“That’s awesome news, baby.” TJ smiled as he shoulder bumped me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We haven’t seen much of each other.” I shrugged as I continued to eat. “You’re always working, and when you’re not,you’re either sleeping or don’t have time for me. You’re never interested in the house talk, TJ.”
While we both had demanding jobs, I felt like we all had to make sacrifices and effort for the ones we love. When TJ had free time, his mother, Mika, got all of it. She and I didn’t have a relationship at all, so I wasn’t trying to make the dynamic work where we three could spend time together. I often joked with him about how he seemed to be more of her man than mine.
“Dear, don’t you think that maybe you two should talk about moving in together?” my mother asked as she dug into her salad. “You two are set to be married, so why not get accustomed to seeing each other every day. When your father and I?—”
“Honey, leave her alone,” my father spoke sternly, placing his fork on the plate. “Blossom is her own person, with her own mind. She knows what’s best for her and her relationship.”
“Ma is right, though.” TJ sighed, turning to me. “How do you expect this relationship to work if you don’t meet me halfway? It’s bad enough that we’re not having sex.”
Feeling my face grow hot, my eyes widened at his words. I couldn’t believe that not only would he say that in public, but in front of my parents.
“TJ! Why would you say that out loud?” I threw my napkin on my plate. I’d officially lost my appetite. “If that was something you wanted to discuss, we could have done that in private.”
“Blossom! We’ve talked about that fake virtue mess.” My mother frowned as she pointed her fork at me. “TJ is a nice-looking man with a good job. I’m sure women throw themselves at him all the time. You need to take better care of your man or watch someone else do it.”
“Since when does whatI decideto do with my body become the topic of discussion?” I hissed, looking around, hoping we didn’t garner the attention of the other guests. “Since you wantto put our business on front street, now is the perfect time to ask you about the multiple women you’re supposedly sleeping with?” His eyes widened as he choked on the wine he’d been sipping. “Based on the reaction, I would say there’s some truth to what Rowan was saying.”
“R-Rowan?” He coughed out as he patted his chest. “He told you?—”
Crash!
Hearing the sound of plates collapsing to the floor, I shifted my body toward the commotion. All music and conversation came to a stop as we looked around to see what had happened. Hearing noises coming from the kitchen and bar area, my eyes widened at the sight of my noticeably intoxicated brother.
“Damn, family! Y’all couldn’t save me a seat?” Rowan slurred as he stumbled his way to our table. Passing a waitress, he grabbed a glass of champagne and downed it instantly. “Y’all act as if y’all didn’t want to include me or some shit!” His glassy eyes searched the room and found all eyes on him. Frowning, he threw his arms all about, mugging everyone. “What the fuck are y’all looking at?”
My mouth was on the floor. I didn’t have the words for what we were witnessing right now. My brother has always made a spectacle of himself, but never like this. His white button-down shirt was dirty and wrinkled, as were the tan-colored pants. The worst part of it was the bruises on his face that looked to be fresh. Standing from my seat, I slowly approached him. At the end of the day, he was my big brother, and I hated to see him like this.
“Row.” I approached him slowly. “Come and have a seat next to me so we can talk. I’ll get you some food and a glass of water.”
“Get the fuck away from me!” He turned, snatching away from me. Although there was a dazed look in his eyes, his eyes held nothing but anger. “This is all your fault, you stuck-upbitch!” Everyone around the room gasped as they tuned into the shit show. “If you weren’t so fuckin’ selfish?—"
“Hey, man. You’re drunk.” TJ came to my aid as I gawked at Rowan. “I don’t want to arrest you for public intoxication, but I will if you don’t calm down, Row.”
“Calm down?” Rowan chuckled as he swayed wildly. “Since when do you give a fuck about my sister? Weren’t you just over there in Grove Heights fucking with that girl, Peanut, that lives next door to your mama? She’s been telling the whole hood how she’s going to take you from your bitch since she’s not fucking you. She said you even told her you would get Blossom to find you two a house.” He laughed loudly before his eyes found mine. “Maybe now you’ll have some money to give me from the commission you’ll get from selling your man a house for his side bitch. See, it doesn’t pay to hold out on the pussy. If you were fucking him?—”
Whap!
Drawing back, I slapped my brother as hard as I could. He was so drunk that the impact caused him to fall to the floor, where he started snoring like a baby. Having heard enough, I said nothing as I gathered my things to leave. I had never been so hurt and embarrassed in my entire life. Hearing those things about TJ and the fact that he has said nothing to clear his name was very telling. Was I saving myself for marriage? No, but there was something stopping me from giving myself to him. Now I was more than sure why I was never comfortable giving him the most sacred part of me.
After storming through the stares and murmurs of the various guests, I stepped out into the warmth of the night. Throwing my head back, I willed myself not to cry. This family could be exhausting sometimes, and more than ever, I wanted—no, I needed—a break from it all.
Suddenly, a cool breeze swept past me, reminding me that I was alone. Sluggishly, I opened my eyes and scanned the area. The parking lot, full of cars, was barely lit. The phone calls, messages, and the feeling that I was always being watched hit me full force. Hearing my name being called from behind me, my eyes grew wider as I sprinted as best as I could into the night, shakingly searching my clutch for my phone to call Stacy to come and get me. Right as I was able to retrieve my phone and dial her number, I was snatched from behind.
“Get off of me!” I screamed, dropping my items and fighting to get free. “Leave me alone!”
Tussling with the man, I twisted as much as I could, but his grip on me was relentless, and I couldn’t get away. No matter how much I cried and wiggled, he wouldn’t let me go. As I attempted to turn and use my legs to kick away from him, I stilled at the sound ofhisvoice.
“Bloss Baby, calm down. I’m not going to hurt you, mama, but if you say the word, I’ll clear this muthafucka out right now.”
Spinning around, I locked eyes with none other than JJ. I hadn’t seen him since he visited my office, stating he wanted my help in finding a home in Milly Grove. If I thought he was fine before, seeing him cleaned up in the finest black Italian suit I’d ever seen was a dream. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone with his tattoos peeking through, but it was those dark, menacing eyes that took my breath away.
“I’m—What are you doing here, JJ?” I asked, wiping my tears as best as I could. Looking around the dark lot, I couldn’t shake the fear that was starting to seep in. “Did you follow me out here?”
“I was attending the gala with some of my colleagues, and I saw what happened.” He thumbed away my tears as his jaw clenched. “I don’t know why but seeing you in tears has me ready to bomb the entire building.” He studied my face for a momentbefore locking eyes with me. “A woman like you should only cry tears of happiness or pleasure. Say the fuckin’ word, Bloss Baby, and I’ll slice that nigga thinner than pastrami.”
His stare was so menacing, I knew without a doubt he was serious. This man, whom I’ve only met a handful of times, spoke to my soul in ways my fiancé’ never had. His touch was electrifying and his words, although ice-cold, soothed me. These feelings scared me more than the thought of someone watching me.
