Page 15 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Seven

Studio Sessions

Jhae

“ M alcolm, I’m thinking of small venues to search for talent.” Tyrus’s voice carried as I entered the room. I shook my head.

“Tyrus, you’re not talking to Malcolm. He is Marquise,” I said, and Marquise burst into laughter after he extended his hand.

“You good, man. Malcolm left while you were in the bathroom,” Marquise said.

Tyrus pointed at Marquise and then at me. “How did you know he wasn’t Malcolm?” he asked.

“They don’t look alike to me. Marquise’s face is slimmer. Malcolm’s voice is deeper, their mannerisms are different, and Malcolm is wearing a black shirt,” I said as I pushed Marquise, and he laughed.

“I didn’t notice. I saw who I assumed was Malcolm and started talking,” Tyrus said.

Malcolm stepped back into the hotel using a room key that I didn’t give him. Tyrus stood between the two, searching for the differences.

“I don’t see it,” he said, and Malcolm gave me a confused expression, jerking his head back

“I had Tyrus spilling his guts about spotting talent. He thought I was you,” Marquise said, and they both chuckled. “He got a solid plan.”

Malcolm moved towards me. “Music Note, it’s getting late. What do you want to eat?” he asked.

We’ve been stuck in this hotel all day, and with my future in the air, I couldn’t eat. I moved to stand on my tiptoes and answer his question, but I stopped myself. Malcolm smirked as I planted my feet back on the floor.

“A chicken salad sandwich and a divorce,” I said.

Marquise cackled loudly at my answer as he clutched his stomach. With my hands on my hips, I glared in his direction, waiting for the joke. Nothing about my life hanging in the balance of a crush was funny to me. Malcolm snagged his phone and smiled.

“It’s done,” he said.

Malcolm’s phone lit and he smiled. “I have the legal paperwork in my email. You have your masters back. Tyrus, let’s move forward,” he said.

I went to question him, but my own phone rang. Davey’s number appeared on my screen, and I waved Tyrus over. He encouraged me to answer on speaker.

“Jhae speaking,” I said.

“I’m glad I caught you. After meeting with the.

.. the board this afternoon. I decided to sign over your masters to a Malcolm Shaw- Jefferies.

You are... are... clear from your deal.

The track is cleared... Shit! And Moe is paid.

Good luck. I did it. I did it,” he stammered while the tail end of his voice faded.

“Wait, you have my masters,” I paused everyone with my hand. “The deal was I got my masters,” I reminded.

Malcolm reached for my hand, but I snatched it away.

“The deal was if I could secure your masters, we could share a marital bed. Jhae, I’m not crazy. You were going to use the masters as a way to force a divorce. Once you are fully invested in this marriage, I will sign them over.”

“Awww, shittt. Bro, virgin days are over,” Marquise joked from the couch.

“Jhae, he is being truthful. He said if he could secure your masters. Malcolm never said he would return them to you,” Tyrus said.

My hands trembled with rage as I narrowed my eyes in his direction.

“Stand back. She is getting ready to grow a few inches,” Marquise said.

I trembled in anger, in disbelief about not having control over my world.

Malcolm reached for me, but I slapped his hands away.

He tried talking, but I shut him down with my hand before stomping off to the bedroom.

I slammed the door hard and locked it. With my forehead resting on the door, I gritted my teeth as tears flowed.

This should be a happy occasion, but it was riddled with pain.

The more Malcolm integrated himself into my world, the more my resolve softened.

He showed up yet again to help aid my dreams. I remembered us sitting on my couch watching a singing competition.

We both disagreed with the judge’s decision, and I explained how I planned to run my own label.

He sat next to me and listened to me ramble about my vision.

Now he’d made it come true, but at a cost. He asked for the most expensive possession I owned: my friendship with Anissa.

I hit my open hand on the door as guilt twisted away at my insides.

My head rested on the pillow as I continued to watch the day slip away.

Nothing I planned to do was accomplished; not a track or song written.

I’m not completely upset because my creative light could finally shine.

The vibration of my phone caused me to shift in my position.

I lifted it to see it was filled with notifications.

Moe

I’m whole and the record label released your verse on KC.

I sighed with both relief and fear. How did I get here? Yes, I’m an independent artist with financial backing; it cost me everything to get it.

Me

Studio tomorrow

Moe

As long as you got the bread.

Me

Money secured

Moe

I’m game.

I flipped through the channels in search of something to put me to sleep. The vibration of my phone against my leg pulled my attention again.

Tyrus

Headed back to LA.

I ignored his text message and flipped to the next channel until my phone vibrated again.

Malcolm

Jhae, I know you’re hungry.

Malcolm

I don’t want your masters. I want you.

I flipped the phone over, pointing the remote at the TV. I found an old game show and tossed the remote onto the bed. The flash on my phone alerted me to another text message.

Malcolm

I’m sorry, Jhae. I need something to hold onto when it comes to you.

Malcolm

I know it appears as if I’m dangling a carrot in front of your face, but I’m not.

I flipped the phone over again, but it flashed.

This time when I turned the phone over, a chicken salad sandwich appeared, with chips, a pickle and mustard on the side.

There was a tap on the door. I wanted to be angry, but my stomach rumbled.

Exiting the bed, I moved to the door, opening it to find Malcolm standing in the doorway.

He wore a white tank and basketball shorts.

I forced myself to ignore his muscular build.

Malcolm extended the plate of food in my direction.

Pushing my pride aside, I reached for the plate, but he snatched it away.

He gripped my waist with his free hand, pulling me into his body.

As his lips neared mine, I turned my head to face the wall.

“Jhae,” he whispered into my temple, and my body heated. “I hate it when you’re upset with me. Everything I’m doing is for you. I miss your smile,” he continued.

I tried pushing away, but he blocked my weak attempt to separate. “Can we lay in bed and talk about your career while you eat? I’ll be a gentleman,” he said as the air hitched in my chest.

Finding his eyes, I said, “If you try me, you’re gone.”

“Jhae, you know me. I wouldn’t ever disrespect your choice when it comes to your body.”

“Honestly, Malcolm, I don’t know who you are. The person I thought I knew is long gone,” I said.

I remained in his arms, unable and unwilling to separate myself.

“You know me, Jhae. I’ve never hidden my emotions from you, but your fear wouldn’t allow you to see or accept it.”

Malcolm’s lips were back on mine. I should’ve denied him, but I didn’t.

My mouth parted for him to quench this quiet hunger, to taste him again.

The more our tongues claimed each other’s mouths, my nipples hardened.

He dropped his free hand, allowing me the opportunity to leave, but I stepped into him more.

The texture of his hand touching my neck rushed arousal through me.

With a gentle grip, he held me in place, removing his mouth from mine.

“You like it when I kiss you, don’t you?” he asked.

I wanted to lie, but I knew my eyes would betray me as he applied tender pressure.

“Jhae, answer my question. Tell me you want me to keep kissing you?” he asked.

“Kiss me,” I slowly moaned.

Malcolm pulled me in for yet another kiss. He intensified the connection as our tongues fought for space inside each other’s mouths. The freeing of his hands from around my neck beckoned me to sigh. We separated, leaving only the heat and arousal between us.

“We’re going to lie in bed, watch TV while you eat, and I’m going to hold you tonight,” he said.

I wanted to protest, but the finality in his eyes told me otherwise.

He gestured for me to move into the bedroom and I cleared my throat.

Stepping into the bedroom, I bypassed the bed and b-lined it to the bathroom.

I slammed the door behind me and paced the floor to cool my body.

If I hadn’t changed into my lounge clothes, I would’ve taken a shower.

Admitting I wanted his lips on me had already backfired.

“Jhae, get yourself under control. Get your masters back and get the divorce,” I whispered to myself.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and my eyes betrayed me before I finished the sentence. Gripping the edge of the marble vanity, I leaned forward, dropping my head between my arms.

“Jhae, you got this. Jhae, you got this,” I repeated.

Pushing off the vanity, I stood straight up and blew hard into the air.

I gripped the door handle and walked back into the bedroom to find Malcolm relaxed in bed.

He placed my food on the nightstand, adding a drink.

I circled the bed, avoiding his hanging feet.

With the blanket already pulled back, I climbed into bed, positioning myself close to the edge.

I secured my plate to find my sandwich already split in half.

“Baby, you should eat,” he said.