Chapter Eleven
Rhythm
The rays from the morning sun beat down on my face, forcing me to open my eyes.
Pain registered throughout my loins. My body was sore as hell. I looked over at Channing, knocked out beside me, and shook my head. I didn’t know what I was thinking, having a one-night stand.
I had no idea that I was going to run into Mr. Good Dick with the stamina of a fucking stallion.
When that man told me I’d be thoroughly fucked, he didn’t lie. Last night, he had his way with me on every surface of the room.
When we ran out of the three condoms in his wallet, he’d shamelessly gone down to the vending machine in the lobby and bought a whole box. By the time we tapped out, it was well after four in the morning.
The minute my head hit the pillow, I was off to Lala Land. Now it was morning, and I needed to get the hell out of here. I slipped out of bed and tiptoed around to grab my clothes. I was quiet as a mouse as I slipped my dress over my head.
I looked down at the thong in my hand, and a smirk appeared on my face. I walked over to the desk area and grabbed the pen and notepad from it.
After scribbling a note on it, I place it and the underwear on the pillow next to Channing. Grabbing my shoes and my clutch, I quietly opened the door and slipped out.
On the elevator, I put my heels back on and finger combed my hair, so I at least looked somewhat presentable as I did my morning walk of shame.
As I stepped off, I was the picture of grace. No one would ever know I was throwing it back for a stranger last night.
I stepped out of the building just as a cab was pulling up to let someone out. Hopping in, I gave the cabbie my address and settled into the back seat.
Pulling my phone from my clutch, I saw that I had several texts from Nique. Nique: Bitch, is that Channing’s fine ass?
Nique: Why are you at a hotel?
Nique: You bout to get some dick?
Nique: Oooo you nasty slut! I need details!
Nique: Bitch, I know you saw me call you.
Nique: Are you alive, Rhythm? Please don’t make me call the police. Call me back!
Nique: You have until ten to call me before I’m on your ass.
I laughed to myself as I read her ongoing rants. Just as I was about to text her back, she called me again.
“Good morning, Nique.”
“Good morning, whore.”
I giggled. “Why do I have to be all that?”
“Because I’ve been over here dying to know about your night while you were probably getting dicked to go.”
I laughed harder. “I literally just left the hotel.”
“See! You did get some morning dick!”
“No, I didn’t. I left him asleep.”
“Oh, well you’re a dumb whore then. I would have gotten something to hold me over.”
“Trust me, I’m more than held over. I can’t tell you about it right now. I’m in a cab.”
“Just tell me… was it worth it?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Was it big?”
“Absolutely. And pretty.”
I salivated, thinking about the ways that big pretty monster assaulted my walls last night. Channing was blessed. He had length and girth, with a mean ass curve and killer stroke game.
“Rhythm!” Nique yelled in my ear.
“Huh?”
“Look at your ass over there fantasizing.”
I giggled. “My bad, boo.”
“Are you gonna see him again?”
“No. It was a one-time thing. I was tripping off Raheem. I can’t be out here being reckless like that. I just needed something to take my mind off of him. That probably wasn’t the best thing, but shit, it worked.”
“Don’t go back to the apartment and be on no sad girl shit, Rhythm. I know you feel exhilarated right now, but once that shit wears off, you’re gonna feel everything you were trying to avoid.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“I’m here if you need me. If push comes to shove, I’ll just get my people to pack up my place and I can come back early.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you, Nique. You’re making a big move, and I won’t cloud your needs with my relationship drama. Eventually, I’ll have to deal with Raheem. I can’t avoid him forever.”
“You can’t.”
I pouted as I sank into the back seat. It would have been much easier to avoid him if I was back home in South Carolina, but I wasn’t. My life was in Cali now.
I couldn’t let him and his ego run me out of the place I called home. I’d just have to suck it up and face the music at some point.
Nique and I caught up the duration of the fifteen-minute ride to our apartment. I paid the cabbie and climbed out of the car with her still yapping in my ear.
Entering the parking garage, I took the elevator up to the floor where my car was parked. There were a few documents I needed to get out for work. I might as well busy myself with paperwork.
As I rounded the corner to where my car was parked, I stopped in my tracks. Parked behind my G-Wagon was Raheem’s Audi.
The door opened, and he stepped out. Walking around the front, he leaned against it and crossed his arms.
“Nique, let me call you back,” I said.
“Something wrong?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll call you when I get inside.”
“Rhy—”
I disconnected the call and slowly made my way over to where he stood.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“There’s a tracker on your car. I can always find you, Rhythm.”
I rolled my eyes. “What do you want?”
“I gave you time to calm your nerves, but you need to come home.”
“This is my home now, Raheem.”
“Your home is with me.” He looked me over curiously. “Where are you coming from?”
“I went out last night.”
He frowned. “With who?”
“Friends from work. Why does it matter!”
“Why are you coming home this time of morning? Where did you sleep?”
“In the fucking guest room at my friend’s house!”
I didn’t know why I was lying to him. I mean, I couldn’t exactly say I went to a hotel with a strange man and let him fuck me to oblivion, could I?
Raheem kissed his teeth. “I miss you, Rhythm.”
“Really? Because you and your labelmate seemed awfully chummy. It didn’t look like you were thinking about me at all.”
“Come on, baby. We run in the same circles—”
“Same circles my ass, Raheem. You’re doing exactly what the label wants, or should I say what you want? I mean, you’re a free agent now, right? It’s fuck me and my feelings, right?”
“I’m sorry, okay! You know I love you, Rhythm. You know that.”
“A man that loves me would never ask me to do what you did! I don’t know who you are anymore, Raheem. No, I take that back. I know exactly who you are.
You’re Prince Cole. Mr. Hollywood. Mr. I Can Do Whatever The Fuck I Want. Your ego has gotten so big that you would shit on the people who knew you when you had nothing and still fucked with you.
All you care about these days are your image and making money.
“What happened to the Raheem that was humble? The Raheem that just wanted to make music and get his mama and sisters out of the hood? The Raheem I knew was never this selfish. How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot and I had you watching me all hugged up on another nigga? What if I had your mind wandering with thoughts of whether or not another nigga has tasted me? You’d be pissed, and if you say you wouldn’t be, you’re a fucking liar.”
He stared at me, muted. What the hell could he say when I was right? Finally, he pushed off from the car and closed the space between us.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I know that probably doesn’t mean shit to you right now, but I mean it. I love you, Rhythm. I just want you to give me another chance. Please, come home. The house doesn’t feel right without you there. I miss you. I miss your cooking. I miss that loud ass music you play every Sunday morning. I miss walking into a room and it smell like you.”
He stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I miss holding you and making love to you. I fucked up. You know you’re my heart, Rhythm. My high school crush turned into my lady.
I’m sorry I was selfish and careless with your feelings. I’m sorry I took advantage of the love you have for me. And I’m sorry that I didn’t realize all you’ve done for me. Please… let me make it right.”
He pecked my lips several times before moving to the sensitive spot on my neck.
“Tell me you’ll come home, baby.”
I closed my eyes, trying to muster up the will to not fall victim to his tender words. I loved him.
That hadn’t changed just because I was mad at him. Yet, just because I loved him didn’t mean I had to accept any old thing from him.
He had a lot of work to do to prove that he deserved another chance.
Gently, I pushed away from him.
“I can’t do this, Raheem,” I said softly.
“Baby—”
“No! It’s not that simple. I think we need to chill. I’m not coming back, and you don’t need to pop up here uninvited or unannounced. If you really want to be with me, you’ll move differently.”
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I can do that.” He took a step back, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Can you at least come to my listening party? I finished the album.”
“I don’t know, Raheem—”
“Please? I won’t bother you. I won’t even say anything to you. I just… I need you to be there, Rhythm. We put in a lot of late nights with this one. I just want you to hear how it all turned out. Please, baby.”
I sighed, knowing I was possibly going to regret my decision.
“Fine. When is it?”
“The fifteenth at Cartier Lounge. I’ll get you a section. You can bring Nique.”
“I’ll see if she wants to come.”
“Okay.” He stared at me for a moment before leaning in and kissing my cheek. “I love you, Rhythm.”
“Goodbye, Raheem.”
He looked like he wanted to say something, but instead, he nodded and backed away. He climbed into his car, and I stepped aside as he made his way out of the parking garage.
I sighed as I unlocked my car and grabbed my work bag. I then made my way to the elevator and up to my floor.
Inside the apartment, I stripped down and gave my body a good scrubbing.
After taking care of my hygiene, I changed into a pair of boy shorts, an oversized T-shirt, and my favorite fuzzy socks. I made myself a nice cup of coffee and got comfortable on the huge bean bag chair next to the big open window with a beautiful view of the city.
For a while, I just sat there, contemplating life. I was supposed to call Nique back, but Raheem had me feeling vulnerable.
If I spoke to her right now, I would end up crying, and I didn’t want to cry.
I thought about all the months leading up to this moment. Honestly, I didn’t know what he was doing with lady Lingo. All I knew was what I saw.
Yet and still, as a man in a relationship, being inappropriate was being inappropriate. I’d never play in his face or disrespect him like that.
Bitch, you fucked a whole nigga last night, I thought to myself.
I had crossed a line with Channing. I knew I shouldn’t have been with him, but I was single. It happened, and I couldn’t take it back.
He was a random encounter, we didn’t exchange contact information, and the chances of me seeing him again were slim to none.
What harm had really been done?