My Mans Best Friend (9781622860241)

by Henderson, Tresser

  “Or maybe I should have one more for the road.”

  Kea was visibly irritated and tossed the drink in a nearby trash can. She then turned her full attention back to the moon.

  “What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Jaquon asked. “Oh, I forgot. Your dear old mother ruined your mood.”

  “And now you’re picking up where she left off,” Kea said furiously.

  “Whatever,” he replied, slurring his words. “So, Derrick, my man, what do you have planned for tonight? I thought we could hit the club later,” he said.

  “I got plans already. You’re going to have to catch me another time.”

  “Please tell me your plans don’t involve that whore, Zacariah. You just got that chickenhead outta your life.”

  “It’s not Zacariah. I’m done with her for good,” I said.

  “That’s what you said before and you took the trick back.”

  “I’m for real this time. She’s outta my life. Plus, I’ve met someone else,” I said.

  I looked at Kea who never broke her concentration on the moon in the star-spattered sky. I knew she knew I was talking about her, but she played it off nicely. Jaquon was too drunk to notice.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” he said bumping chest with me. “You didn’t waste any time getting back in the game. Who’s ass you tapping tonight?”

  Annoyed, Kea turned to Jaquon and told him she was ready to go home.

  “But, baby, the night’s still young.”

  “And I’m tired. I’ve been on my feet all day. I’m ready to go home and get comfortable.”

  “Then if that’s what my baby wants, that’s what my baby gets,” he said still fumbling his words. “I have to find my keys,” he said, patting his blazer to locate them.

  “I hope you’re not driving,” I said to him.

  “He’s not driving me anywhere. I’ll be doing the driving,” Kea said.

  “But, baby, I’m good.”

  “You are good, all right. Good and drunk.”

  Kea grabbed Jaquon by the hand and led him away. Before she completely disappeared out of my view, she looked back at me. The two-second stare was enough to let me know I would be seeing her later. Jaquon wanted to know who I was tapping tonight. Little did he know I hoped it would be Kea.

  Kea

  I didn’t know why I was so nervous. My body trembled making my way to Derrick’s door. Once there, I stood for a minute. Then that minute turned into several. I held up my hand balled into a fist and started to knock, but I didn’t. What was I doing here? This wasn’t right. How was I any better than Jaquon if I was doing the same thing he was doing to me? Yes, I felt like he needed to hurt, but I didn’t need to stoop to his level and cheat in our relationship. Especially with his best friend. I could be overreacting for no reason though. Maybe Derrick and I would really talk this time and no repeat of our last encounter would happen. But a major part of me wanted something to happen. I wanted Derrick to take me into his arms again and love me as deep as his manhood could enter me.

  Placing my hand on the door I closed my eyes, wanting to be with Derrick, but I couldn’t. I had to leave before this thing went any further between us. We had already crossed a line with being with each other once before and this could not happen again. Turning to leave, I took two steps before the door swung open.

  “Hey, Kea. Where are you going?”

  “Derrick, I’m going to leave.”

  “Why?”

  “This,” I said pointing to the brick sidewalk, “can’t happen again.”

  “What? You can’t walk down my sidewalk again?”

  I laughed at his humor before saying, “You know what I’m referring to.”

  “Kea, all we are going to do is talk. I’m not going to pressure you into anything you don’t want to happen.”

  I turned my head sideways saying, “But what if our talk leads to something else?”

  “And what if it does?”

  “Derrick ...”

  “Kea, please come in so we can talk about this, okay?”

  I looked into his eyes and immediately closed mine. Damn, this man was fine. I should have looked at his shoes, but then I would have thought about his size thirteen foot which would have led my mind to think about his long dick. I opened my eyes and looked at him again. This time I took all of him in. My heart fluttered looking at him in his baggy jeans and nice, white, button-down shirt which was open, revealing the white tank top underneath. Damn, this man was mesmerizing. I knew I was in trouble if I stepped foot in his house.

  “Please,” he said holding out his hand to me. I stared down at his hand before I took it into mine and entered his place.

  “Come with me,” he said, and I followed. We ended up in his living room where he had a picnic set up in front of his fireplace. The room was dark, only lit up by the blazing fire crackling in the fireplace. A fleece blanket was laid out for comfort. Hot wings with potato wedges and rolls were placed on it. He also thought to put ketchup, hot sauce, celery sticks, and ranch and blue cheese dressing in little bowls to dip the wings in. He even had hand towels for us to wipe our hands on.

  He got down on the floor and held his hand out for me to join him.

  “I thought you said talk, Derrick.”

  “We are going to talk, but I thought a midnight snack wouldn’t hurt. I don’t know about you, but I’m still hungry.”

  I smiled asking, “How did you know that this was one of my favorite foods.”

  “Because you are a woman after my own heart. I remember every time we, meaning me and the person I’m trying to forget, would go out with you and Jaquon, you would often order wings.”

  She nodded as if she remembered.

  “Food isn’t good unless you can eat it with your fingers. Most women order salads or things where their hands never have to touch their food, but not you,” he said smiling.

  “When it comes to getting my eat on, I don’t try to be cute.”

  “Even when sauce was all over your face, you still looked as beautiful as ever.”

  “I never had sauce all over my face,” I retorted.

  Derrick dipped his finger into the ranch dressing and placed it on my face.

  “You do now.”

  “Oh, it’s like that?” I said doing the same.

  “Okay. I quit. You win.”

  We laughed as I picked up one of the towels and wiped my face and hands off. He did the same.

  “On a serious note, let’s try to relax and enjoy the late-night snack. I picked this up on my way home, and I’ve been keeping it warm in the oven for us.”

  “I still can’t believe you paid attention like this.”

  “I did. Now, get comfortable. Take your shoes off and let’s dig in. And don’t try to be cute either.”

  “Oh, I’m not. I’m going to lick my fingers and everything,” I laughed.

  “Please don’t give me that visual,” he snuck in slyly. “It will put other images into my head.”

  I smacked him on the knee and said, “Let’s eat.”

  After downing the food, we sat there with our bellies full and toothpicks in our mouths trying to pick chicken from between our teeth. Both of us leaned back against the sofa watching the flames dance for us.

  “Are you glad you came?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am. I was against this, but I have enjoyed your company. Don’t get me wrong, though, I still feel guilty being with you.”

  “I’ve thought about this too, and I know I have broken the ultimate rule of being with my best friend’s girl, but ever since we got together, Kea, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about you either.”

  Derrick turned his body toward me saying, “That one night sparked more in me than I ever felt with Zacariah. Call it destiny. Call it infatuation. Maybe we can even call it love. I honestly don’t know what this is, but I do know I want more of it. I want more of you.”

  I looked at the
compassion in his face matching his tone as he talked with me. He put his hand on my thigh and instant tingles went through me. I wanted him to move his hand because being this close to him made me crave him more. But it also made me want to scurry out of his house to never return again.

  I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t understand what I was feeling. All I knew was I wanted him just as bad as he wanted me. It scared me to think this was a man who could take the place of Jaquon. What would be the repercussion of what Derrick and I were doing? Did I even care? Was I coldhearted not to care what anybody thought about us? Did I want to ruin years’ worth of friendship just to be with Derrick? Did I want to put him in that spot to choose between me and Jaquon? I didn’t know.

  “Kea, you’re not saying anything.”

  “That’s because I don’t know what to say. I have a thousand thoughts running though my head right now. I know I need to walk away, but I can’t will my body to do so.”

  “Then don’t,” he said softly.

  “Who am I to ruin a friendship spanning over years?”

  “I made this choice, Kea. You didn’t. I did this, knowing what I was getting myself into,” he said confidently.

  “And if he finds out?”

  “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Now I want to enjoy being with you. I don’t want to think about anybody else. Right now, I want you.”

  He got on his knees and gently took my face into his hands, pulling my lips into his. The kiss was enough to make me want to tackle him to the floor and take him right where we were. When he pulled away, I almost pulled his lips back to mine because I didn’t want it to end.

  “Can I have you?” he asked tenderly.

  “Yes.”

  He stood, taking me by the hand, and led me to his bedroom. Pieces of our clothing fell where they may, and Derrick and I reconnected a burning desire that was fulfilled to the utmost. Climbing on top of him, I slowly slid down his dick. Starting with a slow grind, I rotated my hips. Then I began to ride him vigorously. His hands gripped my waist, guiding me along his long piping as our bodies heated and glistened with sweat. I never wanted this moment to end. Whatever Derrick wanted I was willing to give wholeheartedly. Engrossed with one another, we somehow didn’t hear the doorknob turn. Nor did we hear the footsteps that led drama into Derrick’s bedroom.

  Zacariah

  I stood in the bedroom that used to be mine, watching Kea riding Derrick. At first I couldn’t speak. Something had my voice, even though I opened and closed my mouth trying to speak. Still nothing would escape past my lips. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and watched in dismay as my mind tried to process the situation. This couldn’t be my honest Derrick with little Ms. Princess herself. I couldn’t understand how they came to be.

  The scene burned into my mind. Neither of them noticed me standing and watching as they enveloped one another like it was their last time to ever make love again. But this couldn’t be love. Derrick loved me.

  Still not being able to utter a word, I managed to will my body to do what my mouth couldn’t. I slammed the door shut, causing a loud boom to echo throughout the room.

  Kea jumped off Derrick pulling covers around her naked body, and Derrick sat up pulling the sheets around his waist.

  “Is this why you kicked me out, Derrick?” I asked, still in shock but now able to find words to spew. “Did you dump me for her?”

  “How did you get in my house?”

  “Answer the damn question and tell me, did you leave me for her?” I demanded.

  “I left you because you cheated on me, Zacariah. Now how did you get in my house?”

  “I have a key to our house,” I said holding it up. “You never took it, which led me to believe you really didn’t want me to leave, but I can see this time I was wrong.”

  “You have no right to be here,” Derrick stated.

  “Yet you think it’s right for you to be screwing your best friend’s girl?” I screamed. “It’s a little too late to be talking about rights.”

  “You should know,” he said throwing his leg over the side of the bed.

  “I’m going to leave,” Kea said, searching for her clothing scattered around the room. Derrick stood up holding the sheet around his midsection. Even with the drama going down, his erection still could be seen through the cotton material.

  “Give me my key, Zacariah, and get the hell outta my house.”

  “Not before I beat her ass,” I said removing my sterling silver hoops that dangled from my ears.

  “There isn’t going to be a confrontation up in here,” he said. He slid his boxers on under the sheet like I hadn’t seen what he had to offer before.

  “She knew you were my man, and she still slept with you.”

  “I also know he left you,” Kea said smartly.

  “Oh, little Ms. Perfect got some guts. Maybe I need to stomp some of it out of you,” I said bolting for her. Derrick got to me first, hooking me around the waist with his right arm pulling me away from Kea. She stood smiling and shaking her head as she put on her sneakers.

  “You are not about to tear my house up because you mad you found me with somebody else. If you want to get mad at somebody, get mad at me,” he said.

  “You don’t have to protect me, Derrick. I can handle myself,” Kea said.

  Derrick looked back at her like he was shocked to see little Ms. Kea stepping up.

  “The beating I will put down on you will be one you haven’t experienced before. I guarantee you that,” I calmly said.

  “You might get surprised and catch a beat down yourself,” Kea retorted.

  “You better tell her who I am, Derrick. I will hurt her up in here!”

  Kea said, “All mouth but still standing across the room. The only thing that might be scared up in here is our eardrums from all your screaming.”

  Derrick shook his head laughing at everything Kea had to say, and that only made me angrier.

  Kea walked toward the bedroom door to leave.

  “You better run,” I snarled.

  “I’m not running. I’m trying to maintain my cool and not mess your face up,” she boasted.

  I escaped from Derrick’s grip and went for Kea. I pushed her, causing her to lose her balance and fall against the door. She regained her footing and swung, hitting me in the mouth. Surprised, I went to swinging, but Kea stood there with fist firm and waited for an opening. She socked me in the mouth again, then swung the other fist connecting with my left cheek. Derrick jumped between the two of us, but I swung around him, clipping Kea on the shoulder. She stood looking unfazed.

  “I’m going to get you,” I spat as my fingers touched the blood that was now trickling from my mouth. “So help me, I’m going to make you pay,” I screamed.

  “I’ll talk to you later, Derrick,” Kea said, totally ignoring me.

  She walked out the door, and I continued to scream, “No, you won’t either, trick. I better not find out you talking, grinning, or even grinding up on my man.”

  Derrick remained standing in front of me until I pushed him away from me.

  “You’re protecting her now too.”

  “It didn’t look like Kea was the one who needed to be protected. You never should have pushed her first.”

  “How can you do this to me?”

  “Did anybody tell you to come over here, Zacariah? Now look at you. Face been worked over and you still trying to think of ways to get revenge. And you wonder why I don’t want to be with you anymore. You full of drama, and I can name of couple of other things you full of too.”

  “Baby, I’m your woman. You were supposed to call and ask for me back.”

  “You got to be kidding me. Kea hit you too hard, didn’t she? Right now you’re delusional. I guess you expected me to take you back like the other time, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed and grabbed a pair of gray jogging pants folded on his dresser, sliding them on.

  “Not this time, Zaca
riah. You had your chance with me. I’m kind of glad you came by. Now you can see I have moved on to bigger and better things.”

  “You mean her?” I asked venomously, pointing at the door Kea walked out of.

  “Maybe.”

  “It’s not going to work.”

  “Oh, it will work if we want it to work,” he replied.

  “And is she worth throwing away years’ worth of friendship with Jaquon?”

  “Why do you care? You don’t even like him.”

  “That’s not the point. You broke the best friend code.”

  He ignored me, walking over to my keys that I attempted to throw at Kea’s head as she walked out. Derrick picked them off the floor and took all his keys off and tossed the rest back to me.

  “You can go now. I don’t want to ever see you back here again,” he said coldly.

  “You’re going to throw our love away ... just like that?”

  “You did,” he said with his hands in his pockets.

  “But I love you, Derrick.”

  “You love to play games. You thought your sex could reel me back in, and that’s why you came over tonight thinking you would climb into bed with me like you did before and work your evil on me. But you got fooled this time. You walked up on a snag while I was making love to Kea.”

  “You don’t love her. You love me.”

  “I don’t trust you, and I can’t be with somebody I don’t have faith in. I’m finally done with you.”

  “But—”

  “Please leave, Zacariah. I’m trying to be as nice as I possibly can. I don’t want to carry you out of here.”

  I couldn’t believe he was treating me like this. After all we’d been through, he was dismissing me.

  “What if I tell Jaquon?” I asked trying to get the upper hand on this situation.

  “Tell him. As many things we know on him, what is he going to say? He’s just like you when it comes to relationships, so maybe you should tell him so he can feel like you do now. Hell, when he sees you coming, he’ll probably run the other way. Let’s not forget, you two don’t like each other.”

  “Well, we liked each other enough to ...” I began.

  “Enough to what?” he asked accusingly.