Halo #3
“Yo’ cuz!” I answered my phone when Blake called me.
I could hear what sounded like Siren clapping and screaming in the background.
Blake started laughing, “My bad about Siren. We closed on the house that we picked out.”
“That’s what’s up! Congratulations cuz, I know y’all geeked!”
Blake had been telling me and my brothers about her and Siren buying a house for a few months now. There were three they had their eyes on, so I was good to hear that they finally picked one.
“Thanks. We did not want to tell people until everything was done. I gotta talk to you about something though.”
“Gone ahead.”
It sounded like Blake went somewhere private. “Siren been planning a housewarming party at our new place. It’s a big move for us and we want all our family and friends to come. You know?”
“Yeah, I see where you are going with this. Look, it has been three years, and I haven’t seen or heard from Story. Figured one way or another we’d have a run in seeing that you and Siren are practically married.” I made a joke. “It’s all good, I can handle it.”
“If you cannot I get it, Siren talked to Story already, and she said the same thing. You know we been good at keeping you both separated. We were just hoping with as much time as it’s been it will be cool and we can celebrate together.” Blake explained to me.
I was feeling good when she said Story agreed to come even though she knew I’d be there. Seeing her again made my heartbeat faster and I became anxious.
“I appreciate you and Siren for keeping it real with me. I’ll be there with my gift and ready to turn up with y’all. It’s all good.”
Blake and I talked for a few more minutes than we hung up.
I had mixed feelings about the conversation.
But I knew one thing, I had a week and a half to adjust to seeing Story.
Before I went home, I got an alert from Tapper’s Jewelry that my earrings and watch were ready for pickup.
It came a good timing because I was close by.
“Tomas! How’s it goin’?” I shook his hand when I walked inside Tappers.
Tomas used to be my dad’s jeweler, now he was me and my brother’s.
“I am always good when a Stone is here! Your order just arrived, let me go grab it.” Tomas put a code on the door then went to the back.
When he was gone, I went to look at the men’s chains. The double link one caught my eye. It was $2,000 and I had to have it before I left.
“Halo.”
I looked by the door when I heard my name being called.
I think my breath got stuck in my throat when I saw Story in front of me.
It was like no time passed at all. She looked fine in her waist-length coat, tight jeans, and tall tan boots.
Those thick thighs were the star of the outfit.
Her long hair was half up and the back down.
“Story. Damn it’s good to see you. How you been?”
She put her purse on her shoulder and answered, “I’ve been doing good just living my life. You?”
“I been cool, still working with my brothers and living my life the best way I can. What’chu doing here?”
Before she could answer Tomas came back. “Hello Ms. Macallister, I’ll be right with you.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Story, if it wasn’t for Tomas calling my name I don’t think I would have. He showed me my watch and white gold diamond studs.
“Do you mind if I get Ms. Macallister’s order while you view?” Tomas asked me.
“Not at all, go take care of her.” I granted him the okay. I was about to take my sweet time looking at this jewelry just to stay in the same room with her.
Out the side of my eye I watched her smile at Tomas and talk to him. I missed that one dimple on the side of her face. Her voice and laugh gave me chills and I hated that she was not talking to me. Tomas went to the back and we had more privacy.
At first, it was just quiet with the soft music from the store playing. Story looked at the rings on display, and I kept looking at her. Something needed to be said but my dumb ass could not find the words.
This was not happening! Three years I have dreamed of being in front of her. I knew exactly what I wanted to say but now it was all gone.
“Here we are Ms. Macallister. Make sure it is to your liking.” Tomas opened the box in his hand.
I was being nosey and did not care. Not saying she couldn’t buy herself nice things.
But if this was something that a nigga bought her then I cannot say what I would do.
But my mouth dropped some and a smirk appeared when I recognized the diamond tennis bracelet.
I remember when I surprised her with that and she cried.
“It’s perfect Tomas. Thank you so much.” Story smiled and let him know.
He put it on her wrist, and she admired it then he came back to where I was.
“Everything good Mr. Stone?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s all good. You can box them up and throw in that double link necklace too.”
Tomas was eager to make another sale. He got right wrapping my stuff up then he went to the back to get my necklace since I did not want the display.
Story signed her receipt and put the empty box in her purse.
“You still have the bracelet.” I finally spoke and I made sure my tone was calm.
Story looked at it with a small smile then at me. “I love this bracelet, you know how bad I cried when you gave it to me. Even though we…you know. I was never going to get rid of it.”
There was a moment when we just looked at each other. Her beauty had me speechless and everything I wanted to say to her came back. Story cleared her throat and fixed her purse.
“Siren and Blake told me about a housewarming part they were having. They want everyone there and asked if I was fine with you being there.”
“Blake called me too. I let her know that I was cool with it. Story if ever you are around then I’m cool with it. If you feel that you don’t want to be bothered with me then I won’t make you uncomfortable.” I faced her fully and moved a little closer to her as I talked.
“Thank Halo but it’s been a while between us. I know we won’t be best friends, but I think by now we are mature enough to be in the same room.” Her laugh was playful and I never thought I’d hear it directed at me again.
“I would be anything you want me to be Story, any damn thing.” I was seconds from grabbing her by the coat. Pulling her to me and reminding her just how serious I would always be when it came to her.
Tomas coming back with my necklace distracted me from doing so. But I ignored him and decided to take better hold of this situation.
“What are you about to do?” I asked her bravely.
“Go home and watch TV.”
Shit. I almost switched my next question and asked if I could go with her. But I was not man enough for that just yet.
“Wanna come to Brentwood Grille with me?”
Story immediately hesitated and I could feel her slipping out of her.
“Please. Just food and conversation, that’s all.” I’d beg like a 90s R&B singer if she needed me too.
“Okay, yes I’ll go.”
My grin was bright and I was satisfied with her answer that I almost left my jewelry behind. As much as I wanted her to leave her car in the parking lot and ride with me. I did not want to push too much on her. It was only a ten-minute drive, she followed behind me and I was like a kid at a circus.
“Table for two?” The hostesses asked us when we got in the restaurant.
I told him yeah and he walked us to the table that was to the left of the room. Story and I took our coats off. The long sleeve shirt she wore zipped down the middle. It was open to show a hint of her titties but hid enough to make you imagine. The waiter came, took our order for drinks and food.
“In three years, I know life has changed in some way for you. What’s new?” I opened the conversation after our waitress left.
“Only a few things. I moved and upgraded my car. Regan and I are talking about a partnership with her braid shop.”
“That’s what’s up Story. I know you moved and got a new ride. Blake and Hendrix were quick to let me know that. The partnership with Regan is something I didn’t know. But I know you used to talk about wanting to. Congratulations on everything, you deserve it.” I told her truthfully.
“Thank you. So, what about you? What’s new?”
Our drinks came out and I drunk some of mine. “Construction has started on 08 Angels. I decided to go with the building that you selected back when I took you with me to the viewing.”
“Halo! That’s dope! I was hoping you were still focused on your business. Your grand opening should be huge. Pay for big promotion and make it a huge deal.” Her excitement for me was refreshing.
“If I send you an invite, would you come?” I sat up some when the waiter brought our food out.
“Um. I’m not sure.” She answered with sadness, and I did not like that.
“Story, I swear to God I won’t have a grand opening if you won’t come. The name of it and the building wouldn’t exist without you.”
“You are the one who thought of the name silly.”
“But you are the one who loved it. You gotta come.”
“Halo. Although I am here with you it’s still awkward between us. We can’t pretend what happened didn't happen. I never imagined I’d be sitting across from you again.”
“What made you say yes?” I don’t think I ever held my breath as much as I did.
“I’ve spent so much time replaying our relationship in my head. If I’m being honest, I felt used. Like I came into your life, fixed you in some way only for you to become healed then run off with someone else.”
Her words were stabbing the hell out of me, but I liked that she was telling me this.
“Story that is the furthest thing from the truth. I swear to God, I never used you at all. When I opened up and told you my secrets it did fix something in me. But it was never So I could run off with some other woman.
There was nothing you did that made me fuck up the way I did. It was all me. I allowed people like Golden get in my head about not being experienced, having female friends and I was insecure about you not telling me you loved me the same time I told you.