All That and a Bag of Chips (42 page)

Joshua looked around the room to make sure the coast was clear and said, “No way, girl! You're only sleeping around with two of them. I could see if you were messing around with a different dude every night. I know some chicks like that, too.”

“Thanks, I was beginning to wonder.”

Joshua laughed and said, “Why?”

“I sleep with both of them the same day.”

He strangled on his drink and said, “What?”

She slapped him on the back and said, “Jarvis got Chanelle to drop me off at his dad's house early last night. I didn't know what she
was up to, but we ended up…well, you know. Then after we left the club, he called me about 2 a.m. and asked if he could come over. I thought he was playing.”

Joshua was laughing out loud and asked, “You mean to tell me that you got with Jarvis twice in one night?”

“Well, yeah!”

“Wait a minute. You were bumping and grinding with Jarvis in your room and Craig was right downstairs?”

“I didn't mean to.”

Joshua took a sip of his drink and said, “Yeah, right! Venice, you're a freak!”

She punched him on the arm and said, “Don't say that!”

“Well, you are! When did you get with Craig?”

“Later that evening.”

“Damn! You've got a lot of nerve.”

“You better not tell anybody.”

“You know I won't.”

Venice was left alone for a moment to think about her inappropriate behavior.

During the evening, the room of friends talked and danced far into the night. After awhile, they were ready to say goodnight. But, before they left, Jarvis came over and asked for one last dance.

He held Venice as tight as he could without causing a fight. When they finished the dance, Venice courageously gave Jarvis a kiss on the lips and said, “I'll talk to you later.”

Jarvis stared at her for a moment and finally let her hand slide slowly from his grasp. His touch was magnetic and heated. Everyone said their good-byes. Venice and Craig rode silently back to Bryan's house.

Venice took a shower while Craig packed the last of his luggage. Venice was a little quieter than usual. She was having a hard time shaking the hurt look in Jarvis' eyes when she'd left with Craig. She was also coming to grips that it was going to be three weeks before she saw Craig again. It was about two-fifteen in the morning when Craig asked, “Are you all right?”

Venice didn't respond. She just laid there, looking at him without any expression on her face. It was a blank stare and she felt perspiration beading on her face.

Craig again asked, “Venice, are you all right?”

She finally nodded, signaling that she was, but she felt like she was having an anxiety attack. The situation was beginning to take its toll on her both physically and emotionally. Craig snuggled closer and Venice immediately scooted over and put her head on his chest.

While putting his arms around her, he said, “These next few weeks are going to fly by. You'll see.”

Within about twenty minutes, they were asleep.

Several hours later, Venice woke up to find herself still lying on Craig's chest. Venice rose up and saw that he was sound asleep and slightly snoring. She snuggled up to him and put her face against his neck, gently kissing it. She felt him slowly begin to stir out of his sleep and move his hands up and down her soft body. He opened his eyes to look at her. Venice stared back and rubbed his face as she gave him a small kiss, then another and another. For some reason, this felt final to her. They began to caress each other's bodies without speaking. Venice's breathing was a little deeper and slower, as Craig hit her hot spots.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her neck and shoulders and pulled her tighter, whispering, “You're so hot.”

“So are you, Bennett.”

“Do you feel that?”

“M-m-m-m. How could I not?”

“More?”

“Much more.”

Needless to say, they didn't get much sleep the rest of the night. Venice had fallen for him or was it infatuation? Whatever it was, Venice felt like this was the calm before the storm.

The sun seemed to come quicker than it had before. Sinclair had to work so Venice had the honor of driving everyone to the airport. Bryan was trying to give Venice some instructions of things he needed her to do for him until he got back into town. But, she was too occupied with clinging to Craig.

He leaned down and whispered, “Venice, we're gonna see each other soon. You'll see. The days will go by faster than you think.”

Burying her face into his neck, she responded, “Not fast enough for me.”

“Taylor, is it going to be safe for me to leave you here? I feel like I'm at a disadvantage now.”

“Craig, whether you believe me or not, I want you to know that what I feel for you is real. I never in my wildest dreams thought another man's love could come between me and Jarvis, but it has and I have no regrets. I don't have a clue what to do next. What I do know is that I love you both with all my heart and soul. If I choose you, I feel like I have broken every vow I took with Jarvis. If I choose Jarvis, I feel like I've thrown away every whisper of love I've spoken to you. I don't want to feel like I've used the word love in vain. I pray that whatever happens, you and Jarvis will not hate me or become bitter with love.”

He tilted her chin up and, through her tears, saw the sincere pain and confusion that she carried.

Craig lowered his lips to Venice's mouth and kissed her hot and demandingly.

“Venice, like I've said so many times before, I'll always love you and I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I could never hate or be bitter toward you, sweetheart. Remember that and trust your heart.”

It wasn't long afterwards when the pilot announced that it was time to leave. Venice gave Sidney, Galen, and Bryan one last hug. Then Craig walked Venice back to the truck. He pulled her tightly to him and gave her one last fiery, breathtaking kiss. As he turned and walked away he said, “I'll call you later.”

“Okay.”

He ran back to the plane and she sat in the truck and watched it take off. Within minutes, it was out of sight. She stared into the blue sky as tears streamed down her face. From this moment on, things would never be the same.

Venice spent the next few days running the list of errands Bryan had left for her to do while he was out of town. She also did some last minute Christmas shopping with Chanelle. Jarvis called or came by almost every day, usually with Joshua. She was trying to remain neutral, but it was hard. Especially since she also talked to Craig on a daily basis.

It was the day before Christmas Eve and the Taylor family always had a family gathering on that night. They invited Chanelle and her family over, as well as Jarvis' and Joshua's families. Everyone was there, even her loud, drunken uncle who kept things very lively.
Jarvis, Joshua, and Cynthia arrived together. Chanelle and her family also arrived in a cheerful mood. There was finger food, desserts, and plenty of drinks and eggnog to go around. While the grownups celebrated in the living room, Venice and her guests relaxed in the den. They were having a great time reminiscing on their days together in school. Joshua's brother, Michael, walked into the room. After greeting everyone, he walked right over to Venice and planted a big kiss on her, right in front of everyone.

Venice was stunned and nervously said, “Michael! I'm glad you made it.”

“Hey, V! You look fine as ever, girl!”

Michael couldn't help but admire Venice in the green straight skirt that was hugging her curves. Her V-neck sweater revealed perfectly rounded breasts that Michael couldn't help but stare at and Jarvis was fuming.

Venice was happy to see him. He looked sexy and sinful as usual. He had women all over town chasing him. While he'd had his share of affairs, his main concern was graduating from college and working. She remembered the man had the biggest penis she'd ever seen in her life and he really knew how to use it.

Michael acted like he couldn't keep his hands off her as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. She was getting a little uncomfortable and she could see the muscle in Jarvis' jaw twitching. She knew he was getting pissed and was ready to explode. There was definitely no love loss between them. It went back to the time Venice caught Jarvis cheating and they briefly broke up. She unexpectedly started messing around with Michael, which ended before it got started.

Holding her hand and looking her up and down, he asked, “Why haven't you come by the house and hollered at me?”

Venice smiled and said, “I've been busy since I've been home. I'll come by before I go back to school.”

When she said that, Jarvis looked at her like he wanted to snap.

Joshua watched his brother play mind games with Jarvis and quietly sipped his drink.

Chanelle mumbled, “Oh my God.”

Venice allowed Michael to hold her close to him as he whispered something in her ear.

Jarvis got up, walked over to them, and said, “Damn, Mike. What are you doing, man?” Michael laughed and said, “I'm just talking to my old girl.”

Jarvis sternly said, “She was
never
your girl!”

Joshua walked over to them and said, “Fellas, chill! This is supposed to be a party.”

Venice grabbed both of them by the arm and said, “Look, you two. Stop it! That shit's old! Come on, Michael, behave and Jarvis, cool out baby.”

Joshua said, “Ya'll are acting like a bunch of damn kids.”

Venice made them apologize to each other. As she walked off, she asked Chanelle to help her in the kitchen for a minute. Once in the kitchen, Chanelle asked, “What was that all about?”

“I don't know. Jarvis acts like he's never going to get over what happened between me and Michael.”

“He needs to be cool. If his ass hadn't been cheating, you and Michael wouldn't have ever happened.”

“I know.”

Changing the subject, Chanelle asked, “So, what's up with my boy Craig?”

Venice turned and attended to the food. “It's crazy! I have no idea what to do since I've fallen for Craig. It's special, but it's not like what I have with Jarvis. Our relationship is new and I haven't really given it a chance yet. My relationship with Jarvis has so much history. I just don't know, Chanelle.”

“Well, one day, they're going to get tired of sharing your ass.”

“We'd better get back in there before they kill each other.”

Giggling, Chanelle said, “Let me carry that tray for you.”

The two left the kitchen and returned to the den. They talked, listened to music, then decided to play cards and dominos.

Craig called a few hours later and after a brief conversation with him, she hung up the phone. When she turned around, she ran right into Jarvis' hard chest.

“What are you doing in here?”

He walked over to her and angrily asked, “What the hell was that in there with Michael?”

“Nothing! You know he was just messing with you. Why are you tripping? It was just a kiss.”

“Everything's so trivial to you. Isn't it, Venice?”

“That's ridiculous! Michael's my friend and that's all!”

Venice went into the pantry to get some more cups. Jarvis closed the door behind him and locked it. Venice turned with a pack of cups in her hands and said, “Open the door, Jarvis!”

Walking toward her, he asked, “Have you been messing around with Michael again?”

Venice tried to go past him. “No! You heard him. I haven't even seen him. Now open the door.”

“Venice, I'm beginning to think I can't trust you or believe anything you say.”

“What's wrong with you, Jarvis?”

He stood there for a minute, then put his hands over his face and said, “I'm sorry, Niecy.”

“You need to get a hold of yourself. Nothing's going on between me and Michael. You need to quit stressing whenever he's around. You've had your share of rendezvous that you don't think I know about, but I do. You want to talk about trust? Do you really think I only know about the one I caught you with? I knew about Lisa too, Jarvis. Now, the one time I was with somebody else, you want to trip after all you've put me through. Well, get over it. It was
you
that I married. Remember?”

Venice tried to push past him but he blocked her and pulled her into his arms.

“I'm so sorry, baby. I really can't blame you for being pissed off. I don't deserve you.”

He held onto her for a moment but she wouldn't dare gaze into his sad, sexy eyes. He wiped a tear, which had run down her cheek.

“I love you, Niecy, and I don't know why I go so crazy. This thing with Craig has emotionally drained me.”

She laid her head on his chest and said, “We'll be okay, Jarvis.”

She became hypnotized by his cologne, which happened to be a bottle that she'd given him a few months prior. He was wearing some navy blue dress pants, a white shirt, and a navy jacket.

Still holding Venice, Jarvis said, “I need to see you tonight. I want to give you your present.”

“I want to give you yours, too.”

Venice parted her lips and kissed Jarvis hungrily because she really
was weak to him. She always had been and always would be. Their bodies melted into each other and it felt right.

They left the pantry and joined the others in the den. As soon as they walked in, Chanelle looked up at them and started smiling. When Jarvis sat down on the sofa, Joshua looked at him and asked, “When did you start wearing lipstick?”

The room burst into laughter as Jarvis wiped Venice's lipstick from his mouth and said, “Forget ya'll.”

It was tradition for the Taylors to have their party the night before Christmas Eve. Everyone exchanged their gifts on this night. The party was winding down, but the grownups were still going strong. Everyone hugged, kissed, and said their goodnights after having a great time. Jarvis helped Venice clean the kitchen and the den. He again invited her to join him at his dad's house for the night. Venice was a little reluctant, but decided to go anyway. She went upstairs and packed a bag, then told her folks where she would be. They weren't strict on her when it came to Jarvis since they still considered them spiritually married. Jarvis' dad told him that he was staying with his mother and wouldn't be home. Even though Jarvis' parents were divorced, they were in the process of reconciling. They told everyone goodnight and headed out into the snow.