I’d climbed into my feelings for Cason’s sake. And I mean all the way. I ended up doing breathing exercises and self-chants. Some crap men didn’t do, but I did because I couldn’t let Cason carry the weight of those days alone.
Now he had relief, and I had the image of half of my ex-wife’s ass to get me through. I nearly dropped the takeout bag as I watched her. She’d just pulled up her underwear as I reached the window. I should’ve been a few minutes earlier. She stepped out of her towel and tugged on sweats and a T-shirt.
I was about to knock when Madison glanced at something on her dresser. Whatever she was looking at made her break out into a dance. Mesmerized by her curves, I watched, my eyes tracing her every movement, my heart beating fast.
It took me back to when she taught me to dance.You’re lucky you have that face, or I’d go out with my girls tonight. She’d been asoror. Didn’t stop there either. She’d told me that Drake, a whole character, had nothing on me. Apparently, I was doing it wrong … learning to dance.
Then later, we had a good marriage. The standard squabbles about who would cook, who washed, who pretended to wash but really soaked pans. Man, that was always my MO.
I still missed her petty laugh when saying,I hope you take out the trash soon, because that’s not part of my marriage contract.
Contract …Damn. I’d survived trying to get my feet right on the dance floor and being a good husband for this mess.
I wasn’t sure how long I stood there hypnotized, but I needed to move; someone might call the cops.
Cradling the bag in the crook of my arm, I knocked.
mad
. . .
OMARI: I’m banned from the Madison Spencer Coffee Club because I told your parents you were running a lil late?? I panicked. You’re too fine to lie about.
Iflicked an eyebrow.Flirting? Boy, bye.I put the phone down, giving it a side-eye. Omari Riche didn’t deserve a response. I tapped the screen to my music app, selecting the Hits station.That beat right there! Yessss!I rolled my hips, getting low for a twerk workout. I was about to go all out. Full-blown Baby Michael Jackson and grab my hairbrush when I heard aknockat my window. My shoulders shot up to my ears.
Hold on.No way Amazon Prime climbed up my fire escape. Besides, I’d canceled my subscription. Too expensive.
Weapon? Weapon?My gaze swept across my nightstand, and I snatched up the pineapple-shaped lamp.Good, heavy.I spun around and charged.
SNAP!
The plug betrayed me. That cord snatched me backward like,Girl, be serious.
The squeal that exited my mouth seconded my audacity, as if I couldn’t protect myself. But I damn sure tried. I landed on my rear. Nothing seemed hurt … except my pride, as I noted the face at my window. The next second totally didn’t come off awkward as I climbed to my feet.Is that man laughing?
“What? Why Wash-ing-ton? The window is cracked. You could’ve just said hello!” I strolled over to lift the lower sash.
“I told you I’d start stalking you now.” As he spoke, my mind abruptly contemplated someYou-Netflix vibes. I was hooked on Joe Goldberg after binging the entire series. Why couldn’t a sistah get some of that kinda undeniable and unhinged love? Check. Check.
Andunrequited, boy, I’m feeling myself so much I don’t have to feel youlove. Check. Check. Check.
Washington lifted the bag. “I promised you dinner. Chinese. I got extra egg rolls.”
“Good, you may need one for thateggof a head you got the next time you surprise me.” But that didn’t stop me from waving him inside for free food.
“Damn, Maddy, you don’t gotta be so violent.”
“You can take over my life for however long it takes me to eat dinner. Then you gotta go.”
He placed the food onto the dresser and was glancing at my phone when I tuned back into reality. I nearly broke my neck to reach him. I figured Judge Bald & Order had observed me long enough to investigate. Flipping over the phone, I pressed the side button and lowered the volume.
I approached the door and peeked into the darkened hallway. For his safety, not mine. But dang, I still felt like we were young. At seventeen, I’d started at Stanford. Sneaking in and out of his room to … cuddle,reallycuddle, though it hadn’t been easy. Imurmured over my shoulder, “Keep quiet, and I’ll get myself a drink.”
“What about me?”
After shutting the door again, I said, “I’m on a water and red beans and rice diet.” Which meant I couldn’t afford to buy soda. “I don’t think Lynetta will be okay with my sneaking a drink for you too, sorry.”
“Maddy …” He gave me a this-is-how-you-gonna-do-me look.
