Page 16 of Differences

“I got a couple of errands to run, and I need the car.”

I stared at Jay, trying to figure out when things went left for us. The energy he carried now was bum behavior, and the more he gave off, the more turned off I got.

“Just call me thirty minutes before you wrap up, and I will be here.”

“Jay...do not have me waiting on your ass.”

He smirked. “I promise, baby. I won’t.”

* * *

I checkedmy watch and phone, but still no response. I texted Jay thirty minutes before I wrapped up, and I had been waiting for forty-five minutes for him to arrive. I called again, yet the phone went to his voicemail.

“Jay, where the hell are you? You said you could pick me up. I have been waiting for forty-five fucking minutes! Come get me!”

I hung up the phone and shot him a text saying the same thing. My body heated more and more with each minute that passed. Irritation had set in, and I could no longer wait. I opened the Uber app, hoping a driver was nearby when I heard my name being called.

“Taja...Taja...Walker.”

I looked up and saw a black Mercedes. There was a black woman with a head of gray hair full of curls and red lipstick in the driver’s seat.

I tightened the strap on my purse, preparing to run in the opposite direction if I had to. “Whose asking?”

“I’m with Lux-Car Ride, and I was requested to pick up a Taja Walker about ten minutes ago. Is that you?”

My eyebrow raised, and I smiled. Jay must have sent a ride. I was shocked that he went all out with this. I would’ve been fine with an Uber or Lyft.

“Yes, I’m Taja Walker,” I finally acknowledged.

The lady smiled and got out of the driver’s seat to open the door for me. When I slid in, the AC was slightly blowing, and there was an assortment of sodas, water, and chips in the back. I relaxed in the comfortable leather seats and prepared for the ride.

“I’m Ms. Leslie, and I will take you to your destination.”

“Hi, Ms. Leslie, thank you. Do I need to give you my destination, or did my boyfriend already give that to you?”

She looked at me through the rearview mirror with a smile.

“Yes...yes, he did,” she confirmed.

We rode in silence for a few minutes before I sparked up a conversation. I was just so happy and giddy about what Jay had done. He really was trying. He showed up at my job to apologize, and he ordered me a luxury car ride. He was pulling out all the strings, and I wondered what else he had planned. I felt bad about what I let happen with Weston seconds before Jay walked in. Weston had crossed the line. He was aware of my boyfriend, and he was my boss. I couldn’t jeopardize that just so he could get a fix. I’m sure he had plenty of women for that.

“I can’t believe him. He’s pulling out all the strings to make this right,” I noted, rubbing my hands along the leather.

“Well, that’s the type of person he is,” Ms. Leslie added.

That caught me off guard. “You know my boyfriend personally?” I asked, confused.

“Well, of course. I’ve been doing business with him for a long time. It’s nice to see him with someone different from what he usually is chasing behind.” She laughed.

The happy feeling that I was feeling was gone, and now I was on high alert. “Excuse me? How many women does he have in this car?” I asked, looking around in disgust.

“Well, not this particular car. This is his personal, but in the others, it’s so many! However, a man as attractive as him, I don’t blame him!”

At this point, I was out of my seat belt, sitting up, trying to get some answers.

“My man is cheating on me with multiple women?” I asked.

Ms. Leslie’s eyes widened. “Oh, no! That’s not what I’m saying. It’s been a while since he used my services. It seems like you two just started dating because I’ve never seen or heard your name before.” She shook her head and sucked her teeth. “I’ve said too much!”

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