His Queen

A New Fixture In My Life

Cleo seemed to have woke up in the twilight zone the next day. 

For a moment, it seemed like Tyrone’s visit had been a dream or nightmare. But when she walked down the stairs and looked at the dining room table, she could clearly still see where he’d stamped his cigar out.  

Breathing out confused as to why he had been nice to her. He even let them stay in the home he technically owned now. And even weirder? Neither Peyton or Hailey seemed to have a mean bone in their body this morning.  

Cleo almost didn’t know how to react to Hailey skirting around her and Peyton not meeting her eye. Suddenly Cleo had all this power she never asked for. And it was dominant over the two bitches who’d made her life miserable.  

Of course, she wanted to enjoy it, but in all honesty, if this was power? Cleo didn’t want it.  

“I’m going to school,” Cleo muttered as Peyton actually started to serve her breakfast and not just look at her like she was scum for asking.  

Pushing the not-eaten plate away scared she might be poisoned; Cleo made a break for it. But Peyton caught her, “Wait, let Hailey take you to school!”  Hailey looked at her mom horrified as she whispered, “Mom if people see me with her, they’ll think I’m lame too.”  

Peyton closed her eyes in irritation, in all honesty, Cleo felt idiotic. How did she not notice?  

The paleness, the fidgeting, the twitch in her face...Peyton was an addict alright. And she was feigning for another fix.  

“Just, take her to school damn it!” Peyton bitched not caring she was bitching at her daughter right now. Nose flaring as she fought tears, Hailey shot up with her mouth bunched to the side.  

When they got to the hall, Hailey hissed, “I’m dropping you off down the street.” Cleo scoffed, “Yeah trust me I’d rather ride my bike then be stuck in a moving vehicle with you.” Hailey gave Cleo a look of disgust wanting to hit her.  

But knowing Cleo would hit her back, and how hard, made Hailey’s gut say no.  

They got outside and Cleo was taken aback as she suddenly remembered another thing Tyrone had said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And see her he was because he stood in front of a black escalade alone.  

In a black t-shirt and jeans, he leaned against his truck smiling as she came out. “Hey.” Cleo looked at Hailey who was feasting her eyes on the muscles stretching out a v-neck. “Hi...” Cleo nervously pointed to the door, “Are you here for Peyton?”  

Tyrone laughed softly, “No gorgeous I’m here for you. Come with me, I’ll take you to school.” Cleo didn’t know if she wanted to get in the car with Tyrone. Because while he didn’t scream danger, he damn sure made her nervous.  

But when Hailey scoffed bitterly and pushed past her, Cleo didn’t really have much a choice. Walking to him slowly, Cleo didn’t know they were being watched at the time. But Peyton did watch, and she was just as salty seeing it.  

Tyrone helped Cleo into his truck sweetly and asked if she was good before closing her door. But it was as the large and intimidating man rounded the truck it happened. His eyes seemed to slice Hailey in half as she seemed to still want to be a b***h.  

Peyton included gawking from her bedroom window didn’t miss the look he gave her. A look promising a confrontation that wouldn’t end well for her.  

Spending her day drinking, Peyton tried to be drunk enough not to want anything else. Cleo rode with Tyrone a little uncomfortable in his presence. Not because he did anything or gave her a bad feeling.  

But because he was man, and she’d never been alone with one like him before. “You okay? You seem nervous.” Tyrone noted as he looked at her sitting rigid in her seat. “Um yeah.”  

But when Tyrone sent her an amused look at a stop sign, Cleo fought a smile. Only barely. “I guess...I’m just a little nervous. Mostly because I don’t know what you want from me.” Tyrone pulled up to Cleo’s school, “How about, I pick you up from school today. And then I'll tell you.”  

Cleo looked at Tyrone closely, “How...okay.” Shrugging as she gave up trying to figure out this mysterious person, Cleo got out the truck. “See you at two-thirty.” Tyrone told her sweetly before shooting her a wink. Cleo didn’t know how to respond so she just waved shyly and headed inside. 

Getting to her locker, Cleo was still in deep thought when someone walked over to her. “Hey.” Looking over confused at the voice, Cleo muttered, “Sup Jordan.” Jordan wilted at her dry greeting and asked, “Nothing much, how you?”  

Shrugging a shoulder, Cleo admitted, “Spiraling even more than usual and yourself?”  

Jordan chuckled, “Just fine, I won the state championships again! Got so many college offers!” Cleo nodded as she waited for the point where this was her business. Because as exes, she didn’t see how this was her business.  

Looking at her for a moment seeing nothing but a blank disconnect, Jordan asked, “Hey you sure you good?” Bell ringing loud overhead, Cleo sighed, “Gotta go. See ya around.”  

Walking past the spluttering boy who had hoped for more, Cleo stalked to her first class.