My Best Friend and My Man (20 page)

—33—

D
EMETRIA

Today work had
me so busy that
I only talked to Vee on her cell. Sounds like she’s doing her thing. She’s got herself a little nighttime hookup, and I don’t even have to provide my play-by-play input on the deal. Which is great ’cause it gives me an opportunity to spend time with my own boo. But first I gotta take care of some other little business.

“So, it’s been a minute since we’ve seen each other,” I say into the phone as I’m driving home from work. “You miss me?”

“You know I do. When can I come see you?”

“Uh,” I say, glancing at myself in the vanity mirror. “You can roll by my crib in a few. Meet me there around six. I gotta be somewhere by seven.”

“Alrighty then.”

I make a quick stop at the Kroger liquor aisle and pick up two bottles of Grey Goose. As soon as I get home, I light candles and slip on a sexy little satin nightgown that hugs my hips in all the right places. I love the way I look in the mirror, and I stand back to admire myself from various angles.

“I still got it going on big time, don’t I? Can’t anybody tell me anything, right?” I ask, winking at myself. I look for some perfume, but all I can find is a nearly empty bottle of sandalwood, which I dab on my wrists and the skin behind my ears.

When the doorbell rings I wait thirty seconds, then go answer it.

“What’s up, playa?” I say, opening the door wide for Mike to come in.

“D–d–dayum, you look hot, baby. Woo, if I would’ve known how sizzling you are I could’ve come paid you a visit sooner.”

“Aw, you don’t love me anymore, do you?” I ask, pouting and swishing my hips back and forth as I walk toward the living room. “I poured you a drink, even though I’m not sure you deserve it. Hey, take off that shirt, you look too stuffy for my tastes,” I say, winking. He nods and obeys me, pulling off his colorful Enyce polo shirt.

“Ooo, baby, you been working out for mommy?”

“You know how I do.” He can’t resist me anymore and finally grabs me squarely around the shoulders and plants a wet kiss on my lips. We tongue kiss for what feels like forever, and I have to squirm and tug at my thong. I enjoy the feel of his heated chest melting against my silk nightgown. He strokes the outline of one of my breasts, and I gasp and tilt my neck so he can kiss and lick it. I grow even wetter.

“That’s enough,” I tell him.

“No, it’s not,” he whines.

“What’s wrong, babe?” I ask, laughing. Mike is staring at me glassy-eyed and rubbing his pants. I love sexually torturing men.

“Demetria, you are so damn fine it’s unreal. Can I hit that?”

I lie on the floor and stare up at Mike. “I wonder what’s on the news tonight,” I say.

“Demetria,” he whispers in urgent agony. I laugh inside.

“What, Mike? You ready for me to turn on CNN?”

“Forget turning on CNN. If I’m hot then you must be, too, ’cause when the sun shines it’s not just blazing down on me.”

I laugh. “I see I’ve taught you well about seduction. Okay, c’mere,” I tell him sympathetically. I gesture with my finger.

Mike removes his pants and boxers. His dick is average, but experience has taught me that no matter what size a man is, I can pretty much still get what I want. I unsnap the single button of my gown so that he can get a full view of my nipples, which are so erect that I am tempted to rub them myself. Mike kneels and starts kissing my ankles and thighs, and I grab his head between my hands.

“Ooo, right there, right there.”

“’Bout time you got with the program,” he mutters like he’s still miffed at me. I laugh and kiss his hair, which tickles. Mike caresses my inner thighs and kisses them with loud smacks, a sound that totally arouses me. He presses the tip of his nose gently against my thong, inhaling deeply, and then starts poking the outside of the fabric with his tongue.

“Fuck, oooh,” I moan, squirming and pushing his head against me. “That feels sooo good, Mike, keep going. Do what you did last time.” I sigh, anticipating the master at work.

When my phone rings I barely blink an eye. No fucking way anyone’s call is more important than what’s happening to me.

Mike opens his mouth and grabs my thong between his teeth, pulling it off my hips ever so slowly. I move my butt, humping up and down, enjoying his teasing ways.

“You can’t get enough, can you?” he asks.

“Not of you, Mike. That’s what you get for putting it on me like you did. If it could be hot like this 24/7,” I say, gasping when his tongue flicks and sucks me, “I wouldn’t have any need for any other man. Just you.”

“Mmm, damn, let me know if this feels good,” he says. He gently places my legs on top of his shoulders, than inserts his scorching hot dick inside of me. I twist my body till I’m sitting on top of Mike, then pump and thrust, hopping up and down like I’m riding one of those huge inflatable beach balls. And after several minutes I scream so loud that Mike covers my mouth, making me want to laugh.

“What you doing that for?” I ask.

“You’re scaring me, Demetria.”

“Never be scared of loving me, Mike.”

Mike rolls off me and lies back, breathing hard and groaning.

“Okay,” I tell him, hopping up and going to grab my clothes. “Gotta go, gotta go. That was great. See you later, okay?”

He gives me a strange look, and I stop to give him a hug and sexy kiss before heading to the shower.

“Where’re you going?” he says, trying not to pout.

“I told you I have an appointment.”

“As in a date?”

“Michael, c’mon now. Don’t start. I’m sorry, I just gotta take care of some business, and I’ll call you later.”

“You always do this.”

“What do you mean ‘always’? We’ve only hooked up twice.”

“This is the third time!”

“Hello? The first time didn’t count. It was just phone sex.”

“But you still got off…got off the phone real quick.”

“Ha ha, cute. I’m sorry if I have to be somewhere. It’s not anything personal, I swear.”

“Demetria, you are something else.”

“Oh, honey, don’t be upset. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

He sighs but lets me walk him to the door.

“You’re a sweetheart, and I really mean that. I promise I’ll call you, okay? Thanks for everything, Mike. ’Bye.”

After drying off, I decide to wear an apple green shirt and matching leggings with some strappy sandals. I grab my BlackBerry and get in the car, very aware that it’s now ten minutes to seven. Thad’s split-level home is fifteen minutes away from my neighborhood, and looking down I see that I’ve missed a call from him. I don’t bother listening to the voice mail; I just race.

Thad lives in a gated community near Lake Woodlands right behind a golf course. I drive up to the security gate and press in the code, but the gate doesn’t open like it normally does. I punch in the code again. Nada.

“Hmmm.” I maneuver my car so I can make a U-turn and get out of the way of the other cars that have now pulled in behind me.

When the last vehicle drives through the gate, I follow close behind it, knowing that’s against the rules but not caring.

Thad’s home sits on a small hill on a corner with manicured lawns, several mature oak trees, and a koi pond. When I pull up on his driveway I notice a black Mercedes SUV with the vanity plate #1
CHICK
. My heart sinks, and my vision gets blurry. I swallow so hard it feels like my tongue has disappeared.

Thad? I say to myself in a trembling voice. I dial his cell, but he doesn’t pick up. I dial again, praying that he was just temporarily preoccupied, but it hits voice mail again.

When I finally decide to back down his driveway, I delete his voice mail message without ever listening to it.

Sniffing, I give Vee a call, the only person I know I can talk to during a crisis like this.

“Hi there, girl, what’s up?”

“Hi,” I say, pretending to sound peppy and unconcerned. “You busy?”

She pauses but says, “Kinda. What’s going on?”

“Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m just pulling up to Seaphes’s.”

“Oh, snap,” I say. “Sorry, I forgot.” I bite my bottom lip and am glad she can’t see my frown. “What do you guys have planned?”

“I don’t know. I think he’s cooking for me,” she says. I can tell she’s proud that he’d do something so special for her.

I roll my eyes, then mutter, “That sounds good. Well, eat at least some of everything on your plate. And make sure and request a glass of wine, like some cabernet sauvignon. Show him you have some class.”

“Jeez, mommy, you’d think I don’t know how to tie my shoes every day. But thanks for the reminder.”

“Girl, please,” I say, ignoring her silly sarcasm. “You know I’m here for you, only a phone call away.”

“Demetria, I was just kidding. It’s cool. Seaphes seems to be so much more attentive, and I am happy we’re starting over on a good note.”

“O-okay! Good for you. I guess I’ll let you go. Call me later. I wanna hear all the details.”

“Okay, how late will you be up?”

“Ain’t no telling,” I say in a gloomy voice, then hang up the phone.

—34—

V
ERON

For the life of
me I cannot stop
grinning. I feel like an idiot, but a happy, pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-how-great-I-feel idiot. Seaphes is finally showing me the side of him I’ve always been curious to know. I wish I could bottle up my emotions right now and keep them forever.

But then again, I don’t know why he’s now acting so differently. Why the sudden change? Should I trust it? Be skeptical? Or wait for the next change? Is he being real?

When I get to his house, Seaphes opens the door wearing an apron over his blue jeans and T-shirt. I inhale and notice the aroma of cheese, tomato, and seasonings wafting through the doorway.

“What’s that smell?”

“I’m a pro at throwing together a mean tray of turkey lasagna, and there’s a side of fresh broccoli. And the cornbread is almost done. Homemade,” he says, clearing his throat.

“Oooh, I’m scared of you,” I say, impressed.

“Don’t be scared. Come in and make yourself at home.”

Seaphes’s family room has high ceilings, black leather furniture, and built-in shelves completely lined with family photos: colorful, candid moments shared with his nephew, his sister and brother-in-law, his folks. I can tell he is proud of his family, because he’s been chattering on and on about how well Tupac is doing and how his sister seems to be adjusting to motherhood, tough as it’s been on her.

He continues filling up my ear with his voice after I follow him to the kitchen.

“I am happy that you’re with me tonight, Veron. And you look good, as usual. Let me see your outfit.”

I spread out my arms so he can get a good look at my new Egyptian dress.

“I know it’s too fancy just to wear over here, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“Not at all. I like it when you dress up for me. Makes me think—er, hope—that you care.”

“Kinda sorta,” I tease, feeling a little bit self-conscious. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I don’t want you doing a thing, woman. Sit down at the table. We can start out with some caviar dip and crackers while the lasagna finishes baking. What you wanna drink?”

“I want whatever you’ve been drinking today. Tons of it,” I say, teasingly.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem like a changed man. It’s…appealing. But I do have a question.”

“What?”

“Well, I mean…you promise you’ll stay this way? Happy, accommodating, sensitive, and caring?”

“I’ll do my best. I-I’m just glad you’re giving me second and third chances.”

I look at him and say with a serious voice, “I’m glad, too.”

He sets out a tray of crackers and caviar with cream cheese dip. Then he takes a fork and lifts up a bit of dip, spreading it on a cracker, and shoves it toward my mouth.

“Open up.”

I obey him and enjoy the fact that he wants to feed me. The dip has a salty, creamy taste, and I nod my head. “Great job,” I cheer. “More, more, more.”

Seaphes obliges and prepares more crackers topped with dip. “You need anything else? You alright?” he asks.

“I am perfectly content, Mr. Hill. Oh, how about some music?”

“Argh,” he says. “Forgot.” He picks up the remote and aims it at his sound system. Brian McKnight’s silky smooth vocals instantly fill the room with the thumping jam, “Used to Be My Girl.”

“I don’t wanna eat too much of this. I can’t wait to taste your pasta. It smells so yummy.”

“Just as long as I’m making you happy, that’s what I’m concerned about.”

“Seaphes, what took you so long? I mean, were you holding back on me?”

“No, everything you see is what I am. It’s just that today you’re seeing the better parts of me.”

“Awww,” I say, my heart softening with his every word.

“Let’s eat.”

We sit down at his dining room table, two candles lit, music softly playing, and chow down on some thick, cheesy, perfectly seasoned lasagna. I even have an ice-cold beer—I wasn’t going to, but I remember what Demetria told me and say yes.

So now I’m so relaxed. Everything is going perfect tonight.

Seaphes is in the kitchen getting me a glass of lemon-water when the doorbell rings. I squirm in my seat, suddenly troubled.

“Hey, is that the door? Can you get that? Probably someone trying to sell newspaper subscriptions. Tell ’em I can’t read. I’m illiterate.” I laugh and walk toward the front door.

Demetria is standing on the front porch. Startled, I ask, “You here to sell something?”

“Oh, Veron,” she says, looking sad and glancing at the ground. A wide multicolored scarf is wrapped around her head; I notice the soft curls of her hair softly peeking out from underneath it and resting on her shoulders. I slip outside to stand on the porch with her.

“Okay, first I need to know how you know where Seaphes lives. Then I need to know why you would come over here when you know we had a date.”

“I know, girl, I know,” she says, twisting her hands together. “I got his address from work and did a MapQuest on him. That’s how I found the place. Vee, I needed to talk to you really bad and thought he’d be a good person to talk to as well.”

“What? I’m sorry, I just—”

“Vee, don’t let me just stand out here on the porch. You hear the thunder, see the storm clouds? I won’t stay long, I promise.”

“Come in. But your timing couldn’t be worse.”

“Well, I don’t have control over when I experience a crisis,” she says, actually sounding remorseful. “If I didn’t desperately need you, you know I wouldn’t just pop over to your man’s place. And as I recall you showed up over at my crib at midnight not too long ago, and I was there for you.”

I sigh. “Wait right here,” I tell her. I want to cut my eyes real hard at her, but I don’t. I just walk back into the house, joining Seaphes in the kitchen.

“Hey, who was that at the door?”

“You will not believe this,” I say and mute the volume to the stereo. “Who is the worst person who could show up right now?”

“Ursula’s here?” he asks confusedly. Just then she walks in. “Demetria, I haven’t seen you in a minute,” Seaphes remarks in a high-sounding, unnatural voice. I guess he’s as bummed out as I am.

“Well, this won’t take long. It’s about me and my boyfriend,” she says, giving me a warning glance. We all go in and sit in the living room. She continues, “He and I were supposed to hook up tonight, but when I stopped by his place, I recognized another woman’s vehicle.”

“Whose vehicle?” I ask, genuinely surprised.

“Uh, Marilyn,” she says matter-of-factly. She stares straight at me, and her look says I should be careful not to ask the wrong questions.

“Ah, her,” I say surprised. “Well, did you ask ‘your boyfriend’ what’s up?” I ask.

“I can’t get him on the phone! And that’s not like him at all. I have a sinking feeling something fishy is going on. I hope they’re not fighting. That she’s not upping the ante,” she says. Her voice drifts off when she realizes she’s giving out too much information.

“Who is this boyfriend? I didn’t know about him,” Seaphes says.

“I don’t want to get into all that. I just want a man’s perspective.”

“Demetria, any man that shuts you out has to be tripping. And maybe you’re reading too hard into his not answering the phone. I don’t always have my phone on me; doesn’t mean I’m doing anything wrong.”

“Okay, maybe you’re right, Seaphes. At least I hope you are.”

Looking at my watch, I say, “You feeling better now?”

Seaphes walks over to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. I want to enjoy his touch but can’t help but feel uncomfortable with the way Demetria is leering at him, her face stony.

Seaphes ignores Demetria’s stare and pulls me against his chest. “We were going to pop in some DVDs when you showed up. You’re welcome to sit and watch movies with us for a minute. You still look very troubled.”

“Oh, thank you, Seaphes,” she says with a grateful look piercing her eyes. “Hey, I gotta get something out of the car.”

The second that she leaves, Seaphes rushes to the kitchen before I get a chance to talk to him. I hear cabinets slamming open and shut and dishes rattling. “Hey, why don’t you pull out some good movies while I clean up, okay, babe?” he yells out.

“I, uh, shoot, alright.” I drop down to my knees and scour the case that holds his vast collection of films.
Déjà Vu, Fantastic Four, Antwone Fisher
, several Gabrielle Union movies…

“What did you find?”

“Lots of stuff. What you wanna look at?”

He sees what I’m holding. “How about something with Gabrielle? I love how she acts, and besides, she’s an immensely beautiful woman.”

“Well, thanks for the compliment,” Demetria says, walking back into the living room with a bottle of Grey Goose swinging in her hand. I notice she left the jacket she was wearing in the car.

I clear my throat and glance at Seaphes. “Let Demetria get her plate of lasagna so we can settle in and watch our movie.”

“Oh, that sounds good. I love lasagna. You got a bottle of hot sauce, too? I like it hot.” She makes her way to the kitchen and calls out, “Seaphes, can you fix my plate? And get us some glasses so I can pour our drinks. I’ll fix up your Goose just the way you like it.”

My shoulders cave in, and I can feel Seaphes staring at me. I turn around and look up at him and see his eyes pleading as if to say, Just don’t make a fuss over nothing.

“Remember, I invited
you
over here, not her,” he whispers to me before heading to the kitchen. And I try to reason with myself. He’s right; I’m the one who got the invite.

I figure out how to turn on the DVD player and reluctantly slide in
Two Can Play That Game
. The movie is nothing to jump up over, but there are several funny moments in it, and I can use a good laugh.

“Hey, babe, come join us,” Seaphes yells out.

When I return to the kitchen, Demetria is complimenting him on his cooking. “Seaphes, this is delicious. I didn’t know you had these kinds of skills.”

“Yeah, Miss Lady, I am very skilled in all kinds of things.”

“Tell me more,” she says, giggling.

“Demetria,” I cut in, a little too sharply. “Have you tried calling Thaddeus again?”

Looking baffled, she sputters, “Hey, if he wanted to talk to me he’d call. Besides, after the way he’s acting I might fire his ass and be single for real,” she says in a distraught voice, taking a huge gulp of her vodka.

“Ha.” I laugh out loud. “We don’t have to worry about anything like that.”

“What do you mean, Vee? You don’t think I can get another man? Do you think another man would want me, Seaphes?”

I cast Seaphes a look so sharp he has no other choice than to close his mouth.

“What I meant to say, Demetria, is that you are the queen of playing the dating game. I’m sure you’ll have another guy like Thaddeus Wakely in no time at all. I mean, whoever fits his profile would be perfect for you. Wealthy, older, sophisticated, sexy…and taken,” I say, unable to help myself.

“Damn, what’s gotten into you, Vee, huh? I’m the victim here. Why you putting me on blast?”

She casts Seaphes a distraught look, and he pipes up. “Hey, you two ladies. You look so sexy when you argue, but you don’t have to argue to look sexy. Let’s play nice, okay? Y’all need anything else? Veron, you okay? Want some more broccoli?”

“No, I want Demetria to tell us more about what happened. I mean, this is a first, Seaphes, you just don’t know. Demetria is used to men skipping funerals to be with her. She ain’t ever been on the dumpee side of things.”

“What you say? He hasn’t dumped me, girl.”

“Not yet,” I snap.

“Hey,” Demetria whines. “I know you think that I don’t have a heart, but, Vee, I can get hurt. I do get down in the dumps. You just don’t know. Sometimes I lay alone in my bed at night crying my eyes out.”

“Why?” I ask incredulously.

“Because…you don’t know everything I’ve gone through, everything I still go through. I work hard for everything I have, and it’s not always a hundred percent perfect, as if I’m some fairy tale princess, like, like I’m, uh, some damned Jada Pinkett Smith or something.”

I giggle, unable to help myself. “You read magazines, Demetria. I’m sure you’ve heard her say that her relationship with Will Smith is not perfect. They’re just normal people. I think I read that they’re even into swinging.”

“Hmmm, that’s interesting, but I’m still not her,” she says, her voice slurry. She places her hand on her stomach and rubs it. “This here is some good-ass spaghetti.”

“That’s lasagna, my dear,” Seaphes jumps in.

“No, it’s not,” she says in a whiny childlike voice.

Seaphes and I exchange baffled looks.

“Demetria, maybe you need to drink some water,” I say, sliding my untouched glass of water toward her. “I can’t believe how horribly you hold your liquor. And, Seaphes, you need to not drink so much, either,” I warn him.

“Ugh,” she sniffs. “I don’t want that. You know what I want?” she asks. “White chocolate martinis. Seaphes, will you be a sweetheart and go to the grocery store real quick? I am desperately thirsty for something…something sweet and rich,” she says, her voice husky. She opens her purse and talks out loud while scribbling down the items she needs to make the drinks.

“Hey, it’s raining out there, right?” Seaphes asks.

“You gonna let some rain stop you? Please, Seaphes, I really want this, okay?” Without waiting for him to reply she says, “Here’s a fifty,” and places the single bill in his hand.

Finally he shakes his head. “Okay, I’ll go, but you don’t have to buy anything.” He hands her the fifty. “I’ll be right back. That okay, Veron?” he asks. He doesn’t make another move until I reluctantly nod my head.

I look through the window to watch him drive off, then slowly turn around to face Demetria with my arms folded underneath my breasts.

“What the hell is going on, Demetria?”

“Damn, Vee, don’t take that tone with me. Thad is tripping big-time, and I’ll confess, I don’t know how to deal with it. It’s never happened like this before.”

“Break it down, Demetria. I’m tired of all your vague descriptions. What exactly went on?”