Upside of Love

by Dominique Thomas

  The beach home was more like a mini mansion with its six rooms and four baths. Novah loved everything about the large beach pad.

  “I got it for my mom last year, and she said that the ocean wasn’t her thing, so I kept it. I wanted to sell but never got around to it. Maybe we could come out here a few times a year, just to get away you know?”

  Novah nodded. She loved that idea.

  “That would be nice,” she murmured.

  King started to cry when he couldn’t catch the football Karter was tossing his way, and Durand jumped up. Novah watched as Durand helped King stand right to catch the ball with a big smile on her face.

  “Hold your hand like this and watch the ball. Don’t take your eyes off it, King,” he said calmly.

  King nodded. He smiled up at Durand before looking back to his twin. Karter tossed the ball, and King still missed the catch; however, instead of crying, he rushed over to retrieve the ball from the sand. He then threw it back at Karter. King looked to Durand with a grin and Durand leaned down to dap him up.

  “You killed it and Karter you got it, man,” he told the twins.

  Karter nodded with a huge smile on his face. Durand reclaimed his seat behind Novah and started back rubbing her belly.

  “And this doesn’t scare you? Are you sure you can handle my life?” she asked him.

  Durand chuckled.

  “Ma, I thought you knew enough about me now to see how I am. I done went from having no family and sleeping on the streets to having anything I ever wanted in life. It’s not much I can’t take, and your life definitely isn’t a problem for me. Okay, sexy?” he replied and kissed her neck.

  Later that night as the kids laid down for bed the adults chatted it up in the family room. Novah rested on Durand as Malano rubbed Quinn’s feet. The men reeked of marijuana and Novah was trying to keep it together. She was dead ass tired and sick to her stomach from smelling the weed.

  “You gotta shower baby,” she said into Durand’s chest.

  Durand nodded. He brushed his hands through her hair as she listened to his heartbeat.

  “Only if you shower with me,” he replied quietly, and her cheeks burned as she nodded.

  “I can’t take how cute you two are together. I love it! I remember when me and Malano used to be like that,” Quinn said staring at them.

  Malano stopped rubbing Quinn’s feet to frown at her.

  “Damn, don’t say it like that ma. I’m still in love with your beautiful ass,” Malano said, and Quinn dropped her head to blush. He kissed the bottom of her foot, and she giggled. “Shit you might get pregnant again tonight. Fuck them tubes,” he jested making all of them laugh.

  Quinn waved him off as she smiled at Novah.

  “But seriously, I can’t wait to see that lil angel your carrying. I know she’s going to be gorgeous,” Quinn said still blushing from the affection her husband was showing her.

  “I know!” Gianni said walking in with her man Trill following her.

  They took a seat on the oversized loveseat in the room, and Novah smiled. Gianni had a calming aura to her that she liked.

  “Okay, I hope I'm not out of line when I ask this but wasn’t your grandmother the one that took them in?” Novah asked.

  Gianni smiled. She looked at Trill, and his grey hued eyes softened as they gazed her way. Novah had never seen him show so much affection and she’d seen Trill more than a few times over the years at different events.

  “Yes. She for some reason had a soft spot for the guys. I think she heard about how they were living and it affected her. My Abuela is like no other. She wanted the men to do better, so she allowed for me to let them sleep in the basement. Back then they were living a real dangerous life. Carjacking, hustling, they was doing it all,” Gianni replied shaking her head.

  Trill rested his head on her lap, and she began to rub his curls. Novah smiled grateful for Gianni too because without her Durand could have been dead or in jail.

  “Well, I have to say thank you. Without you and your granny who knows where they could have been at,” she said quietly.

  Durand kissed her forehead.

  “Ma, shit worked out just how it was supposed to. Our life led us up to this moment. Right?” Durand asked and gripped her meaty thigh.

  Novah giggled loving the affection he laced her with.

  “Right,” she murmured.

  Gianni grinned at them while still rubbing Trill’s head.

  “Then it's no reason to thank me. The universe has put you two together, and now it's up to you all to make something great happen. Although I see you're already doing that,” she replied and glanced down at Novah’s stomach.

  Novah blushed and Durand’s large hand brushing against her scalp made her close her eyes and bask in the moment.

  After talking with Durand’s friends, Novah retreated upstairs with Durand for a hot shower. Durand held her hand as they entered the beautiful glass shower enclosure. Over Novah’s eyes was a pink waterproof sleep mask. Novah didn’t know they made waterproof masks but wasn’t surprised to know Durand had one. He was a lowkey DOM, and she was enjoying his freaky side. She’d never been with a man as sexually experienced as him, but she loved it. Durand had a way of pleasing her that was addictive. He gave so freely in the bedroom that you wanted to please him and give him that same pleasure back.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?” he asked using the largest shower head to spray against her body.

  Novah moaned as the hot water beat against her skin. She shook her head, and Durand slipped his hand between her legs. His long fingers brushed against her silk lower lips as he kissed her neck.

  “You look fucking beautiful Novah. You really do,” he said coming up behind her.

  The lust in his deep tone made her back straighten. Novah swallowed hard, and as she relaxed against his body; he grabbed her hands. Durand handcuffed Novah to the shower head, and her head fell back.

  “Have you always been like this?” she asked lowly.

  Durand kissed her neck and adjusted the water so that it was a tad bit hotter.

  “I guess. I told you, I won’t label myself. I like to be in control, and I got a feeling that you like for me to control you. Right?” he asked and tweaked her nipples.

  Novah whimpered. She nodded, and he gently slapped her clitoris.

  “I’ma need for you to answer me when I talk to you. Do you like for me to be in control of you?” he asked again.

  Novah wet her lips with her long tongue and swallowed hard.

  “I do. I love it when you control me,” she moaned out.

  Durand rubbed at her hardening pearl before kicking her legs open. As Novah held her breath anticipating his next move Durand positioned his thick member at her opening. Slowly he glided into her, and her body attempted to cave over. With just enough grip to make her gasp Durand gripped her throat. His lips pressed against her neck as he moved slowly in and out of her.

  “Don’t. No running, relax and welcome the pleasure. Get lost in the feeling, and when I say cum, I want you to flood my dick. Okay?”

  Novah whined as his penis hit spots inside of her that she didn’t know existed.

  “Okay,” she whispered in a throaty tone.

  Durand squeezed her neck gently before letting it go. He grabbed her hips and began to pound into her wet center. Her mouth opened as she held onto the shower head tightly. Praying that shit didn’t fall on her.

  “I can’t! Oh, I can’t!” she cried out in pleasure.

  Durand shook his head. He fucked her harder with his lids low.

  “You can and you will,” he said before pulling her hips up enough for him to knock against her g-spot.

  Novah’s body shivered as her pussy became overloaded with pleasure. Tears leaked from the mask as Durand worked her body in only a way that he could.

  “Can I cum?” she asked weakly.

  Durand leaned towards her and with his hands still on her hips kissed her neck tenderly.
>
  “Asking me like that you most definitely can,” he told her, and within seconds Novah fell apart for him.

  3

  #stronger

  Her eyes fluttered open as the light filtered into the bedroom. She looked to her left and sadness she never knew before entered her body as she was met with nothing but open space.

  Billie licked her chapped lips as she slowly sat up.

  Her days without Dreux had been bleak. Fucking dreadful and it was only because of God that she was sober. She ran her hands through her freshly cut ash blonde tresses and shook her head.

  Today was the day. She’d waited and prayed for this day since she’d lost custody of her son and was hopeful that she would be returning home with him.

  Billie pulled herself together and took a hot shower before applying her makeup. After settling on a black two-piece pantsuit that she paired with a pair of black Giuseppe Zanotti heels, she stared at herself in the mirror and smiled lightly.

  “You look great. Are you ready?” Mickey asked stepping into the bedroom.

  Billie looked at her friend and nodded. She’d met Mickey because of her addiction. Not many knew but Mickey was her sponsor, and from there, a real bond had been formed. What saddened Billie was that beside Mickey and Normani she hadn’t had anyone else checking on her. Not Dreux’s mother and not Novah.

  Billie had broken her phone two weeks prior and hadn’t had a chance to get a new one until the day before, but she expected a visit from her best friend. Instead, she’d received nothing so yes, she was angry and too stubborn to call with her new number. It was a number that Dreux didn’t even have because like Novah, he also was on her shit list.

  “What if, I—”

  Mickey shook her head.

  “Don’t. Let’s not even speak that into existence. You will return here with your son. I can feel it,” Mickey told her becoming emotional.

  Billie nodded. She’d been tempted to drink to the point of tears. She wanted a release. Needed that liquor distraction but Kawan was her motivation to stay sober. Regardless of what people thought of her, she refused to cave in. She refused to fall again.

  Billie wouldn’t be one of those people that kept getting knocked down. Fuck that she was a warrior and she would fight to the end. Her circumstances was not going to break her down.

  “Okay, let's go,” she said feeling it in her heart that this too could be the day, she won custody of her son.

  Mickey hugged Billie, and together they walked down the steps. Billie snatched up her clutch and car keys before opening the front door. On the porch steps was an arrangement of red roses with a card attached. Billie glanced down at the flowers and Mickey smiled.

  “He’s human, and he’s hurt. You have to give him time.”

  Billie nodded. She locked up the house and walked past the gorgeous arrangement.

  “His presence would have been better than some damn flowers. I didn’t make his momma be a hoe,” she quipped hitting the locks on her car.

  Mickey snorted and covered her mouth. They slid into Billie’s sedan, and Mickey smiled at her.

  “You love him. You two are like Easton and me. You guys have a bond that can’t be replaced.”

  Billie backed out of her driveway while nodding.

  “And he’s still with another woman Mickey.”

  Mickey’s shoulders slumped. She put on her seatbelt and Billie sighed.

  “I didn’t say that to be mean. I was stating facts. Love hasn’t pushed either one of those niggas to our side. What gives them the right to hold grudges, Mickey?” Billie asked.

  Mickey shrugged. She touched her straight hair that was usually curly and licked her lips.

  “I did Easton wrong Billie. I gave birth to his son, and he was born addicted to drugs. That’s not something to easily get over,” Mickey replied quietly.

  Billie’s hand tightened on the steering wheel.

  “It was years ago! Yes, he can be mad, but damn he’s proved his point. I feel like men are way more stubborn than us when they have no right to be. You forgave him for fucking Simone. Didn’t you?” Billie asked in reference to Mickey’s ex, having sex with her best friend.

  Mickey waved her off, and Billie forced herself to relax. This wasn’t about Mickey, and her ex-boyfriend and Billie knew she was wrong for bringing it up.

  “I’m sorry. It's not my place to say those things. I’m just upset, and I’m hurt. I feel like he’s trying to make me pay for something that I had no control over.”

  “But you did have sex with Malachi, knowing he was his cousin at the time,” Mickey said staring at her.

  Billie stared straight ahead as her mind took her on a trip down memory lane.

  The ambiance was chill as rap music flowed throughout the house. Billie sat on the sofa with her mind in a haze. Dreux was supposed to be in town, but he wasn’t, and now he wasn’t taking her calls.

  A sense of sadness filled her as she wondered what was happening with them. Yes, they had no labels, but that didn’t mean she no longer loved him. Shit, she’d loved him from the moment she met him.

  “Aye, come here,” Malachi said walking into the room.

  Billie looked up as Novah laughed at something Malachi’s boy said to her.

  “Me?” Billie asked.

  Malachi nodded. He looked handsome like always. He wasn’t as sexy as Dreux, but he wasn’t ugly either. He was doable, but Billie knew never to cross that line.

  “What's up? I’m about to leave,” Billie said grabbing her drink.

  Malachi nodded. He adjusted his wood-framed Cartier glasses and licked his lips.

  “Let me holla at you real quick,” he said and walked off.

  Billie rolled her eyes as she slowly stood. She hated when he acted as if they were an item. Yes, he rubbed feet and took down weaves but damn they were far from a couple.

  “I’ll be right back,” she told Novah before going after Malachi.

  Billie found him in the kitchen. She sat her drink down, and he smiled at her.

  “I’m a get you another drink then we can talk. You can head back there to my room. Aigh’t?”

  Billie nodded without having to think about it. One more drink then she’d head home to stew in her sadness alone.

  “You good?” Mickey asked pulling on her arm.

  Billie cleared her throat as she was pulled from her thoughts.

  “Yes, I’m okay,” she murmured and turned on the radio.

  The rest of the car ride was silent. Once the ladies made it to the courthouse, Billie parked, and they rushed inside. Billie's eyes wandered around the open space as she searched for Malachi and his mom.

  “They haven’t shown up yet. Hopefully, they won’t come,” Billie’s lawyer said walking up.

  Billie took a step back and smiled. Malachi, his mom, and lawyer usually beat her to the courthouse.

  “Really? I’m shocked. They were here two hours early the last time,” she told her lawyer Sam.

  Sam nodded with a big grin on his thin, fair-skinned face.

  “I know. Let’s head in now,” he replied, and they headed into the courtroom with him.

  Billie sat quietly beside her lawyer as they waited for Malachi and his lawyer to enter into the room.

  After twenty minutes Malachi stumbled in wreaking of marijuana. His usual clean, nice attire was disheveled as he scratched at his outgrown beard. Billie frowned as her lawyer smiled while looking straight ahead.

  “This is getting better and better,” Sam her lawyer mumbled.

  Billie nodded. The second empathy tried to enter her body for Malachi; she shook it off. He didn’t deserve her sympathy. The nigga had none for her and never did. She cleared her throat, and they stood for the judge. Soon Malachi’s lawyer was coming into the room along with a heavily intoxicated Cindy.

  Cindy glanced over at Billie and rage filled her eyes.

  “You had him beat up my baby, I know it was you!” she yelled.

  Billie’s brows
pulled together as everyone in the courtroom looked at Cindy.

  “Miss, We’re going to have to ask you to leave?” the bailiff said walking Cindy’s way.

  Cindy shook her head. She took off her bag and hauled it towards Billie. Billie ducked in the nick of time and Cindy was quickly pulled out of the courtroom. Billie smoothed out her blazer as she peered over at Malachi. He refused to look her way as he sat in his seat.

  “I’m not sure what that was, but I am ready to start. This has been pushed back once, and I know the plaintiff and defendant is eager to get this matter handled. Ms. Sparks is asking for sole custody of her son that is in the care of his father, Malachi Gibbons. She’s given us ample amount of receipts, paperwork, and statements showing how she diligently cares for the child. Mr. Gibbons what can you give me to prove you are providing for your son?” the judge asked.

  Malachi sat up in his seat and frowned.

  “This bitch was drunk and crashed her car with my fucking son in it! I don’t gotta show you shit, I do my part,” he growled.

  The judge’s eyes widened. Malachi’s lawyer harshly whispered something in his ear as Billie’s lawyer stood up.

  “I’ve also proved that the home Kawan lives in was recently in foreclosure and was saved by a member of the family. Mr. Gibbons can't even provide a secure place of residence for Kawan,” her lawyer Sam added and walked over to the judge.

  Billie stared straight ahead as she felt the burn of Malachi’s gaze.

  “Oh, you wanna take shit there huh?” he snarled.

  “Mr. Reef, please get your client under control or like his mother he will be asked to leave,” the judge said looking the papers over that Billie lawyer had given her.

  Billie tapped her foot against the floor as she felt her nerves get the best of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling.

  “God, I want my son. In the name of Jesus, I beg you to show mercy on me. I promise I won't mess up this time Lord. Amen,” she prayed quietly.

  “She ain't shit but an alcoholic, a fucking drunk. Bitch party more than anybody I know,” Malachi grumbled.

  “That’s enough. You will have to leave,” the judge said sternly.