Paper Dolls Read online

  “The heck it isn’t. Oh my goodness, Rae! Are you two going to get back together?”

  “No! No! I told him it was a mistake. It was just something that happened, but it won’t happen again. It’s over, we both agreed. Over,” Raven said.

  “Huh? Are you serious? You don’t mean that.”

  “Zee? Please let it go. We are not your fairytale couple. My marriage ended last year. It’s time I accepted it, and you too. Oh my God! Between you and Valentina I don’t know where to turn.”

  “Valentina? Wait, you told Valentina before you told me?” Zephyr whined.

  “I saw Valentina and she guessed,” Raven corrected her.

  “Rae? What the hell? She’s the reason for your funky attitude. She hates him. She blames Alexander for getting her kicked out of the Diamonds. You know that.”

  Raven’s gaze went up. She looked at Zephyr with surprise. Zephyr never cursed unless she was really upset, and then she only said damn or hell. “She gave me good advice. Let’s leave it at that.”

  Zephyr rinsed the shampoo out. She squeezed another dollop into her palm for another wash and rinse. She said nothing. She was hurt, disappointed, and not afraid to pout. Raven was the worst at letting go of grudges. To this day she didn’t speak to her father for the abandonment of her mother, and he was a cheater. Alexander never stood a chance after he cheated on her. That sealed it for Raven. And the sad thing was that Raven loved Alexander deeper than she loved any man, ever. It was hard to watch her best friend suffer through her choices. Yet who was she to judge when she considered her own mistakes?

  “I do love him,” Raven sighed. “You were right about that. But I can’t forget what he did. And I won’t punish him by giving him false hope. I have to let him go Zee. And the mere thought of it is making me crazy all over again. Damn it. I’ve been through this pain. I don’t want to carry it again. Alex doesn’t either. He’s a good man. He deserves to be happy.”

  “I understand. You do what’s best for you, girl.” Zephyr said.

  “No, Zee, it’s best for us both. I truly believe that,” Raven lied. Zephyr could tell by the way her voice quivered. She felt so sorry for her friend.

  “Yeah right, you do what’s best for you both,” Zephyr said.

  The girls heard shouting and yelling at the front of the salon. Both of them looked up. LaCretia from the Black Diamonds was let inside the door to the salon. The paparazzi mobbed her with their camera lenses and yelled her name.

  “What is she doing here?” Zephyr gasped.

  “Thank heavens Valentina isn’t here,” Raven answered. “You better go up there and greet her.”

  “Be right back.” Zephyr walked up to the front of the salon. She hurried to her customer. LaCretia’s head turned after hugging Manuel. “Zee! Hiya doing, guuuurrrrl!”

  “LaCretia, this is a surprise. I heard on the radio that you girls were in town for Calle Ocho.”

  “Yes we performed at Nikki Beach last night. You know how it is. We gave them a taste before the concert kicks off.”

  “And they were fierce!” Manuel exclaimed. Zephyr cut him down with a get-back-to-your-client-or-else glare. He shrugged, turned, and left. LaCretia smiled.

  “You look good, Zee, like always.”

  “Thank you, what…um…what do you need?” Zephyr asked. She glanced behind her to see more paparazzi arriving and jumping out of their cars. “Manuel, drop the blinds and make sure all the doors are locked.” She ordered.

  “The others are back on the island getting made over, but I had my driver bring me here. I took a chance, because I know you’re closed on Thursday.”

  “Took a chance huh?” Zephyr narrowed her eyes on Manuel. He hurried and refused to look over to cover his guilt.

  “Yes! We will be doing the closing ceremony tonight for the festivities. Nobody can do my hair-weave like you. I was hoping a few pieces and some nice thick curls.”

  “Oh, LaCretia, I’m sorry, boo. I’m booked. I really can’t.”

  “Zee, please! Please! I really do miss you.” LaCretia begged. “Tell her, Manny! I need this!”

  Zephyr was sure that Raven was straining her neck to hear her response. Everyone knew Valentina owned half of the salon still, even outside of bankruptcy. If she knew LaCretia was there she’d blow a blood vessel.

  “Well, I—”

  “Thank you! Thank you!” LaCretia leapt on her. She hugged her neck. Zephyr smiled. “Just have a seat, I have to finish Raven.”

  “Oh and hi, Raven! How you doing?”

  Raven leaned back into the washbowl, pissed. She had given strict orders to Barry and Kevin to keep the Black Diamonds on the Island.

  “You don’t hear me calling your name?” LaCretia asked.

  Raven lifted her head from the sink. “Hi, LaCretia, is everything okay? Are you and the girls okay?”

  “Oh it’s better than okay, thanks for renting Madonna’s place for us. I swear it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. And Barry is cute. The girls distracted him while I made my escape. So don’t blame him. Okay?”

  “He knows better than to be easily distracted,” Raven gave a fake laugh. “I’m glad you made it here without any incident. The paps are crazy right now. And Black and Tan has put a hit squad on the streets to find where you girls are staying.”

  “We heard,” LaCretia grinned. “It’s kind of exciting. But don’t worry, Rae. I’m careful. I know you got a lot on your mind. It’s all over the news and radio about Liza-Rayne.”

  Raven grimaced but maintained her fake smile. LaCretia tossed her fake locks. “We know the game. We’re careful.”

  “Good job on that interview you gave yesterday. Kevin and I were both fielding calls for more.”

  “Really? Cool,” LaCretia smacked on her gum. Raven wished the conversation would end. Zephyr walked around the sink and dropped Raven’s head back down. Neither of them could avoid nor change the uncomfortable silence between the three.

  “So how’s Valentina?” LaCretia asked.

  Zephyr looked up from the hair rinsing. “She’s doing good. She’s happy.”

  “I miss her at times. There’s no one like her,” LaCretia said.

  “Yeah. She’s one of a kind. Oh, I just saw Danni walk in. Why don’t you go up there and have her take out your tracks. She’ll get you prepped for me,” Zephyr said.

  “Oh, okay.” She nodded and walked off.

  Zephyr blew out a deep breath.

  “You really going to do her hair? You know Valentina is going to lose it,” Raven warned.

  “It’s business, Rae.”

  “This salon is part Valentina’s, Zee. You should have told her to go.”

  “Me!” Zephyr snapped and Manny looked up at them. She lowered her voice. “How are you of all people going to lecture me? You represent her. Why didn’t you tell her to take her yellow-tail back to Starr Island?”

  Raven looked up at her friend, as the water rinsed her hair again. “Because I don’t have that kind of power and that bitch knows it. I’m stuck. I want to drop everybody from Katz Records. I can’t. The fucking divorce decree has me tied to it.”

  “You know I think Alexander put that in the divorce papers to keep you close,” Zephyr teased.

  “I’m sure he did,” she admitted. “I was in such a hurry to be divorced from him I signed my career to him. I have to play P.R. bullshit niceties, but you don’t. This is your place. You can wait on whom you choose. LaCretia ain’t stupid. She’s here to snoop.”

  “Doesn’t matter, her money is green like the rest of them. For the trouble, I’m charging her messy tail double.”

  “Now wait a minute. Don’t let your prices cut into my commission,” Raven said.

  They shared a laugh of forgiveness. They were both stressed. Zephyr couldn’t get the gossip magazine article of José’s latest bimbo out of her mind. And Raven was evidently in pain over Alexander’s return.

  “Seriously, it’s too late. The paps are outside. She g
ets kicked out and then what? Zephyr Falls is all in the drama, that’s what.” Zephyr said.

  “Valentina’s going to kick your ass,” Raven teased.

  Zephyr squirted water in Raven’s eyes and Raven squealed. “Never tease your stylist, word of advice.”

  Raven laughed. “Okay, my bad.”

  Zephyr worked on Raven’s roller set as her assistant worked on LaCretia’s hair next to her. They had locked the doors and dropped the shades when the Paparazzi arrived. Which meant it would be on the news, radio, and Internet soon. That also meant Valentina would hear about it.

  “Zee, you still dating José?” LaCretia asked, typing a text message on her phone.

  Zephyr looked over with bobby pins in her mouth. She pinned down the roller and spit the pins into her hand. “I sure am.”

  “Oh cool. So you’re going to West Palm too?” LaCretia asked.

  It was Raven’s turn to cut her gaze over to LaCretia. “What’s in West Palm?”

  “T.J. Stroker is having his private affair for the week there. Invite only, we got one and I saw José’s name on the list. I was wondering if Zee would be there.”

  “I thought you said the Marlins started training camp?” Raven asked.

  Zephyr’s hand shook. Putting the roller down she forced levity to her voice. “Did I say that? Oh, no that’s next week. I got my dates confused. Ah, no, LaCretia, I’m not going. Hey ladies, excuse me. I need some more bobby pins.”

  Raven’s head turned. Zephyr hurried to the back of the salon. Everyone watched in silence, not fooled by her explanation. There was a container of bobby pins in the roller tray. Raven pushed up from the chair. Her hair half rolled and her smock still tied around her neck. “Excuse me.”

  Zephyr rushed into her office and took in deep breaths. She plopped down behind her desk and typed with tears a search for the Marlins’ training camp schedule. In a flash his lie was on display before her eyes. Her heart didn’t want to believe what her mind digested. She was such a fool. A complete idiot.

  “Zee?” Raven said. She knocked before she entered. “Hey you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She wiped at her eyes and clicked off the screen. She stood.

  “No you aren’t, sweetie. José lied again, didn’t he?” Raven walked inside the office and closed the door.

  “Nope. I think he got confused on the dates.”

  “Damn, Zee. Don’t do that. Not with me. Okay?”

  Zephyr dropped her head in her upturned palms. “I’m so tired Rae. Tired of letting him hurt me. Why does he do this? When does it end? Why not just break up with me and be done with it?”

  “It ends when you say it does.” Raven walked over and pulled her friend into a loving hug.

  Zephyr cried into her shoulder. “I’m done. It’s over. I’m really done.”

  Zephyr had said those words many times before. She knew Raven didn’t believe her. Hell if it were Valentina she’d call her on it. But Raven wasn’t that cruel. “Sit down.”

  Zephyr accepted the tissues and sat. The door opened and Manuel peeked inside. “Everything okay, Madame Zee?” he asked.

  “Yes, Manny, I’m fine.”

  He frowned and looked at Raven for confirmation. “She’s okay. Can you take on LaCretia?”

  “I got that photo thing at Bel Harbor––aw hell, fine, she got a nappy weave, how hard is that to fix.” He rolled his eyes and walked back out.

  They both chuckled, and Raven stroked Zephyr’s silky curls. “Sweetie, you have to stop this. How much of it can you take?”

  “I said it was over.” Zephyr sniffed. When Raven didn’t respond she saw her looking at her with a sly smile. She smiled in return. “Okay, I plan to hear him out. At the very least I need to curse him out.”

  “Oh good grief.” Raven stood. “Girl, you’re a saint, or got the patience of one. I swear I don’t get you two. Don’t you see the secret ingredient to José’s cheating on you is you?”

  “It’s complicated, Rae.” Zephyr blinked.

  “The way you enable him. You make it easy for him. You never challenge him. Hell, Zee, I don’t even know why he lies to you. I’m sure even the truth would keep you with him. How could you graduate the top in our class and be so brilliant, but so slow when it comes to loving this man?”

  “Look who’s talking, Ms. I just had sex with my ex-husband but it’s over.”

  Raven smiled. “That’s different and you know it.”

  “Not really. You love Alexander and I love José. Life can basically be that simple.”

  “But I let Alexander go,” Raven said with triumph.

  “Oooooh I get it now!” Zephyr crossed her legs. “That’s why you keep his shirts in your closet? Why you named your vibrator after him. Why you still call him your husband when his name comes up?”

  “I’m trying, Zee. That’s the difference. I’m trying to do what’s best for me. When are you going to start fighting back? That’s the real question.”

  Zephyr flinched. “I just got bad luck with men. Every boyfriend I ever had cheated on me. White, Spanish, Asian, and now black, It doesn’t matter. They all cheat.”

  Raven sat down again. “And look at what they all had in common: you.”

  “Gee thanks. If I wanted the blunt truth I’d call Valentina. I thought I could at least talk to you without all the judgment.”

  Raven smiled and touched her hand. “I have to believe that there are good men out there. Alexander was one for a short time. Maybe they all can be. It’s like when you meet a guy, he has the invisible scorecard right.”

  “Scorecard?” Zephyr laughed. “Rae, don’t start with your metaphors. I’m not in the mood.”

  “No. Hear me out. I’m serious. It’s like he has this invisible scorecard. So initially he checks off all the physical stuff. You know the stuff that made him ask you on the date. It’s a running tally that helps him build his play, his moves, and counter moves. He listens, and watches, and observes. What you say, how you say it, what you find funny, what you don’t. One by one he checks it off. He discovers what we will and will not do, and then it’s game, set, we got a match. From that day forward he plays it the way we tell him.”

  “Okay? So they have a scorecard. So what?” Zephyr said.

  “What if we come to the table with our own scorecard? What if you start a checklist, Zee? And eliminate those fools before they ever get to whisper sweet lies in your ear. Change the rules. Set down some boundaries. Hell, all the nasty diseases out there, aren’t you afraid he’d bring any of them home to you? The man is walking sex on legs, and he’s either swinging his million dollar arm, or slanging his million dollar dick at any target he can.”

  Zephyr smiled. “Wow. You sure do have him down pat.”

  “It’s easier to see someone else’s flaws instead of your own,” Raven admitted.

  “Then listen to me, Rae. Alexander isn’t José. He doesn’t cheat for sport. He made a mistake and he wants you back. Do you really think if you let him in your life he’d cheat again?”

  “The problem is, Zee, if I let him back in it means that I can live with what happened between us. My baby. I carried that baby for eight months and she took one breath in my arms. She died.” Raven’s eyes began to tear. “I needed my husband. I may not have acted like it, but I needed him so bad, and he turned to that bitch. I love him with my soul. I swear it. I may never again love another man the way I love him. But I have to be honest. If I can’t be number one in his eyes I can’t settle for number two. He changed the rules, Zee. I’m sad, angry, and hurt that it happened, but it did.”

  “I understand. I won’t push you any more,” Zephyr said.

  “Okay, now will you please finish my hair? I really do have to get the hell out of here. I’ve blown the morning and now I’ve got my company falling apart.”

  “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. Yes, yes. Let’s get you all beautified and then out the door.”

  Zephyr hugged her. “You know I love you like a play cousin.�
�

  Chapter Six

  A First Kiss

  Two days later –

  “I would like to thank, my family, friends, managers, and agent for their unwavering support. As many of you know the road to recovery is a difficult one, and even more challenging when you are young, and ill equipped to deal with the sudden pressures that fame brings. I’m happy to say that I am one hundred percent committed to staying clean, and reclaiming my life. I am also very appreciative of the outpouring of love and prayers from my fans. Hashtag we-luv-u-Liza-Rayne has warmed my heart. Please respect my privacy and the privacy of my family as we work our way through this together. Thank you.”

  Liza-Rayne folded the note. Her large oval sunglasses and wide brim black floppy hat covered half her face. Her auburn locks blew with the Miami wind. Dressed in a white shirt, long black crocheted vest, and jeans, she appeared a lot more human and fragile than the cokehead party girl the press accurately portrayed her to be. Raven hoped it worked.

  The fallen starlet turned to her mother’s open arms. The press bulbs flashed and questions were hurled at her like stones. Raven could stand no more. The kid had suffered enough. Besides, a star’s fall from grace caused a feeding frenzy with these bloodsuckers.

  “As Liza-Rayne’s publicist I will take a few questions from the press,” said Raven.

  1st Reporter: “Where does Katz Records land on this? Will it delay her album release?”

  Raven: “The label is very supportive. They stand behind Liza one hundred percent.”

  2nd Reporter: “Is it true that Disney is talking cancellation? She’s already lost twelve sponsors.”

  Raven: “As I said, everyone is very supportive of Liza-Rayne. Right now we are focused on her recovery. Too often celebrities hide from addiction. Liza-Rayne understands that her recovery could be a wakeup call for other young people. That is why she agreed to come out and face you all today. She’s only sixteen. She’s making the best choice for her health and wellbeing.”

  3rd Reporter: “How long will she be here? TMI says this is her third attempt to get clean?”