Checkmate 3: Playtime's Over

by Tiece

  “Fuck! I’m having a fucking wet dream!” She sprang up quickly in her bed looking around her room as if she were lost. “Damn,” she shook her head from the disappointment of not getting with Brendon after the party. She reached over on her nightstand picking up her cell phone. He hadn’t called or text messaged her. She knew what to think but instead of going there she’d rather hear it from the horse’s mouth first. She didn’t have time for any speculating or guessing. All she wanted was for a nigga to keep it real for change and if Brendon fucked Trina after the club then hopefully he’ll keep it G and tell her.

  She walked into the bathroom to freshen up. She hadn’t heard Dee get up yet so maybe she was sleeping in a little later. If she was then she needed it.

  Bless her heart, Candy thought, because there was no way in hell that she’d travel back down that road. That’s why she was so cool about the situation between Brendon and Trina. No man was ever going to get to her like Monty had done in the past. That just wasn’t going to happen.

  She walked into the kitchen opening up the refrigerator. It was definitely time to go grocery shopping. There was nothing in it besides bottled waters, sliced cheese, and butter.

  “I guess I’ll get a bottle of water.” She said with a smirk. She started to head into her bedroom to slip on some clothes so she could go get MJ, but her doorbell rang distracting her. She walked over to the front door, peeking out a bit. A smile wanted to spread across her face, but she held it in and opened the door.

  “What brings you over here?” She asked. Brendon handed her the dozen roses and the Godiva chocolates.

  “You left something at the club.” He said with a smile on his face. His sexy demeanor had her going.

  “Thanks,” Candy responded with a smile. She took the vase of roses and Godiva Chocolates and placed them on her dining room table. “You didn’t have to bring these by here.”

  “But I wanted too, because I need to sincerely apologize about last night. Trina caught a brother totally by surprise and we had to hash some things out. It just lasted longer than it should have.” He said following closely behind her. He admired how the lime green boy shorts hugged her juicy hips. Candy turned to face him only he was actually closer to her than she expected. She could feel his cool breath as he kissed her softly on the neck.

  “So you left the club on your opening night? Wow, what a jerk.” She bluntly stated.

  “Come on, Candy. Don’t do me like that. You know I didn’t leave the club. I was in my office talking to a very desperate woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer. I didn’t want to complicate matters worse so I chopped it up with her in hopes that she’d get her shit and leave. I promise you that I don’t want her.” He said. He did feel bad as hell, but having Trina threaten to show her ass at his grand opening wasn’t something that he wanted to happen. First impressions meant everything and he couldn’t risk having a fight break out on such a lucrative night of bliss.

  She pushed him back a little. “Did you?” She asked, staring in his face to even see if she could catch him in a lie.

  “No I didn’t.” He said trying to kiss her. “I promise you that I didn’t.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m talking about.” She said with her arms folded still feeling pissed that he left her hanging for an ex.

  “Yes I do and nothing happened.” He kissed her again. “You smell so damn good.”

  “Did you hear me?” She asked trying to avoid his smooth charm.

  “I heard you baby and no nothing happened between me and Trina.” He looked her directly in her face. She felt the intense grip of sincerity take hold of her as he stared into her eyes. “I wouldn’t lie to you. What reason would I have to lie to you?” He said still trying to put the moves on her.

  “Hold up,” she stopped him. “You were supposed to come back and holla at me but you left me hanging and now you wanna come over here bright and early and think I’m gonna let you grope me like this.” She said fighting any urge she had to give him some.

  “You believe me don’t you?” He asked.

  “I never said that I didn’t, but this sure as hell put you back a few notches. Ain’t nothing,” she said walking off and sitting down on her couch. Her phone began to ring and she could tell by the ring tone that it was Catherine. “Maybe’s she’s bringing my baby home and you don’t wanna be here if your aunt is coming over.”

  Brendon sighed. “Damn,” he said taking in a deep breath.

  “So with that being said you’re gonna have to go.” She insisted, not in the mood for anymore games. If Brendon wanted her pussy then he was going to have to work for it.

  “You betta be glad that Auntie is calling your ass.” He said walking toward the door.

  “I am,” Candy whispered.

  “You know how to find me,” Brendon said opening up the front door to leave. He turned to look at Candy once more. “Since I’ve kept it real with you I wonder if you’d keep it real with me.”

  Candy frowned a bit. “I’ll tell you anything you wanna know. Don’t play with me.”

  “Can you honestly say that you’re over my cousin and that I’m not just a replacement?”

  Candy looked up at him. His eyes were luring, always pulling her in and his seductive smile didn’t help the situation any either. She knew that if she slept with him it had to be the real thing. She didn’t wanna do something that she’d regret. The good thing about it was that Brendon definitely had most of her attention and if it wasn’t for Monty being in the picture she’d already given him some of her goodies by now.

  “Well,” he said waiting for an answer.

  Candy looked at him and smiled, but she wasn’t quite ready to answer that question and she knew it. She had some things to settle with Monty first before she could possibly answer anything pertaining to that.

  “Le’me say this,” she finally said. “If and when, I sleep with you; it’ll be because I want too.”

  “So that’s my answer?”

  “Yup,” Candy responded.

  “I tell ya what, until you’re ready to answer that question without all the run-arounds then we just need to chill out.” He said shocking Candy a bit.

  “Are you serious?” She quickly asked.

  “Look, I’m not about to get tied up with you knowing that you got loose ends with someone else; especially that someone being my cousin. I mean, all my loose ends are tied in a knot and the truth is that I like you so much it’s pathetic.”

  Candy was quiet. She didn’t know what to say because Brendon never came at her like that. It wasn’t like he was pressuring her, but it damn sure felt like it. She knew him as this nonchalant handsome dude with serious swag. His height, his hair, his eyes, his physic, and his personality were all the things she wanted and loved in a man.

  “I must say that I appreciate you keeping it real with me.” He said, kissing her on the lips and walking off. Candy still was speechless as she watched him get inside his truck and leave. She stood in the doorway watching the rear end of the truck until it disappeared.

  Damn, she thought. “I was the one that supposed to have been mad.” She headed back inside the house and returned Catherine’s call.

  “Hey Candy,” Catherine answered. “I’m sorry if I woke you up.”

  “No ma’am, you’re good. I was just about to put on some clothes and head on over there to get my fat baby.” She said.

  “Yeah that’s why I was calling. His daddy wanted to spend a little time with him first and then he’s gonna drop him off later.”

  “Oh okay,” Candy said. “We need to talk anyway so that’s actually perfect.” She didn’t want to be one of those baby mama’s who couldn’t get along with her baby’s daddy. There was no need to start acting like all of sudden they hated each other. That was just uncalled for.

  “Okay well he’s dressed and ready to go. Monty called right before I called you so he should be here shortly.”

  “Oh so he’s taking him somewhere?”


  “I don’t know. All I know is that he asked for me to have him ready.” Catherine said.

  “Okay, well we’ll talk later. I’m gonna go find me something to eat.” She said, but in the back of her mind she was thinking about where Monty could’ve been taking MJ.

  “Okay, talk to you later sweetie,” Catherine responded and they ended their call.

  Candy thought about Monty. She was going to make it her business to talk with him face to face. She felt that she needed closure in order to move on. The thing about getting closure with Monty was that he’d find an open door or window to try and sneak his way back in. It was only one person who would without a doubt figure all of it out for her.

  “GOD please,” she prayed. Surround me with people who genuinely care for me and won’t do anything to hurt me. If Monty is meant to be a part of my life other than our connection with MJ then show me. If you foresee Brendon being good company or just a real somebody in my life who will not set out to hurt me then please show me. I know it’s a little shady on my part God, but I can’t help myself… I mean, look at him… You’ve seen him, right… Must I say more? Now on the other hand, if neither one is good for me…” Dang I hate to ask for this… “But please show me that too. I would love to have a man in my life that I can be myself with knowing that I’m all he wants and needs in a woman. Someone who will love my son as well, because you know this chick doesn’t come packaged without her baby.” She grinned as she began to wrap up her one on one session with God. “I just wanna meet the man of my dreams. Maybe I already have, but then again maybe I haven’t… I know he’s out there and I have faith that you’ll bring us together. With that being said… I love you and appreciate all you’ve done, all you continue to do.” Amen…

  **********

  Mona and Rico got out of her Honda Accord at Mama Mack’s house. Monica’s car was already there so she must’ve been picking up Aiden they figured.

  “Did she not think that you would want to spend a lil time with your son? I mean damn, he just got back here.”

  Rico walked over and hugged her around the waist. “Shhh, baby don’t start. You said that you wouldn’t let anything that Monica do rattle your nerves and here you are already fuckin’ rattled. Chill out, it’s not that serious.”

  Mona pouted, but knew that Rico was right. “You’re right.” She said.

  “Now who gave that pussy a long awaited spanking this a.m. after the party?” Rico asked with a grin on his face.

  “You did.” She blushed.

  “Damn right I did and I loved every minute of it. We should both be on cloud nine today, because that there,” he pointed at her kitty, “had me high as hell.”

  She laughed. “If we keep it up like that we’ll mess around and have another one on the way. Lord, what would I do?” She grinned.

  They headed toward the front door of the house. Rico looked over at his fiancé. “Please don’t say anything out the way, because I know you have a slick ass mouth.”

  “I don’ told you that I’m not gonna say nothing. We’ll go in cordially speaking and kiss Aiden on his way out since his stupid mama is rushing to pick him up.”

  “See that right there,” he shook his head pointing at her mouth. “Control it,” he insisted unlocking the front door. He loved Mona and he knew that what he was doing with Monica behind her back was wrong, but he didn’t want her triggering some sho’ nuff bad blood between her and Monica.

  No telling how the hell that would turn out. He thought.

  As the front door opened Monica came walking out. “Oh hey y’all,” she said. “I didn’t know that you were coming over this early.”

  “It’s not all that early. It’s already noon.” Mona said.

  Monica looked at her watch. “You’re so right Mona. Well, I only stopped by to bring Aiden a few more outfits. Your mom is on vacation this week and wants to keep him.”

  “Is that right?” Rico asked. “That’s sweet of her.”

  “It sure is,” Mona commented, but hated the fact that Mama Mack hadn’t extended her babysitting services to Caylin.

  “That’s good. Now I can either come sit over here with him or take him back to our house for little while.” Rico said.

  “Rico it doesn’t matter where Aiden is or who’s house he’s over, you’re always welcome to spend time with him or pick him up.” Rico smiled at Monica’s sincere effort to make things simple for him.

  “Well, I was just leaving. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Caylin today.” Monica said.

  “She’s with my mom, but trust me, she and Aiden favor so much.” Mona said trying to make small talk sound as if they had mended their broken fences.

  “I’ve mentioned this before.” Rico commented.

  “Yes he has,” Monica chimed in. “Maybe one day soon I’ll get to see her.”

  “Yes I’m sure one day soon.” Mona said.

  “Alright, well, I’ll talk to y’all later. Please call me if you need me.” Monica walked to her Range Rover and got inside it then making her exit out of Mama Mack’s yard.

  “Maybe the trip did her some good,” Mona said looking back at Rico strangely then walking ahead of him inside the house.

  “Yeah, maybe that’s a good thing right?” He asked believing Monica was being wise in knowing that as long as his home front is happy then he’s happy and when he’s happy he can make her happy.

  “We better hope so,” Mona said with uneasy thoughts of always feeling like, with Monica, this is definitely too good to be true.

  **********

  Dee sat parked by the curbstone down the street from Maurice’s house as she watched the familiar looking car in his driveway. She’d been sitting there for almost two hours waiting to see who would walk out.

  I knew his muthafuckin’ ass was seeing somebody else. Damn, how could I be so stupid? She questioned herself. She picked up her phone because sitting there was making her think some unquestionable things and she didn’t want to go there with him. She dialed Candy’s number.

  “What’s up Dee?” Candy answered.

  “Girl, you wouldn’t believe this shit!” Dee started.

  “What shit?” Candy asked already knowing from the sound of Dee’s voice that somebody was in some deep shit.

  “I’ve been parked outside of Maurice’s house and another car has been parked in his driveway ever since. I believe that the person stayed the night.”

  “Person or woman Dee?” Candy asked.

  “You know what I meant by that shit. It’s a muthafuckin’ bitch in there and I’m not gonna sit out here too much longer before I go in and kick both of their asses!”

  “Calm down girl! Don’t go acting like a fool!” Candy quickly thought about her mama and how unpredictable things turned out when she caught her daddy with Ebony Temple then how she snapped on Monty at MiKayla’s house. She didn’t like that feeling.

  “I’m good Cuz. You might have to come get me out of jail, but I’m good. I ain’t gon’ kill nobody.” Dee said.

  “Yeah, but don’t forget that you’re over to that nigga’s house. They may have other plans for you if you go up in there acting crazy.” Candy explained.

  Dee listened but had had enough of it. She was anxious to find out who Maurice had laid up in his house. “I’ll call you back.” She quickly hung up in Candy’s face and got out of the car. She was hell bent on finding out who the fuck had Maurice’s attention. No man would dare act like that unless they were seeing another woman and she wasn’t dumb by far.

  She reached his door and knocked on it repeatedly. “Open up this muthafuckin’ door Maurice!” She yelled. The longer she stood there the knocks got harder and the yelling got louder. “I know you’re in there! I can hear y’all bitches moving around!” She banged on the door again with her fist. “Be a man Maurice and open up this muthafuckin’ door!”

  “Dee I don’t wanna go through this!” He finally yelled back at her from the other side of the door. “Please
just leave.” He heavily exhaled loudly.

  “What do you mean you don’t wanna go through this? All you had to do was tell me that it was someone else!”

  “Okay, okay, okay,” he said feeling frustrated that he’d been caught up in a situation like that. “I have been seeing someone else. You’re happy now?” He asked still not willing to open the door up.

  “Did this punk ass nigga just say that he’s been seeing someone else?” She whispered. It wasn’t hard to believe because she’d known it all along, but to hear it really hurt.

  “I’m sorry Babe! I just didn’t know how to tell you.” He yelled out.

  “You didn’t know how to tell me huh? How about Dee, I don’t think this is going to work. Or maybe even Dee, I think we need to move on… You know starting with something like that would’ve been better than this shit!” She yelled out.