If I Can't Have You, page 23
part #1 of If I Can't Have You Series
He did still have the video. Had probably made several copies. All I could do was hope he wasn’t serious. The tape of Roosevelt and me was in his possession too, but that wouldn’t help him if it got out. He picked up his sweats and T-shirt, put them on, then dipped his left shoulder as he left. He didn’t go through my house. He went around the side. I was having a better gate installed today.
Since Loretta’s house was less than one hundred feet from mine, I prayed the judge approved her protective order. She might have to file one against me if she kept fucking up. Why would she tell him we made a bet? Fluid gushed to my throat. I ran to the bathroom. I had to stop taking the meds on an empty stomach. I heaved bile until there was nothing left but air.
Granville had made me so sick that I jammed my finger in my mouth, wishing I could vomit and flush the baby in my womb down the toilet. I announced my pregnancy on television because I knew it would bring Chicago closer to me. Granville hearing the news was not on my mind. If I had thought he’d be watching, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.
CHAPTER 35
Madison
What was it going to take to get rid of Granville Washington permanently?
I wasn’t from the streets. Couldn’t call in any hit favors. Didn’t have any brothers. But if I had any of those options, I wouldn’t hesitate. For real, he was soaking in my Jacuzzi? He’d gone too damn far!
“What can you do to maximize my home security without turning my house into a prison?” I asked the owner of Invisible Bars.
This was a company that had lots of billboards across town. They advertised that they consulted with ex-convicts who’d served time for breaking, entering, and robbing homeowners. I never thought I’d need them, and I hoped they were as great as their ads claimed. I wanted to employ the criminal minds, but not the criminals. The Web site stated that the owner had served as an expert witness on several high-profile cases. His bio stated he knew what systems worked and which ones didn’t.
The owner said, “Crooks are equally dumb as they are intelligent. Otherwise, they’d never get caught. The best way to catch a thief is to make access appear easy.”
I didn’t want to waste time talking to any of Invisible Bars’ workers. Not that the employees didn’t know their jobs, but being the CEO of my family’s firm demanded that I communicate with my equal. Any person who had to call someone else before making a major decision was not worthy of my time or money.
The guy with a hot stripper body was the CEO? He surveyed my residence four times, then said, “Your place is easily accessible. I recommend you install sensors around the perimeter and on each door and window. Basically, every point of entry needs securing. Whenever the alarm is activated, if anyone or anything breaks the invisible barrier, you’ll receive notification via your iPhone. At the same time we will be notified at our central call station and we’ll notify the police right away. Our system helps catch most robbers because they won’t hear anything. We can add a layer of security by placing hidden cameras inside decorative domes that blend with gutters, downspouts, siding, flowers in your garden, and fixtures in and outside your home. I also recommend bright motion-sensor lights.”
Wow, he is good. I didn’t like that part about them being able to see what was going on inside my home, but what if Granville was in my house while I was inside too?
“So far, I like what you’ve said. But can you block satellite viewers from spying on me when I’m outside?”
“Absolutely. And you’ll love that we can sync everything to your cell through our free application designed by your soon-to-be brother-in-law, Chaz DuBois. You can be in Italy and see what’s happening right here.” He pointed toward the ground. “And we can scramble satellite signals so no one can even get a snapshot of your house. If you sign a contract with us today, I’ll throw in a free toxic chemical and radon gas testing, just for you.”
Just for me? Yeah, right. What he seems to be is too good to be true.
We stood in front of my house. He appeared forty-five, give or take two years. He had toasted tan skin—evident that he’d spent time in the sun somewhere. Probably vacationing in Brazil or in the Dominican Republic with lots of gorgeous women catering to his needs.
I wasn’t lusting or hating. I actually admired the ripples of his washboard stomach through his black wife-beater shirt. The bulging biceps were exposed and his thunder thighs showed through his fitted black slacks; it made me want to touch him all over to see if he was real.
Generally, a man that fine had spent years in an institution working out every day to maintain his sanity and protect his ass. Maybe in the pen was where he’d created the idea for his company and built his image. I sure hoped I wasn’t making another mistake and would come home one day to an empty house. With lots of time to think and read, most inmates could overwhelm and outsmart most women.
Men who had been oppressed knew all the right things to say and the exact time to strike in order to capitalize on a female. That’s how inmates doing life got a wife. He’d find out what she liked or needed, then capitalize on her weaknesses. Make her put money on his books and dare her to make a move without his permission.
“Have you ever been to jail?” I had to know. If he said yes, I was hiring someone else.
He stopped looking at the roof and stared at me. He lowered his iPad to his side. “Why? Every black man with a bodybuilder’s physique has to be on probation or behind bars? If what you mean is have I served time, the answer is ‘No.’ Look, lady, this is strictly business. I’m the best at what I do, but I’m not hard up for money. I’ve grossed a solid five million this year. If you’ve changed your mind, all you have to do is say so and I’m gone. You don’t have to judge me. I’m here to help you.”
I nodded. “You’re right. That was rude.”
“No, you are rude,” he said, shaking his head. “You won’t find another company to do for you what I just suggested. They don’t know how.”
Damn. What is his problem? I’m the client, not the enemy.
As if he’d read my thoughts, he said, “Have a good day”; then he turned and walked away.
A vision of Granville lounging in my hot tub came to view. I couldn’t allow that to happen again. “Wait! Don’t go.” I gave him my business card with my e-mail at Tyler Construction. “I’m really interested in what you have. How much will everything cost?”
The sexy way I’d said that didn’t come out right. I wasn’t flirting. It was my Southern charm, which at times I couldn’t turn off.
He sat in his truck, tapped on his iPad, then said, “I don’t give verbal quotes. I just e-mailed you a breakdown. Take your time and look it over. I can have a crew here as early as tomorrow. It’ll take two men two days to complete everything.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He got out of the car and extended his card and his hand. “If you have any questions, call me on my cell. I’m available to you, twenty-four/seven.”
Okay, I had given him the wrong impression. Now he was flirting. My policy was “If I pay you, I’m not fucking you. If I fuck you, I’m not paying.” Thanks to Loretta, my life was complicated enough. I didn’t need his fine-ass problems, but his attention was flattering.
I wish he could’ve had my home wired before he drove off. I closed my door. Opening his e-mail, I saw the package price wasn’t bad and well worth my peace of mind. A 50 percent deposit was required. I entered my American Express card number, expiration, security code, and replied, Schedule me asap.
Until the work was done, I’d stay at Roosevelt’s. Just like that, Granville had cost me $27,000.
A shower and wardrobe change into a long-sleeved banana-colored dress, which stopped above my knees, was sufficient for a late lunch with the girls. I stepped into my lavender sling-backs, picked up my purse, and headed to Spencer’s on Lamar.
I approached the hostess. “Yes, reservation for three for Madison Tyler.”
“Yes, Ms. Tyler. Your guests are already seated. Right this way.”
I followed her to the table, where Loretta and Tisha had gotten started without me. The champagne was already flowing.
“Congratulations on your engagement and new addition to the family. The owner is taking care of your tab,” the hostess said, pulling out my chair.
With the exception of three other women at a nearby table, the restaurant was empty. I started to request the hostess reseat us away from them so they wouldn’t overhear our conversation. “You guys want to move?”
Loretta said, “I’m good.”
Tisha agreed, “Me too.”
I checked out the other ladies again. They seemed sophisticated enough for me not to classify them as eavesdroppers, but nowadays it was hard to tell. I politely thanked the hostess and sat between my friends.
I greeted my girls. “I’m what you call a friend with benefits, and it’s only going to get better. Y’all lives would be boring without me.”
“More like uneventful,” Loretta countered.
“So how did court go today?” I asked, smiling at her when I honestly wanted to snatch her by the hair, tell her about my day, and put my bun in her oven.
Loretta dug into her purse, then waved a piece of paper. “I’ve got it!” She tipped her flute to Tisha’s.
I filled my own glass and took a sip. I felt out of the group. Like they’d moved on without me. It wasn’t like Loretta didn’t invite me to court.
Oh, well, I have my own issues to deal with.
“Do you know who’s the father of your child?” Tisha asked what I expected Loretta to question.
“Yeah, we heard you announce it on the news. You should’ve told us first,” Loretta commented. “You know, Madison, if you’re not sure, get rid of it. We can help you stage a miscarriage. Chicago will believe us, and he’ll love you more. If it turns out to be Granville’s baby, you’ll have made the biggest mistake of your life.”
I held the power to let an innocent child live or die. It wasn’t the baby’s fault. It was Loretta’s. And mine. I chuckled in a sarcastic way.
“Too late for that. Instead of being at court with you, he was at my house in my Jacuzzi because somebody”—I stared at her ass—“told him we had a bet, and when I asked what he was doing at my place, all he had to say for himself was ‘Okay, dear.’ Because of him I’m spending twenty-seven grand to have my entire house wired by Invisible Bars.”
Loretta laughed. “He does that ‘okay, dear’ and ‘yes, dear’ thing with you too? Well, between your home security, my protective order, and my license to carry a concealed weapon”—this time she fanned another sheet of paper, patted her purse, and continued—“stick with me. I think we’re covered. On a different note, what I need to know is the truth. Did you persuade Raynard to file for full custody?”
“Has he?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but trust me I’m not involved.” That was the truth. I loved Raynell, and didn’t want Gloria and Raynard to have her all the time, knowing that would break Loretta’s heart.
“How did we get here?” Tisha asked. “All our lives are screwed up. Mine isn’t as dramatic as y’all’s, but, Madison, you were right. I never should’ve married Darryl’s broke behind.”
Since we were on a roll, I wanted to tell them about my cancer, but I didn’t. I simply wasn’t ready.
“My wedding planner will contact both of you for a fitting. You don’t have to do anything else except show up at the church an hour early. She’ll bring your dresses, shoes, and accessories. The makeup artist and hairstylist will take care of the rest.”
The waitress appeared. “I didn’t want to interrupt, but can I get you ladies anything?”
We ordered appetizers and continued talking.
Tisha said, “Loretta, now that another man is showing you interest, Raynard is jealous. I bet if you were by yourself, he wouldn’t care about custody.”
“And don’t overlook the fact that he feels he can hit that anytime he gets ready,” I added, scrolling through my e-mail on my iPhone. “Oh, my gosh!” I bounced in my seat. “You guys won’t believe who I just received a message from.”
“Don’t tell,” Tisha said. “Let me guess. Granville?”
I rolled my eyes at her. “The mayor wants an invite to my wedding, and she wants to pay for my limousine service. I hope she knows I have three.”
One was for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Another was for our parents. The third was for Roosevelt and me.
I was so excited. I was in the innermost elite circle of Houston, but I just realized it!
“She said send her the company’s information and she’ll take care of the rest. Isn’t that great!”
“Miss, you can’t record other people’s conversation. It’s a violation of their privacy.”
We all stared in the direction of the waitress.
“It’s my phone, and who’s to say I’m recording them,” one of the women responded.
“Aw, hell no!” I got out of my seat and approached her. “Are you recording us?”
“I don’t know. You tell me,” she said, waving her iPhone. “Is Chicago the father? Or is it Granville?”
Tisha picked up the champagne bottle on our table, stood beside me, snatched the woman’s phone, and proceeded to beat the phone like it had stolen something. The other two women backed away. I was partially relieved.
The woman screamed, “What the hell are you doing!” Then she picked up a steak knife.
Loretta eased her hand into her purse. “Miss, you don’t want to make me use this. I’m not asking. I’m telling you. Put the knife down.”
CHAPTER 36
Chicago
The closer I got to the altar, balancing the ongoing battle between my fiancée and my mother had become a fight I didn’t want to referee. Why couldn’t the two women I loved get along?
“Look, she doesn’t have to stay long, but I can’t disrespect my mother’s wishes. If she wants to talk to us, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
I prayed Mom or Chaz hadn’t seen the video of that dude fucking Madison. The harder I tried to get that image out of my mind, the more I had to meditate to keep from arguing with Madison. We both had history before we’d met. I just hoped that incident really wasn’t during our relationship. I didn’t ask Chaz to find out where the link originated. If he saw the footage, that would give him one more reason to hate Madison.
“I don’t want her coming to your house. Why can’t we go to hers? That way we can leave when we get ready.”
“You mean when you get ready. She wants to come here, so she’s coming here. End of discussion.”
This was the first time my mother was outspoken about a woman I was with. It was also the first time I was serious about saying, “I do.” I wasn’t a mama’s boy. I was ready. None of my exes made me second-guess my decision. None. And my mom wouldn’t either.
“Then let’s see if the formal dining room is available and meet her there. I don’t want her in here. She makes me sick.”
“What’s gotten into you? Is the baby turning you into some woman I don’t know? Since when did my mother start making you sick?”
I’d never leave Madison, but I honestly didn’t like the person she was becoming. She’d gotten more verbal about everything, especially her dislike for my mother.
“Being pregnant does not give you a pass to be rude or disrespectful to any of my family members, especially my mother. If you don’t want her here, you can leave right now.”
“I’m sorry, baby. You’re right. Let her come. I’ll stay in the bedroom. I’m not feeling well.”
All of a sudden she wasn’t well? I watched her get a bottle of water, open a bottle of pills, shake two in her hand, then swallow them.
“What’s that you’re taking?”
“It’s aspirin. I have a headache. I’m going to go lie down.”
“And you’re going to get up when my mother gets here. That’s not negotiable.”
“Okay, I will,” she said, closing the bedroom door.
I sat on the sofa, turned on the basketball game to watch Miami play Boston. My cell rang. I looked at the caller ID. What did he want?
I answered, “What’s up, Blue?”
“I saw the news. Congratulations on your baby, man.”
“Thanks. What can I do for you?” I didn’t want to do small talk with him or any other person I labeled as slimy.
“Just calling to check on Madison. I heard—”
“Madison? My Madison?”
“Yeah, man. I heard—”
“Save it. I don’t let outsiders wedge their way into my personal life. The wedding is invitation only, and no, you’re not invited. Good-bye,” I said, ending the call. What could he have heard that I didn’t already know about my woman?
The knock at the door was a welcome distraction from the dialogue in my head. It couldn’t have been Mom this early, and I wasn’t expecting anyone else. I peeped through the hole. It was Chaz and Loretta. I stared a few extra seconds at Loretta. I missed praying with her.
Opening the door, I said, “Well, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Stop acting like you’re surprised to see me,” my brother said.
“No, not you. But I am happy to see the two of you are still hanging out. Come in. Mom is on her way. I might need your support, man. I have no idea what she wants to discuss. Do you?”
“Yes, you do.” Chaz went straight to the pots and pans in the kitchen. “We’re definitely staying.” He picked up a fork. Ate two shrimps. “Damn, baby, try this,” he said, feeding Loretta.
“Oh, this is so good. All of a sudden I’m ready to pig out. Madison cooked?”
Chaz and I laughed.
“You spoil her too much, man. A woman is supposed to cook for her man. It’s a good thing you can afford a chef. This spread is undeniable.” He placed two glasses on the bar.
“Make me one, too, while you’re at it,” I said.
I opened my arms to Loretta. She wrapped hers behind my back. I whispered, “Good to see you.” She didn’t respond with words. I could feel in her hug that she missed me too.
