Page 6 of Breeze and Melodie

I left work and went home to shower before picking Tia up for dinner.

When I stepped out of the shower, my phone vibrated with a message from her.

She wanted to cancel our dinner plans, stay at my place, and order in because she no longer felt like going to a restaurant.

I agreed, telling her I’d take care of the food.

Since I wasn’t leaving my apartment, I slipped on a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt and placed an order for delivery from Onyx City Grill.

Once that was done, I straightened up my apartment and watched ESPN until Tia arrived.

A knock on the door pulled my attention away from the television.

When I opened it, Tia stood there holding up a bag from the restaurant.

“I ran into the deliveryman downstairs,” she said before entering.

“I hope you didn’t give him another tip. I added one on the app.”

“No, I didn’t think of it.”

She placed the bag on the counter and went to the sink to wash her hands. I stood behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and kissed her neck.

“Rough day?” I asked.

She finished washing her hands and tore a paper towel off the roll to dry them before facing me.

“One of my students threw up all over me toward the end of the day. They couldn’t find a sub for me to go home, so I had to clean myself up the best I could and finish my day.”

“That’s nasty as fuck.”

“Tell me about it. I couldn’t get home to shower fast enough. I was pissed but couldn’t be mad at him for being sick.”

“Shit. I probably would’ve choked him up.”

“Breeze! He’s only seven. If anything, his parents need to be choked up for sending him to school sick.”

“True. It still couldn’t be me. Sit down and I’ll get your food ready.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“Tia, go sit your ass down.”

She didn’t resist again and did as I asked. Usually, when we dined at OC Grill, Tia would get a Chicken Cobb salad, so I ordered one for her. The salad was huge, so I transferred some to a bowl.

After placing her food on the table in front of her, I got the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and fries I’d ordered for myself, grabbed two bottles of water, and sat at the table in the chair next to her.

“Thank you for being flexible and having dinner delivered.”

“We had to eat. No thanks necessary.”

“I know, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness and flexibility with my change in plans.”

“It’s never a problem. What are your plans tomorrow?”

“It depends on whether or not I’m covered in a kid’s vomit.”

Tia was a second-grade teacher, and those kids wore her out many days.

“Two days in a row would be legitimate grounds to put in your resignation.”

“Only if you plan to take care of me.”

Her statement shocked me because we weren’t even in an official relationship. Not knowing what to say, I ignored what she’d said.

“If you don’t have plans, I want to treat you to an evening of pampering.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you ignored what I said, but I’ll save that conversation for another time. An evening of pampering sounds amazing. What time do I need to be there?”

“I need to make sure we have some openings. I’ll text you a time tomorrow morning.”

“You got me all excited now, so I hope they can squeeze me in.”

“If they can’t, I’ll give you a—” A knock on the door interrupted me. “Hold on. Let me see who this is.”

“Are you expecting someone?”

“No.”

I went to the door and opened it to find Melodie on the other side.

“Hey! Are you busy?”

“Just having dinner with Tia. Wassup?”

“Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. You left this at my apartment this morning.” She held up the T-shirt I had on last night, and I took it from her hand.

“Thanks. You good, though? Has he?—”

“I’m good, and no, he hasn’t reached out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She walked away, and I watched her until she got on the elevator. When I finally closed the door and turned around, Tia stood a few feet away. Her arms were folded across her chest, all her weight resting on one leg, and attitude all over her face.

“What the fuck was that about?” she questioned.

“Nothing. You done eating already?”

“It was something, Breeze.” She snatched the T-shirt from my hand. “Why were you with her this morning?”

“I’m gonna go finish my sandwich.”

I walked past her, and she was on my heels. We hadn’t had many disagreements, but one thing I didn’t do was argue with women. I returned to my seat, picked up my sandwich, and just before I took a bite, Tia knocked it from my hand.

“Answer my question, Breeze!”

“Tia, sit down and finish your food. We’ll talk when we’re done eating.”

“I don’t?—”

“Sit down, Tia!”

I hated to raise my voice, but her hardheaded ass was pissing me off. She returned to her seat, flopping down in a huff, but didn’t touch her salad. I couldn’t force her to eat, but I was hungry.

“Do you want me to put that back in the container?”

“The only thing I want you to do is answer my damn question.”

I released a breath to calm myself before cleaning up my mess. When I finished, I went to the living room and sat on the couch.

“C’mere.”

Surprisingly, she joined me without a smart remark but sat in the sofa chair.

“This better be good,” she mumbled.

“Around midnight last night, Melodie called me, sounding very distraught. Her and her boyfriend . . . Well, I guess he’s her ex-boyfriend now; they got into it, and it got physical.

She was locked inside the bathroom in her bedroom when she called me.

He was refusing to leave, and she needed my help. ”

“That doesn’t explain why you left your shirt at her place.”

I sighed because I knew no matter how I worded what I had to say next, it wouldn’t sound right to Tia.

“When I left this morning, I guess I forgot to grab it.”

“This morning, huh? What time this morning, Breeze?”

“About seven.”

“Please tell me you didn’t spend the night with that bitch.”

“Hold up, Tia. You ain’t gotta call her out her name because you’re mad at me.”

“I just found out you spent the night with another bitch after I damn near begged you to come over, and you’re worried about me calling her outta her name. Are you fucking serious?”

“I told you, Mel is like my little sister,” I lied.

“Little sister my ass!”

“Aye, you need to chill. Her nigga put his hands on her and she was a little shook up after I got his ass to leave. She asked me to stay, and I did.”

“Why didn’t she call the police?”

“Because she called me.”

“Where did you sleep?”

“Why does that matter? Nothing is going on with me and Mel. You need to?—”

“No! You need to answer my fucking question. Where the fuck did you sleep?”

I could’ve lied to save her feelings, but I didn’t like her tone or how she was questioning me like I was a weak ass nigga.

“In her bed, but?—”

“Fuck you. I knew you were fucking that bitch.”

She shot to her feet and angrily marched to the kitchen to grab her purse from the counter. I caught her as she reached for the doorknob.

“You need to chill, but I’m not about to beg you to believe me.”

“Good because it would be a waste of time. Nothing may have happened this time, but what about the next time she needs you in the middle of the night?”

“If it’s under the same circumstances, I’ll be there for her.”

She released a deep breath. “I’m a very observant woman, and I’ve always had my suspicions about you two.

It’s never been blatant, but I noticed the subtle glances, the quick winks, and the way you’re always throwing shade at her man when he’s around.

Maybe nothing happened, but it’s only a matter of time. ”

“Tia, I?—”

“She’s probably the reason we’ve been fucking around for six months and haven’t defined exactly what we’re doing.

I’m too old to commit myself to a man I can’t introduce as my man.

If you truly wanted me, you’d let it be known that I belong to you, and I’d be able to confidently say you belong to me. ”

“That’s how you feel?” She nodded. “You haven’t exactly let it be known that being locked down was what you wanted.”

“Oh, so you’re playing dumb now? What thirty-five-year-old woman—you know what, Breeze? I don’t have the energy or desire to do this with you right now. When you’re ready to fully commit, hit me up.”

I could’ve said something to convince her I wanted something long-term with her. However, I would’ve been lying to both of us. Tia checked almost all the boxes for what I wanted and needed in a woman, but I couldn’t lie to her or myself. If I were honest, Melodie was who I wanted.

Although I enjoyed spending time with Tia, it was better this way.

She broke it off with me, so I didn’t feel like the bad guy.

I’d done a lot of fucked up shit in my life, but I was never one to intentionally hurt a woman.

I thought I’d hidden my true feelings for Melodie around Tia.

It was a lot easier when I didn’t see Melodie regularly.

Being in close proximity to her on almost a daily basis made it damn near impossible to disguise how I felt.

It was time for me to stop fucking around and claim my woman.