Читать книгу You're All I Need - Karen White-Owens - Страница 10

Tia glanced at her watch and picked up her pace. I’m late! I’m late! Man, this has been one crazy day. She hurried into her town house and dropped her portfolio and purse on the sofa before continuing to her bedroom. Tia stripped off her clothes and then ran into the bathroom, turning on the shower. If her luck held out, she’d be able to let the water hit her for a few minutes before Darnell arrived.

When Tia had left home that morning, she had fully intended to be home by four so that she’d be dressed and waiting for Darnell to arrive for Eminem’s concert tonight. A rap concert after a day of work didn’t appeal to Tia’s sense of fun. But since she had been so involved with school and work for the past year, she wanted a few nights with Darnell that focused exclusively on them.

However, apartment hunting with Chris had proven to be a fun but time-consuming experience that ate up many hours instead of the two she had initially planned. After she and Chris had finished looking at apartments, he had insisted that she share a short meal with him. They had ended up at Panera’s for a sandwich and lemonade. It would have been rude to refuse his kind offer, so they sat and chatted about the pros and cons of each building they had visited.

As Tia showered, her thoughts turned to Chris. She laughed out loud at some of his outrageous remarks. He proved to be a fun companion as they joked together. Tia had to admit that she really had a great time.

After finishing her shower, she returned to her bedroom and searched for something sexy to wear that would please her boyfriend. Finally, she decided on a turquoise layered pantsuit. A shimmering silver sheer jacket covered the strapless top. A pair of silver sandals completed her outfit.

The doorbell echoed throughout the house, catching Tia off-guard. Oh, man! Darnell’s here! I thought I had a few more minutes.

“Just a minute,” Tia called, slipping her arms into a teal-colored robe as she hurried down the stairs in her bare feet. Tying the sash, Tia took a second to compose herself. A storm was brewing on the opposite side of her door. Darnell would raise hell when he saw her. She planted a smile on her face and opened the door.

“Hi.” His eyes narrowed into angry slits as he took in her attire. Lips set in a stiff line, he added in a dry tone, “You’re not dressed.”

Well, that’s pretty obvious, she thought. Immediately, she chastised herself. Darnell had a right to expect her to be dressed and ready to go out. After all, they had made tonight’s plans weeks ago.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Tia beckoned him into the room. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back,” she promised, scurrying across the floor to the stairs.

Five minutes later, she emerged fully dressed and ready to leave. “I’m all set.”

Darnell sat on the couch as he channel-surfed with the remote. He glanced up and frowned. “You’re wearing that?”

She looked down. “Yeah.”

“Hmm,” he muttered. “Okay.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It looks like something you’d wear to work.”

“It does not,” Tia snapped, feeling anger rise inside of her. She planted her hands on her hips and said, “You were with me when I bought it. You said it was hot and begged me to buy it.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Forget I said anything.” He dismissed it and then patted the cushion next to him. “We’ve got a few minutes. Why don’t you sit? We need to talk.”

Tia’s heart flipped in her chest. The annoyance in Darnell’s voice spoke volumes. For him to delay leaving was not a good thing.

“Okay.” She drew her tongue across her dry lips and sank into the spot next to him. “What’s on your mind?”

“I’ve got an issue that we need to settle,” he said.

She hated it when he put her on the spot like this. Why did everything have to be such a big deal with him? “Okay. What’s wrong?”

Darnell’s right eye twitched, but his voice remained calm. “When you decided to finish your degree, I tried my best to be supportive. I left you alone when you needed to work on your homework or finish a paper.”

Tia raced right in, trying to defuse this situation before it could go any further. “I know. I appreciate your patience. It made completing my degree easier.”

“But”—he raised a finger—“you’re out of school now. I think the least you could do is be on time when we’ve got plans.”

Tia turned to him and reached for his hand. He quickly moved away. Hurt by his rejection, she tried to hide her feelings and control the tremor in her voice when she spoke. “Darnell, I’m sorry. Things weren’t supposed to happen this way.”

Ignoring her apology, Darnell continued in a sour tone. “I’ve been patient…tried to understand what you were going through. That’s all over. Now things are different. I’m not staying on the back burner anymore.”

“You were never on the back burner. Darnell, I love you, and you’re an important part of my life.”

“Yeah, right.” He leaned back against the sofa cushions and folded his arms across his chest. “When you decide to look my way.”

“That’s not true. Remember your company’s holiday bash in February?”

“So?”

“You may not have known this, but I was in the middle of three papers and a presentation. I didn’t hesitate to drop everything and go to the function even though I had to stay up practically all night for the next two days to get things done.

“That’s what a relationship is about. You do things even when they’re inconvenient, because you care about the other person. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s the way things should go. Look, I planned to be home on time today. But I got caught up with Chris.”

Frowning, he blinked as if he were caught completely off guard. “Chris? Who’s Chris?”

“Christophe Jensen. He’s a new attorney from France. I’m trying to get him settled, help him find an apartment.”

Shaking his head, Darnell said, “I don’t understand. Why are you taking responsibility for this man? Where did he come from? Is he working with Adam? Doesn’t Gautier have people to do this kind of stuff?”

“Yes, me.”

“No. This makes no sense to me. You busted your butt finishing your degree to play nursemaid to some French guy? Come on, Tia. Think! Use your brain!”

Indignant, she stated, “I do use my brain every day. But you don’t understand. It’s more than playing nursemaid to Chris. Adam and I have a deal going that will put me where I want to be in the future.”

Jumping to his feet, Darnell scoffed, “Adam! It’s always got something to do with that jerk.”

“You’re being unfair. Adam’s a great boss.”

“And there you go sticking up for him again. He’s an arrogant SOB. You just won’t admit it.”

Tia gasped. She had no idea that Darnell disliked her boss so much. “No, he’s not. What possessed you to say something like that?”

“I can say that and a whole lot more. You just won’t open your eyes and see the man for who he is.”

“Okay, tell me.” Now Tia folded her arms across her chest. “Who is he? Who do you think he is?”

“Adam is a man who takes advantage of your good heart. He uses you like some dollar-an-hour typist. You’re the executive assistant to the vice president of Legal Services. You should have some clout in that office. Instead, you do all of the grunt work. That crap should be handed down to some lower-level peon.”

“That comment is uncalled for.” Tia’s voice dropped an octave. She glared angrily at Darnell. “Don’t ever talk to me that way again.”

Darnell took a step back and composed himself before mumbling begrudgingly, “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

“No. You shouldn’t have,” Tia agreed.

“Sometimes I wonder what’s really going on at that company.”

“Nothing that you have to worry about. Please, listen. If I help with the new guy, Adam will make it possible for me to move into a clerk position in the legal department. That’s the direction I want to go. Eventually, I want to become one of the corporate attorneys. That’s what I want.”

“This is about your going to law school, isn’t it?”

A bit embarrassed and feeling on edge, Tia muttered, “Partly.”

“See, that’s what I’m saying.” Darnell jerked his finger toward the floor, gesturing wildly. “Adam takes advantage of you at every turn and you let him.”

“It’s not like that. This is my stepping stone to a better career.”

“To what?”

“I—”

“Next you’ll be doing his laundry.”

“That’s ridiculous. Adam and I don’t have that kind of work relationship. Calm down and listen. Please.”

“You know what? I’ve had enough.” He glanced at his watch, fished inside his pocket, and produced his keys. “I’m tired of talking. Let’s just go.”

With nothing more to say, Tia held back tears as she grabbed her purse, obeying Darnell. Her heart heavy with questions and concerns for their future, Tia turned out the lights as they headed out of the apartment. Every time they were together, their conversations turned into an argument. These days their relationship felt so incredibly volatile. They disagreed on just about everything. There were days when she wondered why they were still together. They weren’t happy. A line from one of Gladys Knight’s tunes popped into her head: Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-bye. That one line summed up their relationship to date.

Tia shook off those thoughts and decided to concentrate on having a good time. They had history and love between them. They could weather this storm and come out of it stronger and happier. She just had to do her part to make things better. Be on time and listen to Darnell when he needed her.

She locked her door. They moved down the hallway. Silence seemed to be a constant companion between them. These days she didn’t know how to talk to Darnell. What was she doing in this relationship? She hadn’t been happy in a long time, and she was certain Darnell felt the same way. Were they together because there was no one else or out of habit? Whatever the situation, they needed to sit down, talk honestly, and hash out their issues.

Five hours later, Darnell parked outside Tia’s apartment. They sat for a moment, listening to Darnell’s CD of Eminem’s greatest hits. The night had been long and difficult. The concert was loud and filled with young people who stood up throughout the entire show. Their actions baffled Tia. Why pay good money for seats if they didn’t plan to use them?

Unfortunately, Darnell’s basketball buddies had accompanied them with their current bedmates. Now she understood why Darnell questioned her wardrobe selection. Dakai’s and Lamar’s chicks of the hour looked as if they had been poured into the crevices of their clothing. Tia wondered how the women could walk in such tight outfits. Both of them practically spilled from their tops, displaying an ample portion of their breasts. For some reason, Darnell expected Tia to dress the same way.

The night had been filled with catty remarks and loud cursing. By the time the concert ended, all Tia wanted to do was go home. But there was more fun to come. Dakai, Darnell’s high school friend, suggested dinner. They all jumped into their cars and headed to the International House of Pancakes on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak.

The food was delicious, but the company was not. The men acted like juveniles, laughing loudly and treating the server like their personal slave. Their dates talked to each other in soft whispers, excluding Tia. She didn’t mind, but it did make her feel like a third wheel. Thankfully, dinner ended and the couples went their separate ways.

Now Tia was headed down the hallway to her apartment. Darnell trailed behind her. She halted at her door and removed the key from her purse. After unlocking the door, she asked, “Are you coming in?”

Darnell shook his head. “No. It’s late and I have a couple of calls to make tomorrow morning.”

The relief she felt by his answer shocked her. She still had a question or two. “On Sunday morning?” she quizzed.

“Breakfast meetings. My job depends on when customers are available. I have a valid reason for working on the weekends.”

“I’m not trying to start a fight.” Tia shrugged. “I’m surprised. That’s all.”

“Well, now you know.”

“I’m sorry.” This was her boyfriend, and she wanted to be close to him. Tia stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Darnell’s neck, trying to entice a response from her man. She kissed his lips, waiting for a response.

It came, short and not very sweet. He brushed his lips across her and then loosened her hold on his neck.

“I got to go. Once I’m done, I’ll call you. Maybe we’ll catch a movie in the afternoon.”

“Sure. Okay.”

Darnell tilted his head toward the door. “Go on in. I want to make sure you’re safe before I leave.”

Nodding, Tia entered her townhouse and turned on the hall light. Darnell shut the door after her.

With a sigh of relief, she moved farther into the room and dropped her purse on the sofa. For the second time that evening, Gladys Knight’s haunting lyrics sprung to mind. Only this time, Tia began to wonder if she should be the first to say good-bye.