Skye sighed. “I really don’t wanna get into that right now.”
During Kareem and Jordan’s argument, Cruze had knocked on the door. When no one answered, he used his key and quietly came into the apartment. He stood in the small foyer eavesdropping as Skye told the boys about her plans.
Finally deciding to join in on the conversation he rushed into the dining room scaring them half to death. He then directed his attention to Kareem and Jordan.
“Listen guys, I know I haven’t been around a lot lately and I apologize for that. I was out in the streets trying to make some money to take care of this family and give your mother the world. But I broke a promise to her. I was wrong for that, and I hope she will one day forgive me. I also hope that she’ll marry me,” he said, getting down on one knee and pulling out a two-carat brilliant cut diamond ring. He looked up at Skye with tears in his eyes.
“Skye, I love you and I’m so sorry for hurting you. Please…I want you to be my wife.”
Jordan immediately stood up and cheered while Kareem frowned, stood up and walked out of the room. Meanwhile, Skye stood speechless for a few seconds. Her emotions were all over the place. She wanted to accept his apology and his proposal, but at the same time she was scared and hurt. She just couldn’t trust him and wondered what other secrets he might be hiding from her. Skye had also made herself a promise after Justice betrayed her that if she ever gave her heart to another man and he deceived her, she wouldn’t waste years trying to make that relationship work. She needed time to take care of herself for a change. If Cruze really loved her like he claimed, he would understand and wait. If not, it wasn’t meant to be.
“I’m sorry, I can’t take this ring. Your things are packed I need you to leave me and my family alone!
CHAPTER 13
FOUR WEEKS LATER
Skye stood at the top of the stairs gazing over the balcony, admiring the extensive changes she’d made to her old home. She especially admired the boldness of the now red and white living room. The red accent wall along the hallway was downright orgasmic. She sipped her wine and thought about why she’d chosen the daring color. It wasn’t necessarily her favorite, but what made it sweet was the fact Sandino loathed red. In the past, he’d never let her wear it and he detested red lipstick. He would always say red was only for bitches and hoes, and then he would ask Skye which one she represented. She frowned at the memory. In her opinion, red represented power and strength, both of which she now possessed. And with her new found strength, it was time to show Sandino Washington who is in charge.
“He’ll be pissed off, but what is he gonna do, run after me?” Skye said, with a smirk.
She was finally starting to feel at home after the transition back to Miami. With so many mixed emotions, bad memories, and negative energy the first night proved to be very difficult for her. After waking up in a cold sweat from constant nightmares about Sandino trying to kill her, Skye sat up for hours thinking that she had to make some changes to the house in order for her to move forward.
The next day she had a huge garage sale, getting rid of every piece of furniture including some of Sandino’s prized possessions. From the garage sale money and the money she took out of Sandino’s account, Skye went to work by hiring a professional decorator to come in and redo everything. Now, it looked and felt like she had a voice, which was something she’d never experienced.
Once Skye decided to move back to Miami, she called Sandino’s lawyer and told her she’d decided to be his Power of Attorney. Within twenty-four hours, the lawyer had sent all the necessary paperwork via Fedex, and before Skye knew it, she was officially in charge of all his money. Skye smiled every time she thought about how good it felt to not have any more allowances…not to have anyone tell her what to spend and how much. It was the happiest she’d been in a while.
Spending money and buying things to transform the house gave her a rush, so since she couldn’t fit any of the expensive clothes that were still hanging up in her huge walk in closet, Skye and the kids went on a much needed shopping spree. Besides, all the cheap clothes she’d brought from Georgia just didn’t seem to go along with the lifestyle she was now reclaiming.
Her mind suddenly drifted to her kids. Jordan who was at school, enjoyed being back and had already talked to his former coach about getting back on his old football team again since the season had just started. Payton’s injury seemed to be healing without any complications and she was scheduled to go see her new orthopedic physician the following week. She was even back to her old self again, smiling and trying to walk so she could get into everything.
Kareem on the other hand had stuck to his word and stayed in Georgia. When Skye and Kareem had a long overdue conversation before she left, he finally broke down crying letting out all the pain he had bottled up inside from what he’d experienced over the years from all Sandino’s abuse. After she continuously tried to get him to come with them and he wouldn’t budge, Skye finally decided to respect his wishes. However, that still didn’t hide the fact that it was hard to leave her son.
The whole Kareem and Le Le situation still bothers me, but the more I complain about it I’m probably pushing him closer to that bitch, she thought. But I’m not giving up. I’ll wait for a week or two and try to convince him again.
Hearing the door bell ringing suddenly broke her daze. Skye looked at her watch and realized it was already 11:00 a.m. and time for Sandino’s live in nurse to come and get things ready for his arrival later that day.
After being sleep deprived and walking around like a zombie all morning, she wasn’t at all ready to meet Sandino’s nurse. She sighed and put down her glass of wine and headed toward the foyer. When Skye looked out of the huge glass door, she was surprised to see a nice looking man standing outside with a suitcase. She cracked the door looking out.
“May I help you?” she asked, though the door.
“Hello ma’am, my name is Quinn Jacobs. I’m from HealthSouth Rehabilitation. I’ll be Mr. Washington’s nurse,” he replied showing a small gap between his two front teeth.
She stepped back and opened the door. “Oh, yes I was expecting you. Please come in, I’m Skye,” she said, introducing herself.
Quinn walked inside wearing a pair of navy scrubs with a body of steel. “Nice to meet you,” he replied, rolling the black luggage behind him.
Damn, he’s fine. He looks just like just Michael Jai White from the movie ‘Why Did I Get Married’ and he’s built like him, too. This is a plus, especially since I cut Cruze off and haven’t had sex in a while. It’s going to be real good having this eye candy around. I can see his big muscular arms picking Sandino up out that wheelchair now, she thought.
“Let me show you around, then I’ll show you which room you’ll be staying in,” Skye said, walking in front of him.
“You have a really nice home, Mrs. Washington,” he said, following her.
Skye could feel him staring at her ass as she walked down the hall.
“Thanks, but please…call me Skye. I no longer go by Mrs. Washington.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m happy to correct people actually.”
Skye showed him all of the work that the contractors had done to make the house handicap accessible for Sandino. This included building a wheelchair ramp outside, widening all the doorways and transforming the downstairs bathroom into a roll-in shower.
“Now, here’s your room right here,” Skye said, pushing the door open. “Everything in here is new. New bed, new linen, and a new fifty-inch LED T.V. I tried to make it as comfortable for you as possible, so let me know if you need anything.”