Chapter 12
Twelve
Dy
R ing. Ring. Ring.
I grabbed my phone off the table and laughed when I realized it was Wilder calling.
I answered the video call, then turned my phone’s screen toward her parents.
“Looks like somebody is jealous that I’m spending time with you guys,” I said with a smirk.
Wilde’s parent and I had just finished our clinch at Melon , and I had thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.
Once my best friend and I found each other, we became joined at the hip.
That meant at least three sleepovers a week at either of our houses.
Her parents became mine and mine hers, so it was only right that I spent time with them anytime I came home.
Mrs. Rhodes laughed. “You know she’s spoiled, chile.”
“Get off my daughter, nie. Hey, baby girl,” Mr. Rhodes said, smiling at my phone screen.
In the innocent tone that she saved just for her father, Wilde said, “Thank you, Daddy. Since your wife and my best friend are being mean, I’ll just talk to you.”
I turned the phone toward me and stuck my tongue out. “Girl, bye. You called too late. We’re on the way out.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
We all stood, and I gave each of her parents hugs and kisses, then allowed my brat of a best friend to talk to them for a minute. I had driven my mother’s car to the restaurant, and I had to use the restroom, so I headed for the back of the building while her parents headed out of the front door.
I put Wilder on mute as I took care of my business and listened to her talk about everything under the sun. Once I was in the sink area, I unmuted her and turned on the sink.
“Did you tell Brick yet?” she asked as I began washing my hands.
I shook my head. “Not yet. He’s supposed to be picking me up from my parents’ house later. I wanted to tell him in person.”
Wilder squealed. “I’m so damn happy, girl, I can barely contain it.”
I had been loving every moment of my reunion with Brick, and the time I spent with him and his people the day before sealed the deal.
As I was lying next to him in bed last night, I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to Paris.
He had an early studio session, so we didn’t talk much when we woke up, but it would be the first thing I told him when I saw him again.
Everything about us felt right. That, plus all the motivation my loved ones continuously gave me about starting my own talent agency, pushed me to pull the plug on my miserable career with Maria.
“Have you told Maria yet?”
I sighed. “Not yet.”
I figured I would wait until I got with Brick to do that because I was sure I’d need the moral support.
“Don’t be nervous about it, boo. Maria is going to be fine. She’ll have a student fresh out of college begging to whup her ass soon enough. That woman doesn’t deserve you at all, and I am so proud of you for finally choosing yourself and taking your life back. It’s only up from here.”
“Thanks, bestie.”
Once I dried my hands, I grabbed my phone and headed out of the restroom.
“All right, Wilde. I’ll call you after I tell him.”
“Love you, bye.”
“Love you, bye.”
After leaving the restroom, I turned the corner to head for the exit, but a familiar face at the bar made me do a double-take.
Leaning in slightly, I squinted, trying to get a better look at the pair.
My heart raced as I confirmed who each of them was.
Immediately, I retreated and stood behind the corner where the bathroom was, to avoid being seen while I snooped.
There, at the bar, enjoying drinks together, were none other than LaShontae and Brixton .
They leaned in toward each other and seemed to be in a serious conversation. From where I stood, I could see her face clearly but only Brick’s side profile. LaShontae’s expression was hard to read. She wasn’t smiling, but she didn’t seem upset either.
Why the hell was he here with her?
Didn’t he just finish telling me that this woman was no longer in his life, and that I was it for him? If those things were true, why was he here and not at the freaking studio?
I chuckled and shook my head, trying not to overreact.
I had half a mind to interrupt their little happy hour, while the other half wanted to leave and block his number.
Maybe there was a logical explanation for this meeting.
His body language was stiff, and neither of them was touching each other, so?—
My eyes widened and my heart stopped as I watched LaShontae cup the back of his neck and pull him into one of the biggest public displays of affection I had ever witnessed.
I mean, she had opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue before their lips even met.
As badly as I wanted to look away, I kept my eyes on them, waiting for him to push her off, but it had been a full four seconds, and that hadn’t happened yet.
I continued watching and almost fainted when he moved his hand from the back of his barstool to the back of hers . I had officially seen enough.
I chuckled, but it came out more like a small sob as I looked away. My fingers went numb, and my stomach twisted as I took the steps required to leave the restaurant. I kept my distance from the bar as I exited, and as soon as I was outside, I breathed in the crisp air and allowed my tears to fall.
My steps felt weighted, but I continued my journey to the car with tear-blurred vision. Once I was in the driver’s seat, I pulled out my phone instead of driving away. Opening my flight app, I typed, then scrolled, looking for the quickest flight to Paris, since I had already canceled mine.
There was a flight tonight.
Six o’clock. The flight would take off before Brick was even due to pick me up. It was hella expensive, but it was a nonstop flight, so the decision was made. I felt like I was on autopilot as I went through the motions of booking the flight.
Book.
Confirmation email.
Boarding pass.
Done .
“I can’t believe I almost threw my life away for this man.”
I am so proud of you for finally choosing yourself and taking your life back.
Wilder’s words from only minutes earlier echoed in my head, but they barely registered. I couldn’t focus on my goals, dreams, or how much I hated my job at the moment. All I could think about was the betrayal I’d just witnessed.
A sharp pain pierced through my chest, making me wince as I grabbed it.
I believed him. When he looked me in the eye and told me they were done, I really believed him.
Stupid .
I wasn’t upset with LaShontae at all. I was angry with myself for believing a liar. For feeling too safe, too soon.
I took in a deep breath, then let out a shaky one, before I started the car. I was not confronting him with this. He was too good at deceiving me, and I refused to be manipulated again. I know what I saw, and that was enough.
At some point, I was going to have to sort out the pieces of my heart that this man had just shattered, but for now, I’d focus on putting as many miles between us as I could.
I knew my mother would be sad that I was leaving so suddenly after hinting at the possibility of me staying, but I couldn’t worry about that either. I had to go.
By six, I’d be in the air.
By midnight, I’d be in Paris.