Page 18 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)
Marquise placed his hand underneath my chin and gently pushed my month closed. I listened in amazement as she manhandled this grown man. She allowed a second of silence, but she moved to stand as Axel motioned her back down to her seat.
“For that kind of deal, I need more than a two-year renewal,” he requested.
“Sure, let’s discuss the numbers,” she said, and my eyes toggled over to Marquise.
As the ink was drying on the paperwork, a supermodel entered the room. She came equipped with straight, shoulder- length black hair, a fitted breast-lifting business suit, a small waistline, and brown glowing skin.
“Marquise, the showroom is available for you to shop. Please follow me,” she said.
He stood and tried to pull me up with him, but I resisted.
Marquise swung my hand side to side as if we were playing jump rope.
I gave in when he tugged me forward. We followed behind as the assistant tried to dislocate her hip.
The hallway held drawings of various athletes associated with Noise Level Shoes.
Pushing the glass door open, the space reminded me of a shoe store.
The curved L.E.D. lighting on the ceiling and the bright orange and red painted wall provided a unique shopping experience.
“What size do you wear in sneakers?” Marquise asked as we stood in the middle of the floor surrounded by rows of shoes.
“A size nine,” I answered.
“Marquise!” a woman yelled from behind.
I turned to find yet another beautifully sculpted woman in fitted athletic gear. She was toned but not bulky, with brown skin and a middle part bob. Marquise stood and hugged her as if they were best friends.
“Bella, what you got for me?”
“The hottest, of course, but we need to discuss how you dunked on Calvin. Sales went insane for Malcolm’s shoes because you refuse to wear your signature shoe,” she said.
Bella had perfect white teeth, and the maroon tinted two-piece outfit she wore highlighted her best attributes to perfection.
“It’s a twin thing, but whatever you pull for me, get Erin the same. She wears a size nine,” he said.
Bella extended her hand to me, and with reluctance, I returned the greeting.
“I got new Allen’s in,” Bella said, and Marquise followed her to the shoe. For an hour, I watched as they laughed about sports and picked shoes. Marquise would, on occasion, call my name and hold up shoes but I gave him a halfhearted response.
“Marquise, you know red is your color,” Bella said and stood on her feet.
I opened my phone and pretended to be on a call, headed for the exit doors.
Standing by the elevator, I watched them get cozy and joke with each other. She touched his arm a few times without handing him the bag.
“Mrs. Anissa, can I catch a ride with you?” I asked. She glared over at Marquise and back at me.
“Sure. I do need to stop by my husband’s office, but I don’t mind dropping you off,” she said.
We both stepped on the platform as the doors opened.
As we were departing, two additional women joined the Marquise party with bags.
Anissa had a nice white Mercedes truck; the leather shook your hand before you sat down.
We drove around the fountains, and I prepared myself to answer questions.
Sitting in traffic, we discussed the progress of Jhae’s branding and future brands. Not once did she ask me about Marquise.
Unc
I miss my niece, and I want you to meet someone.
Me
Did you meet her at the steakhouse?
Unc
Why?
Me
I’m just wondering. It’s about time you dated again.
Unc
Dinner soon. Call your father.
Me
Yes to dinner, but no to dad.
I scrolled through more of Jhae’s emails, ear marking the important ones before his first message came through.
Marquise
Why do we keep having the same conversation?
Me
We don’t have shit to talk about, to be honest.
Marquise
I swear you be jealous for no reason.
Me
Forget the kiss and whatever else we got going on. Friends only.
Me
Naw, scratch that. Boy, fuck you.
Marquise
Ha...we passed the friend stage. You been my woman.
Anissa chuckling pulled my attention in her direction, and she gave me a half smirk.
Marquise
Where are you?
Me
Ask Bella. Stop fucking texting me.
My mind diverted back to them, flirting in front of my face.
Marquise
You belong to me. I’m not gon’ stop texting shit. Where are you?
I flipped my phone over and focused on the sea of cars surrounding us. The radio station in Anissa’s car was lowered and a text from Marquise appeared on the screen.
Marquise
Where are you and Erin going?
She peered over at me and pressed the ignore button and I smiled.
Before we docked the elevator at Prime Stride, Marquise had texted me six times. All of his messages went unanswered. The doors opened, and we found Mr. Jefferies chasing his daughter around the lobby.
“You’re daddy’s baby,” he said after catching her and adorning her cheeks with kisses.
He made eye contact with Anissa, and it was as if I vanished. Mr. Jefferies extended his hand, and she transformed into a lovesick puppy. This was not the same woman who threatened to snatch every athlete from Noise Level Shoes. He coated her face with kisses and Khaira reacted in protest.
“How did the meeting go?” he asked.
“Easy money. He caved. I wouldn’t have signed that deal,”
I snickered at her comment. She ran over the man and was willing to back up and hit him again.
“Where are my manners? Hello, Erin,” Mr. Jefferies said with a warm smile.
The conversation with my uncle replayed in my head. Crazy and Mr. Jefferies didn’t fit in the same sentence to me. He hadn’t stopped kissing Anissa since she exited the elevator.
Khaira pulled up her hands and an intense game of peekaboo ensued. We were enjoying ourselves until my phone vibrated. I viewed the screen to see yet another message.
Marquise
Weirdo
Me
Oh, he remembers me now.
Marquise
You are jealous over a conversation
Me
You explaining to me as if I give a fuck.
Khaira reached for me, and I happily tucked my phone in my pocket. I sat in the lounge chair, and she covered my eyes. Once she uncovered them, we both giggled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Jefferies texting, and I knew what was heading my way.
Marquise
Me
You explaining to me as if I give a fuck.
Erin’s last text message tickled my dick.
I loved her smart-ass mouth, it’s what made her stand above the rest—her noncompliance.
She made me work for every damn thing except our kiss.
She stunned the hell out of me sucking on my tongue.
What she didn’t know was it’s going to cost her. We go together as far as I’m concerned.
This relationship was going to be harder than I imagined.
Erin hopped her ass on the elevator with my mother, jealous for no reason.
Bella and I had never crossed the line. Was she attractive, yes, but she gave family vibes.
She’d been my personal shopper since I signed up with Noise Level Shoes.
During the season, I gave her and her boyfriend tickets.
Bella tapped the window, letting me know they were done packing my car.
Mom only goes to three places: home, work, and to Pops’ office. I texted Mom, and she ignored me, which made me chuckle. There leaves my best friend, Pops.
Me
Pops where is Mom.
Pops
You really want to know where Erin is.
Me
True.
Pops
In my office playing with your sister
Me
Keep them there.
The drive to Pops’ office wasn’t far from the headquarters of Noise Level Shoes but it still took me thirty minutes with traffic. I parked and caught Caleb on the way up.
“How long Jhae and Malcolm been dating? Did I step on his toes?” Caleb asked.
I wanted to say you never had a chance. Jhae wasn’t interested, which made it easier for Malcolm.
“Everything is cool between you and Malcolm,” I reassured.
The doors opened to Khaira standing on Erin’s lap, rubbing her hair. She examined it with intensity and if Erin didn’t watch it, she would grab it. Caleb waved at my parents as he sprinted to his office.
“Key,” Khaira said, reaching for me. I lifted her and kissed her face until she giggled and squirmed.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay. Running late. Traffic,” Caleb said as he hopped back to the elevator.
“You miss me, don’t you? My princess misses me. I got you some shoes,” I said to Khaira.
Mom gave Pops the side-eye, and I fought the urge to laugh. I sat next to Erin, but she stood, migrating across the lobby. Khaira pulled on my diamond earrings, and I tickled her stomach until she released my ear.
“Erin don’t know I’m not afraid of our parents. Do she, Khaira? I will act up in this office, won’t I,” I said.
“Marquise,” Mom said.
I peered up at Mom changing the subject. “We need to discuss the summer custody. I’ll keep my princess for the first two months, and we’ll visit you on the weekends,” I said.
“Get your son,” Mom said to Pops as he stood behind her, holding her waist.
Through our eyes, Pops and I were having a different conversation. He sighed, asking me not to show my ass.
“Erin,” I said, and the room fell silent as eyes shifted across the room.
“Erin,” I called again with more sternness.
Mom’s forehead wrinkled as she glared over to me. Erin turned her body, crossing her legs. Pops caressed his beard as my mother turned to him.
“Alright, Khaira, be good for Mom. Remember, we’re on the countdown,” I said as I stood, handing her to Mom.
I took the seat next to Erin, tapping her knee.
“You were a bit spicy in the text messages, now I get the silent treatment?” I asked, but got no response.
She stood, and I followed her motion. Erin walked back to her original seat, and I followed. We sat for a few seconds before she stood up again, but I cuffed my finger in her pocket. My gesture paused her movement.
“Erin,” I said.
“Marquise, you know I taught you better. She clearly doesn’t want to be bothered with you right now,” Mom said, and I released her pants and Erin moved across from me.