Raging Blue (8 page)

Chapter
15

Mia

Mia hoped her funky new pixie-styled haircut hadn’t become too undone by the sharp winds as she marched through the thick foot traffic along Seventh Avenue. Evening had graced the city, and the temperature had dipped significantly for late summer. Mia’s faceoff with Blue the previous week had helped to put her future in focus. She'd
come to New York to meet with Jay about her plans over dinner. As she pulled open the door to the restaurant, the wind snatched it from her grip and swung it back. She reached for the door and yanked it closed.

Mia had only walked a few blocks, but it felt like she had trudged across the Mohave
desert in a sandstorm. Between dodging the tourists, the fast-stepping New Yorkers down Fashion Avenue, and pressing against the forceful winds, Mia felt like she had been whipped.

The popular restaurant bar was filled to the brim with professionals and urbanites, just as she'd expected. Mia excused herself through the tapestry of colorful city folk and headed toward the hostess.

“Reynolds, party of two, please. How long is the wait?” she asked the hostess.

“About twenty minutes
,” she said with a smile. Her Botox-filled lips appeared to get in the way as she tried to speak. She dismissed Mia with a shift of attention to the next guest, which appeared to be professional but bordered on rudeness.

“Thanks,” Mia tossed back and headed for the restroom.

From the moment she stepped into the small bathroom, women checked her out. She knew she looked good. She had to. No way would she meet with Jay and not look her absolute best. Mia adjusted the collar of her black leather jacket and pulled up her leggings, snapping them at the waist. Then she turned slightly in order to catch a glimpse of her round bottom. She brushed the back of her leggings, smoothed her shirt around her small baby pooch, and pulled at the top of her patent leather boots. After teasing her hair and adding gloss to her full lips, she tossed her oversized Gucci bag over her arm and headed for the door.

Mia’s eyes caught sight of a snake-skinned Gucci bag and looked up to assess the average-looking girl carrying it.
Cute, but no competition,
she thought.

“Love your hair and boots,” the girl commented.

“Thanks!” Mia said and threw her a thankful but fake smile. She pranced out the door, making a mental note to look up the woman’s purse online.

Mia managed to kill about ten minutes on her trip to the bathroom, but Jay still hadn’t arrived. Her impatience made her back rigid. She took a seat at the bar and ordered a cranberry spritzer, wishing she could have a dirty martini instead. Jay was now twenty minutes late. Frustration tightened Mia’s lips. Another ten minutes and she was leaving; she had other plans for the evening. Mia ordered another spritzer. When that one was done, she would be, too.

Just as the bartender set the second glass in front of her, Mia witnessed a large, dark hand reach from behind her and placed a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. She spun around to find Jay standing so close, she could feel his breath on her face.

“You’re late!” she snapped.

Jay flashed a brilliant smile, revealing a perfect set of stark white teeth. She rolled her eyes and pushed him aside with the back of her hand.

“Let me check on the table. We need to hurry. I have other things I need to take care of,
” she said.

Still smiling, Jay gracefully stepped out of her way. Mia knew he was watching her backside, so she put her stiletto boots and leggings to work, offering Jay and any other lucky patron an eyeful.

As they were being shown to their table, Jay grabbed Mia’s elbow, stopping her. When she turned, she spotted the average-looking woman with the snake-skinned Gucci bag coming toward her while holding Gavin’s arm like a trophy. Mia dropped her head and turned back towards the door, leaving the hostess behind. Jay followed her lead.

“Do you think Gavin saw us?” she asked when they got outside.

Jay looked frustrated. Without acknowledging it, they both agreed that being seen together wouldn’t be the best thing.

“I don’t know.”

“Listen, I don’t have much time. You were late, and I have other plans. We need to talk so I can get going,” Mia said, then huffed because Jay was eyeing her hips. She threw her hands up and asked, “Are you even listening to me?”

Jay licked his lips. Mia pretended like his attention annoyed her.

“I know where we can talk and get food without worrying about running into people. Come with me,” Jay said, brushing her behind as he reached for her arm. As soon as they reached the nearby W Hotel, they ordered drinks at the bar.

“So what’s your plan?” Jay finally asked.

“You need to work things out with Blue,” she said casually, while sipping her fourth juice in the past hour.

“What! What kind of plan is that? Don’t you think I’ve already tried?”

“I know, but without Blue, what do you have? If she doesn’t take you back, there’s only one other option. However, with this other option, I will have to coach you, and you will have to listen and do exactly what I say in order for it to work.”

Jay raised his brows. “What are you talking about?” Mia had piqued his interest.

“You have to divorce her and request spousal support.”

Jay shook his head. “I wouldn’t want you for a best friend.”

“Listen. If you do it right, you’ll be set up for life, but you have to follow my instructions to the letter. I can help you gain access to some of the money and keep the house in Atlanta.”

She knew what she planned was devious, but she needed money. Her funds were dwindling, and this was her only way to avoid her own financial meltdown. She needed a security blanket for the future, and the baby was it. There was no room for hard feelings. This wasn’t personal for her. This was business.

“Do you want my help or not?” she asked.

Jay sat back and gestured for her to keep talking. He listened intently as Mia disclosed the rest of her plan.

“Let’s finish this conversation upstairs where there are fewer ears,” Jay said, downing the rest of his scotch with one swallow.

“Upstairs?” she asked.

“Yes. I have a room here till tomorrow,” he said, dropping money on the bar to cover their tab.

Mia hesitated at first.

“I’m not having sex with you,” she told him flat out when they entered the empty elevator. “I’m here to handle business.”

“Yeah. Business.”

When they reached the room, Jay opened the door and stepped aside to let Mia in. He slapped her on the ass as she walked past. Mia stopped and narrowed her eyes at him. Jay held both hands in the air.

“I’m just joking!”

Mia stood by the window, taking in the view of the city as she explained what he had to do for their plan to work. Jay poured himself a small glass of cognac before plopping down on the chair and turning on the TV.

“Are you paying attention?” Mia asked
, her hands on her hips.

“Yes. I’m taking it all in,” he said, then licked his lips.

Jay’s eyes followed Mia around the room. She swatted at him.

“So are you in or what?”

“You really think this will work?”

“I know it can if you play your cards right. I’ve seen it happen before, and I have the perfect attorney for you.”

Jay’s expression questioned her.

“Don’t worry. He’s one of the best,” she assured him.

The thought of things working out the way she planned made her adrenaline kick into high gear. Mia daydreamed as her eyes washed over the lights of New York City. Her dreams were interrupted by Jay’s hand between her thighs. Jay’s other hand found its way to her breast, and he pulled her close. She wanted to resist, but the grunt that escaped her lips told Jay another story.

“No. Jay…,” she said with her mouth, while her body showed no sign of protest.

“Why not? We have nothing to lose now,” he said, breathing heavy while kissing the back of her neck.

The fresh smell of cognac filled the air when he spoke. Moist traces of the liquor were left on the back of Mia’s neck.

“You looked so damn good at that restaurant. I don’t know why you’re playing with me. You knew what you were doing when you put on those leggings and boots.”

Mia moaned as Jay explored her body. When he dipped his hands inside the front of her leggings, she bent her knees, giving him more access. Jay ground his hardness against her backside. He guided Mia forward, giving rise to her ample behind, and gently tugged her leggings down.

“Wait!” Mia said out of breath.

She removed her boots, took off her clothes, and lay on the bed.

Jay, now also naked, pulled her off of the bed and led her over to the massive windows overlooking the city. As she faced the beautiful dimly lit skyline, he planted her hands against the window and bent her forward. From the back, he teased her smoldering wetness with his manhood.

As he entered her, she winced from his expansiveness, and then tightened her walls snugly around him. He pounded against Mia until ecstasy had them howling and drenched in sweat. They were so caught up in the moment, they never heard the first few knocks at the hotel room door. It was the police-like pounding and the commanding voice of the security personnel that finally stole into their consciousness, forcing them to float back to Earth.

Leaving Mia with her hind quarters exposed and still up in the air, Jay slowly walked to the door. Sweat and fresh sex juice clung to his body. He opened the door without shielding himself.

“Sorry. We promise to keep it down,” he said casually, and then slammed the door in their faces, but not before Mia’s eyes had a chance to lock with her sister’s…Myra.

Chapter
16

Blue

Vengeance was easier to deal with than hurt. She wanted no part of either, yet they both nipped annoyingly at her like frenzied puppies biting at her ankles. Consuming thoughts of Mia and Jay stole into her sleep and daily focus, robbing her of emotional serenity, resolve, and rest. Blue sighed, plopped onto the couch, and snatched her phone from the side table.

“Hey, it’s me,” she said immediately after Gavin said hello.

“I thought I would have heard from you before now. You never called me to pick you up from the airport last week.”

“I caught an earlier flight.” She hesitated before saying, “I need to talk to you.” She paused again. “Will you be busy after work? I found out a few things while I was in Atlanta, and there’s no one else with whom I feel comfortable enough to discuss this stuff with.”

“I’ll be around. But—”

“Okay, good. I have to run now because I have another call,” she said, looking at her mother’s number on her display. “Thanks, Gavin. I’ll see you later.”

Instead of clicking over to answer, she just stared at the phone. Blue hadn’t been in contact with her family since her life started falling apart, especially her mother.
The screen told her that she had a missed call. Shortly after, a red star appeared next to her message indicator. Blue had no intention of calling her mother back anytime soon.

Just as she was about to drop the phone into her purse, it rang again. This time, her brother’s number appeared.

“Hello.”

“So you’ll answer for him, but not for me,” Jean Holiday said.

After a long sigh, Blue answered casually, “I didn’t get to the phone in time. It was in my bag.”

“Um hmm. I’m sure that’s the reason.”

Jean’s sarcasm never moved Blue.

“What’s going on with you? No one has heard from you. You aren’t answering calls or replying to any messages. Richard said he hadn’t heard anything about you taking any business trips, so what’s up?”

Blue wanted to tell Jean to mind her business, but she would never be that rude no matter how fickle their relationship was. Jean learned most of what she wanted to know through Richard anyway. What more did she want?

“I just have a lot on my plate, that’s all.”

“Yeah? Well how’s my son-in-law doing? Richard heard about him being cut from the team on one of those sports channels. How’s he taking it?”

Blue’s eyes rolled up, and she let them hang there for a moment. Her sigh was heavy. Jean hated when she sucked her teeth, so she sucked them as loud as she could. That was the extent of her defiance. Regardless of the fact that they didn’t get along, Blue was never overtly disrespectful.

“He’s getting on my nerves. That’s all I know.”

Jean’s gasp was Oscar worthy. Her performances often garnered notoriety. Blue pictured Jean’s hand across her heart as she slightly turned away.

“How insensitive! That man lost his job—his career—and all you can say is that he’s getting on your nerves? You’ve always been a selfish little bitch.”

Is she serious!
Blue touched her temples, anticipating the headache she’d have by the time she ended this conversation.

“I’m not being insensitive or selfish. He’s been pretty nasty since the cut. It hasn’t been easy,” Blue responded, cutting her explanation short. Filling Jean in on the details wouldn’t benefit her in any way.

“You need to be more understanding towards his situation, Blue.” Jean paused, but continued when Blue didn’t bother to comment. “Think of how you would feel if your dream was snatched from under your feet. That’s horrible. What about his pay? Do they plan on paying him for the remainder of the season?”

Finally, Jean got to the point of her call. Blue had anticipated the question.

“No!”

“Oh my! So what’s going to happen?”

“Not sure right now.”

After a long pause, Jean asked, “Well, what about your money? You aren’t using your trust fund to take care of him, are you?”

“Jay’s name isn’t associated with my trust fund.”

Thanks to the basketball contract, Jean had adored Jay, despite the fact that he wasn’t exactly Prince Charming. She'd wanted Blue to marry Jay because of his presumed fame and fortune, but now that his funds would begin to fade, all her mother could think about was keeping the trust fund money out of his hands—the same money that was partially the cause of their estranged relationship. Jean wanted to have control over it, but she couldn’t because Blue’s wealthy grandfather, Gabriel Dufour, had set up the fund with specific guidelines. He didn’t want his favorite grandchild to suffer because of her father’s absence and her mother’s resentment. He'd put some of his wealth aside for each grandchild but had left a special helping just for Blue.

“Well, what’s he going to do?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Why don’t the two of you come by for dinner this weekend?”

Since they'd wed five years ago, Jean had never offered them even a cup of tea. Jean’s only interest was to pry, and Blue wasn’t falling for it.

“Like I said, Ma, I have a lot on my plate. Chances are we won’t be able to make it this weekend.

“Okay, well maybe next weekend. Call me if you need anything.”

“Sure. I’ve got to go. Please tell Rich to call me. Bye.” Blue ended the conversation abruptly.

Jean’s offering to help made Blue chuckle. Since when did Jean offer to help her with anything?

Blue stepped over to the hall mirror and stared at her reflection, looking directly into her sullen eyes. Those same eyes had caused her father, Fredrick Holiday, to walk out of their lives the day she was born, creating a void in Jean that she’d filled with bitterness. With her crinkly hair and startling blue eyes, Freddie had insisted Blue couldn’t have been his child. No one could convince him that Blue may have possibly inherited those bright eyes from Grandpa Gabe and his side of the family. Freddie accused Jean of cheating and ordered her to let Blue’s “real” daddy take care of her, because he was nobody’s fool. His absence had formed a heavy presence in their home. For years, Blue had searched for him in the men she dated, finding herself attracted to traits she imagined her father possessed. He had to be gutsy to walk out on their family the way he did.

“This isn’t about him,” Blue said out loud, pulling her focus back to the present.

Then Richard entered her mind, her only brother and one of her few true friends. What had her mother said to make him feel guilty enough to allow Jean to call Blue from his phone? They shared a much better relationship, and unfortunately for Richard, that always placed him at the center of their problems. Blue always felt like the thorn in Jean’s side, a keepsake of uncomfortable memories. She’d deal with Richard for putting her on the spot, later. Now, she needed to focus on a plan.

Blue promised herself that Jay would never get a hold of her money. First thing the next morning, she planned to check in with the family lawyer and her financial consultant. She wanted to make sure Jay wasn’t entitled to have access to her funds.

Blue gently touched her face. The bruises were healed and the tenderness long gone. Yet, the memories of that night made her skin tingle as if the pain was fresh. Her lips tightened as she remembered it with vivid clarity, like she had witnessed the abuse instead of being abused herself. She felt the heat of anger rise in her chest. She closed her eyes, willing her temperament to remain stable.

“And he wants my damn money?” she said aloud while pacing her living room floor. “I will fight you tooth and nail before I let up on a dime,” Blue continued as if Jay was right there with her.

* * * *

The doorbell rang, waking Blue from her slumber. At first, it sounded far away, and
then became louder and closer. Blue realized she had fallen asleep. She stretched and looked for her cell phone to check the time. More than an hour had passed. The door chimed louder, invading Blue’s senses. For a moment, she contemplated leaving the uninvited guest outside, but realized this person had to be familiar enough to get past the doorman.
It must be Jay
. She was mad enough to challenge him for his audacity and ready to face him. She marched to the door, flung it open, and swiftly stepped into the person’s face, ready to give Jay a solid piece of her mind. Blue nearly jabbed her mother in the eye with her index finger. Her mouth fell open and she rolled her eyes, bracing herself for a verbal confrontation.

“What are you doing here?” she
asked.

Her mother’s timing was off. Blue preferred to seethe in private, and the last person she wanted to deal with, besides Jay, was her mother.

“Are you going to let me in?” Jean asked.

Blue huffed, stepped aside, and moved her arm in a wide sweeping gesture, directing her mother inside. Jean shook her head as she walked past. Blue cut her eyes at her mother’s back and shut the door hard. She watched as her mother’s tall, slender body sauntered through the living room and examined the area before taking a seat on the couch. Blue remained at the door with her arms crossed over her chest, hoping the impromptu visit would be quick.

“What made you decide to come for a visit…without calling?” Blue made an honest attempt to suppress the sarcasm in her tone.

Her mother chuckled. “You don’t seem happy to see me,” she said as she wiped her hands across her lap, straightening her ivory slacks.

Blue stared at her mother a moment before answering. Jean always looked regal in her all-ivory attire, with her long, fine hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail and clasped with a decorative barrette at the nape of her neck. She was infamous for the bright red shade she painted across her collagen-injected lips. The color popped against her fair mulatto skin tone. Blue was the spitting image of her mother, save for the springy coils of thick hair and nut-brown coloring, complements of her father’s deeper complexion. Another reminder—she assumed—that caused her mother grief.

“This is just not a good time.” Blue finally responded to her mother’s comment.

“The place looks so different. What’s missing?” Jean asked as she continued to survey the room. She stood and went to the opposite side of the room near the window overlooking Park Avenue. “What happened to Jay’s bust?” Her brows creased.

Without answering, Blue moved around the apartment in a hurry. “It broke,” she said dismissively. “Ma, I’m sorry your visit has to be so short, but I have an appointment and don’t want to be late.”

Blue left the room and returned with shoes and her purse, hoping to make her story appear real.

“You’re working on a Saturday?” Jean asked.

“Well…yeah. It’s a potential private client,” Blue replied quickly. She was sure her mother didn’t believe her lies, but she stuck to her false account.

             
“Client or not, I came here to talk about this thing with you and Jay,” Jean said, waving the apparent dismissal away. “What’s going on between you two? What’s his game plan now that he’s no longer playing basketball? I adore Jay, but my first concern is your well-being and protecting your interest.”

Blue placed
her purse on the console, planted both hands palms down, and stood there pondering the best possible answer to get her mother off of her back.

“Mom.” She slowly turned around to face Jean. “I have it all under control. I’m doing fine, and my money is safe.”

“I’m not convinced,” Jean said, rising to her feet. She took a deep breath and then hung her head sideways. The pitiful look she cast angered Blue even more. “You think I can’t see what’s going on?” She waved her hand, presenting the room. “You think I can’t tell Jay’s no longer here? You may not want to talk about this right now, and I understand, but I know men…very well. I know the type of man he is.” She paused, approaching Blue with a slow gait. “I already know what he’ll try to do, and frankly, my dear daughter, I’m not sure if you’re up for the challenge,” she stated, staring directly into Blue’s eyes.

Blue shifted on her feet, determined not to fidget under the weight of her mother’s intent stare. She didn’t appreciate the hint at potential weakness. After a few moments, Jean’s demeanor shifted.

“Call me if you need me,” she said, then turned on her heels and sauntered out of the door.

As much as Blue hated to admit it, her mother was right, but this time she was ready for the fight.