My Mans Best Friend (9781622860241)

by Henderson, Tresser

  “You know about my girl so that wasn’t a big revelation tonight. I enjoy your company and hope we can get together again.”

  “Jaquon, I need some time to evaluate this, okay?” I said, still turned on by this man.

  “What is there to evaluate?” Zacariah yelled. “He’s a cheat with a girl already. Dump him and find another man who can give it to you like you want.”

  “Trick, please,” he said to her. “If time is what you want, Essence, then time is what I’ll give you. But don’t wait too long, okay, because I’m going to be knocking at your door.”

  “That smile isn’t going to be on your face for long, Jaquon. You like calling me a trick; you better check your girl,” Zacariah said spitefully.

  Jaquon looked at Zacariah curiously. “Kea is a good girl, unlike yourself.”

  “Good girl?”

  “Zacariah, let it go,” I warned.

  “Maybe you need to check in at home once in a while because you might not find her there.”

  “Zacariah, don’t do this,” I warned again.

  When the words rolled out of her mouth, I knew this situation had just got worse.

  Zacariah

  It felt so good when Derrick’s name rolled off my tongue, causing Jaquon’s face to crash like his heart did. I almost saw a tear try to work its way out of the corner of his eye.

  “The last time I saw your girl, she was riding my man’s dick.”

  “What!” Jaquon yelled.

  “That’s right, Kea and Derrick are sleeping together.”

  Jaquon snatched me up off the sofa by my shirt. The material never ripped as he pulled me close enough to his face so that I could feel his warm breath.

  “Kea would never cheat on me.”

  “And I’m telling you she did. I saw it with my own eyes.”

  “Let her go,” Essence told Jaquon.

  He let me go not having the energy to hold me anymore because all the strength he had just flew out the window at hearing his girl was sleeping with his best friend.

  “You’re lying,” he screamed, causing Essence and I to jump.

  “Why would I lie?”

  “Because you don’t like me or Kea. You would do anything to ruin our relationship since you and Derrick’s no longer exists.”

  “Everything you said is true,” I said nonchalantly, “but think about it, Jaquon. Why would I choose my man to have your girl to sleep with? I mean, come on. There’s too many men out here for me to choose. Why would I choose Derrick?”

  “You’re jealous of us,” he said unconvincingly.

  “Please, be jealous of you who cheats all the time? I don’t have to ruin y’alls relationship because you’re doing a fine job of that yourself. And even if I wanted to, don’t you think I could have ruined y’alls relationship a long time ago? All those nights you stayed with Derrick while you lied to Kea, I could have blown your spot months ago. Now don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy seeing the pain in your face by this revelation. Look at you, looking like a sick puppy,” I said smiling triumphantly.

  “You have to be lying,” he said pacing.

  “Think about it, Jaquon. Kea has called our house asking about your whereabouts several times, and I never once told her what you were doing.”

  “That’s because you would be implicating yourself since you slept with me too,” he said.

  “You think I would admit to that? Sleeping with you is nothing to brag about.”

  “Like I’m ready to stand on a mountaintop and shout I’ve been with a whore.”

  “You’ve been with many whores so why you perpetrating? You standing here thinking you had it all going on, smiling in your boy’s face knowing good and damn well you had slept with me. What type of best friend are you?”

  “And what type of woman are you? That’s why he kicked you out.”

  “Is that all you can come with? You have been hiding behind lie after lie using your boy to do your dirt. As mad as you getting right now, you can’t even confront him because you are guiltier than he is because you did it to him first, and Derrick still doesn’t have a clue.”

  “This is all some sick, twisted lie you’ve come up with to get things started.”

  “You don’t have to believe me. The proof is in Kea not caring what you doing right now because she’s doing Derrick.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “I’m pretty sure if you asked little Ms. Innocent Kea about her and Derrick, she’s going to deny it. Then again, she may admit to it just to hurt you like you hurt her. I mean, she does have every right to since you’ve been cheating on her the duration of your relationship. Talk about things coming full circle.”

  Jaquon just paced, not knowing what to say, and I loved the destruction of his confidence. He was an arrogant bastard and deserved everything I was giving to him. The more he got upset, the more I got energized.

  “You mean to tell me you haven’t noticed a difference in Kea lately?” I asked.

  Jaquon stood thinking for a minute while looking around the room. I guess he thought the answers were going to pop out somewhere.

  “I bet she’s happier. I bet you she acts like she doesn’t care. Before, she was crying when you didn’t come home. Now she’s probably wishing you would leave so she could be with him.”

  Jaquon thought and I could tell he did realize Kea’s mood had changed. She was basically brushing him off, but he was too busy to notice, just happy that she wasn’t riding his back. But that was because she had an ace in her pocket too: Derrick.

  Jaquon grinded his balled right fist into the palm of his left hand. He paced like a madman while Essence and I sat back watching. With each step taken, the carpet beneath his feet screamed in agony. Next thing we know, Jaquon bolted for the door running out like a madman. Essence went to the door calling out to him, but her cries went unanswered.

  “That was foul, Zacariah,” Essence said closing the door.

  “He got what was coming to him.”

  “But ratting out his girl and best friend?”

  “No one makes a fool of me and gets away with it.”

  “You do a good enough job looking like a fool by your damn self,” Essence said.

  Her words hurt.

  “I caught Kea riding Derrick like a jockey on a racehorse. You think I’m just going to let that go? She’s going to get hers, and if using Jaquon is what it took for her to possibly get her face bashed in, then so be it.”

  Essence shook her head. “You had a good man who mentally, physically, and financially took care of you, but you didn’t want him because you were too busy sleeping with random men for money.” She frowned.

  I couldn’t say anything because she was right. I messed up.

  “Now, you’re mad because he got with someone else, thinking he would never betray you when it was you who came home with your coochie filled with another man;s fluid.”

  “You make it sound so immoral.”

  “That’s because it is,” Essence said.

  “I didn’t want to see Derrick with anybody else. Especially Kea. I love him,” I said angry at myself for wanting to cry.

  “You had a funny way of showing him. And you know I know more about your little escapades than he does. Zacariah, come on. You cheated on him constantly. How is that love?”

  “He was supposed to beg me to come back,” I said forcefully.

  “You can’t expect that man to live the rest of his life being stupid in keeping you. You took him for granted when you had him. Don’t be mad because he’s moved on.”

  “I’m not letting him go that easily, Essence.”

  “Reach into the realm of your mind and find some common sense, please. You know good and damn well Derrick is never going to take you back after what you did. This game of revenge you are playing is going to catch up to you. Let it go and move on with your life. Remember, karma always comes back around.”

  “Then I’ll deal with it if it comes, but for now, I’m going to
get my revenge.”

  “I feel so sorry for you,” Essence said shaking her head. “I’m trying to tell you some good stuff, and you too stubborn to listen. I’m the only friend you have, yet you even betrayed me.”

  “How?” I said as she raised her hand to shut me up.

  “You were supposed to tell me about you and Jaquon no matter if I had been with him. What is it with you hurting the people closest to you? One day you are going to end up completely alone and my words will remind you that you could have stopped all of this before it blows up in your face. But again, I know I’m talking to a brick wall. Do what you think you need to do to feel better, but don’t always expect me to be here to help you pick up your pieces.”

  And with that said, Essence went to her bedroom.

  Kea

  It had been so hard getting through these past few days having to deal with the bombshell my parents dropped on me. The past reared its ugly head and changed the dynamics of our family, mostly affecting me. Emory was gone. Daddy had moved out and got a place of his own. Mother wanted nothing to do with me, and I was the product of sexual abuse. My real father was a rapist. My face was what reminded her of a past that no child should have had to go through.

  For some reason, the person’s shoulders I could rely on to get me through all this was Jaquon. He saw me sad the other day when he came home and actually showed concern about what was going on with me. The puffy eyes and tearstained pillows might have given my sadness away. He climbed in bed with me, wrapping his arms around me and cuddled me. Lying on his chest, I tried to think back on the last time Jaquon had done this.

  Even though I was lying in his arms, I couldn’t help but to think about Derrick and the time I couldn’t spend with him. A small part of me wished it was Derrick’s arms wrapped around me. Then guilt came over me. Had I turned into the person I hated most? Was I becoming a Jaquon?

  Here he was showing me more love than he had in a long time and I was thinking about his best friend. I was the variance which would separate their bond of friendship. Maybe Jaquon felt something was going on. Maybe his instinct was starting to talk to him, telling him I was cheating on him now. Whatever it was, it must have shaken him to his senses.

  I didn’t know what happened to change him all of a sudden, but I welcomed his open arms. The way he stormed in here the other day, I thought he had found out about Derrick and me. But he didn’t mention anything about my affair. He saw my sorrow and immediately started to comfort me.

  Yes, I knew it was just a matter of time before bigmouthed Zacariah was going to say something. She couldn’t keep anything to herself. Plus, I was number one on her hit list of individuals to get back at since I took her man. But now it was time to figure out which man I would call mine now.

  As time passed with Jaquon and I spending more time together and him actually staying home at night, I was still surprised. Derrick had been calling the house I knew to hopefully speak to me, but most times Jaquon was answering the phone to speak with him. I couldn’t say let me talk to him when I really never carried on a conversation like that with Derrick before. So I had to play faithful mate and be true to Jaquon since it seemed like he had made an effort to remain true to me.

  Jaquon came up with a suggestion that we have a get-together with friends and family. I tried to figure out what the catch was. The only get-together he was ever down for was with him and his whores.

  “I talked it over with Derrick, and he said we could do it at his house.”

  “And he doesn’t mind?”

  “Not at all. He thought it was a great idea.”

  “And you sure you want to do this?” I said with raised eyebrows.

  “Yes. Why you looking like that?”

  “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

  “We haven’t had anything like this in a while. I would have liked to do it here, but our place it too small. Derrick has the yard space and that huge deck for an event like this.”

  “And when is this supposed to happen?”

  “Saturday.”

  “This Saturday?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said excitedly. “I can’t wait for us to have some fun.”

  “Why does it have to be so soon?”

  “The sooner the better,” he said.

  “What has gotten into you?” I asked curiously.

  “What?”

  “You being here with me and wanting to cuddle and watch TV together and go places together. Now, you’re planning this get-together with me being involved. What has sparked this flame in you?”

  “Baby, I know I haven’t been here for you like I should. I’ve done a lot of bad things in our relationship, and I finally came to the conclusion I don’t want to lose you,” he said, looking at me with the most sincerity I had ever seen coming from him.

  “You have to know this is freaking me out. I’m waiting for you to tell me you got some chickenhead pregnant or something, and that’s the reason why you’ve been sugaring me up.”

  “Nobody is pregnant, Kea, unless ...” he smiled, rubbing my stomach.

  “No. Nothing is in there,” I said pushing his hand away as he laughed.

  “I can’t wait until you have my babies,” he said.

  “Who says I want any?”

  “You did, remember? You said you wanted three.”

  “That was before a lot of unnecessary pain dropped in and destroyed what I thought was special in my life. I can’t bring a child into this confusion.”

  “You shouldn’t be confused about me loving you.”

  I sat up out of his embrace and said, “Jaquon, what is really going on? Be serious with me.”

  Sitting up to face me, taking my hands into his, he said, “Nothing. I can’t show my girl some affection?”

  “Not when the affection came out of nowhere.”

  “Before you complained about me not showing enough affection and now that I am, you’re still complaining. I don’t understand.”

  “I did want it,” I said.

  “Did? Has something changed that you haven’t made me aware of?” he asked suspiciously.

  “No. What I meant to say was I do. For so long I have begged for your attention. As soon as I stopped begging and let you be you, you give me what I’ve asked for. I have to wonder, is it too little too late?”

  “You don’t love me anymore?” Jaquon asked with a frown on his face.

  I pondered that question before I answered, “Yes, I love you. I will always love you.”

  “You say that like you want us to be just friends.”

  “I need some time to think about this whole thing.”

  “Kea, I don’t see what there is to think about. You wanted me; you got me. I’m not the same person I was.”

  “And when did this new Jaquon emerge? How do I know he will stay around or whether he will get bored with me and want to see what’s out there again?”

  “Baby, I love you,” he said gripping my hand.

  “Jaquon, you hurt me. My emotional scars haven’t been erased because you have wrapped your arms around me and said you’ve changed. The way I’m thinking right now, no amount of hugs from you can take away all the hurt you have done to me.”

  “I’m willing to try. Kea, don’t give up on me. Give us a chance. Please.”

  “This is going to take some time.”

  “That’s all I ask for. In time, I will prove I’ve changed.”

  “I hope so, Jaquon. I hope you are not messing with my emotions because if one more thing is revealed to me, I swear our relationship is over.”

  Essence

  I couldn’t believe Jaquon called to invite me to a get-together at Derrick’s place. I hadn’t heard from him since he stormed out of my place, and now he’s calling me for this. Was he trying to set me up or what? As far as I knew, he was still with Kea. I didn’t know if he had confronted her about sleeping with his best friend. Was he taking her too? I knew nothing and was torn. In a way, I wanted to go becau
se I was curious to see this woman who had his heart. I felt like I knew her already, even though I had yet to lay eyes on her. And then again, I didn’t want to go because I didn’t know if anything was going to happen.

  Finishing up the fourth slice of pizza, I had to relieve myself. The doctors tried to warn me, but my problem wasn’t as simple as quitting the next day. I was addicted to the high of puking and couldn’t stop. I knew I needed professional help, but didn’t want it now. I was fine the way I was.

  After relieving myself, I opened the door to my bathroom to leave. To my surprise, Zacariah was standing on the other side of the door.

  “So, you haven’t learned your lesson yet?”

  “What are you talking about?” I said still trying to wipe my mouth.

  “Come on, Essence. I thought you had quit.”

  “I did, for a while.”

  “What? Two hours? One day? Three days? What?” she asked holding out her hands. “I don’t understand. You could die from doing this.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, Ms. Fine, I’m done talking to you about it. Maybe you need to collapse and get admitted into the hospital again before you realize how dangerous this condition is. Evidently you dead set on something more serious happening to you in order for you to wise up.”

  “Damn, Zacariah, when did you become a psychiatrist ?”

  “Yesterday. I received my master’s from a place called I Give A Damn. I finally found that place called Common Sense that you didn’t think I had so I could talk to you.”

  “Did Common Sense wise you up to let this revenge thing go with Kea?” I asked, pushing her out of my way as I walked toward the kitchen to get me something to drink.

  Zacariah followed saying, “I only pulled it out to use it against you.”

  “Figures.”

  “Essence, your condition isn’t a joke, but since you act like you getting an attitude, I’m going to leave you alone.”

  “Good. Why are you stalking me anyway?”

  “Well, I was coming to tell you I know how I’m going to get Kea back.”