Page 22 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

She wore the same smile Anissa wore when they mentioned the men they loved. A glow radiated from their skin, a sparkle in their eyes and a happiness no words could express. My late mother said love would drape the shoulders of a woman. It’s something I wanted to be blessed enough to experience.

“He keeps talking about. . .”

The sound of Nia’s voice faded as my eyes watered.

“Jhae,” Nia said as she exited her seat, moving next to me.

She motioned for me to slide over into the booth. I skated over next to the wall. Nia wiped away my tears with a napkin and my foundation stained the white cloth.

“What is the source of these tears?” she questioned.

I sat back and released my dilemma to Nia.

“The reason I’m in Chicago is I’m running from a wonderful person.

He says he loves me and wants to take care of me.

It brings him joy to cater to me. For an entire year, he sent me gifts, he built me a studio in a condo and got me out of my record deal.

He is warm, sweet, protective, and I swear he sees me.

He gets the small things about me, the things no one notices. ”

“And you are running, why?” she asked.

“He is my best friend’s son,” I said.

Nia’s head jerked backward. “How old is he, Jhae?” she asked.

“He turned twenty-three in January. He’s adopted,” I said.

Nia’s eyes danced around the room. “How old is his mother?” she asked.

“She is forty-one and a boss. Last year, I sang at her wedding in England. It was a fairytale watching her marry her first love after years of being apart. It was magical.”

Nia locked hands with me underneath the table. “You want the man and the friendship?” she asked.

I shook my head yes as more tears escaped my eyes.

“I wish I could tell you that things would work out, but it would be a lie. Take me, for example. My dad opposed me marrying Ace, but I did it anyway. Our father-daughter relationship is strained, but it’s on him.

The same happiness your friend has—she should want for you.

He is a grown man and what about his choice?

If he chooses you and you want him, choose him.

Friendship shouldn’t restrict your happiness,” Nia said.

I leaned my head back against the bench before finding her eyes.

“She helped me at my lowest,” I reminded.

“And if you have to pay her back by missing out on the love of your life, it didn’t come from a genuine place,” Nia said and squeezed my hand.

She was right in line with Mr. McKnight. I needed to view this from a different lens.

“Beautiful.”

Nia and I both searched for the source of the voice. An older gentleman with streaks of gray in his beard stood next to the table with roses. A six-pack peaked through his fitted button-down shirt.

My friend beamed with excitement as she stood, accepting the gift. A memory of the yellow roses Malcolm bought me sent a smile to my face.

“Ace, I would like you to meet Jhae,” Nia said.

He extended his hand toward me and made a point to kiss mine. “It’s nice to meet you, Jhae. Is it too early to ask when the next album is coming out?” he said, and we laughed.

“Do we need to reschedule our lunch date?” Ace asked Nia, kissing her neck.

“No, Nia, take care of Hubby,” I said.

She turned to me. “Are you sure?”

I shook my head yes. Sitting in the booth, I watched Ace kiss Nia’s hand as they strolled out of the restaurant.

My mind flashed through memories of me watching Anissa’s love story.

The flowers for no reason, romantic dates, and her watching Khalil stare at her with this love sick expression.

My chest burned because I wanted to experience love on that level.

The scale I used to weigh my position on things tilted more in Malcolm’s direction.

With my mind everywhere, I accessed my burner phone and viewed my email.

“Malcolm,” I said to myself.

My furniture had been rerouted back to L.A.

to my condo. The change order had been placed yesterday from its intended location, Arizona.

This had Ivey written all over it. She fell right into my trap.

I put my storage container under my government name to keep an eye on her movements.

Fuck, my time in Chicago was limited because Ivey was sniffing.

As I turned my eyes upward, I wondered if I would ever be able to outrun him.

Realistically, how long could I keep moving while trying to record an album?

I wish I could put recording on the back burner, but it was my livelihood.

Eventually, Malcolm was going to follow his money directly to me.

Who am I kidding? I wanted him to. Collectively, he has shown me he’s capable of giving me love, security and an orgasm.

He was different. Malcolm noticed things that Calvin’s sorry ass never did.

Although he was pushy, it came from a place of love.

He still had some growing to do that only life could teach, but he started out the gate in a rough place.

With my prepaid phone in hand, I punched in Anissa’s number, but I couldn’t hit the send button.

Maybe if we talked about it, she could see my point of view, but I highly doubt it.

Thoughts of my mother came to me, and I smiled.

The core of me missed calling her when I found myself in a stressful situation.

People thought being an only child was amazing because you could demand attention but when she died, I lost my entire family.

More tears dropped as I imagined what she would tell me to do.

Baby, you have to follow your heart. It’s your compass even when the weeds are higher than the path.

I unzipped my purse, retrieving my main cell phone and turning it on. With a full battery, my front screen was loaded with text messages.

Malcolm

Jhae, please tell me where you are.

Malcolm

I’m not going to give up on you or this marriage.

Malcolm

We could’ve talked about it.

Malcolm

Jhae, it’s been three fucking days. I can’t live without you.

Malcolm

I will come to you. Baby, tell me where you are.

Tyrus

Call Malcolm. He accused me of hiding you.

Tyrus

The authorities searched my house.

Tyrus

Are you okay? What the fuck is going on?

Marquise

Jhae

Marquise

My brother is fucked up right now. He’s crying and shit.

Marquise

Five Days? C’mon Jhae.

Marquise

He gon’ put a tracking device on your phone next time.

Ivey

In due time I will find you, Jhae.

Ivey

My brother loves you.

Bestie

Did you make it?

Bestie

Please call Malcolm. Jhae he is acting as if you’re missing or something. Call me.

I opened Malcolm’s thread and dropped my location.

Me

Exclusive. Chicago Room 562

“Fuck it. I’m not going to leave this situation without someone getting hurt,” I said to myself before I scanned the QR code for the menu.

Resting on the bed with only a robe, I flipped through the channels. Mr. McKnight put several things on my mind. A few times I’ve toyed with calling Anissa, coming clean. I had a head start on her if she wanted to beat my ass.

Two knocks came at the door, and I exhaled.

It took room service forever to bring my dinner.

Right now, I could go for a bottle of wine as I anticipated Malcolm’s arrival.

He didn’t text back, but he read the message.

I’m sure he will make a grand appearance soon.

Standing on my tiptoes, I peeped through the hole and exhaled.