Chapter 15 Blossom
“Now, friend, if I had known we were going to be working out, I would have stayed my ass at home.”
Panting, I looked over my shoulder and giggled at Stacy.
It had been a few days since I had officially broken up with Tyreek, and I wanted to get out of the house.
I wasn’t about to mope about what was lost. I was a little sad that the relationship had come to an end because he and I had been together for almost three years, but I didn’t regret my decision.
He had been calling me, but I didn’t have anything to say. When I was done, I was done.
“Stacy, please.” I turned back around, raising the axe above my head before letting it go. “A little axe-throwing never hurt anybody.”
A girl’s night out had been long overdue for Stacy and me, so I dragged her to a gaming bar that housed dartboards, arcade games, axe-throwing, and a four-lane bowling alley.
We hadn’t been to this place before, and I was loving the array of activities available in addition to the large open bar, dance floor, and various seating styles throughout.
The vibe was chill tonight, and the crowd was at a minimum.
We had an endless amount of food and drinks, and I was having a good time.
“Whatever, hoe!” She waved me off as she sipped her drink.
“Are you ready to go on vacation? I hope you find a big dick islander to knock the lining outta that coochie. If anyone deserves that shit, it’s you.
” She smirked as she slid off her stool, grabbing the axe from me.
“Move over and let big mama show you how it’s done. ”
Lifting the axe over her head, she drew back as far as she could before throwing it toward the bullseye.
I covered my mouth and stifled a laugh because Stacy had barely landed on the wood.
She didn’t like to participate in anything remotely close to exercise, so I knew I was going to be good and cussed out before the night was over.
“This is so damn stupid,” she murmured as she walked back over to the table to grab her drink. “Let’s chill for a minute and catch our breaths.” She slid onto her stool, causing me to do the same. “Have you still been getting the phone calls and messages? What did the police say?”
After staying quiet about the harassment I’d been receiving, I decided to finally tell Stacy.
Like I knew she would, she insisted that I file a police report.
I was skeptical about going to the station where TJ worked, but I bit the bullet and spoke with the captain discreetly.
He assured me he would get his best men on it and find out who was stalking me.
The captain telling me to look after myself until they caught the creep had me anxious.
TJ was barely around when we were together, but that feeling of security I had from having a man was now gone.
I knew the cops would only be able to do so much, so I was thinking about getting some security at the office and a possible bodyguard to drive me around.
Since becoming single, telling Stacy, and filing the report, things had been quiet for almost a week now, and I prayed it stayed that way.
“I’m hoping it was just someone playing a cruel trick, and now it’s over.
For all I know, it could have been Lisa.
” I threw a fry into my mouth as I rocked slightly in my seat.
It was R&B night, and the DJ was on point.
“I can’t believe Tyreek put his hands on that girl.
Regardless of whether she knew about me or not, she didn’t deserve that. ”
The morning Lisa came into my office, I thought she was going to ask me about a property.
I was blown away when she sat before me and revealed she was in a relationship with TJ.
When I thanked her for coming by and assured her that he was no longer a problem of mine, I meant it.
What I wasn’t expecting was to get photos days later from her, showing the bruises from TJ assaulting her.
How she got my number was beyond me, but I wasn’t mad because the photos were the final nail in the coffin with the dirt thrown on top.
I had made up my mind about TJ, but putting his hands on Lisa was enough to let me know he was never the man for me.
“Cry me a fuckin’ river! That’s what happens when you knowingly mess with another woman’s man. She better be happy that nigga ain’t kill her ass.” Stacy rolled her eyes as she stood from her seat.
I watched her, admiring her gorgeous face.
Stacy was stacked and had ass for days, making anyone who passed by look.
I always wanted a coke-bottle shape, but my petite frame held just enough to show I was a woman.
Looking over her wrap top, jeans, and wedges, I admired her style that was identical to mine.
We both loved all things girly and knew how to show just enough without looking trashy.
“I have to go to the restroom,” she said as she scanned the room. I smiled, knowing she was making sure no one looked odd or suspicious. “Will you be okay until I come back?”
“Girl, go.” I waved her off and continued to pig out. “As you can see, I’m more than occupied.”
Sharing a small laugh, she went to handle her business as I continued to vibe to some Anthony Hamilton.
Sweeping the bar with my eyes, I watched the few people who were here tonight were having a good time, throwing back shots.
From the arcade area to the big screens playing the Reapers game, everyone was in their zone, whether with company or alone.
I loved coming out during the week for this very reason.
Crowds were always scarce, and all the kids were at home.
Reaching for my lemon drop, I could feel a dark presence before the shadow formed over me. As the drink lingered at my lips, my instincts screamed to be alarmed, yet my gut remained calm. Before I could shift my body around to look, I heard his voice.
“You know… If you wanted to work some steam off tonight, all you had to do was call me.”
My eyes landed on his toned body, and my breathing hitched once I locked eyes with none other than JJ.
As my gaze traced his face and broad frame, I recognized he looked just as good in joggers and a plain T-shirt as he did in his work scrubs.
Two diamond studs sat in his ears, and his lineup was still fresh.
This man was so damn fine, and his demeanor made him irresistible.
“Is this town really that small?” My lips lingered at the rim of my glass as I peered up at him. The smell of his cologne was more intoxicating than my drink could ever be. “Since you’re here, maybe you will let me buy you a drink?”
With his hands in his pockets, he said nothing as he stared down at me.
I was nervous under his glare, but I felt compelled to maintain my composure.
There was an aura about him that pulled me in just like every other time we’d been in close proximity.
I’d never felt that way with anyone, especially TJ.
“Raincheck…” he stated in that raspy voice that sent shivers down my spine. “I was about to head out, but I couldn’t leave without saying hello.” He pulled one of his hands from his pockets, pulling me from my stool. “Let me get a hug.”
On my feet, I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck as he gripped my waist and pulled me into him.
I couldn’t help myself when I nuzzled into his neck, taking a big whiff of his cologne.
My nipples hardened as he pulled me into his firm body.
The longer I held onto him, the more I realized his upper body wasn’t the only part of him that was hard.
“It was good seeing you…” I panted, pulling away from him. “Maybe next time, I can get you that drink?”
“Trust me.” He smirked as he lifted my chin. His eyes stayed trained on mine as he lifted my hand, grazing the back of it against his lips. “You can quench my thirst any time you want, in any way you want. See you later, baby.”
Stuck in a trance, I watched him swagger toward the other end of the bar, place a few bills down, and leave. The people nearby stepped aside to let him pass as if he were royalty. His scent lingered behind him, and I wanted nothing more than to melt into it.
“Damn, friend. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you found the man you want to give that honey to.”
Blinking rapidly, I licked my dry lips and turned toward an amused Stacy.
I picked up my glass, downing the rest of my drink, before slamming it down on the table harder than I intended.
I’d never been this flustered by a man before, and I was feeling things that I should have been ashamed of, fresh out of a relationship.
“It’s nothing like that,” I tried to assure her, not even believing it myself. “He came over to speak and turned down a drink. JJ is just a nice guy I enjoy talking to.”
“Girl! That man was looking like the only thing he wanted from you was a shot of pussy juice.” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter from her comment. Stacy could have been a comedian in her past life. “Come on, and let’s finish our night. We have a lot to do in the next couple of days.”
For the next two hours, we joked and laughed about all the fun we were going to have on our upcoming cruise to the Virgin Islands.
Ironically, Stacy had picked the location, but I was excited to go, no matter if it was a pun at me.
I wasn’t going to be as reckless as she suggested, but I was looking forward to having fun and letting loose.
I had no doubt that this vacation and time away from Milly Grove would be one to remember.
Placing my phone in my bag, I walked toward the mirror to make sure I was presentable enough to be around others.
Stacy and I had boarded the cruise ship and were more than ready for this vacation to begin.
All the troubles from home were placed on the back burner because I was sure they would be there when I returned.