Best Night Ever...The Aftermath

Part 7 - Downward Spiral

*Two Days Later*

Bruno got back to LA last night. He didn't call or text me, I knew because Kameron was with Tiana in my apartment. I decided to spend a few hours in the gym to give the love birds some privacy. I was happy for my sister, but that didn't change the fact that I was a little jealous. My Princess was happy and in love; I saw it in her eyes when she looked at Kam. Ha! Who would have thought? They were so damn cute together. Why couldn't I get my shit together? In the last 18 months I've divorced my first love, got engaged to my childhood boyfriend, lost him, and somehow got tangled into affairs with not one, but two of my celebrity crushes. The bright side of the mess that is my love life is that I gained Philip as a friend. I loved that man to pieces. He made me see that all men weren't Josh and it was possible for me to open up to someone again, even if we were just friends. Then there was Bruno. "Where do I even begin?" I thought as I stretched after my long workout. Of course I loved him. I mean, I loved him before I even met him, so that wasn't a question. But loving him and falling in love with him were two different things. I'd be lying if I said the man didn't give me a jolt from the start, but hell, he was Bruno and I had a small obsession. I always swore it was just sex between us. Gawd, the sex! Yes, it was mind shattering, life altering, earth moving, break my back sex; but Bruno always said 'just sex' doesn't have me dropping everything to be with him. Hell, even my mom said I owed it to myself and Bruno to find out if there was more there. I literally laughed out loud walking back to my building when I heard Locked Out of Heaven blasting through my phone, signaling Bruno was calling. I picked up the phone still singing along to the faded ringtone, laughing. "Hey, B!" He laughed, "Hey Candy Rain!" "Well, you sound more like yourself today. Or should I say like Philip; since when do you call me Candy Rain?" I asked, still laughing. "We all do it now, actually", he laughed. "So, I've been thinking", he started. "So have I and we should talk", I cut him off. "I want you tonight", he said bluntly. "Wait, that's not what I meant. I mean, I always want you, but I meant I want to be with you....tonight, Shit!" I couldn't help but laugh. "You sound like me, tongue tied and shit", I said as I stood outside my building. "That's cus' yo ass drive me crazy! But really, stay with me tonight baby", he said, catching me off guard. Was this a good idea? But didn't I just tell myself to find out what was there? "Ok, I don't want to be alone tonight", I said. "Ok? Really?" he asked, surprised. "What, do you not want me to?" I asked. "Babe, trust me, I want nothing more right now. I just got extremely happy", he admitted and I could practically hear him smiling through the phone. "Me too! I'll get my things together then call for a car", I said walking inside. "That's right, you had his car. Get your stuff and I'll be there in about 30", Bruno said before hanging up.

I rode the elevator up praying Kameron and Tiana had clothes on or at least were in the bedroom. I walked in and found Tiana standing over the stove and Kam sitting at the table watching her, thankfully, both dressed. "How was your workout?" Tiana asked, handing me a bottle of water. "Thanks, it was good. How was yours?" "It was alright", she smiled. I laughed, giving Kameron my get it together look. "Ha, if alright means you looking for extra sheets because you just messed up the ones on the bed, then I'll take alright any day", he said laughing. "Don't be putting my business out there", Tiana bitched. "Don't act like I don't do my job then", he answered getting up, wrapping his arms around her waist while she cooked. "Y'all cute, but don't be leaving puddles in my bed", I laughed picking at the veggies she was cooking. "Shut up, you don't sleep in there anyway", she said. "Umm, from what I hear, you leave enough damn puddles yourself Candy, so hush!" Kam said, running when I started chasing him around the apartment. "Tell B to keep his mouth shut then! But for real sis, sorry to run you out your own shit; I just missed my boo", he said. "Yeah, yeah, don't worry; you two will have the place to yourselves tonight. Just wipe up wherever you end up ok", I said walking into my bedroom to pack a bag. "Where the hell are you going? Tiana asked, marching into my room. "I'm here to see you", she pouted. "Princess, you two barely get to see each other, take the time babes! I'm staying with Bruno tonight", I said throwing things in my bag. "Good. So are you going to actually give him a chance now that you and Randy are whatever you and Randy are?" she asked skimming through my lingerie drawer. "T, stop, I don't want that", I said when she started throwing lace into my bag. "So, Bruno does!" "Whatever, depending on what he wants, yeah, I might give it a shot", I told her, reading my incoming text. "Bruno's here, go let him in so I can finish", I said as she skipped away. I stepped out of my bathroom after packing my toiletry bag and fixing my hair to find Bruno sitting on my bed. I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face as I jumped into his open arms and we fell across the bed. "Miss me?" he asked before placing his lips to mine. I immediately felt the butterflies flutter and pulled away, jumping up to zip my bag. "I'm almost ready." "Pack a swimsuit; we're going to the beach in the morning", he said noticing the change in my mood. I didn't want to ruin the night and I really was happy to see him, probably happier than I should be. "I'm sorry B", I said walking back over to where he was sitting, "this is a new phase for us, give me a chance to get use to it". I straddled his lap, somehow resisting the urge to run my fingers through his hair, and kissed him. I wanted the kiss to say everything I felt in the moment; I'm sorry, I missed you, please don't be mad. He hesitated at first, but then welcomed my kiss with his own. I moved my hips against his body, letting him know I needed him as his hands moved up and down my back. I bit his lip, making him groan in desperation. "Let's get out of here", he grunted when we broke apart. I gave him one last kiss before leaving his lap telling him I was really happy to see him.