Chapter Seven

 

Makayla

 

 

“Are you serious? That bitch Angela is the one who started all the rumors about Lenny?” Lisa was furious as I explained Lenny’s story to her.

Lisa wasn’t able to make it to the dinner we had with our family where Lenny was finally able to tell his side of the story. She had a court case that had run over and we decided to table the discussion for girl’s night.

Because she was both mine and Lenny’s best friend I had never kept her in the dark when it came to mine and Lenny’s situation. Even though she didn’t agree with the way we handled everything. (She agreed with Lenny, that he should have given up the contract.) Lisa had always supported us both in our decision.

“We knew she was ruthless.” I offered by way of explanation as I picked at the tortilla chips that lay in the red plastic basket in the center of the table.

“Makayla, there is ruthless and downright slanderous. What she did was not only wrong but illegal.” Lisa’s brow rose daring me to deny it, her half-full margarita tipped in my direction as though it also agreed.

“The fact that she let Lenny out of his contract only to smear his name is unacceptable. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he is finally away from her, but what about His career? His reputation?” she continued ranting on, the lime green slush in her glass sloshed up the sides as her hand jolted forward.

“I know and I agree, but she’s out of our life now. That’s the important part.” I raised my glass in salute and tipped my margarita in her direction as if to prove a point.

As promised I was spending girl’s night out with Lisa. Instead of our usually overnight slumber party in which we made homemade tacos and drank margaritas until we passed out, Lisa allowed me to spend a half night with her at the local Mexican restaurant.

“Yeah, I get it. She’s out of his life. But if you ever and I mean ever need me, I will slap a lawsuit on her ass so quickly she won’t know what hit her. I know Lenny’s your man, but he’s also like a brother to me. When that bitch took him away she stole more than your boyfriend. She stole my Goddaughter’s father, my big brother, and my best friend.” Lisa punctuated her statement hammering her long red acrylic nail into the chipped Formica tabletop. 

Lisa had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I ever met but she was the scariest person I had ever seen in a courtroom. She made the Judge's quake in their boots when she walked into the courtroom. The look on her face as she spoke nearly had me quaking.

If you ever had a case you needed to win, Lisa was your attorney. She had yet to lose.

“I know, Lis.” I tried to sympathize with her, hoping to calm her down. “But Lenny’s home now and he wants nothing to do with anything LA related. He’s washed his hands of it all and is focusing on Avery. On us.” I gave her an encouraging smile, trying to hide the fear I felt about Angela worming her way back into our lives.

It had been a constant thought throbbing at the back of my braid. Completely irrational, yet ever-present.

The contract had legally been voided. Lenny had assured me he had tied up all loose ends before coming home.

I believed him. I knew there was nothing that would have kept him away from us any longer than necessary. But I didn't trust her. I didn’t trust Angela. 

The doubt and fear hung in the air, like a poisonous cloud looming over my head.

A sly smile took over my best friends face at the mention of Lenny and I being an ‘us’. “So, you and Len, are you two…?” She made a circle with one hand touching the tip of her thumb and index finger together will running the index finger of her other hand in and out of the circle, imitating intercourse.

I felt my face flush red. Bashfully looking down at the drink in my hands I shook my head, hoping the hair covering my face would hide the deep red embarrassment coloring my face.

“Lisa,” I hissed out incredulously.

“Hey, I’m just curious about whether or not I’ll be expecting a new niece or nephew. You know Avery would be lonely without one.” Her perfectly plucked brow rose salaciously before wagging.

Lisa continued to pump her index finger through the circle on her other hand, slowly, as she made low mewing noises. The entire act causing me further embarrassment. Kissing noises were added, pressuring me to answer.

I knew she wouldn’t stop until I gave in. Taking a long shaky breath I lifted my head. Shaking my hair out of my face I gently tucked it behind my shoulders.

“For your information, no. We haven’t.” I replied with false bravo as I sat proudly across from her.

Lisa’s jaw dropped in bewilderment. “You’re lying?” She accused, her hands making a loud smacking sound as she slapped them flat against the tabletop.

“I’m not.” I gasped shocked that she didn’t believe me.

“Why not? Before he left it took a water hose to keep the two of you apart. Had to spray you both down like dogs in heat.” She admonished.

I gasped in astonishment, my mouth working like a fish out of water. I couldn’t believe she said that.

“You’re so vulgar.” I accused gathering my bearings.

“And you’re a prude. Get in there and claim your man.” She demanded giving me a pointed look, a long red nail pointed in my direction.

“Its girl’s night. Can’t.” I replied haughtily with the shrug of my shoulder.   

“Girls nights over. Problem solved. I got the check.” Lisa winked audaciously not letting it go.  With her hands, she made a shoo-ing motion.

Sometimes I swore she was like a dog with a bone when she got a bee in her bonnet about something. I just wished it hadn’t been my sex life or lack there off that she latched onto.

“You can’t just call girl’s night over. It has to run its course.” I wrinkled my face in her direction, scrunching up my nose the way I know makes her shiver with disgust.

“Just for that, you can pay the tab.” She replied circling her red nail around my face before tossing her long auburn hair over her shoulder. Lisa rose, tucking her clutch under her arm.

“Go fuck your man.” She intoned, giving me a pointed look.

Defeated I slouched back against the booth. I watched as Lisa walked away, her hips swayed dramatically as though taunting me.

How could I tell her that I tried? I had laid all the moves on Lenny every night since he had come home. Nothing seemed to waive him. Not the scantily clad lingerie, the tiny boy shorts, and thin sheer cami I wore to bed, not even the shower door left wide open as I took my time lathering and shaving every square inch of skin I could reach. Nothing seemed to work.

Every night I was met with the same resistance. Lenny wrapped me in his arms pulling my back flush against his chest. He held me, his hot breath caressing my neck, sending shivers of need down my spine. Things never progressed.

The closest we had come to sharing an intimate moment was the morning after his arrival. The morning Avery came calling at our door. Since then that morning no matter how charged the air came between us, Lenny pumped the brakes, tucking me into his arms and holding me.

“I just want to hold you in my arms.” He said the same thing every night. And every night I felt my heart breaking. How could I compare to the women he met in LA?

While Lenny was out chasing his dreams I was a stay at home mom, clad in baggy sweatpants and a loose t-shirt that was somewhat clean. I didn’t have the movie star looks, the designer wardrobe, let alone the time to practice the art of makeup.  

I was fortunate in the fact that Lenny bought us a house with his first big check. Every month I received a deposit in my account. A deposit that helped to raise our daughter.

Unlike Lisa, I was unable to go to college after graduation. I had a little girl to raise and Lenny and I both agreed that since he couldn’t be home with her, he wanted me home with her. He never wanted our daughter to feel alone, to not have one of us by her side.

I had started taking online college classes. But raising a baby on your own was more time consuming than I had ever imagined. I still took classes, but I was going at a slower pace than most.