Authors: Skyy

Choices (24 page)

BOOK: Choices

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Chapter 31

Denise gazed at the ceiling. She had been back on the road for a week and she was already homesick for school and Lena. She missed her scent, the Creed perfume that she wore. It was the most intoxicating fragrance to her. She was craving Lena, even though she tried to hide it. There wasn't much she could do. She picked up her cell phone to listen to her messages. No new messages and one saved message.

“Hey, Dee, it's Lena. Wanted to let you know that we should be going over real soon. Well, at least I hope. I can't go through too much more of this bullshit. You girls are kicking ass in the tournament. Looks like we're going to have two national championships. Way to go, baby. Well, I miss you and make it back safely, okay.”

Denise listened to the message again. She sounded too happy and sweet. Denise was getting turned on by the sound of Lena's voice alone. She didn't know what to do; things were becoming so complicated. She knew that it was wrong, but she wanted her.

She turned on the TV in the hotel room. ESPN was covering the men's game. She noticed Brandon right away. That was the person standing in between her and Lena. She wanted to blame him so bad, but she knew it was more than that. Lena came from a whole different world than she did. Lena had obligations, and becoming a lesbian was not one of them.

Denise knew that she could make Lena happy, but not as happy as Brandon. With Brandon she was guaranteed a life of privilege, wealth and class. With her, she could lose her family, social status and more. Denise took a deep breath. She wanted Lena, but she knew it was better for her to stay away. She picked up the phone.

“Hey, bruh,” she said when Cooley answered the phone.

“Bruh, you are kicking ass up there in NY. How you doing, Dee?” Cooley exclaimed.

Denise realized that she hadn't talked to her friend in weeks. “I'm good. How you are? How is Misha?”

“Well, things could be better. Got drama as usual. Man, some girl is for real stalking me and her, calling and playing on both of our phones and shit. Misha's trying to ignore it, but I can tell it's bothering her a lot.”

“Man, just talk to her. Maybe you both should get new numbers or something. Show her that you're willing to give up all the past by giving up the infamous phone number.”

Denise knew that would bother Cooley. She had that number for years; it was her special line. Cooley became silent. Denise had to give her friend credit for trying to do the right thing, and she just didn't know if she was going to be able to make it for the long haul.

“That's actually a pretty good idea. I'ma tell her whenever she gets in from this pledging bullshit they are doing.”

Cooley's response shocked Denise. She never thought she would really give up that number.

“Man, I am proud of you. I hope you know that.”

“Yeah, I know. I told you, man, I am trying to do right by this one. It's hard as hell, but I think she's worth it. I will do anything for that girl.”

“Really, tell me, man, if the best thing was for you to give her up, would you?”Denise's voice suddenly changed. Cooley knew Denise was thinking about Lena.

“I don't know the answer to that. Why don't you tell me what you would do, or is it what you are doing now?”

Denise took a deep breath. Her friend hit it right on the nail. She wanted Lena so bad, but it was the best thing to let her go.

“Well, what they say is, if you love it, you will let it go.”

“I guess so.”

There was a brief pause on the phone as both contemplated the response.

“Well, I gotta get to practice. I will talk to you later, okay,” Denise said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, bruh. Hey, don't let it bother you too much. Leave that bullshit here at Freedom and concentrate on bringing home that championship, okay.”

“I hear you.”

“I know you hear me, but I want you to actually listen and feel what I am saying too.” Cooley knew her friend needed to keep her mind clear.

“I feel you.” Denise hung up the phone and headed out the door. She was determined to get Lena off of her mind and hoped that the hours of practice she had coming would do the trick.

Misha grabbed her books and headed out of her class. She noticed three girls looking at her, whispering between them. She decided to ignore it and continued to walk. She headed into the bathroom. Soon as she got in the stall she heard the door open.

“Yeah, well, I don't give a fuck who she is dating now; I'm still gonna get that,” one of the girls said.

“Monique, you are a fool. I know she saw us looking at her today.”

“I don't give a fuck. I want her man and I am going to get her man. Cooley is going to be mine.”

Misha flushed the toilet and quickly walked out to confront the girl who was trying to get with her man. She opened the stall to see the three girls standing in the mirror. One of the girls' eyes widened at the sight of Misha.

“So, um, since you don't give a fuck, do you want to repeat what you were just saying again?” Misha stood there. She didn't care that she was outnumbered.

Monique walked up to her. “Girl, please. I don't have to repeat anything for you.” She rolled her eyes.

“You're right, but I tell you, if I catch you near my woman, it's gon' be some serious problems.” Misha prepared her body for a fight, just in case one of them decided to throw a punch.

Monique snickered. “Your woman? Cooley belongs to many on this campus. You're just too dumb to know it.”

“I got your dumb, bitch!” Misha dropped her bags.

Just then a faculty member walked into the bathroom and headed to a stall.

Monique and her friends headed toward the door.

“Tell Cooley that Monique said get at her. She already knows my room number.” Monique ran out of the door before Misha could get to it.

Misha's heart was racing as she headed out of the bathroom. She hoped that she would run into Monique, but she didn't know which direction she headed in.

Cooley opened her door to find Misha standing there fuming.

“Cooley, I can't deal with this shit! These bitches are working my last nerve on this campus!” Misha walked into the room.

“Baby, what are you talking about? What happened?”

“Monique told me to tell you to get at her, you already know her room number.” Misha rolled her eyes at Cooley.

“Baby, I don't know what she is talking about.”

“Really, and I guess my desk clerk in my dorm was lying about you fucking the shit out of her to get my phone number?”

Cooley quickly remembered that horrible incident, having sex with the ugly desk clerk.

“Yeah, she's lying. I got your number through a friend.”

“Whatever, Cooley. These bitches have no respect, and I am getting tired of trying to defend my relationship!”

“Misha, I am sorry, baby. I don't know what to do. I will tell all those girls to leave you the fuck alone, if you want me to. Just tell me what you want me to do.” Cooley put her arms around Misha.

“Cooley, it's nothing you can do. It's too much in your past to change it. What about all those phone calls in the middle of the night? And then who slashed your tires? You have already bought three new tires this month alone.”

“Misha, I am dealing with that. Girls are mad because you got me, something they could never do. You can't let them break us up; that's what they want to do. We can get new phone numbers if you want.”

Misha knew Cooley was right. Girls constantly tried her. Usually she shook it off, but lately things were getting out of hand.

“I'm sorry, baby. It's just so much on my mind with pledging and all. I will be glad when this year is over, so we can concentrate on us during the summer.”

Misha kissed Cooley. She pushed her back on the bed and climbed on top of her. She knew there was one thing she had to do. She had to make sure that she kept Cooley completely satisfied, so that she wouldn't ever think of straying. Misha removed her shirt so that Cooley could go to work on her breasts.

They made love for hours, until Cooley fell asleep.

Misha stared at Cooley as she slept. She wondered what she was thinking. Misha wondered how she was able to tame Cooley. She knew she loved Cooley, but would love be enough?

Cooley, Lena, Carmen and Misha sat in Lena's room to watch the championship game.

“My dawg is killing out there!” Cooley yelled when Denise scored again.

Lena watched the screen; she loved watching Denise play. The intensity in Denise's face enticed Lena.

Carmen noticed how Lena was watching the TV. “Girl, are you, okay?” Carmen said.

Misha walked over as well.

“Yeah, I'm cool. Why?” Lena said, realizing she was busted.

“No reason. I was just wondering,” Carmen replied. She looked over at Misha, who was thinking the same thing.

“What time do the boys play?” Misha questioned.

“Oh, they're playing now,” Lena said, sitting back down on the bed.

“Really? Damn. Did you want to switch to that game?” Cooley asked. “We don't want to take over your room like that.”

“No, I have seen B play a million times. I want to watch Denise,” Lena said. She was staring at the screen again.

Cooley began to laugh, finally catching on to what Misha and Carmen were noticing as well.

The game became very intense. Freedom was down by two points, and time was running out. Denise had the ball. She dribbled down the court, stopping at the three-point line. She took the shot and scored.

Everyone in the room went wild.

Lena became filled with emotion and began to cry. She picked up her phone.

“Denise, I am so excited for you. Way to go, baby, I knew you could do it!” She closed the phone as the announcer was making final remarks. She was oblivious to the expressions on her friends' faces.

“Freedom has a lot to celebrate, as Brandon Redding dominated the game till the end. Thanks to Brandon Redding and Denise Chambers, Freedom University has got to be doing a lot of celebrating right now!”

Lena picked her phone up again. “Brandon, baby, I am proud of you. Come home to me soon. I love you.” She closed the phone. She looked at the replay of Denise's winning shot. She had never felt so much pride before in her life.

Chapter 32

“So, Carmen, what seems to be the problem?”

“The surgery isn't working. I need you to check the band. I'm getting big again,” Carmen said to the doctor as he picked up the chart.

Earlier that week Carmen had decided to do something special for Tameka. Things had been going downhill and she wanted to make sure things were not her fault. She decided that since Tameka loved Lisa Raye, she would get a pink teddy like the one she wore in
The Players Club
and act out the infamous dance scene. She had the whole look going. She did her hair the same and had on the heels and the garter. She wanted to make Tameka happy.

She heard the music to “Seems Like You're Ready” by R. Kelly start. It was show time. She walked out of the bathroom doing the little sexy walk like Diamond. Before she could get down for the crawl, Tameka stopped the music, laughing uncontrollably.

“Carmen, what the fuck are you trying to do?” she said in the midst of her laughing. “I know you aren't trying to be Diamond. That's a joke, right?” She continued to laugh.

“Why is that a joke? I was doing something for you.” Carmen was hurt by Tameka's comments. “I thought you would like it.”

“Carmen, you are only ruining my biggest fantasy. You should not be trying to do all that, with your body shape. You are no Lisa Raye.” Tameka continued to laugh.

Carmen felt her heart drop. She couldn't believe what she just said. “What is wrong with my body shape?” Carmen asked a question she really didn't want the answer to.

“Carmen, don't start, okay. It just wasn't a good idea. I mean, look at you, baby. You're starting to get chubby again. You need to watch that.”

Carmen felt the tears forming and ran into the bathroom. She couldn't believe what Tameka said to her.

“You know what? All I wanted to do was do something special for you, and you ruined it.” She put her regular clothes back on.

Tameka got off the bed and stood by the door. “Girl, calm down and stop being so dramatic. You was cool, you just picked the wrong color. You should have got black or something slimming.”

Carmen came out of the bathroom and started to grab all of her things.

“Oh, so now you mad and gonna leave 'cause of that?”

“I just don't want to be around you right now.”

“Well, you know how to contact me.” Tameka lay back on the bed.

Carmen slammed the door. She got in her car and turned around, realizing that Tameka did not try to stop her.

Carmen put her clothes on after her exam. As she put her shirt on she noticed the incision marks from her surgery. They had cleared up mostly, but still had a long way to go. She pulled her shirt down as she heard the doctor opening the door.

“Carmen, you are in perfect health. The band is still completely in place, and you have the right amount of weight. I honestly don't see why you even think that you are getting big.”

“I don't know. I noticed my clothes have been fitting differently.”

“Carmen it's normal for many people to be very cautious of their weight gain and loss. That's why we usually refer people that are going through weight-loss surgeries to see a counselor to help them deal with the major changes that are going to occur. Did you ever see one?”

Carmen had decided that she didn't want to see a counselor. She didn't want to seem strange. “No, I didn't see one, but I think I am fine. I just wanted to make sure about the band, but thank you anyway.” Carmen headed out of the room. She turned when she heard the doctor call her name.

“Carmen, here is a card of a counselor, just in case you change your mind.” She smiled and walked away.

Carmen waited until she got out of the building to throw the card away.

Carmen walked into her dorm to find it empty. She noticed something pink; it was the teddy hanging out of her bag from the night with Tameka. She put the teddy on and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Tameka was right. I look big as hell in this,” she said to herself. She walked back to her bed to take it off right as Cooley and Misha walked in.

“Damn, Carmen, or should I say Diamond. You got a new job at the strip club or something?” Cooley said as she walked in the room.

“Funny. No, I just picked this up, but I'm taking it back. It makes me look funny as hell.”

“Girl, please. You look good in that. You need to keep it for whoever you date next,” Misha added.

“Whatever.” Carmen pulled the outfit off and put it in the bag. She was happy about what her friends said, but she still couldn't get the comments that Tameka made out of her head.

“So, how many more days do you all think y'all gonna be doing that pledging shit?” Cooley said as she grabbed Misha and pulled her into her lap.

“Can't be too much longer. We got exams and the Alumni weekend.”

“Well, I will be glad because I don't need Misha out all times of the night anymore. She is a married woman now.”

“Aww, baby, that's so sweet.” Misha kissed Cooley.

They started to get heated.

“Well, I will leave you all to be. I will see you all later.” Carmen headed out the door. She didn't know if they even heard her, because they were too busy making out.

Carmen headed to the University Center. She found a bench to sit on. She just wanted to think.

“Hey, you.”

Carmen heard a familiar voice. She turned around to see Nic standing behind her. “Hey, how are you?” Carmen smiled. She felt like someone knocked the wind out of her when she saw Nic standing there. She realized that Nic still looked damn good.

“I'm good, I'm good, and you, Miss Carmen?” Nic smiled.

“I am glad to hear that.” Carmen tried to fake a smile, but seeing Nic made her realize what she gave up.

Nic sat down on the bench next to her. She could sense something was wrong.

“Carmen, what's going on with you? Is everything okay?” Nic put her hand on Carmen's shoulder. Chills went over her whole body.

“Nothing much. I am dealing with a lot, with pledging and classes. I am gaining weight, and I don't know why. It's just a lot in my life right now.”

“Shorty, I can't tell you're gaining weight. You still look damn good to me. But I doubt you will ever not look good to me.” Nic smiled, which made Carmen smile as well.

“Thanks. You are still a sweetheart, I see.”

“Nic, I'm ready.” A girl had walked up to them. She was very petite and cute.

Carmen felt jealousy overcome her.

“All right. Well, Miss Carmen, this is Courtney.”

Carmen mustered up everything in her to say hello.

“Well, I have to get going as well. See you around, Nic.” Carmen got up and walked off as quickly as she could. She thought she heard Nic call her name, but she kept walking and never looked back.

She picked up her phone and dialed Tameka's number.

“Well, well, it's about time you called me.” Tameka answered the phone with her usual cocky attitude.

“Yeah, look, I don't appreciate the way that you spoke to me last. Do it again and you can kiss me good-bye.”

“Damn, baby, I didn't mean to hurt you. I have been missing you like crazy, you know.”

“Really, I can't tell. I haven't received a phone call in a week.”

“I didn't think you wanted to speak to me. You were so mad, I was just going to wait for you to calm down and talk to me. So, you want to go to our spot?” Tameka replied in her deepest, sexy voice.

Something in Carmen told her to say no.

“Okay, I'll see you in two hours.” She ignored her bad feeling. All she wanted was to be loved.

BOOK: Choices

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