Full Circle (Urban Books) Read online

  Full Circle

  Skyy

  ww.urbanbooks.net

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Epilogue - CHOICES MADE TWO YEARS LATER

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to all the weirdos, nerds, geeks, and people who are just different. Be you. It’s so much fun being different.

  Acknowledgments

  Ah, and now we have come to the end. Yes, people, this is the last book of the series. I know, I know. It sucks, but, hey, all good things must come to an end, right? As usual, I must pick the perfect song to play while I write these acknowledgments. I’ve chosen “Don’t Rain on My Parade” because right now no one can rain on my parade.

  Years ago I was at a very low point after a breakup, and of the character Denise began to talk in my head. I wrote what she said, and from there Choices was born. I love these characters, and I’m so thankful and grateful that you have grown to love them as much as I have, but it’s time to let the characters rest, and I’ll let you guys make up your own conclusions as to what happens for the rest of their lives. It’s time to move on to new projects and to new characters that are also speaking in my head. I just hope you enjoy the book and don’t completely hate the direction in which I took the characters.

  There are so many people I want to thank, and I just hope I don’t forget anyone.

  First, I want to thank Robin and Sha of Kings Crossing Publishing. These two wonderful women were the first to take a chance on Choices and me, and if it wasn’t for them, there wouldn’t be a fourth book to write acknowledgements for. I also need to thank Carl Weber and Urban Books for assisting in taking my books to the next level and helping to get them to a broader audience.

  Michelle, thanks for sitting at my computer and telling me that you thought Choices was as good as the last E. J. Dickey book you read. If it wasn’t for your comments, Choices would still be a file on my computer.

  Dana, aka Oohzee, who holds the record for most books purchased by a single person, you’ve always supported me and given me amazing advice over the years. I’m so glad you came into my life.

  Meshanna “Shunta” Jones, or my “Gayle,” thanks for being my bestie even when I’m stuck in emotional Cancer moments. And also, Shawn, my best good-guy friend, you mean the world to me, sir! And, Bimbim, you drive me crazy, but my life would suck without you.

  I also have to thank my friends who have talked me down off the bridge on more than one occasion. I have had so many moments where I was just fed up, but they help me remember why I do what I do. I don’t need to name all the names as you all know who you are.

  And most importantly, I have to thank all the fans of my books. You are the most amazing, crazy, insane, dedicated, and impatient people, and I swear you make my life so much better. Without you, again, there would be no need for this final book.

  And finally, I have to thank the asshole who broke my heart all those years ago. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a horrible girlfriend. Without you, there really would be no books at all. I hope you all enjoy the book.

  Chapter 1

  Darkness. Lena didn’t know what was going on. All around was pure darkness. She took a step forward. She could feel sand covering her feet. Suddenly, the sound and smell of the beach took over her senses. Lena squinted her eyes, hoping she would be able to see something. How did she end up on the beach?

  “Hello?” Lena called out, but no one answered. She cautiously took a few steps forward. “Anyone here?”

  There was no answer, just the sound of the ocean.

  “Turn around,” said a vaguely familiar woman’s voice.

  “Who’s there?” Lena called out.

  Instantly, a wave crashed into her, covering her legs with cold water. Lena jumped back. She turned around quickly.

  Suddenly, Lena was standing in her dorm room. Everything was the same: the beds were perfectly made up, and her mother’s taste was all over the room from when she decorated Lena’s freshman year. Confused, Lena looked up. In her hands were the curtains that she was in the middle of taking down.

  Lena’s chair began to wobble. She gasped as she felt the chair give way under her.

  “Denise!” Lena yelled. Where was Denise? She was supposed to catch her, but no one was there. Lena could feel herself falling. She screamed as her body began to tumble to the floor.

  Lena’s eyes popped open as she took a deep breath. She turned over in her plush king-size bed. She rubbed her eyes, her heart still beating fast from the unusual dream. She covered her eyes with her hands. She was used to her dreams, but this one was different and she had no idea what to make of it.

  Reality set in as the annoying sound of a running vacuum cleaner and the blaring television in the living room reached her room. Lena looked over at her clock. She knew she had to talk to Jessica about her need to use the loudest gadgets at seven in the morning.

  Lena finally forced herself out of the bed. She tiptoed into the bathroom, leaving the door cracked, trying not to make a sound. Lena stared at herself in the mirror. She brushed her frizzy edges back and pulled her hair, which had come undone during her peaceful slumber, back into a ponytail. She could hear DJ Lance Rock’s voice coming from the other room. Lena rolled her eyes. She couldn’t understand why her daughter was obsessed with the one television show she truly couldn’t stand. She didn’t know what it was, but something about a grown man in an orange leotard rubbed her the wrong way.

  Lena knew taking a shower would ruin any chance of her getting in another hour of sleep. The hot water ran out of the large rain showerhead. The water felt good, waking up her last sleeping body parts. She decided to enjoy the time, knowing it would be the last moment of peace she would have. Lena washed her long hair just to take extra time.

  Lena’s eyes opened when she heard the small but loud voice echoing through the bathroom. Over and over again her name was being yelled at the top of her toddler’s lungs. A gust of cold air hit her; her daughter had opened the bathroom door, letting the steam out. Lena grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body.

  “Yes, dear?” Lena said as she stepped out of the shower. She looked at her beautiful daughter, who was attempting to brush her long hair in the mirror.

  Bria turned around and smiled. “Mommy!” Bria ran into Lena’s arms.

  Lena sat down on the chair in the bathroom, and Bria climbed on her lap. “Girl, what have you done to your hair?” Lena smiled as sh
e gently brushed her daughter’s wild mane with her fingers.

  Bria shrugged her shoulders.

  Lena couldn’t do anything but laugh. No matter how good the ponytails or braids she put in Bria’s hair before she went to sleep were, the next day her hair was a messy disaster.

  There was a knock at the door. Bria jumped out of her mother’s lap as Lena gave the okay for Jessica to enter.

  “I’m sorry, Lena. I told her not to bother you.” Jessica looked down at Bria, who blushed, knowing she had disobeyed.

  “It’s all right. I was just enjoying a longer than normal shower.” Lena stood up and followed the two out of the bathroom. Lena opened the doors to her walk-in closet. It was organized to perfection, thanks to Jessica. Jessica was a godsend to Lena. She had been through a few different nannies and housekeepers but had hit the jackpot when she found Jessica.

  “I am going to get little miss here ready. What time did you want to leave?” Jessica asked, causing Lena to pause. Jessica shook her head. “You forgot, didn’t you?”

  “Of course not. Of course I remembered that. . . .” Lena looked at Jessica and smiled.

  “Lunch with your mother and father.”

  “Shit . . .”

  “Oh, Mommy!” Bria put her hand over her mouth.

  “Yes, Mommy knows she said a bad word. I won’t do it again.” Lena kissed Bria on her forehead.

  A loud noise came from the TV. Obviously, the annoying characters did something that caused Bria to run out of the room quickly and park herself back in front of the big screen.

  “Don’t worry,” Jessica assured Lena. “I’ll get her ready, and there are muffins on the kitchen counter.”

  Lena mouthed “Thank you” as Jessica nodded and walked out, closing the door behind her. Lena’s idea of throwing on a pair of oversize jeans went out the window. She pulled out a nice pair of jeans and one of her many designer shirts. She pulled out her makeup bag and began to paint her face. She remembered why she didn’t like leaving the house. The days of taking time to look beautiful were behind her.

  Her cell phone began to ring. It was Carmen’s special ringtone. Lena smiled as she picked up the phone. “Hey, Carmicita.”

  Carmen rolled up the window to her car. “So, yesterday I was sitting in class, looking at those badass kids, and realized I couldn’t take it anymore.”

  Lena’s eyes widened in shock. “You quit your job?”

  “Ugh, no.” Carmen rolled her eyes. “But a bitch came down with a sudden illness and had to take the next few days off. I’m in the car on Seventy-eight and headed to Atlanta.”

  “Oh my God, you are crazy.” Lena laughed to herself. She knew when Carmen decided to be a teacher that she wouldn’t last long. Carmen had a very low tolerance for teenagers. “I told you not to teach eighth grade.”

  “Girl, who you telling? Anyhoo, when I get there, I want to see you and Misha. We need to discuss some stuff.”

  “Okay, no problem. Oh, great. You can see my new house. Misha was supposed to bring Jaylin over, anyway.”

  Carmen frowned. “See, this is why we need to move to Atlanta. You and Misha get to have girl time, and I’m stuck in Memphis.”

  Lena pulled her wet curls back into a ponytail. “I wouldn’t call it girl time. It’s more like playdates with our children.”

  “Well, I don’t care. I want to do it too.”

  “Trust me, you don’t.” Lena and Carmen both laughed.

  “Well, I’ll be there around sevenish. I’m going to drop my stuff at Carla’s, and then I’ll be heading over.” Carmen always called Cooley by her real name.

  “Okay, no problem. But you know, I swear you, Brandon, and my parents and these meetings are driving me insane. I’m headed to meet with them now.”

  “Uh-oh. Is this good or bad?”

  Lena pulled the jeans on. “I’m not sure, but nothing has been bad with them recently. Everything is always about Bria.”

  Lena couldn’t believe her parents’ transformation, especially her mother’s. The plastic-surgery-loving, spa-going woman had turned into a straight grandmother. Bria had them wrapped around her little finger, just like she did everyone else who met her. Her daughter was not only beautiful, but also personable. You couldn’t help but love her.

  Lena and Carmen hung up, and Lena finished getting ready. Lena gave herself one final look before walking out of her bedroom. She smiled. The Lena she knew pre-baby was staring back at her. She grabbed her purse and walked out of the room.

  Lena and Bria walked into her parents’ large mansion. Bria yelled, “Yaya!” as she ran toward the living room area. The house was quiet. Lena walked into the grand room and called her mother’s name. She heard her mother yell, “Outside.” Lena opened the door to the backyard.

  “Yaya, Papi!” Bria squealed as she ran up to Lena’s father.

  “There’s my bella Bria.” Lena’s father’s deep voice always went an octave higher when he talked to his grandbaby. He picked Bria up and hugged her. “I’ve missed you.” He tickled Bria, causing her to erupt in laughter.

  “Wow. A hello for your daughter would be nice,” Lena joked as she sat in the oversize, plush patio chair. She looked around the grounds. She loved her parents’ house in the spring. The flowers were in bloom. She could smell the fragrant jasmine and orange blossoms as the breeze blew.

  “Well, hello to you too, baby girl.” Her father, Derrick, smiled as Bria lay on his chest.

  “Yes, hello, darling. You are looking nice today.” Lena’s mother, Karen, looked her daughter up and down. She had a small smirk on her face. Lena was suspicious.

  “So what’s going on, parental units?”

  “One moment.” Karen called for the maid to come out. “Take Bria into the kitchen and get her a big bowl of ice cream,” she instructed the maid when she appeared.

  “Yea!” Bria clapped as she jumped down in anticipation of the treat.

  “Not too big.” Lena knew her request would fall on deaf ears.

  As soon as the coast was clear, her father pulled a yellow envelope out and slid it across the table to her.

  “What’s this?” Lena questioned.

  “Well, Lena, in just a few months, do you know how old you will be?”

  “Twenty-three. Why?” Lena was curious as she opened the envelope. She pulled out a contract. The word trust made her heart skip a beat.

  “As you know, your trust fund matures when you turn twenty-five,” her father said. “Well, what you didn’t know is that we had a clause in place that it could be accessed as early as your twenty-third birthday if we felt you were ready for it.”

  Lena’s hands began to shake as she looked through the papers. “So what are you saying, Dad?”

  “We are saying that you have proved a lot to me and your mother in the last three years. You didn’t let the divorce or your pregnancy stop you from finishing school.”

  “And you have become an amazing mother,” Karen added.

  “So we are releasing your trust to you on your twenty-third birthday.”

  Lena’s mouth dropped open as she stared at all the zeros. She had always known her trust would be big but had never expected it to be as much as it was. Lena felt a warm sensation of freedom come over her body. She never had to rely on Brandon, who was her ex-husband, or her parents for anything ever again.

  “Also, Bria’s trust has been set up,” her father continued.

  Lena wanted to scream but maintained her composure. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s one more thing.” Karen’s perfectly manicured finger flew in the air.

  Lena’s smile instantly faded. She knew there had to be a catch. “Oh God, what is it?” Lena braced herself for the impact.

  “Well, as you know, your father has decided to retire finally. We’ve decided to take a few months and travel. We’re going to take a cruise, go to Europe, and finish off by spending the summer at the Vineyard.”

  “Sounds amazing.” Lena pou
red herself a glass of the amazing lemonade that their maid was famous for making.

  “And we want to take Bria with us,” Karen added.

  “What?” Lena stopped in her tracks. “You want to take my child out of the country? Without me? For God knows how long?” Lena frowned.

  “Hear us out first, Lena,” her father interjected. “It is a win-win for all involved.”

  “How is that?”

  “You haven’t had a break since you had Bria,” he noted. “You are still a young woman. You will have time to catch up with your friends and rest without worrying about Bria.”

  “Yes.” Karen stood up. “Didn’t you say Carmen was going to have that ceremony with that girl?”

  “Nic.” Lena still couldn’t stand her mother’s attitude toward her lesbian friends.

  “Yes, well, now you can be a good friend and help her plan it. It will be only a few months.”

  Lena stood up. “I have to think about this. You’re talking about a long time. I haven’t even let Brandon take her to Memphis alone yet, and y’all are trying to take her out of the country.”

  “Well, think about it and let us know. The cruise would be a Disney cruise, and we know she would love it.” Her father stood up and put his arm around Lena.

  “But it’s your vacation. You want a two-year-old running around the whole time?”

  “We would have help, of course,” Karen stated, as though Lena didn’t know they would probably have nannies at every stop. “Plan your friend’s wedding, and spend time really finding Lena.”

  Lena let her words sink in. “This is so much.” Lena shook her head.

  Lena’s father put his hand on her shoulder. “Think about it, sweetie. You are young. You will have time to really enjoy life for a little while.”

  “But we need to know soon, as Bria doesn’t have a passport.” Karen took a sip from her lemonade, which, Lena was 100 percent sure, was spiked with some type of vodka or rum.

  “Okay. Well, I have to go. Bria has a playdate today.”

  “Okay, well, let us know,” her father urged.