I blew out a breath, pushing my cup to the side. My anger and disappointment began to subside. I understood better where she was coming from. She’d focused so much on raising me and getting an education, and then working hard so she could take care of me, that she’d never dated. It must’ve been difficult for her when I left home to have so much free time all of a sudden, and no one to give it to. And shit, I knew Elliott’s ass. We all knew his reputation. Hewasasmooth-talking, charming dude.
“And that’s why you tried to warn me about getting too attached to Chanel?”
My mother hung her head. “Yeah. With Chanel, I saw how you looked at her. I knew if you two kept spending time together, eventually there’d come a time and place where Elliott and I would be forced to confront the elephant in the room.” She reached across the island counter to cover my hands with her own. “I don’t have anything against her. I like Chanel, and I can tell you do too. I was just selfish. I didn’t want you knowing my shame. I’m sorry, son. I never want my actions to compromise your happiness.”
I chuckled, although I wasn’t feeling happy about shit. “Yeah, well, it might be over,” I sighed.
“What? Why?”
“Chanel. She’s pissed. No, she’s hurt, and she’s claiming she can’t deal with this, or rather, with us,” I admitted. Just saying those words had me flexing my fists again. I knew Chanel’s ass was lying. Even if she didn’t know she was, I knew her pulling back had nothing to do with our parents’ bullshit.
“Aw, baby, I’m sure she didn’t mean that. Just give her some time to cool off.”
I nodded, agreeing with my mother’s words, but remained silent.
“I’m going to head home.” I stood, moving around the island to give my mother a kiss.
“Are you sure you should be driving this late? You still seem upset.” My mother’s forehead creased with worry.
“I have a driver for the night. I’ll be fine,” I told her, patting her arm. “I’ll give you a call in the morning.” I turned and made my way to the front door. I was beat and didn’t need any more company for the rest of the night, unless it was the stubborn woman I’d left earlier, but I knew that wasn’t happening.
Chapter Nineteen
Chanel
“I swear, you’re intentionally fucking this up.”
I grunted, wishing I’d never answered the phone for Gabby’s ass. “Hello to you too,” I answered.
“Yeah, whatever. Listen, what the hell are you doing?”
“Um, right now I’m relaxing in my comfortable bed, watching a little TV, and enjoying a nice after-dinner snack.”
“A.K.A. your ass is in a pair of thick-ass pajamas, re-watching Lemonade for the billionth time while eating a pint of Rocky Road.”
I frowned as I lifted the remote to hit pause on Bey’s Lemonade right in the middle of Serena’s dance in “Sorry”. I also looked at the pint of ice cream that sat on the stand next to my bed.
“Wrong. It’s Haagen Dazs’ Red Velvet ice cream,” I mumbled.
“So, when are you going to get off your ass and go call that man of yours? No, better yet, forget a phone call; show up at his place in those heels you wore to dance class last week and lacy negligee. When he opens the door, don’t say anything, just drop to your knees and give him the best head he’s ever received in his life.”
I ducked my head, smirking. “Gabby, I’m not doing that.”
“Why not? You owe that man an apology and some good head. It’s been a week since you last talked to him over some shit having to do with neither one of you.”
“Oh my God! Why does everyone keep saying that? Itdoeshave to do with me. He was still married to my mother! Do you know how many times I had to hear her sniffle and smile through watery eyes because her husband couldn’t keep it in his pants? Ugh!” I squealed, throwing myself against my tufted headboard.
Gabby was silent on the other end for a while.
“Chanel, you know I love you, but get the entire fuck outta here with that nonsense.”
That’s my Gabby. Never one to bite her tongue, even to spare hurt feelings.
“You’re upset with your father, take it out on him. You can’t get past shit from your childhood, seek a damn therapist. But none of that qualifies you avoiding the man you love.”
“Wha—?”
“Yeah, I fucking said it. The man you love. And that’s what scares you, isn’t it? You’re using your father and his mother’s affair as an excuse to protect yourself from falling even deeper for Xavier. But here’s the thing,” she paused for dramatic effect, “it’s already too late. You’ve fallen for him, and I’m pretty sure he feels the same way. So, tell Gabby what you’re really afraid of so we can sort this out.”
