All That and a Bag of Chips (41 page)

Craig started tickling Venice and she screamed trying to get away from him. They tumbled to the floor where and he was able to pin her down. His body reacted immediately to their contact. With both of them out of breath, he leaned down and kissed her soft lips.

Venice put her arms around his neck and said, “I'm going to miss you, Mr. Bennett.”

“I'm going to miss you, Taylor.”

Craig grabbed the remote control and turned off the TV. He playfully picked her up and carried her into the bedroom and closed the bedroom door and locked it.

Venice asked, “What are you doing?”

Craig pulled off his shirt and said, “I'm going to show you.”

Venice got up off the bed and said, “Are you sure? I know you thought Bryan was going to bust us last time we were down here.”

“We're alone, remember?”

Craig covered her body with his and kissed her all over her neck. Venice couldn't help but put her arms around his broad shoulders and state, “I miss you already.”

“Show me how much, Taylor.”

Venice giggled as he continued to kiss all around her lips and press his body against her. She asked, “What if Bryan comes to the door?”

Craig unbuttoned her blouse and unhooked her bra. “Let me worry about that.” His hands immediately caressed her breasts as he kissed her nipples, sending an electric jolt throughout her body. Venice's body tingled to his touch, different from the way Jarvis made her feel, but still nice. As they continued to kiss each other's necks, chests, and earlobes, he pulled her to the floor and removed the rest of her clothes. He also pulled the pillows and comforter down to the floor.

Feeling the want in her as she arched her body into his, Craig dipped his lips between her thighs making all the air escape her lungs.

She gasped and moaned, “Craig, baby…oh baby…”

He used his tongue with expertise, covering every inch of desire. After opening the foil package, they were making intense love. Craig greedily kissed her swollen lips and confessed his sincere love. “I love you, Venice. You have to know. You just have to!”

Venice was breathless and paralyzed by his strength and love. He gripped her wrists tightly as his body drove in and out of her weakened body. He moaned her name as he climaxed inside her hot, sweat-drenched body.

They laid there in silence, listening to each other trying to recover their breath. He said, “I don't think I have the strength to play ball with your brother now and it's all your fault.”

Venice threw a pillow at him and said, “You're the one who took advantage of me and I'm going to miss you after you leave.”

Craig smiled and said, “Me, too.”

Venice's heart was pounding as she got dressed. Craig was one of the sweetest men she'd ever met. How could she possibly throw all of that away without learning more? But, she didn't want to lose Jarvis either. Craig wanted to call Bernice, so Venice gave him some privacy.

She went upstairs to the kitchen and her pager went off. She looked and noticed it was Jarvis. Bryan had a separate line in his office so she hesitantly used his phone to return the call. When she
called, Jarvis wanted to know what she was up to. Venice told him that she was over Bryan's house.

Jarvis asked, “Is he with you?” Venice did not reply so Jarvis calmly asked, “Did you think I was joking?”

Venice remained quiet on her end of the phone.

He said, “Never mind.”

“Jarvis, please!

“Niecy, there's no way you could love him and make love to me like you do. There's no way in hell you can make me believe that.”

She calmly said, “I have to go, Jarvis. I can't talk to you right now. Goodbye.”

She hung the phone up and put her head down on Bryan's desk. She was totally confused. She'd just made love with a wonderful man that she'd fallen for. But she also made love to the only man she'd ever loved a few hours earlier. Something was truly wrong with this picture. It was a stressful situation and an accident waiting to happen. She had no idea what to do. She didn't know whether Jarvis would come over to Bryan's house or not. What she did know was that she didn't want them to have any confrontation.

I don't see how men do this shit!

It wasn't long afterwards that Bryan came home and picked Craig up to play basketball. It didn't take long for Venice to get back home. She sat in her car and thought about what she'd done that day.

Things were getting out of hand
.

She got out of the car and went inside.

Venice was now struggling with the fact that Craig, Sidney, Galen and Bryan would be leaving the next day. She wouldn't see Craig for about three weeks. She shook her head and wondered how she was ever going to make it.

Venice snapped back to reality when Crimson said, “I'm hungry! Can we get some pizza?”

“I guess, but you'd better eat your dinner tonight.”

When they got back, Mr. Taylor was working in the garage. Venice went into the garage and asked, “Daddy, what are you doing?”

“Oh, trying to fix the railing on the back steps. What are you up to?”

Venice played with his tools and sat down. “Not much. Just hanging out with Crimson.”

“Baby, hand me that hammer.” Venice handed it to him. “So, Craig's leaving tomorrow?”

Venice walked around the garage, looking at some of her old things. “Yes, Daddy.”

Her father stopped working for a moment and said, “Is there something in particular you wanted to talk about, baby?”

“No, I just wanted to hang out with you a little. That's all.”

He started working again and said, “You love him, don't you?”

“Who?”

He measured the piece of wood with his measuring tape and said, “Craig! Don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about. I have eyes. But, I also know you're still in love with Jarvis. You're my daughter and I'll tell you this. I think Craig loves you, too. So, you need to clear things up before this thing gets out of control. I don't want you to get hurt and I don't want to see either one of them hurt. I don't want to have to pop a cap in one of them. Just be careful, baby.”

Venice smiled and gave her dad a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”

She went inside to change. Venice hadn't spent much time with her father since she'd been home and she'd enjoyed ever minute of their talk. They laughed about things they hadn't talked about in years.

T
he next day, Venice knew she had to talk to Jarvis before he lost his temper. When she reached his house, he was sitting out on the porch. He got in the car and they drove off.

Jarvis asked, “So, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Venice was changing the music in her stereo and said, “I'll get to that later.”

He put on his sunglasses and reclined on the seat and smiled. Venice wasn't quite sure where she was headed. She just wanted to drive.

Jarvis rubbed her thigh and said, “You're looking as fine as always.”

“Thank you, Jarvis.”

Damn that feels good
.

Venice pulled onto the high school football field and said, “Come walk with me.”

“Of all places you wanted to bring me to, you bring me here? Girl, it's cold!”

“Yes, because this is where we first met.”

They started walking and Venice interlocked her arm into his. She cuddled up to him trying to stay warm and he didn't mind it one bit. She said, “Jarvis, you're gonna have to stop freaking out on me, baby. I know it must be hard for you to deal with me and Craig, but I can't help that right now. We're not able to be together so am I begging you to please just chill. I'll still come visit you whenever I can. Right now, that's all I can offer you, baby. I know it would be hard for me to deal with this if the tables were turned, but please try to understand. Okay?”

Jarvis looked away and said, “I can't promise you anything,
Niecy, but I'll never accept you being with another guy. It doesn't seem natural to me. We were married for an entire year and I honestly thought it was going to be forever. The only man that is supposed to be getting loving from you is me!”

“Jarvis, do we still have our deal after graduation?”

Damn graduation, I'm ready to marry you now!

He looked into her eyes, more serious than she'd ever seen him, and softly said, “You bet, Niecy.”

They climbed up the bleachers and sat down. Venice scooted over to him and put her arms around him and laid her head upon his chest. The smell of her perfume intoxicated him. He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “I know you love me, Niecy.”

“Well, you don't have anything to worry about.”

“I'm not so sure about that. You have a different light in your eyes.”

Tears began to drop into her jacket when she said, “Jarvis, I'm sorry about everything, especially our baby. I should've been more careful.”

He wiped her tears and said, “It wasn't your fault. You need to quit beating yourself up about it.”

She rose up and looked at him and he reached into his pocket and found a tissue to wipe her tears. He looked out onto the field and said, “We've been through it all. So much has happened to us and we're not even twenty-one yet.”

“I know my grandmother is probably turning over in her grave right now. If she was still here, there's no way I could get away with half the stuff I've done. She would've been so hurt about me getting pregnant so young.”

Jarvis said, “We got married, remember?”

“Yeah, but…we're not now.”

We'll see about that
.

They watched a few kids run across the field.

Venice said, “You know, Jarvis. When I said ‘I do', I meant it.”

Jarvis looked into her eyes and said, “Me, too.” He stood up and said, “Come on, it's cold out here.” They got up and walked down the bleachers to her car. As they drove off, he asked, “Why don't you come by the house so I can make you some hot chocolate?”

“Okay.”

 

Chanelle was having a house
party and Venice wanted to get all the drama she'd experienced off her mind. While Craig showered, Venice put on her outfit, which Craig had never seen. She buttoned her red silk blouse and pulled on the black form-fitting pants that zipped up the crack of her butt. She had some black, two-inch ankle boots that really accented her outfit. When he came back into the room, he saw her trying to zip the pants, making sure the zipper was straight and where it should be. He stopped for a moment to admire the view, then asked, “You need some help?”

“I think so. I want to make sure the zipper is straight.”

He put his things down and walked up behind her and pulled the zipper up slowly, making sure it was like she wanted. He caressed her stomach as he stood behind her. She could feel he was aroused as he pressed his body against her hips.

“Damn!”

“What's wrong?”

“It's a shame when a man can't even come near his woman without wanting to jump her bones every chance he gets.”

“I don't see anything wrong with that, baby.”

She turned and saw him with only a wet towel covering his trim waist. Her gaze went from his feet up to his freshly shampooed hair. She sucked in her bottom lip and tried to swallow, but her throat was dry.

“Craig, baby, hurry up and get some clothes on. Please!!”

Approaching her slowly, he asked, “What's the hurry?”

Inhaling the soap he'd showered with, she pressed her hands to his broad chest caressing his body, and kissed him tenderly.

“That was nice, Taylor. Keep that thought until we get back here tonight. You're looking so delicious, I hope I don't have to fight any of your homeboys tonight. One in particular.”

Venice closed her eyes and softly said, “You don't have to worry about anything like that.”

Finally, they were dressed and ready to go. Craig, dressed in tan pants, was looking fine as always with his black dress shirt. He trimmed up his goatee and mustache and was really looking sinful. Venice looked at how fine and sexy he was and had a feeling she was
going to have to keep women from pushing up on him. Venice realized she really was torn between the two men. One was new and so sweet and attentive. The other was loving and secure.

Hell, I may just have to flip a damn coin
.

When they got to Chanelle's house, there were already a few cars there. The party was in her parents' recreation room downstairs. Her parents were having a card party upstairs with some of their friends. The basement was beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree and sparkling gold and ivory bows and ribbons. The music was already blasting and some of Chanelle's guests were kicking it out on the dance floor. Galen and Sidney were sitting over on the sofa sipping on some punch. Craig went to join them as Venice went upstairs to say hello to Chanelle's parents. After an hour passed, Venice noticed that Jarvis had arrived and she started shivering. He was talking to Craig and Galen and then started dancing with Chanelle. Joshua arrived with his girlfriend, Cynthia, and the crew really partied. Venice was happy to see all the people she loved in one room.

Joshua came over to Venice and said, “Venice, I can tell you've been up to something. What's up?”

She looked at him surprised and said, “Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for two days!”

“I had to take Momma to the country. Don't change the subject. I saw your car over at Jarvis' house today.”

“You think you know me, Joshua.”

“I do, girl!”

Venice looked at him seriously, then asked, “Joshua, am I a hoe?”

Joshua laughed and asked, “Where is that coming from?”

“Seriously, am I?”