Chapter 24 Maddie
Maddie
Iwoke up the next morning in Carlos’s bed alone. It was the first time we had actually spent the night together, so I was a little disappointed he wasn’t in bed with me.
I pulled the covers back and headed straight for the bathroom. He and I had finished two bottles of champagne before we went to sleep last night and my bladder was screaming for relief.
After I was done, I washed my hands and began snooping. His counters were spotless. The only thing on them was a brushed nickel soap dish, an empty toothbrush holder, and a hand towel folded neatly beside the sink. It was weird to me that it was so neat, but maybe he was just that way.
I pulled the cabinet below the sink open and found his mouthwash which I used to gargle while I searched for a washcloth. I found one in the linen closet on the opposite wall and placed it on the counter.
After I spit out the mouthwash, I cleaned my face and folded the cloth neatly over the edge of the sink. Staying at Carlos’s place had been a last minute thing because he was so pissed about the situation with Richard that he’d driven straight to his apartment.
Once we worked our way through the first bottle of champagne while he downed a bottle of Crown, he asked if I wanted to just stay. I didn’t object, but I also didn’t have any of my things.
Carlos and I had sex once before, so staying at his apartment wasn’t a big deal to me. We both showered, he gave me one of his shirts, then we climbed into his bed and crashed.
No sex, just sleep. It was nice though because he held me close to him all night and the slightest move I made he forced my body back against his.
After I left the bathroom, I searched his place, hoping he hadn’t left me here alone.
That would be extremely weird, but I realized he hadn't when I neared the living room and found him sitting on the sofa with his feet propped on the ottoman, staring at the TV.
He looked up and smiled when he heard me coming.
“You finally up?” Carlos extended his hand to me so I would join him.
When I was close enough, I accepted it and he pulled me into his side.
“It’s early, what do you mean finally?”
He smirked and pecked my lips. “I been up since seven. It’s ten.”
“Seven, why?” I asked with a frown.
“Shit, I don’t know. I just be up like that, from when I used to be in the streets all the time. I don’t sleep a lot and I see you been in my shit. You taste like wintermint.”
“Sorry.” I blushed and he kissed me again.
“You’re good. I should have left stuff out for you. That’s my bad. I’m not used to having a guest.”
“Guest?” I questioned.
“Yeah, guest. You know what I mean, don’t be on that slick shit, Maddie.” He looked down at me and muted the TV. “You hungry?”
I shrugged. “And I wasn’t trying to be slick, I just didn’t want to assume.”
“Assume what? That you’re the only woman who’s stayed here for more than a few hours. You don’t have to assume. It’s true, so your ass should feel special. What you want to eat? I’ll order from downstairs.”
“Do you have a menu?”
He stood and grabbed my hands, pulling me to my feet. “Nah, but just tell me what you want. They have breakfast shit, so I’m sure they can make it.”
“Egg and cheese omelet with pancakes and turkey bacon.”
“Turkey? The fuck, man? That doesn’t even sound right. No wonder your ass so skinny.”
I watched as he walked into the kitchen and lifted his phone from the counter.
“Ay, let me get steak and eggs, medium rare, one egg and cheese omelet, and turkey bacon.”
He looked right at me when he said it and shook his head. He seriously looked disturbed by having to order for me, which made me laugh.
“Nah, I have cash.”
“Aight, cool.”
“Twenty minutes.”
I climbed on the stool that lined the counter of his kitchen while he leaned against the opposite counter staring at me.
“Oh wait, do you want coffee? I don’t have any because I don’t drink it. All I have is orange juice and milk.”
“What kind of milk?”
“Just milk. What other kind is there?” He frowned at me.
“Almond or soy.”
“See, you’re playing. What I look like having either one of those?”
“Seriously?” I asked and smiled as I watched him move toward the refrigerator and pull the door open. He grabbed a half gallon of milk and held it up.
“It’s this or nothing,” he said, placing it on the counter while he waited for me to answer.
I nodded and he grabbed a glass and filled it for me.
Half an hour later we had our food and were both sitting in his living room. Me on the floor cross-legged, facing the sofa where he sat.
We spent most of our time eating, with me stealing glances at him while he focused on the TV. I loved just watching him. It felt weird, but everything about this man felt perfect. That made me wonder what was wrong with him.
“Is there something you want to know?” Carlos’s voice almost startled me because I was so deep in my head. When I looked at his face, he wasn’t even looking at me. His eyes were still glued to the TV.
“No, why?”
He smirked then looked my way. “You keep staring at me like I’m gonna disappear. I figured maybe you had something on your mind.”
Embarrassed, I blushed at him noticing me watching him, so I shoved a forkful of food into my mouth and finished before I closed the container.
I lifted and stood to dispose of it. He closed his and held it up for me when I was close enough.
I entered the kitchen and dumped them both before returning. I was about to sit on the opposite end, but Carlos extended his hand to me.
“So, we gonna talk about last night or what?” he asked, catching me a little off guard.
Carlos knew about my ex. We had brief conversations about him, but after the show last night, we had yet to discuss any of it. In fact, it hadn’t come up at all.
“What about it?” I asked as he pulled me into his side and held me in place. He had been watching TV the entire time, but the second I spoke, he lifted the remote, shut it off, and turned slightly to see me cradled against his side.
“It don’t seem like he’s a willing participant in your divorce.
I know you explained the situation, but I just want to make sure I know what I’m dealing with.
Men like that don’t handle defeat well. They’re used to getting what they want, and when they can’t earn it, they try to buy it. Do you have a price?”
I quickly sat up and looked at him like he had lost his mind. I was offended and more hurt at what he was asking.
“Why would you ask me something like that? No, I don’t have a price.”
Carlos looked straight at me with an unchanging expression.
“Look, I know that sounded fucked up, but I know how things work in your world. You don’t marry a man like that because you love him or even like him for that matter.
I was only around him for a few minutes and knew exactly what he was about.
He’s an arrogant, overprivileged asshole.
You were married for three years, shorty.
Not because you loved that muthafucker. So, it had to be about the bottom line.
Who’s to say he won't make you a deal you can’t refuse.
“You can take offense if you want, but facts are facts. I’m not trying to call you a prostitute or no shit like that, but I’m street as fuck and deal with shit head on.
No need to pacify the situation and wake up one day to you on his arm and be like damn how that happen?
If your answer is no, I’m good with that, but if you feel like there’s an amount that will fix whatever’s broken between the two of you, don’t waste my time.
No judgment, and I won’t think less of you, because everybody’s gotta do what’s best for them.
I just want to know where your head’s at. ”
I just sat there for a moment, staring at him in disbelief. To a certain degree he was right, but his brutal honesty sort of rubbed me the wrong way.
“I didn’t marry him because of money. I’m not going to lie and say that wasn’t part of it, but it wasn’t all of it.
I loved him and he loved me. Things were different when we first got together, but it didn’t take long for them to change.
The second I had that ring on, everything about him was different.
He wanted me to behave a certain way. He treated me more like his child than his wife.
I was just an accessory. Then I noticed him smiling and happy around certain women when we went out. That was all the confirmation I needed.
“He gave them the attention he didn’t give me.
So, to answer your question, no I don’t have a price.
There’s not enough money in the world for me to compromise my happiness just to have unlimited funds in my bank account.
I love myself more than that, otherwise I wouldn’t have filed for divorce.
I signed a prenup, which should have been void the second he cheated on me, but there was a chance he could find a way to leave me with nothing because of who he is and who he knows, but I did it anyway. ”
“Aight then, that’s all I need. Fuck him and his bank accounts. I can promise you his pockets ain’t deeper than mine.” Carlos smirked and kissed my cheek, but his statement annoyed me even more than his first rude ass assumption.
“I don’t care about your money. I like you, but not because I think your pockets are deep. Even if I end up with nothing, I’ll figure it out.”
“Ay, I didn’t say shit about that, Maddie.
Trust me, I know you ain’t with me because of what I got or I wouldn’t have allowed you to be here.
I work hard for every penny I have. Maybe not like the people you’re used to, but work nonetheless.
What I am saying is no woman of mine will beg another man for shit.
That ain’t happening. So fuck him. Whether you do it on your own or with my help, I know you’ll be good.
What you won’t do is be with me and have your hand out to him, aight? ”
Nodding, I relaxed a little. I felt the anger radiating from Carlos and it made me smile. He was fighting for me, more than Richard ever had, and it made my stomach flutter.
After a few moments of silence, I looked up at him and smiled. “Your woman?”
Carlos laughed. “Just like a damn woman. All the shit I said and that’s the one thing you picked up on. Yeah, my woman. You wouldn’t be here laid up in my shit like this if you weren’t. That ain’t my style, shorty.”
“Don’t I have to agree?”
“Hell yeah, and you did when you climbed your ass in my bed last night. That was all the confirmation I needed.”
“It might have been nice for you to tell me that before it happened.”
“For what? Like your ass was gonna tell me no. Fuck outta here with that. Now get dressed. I’ll take you home in a few. I have some moves to make, but I’ll swing by and pick you up later for dinner. Sound good?”
I grinned and pulled away to stand. “Like I would tell you no,” I teased, mocking him before I turned to walk away. This was the start of something good.