Chapter 7
Days had passed and Steph still hadn’t worked up the nerve to speak with John about his abandoning behavior the night they made love the first time. He’d been attentive to her for the most part. She didn’t suspect that he didn’t want to be with her. He had even taken her out to dinner outside of work. It was weird. Their behavior was strictly professional at work and friendly, at most, outside of it. She was determined to get the clarity she needed. The walk home from the bus stop was short and cold when she made the decision to talk to John as soon as she got inside. But, to her surprise, she had a visitor.
Bobby looked the same as usual in his baggy attire and leather jacket. Steph didn’t know why he was there and she didn’t care until she saw the expression on his face. He was worried.
“What’s the matter?” Steph asked as soon as she was close enough for him to hear her.
“Can we talk inside?” he motioned his head to the door as he jostled in place trying to keep warm.
“Fine,” Steph didn’t want to let him in, but she knew that he wouldn’t leave until he said what he had to say. “You have five minutes. Talk!”
“I’m worried about you,” Bobby went to stroke the side of her face. Steph backed away just out of his reach.
“There’s no need to worry about me. I’m fine.”
“I ran into Cass,” Bobby told her hoping she would tell him about the meeting they had.
“And?” Steph rolled her eyes.
Bobby could sense her hostility, “Listen, you know what kind of guy he is. You need to do whatever he’s asking you to.”
“Did he tell you to speak to me?” Steph questioned as her anger brewed.
“He did,” Bobby admitted.
“Did you tell him that we are no longer in communication and that you hold no power over my decision making?” she sucked her teeth.
“There’s no need to be such a bitch, Steph,” Bobby sighed. “We had a conversation and I told him I would talk to you before he got to you first. And don’t think your little boyfriend’s gonna be able to help you outta this.”
“Boyfriend?” Steph tried to play dumb.
“Don’t do that. You know I hate it when you do that. Cass seen ya getting yaselves together when he came through. He told me thinking you was still my lady, but I’m just letting you know he ain’t with the shit, yo. I’m just tryin to look out for you. He’s mad for real.”
“Well he’s not mad at me. He has no reason to be and you have no reason to be here. So thank you for your concern but I’m fine and I’m going to bed,” Steph turned away from him to head up to her apartment. She listened to make sure he left the building and wasn’t following her. She purposely ignored the little dig about her boyfriend not being able to do anything, but Steph knew what she was doing. She was sure that Amanda was making the necessary changes to save them all from the painful headache of dealing with Cass and his attorneys. What a way to end the night.
The doorbell ringing brought Steph out of her daze as she wondered who was at her door. Her heart quickened thinking it was Bobby again. Charlize was a welcomed face to see beyond the peephole. She opened the door for her to come in.
“Wow, you look like shit,” Charlize laughed.
“Shut up,” Steph snapped. “I feel like shit. You know I still haven’t cleared things up with John. Cass is going around bumping his gums to people I no longer associate with. And speaking of ex-associates, Bobby was here tonight, too.”
“That is one hell of a triple threat,” Charlize mumbled inside her bag as she pulled out a bottle of wine. Steph gave her a perplexing stare. Charlize shrugged her shoulders, “What? Don’t be mad cuz it fits. Anyway, why was Bobby here?”
“To talk about Cass,” Steph shook her head as she sat on the bar stool at the counter. “That’s what I meant when I was talking about him bumping his gums to people I don’t associate with. Girl, where is your head tonight?”
“I don’t know, so what did he say about Cass?” she asked Steph.
“Just giving me a friendly reminder to do whatever he’s telling me to do. He actually went to Bobby to get him to talk me into swinging this deal at work in his favor,” Steph sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.
“Well are you?”
“Hell no! Cass ain’t my client,” Steph spat. She couldn’t stand that sense of entitlement Cass wielded as if everyone was supposed to cave into his every whim.
“I guess you gotta do what’s best for your job. Just be careful. And what about John? When are you going to talk to him?” Charlize asked as she went through the cabinets scavenging for snacks.
“I don’t even want to think about that. The more time passes, the more I’m starting to feel like I’m reading way too much into it. There’s no way he lost interest in me, and just because he’s not ready for anything serious doesn’t mean he’s not taking me seriously,” Steph reasoned.
“Well look at you starting to sound like an adult. Good, ride it out and see where it takes you. Anything new with that bitter bitch at work?” Charlize couldn’t shake the image of Anna’s stunned face as she cursed her out. She wanted to whoop her ass but chose not to because she didn’t want to get Steph fired.
Steph sighed as she nibbled on some crackers, “Nah. She been on her best behavior.”
Charlize was happy to hear it. The two women ate and drank for a little while longer before crashing for the night. Sleep didn’t come fast for Steph as she tossed and turned wondering what the following day would bring. She peeked in on Charlize, halfway through the night, just to see her out cold, drool and all. She smiled as she walked back to her room. Steph finally drifted off to sleep a few hours before her alarm clock rang to wake her up for work the next morning.
The morning sun was warm and bright when Steph opened her curtains. She gazed out to the street below watching the early birds head off to get their worms. She couldn’t imagine getting up for work any earlier, but there those folks were making it up and out into the world.
Charlize was already up and making coffee by the time Steph showered and dressed. It was nice waking up to someone else in the apartment. She would much rather it be John but Charlize was just as good; without the orgasms of course.