by Bella Jay
Tessah forced herself to keep her smile. Chandra’s actions told her what his mom said were complete facts but hearing it sent a ping of ill emotions through her.
“Me and Shay prayed you weren’t that dumb but you haven’t always been the brightest cookie in—”
“Alright ma.” He cut her off. “I’ma go introduce her to everyone else who not gon’ drag me through the mud. Cherry be good for your grandma.”
“K!” she exclaimed as they walked off with his mom chuckling.
“She’s funny and gorgeous.”
Kyree interlocked hands with her as he led her around the backyard. “She’s too damn much. I told you she cool.”
As he greeted his relatives, he introduced her. He’d been right: his grandma was the sweetest, his auntie had teased her but was nice, and Shayla had been extra in a good way. By the time they’d gone around the backyard, it had been thirty minutes and the growling of her stomach was embarrassing.
“Where the food at?” Tessah whispered.
“Greedy ass,” he snickered. “We about to gather everything and head to the beach.”
“The beach?” Her brows pulled in.
“Yeah. It’s a tradition. We spend the day at the beach. I told you to pack a swimsuit.”
“I thought me and you were gonna go to the beach later or something. The swimsuit I packed is skimpy as fuck Ky. I’m not wearing that in front of yo mama.”
Kyree licked his lips before giving her a mischievous grin. “Shit. Lemme see it though.”
“Really my guy?” She pursed her lips, placing her hands on her hips.
He chortled. “I mean I wanna see if—”
“Bye because you ain’t shit.” She shook her head.
“We’ll stop by CVS and get you something.”
Tessah’s mouth dropped open. “What the hell a drug store gon’ have? I don’t like you. Quinten getting cuter by the second.”
Kyree smirked. “Tell his fiancé that.”
“Where is she anyway?”
“He is right there.” He nodded towards a dark skinned guy talking to his mom.
Tessah’s mouth dropped open again. “Wait… what? You’re lying?” Kyree shook his head. “Why you ain’t tell me Quint was,” she leaned over to whisper, “gay.”
“Because look at your ass whispering shit.” A playful smirk danced on his face as she blushed. “It’s not something I need to tell people. Why the fuck I’m giving you a heads up because my bro likes men? Not you,” he blurted as she scrunched her face, “I mean in general.” She fixed the scowl. “I used to because I thought I had to make others aware but we don’t go around telling people, people straight. I never looked at him different and I stopped feeling the need to give people info that ain’t their business.”
Tessah nodded and understood his point. Quint’s sexual preference wasn’t her business but still her gay meter didn’t even do a little skip. Most gay men she’d come in contact with either went out their way to appear straight or were flamboyant. Quint’s demeanor mirrored that of most straight men and nothing about him said he liked what she liked.
However, as her eyes scanned his fiancé, she couldn’t be mad. Ryan had a little more metrosexual flare to him with his fitted jeggings, crisp button up, and clean demeanor. Nevertheless… “Well, Ryan is fine.”
Kyree’s droopy hooded eyes took her in and flashes of him having his way with her flooded her mental. “Now I gotta worry about my brother and his dude taking you from me? Shit. What am I? Chopped liver.”
Tessah burst into a fit of giggles before wrapping her arms around his waist. “Ryan is fine,” she said through chuckles, “but you’re so damn fine it’s exhausting because my yoni stay wanting your super duper fine ass. Like now,” she bit her bottom lip, “I keep wondering if we have time for a quickie.”
Kyree dropped his chin at her. “You serious?”
She smized. “Long as we don’t get caught. Can’t taint your mom’s image of me.”
“Never that. Trust me, I know just the place.” He grabbed her by the hand and led her into his mother’s house.
❖❖❖
“I love her,” Shayla said, plopping next to Kyree on the sand. “Y’all would have some bomb ass shea buttered babies.” She clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait.”
“Bruh, pump your damn breaks.” He pushed her shoulder, making her chuckle. “You been with Jose for five years and I ain’t over here checking your uterus for my mixed cousins.”
Shayla dropped her shoulders and cut her eyes at him. “I been with him long enough for you to stop calling my man Jose!”
“Fine. Hector.” Kyree loved teasing her and called her boyfriend, Juan, everything but the name his parents had given him.
“Auntie shoulda aborted you. I swear. Ignorant ass.”
“Same shit I was thinking yo mama shoulda did with your big-headed ass.”
They shared a laugh before he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into him. Shayla was four years older than him but he towered over her five foot two frame. “But I’m glad you like her. Your opinion matters. I need someone to make sure I don’t bring another Chandra into my life.”
“I told you I ain’t ever like her.”
“Yes, and you don’t let me forget it.”
Shayla shrugged. “Wanna make sure you don’t make that mistake again.”
“Trust me. I won’t.”
Kyree’s eyes ventured to Tessah playing near the water with Cherry. The wave of emotions washing over him had his pulse beating hard against his chest. Was he staring at the completed pieces of his heart? Cherry with a wide open mouth grin and Tessah matching her energy. They’d clicked quicker than he could have wished for. He’d never introduced his daughter to anyone because Tessah was the first person he’d dated post Chandra - but everything about today defined perfection. When he popped up at her house with his daughter in tow, he’d been shitting bricks but everything had fallen into place. His family loved her and in a short time - he’d fallen for her too.
Tessah Dasia Jones had spun his world upside down and he had no desire to run from her.
“She still been acting funny?”
Kyree ran his hand through the sand. “Funny is an understatement. I told her the other day she can’t be calling me at all hours like mothering is a new skill.”
“Well she’s only using Cherry as a pawn Ky Ky.”
He sucked in air. “I peep game but she gotta chill. We’ve been done.”
“You were a fool for going back to sleeping with her.” Kyree shot her a dirty look. “I’m a broken record, but you got a thick skull. She better not interfere with what you got going on with Tee. ‘Cause you over here staring at sis like you can’t WAIT till y’all get back to the O to tear it up.”
Kyree tittered, pushing her away from him and smirking at the images lodged in his brain of their quickie earlier. “Dead ass! As soon as Cherry is knocked out… man.” He rubbed his hands together, and Shayla and him shared a laugh.
“I’m joking about them babies. She’s too young for you to be knocking up. Be careful.”
“I’m not ready for another, anyway. As much as I’m feeling her, I ain’t ready to take it there so best believe she’s on birth control.”
“But you can see it going there, huh?”
Shayla always read him as if she had psychic powers. Her future kids wouldn’t get away with anything.
“I guess I see some kind of future.”
“You guess?”
Kyree snickered. “Drop it. Let me be in denial or whatever. This whole shit is new for her… I don’t wanna push it too fast. Rather let it flow.”
Shayla threw her hands in the air. “Boy….” She started, but he patted her on the arm and nodded towards the water. Tessah and Cherry were racing back over. “Saved by the boo.”
“Slow down,” Kyree called to Cherry right before she dived into him, knocking him over.
“I WIN!” She giggled.
“Caffeine.” He sat up.
“What’s caffeine?” Cherry’s head fell to the side.
“What grown ups drink when they get old to stay awake,” Shayla said, grabbing Cherry from her dad and tickling her. “Wanna come with me to mess with Uncle Q?”
“Yeah!” she squealed as Shayla stood.
“We’ll be back lovebirds,” Shayla sang and winked at Kyree who flipped her off.
“You see why she gets on my nerves?” He turned to Tessah who had a deep grin on her face.
“I like her. She told me she’s happy you brought me because all y’all other cousins always bring they ‘lil ugly ass friends with no substance’.” Kyree tittered because it sounded like something Shayla would say. She was right.
“They do be bringing some questionable ass broads. I’m surprised they all came solo today.” He dusted sand off the top of his swimming trunks. Tessah still wore her regular clothes. “You having fun though?”
She scrunched her nose before giving him a smile from her mouth to her eyes. “Today has been great, babe. Thanks for making me come. Everyone made me feel so welcomed, and Ryan invited me to the wedding.”
“Of course he did.”
“Him and Quint are cute.”
“Yeah. They’ve been together since their sophomore year in college. Best friends turned lovers romantic comedy type shit.”
“Awww,” she hummed. Kyree rolled his eyes. “Hater.” She stuck out her tongue, and he drew her to him.
“Keep talking shit. I’ma toss your fine ass in the water.”
“You wouldn’t.” Her eyes narrowed.
“What we betting?”
“Nothing because you will die. You better not toss me in with my clothes on.” He gripped her arm and smirked. “Kyree don’t!” she cried as he jumped to his feet. He went to pick her up, and she screamed and took off running. Kyree sped off behind her, laughing.
“Leave me alone!” she shrieked, dipping and dodging between people as he gained on her.
“Kyree Rashad!” His mom called after them. “Leave that girl alone!”
However his mom could not save her. Her ass was going in the water.
December
“My love for you was somehow completely selfish and completely selfless.” — Unknown
“FUCK ME, HUH?” EMERY’S voice boomed the moment Tessah answered the call.
“Don’t be dramatic,” she said, placing an online order of wings, sliders, and fries from Buffalo Wild Wings. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the game?”
“I got a few minutes to spare and clear my head. Besides, I needed to check on you. You’ve been leaving me on read and not keeping in touch. You good?”
The concern in Emery’s voice sent a jolt of guilt through her. “I’m fine. School’s been kicking my ass.”
“Can’t relate,” he said with a chuckle.
“I bet your ass can’t since it was me stressed out your last year.”
He let out a hearty laugh. “Forever in your debt. Anyway, I’ma be down that way in a couple weeks.” Code for he wanted to see her.
“Okay.”
“Damn you’re dry as hell, Tee. You sure everything’s good? You don’t need money or anything do you?”
“No, I’m good, and my bad. It’s been a long morning,” she lied, “but yeah let’s have dinner. Hit me up a couple days before.”
“Bet,” he said. “Aye, how the situation with you and ol’ dude go?”
“He was in his feelings and acting stupid but everything’s good now.”
“Aight… let me know if you need me to handle something. I always got your back Tessah.”
“I know Em.” Knocks on her front door increased the gush of guilt rushing through her. “Gotta go, but I’ll be watching the game. Be great. I’ll talk to you later.”
Tessah let out a vexed sigh as she tossed her phone on the coffee table before letting Kyree in. Why the hell didn’t she tell Emery she was seeing someone? When they met up, she would. She had to.
“Hey beautiful,” Kyree greeted, kissing her cheek before walking inside. “You ordered the food?”
“Yep. You got my snacks?”
“Of course greedy.” He raised a grocery bag. “We about to pig the fuck out. This game gon’ be good.”
“It is. The Saints gon’ beat the Bucs ass though.”
Kyree cut his eyes at her, and she cocked her head. “We betting?” he asked.
“Why not? If I win you have to,” she placed a finger on her chin before smirking sinisterly, “cook for me wearing nothing but an apron, timbs, and a wig.”
Kyree’s mouth dropped open. “What?!”
She crossed her hands over her heart and said, “You don’t believe in your beloved Bucs?”
He nodded. “Bet. If I win though - which WE WILL - you gotta ride the slingshot ride - twice.” Tessah face dropped. “And you gotta braid your hair in cornrows like Cleo and wear a wig. BUT, you can’t secure it.”
“Wow, you don’t play fair.”
“What? You don’t believe in your beloved Saints?” he mocked her.
She held out her hand. “It’s on.”
Kyree spit in his palm and seized her hand to his before she could protest. “It’s a bet.”
“Ewwwww!” she squealed wiping her now spit induced palm on his shirt as he cackled.
“So,” he said as they sat entangled in one another waiting for the kickoff. “I did something, and I hope you don’t mind.”
Tessah’s head dropped to the side as her eyes narrowed. “What?” she dragged out, arching an eyebrow.
“My mom used to work in the social work field and she knows many people higher up. I asked her if she could see if anyone could find a lead on your brother.”
Tessah removed her legs from his lap to face him. “Are you serious?”
“She might find nothing but—”
She flung her body into him, enclosing her arms around his neck. “Thank you baby! I don’t even have the words right now.”
Kyree ran his hands along his beard. “Sounds like I’ma get some real bomb sex later.”
Tessah snorted. “You make me sick but you right!” Her heart overflowed with happiness because every day he showed her how much he cared. Even if his mom found nothing… this meant everything to her.
Hours later, Tessah sat entertained as Kyree’s temper got the best of him.
“Yo what the fuck!” He jumped off the couch as the Saints made another touchdown. The Bucs were down by twenty points and it was the fourth quarter. Tessah munched on cold fries while snickering to herself at his antics. “Ugh!” He sunk into the couch, holding his head.
“Want some candy?”
“Fuck you,” he snapped, and she burst into giggles.
“Wow you’re a sore loser.”
“It ain’t over. Emery is back in the game. He gon’ block all them dumb shit y’all AINTS doing.”
“You have a lot of faith in him.”
“He’s dope. I’ve been following him since college football. Pure talent.”
Tessah nodded as the guilt from earlier reared its ugly head. She had to end things with Emery before their situation or lack there of exploded in her face. Emery had been a constant in her life and the thought of breaking things off with him, unnerved her. However, losing what her and Kyree had built seemed out of the question. She couldn’t have her cake and eat it too.
Not this time.
❖❖❖
Giddiness spread throughout Tessah’s body as she watched Kyree busy himself in the kitchen in nothing but Timberlands and an apron with a bob wig on. He’d lost the bet the other day, and she was relishing in every minute of the show.
“Stop looking at me like I’m meat.” He chopped the Italian sausage for the penne pasta he was making.
“You are meat. Can’t help
myself.”
“You gon’ pay for this.”
She ran her eyes down the length of his body, salivating at his ass when it came into view. “With the wig on or off?”
“Jokes.” He nodded. “You got that.”
Tessah snickered and opened her mouth to say something else when her doorbell rang.
“Expecting somebody?” Kyree lifted his eyes from what he was doing. Tessah shook her head from side to side as Kyree wiped his hands off on the ‘cutie with a booty’ part of the apron.
Tessah strolled to the door and the person she saw on the other side through the peephole made her breath get caught in her throat.
“Who is it?” Kyree asked as she moved to the side. His head turned towards her. “You gon’ open it?”
“That’s Caiden’s…” She paused embarrassed by the next word needing to come out.
“Wife.” Her body stalled at his revelation but he gave her no time to register it as he walked away. Tessah waited until he had disappeared to the back before sucking in air and opening the door.
“Can I help you?” Tessah asked.
“I’m Eliana Langston.” Tessah stared at her waiting for more. “And you’re the woman who’s been fucking my husband. Can I come in?”
Eliana Langston was in her early forties with flawless skin and a natural body which gave way to her Hispanic heritage. Tessah had met her once — the day she came in for a consultation — and in two years she hadn’t aged. Caiden had to be a fool for cheating on her but he’d told Tessah the love in their marriage died a long time ago. He complained about Eliana not knowing how to play the role of a wife and wanted too much control. Tessah now saw he only wanted someone he could be in control of by dangling materialistic things as if women were rabbits and he held the golden carrot.
Tessah stood to the side. “Caiden and I aren’t—”
Eliana raised her hand. “I don’t care you’ve been fucking my husband. You weren’t the first or the second but you are the final straw. I came to talk to you woman to woman.”