The game against New England went slow, but at the same time, we won the game. It was a good, close game, but we still won. After the game, some of the team went out to celebrate, and I went back to the hotel. I wasn’t feeling up to much. So after, I rode back to the hotel alone. I went up to the room, dropped my purse on the couch, went straight to the bed, and laid down. I didn’t even have much energy to take my shoes off. Before I knew it, I was knocked out. The next thing I know, I can hear my name being called. I slowly opened my eyes and found Odell standing there looking at me with so much concern on his face.
“What’s wrong,” I asked?
“I didn’t see you at the dinner, so I began to worry. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving” Odell questioned?
“I told them to tell you that I was going back to the hotel. Clearly, they got distracted. I’m fine; you should go out and celebrate, “I replied.
“No, I can’t go without you there. Are you hungry” Odell took off his shoes and got in the bed beside me, and pulled me close? I shook my head then snuggled up beside him. He felt so warm and smelled so good. He rubbed my back, and I went back to sleep. He let me sleep for about an hour and a half, and then he woke me back up. Of course, I was still sleepy, but I couldn’t sleep all day.
“I took the liberty of ordering you Steak, mac and cheese, and some Lemonade” he was holding a tray full of food.
I sat up, “Thank you. Have you eaten yet” he placed the tray on the bed. Then he walked out of the room and came back with his food. “I see.”
“We have a party to attend later tonight if your feeling up to it,” he mentioned. I didn’t feel like partying, but I knew that if I didn’t go, then he wouldn’t go. I wish he would learn to do things without me and stop trying to baby me all the time.
“Sure, we can go” I smiled at him. He smiled, then he grabbed the remote and turned the TV on.
“After, I have a surprise for you,” he told me. I looked at him, but he was into the TV; he was watching the highlights from the game. After eating, I put the tray to the side and climbed out of bed. I went to the bathroom and did my business. After leaving the bathroom, Odell was still on the bed, eating and watching TV. I went into the living room, yes the room was that big. It had a living room and even a kitchen, and I sat down at the table and pulled out my laptop. I continued working on my paper that was due in two days. I only had another paragraph that I finished up within five minutes.
“Hey, you ready to go” Odell came out of the room, holding both our trays.
“Yeah,” I smiled. I emailed my paper to my professor, then closed my laptop and left it on the table. I got up and went to get my shoes out of the bedroom and slipped them on. When did I take them off, I wondered. Then I smiled; Odell probably took them off. I went and found Odell standing in the kitchen, rising off the plates. He’d be a great husband to someone one day. I stood in the doorway and just admired him. Damn, how can he look so good in just a t-shirt and sweats? He finished up and then turned and looked at me with a smile on his face. He walked over to me and hugged me. He smelled so good, and I could even smell his aftershave.
He grabbed my hand and led me out of the room; I grabbed my purse on the way out. We rode down the elevator and silence. He opened the door for me at his car like the gentleman he was. He drove in silence again; we finally arrived at a nail salon. I got excited; I love getting my nails done. When he parked, I got out of the car so fast I gave myself whiplash. I heard him laugh as he made his way to me. He held my hand as we went inside. He paid for me to get my nails and feet done. I got shellac on both hands and feet, and I got mood-changing nail polish. After we left, I was just in such a happy mood.
“It’s not over,” he said, closing the door behind me. I felt my smile get more prominent. I made sure my nails were dry, and I then held his hand as we drove to the next place, a hair salon.
“Ooo, Odell, you are going to spoil me” I smiled.
“No, I’m going to take care of you,” he clarified. I couldn’t help it; I leaned in and kissed him, he kissed me back too. I like being with him; he makes me feel safe. We got out and went into the salon. I wanted to cut my hair, it came down to the middle of my back, and I was tired of just putting it up in a bun or letting it down.
“You are not cutting your hair,” Odell told me. I smiled at him. I wanted it cut, but Odell wouldn’t let me. So the hairstylist did something fancy with it that involved a braided bun.
“You look stunning,” he said.
I blushed, “Thanks.” When we got back in the car, I applied some lipgloss, which was all the makeup I was using. Last we stopped at a clothing place. “Okay, no, this is too expensive.”
“Don’t complain. This is for you and for the party that’s starting soon,” Odell said. He pulled up at the store, and we walked in. I looked around and saw all these expensive-looking gowns: nice shoes and purses, jewelry, and other accessories. The store was magnificent. The place had beige walls. Tables are set up with the jewelry on them. Dresses hanging up on the wall. I didn’t even realize I had wandered off until Odell called out to me. I looked back, and he was standing by the counter.
I smiled, “Sorry.” Both Odell and the saleswoman chuckled. Odell started talking to the lady, and my gaze traveled over to the most beautiful necklace I’d ever seen. It was a diamond necklace; I bet you it was like 5k.
“Do you like it” Odell came up behind me?
“Yes, but it’s expensive. Come on, let’s finish so we don’t be late to the party” I changed the subject.
“Well, go pick out a dress then,” Odell told me. I smiled then made my way around the store until I found the perfect dress. It was a red gown that hugged my figure. Soon, I would not fit this type of stuff for a while. I sighed as I held the dress in my hand.
“That’s going to look beautiful on you with these shoes,” the saleswoman came up behind me. I smiled, and she led me to the dressing rooms. I got dressed and then slipped on the sparkling red pumps. I looked in the mirror and didn’t even recognize myself, even without any makeup. Wow. I stood there speechless.
“You look beyond gorgeous” Odell came up behind me and stared at me through the mirror. I turned around to him and smiled at him.
“Thank you” I turned back to the mirror and just looked at myself. I never imaged that I could look this beautiful. “We- We should get going. Don’t want to be late”.
“Yes, let’s go” he held out his hand. I took his hand, and he led me out of the store and to the car. We arrived at the party late, but better late than never. We pulled up, and the valet took his keys and walked up the stairs hand in hand. We walked into the room, and it was gorgeous. The room was dark, lit only by balloon lanterns. A DJ was up on the stage grooving, and people were on the floor dancing. They had security guards standing at just about every inch of the room. Everyone was dressed up and looked so beautiful.
“What kind of party is this,” I asked?
“A friend’s birthday bash. August is here,” Odell explained. I nodded my head and then turned back to look at the party. We walked farther into the venue, and a group surrounded Odell. I was pushed out the way without even saying a word. I looked around and found a bar where they were serving drinks. I tried to think of a non-alcoholic drink that I could drink.
“Can I help you?” the bartender asked?
“Are you serving any drinks that don’t have alcohol in them?” I asked?
“Sure, we have soda,” the bartender replied.
“Great, I’ll have a Mountain Dew, please,” I ordered. He nodded then went to get my drink.
“Ash,” I heard someone call out my name. I turned and found August standing there with some random girl attracted to his hip. I rolled my eyes then got the drink from the bartender.
“Thank you,” I said, then turned to walk away, but August grabbed on to my arm. “Jesus, Aug, you almost made me spill the on this expensive dress. Watch what you are doing”.
He looked at me as if I had just slapped him in the face. “Is everything okay?” he asked me?
“Who is she” I questioned.
“A random fan that won’t leave me alone. I thought this place had classy people,” August explained.
“That’s all it better be because Gabby is not some tool you can just play with,” I argued.
“I know. We are dating” August blurred out.
“Well, congratulations, I hope you don’t screw this up” I gave him a fake smile. I looked past him and saw some girl all hugged up on Odell.
August followed my gaze, “Don’t jump to conclusions.” He was right; they could be friends; it looked like that was the birthday girl by the skimpy ass dress she had on and the little tiara on her head. She was an okay-looking nice figure. She was a dark-skinned brunette with her hair cut into a short bob. Her black dress came up mid-thigh, and I swear if she took one bend, the whole world would see her goodies.
“Do you know her?” I asked August, and then I gulped my drink.
“Nah, I know a friend who knows a friend that knows her, and she went through both of them to make sure to invite me,” he said. He started talking again, but it never registered to me because I saw that tramp kissing Odell the next thing I knew. I started to go over there, but August was holding me back.
“What the hell” I turned to look at him.
“You don’t wanna make an enemy, especially with it being her birthday,” August said. I smiled; he was right, but then again, at this moment, all I could think about was getting my revenge. First, I threw my Mountain Dew on the fan that was still lingering for some reason. She then took off running towards the bathroom, I think. I then started to make my way over to Odell and the girl grabbing two glasses of champagne out of two strangers’ hands. I walked straight up to Odell. He looked at me with a surprised look on his face. Before he could say anything, I threw the first glass on him. He looked pissed, then I turned my attention to the tramp and threw the second drink on her.
“Tramp,” I said. I turned and walked back to August, trying so hard not to laugh at my actions. “Take me back to the hotel; I’m tired of this place.” He nodded and then proceeded to escort me out of the venue.
August waited in the lobby; I went up to get my things. I opened the door, and found candles lit and rose petals everywhere. I followed the petals first to the kitchen, where food and apple juice were waiting; I chuckled to myself. Then I walked into the bedroom, where petals lay in a heart on the bed. The lights were off, and only candles lit up the room. A dozen roses lay on the bed, with a note saying, “I Love You, Ashlyn.” I started to cry as I made my way to the bathroom, where water filled the tub with water with rose petals on top and candles lit in here. I was seriously crying. No one has ever done this for me before.
“Ashlyn,” Odell called out. I left the room, and we met in the bedroom.
“I’m so sorry she shouldn’t have kissed me like that, and before I could tell her no, you came up and ruined her outfit. Which she’s not happy about, but I took care of it. None of that matters; all I know is I hurt you. Are you okay” he blurted out at once.
“I’m sorry” I went up and hugged him, and he held on to me tightly.
“No, I’m the sorry one. Ash, I love you and only have eyes for you. This was your surprise; you just went supposed to find out like this,” he explained.
“Odell, I love you too. This is so perfect. Thank you so much” I hugged him again.
“Come on, let’s get you in the tub,” he said.
“Only if you come with me” I smiled at him.
“I like the way you think, shall we” he gestured towards the bathroom.
I kissed him, “We shall.”
