Hot Girlz: Hot Boyz Sequel (14 page)

“You can call me Venus.”

Mary kind of bowed. “Venus, nice to
meet you, and your pretty little girl.” She looked at Skyy and touched her leg.
“Hi there.”

Skyy gave a brief wave.

Venus asked, “Didn’t you work at the
Ladera office?”

“Yes, I did. I haven’t been with the
company long. I moved here to Orange County a few weeks ago. My parents live in
Irvine and my son and I are staying with them. He goes to Valencia Elementary
and I understand Skyy will be going there, too.”

Venus said with caution. “Yes.”

“I separated recently. Claude was kind
enough to let me transfer, and that’ll allow me to work more hours since my mom
and dad are helping out now.”

Venus filed away every word Mary
spoke. “Oh, I’m sorry about the separation. But, like you said, it’s good that
you have help now. That means a lot.” She saw Claude approaching. “Nice to meet
you.”

“You, too.”

Venus turned away quickly, eager to be
face-to-face with her husband.

Tina still stood there, next to Mary.

Claude was loud. “Hey, there she is.
Hey, baby.” He kissed Venus on the lips. He wore brown from head to toe.

“Hi.”

“Hello, Skyy. Here, let me have her.
She’s been sleeping?” He reached out for Skyy.

“Yes,” Venus said as she handed Skyy
off to Claude. She switched her hobo bag from her left shoulder to her right,
then folded her arms, just watching.

“Hi, Daddy,” Skyy said, hugging him
and kissing him on the cheek.

“Here, she can stand up,” he said,
putting her down. “She’s a big girl. I’ve got some people I want you to meet.
You know Tina.”

Tina said, “Yes. She’s gonna be tall,
Claude.”

“Like her dad.” He then asked Skyy,
“And did you meet Mary?”

Mary said, “Yes, she’s adorable.”

Claude asked Mary, “Where’s little
Billy? You could’ve brought him.”

She smiled, showing a slight dimple.
“I know you said it was family time, but my parents are watching him. And
besides, I’ve got a lot of work to do tonight. Actually, I need to make a quick
call.” She looked at Venus and Tina. “Will you excuse me please?”

Tina said, “Sure.”

Claude added, “Just know you need to
shut that off in a minute. This is a night of celebration with family and
friends.”

“Got it,” she said, walking away.

Claude took Skyy by the hand and
headed off as he spotted his top realtor. “Come with my Skyy. Hey Jamal, have
you met my daughter?”

Venus didn’t watch Claude and Skyy
walk away, but she did watch Mary walk away with her fit body and strong legs.

Tina asked, “So, can I get you
anything? We’ve got appetizers and champagne. Or juice, water, whatever you’d
like.”

“A glass of champagne would be great,
thanks.” Venus looked at Tina, forcing a smile.

“No problem. And we’ll have lasagna
soon. I’ll be right back.”

Mercedes turned toward the window and
looked outside. She thought and thought.

After a minute or so, Claude said from
behind her. “Hey, baby. You look nice.” He placed his hand on her back.

Venus turned around. “Where’s Skyy?”

“She’s sitting on Mary’s lap in her
cubicle. Mary’s got some pictures of her son, Billy. Skyy’s looking at them on
the computer.”

Venus asked fast, a notch above a
whisper, “Really, Claude? Is that the Mary you told me about while we were in
the shower the other night?”

“Oh, yeah.” He chuckled. “I was just
playing.”

“You were just playing that she and
her husband are swingers. Isn’t that what you said?”

He spoke from the side of his mouth.
“Venus. Not now.”

“Why not now?” Her tone got louder.
“I’m in my husband’s office with the woman who he brought up while we had sex
the other night. If she weren’t here, I wouldn’t have brought it up. But since
she is here with my daughter sitting on her lap, I think this is the perfect
time.”

He stepped aside and took her by the
arm. “Listen. She and her husband did do that. Like I said, she told that to a
few people in the office one night when Tina read an article about all of the
swingers in L.A. We all said we had no idea. And when Tina mentioned a place in
Ladera, some house on Springpark where people go, we were all shocked. Everyone
but her.”

“I see. So when you said she and her
husband, this was what, before they broke up?”

“I don’t know.”

“What don’t you know? She’s now
footloose and fancy-free and just happens to be living in Orange County. I
thought we were moving away from drama and leaving the shit behind. Looks like
you ran right to it. Don’t let me find out our move was on purpose for that
short bitch.”

“You need to keep it down. That’s the
last time I’m gonna say that.” He turned his back to the office. “She’s not in
my life. Not in my personal life. She’s an employee.”

Venus aimed her fingertip right at his
nose. “She’s an employee who you brought up while we were having sex, Claude.
Don’t make me go off up in here.”

“You wouldn’t do that tonight.” He
looked back to see if anyone noticed them and he took her by the arm to guide
her outside but she pulled away. He shook his head and said, “Not tonight of
all nights.”

“Try me.”

“Venus, what’s up with you? This isn’t
even like you. You’re not one who has a problem with things like this. You’re
not the insecure type. That woman’s got nothing on you.”

“What she’s got is your attention. So
much so that you couldn’t even leave her name at the office. You brought her
home and that’s what pisses me the hell off. You just don’t get it, do you?”

“I was just trying to spice things
up.”

“No you weren’t. It was you making a
point because you found the letter Owen wrote. That’s the bottom line. You and
your usual passive-aggressive games. Instead of coming to me and asking about
the letter you read, you made me sweat like you did and dropped hints like that
while your dick was inside of me.” She looked around, too, checking to see who
overheard. “I knew you had the letter.”

“Then you should’ve asked me about it
yourself. Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on either.”

“Whatever. But this isn’t really about
Owen. There’s an elephant in the room that I think got in the way before the
letter was ever sent. That elephant is sitting over there in a red dress. And
whether we live in Ladera or Laguna, I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon.”
She clutched her chest as Claude stared at her. Her heart begged for air. She
spoke again. “What you need to do is go and get my daughter from that swinging
ass elephant, before I embarrass you like you can’t even begin to imagine.”
Venus noticed Mary approaching. Skyy was holding her hand. A fire in Venus’s
belly hissed.

Mary said, “Here he is, Skyy.” She
looked in his direction. “Claude, she was asking about her daddy.”

Skyy looked up at her dad. “Daddy, can
we go to her house so I can see Billy, please?”

Venus spoke forcefully. “No, we can’t.
Tonight we’re celebrating at your dad’s new office. Come here.” She took Skyy’s
hand away from Mary’s and said to Claude, “On second thought, we’re going home
so she can eat and get some rest. She’s got a big week coming up and I’ve still
got some things to do at the new house.” She picked her up.

Claude told Venus while looking at
Skyy, “She’s wide awake now. I can bring her home.”

“Nope, I’ve got her.” Venus turned to
walk to the door.

Mary walked away, almost tiptoeing.

Claude stood still.

And then suddenly, Cameron walked in.
“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi,” Venus said, blandly.

Skyy said melodically, “Brother!” She
immediately reached for him.

He leaned in to kiss her, taking her
from Venus. “Hi, Sister.” He grinned big and looked at Claude. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hey, Son.” Claude looked excited to
see Cameron but sounded just as lackluster as Venus.

A woman was with Cameron.

Venus spoke first. “Hi, I’m Cam’s
mother.”

Cameron gave a look like he totally
forgot. “Oh, sorry. Dad. Mom. This is Penny. Penny Heinz.”

“Hello,” Claude said. He seemed to
have a glimmer of energy. “Heinz, as in
the
Heinz?”

Penny gave a giggle. “Yes. And hello
to you both. And you too,” she said to Skyy.

Skyy smiled.

Penny continued. “Nice to meet you,
Claude. Your son told me about your grand opening and that he was coming by. I
asked if I could come with him. I hope you don’t mind.” She had ashen skin, jet
black shoulder length hair and a major bust. Her tight, hot pink button-up
sweater contrasted her tight white jeans.

Venus asked, totally avoiding eye
contact with Claude, “Are you the neighbor my son helped move some things from
the garage?”

“Yes, I am.” She said to Claude,
“Actually, I came because I’m looking for some property in San Diego. And I
have a house in El Toro I’m looking to sell, too. So, this is perfect timing.”

Claude said, “Okay. I’m sure we can
help. Let me introduce you around.” And with that Claude walked away with
Penny, leaving Venus and Cameron and Skyy behind.

Venus still didn’t look at him. “You
have fun, Cam. I’ll see you at home.” She reached for Skyy.

Cameron handed his sister back to
Venus. “You leaving already?”

“We are.”

Skyy asked, “Mommy, can I stay with my
brother?”

“No. Now stop, Skyy.” she replied as
if in no mood.

“What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you
staying?”

“Well, to tell you the truth if I
wasn’t so pissed off I would stay just so I could keep an eye on that one over
there in the red dress named Mary whose got her sights on your father. And
also, I’d stay because that one you just walked in with I guarantee you has her
sights set on you. I can’t believe you brought her over here.” She frowned.

“Mom, she’s a neighbor. And if she’s
looking to buy or sell that’s a sale for Dad.”

“Money, we’ve got. One less sale won’t
break us. But I’m telling you, Cam, don’t you hook up with her.”

“Mom, please.” He looked as if he
wouldn’t dare.

“That’s all I’m gonna say. I’m taking
Skyy home.”

Just as Venus took one step toward the
door, Tina walked up holding a glass of champagne. “Here you go, Mrs. Wilson.
You’re leaving already?”

“I am, but I’ll see you later. Thanks,
Tina. Maybe my son wants it.”

Cameron took the glass. “Thanks.”

“Sure,” Tina replied.

“Tina, you know Cameron,” Venus said.

“Yes. Hello.” Tina’s smile and stare
lingered.

“Hi.” Cameron’s didn’t.

“Well, we’ll see you later. Drive
safely.” Tina walked away but turned to specifically say, “Bye, Cameron.”

“Bye.” Cameron did not look back.

“That’s the kind of girl you need to
be with. A nice girl, your own flippin’ age, with a job.”

All Cameron could say was, “Mom, you
know you’re gonna hear about this later from Dad.”

“I don’t care.” They both walked out
the door.

“You need to be in here supporting
him.”

“Goodbye, Cam.”

“Goodbye. Bye, Skyy.” Cameron stepped
back as the valet opened Venus’s front and back door.

Skyy waved as Venus put her in the
backseat.

Cameron went back inside, sipping his
champagne.

Venus got in and started up the car as
the valet closed her door.

She looked toward the front door and
saw Claude standing there looking at her. Alone. His face was upset.

She sped off.

Her face was his twin.

15

Sequoia

“. . . please don’t go telling Mercedes . . .”

Some call it the hottest catch action
spot in Ladera. It’s Starbucks in the Ladera Heights Shopping Center, bordering
L.A. and Inglewood, where people spend hours playing chess, smoking cigars,
chatting, writing, and plain old chilling, enjoying the lovely scenery.

Once a car pulls up, the patrons have
already spotted the driver and all of its passengers, braced and ready to
witness their stride inside, ready to score them as though voting on a reality
show.

Some of the customers really do come
in for coffee, but the ambiance and feel of the place make it an undeniable hot
spot. It is, by its own right, a character. A person, place, and thing.