My Bestfriend's Man (3 page)

Roxie

I checked my phone literally
every five seconds to see if Savannah had bothered to call me back. To see that
she hadn’t bothered to at least send me a text message really had me in my
feelings. I knew she was ignoring me and I couldn’t stand it. I talked to Vee
damn near every day and I hated when she acted like this. I was tempted to call
her ass, but I figured I would give her another hour or two.

It was Sunday and I really hadn’t
planned on leaving the house, but if Vee didn’t get her act together she would
give me no other choice but to make an unexpected visit to her house. My phone
rang and I snatched if off my stand like it was the last piece of Turkey on
Thanksgiving. I was all smiles at first, but that quickly faded once I realized
it was Harold’s thirsty ass.

I ignored the call and set my
phone back on the stand and lay back in bed. It hurt that Vee was doing me like
this. All because she up and got a new man. I wondered what was up with his ass
anyway. He was sneaky. His eyes told the story. With me being Vee’s
protector,
it was up to me to find out what
exactly was up with this dude. I reached over and checked my phone again just
to make sure a text or phone call hadn’t slipped under my nose during the five
seconds I was occupied in deep thought. My phone was dry at the moment and that
would have been fine with me if Vee wasn’t acting like a bitch.

This was torture and I couldn’t
take much more of it. Knowing Vee she probably went to church this morning. It
was past three in the afternoon, so I knew she should be back by now. I decided
I would make it my business to go over there. I took a quick shower, brushed my
teeth, threw on a pair of booty shorts, a tank, some flip flops and headed out
the door. I called my Vee on the way to her house to let her know I was on the
way, but she wouldn’t pick up.

As I pulled into her
driveway,
I noticed an all black older model
Lexus parked beside Vee’s truck. Jealousy consumed my heart and I felt myself
near tears. Something told me the car belonged to Brian and my heart ached. She
had time for him, but she didn’t have the decency to give me a call back. I
really don’t know much about this dude and didn’t care to either, but I could
already tell I didn’t like my best friend’s man.

I hopped out of my Range hotter
than a bull seeing red. I stomped up the steps. My first initial thought was to
bang on the door like the damn police, but I held my reserve. I gave myself a
pep talk. I realized you
catch
more bees
with honey. I paced the front steps for a few seconds, took some deep breaths,
gathered my thoughts and decided to start over. Calmly I knocked on the door,
pulled my boy shorts out of my ass and fixed my hair.

“Hey, Roxie,” Vee said, like she
hadn’t been ignoring my phone calls. I decided to play fake right along with
her ass.

“Hey girlie. I’m not interrupting
anything
am
I?” I asked trying to peer
over her shoulder.

She stood there for a second. I
could see it in her eyes, she was contemplating on letting me in. I stood there
impatiently waiting for her to make up her mind. I prayed she found her right
mind and let me in, if not I would definitely have to set it off. A sigh of
relief escaped my lips when she moved to the side and allowed me to enter.

“Look, Brian is here,” she
whispered.

“I figured
that,”
I responded.

“We are going to try this again.
I don’t want any of that bullshit you pulled last night. What the hell was up
with that anyway?”

“I’m sorry Vee. I was having a
bad day and I just wanted to talk to my bestie about it. I thought it was going
to be just us girls and you threw Lil Morris on me.”

She laughed. “He does kind of
look like Morris Chestnut doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, a little, just not as
cute,” I answered instantly throwing shade. She placed her hand on her hip and
gave me a look.
“I’m just being
honest.”

“Whatever. Are you going to
behave yourself?” She asked me.

“Yes, dayum. Wait, before we go.
How long have you been dating him?” She looked down at the floor. Guilt was
written all over her face and I was heated. “How long Vee?”

“Five months.”

“Really Vee?” I asked feeling
myself near tears. I wondered how the hell she managed to keep this shit under
wraps for five months.

It was happening again. The same
shit with Brandon.
In
the beginning of
their
relationship,
it was all cool
because Vee would always include me in the things they did together, but as we
all got older things began to change. Vee was spending less of her time with me
and more of it with Brandon. Then he started talking that marriage bullshit and
I quickly put an end to that. I
wasn’t having
it.

“I’m sorry Roxie, but I know how
negative you can be at times.”

“I’m not negative Vee. I’m your
friend, isn’t that what friends do? Of course, I’m going to critique him. I’ve
always had that sixth sense about people. Just like with Brandon, but you
didn’t believe me and look what happened.” I knew Brandon was still a sensitive
subject and I hit a sore spot, but I didn’t care. I was pulling out all the
stops and if using Brandon as ammo would work to my advantage then I was all
in.

“Roxie don’t start.”

“I’m just trying to be a good
friend. If you don’t want my advice then why keep me around this long?” This
chick looked like she was actually pondering the question. My insides almost
boiled over. I brushed off the odd silence that surrounded us. “Are we going to
do this or what?”

“Yeah, come on,” she said quietly
giving my
outfit
the once over.

I followed her into the living
room. The sight of Brian lounging on the couch as if he owned the place made me
sick to my stomach. I did my best to hide my emotions, but he was making it
hard. He looked too comfortable.

“Brian.”

He tore his eyes away from the
television, then looked from Vee to me. I could tell my presence made him feel
uncomfortable and that’s exactly what I wanted. I somehow managed to twist my
face into a smile as I stuck out my hand.

“Hi, my name is Roxie.”

“Brian,” he said with hesitation.

“I’m
sorry
about the other day. Women problems, I’m sure you know all about that don’t
you.”

“Roxie,” Vee said.

“Stop smothering his balls Vee.
I’m just teasing,” I said as I sat down on the love seat opposite him. I could
see it in his eyes he didn’t like me. I’m sure he knew the feeling was mutual.
This was
war
. We were both vying for the
same woman’s attention. Just like Brandon, I had no problems with sending him
packing with his tail tucked between his legs.

Brian

I can’t deny Roxie is a bad
chick. It was hard for me to stay focused with all them thighs and ass in my
face, but her ratchet attitude helped me look past that. One look into her eyes
and you could see this chick was off her marbles, crazy recognized crazy. I
could tell by her hostile attitude she was trying to take it there with me, but
for the sake of Savannah I wanted to keep the peace.

“Brian I apologize,” Savannah
said shaking her head.

Savannah sat down beside me and I
could tell by the look on Roxie’s face she wasn’t feeling that. I know I said I
wasn’t about to stoop down to her level, but I couldn’t resist. I placed my arm
around Savannah’s shoulder and she scooted closer to me. I smirked and nibbled
on Savannah’s ear. The look on this chick’s face was priceless.
 

“Babe,” Savannah giggled moving
her head to the side.

“So, Brandon-,”

“Brian,” I corrected.

“I’m sorry, my bad,” Roxie
laughed. “I was thinking of Savannah’s ex. You know his name was Brandon. Their
so similar Brandon and Brian.”

“Not really.”

“Anyway. What is your
occupation?”

“I own a club. You ever heard of
a club called Envious?”

She frowned, but I knew she
recognized the name. “
Hold up
, wait a
minute. I know Big Brian and you don’t look anything like him,” she smirked
folding her arms across her chest like she caught me in a lie.

“He’s my father.” Her smile
quickly evaporated. “I’m sure you heard of me.”

“Big Brian has lots of kids. What
makes you so special?”

Savannah cleared her throat. I
could tell by her demeanor she had enough of the back and forth between me and
Roxie. I wondered if Roxie was part of the reason her and ole boy didn’t work
out. Savannah said he cheated, but something told me Roxie played a part in
some of it.

“I’m sorry babe,” I apologized
and kissed the back of her neck. “What you got cooking anyway. It smells good.”

She smiled. “Lasagna.”

“You made homemade lasagna?” I
asked.

“No, Stouffers,” she laughed
giving me the side eye. “You know I don’t do much cooking.”

“I know, we’re going to have to
work on that,” I laughed.

Savannah and I
sat on
the couch and talked like it was just the two of us. Roxie sat there like a
damn pig in a blanket. She was the odd man out. Every now and then she would
try to join in on our conversation or interrupt our chemistry, but her tactics
just weren’t working.

As we continued to talk for a
moment,
it actually did feel like it was just the
two of us in the room. It was something about Savannah that I found
intoxicating. I was addicted to her energy. I was like a plant and she was the
sun. I needed her oxygen to survive. I thought back to the day when we first
met.

My little brother dropped me off
at the emergency room after a fight broke out at my club. In the midst of me
trying to cool things down, a bitch in
thug's
clothing had the nerve to pop me in the back of the head with a bottle. I
winced as I thought back to the pain that shot through the back of my head, but
the minute my eyes landed on Savannah I found temporary relief just from her
smile.

Her smile was captivating and she
had the prettiest set of white teeth. Her smooth chocolate skin was flawless. Well,
she had a pimple
smack-dab
in the middle
of her
forehead
, but other than that it
was flawless. Every time she asked me something she would have to repeat
it
because I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
I think I asked her for her phone number ten times and each time she kindly
declined, so I gave her mine instead. After three weeks of
waiting,
she finally called. Yes, I was
checking my cell phone damn near every hour on the hour waiting for her to
call. She had me tripping because I never act like this over females. I didn’t
have too. Pussy was thrown at me on a daily basis.

Savannah was different. She was
very independent. The numbers in my bank account didn’t impress her. She’s the
only woman other than Macy that has held out on the pussy. She has stood her ground
too, and like
a love
sick puppy dog she
has turned me into I’m still waiting.

“I’m going to go check on the
Lasagna. You think you two can get along for two minutes?”

“Yeah baby, I’m good,” I said
shrugging my shoulders.

“Roxie.”

“Yeah, Vee.”

As soon as Savannah left Roxie
leaned forward, spread her legs and placed her elbows on her knees. I could see
the imprint of her fat pussy lips through her shorts. My manhood almost
betrayed me. I could feel him jumping against my thigh. I placed my attention elsewhere.
The thought of my mom and stepfather having sex put me back where I needed to
be. She wasn’t about to get me caught up.

“So, what do you really want with
Vee?” She asked interrupting my thoughts. She sat back closed her legs and
folded her arms underneath her breast.

“I like Vee. I think she has the
potential to be
wifey
,” I smiled as I
imagined me and Savannah settling down possibly having some babies. Savannah
did shit like that to me. She had my nose open. She had me thinking white
picket fences and shit.

“That will never happen,” she
smirked.

“Why you say that?” I frowned. I
hated that I let her see she got under my skin.

“Because Brandon still holds her
heart. I can tell you will never measure up.”

Before I could respond Savannah
came bouncing back into the living room. “Food is done.”

Dinner was awkward. Roxie and I
barely said two words to each other. That bitch was on my hit list. She came
for me and like a dumb ass I answered. Now she had me all in my feelings. This
is something that I haven’t felt since my middle school days, insecure. After
dinner,
I left. I needed some space, a little
time to think and clear my head. I couldn’t let this bitch I barely knew get to
me like this.

*
  
*
  
*

Club Envious was still hot and
popping even on a Sunday. I decided to use my back entrance. Any other day I
would have been glad to be the center of attention, but Roxie still had me in a
foul mood. Before getting out of my
car,
I made sure to take My Buddy with me. My trusty
glock
hasn’t failed me yet. Being a man of my stature you could never be too
cautious.

“What’s up fam?” My little
brother, Prince, asked
dapping
me up.

“Ain’t shit,” I said as I walked
around my desk. “What you doing in here anyway?” I asked sniffing the air
making sure he hasn’t decided to bring some random bitch back to my office and
fuck. Prince did shit like that and for the life of me I don’t know why. He has
his own office. Yes, mine is bigger and flashier, but still that shit is nasty.
I had to dig in his ass a couple of times about it too. For his
sake,
I hope I didn’t have to remind him.

“Nothing, I was looking for you.
Stop thinking the worse all the damn time,” he snapped smoothing out his plain
black t-shirt.

“Yeah, okay,” I responded as I
sat down and logged into my computer. I went over the numbers to the club while
my brother stood there looking at me. I could tell he wanted to ask me
something. “What’s up Prince? What do you need now?”

“Nothing I just want to talk to
you about something B.”

“Go ahead then.”

“Aight check it,” Prince started
as he sat down in the chair opposite me. I sat back and gave him my undivided
attention. “I’ve been rocking with you for the past three years. I’ve put a lot
of people on to your work,” he paused.

“Okay,” I said willing him to
continue.

“I think you should make me a
partner
.”

I sighed as fished around in my
mind for the proper words to say. Prince was nineteen and fresh out of high
school. He helped me out with a few things, but he didn’t have that drive. His
main concern and focus
was
the money he
saw pouring in. I wasn’t convinced he had the dedication to be my stand-up guy
to keep this cash flow running. Besides I already had a partner, Ace, my older
brother.

“Prince, you are only nineteen-,”
I started.

“Man, cut that ‘you are only
nineteen’ bullshit out,” he said as he stood up. His butterscotch colored skin
turned a shade darker. He ran a hand over his waves as he paced the floor. “You
keep throwing my age up in the mix. What the fuck does age have to do with
anything?”

“A lot Prince. You are young and
everything you have has been handed to you. What, you think just because you’re
my brother that I’m supposed to hand over a part of my foundation to you?”

“Just like Big Brian handed it
over to you.”

“Get the fuck out of here,” I
said waving him off.

My life wasn’t gravy by no means.
Not like this pretty nigga pacing my damn floor. There’s a ten year age
difference between us. Prince and I have the same mother, but different fathers.
Although I respected Prince’s father George, I really don’t like him. I wasn’t
his seed and he made sure I knew it. Not intentionally, but he did. We never
really bonded and he never really tried to bond with me either. He did just enough
to keep my mother’s attention and to get her knocked up.

George had bank so whatever
Prince wanted that
muthafucka
got. Unlike
him,
I had to work for every single thing
I had. My Pops had money, but that ain’t mean shit. He made me work just as
hard if not harder. He had me running packages, washing his cars, his house,
and even the club at times just to make a damn buck. I could sit back and laugh
at the memories now. It wasn’t so funny back then, but I believe I’m a stronger
man because of it.

“It’s true,” Prince said raining
in on my thoughts.

“Nigga, I worked for every
fucking thing I got.”

“Here we go with this shit
again,” he said throwing his hands in the air.

“You damn right here we go with
this shit again. You think you can come up in this muthafucka and somebody
supposed to give you a piece of the pie and you ain’t do shit to help prepare
or bake it. Sit yo’ easy bake ass down some damn where. Nigga you ain’t done
shit so therefore you ain’t getting shit. I can’t believe you have the audacity
to step to me about some damn partner just because you send a few clients my
way.
Nigga,
please.”

It was
silence
between us for a couple of minutes. I knew he heard every
word I said, but I could tell by his demeanor that he really wasn’t listening.
He was spoiled and used to getting his way. I could talk my ass off and he
still wouldn’t understand.

“I have work to do. Get up with
me later,” I said focusing back on my computer.

I kept my eyes on the computer
screen as he walked out without saying another word. I had to laugh and shake
my head. I knew that wouldn’t be the last of the conversation, but right now I
wasn’t trying to hear it. If he wanted anything close to being
partner,
he had to put in
work
. The youth of today felt the world and
everyone in it owed them something. If Prince didn’t know he definitely learned
today.

I stayed glued to my spot for a
couple of hours doing the general things, checking the numbers for tonight and
searching through my accounts. I have an accountant, but I trust no one with my
money. I still go over the accounts and reconcile everything to make sure every
dime spent is legit. My eyelids started getting heavy and I knew it was time
for me to leave. The time on my Rolex read a little after twelve o’
clock
. As I stood up I checked my phone for any
missed calls or messages. I was a little disappointed when I saw there
was
none.

For some
reason,
it drove me crazy whenever Savannah didn’t call or bother
to send me a text. I hated to sound like a needy nigga, but that’s what I
was use
to.
I’m
used
to chicks blowing me up asking my location or wondering where I’m
at or who I’m doing it with. But like I said before, Savannah is different.
Maybe I was putting a little too much into this relationship. I’m feeling
Savannah like crazy, but if the feelings aren’t reciprocated maybe, just maybe,
it was time for me to fall back. That was easier said than done.

I turned off my computer, grabbed
my keys and headed out the door. This time I decided to stroll through the
club. As I looked around I couldn’t help but to be proud of myself. My father
signed his club over to me four years ago. I knew he thought the club was
destined to fail without his supervision, but I was determined to prove him
wrong and I did. Besides I had no problem
eliminating
the competition.
 
I’m cut throat when it
comes to my business. If I hear another club is making noise than mine I
immediately eliminate the problem.