Upside of Love

by Dominique Thomas

“Aye! Don’t ever in your life sneak up on me. If you catch a fade that shit gone be all on you, ma. When the fuck you going home?” he asked angrily.

  Reese’s eyes widened. She took a step back and her eyes watered. The cup holding her glass of water began to shake as she peered up at Dreux. Dreux felt bad as he watched her fall apart. He cleared his throat as he looked down at her.

  “Look I didn’t mean to spazz out but make yourself known round this bitch. I’ll be back,” he said and walked away.

  Dreux rushed to get into his car and drove quickly to Billie’s mother’s apartment. He knew that Billie still paid the rent although her mother was in rehab and shit like that only made him respect her more. She was one of a kind and irreplaceable. To him, she was the woman God placed on earth exclusively for him. He wasn’t going to lose her because of things they couldn’t control. He wasn’t going to lose her because people didn’t want to see them together and he refused to lose her because of his own silliness. No, he would quickly get his shit together and go back to spoiling his baby. She was good to him. He would put his pride and anger to the side any day of the fucking week if it meant she was still in his life because without her his life truly wasn’t worth living.

  Dreux parked his Lexus and exited his car. In a few short steps, he was at Billie’s mother’s door. He kicked the bottom hard, tapped the doorbell a few times then rested his forearm onto the door.

  “Billie!” he yelled and kicked the door again.

  Seconds later the door opened, and Billie frowned at him. Dreux sluggishly stepped in. He gazed around the dark apartment before looking at his woman. She wore a black lace panty and bra set with a fierce scowl on her gorgeous face. Before she could talk, he walked up on her and grabbed her face. Billie’s eyes widened as he tightened his grip.

  Just enough to make her gasp but not in a threatening way. The kind of way that he knew his girl liked. The sort of way that made her pussy wet.

  Even now as she glared at him, he could see the lust brewing in her slanted eyes.

  “I fucked up, and I’m sorry! I will never in my life walk out on you baby. I promise on our unborn kid that I won’t do that shit again. What I need you to do is stay off of them weak ass dates. Stop giving me the cold shoulder and let me make it up to you.”

  Billie frowned as she glared at him.

  “And what if I don’t wanna do that?”

  Dreux smiled at her question. He leaned towards her as his warm breath brushed against her face.

  “You love me, and I love you. We don’t have any option but to make this shit work. Come here,” he said and pulled her into a kiss so enthralling that it took her breath away.

  Dreux carried Billie over to the wall and unbuckled his pants. He then pulled out his member and slipped her panties to the side.

  Billie’s chest heaved up and down as he slowly slid his dick into her.

  “Umph,” she whimpered, and he licked his lips.

  She was fist tight, and he was momentarily stuck in a world of pleasure. Dreux leaned towards Billie and slowly brushed his lips against hers.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll never leave you again. I promise,” he whispered before shoving his tongue into her mouth.

  Billie kissed him back passionately as she felt pleasure zip through her body. Like lightning, it hit her hard and within seconds. She groaned, and her back arched off the wall.

  Dreux pulled back to grab her thighs, and with his eyes on her’s he drilled into her sex making her walls flow over with pleasure.

  “Oh God!” she shouted and closed her eyes.

  Dreux fucked her harder, and before she could climax, he took her over to the couch. He sat her down on her shaky legs and slapped her ass.

  “Bend over for me and open that pussy up,” he said and took off his jeans.

  Billie grabbed onto the back of the leather sofa and bent her back. Dreux grabbed her waist and with one swift motion was back inside her snug vagina. Billie’s legs shook as her walls clung to Dreux tightly.

  “My God. I’m cumming,” she groaned.

  Dreux pounded into her as she wet his dick up in the best kind of way.

  “Cum all over your dick, you hear me?” he asked and slipped his hand around her waist to rub on her clitoris.

  Billie lost her grip on the couch and fell into it. Dreux didn’t stop with his assault on her kitty until he was shooting himself off into it praying that the passionate lovemaking created a child for them.

  “How are you baby and how are you Dreux? It's so good to see you handsome,” her mom gushed.

  Billie smiled as she watched her mom blush at her man. It wasn’t with ill intentions her baby just had that effect on women.

  Dreux passed her mother a bouquet of red roses and kissed her cheek before sitting back down. He pulled Billie onto his lap, and she tried to stand. His hand went possessively to her stomach as his lips went to her neck.

  “Ma, if you uncomfortable with this she can sit in her seat,” Dreux said in his usual deep tenor.

  Billie’s mother smiled looking like the mom Billie had grown up with. Her hair had a beautiful shiny luster to it as her face held a natural glow. It warmed Billie’s heart to see her mother look so beautiful, so at peace, so healthy.

  “Honey whatever you have to do to make her smile like she’s doing now. Keep doing it,” her mom replied while nodding.

  Dreux chuckled, and Billie shook her head. Her mom was always sweet on Dreux. She knew her mom felt he could do no wrong.

  Had she completely forgiven him for leaving? No, but she was still madly in love with him and wasn’t going to pretend she wasn’t to prove a point. That was pointless in her book.

  “Cool, how you been doing? You looking beautiful like always,” Dreux said, and Billie’s mom waved him off while smiling.

  “I’m feeling better than I have in a very long time. This facility is what I needed. They don’t play games with me, and I do feel like their counselors get me. Every treatment center isn’t for you, but this one has it. They say that I can leave in a few months as long as I stay on this path and I’m comfortable with that. I called my mom, and she has agreed to pay for the center,” she replied.

  Billie sat up and shook her head.

  “Mom no! They never showed you nor me any real love. I forgot they existed and you should too. By the grace of God, I’m constantly booking gigs and because Dreux is a saving maniac I have money in the bank. We will be good mom. Please don’t worry about that,” Billie assured her mother.

  Her mom smiled as she stared Billie’s way.

  “She’s already paid it up for three months. She wants us to forgive her baby. She regrets cutting us off because of my habit and admits it was because she was hurt. Also, I’d stolen from them Billie, and I was too ashamed to tell you. I’m not the victim baby; I’m the bad guy,” her mom said and wiped a few of her tears away. “But I’m also not going to stay down. I called and apologized. I admitted my wrongs which I’d never done before and for some reason, we both accepted the love that we have for one another. So much so that we’ve decided to start on a clean slate. She wants you to call her as well.”

  Billie sat back, and Dreux began to rub her stomach in slow, circular motions. It was soothing, and it made her appreciate his presence.

  “Why should I?” Billie asked flippantly.

  “Because that’s your granny and you only get two of them. Relax and let go of the hurt. That’s your people, and they clearly love you. Let them,” Dreux replied before her mom could.

  Billie’s mother leaned over the table to grip Dreux’s hand.

  “And this is why I know this man was made for you. I’m just waiting on the wedding and the babies,” she said making Billie and Dreux smile.

  “Ma, I am too. I feel like we might be giving you one real soon,” Dreux said lowly.

  Billie smiled but chose not to respond. She’d just gotten Kawan back and wasn’t looking to add any extra kids to the equation. She wanted to take
a few years to spoil and love on the one son she had that she felt she’d let down because of her carelessness.

  “Well maybe when I’m done being mad with him, I’ll let him propose and get me pregnant,” Billie joked.

  Dreux shook his head as her mom sat back in her seat and placed her hands on her lap.

  “Ma, she saying that like she got a choice. When I drop down on one knee and pull out that diamond, Billie gone know what time it is. Aint you?” he asked and stuck his face into the crook of her neck.

  Billie ignored his question until he began to playfully bite her cheek. She giggled uncontrollably, and her mom smiled as she played around with Dreux.

  “I’m telling you two this now. Love can be so good. Don’t make it hard. Enjoy the upside of it. The laughs, the talks, the memories. Hell, the sex. Enjoy being in love with the person that loves you back. It doesn’t come easy for everyone so when you have something as special as you two do, value it. Don’t waste time on frivolous games. Tomorrow isn’t promised,” she told them teary-eyed.

  Billie nodded with her own eyes growing wet as Dreux grabbed her hand.

  “We won't ma. I promise,” he said, and Billie’s heart warmed.

  Dreux always kept his promises and so far, he’d promised to love her forever and take advantage of the moments they had. She didn’t want to assume shit, but in her heart, she could see him dropping down on one knee very soon. But first, they needed to get to the bottom of a few things.

  6

  #twilightzone

  Donning distressed navy jeans with the matching jean jacket and red Givenchy shirt Tru looked handsome as always. His hair was freshly cut while diamond wood lensed Cartier frames sat on his face. As he turned to peer down at Normani his eyes softened and it was a look she’d never seen before as he flashed her a cocky smirk.

  Who is this man? Lately, she’d been asking herself that more and more.

  “First I gotta say it took a lot just to get my wife here,” he noted making a few people laugh. Tru licked his lips as he pulled Normani to his side. His eyes soaked in her beauty as she swallowed hard. “I thank God for you. You loved me when I wasn’t nothing, but a wannabe DJ. You loved me before we became parents. Before the money and before I loved myself, I had you. Not a day goes by now that I don’t thank the man upstairs for bringing you into my life. I know there is nothing you can’t do. The clothing line and DVD is proof of that. I’m proud of you and whatever you need, whatever you want, I’ma get it for you by any means necessary. You hear me?” he asked sincerely.

  Normani’s wide eyes stared up at Tru in shock. He’d claimed they were going to brunch. She half ass didn’t want to go, and he’d pulled this shit. She felt anger then as she looked away from him and out at her family and friends, she felt pride. He’d always been so dismissive, of her wants and needs. Now he was throwing her a party to celebrate her DVD’s getting picked up by the HSN channel.

  “Um wow, I don’t know what to say,” she admitted turning towards the small crowd of fifty.

  Normani waved to her mom and sister. Even smiled at Billie who was sitting in the restaurant with Dreux by her side. Normani looked back to Tru, and he stared down at her intently.

  He’d done a 180 since the shooting and was like a new man. But she’d changed as well, and the once loving, loyal woman he had before was slowly drifting away. Remnants of her lovemaking with Azariah that still had her pussy tingling was proof of that.

  “He told me we was coming to brunch. I honestly wasn’t expecting any of this. I mean I look a hot mess,” she cracked, and Tru stepped behind her.

  His hand went to her waist, and he kissed her neck.

  “You look perfect to me,” he whispered before kissing her neck again.

  Normani smiled tightly as she pulled away from him. His words and his affection was trying to pull her back down the rabbit hole, and she didn’t wanna go. She could no longer trust him with her love and was fighting tooth and nail to get it back from him.

  “But I would like to thank all of you for coming. I wanted to help people with their kids, students or loved ones. This software has my baby speaking clearly at such a young age, and I know it can be useful to everyone else as well. Anything I do is for my River. Tru and I won't be here forever and what we have to do is leave her secured. He started it out, and I plan on finishing it,” she said speaking on River and their marriage.

  Tru’s hand tightened on her hip as he pulled her back to him. He leaned down and hugged her from the back as everyone stared at them.

  “To my wife. The sexiest, smartest woman I know. Congratulations on following your dreams. We know this is just the beginning baby,” he said, and everyone clapped while a few people whistled.

  Tru turned Normani around before she could walk away and bit down on his bottom lip. For seconds they shared an intense staring match before he cleared his throat.

  “That Bond. 9 got you smelling like me and shit. Except that’s the one, a nigga don’t have. Congratulations Normani,” he said and kissed her forehead.

  Normani swallowed hard as he walked away. She discreetly sniffed her ivory colored blouse, and sure enough, she smelled like Azariah. She’d bought him the cologne with Tru in mind and damn had that backfired on her. She frowned as she headed for her mother's table.

  “Baby I’m so proud of everything that you’re doing. This is the Normani I’ve been waiting to see!” her mom gushed jumping up.

  Normani hugged her mom before hugging Novah. Her eyes found Tru across the room as he unashamedly stared their way while holding a sleeping River.

  “And Tru is like a new man. The way he stares at you makes me smile, Normani. He loves the hell out of you sis. Maybe you should have shot him years ago,” Novah joked, and their mother hit her leg.

  “That’s not funny. That mess nearly gave me a heart attack, but I have to agree with your sister he’s different and in a good way. I’ve never seen him like this before. So attentive of your needs. And Novah is right, he literally stares at you the whole time he’s in a room with you. Are you still going through with the divorce?” Diana asked.

  Normani sat at the table with her mother and sister. She sighed as she rubbed the side of her neck. She’d been sexing Azariah all night long and was sore all over.

  “I’m just trying to make it through the day honestly. Tru is adamant on staying at the house, so I’ve been staying out a lot. I’m rarely there yet he acts like were this happy couple. I feel like I’m in the twilight zone with him,” she said as her phone vibrated.

  Normani pulled out her phone and glanced down at the screen. A big smile covered her face as she read over her text.

  Azariah: woke up thinking bout your sexy ass. Where you run off to?

  Normani put her phone away and when she glanced up her eyes connected with Tru’s. A look of longing sat in his irises as he gazed her way. She broke the stare and turned to her family.

  “I can't be with him anymore. I have to let this marriage go.”

  Diana nodded with pursed lips.

  “You're still married to him because you want to be. If you want to forgive Tru, then that’s okay. It's also fine if you want to leave. The game playing is what I don’t like,” she told Normani.

  Normani frowned as she ran her hands through her straight hair.

  “Mom I don’t have time for this. When I wasn’t working you two were complaining about that. Hell, even complaining about Tru but now I’m trying to get away from him and focus on River and my businesses and you are complaining about that as well. When can I catch a fucking break?” she asked.

  Diana gasped and touched her chest. Novah grabbed her mom’s arm as she frowned at Normani.

  “Don’t you ever speak to her that way. We're concerned about you. That’s it so pipe down,” Novah retorted.

  Normani nodded. Today wasn’t the day, and she wasn’t with the shits.

  “And I’m concerned about you as well Novah. I’m especially concerned about your
sneaky ass ways. You’re hiding your baby from Carter just to please him. And we’ll see how that works out for you considering your baby shower has been all over the internet and you just told your new man about the baby. Ma needs to be lecturing you and not me. I’ll see you two later and thanks for coming,” she said before leaving the table.

  “Wow,” Novah muttered as Normani walked off.

  Normani begrudgingly joined Tru at the table with his mother and River. River climbed onto Normani’s lap and started to play with her hair.

  “Mommy missed you so much!” Normani gushed smiling at her daughter.

  River smiled looking like the perfect mixture of her mom and dad. Normani kissed her cheek refusing to kiss her baby on the lips, and Tru’s mother looked over at her.

  “This is nice Normani. I’m proud of you and River will be too once she’s old enough to realize all the things you’ve done for her. For my birthday I was going to Tennessee to be with Tru’s dad, and I would love it if you all could join me. He isn’t doing well, so we want to rally around him with love. Although he and I never worked out I still care for him,” Rebecka said looking at Normani.

  Normani opened her mouth to say no, and River laughed.

  “Y-es! Y-es!” River yelled.

  Tru stared at Normani intently before picking up his water bottle.

  “Mommy might be busy River. We have to see if she can make it,” he said quietly.

  Normani felt slight guilt move through her body. She smiled at Tru’s mother as River continued to play with her hair.

  “We’d love to come. Just let us know when,” she replied wanting desperately to say no.

  Rebecka smiled brightly at her reply.

  “Its three weeks away. This will be really nice,” she said and began eating her food.

  Normani grabbed Tru’s plate, and he chuckled as she started to eat the French toast that had been smeared with syrup.

  “I made you a plate. You always want my shit,” he said scooting his chair close to her.

  Normani smiled. Her phone vibrated, and she ignored the alert as she looked at Tru. Peering into his eyes made her slightly uncomfortable. Tru was moving different. Acting like the man she wished he could have always been and she wasn’t sure if it was real. Normani didn’t want to fall for the bullshit.