Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2)

by Jaye McCloud

  “Say a word about what?”

  “Say a word about what?” Her brothers ask at the same time.

  “None of your business.”

  “None of your business.” Her brothers mimic in tandem.

  “You guys are jerks.” She rolls her eyes at them. “Dad, the boys are bothering us.” Danece laughingly complains to my Uncle Joe when he saunters into the room.

  “Leave the girls alone.” He replies and then without missing a beat gives me a big welcoming bear hug. “Ti, baby girl, when did you get here?”

  “Hi Uncle Joe.” I smile, returning his affection. “Just a few minutes ago, I guess I’m the first to arrive.”

  “Who’s your favorite uncle?” My uncle asks me this question every time he sees me. This is our thing and has been since I was a toddler. “You are Uncle Joe.” I respond as I always do, giving him a big warm smile.

  “You are Uncle Joe.” His sons, my twenty-something grown ass cousins, mimic at the exact same time, as they always do if they are around to hear our exchange.

  “Danny, Raimon, stop messing with your cousin and go help your dad in the backyard.” My aunt lovingly reprimands them.

  “I guess that’s our cue to start setting up.” My uncle says as he gives my aunt a kiss, winks at us and starts walking towards the back of the house and on out to the backyard.

  Observing my aunt, uncle and their adult children, it suddenly occurs to me that this is an older version of Antonio and me. This is how our family could look…how our children could look. We could have a happy life…just like this. If only…

  ~~~~

  Just before noon, family and friends start showing up in droves. The house and backyard are thick with people. My parents, Alice and Sam, arrive shortly after one, with my beloved grandparents, Annie and Ellis, accompanying them. Actually, they are returning my grandparents to my aunt’s home, where they have been living for the past two years. My mom and my aunt had a bit of a falling out back then, because my Aunt Helena and Uncle Joe are better financially situated to care for my grandparents. This has been one of their causes of disagreement and sometimes it comes out during family gatherings –like this one.

  I spend hours hugging, laughing, recalling childhood memories, and chitchatting with just about everyone…And I’m loving it! I haven’t seen many of my relatives in quite a while; especially since I started working for Mrs. Bentini; even less so once I started dating Antonio. Now is the perfect time to just sit back, relax and enjoy the day. Which is exactly what I’m doing.

  Until I notice someone who looks like… No it can’t be! What in the world is he doing here of all places! Sitting near the big oak tree in my aunt’s small garden, I see him before he sees me. What is he doing here? How does he even know my aunt and uncle? I wonder if I should go find out. Before I can make up my mind, his eyes catches mine and he immediately starts walking over to me.

  “Good afternoon lovely lady. This is a nice surprise.” Allen Langston says, with a hesitant smile, as he sits down next to me.

  “Hi Allen, how are you?” I greet him, glancing around the yard. “What are you doing here? How do you know my aunt and uncle?”

  “Smiling into my eyes, he replies, “I’m fine.” But then, his expression becomes serious. “How are you lovely lady?”

  “I’m good Allen. How do you know my aunt and uncle?” I ask again.

  “I don’t know who your aunt and uncle are. I was invited by a friend… perhaps you know her –Tanya Bianchi?” He asks doubtfully.

  “Oh wow, that’s my Uncle Joe’s niece. My Uncle Joe Bianchi… this is his and my aunt’s home.” I say a little surprised.

  “Well, I guess it’s a small world after all.” Allen says, quite amused.

  “Yeah, I guess it is.” I agree quietly.

  “Look, Tiressa, I don’t like the way we ended things…there was no real closure, you left the park so abruptly. You know, I thought that prick, Derrick Matthews was the one moving in on me. Imagine my surprise when I started hearing rumors about you and my boss, Antonio Bentini.” Looking at him steadily, I refuse confirm or deny what he is obviously asking me.

  “I heard what happened at the club…you know, between Matthews and Bentini. Did you know that Bentini had a few words with me about you?” Allen stops speaking, waiting for me to say something. “No. I didn’t know that.” I hesitate briefly before continuing. “I don’t want to know what was said.” I say sincerely, but Allen ignores my wishes. “Apparently, Bentini is a very possessive man. He made it perfectly clear that he would come after me if I didn’t stay away from you.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you Allen…I think it was over between us before it ever really began.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. I wish that it wasn’t over between us…you know that I still care for you.”

  “Allen—”

  “I know, I get it. So, how’s that working out for you?”

  This time, I don’t bother being evasive. “It’s kinda complicated.” I reply, desperately wanting to change the topic. “How long have you and Tanya been dating?” He smiles, knowing I’m uncomfortable discussing my boyfriend-situation with him and desperately wish to change the topic.

  “Actually, I met her last weekend at a house party.” We laugh together, then his expression becomes solemn. “I can’t tell you how much I regret screwing things up with you. If only I had told you about my divorce before Matthews did. I’m sorry Tiressa—”

  “Allen…what happened, happened. I’m not mad about it anymore—”

  “It’s just that sometimes I think…if I had it to do over again, I would come clean, from the start…just like you said I should have. If I had done things differently, then maybe you wouldn’t be with Bentini…maybe you and I would have had a chance to work things out.”

  “Allen—”

  “I guess we live and learn, right?”

  “Right. We learn from our mistakes, if we’re smart.”

  “So, do you think we could be friends?”

  “Allen…I would like to say yes, but I don’t think that would be good for either of us…at least not at this time. My relationship with Antonio is…well, he can be kinda jealous.”

  “You’re right, you have a possessive boyfriend, and I want to keep my job…and my legs.”

  “What do you mean keep your legs? Did Antonio threaten to harm you?” I demand, a little shaken by that.

  “Let’s just say that he made himself perfectly clear.”

  ***

  “Hi, I’m Tiressa Hawkins’s boyfriend, Antonio Bentini, she’s expecting me.”

  “Oh hey man, I’m her cousin, Ray.” They shake hands.

  “Nice to meet you, Ray. Ti’s told me a lot about your parents’ annual family barbeque. I’m glad to be invited.” Antonio says at his most charming.”

  “Come on, follow me; she’s out back.” Ray says as they walk across the lawn to the side of the house. “Damn man, you got some size on you, are you a baller?” Ray asks, eyeing Antonio’s impressive height.

  “Nope, just a regular business man.” Antonio replies chuckling.

  “Do you play ball at all?”

  “Yeah, but mostly with my brothers.”

  “Good enough. If you think you can hang, we could use you later when we get out on the court.”

  Laughing, Antonio takes him up on the invite. “Yeah, I’m up for a little exercise.” He thinks to himself, “I have more than a little pent up energy I need to work off.” As soon as they come around the corner of the house and enter the back yard, Antonio face turns to stone. “There’s Ti right over there.” Ray says pointing to where she is sitting in his mom’s garden.

  “What the hell is he doing here?!” Antonio bites out as he walks faster. Seeing Antonio approaching me and Derrick, I stand up, quickly stepping away from Allen.

  “Hey Ti, look who I found out front.”

  “Thanks, Ray.” Then turning my attention to the irate man next to him. “Antonio.” I s
ay nervously. “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Not so sure I believe you, Tiressa, because it seems that every time I turn around some man is in your face.” Eyeing Derrick, he grates out, “It looks like I didn’t make myself clear enough for you.”

  “Antonio, please—” I rush to interject.

  Completely ignoring me, he keeps his glacial stare trained of Allen.

  “Look Langston, there is no room in our relationship for three. Unless you count my baby growing in her belly.”

  “Oohh shit!” Ray mutters under his breath, surprised and awed by dude’s cajones in confronting another man over his woman. Now that he knows dude won’t hesitate to throw down, he’s even more alert for the first sign that things may get physical.

  “Antonio! That’s uncalled for.” I admonish him, stepping closer to his side.

  “Mr. Bentini, you’re mistaken. We weren’t doing anything but talking. Tiressa and I are just friends.” Allen tries to explain the situation, keeping in mind that this is his boss and he doesn’t want to lose his job –not when he’s got no chance of getting Tiressa.

  “Langston. I’m speaking to you, not as your employer, but man-to-man. You and my lady are not now, nor will you ever be friends. I told you to stay away from her.” Antonio says advancing on Allen. “Antonio please, this isn’t some nightclub, this is my family’s home and you will not embarrass me!”

  “Tiressa, stay out of this.” He commands, keeping his full attention on Allen. “Mr. Langston, do we understand each other?” Gauntlet tossed down, Antonio waits to see if Allen is foolish enough to challenge him. Sending me a resigned glance, Allen concedes. “We understand each other.” Then looking at a quietly staring Ray, he asks, “Do you think you can help me find Tanya?” Snapping out of his gawking, Ray quickly agrees, “Sure man. I think I saw her by the pool.” They start walking in that direction.

  I don’t wait a second before I start trying to convince Antonio that it’s not what he thinks. “Antonio, I’m telling the truth, nothing was going on between us.”

  “I believe you.” He says finally looking down at me.

  “How did you find me?”

  “Never mind that, you knew I would find you.” He says without one bit of doubt. “I’ve missed you Baby.” He whispers as he brings me fully into his embrace. Looking deeply into my eyes, his lips descend to capture mine in a hungry kiss.

  “Grandma wants to know how long you’re going to keep mansexy here, all to yourself.” Lurching out of Antonio’s arm, I face a group of cousins, embarrassed at being caught kissing in front of everyone. Looking around the yard, I see a hundred pair of eyes looking back at me with varying degrees of curiosity. Oh well, no point in trying to avoid it, it’s time to make the rounds and introductions; this is what you do when you have an unknown boyfriend at a family gathering.

  “Antonio, these are my cousins –Tammi, Cheryl, and Danny, you already know Danece and Ray. Ray, Danny and Danece are siblings, their parents own this gorgeous house and they are hosting this shindig.” My cousins converge on Antonio and eagerly welcome him to the family. I’m guessing that Ray couldn’t wait to tell people what happened between Antonio and Allen.

  Taking Antonio’s hand we walk in the direction of the banquet tables—there are at least a dozen of them set on the lawn about twenty feet off from the patio. But I notice my grandfather and dad sitting companionably on the screened-in part of the patio. So, we go inside for a quick visit. Coming to a stop in front of them, I bend low and plant a noisy kiss on my granddad’s leathery cheek, and then move over to hug and kiss my dad. “Ti, my girl, you are a sight for these old eyes. It’s been too long since I seen you last.” I’ve never brought a guy friend to a family event –well, not since my ex-husband. My granddad is the most upstanding man I know, followed closely by my dad. I’m honored to introduce Antonio to them, but I’m not sure how to present him, so I just say what I feel. “Antonio, it gives me pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Ellis Johnson, my granddad and the greatest man I know, and my father, Mr. Samuel Hawkins, the greatest dad a girl could ever wish for. Grandpa, Dad, this is Antonio Bentini, he’s my special guy.” They all shake hands and Antonio is invited to take a seat. We spend the first five or so minutes listening to my dad and granddad talk about the bible and living a right and purposeful life. Then my granddad asks, “How did you and my granddaughter meet?” The bible talk didn’t fool me for a minute. I knew it wouldn’t take them long to start asking questions. Antonio glances down at me, then looks at both my heroes as he answers. “She worked as my mother’s personal assistant. I was attracted to her the first time I laid eyes on her and fell in love with her two seconds after that.”

  Before Antonio can say anything more, my dad asks a question of his own. “Love. Now that’s a loaded word. It could mean several things. This is the first time in a very long time that my daughter has brought a young man home to meet the family. Are we to assume that this love is of a permanent nature?”

  Antonio doesn’t hesitate in his answer. “Yes sir, my intentions are honorable, Tiressa knows full well how I feel about her. I want to marry her.”

  “Antonio is a very honorable man, Dad.” I hurry to interject before Antonio says too much. My granddad, ever the romantic, goes back to his original questions. “So, you say it was love at first sight?” Antonio smiles at me. “On my part, yes, without a doubt. But she wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I was persistent and wouldn’t let her bully me, as she is sometimes prone to do.” He laughs at his own wit and my dad and granddad laugh along with him. “We became close and…what can I say, she is the love of my life.” He says leaning down to kiss me. “Tony! Not in front of my dad!” Turning my head away, his kiss lands on my cheek. “See how she bullies me.” He laughs.

  My granddad has a big smile on his face—he loves the banter, but my dad is frowning. “You said ‘she worked’ as your mother’s personal assistant. I remember my wife and daughter being excited about Tiressa getting that job. Are you saying that Tiressa no longer has that position?”

  My heart nearly drops to the floor—trust my dad to be so damn perceptive. Once again, Antonio doesn’t hesitate to give an answer. “Yes sir. The truth of the matter is that my mother—”

  I don’t want my family to have a negative opinion of Antonio’s mother, and more importantly, I don’t want them to know what happened; so I interrupt, with a quick fabrication. “His mother agrees that I should venture out and have a go at starting my own business. You’ve seen some of the educational games and manipulatives I’ve designed. Mrs. Bentini has offered to help me get some of them patented and marketed.” Although it bothers me to be deceptive, I don’t regret the lie. Clearly, my dad and granddad are pleased by this new and surprising information. Antonio takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze of gratitude, as he adds, “Yes, we will make sure Tiressa has everything she needs to make her business a success.” Everyone is delighted by Antonio’s promise, especially him.

  “What kind of work are your parents involved in, Antonio?” My granddad asks. “My family owns Bentini and Sons. We manufacture and market state of the art appliances nationwide.”

  “Of course we’ve heard of B&S, there’s a B&S store in the area. We have several of your brands here at the house.” My granddad acknowledges.

  “That’s impressive.” My dad says, nodding his head. Then my granddad leans forward in his chair. “Antonio, welcome to the family. You have yourself the best of the litter.”

  “Granddad!”

  “But beware, she’s just like her mother.” My granddad starts.

  “And even more like her grandmother.” My dad finishes. Both men collapse with laughter, as if they’ve just told the punch line to the world’s greatest joke.

  It doesn’t take long before one of my little cousins comes over and reminds us that my grandmother wants to see us.

  As we leave the patio, I wave to some of my uncles who are in charge of grilling. My uncles love to
barbeque and dominate the two massive custom-built grill islands. It’s easy to see and hear that my uncles are having an animated discussion about two of their favorite hobbies, fishing and grilling. Halting their debate, they call us over. I try to tell them that we have to go say hi to Grandma, but my Uncle Kelvin approaches saying, “Come on over here and say hi to your uncles…it won’t take you but a minute.” Hugging my shoulders, my Uncle Kelvin looks up at Antonio and says, “Damn, you sure are a big one aren’t you.” That’s my Uncle Kel for you, he pretty much says what’s on his mind. “Antonio, this is my Uncle Kel…Uncle Kel, this is Antonio.” They shake hands and we veer over to the grill area, set off to the side of the yard out of the way of all the people coming and going. As we’re walking, Antonio whispers to me, “So, I go from being special to just being Antonio?” I playfully punch his arm.

  “Who’s your young man, Ti?” My Uncle Alexx ask the question, but they all have the same expectant expression. Taking a deep breath, I plunge right in. “Uncles, this is my special guy, Antonio Bentini. Antonio, these are the best uncles in the world.” I say, giving them a cheesy smile. ” I introduce each uncle from left to right, “Uncle Joe, Uncle Demetri, Uncle Leon, Uncle Alexx and you’ve met my Uncle Kelvin.” Antonio is all manly macho as he shakes hands and makes small talk about fishing and grilling. I’m actually quite surprised, since I didn’t know that he likes to do either. Soon, more relatives come over and the small group chat turns into more introductions and a big ‘getting to know you’ session. Beaming at us, my Uncle Joe asks, “So, Antonio, tell us, what do you like about our Tiressa Tierra?”

  “Tiressa Tierra, huh?” Antonio flashes me a teasing smile before replying. “I like her confidence, how she carries herself. I like her wit and sense of humor, her determination and integrity. I especially like her sass. She’s beautiful to me, both inside and out.” Antonio says giving me a quick feathery kiss before I can move away. They all snicker. “Damn girl, you trained him up real good. He said all those flowery love words without needing a cheat sheet.” My Uncle Leon says and the rest of them laugh and add to the teasing. I glance at Antonio to see how he’s taking all the jokes being made at his expense, and he seems to be taking it all in stride. “Tiressa, I think this one’s a keeper!” My Uncle Joe proclaims. “We need more Italians in the family.” “Here, here!” Shouts my Uncle Demetri.