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“Why are you doing this? I’ve done nothing but love your son and this is how you repay me, repay us—shit, repay him?” My voice elevates before I have time to stop it.
“You don’t worry your pretty little self with that. I’m here to stay and that’s my business alone. So back off, Shayla, because I’m not willing to lose what I want.” Her threat is loud and clear.
“What do you want, Gwen? What?”
“For you to stand down and let me in his damn life.” The finality in her
voice forces me to silence. What can I do? She has the upper hand. My heart aches for Trey and there’s nothing I can do but sit back and let him discover this for himself. He hasn’t seen this side of her. Why would he believe me? I’ll just look like a selfish brat and possibly lose him for good. All I can do is idly wait and let this woman prove on her own how vile and dangerous she is. I hate feeling this hopeless. I let the tears fall, sadness colliding head-on with my anger. You know that moment you’re so mad that you can do nothing but cry? That’s me this very second.
“Fine. But Trey isn’t a dumb man, Gwen. He’ll see through you. But so help me God, if you hurt him, I don’t care what you tell him. I’ll lay your fucking shit bare.” My finger is pointing at her like that of a sharpened blade. She moves to get closer to me. I almost back down—almost. Instead, I stick my chest out and defend Trey no matter the danger.
“You may think you’re strong, little girl, but I’m stronger.” With that last word the bedroom door opens, announcing Trey’s return.
The body wash that he cleans his strong, muscular, lean body with filters out, carrying down the hall and into the kitchen. The wash that covers his body, the body that encages his loving heart. The heart that loves so much and forgives too easily. When I let his scent fill my lungs entirely, I make a vow to Trey. I will find what this woman is up to, and I will end it. She may think she’s got the upper hand, but really, I do. I have his past, I have his time, and I have his heart, I will protect that with every living fiber in my body.
“Baby, did you wash my jeans?” he yells, crossing the hall into the laundry room.
“Yeah, I did, they’re in the dryer, honey.” Gwen and I are still face-to-face challenging the other to move.
“Fuck, you’re too good to me, woman! I love you!” I tilt my head and purse my lips.
“I love you, baby.” I make sure I say this slowly and with enough cocky arrogance. She steps back first, giving me the crown and deeming me the winner.
Told you, I have the upper hand.
“We’ll see who’s stronger in the end, Gwen,” I say, pushing past her and making Trey a plate. This night just flipped me upside down.
INVITING MY ENTIRE CIRCLE OF close family and friends maybe wasn’t the best idea I’ve had to date. Kingston, Lana, and Kathy should have been my stopping point. But then my dad looked at me with doe eyes and Mom forced her way in after she guilt-tripped me during our “talk.” Now, I’m here with the motley crew, and I’m in over my head. This downtown bridal boutique was named best in Seattle, so we start here. I need to find the one that speaks to me. Before, I always wanted a ball gown but recently, lace mermaid dresses have been on my radar.
Stepping onto the platform in front of the gray sofa that houses my entire crew, I look into the three-way mirror in front of me. This one is very Grace Kelly, elegant, vintage with a ball gown bottom and lace top. It’s beautiful, but I wish it showed more of my skin and a better view of my figure. This dress isn’t for me, I want Trey to not only be elated, but I want to see his mouth drop when he sees me.
“I like it, you look cute, sis.” I find Kingston in the mirror and smirk; he’s chomping on some kind of candy and smiling up at me, like a child.
“I don’t want to be ‘cute’ so this is a no. Thanks, bud.” Kingston nods and Lana silently agrees with the shake of her head as I step down from the stand. Making my way back toward the changing room, I’m out of eye range, but not earshot when I hear my mom start talking. Pausing, I listen.
“Thank God, she looked like a hefty potato in that.” My eyes drop to the floor. Ouch. Am I really that big? I know I gained a couple of pounds, but I didn’t think it was noticeable. I just got back from vacation, of course I gained a couple of pounds, but she doesn’t need to vocalize it to everyone, especially on this day.
“Mom, fucking stop. She looks amazing. You’re just being a raging bitch today, aren’t cha?” Entering the fitting room, my eyes stay focused on the floor while the stylist unbuttons the long trail of beading up my back.
“Kings, watch your mouth. I’m your damn mother, you can’t speak to me like that,” she huffs. “I mean, it’s no wonder this poor girl doesn’t want to be your girlfriend.” I bite my lip, feeling nothing but sorry for the can of worms my mom just opened. Three…two…one…
“You’re lucky you’re my quote, unquote mother. I’ll let that comment slide, because you’re just a miserable toad.”
“Leave Kingston alone, Erica. And stop picking on Shayla.” Lana’s soft, stern voice defends my brother and me. Noticing the stylist hasn’t said a word, I turn around and see she’s wearing a smile, the gleam in her eyes giving me a mental high five.
“Family, am I right?” I ask with a chuckle, brushing off my mother’s insult.
“They aren’t the worst I’ve had.” Jaclyn winks at me. I like her; she’s sweet and very accommodating. She has picked out every dress that could possibly fit my criteria and she compliments me in each one.
“I think you’re gonna love this one, dear.” We quickly work at getting me in the new dress. Once I’m fully dressed, she lifts the train and we move back out to the seating area. Everyone is talking as I enter the room, my presence calls for silence to fall. You could hear a pin drop and Kathy’s gasp tells me this must be as stunning as I think it is.
Turning to the mirror, I instantly begin to cry. This is the one. I spin slightly my hand never leaving my open mouth. The mermaid style hugs my breasts, waist, hips, and thighs like a glove. The entire dress is white and covered in an intricate lace design.
Turning, I move my hair to the side and look over my shoulder. I see the keyhole cutout showing my thin back, the curve of my spine, and sharp lines of my shoulder blades playing peek-a-boo. It’s classy but still sexy. I look like everything I imagined I wanted to.
“Fuck, you look so beautiful, Shay.” Kingston’s whispered praise registers in my mind; I give him a sweet smirk. Kathy comes to join me where I stand.
“You look like a dream in this dress, sweetheart.” She wipes my tears, and I hear a grumble come from my mom. I ignore her and smile down at Kathy, not letting my mother ruin this raw feeling.
