32. Stoney
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
STONEY
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
I had gotten up at the ass crack of dawn on a Sunday morning to get me a workout in before I headed to work. I needed to be there early as shit ’cause we had new inventory coming in. If there was one thing I hated ’bout my job, inventory was it. The shit took hours to complete.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my rag and went to the locker room of Crunch Fitness to grab my belongings so I can go home and shower before heading to work. Normally, people just showered at the gym, but I couldn’t find it in myself to do so. I couldn’t use a public shower to save my life. The only thing that keeps playing over in my head is the billions of germs that were in there. I’d feel even more dirty once I got out than I did before I got in there.
I got dressed, ran home, and took a shower. As I was heading out the door, I passed by Doll’s room and she was still in there knocked out. She was off for the day ’cause she had been shopping ’round to try and find her somewhere to stay. I understood. She was used to having her own place before she got locked up and just wanted a sense of freedom again. I didn’t blame her.
I exited the house and stopped by Starbucks to help caffeinate me and get me through the busy morning. Starbucks was one of my favorite places to grab coffee from. I loved that freaking place. I had several of their cups. So many that Doll told me if I bought anymore, she’d kill me.
I stood there in line, anticipating what I was gon’ order when I made it to the front. Stepping to the counter, I told the barista, “Let me get a venti caramel Frappuccino.”
“And what’s your name?”
“Stoney,” a feminine voice answered for me. I turned and saw Kaylan standing there. The last time I encountered her was when I ran past her at her wedding and never looked back. It was embarrassing—that day. I had been falling for her man. She’d been treating him like shit and still ended up with the prize. She stood there with a huge smirk on her face. I’on know what she was speaking to me for. We rarely talked to each other before the wedding. She knew I was Doll’s best friend and that they didn’t get along that well. She only dealt with us at the resort ’cause her ass didn’t want to get caught up.
“What?”
“Oh nothing. I was sitting over there enjoying my refresher when I saw you ordering.” Her thumb pointed in the direction of her table where her MacBook was set up as if she was in an office or something. “I decided that I’d come over here and speak and see how you were doing. I haven’t seen you since the wedding. I been wanting to check on you and see how you were doing. You know… after you ran out on us. What was that all about?” Her brow snapped to her hairline as she eyeballed me.
“It was nothing,” I lied.
“Sure didn’t seem like nothing to me.” She took a step closer to me. She was now so close that her perfume damn near suffocated me. “Were you upset that he still chose me?” My brows furrowed. “I mean, why wouldn’t he? Look at me. I’m every man’s dream. Did you really think that just ’cause you kissed him, he was gon’ leave me for you?” She snickered.
Shut the fuck up! We did more than kiss, you stupid bitch! He don’t even fucking want you!
I desperately wanted to burst her lil bubble and make her look stupid as fuck, but I held my composure. I didn’t really know what the fuck Schizo wanted. He could have easily said all those things to me to cradle my feelings. Either way, she was right. He did chose her. She won. He was hers and there was nothing I could do ’bout it.
“Is that all Kaylan?”
“No. That’s not all. Stay the fuck away from my man. I’m only gon’ tell you once. ’Kay?”
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Whatever.” She bounced back over to her table and the barista placed my drink on the counter. I took it and exited the building.
LATER THAT DAY
I was exhausted. We had finally finished up with inventory and I was able to head home just in time to prepare Sunday dinner. Doll wasn’t allowed back in the kitchen after she almost burned the fucking house down. She didn’t even want to attempt to cook anything else after that anyway.
I gathered my things from my desk and exited my office, bumping right into someone, knocking my purse to the floor. His cologne swept my nostrils before I even saw his face. Schizo…
I hadn’t quite seen him in some time now. He just had to bump into me right after the exchange I had with his stupid ass wife. Her words had been playing over in my head the entire morning.
“I’m sorry,” he said and kneeled down to help me pick my items up that spilled out of my purse.
“It’s fine.” I hurriedly stuffed everything I could grab back into my purse. I went to reach for my charger and his fingertips brushed the back of my hand. Goosebumps coursed my entire frame. Our gazes briefly lingered. My heart skipped beats in my chest for him. I longed for this man and I hated it so fucking much ’cause I knew I couldn’t have him.
Shaking myself from the trance, I rushed and put my remaining items into my purse and straightened my posture. “See ya.” I went to jet the fuck out of there but he caught me by the hand. My heartbeat temporarily stopped. Why the hell did he have to keep touching me?
“I miss you,” escaped his lips.
Tears filled the brims of my eyes, and I shook my head. “No. Don’t do that, Schizo.”
“Do what? I’m just being honest.”
“You’re a married man. I don’t do taken men, especially not one that’s married.”
“That’s not what I was saying.”
“Then what were you saying?”
“I miss us from before the wedding. I miss being able to talk to you. I miss hanging ’round you.”
“Well, sir, you should have thought ’bout all that before you fucked me. I have to go.” Yanking my hand away from him, I trotted toward the exit. I could no longer be in his presence or else he might see me break down.
When I made it home, Doll was sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. “Some flowers came for you.” She pointed toward the kitchen counter where a huge bouquet of sunflowers sat with a card addressed to me in front of the crystal vase.
Schizo.
The corner of my mouth quirked. I placed my purse on the end table and went over to grab the card.
Stoney,
I know you’re probably still pissed off with me about what happened between us, but I’m missing you like crazy and really want you to give us another try. Asia and I broke up. No, I’m not choosing you as a second choice. We were no longer vibing like we once were, that’s how I ended up messing with you in the first place. I choose you, and I really hope that you could choose me. Meet me at Golden Rosé this Tuesday night so we can talk. Please. I’m begging.
- Wade
I immediately ripped that card to shreds. “What’s wrong?” Doll adjusted herself on the couch and asked.
“They’re from Wade.” Though I loved flowers and he knew it, I took ’em and chunked ’em in the trash.