"Fucking ass hole." Nicki snatched her purse from the counter along with her keys and stomped out of the kitchen. Her husband was sitting at the table reading the newspaper and ignoring her.
She had been asking him his opinion on moving out of the condo and into a house since they're married now and he acted like he didn't hear her.
"Where are you going?" he asked when he heard her walk towards the front door.
"I can't go see my brother?" she asked. She just needed an excuse to leave the house. She'd probably stop by for a few minutes and then find somewhere else to go. Jelani and his girlfriend Sharon were always arguing about something.
"Oh. How long will you be gone?"
"Few hours. I should be back in time to make dinner."
He looked at the clock. It was one p.m.
"Okay. Bye." he kissed her forehead briefly and for that split second Nicki saw the man she had fell in love with.
"Bye." Nicki closed the door before he could see her tears. He didn't even say he loved her and she was tired of saying it first.
She was about six blocks away from her brother's house when she got pulled over. Today was just not her day.
"License and Registration please?"
"Faree? Thank God. What did I do wrong?" she asked her best friend.
"Inspection sticker is out."
Nicki sighed. Trey was supposed to have gotten her car inspected yesterday.
"Trey's simple ass was supposed to get it inspected yesterday."
He gave her a look of sympathy. "Get it done right now. There's a garage about three blocks up the street. Tell him I sent you. You're lucky it was me and not someone else."
"Who am I looking for?"
"He's the owner. His name is Drake."
"Okay. Thanks."
"You deserve better than him. Onika. I keep telling you that." he was hinting at something and Nicki knew it.
"Well everyone's marriage can't be perfect like you and Courtne's."
Nicki made her way to the garage praying that she wouldn't get pulled over again.
She parked her car and went into the building.
After filling out the necessary paperwork Nicki went back out of the air conditioned office and made her way to the garage.
"May I help you?" a tall guy with dreads asked her.
"Yeah umm," she looked at his name stitched onto he blue jumpsuit that had all kinds of oil stains on it along with dirt. "Adrian...I'm looking for Drake. I got pulled over today because my inspection sticker was out and the officer referred me to him."
"Okay. He's almost through with that car that he's working on so he should be with you soon."
"Thanks." Nicki went to sit in the shade. She crossed her legs and put her glasses on. It was only seventy-five degrees outside and it was breezy so she wasn't hot but she did want something to drink.
Nicki stood up and made sure nothing from the chair was on her pale yellow maxi dress and walked next door to the gas station.
She got a can of Arizona Tea and a cup of ice. After paying she poured her tea in the cup and made her way back to the garage.
"So you didn't bring me back anything?" Nicki heard a voice ask. She looked up and smiled.
Holy shit! He is sexy.
"I'm sorry. If you saw me leave then why didn't you say anything."
"I'm kidding." he smiled and held up the Sprite in his hand. "So what can I help you with?"
"Kidding? I thought your name was Drake?" Nicki had a serious look on her face.
"No...no, I meant I was joking."
Nicki laughed and he did too. "I know. Just wanted to get you back. I'm Nicki." she held out her hand.
"Drake."
"Well Drake, I need an inspection and Safaree told me to come to you." she pointed towards her BMW.
"How do you know my brother-in-law?"
Nicki had to shook her head with a smile. "He's been my best friend since kindergarten...but I got pulled over because my inspection sticker was out. I got lucky when I realized it was him."
"I should've known. Well that's gonna take about an hour or so to do."
"That's fine." she smiled.
Oh my God. If I wasn't married. Nicki bit her lip as he worked on her car, making sure everything was working fine.
He felt her staring and if he wasn't working he'd be staring at her too. Too bad he had seen the ring on her finger.
"How come I've never seen you before?" Nicki asked.
"I just moved back to the states."
Damn. Canadian men are this sexy.
Drake turned around and caught her staring and returned the gesture.
"If you weren't married I'd ask you on a date tonight." he smiled.
"If I wasn't married I'd probably let you take me out...but since I am, I'm gonna have to pass."
"He's a lucky guy." he handed her her keys.
"Thanks...how much do I owe you?"
"You're family. It's fine."
"You sure?"
"Positive. See you around." he said as she started her engine.
"Bye." she smiled.
Nicki stopped by Jelani's. "Laniiiiiiii!" Nicki screamed his name as soon as she unlocked the door and stepped into the house.
"Shh! Cameron's 'sleep." Jelani came down the stairs.
"Sorry. Where's Sharon?"
"Said she had an emergency at the beauty salon. She just left."
"Emergency? No one told me but I guess because they don't know I own it. I'm hungry. Wanna go to lunch? My treat?"
"You in a good mood. But I can't."
"Why not?"
"Cameron."
"Oh yeah. Boy just get him and come on. Don't be trynna play my nephew like that."
"Fine but if he's cranky, you're dealing with him." he went upstairs and got his one year old out of his crib and grabbed his diaper bag.
They decided to go to Chili's and afterwards they took Cameron to the park.
"Stop running Cameron!" Nicki yelled just before he fell right on his face on the concrete.
Nicki and Jelani ran over to him and Jelani picked him up. He had a big gash on his forehead and he was screaming.
Jelani looked as bad and as painful as Cameron felt.
Nicki took him from Jelani and laid him on her chest as they walked back to the car. That calmed him down a great deal. Jelani drove to the hospital and Nicki sat in the back with Cameron, cleaning the blood off of his face as best she could. Cameron started to dose off but even Nicki knew that he shouldn't be sleeping after he just hit his head.
She woke him up and let him play with her phone. He was still whimpering but he wasn't screaming anymore.
Jelani was getting pissed off because Sharon wasn't answering her phone. He called the shop and he and Nicki's childhood friend Cassie picked up.
"Cass is Sharon there."
"No. Haven't seen her all week."
"What?!" he yelled.
"Ooh shit my ear. Jelani stop yelling damn. I said I haven't seen her all week."
"So there's no emergency at the shop?"
"No. We haven't had an emergency since that small fire last year."
"And who's been running the shop? She just told me that y'alls clientele got bigger so she's been working more hours."
"I've been running the shop. She said she had better shit to do than work."
"I'll talk to you later Cass." Jelani hung up.
"What's wrong?" Nicki asked.
"I think Sharon is cheating on me." Jelani's facial expression changed to one that was heartbroken.
"We'll talk about it later."
He didn't say anything as they exited the car.
Forty minutes later Cameron had five little stitches right by his hairline.
Nicki bought him some ice cream and she and Jelani watched him as he played at McDonald's.
"What makes you think she's cheating on you?"
Jelani gave her the run down of what Cassie said and Nicki agreed but told him not to jump to conclusions.
"I'll keep Cameron for the night if you want to talk to her."
"Okay. Let's go so you can get him some clothes."
~
"Damn. It's only four? I'm gonna head home now." Nicki scooped up a sleeping Cameron and Jelani got his car seat and bag.
"Thanks sis."
"No problem Jelani. Just try to stay cool and remember; don't jump to any conclusions. Just ask her where she's been these past few days."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too."
Jelani closed Nicki's door and watched her leave.
"Little boy you are heavy. You wanna watch a movie?" Nicki asked Cameron who had just woke up from his nap. She was sticking her key into the door.
"Yes!"
"Okay okay. After we get dinner we can go get a movie from the Red Box." she laughed as she opened the door.
She put Cameron's stuff in the hallway closet and went in her room. Trey was just getting out of the shower.
"Hey." she smiled and he kissed her.
"Why're you showering so early?"
"Working out." he was lying but Nicki didn't notice.
Trey looked at Cameron and tickled him. "Wassup little man?"
"Hi."
~
A couple months later Nicki decided to go to the shop and work for a little while. Once again, Sharon wasn't there.
"Thanks Drake." Cassie said as she took the food from him. Nicki looked up from the appointment book and smiled. It was around seven and the shop was closing.
"Wow. Long time no see?" he smiled at Nicki.
"It's been a while."
"You two know each other?" Cassie asked.
"He did my inspection a couple of months ago. How do you two know each other?"
"Before I met you back in New York, I lived in Canada with my dad. I heard Drake was here in L.A and we became friends again. He's like my big brother."
"This is a small ass world I swear." Nicki laughed.
"It is." Cassie agreed.
"So," Drake turned his attention to Nicki. "You about to leave?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I want you to come with me to dinner."
"Boy I am married." Nicki shook her head.
"I know. I mean as friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes."
"Sure." she grabbed her purse and tossed Cassie the keys. "Lock up the shop for me."
"Okay. Don't have too much fun."
Nicki shook her head.
After dinner she and Drake went out to a movie. She was shocked that Trey hadn't called and asked where she was yet but she still sent him a text message telling him where she was.
She and Drake were holding hands in line to get their tickets but Nicki didn't mind at all. She liked the way it felt.
Nicki looked up at him and he was staring at her.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"'cause you're beautiful."
She blushed. Her own husband hadn't told her that in months.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Nicki was enjoying time with him but she had to get home at a decent hour.
"Thanks for taking me out tonight. I had fun." Nicki smiled. They were back at the shop so she could get her car.
"You're welcome." Drake smiled.
"You know, you're actually cute outside of your uniform."
He put his hand to his heart.
"That hurt."
"I'm joking."
"Joking? I thought your name was Nicki?"
"Oh shut up."
"Thanks for keeping me company to tonight."
"Where's your girlfriend?"
"I don't have one and the one that I'd like to spend more time with is married."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, not you."
Nicki frowned and he laughed.
"You're not funny." Nicki pouted and crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry." he uncrossed her arms and took her hands in his.
"I wish you weren't married."
"Why?"
"Because I want to kiss you."
"One kiss?"
"I don't know if it'll only be one, but if that's what you're willing to give, I'll take it."
"Take it."
He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers lightly and then kissed her. Drake sucked on her bottom lip and she parted her lips and let his tongue slip into her mouth.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist. Nicki was surprised to be feeling that spark that had burnt out between herself and Trey so long ago.
What felt like forever was really only twenty-seconds.
Drake pulled away. Nicki had a dazed look in her eyes. She wanted another kiss.
He kissed her cheek. "Goodnight Nicki." Drake said and opened her car door.
She got in and started her engine. "Good night Aubrey." she smiled. He had told her his first name and ever since, she had been calling him that.
Nicki felt guilty after their kiss and she told Trey who wasn't mad at all and Nicki found that odd but dropped it. Trey wasn't mad because he knew Nicki would never cheat on him. He wasn't worried about her and what she did during her time.
One day, Nicki had come home from the gym and was dead tired. She shook her head at the loud music coming from she and Trey's bedroom.
She opened the door and was unprepared for the sight before her eyes.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" she yelled and Sharon scrambled to cover herself.
She lunged at Sharon, wrapping her hands tightly around her throat.
Trey calmly pulled on some pants and walked over to Nicki who was literally trying to kill Sharon.
"Let her go Nicki." he said firmly.
Nicki didn't let her go so Trey pulled her off with one hand.
Nicki turned around and slapped him with all the strength in her body.
"Don't you dare try to save that bitch. Maybe I should be choking your ass!"
She turned back around and gave Sharon one solid punch to the face.
Nicki couldn't even help the tears. She just let them flow freely.
"I can't believe you Trey. I gave you five years of my life and two of them were in marriage and you throw it all away for this bitch? You promised me you changed. You told me you'd stop cheating once we got married and look at this. I forgave you twice but I'm not doing it again. I hope it was worth it." Nicki took off her ring and dropped it on the floor.
"Nicki please...let's just talk about this."
"THERE'S NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT. I WANT A FUCKING DIVORCE." Nicki yelled. She packed all of her stuff, just throwing items where they would fit.
Trey was standing by the door when she was getting ready to leave.
"Nicki, just talk to me."
"Trey, I'd advise you to move before I fuck you up." her tone was free of emotion and her eyes were dark. He let her go out of fear that she might snap on him.
Two more trips later and she had everything of hers in her car. She took the key to the condo off the keychain and threw it out the window.
Nicki called and made reservations at The Hilton Hotel.
After she got comfortable she ordered a small pizza and called Jelani.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
Nicki started crying.
"Trey...I caught Trey cheating on me."
"What?!"
"With..." she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"With who? Oh God. Don't tell me. Sharon?"
"Yes."
"Where are you at?"
"Hilton. Presidential suite."
"I'll be there in a bit." Jelani hung up the phone.
~
"I love Courtne and all but I don't want to go." Nicki rolled her eyes like the caller could really see her.
"Nicki you need to get out. It's been five months since your divorce has been finalized and y'all were separated months before that and you're still moping."
"Walk in my shoes and you'll be feeling the same way Safaree."
"Drake's gonna be there. You know he likes you."
"He doesn't. He's probably forgotten all about me."
"Kinda. He's bringing some girl with him but come on. You need a drink anyway."
"Fine. But I'm driving myself so I can leave when I want."
"Nicki you're twenty-eight, and beautiful. Live a little."
"I agreed to go didn't I?" she snapped.
"Are you on your period?"
"NO! Just bye. I'll be there in an hour or so."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." Nicki sighed and hung up the phone.
~
Nicki smoothed the imaginary wrinkles in her black fitted skirt for the fifth time. Her stomach was churning in anticipation to see Drake but she didn't know why. She hadn't talked to him since that 'night out' because she had felt guilty at the time. She looked in the mirror, quickly regretting the decision to wear her pink bustier top.
It's not like he'll be paying any attention to me since he's bringing a date. Nicki smoothed her hair down and went downstairs where the guests were. She had been in Safaree and Courtne's room moping because she wanted to go home.
Nicki had a few shots and was having a good time until Drake and his 'date' arrived. Everyone was drinking, eating and dancing to music when Drake walked through. He kissed his sister's cheek and his date put their present with the others.
Nicki was swaying to the music, looking out into the setting sun when a voice startled her.
"Hey."
It was Drake.
"Hey."
"How've you been?"
"Fine. Where's your date?"
"In there talking to Jelani."
"And you're letting her?"
"She's not really my date. She just came with me because I didn't want to come alone since I thought you and your husband would be here together but I guess not."
"I don't have a husband."
He looked at her hand.
"I found out he was cheating on my with my brother's wife."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Really. He was a bastard anyway. I kinda knew things were gonna go downhill after he started saying bye without and I love you." Nicki shook her head.
"He's crazy to do you like that."
Nicki let out a bitter chuckle. "I thought he'd grown out of his philandering once we got married. I guess not. All men are the same."
He made a face at her. "No, all men aren't the same. You just chose the wrong man to marry."
"Excuse me?"
"Well you did. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. No matter how bad my relationship is going, I would never cheat on a woman. That's defeating the purpose of being in a relationship at all."
"You're right." she softened up a bit.
"How long has it been since you got divorced?"
"We separated for three months before I filed and it took two months for them to get everything done and it's been five months since it's been finalized. So, its been like ten months. Time went by fast."
"It has and how many times have you avoided me during those ten months."
"Lost count." she laughed. "I felt really guilty from that night so I thought it was best for my marriage if I stayed away from you."
"Oh, so you were feeling me like that huh?"
"Yeah. I'm not gonna lie."
"Well, you shouldn't have felt guilty. It's his fault we kissed. Had he been loving you like he should've, we wouldn't be having this conversation. You wouldn't have even given me the time of day if he was doing what he was supposed to be doing."
"True...but maybe it was me. Maybe I wasn't good enough for him."
"Don't say that. You were too good for him. And I hope you're not talking sex wise. Your body is God's gift to Earth."
Nicki laughed again. "Shut up."
"I'm just saying. So, are you gonna let me take you out on a real date?"
"I don't think I'm ready."
"It's been ten months."
"But I gave him five years of my life."
"You still in love with him?"
"No. I love him but I'm not in love with him anymore."
"Well, give me a chance. Fall in love with me. You're all I've been thinking about these past ten months."
"I don't want to jump into another relationship...what if—"
"Don't compare me to him. We can take it slow."
She paused for a few seconds.
"Please...please don't hurt me. I don't think I can take it again. I really can't."
He could tell she was scared and he didn't want her to feel that way. He pulled her into a hug. Nicki buried her face into his chest. He smelled good and she felt herself becoming addicted to him already.
He kissed her cheek. she looked up at him and smiled and he leaned down and kissed her lips. those fireworks that she had been waiting so long to feel were back and she was happy again.