17. JUSTINA
The next day…
Now that Dane was gone, I was left to figure out what the hell to do with the last few days of my stay. Between the spa, the pool, and sitting by the water, I found myself relaxed yet bored as hell. Dane’s presence was sorely missed.
He texted me every other hour, telling me just how much he missed me. Although my phone remained on DND, I kept it close only for him. Everyone else’s calls and messages weren’t even a thought. Including my mother’s calls and messages.
She was so damn overbearing. I couldn’t breathe without her wondering if the pressure of my breath was consistent with the pressure she thought it should wield.
I understood that she wanted me to be who she wished she had been at my age, but I was tired of being boggled down by her unnecessary constraints.
Especially when it came to being in love. As I sat by the shore, I glanced up at the sky, blocking the sun with my hand. A flock of seagulls raced over my head, squawking loudly as they looked for their next meal.
Before he left, Dane brought DJ back to me, thankfully so. DJ played at the edge of the water, acting as if the waves were another dog that he had to fight for supremacy. As soon as the water touched his paw, he barked and ran away, only to run back as soon as the water receded.
I chuckled at him. He was such a playful little ball and already loved me.
No matter where I was, he looked for me and was sure to remain close to me.
As funny as it was, DJ really did seem like he was an extension of Dane and me.
Whenever DJ cuddled with me, I thought about Dane.
He knew what he was doing by getting me that damn dog.
If Dane was here right now, he’d have me tucked against his body. I missed his strong arms and masculine scent. We’d only spent a few days together, but they were the most memorable days I’d had with anyone…ever.
As beautiful and luxurious as Onyx Cove Resort was, without Dane here, I was ready to go back home. The man I so easily and quickly fell in love with wasn’t here with me. Moments under the sun just didn’t seem the same without him sharing them with me.
A few days later…
“So, tell me about your vacation,” Nooki said as she plopped across my bed, scaring DJ. He sniffed her arm for a few seconds before falling back to sleep.
Aggravated, I glanced at my cousin and sighed heavily. Her head leaned back on her shoulders.
“That bad, huh? Okay, then,” she replied. “I’ll leave it alone.”
That was just it. My vacation wasn’t bad.
However, I couldn’t tell her that I was hot over missing my man.
We hadn’t seen each other since Dane left Onyx Cove Resort.
Our phone conversations weren’t enough for me.
I understood why Dane wasn’t willing to have a long-distance relationship with me.
Life was torture without him. Although we agreed to keep our relationship private for now, he continued to spoil me daily.
My latest gifts were dozens of bouquets of roses.
Each bouquet came with a different love note attached.
Of course, my mama's nose was all in my business, but I was keeping my business close to the vest.
Keeping my business close to the vest was a thorn in my side at the moment. Dane was in the city tonight, and I couldn’t even see him. He was at Kar Tell’s listening party, and I was sure every bitch in the place was all over my man. I scowled, thinking about some bitch smiling in my man’s face.
My Husband: I miss you like crazy, baby.
My heart leaped at the text. Dane told me he missed me often, so it wasn’t a surprise. Still, he was out enjoying his artists and crew. Being on his mind in the midst of all the chaos made me smile.
My Husband: Keeping us a secret is killing me.
It was killing me too.
“Your brain is somewhere besides here, Cousin. Mind you, I’m only in town for the weekend. What’s going on?” Nooki asked.
Relaxing my face, I chuckled to get her off my back. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“Oh, when did we start lying to each other? Let me know so I can start lying about my life too,” she responded.
Perturbed, I rolled my eyes just as another message came through.
My Husband: I need to see you. You know where I’m at. Pull up on me.
Dane was only in the city for a few hours.
After the party, he had to hop his jet to London to hopefully secure the deal with UMR. I chewed my bottom lip, heavily considering pulling up on Dane.
All I needed was to be in his arms. Reminiscing about our time at Onyx Cove Resort wasn’t tiding me over anymore. I wanted to see my man.
On the other hand, meeting Dane at the club was going to cause a windstorm of shit.
My name was still in heavy rotation, with people still offering their two cents on my ex-relationship with Shy T.
If I showed up tonight, there was no more hiding what Dane and I shared.
There was no more of me enjoying Dane without the media picking apart reasons why he and I were together, how long we’d been together, or any of that shit.
Speculation would be heavy. Some would crucify me for moving on so quickly.
Others would crucify me for being with Dane.
And how could I forget about my mama? She was going to have a stroke.
However, if I sat back and continued to allow the opinions of others to dictate the way I moved, I’d miss out on a good man. So, decision made, I texted Dane back.
Me: I miss you too. Be there soon.
My Husband: Bet. I’ll be at the door waiting for you.
“Ya know… Last time I checked, you were the one who wanted to watch this movie anyway.”
Glancing up from my phone, I glanced at Nooki and said, “You’re right. I’m sorry, Cousin, but I’m about to get dressed and go out. Wanna ride?”
“What? Are you serious? It’s almost nine.”
I shrugged, shot a quick text to Mekhi, and climbed out of bed. “I’m leaving in thirty minutes.”
Nooki jumped up, but before she could follow me, her phone rang.
“Shit!” she snapped. “This better not be who I think it is.”
While she answered her phone, I chuckled and headed to my closet to change into something that would be comfortable but still cause my man to swallow his tongue.
Twenty minutes later, I was dressed, but Nooki lay across my bed, caking on the phone.
With no time to spare, I twiddled my fingers at her and dashed out the door, wearing the chain, bracelet, earrings, and ring Dane bought me for my birthday.
I looked and felt amazing. Mekhi waited for me and had the door open.
I slid right into the sedan without the slightest incident.
Five minutes later, I received a text from my mother.
Mom: Where are you on your way to?
Me: Just running somewhere really quickly. I’ll be back.
I sent the message, then immediately regretted it. My mother needed to get a life and stop being so concerned about mine.
Thirty minutes later, Mekhi pulled up to the club, and almost immediately, I groaned. As suspected, the building was overflowing with patrons. Security was scattered throughout the front of the building, though, daring anyone to roll up on some bullshit.
I spotted Dane standing taller than most of the people lining the entrance. He spotted my car, too, and made his way towards me. Giddy, I waited patiently for him to open my door. Just like that, tears coated my eyes as he took my hand and helped me out of the car.
Here goes nothing, I thought. People were already shouting Dane’s name, and as soon as they recognized me, they were going to lose their minds.
Sure enough, it took one fucking person to notice my profile. She shouted my name loud as hell, alerting everyone to my presence. Undeterred, Dane and his security led me inside the club. I held on to him as if my life depended on it.
Kar Tell’s album bumped loudly through the speakers, causing the building to shake. The rumble made my heart beat faster. It didn’t slow down until we were in Dane’s VIP section, and I was in his arms.
My man wrapped me up and rocked me like we’d been away from each other for decades. He cupped my face and kissed me like there weren’t several people in his section staring at us. I draped my arms around his waist and kissed him back just as fervently as he kissed me.
“You think me being in love wit’ you is a game?” he asked between kisses. “You got me fucked up, Justina.”
I shuddered at the look in his eyes. He led me to one of the couches, where he sat down and brought me to sit in his lap.
To think, I wasn’t the least bit nervous to be draped over him as people snapped pictures and recorded us.
Dane seemed unfazed by the chaos we created as he motioned a bottle girl over.
One minute later, I had a drink in my hands.
Suddenly, my skin crawled. Discreetly glancing around, I wondered where the strange feeling came from. Dane’s hand rested on my thigh, and he squeezed it to get my attention.
“You okay?” he asked.
Nodding, I replied, “I’m perfect.” And I was.
As my gaze slid back over the scenery, Shy T’s face appeared.
Although Kar Tell was Dane’s artist, this was a listening party, so I wasn’t surprised that Shy T showed his face.
Almost as quickly as I saw him, security obstructed my view of Shy T and his crew.
Good, I thought, even though I knew Shy T wasn’t stupid enough to cause problems in this climate.
It was fuck him anyway. I was right where I wanted to be.
My time with Dane ended all too quickly.
Leaving him and heading back home was somber as hell.
Recalling the way I sat on his lap, vibed to the music, and enjoyed a few drinks made me want to turn this car around and have Mehki take me to Dane.
I’d fly with him to London. That was crazy as hell considering I had my own fucking album release approaching.
I’d been so wrapped up in Dane that the anxiety of releasing a new album wasn’t even on my mind.
I arrived home and thanked Mekhi for coming out at this hour.
As I walked through the front door, my mama waited for me in the foyer.
Her unannounced pop-up irked the fuck out of me, but I knew exactly why she was here.
The look on her face wasn’t pleasant, so I braced myself for the rant she was about to go on.
“Where were you?” she asked as if she didn't know. That was going to piss me off.
Just then, a message came through my phone. It was from a private number. I almost deleted it without viewing the images attached, but I opened it.
Pictures of Dane boarding his jet with Kady in tow caused my blood to instantly boil.
Stalking off towards my room, I didn’t need my mama to see me explode the way I wanted to.
I chuckled to myself, but it was nothing funny in the act.
Heated wasn’t even the word. Here I was, believing every damn word Dane said, and he was… he was…
“Fuck!” I swore as tears dotted my eyes.
“Justina Knight. I know damn well you’re not in here crying.”
Quickly, I wiped my tears, whirled around, and partially glared at my mama. “Why are you in my room?”
“Coming to check on yo’ ass,” she spat. “You didn’t say a word to me before you ran in here. Now, tell me what the hell is going on.”
“Nothing’s going on, Ma. Can you get out of my room, now?” She had to get away before any more tears had a chance to fall. I turned away from her to mask the feelings bubbling over. She snatched me back around and scoffed.
“What the hell?” She stared into my eyes as they welled up. I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over. “So, it’s true?" She pursed her lips and shook her head.
“What’s true?” I asked stupidly.
She knew it and gave me that look only a mama could give. “I wasn’t born yesterday. You and Dane? It’s true,d” she stated.
Sighing, I removed myself from her hands and hated that my eyes started sweating heavily.
“Justina, I told you—”
“Please!” Exasperated, I held up my hands. “I don’t need you to rub it in my face, okay.”
“Yes, you do!” she replied. “That’s the only way you seem to get anything through your head. I have to keep reminding you that I know what’s best for you. Now go in the bathroom and clean yo’ face.”
If it meant getting rid of her, I hurried to the bathroom.
I stayed there for most of the night, crying and wishing Dane would’ve been who I hoped he would be.
Everything I said I wasn’t going to do, I did with Dane.
I made one dumb ass decision after another.
Maybe my mama was right. Love wasn’t for me.