart even when she wasn’t in my life.

“I’m tired of the commute. I’m going to buy in Buckhead.” That was one reason. The other was I’d be in the center of the social environment where I’d met Spencer. Hell, if he was that attracted to me and he was the bartender, I could sit at the bar and meet all types of men.

“Don’t sleep on Smyrna, it’s safe. Buckhead has too much crime for me.”

“Buckhead isn’t that bad. You’re talking about all of Fulton County,” I said.

Echo replied, “Okay. You’re going to have to keep all of your guns loaded and one in your purse.”

Echo was friendly but she would shoot back if necessary. The gun collection she and her husband owned was impressive. All this talk about firearms reminded me I was overdue for a few rounds at the range.

I placed the open bottle in the ice bucket, carried the two flutes, handed her one. “Mercedes is coming by with the Realtor later so I can sign the listing agreement. Knowing my daughter she’s probably already found me something.”

Echo’s being here made me regret that I’d sacrificed my relationship with my best friend for a man. A man who was never a friend to me.

“Not calling you for years won’t happen again,” I told her, squeezing her hand.

That was the truth. She gripped my fingers. “You my girl, Blake. Sometimes we have to figure things out, our way, you know. In our own time. Your relationship with your man wasn’t about me. Neither my number nor my address changed. You knew where and how to contact me.”

It took us two hours, plus one and a half bottles of champagne, to catch up.

“You’re so assured of yourself. How do you stay happy in your marriage and grounded in your personal life?” I asked, sipping on a mimosa.

Echo grabbed my hand, sat my drink on the coffee table. She escorted me to the full-length mirror on my wall. “Take off your clothes,” she said.

Glancing around as though someone could see us, I frowned and smiled at the same time. “You can’t be serious.”

She lifted my dress, pulled my panties down to my ankles. Slipped my dress over my head, flung it to the couch, then unfastened my bra. I didn’t resist. Echo wasn’t bisexual.

Standing before her naked nervously I laughed. She didn’t.

Echo removed her clothes. “Look at us, Blake. We are fifty and sexy as hell.”

“Oh my goodness. I missed your fiftieth!” I wanted to give her a hug but opted to wait until my clothes were back on.

Echo shook her head. “This isn’t about me. You’ve got to give praise to the Lord. I thank Him every day for my healthy beautiful body. It’s not what it was five years ago and it won’t be what it is now in five years but I still look good.” She twirled, then continued, “These titties hang a snatch but so what. This juicy phat ass has dimples but I don’t care and neither does my husband.” She slapped herself on the butt, then smacked mine. “Don’t wait until you’re on your way out to appreciate what you have.”

Echo’s comment reminded me I needed to call Brandon. Lunch with him before returning to work was a must. It dawned on me we didn’t meet up for drinks after my makeover. He had no idea all I’d endured and he was probably distracted by some new guy.

“You’re right,” I said, admiring my smile. My teeth were even; my mouth was attractive enough to please a much younger man. My neck, nipples, breasts, stomach, curvy hips, and thighs were caressed by Spencer.

Echo and I put on our clothes, then we sat on the sofa. I picked up my mimosa.

“Honey, I had a twenty-seven-year-old in my house for a whole week after my fiftieth birthday. He just left yesterday.”

Echo smiled. “So the truth comes out, bitch. That’s why your ass didn’t call me when Fortune died. Before I forget, I need to borrow one of your handbags. You’re probably still not using most of them anyway.”

I pointed to the bedroom in the back. “Help yourself. There’s more upstairs. I’m going to refresh our drinks.” I was so happy she’d come to visit.

I chuckled. None of us gave a damn that Fortune was dead. Returning to the living room, I reclaimed my seat.

“This one okay?” Echo asked, knowing I didn’t care. I also knew I’d never see that purse again. She never returned the items she so-called borrowed. I’d used that purse for church this past Sunday. After what I’d discovered about the bishop, I hadn’t planned on using that bag or wearing the clothes I had on again. I didn’t want anything to remind me of what the bishop had done to Spencer when Spencer was a boy.

Echo opened the purse. “Oh, here,” she said, handing me an envelope.

“I’d forgotten she’d given me this.” There was nothing written on the outside. I opened the envelope and unfolded a letter. My mouth hung open.

“She, who?” Echo took the letter and check from me. Her jaw dropped. She read, “Dear Blake, This is a thank-you offering for your taking care of my trifling husband. I knew you wouldn’t take it if I’d handed it to you so I asked a member to give you the envelope. You did me the biggest favor one woman could do for another. I know how much of an asshole my husband was but he’d never hit me. Sorry for that. No woman deserves to be abused. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have enjoyed the last five years with my cub (lol). We married the day after Fortune died. Enough about me. Here’s a little something for your troubles, sweetheart. You’ve earned it.”

I was speechless.

Echo said, “Now this is what I call high class but let me rewind. He did what to you?”

I nodded. “He beat me because I’d put his ass out. He came back and—”

Echo held up her hand. “Wait, how did his wife find out?”

“I imagine she ordered the police report.”

“You should’ve told me, Blake. I’m your friend.”

I wanted to cry. I stared away from Echo.

Echo gave me a hug. “It’s okay. We can talk about it when you’re ready.”

I told her, “Not that I need it but I never expected a cashier’s check for a hundred thousand dollars. Girlfriend, I’m taking you on a vacation. Anywhere you want to go. I’m serious. Now back to Spencer. He made love to me yesterday. The kind that made me cry, then he left.”

Echo smiled. “Girlfriend, he gave you that I’ma-put-it-down, you-gon’-fall-in-love dick. You probably just hadn’t had any good dick in five years. Those tears were pent-up pussy juice flowing from your eyes.”

Echo could always make me laugh and smile. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Blake.”

“You think I’m being foolish.”

My friend shook her head slowly. “Your problem is you don’t believe you deserve him. If you have feelings for Spencer, let him know. If he’s feeling the same, great. If not, thank him for the dick and ask if you can have some mo’.”

I had to laugh, then sip my drink. I knew Spencer had sworn me to secrecy but Echo was my best friend.

Echo’s cell chimed as though she’d tapped her glass twice with the handle of a spoon. I waited as her gaze scrolled across her screen. Standing, she said, “Blake, I hate to cut our girlfriend time short, but I have to leave. I’ll call you later.”

Maybe the interruption was a sign that I wasn’t supposed to tell her about Spencer. I escorted her to the door, put my hand on the knob, cracked the door. But I valued her opinion and there wasn’t anyone else I’d tell.

“This will only take a moment. Let me ask you something.”

Echo stared into my eyes. She remained silent.

“What would you do if you found out our bishop molested your man when your man was a child? Would you still go to our church?”

Her lips parted. She paused, then said, “God is my every—” Her jaw dropped, she frowned. Blurting, “Shut the hell up! Your guy told you that
our
bishop molested him!”

I nodded.

“Girl, to be continued. I wish I didn’t have to leave but I’ve got to go. I’ll call you soon as I get in my car.”

When I opened the door, I thought I’d die.

Echo glanced at me through the corners of her eyes, then quietly excused herself.

Spencer stared at me with tears that didn’t fall from his eyes. His lips, those lips that generally curved into a closed smile, pressed tightly together. He dropped a dozen red roses and a Saks Fifth Avenue gift bag at my feet.

Tears filled my eyes. His cologne greeted my nostrils. His face was freshly shaved. His locks were gone. Oh, my, God. Had he cut them for me? His red button-up was nice, crisp. I was dying inside. The lump in my throat didn’t make me speechless. The one thing he’d asked me not to do, I’d . . . I’d . . .

Shaking his head, he walked down the steps as Alexis got out of her car.

“What’s up, Domino,” Alexis said. “By the way, love the new look.”

She had on a short, sexy, black lace halter dress that draped her hips. She opened her arms to him for a hug. What if . . . What if he had sex with Alexis?

He opened his arms, wrapped them around my daughter’s waist, looked over his shoulder at me. His hands cupped Alexis’s butt, underneath her dress. Sliding his hands up her ass, I saw her gold thong. She didn’t protest.

Loud enough for me to hear, he told my child, “Hit me up later if you want to come by.”

I know I wasn’t right. But what he’d told her was wrong.