Unraveled - A Short Story Collective (8 page)

6

“T
he reservation has been made, so let everybody know,” Lathan was telling Jackie as they talked about Devon’s birthday party.

Lathan was throwing him a surprise party and Jackie was helping him with the arrangements.
Are you gonna be able to handle seeing him and Chrissalyn together all night?
Lathan thought to himself as he made another call. He sighed deeply and pushed it from his mind. He knew he was going to have to find a way to deal with it or find the courage to step out and change it. He recalled the scene in his office with Alisha again and became immediately irritated. That was another huge consideration he had to take into account. He didn’t need her going to HR with any false claims of sexual harassment. Lathan worked hard to attain his position and he couldn’t let Alisha and her stupidity destroy it.
What about the woman you love,
his mind pestered him.

Lathan knew they hadn’t slept together yet, but he also knew if they did it was over for him. Chrissalyn was the type of woman who only slept with a man if she were fully and completely committed to him. Lathan’s head began to hurt again. This was the hardest thing he’d ever dealt with in a while. He knew he loved her and wanted her. What he didn’t know was how to get rid of Alisha without it costing him everything and if Chrissalyn would even have him. Lathan rose to go grab himself another beer when his cell rang. He looked at the display and grunted disgustedly seeing Alisha’s name on the display. He pressed the ignore button as he opened his beer and headed into his room.

Alisha sighed deeply once she got his voicemail.
He’s still mad at me,
she thought becoming slightly alarmed. She couldn’t lose this man; she’d worked too hard to get him.
You need to learn to control your damned temper
, Alisha scolded herself. Alisha was no fool; she knew full well that Lathan had deep seeded emotions for the woman. Thankfully Chrissalyn didn’t seem to return the emotion, especially with her dating Devon now.
If they would just sleep together all my problems would go away
, Alisha thought again knowing Devon would tell Lathan and thus dispel any hopes Lathan had.
What the hell does she have that I don’t?
Alisha continued to muse,
I’m finer than she is, I freak him any way he wants to be freaked
, she finished her thought before

sighing deeply again and pushing them all to the back of her mind. She dialed Sammy’s number and waited on it to connect.

“You almost made me come to your house,” he greeted her through the receiver. Alisha sighed softly before asking about the purpose of his call. “What you think I want Alisha?” Sammy threw back slightly irritated at how she was brushing him off.

Alisha sighed again. “Sammy I told you that one night was good, but I can’t do that anymore,” she replied tiredly.

Sammy grew angry, tired of this game she insisted on playing.

“Fuck all that bullshit Alisha, I want you over here,” he told her his tone leaving no room for questioning.

Alisha sighed deeply again. She knew Sammy’s temper and how crazy he could be. She didn’t need Lathan finding out that she’d slept with Sammy, giving him the way of escape she knew he wanted.

“Ok, I’m on my way
,” Alisha told him “But we can’t do nothing Sammy, seriously.”

Sammy sucked his teeth before answering. “You are mine, Alisha. Your pussy is mine and don’t ever get that shit twisted,” he replied breathing harder now. “I don’t give a fuck about that fool, so stop stepping to me with that bullshit, ya hear me?” he finished and Alisha quietly told him she did. He grunted his approval, told her he’d see her soon and disconnected.

“What the hell have I gotten myself into?” Alisha said tiredly to herself as she turned the car toward his apartment. 

Sammy was still brooding. He’d really had more than enough of Alisha’s unwillingness to comply with his plans. He sucked his teeth once more as his plans solidified in his head. Sammy was going to put and end to this and he knew exactly when and where. He rose and headed to his shower, whistling cheerfully.

*****

“How was your trip?” Chrissalyn asked Devon as he hugged her tightly.

He’d just arrived at her apartment to pick her up, heading to dinner and perhaps a movie.

“It was good, you know meetings and the usual drama,” he returned chuckling lightly.

Chrissalyn smiled and nodded her agreement. Chrissalyn was pleased to see they were at Fuscoli’s. She loved Italian food and they served some of the best. As soon as they entered, the alluring smells of the garlic rolls and decadent sauces hit them. Chrissalyn inhaled deeply enjoying every nuance. They were quickly seated at one of the booths in a romantically lit corner of the restaurant. The tablecloths and napkins were linen, and the centerpiece was a lighted candle inside a volcano candleholder, brightly colored, making the light from the candle dance on their faces. Devon reached across the table and took her hands as he looked into her eyes. “I’ve really missed you Chriss,” he said softly as he stroked her hands.

Chrissalyn smiled returning the sentiment.
Are you gonna do what he wants?
Her mind asked as their server came and took their drink orders. Chrissalyn was mulling over the menu but not really seeing the contents. Her mind was still racing thinking of the new level Devon wanted to take their relationship to. It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought it was coming; she’d just spent so much time pushing it out of her mind that it’d snuck up on her now. She sighed lightly again.

“After dinner maybe we could go back to my place for a little while and just relax,” Devon told her never taking his eyes from her.

7

T
his is gonna be one long night
, Lathan thought to himself as he watched Devon and Chrissalyn enjoying themselves. The party was a roaring success. They were at Core, which was a restaurant and nightclub. Lathan continued to watch the couple as they laughed and talked with each other. Devon leaned over and softly kissed Chrissalyn on the cheek as she smiled at him.

Lathan was furious. He gripped the glass in his hand tightly and turned away.
Take a deep breath and relax fool
, he chided himself.

“So are you going to put it out there tonight, or you gonna wait till they get married?” Jackie threw at him calmly as she ordered another drink.

Lathan sighed deeply. He knew she was right, but there were so many things to consider. He opened his mouth to speak but was rudely interrupted.

“Hey baby, you having a good time?” Alisha asked, drunk as usual. “This party is great, it was a nice thing you did for Devon,” she told him as she ordered yet another drink.

Lathan watched Chrissalyn walk toward the back of the club where the restrooms were located. “Yeah Alisha, I’m straight,” he told her as he prepared to walk away. “I’m going to the bathroom,” he told her as she paid for her drink.

“OK baby, I’ll be here waiting for you,” she replied.

Lathan rolled his eyes in disgust and walked away. Devon watched as his friend made his way to the back of the club in the direction Chrissalyn had gone.
What is he up to?
He wondered to himself wanting to rise and follow, but was stopped by several more well-wishers who’d come and were now sitting at the table with him. Devon was annoyed with Lathan’s continual hovering over Chrissalyn.
He had his fucking chance
, he thought angrily.

Devon was deeply into Chrissalyn and he believed she was feeling the same for him. They’d spent a passionate few moments together before arriving, kissing and caressing each other. He hadn’t disrespected her by touching her intimately, but holding her and caressing her body had been wonderful. Chrissalyn had completely responded to his touch and he knew that soon they would make love.
This muthafucker needs to stay with psycho bitch and leave my girl alone
, he thought once more taking a deep breath and conversing with the guests.

*****

“Hey Chriss,” Lathan greeted her as she headed back from the restroom, mind wandering.

“Oh hi Lathan,” Chrissalyn returned slightly startled by his presence. “The party is really nice, and I know Devon is having a good time” she replied sweetly as she prepared to walk by him.

Lathan moved in front of her blocking her path. “Are you having a good time too?” he asked still looking directly at her.

Chrissalyn was slightly confused by his behavior and demeanor. His voice had a slightly irritated edge, like he was jealous or something.

“Well yeah, I’m having a good time too,” she replied still confused.

“
Mhmph,” Lathan returned noncommittal still looking at her hard. “Have you slept with Devon?” he asked point blank and she saw his jaw clench.

“Wow, that’s pretty personal Lathan, don’t you think?” Chrissalyn returned purposely not answering his question.

“We’re friends aren’t we?” he returned pointedly.

“Yes, but still,” Chrissalyn returned wanting very much to know where he was going with this, and becoming slightly agitated herself.

“So you have,” he threw at her and Chrissalyn refused to be drawn in.

“It’s whatever you want it to be Lathan,” she replied calmly.

Lathan was furious at the thought of Devon touching her and being with her. Still, she hadn’t said yes, so that led him to believe she was bluffing him and they hadn’t slept together.

“Why the 3rd degree Lathan?” Chrissalyn threw at him, deciding to put him on the spot for a change. “I mean, aren’t you and Alisha together?” she asked again and Lathan continued to remain mute, growing angrier by the moment. “So why would my sleeping with Devon or anyone else for that matter concern you?” she finished breathing a little harder from her annoyance and tired of the game. 

Lathan looked at her hard for a long time without speaking. Finally he angrily grabbed her and pulled her close to him, holding her tightly. “Chrissalyn, don’t fuck around and piss me off,” he told her as he looked into her eyes. “Don’t sleep with Devon,” he told her point blank before kissing her hard on the mouth and releasing her, leaving her standing in the darkened hallway in tears.

Chrissalyn hurriedly pulled herself together and returned to the restroom to wash her face. She couldn’t let Devon know she’d been crying or was upset.
Why is he doing this to me
, she asked herself as she returned to the party, the kiss and Lathan’s warning still fresh in her mind.

Lathan was still trying to calm down. He couldn’t believe how angry he still was. He’d wanted to slap Chrissalyn a few moments ago, but he knew it wasn’t her he was angry with. He was angry at his own inability and impotence to remedy the situation he found himself in with Alisha.

Devon walked up as Lathan was deep in thought. “Thanks for the party man, it was off the chain,” Devon told him and Lathan smiled and told him it was all good. “Your girl’s looking for you,” Devon added and Lathan simply grunted.

“You and Chris seem to be doing good,” Lathan commented trying hard to keep his true feelings out of his voice.

Devon weighed his response before he began talking. “Yeah, we are,” he began before looking at his friend hard.

“But I guess that’s not what you really wanted to hear though huh?” he threw back and waited for a response.

Fuck, did she tell him what happened?
Lathan thought as he watched his friend. He doubted it, Chrissalyn wasn’t liked that. She was very good at keeping things to herself. “I just want you both to be happy, period,” Lathan returned and said nothing more. Devon of course didn’t believe a word of it, but he didn’t press it either. He simply thanked his friend again and returned to the club, leaving Lathan once again alone with his thoughts.

*****

Alisha was thoroughly enjoying the sex she and Lathan were having right now. The party had been a roaring success and they were both feeling no pain at this point. She moaned deeply as Lathan thrust into her again and again holding her tightly. She felt her body reach its peak and cried out his name as she came. Lathan closed his eyes tighter trying to shut her out. He was fantasizing about Chrissalyn and she was completely ruining it for him with her wild grunting and screaming. He forced himself to focus once more and began enjoying himself again. His mind immediately betrayed him, showing him images of Devon and Chrissalyn making love. Lathan grew angrier and angrier as he tried to shut the images out of his mind only to have them grow even more vivid. Alisha didn’t know what was going on with him. Lathan was hurting her in his lovemaking.

“Lathan, baby, slow down” she tried but he wasn’t hearing her.

His eyes were tightly shut and he was nowhere in this room right now she was sure of it. Lathan’s hands found her breasts and squeezed tightly, painfully tight. Alisha was near tears as he continued to punish her.
Oh, please let him come, let him come
, she thought as Lathan continued his assault.

All he could see in his mind’s eye was Devon touching Chrissalyn, entering her and making love to her. Her screaming out Devon’s name as she came hard from his lovemaking. Lathan was furious. His hands were around Alisha’s throat, but he didn’t feel her struggling or gasping for breath. Finally he came hard releasing all the tension, pain and anguish he felt in his orgasm. He loosened his hold on her throat and Alisha gasped for air. Lathan was up and getting dressed when she looked over at him.

“Where are you going?” she asked alarmed that he was leaving.

“I need to go home
,” he replied simply his mind going back to what had just happened with them.

I’ve got to talk to her I can’t keep doing this
, Lathan was thinking as Alisha launched into another emotional tirade.

“So you just gonna come over and screw me then leave?” she started screeching.

Lathan really wasn’t in the mood for her hysterics tonight, so he sighed deeply, apologized and undressed, returning to bed with her. Alisha soon drifted off, as Lathan lake fully awake looking at the ceiling, deciding his next move.

*****

“Tonight was great,” Devon told Chrissalyn wistfully as they enjoyed a slice of cheesecake. They’d come back to her place after the party and were relaxing together. Chrissalyn was angry about her encounter with Lathan earlier. The more she thought about it the angrier she got.
How dare that SOB talk noise to me when he’s laying up with that hooker
, Chrissalyn thought as she got them both drinks. Devon was completely at peace being here with her. He’d been watching her intently since they’d come home and something was on her mind. He wondered if it had anything to do with Lathan’s trip to the back of the club earlier.

“You okay Chris?” Devon threw out still watching her closely.

Chrissalyn sighed softly and assured him she was. Devon wasn’t completely convinced but he didn’t press her. He figured she would tell him in her own time.

“Do you wanna stay the night?” Chrissalyn asked out of the blue and Devon almost choked on his cheesecake.
Hell yeah
, he thought to himself excitedly. “I’d like that,” he replied calmly.

Chrissalyn wasn’t sure of everything she wanted at that moment, but the one thing she did know was that she didn’t want to be alone. “Chriss, we don’t have to do anything” Devon assured her, not wanting her to feel pressured.

It was little things like this that made Chrissalyn fall further and further for Devon. She was almost ready to let go of Lathan, almost. She smiled at him and thanked him for that as they rose and headed toward her bedroom. True to his word, Devon was a complete gentleman as they lay together and talk, eventually drifting off, each into their own dream.