30. DELE
Chapter 30
DELE
Five nights and six days, and now we must return to reality. Do I want to go back? Nope! Could I stay here with Luke forever? Yes! But as much as I desire to stay, I also know our return to Chicago isn’t optional. Chicago is our home. The bellhop takes our bags down. I lace my hands with Luke’s, clinging to the bliss of Honolulu and everything about us. Just a little bit longer before reality comes. I can almost feel reality pulling us apart, but only for a few hours, I’ll enjoy our bliss.
I lean into him during our drive; we are content with us, just like this.
My grip on his hand tightens as we board the flight. He holds my hand firmly, reassuring me that he’s got me. Inside the plane, everything is fancy and luxurious. The moment we sit, he must realize something, so he leaves his phone on the seat next to mine and heads to speak with the pilot.
The phone rings, and the display shows Lily M. with her picture. I don’t need to wonder who it is—I know she’s his ex- girlfriend. Honestly, the fact that she keeps calling him bothers me.
Osei told me how Luke was getting serious with her, and he thought they’d get married at some point. A knot forms in my stomach knowing she’s still calling him—they have history and so much in common. Besides my heart, the insane attraction, and the mind-blowing sex, we have nothing else. With her, they make a powerhouse couple. Plus, she fits better in his socialite world.
I’m only here because I won’t break the contract. Shit! The contract—how could I have let myself forget the pivotal reason he married me? It’s because I won’t break the contract. He sure knows how to make a girl fall for him, but I need to get my head straight. Hawaii was just that—a short pause before reality, which is coming back in full force now. I honestly can’t count how many times she’s called in the last five days.
When he thought I was asleep and answered her call, he promised to call her when he returned. I’d laid quiet, pretending I didn’t hear him, or that my heart didn’t wail at the thought of him promising to see her once he returned.
Guess she can’t wait. She’s calling him now. Before I can make excuses for her calling, the phone rings again—it’s her again. Dang, girl! I better start downloading reality before we take off.
No point in waiting until we arrive in Chicago. I reach into my purse to get my Dramamine and realize we forgot to buy it. Guess I’m just going to suffer through takeoff without clinging to him.
He returns, takes the phone, turns it off, and pockets it. Then, goes back to speak with the pilot before the seatbelt light comes on.
I ignore his offered hand—no more clinging from me. As soon as the plane starts to taxi, the noise begins to bother me. I grip the seat tight; my chest constricts. I can’t breathe, I feel sweaty.
Luke pulls me into him, holding my hand. I squeeze his hand tight. “Breathe,” he says. “Breathe, Dele.” I lean into his comfort, into the strong arms wrapped around me like a guardrail, preventing me from falling.
My tightening chest begins to ease. The flight takes off, and the plane turns. Once it’s at a cruising altitude, I pull away from him and wrap my arms around myself. I know it surprised him, but it’s for the best.
He doesn’t need to pretend we are anything more. We are heading back to reality.
I pretend to sleep, waking up to eat the food served, then return to feign sleep. He didn’t let me sleep last night—we made love several times. I’m sore. No, he fucked me to multiple orgasms, had my vajayjay dripping, and I was begging for more. Lest I call a spade a spade.
His driver, Martin, is waiting for us when we land. I greet him and sit at the other end of the car. I can feel Luke’s eyes on me, but I keep my focus on the buildings and moving cars. The silence in the car thickens. The moment we step into our home, I head straight to my room. No point in pretending anything has changed. My ignorance was bliss for five nights. After all, what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii.
I go to shower; I’ve missed this multiple-showerhead system. I change into my pjs and call Osei.
“Hey, are you back?”
“Yes, got back a short while ago.”
“Hope you enjoyed Hawaii,” he teases.
“I did. It was beautiful, but back to school tomorrow and work.”
“That fast?”
“Yep, you know the drill. The sooner I get back into the swing of things, the better.” I manage to keep my voice controlled so Osei doesn’t ask questions.
“Cool, so I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Sure, but I’ll call you to let you know what time. I’m going to pay my tuition and run a few errands. We can meet up before I head to work—I have an evening shift.”
“Sounds good. Keep me posted.”
“I will, and I can’t wait to hear all you’ve been up to.”
“More like what you, Dele , have been up to with my big brother.”
“Yeah, right. Bye, Osei.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I pull my legs close to my chest. I miss Luke, even as I know he’s just a few feet away. But the sooner I start detaching from him, the better. I repack my backpack with my essentials, change out the clothes in the bag. I step out to grab a few snacks, knowing Paula always keeps the pantry stocked.
Luke stops me on my way back to my room. “Why are you shutting me out?” Is he fucking kidding me right now? I’m protecting myself from you, and if it means I must shut you out to achieve that goal, then so be it . That’s what I want to say. Instead, I respond,
“I’m not shutting you out. I’m just tired. I have work tomorrow. Plus, you said we should stick to the contract in Chicago. I’m just making sure not to break it. Good night.” I get past him and lock the door. I then remember he can get in. It’s pointless locking the door. Besides, he won’t hurt me, that much I know for certain. I unlock the door and tuck myself into bed, starting to count sheep. I toss and turn, and nope, sleep eludes me. My body has an intense craving for him, and I refuse to succumb. I count sheep until I eventually fall asleep.
I’m up the moment my alarm goes off. Not that I had a sound sleep to begin with. He invaded my dreams, every kiss and touch still ingrained in my body. He did a good job of getting my walls down. Now, I’m like an addict withdrawing from desiring him.
I shower again and leave before he’s up. I greet Martin when I see him.
“Good morning, Mrs. Blythe. Where to?”
“Good morning, Martin, please call me Dele. I’m heading to school.”
“Okay, have a good day.”
“You too.” I unlock my Lexus, trying not to cry at how thoughtful it was of him to get me this car, but my subconscious reminds me it was just to fit into the charade of our marriage and nothing more. Think nothing of it, all part of our marriage agreement. I just need to remember why I was chosen.
I drive to school and head straight to the student accounts office to make payment for the semester. I still have a few more days, but I'm first in line, and the lady pulls up my account. To my shock, she says, “I show you are paid in full for the semester.” I stared at her, perplexed.
“Please, check again. I know I haven’t made payment.” She turns the computer screen towards me, and right there before me, it shows paid. I look at the date the payment was made. It was the day I told him I needed to work a few more hours so I could cover half of the semester’s payment.
“This is you, right?” the lady inquires.
“Yes,” my voice chokes. “Thank you. Have a nice day.” She nods and smiles.
“You, too.” I nod back and leave. When I step outside, my emotions are all over the place.
He paid my tuition in full. I’m not sure how I feel about it. He bought me a new car, paid my tuition, and listened to my horrific story without judging. Why would he do all this? Why!? This isn’t fair.
Fuck him! He doesn’t get to be the Mr. Nice Guy to me, so I don’t react to the fact that he’s probably fucking Lily right now or plans to later today. Fuck him! I wail inwardly. The thought of him with her makes me angry. I sit in my car for a few minutes to control my emotions because he doesn’t get to have this much power over me. I drive to the store to get more supplies of my body lotion and a few other items I’m running out of. It’s almost noon by the time I’m done. I call Osei.
“Hey, where do you want to meet up?”
“Our usual place, is that okay with you?” he asked
“Of course, is 12:30 okay with you?” I replied.
“Yep, that sounds perfect.”
I hang up with Osei and call the hospital to ask if there’s an open shift. No open shift, but they could use help for four hours. I jump at the extra time. Anything to keep me from thinking about him or having a restless night.
I shop for new gym shoes before driving out to meet Osei, who is already seated when I arrive. He gets up and gives me a big bear hug.
“I missed you, and you do look well rested.”
“Thanks.”
“I already put in our order.”
“Good, because I’m hungry.”
We talk about the last few days and how much I enjoyed Hawaii, leaving out the details of sleeping in Luke’s arms every night. He tells me more about his new girl, which is a new one every two weeks, no surprise there. He shows me pictures of them, but I know Osei. She’s going to have a flaw he can’t stand in a few days.
“Luke paid my tuition,” I blurt out.
“That’s good.” He stares at my face. “Right?” He says with a questioning look.
“I don’t know why he would do that.”
“Other than the fact it helps you work less and focus on school more. It will also look bad if you’re working so hard while you’re Mrs. Blythe. You do know, that wouldn’t help you guys, right, if some idiots think it’s his god-given right to poke his nose in your business?” He’s right, I’m slowly dying at the rate at which I’m going in this rinse and repeat cycle of work and school. Maybe I can reduce the hours and focus on school more. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can leave and not have to worry about Luke and Lily.
“True, I didn’t think of it that way.”
“I’d say accept the helping hand. Besides, he can afford it and then some.” He snickers.
“Thanks, Osei.” I feel better after speaking with him. I’ll thank Luke when I see him. But that tiny side of me that can’t help itself has to ask: “What’s the story with Luke and Lily?” I ask in a calm tone, even as jealousy tears into me. He shrugs.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I thought he was going to marry her when his dad started pushing him to get married. I was surprised he didn’t and wanted to marry you. What I know is she’s the only one who has lasted longer with him. Maybe his plan is to marry her once he gets his inheritance.”
“Maybe.” I smile to hide my sadness. “She called him a lot while we were in Hawaii.”
“No surprise there. He can’t let go of her.” I nod my understanding as my heart dies within me. It was too good to be true. Osei wouldn’t lie to me. Luke just wanted to fuck me, and that’s what he did. No need to think it was anything more than that. I just need to plan around seeing him, so I don’t make a fool of myself. “Hey, now that you might stop this vicious cycle of work and school, maybe I can introduce you to Trey. He won’t stop asking about you.” I smile. Oh, Osei, you are a godsend.
“Sure, it’s time I get out there.” I happily replied, maybe dating can help me stop thinking of Luke.
“For real?” He rubs his hands, excited, grinning like my yes is winning the lottery.
“Yes, for real. He and I can be on the down-low, so it doesn’t ruin my best laid plans with Luke.” I state.
“Good, don’t tell Luke or his mind might work overtime on how everything could go wrong.” Osei reminds, I nod my understanding. He doesn’t need to worry about that. Luke and I aren’t talking, and he doesn’t care who I date.
“Good, because I signed us up for a rap battle this Friday.” Now my eyes widen in surprise.
“Think about it. We can show our talent.”
“We can try, but are you sure?” I ask, still flabbergasted. He nods. I see his ‘why not’ look, and I might as well join. After all, nothing is holding me back. “Okay, why not?!” I happily exclaimed.
“Perfect. We can meet at my place and practice our lyrics.” He puts his hand out. I smile and shake his hand.
“Deal.”
“Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about.” I laugh. We spend the next hours talking about everything. He tells me more about Trey and shows me a picture. Cute. I see potential. My mind starts to chant I can do this.
Osei and I part ways after lunch, and I go home to change and get ready for work. Luckily, Luke isn’t home, but a side of me is disappointed he’s not. I shake it off and change, remove my ring, and place it in the drawer. I add extra clothes to my backpack, then head to work. Jax welcomes me back with open arms. Kai squeezes the life out of me with a bear hug.
“We missed you,” they both say in unison.
“No, you didn’t. You both didn’t have anyone to cover your asses.” I smirk.
“Exactly why we missed you,” Kai says with a duh look, making me laugh.
I return to work with my two best buddies, and my phone shut off. It’s the only way I can concentrate despite how much Luke tries to linger. When asked if I could stay extra hours, I jump at it without question. Once I signed up, I turned my phone on to see the text from Luke.
Luke: What time are you getting home?
Me: I picked up a shift. I won’t be home tonight.
I breathe a sigh of relief after sending that message. I will clock out in the morning, hang with Jax and Kai for breakfast, load up on coffee, go to class, sleep a few hours, and head to Osei for practice. Then, I’ll return to work. Let my cycle of work and school begin, hopefully, it purges Luke Blythe from my system.