Free Full Figured 10 by Skyy Page B

creeping up on me, and what I thought was going to be the best birthday ever had quickly turned into something I wanted to come and go as quickly as possible.
    I spent my time trying to understand where I’d gone wrong. How had we gone from zero to one hundred that fast? I knew it wasn’t that irrational of me to request that he contact me after a few days, so why had he flipped out? Maybe things were done differently than I imagined. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for a casual thing with anyone. But Onyx had never felt casual. No matter what he’d said, we were more than just something casual, or at least I thought so.
    By Sunday afternoon, my phone was blowing up from Tangie and other members of the church. I made my voice sound as horrible as possible and blamed my absence on being under the weather. I knew that I couldn’t say I was too sick, or people would show up at my doorstep with all types of soups and homemade remedies.
    By late Sunday night, I knew I had to get a grip on reality. I had businesses to run, and no person was ever supposed to come between me and work. But I couldn’t help but miss him. I battled with thoughts of whether I missed him or whether I missed only the possibilities that he presented to me. Onyx had given me a look into the way my life could be if I had a mate next to me. And as much as I wanted finally to lose my virginity, the idea of having someone by my side was more important than any sexual act.
    I knew there was one place where I could see him. On Monday he would be playing at my venue. I contemplated the pros and cons of attending. He could see me and realize that he had overreacted, and things could get back to status quo, or he could see me and feel like I was only there for him—which would totally be true. What if I got there and he was with another woman? That would break me, and I knew it. But maybe seeing him would be better than driving myself insane from thinking about him all day and night.
    * * *
    I arrived at my venue Monday night and was surprised by the huge turnout. There was a line to get in, something I had never seen before. I parked and came in through the back door. My heart dropped the moment I saw him sitting onstage, performing with the band. He was in his element and was moving his head to his beat. He didn’t see me come in, and I managed to sneak into the back without him noticing my presence.
    â€œHey, boss,” Miguel, my manager, said when I walked into the office. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
    â€œWhat’s going on? It’s a serious crowd out there.” I took a seat in one of the office chairs.
    â€œIt’s someone’s birthday. I think one of the band members. Yeah, it’s insane out there. I just came back here to do a drop. The bar is making a killing tonight.”
    Miguel excused himself, leaving me in the office alone. I could hear the crowd cheering over the number the band was playing. When the band finished the last note, I decided it was now or never. I walked out into the main room and stood in the corner, behind the bar. One of the waitresses was holding a tray full of shots on the stage. The band was giving toasts to the birthday boy, who turned out to be the saxophonist.
    I smiled at how happy Onyx looked as he and his bandmates took the round of shots. Afterward, they headed back to their instruments and began playing a round of old-school classics. The crowd was grooving; many couples filled the dance floor and danced to their songs. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Onyx. He was so intense, he had a big smile on his face, and he played the drums with so much passion. I couldn’t help but feel the energy coming from him.
    I stayed in the corner, watching as the band played and continued to consume various drinks. Finally, they had their last set and allowed a DJ to take over. Then they headed to the VIP area of the club, where a birthday cake was waiting, along