Chapter 15
It was hard saying goodbye to Aunt Addy on Friday. I’d packed my car early in the morning, but I planned to hang around until at least lunchtime.
“What’s going on with your party?” I asked as I watched her eat bacon. I looked down at the vegetarian sausage on my plate and sighed. “Why are you being so secretive about it?”
“You’ll see.” She winked. “So, tell me, I heard you giggling and sniggling on the phone yesterday. What was all the congratulations about?”
“Oh, I was, um”—I let out an embarrassed laugh—“congratulating Lamar. He had a good work-related meeting, and he’s going to take things to the next level. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was so loud.”
She smiled, slightly tilting her head. “Don’t be sorry. It was nice hearing you sound so … happy.”
“I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too. Thank you for spending the summer with me.”
“I wanted to be here with you. You don’t have to thank me.”
Seconds later, my mom and dad burst through the door. The four of us talked until it was time for me to get on the road.
“What is that on your wrist?!” Mom exclaimed.
Aunt Addy laughed. “My new tat.”
“What are you doing getting a tattoo?” Dad asked, confused and amused at the same time. “You’re too old to be doing stuff like this!”
“And in your condition,” my mom added. She turned to me with her hands on her hips. “Did you know about this?”
I turned to better show the inside of my arm. “I sure did.”
“Oh my God!” Mom gasped dramatically. “How are you going to be able to teach with tattoos all over you? How are you going to become a principal one day?”
“She’s going to quit the school system and write books anyway,” Aunt Addy answered for me.
“What?!” Dad gasped. “Teaching is such a respectable career.”
My mom’s hands flew to her cheeks. “Jazmyn! You can’t quit this close to the school year!”
“She’s kidding.” I laughed. “But I am going to publish a book—”
“She’s almost done,” Aunt Addy interjected.
“Yes. I’m finishing it in the next few weeks. So, if on Tuesday they fire me for the small tattoo on the inside of my wrist, I have a backup plan.”
“What am I going to do with you two?” Mom fussed, pulling me into a hug. “I love you, and I just want what’s best.”
“Bye, Mom, I love you, too,” I told her, giving her a squeeze.
I hugged my dad next. “I love you. Season starts next week.”
“I know. I got the first game in my calendar.”
When I got to my aunt, we both had tears in our eyes. I bent down and hugged her silently for a moment, not wanting to break down and cry.
“I love you,” I choked out.
“I love you more,” she replied. “Remember to never stop fighting.”
Tightening our embrace, I murmured, “You either.”
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I told them all goodbye and headed outside. Monica was parking as I approached my car. I waited for her to come up the driveway, and then I gave her a hug.
“You have my number,” I told her. “If anything changes, if you think she’s about to go, call me. I will drive down here. I don’t care what time it is. Call me and let me know.”
“I will,” she assured me. “I promise.”
I gave her a wave. “Take care of her.”
“Always.”
I didn’t make it down the street before I started crying. I’d only been driving for ten minutes when my phone rang.
It was Aunt Addy.
“Hello?” I answered, fully prepared to turn around.
“Don’t forget to send me a picture of you and Lamar at Aaliyah’s birthday party tonight. I didn’t want to say anything in front of your parents because they would’ve asked all types of questions.”
“Thank you.” I laughed. “The party is tomorrow, but I will absolutely send you pictures.”
“Live your life.”
We said our goodbyes, and I dried my tears. With my music turned up, I didn’t get consumed with sadness. I just got introspective and gave myself space to think.
When I arrived home, I had a white envelope taped to my door.
I grabbed it as I walked into my cute little one-bedroom apartment.
Frowning at the stale scent that greeted me when I entered, I carried my bags to the bedroom.
The lack of movement and warm weather for almost two months forced me to immediately open my windows and get to cleaning.
By the time I finished, I was exhausted.
But before I showered and prepared for bed, I remembered the letter from the door.
Shit, I internally groaned as I recognized the Richland Hills letterhead and the two-week-old date emblazoned on the top.
I was expecting the worst as I started reading, and then I stopped in my tracks as I realized a mistake had to have been made.
“I wish,” I muttered as I saw that there was a credit on my account that covered my rent through the rest of the year.
I’ll send her an email.
Shaking my head, I headed to the bathroom. After a shower, I called Nina, and at midnight, we called Aaliyah to tell her happy birthday. Talking to them was a great way to wind down, and when I fell asleep, I slept hard.
Lamar Anderson: If I leave straight from the facility, I can get to you at four o’clock. If I go home, I can get to you by five, five-thirty. Let me know what you want me to do. I have my stuff with me.
Jazmyn Payne: We have to be there at six and we can’t be late so I’d rather you just come straight here. You can get ready with me and then we’ll head out to Dowdy Lake.
I sent that text when I woke up and then rushed to my nail appointment.
I hadn’t been since the spa day with my aunt.
I got my eyebrows threaded, and I got a wax because I hadn’t had one since June.
I couldn’t get a hair appointment until next week, so when I showered, I took extra time to wash my locs.
“Braless?” I mumbled out loud as I stared at the black gown.
The backless halter with two sheer pieces that hung long like a train was a sexy choice that Nina and Aaliyah had picked out for me.
But I was only just now realizing that due to my summer in Chance, I’d never purchased the breast tape necessary for a dress like that.
I tied my silk robe tighter and reached for my phone. I was going to call Nina to ask what she would suggest since I didn’t have tape. But I saw the time and freaked out because I still needed to sit under the dryer to dry my hair.
To kill two birds with one stone, I set up my hooded hair dryer in the living room, and I moisturized my body while sitting under it. I wanted to have everything done and be dressed before Lamar arrived at four o’clock.
Lamar Anderson: Are you home?
Jazmyn Payne: Yes, sitting under the dryer so texting is easier.
Lamar Anderson: Is it okay if I come up? I’m a little early.
Panic swirled in my belly as I still needed fifteen more minutes until my hair was dry.
There’s nothing I can do about it now.
I crossed the living room to unlock the door and then got back underneath the dryer.
Jazmyn Payne: Of course, come on up. It’s unlocked.
I hadn’t seen Lamar in so long, I got nervous when he knocked. I made sure I was covered up completely and retied the belt of my robe just as the handle started to turn.
“Hey,” I greeted him when he walked through the door in basketball shorts and a T-shirt. “Come in.”
“What’s up?” he said, noticing what I had on. “Is this the move for the night? Because if so, I’m going to be overdressed.”
Grinning, I rolled my eyes. “I’m getting dressed after my hair dries.”
“I’m not complaining. I like it.” He tilted his head to the side. “That’s a short-ass robe.”
“I have about fifteen more minutes under here, and then I’m getting dressed,” I replied, swatting at his arm as he came close.
“You can put that”—I pointed to his duffel and garment bags—“in my room. It’s at the end of the hall.
And the bathroom is right next to it. I have a towel and washcloth out for you. ”
“Thank you.” He grabbed my hand and then leaned down to kiss it. “It’s really good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.”
Fifteen minutes later, the dryer stopped, and the shower turned off. I had just gotten in my room when Lamar exited the bathroom.
Well, damn.
Lamar Anderson’s fine ass was wrapped in just a towel.
He stopped when he saw me.
At six feet five inches with broad shoulders and muscular arms, he filled the doorway with his thick body.
The water droplets speckling his mahogany skin dripped down his firm chest and soft belly.
The outline of his terry cloth–covered bulge held my attention and seemed to become more pronounced as the seconds ticked by.
My nipples tightened against the silk at the sight of him. I ripped my eyes up to his and flushed when I realized he’d caught me staring. “I, um … did you—is the bathroom steamy?” I stammered.
His gaze slowly scanned my body, lingering on my breasts. “Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll give it a few minutes,” I mumbled distractedly, sweeping my eyes down his body again.
He licked his lips and started to cross the room toward me. “How much time do we have?”
The way he looked at me sucked the breath from my body. His gaze left me exposed, inexplicably vulnerable.
I exhaled shakily. “Um, we need to leave in an hour and fifteen minutes.”
“So there’s time.”
“For what?” I whispered.
Without a word, he gently wrapped his hand around my neck and backed me up against the wall.
His face hovered over mine. Seconds ticked by, and my heart started racing.
His eyes bored into me with such a fierce intensity that it reduced me to nothing more than raw nerve endings.
The want and need etched into his handsome features assured me he was just as far gone as I was.
“There’s time for me to show you what’s been on my mind,” he said softly.
His mouth was so close, I thought he was going to kiss me. But he hovered just out of reach, leaving me waiting, wanting. The electricity crackled between us.
“If you want that,” he whispered. “Do you want that?”
As he stared into my eyes, his fingers flexed against my throat. I knew my pulse told him my truth.
“Yes,” I breathed. “I want it.”