My Bestfriend's Man by P. Dotson, Latarsha Banks Page A

and grabbed his hand.
“I think it’s time that you meet my parents.”
    “That’s what I’m talking about
baby,” he said picking me up and spinning me around.
    When Brian finally put me down,
for some reason the air around us felt weird. Brian had this strange look in
his eyes. He opened his mouth and I knew he was about to say the three
forbidden words again, but I couldn’t let that go down because I wasn’t ready
to say it back. I quickly removed myself from his embrace.
    “Okay babe. Go ahead and go so I
can place our order. Also can you pick me up a Lime-a-Rita?”
    He frowned. “You like that shit?”
    “Yeah, you don’t?”
    “Hell naw .”
    “You don’t know what you’re
missing,” I laughed at the hard frown on his face.
    “Not much,” he smirked. “Aight,”
he said glancing at his watch and giving me another kiss on the forehead. “I’ll
be right back,” he said pulling his keys out of his pocket.
    “Okay,” I smiled.
    As soon as I heard the door slam
I breathed a sigh of relief. I placed the palm of my hands on the counter. I
could feel my heart beating in my chest. That was too close for comfort. Why
did he have to make this so complicated?

Chapter 14

 
    Roxie
    I stuffed another Oreo cookie in my
mouth as I watched Brian leave Vee’s house. He had this dumb ass smile on his
face. I wanted to wipe that shit off so bad. He had a little extra pep in his
step, so she must have given him the goods.
    The thought alone made my eyes
water. I tried to keep my tears tucked away, but it didn’t take long for them
to slide down the side of my face. I was devastated. This was a matter of the
heart and I hate the fact I have so much love for this girl, but the feelings
weren’t reciprocated. Don’t get me wrong, I know Vee loves me just not the same
way I love her.
    I tossed my Oreos in the
passenger seat. I must have tossed them harder than I thought because they went
crashing to the floor. I cringed a little because Bri would probably have a fit,
but I knew how to handle her. Right now, my focus is elsewhere. I used my tongue to remove any Oreos that might have
gotten lost in between the cracks of my teeth. I raked my fingers through my
hair as I pulled down the sun visor to
check my appearance. The air was humid or it just could have been me. Sweat
suffocated my armpits along with my
forehead and upper lip. I took a deep breath and began to fan myself with my
hand.
    “Get it together, Roxie,” I
coached myself.
    This is crazy. Hell, I’m crazy, I
can admit that. This isn’t healthy and I know it. I just can’t help myself when
it comes to Vee. She has this hold over me. I don’t know what it is and I can’t
explain it. I’ve had this feeling since the first time we met.
    I looked around the peaceful
neighborhood and I couldn’t help but to feel out of place. I shrugged it off.
Vee and I needed to have a talk. Somehow I had to make her see she didn’t need
Brian. I’m all she needs. I know I sound desperate that’s because I am. The love I have for this woman is never ending. I couldn’t
explain it if I tried and I don’t think you would get it either.
    I searched through the console
and found some wipes. Immediately I wiped away my stray tears. I stepped out of
the car and looked down at my attire. I was dressed in the usual, booty shorts
that barely covered my ass, a tank top and flip flops. Traffic was light, but I
still looked both ways before crossing the damn near abandoned street. I looked
back at Bri’s car and prayed the owner of the home I parked in front of didn’t
have me towed.
    Nervous butterflies took refuge
in the pit of my stomach. The fear of Vee’s rejection weighed heavy in my
thoughts. I tried hard not to think about it. I made my way up the steps and
knocked on the door, all the while holding my breath.
    “Did you forget something?” She
said as she opened the door. Her eyebrows arched. “Hey Roxie,” she said with a
look of surprise on her