Authors: Michael Lewis
“I don’t care
if you want to or not as long as I get what I want. No one is allowed to say no
to me. You’d better come to your senses before I have to destroy your career
before it even starts. By the way isn’t Ezekiel supposed to star in a big
budget movie soon? Just remember my reach is far and I have friends
everywhere.”
“Evil minions
you mean.”
“You just
build up your stamina you’re gonna need it. Since you’re hung like a horse I’m
gonna work you like one!”
I cringed as she
compared my anatomy to an animal as if I belonged on a fuckin’ pasture grazing
or something.
“Oh cheer up.
You can go now.”
I got out of
there as fast as I could. When I got in my truck I looked in the mirror in
disgust. Steaming tears burst forward as I gnashed my teeth in anger at what
that bitch was doing to me.
All I wanted
to do was go home. Well, I thought all I wanted to do was go home. When I got
there I noticed a black Maybach sitting in the driveway and got pissed off. I
went inside with nothing but attitude. I didn’t want any explanations. I didn’t
want to hear shit.
“Hey Jazz how
did the meeting go?”
“Fuck a
meeting! What the hell is that bastard doing here? Huh? Where is he? I don’t
give a damn I’m kicking his ass. I’ll just have to go to jail. He ain’t gonna
disrespect me and get away with it!”
“Jazz what
are you talking about.”
“Don’t play
with me Zeke. I see the nigga’s car outside!”
“Jazz will
you please calm down!”
“Why are you
trying to protect that nigga? Huh?”
“I am not
protecting anyone. Forget this I can’t talk to you when you are like this.”
“Oh so you
gonna just walk away? So it must be true then. You messing with him?”
“If you think
I am then whatever. I am not singing this song with you again, Jazz.”
Before I knew
it I’d grabbed Zeke by his arm. I didn’t mean to. Then again I’d never been
under the threat of losing him to somebody else.
“Jazz let me
go. You’re hurting me. Please Jazz!” Zeke said.
“Damn, I’m
sorry baby. I didn’t mean to do that.”
Just as I was
rubbing Zeke’s arm trying to apologize, that snake Randall walked into the
living room. I forgot all about Zeke and my anger returned when I saw that
bastard. It all happened so fast. Zeke was still standing in front of me. He
was between Randall and me and when I rushed forward, I knocked Zeke down in
the process of trying to get to Randall. Zeke fell, hitting his head on the
edge of the coffee table. I immediately went to his aid. While I was trying to
see if my baby was okay, Randall hit me in the back of my head. Still on the
ground, I grabbed his legs and pulled them from under him. Randall landed on
his ass and I went to work on his face.
“Jazz! Stop!”
“Shut up.”
“Please stop,
Jazz!” Zeke begged.
“After all
the problems this fool has caused you wanna take up for him? If this who you
want, I can get my shit and leave.”
“Jazz I don’t
want to be with him.”
“Well you act
like it. Why he is here?”
“He and Alton
came here from court that is all.”
“I been
thinking a lot about what he said Zeke.”
“It was a
lie.”
“He was right
Zeke. I ain’t no good for you. He got money, a good career, he can give you all
the shit you deserve. I’m still struggling trying to make a name for myself. I
don’t want you to look at me a few years down the road from now and resent me
for holding you back.”
“You are not
holding me back Jazz. After all we have meant to each other you are not
breaking up with me, are you?”
“We need a
break.”
“Jazz don’t
do this. Not right now. I love you Jazz, please don’t leave. Please Jazz.”
“I think it’s
best Zeke. Your future is bright. I don’t want to see it get messed up because
of me.”
“Jazz what
are you talking about?”
“I have to go
Zeke you just can’t understand right now.
“Jazz please
don’t do this. I can’t take this right now. Please Jazz.” He pleaded with tears
spilling down his face.
I had to turn
away from him because his crying was killing me. With Marlena on my ass
threatening me I couldn’t live with myself if I let Zeke’s career get messed up
by Marlena all because of me.
“But Jazz, I
need you.” Zeke said softly, sobbing as I walked away. I refused to wipe away
my own tears, tears he couldn’t see.
“I need you
Jazz.” Those words felt like a dagger in my heart and they played in my head
over and over.
Alton
After the
stunt Nadiah pulled at my wedding, I didn’t want to ever see her again. True to
character she blatantly lied on me she was the one who came into my office and
tried to seduce me. The more she shows her true colors, the more I am amazed
that I stayed with her as long as I did. I am glad I wasn’t a fool forever. I
wanted the day to be beautiful for Rachel and it was destroyed!
Court was a
breeze. Nadiah ran to my office after the wedding to find the surveillance
video. I knew her like a book. So just in case she tried something I had the
good sense to take the video home that night. Once it was introduced in court
Nadiah’s lawyer filed a motion to have the whole case dismissed because he
learned that she lied to him about what happened. In my anger, I pressed the
issue because I wanted her punished that time. The surveillance video had sound
so everything that took place could be seen and heard. When the video was
played in the judge’s chambers Nadiah could only cover her face in shame. The
prosecutor was embarrassed as well after trying to prejudge me as a maniac
rapist.
Randall asked
if I wanted to file a civil suit against her for the false police report and
ruining the wedding. I just wanted to be rid of her for good. She was charged
with filing a false police report, battery, and making terrorist threats.
After court
Randall and I went by Zeke’s because I was exhausted. I took a nap so I didn’t
hear any of the commotion that took place with Jazz and Randall. When I woke up
my cousin was crying his heart out. I recognized his cries as the sound of
heartbreak because I had cried those same tears many times and I knew all too
well what heartbreak sounds like.
When Zeke
told me what happened I was furious. I had the discussion with Jazz about
dragging Zeke through a lot of drama because I knew he wouldn’t be able to
handle it if things didn’t work out. Damn if he didn’t do just that! Zeke
is a lot like me when it comes to love. He loves hard with everything he has.
That kind of love is great when it’s appreciated and returned. That kind of
love is also dangerous because it can be destructive to the one who holds the
feelings. Jazz’s actions really confused me though because I know he loves Zeke
with all his heart, so for him to just break it off like that just didn’t make
sense.
As we sat
there trying to make sense of things, Zeke suddenly started yelling at Randall.
“This is your
fault! If you hadn’t lied none of this would have happened. The lie you told
made him collapse. If he hadn’t been in the hospital, his dad wouldn’t have even
met me. I wouldn’t have gotten shot and Jazz would be here now. I hope you are
satisfied.”
“I know I was
wrong, but I don’t feel bad that Jazz is gone. You deserve better than that
common street thug! After all of this time I thought I was over my feelings for
you, but I was wrong. When I saw you again, I realized I am still in love with
you and I am not apologizing for that, not to you Alton, not to anyone.”
“Randall you
keep saying I deserve better than Jazz. What makes you think Jazz isn’t the
best? You don’t even know him obviously my criteria are different from yours.
Money doesn’t make someone the best; it’s what’s in their heart. Jazz has more
heart than anyone I’ve ever been with.” Zeke said.
“Zeke you
can’t tell me that you don’t feel anything for me. If I had pushed harder, I
could have had you that night a few weeks ago.”
“Randall I
had a teenage crush on you years ago but I am grown now. I no longer hold the
infatuated notions of an immature teenager. You stepped back into my life as a
high-powered, rich attorney and expected me to gasp and swoon and I didn’t.
After 8 years I wouldn’t expect you to flip over me either.”
“So now we
get to the real issue. You are still mad at me for leaving for law school.”
Randall responded to Zeke.
They were talking
over my head because none of it was making sense. I just stayed quiet and
figured I’d eventually find out what the hell was going on.
“Randall
please do us all a favor and get over yourself!”
“Why would he
be mad at you for that Randall, you were doing you?” I asked confusedly.
“When I went
to law school I didn’t come to town as often to see him. I used to come all the
time just to see Zeke, you just didn’t know about it.”
“You did that
after I told you not to? This is exactly why. Because of what is happening
right now.”
“No Alton I
would just come hang out with him because I knew he liked me and I liked him
too..”
“It’s so nice
how you both chose what was best for me without ever consulting me.”
“Zeke, I knew
the Randall you didn’t. You would have ended up getting hurt in the long run.
He was a straight up ho.” I said.
Zeke said he
was going in his room to “reflect” on the situation with Jazz. Randall had to
go back to court. I stayed with Zeke and told Randall I’d call Rachel to come
pick me up. I know I can’t protect Zeke from the world but I think I do a
pretty good job.
Nadiah
After
6 months I finally accepted the reality that Alton had moved on. It was time
for me to get out and mingle. I went out to Club Zero to dance a little, flirt
a little, drink a little, and do a little of whatever else I wanted to. It
didn’t take long for someone to approach me. A slight wiggle of my hips and a
sensuous lick of my lips was all it took to make men flock to me like bees to
nectar. As I stood at the bar bobbing my head to the music, a man walked up
behind me and pressed his hand against the small of my back.
“Excuse me,
may I buy you a drink? What’ll you have?”
“A
cosmopolitan please. Thank you. I’m Nadiah and you are?”
“Oh everybody
calls me Anthony.”
Most men that
come up to me in a bar are usually so obnoxious that they turn me off as soon
as they open their mouth. Things were different with this man. His good looks
didn’t hurt his case a bit. I could sense an air of aggression in him. He had a
natural ability to take command of a situation, which was an instant turn on.
Alton could assert that type of control when he needed to but it wasn’t
something that was normal. Alton was just too easy going for me. I appreciate a
power struggle for control between a man and woman.
“I noticed
you when you walked in. I was hoping you would take a seat here so I could at
least buy you a drink.”
“Oh?”
“It’s the
truth. You are one of the finest…. No “THE” finest woman in here.”
“Thanks. You
are quite handsome yourself.”
“So tell me
what a woman as beautiful as you is doing out by herself on a Saturday?”
“You know I
could ask you the same question. Why is such a handsome man as you out by
himself tonight?”
“That’s fair.
I am just getting back into the dating scene after a divorce.”
“I can
relate. I am a recent divorcee as well.”
“I see, well
let’s make a pact to avoid discussing our exes.”
“I can do
that easily.”
After the
initial banter he escorted me out to the dance floor. He moved his body
rhythmically to the music. He had a sexy natural rhythm in the way he moved.
When a slow song came on he firmly grabbed my hand and placed his arm around my
waist. He was aggressive but gentle at the same time. As some of the other
couples around us substituted dry humping for dancing my new suitor remained
respectful. I found myself really drawn to this man more and more.
“What do you
say we get out of here and get a bite to eat?”
"Sounds
good to me.”
His presence commanded
attention wherever he went. I was very attracted to the strength he
radiated. From his style, his sexy stroll, even the sexy way he licked
his lips when he spoke, I loved it all. He didn’t handle me as if I were a
fragile piece of china. He wasn’t rough, but he wasn’t too soft either. He was
aggressively gentle. We clicked instantly and things took off at jet speed.
It happened
so quickly between us I didn’t have time for fear or doubts to kick in. I think
what I appreciated more than anything was that he did not pressure me to have
sex. I found that a refreshing change from my usual experiences when I decided
to start dating again. We were so much alike it was scary. Neither of us were
particularly romantic either.
After dinner
one Friday night Anthony said he needed to talk to me about something on his
mind.
“Nadiah I
never thought we would end up getting so close so fast. I do think we need to
discuss what we are looking for.”
“I agree.”
“As you know
I was married. I never liked being single. When I date it is always with the
intention of finding something long term.”
“Well, as you
know I was married too, but it isn’t my intention to jump out of one marriage
into another one.”
“So are you
saying you want to see other people?”
“No, I like
what we have and I like you.”
“So I guess
what I am trying to ask is if we can be exclusive with each other and just see
how it works out?”
“Well Ant I
think that is the obvious next step don’t you?”