Bryon
"Hey, bro, what's up?"
My brother, Jason, looked up then went back to working. "I'm cool, bro. Where you been? Oh, let me guess: trying to scoop up women at that coffeehouse again?"
I put down my knapsack and walked to the refrigerator to grab a water. "As you know, I go there for my caramel macchiato. You should go there since you can get coffee for free."
"You know I'm not a coffee drinker. Anyway, I need you focus for this new client that we're trying to rope in."
"Who's that?"
Jason rolled his eyes and sighed. "Damn, you have a bad memory. Siegel Corporation."
"Oh, yeah," I replied and sat at my desk.
Jason put down the paper he was holding and glanced at me. "What is it? Don't tell me you actually met someone there?"
I looked at him with a smile. "Maybe, but you know me, it probably won't last."
"That's your problem. You need to find someone to settle down with. I have."
I nodded. Between the two of us, he was the more responsible one. I guess that made sense since he's the oldest by two years. When I graduated from college, all I wanted to do was party; but Jason had his entire life mapped out, including opening this business. When he first presented his plan to me, I didn't want to be a part of it, but once he put his plan into motion, I was all for it. He saw his vision come to life, and that vision also helped put money into my wallet. When it came to women, I was the "love 'em and leave 'em type," and Jason was a forever type of man. He only wanted to be with one woman and finally got that by marrying his college sweetheart. The two had been happily married for three years, and they are having a baby on the way soon.
"And who will she be? I haven't found anyone worth my time. Except this one fine ass woman I met there. Get this, she's a writer."
"Writer, huh? That's different from the women, and I used that term loosely, that you bring around. You know Mom had a fit about that last one you brought to the house."
"Essence was a great girl. No, she shouldn't have worn that low-cut ass dress, but I didn't dress her."
"But you could have warned her. I still die laughing when I think about how Mom kicked her out of the house," he continued and started chuckling.
I smirked and drunk some more water. "It doesn't matter anyway. I won't be seeing her again, just like I probably won't see Asia."
"You never know. She might be there the next time you go."
I put down my water bottle and looked at Jason. "Does Maxine know about your other job?"
He looked at me. "Do you tell any of your women about your other job?"
"Hell no. They don't need to know."
"So why do you think I would tell Maxine?"
"Because she's your wife. Damn, it's not like you to lie."
"I don't want to put her life in danger, so I'm keeping her out of it. The less she knows, the better."
I nodded. "I understand that."
"Will you tell whoever you're with about that?"
I thought about it, wondering if I would, but I would probably keep it to myself like Jason.
"I think you're right, bro. The less the woman knows, the better."
Asia
Once I picked up Dwight from the store, we grabbed something to eat from McDonald's before heading back to the house. Since we were alone, I knew what he wanted, but I wasn't in the mood. With married couples, sex was a very important part of the relationship, but lately, I just didn't want to with him. I didn't know if it was because of our financial issues, but sometimes, just the thought of him touching me made me feel kind of ill. I knew I shouldn't feel that way, but it was the truth, and I couldn't deny it.
After eating, we were sitting on the bed, watching TV when he started rubbing my thigh. His hand moved up to my breast, slightly caressing it. I slightly shrugged from him, which upset him a little.
"What is your problem? Why you don't want me to touch you?"
I kept looking at TV and sat up straight. "I'm just not in the mood, that's all."
"You're never in the damn mood."
I glanced at him and sighed. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"And I don't? Asia, no matter what is going on in our lives, we shouldn't let that get in the way of our time together. Every moment is precious, especially now."
He gently kissed my earlobe, which caused a little spark, but it wasn't enough. I just didn't want to be intimate with him.
"Maybe later; right now, I'm getting a little hungry. Are you?" I asked, getting up.
Dwight lay back on the bed. "We just ate."
"Well, I'm hungry again," I said walking toward the kitchen. I had to find something to take my mind off of things, and eating was the only thing I could think of. Actually, food had been a great distraction for me lately, which made me gain a few pounds. I knew I shouldn't let food be a solution to the problems I'd been having, but it had help me cope with them.
I looked into the refrigerator and sighed. An idea popped into my head, and I rushed back into the room and grabbed my purse.
"Where are you going?" Dwight asked.
"I just had a craving for cheese fries. You want anything?"
"No. Just go."
I exhaled loudly and went to the door. Maybe being by myself for a little bit would help me take my mind off of things.
***
After a few of minutes driving, I ended up at the park I'd been at earlier. I took a seat on the bench I sat on before and looked around at the beautiful day. I was going through my purse when I heard a familiar voice.
"So, we meet again."
I looked up and saw Bryon looking at me. He was out of his business suit, wearing a gray T-shirt and black sweats. He was showing off his athletic body, and that gave me a little spark in a place where there shouldn't have been.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Going for my daily run. I shouldn't be doing it right now because it's hot as hell outside, but I couldn't find any other time today."
"Oh, well don't let me keep you from exercising," I told him then continued looking through my purse.
Before I knew it, he was sitting beside me. I could feel him staring at me, so I looked up.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I just thought you might need some company."
I looked ahead, and he put his arm on the back of the bench and gazed at me. I started getting nervous.
"Have you gotten any more writing done since this morning?"
"Unfortunately, no; I had some errands to run."
"Shouldn't you be writing then instead of sitting here?"
"I would, but I'd rather clear my mind for a second."
"Anything bothering you?"
I looked up and saw the concerned look on his face. The situation was a little weird, considering we'd only met this morning.
"I just have a lot on my mind, but I'll be fine."
He nodded. "If you do ever want to talk, I'm a great listener."
"Oh really? And if I decide to, how will I be able to reach you?"
"There's always the coffeehouse. And I do come to this park regularly, but we can also exchange numbers so you can talk to me any time."
I smiled. I knew I shouldn't feel giddy like this, but I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since I'd met him earlier. It would be good to have someone to talk to since my friends were hardly ever around, especially since most of them were married and had kids, something I should have been thinking about at the moment.
"I don't know..."
"Is there a reason why you can't? There's no harm in us exchanging numbers, right?"
His eyes were luring me in. I pulled out my phone from my purse. He took his from his pocket, and we
swapped phones. Once I put my number in, we exchanged them again, and he quickly snapped a
picture, surprising me.
"I had to take a picture of you," he explained with a chuckle. "What are you doing later? I have a free
<
br /> night, and I would love to take you out and get to know you a little better."
He gave a sweet smile that made me a little weak. I wanted to agree to a night out with him because I
hadn't had one in a while, but I knew I shouldn't.
"I wish I could, but I can't."
"That's cool. Maybe we can try another night."
I nodded. "Maybe. I should go. I think I have a little inspiration to write now."
"Is it me? Am I your inspiration?"
I smiled. Although he was joking, he was kind of right. I wouldn't admit it though.
"I won't hold you up from writing. Enjoy your time creating new stories." Asia
Once I picked up Dwight from the store, we grabbed something to eat from McDonald's before heading back to the house. Since we were alone, I knew what he wanted, but I wasn't in the mood. With married couples, sex was a very important part of the relationship, but lately, I just didn't want to with him. I didn't know if it was because of our financial issues, but sometimes, just the thought of him touching me made me feel kind of ill. I knew I shouldn't feel that way, but it was the truth, and I couldn't deny it.
After eating, we were sitting on the bed, watching TV when he started rubbing my thigh. His hand moved up to my breast, slightly caressing it. I slightly shrugged from him, which upset him a little.
"What is your problem? Why you don't want me to touch you?"
I kept looking at TV and sat up straight. "I'm just not in the mood, that's all."
"You're never in the damn mood."
I glanced at him and sighed. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"And I don't? Asia, no matter what is going on in our lives, we shouldn't let that get in the way of our time together. Every moment is precious, especially now."
He gently kissed my earlobe, which caused a little spark, but it wasn't enough. I just didn't want to be intimate with him.
"Maybe later; right now, I'm getting a little hungry. Are you?" I asked, getting up.
Dwight lay back on the bed. "We just ate."
"Well, I'm hungry again," I said walking toward the kitchen. I had to find something to take my mind off of things, and eating was the only thing I could think of. Actually, food had been a great distraction for me lately, which made me gain a few pounds. I knew I shouldn't let food be a solution to the problems I'd been having, but it had help me cope with them.
I looked into the refrigerator and sighed. An idea popped into my head, and I rushed back into the room and grabbed my purse.
"Where are you going?" Dwight asked.
"I just had a craving for cheese fries. You want anything?"
"No. Just go."
I exhaled loudly and went to the door. Maybe being by myself for a little bit would help me take my mind off of things.
***
After a few of minutes driving, I ended up at the park I'd been at earlier. I took a seat on the bench I sat on before and looked around at the beautiful day. I was going through my purse when I heard a familiar voice.
"So, we meet again."
I looked up and saw Bryon looking at me. He was out of his business suit, wearing a gray T-shirt and black sweats. He was showing off his athletic body, and that gave me a little spark in a place where there shouldn't have been.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Going for my daily run. I shouldn't be doing it right now because it's hot as hell outside, but I couldn't find any other time today."
"Oh, well don't let me keep you from exercising," I told him then continued looking through my purse.
Before I knew it, he was sitting beside me. I could feel him staring at me, so I looked up.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I just thought you might need some company."
I looked ahead, and he put his arm on the back of the bench and gazed at me. I started getting nervous.
"Have you gotten any more writing done since this morning?"
"Unfortunately, no; I had some errands to run."
"Shouldn't you be writing then instead of sitting here?"
"I would, but I'd rather clear my mind for a second."
"Anything bothering you?"
I looked up and saw the concerned look on his face. The situation was a little weird, considering we'd only met this morning.
"I just have a lot on my mind, but I'll be fine."
He nodded. "If you do ever want to talk, I'm a great listener."
"Oh really? And if I decide to, how will I be able to reach you?"
"There's always the coffeehouse. And I do come to this park regularly, but we can also exchange numbers so you can talk to me any time."
I smiled. I knew I shouldn't feel giddy like this, but I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since I'd met him earlier. It would be good to have someone to talk to since my friends were hardly ever around, especially since most of them were married and had kids, something I should have been thinking about at the moment.
"I don't know..."
"Is there a reason why you can't? There's no harm in us exchanging numbers, right?"
His eyes were luring me in. I pulled out my phone from my purse. He took his from his pocket, and we
swapped phones. Once I put my number in, we exchanged them again, and he quickly snapped a
picture, surprising me.
"I had to take a picture of you," he explained with a chuckle. "What are you doing later? I have a free
night, and I would love to take you out and get to know you a little better."
He gave a sweet smile that made me a little weak. I wanted to agree to a night out with him because I
hadn't had one in a while, but I knew I shouldn't.
"I wish I could, but I can't."
"That's cool. Maybe we can try another night."
I nodded. "Maybe. I should go. I think I have a little inspiration to write now."
"Is it me? Am I your inspiration?"
I smiled. Although he was joking, he was kind of right. I wouldn't admit it though.
"I won't hold you up from writing. Enjoy your time creating new stories."
I stood up, not. really wanting to leave. I wanted to continue talking to him and getting to know more
about him. I was sure I'd get some interesting stories from him.
"Until next time," he said.
I smiled. "Next time."
I headed to my car, and when I turned around, I saw that he was still staring at me. I turned around with
a grin. I was probably in way over my head, but I hoped I'd see him again really soon.
I stood up, not. really wanting to leave. I wanted to continue talking to him and getting to know more
about him. I was sure I'd get some interesting stories from him.
"Until next time," he said.
I smiled. "Next time."
I headed to my car, and when I turned around, I saw that he was still staring at me. I turned around with
a grin. I was probably in way over my head, but I hoped I'd see him again really soon.
Bryon
After Asia left, I did another lap before calling it a day. I headed back to my condo and immediately jumped in the shower. I didn't expect to run into her earlier, but I was glad that I did. She looked exceptionally beautiful against the sunlight. I didn't know where that thought came from since sentimental shit wasn't my style, but she really looked beautiful.
I stood in the shower stall, letting the warm water flow over my body, wishing I could have spent more time with her. I didn't know what this girl was doing to me when I'd only met her today, but I needed to know more about her. She was different from the type of women I usually went for, but there was something about her that grabbed my attention. Not only that, she's fine as hell. That sundress she wore showcased her beautiful curves, which had my dick growing hard. It was too soon to be thinking about being with her sexually, but she had that appeal that made me want her.
After being in t
he shower another five minutes, I got out and wrapped myself with a towel. When I walked into the bedroom, my phone beeped. I saw it was a text from Courtney, a former fling. She was beautiful, had a great job as a defense attorney, and had a great personality, but she didn't do anything for me. I guess I wanted a woman with a little more edge, and Courtney was a more "by the book" type of woman.
She asked if I wanted to hang out with her; I was going to agree, but couldn't. I just wanted to spend some time alone and reflect on everything that had happened today.
I walked into the kitchen to fix myself some dinner then went back into my room to get my phone. There was only one person I wanted to talk to, so I found Asia's number and sent her a text, asking her if I was disturbing her from writing. When we talked about her being a writer earlier, I could tell how much she loved it by the way her eyes lit up. I would never knock anyone's dreams, so if we did become friends, I would try to encourage her as much as I could. I had that type of support from my family, so if I could pass that on to someone else, then I would gladly do so.
My phone beeped, and I saw it was a text from Asia. She said I wasn't bothering her and that she was glad that I texted her. We continued texting each other for an hour, asking each other questions like what our favorite colors were; what foods we liked, and what we loved to do during our free time. Her saying that she liked to bowl completely surprised me since I didn't see her as a bowler. Maybe one day, the two of us could have a bowling night. I was going to call her, but she told me not to since she was about to start back writing. I asked if she would like to meet up at the coffeehouse in the morning, and she agreed.
I realized how engrossed in our conversation I was when I looked down and saw that I completely forgot to put some clothes on. I was reaching for a pair of shorts and a T-shirt when the doorbell rang. I quickly threw everything on and rushed to the door. I looked through the peephole and rolled my eyes before opening the door.
"Damn bro, what were you doing? Jacking off?" Jason teased, barging into the condo.
"I didn't invite you in."
"Is this an invitation?" he asked, holding out a brown paper bag and a case of beer.
Reclaiming What Is Mine Page 3