Authors: Skyy
Crossroads (32 page)
43
Cooley, Denise and Farih sat in the limo waiting on their time on the red carpet. Cooley did her final primps on her look. She made sure her black button-down was perfectly creased. Denise and Farih laughed in the corner. Farih and Denise kissed. Cooley frowned.
“Damn. I'm in the car,” Cooley hissed.
Denise smiled. “I'm sorry, bruh.” Denise brushed her straightened hair. Cooley continued to frown.
“See you can't even say that when you looking like that.” Cooley waved her hand up and down. Denise was dressed in a pair of black pants and a red halter vest that showed off her flat stomach. Her hair was pressed and wrapped, flowing whenever she moved.
“Come on, man, don't act like that.” Denise stuck her bottom lip out. Farih put her hand on Denise's leg.
“Come on, Cooley, you know she looks good.”
“Thank you, baby.” Denise pecked Farih on her lips.
“Ugh! Gag.” Cooley rolled her eyes.
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Their limo pulled up to the red carpet. Paparazzi stood on each side of the red carpet, along with a set of bleachers for fans to see their favorite stars arrive. Farih checked her makeup over again. Denise did too.
“Man, I'm one lucky stud to be arriving with such lovely ladies,” Cooley joked.
Denise threw up her middle finger.
Farih and Denise's publicists waited by the limo door. The usher opened it and Cooley stepped out of the limo. She gave daps to Big Ron, who had arrived moments before. Denise stepped out of the limo. The cameras flashed double time. Denise lowered her head. She held her hand out.
Farih's long black leg with diamond Louboutin stiletto exited the limo. As soon as Farih stood up, the crowd went wild.
Cooley turned around, thinking it had to be another celebrity. She smiled, gleaming with pride for her friend.
Denise and Farih smiled for the cameras. Denise was surprised by the amount of people yelling her name. Denise squeezed Farih's hand.
Farih turned to her. “Are you all right?”
“It just hit me.”
“What?”
“That my life will never be the same.”
Farih smiled at Denise. They posed for a few more photos and waved to the fans before they headed further down the red carpet.
The Georgia Aquarium had been transformed into an underwater playground for celebrities, elite models and fashion designers. Jam Zone's Fashion Frenzy kickoff party was the biggest ticket in the city. Aerial acrobats dressed in all types of shades of blue hung from the ceiling, doing various poses. Beautiful spreads of food surrounded by lavish ice sculptures and floral arrangements adorned each table. The various water exhibits gave a variety of unique areas for people to socialize.
The three picked up glasses of champagne as they walked in the door. Farih greeted other famous models and designers. She introduced Denise to everyone.
Cooley watched the relationship between Farih and Denise.
Denise turned around, noticing the look on her friend's face. She excused herself and walked over to Cooley.
“What's up, bro?”
Cooley looked up at Denise. “Have I told you how much I admire you?”
Denise dropped her jaw and covered her mouth. “What brings that on?”
Cooley hit Denise on her arm. “I'm serious. Man, you have gone through some serious shit in your life. Hell, just a few months ago you thought your life was over. Now look at you. You're a model and about to be an actor too.”
“I don't know about all that. I haven't heard anything yet.” Denise leaned against the blue wall.
“I do. I know you are gonna get it. You deserve it. Hell, you deserve all of this.”
“OK. What is bringing on this sentimental shit?” Denise joked.
Cooley sighed. “I don't know. I think it just hit me. Seeing you with Farih, man, that's a real good look. I can tell she really cares for you. I am a bit jealous.”
“Ahh, please, you got a girl who cares about you too.”
“Yeah, but we can't have what you two have. I can't be all out with her.”
“It will happen. Just let her settle in and let that first album come out. When she jump-starts her career and establishes her place in the world, then you can do whatever you want to do.”
“Let's hope so.”
Denise looked at her friend's worried face. She nudged her with her elbow. Cooley laughed.
“Cooley you know how you were saying you were proud of me and all? I just wanted to say that I'm equally, or even more proud of all the things that you are doing, especially settling down.”
The two friends looked at each other. They gave each other daps. Farih walked over to them with a new glass of champagne. Denise put her arm around her.
“Hey, I just heard that your girl is arriving next.” Farih handed Cooley a new glass of champagne.
“Well, let's go see this. She's gonna be surprised I'm here so early.” Cooley grinned as they headed to the door.
Cooley, Denise and Farih watched the papz go wild when Bobby Dee and Sahara stepped out of the limo together. Bobby Dee was flashy as usual with a black tuxedo with custom Louis Vuitton Air Force Ones. Cooley felt pride as Sahara waved at the crowd. Her pink KLS mini dress looked ravishing on her body. Bobby Dee put his arm around her back as they took pictures for the crowd.
They walked over to the MTV cameras that were set up. Cooley took a deep breath.
Farih put her arm around Cooley.
“He might get to walk in with her, but you get to go home with her.” Farih winked.
Cooley kissed her on her cheek. Cooley watched a little longer while Bobby Dee absorbed all of the time in the limelight that he could. He caressed his hand up and down Sahara's back. Sahara stood and smiled, flirting at times when he would hold on to her.
Cooley wanted to scream. “Yeah, I don't want to see anymore of this.” Cooley turned and walked back into the party. Denise and Farih followed.
Cooley excused herself from Denise and Farih. She chatted with many of her industry colleagues.
Cooley caught a glimpse of Sahara and Bobby out of the periphery of her eyes. She turned around and walked closer to the action. Bobby Dee had his arm around Sahara while talking to a group of people. Cooley watched as his hand roamed down her back, cupping her butt. Cooley couldn't take it anymore. She made her way through the crowd, ready to rip Bobby's head off.
As she grew closer her eyes focused on Sahara. Sahara's eyes were focused on Bobby Dee. Bobby pulled Sahara close, planting a sensual kiss on her lips. Cooley froze in her spot. The room started to spin.
She started to storm over when someone held her arm.
“Hey, you're Cooley, right?” A beautiful girl flashed a smile at her.
“Yeah. Do I know you?”
“Not really. I was an intern at Jam Zone. My internship ended last week, but they still gave us tickets to the event. My name is Heather.”
“Well, it's nice to meet you, Heather.” Cooley shook her hand, ready to start back on her mission.
Heather held on to her hand. “I hope this isn't too forward of me. But you have got to be the sexiest woman I've ever seen. I used to feel so ... wild whenever you would pass by.”
Cooley looked Heather up and down. “So why didn't you ever say anything?”
Heather smiled. “It was against the internship rules.” Heather walked closer, holding Cooley's hand. Her eyes slanted, giving an alluring vibe. “But I'm not an intern anymore.”
Cooley stared at Heather. She could tell she had a nice body from the mini dress that was hugging her frame. Cooley glanced back over at Sahara; she was still next to Bobby Dee, talking to a group of men in suits.
Cooley turned back to Heather. “How about we go check out the sting rays?”
Cooley took Heather by the hand. She flashed her All-Access pass to security. They walked into the exclusive VIP area.
Heather gazed in awe at the beauty of the arctic tunnel. She looked at the fish over her head and the celebrities standing all around her. Cooley didn't notice her excitement. She couldn't take her mind of Sahara.
The large viewing room that usually hosted children and parents was covered in small private booths. The gigantic viewing window combined with blue mood lighting created the perfect romantic hideaway. Cooley and Heather found an empty booth and sat down. Heather scooted her body as close to Cooley as she could. She placed her hand on Cooley's knee and smiled. Cooley paused. She looked into Heather's lust-filled eyes. Sahara entered her mind.
“You know what ... I don't think I can do this.” Cooley removed Heather's hand from her knee.
Heather's smile dampened. “What's wrong? Did I do something?”
“Nah, it's not you.”
Heather crossed her legs. She placed her hand on Cooley's thigh, rubbing up and down. “Then what is it?”
Sahara's face entered Cooley's mind. Cooley blinked. Flashes of Bobby Dee grabbing Sahara's ass flashed in her mind. She could see the kiss as though it was happing right in front of her. Cooley blinked again. Heather looked puzzled.
“Fuck it.”
Cooley leaned in, planting her lips against Heather's.
***
“OK. I'll see you later then.” James smiled until the cute video vixen walked away. His smiled quickly turned into a frown. The video girl was known as an easy fuck and she still wouldn't do him. He restlessly sat in the small, hard booth. He thought about beating his meat right in the VIP booth.
James drank the rest of his bottle of champagne. His manhood finally died down. He stood up, ready to head out to try again. He decided to set his sights on a groupie or a wannabe he could bang with promises of a career.
James stood up and headed out of the VIP room. Something caught his eye. He turned around, his smile immediately returned. He shook his head as he spied on Cooley and some hot chick that wasn't Sahara. Maybe his night would get exciting without sex.
44
Sahara couldn't get away from Bobby Dee quick enough. She finally pulled herself away from his hooks. She was furious. Bobby Dee kissed her in front of everyone, even though he knew it was against the rules. She wanted to be back in the safety of her woman.
“Hey, Denise,” Sahara walked up to Farih and Denise. “I've been looking for Cooley and I can't find her.
Denise scanned the crowd. “I haven't seen her in a minute. She was near the door when you walked in. I thought she was waiting for you over there.”
Sahara's jaw dropped. “Oh, I hope she didn't see what Bobby did.”
“What are you talking about?” Denise questioned.
“Oh, it's nothing. I'm gonna go try to find her.” Sahara walked away before Denise could pry.
Sahara was becoming restless. The large aquarium offered too many areas to search, and being stopped by people every few seconds didn't help either. Her text messages to Cooley were going unanswered. She knew something was wrong; she could feel it in her stomach. Her performance time was drawing close and she wanted to find Cooley before she hit the stage.
Sahara noticed the VIP sign hanging under the Ocean Voyage exhibit. She knew that was her last bet. Sahara walked past the DJ booth, smiling and waving at associates.
“Sahara.”
Sahara turned when someone caught her arm. She rolled her eyes. “Hey, James.”
James stood with his devilish grin. Thoughts of how to get away from him quickly ran through her mind. He took a sip from a glass of champagne. “Looking for someone?”
Sahara put her guard up. “Actually I am, so I have to go.” Sahara turned around but James managed to grab her arm.
“Chill out. I know who you are looking for.” He gulped down the last of the bubbly. He picked up the champagne bottle. “You are looking for Wade.”
“Actually yes, I am. But don't worry I'm not goingâ”
“It's cool, Sahara.” James smiled. “I know how much you care about her. I meant to tell you how sorry I am about tripping over you two.”
Sahara's eyes slanted. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” James flashed his pearly whites. “I just told Cooley the same thing.”
Sahara's eyes widened. “You've seen her?”
“Yeah, I told her about the VIP area. It's real secluded, bunch of naughty shit going on in there. She went to go secure a table, for you.”
Sahara's stomach filled with butterflies. The bad feeling disappeared. “Thanks.”
“Wait.” James handed the bottle of champagne to Sahara. “Take this. I really do wish you all the best. You make a ... great couple.” James flashed his smile again.
Sahara gave a friendly nod and walked away. She didn't know what came over James. She figured the champagne had something to do with it.
James watched as Sahara walked through the crystal beads hanging from the entrance of the VIP area. He knew he couldn't walk in right with her. It would be too obvious. James waited a moment then headed behind her.
“James, this is your lucky night after all.”
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