Upside Down In Love

by Dominique Thomas

  Normani could feel her sex ache as he sucked on her bottom lip.

  “Oh,” she moaned as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

  “Damn I wanna taste you. Can I?”

  Normani shook her head trying to be true to a man that probably wasn’t true to her.

  “We shouldn’t,” she murmured pushing him away.

  Azariah cupped Normani’s face as she stared into his eyes.

  “I’ma chill out but tell me, ma. Is any of it still there?”

  Normani closed her eyes to calm her racing heart.

  “Is any of what still there?”

  Azariah kissed her lips again and she moaned.

  “The love you felt for me or did you give it all to that hoe ass nigga?”

  His question made her swallow hard. She nodded as she opened her eyes and he let her face go.

  “I told you that I still love you and I do. That’s not ever changing but I am with Tru. We have a family together and a life. Still I don’t see why we can’t be friends. At least try to see if we can have a friendship,” she replied.

  Azariah sat back and gritted his teeth. He stared straight ahead as Normani glanced over at her peacefully sleeping baby.

  “It feels good to be back. Business with my family is going good and I’m making a lot of money. But I will say that coming home hurts. I stayed away for so long because of this bullshit. We never had sex but what we have isn’t on no friendly shit. I might have played along so that we could keep in touch, but I don’t wanna be your damn friend and you know that.”

  Normani nodded. She rested against the sofa as she peered over at Azariah.

  “You mean something to me AZ, but I am with Tru,” she told him.

  Azariah looked at Normani and licked his thick lips. His eyes peered into her intently as he grabbed her hand.

  “Then friends it is. Just don’t expect me to drop everything for you when he not acting right. Remember that I’m your friend. Not your side nigga or backup guy. Just a friend,” he replied and turned on the TV.

  Normani sighed and scooted over on the sofa. As she rested her head on Azariah’s body he playfully pushed her away. She glanced up at him and he chuckled.

  “Already your ass is blurring the lines. You don’t know what the fuck you want,” he joked but his words couldn’t be more true for Normani.

  With Azariah being home, she felt relief. She was at peace and that scared her because the feelings he evoked out of her were feelings that Tru should have been giving her.

  4

  #noneedtoask

  The soft cries of the infant made Novah smile. She never thought she would say it but at times she missed her twins being babies. Now they were little boys acting as if they were grown men. A lot of their behavior was due to the man that was their father.

  Her eyes roamed over the comfortable, clean, sleek family room and she licked her lips.

  “I love how you kept the housekeeper and nanny around for Palmer. How is she?”

  Arquez, Novah’s first cousin looked up from his newborn son. Pride and happiness showed on his handsome face. Arquez doted on his toddler daughter Chanel and Novah knew that he would spoil this child rotten as well. Much like he did their beautiful mother Palmer. He’d done unthinkable things to be with Palmer and their story was one for the books. They had a connection that Novah longed for.

  A love Novah couldn’t wait to have.

  “Palmer gives me everything that a wife should. Even before we said I do, I wanted her to have everything. If I could provide it, I did. I don’t want my woman worrying about bullshit like washing clothes and cooking. She needs to be concerned with the kids and me. I’m lucky enough to give it to her like that. How you been? I saw you online the other day and shit. I know you hate how them niggas stalk your every move,” he replied.

  Novah relaxed on the suede sectional. She hated it as well but was sadly used to it. For the most part she lived a private life but whenever she was going through it with Carter their business somehow made it to the public.

  “I’m tired Quez. I know you wanted to hit up the gun range the other day, but I just didn’t have it in me to go. This whole thing with court has me worried. I don’t want to split custody of my kids with him,” Novah replied. She looked her cousin in his light shaded eyes and watched his face tighten with anger. “Don’t be upset either. If you jump on him, he will call the cops. You know how he is,” she told him.

  Arquez nodded with a scowl marring his face. Arquez’s sister passed away years ago and from there Novah and him grew close. Although Arquez distanced himself from the family because of issues with his father, that was Novah’s mothers only brother they still kept in contact. They both mourned the death of his sister together and they were now like brother and sister. Arquez was a protector and wanted badly to defend Novah. Novah however was trying to keep the peace. Her cousin placing hands on Carter would only cause more drama. Something she didn’t need.

  “Look it’s like this. My pops is gone and so is yours. We all we got. If he come at you on some bitch shit I’ma take care of it. As my own man I can’t have that shit. No disrespect but fuck your lawyer. I got somebody that can really get that nigga together. I already told auntie and she’s cool with it. Just relax and take care of your little dudes. You a good ass mom Novah. If you feel like your kids don’t need to be around that ugly bitch like that then they don’t. They’re your fucking sons. Fuck the bullshit,” Arquez replied before rocking his son who was sleeping peacefully in his arms.

  “But in a peaceful way baby. She doesn’t need you pulling old Quez out of the closet,” Palmer said walking in slowly.

  Novah’s face lit up at the sound of Palmer’s light voice. She stood and quickly embraced her cousin-in-law. Like always Palmer was looking flawless in her leggings that she’d paired with an off the shoulder tee and slippers. Palmer grinned at Novah before they both sat down. Novah watched Arquez’s eyes slowly soak in his wife Palmer’s appearance before he leaned over. He kissed her tenderly before staring into her eyes.

  “Why you out of bed? You hungry I’ll have some food brought up to you, ma. Didn’t daddy say get your rest?” he asked quietly.

  Palmer blushed and her eyes skated over to Novah. She waved her head playfully and smiled.

  “This demanding man. I can’t pee without him talking mess. How are the boys? I miss them,” Palmer said to her.

  Arquez kissed Palmer’s cheek and Novah sighed. She couldn’t fucking wait for her soulmate to find her. She could only pray he was on the way.

  “They’re good. They’re actually at football practice right now. You know Carter has them in all these programs. Programs that he’s not even paying for but it’s cool. I make it work. For them I always will,” she replied.

  “I’ma get at that nigga,” Arquez grumbled and Palmer rubbed his leg lovingly.

  “Relax baby. Not all men are like you. Not every man does right by their woman or the mother of their kids. He will have to learn that a hard head makes a soft ass,” Palmer said calmly and Novah couldn’t help but to laugh.

  “You been around your man way too long. But I need to get out of here. I just came by to see the newest Royale. You all are giving me baby fever and I don’t even have a man.”

  Palmer smiled as Arquez stared up at Novah. His slanted light eyes regarded her intently as she pulled her fob from her Chloe bag.

  “I’m serious though cousin. It’s nothing I won’t do for the women I love. I’m out the streets but that shit will always be in a nigga. I’m coming with you to every court date and I want his bitch ass to say something out of pocket. We don’t play that shit round here. The only reason I haven’t pulled up on him yet is cause of my lil dudes but he’s reaching now. Got me wanting to find his ass.”

  Novah nodded as she swallowed hard. Carter was playing games because that was him. He was nothing but a bullshitter, but the thing was Novah had real killers on speed dial. Niggas that did no talking and she
prayed that Carter didn’t make her cousin revert back to his old ways. She knew that for her he would.

  Novah walked over to Arquez and leaned down. She kissed his cheek before kissing the baby’s forehead. She then smiled at Palmer.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m good. I can handle whatever he throws my way Quez and the minute I can’t I’ll call you.”

  She stood up and Arquez frowned up at her.

  “I’m serious. I don’t like the way shit its looking with this nigga. If he gets out of line let me know. It’s nothing for me and Tarik to pull up on his ass. Okay?”

  Novah nodded. She knew that her cousin was upset with the situation and that warmed her heart. With her father being gone it felt good to know that she had male figures in her life that were concerned with her wellbeing.

  “I’m serious the second he gets out of pocket with me I will let you know,” she said to soothe her cousins mind.

  Carter had fucking been out of pocket with her, but she wouldn’t let her family know that.

  “Now I really gotta go. I’ll see you all later and the baby is so handsome its insane. Love you all!”

  “We love you too!” Palmer yelled back as Novah briskly left the family room.

  Novah exited the large home and jumped in her truck. After checking the time, she sped to her son’s game. Arriving ten minutes late she pulled into an available spot and was shocked to see Carter’s white Wraith in the parking lot. Usually his mother dropped them off at the Saturday games if she couldn’t.

  Carter was only hands on when it benefited him unfortunately.

  Instantly a queasy feeling entered Novah at the thought of him being at the game. Nothing ever good came from her interactions with him and her patience with his disrespect had run so thin it was barely there.

  “Here we go,” she muttered while placing on her baseball cap.

  Novah then exited her truck and pulled up her high waisted skinny jeans before heading into the building. Loud ruckus, kids laughing, and chatter greeted her as she entered the building. Much like it always was when she came in contact with the other sex, the men immediately zoned in on her. The white wash jeans hugged her meaty thighs and small waist. The white top that bore her son’s jersey numbers showed off her 40 C cup breast and with every step she took they bounced despite the bra attempting to hold them in.

  She licked her lips as she headed for the bleachers to the right of the room. The indoor faux football field was perfect for future ballers. Novah’s twins had been attending for the last six months and while it was high as shit, they loved it, so she always found a way to pay for the $1200 monthly tuition.

  “Hey girl! The boys are on it today,” Laurie another football mom said as Novah took a seat.

  Novah nodded as she ignored the intense glare from Carters wife that sat two rows up. With Novah, pregnancy enhanced her features. Brought out the glow to her mocha shaded skin. Made her already big ass nicer and had her breast even juicier. With Melanie it wasn’t quite the same. Bad acne marks covered her face while her nose spread to unnatural levels. She wore a look of bitterness on her round face that made Novah smirk. While Novah wore clothing that molded to her frame, Melanie wore Fendi spandex shorts with a sports bra and the matching jacket. Melanie had even gone as far as to wear the logo cap and to Novah she looked dumb as shit. For several reasons but the biggest one being she was at a kid’s football game. Not the club or the bar and the outfit didn’t look good on her.

  Novah snickered at how silly Melanie looked and Laurie smiled.

  “It don’t come easy for everybody,” Laurie muttered making Novah laugh.

  Melanie sat up and rolled her neck.

  “What’s so funny? I wanna laugh too,” she said sliding down a bench.

  “Then look in the fucking mirror,” Novah murmured and Laurie covered her mouth to laugh.

  “What the fuck did you just say!” Melanie asked loudly making people glance their way.

  Novah smiled as she crossed her legs and stared at her boys on the field. Melanie was all bark and no bite. Years of run-ins with the woman had shown her that.

  “Calm down girl. You’re pregnant,” Laurie told her glancing back at Melanie.

  Melanie rolled her eyes at Laurie.

  “And you’re in some business that’s not your fucking own. I’m not Carter, Novah. You don’t want to play with me. Pregnant or not shit will get real for your ass,” Melanie said as Carter walked over with the coach.

  Melanie sat back and smiled as Carter advanced on them. Novah’s mocha shaded skin burned as she struggled to keep her composure. Doing the right thing wasn’t always easy. Melanie was a real bitch and Novah was itching to read the fuck out of her.

  “I’d love to see that,” Novah said quietly to Melanie as Carter took a seat beside her.

  Melanie snorted and laughed lightly. She leaned on Carters arm as Novah watched her boys stand on the field.

  “Oh, you will when we make it to court sweetie. Life will change for your stuck-up ass real quick then. No more partying on my man. No more trips on us boo-boo. You’ll actually have to put some work in at that dingy ass spa,” Melanie retorted loudly.

  Novah attempted to glance back at Melanie and Laurie pulled on her arm.

  “Ignore them. He’s on his way to ruining his career and she’s ugly,” Laurie whispered pulling Novah closer to her.

  Novah sighed, even smiled briefly at Laurie’s attempt to make her relax. She bit down hard on her bottom lip as she replayed the nasty things Melanie had spoken to her. Carter and his wife really didn’t know when to quit. They were the kind of people that couldn’t stop themselves from poking a sleeping bear.

  Just dumb as fuck for no reason.

  “Chill out with all that. Let her act ratchet on her own baby. Her ass don’t have no home training. You know she’s thirsty for attention and shit. You better than that. Plus, I don’t want these motherfucka’s in my business,” Carter said silencing Melanie.

  Irritated with the situation Novah began to bounce her leg to keep from cursing Carter and his wife out. Seconds later the game started back up and it brought a big smile to Novah’s face. Within minutes King took the football from the other toddler team and raced down the field. Happiness coursed through Novah as she jumped up and down for her baby. He was as good as his father and Novah was glad to see Carter pass something good down to their sons.

  “Yes King! You got it baby!” she shouted like a proud mom.

  “Why your ass so fat?” Carter whispered lowly making Novah jump.

  He chuckled as she glared back at him. Novah looked back to where Melanie had just been sitting and Carter shook his head.

  “She went to go call her mom back. Why you always looking for her?” he asked.

  Novah’s eyes scanned over his clean, nice appearance and still she saw the ugliness in him. The Polo outfit, designer shoes and fresh haircut couldn’t mask the ugliness brewing inside of him.

  “Because you’re constantly acting like you forgot about her,” she quipped before looking back at the game.

  Novah ignored Carter as the kids continued to play. Carter slid beside Novah and his hand fell to her waist. He gripped it tightly as she ignored his presence.

  “All this shit can stop if you agree to the days. I don’t wanna take you to court and I know you don’t wanna go. Why you bugging out on a nigga like this? I mean do you really think I would let her harm my kids?” he asked.

  Novah discreetly pulled away from Carter. She noticed a few people stare their way and she shook her head.

  “Carter this is not the place to discuss this. I don’t even want you over here near me right now. You was just talking shit about me two seconds ago.”

  Carter placed his hand at the small of her back as he leaned towards her.

  “You get to playing roles, so I play them bitches right along with you. We not together because your ass left. Don’t get mad that I’m with Melanie. Shit she was there for me. She still is
but we both know who I love. If you done playing games then I’ll let her ass go,” he said quietly.

  Novah’s face scrunched up as she watched her sons run up and down the field. Carter was so insane with his antics that he was surprising even her with his selfish words.

  “Wow, you don’t give a fuck about anyone but yourself. I don’t want you. Shit why would I want the man that’s hitting on his ex-woman while he’s with his pregnant wife? What can you possibly bring into my life besides more drama Carter?”

  “Carter, what the fuck is going on?”

  Novah and Carter looked back at Melanie as she held two hotdogs and a bottled water. Carter took his time removing his hand from Novah’s back and Novah shook her head.

  Couldn’t be her.

  “We was discussing the court shit. You good baby? And did you get me something to eat?” he asked going back to Melanie’s side.

  Melanie’s angry eyes bored into Novah as she slowly sat down.

  “I’m his wife,” she said evenly and held her head up high while flashing Novah her dazzling wedding ring.

  The same ring that Carter had tried to give to Novah when he’d been caught cheating with Melanie years ago.

  Novah nodded while holding in her laugh. Melanie couldn’t hurt her feelings because she knew the truth. Melanie had her position by default. She was merely Carter’s number one girl because no other woman including Novah stuck around for his shit. Novah glanced over at Carter who was staring a hole into her before looking back to Melanie.

  “Then you should remind your husband of that.”

  As Novah sat down Melanie and Carter began to argue. Laurie glanced over at Novah and shook her head.

  “He’s a piece of shit. How do you deal with him?” she asked.

  Laurie was married to an NFL player as well. She’d met Novah through Carter who was her husbands’ friend at the time. That friendship was now over however Laurie kept in contact with Novah.

  “I don’t. You see how I was just ignoring him? That’s me most of the time. The shit he says goes in one ear and out the other. I don’t have time for it, you know?”