Page 25 of Breeze and Melodie

“Listen, between Sean, that Arielle chick, Tia, and her brother, I need people just to leave us alone. I swear, it’s been crazy these past few months,” I said.

It was Saturday night, and Breeze and I were having dinner at Luxor, an upscale restaurant in downtown Onyx City.

We’d finally had a week that was uneventful, aside from a few reporters who’d set up shop near Black Reign trying to ask Breeze questions.

We had no idea how they’d gotten information about him.

“Yeah, it’s been crazy as hell. All I want to do is make love to my fiancée, cut hair, mentor a few young men, and fuck my fiancée. Is that too much to ask?”

“No, but you said fuck your fiancée twice.”

He smirked. “Nah. The first time I said make love.”

“You sure about that?” I asked, returning the smirk.

“I’m positive.”

“It’s basically the same thing.”

“Are you saying you don’t know the difference because I’d be happy to show you when we get home.”

“My memory seems to be failing me. It might be something called pregnancy brain. A live demonstration would be the most efficient way to remind me and a great way to end the night.”

He laughed and shook his head. “You wild as hell, baby, and I love it.”

“Does that mean class is in session tonight?”

“As soon as we hit the fuckin’ door.”

I giggled and shimmied in my seat, excited about what my man would do to me when we got home. The server arrived with our meals, and she’d barely walked away before I dug in. I’d eaten two forkfuls before I looked up and found Breeze staring at me.

“What?”

“You might want to slow down before you choke.”

“I thought you liked to see me choking.”

“Only if my hand is around your neck, my dick is hitting the back of your throat, or both. That food ain’t going nowhere.”

“Me and your children are starving.”

“Don’t put that on my babies. That food going down so fast, my babies probably choking.”

He knew what he said didn’t make any sense and began laughing before he finished his statement, causing me to join him.

Once I gathered myself, I went back to eating my food, and he finally partook in some of his.

We ate in silence for a while, enjoying the ambiance of the restaurant and the jazz music playing softly in the background.

“This isn’t what I expected.”

“What? You don’t like your food?”

“No. The food is delicious. You’re not what I expected.”

“Word? Is that good or bad?”

“Neither. I mean, that dick print was always dick printing, so I knew you were packing. I could tell by the way you walked you knew what to do with it.”

“Umm, shit. I’m glad I’m living up to your expectations in the bedroom, but . . .”

“I’ve never been this happy in a relationship.”

“You were never meant to be happy with anyone but me. I’m your soul mate and future husband. Don’t tell Raine, but I’m taking her spot as your best friend too.”

“Ha! You’re funny, but she can’t be mad because Shyne has most definitely replaced me in some ways. That’s my sister, though, and you can’t take that spot.”

“She can have it, but back to what you said. How did you expect me to be?”

“You’re a street nigga, so I didn’t expect you to be so . . . openly expressive with your feelings. You love me out loud, and I love that for me.”

“I told you when I proposed, when I love someone, I’m not afraid to show it. The only other women I’ve truly loved are my mama and Raine, and that’s a whole different kinda love than what I feel for you.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, baby. Almost every time you open your mouth, you’re either talking nasty or talking sweet. Either way, you make me horny. I love you so much.”

He smiled, and I think he blushed a little. “Good because I love your beautiful, horny ass too.”

Before I could respond or react to his words, my phone vibrated. Harmonee’s name and picture flashed on my screen. She knew we were at dinner and wouldn’t call unless it was important, so I answered.

“Hey, Sis!”

“Y’all need to get home. Now!” she shouted loud enough for Breeze to hear her.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but hurry!”

I ended the call, and Breeze was already on his feet. He left a wad of cash on the table, and when I stood, he took my hand. We rushed out of the restaurant, and he gave our ticket to the valet.

“We have an emergency, so please hurry,” I told the young man.

He nodded and jogged away.

“What do you think happened?” I asked.

“With the way things have been going, it could be anything, but I hope it’s not Tia and her brother again. If it is, I’m?—”

“Don’t say it.”

“They gotta go, Mel. I’m not gon’ keep dealing with this bullshit.”

The valet returned with his truck, and after helping me inside, he slid behind the wheel. He sped all the way home, cutting at least eight minutes off the travel time. As we approached our building, police lights were visible.

“What the fuck?” he mumbled as he haphazardly turned into the parking lot.

I spotted Harmonee talking to one of the officers. As soon as Breeze parked, I hopped out, not waiting for him to open my door. We met at the back of his truck, joined hands, and rushed toward my sister.

“Harm! What’s going on?”

I released Breeze’s hand to embrace my sister. I could tell she was nervous and relieved we were there.

“You must be Melodie,” the officer said.

Breeze responded before I could. “What’s the problem, officer?”

“I think it would be better if she tells you,” he responded, nodding toward Harmonee.

“Sis, tell us what happened?”

“Some of the wildest shit that’s ever happened to me.

I left out of the building to go to the grocery store, and out of nowhere, I was attack by some crazy ass woman.

She jumped from behind the bushes and said she’d been waiting to get me alone.

I was startled and didn’t have time to brace myself, so when she jumped on me, we fell to the ground. ”

“What the hell? This doesn’t make any sense,” I offered.

“No, it doesn’t, but it gets worse. I managed to roll over and get on top of her.

She kept swinging, so I matched her energy.

The whole time, she was shouting something about me paying for what I’ve done, and how I wouldn’t get away with it.

Luckily, there were people who witnessed her attack me, and I was only defending myself because I beat the bricks off that ho. ”

“As you should have, Sis. Who is this woman?”

Just as I asked that question, another officer, who looked vaguely familiar, approached us and said, “Mr. Foster, Ms. Norwood, it’s good to see you again, although these aren’t the best circumstances. After some digging, we found out her name is Arielle Maxey.”

When he spoke, I remembered why he looked familiar. He was the officer who came to the hospital with Breeze after Sean attacked me.

“What’s good, Officer Downing. We don’t know anyone by that name,” Breeze said. “Maybe she mistook Harmonee for someone else.”

I wasn’t sure why he didn’t mention our connection to her, but I followed my man’s lead.

“Yeah, I don’t know anyone by that name.”

“Neither do I,” Harmonee added.

“Based on the conversation I tried to have with her, I believe there could be some mental instability. I’m not certain, but I will have someone check her out when we get down to the station,” Downing said.

“We appreciate that, sir. Is there anything we can do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?” I asked.

The expression on both officers’ faces gave me my answer.

“Once she’s released, we’ll inform you and have some units circulate the area for a while.

Make sure you pay attention to your surroundings when you come and go.

Once charges are filed, there might be enough evidence to get a restraining order, but if she has mental issues, as Officer Downing suggested, a restraining order won’t mean much. ”

A few minutes later, the first officer left with Arielle in the back of his squad car. Harmonee and I headed into the building while Breeze remained outside talking to Officer Downing.

“Is this the same Arielle who was dating Sean?” I nodded. “The same one that came to the shop asking about him?” I nodded again. “The one who tried to attack you at the doctor’s office.”

“The same woman. She blames me for everything and definitely thought you were me. She’s obviously a bit more disturbed than I thought.”

“Why do you think Breeze denied knowing her?”

“I’m sure he has a good reason, and I didn’t want to counter what he told them.”

“True.”

I pressed the elevator button, and we waited. “I’ll find out his angle when he comes up.”

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. “Like you said, he probably has a good reason.”

“Shit! I never did ask if you’re okay. Did she?—”

“Sis, I beat her ass. Okay? I didn’t know what the hell was happening and was fighting for my life.”

“It doesn’t look like she touched you.”

“She might have landed a few body blows. Had the police not gotten here as quickly as they did, she might not be among the living.”

“I’m glad you got hands, Sis.”

“Me too. I’m licensed to carry now, so if she runs up on me again, it might end differently.”

“Say that shit again. I think we should go back to the range for more practice, just in case she didn’t learn her lesson. I’ll have Breeze set it up.”

“I guess I’ll go grocery shopping tomorrow. I’m going my ass to bed.”

I embraced her when the elevator stopped on my floor. “I love you, Harm.”

“I love you more, sis.”

As soon as I got to the apartment, I got undressed and headed for the shower. When I finished, I heard the door to the apartment open and close, followed by the sound of the locks being engaged. I left the bedroom, still wrapped in my towel, to ask Breeze a few questions.