by A'zayler
“What you got your ass out there catching them flowers for?”
Goody frowned. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious. What you go out there for?
“Because I’m single and grown. Fuck you mean?”
Kayson ran up on her and got into her face. Goody held her ground and got right back in his. That nigga had some nerve.
“You running out there putting folks all in our business.”
Goody was flabbergasted. “Me? I’m putting people in our business?”
“That’s what the fuck I said.”
“So, I guess when you were all out in the club with your li’l bitch, sitting up in VIP together at our friend’s birthday party, that wasn’t putting people in our business? Nigga, you tried it.”
“Why you always bringing up old shit? That ain’t got nothing to do with us right now.”
“It has everything to do with us right now! Had you not been out there living like you didn’t have a wife, you would still have one, and we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“I wasn’t living like I didn’t have a wife! Maybe, had you been doing what you were supposed to do as my wife, then I wouldn’t have had to find another bitch.”
Goody’s blood surged into overdrive. That bastard had some serious nerve. “Fuck you! I did everything I could have done as your wife. You’re just a muthafucka who can’t be satisfied. It doesn’t matter if it’s me or somebody else, you’ll never do right. It’s just not in you.”
“Man, kill all that noise. Ain’t nobody trying to hear that shit. You just better learn to sit your ass down and stop doing the fucking most. In there catching the bouquet like you ain’t got no sense. Got everybody in there asking me are we still together,” he fumed. “I already let them damn pictures slide, but you really gon’ disrespect me in front of our people like that? Got people calling and telling me shit.”
“Our people? Nigga, them your people. Half of them muthafuckas in there knew you were doing me dirty and didn’t do shit but keep smiling in my face. Fuck them people. If they wanted to have a say so, they should have said something when I was in that damn house by myself everyday about to lose my damn mind while you were out here hoeing.” Goody grabbed the front of Kayson’s shirt. “Fuck you and them. Fuck. Your. People! They can kiss my ass too! They should have said some shit that mattered when it mattered,” she gritted through her teeth.
Goody walked away from him, not bothering to continue his theatrics. She wasn’t even in the mood to party anymore. Her run in with Kayson reminded her of why she’d done the right thing and left his ass. Even after all the things he’d put her through, he was still concerned about himself. Not the fact that he’d publicly embarrassed her, lied, cheated, and broken her into a million pieces.
Like she’d told him, fuck him and anybody else who wanted to have an input on how she chose to live her life after her divorce.
“Y’all let's go.”
Yummy and Forever both hopped up from their seats and followed her out the door. They bumped into Kayson while heading out. Goody hit him and kept on moving. She had better things to do than to get caught up with his shit again.
Once they got in the car, she explained everything that had happened to Forever and Yummy. They were both outraged by Kayson’s nerve. The entire ride to Goody’s house, they voiced their opinions and feelings. Goody was thankful for their company because she was back in a good mood by the time she reached home.
“What y’all finna do?” Yummy questioned them while walking to her car.
“I have to finish packing,” Forever answered. “I have to fly back out in the morning.”
Yummy’s face dropped. “Dang, already? You just got here.”
“What you mean already? I’ve been here long enough. Girl, I have to go home. I have work that needs to be done.”
“Oh, whatever. You need to move back out here anyway.”
“I second that,” Goody agreed with Yummy’s suggestion.
“Listen, y’all two have y’all lives here, I don’t.”
“Marcellus is here. You can make a life with him.” Goody leaned over the hood of the car with a sly smile.
Forever frowned hard. “Girl, I’m not about to move my life for no man. You know me better than that.”
Yummy high fived her. “I know that’s right.”
“Goody’s tripping.” Forever laughed.
Yummy chimed in, “Jerrico got her acting like that.”
“No, it’s not. I just miss her. I feel you, though. I wouldn’t do it either. These men ain’t shit.” Goody closed her car door and walked around the front of the car.
“Stop it, stop it right now. Don’t go being mean to Jerrico because Kayson just pissed you off.”
“For real, I can hear it all in your voice. You’re about to go be mean to him.”
Goody laughed first because they were right, she was. She had already felt the attitude on her when she’d seen his text in the car. He’d asked her to come see him at home once she got settled, and she hadn’t responded yet. Kayson had her in such a mean headspace that she hadn’t wanted to be nice to Jerrico either.
“You can’t make Jerrico pay for Kayson’s mistakes. If anything you need to let him heal you from them.”
“Okayyyyy, mama one and two. Damn.” Goody rolled her eyes.
Forever and Yummy whispered to each other behind her. She knew they were trying to annoy her, but she wouldn’t bite. They wanted her to go and see Jerrico so bad, so that was what she was going to do. As soon as she changed her clothes and got comfortable, she’d head over to his house.
Leaving her sister and cousin to do their own thing, Goody let herself into her apartment and headed for the shower. She needed to get herself together. It didn’t take her long to change out of her wedding clothes and into a casual pair of shorts and a tank top.
“So, you going to see Jerrico?” Forever came and lay on her bed.
Goody assumed Yummy had gotten into her car and gone home since she didn’t see her. “Yes, ma’am. You going to see Marcellus?”
Forever shook her head. “Nope. I need to be getting ready to go, not running behind a man.”
“Chile, please. You’re better than me. I’d be on my way to get that dick. You already about to go back across the world. There’s no telling when’s the next time you’ll get some sex that good.”
“Who told you it was good?”
Goody stopped and looked at Forever with her mouth wide open. “It’s not good? What wrong with it? Is it too little?”
“Eww, why are you all in my business?”
“First of all, you put me in your business, so don’t try to act private now.”
Forever lay back on the bed and sighed heavily. “All I know is that I don’t want to leave him tomorrow. I wish I could pack him up and take him back to California with me.”
Goody flopped down on the bed. She loved Forever and Marcellus being a thing. Since Forever nor Marcellus spoke about their lives freely, she wasn’t sure how serious what they were doing was, but it was cute to daydream.
“Aww, that’s so sweet. What y’all be doing?”
“Nothing, nosey.” She laughed and pushed Goody’s face away from her.
“Hold out then, hoe. I’m finna get me some dick, and guess what?” Goody threw her backpack over her shoulder. “I’ma tell you all about it as soon as I climb off him.”
Goody stuck her tongue out at Forever before walking out of her room. She was serious about getting her some dick. She hadn’t had any in a few days, and Jerrico was about to shake something as soon as she got there. Even if she had to take it, she was getting it, and there was all to it.
Once in the car, she called to let him know that she was on her way. He answered on the first ring.
“Hey babe, I’m almost there.”
“Okay, good, I’m waiting for you. How was the wedding?”
“It was okay. I missed you the whole time, though.”
She fabricated the truth a little. She had been arguing with Kayson, but it had indeed made her miss Jerrico.
“I missed you too. I’m glad you’re on your way. How long do you have before you perform tonight?”
“A few hours. You coming?”
“Come on now, you know I’ll be there.”
Goody smiled. The way he supported her would never get old. She’d been deprived of real attention for so many years that his attention made her feel giddy on the inside.
“I know I’m about to perform good now.” She cheesed.
Their conversation continued until she pulled up to the valet loop at his lofts. He was at the door still holding the phone in his hand when she spotted him. Seeing him no shirt on and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, Goody was refreshed with why she felt like she loved him already. His sexy chocolate ass.
“Why you out here with no clothes on?” Goody wrapped one arm around his waist.
“I was waiting for you. I haven’t been out here long.”
“Um, huh, come on.” Goody grabbed his hand and led him into his building.
She’d been there enough times to know the way back to his place, so she took the lead. When they were on the elevator, she leaned her chest against his and tooted her lips up so they could kiss. He welcomed her immediately. His arms even circled her body, holding her closer to him.
“I want sex, babe,” Goody whispered into his mouth.
Jerrico laughter shook her body some. “When do you ever not want sex?”
Goody smirked and shrugged. “When you make me mad.”
The bell dinged, and they got off the elevator. Goody resumed the lead with him following close behind her. She smelled the food as soon as she got inside. She wasted no time kicking her shoes off and dropping her purse beside them on the floor. Jerrico closed the door behind them and walked her into the living room. Without him having to tell her what to do, Goody began to pull off her clothes.
“Wait a minute, woman. What are you doing?”
“I said I wanted sex.” She looked at him as if he should have known.
“I know, but I didn’t know you meant right this second.”
“When else would I mean it?”
Jerrico’s laughter only pissed her off because nothing about the way she felt right then was a laughing matter. She felt like she was starving, and he was standing there playing games.
“Jerrico, really?” she questioned.
“Yes, really. Calm down.” He stood in front of her casually.
Goody’s eyes squinted at him as she looked him up and down. “Who been over here?”
“What? What you talking about?”
“I’m saying, who’s been over here with you?”
“Nobody. Why you ask that?”
Goody crossed her arms and fueled her crazy mind. “You must have already had sex since you don’t want to give me none. You already ain’t got on no clothes.”
“Paradise, are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Jerrico shook his head and walked away. Goody followed him, ready to argue. He was going to tell her something, and fast before she really lost her mind. When she found him, he was in the kitchen rubbing icing on a cake. It was two tiers with pink icing and strawberries lining the outside. Even with arguing on her mind, Paradise had to pause for two reasons.
The first one being that strawberry was her favorite cake, and two, because it was just that pretty. Jerrico was a known perfectionist, but that cake was in a league of its own. If the shape, frosting, and design were that impressive, she could only imagine how good it must taste.
“What’s that for?” Goody asked.
His back had been to her since she’d walked into the kitchen, and he hadn’t turned to face her. Although she still wanted to know had he had sex with someone before she’d gotten there, she didn’t want him to be mad at her while she asked. Jerrico was more likable when they got along because the way he could ignore a person was overwhelming.
Goody was used to a man who would argue back with her, and Jerrico wasn’t that. “Nothing,” he answered dryly.
Goody leaned on the counter behind him. “So, you made that big, pretty cake for no reason?”
“It was for you, but I probably should have given it to the girl I just got done fucking,” he stated sarcastically.
Goody felt like a complete fool. She remained quiet until the silence got the best of her. Slowly, she walked to him and kissed the middle of his bare back. The words, I Love You, were written in a pretty red color on the top of the cake.
Her heart melted. She hugged him tighter without him giving her any attention. His rough exterior only lasted a little while longer as her kissing and rubbing took over.
“I’m sorry for being so crazy.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I have to do better. I’m tired of being crazy.”
“You can’t help it. You’ve been through a lot.”
Goody lay her face against his back. “I know, but I don’t want to keep going through it, so I have to find a way out of this.”
Jerrico put the icing knife down and turned to face her. “How about you just believe what I say and respect who I am until its normal for you. Ignore all the other crazy stuff.”
He peered into her eyes as he spoke, making the moment that much more serious. Goody nodded and inwardly prayed that she’d actually be able to do that. When she felt like their heart to heart was getting the best of her, she pulled away and backed up to the counter. She watched Jerrico move around the kitchen, cutting her cake and preparing it for her to eat.
When he turned to face her, she smiled. “I think I might need to go ahead and marry you. You too fine to still be on the market.”
Jerrico’s smile widened. “Man, go ’head on. You ain’t talking about shit.”
“No, I’m for real.” Goody cheesed up at him. “Propose to me and see for yourself.”
“I’ll think about it. For now, eat this cake.” He handed her the plate and kissed her mouth.
Paradise walked out, leaving him in the kitchen alone. Her feet were hurting, and she needed to rest them before getting ready for her show later. The heels she planned to wear were tall as hell and would surely have her calf muscles on fleek.
When she got into his bedroom, the lights from his speaker were flashing, letting her know that it was on. Goody, being Goody, wanted to hear some music.
“Babe, where’s your phone?” she yelled since more times than not, his speaker was hooked up to his phone.
“Come get it.”
Goody rolled her eyes. She did not feel like walking all the way back to the kitchen. She was still pouting when she rounded the corner and bumped into him. He grabbed her body as soon as she slammed into him. A soft peck to her head and a slap to her butt sent her on her way.
“Be more careful, baby,” he said while walking away.
Goody stood back and watched him in awe. He was such a burst of sunshine on a rainy day. If asked to pinpoint one thing about him that she liked the most, she wouldn’t even be able to. That was how much she loved him. When she was finally able to pull herself out of her trance, she returned to his room and found some music to put on.
She was scrolling through his songs when a text came through. Goody had no reason to go through his phone, and since he’d brought it right to her, he obviously didn’t have anything to hide. However, she wasn’t blind, and when the message slid across the top of the screen, she’d read it.
Money Mars: I got the ring for you. You can get it at the club. Shit’s hot!
Ring? What? Goody’s heart began to beat faster as her mind raced from marrying to Jerrico to having his babies. Since she wasn’t sure what he was talking about and didn’t want to ruin his surprise, if it was in fact what she was thinking, Goody found a song and tossed the phone onto the bed.
In a rush, she ran into the bathroom and searched beneath his cabinet for her nail polish and polish r
emover before walking as calmly as she could back into his bedroom. When she was seated and removing the polish from her toes, Jerrico walked in with a weird look on his face. His eyes were all over the place, going from her to the dresser, the bed, then back to her.
“What?” Goody questioned, trying her best not to give anything away.
Jerrico walked in, still looking around. “Oh, nothing. I was just checking on you.” He sat on the bed behind her, and Goody could feel him reaching for his phone.
He scrolled through it for a minute before returning his attention back to her.
“I don’t know why I didn’t just go to the nail salon for this.” She sucked her teeth. “I’m about to mess up my nails.” She frowned while surveying the damage the polish remover was doing to her fingernails.
“Here, let me do it.” Jerrico grabbed the wet cotton ball from her hand and took a seat in front of her on the floor. “If you would have waited, I would have done it for you from the beginning. Always being so fast.”
Jerrico smirked while rubbing her toes with the polish remover. Goody’s head fell back involuntarily because it felt so good to have his hands on her. The tips of his fingers were sliding carefully over each toe, and it felt so good. Too good to even explain.
“You aight up there?”
Goody held her head up and looked at him through fluttering lids. “Don’t ask me that.” She smiled.
“Why, nasty ass?”
Goody snickered. “I’m glad you know. That’s exactly why I said, don’t ask me.”
“You’re getting out of control. You be wanting to fuck more than me.”
“Correction, I be wanting to make love more than you. I love you, you gon’ have my children, and you probably gon’ be my husband. You my man, and these other niggas is hoes. I make love to you, I want to be with you, but I fuck around with other niggas from time to time. I don’t know why I just do it.” Goody’s eyes were closed, but she peeked them open to see Jerrico’s face after reciting the lines from her favorite movie of all time, Baby Boy.
“Why you love playing so much?” Jerrico pulled her body to his and began to tickle her. “Let me find out you fucking other niggas from time to time.”
