Stalker

by Brenda Hampton

Genres: African American Women's Fiction; Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

Essence® bestselling author Brenda Hampton is back with a compelling new read, Stalker, her loyal fan base is sure to love!

After a brutal divorce, Abigal Wilson vowed to never love again, but when Brent Carson crosses her path, she simply can't resist his good-guy persona that exemplifies perfection. From A to Z, Brent appears to have it all. Abigal falls head over heels for him - until the unthinkable happens. Brent's announcement, "I'm just not that into you," sends Abigal on a downward spiral. She can't cope with ill treatment from another man, and now nothing would please her more than to see Brent making his way to the gates of hell. In a rush to get him there, Abigal takes on an unforgettable, head-shaking and shocking role as Mrs. Stalker.

Release date: February 28, 2017

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

Sometimes, life was so unfair, but I just had to go with the flow. I had been trying to get my ducks in a row for a very long time. I thought my husband and I would be together forever. Thought he would do right by our daughter. Thought he would help me take care of her, and I never predicted that after our divorce he would abandon both of us. I had no problem with him not reaching out to me, but what about our daughter, Kendal? She didn’t deserve the ill treatment from Malik. Shame on him for thinking that his fifteen-year-old child didn’t need him.

I’d had plenty of conversations with Kendal about her father. At first, she didn’t understand what kind of man he was. She loved him with every fiber of her being, but it wasn’t long before he started to show his true colors. Kendal noticed the horrible way he spoke to me, the ongoing disrespect and drinking habits that had become unbearable. There were times when he was so drunk that he claimed he couldn’t make it home. He always made excuses for not being home, but after I followed him one day and discovered what he had been doing on some of those late nights, I decided to wash my hands of our marriage.

Given the fact that he had lost his job, we often struggled. I had to pick up extra hours at work, but never in my wildest dream did I think Malik’s answer would be to sell drugs. I couldn’t believe his mind-set. When I questioned why he thought that was the only route to go, he stuck to his guns, saying that he wasn’t going to stop. He was willing to put our lives at risk. That was a big no-no for me. I worked too darn hard for what we had—I wasn’t about to allow anyone to come into my home, arrest me, and take everything. Malik didn’t see it my way. All he wanted was dirty money that would be a true setback for us. I had known him since high school, and it hurt me to the core when our marriage came to an end. The drinking was already enough, but the drug selling I just couldn’t do.

From that moment on, I vowed to never put that much time and energy into another man again; promised myself that it would be just Kendal and me. She was my everything, even though she was starting to become a force to be reckoned with. Nonetheless, I understood her somewhat reckless behavior. She had been acting out because of Malik. She had also been a little jealous of my new relationship with Brent Carson, a man who made me change my thought process about dating again. He gave me hope.

The day I met him, I was completely down in the dumps. The principal at Kendal’s school had called to tell me she had been suspended for fighting. I was livid, and right after I picked her up from school, we stopped at the grocery store. I couldn’t stop fussing at Kendal about her actions, and as we loaded bags into the trunk of the car, Brent approached us. Thinking back to that day, I sat on the edge of my bed, reminiscing about a turning point in my life.

“She was the one who started it,” Kendal hissed while shoving a bag into the trunk. “You weren’t there, so for you to be so upset with me is ridiculous, especially when you’re the one who always told me to defend myself.”

“Yes, I did tell you that, but defending yourself doesn’t mean that you have to go around fighting everyone because they say things about you that you don’t like. Learn to brush off some of that mess and keep it moving.”

“I tried, but she kept getting in my face. When she spit on me, that’s when I punched her.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes at Kendal. This was the third time she had been suspended. While I knew there were mean girls at her school, I also knew that Kendal didn’t know how to control herself. She would flip out if someone didn’t like what she wore or if they said something about her appearance. I had a feeling that these incidents were more about Kendal than they were about the other students picking on her.

“We’ll talk more about this when we get home, young lady. You’ve already embarrassed me enough.”

“You’re embarrassing yourself.” Exemplifying much attitude, her neck rolled in circles. “And you didn’t have to put my business out there in a grocery store. People were shaking their heads at you, not me.”

Maybe they were, but I surely didn’t give a damn. When or wherever I had something to say, I was going to say it.

“I have no problem speaking my mind, and I’m going to continue to do so right now. Wipe that frown off your face, lower your tone, remove the case of soda from the cart, and do not throw any more bags into my trunk.”

Kendal growled as she picked up the case of soda, carefully putting it in the trunk as she was told. I was just about ready to close it when a man approached us with a smile on his face.

“Hello, ladies.” He looked directly at me. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I was standing over there by my car when I heard the two of you arguing. I also heard a little back-and-forth while I was in the store. I wanted to say something then. I don’t know what could cause the two of you to speak to each other this way, but it’s not a good look. Everything can be worked out, and harsh words can leave lifetime scars. I often tell my students how important it is for them to respect their parents, and as parents, we also have to respect our children.”

Kendal and I both stood stunned, wondering why this man had poked his nose in our business. All Kendal did was cross her arms and narrow her eyes at him. I was the one who spoke up.

“I apologize if our little disagreement disturbed you, but when all is said and done, we do respect each other. I just had a few things that I needed to get off my chest. I guess she did too. Now, if you don’t mind, we need to get back to our business.”

“Sure. And like I said, I didn’t mean to pry.”

“I don’t recall you saying that you didn’t mean to pry. Maybe I didn’t hear it.”

He nodded as he wiped across his Tyson Beckford thick lips that made me switch my thoughts to how sexy he was. His cologne was doing quite a number on me too, but I was so engulfed in his rudeness that I had to push his handsomeness aside. He continued to smile, even though I wasn’t. Neither was Kendal.

“Are you sure I didn’t say that?” he asked.

“Positive. What you said was, you didn’t mean to interrupt us.”

He snapped his fingers. “Yes, you would be correct. I did say that, and I apologize for getting it wrong.”

His apology caused me to soften my tone. “No big deal, okay? We all make mistakes sometimes. I guess that arguing with my daughter in public isn’t exactly a good idea.”

“No, it’s not, but I’m not judging you at all. It’s easy for our kids, especially teenagers, to get underneath our skin.”

Both of our eyes shifted to Kendal. She released a deep sigh before opening the door to get in the car. After she closed the door, I turned my attention back to the man who held my attention for more than five minutes. That was rare.

“What did you say your name was?” My eyes scanned him from head to toe. Nice shoes, no ring, neat clothing, trimmed goatee, luscious brown skin, and those lips—I was sure they worked wonders. If I had one complaint, that would be his size. He was a bit thicker than I preferred, and I had never dated a bald-headed man. But there was something about him . . . maybe those almond-shaped eyes that screamed Morris Chestnut.

“Sorry again,” he said, chuckling and extending his hand to mine. “I guess I forgot to tell you that too. My name is Brent. Brent Carson.”

My frown had converted into a smile as I shook his hand. “Abigail, but my friends call me Abby.”

“Nice to meet you, Abby. Since I’ve made a few mistakes referring to my approach, may I offer you something else, other than an apology?”

I shrugged and released his hand. “Sure. Why not?”

“How about dinner? Your choice, and you say when.”

My smile had gotten wider. “Okay. How about you give me your number, and I’ll give you a call whenever I’m ready?”

He wasted no time slipping his hand in his pocket, handing me a business card. “Here you go. Call whenever you’re ready. Hopefully, soon.”

I dropped the card into my purse before encouraging him to have a good day. He told me to do the same, and almost a week later, I reached out to him for dinner. That was a year ago. Since then, Brent and I had spent almost every day together. We were a happy couple. I never imagined myself being this enthused about a relationship again. Brent was everything. He had it all from A to Z, and I was so thankful that he had come into my life at a time when I was so broken. He proved to me that there were still good men in this world, ones who listened to a woman’s wants and needs. Men who knew how to treat women, who didn’t mind going out of their way for them, and who took charge of the relationship.

Just last month, he took me on a surprise vacation to Jamaica. We had the time of our lives. I was still trying to come down from my high. I had definitely fallen in love with him, and even though I hadn’t said those words to him, he knew how I felt. The way I looked at him said so. The things I’d done for him confirmed my deep love for him. I’ll be the first to admit that it was rare for me to drop down on my knees and give a man head. I had only gone there with my ex-husband a few times, but with Brent, I surely didn’t mind. Not after the way he pleased me. He was so good to me sexually, it was a pleasure to finally have sex with someone for more than ten minutes. That was all Malik ever gave me. Ten long and boring minutes, and then it was over. He never caressed my body, rubbed my feet, ran my bathwater . . . Brent, on the other hand, did it all.

While still on the edge of the bed, I tied my tennis shoes, already knowing that I was running late for my date with Brent. My sweat suit was on and my hair was in an asymmetrical pixie cut that was shaved on one side. Even though Brent said we weren’t going anywhere special for our one-year anniversary, I still dolled myself up. My makeup was flawless, eyelashes were thick and full, and my light-brown skin glowed. I always made sure my appearance was on point, and no one would ever catch me in a grocery store, or even going outside to get the mail, looking a hot mess. Brent complimented how well I took care of myself—I guess my “me first” motto was finally appreciated.

In a rush to meet Brent at his place before one o’clock, I hurried around my bedroom, looking for my car keys. I thought I’d laid them on my nightstand, but there was a possibility that Kendal had removed them. I figured she was in her bedroom, so I made my way down the hallway, yelling out to her.

“What?” she answered with an attitude. “Why are you yelling my name?”

I stood in her doorway and saw her sitting in front of the computer with headphones around her neck.

“Have you seen my keys?”

“No, I have not. Besides, what would I be doing with your keys? I don’t even drive yet.”

“Yes, you do. You have had my car before. And even if you’ve been taking it to learn how to drive, all you have to do is ask. I told you before that I don’t mind you taking—”

She cut me off. “I said, I don’t have your keys. I’ve also never driven your car. Tammi is the only person who let me drive her car before.”

“Tammi? Tammi doesn’t even have insurance on that raggedy car she has. You’d better not be driving her car. Has she even turned sixteen yet?”

“Yes, Mama. I told you that about two months ago. I guess you weren’t paying attention.”

Every time I was on my way out with Brent, Kendal caught an attitude. I wasn’t going to let her ruin this special day for me, so I kept her comment about me not paying attention to her to myself.

“In case you forgot, I’m going to an amusement park with Brent. The offer still stands. You and Tammi can come along as well, but if you change your mind, you’ll need to be ready in about ten or fifteen minutes.”

Kendal pursed her lips, then picked up a brush from her desk. She brushed her long hair into a ponytail before securing it with a rubber band.

“I’m not interested in going to an amusement park. I’m surprised that you’re going, especially at your age. Amusement parks are for kids.”

I cocked my head back in surprise. “Amusement parks are for people who like to have fun. And I may be a thirty-six-year-old, wrinkled woman in your eyes, but my life isn’t over until I’m dead and in my grave. You’re just jealous because everyone thinks we’re sisters. That, my dear child, is because you have a mother who loves herself and makes herself the priority.”

“That may be somewhat true, but you look like that because black don’t crack. As for the sister thing, my friends just don’t know any better.”

We both laughed.

“Your friends know better than you do, so stop being a hater. Meanwhile, are you going with me? I know you said you’re not interested, but I don’t want you to stay cooped up in here and on that computer all day.”

“I’m fine. Go have fun with you know who. You know if you’re late, he’s going to be ringing my cell phone looking for you.”

“He hasn’t called your phone, has he?”

“Yes. About three or four times. I don’t even know how he got my number, but please tell him how inappropriate it is for him to be calling me, looking for you.”

“I didn’t know he had your number either, but don’t be so mean about it. I don’t know why you don’t like Brent. He’s always been kind to you, and it was very nice of him to buy you that watch you wanted.”

Kendal winced. “I didn’t ask him to buy me anything. You probably told him to buy it, just to get on my good side. He can spend all the money he wants. I still don’t like him. Never have, never will.”

It disappointed me to hear Kendal speak that way about Brent, especially since he had put forth so much effort to let her know how much he cared about both of us.

“I assume you feel that way about him because of your dad. But get over it, Kendal, because he and I will never, ever get back together. I don’t know why you would think—”

“This has nothing to do with him. I just don’t like Brent. Right from the beginning, he rubbed me the wrong way. What kind of man comes up to you on a parking lot to tell you how to conduct yourself with your own child? Gimmie a break. There are multiple things about him I don’t like, but as long as you like him, who cares what I think?”

I walked into Kendal’s room and stood in front of her. “I care, but I just don’t understand why you’re so hard on him.”

“I already told you a million and one times. He’s fake, he’s sneaky, he’s bossy, he’s a liar—need I say more?”

“You’ve said all of those things before, but there’s nothing to back all of that up. That’s why I know this is about Malik. I’m sorry that he’s not in our lives anymore, but I’m glad that I made the right decision to move on from him. I hope you understand why, and you’re not upset with me because he isn’t around anymore.”

Kendal released a deep sigh. “Believe me, I couldn’t care less about that man. I don’t care about Brent either, and for the last time, I’m not interested in being at an amusement park with a fake man who is trying too hard to get me on his team.”

“Well, as long as you stay on my team, that’s all that’s matters. Now, don’t stay up too late. If you decide to leave the house, call my cell phone to let me know where you’re going.”

“Tammi may come over later, but that’s it. Have fun and keep your eyes on the creep.”

I ignored Kendal’s comment. She always had something negative to say. No matter who I dated, she wouldn’t like them. Her feelings were exactly the same as mine when my mother divorced my father and remarried. I hated my stepfather, but after several years had passed, he wound up being the best thing that happened to my mother and to me.

My keys were on the kitchen table, right next to my purse. I told Kendal good-bye, and almost thirty minutes later, I arrived at Brent’s house in Clayton, Missouri. Clayton was an upscale neighborhood on the outskirts of St. Louis. But the houses, lofts, and apartments were overpriced. Brent lived in a ranch-style, brick house that was well kept and clean. The lawn was well manicured and the three-bedroom house sat on a tiny hill with a garage several feet behind it. His car was parked in the gravel-paved driveway, and after I parked my car behind it, I went to the door and rang the doorbell.

No one came to the door, but as I opened the screen to knock, I saw a note on the door that said: Open. I turned the knob, and as the door came open, I saw a trail of red, long-stemmed roses, leading to the dining room. When I reached the dining room, the trail of roses continued through the kitchen and all the way to the cozy den where we often chilled and watched TV. This time, however, the TV was not on. The drapes were closed, and numerous scented candles lit up the space. Two portable massage beds were side by side, along with fluffy pillows on top for comfort. Brent was lying on his stomach, with a masseuse standing next to him. A smile was on her face, and as she rubbed her oily hands together, she nudged her head toward the other bed that had a rose on top of it.

“We thought you’d never get here,” she said. “Mr. Carson was just getting ready to call you.”

Brent sat up, then laid a white towel across his lap. “I figured you would be late, but I’m glad you’re here. Happy Anniversary, baby. Sorry we won’t be able to make it to the amusement park, but I don’t think you’ll mind because I have an amazing day planned for us. For starters, you’ll have to remove your clothes. Either in here or feel free to use the bathroom.”

I was totally surprised by all of this. My mouth dropped wide open. The cozy room felt like a spa, and the smell of many sweet fragrances infused the air. I could tell the Chinese woman was a professional, simply because her skin appeared so rich and smooth. And the way she had everything set up let me know she had been at this for quite some time. As for me, I didn’t mind getting na. . .