Lyfe Changing (17 page)

He politely nodded and
decided to leave before she burst out into more awkward questions.
“Well I can see you ladies are busy, so I’m going to get out of
your way. Destiny hopefully I’ll see you soon.” Derrick smiled at
me as he turned to walk away. “Wait…” Marisol stopped him before he
left. He paused and looked at both of us peculiarly. “Actually…we
are closing up early today.” “We are?” I said looking at Marisol
puzzled. She gave me a strained smile. “Yes…we are.” I nodded
confusingly. “Oh…yeah.” “So I will lock up and I’m sure you two
kids could find something to do.” Marisol said going behind her
office desk collecting the keys to the gallery. I didn’t understand
why I was going along with her little plan but something in me
didn’t want Derrick to go either…not yet. Standing by the doorway
he nodded somewhat aloof but overall pleased.

“
Ok…well I’ll wait for you
outside.”

“
Ok.”

I watched him walk out the
double doors and breathed a sigh of relief. Marisol stood close,
looking at me smiling. “Ok you mind telling me what that little
stunt you just pulled was?” I asked her sternly. “Look boss, I
haven’t seen you on a date in I don’t know how long…” She said as
she put client files away and gathered her things…and mine. “Now
out of nowhere you have two handsome studs chasing after your tail.
I am doing you such a huge favor and you can thank me later.”
Marisol grinned handing me my purse and coat. I turned to her and
shook my head. “Listen he is just a friend…a friend that I haven’t
seen in a while. So were going to do some catching up but that’s
it.” She eyed me suspiciously. “Catching up huh? Is that what the
kids are calling it?” I shook my head not wanting to divulge any
further information. “Just lock up for me and enjoy your afternoon
off.” Marisol nodded. “Will do.” As I walked outside Derrick was
waiting for me holding the door to his truck open so I could get
in. He stood watching me walk toward him as if he had been waiting
for me all his life.

The look in his eyes was
very penetrating making my heart beat faster.
Look this is just hanging out with a friend and nothing
more.
I told myself.
There is nothing to be concerned about
. I brushed against him as I made my way into the truck
feeling the same friction I had once felt before when my skin made
contact with his. It was electrifying. Closing the door for me
Derrick came around the vehicle to the driver’s seat and strapped
in. “So where to?” The air inside here was so thick with the heat
between us I could barely breathe let along speak. “I guess dinner
or something at Ellen’s Stardust.” Derrick nodded. “Ok.” He started
up the engine and we made our way to the burger joint on Broadway.
We took a seat near the window in the back. Conversation started
off a bit slow with us but soon picked up as time passed. We began
laughing, telling the same jokes, sharing the same stories, feeling
that same connection we did from the first night we were together.
“See…” I said sarcastically. “Aren’t you happy you finally manned
up and apologized? Now you can see my pretty mug again.”

“
Oh please…” Derrick
sighed. “I still can’t believe you made me give you that long ass
drawn out apology. You would have thought I ran over your damn cat
or some shit.” I laughed at his crude humor and he laughed too.
Derrick’s smile somewhat faded though which puzzled me. “It’s
crazy…any regular day of my life I would have never gone out of my
way to apologize to anybody…and I mean never. But for someone
reason it was as if…I needed to see you…” He paused for a moment.
“I don’t understand why so don’t ask.” Derrick really looked
confused and stressed. I instantly had compassion for him knowing
what all he had been through. What I didn’t know was how to comfort
him in his time of need. “Maybe it is because of the accident.” I
suggested. Derrick turned his gaze to me not fully understanding.
“I think it kind of bonded us in some crazy way. How have you been
since?” I asked truly concerned. He sighed and shrugged again.
“Shit…can’t complain…just glad I’m still here you know.” Derrick
continued to stare at me as if he was searching for
something…answers to all his questions. I faintly smiled liking the
way our eyes connected. “I’m glad you’re here too.”

I could feel those eyes of
his pulling my body closer to him, drawing me in. My mouth watered
as I could almost feel the softness of his lips…keyword almost. I
instantly pulled back not sure if I wanted to go there with him
again. Derrick picked up on my hesitancy. “What’s the problem?” He
asked confused. “Do I have burger breath?” He breathed into his
hand trying to check himself causing me to burst into a
chuckle.

“
It’s not that it’s just…I
don’t think we need to go there again.”

“
Why not? You still mad? I
thought you forgave me for my actions and I forgave you for the
things you said.”

“
Derrick I may not have
liked the way I spoke to you but I meant what I said.”

“
So you still think I am
trash but you meant it in a polite way.”

“
No…I didn’t say
that.”

“
So what are you
saying?”

His voice got more
aggressive than necessary. “I’m saying I have reason to be a little
leery of this relationship…you have children with multiple women,
your recovering from an accident, and to top it you have a gun
charge on your record.” I blurted out, I felt like a dam that just
had burst. “So excuse me if I am a little cautious.” Derrick looked
away from me a moment and sighed until finally bringing his eyes
back to mine. “Look Destiny I am not claiming to be the perfect
man, in fact I am far from it but I know who I am and what I am
bringing to the table. I am going to be honest with you and will
never trick you or manipulate you into anything. So if you honestly
feel that I am not worth your time just let me know right now.” He
asked boldly. I looked away from him for a moment; I would be bold
face lying if I said I didn’t want him. I just wasn’t sure if this
could actually work. Derrick pulled my hands into his gently
kissing the top of my skin. The feel of his lips on me was
undeniable; I couldn’t even pretend it wasn’t good. I sighed for a
moment and touched his face with my index finger.
I guess there is no fighting this huh?
I thought.

Derrick

Destiny and I arrived at her
condo around midnight. Our entire evening together had been filled
with a lot of laughter, passion and desire. I still wasn’t sure
where our relationship stood but we both couldn’t deny the way we
felt about each other. “Well this is my stop.” Destiny said finally
breaking our silence. “Yeah looks like it is…When am I going to see
you again?” I asked. She licked her dry lips and shrugged. “You
have my number…use it.” I nodded. “Will do.” I placed a quick kiss
on her before she slowly grabbed her purse and exited the truck.
“Goodnight Derrick.” She said real sultry. “Night.” As she closed
the door and walked up her building steps I stared her down hoping
to convince her to come back inside and drive off with
me.

She ignored my pleas and
sashayed right into the building. I shook my head not knowing how
much of this cat and mouse game I could take. I forced myself to
drive off and go home. I pulled off unto the main road feeling much
better tonight than I had in weeks. Something about Destiny just
made me forget all my troubles and focus only on her and it was a
good feeling. So much confusion and stress seemed to be over
powering me while I was trying to make this drastic change in my
life, it was nice that even for a few hours I didn’t have to think
about it for a while.

I pulled off Fifth Ave
enjoying the quiet and calm drive home when I noticed a pair of car
lights that had been behind me for a while now. I looked into the
review and couldn’t make out any faces but I definitely could see
two husky men in both seats of the car. A slight chuckle escaped my
lips.
So tonight’s the night huh?
I thought. I was wondering when Julio’s goons were
going to make their appearance and they didn’t disappoint. I saw
another dark car make its way into view and laughed. “It’s not
going to be that easy bruh.” I smirked while gripping the steering
wheel much tighter...
Alright old boy
let’s see what you can do
.

I abruptly switched lanes
causing a panic in most of the drivers on the road. The two
unmarked cars were sure to follow creating such an extreme
commotion on the street. I quickly turned a sharp corner and made
my way through oncoming traffic. I set them back a little but they
quickly caught up. I turned into a back alley that I was familiar
with during my younger days. I used to trick so many cops up all
the time pulling these getaway moves on them.

I abruptly turned another
corner full speed feeling the same adrenaline I got when pulling
off a big heist…it was exciting. The feel of danger and escaping it
was all too familiar. I could tell my assailants were getting
frustrated with my escape tactics, setting them off into a shooting
frenzy. As bullets ran through my grandpa’s truck I could tell the
old boy couldn’t handle much more damage.
Damn
, I thought. I continued to
swerve across the street passing moving cars near the docks
avoiding the bullet shots.

They quickly followed,
careful not to lose me. I ran full speed into the docks as if I
were going to run off border. “All right….here goes.” As soon I
came closer to the edge I quickly turned sharply sending my unknown
friends flying right into the shore. Hearing the deep splash and
loud screams let me know my old trick still worked. “Hell yeah…” I
roared. I quickly got back on the main road not wanting to draw
more attention to myself in case of any more unexpected guest but I
made sure to relish in this moment.

I laughed like a mad man
feeling a rush that I hadn’t felt in ages. “Yeah…nobody can do it
like me baby.” I yelled feeling in complete control. I failed to
notice all the bullet holes in the windshield of my grandfather’s
truck or how the hell I was going to explain this to grandma when I
got home. “Whooo...weeee.” I continued to holler. It was as if I
were in a whole other zone the way my speed increased, my muscles
tensed, and it became hard to breathe. I had no choice but to
except that this was the man I was. I should have known it was
going to come to this. There was no way Julio and his boys were not
going to keep coming after me, and there was no way I was going to
be able to avoid them without fighting back. Whether I liked it or
not my book was already written and it didn’t have room for pipe
dreams about who I should have been.
What
the hell was I thinking?
I got off the exit
ramp to my grandmother’s house realizing I was back in the same
boat that I sailed off in.

Destiny

“Damn, that son of a bitch!”
I groaned. Cat and Alayah had drug me away from the office today to
head out to Manhattan mall and find some gowns for the upcoming
charity ball. Being that I had been working like a mule for months
on this event I more than welcomed the break, but unfortunately my
mood was soured due to the fact that Derrick and I once again had
gotten into a fight. I stomped all the way through the mall feeling
sad, angry, and confused all at the same damn time while my girls
just looked on shaking their heads. “Destiny pick your lip up and
smile girl damn.” Cat sighed. “You are bringing the whole party
down.” “I know right…” Alayah concurred. “Shopping is supposed to
make you happy.” I flicked my hair out of my face; the girls and I
walked into the shoe store and took a seat on the sofas provided
for customers.

“
I know guys…I know it’s
just he makes so damn mad.” I said slamming my purse down in my
lap, causing my phone to fall out and reminding me that Derrick
hadn’t even bothered to call and apologize yet. I groaned picking
it up off the floor. Cat took a pair of Christian Louboutins off
the nearby shelf and tried them on. “Yeah…Yeah…Yeah…you have been
saying that all day and have yet to tell us what the hell
happened.” “He is a jackass, that is what happened.” I yelled. “All
men are sweetheart…” Alayah giggled standing up to roam the aisle.
“What made you think yours would be different.” I shook my head. “I
don’t even know…I went out of my way to fix him a nice dinner, set
up a movie and popcorn on the couch and how does he repay me, he
starts this big fight just because I didn’t want to have sex with
him. I mean come on.” I said still unable to believe his antics.
Things had been going smoothly since Derrick showed up at my
gallery and apologized for our disaster date. We had been enjoying
each other’s company, talking on the phone, going on lunch dates,
even movie outings. Then out of nowhere Mr. Gentleman wanted to
turn into Mr. Touchy feely and had the nerve to get mad at me when
I told him to back off.

I’m tired of you playing
these silly ass games.

I am not playing any
games…I made it very clear I wasn’t ready to be in a physical
relationship yet.

What the hell are you
waiting on a bus? Why are you fighting doing what we both know you
want to do?

You are so full of your
damn self. Everybody doesn’t want to jump in bed with you
Derrick.

Oh please…I got a line of
women just waiting.

Well if that’s the case…go
see one of them and get the hell of my house
.