S.O.L: Save Our Love

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Laikyn Morrows

Icould barely contain my excitement as our driver pulled up to the Miami port.

For two weeks, I had been planning the outfits I wanted to wear on my first cruise.

It was even more special because my birthday was in a few days, and I would get to celebrate it in the Bahamas.

My fiancé worked for a popular athletic wear company, and they were paying for the trip.

I thought it was a cool gesture since he spent so much time at the office and basically lived and breathed the company.

The views in Miami were mesmerizing, and I wished we had gotten here a few days earlier to experience the city.

I reached for my fiancé Kalvin’s hand, unable to contain the excitement in my heart.

He had been on business calls for most of the morning, but I hoped that was where it would end.

Kalvin was up for a big promotion, and he was a little on edge lately.

I encouraged him and assured him that whatever God had in store for him would be worth the wait, but his heart was set on the senior position he was competing for.

“Yeah, I know. There’s a lot riding on this shit. From what I’ve heard, he already buys from our brand, and I believe once he listens to our pitch and sees how much money is on the table, he’ll jump on it with no hesitation. Aaron said if I secure this deal, the position is locked in.”

I rolled my eyes because we were getting ready to board a cruise ship for a three-day vacation, and he couldn’t even put his work on pause to take in the scenery.

When our driver pulled into the port, he parked and opened the trunk.

Kalvin and I both exited the car, and I stood by waiting for him to remove our bags from the trunk.

“Yeah, man. There’s a lot riding on this, but I’m confident. Plus, he’s another black man, and I feel like that alone will give me an advantage.”

Kalvin reached into the trunk and retrieved his luggage, but not mine. I gave him a curious glance before asking if he was going to grab mine as well, and his response caught me off guard.

“Is there something wrong with your hands? No one told you to bring all this bullshit in the first place,” he grumbled as he walked away.

My brows dipped as I fought the urge to say any of the cuss words on the tip of my tongue. The driver must have overheard him because the next thing I knew, the older gentleman was pulling my luggage out and sliding it over to me.

“Thank you, sir,” I said with embarrassment written all over my face.

“You’re welcome, miss. I don’t mean to be intrusive or overstep my boundaries, but you’re too beautiful of a woman to allow a man to treat you poorly.

If he won’t treat you the way you deserve, there is someone out there who will.

Don’t ever settle for less than you deserve.

I have two daughters myself, and I would never want them to be with someone who doesn’t even have enough consideration to carry their bags.

Perhaps this vacation will give you some relaxation and some clarity as well.

Take care.” He tipped his hat before climbing back into his car.

Shame didn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling inside.

It took a minute for his words to settle in.

Instead of dwelling on the situation, I chose to focus on the positives.

I was about to board a beautiful ship and have the time of my life on an island.

While there were a few things I could complain about, there were many things for me to be grateful for.

Life was good. My modeling career had taken off in ways I never imagined, and I had a great group of people in my life who loved and supported me.

I trailed behind Kalvin until we reached the loading area, where men in yellow vests were collecting bags.

Kalvin handed them his bags, then walked away without even a thank you.

I apologized on his behalf and left the man a thirty-dollar tip since we both had three bags.

He thanked me for my generosity and grabbed the rest of the bags.

I glanced up at the sky and whispered a prayer to the Most High for safe travels and peace.

Based on Kalvin’s demeanor, this was going to be a long day; I prayed that it would get better.

When I caught up to Kalvin again, he was finally off the phone, so I decided to try to spark up a conversation.

It was obvious he wasn’t having a good day, so I wanted to know how I could help.

“Are you excited about the trip? There are so many things I’m looking forw—”

“Listen, this trip is very important to me, and I can’t afford for you to fuck it up.

The only reason I’m even bringing you along is because my boss is bringing his wife and asked me to bring you along to keep her company.

All you have to do is smile, keep that bougie bitch happy, and enjoy this paid vacation.

Hell, you should be thankful I let you bring your ghetto ass cousin along to keep you company,” Kalvin grumbled as we stood in the line to check in.

Since it was based on appointment times, we didn’t take long to get through.

After they checked our documents, I tucked my passport back into my purse as we made our way onto the ship.

“I understand you might be under pressure, but watch how you speak to me. I’m not sure what’s gotten into you lately, but I’m not going to tolerate your disrespect.

Not on this trip or afterward. You asked me to come along.

I never begged or asked to be included, and I won’t be treated like a burden or a babysitter. You need me, remember that.” I hissed.

“Are you done complaining? I don’t intend to spend my time arguing this week. I have more important things to focus my attention on instead of dealing with the attitude of a spoiled brat who doesn’t appreciate anything I do.”

I stood in disbelief, processing the new information he laid on me.

When he first told me we were going, I assumed it was because he wanted to celebrate my birthday, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

In fact, based on the way he was talking, I was sure he had completely forgotten about my birthday altogether.

Kalvin murmured something else under his breath, but I paid him no mind as I sent a text to my cousin, China, to see where she was. Her flight landed later than ours, and I wanted to make sure she would make it on time. There was no way I would be able to survive this trip without her by my side.

Favorite Cousin: I’m walking onto the ship now bitch. My legs are burning, but I’m on the way.

I giggled at her message, knowing her dramatic self was probably walking like an old lady. My spirit perked up at the realization that she would be here with me. Her room was on deck seven while mine was on deck fourteen. We had a balcony view, and I couldn’t wait to see the view.

We weren’t able to go to our rooms until two in the afternoon. Since it was currently a quarter ’til noon, my plan was to tour the ship, grab a drink, and check out the casino until it was time to go to our rooms.

“I’m about to check on some things. The staff will put our bags in the room, and the key will be next to the door.

You probably won’t see very much of me today because I have some meetings and networking to do.

If you need something, ask the staff,” Kalvin advised, then walked off without even waiting for a response.

It pissed me off because he could have left me at home if he was going to be an asshole.

I took a deep breath, deciding not to give him the energy he was looking for.

Since my birthday was in two days, I would enjoy my paid vacation, but as soon as we landed back in Ohio, I planned to re-evaluate our relationship to determine if it was worth continuing.

I had never been the type to stay in a relationship that didn’t serve me, and if the last few months were any indication of what our future would be like, I needed to plan my escape now.

“Damn, shorty. You look fine as hell.”

I giggled as soon as I recognized the voice behind me.

“Girl, you play entirely too much.” I turned around, throwing my arms around China’s neck, rocking us both from side to side.

“I saw that juicy booty standing here looking all lonely. I don’t know how you have all this ass, and the rest of you is small. Looking like a sexy ass ant,” she teased.

“Go to hell, Cece. You play all day.” I shoved her shoulder playfully. It had always been a running joke because I was bottom-heavy with only a scoop of breasts. It never bothered me because I loved my body the way it was, and I never got any complaints from the men I dated.

“You look beautiful, and this ship is incredible. I haven’t even gotten a tour yet, and I’m already in love. This cruise is gonna be everything and more.” China squealed with excitement.

“Facts. This is my first cruise, and I plan to make the most of it. I’m glad you were able to make it. I honestly don’t know if I would survive if you weren’t coming. Now, I don’t have to sit in the room sulking for the next few days.”

“Never. I wouldn’t have let you suffer alone. I’m shocked his fuck ass invited me, but I plan to take full advantage of his generosity. It’s the least his bitch ass could do.” She fussed.

“Don’t even start. You would think he’s about to start his meriod from the way he’s been acting lately. His mother claims he’s under a lot of pressure, but I’m ready to remove some pressure from his plate by exiting stage left.”

“Wait, what is a meriod?”

“A man period. I swear, some of them are more hormonal than we are. Can you believe he got upset with me for not packing his bags for him? He never asked me to either. I guess he expected me to do it on my own.”