My Bestfriend's Man

by P. Dotson

  “What?” I laughed. I shook my head. “No, it wasn’t just about the sex, although he could throw it down,” I said shaking my head to erase the memories from my head. “It was more than that, he was my best friend.”

  “Don’t let Roxie hear you say that shit.”

  “You are such a nut,” I laughed. “No, but seriously, he was. I mean I could sit and talk to his ass about anything. Girl, I’m telling you what we had was magical. I don’t think anybody else will ever come close to that.”

  “You can’t compare every man that you come in contact with to Brandon. It wouldn’t be fair to you or them.”

  “I know,” I sighed. “It’s just so hard.”

  “I hear you. It’s going to take some time, but you have to talk to him. Some way somehow you have to get him out of your system, besides something just ain’t adding up to me.”

  “What you mean?”

  “Well, you said you caught him in the bed with some other chick right?”

  “Yeah, and?”

  “He also knew what shift you worked right?”

  “Yeah, and your point?” I asked.

  “Okay, it just doesn’t make sense to me that he would have some bitch up in your crib knowing that you were on your way home from work.”

  I got quiet as I actually began to contemplate what Zee said. I allowed my mind to take a trip down memory lane. I had just gotten home after working a twelve hour shift at the hospital. I was tired and all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed. The first thing I noticed when I pulled up to our house was an unrecognizable car parked in my driveway.

  With my suspicion at an all-time high, I rushed in the house, but it was quiet. I walked into the living room, but it was empty. So immediately my suspicion began to grow. I heard a noise come from the direction of our bedroom. With slow and precautious steps I began my long journey down the hallway. I didn’t want to believe that Brandon would put me through that again. I rubbed my stomach thinking about the life growing e inside of me.

  I pushed the door open and as soon as I did I regretted it. My heart dropped to my stomach. My mind screamed bloody murder. The anger and hurt that consumed me at that moment couldn’t even be described in words. There the love of my life lay in bed with another woman.

  “So, what happened?” Zee asked me interrupting my thoughts.

  “Well, Brandon was still asleep. He didn’t even wake up. The bitch he had lying in my crib was wide awake. She was scared as hell,” I said shaking my head laughing.

  “So what did you do?”

  “Nothing, I just walked away.”

  “Girl, you are better than me. I would have whipped her ass and his too.”

  “I couldn’t Zee. I was pregnant at the time.”

  “I didn’t know you were pregnant.”

  “Yeah, nobody knew.”

  “So Brandon didn’t know either.”

  I shook my head no. “I never got the chance to tell him.”

  “What happened?”

  “I had a miscarriage not too long after that,” I whispered. I could feel the tears coming on again. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

  “I’m sorry for bringing up old memories,” Zee said to me wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

  “It’s all good,” I said wiping away a lone tear that had escaped.

  “You know I have to ask this question though, right?” She said looking at me sideways.

  “What?” I asked really not in the mood for any more painful questions.

  “How did that bitch look?”

  I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t even begin to fake the funk because the bitch was put together. “Zee that bitch was beautiful. She was gorgeous,” I said smacking my lips. “Maybe if she was ugly I would feel a little better because I could talk shit about her ass.”

  “You can still talk shit.”

  “It’s not even worth it,” I said with the shrug of my shoulders. I just wanted to talk to him and understand why. I’m still holding onto the hurt and guilt of how everything went down. I blame him for my miscarriage and the fact that he had that bitch up in our home, in my bed. That was the ultimate betrayal. Those are two things I don’t think I can ever forgive his ass for.

  “If you saw her now what would you do?” Zee asked me once again barging in on my thoughts.

  “Girl, pay her ass no damn mind. I told you she was scared out of her damn mind when I came busting through that bedroom door.”

  “And he didn’t wake up?” Zee asked me again.

  “No, I guess the sex must have been good. He was knocked out. He still had his shoes on and everything.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, the only thing missing was his shirt.”

  “Did he have his pants on too?”

  “Yeah,” I said getting annoyed ready to be done with the conversation.

  “Did you ever try to investigate anything? This whole scenario sounds fishy,” Zee said shaking her head putting her hands on her hips. “Come on Savannah, I don’t think it was that good he fell asleep with his shoes on.”

  “So are you team Brandon now?” I asked catching an attitude. “That nigga had another bitch up in my house and in my bed, point blank. There is no need to investigate anything. All I need to know is why? I just want him to be honest and up front about what he did.”

  “What if he’s being honest?”

  I loved Zee, but right now she was getting on my nerves and in a very bad way. What in the hell am I supposed to investigate? Am I supposed to think some crazy, psychotic person set this whole thing up? That just sounds a little too far-fetched for me and I wasn’t in the mood to entertain the bullshit.

  “So what about the first time he cheated?” she asked.

  “What about it?” I asked shrugging my shoulders.

  “How did you find out about that?”

  I sighed and looked towards the ceiling. Why did she have to go and open this can of worms? “He told me, if you must know.”

  “He told you?” she asked with a shocked look on her face. I nodded my head yes. “Hold up,” she said putting her hand up for a second. “He actually told you he cheated?” she asked again, like she didn’t believe me the first time.

  “Yeah.”

  “Did he say with who?”

  “No, I didn’t ask,” I said getting uncomfortable with the questions. I wasn’t in the mood to play this game.

  “You didn’t ask,” she said with a frown on her face. “That’s a part of your damn problem you don’t ask questions. “How the hell this man told you he cheated, I’m assuming without being prompted.” I nodded my head. “And you didn’t ask questions?”

  “I did ask a few questions but my mother always told me if go looking for something you find it. I probably got that wrong but you know what I mean. Besides he told me he was sorry and that it would never happen again, but that was a damn lie. He said he was drunk and he felt neglected because I was too preoccupied with school. Just a whole bunch of bull shit. Although I was hurt I figured since he had the decency to tell me that he cheated he deserved another chance.” She shook her head.

  “Are you black?” I rolled my eyes. I was done with the twenty questions. Brandon and I had an understanding about the situation. I didn’t want to know who she was. As long as he promised not to do it again I was fine with that.

  “Aight Zee, I’m getting ready to go to bed.”

  “No, you’re not, but I get it,” she said walking towards the front door. “I know you think I’m crazy, but people now days are desperate. You never know what someone will do to hold onto the one they love. Love can be a beautiful thing, but it can also make someone do something ugly.”

  “Okay, talk to you later,” I said not interested in any more of her so called knowledge.

  “Call me,” she said over her shoulder as she opened the door.

  “I will,” I said standing in the doorway to make sure she got inside her truck safely.

  “Can
I say one more thing?’ She asked before getting into her truck.

  “What is it now Zee?”

  “Don’t be like that, Savannah. Anyway, you know me. I don’t condone cheating of any kind, but I have a gut feeling that something is up and what you saw may not be really what you saw.”

  “That doesn’t even make sense,” I butted in.

  “Just let me finish.”

  “Fine.”

  “I’m just saying when I get a hunch about something I’m usually right and something about that little scenario ain’t right.”

  “Okay Zee,” I said a part of me wanting so badly to believe her.

  “Are you going to call him?”

  “Yes, Zee. Now go so I can close my door.”

  “Aight chick. Smooches.”

  “Smooches back at ya,” I laughed closing and locking my door.

  I walked back into the living room and picked up the deck of cards on the floor and put them back in the box. My phone started singing. I recognized the ringtone as Brian’s and decided not to answer. It would only make things harder for me tomorrow.

  I should have never let things go this far between Brian and I. He is a nice guy and I like him, but I was ready to move on with my life without him. Guilt started to wear on my conscious, but I shooed it away. I straightened up a little before settling down and grabbing my phone. I held it in my hands for what seemed like hours before I finally got the courage to dial his number. Nervous butterflies made a home in my stomach as I impatiently waited for him to answer.

  “Hello,” he answered. His breathing was heavy.

  “Is this a bad time?” I asked. “If you like I can always call back.”

  “No, it’s good what’s up.”

  “Nothing much,” I answered. The sound of his voice made my heart melt. I miss him so much. Tears cloud my eyes as I thought about how happy we once were.

  “Are you still there?” He asked. I could hear him moving around. I heard a door close. “Savannah.”

  “Yeah,” I said clearing my throat. “We need to talk Brandon.”

  “About?”

  “Us.”

  The phone went silent. I was literally holding my breath waiting for his response.

  “You want to do this over the phone?”

  “We don’t have too,” I blurted out. I wanted to kick myself because I sounded too needy.

  “When do you want to meet?”

  “How about tomorrow around seven or eight?”

  “Where?”

  “Would it be okay if I stopped by there?”

  “You are always welcomed here Savannah. This is still your home.”

  The phone line went quiet for a brief second.

  “Okay, well, I guess I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Savannah. That’s all I wanted was a chance to sit down and talk to you to see where things went wrong between us. Have a good night. I love you Savannah.”

  Before I could respond he hung up. I held the phone in my hand for a few minutes just staring at it. I didn’t realize I was crying until a tear landed on my screen. I wiped my tears away and decided to call it a night. I took a hot shower and found my way to my bed. It wasn’t that late, but I wasn’t in the mood to do much else.

  As I lay there and searched the darkness I couldn’t help, but to think that maybe I was setting myself up for disaster. Brandon and I needed to talk, but I wasn’t so sure if I was prepared. All he had to do is say the right words and I would more than likely be putty in his hands. It’s sad to say, but it’s been a year and my love for this man hasn’t faded, not one bit.

  Every person has their weakness and mine is Brandon. I miss the shit out of his ass. I miss our late nights, early mornings. I miss our, what if conversations and afternoon debates. I miss our movie nights and morning workouts. I miss his touch, his smell. Got dammit I just miss him. Love shouldn’t be like this. I could feel my strength diminishing so I knew what I needed to do.

  I decided to pray for the strength to stand strong in my decision. Even though I wanted Brandon back, I knew there was no way I could be with him if I didn’t trust him. Besides this was his second offense so it just wouldn’t work. I took in a few breaths as I talked to the Lord Almighty asking him for guidance. Then I closed my eyes and allowed the darkness to rock me to sleep.

  Chapter 26

  Brandon

  “Yes, just like that, papi,” Brandi moaned as I continued to beat her pussy like a drum.

  How we went from playing a game of checkers to fucking, I don’t know, but we did. Now, here I am waist deep in her pussy giving her exactly what she’s been silently asking for. She tried to get away from me, but I grabbed her hips and held her in place.

  “Take this dick,” I grunted as I went deep inside of her warm, wet pussy. “You wanted this dick didn’t you?”

  “Yes, papi,” she moaned as she gripped the sheets.

  “Take this shit then,” I leaned over and whispered in her ear.

  “Wait,” she moaned as she attempted to lay on her stomach.

  “Nah, fuck that. Get up and handle ya business,” I said grabbing her hips again and holding her in place. I smacked her ass.

  I grabbed both her ass cheeks with the palm of my hands and pushed them up a little. For some reason, my mind shifted to Savannah. I closed my eyes and imagined the pussy I was drilling was hers. My mind carried me back to the last time Savannah and I had sex. My dick grew an inch just thinking about it.

  I could still remember the succulent taste of her pussy, the way she moaned my name whenever I hit her spot. I could never forget how her pussy was a perfect fit. I got so lost in my fantasy I almost slipped up and said Savannah’s name as I finally reached a nut.

  “Got dayum,” I mumbled out of breath as I bent over and slowly worked in and out of Brandi’s pussy until I couldn’t stand it. I rolled over on my back in an attempt to catch my breath.

  My eyes were closed when I felt Brandi’s lips cover mine. I could tell from the way she kissed me that she was really feeling a nigga. I feel like shit because I wasn’t ready to give her what she wanted just yet. I kissed her back just not as aggressively.

  We were still in the middle of our kiss when my phone began to sound off. At first, I thought my ears might have been deceiving me, but after a few seconds flew by I knew it was the real deal. I abruptly broke free of Brandi’s lip lock and grabbed my phone off the stand.

  “Hello,” I panted out of breath as I sat up.

  “Is this a bad time?” She asked. “If you want I can always call back.”

  I wasn’t about to miss out on this opportunity. I felt bad for doing this with Brandi being right there especially after what we just did, but any and everything stopped when it came to Savannah.

  “No, it’s good what’s up?” I asked.

  “Nothing much,” she answered.

  The phone went silent. “Are you still there?” I asked as I stood up and walked into my bathroom. My dick rocked from side to side with the condom still hanging on it. I shut the door behind me, but not before I got a glimpse of the look of hurt on Brandi’s face. That’s something I was willing to deal with later. “Savannah.”

  “Yeah,” she said clearing her throat. “We need to talk Brandon.”

  “About?”

  “Us.”

  So many emotions raced through my body as I sat there. That’s all I wanted in the first place was to sit down like adults and go over our differences to figure out where we went wrong. I just wanted to know why she up and left me the way she did.

  “You want to do this over the phone?”

  “We don’t have too,” she blurted out quickly.

  That was like music to my ears. I could feel the smile spread across my face. I had a feeling that God was giving us a second chance. We had gone months without bumping into each other and that’s all we seemed to be doing lately.

  “When do you want to meet?”

  “How about tomorrow around s
even or eight?”

  “Where?”

  “Would it be okay if I stopped by there?”

  “You are always welcomed here Savannah. This is still your home.” There was a brief pause before she responded.

  “Okay, I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Savannah. That’s all I wanted was a chance to sit down and talk to you to see where things went wrong between us. Have a good night. I love you Savannah.”

  I quickly hung up before she could change her mind. I was all smiles until I thought about Brandi. What I did was wrong and if she wanted to give me a piece of her mind she had every right too. We weren’t exclusive, but everyone deserves a certain level of respect and what I just did showed her none.

  I took a deep breath as I prepared myself for whatever Brandi decided to give me. To my surprise when I walked back into the bedroom she wasn’t sitting on the bed. I did a complete walk through of the house and checked outside. Her truck was gone.

  I closed the door and locked up for the night. I couldn’t even bring myself to call her. There wasn’t shit I could say. Yeah, I could apologize, but that wouldn’t do much. I needed to have this talk with Savannah or this cycle between Brandi and I would continue. She was a good girl that deserved a hell of a lot better than I was giving her.

  Chapter 27

  Karen

  My nerves were shot and I needed a drink. I picked up the phone that sat on the desk beside the computer I was sitting in front of and dialed Savannah’s number, but like before she didn’t answer. It wasn’t that late so she couldn’t be asleep. My first thought was to wait until tomorrow and go over her house to share this new found information, but I couldn’t.

  I grabbed the mouse and printed the article I read at least three times. Every time I looked at Macy’s picture I couldn’t help, but to think about Savannah. I knew something about Brian didn’t sit well with me. Savannah thought I was crazy when I told her I remembered seeing Brian all over the news about something. Now I had proof. The story didn’t get a lot of air time, but it was enough for me to remember his ass.