Still thicker than water (15 page)

Ree was conflicted as well. He knew his feelings for Trinity nowhere matched the ones he had for Tatum. But Trinity knew what she wanted, and Tatum even after all of this time, seemed to still be holding back.

He figured it was since they had been apart for so long, and maybe seeing him with Trinity had made her draw back more, but he definitely wanted them to work on rebuilding at least their friendship again.

Even if they took it slow, he knew he wanted Tatum back in his life.

They shared a close-knit, lengthy hug and then Tatum made her way back to the elevator with a seductive strut, turning back once and smiling.

Ree watched her the whole time.

And Trinity, who was standing at the front desk since they had come out of the restaurant, watched him, watching her, the whole time.

“
So the businesses are doing well?”

“
Oh yea,” Jayde responded, sipping her Pina Colada.

She and Sasha were lounging out by the pool in their bikinis, while Tatum was having lunch with Ree.

Sasha wanted to ask Jayde about the phone call, but didn’t want to let on that she had been spying on her, so she chose her words carefully.

“
And it’s just the nightclub and the boutique, right?”

Jayde was silent for a moment, staring straight ahead with her dark shades on. She finally answered.

“
And the restaurant.”

Sasha nodded.

“
That’s right…the restaurant.”

Sasha turned over on her stomach and faced Jayde. She suddenly felt solemn.

“
You know, I envy you.”

Jayde looked at her like she had lost her mind. The princess Sasha, Head Diva, Miss It, love my life, me, me, me, would never say such a thing. Sasha envying anyone was just absurd. But Sasha explained why.

“
You’re happy, you know? You’ve got your businesses, you’re doing what you want… and you’re free. Sometimes, I feel trapped. I swear if it weren’t for Aubrey, I’d probably never go home.”

Jayde was not too shocked by the revelation, but more shocked at who was revealing it. Sasha always appeared and wanted to appear, perfect. Even when things weren’t.

“
So you’re not happy?” Jayde asked the obvious.

Sasha thought for a second and was glad Jayde couldn’t see the tears forming behind her designer lenses.

“
I hate my life,” was her simple but passionate confession.

Jayde felt so bad for her, not knowing what to say. So she said what she was thinking.

“
So, what are you gonna do about it?”

Sasha turned her head the other way and breathed deeply.

“
Nothing.”

And a tear rolled down her face.

Chapter 11 - Sex

“
Mills... they want you, let’s go.”

Chauncey stood up and the guard opened the big steel door, as Chauncey made his way out and down the hall.

“
Ay yo, good luck Chaunc,” a young head from Elizabeth said as he passed.

“
That’s right young blood, I got a good feeling,” an older Muslim cat encouraged. Chauncey sometimes would converse with the man and had gained valuable lessons from their talks.

He heard them and he nodded in response, but all he was thinking was how he needed for his lawyer to come through and get him the early release. As they neared the room for Chauncey to meet with the Head Commissioner, he reflected on his Parole hearing that had occurred two months prior, and he reflected on the reason he had never told Sasha about it.

“
There’s a female in there,” the same officer that was now walking with him, had informed Chauncey.

“
A female?” Chauncey had asked confused, wondering who it could be. His lawyer may have acted like a bitch, but he was definitely a dude. He couldn’t comprehend who else would have been there, being that in most cases, outsiders were not allowed to sit in on the hearings.

He remembered feeling an intense amount of pressure as the guard had opened the door and led him into the room.

When he walked in, he remembered noticing the Parole Commission first, all seated next to each other, looking stone-faced, he remembered his lawyer seated on the opposite side of them, his Case Manager was in the back of the room, and then that’s when he had seen her
.

Neli was sitting there staring at him as Chauncey entered the room, and Chauncey recalled the disgust and defeat he had felt.

As he took his seat, he remembered his confident outlook on the situation diminishing. He just knew he wasn’t going to make parole. Even the C.O. had shaken his own head, because he knew that when a victim showed up to the hearing, especially a female one, your chances of getting out were slim to none.

He didn’t even look at Neli, and as he was sitting there waiting to begin, he couldn’t believe that he had made the mistake of fucking with the broad.

“
Mr. Mills, how are you today?” One of the members of the Commission staff had asked him.

“
I’m well…thank you.” Chauncey had tried to stay as polite as possible, but really was thinking of how they didn’t give a damn about how he felt.

“
Shall we begin?” She had said and Chauncey remembered his apprehension.

“
Mr. Mills, you are now in your twenty-sixth month of a three and a half year sentence under the regulations of an aggravated assault charge and conviction, a felonious assault under the guidelines of section b, assault with serious bodily injury. The conviction was increased three levels, due to the severity of the bodily injury however, the victim did not sustain life threatening injuries, making a full recovery, and therefore the sentence and charge was lessened, is this all correct?”

Chauncey had looked at his lawyer and his lawyer, little bitch ass Jew boy, stood up slightly and responded a simple,

“
Correct.”

Chauncey couldn’t stand him, but he did what he did well, being that originally they were trying to hit Chauncey with an attempted murder charge, and he had gotten it down to aggravated assault.

But that day at the parole hearing, little Jew boy had another trick up his sleeve.

After they had asked all of the basic questions of ‘did he feel he was rehabilitated’, ‘what were his plans if released’, ‘did the anger management counseling work’, questions that Chauncey had aced with flying colors, his lawyer then added.

“
Commission, I would like to call Ms. Penelope Daniels to speak. Ms. Daniels was the other party involved in Mr. Mills’ case, and she would like to give her input on Mr. Mills’ possible eligibility for parole.” Chauncey’s lawyer had avoided referring to Neli as the victim.

Chauncey remembered feeling his blood boil as he had stared at his lawyer like he had lost his fucking mind. And once she had started talking, Chauncey just knew it was over.

“
Ms. Daniels, you are currently housed at the Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, when is your release date?”

“
December 27th,” she had said innocently, as Chauncey avoided eye contact with her.

She started her speech, and Chauncey was surprised by what had come out of her mouth.

“
I just want to say… that although what Chaunc-, I mean Mr. Mills, did was wrong, I do feel…” She had paused and looked at Chauncey before continuing. “I do feel that he should be released.”

Chauncey remembered being shocked as hell, and she kept it going.

“
That night…at the hotel,” she had reminisced. “My mind was not right…a lot of ugly things were done, on both of our parts…but I have changed. And I know that if I can change, then Chauncey most certainly can. He’s a kind man…a good man…and he has a child… And I believe that he has learned his lesson.”

Chauncey had remained silent but inside was conflicted. He hated Neli, but at that moment, he was thankful for her.

“
That’s all,” she had concluded.

And it had sealed the deal, Chauncey’s parole was granted and his lawyer moved right then for an early release.

Now here he was, walking back down the hall, seeing if it all had played out, and if it was really happening. His lawyer had assured him that it was good as gold, but Chauncey didn’t want to get his hopes too high. Almost didn’t count to him, he wanted the guarantee.

When he reached the room, he saw his lawyer shaking hands with the Head Commissioner as if the meeting was over. He stood up and made his way over to Chauncey with a grin.

“
You’re good,” he said excitedly.

Chauncey looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“
I’m good?” Chauncey asked, a little surprised. His lawyer nodded and Chauncey felt a weight instantly lifted off of his shoulders.

He was coming home.

“
Congratulations Mills,” the C.O. said, lightly slapping him on the back.

And as they turned to head back to Chauncey’s cell, he was grateful that this would be his final days locked down. He was ready for his daughter, his life, Sasha, his money, his status, everything. He was ready for Atlanta.

But was Atlanta ready for him?

You sure you don’t want to come, it’s our last night,” Sasha reminded Tatum, trying to convince her to come out with them. Sasha and Jayde were dressed to kill and ready to do it up their last night on the island. But ever since Tatum had come back from her lunch with Ree, she’d been zoned out and out of it.

“
No,” Tatum declined. “Ya’ll go, have fun…I’m tired.”

Sasha pouted, but then shrugged and blew her a kiss as the girls made their way out, with Tatum closing the door behind them.

About an hour after they left, Tatum was wishing that she had went with them. She couldn’t get the situation with Ree out of her mind, and she found herself wondering if he was with Trinity at that moment.
I gotta get outta here.

She grabbed a towel and her swimsuit and headed out for a late night swim hoping that it would clear her head.

The water was perfect, surprisingly not too cold for an outdoor pool. Tatum kicked her legs up and backstroked, dipping her head back into the water and attempting to completely relax.

The pool was completely empty, there were no guests and no lifeguards, and the only lighting came from the track lights inside of and around the pool. Tatum was relieved.

She closed her eyes and allowed her body to float as she tried to let all of her problems drift out into the water.

She was in a state of almost complete relaxation when she heard someone clearing their throat. She popped her eyes open and lifted up quickly.

“
Swimming with no lifeguard on duty… you better not let the owner catch you.”

Ree made his way to the edge of the pool and knelt down, resting his arms on his knees.

Tatum smiled lightly, slightly bashful, as she swam over to him.

“
Yeah well, I’m not too worried about that…I know him.”

Ree chuckled, while he gazed at her in her small white bikini, looking so tempting.

“
Is that right?”

Tatum gradually swam up in front of him, and rested her elbows on the rim of the pool.

“
That’s right.”

Ree was looking so scrumptious in his grey sweats and white tee that showed off all of those tattoos that she loved. She could tell that he had probably been relaxing at home or something.
So
what was he doing here?

“
What are you doing here?” She asked.

He looked at her in the eyes and took his time as he replied.

“
Well, I was home… and I uh, realized that I left something…so I came back to get it.”

Tatum looked at him curiously.

“
Did you get it?” She asked sincerely.

“
I hope so.” He looked at her seriously and repeated, “I hope so, Miss Lady.”

Before any feelings could register in her, Ree slowly leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. She found herself leaning forward for more, but Ree’s strong arms gently pulled her up out of the water and to her feet.

She crossed her arms, feeling a chill and he picked up the towel and wrapped it around her.

“
Thank you,” she whispered.

He stared at her and then he leaned down and kissed her again, this time more passionately as he slowly wrapped his strong arms around her.