by Tiece
“Have you been drinking?” Rico asked.
“Why?”
“Because you sound like it,” he said. “You’re holding your words and shit.” He grinned. The moment took him back to the days when they used to drink with each other and have fun.
“I am feeling pretty good.” She said. “You know it’s been a while since I had a real drink.”
“Oh I know.” Rico said.
“Come get her!” Candy yelled out in the background. “She can’t drive home like this.”
“Shhh!” Mona said, putting her hand over the earpiece. “I can drive home.” She giggled.
“No she can’t,” Candy stated aloud.
“Shhh,” Mona said. “I’m on the phone.”
“Bitch you know you’re too fucked up to drive home.” Dee said.
“Tell your fiancé to come get you.” Candy teased.
“I got this,” Mona said putting the phone back to her ear. “Come get me.” Her words slurred and Candy and Dee fell out laughing.
“Did you hear how she said it? Come get me,” Candy mocked her.
Rico grinned. He knew she was feeling good. “I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. I need to stop by the store and get some gas.”
“Okay,” Mona sang. “Oh baby, I got something for you later.”
“Is that right?” Rico asked.
“Yep, you just wait and see.”
Rico had a feeling what her something was, but his excitement was overshadowed by the something that he’d just gotten.
Damn, he thought.
“Okay babe; I can’t wait. I’ll be there shortly.” He responded and they ended the call.
“Girl, I can’t wait to get home.” Mona anxiously said.
“I know you can’t.” Candy said. “I wish I had something going on later.”
“Is that a horn I hear? I know I ain’t crazy.” Mona said.
“Nah, you ain’t crazy. That’s my ride. While y’all were in here clowning about having sex; I was calling Maurice to come get me. He’s about to pat this kitty.” They laughed, but Dee wasn’t playing. She grabbed her coat and glimpsed back at them. “I’m outta here ladies. We’ll catch up later.”
“Well damn, she’s gone too.” Candy said. “I thought her ass was just playing.”
“She was playing alright. She left our ass sitting right here looking crazy.” They laughed.
“Man, I’ve missed this.” Candy said. “First I was pregnant and couldn’t have fun like this.”
“Then I was pregnant and the boredom continued,” Mona laughed.
“But now we’ve had our babies and we can go back to enjoying the sweet gifts that life blesses us to get fucked up with.” Candy joked.
“Hell yeah!” Mona agreed. “Damn, I gotta pee.” Mona jumped up and hurried down the hallway. Candy laughed to herself. It felt so good to see Mona relaxed and enjoying herself. Candy got quiet for a moment. She was deep in thought as she bobbed her head to Beyonce, Irreplaceable. She wanted to call Monty, but the truth was that she only wanted to have sex. She didn’t want him to think that it was anything other than just that. The funny thing was that he hadn’t tried to come on to her or anything lately. He was taking their break-up better than what she imagined or maybe it was just easier for him to move on being that he was Monty Banks and all. Mona rejoined her in the entertainment room. Candy sadly looked over at her.
“I’m jealous. Y’all bitches got men that can fulfill y’all needs. I’m trying to stay away from the one who was fulfilling mine.”
“Don’t look so sad about it, Sis.”
“I’m not sad, just disappointed things aren’t going as well in my love life as I’d hoped it would.” Mona felt bad for Candy. She hated that it was her own brother who was making her best friend feel so bad.
“Then you know what? Fuck it!” Mona slurred. “Find you another one. I’m tired of these men thinking they can cheat, lie, and do whatever the hell they want to do and get away with it. That shit is old and I’m on a one strike policy! Fuck up one time and you’re outta here!” Candy grinned a bit because Mona could hardly stand up as she spoke her mind.
Rico cleared his throat to let the women know that he had entered the house. Candy swiftly looked back.
“Oh hey Rico,” she quickly said to calm Mona. “We didn’t hear you come in.”
“I did knock, but the door pushed open and that’s why I walked in.” He explained as he stood there feeling guilty.
“Hey Babe,” Mona said. She walked over and kissed him on the lips. He could smell the alcohol on her breath. He knew that she was past her feel good limit.”
“Hey you,” he responded. “And you said that you could drive yourself home? I don’t think so.”
“That’s why I told you to come get her.” Candy grinned.
“I’m good,” Mona said.
“Yeah good and drunk,” Rico commented. “Le’me help you put your coat on. The temperature has really dropped outside.” He helped Mona get her coat on.
Candy shook her head grinning. “She won’t remember a thing tomorrow.”
“I’m almost certain about that part too,” Rico agreed. “Come on babe. Let’s go.”
“Alright Sis, I had so much fun. I can’t wait for the next time we get together like this.”
“I know Sis, I’m glad you came over.” Candy hugged Mona around the neck. “I really enjoyed myself.”
“Me too, but don’t forget what I said. Find you somebody else. My brother ain’t ‘bout it with all his lies and cheating ways.”
“I feel ya,” Candy said. Rico grabbed Mona by the hand to help her walk to the car without falling or tripping over something. Hearing her say that to Candy made him feel even worse.
“A’ight, Candy… Thanks for asking me to come get her.” He said.
“No problem. You know she wasn’t leaving like this even if she had to stay the night.” Candy said.
“Yeah, I know.” Rico said.
Candy shut the door up and locked it. She peeked out of the window watching them as they walked down the porch steps then getting inside the car. She grinned to herself because she could hear Mona giggling about whatever Rico was saying to her.
She sat back down on the sofa, feeling a little lonely. Catherine was keeping the babies over night so MJ wasn’t even there to keep her company. Maybe Mona was right she kept thinking, but a part of her wasn’t ready to move on. She wasn’t that type of chick. However, it did hurt that the man she waited all her life to be with was probably on to the next one. She picked up her phone.
“Fuck it!” She said. “I just want a good nut and it’s only one person who can bring it.” She dialed Monty’s number. To her surprise he quickly answered.
“What’s up baby mama?” He asked.
“Hey big head, I was just calling.” She said trying not to sound desperate.
“Is everything okay?” He asked.
“Uh… yeah… It’s all good.” She wanted to ask him to come over and lay some pipe, but she’d rather he ask if he could put the work order in first.
“Hey I took it upon myself to order you a drink.” A clearly heard soft spoken, very southern accent called out. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you on the phone.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Hold up for one second,” Monty said to Susan as he stepped away from her quickly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Candy abruptly said.
“We’re just talking business…”
Over drinks, she quickly thought. “No… No need to explain. We aren’t together like that anymore. Honestly, I didn’t want anything.”
“Are you sure?” Monty questioned. He knew that him and Candy were now civilized but she hadn’t called him in quite some time.
“I’m positive,” she said.
“Is MJ okay?” He asked.
“Yeah, your mom has him for the night.”
“Oh yeah… She did call me earlier.” He remembered.
“Look, I’m good,” she said. “I was only calling.”
“Well okay,” he paused not really wanting to hang up. “Do I need to stop by or something?” He asked hoping that she would say yes.
“Nah, just um… enjoy your meeting. I meant… handle your business. We’ll talk later.”
“Okay…” He said, but was somewhat disappointed. “I’ll holla at you later then.”
“Yeah, okay,” She said ending their call. “What was I thinking when I called him?” She immediately questioned herself. “I shouldn’t have done that. I sounded desperate. So not cute…” She walked into the kitchen to wet her throat with some ice cold water. The liquor she drank earlier had her mouth dry as hell.
She walked into her room lying across the bed. She felt very unsure of where her love-life stood. She knew that at some point she would have to get a homey-lover friend or a Boo-thang if she wanted to get her rocks off. Monty was the only person she’d ever been with sexually and he definitely satisfied her to max. She didn’t know if there was another man who could do the things that Monty did to her or if another could make her feel the way she needed to be felt. Unquestionably, Monty was on top of his game when it came down to pleasing her and it would take some serious skills for another man to compare to him.
“AaaaH…” She let out a discouraging sigh and picked up her phone. Brendon was on her mind even when she called Monty. She just knew that calling Monty was safer than calling Brendon. “What the hell.” She dialed Brendon’s number thinking of what Mona said earlier.
“Hello,” a female answered. Candy took the phone from her ear, making sure that she dialed the right number. “Hello,” the voice said again.
“Uh… is uh…” Candy hesitated.
“You must want Brendon?” Kina said.
“Yes, I’m sorry… Is he available?” Candy asked. She really wanted to hang up, but her number showed and she was already embarrassed enough.
“Okay hold on,” Kina said. “Big head,” she called out. “Someone is on the phone for you.” Brendon walked out of the bathroom.
“Who told you to answer my phone?” He asked as Kina playfully rolled her eyes and handed it to him. He put the phone up to his ear.
“Hello,” he said.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?” Candy softly asked.
“No you didn’t. Actually it’s perfect timing, because I was just leaving.” He said looking at Kina and chunking up the deuces. Kina shook her head with a smile.
“Bye, punk and you better be on time tomorrow.” Kina said.
“I will.” Brendon commented and walked out. “That was my best friend. She’s like a sister to me. I’m sorry. Did she spook you?” He grinned.
“I’m not easily spooked.” Candy commented making Brendon laugh.
“I was just playing.” He said.
“Yeah you better had been,” she teased. “I didn’t want to get you into any trouble.”
“Me and trouble don’t belong in the same sentence.” He said.
“Uh-huh, I hear ya.”
“Well beautiful… What are you up too?” He asked.
“I’m just sitting at home chilling. What are you up too?”
“Nothing much… just hoping to see you,” he said. Candy blushed. “So, is that possible?”
“Well, I’m not sure. You know I’m a little scared of you.” She teased.
Brendon grinned. “I’ve not did anything to scare you, yet.”
“Did I hear a yet at the end of that sentence?” She laughed. “You are a trip.”
“Well,” Brendon said.
“Well what?” Candy asked.
“Is is possible for me to see you tonight?” Candy got quiet. She thought about Monty being in his so-called business meeting. He could’ve been telling the truth but trusting anything he said was out of the question at that point in their relationship.
Fuck it, she thought. “Well, could you come to my house?”
“You sure you want me to come over there?”
“Yeah, come on. You can just pull around to the back and park. I’m home alone and I don’t expect any company so it’s cool. No one will ever know that you were here.”
“Well okay, as long as you feel it’s cool.” Brendon said.
“See you in a lil bit.” Candy said, ending their call. She jumped up off the bed to make sure that she looked decent by the time Brendon got there. She was excited yet still hesitant, but it was too late for that. She’d already invited him over.
Brendon drove even slower contemplating the reason why Candy would invite him over to her house. She had said that she was home alone and this could have meant any number of things. He knew that there was chemistry between them, but was she really ready to take things to another level? Because of the unresolved feelings he’d picked up for her he had to find out. He didn’t want to hurt Monty because he was indeed playing with fire, but Candy had his attention for some reason and he needed to find out why.
Chapter 15
Monty returned to the bar area and sat next to Susan who was sipping from her glass filled with Jack Daniels and coke. Thoughts about Candy consumed his mind, but he didn’t want it to distract what was actually going on in front of him.
Monty looked over at Susan as she sipped from her drink.
“That looks good,” he said.
“It’s very good, but you insisted on Ciroc and cranberry juice. So boring,” she teased. Monty grinned at her sense of humor, he admired her beauty. She was indeed a very sexy lady who was intriguing as hell. He took a drink, clearing his throat.
“I know you’re wondering what kind of business proposition this is, huh?” She asked.
“Yeah, you can say that.” He said.
“Well,” she said in her most southern accent. “I didn’t invite you out to dinner to sleep with you. If that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Oh nah, I wasn’t thinking that.” He grinned.
“Or maybe I did,” she said causing Monty to frown a little. “I’m just playing. Don’t take me so serious.” She said.
“Okay so why are we here?” He asked. “Is it another deal you’d like for me to close for you?”
“Yes and I’d also like to get to know the person that I’m helping make good money.”
Monty smiled. “Okay, I can understand that.”
“I know more about you than you think.” She said. “I did find it odd that a person who didn’t have anything to do with real estate all of a sudden owned a realty company.” Monty raised his eyebrows. “I believe that you came into this business on a whim or maybe a little push led you in the realty direction.”
“Is that a bad thing?” He asked.
“As a matter of fact, it’s not. I’m glad you chose this as a career. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have met you. I love a person who has drive and is determined to make things happen in his favor.” She tapped on the side of her glass.
“I was very pleased with the sell that you made to Mr. Brendon Carter. He was a tough cookie, but you cracked him. I was happy with the end results and the pay,” she said. Uh, not what I asked for, but I can appreciate it. Your negotiating skills were on point.
“Can I be honest with you?” He asked.
“Honesty is the best policy.” She said.
“Bren… Uh… the guy who I was negotiating with turned out to be my cousin.”
“Your cousin?”
“Yeah, I was just as surprised to be meeting him that day as he was to be meeting with me. I knew that he was coming to town to stay for a while, but he was supposed to be working with me at my company. Instead he’s starting his own business.” He confessed.
“Well I’m glad you told me. I wouldn’t have wanted to feel like you got over on me if I later found out.” She said.
“Nah, I’m not that type of person.” He grinned. “He made negotiating quite simple for me.”
“Of course he did. Now I see why he didn’t give you as hard a time as he
gave me and my mom. Nevertheless, you got the job done and I’d like to see what you can do with this next business proposition I have for you.”
“Sounds good to me,” Monty said. The opportunity had him excited. He loved the rush of making money. He’d made twenty-two thousand just off of being the middle man between Susan and Brendon. He couldn’t wait to see what he could reel in on the next deal.
