May the Best Man Win

by M. T. Pope

  I also got a voice mail from my bestie asking to urgently meet up with me to discuss this “lewd” photo as he called it. So that was where I was headed to after work. I didn’t need to explain anything to anyone but being honest with him was something I could do and not be offended when he gave it to me raw (no pun intended).

  I also checked my e-mail and found one from Facebook saying that they deleted my inappropriate photo and would delete my account if it happened again. I just laughed and moved on with my day.

  “Hey, boo.” I kissed Dennis on the forehead as I sat down at one of our usual outside café spots. He was in the middle of a conversation when I arrived and sat down. The waiter came over and I gave him my order. By the time I finished ordering he had ended his conversation on the phone.

  He just looked at me and shook his head from side to side in disapproval.

  “What?” I smiled, playing like I didn’t know what he was gesturing about.

  “So this is as low as they go now to get a man. You just throwing random nude photos out there and seeing who you can get. Has it come to that nowadays? Is the dating pool that small now?”

  “You have to admit that I looked fabulous,” I shamelessly gloated.

  “You looked like a hoes-r-us model,” he countered.

  “Throwing shade I see.”

  “No shade, just some tea.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I said, brushing him off.

  “What were you thinking about doing something so crazy?”

  “I’m living my life.”

  “Lewis, this is not you. I admit you are wild at times and you have diarrhea of the lip at times too but this is way over the top even for you. What would make you do something like this?” Dennis asked.

  “I’m doing this for me.”

  “I think you are doing this because the last man we discussed dumped you and you are crying out for attention.”

  “Wrong,” I snapped, with an attitude. “I didn’t get dumped. It’s quite the opposite actually.”

  “You dumped him?”

  “No, no one dumped anyone.”

  “Well, what the hell is going on?”

  “You wouldn’t understand if I told you,” I answered.

  “Plus you are so quick to judge.” I know I’ve said that I don’t mind him being honest with me but sometimes I just want him to listen and not give his opinion. I wanted him to hear me out.

  “I don’t judge. I just assess a situation and give my feedback constructively.”

  “Since when?” I asked rhetorically. “I can’t remember a time when I told you something and you haven’t given me unwanted feedback instead of just listening.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll just listen this time and if you want me to give you my opinion just ask.”

  “For real?” I asked him seriously.

  “Yes, my lips will be tighter than your virgin ass at twelve.” He laughed. I did as well.

  “Okay, so here it goes.” I paused to get my breath and thoughts together. “The guy I am dating is fabulous, money, good-looking, charming, and patient. He treats me like a king. He’s all that I’ve been looking for in a man. But there is a catch. My boss wants him too. So the guy says he likes us both and can’t choose between the both of us. He proposes a contest and gives us challenges that we must complete to see who the best man for him is. One of those challenges was to post that nude picture of me on Facebook and Twitter.”

  “So you are saying two grown men are humiliating themselves to get a man?” He looked at me like I was crazy.

  “You’re judging and it’s not humiliating; it’s actually quite exhilarating. I feel freer than I ever have in life.” I smiled proudly.

  “If that is how you feel then okay.” He smiled. It was a fake smile. I knew he wanted to respond even further but I didn’t give him permission to and I knew it was killing him to keep all he wanted to say bottled up. The expression on his face spoke volumes.

  “Go ahead and speak your piece. I know you want to so bad.”

  “No, I’m good.”

  “Dennis, please. If your leg shakes any harder I’d think you were a grasshopper getting ready to take off.”

  “Okay, I think you and your boss are crash dummies in waiting.”

  “Huh?” I asked, confused.

  “So this guy just says ‘I can’t choose between either of you so let me run game on you and then decide on who the biggest dummy is so I can take him home’?”

  “It’s not what you think. It’s quite entertaining,” I rebutted.

  “I bet it is . . . for him,” he countered. “Both of you guys are very attractive guys. I saw your boss’s picture, too. Why would you two allow him to make you guys do things to win him over? Both of you guys have degrees but you are acting quite dumb for a man you don’t know fully.”

  “I know enough. I know what I want.” I spoke confidently and convincingly.

  “Yes, but what does he want? You ever think about that?” He looked at me intensely.

  “He wants the same thing I do: companionship.”

  “I sure hope so because it looks like he’s playing ‘how low can you go” to me.” He shook his head like he was disappointed in me.

  “Man, it’s not like that at all.” I waved my hand like I was dismissing him and all that he said. “Besides I got this in the bag. Pretty soon I’m going to be moving up and begin to be a kept man just like you.”

  He just looked at me and smiled. He didn’t say anything else to me about the situation. In fact he steered the conversation in another direction all together.

  “So guess who is getting married?” He smiled with glee and then he stuck his hand across the table, showing off the ring that was on his finger.

  “Oh shit, he proposed.” I bounced a little in my chair with genuine excitement.

  “Yes, he sure did,” Dennis said as his eyes began to get a little watery. He grabbed a napkin that was on the table and dried the corner of his eyes.

  “Look at this drama queen over here crying and shit.” I smiled as I looked at Dennis having his moment. “When did this happen?”

  “About two days ago. We were at the launch of my new clothing line. I had walked my way down the runway at the finale of the show and he surprised me by coming out with a microphone and getting on one knee and proposing to me in front of all of the people in attendance.”

  “Awwwwww. That was so beautiful. I know you let him fuck you in every hole but your nostril that night,” I joked.

  “You are a damn fool, but you ain’t never lied. He got it good that night.” We high-fived each other.

  “You guys have a date yet? I asked.

  “Not yet but it will be a great event. And hopefully you and your man will be in attendance.”

  “Oh we will be,” I said with confidence.

  The rest of the evening went by with us laughing and joking just like we normally did. I couldn’t stay mad at him because I knew he was only trying to look out for me, but I felt like I knew what was best for me and I was doing what was best for me.

  Chapter 39

  Kardell

  Just Believe Me

  I was exhausted after I left work. I didn’t even check the many voice mails I knew I got when Lewis handed me back my phone. I just put it in my pocket and made my way home. I got home at the usual time that I did after work, but there was something different about this time when I arrived at my home. My sister was sitting on my steps waiting for me arrive. To say that I was surprised was an understatement. I immediately went in to high alert.

  “Good evening, Angela,” I spoke as I walked up on her. “Is everything okay?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.” She looked at me curiously.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let’s go into your house before we have this conversation,” she suggested. “It’s not one you want to have outside.”

  “Okay,” I said and then I walked past her and up my stairs toward my door. I opene
d my door and walked into my house. I was so relieved to be home. There was no place like home. From the looks of things everything was still in place.

  “Make yourself at home,” I said as I walked toward the flight of stairs that led to my second floor. “I’ll be right back.”

  I went upstairs and checked out my bathroom and bedroom to see if everything was okay. I had some linen that needed to be washed, but other than that Lewis left everything just as he found it. I changed out of the last ridiculous outfit from Lewis’s ensemble and put it in a bag to return to him on Monday. I grabbed some sweat pants and a shirt and threw them on for comfort. I walked back downstairs to join my sister, who was patiently waiting for my return.

  “So what do you want to talk to me about?” I asked as I got comfortable on my sofa like she was.

  “I just wanted to know if you had lost your mind.” She looked at me seriously.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, confused.

  “Kardell, don’t act like there isn’t a picture of you naked floating around on Facebook. You didn’t think I would see it?”

  “If it was on my page wouldn’t it be apparent that I didn’t care what people thought?” I spoke with more attitude than I should have been speaking with. I was a defensive person when you got into my business. That was a no-no and most people who were close to me knew it.

  “No need to be nasty, Kardell. I was just concerned and since you didn’t answer the phone or e-mail I sent you I thought a house call would do the trick.”

  “I appreciate the concern, but everything is just fine,” I assured her while looking at her in the eyes.

  “Kardell, you have been this overly conservative guy all of your life and you want me to believe that everything is all right when I see a nude picture of my brother pop up in my news feed?” She looked at me intently, waiting for me to answer her question.

  “I don’t care what you believe, but as they say ‘seeing is believing.’ You saw, now I’m telling you to believe me when I say I’m good.”

  “Kardell, are you that lonely that you would place a photo like that to get attention?”

  “I’m not lonely,” I assured her.

  “Okay, let’s say I believe you.” She looked at me doubtingly and then continued to talk. “What other reason would you of all people be doing posting a nude picture of yourself online, especially Facebook?”

  “I could have sworn that this was a free country that allowed freedom of expression,” I said defensively.

  “Kardell, I’m your big sister, cut the crap with me. Be real with me. This shit is not about no damn expression. This is on some desperation type of shit. I know some desperate shit when I see it and your ass is desperate. Either that or it’s about a man.”

  “Angela, I’m not desperate.”

  “So it’s about a man then?” She looked at me curiously. Like I’d said before me and my sister weren’t the closest of siblings, but now I felt a little more comfortable with her to share something personal with her.

  “Yes, it’s about a man,” I admitted.

  “What kind of man would ask you to do something like that? Most kinky men keep that kind of stuff behind closed doors. But I guess times are different.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  “He’s a very good guy, all that I want in a companion and lover.”

  “His ass must have laid down the pipe real good to have you exposing yourself to the world.”

  “We haven’t done that yet. He’s been the perfect gentleman.” I smiled proudly.

  “So you’re saying you and him didn’t get busy yet and you going to these lengths for him?”

  “No, it’s a little more complicated than that. Let me explain.”

  “By all means, make me a believer.” She sat back and crossed her legs, waiting for me to spill my guts. This was new territory for us. Again, sharing my business was not something I did with anyone. But I guessed it was safe to go ahead and tell her. Part of me wanted to share it anyway. I just hoped she didn’t start judging me about my decisions. That was something I hated as well.

  “The guy I am dating is fabulous, money, good-looking, charming, and patient. He treats me like a king. He’s all that I’ve been looking for in a man. But there is a catch. My employee wants him, too. So the guy says he likes us both and can’t choose between the both of us. He proposes a contest and gives us challenges that we must complete to see who the best man for him is. One of those challenges was to post that nude picture of me on Facebook and Twitter.”

  “You’re joking right?” She looked at me in disbelief and even chuckled a little. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “No jokes.”

  “Okay, let me get this straight. You and this other guy both have college degrees?”

  “Yes.” I nodded my head.

  “Did y’all buy them from Kmart or something? You all can’t be letting this guy get you to degrade yourself to see which one he wants. I know it’s hard out here to get a good man but has it really come to this?”

  “It’s not what you think. He’s not playing us. He’s just seeing who will fight for him and be in his corner no matter what.”

  “If that’s what you believe,” she said doubtfully.

  “I do believe it and him. Just watch and see when all of this is over you’ll get to meet him and see how sweet he really is. Just believe me. I’m going to win and live happily ever after.”

  “I sure hope so.” Angela patted me on the leg.

  “You know I am really surprised that you really cared enough to come over here and talk to me about this. You know there is a thing they invented called the phone,” I said sarcastically, yet playfully.

  “I know, I called, and you didn’t answer so I decided to make a person to person visit. I needed to look at you in your face. Eyes don’t lie but the mouth will. You have always been quiet and sneaky. Plus I know we don’t always get along but I really do care about you and the things that go on in your life.” She sounded sincere as she spoke.

  “I know you do. And I know that you love me in your own smart-ass way.” I laughed and then continued. “And believe me I hear what you are saying. I just need you to trust in me and be there for me when I need you to be. And keep some of them smart-ass comments to yourself.”

  “Okay.” She laughed. “But I can’t promise you that all of the time. This mouth has a mind of its own and I can only control but so much that comes out of it.”

  “Okay, let’s take it one day at a time,” I said and then smiled. It felt good to be a little closer to a sibling.

  “All right, brother, come over here and give me a hug so we can seal the deal and I can go about my business.” We hugged for a few seconds and then pulled apart.

  “And whatever we discuss stays between us,” she said assuredly.

  She didn’t stay at my house much longer. I was actually happy that we got a chance to interact civilly. I was glad that we brought some type of resolution to our feuding even if it took her seeing me butt-ass naked on Facebook to do it.

  Chapter 40

  Lewis

  Blind Ambition

  When I returned home after my outing with Dennis I was just happy to be home. I surveyed my home and for the most part Kardell left everything in very decent shape. I wasn’t worried about him being a slob, it was just the fact that someone else was living in my home for a week. His scent lingered on my furniture and I wasn’t fond of that. I Febrezed everything I could to get it smelling the way I loved it.

  I showered and primped myself for a nice slumber in my bed. I was just getting nice and cozy when my telephone chimed, letting me know I had a text message.

  I rolled over to look at the message. I smiled because it was the last challenge from Mateo. It instructed me to get dressed if I wasn’t and to wait outside of my apartment for someone to pick me up.

  I did as I was told. I waited for about ten minutes before an all-black sedan with tinted windows pulled up. It looked just like the one t
hat Mateo always picked me up in. The back door opened and I hopped in. I was blindfolded and duct tape covered my mouth. My heart was racing because I felt like this was it. I was going to complete this challenge and then walk off with the prize. I was going to leave all of this behind me.

  Yes, I was apprehensive about where I was going and who I was with but I pushed caution to the wind and focused myself and my mind on the matter at hand. I was going to win. Besides, Mateo hadn’t ever given me a reason to not trust him and I wasn’t going to start now.

  The ride was yet another long ride and I was getting antsy, and anticipation filled every part of me.

  Then the car came to a stop. The back door opened and I was carefully helped out of the car as if I was precious cargo. I was led by the hand to an unknown location and we stopped. I heard a door being opened and I was once again led by the hand. The person leading me never said a word to me, just led me down a long hallway. All you heard was the sound of our footsteps hitting the floor as we walked. It was a warm environment wherever we were. Then we stopped once again. Another door was opened and I was led in once again. I was led to and sat down on what I assumed was a bed. Breathing only through my nose was weird for me. I couldn’t speak nor could I see. They say that other senses get heightened when others are cut off. I could hear and smell. I heard only quietness and the smell was of nothing.

  “Scoot back and lie still.” I heard Mateo’s voice speak into my ear. “This one last challenge is for you to do the unthinkable. Something you’ve never done before. This will prove to me if you are the best man for me. When you hear the door shut again you may remove your blindfold.” That was all that he said. I wanted to reach out and touch his face but I didn’t want to ruin anything by making any sudden moves. A few seconds later the door shut again.

  I quickly pulled the blindfold off of my face. I blinked my eyes as I tried to focus them. When they began to focus I saw that I was in a room with low light and a very romantic setting, but what else I saw was something that blew my mind. There was a completely naked lady standing in the room. She was gorgeous. A vision of flawless beauty.