Two-Timing

CHAPTER FIVE

As the cab pulled up to my building, I looked up at it, slightly apprehensive, I handed the driver the can fare and stepped out. As I was standing in the elevator, I was growing more and more irritated by the minute . I wasn't sure how I felt about Jamel nor was I sure how to approach Deena about leaving me alone with a virtual stranger. Was it even worth bringing up? I heard a ding! that signaled I had reached my floor and shook me from my thoughts. I dragged my feet across the hall and stopped infront of my front door, I heard Erykah Badu blaring, even through the door; Deena was preparimg to cook.
I lifted my hand and knocked heavily on the door, after about fifteen seconds of no response, I lifted my foot and kicked the door forcefully, "Deena open this damn door!" I yelled.
I heard the music go down, a few seconds later Deena opened the door grinning like the Cheshires cat himself.
"Girlfriend! Please tell me that you rode that fine lightskinned brother to Pluto and back." she chuckled mischievously.
I cut my eyes at her, "Where's my phone Deena?" I mumbled.
Deena twisted her face up and pointed to my room, I began to walk back to my room and just before I reached to turn my doorknob I heard Deena spit,
"You are going to tell me about that night Rox!"
I shook my head and couldn't help but smirk as I closed the door to my room. Deena was a stone cold fool, but i could never stay mad at her. I couldn't stay mad because deep down inside, I felt butterflies when Jamel crossed my mind.
I flopped on my bed, pulled the wife beater up to my nose and inhaled, it smelled like tide and obsession by Calvin Klein. I became lost in the scent and began to drift off to sleep.
I awoke to the ringtone of my phone, it was dark in my room. I reached for my phone and began trying to orientate myself in the dark. Squinting at my bright phone screen I saw that not only had I slept the day away, but I had six missed calls from King and five unread text messages. I groaned, I was not ready to face this war. I tiptoed and stretch my body, head to toe and squealed in delight, still in Jamel's clothing, I walked out into the bright hallway and was immediately greeted by the smell of fried chicken and other spiced aromas. My stomach growled, I hadn't eaten anything since this morning.

"Look who finally decided to join the living." Deena joked when she saw me approaching her, "You hungry boo?" she cooed. I nodded as she handed me a plate, I reached for it and she playfully snatched it back, "I want all the dirty Ds Rox."
She handed me the plate and laughed.
After we piled our plates full of food, we walked over to our love seats, plopped down with the food in our laps and I began filling her in on what I rememberd.

"Deena it was so weird. I felt so comfortable around him, yet, I was severely annoyed that I don't remember the night that sounded so...Fun and refreshing. I mean, we didn't have sex but I still felt so...I don't know girl, intimate with him." I admitted to her as much as myself.
Deena chewed her food slowly, swallowed, then cocked her head to the side, "You know what it is Rox? It was a change from that little fuck boy you been putting up with." she sucked her teeth, put a fork full of buttered potatoes in her mouth and chewed whimsically.
" I think you needed to see that there are other men, other very fine men, who would snatched you up quick. See him again." I opened my mouth to object, but Deena raised her fork, "No. Don't even say you won't because you will, even if I have hold a knife to your throat when you call." she said this so matter of factly that it left no room for debate.
We ate the rest of our food in silence, when we finished I grabbed her plate and mine and took them into the kitchen.
"Rox, do you want to watch delirious and twist a la?" Deena called out.
My girl knew me, a little comedy and some of new yorks most mind blowing loud and every little thing would be alright.
"Start rolling ma. Let me call King back before he completely looses it." I responded as I made my way back to my room to grab my phone.
I let out a deep sigh and dialed King's number.
"Roxanne, where the fuck has your ass been!? You got me here calling you, odee tripping. Who was you with? Huh you cheating on me!?" King exploded the minute he picked up. I sighed again, pressed my lips together and remained silent.
"Why the fuck you call me if you just gonna sit there in your own guilt huh? What's on your mental woman?" King spat angrily into the phone. I could picture his thick brows drawn together in frustration and his plump lips pursed in irritation, I chuckled to myself.
"What the fuck is so funny? Is this a joke to you."
I sighed.
"Baby, nothing happened. I had a wild night with Dee. We drank a lot. I slept most of the day. I needed a night to myself King, for myself. I am just over these arguments and you trippin and treating me badly. I don't deserve it. I love you, but I don't feel like you feel the same way anymore. You think about what you want King, then call me back. I'm watching delirious with Dee. Good night." I hung up the phone with a pang of pride. I had kept my cool, I had not faltered under his aggressive nature.
What scared me about it the most, was in that glorious moment, I pulled Jamel's face into mind.