Dreams Do Come True (16 page)

Ebony parked her rental car three houses down from Shontell. She was reading her magazine and looked up when she heard voices. She glanced towards Shontell’s house and did a double take. What the hell?!! Jesse was coming out of Shontell’s door. What was he doing there? She almost got out her car and confronted them. But if she did, she would lose Jesse for good. What’s going on? Karma was a straight bitch, she thought. Should she have expected this? Was she losing Jesse? Had he spent the night there? There was a reasonable explanation, she told herself as she continued to try and make herself believe what she was saying.

Ebony could have had her pick of men, but yet she put up with the scraps that Jesse threw her because she broke her own cardinal rule. She fell in love with him. She knew that even though he didn’t say it, he loved her too. He had to. He couldn’t sex her body the way he did and not feel something for her. She reached over and grabbed a napkin and wiped her eyes and nose. Damn it. She hated it when she let him get her. She didn’t like feeling weak. Her phone buzzed and she rolled her eyes at the sound. She wouldn’t even pick the phone up.

Looking at her watch, she began to fidget. At this point, all she wanted to focus on was getting this over and done with. Shontell should just be finishing that meeting. Her flight was scheduled to leave at eleven.  Every time she looked at her house, she saw Jesse coming out of that door. They didn’t hug with passion, so maybe it was platonic. She shook her head because she was doing it again. She was excusing his behavior. She needed to divert her mind. She turned the radio up and began to hum the song absently. Ebony drummed her fingers on the wheel. She was too antsy. Ebony looked in front and in the back of her for activity. She was ready to do this and get it over with.  She got out of her car and put on her sunglasses. She headed to the house. Ebony quickly made a detour, because she needed to make sure no one was watching her. Most of the neighbors knew her and her car. That’s why she had on the glasses and the hood. She decided to walk the block and then come back around to the house. The morning’s brisk air made her walk faster.

  It took her about fifteen minutes to do the walk, and she was out of breath. She needed to get back in shape. She headed up Shontell’s driveway. As she took her keys out of her pocket, she felt her phone buzz again. She looked at the screen and sucked her teeth. She looked around, trying not to look suspicious as she inserted her key. The key wouldn’t turn. She took her key out and tried again. She shook her head in disbelief. Shontell had changed the locks! She thought back to the call she received from Shontell yesterday. She messed this up, and she didn’t know how to fix it. Damn it, now what was she going to do? She started to leave the porch, but instead she looked around. She didn’t know for sure what she was expecting to see. Could there be something of Jesse’s out there? She needed to think. Her heart was pounding so loud that she couldn’t even hear the birds chirping. She went to see if she had changed the extra key as well. Feeling for the key, she retrieved it. Trying the key in the side door, she was met with the same resistance. Ebony threw the key in her frustration, and then regretted it. She went to where she thought the key had landed, but she couldn’t find anything. She heard a woman’s voice close by and panicked, quickly forgetting about the key. She needed to get out of sight, and she cursed under her breath when she heard a woman’s voice call her name. How did she see her? Her luck couldn’t be this bad. She turned and looked at Shontell’s mother.

“Ebony, what are you doing here?” the older woman asked her, looking like she knew she was up to no good.

“Um…well…I was hoping to catch Shontell before she left.”

“Is that so? Then, why are you back there?” Ebony thought quickly as she didn’t know what to say to her.

“I forgot my key, and when she didn’t answer I was just going to put this paperwork on her counter,” she lied with so much ease that even she believed her own lie for a minute. She waved the papers and started walking in Ms. Lydia’s direction. She handed the generic documents to her, glad she had thought to bring them out the car.

“I guess since you are going in there you can take them.”

“Yes, I guess I can. Say hello to your mother for me, will you?

“Yes, ma’am,” she told her, waving as she high-tailed it back to her car. She knew that she was watching her. She waved to Lydia as she drove off, and the woman returned the wave but kept watching her. What was she going to tell Jesse? She couldn’t go back to him empty handed. He told her that he didn’t want to see her otherwise. She pulled over and laid her head on the steering wheel. She needed to get herself together. One thing was for sure—she wasn’t going to tell him anything until she boarded that ship. She wanted to distract him until they left in a few hours, and she knew exactly how to accomplish that. She thought of the new lace and leather body suit she had just purchased.

Jesse was still kicking himself for what he had done earlier. He didn’t remember how many drinks he had. He knew his antics had cost him more than any record deal. Shontell made it clear that she was done. He couldn’t blame her after he came over there drunk. He pulled out the only picture he had of her. It was one of them. It was their engagement portrait. He stared at the picture until he heard a knock on his room door. He stood up and felt dizzy. Bracing himself, he held on to the chair for a quick moment. It was very rare that he got that drunk. It seemed that everything that had happened in the last few days was slowly sneaking up on him. Maybe it was time for him to slow his life down. But could he? Especially with the resurrection of his career, he could make the changes that he needed. He had to face the fact that he might get all he wanted but Shontell. He wasn’t ready for that. He looked through the peephole and instantly got pissed. Ebony was one of the most incorrigible, but sexiest women he had ever come across.

“Ebony, you are going to get enough of ignoring me. And what are you doing here anyways?” Jesse didn’t care if she knew that he was irritated. He opened his hotel room door wider for her and walked back over to his bed. He flopped on it and grabbed the aspirin bottle from his bedside table. He swallowed two aspirins dry. His head was still hurting from his hangover, and he wasn’t in the mood for her right now. He literally groaned when he remembered that she was going on the cruise with him. He knew that was a huge mistake. Jesse could get out of it. But he knew that, in the end, it wouldn’t be in his favor. He needed to end this relationship with her. He watched her walk in and over to him. She was wearing a black trench coat.

“I thought we agreed not to see each other again until we boarded the ship, Ebony,” he reminded her in a low voice. She smirked at him, while she did what she wanted to. She kneeled in front of him and placed both of her hands on his knees opening them so her sleek body could fit comfortably. He didn’t want to look at her, but her aura made her impossible to resist.  

“I know you said that we should lay low, but I needed to see you. I won’t stay long. Besides, the lobby was empty,” she told him in a voice he wasn’t familiar with. It caught him off guard.

“What are you up to, Ebony?” he asked, as he observed her through slit eyes, while she pushed him back slightly. She hunched her shoulders and then licked her lips.

Jesse’s eyes roamed Ebony’s body as she stood and began to undo her buttons. She unfastened the coat belt. It fell to the floor, and he immediately got hard. The woman had a banging body. She always got mistaken for the singer Brandy, and she got a kick out of that. Jesse wished she had Brandy’s mentality. She wasn’t needy like Ebony was. He bit his lip, as she turned around and gave him a good view of her ass. 

He never should have taken this thing with her so far. He thought about what Shontell said to him on the porch. He had a feeling that it wasn’t going to turn out in a good way. He didn’t know why he was thinking of Shontell when Ebony was so willing to please him in ways that Shontell would never have agreed to. He couldn’t deny the sex was off the chain. Ebony did the things he had only seen in porno movies. The woman was skilled. Even with all that, she couldn’t hold a candle to his Shontell. He loved Shontell, and he realized he probably always would. He needed to make her see that he loved her too, no matter how many times she refused to give them another chance. He didn’t want to let go of Shontell. 

He felt that Shontell still cared for him. She showed that care last night. She didn’t let him stay out on the porch like she could have. He smiled at the thought.

Ebony leaned over him and kissed him…bringing him out of his thoughts …sucking his tongue hard. He loved it rough, and she knew it. He pushed his thoughts of Shontell out of his mind, but he knew he still had work to do when it came to her. He flinched when she bit his chest. She pulled him up and bit him on his nipple and stomach, as he watched her slide down his body and land on her knees. She reached up and unbuckled his belt, as she used her teeth to unzip his zipper. She took him into her mouth in one smooth motion. He groaned, as he held onto the back of her head. He felt his legs turn to jelly.

Nico’s night was long. He was with security, Martin and Tina until 4 a.m. He still didn’t understand Tina’s motives. Why would she have come to his room acting like that? He tried to watch Dennis’ reaction to her. He didn’t flinch. So either he was a good actor or he didn’t have anything to do with last night. That made him sigh with relief. He wanted to believe that he wouldn’t try the things he did with his brother. When he finally got to go to his room, it felt like all his energy was drained. He sent Shontell a quick text to let her know that he was back in the room. They took Tina down to the security office to let her sleep off whatever what was wrong with her. He was so glad Shontell’s flight didn’t get in until mid-afternoon. He somehow managed to get at least five hours of sleep.

Nico initially was going to have the car go and pick up Shontell and Sandy, but he couldn’t wait to see her. Nico had the driver arrive at the airport early, in case their flight came in early as well. Nico called his brother to pass the time.

“Hey Nate, are you guys on schedule?” he asked him as he waved to two women who were walking past and were staring at him.

“Yes, we are. We should get to Miami later tonight. You know mom is looking forward to seeing you. Are you sending the car?” his brother asked him.

“Yes, and I will see you guys for dinner, right?”

“You know it. Dad said he wants to go check out that new fishing place before we hit the boat.”

“I am sure he does,” he told his brother. Their father was a huge fish enthusiast. Nico wrapped up a few last-minute details with Nate and ended his call. He looked down at his watch, as he leaned on the car. The driver was now inside with a sign waiting for them. He would text him once he got the women and they were heading back to the car. He was so excited to see Shontell.

He needed her next to him after all the drama from last night. This was not his usual style. He hoped Tina would back off. He didn’t know when she got like that, but it was too much. She liked being the center of attention, and she was succeeding in that area at the moment. He wondered how he fell for two entirely different women. He figured that it happened like that sometimes. He wasn’t perfect…not even close. He must have done something right for him to have Shontell in his life.

Nico saw the women out the corner of his eye. Sometimes this was both a blessing and a curse. As the women approached him and asked to take a picture with him, he obliged. He sighed once they walked off. He wondered how all the attention that they would be getting this weekend would go over with Shontell. She seemed adamant about not being in the spotlight, but he wasn’t willing to hide her. He wanted everyone to see what he saw in her. He would have to talk to her again about it before they boarded the boat. He hoped he would be able to make her feel comfortable. The women fans could be a bit much. He recalled the one or two times that he found naked women in his room. He never knew how they got into his room, but those days were over. He usually had a security sweep of his room now, before he even went up. He learned his lesson.

  He felt a vibration and read the text: They were here. He got back into the car, and he waited with the flowers in his hand. He couldn’t wait to see her smile. It had only been three and a half days, but it seemed like longer. The boat was due to set sail tomorrow afternoon. Martin had given them all the rest of the land time off until they hit the boat. He was glad, because he had wanted to spend quality time with Shontell before they got busy. He remembered his surprise, and he made a quick call to make sure that their evening plans were still on track. He heard the ladies before he saw them. He sat back and waited for the door to open.

Shontell watched as her client signed his contract. She was so happy. This client would take her where she wanted to go. They shook hands and departed from her office. She dropped her buy-out papers on Ebony’s desk in a sealed and confidential envelope. She hoped Ebony would read her letter and sign it. The check she enclosed was a good-enough offer. She wanted this working relationship over. She could never work with someone she couldn’t trust. The town car she paid to take her and Sandy to the airport was waiting for her. She was leaving her car at her office. She texted Sandy to let her know she was on the way, as he put her bags in the trunk. She was getting excited.

Shontell was glad to see that she had a text from Nico; she must have missed it this morning when she texted her good morning to him. Her distraction with Jesse had her out of sorts. On her drive to her meeting, she wondered: did she make herself clear enough to Jesse that she had moved on?

The driver explained to her that the chilled mimosas she requested were in the refrigerator as she had instructed. Within a few minutes, they were pulling up to Sandy’s home. Monica ran out to the car to greet her god-mother.

“Hey, Auntie Shon, I am so glad you are making mommy take a vacation,” her god-daughter told her. She was the spitting image of Sandy.

“Yes, we both know she needed it. Are you staying with Mona?” she asked her, referring to Sandy’s mother.

“Yep, Grams is on her way now. I have finals this week. Then it’s party time. You are still coming over to see me off for prom, right?” The teenager was standing on her tip-toes as she talked to her. She laughed and wrapped her arms around her. “Now you know I wouldn’t miss that for anything. Don’t forget to send me the list of food you want,” she reminded her. She then remembered she had something for her. Reaching into her purse, she handed her a pre-paid Visa card. The young woman looked at her strangely. Sandy was walking in their direction.

“What’s this for?” she asked her in confusion. Sandy handed her bags to the driver, watching her two favorite people. She stood with her mouth open when she heard Shontell’s reply.

“This card is for you! It should cover all of your prom clothes, activities, and then some,” she told her. Sandy and Monica both started to cry. Monica hugged her.

“Don’t cry, Monica. Your dad had me start this fund when you were thirteen. I added to it. But this is from all of us,” she told them.  Monica looked at her and cried harder. They all dried their eyes as Mona pulled up. They didn’t want her asking questions. She hugged Monica again and waved to Mona as she went to sit in the car. The driver handed her some Kleenex. When he spoke, she looked up.

“Ma’am I hope you don’t mind my eavesdropping, but that was beautiful. Not many people would have done what you did. If you don’t mind me doing this, I would like to refund your money for this ride. I’d also like to take her and her date to their prom. Because I am an independent driver, I can do my own scheduling,” he told her as he watched her through the mirror.

“Thank you, but why would you do that?” she asked him.

“Because I believe in service. I try and be supportive whenever I see a need. Your generosity had brought mine out,” he told her, as Sandy opened the door and sat down. She nodded to him, and he looked ahead. They rode in silence for a minute, and Sandy turned to her with sad eyes.

“When…when did you and Kareem do this?” she asked her softly.

“He had me start the fund a week before he was killed. Initially, it was started for your ten-year vow renewal, but he told me if anything happened to him before that to switch it for Monica.”

“Oh,” was all she said before she fell into her best friend’s arms and cried. All these years Sandy kept up this strong front when it came to Kareem. She never wanted Shontell or Monica to see her hurting. She thought that was the way it had to be. Monica was a daddy’s girl in every sense of the word. Kareem had spoiled her. But he spoiled her too with his love and attention. He was a good husband. When Kareem died, she thought her world was crumbling. She resorted to taking Valium. That little pill took her to a painless place. But then the effects wore off, and she needed more. When did she get addicted to the pills? She couldn’t remember. It took one huge episode to wake her up, though. One day she left Monica at school for hours, and the school had to call Shontell to come and get her. Monica stayed with Shontell for six weeks, while Sandy checked into a clinic for treatment. Now she wouldn’t take anything for pain, unless it was absolutely needed. Monica was the reason she fought so hard. They were lucky to have Shontell in their corner. She always looked out for her and Monica. Wiping her eyes, she sat up as the driver pulled up to the departure gate doors at Detroit Metro Airport. She hoped her eyes didn’t look puffy. The driver handed their bags over to the check-in agent. Shontell gave him a fifty dollar tip, and he gave her his business card. It was so good to know that there were people out there who are still kind-hearted. Once they boarded the plane, Sandy grabbed Shontell’s hands. “Thank you for everything…Monica…this vacation…thank you.”

“We have each other’s back always. You don’t have to thank me. I love you.”

“I know, I know. But I needed to tell you. We have both been in some dark areas, but because we stuck together we saw the light,” she told her. Sandy laid her head on her shoulders and was out cold within a few minutes. Shontell looked out the window at the clouds. If she was a writer, she would have a best-seller on her hands if she were to describe the last few days. She sighed and was ready for this flight to be over. She wanted to be in Nico’s arms. That would make her feel better. Putting her ear buds in her ear, she hit the button on her iPod. Before she knew it, they were landing. She had never been to Miami. It looked beautiful.

Shontell and Sandy headed towards the baggage claim and were surprised to see a chauffeur standing by the carousel with their names on a sign. They smiled, thinking that must have been Nico that set this up.

“Girl, I think I can get used to you dating Nico if it’s going to be like this. Jesse never sent a driver for us…I mean you,” Sandy said, trying to be funny. She swatted at her arm and then signaled to the driver. He immediately came over and grabbed their suitcases they had pulled off the belt.

“Yeah, you’re right about that. See, that’s what scares me about Nico. He is so different from Jesse and from all the other men I have dated before.”

“Then you take that difference and add to it. If anyone deserves it, you do. Promise me you won’t push him away because it’s so new to you.” Shontell didn’t reply to her friend’s comment, but she had said out loud what she had been trying not to worry about. She didn’t think that she would deliberately push him away. She had to learn how to let go and let the situation blossom. Sandy continued chatting away as both ladies followed behind the driver.

While he was placing their bags in the trunk, the ladies took several pictures and selfies together. The Miami heat felt good on her skin. This was a climate that she could get used to. It was March, so the weather was going in like a lion and supposed to come out like a lamb. In Detroit that was always up for interpretation, but it was not unusual to see snow in April. Sandy squished her nose up at the guy who walked past as he tried to grab her hand. Sandy stepped back. They both started laughing. So it began—the crazy antics of Sandy. It was like she attracted the strangest behavior from strange men. The chauffeur put the last of their bags in the trunk, as they quickly snapped a few more pictures. The driver told them that he was ready. He opened the door for them. Shontell slid into the seat and was surprised to see Nico sitting in the back. He looked as handsome as ever in shorts and a tee. He smiled when he saw her. 

“Hi, ladies. How was the flight?” He immediately grabbed Shontell’s hand.

“Nico, what are you doing here?” she asked as she scooted closer to him.

“Meeting my girl,” he said as he squeezed her hand and she winked at him.

“Your girl, huh?” Sandy asked as she watched them both blush. Sandy noticed how Shontell’s face lit up when she saw him sitting there. He handed both of them flowers, as he then leaned over and kissed Shontell on the lips. She wanted to kiss him again, but then she remembered that Sandy was with them. She opted for holding his hand again instead, as she laced her fingers with his. They all talked comfortably as they rode to the hotel. They pulled up in front of the Westin in Miami about twenty minutes later. The hotel was beautiful. It was set right off the beach, and the sidewalks were filled with people walking and enjoying the beautiful day. They all got out, and the driver unloaded their luggage. He handed their bags to the bellhop. He, in turn, told the ladies they were already checked in and handed them their key cards. 

“Wow, really?” she said, looking at Nico. 

“Yes, y’all got it like that. Sandy, I want you to enjoy your birthday. As my gift, I have set you ladies up for a spa renewal for the next three hours. Felecia will be joining you two as well. She insisted. Hope that’s okay,” he said.

“Seriously?”  Sandy began dancing. “It’s my birthday…it’s my birthday!” They all laughed.

“Oh, and yes, it’s cool about Felecia. We enjoy her company. Where is she?”

“Great. She is up in the room. I told her I would call when we got back.” He pulled out his phone and called Felecia. He watched Shontell.  He loved seeing her smile. She looked radiant.

“Okay, sweetness. Please enjoy yourself. I have to get going. We were initially off, but we’re called to do a last-minute rehearsal due to a couple of changes. Once you ladies come down, Brian will be out here waiting for you. He will bring you over to where we will be afterwards.” Shontell hugged him and whispered, “Thank you.” He winked at her and kissed her hand.

“Anything I can do to see that smile…I would do in a heartbeat.” This time Shontell didn’t care if Sandy was there. She kissed him on the lips again, and their kiss went on for a few seconds. Nico broke the kiss and stepped backwards to the car. Shontell waved goodbye to Nico, as he got back into the car with Brian. She looped her arm through her best friend’s and they crossed the lobby. Shontell wasn’t surprised to see that Tina was in the lounge area, sitting with an older man. Tina gave her a toxic smile and went back to her suitor. The women went to their room—which looked more like a suite—to get ready for their spa treatments. Shontell plopped onto the bed and fanned herself. She was counting down in her head when Sandy would ask the question—4…3…2…she counted in her head.

“Okay, so who was that woman in the lobby that was glaring at you?

“I knew you didn’t miss that. That was the infamous Tina—Nico’s ex that I was telling you about.”

“What?! What the heck is she doing here?” she asked, throwing her sandals to the floor and grabbing her waiting robe.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I am sure it’s to cause waves between me and Nico,” she told her.

“Well, I hope she ain’t stupid enough to step your way. I didn’t come here to fight, but you know I got your back.” She was ready for a good showdown. It had been a long time since she gave somebody a “7 Mile and Meyers” ass whopping.

“I know you do. But I can handle her. I did notice something interesting. She had on a wedding ring, and so did the man she was sitting with,” she told her, as she put her purse on the bed and started looking through it for makeup wipes.

“Really? I thought you said she wasn’t married.”

“It’s the first I have seen it. It does give me an idea. You know how we do. Come on, let’s finish getting ready,” she told her, not giving Tina another thought.

“Okay, changing the subject. What are you going to do about Nico? You two look like more than just friends,” she said, as she pinned her hair up.

“Yeah. That’s a good question. I am going to listen to all the advice you and my parents gave me and see what it happens. I can’t lie…it scares me,” she admitted honestly. They put on their spa shoes and sat on the bed together.

“Shontell, you know I try not to give advice. I want you happy. And if you’re happy with Nico, then go for it. Enjoy the ride you’re going on with that man.” Her best friend was being serious in a joking way. They heard Felecia knock on the door. They grabbed their bags, and the ladies went to get pampered for the next three hours.