7
Lena walked into the beautiful hotel. A group of businessmen's attention quickly turned to her, her tall black, Manolo Blahnik stilettos clicking against the floor.
Lena decided to keep it chic and sexy. She wanted to give Denise a true wow factor.
The businessmen followed Lena with their eyes. Her short, black jersey halter dress caused the men to stand at attention. She pulled her beautiful long black hair down, letting her natural curls flow.
Lena noticed the front desk agent salivating at the sight of her. She smiled. It was perfect; she should be able to get whatever she wanted out of the young, white male.
“Well ... welcome to the Embassy Suites. My name is Phillip. How can I be of assistance to you?”
Lena placed both of her arms on the counter, causing just enough of a gap in her dress so that Phillip could get a better view of her cleavage. “Hi, Phillip, my friend Denise Chambers asked me to meet her at her room, and I can't, for the life of me, remember her room number.”
Phillip pulled himself away from looking at her smooth skin. “Uh, yes, um, let me look that up for you.”
“Oh, thank you so very much. You are a life-saver, she would kill me if she knew I forgot it.” Lena flashed her pearly whites. Phillip was putty in her hands. In seconds she had Denise's room number. It was show time.
***
Denise knew liquor was not her friend. Instead of feeling better the vodka made her feel worse. The taste was horrible. The orange juice didn't help the burning of the cheap vodka going down her throat. Denise didn't care; she suffered, waiting on the effects to kick in. Soon she found herself sitting on the edge of the plush bed crying like a little baby. All the years of blood and sweat she'd given to her craft were coming out in her tears.
Mema's face circled in her mind. She thought about how much she missed her grandmother and how disappointed she would have been about her last years in college. Denise's unhealthy relationship with Lena was the cause of it all. She knew karma was kicking her in her ass for messing with Lena, and Rhonda. She had broken her own rules, no women until after college. Everything that had happened Denise brought on herself.
Denise thought about her mother Tammy. She felt more like her mother than ever in life. Her mother had a drug habit that made her incapable of making responsible decisions. Tammy's drug was crack; Denise's drug was Lena Jamerson-Redding.
In the midst of her self-pity party she heard a faint knock at the door. Denise ignored it. There was another knock, this time a little louder. Denise stood up and stumbled, her head spinning.
Using her hand on the wall as a guide, she walked toward the door. She looked out the peep hole, but all she saw was black. Either she was hearing things, or someone was playing at her door.
There was another knock on the door. Denise flung the door open and froze. Lena stood face to face with Denise.
Lena looked into Denise's eyes. Her voice soft, and with affection, she said, “Hi, Denise.”
“Lena?” Denise inquired doubtfully, the vodka more powerful than she imagined. Now she was seeing things.
“Yeah, it's me.” Lena reached out to Denise and touched her arm.
Goose bumps covered Denise's arm.
“Can I come in?”
Dazed and confused, Denise opened the door. Lena walked in the room. Denise couldn't help but notice the sexy black dress and heels that Lena was rocking. She felt her body heating up just as the vodka had done earlier. She bit her tongue. A surge of pain came from her throbbing tongue. It wasn't a dream or the effects of the liquor. Lena was in her room.
“Lena, what are you doing here?”
Lena looked around the room. She turned back toward Denise. She had a whole speech prepared that left her mind at first sight of Denise.
Lena's voice trembled. “Well, you left Memphis, and it started with me not being able to say good-bye.” Lena sat on the edge of the bed.
“So you came to New York to say good-bye to me?” Denise slurred. She walked past Lena and sat down in her plush leather chair.
Lena was a little confused. She expected to be in Denise's arms by now, not explaining herself. “Well, no, I ... Denise, I was sitting at home staring at the wall. I kept thinking about you. Everything I did, everything I watched brought me right back to you. I realized something that I ... I honestly knew a long time ago, but I was too afraid to admit it. I'm ready, Denise. I want to give us a real chance.”
Denise's face was completely unreadable. Butterflies began to flutter in Lena's stomach. At this point in her fantasies, Denise grabs her and kisses her. But Denise sat in the chair, almost lifeless, her eyes fixed on Lena.
Denise stared at Lena. A piece of her wanted to take her in her arms and hold her, but something bigger was holding her back.
“What did Brandon say?”
The response caught Lena off guard. That was not the response she was expecting. She looked at Denise. Denise had not moved or blinked.
“Well, I actually just left. When I got to the airport, you were gone, so I just got on a plane.”
“So he doesn't know you are here?”
“Not exactly, butâ”
“Figures,” Denise muttered. She stood up, the face that was straight a minute before now covered with agitation. “You know what, Lena, you need to go.”
“Huh?” Lena's hands began to tremble. This definitely wasn't in her fantasy. “What do you mean?”
Denise snapped. “You know what? Everything is making sense to me now. Lena, you don't give a damn about me or Brandon. All you care about is yourself.” Denise glowered.
Lena's tremble turned to a rapid shaking in her hands. She wanted to think Denise was joking, but her facial expression said otherwise. “What are you saying? Dee, what is this?” Tears began to form in Lena's eyes.
“For two years you played me and Brandon. My dumb ass was so in love with you, I was willing to take you anyway I could get you. Hell, the only reason I dated Rhonda was to attempt to get over you! And what do you do, you run right back to him. You let me fuck you, then you go back to ya boy.”
“Denise, it's not like that, and you know it.”
“So now you want to be with me? For how long do I have you? A day? A week? Do I get to be your weekend lover then when you realize that I'm not the one again you go running back to ya millionaire ball player.”
The bass in Denise's voice frightened Lena. “Denise!” Lena stood up. “Why are you being so mean to me?” She glanced into the bathroom; she noticed the empty bottle of vodka.
Denise looked away from Lena. She wasn't as appealing as she was earlier.
Lena walked into the bathroom and grabbed the bottle. “What the fuck is this? So you're drinking now? Denise, what the hell is going on?”
Denise grabbed the bottle from Lena's hands. “Nothing you need to worry about. Look, I'm sorry you came out here, but you might as well go back to ya man 'cause this here, it isn't happening, not now or ever again.”
Denise and Lena stared each other down, but not backing down from their position. Lena's whole body was quivering, Denise was perfectly still like a stone statue.
Lena stared deep into Denise's eyes, looking for a glimmer of hope; all she saw was anger and resentment.
Lena didn't know what to do. She stood in her expensive dress, completely lost. She had only one more option, to completely beg.
“Denise, I know that I haven't been the best. I know I might have been selfish. But I also know that I'm here right now in your room asking you to just take me and love me like you said you would. Whatever I did, I'm sorry for it. I'm trying to make things right. I'm trying to show you that I'm all in this time. Don't do this. Please.” Lena's lips quivered.
Denise knew she was serious. She could tell Lena meant every word pouring from her mouth, the mouth she loved to kiss more than any in the past. Lena's beautiful face was covered in fear and pain. Her face was a little fatter than normal. It dawned on Denise.
“You're pregnant, Lena. You're having his child. You will never be completely mine. There's no getting around that.”
“I can, Denise.” Lena grabbed Denise's hand. “I know, but we can make a really great life here.”
“Life? What life? I don't have a life here ... or with you!” The word spewed like venom from her mouth.
Lena's face cracked into a million pieces. “So you really do want me to leave?” Lena responded, still unable to accept the truth.
Denise's shattered dreams were now joined by her shattered heart. Denise walked closer to Lena. Lena's perfume aroused every part of her body. Denise grazed her hands down Lena's arms.
They both got goose bumps, each longing for the other.
Denise studied Lena's eyes, now glistening from tears. Denise wiped the falling water from Lena's face.
“I can't do this anymore.”
Lena's body tensed up. She felt like she had been hit by a train.
Denise walked over to the door. She turned and looked at Lena, who hadn't even turned around. Denise wanted to cry, she wanted to hold Lena and make love to her for days, but she couldn't. She had put herself last for too long, she had her own problems to deal with, and Lena's drama would only hurt her already horrible situation.
Lena turned around. Her lip started to quiver at the sight of Denise standing at the door. Denise opened the door. Lena could feel herself breaking down.
Denise looked away, staring at the wall. She couldn't see Lena's face. If she saw her face, she would change her mind.
Lena lingered for another moment. She knew it was over. She broke down. The small tears were now waterfalls flowing down her face like Niagara Falls. She ran out the room, crying harder than she had ever cried in her life.
8
Cooley couldn't get comfortable. The thought of her enjoying the place that Sonic called her own was unsettling to her. She didn't sleep in the master bedroom; she opted for the guest room she slept in each time she visited Sonic. Her bad sleep caught up with her, causing her to oversleep. Sahara's loud knock on her door woke her up when her alarm clock failed to.
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Cooley smiled as she sat across from Sahara at Cheesecake Factory. She wouldn't go out to a club like Sahara wanted, but she couldn't resist the chance to eat Cheesecake Factory. The large menu didn't matter to Cooley; she was addicted to their Buffalo Blast. The chicken bites had just enough kick to them for her. Almost as good as her favorite wing spot back in Memphis. She made a mental note to find the best wings in Atlanta. She couldn't live without hot wings.
Sahara's hot body added even more spice to Cooley's taste buds. She was amazed by Sahara's transformation. Curiosity was getting the better of her. She wanted to know what Sahara was doing at Jam Zone, and did she have to fuck for her position, like many women in the company?
The idea of Sahara working in the strip club she found her in the year before didn't sit well with Cooley, and the idea of some exec having his way with her really made Cooley's blood boil. Sahara was sexy beyond words. She could have any woman or man that she wanted.
Cooley noticed the twinkle in Sahara's eyes every time they looked at each other. She wondered why Sahara hadn't brought up the scar across her face again since the other day in the car. Cooley never caught her staring at it; Sahara looked at her like she always had. She had to notice it. After all Cooley could see it in a mirror a mile away.
Dinner went over with success. Cooley pressed for the secret job of Sahara's, but she wouldn't budge. She also never mentioned Cooley's scar, how she got it, or the woman who came in between them. Cooley's eyes wandered to Sahara's plump breasts. She was by far more attractive than Misha, yet she couldn't see it when she was still devoted to Misha. Love was a son of a bitch.
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Cooley woke up bright and early for her first day at work. She didn't feel like the anxious intern, but this was more pressure. Overnight she had gone from student to executive, and she didn't want to make any mistakes.
Cooley had her first day outfit laid out and ironed to perfection. She started her normal routine of showering and primping to create her perfect look. Cooley didn't get the same joy out of getting ready like she used to. No matter how perfect her look was, she knew it wasn't.
She stared at her imperfection. She rubbed her ointment on her scar. The prickly feeling disgusted her.
She took the tip of her finger, pressing her finger nail against the scab. A twinge of pain shot through her, but she continued until a piece of the scab lifted. Cooley sighed, she slowly pulled a piece of the crusty scab off of her face. Most of it didn't hurt, it peeled off easily. She stared at the light-colored spot scar on her face. It wasn't as bad as before, but still was unsightly and didn't belong on her face.
Cooley sighed. She was able to deal with it better than before, but she knew plastic surgery was in her near future.
Cooley hated the weather in the South. The humid air was filled with moisture. She could smell the rain that was supposed to fall by afternoon. Cooley stared at the Jam Zone logo and took a deep breath. Her new life had officially started. She exhaled and opened the door.
“Good Morning, Ms. Wade,” the cute, young receptionist greeted her.
“Hey, Tina. You can call me Cooley or Cool or whatever you like.” Cooley smiled. A lot had changed. Last time she was in the office she was treated like any other intern. Now she was called by her last name. Suddenly Cooley didn't sound as good as it used to. She wondered, was it time for a new nickname, or even worse, time to start using her government name? “Tina, do you think I should go by another name?”
“Well, Big Ron calls you Cool, so why don't you just go by that?”
“Hmm, good point.”
Tina smiled. “Thank you, Ms. WâI mean Cool. Are you excited to be here?”
“Can you see it on my face?” Cooley looked at Tina.
Tina blushed. “No, you are fine. You look very ... cool. Would you like to know where you are supposed to be?”
“Oh shit, yes, I do.” Cooley felt her body tense up from her nervousness. “Man, I'm trippin'.”
“It's fine.” Tina pressed a combination of numbers on her phone. She stood up and walked around her glass desk. Tina pulled her gray blazer down and adjusted her twisted skirt. “Follow me.”
Cooley greeted other associates and artists as they walked down the long corridor. She felt herself calming down. She glanced at the large platinum plaque on the wall. Supa Sonic's first album cover dominated the majority of the plaque. Cooley's happiness was bittersweet. She made a mental note to try to get in touch with Sonic.
“So here we are. Welcome to your new office, Cooley.” Tina opened the door.
Cooley's face lit up with pride as she walked into the nice size office. It was bare, no gold or platinum plaques on the walls like the other A&R reps. The chocolate carpet was only joined by a large dark chestnut desk, a chair for her, and two extra chairs for company. Her bookshelf was empty, and there was no stereo or awards.
“Man, this is ... this is ...”
“Bare,” Tina joked.
“No, amazing.” Cooley looked at Tina, who was unimpressed by the office. “It might not be anything in here, but it has the most important thing of all.” Cooley walked over to her desk. She picked up the small nameplate. She looked at the CARLA “COOLEY” WADE written on the plate. “This is really all I need for now.”
Tina smiled. “Well, enjoy your nameplate and empty office. I need to get back to the front. Welcome, Cooley. Oh, and you have a meeting in an hour with Ron.”
Cooley sat down in her plush black chair. “Thanks, T.” Tina closed the door as she walked away. Cooley couldn't resist the urge. She put her hands on the desk and pushed herself, causing the chair to spin around real fast. “Hell yeah!” Cooley laughed.
A knock at the door ended her childish antics. Cooley grabbed the desk so her chair wouldn't move. She sat up straight. “Ummm ... come in.”
A petite, young woman walked into the office. Her locks, oversized jeans, Jordan's and black button-down gave away her sexual orientation immediately.
“Greetings, Ms. Wade. I'm Teyanna, but most people call me Tee.”
“How are you, Tee?”
“I'm, well, I'll be better when you decide to make me your assistant.” Tee held her head high, her thin locks hitting her on her shoulders.
Cooley leaned forward and put her arms on her desk. “Wow, that's straight to the point.”
Tee walked forward. She put a manila folder on the desk. “If you take a moment to view my resume, you will see that I have extensive experience in the field. As of recently I was the assistant for Supa Sonic and Danger Dane.”
“Sonic? You were with Sonic?” Cooley's eyes widened.
“Yes, I was with her for the last few months until ... well ,until recent events. I am a hard worker and I promiseâ”
“Hey, do you know where Sonic is?”
Tee's lower lip quivered. “Umm, well ...”
“Come on, Tee, I'm just trying to locate her. She's my friend, and I'm worried about her. Hey have a seat ok.” Cooley motioned toward the chair.
Tee hesitated but sat down. She pulled the chair closer to Cooley's desk and leaned in. “I'm not supposed to say anything, because ... well ... she's sorta banned from around here.”
“OK, just let me know. I promise I won't tell a soul.”
“Right now she's in New York. She's kicking it at an old girlfriend's house until the spot isn't so hot.”
“Really? Wait, why does she feel the need to hide? I mean, all I heard was that she was fired.”
Tee's lip curled. “Yeah, right! Ms. Wadeâ”
“Call me Cool.”
“Oh, OK. Well, Cool, it's a whole lot more than that. I know 'cause I was practically staying there for the last two months. Sonic went off the deep end for real. She got into heavier drugs. I was on O.D. watch.”
“Damn, are you serious?” Cooley's mouth dropped. She thought about the piles of cocaine and weed that was always present wherever she and Sonic would go. “So what was it? Pills? What?”
“Worse. Crack.”
“Hell naw! I don't believe that. Tell me you are bullshittin'.” Cooley's mouth dropped further.
Tee shook her head. “I wish I could say it, but I can't. Man, I saw the pipes myself. I tried to get her to get some help, but I'm just the assistant. She wouldn't listen to me.”
“No, no, no! I can't believe you are telling me this shit.” Cooley leaned back in her chair.
“I'm sorry.” Tee sank down in her chair.
“Damn!” Cooley ran her fingers through her curly hair. She sat back up. “Fuck that, I need to get in touch with her. I gotta help her out. You got a way to get in touch with her?”
“Yeah, I'll get it to you.” Tee stood up. “So, um, I know you might not want to talk about it, but I was wondering about the position.”
Cooley laughed at Tee's awkward look. “Sure, I'll give you a try out. I think you might just be a good fit for me.”
Tee smiled, showing almost all of her teeth. “Great!” She pulled out an iPhone. “In that case, Cool, you have to be in Big Ron's office in one hour and then you have your first artist planning meeting directly after.”
“Oh, so you just knew I was going to hire you, huh?”
Tee smiled. “Let's just say I wanted to be prepared. Now, is there anything I can get you?”
“Yeah, well, I need some stuff for this empty-ass office. Can you work on getting me things that go in an office? You know, kinda take the cue from the other people.”
“Done. You will have something by the end of your meetings today.” Tee turned around and walked toward the door. She turned back toward Cooley. “Oh, by the way, thank you for the opportunity. I won't let you down.”
“Dig that.”
Cooley sat back in her chair. She wanted to enjoy the moment, but she couldn't get Sonic off her mind.
She thought about her new life. Denise popped into her mind. “Oh shit,” Cooley said to herself. She hadn't checked in with her bestfriend and she was way overdue.
Cooley picked up her phone. It went straight to Denise's voice mail.
“Wuz up, bruh. I'm sitting here in my phat-ass office in ATL and I realized I hadn't talked to you yet. Bet you off becoming a supastar. Well, get at me. I might hit New York soon. One.”
Cooley hung the phone up. She looked down at her watch. Her meeting with Big Ron was quickly approaching. She sighed. It was time to work.