#FutureHusband

by J. Nichole

  Marley shuffled through my closet instead of going home to find something to wear. With one of my sweaters against her chest she asked, “Think this will fit?” I nodded my head. Thankfully, she didn’t need a pair of jeans ‘cause she would have been shit out of luck; her hips were thick but mine were thicker.

  Dressed in casual sweaters and jeans, we walked into a different lounge than usual, hoping we’d have better luck with a different group of guys than who we usually met at The Park.

  “Do you smell that?” I asked Marley. I took another whiff and the smell of buttered cornbread made my stomach rumble. “Let’s grab a table,” I said as I looked around the lounge that was packed similar to The Park, except the crowd was more casual and younger.

  Marley stopped the hostess who walked by the hostess stand without stopping to greet us. “Hey there,” she said grabbing her attention, “we’d like a table.” The hostess scanned her seating chart and told her there was a two-top near the bar. Marley nodded her head and said, “We’ll take it.”

  We weaved through the crowd, and found our table next to a group of loud guys. “Not a horrible spot,” Marley said as she looked at the guys beside us. I wasn’t focused on the guys as much as I was the menu in front of me.

  “At least three of them probably ain’t shit,” I said without looking up from the menu. “I’m going to get the mac and cheese and lemon pepper wings,” I told the server as he placed water glasses on the table. “Let me try The Muse.” I smiled at the server, satisfied with my order.

  “Damn,” Marley said from across the table. “You sounded like a fat kid in a candy store.” She looked to the server and said, “I’ll take what she ordered.”

  I shrugged my shoulders and said, “What can I say, the aroma from the food sold itself. You know I love food.” I laughed. I browsed the guys around us and said, “Some sexy dudes in here.”

  Marley smiled but it quickly faded. “Wonder how many of them are splitting bills.” She rolled her eyes. “Hey”—she squinted her eyes—“isn’t that Shay’s husband over there?”

  I turned in my seat to look for Nolan, Shay’s husband. There was a table of guys beside us, and I didn’t see him there, or near the bar. “Where?” She nodded her head and I followed her line of sight until I saw Russell a few tables over, and sure enough, there was Nolan beside him.

  I quickly turned around and she said, “Whoa. You look like you saw a ghost.” He might as well had been a ghost, ‘cause he only appeared when it was time for us to do something with his house, and other than that he was gone.

  I took a deep breath and said, “That’s Nolan,” and I whispered, “with Russell.”

  “Russell?” she said in her outside voice. I put my finger to my mouth to hush her. I couldn’t take her ass nowhere. “You’ve been holding out,” she said looking in Russell’s direction. “He’s sexy as all get out.” The server finally arrived with our drinks and I took three extended sips of The Muse before I looked at Marley. “You should go over there.”

  “And say what?” I asked. The last time I saw him was at the inspection for his condo. If I just waited another week, I’d see him at the closing. “Shay didn’t even mention Nolan coming down here.” I thought she was my girl.

  “Even more reason for you to go over there.” Marley started to shift in her seat and I knew she was going to make a move if I didn’t. “Just small talk, stay casual, speak to Russell, but slightly ignore him.” She stared at me. “Do you need me to go over there?”

  “No,” I whisper shouted. Marley was uncouth when it came to casually talking to guys. It wouldn’t take long before she flat out asked him what his deal was and I wanted to avoid that at all cost. “Remember when you were trying to find out what was going on with Deshaun?” Marley cut her eyes at me. “That didn’t end well.” Deshaun was Lisa’s boyfriend, and although they’d since recovered, Marley took it upon herself to meddle in their business early in the relationship.

  “You know I still don’t like that negro after all of that.” Deshaun was quick to put Marley in her place for checking him about not calling Lisa.

  I was hoping they’d leave before I could make my way to their table, but I looked over my shoulder and they were still there. I cleared my throat and plucked at a few of my curls. “How do I look?” I asked Marley. She gave me a thumbs up then swatted her hand in the air. “Okay, I’m going.”

  My legs felt like jelly as I moved each one in the direction of Russell’s table. The closer I got I could hear his voice and my heartbeat quickened. My hands couldn’t settle, they were by my side, then in my back pocket, and when I stood in front of their table they were clasped in front of me.

  “Hey,” I said, interrupting Russell, who sounded like he was talking about the Cowboys. When he looked at me his mouth shut and his eyes widened. “Nolan,” I said, redirecting my attention to him as Marley suggested. “What are you doing in the area?”

  He swung an arm up and wrapped it around my shoulder. “Anaya, hey girl.” He looked at Russell when he lowered it then said, “Had to come down for a meeting earlier today. I’m headed back up in the morning.” I nodded my head. “How are you?”

  Shay and I became closer after she graduated. She became like a big sister, calling to check on me, and making sure she saw me when she was back on campus for a visit. When she met Nolan, she would talk about him all the time, and then after I graduated and they were both in the area, we would all go out to eat together. Nolan quickly filled the big brother role.

  “I can’t complain,” I responded. I looked to the table to see Marley watching like a hawk. “Out here with Marley.” I pointed towards her and Nolan looked back and waved. “I didn’t want anything, just wanted to say hello. I’ll call Shay tonight and check on her. I know how she gets when you’re out of town.” I laughed.

  “Make sure you tell her about all the women who were flocking towards me.” I scrunched my face and cocked my head. “I like to keep her on her toes,” he added.

  Russell finally spoke, “You’re wild man.” He shook his head. I waited for him to speak to me, to say anything and when it didn’t come, I excused myself from the table and walked back over to Marley where our food was waiting.

  She had a wing hanging from her mouth as I sat across from her. “Fucking men,” she mumbled as she tossed the bone on her plate. “I watched him watch you but say nothing.” She looked around the bar and said, “Now we have to really put in work to pull new dudes tonight.” I tasted my mac and cheese and the taste almost made me forget about all the foul dudes in the world. “Hurry and finish ‘cause we need to mingle.”

  I obliged because when Marley had a mission, she was dead set on achieving it. Her mission for the night—make Russell jealous. I knew she wasn’t in it for herself because she still rejected every other guy who even tried to approach her. We started with the group of guys beside us, the ones between Russell and us. She left her side of the table and stood beside me, waiting for her time to jump in the conversation.

  She didn’t have to wait long. One of the guys noticed her standing there and asked, “Y’all finally finished eating so we can talk to y’all?” He snaked his neck around her to look at the table then to me. “I don’t blame y’all, they ain’t fucking around with the food in here.” He laughed.

  “No lies detected,” Marley said with a laugh in return. I knew that laugh. She was about to pour it on strong, her flirting was about to hit peak levels, and not for the benefit of the guy but to make Russell notice. I shook my head and watched her in action. “What’s your name?” she asked.

  Josh and Keith entertained us for the duration of the happy hour. Eventually, we moved seats to their table. “If you’re ever in the market, yes, I surely will help you find a house,” I told Josh when he asked a few questions about my job. As I told him about being a realtor, I snuck a glance at Russell. His back was to the table now, but we were close enough for him to hear us.

  “Are y’all busy tomorrow?�
�� Keith asked. He looked at Josh and said, “We could continue this foursome at a restaurant, maybe?” He hunched his shoulders.

  Marley looked at me and I waited for her manufactured excuse to pour out of her mouth, turning down his offer. I nearly choked on my third Muse of the night when she said, “We may be able to work that out.” Guess she wasn’t playing when she said she wanted to find a new crop of guys.

  Since she was game, so was I. I looked beyond them when I said, “I’m free tomorrow evening.” The three of them discussed restaurant options while I watched the table beside us. Women weren’t approaching them, and they weren’t approaching women. They just drank and ate and chatted it up amongst themselves.

  “Farmers and Distillers,” Marley repeated. “Should we meet y’all there?” She looked at me and continued, “Seven work?” I nodded my head. We all agreed, and as happy hour winded down we were headed home. “Girl, did he even look over at us once?”

  “I was watching and I don’t think he did.” I looked at her sitting in the passenger seat and said, “You were pouring it on thick, girl.” She smiled. “I couldn’t tell if you were interested or just putting on a show.”

  Her nose scrunched up and she said, “Josh is kinda cute, and he seems nice.” She was right, Josh was cute. Keith wasn’t too bad either. I wasn’t completely in tune to what he was saying but he seemed nice enough. “Keith seemed interesting, but I could tell you didn’t give him any attention.” She smacked her lips. “Rude heffa.”

  “I’ll do better tomorrow,” I assured her.

  But as soon as I got home I pulled up Facebook and posted—

  Dear #FutureHusband, be Fucking CON SIS TENT!

  Yeah, I wasn’t here for the bullshit with Russell.

  Eight

  Russell

  I maneuvered around the boxes in my apartment to chase Yara who was wielding my hairbrush. “Yara,” I shouted as she giggled and kept moving between boxes quicker than I could catch her. “Daddy needs his brush.” The more I said I needed it, the more she ran and laughed all the while.

  “Nana will be here soon,” I finally conceded.

  She paused and asked, “Nana?” Her eyes sparkling. I nodded my head from across the room. She walked towards me with her hand outstretched and I grabbed the brush before she took off again.

  “Thank you, Yara,” I said, brushing my hair. “Remember you’ll be with Nana for a few hours, then we’ll visit our new house.” She clapped her hands.

  I was excited for Yara to see our new place, and almost as excited to see Anaya at the closing. It took everything I had to not turn around at the happy hour and mark my territory, but she wasn’t for me to claim.

  Nolan made sure to warn me, not to mess with his little sister after I confessed I wasn’t trying to be in a relationship. He let me know just fucking her wasn’t an option he would co-sign. “She deserves a good dude, like you, to wife her, not play with her emotions,” he said on our way out of the happy hour that night.

  I heard everything he said, but it didn’t change the fact that even in a simple sweater and jeans she was the baddest chick in the lounge that night. I was surprised to see her, and when she came over, barely acknowledging me, that made me want her more.

  “Nana, Nana,” Yara started chanting as my mother knocked on the door.

  I opened the door and said, “She’s overly excited to see you today.” My mom looked around the apartment and laughed. “I should head out so I’m not late. I’ll meet you both at the new place. I’ll text you when I have the keys in my hand.”

  “Alright dear.” She patted my back. “Yara, c’mon baby.” Yara ran up to my mom hugging her legs. “Tell Daddy bye,” she said, picking Yara up in her arms.

  I leaned over and kissed them both on the cheek. I checked myself in my rearview before I pulled out of my parking spot.

  As I pulled up to the office, I sat in my car and watched as Anaya made her way into the building. I looked down at my lap and shook my head. Nolan would have been pissed at the thoughts that crossed my mind.

  I grabbed at the crotch of my pants before I made my way into the building behind her. Her phone was to her ear as I entered, so I nodded but stood across the lobby from her to give her space to finish her call.

  She smiled at me while she wrapped up the call, and I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her. “Ready to do this?” she asked.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said as I followed behind her. I thought her sweater and jeans was an outfit that made her curves stand out, but the skirt and fitted button down she had on then had me in awe.

  “Good afternoon,” the agent from the escrow company said as she sat down across from us. Pens and stacks of paper in front of her. “We’ll go through all of the documents you’re signing”—she looked to Anaya—“and I’m sure Anaya has given you details of everything, but we’ll review again. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.” I nodded and we started the never-ending process of signing papers.

  The last page was signed and the agent stood and handed me the keys to my condo. We shook hands and I said, “Thank you.” She left the two of us alone and Anaya asked for a picture with her realty sign. “Sure,” I agreed, and stood behind a ‘Sold by Anaya’ sign that I didn’t realize she had in her hand when we walked into the conference room.

  Before we left I said, “Thanks again.” I opened my arms wide hoping she wouldn’t mind giving me a hug. She walked into my arms and I said, “If any of my friends or co-workers are looking for a place, I’ll send them your way.” She looked up to me with a smile I couldn’t resist.

  I leaned down and before my lips could meet hers, she pushed me back. “Whoa. Hold up,” she said. My eyes grew wide and I cursed myself for trying to kiss her. “You take me on a date, then ghost me for weeks, and come in here thinking you can just kiss me?” Her neck was rolling and I imagined steam pouring from her ears. And that shit, turned me on.

  Nevertheless, I apologized, profusely. “Anaya, I’m sorry. I came at you all wrong, and —” I looked down to the key in my hand. “Fuck, it’s hard just being around you,” I blurted.

  Her hand was on her hip and she said, “What do you mean?”

  I wish I knew what I meant, but I tried to explain. “You’re beautiful.” Her guard was still raised and I understood because that wasn’t a good explanation. I tried again, “And you have a lot going for yourself.” I laughed. “Well, except for being a Howard alum, but that’s whatever.” She finally smiled, but only briefly. “I know Shay and Nolan are like family to you, and they are to me too, and if…” I exhaled because I didn’t know where I was going with that spill.

  “Listen,” Anaya interrupted, “I thought you were cool, you’re definitely sexy.” I had to smile at that compliment. “But I’m doing me and enjoying life. If someone happens to come along cool, but I don’t have time for games.” She rolled her eyes. “Life is too short for that,” she said softly. I looked into her eyes and saw pain. We held each other’s gaze before her hand wrapped around her neck and she said, “I should get going.”

  I moved out of her way and let her pass by before I left the room behind her. I sent a text to my mom with the address to my condo. I looked up and Anaya was only a few feet ahead of me. I’d kick myself for what I did next, but I did it anyways. “Anaya, wait,” I yelled out to her. I ran the few feet to close the gap between us. When she turned to look at me, I said, “Can we try this again?”

  She didn’t respond. At first, she shifted her feet, and the sign in her hand. Then she said, “Only if you retire this ghosting shit. And don’t waste my time.”

  I motioned my hand through the air as if I was throwing a ball. “Ghosting shit done,” I said to her warm smile. “I won’t waste your time,” I added for good measure. Where the fuck all that came from, I have no idea. “Mind if I call you later?” I asked. She shrugged and turned to walk away.

  I drove across the city to my condo, thinking about the next time I’d be able
to see Anaya. All that was dismissed when I pulled up and my mama and Yara were standing outside of the car with balloons. “Mama, what?” I asked.

  She handed them to me and said, “Congratulations on buying your first home!” Yara clapped beside her.

  We walked in and I showed Yara her new room. She looked at me and asked, “My bed?” I explained, as best as I could, that the movers would be bringing her bed in the morning. She walked to her window and looked outside.

  “We’ll see you later tonight,” my mom said as they walked to the door.

  I hugged my mom and thanked her again for her help. I had the task of packing the last of my shit at the apartment, and making sure it was clean enough to pass inspection, then I’d be at her house to crash for the night. “See you later,” I said to Yara with a kiss to her forehead.

  Boxes were completely packed, bathrooms and kitchen spotless, or as clean as they could be for a decade-old apartment. I grabbed the trash bag and headed to my car. As promised, I wanted to call Anaya before the night was over, and I did on my way to my mom’s house. “Hello,” she said in a groggy voice.

  I looked at my car clock and saw it was past eleven. “Did I wake you?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” she said honestly with a yawn. I was going to let her get off the phone but she said, “But now I’m awake.”

  “I told you I’d call, and I just finished cleaning my apartment. Sorry it’s so late.” I wondered what she looked like tucked into her bed. What type of clothes did she wear to bed, was she a nightie girl, shorts and a tee, maybe even naked? That last thought made my dick jump.

  She laughed. “Thanks for calling,” and she added, “and for not being about the bullshit. I appreciate it.”

  “Bad thing is, I’m moving all weekend.” And had Yara. “And then gone for most of the week.” I didn’t consider anything I had planned for the next weekend when I asked, “Could we get together next weekend?”