After we left the club, we all went over to Joe’s apartment to play cards and listen to music. It wasn’t the type of thing I did on a regular basis, but it was still early and I loved to play spades. Plus, Becky had made it clear that she was going to Joe’s with or without me. I didn’t wanna desert my friend, so I went along hoping to keep her out of trouble. Besides, I was having a good time with Dylan. He was smart, funny, and even more important, respectful. And he wasn’t bad to look at, either. If I didn’t already have a man…
When our card game was finished, Joe must’ve been bored, because he tugged on Becky’s sleeve and whispered something into her ear. Next thing I knew, they were headed for his room so they could have a private conversation. I tried to get her to stay in the living room with me, but she just waved her hand, telling me to mind my business. At that point I just shut up and let her do what she wanted. She was a grown woman and I was sick of being her conscience. If she wanted to be a hoochie and sleep with Joe on their first date, well, that was on her. I just hoped he was around in three months so I didn’t have to listen to her cry on my shoulder.
While Becky and Joe were having their so-called conversation, Dylan and I were left sitting on the living room couch. He was drinking a beer and I was sipping on some wine, telling him about Big Momma and the rest of my family. He was really a great listener. It felt as if we’d been old friends for years. He just sat there stroking my hair, which I loved, as I told him my life story. I knew I probably should have gone home as soon as Becky decided to go in the back with Joe, but I felt comfortable with Dylan, and it had been a long, long time since I’d had any kind of male company. I knew I was playing with fire, letting him play with my hair, and especially with me enjoying it so, but I just kept trying to convince myself it was a totally innocent conversation between two friends. Besides, I was having a good time and wanted to stay.
It wasn’t until about three in the morning that things became a little uncomfortable. That’s when we heard the bed squeaking and Becky moaning like she didn’t care if the whole neighborhood heard.
Now, I’m not gonna lie. I’m not into vibrators or threesomes or anything kinky like that, but I was getting aroused glistening to Joe and Becky make love. I’m sure Dylan was, too. Not only was he stroking my hair, but he also began to gently rub his fingers along my body. It felt like an eternity since someone had touched me that way, and his fingers were reminding me of things I’d almost forgotten. I closed my eyes, and an image of our kiss on the dance floor flashed into my mind. At the time, I’d convinced myself that the kiss was nothing more than a practical joke to upset his ex-girlfriend. But now just the mere thought of his tongue in my mouth was making me breathe heavy.
When I opened my eyes, Dylan’s lips were inches from mine and I wanted him to repeat what we’d done on the dance floor. I wanted him to kiss me so bad I could taste it. But thoughts of Derrick quickly took that taste away. I’d never cheated on Derrick before. Hell, I’d never even thought about it. I loved him too much for that. At least I thought I loved him that much, but Dylan’s touch was hard to resist. And I knew I had better do something fast, but when I decided to stop him it was already too late. He’d pressed his soft lips against mine and I felt the warmth of his tongue enter my mouth. At that moment, my love for Derrick was like a distant memory, and my lust and passion for Dylan was overwhelming.
We lay on that couch kissing like teenagers for what seemed like eternity. I’d probably be there right now if Dylan’s hand hadn’t found its way under my dress. Trust me, after the way he’d been kissing me I contemplated letting him continue, but images of Derrick alone in his prison cell flashed into my mind. I grabbed Dylan’s wrist, but like when he kissed me, my timing was off. He’d already pushed his fingers inside me and they were doing things to me I’d only dreamed of. I moaned, easing my legs open so that he could continue what he’d started. Hell, I might as well. I’d already crossed the line between the faithful and the unfaithful. And I must admit, it felt good.
I imagined what it would feel like to make love to Dylan; then I scolded myself for being so weak. I damn sure didn’t want him to stop, but at the same time I knew I shouldn’t let him continue. And it didn’t help matters at all that Dylan knew exactly where to touch to make me shout.
Finally I just said, “Fuck it.” It had been so damn long since I felt like this, and I was entitled to feel some pleasure, wasn’t I? Even if it was only for one night. I mean, there was Becky in the other room, getting her swerve on like she did every weekend. And yet here I was, in my third year of voluntary celibacy, worried about Dylan’s fingers. And for what? Derrick? Sure, I loved him, but I was still a woman with needs and wants, wasn’t I?
God, I wanted to be footloose and fancy-free just one time. I just wanted to see how the other half lived once. I wanted to be reminded that I was a desirable woman and that the loneliness I had inside was only temporary. So without thinking, I arched my back, letting Dylan know that I was fully ready to give in to whatever his fingers had in store and maybe a little bit more. He pulled my panties down to my ankles and slid to his knees. A few seconds later I was pleasantly surprised when his warm, wet tongue began to lick the inside of my thigh, making me gush with moisture. I swear to God, he sent shivers down my spine when he touched the spot that I thought only I knew. I gently took hold of his head so he wouldn’t get away and deprive me of the pleasure he was giving. A few minutes later I felt an eruption between my legs that was more powerful than the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Maybe it was because I had just gone through such a long dry spell, or maybe it was his skills, but I swear I was experiencing one of the greatest orgasms of my life, and I was powerless to do anything other than enjoy it. When I finally regained my composure, Dylan was above my face, resting his weight on those gorgeous, muscular arms. He kissed me and I pulled him against my body, still enjoying the lingering warmth from my orgasm.
“You like that?” he smiled.
I nodded but was too spent to speak. I loved that feeling that comes after a powerful orgasm, when every inch of your body feels like you just had a massage, and you’re so relaxed you don’t want to move a muscle. You just want to sleep. And it would’ve been easy to lie there and do just that with Dylan on top of me. Unfortunately, I was forced to come to my senses when I heard the jingling of his belt buckle. That’s when I realized the mess I’d gotten myself into. How could I have been so stupid? Sure, Dylan was a nice guy, but did I really believe he was gonna give me that kind of pleasure without expecting some in return? Hell, no. Just like any man, he was ready to get his now. And I guess I couldn’t blame him for it, but I sure as hell wasn’t down with it Especially after Derrick marched back to the forefront of my thoughts.
“Stop. I can’t do this,” I practically screamed as I struggled to get out from underneath him.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a condom right here.” He was trying to show me the condom and soothe me with his tone, but I wasn’t having it.
“I don’t care. Stop!” I tried to push him off me but he was too heavy or didn’t wanna be moved. I wasn’t sure which one. All I knew was, his frown was making me nervous. Real nervous.
“What’s wrong?”
“Get the fuck off me! Don’t you understand? No means no!”
He still didn’t budge. At that point the only thing going through my mind was that I was about to become a rape victim, and I had no one to blame but myself. Jesus, how stupid could I be? I’d been preaching to Becky for years about leading men on, and there I was doing the same damn thing. The only thing left for me to do was beg.
“Dylan, please. Please get up. I don’t want to do this,” I cried.
“What’s the problem?” He sighed loudly and lifted himself off of me. I ran to the other side of the room as quickly as I could. “Did I do something wrong?”
Can you believe he put an innocent look on his face as he asked that question? It took a few seconds for me to finally gain my composure, but when I did I lit into him.
“You damn right you did something wrong, you fucking phony! A few hours ago in the club you were lovesick over your ex-girlfriend. But you were really just scheming to get some ass, weren’t you? And when I wasn’t givin’ it up fast enough you figured you’d just take it, huh?”
“Take it?” His face was full of astonishment and anger. “You trying to say I took advantage of you? You gotta be kidding! If anyone got taken advantage of, it was me. ‘Cause I sure as hell didn’t hear you complaining when my face was between your legs and you was begging me not to stop. Guess it’s all good as long as you’re gettin’ yours, huh?”
He picked up my panties and threw them at me. I felt like a fool when they hit me in the face. Especially when I thought about how easily I’d let him take them off.
“You know what, Jasmine? You’re a real dick-tease.”
Don’t get me wrong. Some small part of me knew I was being unfair to Dylan. I wasn’t some young, naive church girl. I knew you couldn’t get naked with a man and expect him to put his dick away as soon as you ordered him to. Hell, guys just can’t turn it on and off like that. And the more I thought about it, he never really tried to put it in; he just kept staring at me. It probably just took some time for his big head to start thinking for his little head. Something told me this guy was genuinely confused by my actions.
Problem was, I was so full of guilt about what I’d done, and that guilt was stronger than any sense of fairness I might have toward him. Even if it was wrong, I wanted to make it all his fault. If I took part of the responsibility, then I had to admit to myself that I wasn’t the faithful girlfriend I’d been claiming to be for so long. I was no better than Becky now, and who the hell would want to admit to that?
“Everything all right out here? Rebecca thought she heard… Oops!” Joe walked into the living room and let his eyes wander up and down my half-naked body. He didn’t even try to hide his smile. Why should he? There I was standing there like an idiot, balancing on one foot with the other halfway into my panties.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt,” he chuckled.
“You’re not interrupting anything,” I snapped, trying to sound in control. And that was no small task as I tried to pull up my panties and close my shirt all at the same time. “Tell Becky I’m ready to leave.”
“You ain’t gotta leave. Y’all can spend the night if you wanna. I got an extra bedroom.” Joe winked at Dylan, which pissed me off even more.
“Don’t wink at him like I’m some fucking ho. I ain’t no ho, and he ain’t get none. Did you?” I turned toward Dylan, but before he could answer, Joe cut in.
“Hold up. Ain’t nobody call you a ho. I was just asking if you wanted to spend the night. Damn, what’s with the stink attitude?”
“Ask your friend.” I pointed at Dylan, who glared at me evilly. “Look, just forget it. Tell Becky it’s time to go.”
“I don’t believe this shit,” Joe mumbled under his breath. He was obviously pissed off, but I didn’t care. He was just another horny asshole lookin’ to get laid, and Becky sure fit that bill. The worst part was, as far as they were concerned, so did I.
“So you gonna blame this whole thing on me, huh?” Dylan finally spoke.
“I’m not blaming this on anyone. All I know is that it was a mistake to come here. I just wanna go home.”
“Yeah, well, so do I.”
Becky walked into the room with her dress all crooked and buttoned wrong.
“Why we gotta leave?” Becky shouted. Her hair was sticking out every which way. “Why don’t we just go to work from here?”
“’Cause my work clothes are at your house and I’m ready to leave now. That’s why.” I sucked my teeth.
“Damn, Jasmine, you could fuck up a wet dream, you know that? Why don’t you lighten the fuck up for once?” She headed for the door, followed by an angry Joe. I was about to follow them to the car when Dylan put his hand on my shoulder. I wasn’t sure what he was up to, so I turned to face him with my fist clenched.
“What do you want?” I snapped.
He shook his head with a frown, then spoke very frankly. “You were wrong for the way you treated me. And I want you to know I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you. I was feeling you, Jasmine. I was really feeling you and I thought you were feeling me. Now I mighta got caught up in the moment, but I would never rape any woman.”
I stared in his face for a few seconds and I could feel his sincerity.
“I know that, Dylan,” I finally admitted. “And I’m sorry. I guess I got caught up in the moment, too. Let’s just call it a misunderstanding on both our parts.”
“Ah’ight. But aside from our little misunderstanding, did you have a good time tonight?”
I gave him a weak smile. “Yeah, believe it or not, I really did have a good time. I guess that’s the problem.”
“What’s the problem?” I wasn’t about to tell him that he was right, that I was feeling him, too, so I made up an excuse.
“Look, I gotta go; Becky’s waiting. I’ll stop by your store some time and pick up those Brotherman comics.”
“You do that,” he replied.
I waved at him, wondering if this would be the last time I ever saw him. Most likely I wouldn’t get up the nerve to stop by his store. It was too dangerous. As much as I wanted to pretend it wasn’t so, lying on that couch with Dylan had awakened feelings I was not ready to deal with. I had to wonder what it was about this guy that had made it so easy for me to forget Derrick, even if it was only temporary. I had been so sure my relationship with Derrick was like a rock, and now my commitment to him seemed about as solid as Jell-0. His request for money for his baby’s momma sure hadn’t made things any stronger between us, and now Dylan comes along. I was afraid my relationship with Derrick was about to hit some serious bumps in the road.
I took one last look at Dylan and silently promised myself I would just stay away from that temptation. Once I walked out that door, it would be back to my life as I’d known it.
It was hard being at work the next day. Not only was I tired as hell from being out all night, but I couldn’t get my mind off Dylan. It had been so long since I’d had a man to hold me and make me feel desired. I had to force myself not to daydream about him, and the more I did that the more he crept into my mind. I kept thinking about the way he talked to me, the way he kissed me, and the way he went down on me. Not that I wanted to admit it, but my panties were getting wet just thinking about how it felt when he was doing his thing. I tried to convince myself that it was just oral sex, not like it was my first time or anything. But I don’t think I’ve ever met a man with as much skill as Dylan.
I was so grateful to get home at the end of the day. I couldn’t wait to put my feet up and get some much-needed sleep. But that plan was ruined when the phone started ringing before I could even put down my purse. I knew right away it was Derrick calling. My life was pretty predictable since he’d been locked up, so he knew he could always catch me at home around this time. Truth is, usually I was happy to hear from him and would run to the phone. But today was different. I definitely didn’t want to talk to him.
Derrick seemed to have this sixth sense when it came to me. He knew right away if I wasn’t telling him the truth. And I knew he’d be trippin’ about why I hadn’t answered my phone last night. Once he started interrogating me, I’d have to lie. Then I’d have to deal with the consequences once he figured out I was lying. On the other hand, if I didn’t answer now, he’d be calling me all night until I did pick up the phone. I had to choose between letting the phone ring all night or dealing with it now so I could get some sleep later. Might as well get it over with, I decided.
“Hello?” I was trying to think of a lie fast.
“Jasmine?” I let out a thankful sigh when I heard Big Momma’s voice. “Where you been, girl? I was callin’ your house all night. I must’ve left fifteen messages. Why ain’t you call me back?”
I looked down at my answering machine and the number 20 was flashing. That was not a good sign. Big Momma was not the type to leave one message, let alone fifteen, so something must be really wrong.
“I spent the night at Becky’s house last night, Big Momma. Why? What’s wrong?” I braced myself for bad news.
Big Momma released a sigh that made it clear she knew I wasn’t telling the whole truth. She had probably called Becky’s house as many times as she’d called me. I was sure she’d ask me for the real story another time, but now Big Momma had more urgent things to tell me.
“Your sister had her baby last night, child! A big ol’ nine-pound baby boy!”
“Oh, that’s great, Big Momma. What’d she name him?” I tried to sound enthusiastic, but it wasn’t working. I was happy for Stephanie and Travis, but more than that I was jealous. I’d been wanting a baby for a long time. Derrick and I had even started trying to have a baby, but of course that all came to an end once he got locked up. So it wasn’t that easy for me to share my grandmother’s joy.
“Travis Jr. They’re gonna call him T. J.” Big Momma ignored my lack of enthusiasm and kept talking a mile a minute. She was like that. Wasn’t no one or nothing gonna spoil her good mood. “Yeah, my first great-grandson. I can’t wait to see him. I want you to come over here and pick me up so I can see my great-grandbaby. You hear?” she ordered.
Going out again was the last thing I wanted to do, especially since I’d have to put on a happy face for everyone else’s benefit. But Big Momma was not the kind of person you refused. So I promised I’d pick her up as soon as I took a shower and changed. At least with the birth of Stephanie’s baby I had an excuse for where I was last night when I did finally talk to Derrick.
Before I could kick off my shoes and head to the shower, there was a knock on my door.
“Who is it?” I sighed wearily.
“It’s me, girl. Open the door!” It was Sabrina, my best friend and next-door neighbor. She and I had been friends for years, but we really got close when her husband, Richie, got locked up and sent to prison for armed robbery around the same time as Derrick. I liked Sabrina. It was nice having a friend who understood what it was like to have her man in jail. The only difference between us was Sabrina was sick of traveling up to Roanoke every weekend and was looking for a new man. You see, along with being my best friend, Sabrina was also the biggest slut I’d ever met. She’d slept with about half of Richmond, and the other half was on standby.
“I hope you got that twenty dollars I loaned you the other day.” I opened the door. “’Cause girl, I’m broke.”
“Please, Jazz,” she sucked her teeth as she entered my apartment. “You know Uncle Sam don’t pay ’cept on the first or the fifteenth. And it ain’t neither one of those days. So you just gonna have to wait till next week like the rest of the bill collectors. I’m as broke as you, if not broker.” She held out a vase filled with the prettiest red and white roses I’d ever seen.
“So where’d you manage to get them roses, then? Seems to me if you got a man who can afford roses, he should be able to help you pay me back,” I teased. I knew when I gave Sabrina that twenty dollars I wasn’t gonna see it anytime soon.
“Shiiit! Ain’t nobody give me these flowers, girl. I was coming up the steps from work when the florist came knockin’ on your door an hour ago. He asked me if I’d give these to you when you got home.” Sabrina smirked. “He was kinda cute, so I told him, ‘Sure, but you gotta give me your phone number.’”
“Well, I guess you got the number?” I took the vase from her and walked over to the sofa. Sabrina was right on my heels.
“Yeah, he gave it to me, all right. Then he said if his wife answers the phone to tell her he was on his way home with the milk.” Sabrina sucked her teeth while I laughed. “Can you believe that shit?”
“Not really, but that’s the kinda man I wanna marry.”
“That’s ’cause you a player-hater,” Sabrina replied, and we both laughed. “Okay, girl, give it up. Who you talkin’ to that would send you roses?” She placed her hand on her hip.
“I don’t know. I’m surprised you didn’t read the card.”
“Trust me. I wanted to, but it was sealed. And last thing I wanted was for you to get an attitude.”
“I know that’s right, ’cause that’s exactly what I would do.” I sat down and opened the card.
Dear Jasmine,
Sorry about our little misunderstanding last night. I meant no disrespect, and I hope you’ll accept these flowers as an apology.
Your friend,
Dylan
555-9988 (call me)
I took another look at the beautiful roses, then read the card again, with Sabrina begging for details over my shoulder. Dylan must have been truly sorry for what happened to spend this kind of money at the florist. It made me smile to know my original opinion of him was right. He really was a nice guy. Maybe a little too nice to be safe for a woman whose man is locked up. This kind of treatment could tempt a girl to do things she’d promised she wouldn’t.
“So?” Sabrina was staring at me impatiently.
“What do you mean, ‘So’?”
“So who the flowers from?” She rolled her eyes at my obvious question.
“Just a friend.” I smiled unconvincingly.
“Ohhh, hell, no! Don’t you dare hold out on me, Jasmine. As much shit as I told you the last couple o’ years?” She was right. She had shared enough dirt about herself for me to blackmail her ass for the next twenty years. Guess the least I could do is throw the girl a bone. It wasn’t like he was my new man or anything.
“Oh, all right. His name is Dylan Taylor.” I tried not to sound too excited as I said his name. “Becky and I hung out with him and his friend Joe last night. We had a really nice time.”
“And?” she stared at me.
“And what? He’s a nice guy, but he’s just a friend.” I gave her an innocent look.
“Just a friend, huh? I ain’t never heard of a man laying out the money for long-stem roses unless he wanted to be more than just friends. You musta given him some reason to buy these flowers.” Sabrina gave me a skeptical smirk. “Is he fine?”
“He’s cute,” I smiled as I thought of him on the dance floor. “And girrrrrrll, he had this pretty dark-chocolate skin.” Sabrina loved her some dark-skinned men. The darker the better.
“He got a job?” She got to the heart of the matter.
“Yeah, he owns his own business.”
“What? Oh, shit! Girrrrlll, you done hit the jackpot!” Sabrina’s eyes got wide. Lately, her first criterion was that the brother had to have a job. Probably because her husband, Richie, could never keep one. Richie’s philosophy was, if you want it, I’ll steal it. That’s why he’s doing a five-to-ten-year bid for armed robbery.
“He got a brother?” Sabrina asked.
“Don’t know. We never talked about his family. Just mine.”
“What about a friend? He’s gotta have a friend,” she pleaded.
“Sorry, Becky’s already got him.” I felt sorry for her. She actually looked like she’d just missed the lottery by one number.
“Damn, story of my life. Every decent man in Richmond belongs to somebody else.” Sabrina shook her head and inspected her fingernails as she got back to her game of twenty million questions. “So this Dylan, is he nice?”
I smiled because the answer made me feel so good. “Yeah, he really is. He’s probably the nicest guy I’ve met since Derrick’s been locked up.”
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. She knew me well enough to know what that meant. In all the time Derrick had been away, I’d never had anything good to say about another man. But there was something about this one, and she knew it as well as I did.
“Well, he sure has good taste.” Sabrina reached down and took a white rose out of the vase. She smiled as she inhaled.
“He sure does.” I leaned over the flowers to enjoy the sweet fragrance. “I hate to admit it, but I could really get used to this.”
“Tell me about it. Wish it was me.” She frowned jealously. “So what you gonna do about Derrick?”
“What do you mean, ‘do about Derrick’?”
“You know. You gonna tell him about this dude or you just gonna have you a little fun on the side? It ain’t like you and Derrick is married or nothin’.”
I shook my head. “Sabrina, you’re trippin’. All I said is that he’s nice. That don’t mean I’m givin’ up on Derrick.”
“No, actually, you said he was the nicest guy you’d met since your man went away. Now if that don’t mean you’re interested, I don’t know what does.”
I sucked my teeth. She was pissing me off, mostly because she was speaking the truth I wasn’t even trying to admit to myself.
“Look, what the fuck you interrogating me for? I told you he’s just a friend. Damn, give me a break. I got a man, remember?”
“From the look on your face every time you say this guy’s name, maybe I should be asking you to remember you got a man. So you gonna tell Derrick, or what?” she repeated the question. I rolled my eyes at her. To be my so-called friend, she could really get on my nerves.
“Hell, no, I’m not gonna tell him. What should I tell him for? So he can blow things out of proportion like you do? Dylan is just a friend.”
She looked me straight in the eye, and then she got this gleam, like a lightbulb just went off in her mind. “Ooooooh, girl. You got laid, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t,” I answered in a hurry as I remembered just how close that was to the truth.
“Yes, you did! You fucked him. That’s why you didn’t come home last night.” There was a momentary silence before either of us spoke. Then I got indignant.
“Hold up. How you know I didn’t come home last night?” This girl was starting to sound like the damn CIA or something. “Stay out my business, Sabrina. I’m a grown woman. My momma don’t keep tabs on me-”
She lifted her hand to stop me. “Well, your grandmother sure does. I know she keep tabs on you, ‘cause she the one who called my house askin’ me to knock on your door at three o’clock in the morning.”
“Big Momma called you?” I felt like screaming. Big Momma was always blowing somebody up.
“Yeah, she called. Now, stop trying to change the subject.” All of a sudden her tone softened “Don’t get me wrong, Jazz. I ain’t mad at ya if you did get you some. Three years with your man upstate is a long time. I don’t know how you did it. Hell, I didn’t last three months.” She hit a nerve with this little speech. As much as I had been playing it cool for three years, I had to admit it had been hard. There were plenty of nights I cried myself to sleep. Now I was beating myself up over one moment of weakness.
“Sabrina, I swear I didn’t fuck him. But I wanted to.” I finally admitted it to her and myself. “I couldn’t help it We were just talking and the next thing I know he’s giving me these soft, toe-curling kisses. Girl, he was touching me in all the right places. Have you ever…” I hesitated, almost afraid to admit out loud how good Dylan had made me feel. “Have you ever been with a man who could make love with his tongue better than any other man could do with his whole body?”
Sabrina’s eyes widened, and so did her smile. I could tell she was reminiscing about some past love. “Yeah, once. And I wish I could find him now. Right now.”
“Well, girl, that’s what happened last night.”
“Damn, he was all that?” There was envy in her eyes.
“Was he?” I exhaled. “Girrrrrrll, I thought I was gonna pass out.”
“Damn!” Sabrina sat up and leaned toward me. “You sure he ain’t got no brothers?”
I laughed. “Not that I know of.”
“So what about Derrick? You gonna kick him to the curb for the man with the golden tongue, or what?”
I looked at Derrick’s picture on the mantel.
“Nah, I can’t. I love my boo. He’s the only reason I didn’t sleep with Dylan. Sex is important, but it’s not the most important thing. Love means more. And I’m not about to risk five years of my life for a one-night stand or some meaningless affair. Not when I’ve already found love with Derrick.”
“Hmmph, you better than me, girl. ’Cause if I were you, I’d be picking up the phone right now to invite Mr. Wonderful over for dinner. And the main course would be me.”
“Please, girl, I ain’t no better,” I admitted. “I picked up the phone five times to do the same thing when I was at work, but I kept thinking about Derrick and hanging up. I never been so damn confused in my entire life. Do you know that last night, after he did his magic on me, I actually cursed his ass out?”
“You what? Why?”
“’Cause I couldn’t curse myself out for being so damn weak. And because he made me feel so damn good. Too good.”
Sabrina laughed at me. “You cussed him out because he made you feel good? I know he musta went off on you.”
“Yeah, we had some words,” I explained. “But he sent the roses to apologize.” Sabrina’s expression made it clear she didn’t think I was for real, so I handed her the card from the flowers delivery. “Here. Read the card.”
“Shit,” Sabrina was shaking her head. “A black man who’s cute, romantic, owns his own business, and admits he’s wrong even when he’s not? Where do I sign up? If you don’t want him, I’ll take him.” The thing about Sabrina was, I know she was more than half serious. She’d do anything to find a replacement for Richie. I rolled my eyes at her.
The phone rang, and I realized just how long I had been sitting there with Sabrina. I was supposed to be at Big Momma’s already.
“Shit” I stood up. “Can you get that? If it’s Big Momma, tell her I’m in the shower.”
“Hello?” Sabrina waited as the caller spoke. “No, this isn’t her. Can I ask who’s calling?” A smile came across her face. “Okay, hold on a second.”
Her grin remained as she placed her hand over the receiver.
“Do you wanna speak to a Dylan Taylor?”
My heart was in my mouth, but that didn’t stop me from snatching the phone from her with a mile-wide grin on my face. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. I didn’t want him or Sabrina to know just how excited I was.
“Hello?”
“”What’s up, Jazz?” His voice sent a shiver through me.
“Hey, Dylan.” I tried to stay cool. “Thanks for the roses. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I wanted to.”
“How’d you get my number? Becky give it to you?”
“Nah. Actually, in the world of unlisted numbers, yours is listed.”
“You know, you’re right I completely forgot that,” I laughed, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush. It had been a long time since anyone had made me feel that way.
“Hey, what’re you doing tonight?” he asked.
“I gotta take my grandmother to see my sister’s new baby.” That was already something I didn’t want to do, even more now since it sounded like Dylan had other plans in mind. Then I realized I better check myself. I was letting my little romantic fantasy get out of hand.
“Too bad you’ve got plans,” Dylan sighed. “I was hoping you’d come to Captain George’s with me for dinner.”
“Dinner at Captain George’s, huh?” I repeated for the benefit of Sabrina, who was hanging on my every word, jealousy written all over her face.
“Yeah, and then maybe a movie. But if you’re busy…”
“Well, I do like seafood.” Immediately, I was plotting the quickest way to get out of the maternity ward with Big Momma so I could go out with Dylan later. Of course, I knew this was just what I had promised myself last night I wouldn’t do. I was supposed to be staying away from this man and his temptation. While I was busy wrestling with my conscience, the call waiting beeped on my phone, buying me a little time.
“Hold on a second, Dylan. I got another call.”
I clicked over.
“Hello?”
“This is an AT &T operator with a collect call from Derrich Will you accept?”
“Oh, shit.” I threw my hand over the receiver and gave Sabrina a look of terror.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked.
“It’s Derrick. He’s on the other line,” I whispered.
“You better get yourself together and talk to him,” she told me without a hint of sympathy. Guess her jealousy had gotten the best of her, ’cause she sure wasn’t handing out any supportive advice right now. She folded her arms and waited to witness how I got out of this one.
“Yes, operator. I’ll accept.” I tried not to sound too disappointed.
“Jazz?”
“Hey, baby,” I replied nervously.
“What’s the matter?” Guess I didn’t disguise my mood so well. All I could do was try harder.
“Nothin’. Why would you think something was the matter?”
“Don’t play dumb, Jasmine. I heard you say ‘Oh, shit’ and it took you long enough to accept the call.”
“Oh… I dropped my cigarette on the sofa. That’s all.”
“Where were you last night? I called like five times.”
“I was at the hospital. Stephanie had her baby.” At least that lie came quickly. But I wasn’t prepared for the next question.
“What about this morning? I called you at six o’clock.”
“We were at the hospital all night. She didn’t have the baby till this morning.” I closed my eyes and prayed he’d believe me. A call-waiting beep reminded me I’d left Dylan on the other line. “Oh, Dylan. Hold on a minute.”
“Dylanl Who the fuck is Dylan?”
I shot a look at Sabrina, who had her head in her hands, laughing up a storm. Shit, with friends like her, who needs enemies?
“Did I say Dylan? I’m sorry, boo.” The lies were getting easier, coming faster. “I was just talking to Sabrina about her new man. His name is Dylan. I just got a little confused.”
“What the hell is going on, Jasmine?” His sixth sense was kicking into high gear, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he went off on me. The phone beeped again and I took advantage of the escape.
“Nothin’, Derrick. Hold on a second.” I clicked over. “Hello?”
“I guess you forgot about me.” Dylan’s voice didn’t make me tingle this time. It gave me a headache.
“No, I didn’t forget you. I’m just on an important call.”
“Okay, well, I’ll let you go then.” Damn, he was still being the gentleman. If he were an asshole, I wouldn’t be in this shit right now. “So what’s up with dinner?” he asked.
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Not after last night.” I did another 180-degree turn with my attitude. Just a minute ago I would have agreed to go anywhere with him. Now I just wanted him off the phone. And yet, once again, he dealt with my changing personality and persisted.
“Jasmine, we can go just as friends. I swear, no funny business.”
“I appreciate the offer, Dylan.” More than you know. “But maybe some other time, okay?”
“Hey, we’re still gonna be friends, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, I’d love to be your friend. Look, I gotta go. Thanks again for the flowers.” I clicked over before he could try to change my mind.
“Derrick?”
“Who is Dylan?” He was still on that. Shit.
“I told you. He’s Sabrina new boyfriend.” I took on some serious attitude. Maybe I could distract him from the issue if I got him mad about my bitch factor.
“Stop lying to me, Jasmine.” Damn. He still wouldn’t give up. It was time to turn up the volume.
“Fuck you, Derrick!”
“What’d you say?” I could hear the shock in his voice.
“I said fuck you!” Sabrina was still nearby, giving me mock applause for my performance. I’m sure this shit was better than Ricki Lake as far as she was concerned. “I’m not a liar, Derrick, and I don’t appreciate you calling me one. Now, I’m tired from being up all night. I had a hard day at work, and I still gotta take Big Momma to the hospital to see Stephanie’s baby. So if you wanna call me a liar, I’ma hang up the fucking phone, ’cause I don’t need this shit!” There was silence on the line for a second as I waited to see if my performance had done its job.
“Hold up, baby. Relax for a minute.” I did relax, ‘cause I knew I was finally safe. “I’m sorry. It’s just hard bein’ in here, knowing you’re out there with all them brothers who might be trying to take advantage of you. I mean, look at Sabrina. Her poor Richie is doing his time, trying to hold on to his sanity, and Sabrina’s out ho‘in’ with some guy named Dylan. That shit ain’t right. You can see how I could get a little suspicious, can’t you?”
“I guess. But if you don’t know I love you by now, you never will.” I tried to sound like he’d hurt my feelings. All I was really feeling was guilty, ’cause doubts about my love had definitely crossed my mind in the last twenty-four hours.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” Derrick sounded like he’d had enough of this roller-coaster ride for the moment. “Look, I gotta go to chow, but I’ll call you later, okay?” I didn’t answer. I was relieved I’d been able to distract Derrick’s suspicious self, and I didn’t want to risk another word. “Come on, Jazz. Don’t do this.”
“Make it around seven. I gotta take Big Momma to the hospital.”
“Ah’ight, boo. I love you.” He actually sounded relieved that I’d told him to call me back. It wasn’t often I felt like I came out on top of one of our little squabbles.
“I love you, too, Derrick.” I hung up and looked at Sabrina, knowing she’d be dying to give me her two cents now.
“Damn, girl, they should be giving you an Academy Award, ’cause that was one hell of a performance.” She wrinkled her brow when I didn’t thank her for the compliment. Maybe she thought I wasn’t done when I picked up the phone again. “Who you calling now? Dylan?”
“Hell, no! I’m callin’ the telephone company. This time tomorrow I’m gonna have a new unlisted number. I can’t handle this kinda stress.”