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“You’re so spoiled, Dex.” Sonjay wiped tears. “So used to getting everything you want. I’m not some case you can win.”
He kept his back to her but she could tell he were hiding tears.
“I’m selfish too.” Mascara ran down her cheeks. “I’m a cheater and a liar. I’m a fake. You and Klein deserve better.”
“I don’t want better.”
“You’re perfect, Dex.” She folded her arms on the table. “The proposal, tonight has been everything I ever dreamed of.”
“Was it like this when Klein proposed?” He whirled around, anger busting through his face. “I know it wasn’t because you don’t love him. You never did. Why are you marrying him, Sonny? Huh?” His eyes watered as he walked to the table. “I need you to breathe. I need you to carry on.” He leaned over her. “I need you to live. It’s not your responsibility to make Klein feel better about himself. You aren’t doing him any favors.”
“I can’t leave him.” She licked tears from her lips. “I won’t.”
“Mm.” With tight jaws, he threw his arms up, bouncing in place. “I’m done.”
“Done?” She stood. “With me?”
“With you, with this.” He walked around, swinging his arms. “Done with it all. I can’t do this anymore. This is driving me crazy.”
“Dex, please.”
“I can’t do it anymore!” He got in her face. “It’s over, Sonjay.”
“No, wait.”
“I’m not waiting anymore.” He pushed her hands from his face. “Not anymore.”
“Dex, hold on.”
He blew out the candles. “I’m going home.” He took off his tuxedo jacket. “I don’t want to hear from you again.”
“You can’t do this.” An agony she’d never experienced rumbled through her bones. “You said you love me!”
“Yeah, we both said things.” The muscle in his jaw twitched. “It’s insanity to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result. I’m not waiting on you anymore.”
“No.” She sobbed. “Please, listen. You’re just upset.”
“I’m handsome, intelligent and I got money. Fuck, I’m one of the best attorneys in the state. You were right when you said I deserved better than to be dangling on a string.” He headed out the room.
She ran to him, grabbing his arm. “I won’t let you leave me.”
He pushed her hand away.
“Dex, please. I know it’s not the ideal situation but be patient—”
“I’ve been more than patient. You’re never leaving Klein and I won’t be the side-fuck anymore.”
“Please, listen.” She gripped his lapels. “I love you, Dexter. With every part of my soul.”
“I’ve wasted my time long enough. I can’t keep fighting for a woman I’ll never have.”
“Look at me, Dex.” She stroked his jaw while his eyes darted away from her. “You won’t be able to go one day without thinking of me. You need me to breathe and live, remember?”
He swallowed, tears surfacing above his bottom eyelids. “I’ll manage.”
“Can we talk about this?” She pointed to the table. “Have this lovely dinner and—”
“No. It’s over, Sonjay.” He left the room.
“Dex?” She ran after him as he continued to the bedroom. “What about me? You can’t leave me here.” She stood in the bedroom doorway as he got his satchel from the dresser.
“You’re free to stay.” He stuffed items into his bag. “The hotel’s paid for, for the weekend.” He put the satchel on his arm. “Been nice knowing you, Sonny. I wish you and Klein the best.”
“Dex, damn it.” She chased him to the entrance. “Okay, I’ll tell him. I’ll tell Klein about you and me.”
He opened the door, straightening the strap of his bag.
“I’ll tell him tonight!”
“Too late.” He gestured to the diamond on her finger. “Can I have my ring?”
She hesitated, slipped it off and gave it to him.
“I’ll find a woman who appreciates this.”
“I appreciate it. You’re just mad now. Tomorrow you’ll be calling me, begging me to go to your place.”
“I don’t think so.”
She sulked. “You don’t mean this.”
“Every man has his breaking point, Sonny.” He put the ring in his pocket. “This is mine.”
“Dex.”
He closed the door in her face.
****
Channing stomped out the doors of the Eastern Heights bar.
“Channing, wait.” Anderson ran up behind her. “What’s the big deal?”
“You think it’s a game?” She marched on, the night-chill sprinkling her arms. “You wanna get yourself killed, go right ahead.”
“You mean those idiots in there?” He stopped her. “I was just playing around with them. You don’t have to be scared.”
“Anderson, this isn’t Boston, okay? This is Eastern Heights in Thompsonville, Mississippi and that cocky stuff you do where you come from don’t work here.”
He grinned, dropping his shoulders. “What did I do that was so wrong?”
“You were goading those men in there.” She strutted on the sidewalk. “One who happens to be Nate’s cousin. You don’t get how powerful hate can be.”
“Whoa, wait.” He stopped her before she made it to the parking lot. “I’m not letting anyone hurt you. Come on, haven’t we had a fun evening?”
“If you call being glared at by racists everywhere we went, fun. Will you please take me home? Eastern Heights makes my skin crawl.”
Jimmy Lou, Nate’s cousin, walked toward them with his two friends from the bar.
“Shit.” Channing tried to leave but Anderson held her in place. “Anderson, enough of this. What are you trying to prove?”
“Still here, huh?” Jimmy Lou scratched through his bushy, brown beard.
“Unless something’s wrong with your eyes, that’s obvious, isn’t it?” Anderson asked.
“You bumped into my buddy in there.” Jimmy Lou gestured to the rugged, bald guy on his right who chewed tobacco. “And didn’t say nothing.”
“Sorry.” Anderson scoffed.
“That’s not good enough,” the long-haired, blond guy with the bandanna around his neck said. “They don’t teach you no manners in Boston?”
“Let’s go.” Channing turned to leave but the other two men blocked her.
“Leaving so soon?” Bald man snickered. “Why don’t you finish up the show you were putting on?”
Channing sighed. “We don’t want trouble.”
“Then you should’ve stayed on the other side of town.” Jimmy Lou squinted. “You’ve been living here long enough to know the rules.”
“Rules?” Anderson yanked Channing from between the other men. “Jim Crow is over in case you haven’t noticed.”
“She wants to leave?” Jimmy Lou raised his hands. “She can go but we’re not through with you yet.” He poked Anderson in the chest. “We gonna teach you a lesson.”
“Oh, I can’t wait for this.”
Channing nudged him. “Anderson.”
The men rubbed their fists.
“You’re a funny man aren’t you?” Long-hair crackled his knuckles. “Bet you’re a riot in Beantown but that shit don’t fly here.”
“Come on, Anderson.” Channing grabbed his hand, but he pulled back. “Let’s go.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” He widened his stance, crossing his arms. “It’s a free country. You want me to leave?” He mean-mugged Jimmy Lou. “You’ll have to drag me out.”
Bald Man spit tobacco juice on the sidewalk. “That can be arranged.”
“I’m done with this,” Channing yelled. “You got a death wish, Anderson? Fine. I’m not playing this game anymore.”
“Whoa.” Long-hair jumped in front of her. “We changed our minds. You can be part of this party too.”
“No,” Anderson growled. “Let her leave.”
“She should’ve left faster,” Bald Man said. “The privilege has been revoked now.”
“You lay one hand on her...” Anderson panted, chest rising. “I’ll show you how we get down in Beantown.”
“You ain’t going nowhere, faggot,” Jimmy Lou said. “You wanted to throw your weight around Eastern Heights? Then pay the price.”