Scarlett (12 page)

She thought about Sheila repeatedly. She couldn’t understand how a person who had everything in the world, was so hell bent destroying someone who practically had nothing. It couldn’t have been jealousy or revenge, because she had nothing for Sheila to be jealous of, and she had never done anything against her. If anything, Sheila should owe her big time for all the girls she beat down in school for her. She was confused, but she wasn’t going to let Sheila’s actions get in the way of her prospering. She knew that it was detrimental for her to keep her job, when Sheila was the person who helped her get it. So, she had to put up a front and figure out what Sheila’s motives were behind the scandalous things she’d been doing and saying about her.

Jay was constantly on her mind all weekend, but she wasn’t going to allow his unpredictable behavior to fool her again. She was determined to hide whatever feelings she had for him and move on. She couldn’t afford to be caught up with someone who could potentially end up with her so-called best friend.

She turned on the lights and immediately began straightening up the office. It wasn’t as clean as it should’ve been, but she knew Sheila wasn’t going to lift a finger to clean anything if she didn’t have to. She felt energized and ready for the day. She had already prepared herself for whatever Sheila was going to say about her weekend with Jay. She was even prepared to look in Jay’s face and pretend that what they shared meant nothing to her.

As she wiped off the glass end tables, the office door opened. She looked up and it was Greg. He smiled at her.

“What’s up, sexy? I didn’t know you would be in so early.”

Scarlett blushed at his comment. “Hey Greg, how are you doing this morning?” She admired his swag. He was a good-looking man, who could get any woman he wanted, but he wanted her, and this really excited her to some degree.

“I’m doing great. I had a long relaxing weekend, and I am happy to be back, and that’s mainly because you’re here.” He walked over and put his arms around her waist. His old school Cool Water cologne smelled great on him. She found herself embracing him back. She laid her head on his chest, and for the first time, felt that there was actually a man other than Anton who genuinely cared for her. He rubbed up and down her back in the gentlest way, and kissed her softly on the top of her head.

“How was your weekend?” he asked.

“It was good. I had a lot of time to think about things.”

“I hope that’s good on my part.”

“It is,” she said. In that moment, she decided that life was what she was going to make it, and spending more time with Greg was what she wanted to do.

Greg stepped back and looked at her. “Are you okay? You seem like you still have a lot on your mind.”

Scarlett smiled. “I’m okay now.”

He cupped her face in the palm of his hands and looked into her eyes. “That’s right, you are okay now, and will be as long as I’m around.”

Scarlett smiled. She knew Greg was sincere, and was willing to allow herself a chance to see what it really felt like to be with someone who truly wanted her to be happy.

“Do you have plans tonight?” he asked.

“No, I don’t, but I wouldn’t mind having some.”

“Say no more,” he commented. “I’ll hit you up later with details.” He smiled and kissed her on the lips. “I’ma need for you to smile today. Your smile is what keeps me going around here.”

“Really?” Scarlett responded.

“Yes, really.” He paused. “Why do you act so surprised? Before this new look of yours, I’ve always complimented you. I’ve always known you were a beautiful woman underneath that tough exterior you displayed.”

Scarlett smiled, because no matter what kind of day she was having, every time Greg saw her, he would slyly give her a compliment. He always told her she looked nice, even when she felt like she looked horrible.

“I guess you’re right, Greg. I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always been more than nice to me.”

“So trust me when I say that I’ve always had your best interest at heart, and from now on, I got you,” he said, walking toward the shop.

“I’ma hold you to that.”

“I want you to,” he grinned. “Oh, by the way, I need you to call Ronnie Matthews and tell him that his Suburban will be ready this evening. I’m about to go finish up his transmission work. Stanley and Mark should be in shortly to help me out. Jay called and said he’s not coming in today, nor is Sheila, so I need you to make sure that payroll is in before noon today.”

“Okay, I’m all over it,” she said, trying not to think about Jay and Sheila playing hooky. “So, is Mark coming back?”

“Yeah, I decided to hire him back. I don’t know how long my lil’ brother is going to last this time, but we’ll see.”

“This is like his third time coming back since I’ve been here.”

“More like sixth time,” Greg chuckled. “He’s one of the best mechanics I know, but he’s lazy. I never saw a man who could have so much more, but would rather throw it away running behind women and blowing his money on booze. I don’t take care of grown men, family or not. They gotta work for it.”

“I feel ya,” Scarlett commented. She’d known Mark for as long as she’d known Sheila. He was the crazy uncle that everybody had in their family. He always told jokes and loved to get drunk as hell. It didn’t even have to be a special occasion for him to drink until he dropped. He was eight years younger than Greg was, but he looked older. His wild runs in the streets had taken a toll on him, and at times, it really showed in his sunken jaws and slim frame.

“He’s fresh out of rehab, so hopefully I’ll get about five good months of work out him.”

They laughed.

“Yeah, hopefully,” Scarlett commented.

“Have a great day, sweetheart. I’ll be in to check on you from time to time.” Scarlett nodded and turned to walk behind the counter to her desk.

What a day this is going to be.
She sat down and turned on her computer.
At least I don’t have to hear Sheila’s wild stories about her and Jay. I just can’t believe that he didn’t even try to call me over the weekend.
I’m surprised Sheila hasn’t called to gloat.
She looked down at her phone ringing.

“Speaking of the devil,” she muttered before answering the phone. “What’s up Sheila?”

“Hey my best friend,” Sheila said. Scarlett pursed her lips. She knew Sheila was just as fake as the Gucci purse she’d just thrown away.

“So, what’s up?” she asked again.

“I was calling to tell you that I’m not coming in today, girl.”

“Yeah, your daddy was just telling me.”

“I’m so worn out. Jay and I had a blast. He cooked breakfast for me Saturday and Sunday morning. We watched the sunrise and set, and took walks out by the lake. We talked and laughed, and I had so much fun. I’m gonna have to sit down and tell you about it when I see you.”

“I think you just did,” Scarlett retorted.

“No, girl, what I didn’t tell you is that Jay has got it going on. That big dick is something serious. He can really work it, girl.” Sheila was laying it on thick. “I didn’t know a brother could fuck like that.” Scarlett held her stomach, because she knew that Sheila was far from finished. She could never hold water. “He ate my pussy so good. I was like, Mike whom? Girl, I was cumming back to back. He licked and fucked me all weekend long, but don’t you worry—”

“I’m not,” Scarlett dryly cut in. Sheila was oblivious to Scarlett’s tone, so she continued.

“Your girl put it down! I sucked that nigga until he nutted. Not one time, Scarlett, but three times. I got him hooked, girl. His ass is on the way over to my house now to take me out to breakfast, because he can’t get enough of me. Are you happy for me?”

“Yes, Sheila I’m very happy for you. I’m glad you’re leaving Mike’s raggedy ass alone.” She paused. “Now, since you’re not here today, I have a lot of work to do. So, have fun and I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, Scarlett, but don’t work too hard. I love you, friend.”

Scarlett grinned because the thought of Sheila loving her was definitely a lie. “Yeah, I know you do.”

“I might just stop by.” Sheila added.

“No, please just relax and enjoy the day off. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll relax and wind down today. I’ll talk to you later, babe.” Sheila hung up the phone.

Scarlett just sat there puzzled. She hated Sheila for being so conniving, but wondered if Sheila was just as broken inside as she was, to do the things she did to hurt her.

Time passed by quickly and Scarlett had ordered pizza for the guys to eat. She wasn’t really hungry, so she ordered a grilled chicken salad for herself. She kind of missed Sheila’s big mouth, but was glad that she stayed home, because that gave her the alone time she needed.

Scarlett looked up as the pizza delivery guy stepped inside the office with the two boxes of pizza and a bag holding her salad. She tipped the guy with a ten-dollar bill.

He looked at her. “Thanks, shawty,” he smiled.

“You’re welcome,” she smiled back.

“Shawty, you’re looking real cute. You gotta man, ma?”

Scarlett blushed.  “Not really,” she responded. She could tell the guy was young by the way he approached her, but he was rather handsome, so she took it all in.

“Not really ain’t a good answer. Either you do or you don’t, ma.” His voice was heavy, but clear and she smiled at him with his little Pizza Hut shirt on. It was rather funny that he was hitting on her dressed like that, but he didn’t care. His confidence was through the roof, and she liked that about him.

“Well, I don’t, and I’m not really looking for one.” she stated.

“I ain’t gotta be your boyfriend. I can just be a good friend. By the way, my name is Luke. What’s yours?” he asked, not at all shying away from her rejection.

“My name is Scarlett.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.

“Nice to meet you,
Red
,” he grinned. His teeth were pretty and white.

She could see that his haircut was low and waved out with a nice tape, even while he sported his
New York
fitted cap. He had that pretty boy swag and she liked it, but didn’t want him to know it.

“I see you know your colors.” Scarlett grinned.

“Yeah, I’m pretty smart, and colors ain’t all I know, ma.” She smiled at his comment. “So can I take you out, since you don’t have a man?”

“Take me out?” In all her twenty-five years of life, no one had ever asked to take her out. She was motivated by his casual proposal.

“Are you sure you wanna take me out?” she asked, almost forgetting that the insecure Scarlett wasn’t around anymore.

Luke looked around the room as if he was being funny. “Come on, sexy. I know what I want. Is that your phone? Let me hold it.” Scarlett looked back on her desk and reached for her phone. She liked Luke’s aggressiveness. She handed him the phone. He dialed his number and as soon as his phone rang, he ended the call and handed the phone back to her.

“Red,” he said, entering the name in his contacts. “Le’me hold your phone again, ma.” Scarlett handed him her phone again and watched him enter his name in her contacts. “So, when I call you, you’ll know who it is.” He smiled. “Have a great day, Red. I know I will after talking to you.”

Scarlett blushed and watched him exit the building. She walked over to the window and peeked out of it. Luke had a confidence about him that turned her on. He got inside a black GT convertible Mustang. The car looked new and Scarlett was shocked that he was even driving something like that.

“Luke,” she whispered with a smile and grabbed the boxes of pizza off the counter to take to Greg and the guys.

Chapter Thirteen

Scarlett got out of the shower and dried off. She could hear the music blaring from the other side of the door. She wrapped the towel around her body and walked out of the bathroom. Nina was lying across Scarlett’s bed waiting for her. Scarlett walked over to her stereo and turned down the music a little.

“Hell, I thought you weren’t ever coming out.”  

“You’re high, Nina, because I just went in there,” Scarlett said, sitting down on the edge of her bed and grabbing her Honey Suckle lotion.

“What’s up with you and Denzel?” Scarlett looked over at her and grinned. “I mean, do you really like him?”

“Greg is the coolest man I know.”

“You’re right about that.” Nina agreed.

“I like him, because I know he genuinely cares for me and the brother is fine as hell.”

“Yeah, he is good looking.” Nina added. “I can tell you like him. Look at how you’re getting ready for him as if you’re going out on a hot date or something.”

“It feels good to put on nice clothes. I don’t know why it took me so long to find myself.”

“Same thing I was thinking. Just looking at you makes me wanna cry. I’m so happy you’re finally coming out of that basket you’ve been in so long. It really feels good to see you like this.”

“Thanks Nina, it’s definitely a work in progress.” She cleared her throat. “This lil’ handsome dude came into the office today and was flirting with me. I almost forgot that I look this way now.”

“So you said he was handsome. Give me the skinny.”

Scarlett laughed. “There is no skinny, Ms. Nosey. He was very cute, but young.”

“What do you mean young?”

“I don’t know like young, young. He was the Pizza Hut delivery guy.”

Nina laughed. “You better be careful, because those younger boys will hook your ass.”

“I’m not gonna fool around with him. I ain’t going to jail behind no youngster.”

“Who said he was all that young? Looks can be deceiving. Plus, did you ask him how old he was?”

“Nope, but he just had that baby face. I’ll give him about nineteen at the most.” She grinned. “His swag was so interesting and he had me going, but I have no plans of messing with him.” She laughed and pulled out a white and pink
Black Label
mini dress. She put the dress on singing the chorus to
My Place
, by Nelly featuring Jahiem as it played in the background.

“That dress looks hot on you. What kind of shoes are you wearing?”