“Almond or soy.”
“See, you’re playing. What I look like having either one of those?”
“Seriously?” I asked and smiled as I watched him move toward the refrigerator and pull the door open. He grabbed a half gallon of milk and held it up.
“It’s this or nothing,” he said, placing it on the counter while he waited for me to answer.
I nodded and he grabbed a glass and filled it for me.
Half an hour later we had our food and were both sitting in his living room. Me on the floor cross-legged, facing the sofa where he sat.
We spent most of our time eating, with me stealing glances at him while he focused on the TV. I loved just watching him. It felt weird, but everything about this man felt perfect. That made me wonder what was wrong with him.
“Is there something you want to know?” Carlos’s voice almost startled me because I was so deep in my head. When I looked at his face, he wasn’t even looking at me. His eyes were still glued to the TV.
“No, why?”
He smirked then looked my way. “You keep staring at me like I’m gonna disappear. I figured maybe you had something on your mind.”
Embarrassed, I blushed at him noticing me watching him, so I shoved a forkful of food into my mouth and finished before I closed the container.
I lifted and stood to dispose of it. He closed his and held it up for me when I was close enough.
I entered the kitchen and dumped them both before returning. I was about to sit on the opposite end, but Carlos extended his hand to me.
“So, we gonna talk about last night or what?” he asked, catching me a little off guard.
Carlos knew about my ex. We had brief conversations about him, but after the show last night, we had yet to discuss any of it. In fact, it hadn’t come up at all.
“What about it?” I asked as he pulled me into his side and held me in place. He had been watching TV the entire time, but the second I spoke, he lifted the remote, shut it off, and turned slightly to see me cradled against his side.
“It don’t seem like he’s a willing participant in your divorce. I know you explained the situation, but I just want to make sure I know what I’m dealing with. Men like that don’t handle defeat well. They’re used to getting what they want, and when they can’t earn it, they try to buy it. Do you have a price?”
I quickly sat up and looked at him like he had lost his mind. I was offended and more hurt at what he was asking.
“Why would you ask me something like that? No, I don’t have a price.”
Carlos looked straight at me with an unchanging expression.
“Look, I know that sounded fucked up, but I know how things work in your world. You don’t marry a man like that because you love him or even like him for that matter. I was only around him for a few minutes and knew exactly what he was about. He’s an arrogant, overprivileged asshole. You were married for three years, shorty. Not because you loved that muthafucker. So, it had to be about the bottom line. Who’s to say he won't make you a deal you can’t refuse.
“You can take offense if you want, but facts are facts. I’m not trying to call you a prostitute or no shit like that, but I’m street as fuck and deal with shit head on. No need to pacify the situation and wake up one day to you on his arm and be like damn how that happen? If your answer is no, I’m good with that, but if you feel like there’s an amount that will fix whatever’s broken between the two of you, don’t waste my time. No judgment, and Iwon’t think less of you, because everybody’s gotta do what’s best for them. I just want to know where your head’s at.”
I just sat there for a moment, staring at him in disbelief. To a certain degree he was right, but his brutal honesty sort of rubbed me the wrong way.
“I didn’t marry him because of money. I’m not going to lie and say that wasn’t part of it, but it wasn’t all of it. I loved him and he loved me. Things were different when we first got together, but it didn’t take long for them to change. The second I had that ring on, everything about him was different. He wanted me to behave a certain way. He treated me more like his child than his wife. I was just an accessory. Then I noticed him smiling and happy around certain women when we went out. That was all the confirmation I needed.
“He gave them the attention he didn’t give me. So, to answer your question, no I don’t have a price. There’s not enough money in the world for me to compromise my happiness just to have unlimited funds in my bank account. I love myself more than that, otherwise I wouldn’t have filed for divorce. I signed a prenup, which should have been void the second he cheated on me, but there was a chance he could find a way to leave me with nothing because of who he is and who he knows, but I did it anyway.”
“Aight then, that’s all I need. Fuck him and his bank accounts. I can promise you his pockets ain’t deeper than mine.” Carlos smirked and kissed my cheek, but his statement annoyed me even more than his first rude ass assumption.
“I don’t care about your money. I like you, but not because I think your pockets are deep. Even if I end up with nothing, I’ll figure it out.”
“Ay, I didn’t say shit about that, Maddie. Trust me, I know you ain’t with me because of what I got or I wouldn’t have allowed you to be here. I work hard for every penny I have.Maybe not like the people you’re used to, but work nonetheless. What I am saying is no woman of mine will beg another man for shit. That ain’t happening. So fuck him. Whether you do it on your own or with my help, I know you’ll be good. What you won’t do is be with me and have your hand out to him, aight?”
Nodding, I relaxed a little. I felt the anger radiating from Carlos and it made me smile. He was fighting for me, more than Richard ever had, and it made my stomach flutter.
After a few moments of silence, I looked up at him and smiled. “Your woman?”
