Scarlett (18 page)

As time passed, the unsavory thoughts about Gwen passed. Scarlett felt relaxed and calm. Nothing could ruin her peaceful mood now. Her phone began to ring. She looked down at it. It was Sheila calling. She wasn’t in the mood for Sheila’s shit, but decided to answer the phone anyway.

“What’s up, Sheila?”

“Hey, my bestie,” Sheila responded in a saddened tone. Scarlett just shook her head and took another swallow of cognac. “You wouldn’t believe what just happened to me.”

“What happened, girl?” Scarlett could really give a rat’s ass what Sheila’s problem was, but since she was on the phone with her, then she may as well hear her out.

“Some female called my phone asking if Jay and I were talking.”

“What do you mean? Like fucking?”

“Well yeah, since you put it that way.” Sheila confessed.

“What did you say?”

“I told the bitch that it wasn’t none of her business.”

Scarlett grinned because she knew that Sheila was scary as hell. “And what did she say?”

“She told me to leave her man alone.” Sheila paused. “Can you believe that shit?”

“Not really, but you never know.”

“Girl, I know good and well that bitch was lying.” Sheila said as if she was trying to convince her own self.

Scarlett frowned. “What makes you think that?”

“Because I called Jay right after, and he explained that he left his phone on the table at the club and some chick who was friend of his ex’s had went through it and must’ve gotten my number out of it.”

“Now why would a grown ass woman do something like that?” Scarlett asked, not believing a word of it. She took another swallow.

“I guess she was doing her home girl’s dirty work.”

“Sheila, are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious. It wouldn’t surprise me if his ex-girlfriend told her home girl to do that, shit once she got my number out of his phone or hell it could’ve been his ex-girlfriend that called me after her home girl passed on my number to her.”

“Nah, I really don’t know much about that. Teenagers might play games like that, but that usually doesn’t happen with women, unless it was a chick that he is really fucking with.”

Sheila sighed. Scarlett knew that Sheila was a fool for a man. Mike had tricked and cheated on her a million times, and she still believed anything he told her.

“I believe him, Scarlett,” she said, sounding unsure of herself.

“I’m sure you do.” Scarlett responded.

She looked dumbfounded. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, Sheila, just calm your nerves. I’m sure Jay is on his way over there.”

“Yeah, he is. He felt bad because that bitch called me playing.”

“I’m sure he did, but we’ll talk about that later, because I’m ’bout to lie down.”

“Okay, bestie. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yeah,” Scarlett responded and ended the call.

That was good for Sheila, and deep down, Scarlett was glad that somebody had called Sheila’s phone. She knew Jay was fucking around anyway, so it didn’t surprise her one bit. She took another swallow of her drink.

“Men… can’t live with them, and you damn sho’ can’t live without them muthafuckers.” she chuckled. As soon as she relaxed, her phone rang again. She sighed when she saw who it was.

“What, Jay?” she answered, sounding annoyed.

“Hey Scarlett, can I stop by your house? I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” She questioned.

“Why are you acting so cold towards me? We used to be cool.”

“You said a mouth full. Used to be,” she said.

“Come on… I know you can’t be serious about that dude we saw you with, and I know you’re not still mad about me and Sheila, are you?”

“Nope and I’ve proved it by moving on.” She sarcastically snapped.

“What you mean? You already letting that nigga fuck you?” Scarlett didn’t answer. “Well if that’s true then I know he ain’t hittin’ that thang like I was hitting it.”

Scarlett chuckled.

“Oh, that’s funny?” he asked.

“Just a little bit, Jay. I gotta go.”

“So, I can’t come over?” Scarlett ended the call, because he should have known the answer to that before he attempted to call her.

“What the hell is going on tonight? Everybody just wants to fuck with me,” she said aloud, as knock was heard at her door.

“Yeah,” she responded watching Anton walk in.

“Sis, I’m ’bout to ride to this party with Tommy.” Tommy was one of Anton’s friends since they were little.

“Where is this party at?”

“It’s Breanne’s party. Remember Tommy’s first cousin?”

“Oh yeah, I remember lil cute Breanne who used to come over back in the day with Tommy.”

“Yeah, well she is having a birthday party. She turned eighteen today.”

“Tell Breanne I said happy birthday, and ya’ll be careful. Don’t get into any trouble while you’re out there.”

“I won’t,” he promised and walked over and kissed Scarlett on the cheek.

She was shocked. Anton was not an affectionate person at all, and especially not with her.

“Aww, Anton that made me feel so much better. You just don’t know.”

“Yes, I do, sis. I’ll call you later.” He exited the room and left the house.

Scarlett leaned back with a smile on her face. All the drama in the world was forgotten for a moment because of Anton’s show of warmth. She smiled and laid her head back. Her phone rang again.

“Uurrrgh, what now?” she sighed, looking at the caller ID. She smiled when the name flashed across the screen.

“Hey Adonis, what’s up?”

“Damn, sexy, I like the way you call my name. What are you doing?”

“Sitting here in the bed, bored,” she said, trying to sound pitiful.

“I can fix that, you know.”

She smiled. “Oh yeah? I thought you would have been out enjoying your birthday.”

“I’ve been home recuperating and waiting for you to call me.”

“I would have, but I didn’t want to disturb you, so I was waiting for you to call me.”

He shook his head and grinned. “I see we need to get on the same page. So, from now on, if you’re on my mind, then I’ma call you, and if I’m on your mind, then you better call me.”

Scarlett laughed. “Sounds good, and I’m with you.”

“Good, that’s all I wanted to hear.”

“I had a wonderful time at your house last night. It was sweet of you to let me stay the night, and even nicer of you to get up and bring me home this morning even though you had a hangover.”

“Yeah, I’m just that type of guy. Plus, I didn’t want you to miss you hair appointment. Did you make it on time?”

“Yeah, I made it on time, and afterwards I went and got my toes and nails done.”

“I can’t wait to see you. I know you’re looking good.” Scarlett blushed. “How did you sleep last night?”

“I slept like a princess in that queen sized plush bed. I woke up, and almost forgot where I was. I had to remember I was in your guest room.”

“I wish you would have slept next to me.”

Scarlett blushed. “You were too drunk to move after your head hit that pillow.”

“I know, but why didn’t you just get in the bed with me?”

“I didn’t want to disrespect your parents like that, so I just went in the room closest to yours just in case you needed me.”

“But, I did need you,” he teased.

“You’re just trying to be funny, Luke.”

“I really did. If I could have just put my arm around your waist, I would have slept so much better.”

Scarlett blushed. “You know how to make a girl feel good, don’t you?”

“I’m just very sincere about the things I say. Would you like to come back over to my house? I’d love to see you again tonight.”

Scarlett smiled, but knew she had drunk too much to be driving.

“I would love to come over, but I’ve been drinking and I don’t wanna drive like this.”

“Don’t worry ’bout it. I’ll come get you. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you going out of your way for me,” she commented.

Luke ignored her response. “Be ready by the time I get there.”

“Okay then,” she agreed, allowing him to be in control.

She ended the call with a big smile on her face. She really liked Luke, and was hoping that things would get a little more serious between them in due time.

Exactly twenty minutes later, Luke pulled up to Scarlett’s house. She walked out of the house in a black Coogi fitted cotton “t-shirt” mini dress. She had on a black small heel toeless sandal. She got inside the car and Luke smiled. He was taken aback by how beautiful Scarlett looked in something so simple and casual. He leaned over to hug her.

“Damn, you smell good, Red.”

“Thank you, Adonis. You’re not looking too bad yourself.” His trendy red and white striped Sean John t-shirt looked very nice on him. She could smell his Bleu de Chanel cologne and she loved it.

He smiled and backed out of the driveway. On a mix CD, Niq featuring Papa Reu’s “Symphony” played loudly through the speakers and Scarlett laid her head back to rest on the seat. She felt like she was in the safest place in the world sitting next to him. He was a gentleman, and treated her like no man had ever treated her. He didn’t mind taking her places, and had already introduced her to his parents. She was really feeling him, and could tell that he felt the same way about her.

__________

Anton and Tommy pulled up to Breanne’s house and parked. There were a lot of cars already parked in the driveway on the side of the curb. Anton smiled because he was happy to get out of the house and shake the drama that happened earlier between Gwen and Scarlett.

He got out of the car along with Tommy and they walked in the house. The lights were somewhat dim and the music was blaring loudly. Anton knew a few people there from his old neighborhood and from school. He spoke to them and watched Tommy head his own way to mingle.

Anton walked over to the long table lined with appetizers and went straight to the fruit bowl to fix a drink. As soon as he turned it up, he could taste that it was spiked with tequila. He quickly drank it and fixed himself another cup full of the tasty punch.

While standing by the wall, watching the crowd dance and blend with each other, Breanne walked over and stood in front of him.

“Hey Ant,” she said.

“Hey Breanne, what’s up?” He could tell that she was already tipsy and feeling good.

“Nothing much… I’m glad you came to my party.” She gently hugged him. “I told Tommy to make sure to bring you because I hadn’t seen you in a while.”

“Yeah, it’s been almost two years, I believe,” he said taking in a deep breath of her Pure Seduction body oil.

“You’re right,” she agreed standing there in a short ruffled white mini skirt and a tight fitted red designer tank top with the words
HOT LIKE FIRE
embroidered in diamonds on the front of it. She was really cute, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her big diamond hoop earrings dangling, and her golden brown skin color looking as smooth as silk. Her lips were shining and her eyes were putting Anton in a trance. She wore red stilettos that gave her a little height, and he was enjoying the view from where he was standing.

“Damn, you’re looking good,” he said.

“Thanks Ant… You’re looking very good yourself.” She peeped his laid-back demeanor. He had on a brown fitted Atlanta logo cap with a white and brown Akoo T-shirt and a plain white T-Shirt underneath it. He had on the baggy tan Akoo shorts and a fresh pair of white Air Force Ones.

“So how have things been going for you?” Anton asked.

“It’s been going great. Shit, I can’t complain.”

Anton smiled. He couldn’t believe how much Breanne had grown up, and the way she talked and looked at him was turning him on.

“I see you’re doing good for yourself. Tommy told me you were going to Spelman in the fall.”

“Yeah, I’ma be doing a lil sum- sum,” she bragged. “My parents really want me to go to college, and I want to live my life with no regrets, so I figured I would do the right thing and see how that turns out for me.”

Anton shook his head in agreement. “Sounds like a plan to me, then. I’m sure you’re gonna fit right in, and remember that nothing we do in life should be regretted.”

“You’re right about that,” she co-signed.

“Even if you think it’s something to regret, don’t… Just learn from it and keep moving forward,” he said.

“I totally agree,” Miley responded. She’d been eavesdropping as she passed by them and wanted to stop and say something anyway. Anton shook his head. He knew that Miley hated him for treating her the way he did when Samantha showed up to his house.

“Hey Miley,” Breanne spoke. “I’m happy you came.”

“Yeah, me too,” she said, still looking in Anton’s direction with an evil eye. “Oh, I’m sorry Breanne, happy birthday.”

Breanne quickly picked up on the tension in the air between Miley and Anton.

She cleared her throat. “Well, let me finish mingling. Y’all drink up and eat whatever you want. Ant, I’ll talk to you before you leave.”

“Make sure you do,” Anton responded as Breanne walked off.

Miley crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at him. “What does that mean? Make sure you do,” she mocked him.

“Girl, stop. Breanne and I go way back. Why you tripping, anyway?” he asked, leaning against the wall with his red solo cup in his hand.

“I’m not tripping. You’re the one who is tripping,” she said.

“This is not the place, Miley. If I would have known that you were gonna be here tryna start up some shit, then I would’ve kept my black ass home.” he said, turning up his punch.

“Look at you. You don’t even care that you hurt my feelings.”

Anton looked at her. She did look somewhat saddened by him leaving her hanging like that. “I’ve wanted to call you so bad, but I figured you would call and at least apologize for what had gone down. Hell, you couldn’t even do that.”

Anton thought about it and felt somewhat bad. “Look Miley, I’m sorry for what happened that day. I don’t want no beef with you, and I hope that you can get over it someday.”

Miley hesitated. She really did like him, but she didn’t want to seem like she was desperate for him to be a part of her life. “You know what, Ant? That’s all I ever wanted was an apology. I know that we weren’t in a relationship, but I liked you a lot. I’m just sorry things went down the way they did that day. If Samantha makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.” She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.