Turned Out Saga (32 page)

How she put herself in this position, she didn't know. Maybe it was because Victoria kept coming to her. Maybe it was because she was cutting classes and when Alexis asked her why, she told her she had to go home and check on her mother. Or maybe it was in the plan all along and she just wasn't listening. Nonetheless, here she was a week later pulling up in front of Victoria's house with her in the passenger's seat.

Neither of them said a word. What was there to say? Alexis couldn't make any promises. She couldn't say I'm going to save your mother's life and she couldn't make a guarantee to Victoria that everything would be all right.

Once the car was parked and the engine off, Victoria reached over and took Alexis' hand. “You don't know how much I appreciate this. It means a lot to me.”

Alexis moved her hand. “That's okay sweetie.”

“And I'm sorry I called you a bitch.”

Alexis looked at her. “You should be.”

When they got to the porch, Victoria took out her key and unlocked the door. She peeked inside first to see if the house was a mess. It wasn't, so she opened the door wider and stepped through with Alexis following behind her.

“Ma!” she called out.

She didn't get any response. “Ma!” she called out again with panic setting in.

“Girl, what the hell are you yelling for? I was in my room.”

The woman walking toward them didn't look suicidal to Alexis. As a matter-of-fact she looked saner than Alexis felt sometimes. Her hair was cut short; almost pixie style and she looked to be in her twenties, although Alexis knew they were around the same age. Alexis also noticed that she was very attractive. Her skin was flawless, her breasts had to be a D-cup, and she had ass for days.

Victoria was standing in front of her mother with her mouth wide open. She was expecting her mother to look unkempt.

Her mother placed her hand under her chin. “Close your damn mouth girl, and who is this?” She nodded toward Alexis.

“I'm Alexis, the school therapist.”

“I'm Shondell, Vicky's mom.” She looked at Victoria. “What the hell have you done?”

“Actually Ma, I brought her here for you.”

“For me? Girl, ain't nothing wrong with me. I was just going through a little something and now I'm over it. Shit, I'm past that motherfucker. Well, I'll be past him when I fuck up his life and take all his money when he finds out I'm having his baby. When he realizes that this good ass. . . .”

The more Shondell spoke, the more Alexis realized that her initial impression of sanity may have been incorrect.

“Maybe I should leave,” Alexis said.

Shondell grabbed her arm. “You don't have to leave. I haven't had company in weeks. It'll be nice to have some company.”

Alexis looked at Victoria who was mouthing the word, “Please.”

“Come on. Let me get you something to drink.”

Alexis followed her into the kitchen.

Victoria wasn't far behind. As they walked down the hall, she noticed that her mom must have been cleaning all day. When she left for school that day, the house was a mess. But now, nothing was out of place, the floors had been swept and even had the appearance of being waxed or mopped. No dishes were anywhere, not even in the dish strainer. There was even the smell of Pinesol about the house. Maybe she was getting better. Normally when Victoria came home, she'd have to put some order to the house.

When they stepped in the kitchen, Alexis noticed pictures on the table ripped up. Shondell walked over to the refrigerator and took out a gallon of water.

“You know, I loved that man with all my heart, with my everything and he just used me. Fucked me all he wanted to and then all of a sudden he's telling me he don't want me no more. Me!” Shondell put the gallon of water on the counter. “Okay, maybe just maybe, I should have listened when he told me he wasn't ready for a relationship, but he sure acted like he was.”

Alexis looked over at Victoria who was just sitting there taking it all in with a look of pity.

Shondell went on. “You see that's what men do, use you and I got tired of being used. I was like, is this it? Is this what I have to live for? I was ready to go hurt that motherfucker but then this morning after my baby. . . .” She stood up and walked over to Victoria and kissed her on the cheek. “This morning when my precious baby left for school, it hit me. I have her to live for and I have this baby inside of me to live for and you best believe that motherfucker will pay some child support.”

Shondell walked over to the table, forgetting all about the water she was supposed to be pouring. She picked up one of the pictures that wasn't cut yet. “Yeah, and it's going to be a pretty baby too.”

When Shondell flashed the picture in front of Alexis she could have sworn . . .
No, it couldn't be.

Alexis put her hand out. “Can I see the picture?”

Shondell handed it to her. When Alexis looked at the picture she couldn't believe it. The motherfucker this crazy-ass woman was talking about was Thomas. He was looking good as usual. He was standing by himself, distracted, as though he was unaware that there was a picture being taken.

“You've got to be kidding me?” Zyair said.

“Man, I wish I was. That young motherfucker was getting his dick sucked while my car was being vandalized. What's real crazy is that my car was the only one damaged which basically means I was targeted, that this whole thing was a set-up. Even when we tried to look at the video, I couldn't see shit. It's like the motherfuckers had their backs turned the whole time. Whoever did this had obviously been to the garage and knew where the cameras were located.”

“Who would do some shit like that?”

“I don't know. Even when the police pulled the video and tried to enhance it, we couldn't make out faces and there was no license plate on the car.”

“And it was two women?”

“Yeah.” Thomas slammed his hand down on the table. They were in his den. “I still can't believe this shit.”

“You see man, I told you not to be fucking with those money-hungry females you meet at the games and shit.”

Thomas looked at him like that was the last thing he wanted to hear
.
He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Zyair stepped to the side of him and placed his hand on Thomas' shoulder. “Come on, get up and get ready for your party.”

Thomas shook his head. “I don't even feel like having that shit.”

“And that's what whoever did this wants. They want to fuck up your day. Shit man, a car is a material thing, you can always get. . . .”

Zyair knew when he'd said enough by the way Thomas looked up at him. “All right, all right, I'll shut up, but know this man, I got your back.”

“I know you do.”

They gave each other daps.

“But damn,” Thomas said, “I wish I knew who it was.”

“You need to figure that shit out later. Right now, you need to get ready for tonight.”

Thomas stood up and looked at his watch. “You know what, you're right. Let me go get ready for tonight and I'll deal with this shit tomorrow.” He knew it was easier said than done, but he had a houseful coming and needed to be prepared.

They half hugged one another and Thomas walked Zyair to the front door. “Don't be late.”

“Tell that to the little lady,” Zyair said, talking about Champagne. “Shit, you know how women are.”

That Thomas did.

“Did you invite Alexis?” Zyair asked.

“You know it. At least that's something to look forward to.”

“All right man, I'm out.”

* * *

Once Zyair was gone, Thomas went to make a couple of phone calls. He'd had his car towed before coming home and needed to let his insurance company know what happened. He also needed to get a referral for an investigator to find out who fucked up his car.

Thomas knew that Zyair was right when he talked about his past choices of women. He usually picked the ones that were out for a party. The ones that just wanted to have a good time, sex, and money. Yes, he knew that most of them were all about the dollar. That didn't really bother him much because money came and went. If a few hundred dollars meant less of a headache, than so be it.

He went into his room and pulled out his phone book and his photo album. He went through them both trying to decide which one of these women were out to get him. This one female, named Shondell, he'd dealt with some time ago had taken to calling him, cursing him out and leaving obscene messages on his phone. He wondered if it was her. He doubted it because he could tell she was all talk. However, one could never be sure. He was going to have someone pay her a visit. Better yet, he was going to pay her one himself.

Champagne was on the phone with Alexis when Zyair walked through the door.

“Are you serious,” she asked, motioning for Zyair to come sit next to her.

“Yeah, what do you think? I had the picture in my hand.”

“Are you sure it was Thomas in the picture, Alexis?”

“Didn't I just tell you that?”

When Zyair heard Thomas' name, he mouthed, “What? What?”

Champagne put up her hand and told him to calm down.

“Are you going to his party tonight?” Champagne asked.

“Hell no!”

Even Zyair heard that through the phone.

“Well, I think you should go. You need to tell him what you saw and ask him what's up.”

Zyair looked at Champagne and waited patiently for her to get off the phone.

“Listen,” Champagne told Alexis, “Zyair just came in and we have to get ready.”

“Don't say anything to him about this,” Alexis told her. “I want to talk to Thomas first.”

Champagne lied and said, “Okay, but you need to handle this as soon as possible and not wait around. You know like I know, you care for him more than you want to admit. And for all you know, that chick could be straight lying.”

“I know, just don't say anything to Zyair.”

Champagne didn't respond because she knew the second she was off the phone, she was going to tell Zyair.

“What's going on?” Zyair asked the second they hung up.

“Does the name Shondell ring a bell?”

“Shondell? Shondell?” He repeated the name, knowing that it sounded familiar, but he couldn't place the face. “I don't know babe, it sounds familiar. What does this have to do with Thomas?”

“Supposedly, she's pregnant with Thomas' child.”

Zyair stood up. “Who told you that shit? Ain't nobody having his baby. He would have told me some shit like that.” That was not something Thomas would keep to himself and if Zyair was sure of anything, this would be it.

Thomas always talked about how he wanted children and if he was about to become a father, Zyair would be the first to know because he would be the godfather. “How did Alexis hear about this?”

Champagne went on to tell Zyair about Victoria coming to Alexis and asking her for help. She then told him what took place when she got to Victoria's house.

Zyair just shook his head. “Damn! Thomas is having a bad-ass fucking night.” He looked at his watch. “Come on. Let's get dressed and I'll fill you in on what happened to him earlier.”

* * *

Alexis was sitting on her bed feeling all emotional and shit. She was stuck somewhere between anger, disappointment and jealousy. Anger because she felt played once again, disappointment because she really thought Thomas was trying to change and jealousy over actually seeing one of the women he was dealing with. She didn't expect to feel that way at all.
Does this mean I care more than I want to admit? Does this mean I'm falling for him? What about Shamel? Why would I sleep with him if I have feelings for Thomas?

“Shit!” Alexis said out loud. Her emotions were starting to become confusing. The last thing she wanted to do was develop more than friendly feelings for Thomas. What she thought she wanted from him was to be friends with benefits. Could it be that she wanted more?

“Call him, talk to him,” Champagne told her. “There are two sides to every story.”

Alexis would do just that after she calmed down and got ahold of her emotions. What she wanted to do right now was lie down and get some sleep. She was mentally drained.

On the nightstand next to the bed was the
Sister Girls 2
book, she was almost finished reading. She reached over and picked it up because she recalled putting Gavin's card inside. She pulled it out and looked at it.

You know that boy is too young for you,
she told herself. Alexis was not into young boys but she had to admit he was charming and maybe he'd help her get her mind off Thomas.

Alexis looked at the card. “Damn, why he gotta be under thirty?”

She decided to call him anyway, after all, what's a three to four year difference?

He was kissing her between her thighs, running his tongue up the insides, stopping short of just where she wanted him to be.

“Why are you stopping?” Alexis asked him.

He didn't answer her. He just continued to let his tongue travel in circles on her thighs. As his tongue got closer and closer to her spot, Alexis started thrusting her hips toward his mouth, but he'd pull away.

“Stop playing,” Alexis told him while feeling her vaginal walls clench and tremble. He'd been playing with her for over ten minutes and she was ready for him to either bring her to an orgasm with his mouth or get inside her, but he wasn't paying her any mind when she told him to stop.

His whole focus was on what he was doing. Suddenly, she felt his tongue on her clitoris, flicking back and forth.

Gavin surprised the hell out of Alexis. She didn't think he'd have skills like this, but he proved her wrong. Before she knew it, his fingers started to go inside her, first one and then another. He then climbed on top of her body and replaced his fingers with what she'd been waiting on, his dick.

“Wait,” she stopped him. “Do you have a condom on?”

He pulled out so she could see that he did.

Damn, he's slick as hell.
Alexis didn't even know when he'd put it on. She placed her hands on his buttocks and pushed him deep inside her.

“Put your legs up,” he told her.

She bent her legs up until her knees were pressing against her chest. She closed her eyes and felt him even more as he lifted up and entered her. Their bodies slammed together repeatedly until she felt him stiffen and look in her eyes. He didn't even have to say it, she knew he was coming, she could feel him pulsating.

* * *

It was now official; she was a whore. She'd slept with three men in less than a month, something she never would have done before. If someone else had done it, she'd probably talk about them.

“What I am is in control,” she said out loud.

Gavin turned over and yawned, “What did you say?” He asked with his eyes closed, taking in the moment.

“Oh, nothing,” Alexis said.

He opened his eyes and said, “Yes, you did, you said something about control.”

Alexis threw the covers back. “Are you hungry, you want something to eat?”

She wanted him to say no, to just leave, but she didn't want to be the one to initiate it.

“And she cooks too.”

Alexis just looked at him. Obviously she was going to have to help him along with leaving. She'd do so right after a quick breakfast.

“Are you going to serve me breakfast in bed?” he asked.

Alexis gave him the “you have lost all your mind” look and Gavin got the message because he started climbing out of bed.

“Can I have a towel and wash rag?”

“Look in the hallway in the linen closet. It's near the bathroom. There's also an extra toothbrush in there.” Alexis threw on a robe and went into the kitchen to make a quick breakfast.

As she was cooking she tried to recall how the conversation went from “Hey, I was hoping you'd call” to him eating her pussy, to him being inside her.

Damn, was his game that good?
The obvious answer was yes.

“Hey beautiful.” Gavin was standing in front of her looking like he was dipped in fudge. All he had on were his jeans. They were hanging slightly off his hips, not low like the youngsters but low enough where she found herself asking, “Aren't you uncomfortable without drawers on?”

Gavin just laughed. Before she could stop him, he was up on her hugging her from behind.

“Stop,” she said playfully, while slapping his hands away. “Let's eat.”

“What did you make?”

“Vegetable omelets.”

“What, no meat?” Gavin couldn't imagine a breakfast without bacon or sausage.

“I don't eat meat.”

They took their plates off the counter. Alexis grabbed two water bottles out of the refrigerator, handed him one and they sat down across from one another.

Alexis found that she couldn't look him in the eye. Suddenly she was embarrassed. Damn, how was she going to be a woman of the world if she couldn't handle what she was doing and what she was becoming.

“What's going on Alexis?”

She looked up at him. “Huh?”

“What's going on?”

“Why do you think something is going in?”

“You won't look at me. Are you regretting last night?”

“I . . . I. . . .” What was she going to say?
This is not me, this is not something I do often, sleep with a man on a first date. I've only done it a couple of times.
Hell, his being here in her home wasn't even a date, what it was, was a booty call. “This is not something I do often,” she went ahead and told him anyway. “I'm not a whore.”

Gavin took a sip of his water and sat back in his chair with his arms crossed. He looked her in the eyes, “I didn't think you were.”

“How could you not? I call you to talk and next thing you know I'm asking you to come over and we're going at it like two horny teenagers.”

When she said that, he laughed.

“What's so funny?” she wanted to know.

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Because you're serious.” He sat up in his chair and told her, “Sweetie, you need to relax. We are both adults and what happened, happened. Why dwell on it?”

Alexis decided she'd do just that, move on; pretend it wasn't a big deal. At least she had enough sense to use a condom.

After they finished eating, Alexis stood up, picked up their dishes and put them in the sink. “I have a lot to do today.”

“Are you putting me out?” Gavin asked. Before she could answer he told her, “That's okay, I know you need to think.”

She turned and looked at him. She started to stay something but he stopped her by stepping to her and kissing her on the lips.

“Don't say another word, just know that next Sunday, I'm picking you up and we're going somewhere fun.”

She wanted to protest, but the word fun was something she hadn't heard in a while and it sounded like something she needed at this exact moment.

Ten minutes later, Alexis was standing on the porch watching him get in his Navigator and pull off. She looked down the street and noticed a car with someone sitting behind the wheel. The windows were slightly tinted, so she couldn't see inside the way she would have wanted to, but she could have sworn they were looking her way. She put her hands up to her eyes to shield the sun and to see better but it didn't help.

Girl, you are seriously bugging, ain't nobody watching you. You just have a secret admirer, that's all.
She tried to convince herself.

* * *

But someone was and he'd been paid to do it. He picked up the cell phone and dialed a number. He listened to it ring.

“Did she stay in last night?” the voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, but she wasn't alone.”

There was a slight hesitation, then, “Find out who she was with.”

It wasn't with Thomas that was for sure, because last night he'd been arrested.