“Why not? Are you kicking me out, old man?” I ask, putting on a fake smile, but of course my father knows it’s not sincere. He’s like God and knows everything.
“You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want, but is that what you really want?”
I haven’t seen Jade since our fight. The first two days she called out sick. I would have been worried that our fight stressed her so much it made her unwell if my father didn’t tell me she’s been seen out with Nichole. Like I said before, my father knows everything. The last day, when she did decide to come to work, I avoided her by not coming into the office, instead choosing to stay and work in the courthouse and then come straight to my father’s mansion on Park Avenue.
“You must think I’m a pussy by not going home to my own house just to avoid a woman,” I tell him.
“Now, son, let’s be truthful here, Jade is not just any woman. You love her, don’t you?”
“Why would you think that?” I scoff, picking at my nails.
“Do I need to treat you like a case and lay the proof out?” When I don’t say anything, he continues. “You’ve never dated a woman more than a week and you’ve been with Jade over three months, Jade resides with you, and even though you two have been separated for a couple of days, you’ve haven’t gone out with anyone else or asked her to leave your place. Instead you’ve been home with me, brooding. You don’t need me to tell you you’re in deep with that girl, son. You’re smart enough to already know. The sooner you stop denying it, the better.”
“I haven’t been brooding,” I state.
“That’s what you took out of all that,” he says incredulously.
“I heard you, but you’re wrong. I admit, I thought I did fall in love with Jade, but that was probably just lust. We’re no good for each other.”
“Well if you truly feel that way, I can tell her she should go back to her own place for you on Monday.” I know he’s testing me. He doesn’t fully believe my words and I don’t blame him. I halfway believe them myself.
“Sure, that’ll be great. I’ll make sure I won’t be in the office that day.” He eyes me over his glass of wine and grunts his approval before I turn and go to my room. Once I’m by myself, I take a hot shower and change my clothes to go out. I needed a drink and not here with my father.
It doesn’t take long for me to get to my favorite bar downtown. Since it’s Friday night, the place is packed. This bar gives off a comfortable vibe and people of all types flock here, looking for a good time. It’s also a sure place if you’re looking to get laid. I don’t think I ever left here without a girl or two on my arm. In fact, as I take a look around I see a lot of women I have fucked here, looking alluring and seductive, waiting for the perfect catch.
When the bartender who usually serves me sees me, he makes my usual drink without me having to order and slides it over. Grateful, I take it, taking a long drink, relishing as the hard liquor burns down my throat. “Has it been one of those days?” Chuck, the bartender, asks.
“More like one of those weeks,” I answer laughing.
“You haven’t been here in a while. Don’t tell me it’s over between you and the sexy brunette you’ve been photographed with already. I was positive you’d marry her.” I don’t say anything. What can I say? I know Chuck is inquiring for himself. He’s more than once picked up my leftovers and Jade has caught his eye.
I don’t know why, but I tell him, “This isn’t her scene. Plus, she’s pregnant.”
“Oh shit. For reals? Man, congrats. No wonder you’re in here.” I don’t bother to correct his assumption that the baby is mine, nor do I stop him when he pours me another drink on the house to celebrate the occasion. I just take the drink, guzzling it down, trying hard as hell not to think about the green-eyed siren that sent me running to this place.
When he goes to serve someone else, I’m not alone long when a woman in a short cocktail dress takes the stool beside me. “Hey there, sexy. Want to buy me a drink?” She asks in a seductive voice. She's beautiful, of course, and the dress she has on leaves little to imagination, highlighting her intensive curves.
“Sure, why not?” I say, waving Chuck over. When she gives him her order, he runs off, giving me a sly smile before returning with her drink.
“I’m Christine, by the way,” she says, extending a dainty hand and I take it. “I haven’t seen you around, are you new in town?” she questions.
I call bullshit. No way in hell does this chick not know who I am. In fact, I saw her standing with Lydia, a woman I used to fuck for fun when I was bored, but if she wants to play this game, then so can I. “I’m from here. I just haven’t been here in awhile,” I answer coolly.
“Why’s that?” she prods.
“Been busy with work.” Before she can ask what I do, I ask if she’s from here.
“Yes, I’m from Brooklyn. My friends and I are having a ladies’ night.” I turn my head and see a group of women looking avidly in my direction, Lydia included. When she catches my gaze, she licks her lips in an inviting way. Tempting, Lydia was a good dick sucker.
“Maybe I should leave you to your friends,” I say and she leans over and runs her hand slowly up my thigh, inching her way close to my dick.
“Oh, they won’t mind.” She licks her plump lips like Lydia and I bet if I wanted, I could take both her and Lydia to a hotel for the night. Hell, probably the whole table of women.
When her hand gets to the prize and gropes my dick, I realise something right away. I’m not hard. Any other time, when I’ve had some drinks in me and an attractive woman gropes me, I’d be ready to take her in the bar’s bathroom, but not now. As if there’s something wrong with me, she squeezes again harder this time.
“You might as well let go, sweetheart. You’re not the one for me,” I state and she lets go like I have the plague. With a toss of her auburn hair, she stomps away, back to her table of friends, licking her wounds.
“Man, you must really love your girlfriend,” Chuck says incredulously, having watched the whole thing and by the look on his face, he’s just as shocked as I am. Never have I ever turned down pussy for another woman.
“Yeah, I really must. Fuck me,” I growl and Chuck pours me another drink.
26
Nichole
Out on the terrace, I take a deep whiff of the medical marijuana my doctor prescribed, hoping it’ll help ease my pain. I’ve overdid it this week and my frail body is screaming at me to go sit down. It was nice spending time with Jade, even though she sees too much. Her questions were spot on, but I did a good job at deflecting her. It also helped that she seemed to be avoiding her own problems. I know a lover’s spat when I see one. I can’t say I’m not happy that her and Tyson are on the rocks. He’s been a major thorn in my plans and now with time left alone, he’s working his way out. If only I can get Grayson to take advantage of the situation and strike when Jade is the most vulnerable. My body is warning me I don’t have long. I know he cares about Jade, a lot, but he has this valiant nature in him to always do right by me. I’ve tested his resolve, but he’s proven he isn’t fallible. Jade’s charms, as much as he tries to ignore them, are gradually sinking in. He just needs a little push.