“Hang on here,” I attempt, but Stenton completely ignores me.
“You know, B,” Stenton steps further into the room, almost toe-to-toe with my bare feet as he towers me to speak to Bernard behind me. “…I’ve never asserted any influence in your relationship with my son’s mother. I’ve always been respectful even though I can’t stand your fruity ass. I’m gonna give you fair warning that I’m tired from taking the red eye to get here, tight that I have to see your face, and anxious about snatching her ass up. Now, do you want to do this the smart way or be dumb as hell about it?”
“Did you bring your security here to jump me?” Bernard charges.
Calmly, Stenton responds, “B, I wouldn’t let my men lay a fucking hand on your cotton ass. But don’t get it twisted, I’ll smack the shit outta you my damn self if you don’t go somewhere and sit the fuck down while she gets her shit so we can go home.”
“Zoey,” Bernard calls over to me. “You called him to come get you?”
“Man, I don’t have time for this shit. I’m being charged by the minute on the charter.”
“I’m her fiancé!” Bernard screams, apparently losing it.
“Not anymore. I’m her future,” Stenton quietly, yet powerfully declares. And I feel my lungs again.
“Stenton!” I gasp, partly cautioning him and partly taken by his assertion.
“No,” Stenton shakes his head. “I’ve done too much second guessing over the years…wasted too many guaranteed good years assuming I was overstepping. Today, I take control. Starting now, we breathe again together.”
I catch it…every hidden point he makes. I process them immediately. There is no delaying my reaction. I turn to Bernard.
“Bernard, I’m leaving. You warned me last night to think long and hard. Now I’m deciding. I don’t think this relationship is for me.”
As I move farther into the room, his eyes are on me…everyone’s eyes are on me. I toss my things into my luggage and move towards the bathroom to clean my face and mouth.
“Stenton, you can wait outside. I’ll be there once I change. It’s okay,” I assure. It’s weird having tree-tall and beefy men hanging in the doorway while Bernard’s down to his boxers and I’m in my rumpled sundress.
Stenton shakes his head then turns to his security. “I’ll be right out.”
He then closes the door behind him and rests against the wall with crossed arms, one leg on the wall, and his eyes plastered to Bernard. My gut tells me there’s no point in arguing with him, so I don’t. I slip into the bathroom and quickly handle my business. There’s no need to leave those two alone for long. When I come out, Stenton’s holding my bags by the door and Bernard’s face is tightly screwed.
I walk over to him. “Bernard, for the record, I didn’t call Stenton to come and get me. I don’t want you to feel so powerless here, but after our conversation last night I realize we don’t belong together.” I grab my head, frustrated by the position I’m in. “You know our chemistry isn’t for marriage.” I point to his pullout. “We’ll talk in a few days…or weeks when the dust has settled, okay?”
Bernard doesn’t answer. He barely looks at me. I reach up and cheek the side of his face, not kissing him, but implying it. I hear Stenton shuffle from the wall and retract. By the time I turn to leave, Stenton has the door open for me.
~~~~~~~~~~
We don’t speak on the flight home. We eat and sleep, hardly touching. When the car pulls up outside of my apartment, I turn to Stenton and exhale, feeling my lungs again.
“I guess it’s time to say something, at least.” I crack a wry smile.
Stenton shakes his head. “We don’t have to. As long as it’s understood that you’re mine from here on. We’re together,” he gives a one cheek smile, mocking my term from years ago.
“But what does that mean? I don’t want to rush anything. I feel like we need to establish a starting point, not just for us but for Jordan, too.”
He nods. “So, we date.”