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

face.
    “Hey, it’s just me,” I said shrugging my shoulders.
    “What are you doing here?” She
asked.
    “Well, can I come in first?”
    She took a step forward and
closed the door a little. “Roxie, now is not a good time. I told you me and
Brian are doing dinner tonight.”
    My chest got tight. I must have
looked like I felt because she took a step back. “So it’s like that, huh?”
    “Roxie, don’t start this,” she
said shaking her head. “We’re too old for this shit.”
    “You fucked him didn’t you?”
    She didn’t answer my question.
She only raised her hands in the air and shook her head. “I’m not doing this
shit with you, Roxie. Goodnight,” she said stepping back and attempting to
close the door on me, but I blocked it.
    “Wait, look I’m sorry.”
    Vee rolled her eyes towards the
sky like she didn’t believe me. I was offended. Her nonchalant attitude had me
in my feelings and not in a good way.
    “Call me in the morning. We can
talk then.”
    She was just
telling me what I wanted to hear so she could get rid of me. That
shit hurt like hell. This wasn’t going as I planned. I had to get control of the situation and quick.
    “Vee, please.”
    She sighed as she momentarily
looked down at the ground before looking back up at me. The tension that
surrounded us was thick. That shit was so thick it felt unbreakable. I wanted
to pour my heart out to her. I wanted her to see that I was all she needed. I
could make her happy, but the look in her eyes said it all.
    “Fine Vee, just call me in the
morning,” I said shaking my head.
    I quickly turned around and
jogged across the street to Bri’s car. I didn’t want her to see me crying. My
heart had been broken and it was all because of Brian, my best friend’s man.
    *    *    *
    “So what you do for a living?”
Prince asked me while rubbing his hands together.
    He stared at me like I was a
piece of steak or something. That shit irked my nerves. He licked his full,
pink lips as he continued to stare at me. It took everything I had not to roll
my eyes and leave his dumb ass sitting there, but I needed him for the time
being. I had to see where his head is at. I needed to see if he would be easy
to fold.
    “I work part-time as a medical
assistant.”
    “Okay, that’s what’s up. You like
it?” He asked.
    I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s
aight. I can’t complain.”
      “Can I get you anything else?” The waitress came over with her notepad in hand.
    “I’ll take some more tea please,”
I said handing her my glass.
    “I’m good,” Prince replied
sitting back. He picked up a toothpick and placed it in his mouth.
    “Are you done with these?” She
asked us, referring to the empty plates on the table.
    “Yes,” I answered.
    “Okay, I’ll take them for you and
I’ll be right back with your drink,” she smiled then walked away.
    “Thanks for dinner,” I replied
trying my best to sound sincere.
    “No problem, the pleasure is all
mine,” he said rubbing his hands again. “I thought you were ignoring me.”
    “I would never do that. I’m just
a little shy that’s all,” I lied.
    After I gave him my number at the
club he literally called my ass three times a day. I started to block his ass,
but thank the heavens above I didn’t. He could be beneficial.
    “You don’t have to be shy around
me,” he smiled as he reached across the table and caressed the back of my hand.
    His ass is so damn corny. He’s a
pretty boy, and he wanted to be a thug so damn bad, but I could read his ass
like a book. He’s a bitch in thug's clothing. The first sign of trouble and I bet like money he’s the first one
running.
    “You have a girlfriend?” I asked
him.
    “I have a few friends here and
there. Nothing serious though. You?”
    “No, single and looking.”
    “Your search may have finally ended.”
    “Here’s your drink?” The waitress said sitting it down on the table and placing
a straw beside it. “Is there anything