by Tiece
“Well, yeah kinda.” She said looking at Brendon with a smile on her face as he massaged her feet. “But, it’s not what it may have sounded like.”
Mona shook her head with a smile. At least somebody was happy. “Is it Monty or Brendon OR somebody new?” She asked since she and Candy hadn’t seen each other since the day Monty and Brendon fought. They’d spoken over the phone, but that was about it and they both knew that in little to no time things could just happen unexpectedly.
“The second one,” Candy said still smiling at Brendon while he continued to massage her feet.
“Well, enjoy your company. I don’t wanna be a Debbie downer.”
“Noooo, you’re fine.” Candy said.
“Tell my cousin that I said, hey.” Mona said. “I promise I’ll call back later tonight.”
“You sure?” Candy questioned.
“I promise.” Mona said.
“Okay, well call me right away if you need me.” Candy said, and with that they ended their call.
“Is my cousin alright?” Brendon asked as soon as Candy sat her phone down. “I don’t wanna have to whoop on nobody’s ass.” He teased.
Candy laughed out loud. “You don’t have to whoop on nobody’s ass.” She grinned. “Thanks for coming over and surprising me with dinner from Cracker Barrel.”
“Well, you’ve been hinting around at getting some for the past week.”
Candy laughed. “I wasn’t hinting around.”
“Oh you weren’t?” Brendon asked as he laughed out loud. “It sholl would be nice to get something to eat from Crackle Barrel.” He teased giving her the side eye. “So, that wasn’t you, huh?”
Candy continued laughing like she couldn’t stop. “I didn’t quite say it like that.”
Brendon shook his head from side to side. “Yeah, right,” he said picking her up and playfully slamming her on the sofa as a way of ending up on top of her. They stared in each other face for a moment, and then he kissed her. Neither knew how their relationship would turn out, but they were definitely enjoying the moment.
“Do you think I’m wrong for this?” Candy asked, and then continued, “For seeing you like this?”
Brendon stared down at her cute face, and then he frowned. “Oh, are you asking me that question?”
Candy giggled with a light roll of the eyes. “Yes, I’m asking you that question. I’m trying to be serious.” she softly said.
Brendon attempted to straighten his face so that it showed no signs of joking around. “So, you are serious?”
“Yes I am,” Candy responded batting her pretty eyes and looking to him for answers on how to make her life easier.
“Well, I gotta be honest here. If you were my baby mama and the tables were turned and I was Monty, then this would be wrong. I can’t lie and say that I’d be cool with my baby mama being with my cousin.”
“So, it is wrong.”
Brendon titled his head to the side as an indication of not wanting to say the wrong thing, but also wanting to keep it one hundred. “I didn’t say that it was wrong, baby. That’s only in one man’s eye. But, do I feel bad about it? Hell yeah. I still haven’t spoken to my cousin since we fought. That shit bothers me, but can I just shut off my feelings like that for you?” He shook his head from one side to the other, and then said, “Hell no.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Candy chimed in. She hated the fact that Monty and Brendon weren’t talking, but especially because she was in the middle. How could she turn off her feelings for someone that meant so much to her? How could she make Monty see that it was because of him that things turned out this way? She was torn while her feelings straddled the fence. She still didn’t know what she wanted to do about her relationship with Brendon. Things had definitely started heating up. Their make-out sessions had started getting kinkier and kinkier, causing their bond to grow stronger. It was only a matter of time before she’d give in.
“So what are you thinking?” Brendon questioned noticing that she’d drifted off into her own zone.
“I’m thinking that maybe we should slow it back down.” She blurted out.
Brendon took in a deep breath, and then let it out. He looked Candy in the eyes. The confusion was still there. He didn’t like her feeling that way, but he had to allow her to make her own decisions whether that was to be with him or not.
“Look,” he started. “You already know how I feel about you. There is an obvious attraction that has us both caught up, but I’ll throw myself into work, because I need to and you need to focus on figuring out what or who it is that you really want. You know it’s only gonna be so long that we can play this merry go round, cat and mouse game.”
“I know,” Candy softly agreed. “I’m sorry to keep putting you in this position.”
“No need to be sorry,” he said sitting up and straightening up his clothes. “I need to be more careful of the things I do as well. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you can’t rush a healing heart.” Candy didn’t say a word, but stood to her feet once Brendon had gotten up. “I don’t want you to think I’m mad, because I’m not. However, I think it is time that I leave.”
“Wait a minute,” Candy said in hopes of stopping him so they could talk this out a little more.
“You can’t keep playing with my feelings just because you’re unsure of yours.” He said leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips, and then he made a quiet exit without saying another word.
Chapter 8
The next morning, Dee made her way down the hall to the front door after hearing the doorbell ringing. As she passed Candy’s room she tapped on her bedroom door. “Cuzn’, I believe that Mrs. Cat is here to bring MJ home. Wake up,” she said. She smiled, because she was on her way to the airport to pick up someone that was going to put a smile on all of their faces. She’d been in the dumps since things had gone sour with Maurice and she needed somebody that was going to lift her spirits.
As she passed the wall mirror, she stopped to take a look at herself. She was definitely looking cute and feeling so much better than she’d felt in the past few weeks. She started back for the door, and then reached for the doorknob. The minute the door opened, a wide smile spread across her face.
“Heyyyy pretty boy,” she said reaching for MJ. “Heyyyyy Dimples, I’ve missed you.” MJ laughed at just the sight of Dee. She spent a lot of time with him and he definitely shared a special bond with her.
“What’s up, Dee?” Monty spoke.
“Hey Monty, how are you doing?” She questioned.
“I’m good,” he responded. “I haven’t really spoken to you since all that crazy shit happened with you and Maurice. Of course you know that I’ve had my own issues going on, but I still want to apologize about that situation. We had no clue that he was that way.”
“I know you didn’t,” Dee said. “It’s not your fault. He should’ve been upfront about his personal preferences and I would’ve been cool with that. I just don’t like when a nigga tries to play me and he definitely tried to play me.”
“I can’t blame you for being pissed, but I’m glad that you held your composure enough to not go to jail over this foolishness.” He said thinking about the situation with Brendon and how they tore the hotel room up fighting, and then was taken to jail. “It ain’t worth it,” he added. “Please believe that.”
“I can believe it.” Dee said because if she would’ve gone after Maurice he’d be six feet under and she’d be going to prison for life. “I appreciate your kind words though. I’m taking it day by day to put it behind me. I mean, I did care for him, but I wasn’t in love with him. We were really feeling each other out. However, he was also feeling out another nigga.”
“Tell me about it.” Monty chimed in, and then asked, “Where are you headed this morning fully dressed and in such an energetic mood.
“I’m going to the airport,” Dee said.
“Oh, so your boy has made it here from Texas?” he questioned.
&nbs
p; Dee frowned a little. “Who, my ex Chance?”
Monty nodded his head. “Yeah, your ex-boyfriend.”
“Nah, I’m not going to get him. I’m still debating if I want him to come here. At first I did, because a part of me wanted to teach Maurice a lesson. Hm, I guess like you said, it ain’t worth it. Plus, I don’t know if I wanna travel back down that road with him. Sometimes you have to leave second chances where they’re at. Everybody doesn’t deserve a second chance, let alone a third or fourth.” She didn’t realize that the same words she was using seemed to also fit Monty and Candy’s situation. Monty, all of a sudden, looked sad. Dee cleared her throat while grabbing her Coach bag. “I’m sorry, Monty. I didn’t mean what I just said.”
“No, you have nothing to be sorry about. I’ve definitely done some things that I shouldn’t be forgiven for. If my chances are up with Candy then I’ll have to man up and swallow that pill. It’ll hurt, but I’m a big boy. I can handle it.” He said trying to play it off.
Dee nodded her head indicating that she was paying attention as she kissed MJ on the cheek. “Hey big boy,” she softly whispered in his ear. She looked over at Monty, and then said, “You and Candy will be alright.”
Monty simply smiled at her as she headed toward the hallway. “Candy,” she called out. “MJ is here and I’m leaving,” she added looking down at the time on her watch.
“I’m coming,” Candy called back out.
She then glanced back over at Monty. “I gotta go,” she told him while sitting MJ down in his swing. “Don’t tell her where I’m going. It’s a surprise.”
“Okaaaaay,” Monty said, but he was actually hoping to leave before Candy walked in. He hated even being at her house. The last time he’d laid his eyes on her was when she showed up to his office wanting to talk. That didn’t end like he was hoping it would’ve. And since then the only way he could deal with her and the decisions that she was making was to stay clear of her presence. She had definitely hurt him by seeing his cousin, but at that point there was nothing he could say or do about it.
“I’m gone,” she said giving Monty a light hug. “It was good to see you.”
“Likewise,” he responded with a smile as she quickly made her exit. Monty then glanced over at MJ. “Hey son, I’m gonna get on outta here. I’ll text your mama later.” He said like MJ could understand what he was saying. The minute he headed for the front door to hurriedly leave, Candy stepped around the corner in nothing but a pair of blue and white boy shorts and a white tank top with part of her lower abdomen showing.
“Monty,” she called out not realizing that he’d be standing in her living room. “Uh, hey,” she stuttered. Dee could’ve said something, she quickly thought. “I’ll uh, go put on some clothes. I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re fine.” Monty said thinking that he literally meant fine as in she was super fine and sexy to him. He stood there almost speechless and wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around her. “I was just leaving.”
“No, you don’t have to leave.”
“Huh?” Monty questioned as if he was wondering why he should stay.
Candy stared at him. He was definitely fine as hell standing there with a tan pair of Sean John pants and a yellow striped Sean John polo shirt with a hint of baby blue and white in it. He was very handsome as always.
“Are you in a hurry?” she questioned.
“Well, uh.” Monty said glancing down at his watch.
“This won’t take long.” She said hoping that he’d relax a little more and chill for a second. She could sense that he was a bit uncomfortable. “I’ll put on clothes if need be.”
Monty grinned almost to himself. “I’ve already seen all of that. I said that you’re good.”
“Hm,” Candy smiled a little. “You’ve not seen all of this in a while, so don’t kid yourself.”
For some reason that made Monty smile. He had not joked around with Candy in quite some time. Having this time apart was probably much needed.
“So, what’s up?” He questioned making his way back into the entertainment room where she stood by MJ.
“Hey mama’s fat boy.”
“My boy is getting too big for that swing now.” Monty said with a shake of the head. “He’s already taking steps to walking.”
Candy laughed looking down at MJ. He was definitely starting to look snug inside of his swing. “Come on fat boy. Dee got mama’s baby looking like he’s stuffed in this thing.” she said with a light chuckle as she wiggled him out of the swing. The minute he was in her arms. He laughed out loud and started pulling for her hair while talking baby gibberish.
Monty grinned. It felt good to remember how it was when it was just him, Candy, and MJ living there. They were his family; a family that he was supposed to protect. Yet, he was elsewhere protecting somebody else.
Candy sat MJ down on the floor. He immediately scooted across the Burberry carpet heading for the coffee table so he could pull himself. “See that’s why we stuff his fat butt inside the swing.”
Monty laughed out loud. “He is a wild one.”
Candy nodded her head agreeing. “He takes it honest.” She slid in with a smirk.
“Maybe,” Monty commented. Candy looked over at him as they stared at each other.
“Well, MJ has a birthday coming up. I just wanted to know what you’d like to do for him.” She pondered while scurrying over to grab MJ before he knocked the lamp over. Monty was caught up gazing at her jelly shaking butt.
Damn, he thought rubbing his dick print down in his pants. Candy was definitely looking good and since he hadn’t given up any dick in a few weeks he wanted to pounce on her ass.
“So, what you thinking?” she questioned while glancing back at him. “MJ, Noooo,” she spat pretending like she was going to hit the back of his hand as he grabbed at the lamp again. “Monty,” she called out to get his attention again. At times it seemed like she had two babies instead of one. MJ certainly had a lot of his father’s ways. Both of their attention spans were incredibly short and they never listened to anything that she said.
“Well, um.” He said looking from her, and then to MJ. “We need to get his hair cut. He looks like a lil girl sometimes in them overalls you dress him in and that thick curly hair doesn’t help.”
“Candy laughed out loud. “Quit lying. My baby does not look like a girl.”
“I’m serious. I don’t like my boy looking like a girl. We’re gonna have to get his hair cut.”
Candy ran her fingers through MJ’s thick, curly hair. “Aww, do we have to?” she pouted.
Monty grinned. “Yep,” he responded. “If it makes you feel better I can take him.”
“I wanna be there for that too, though.”
“Come with us. I don’t bite.” He teased.
“You better not.” Candy chuckled, and then grabbed MJ and put him inside of the playpen that was in the adjoining room next to them, the den. She then returned and sat down beside Monty.
“You might wanna go put some clothes on.” He told her.
“You still can’t sit around pussy without feeling like you gotta have some?” Candy teased, but was very serious.
“A’ight,” he grinned. “Don’t say nothing if my hands start rubbing on your thigh. You’ve always said that my hands and my dick have a mind of their own.” He joked back taking a couple of shots at himself.
Candy laughed out loud. “We wouldn’t want your new girlfriend to get jealous.”
Monty frowned. “What new girlfriend? I’m single.”
“Oooooh, so you’re single now?” Candy questioned.
“I’ve been single.” Monty quickly shot back.
“Since when?” she questioned. “Must’ve been a few weeks ago when you put that po’ child out in the rain.”
Monty softly chuckled with a shake of the head. “I didn’t put anybody out in the rain.”
“I couldn’t tell,” Candy responded. “So what happened? Wasn’t that your new wom
an?”
“I thought I sat down to discuss what we were doing for MJ’s birthday party.” He smugly responded.
Candy smiled. “We are discussing his birthday party along with other things.”
Monty didn’t know what Candy was gunning for, but whatever it was he wasn’t falling prey to it. “What’s up with you wanting to talk now? I haven’t heard from you since that day you showed up to the office.”
“Come on, baby daddy. Let’s keep it real. The only reason why we haven’t spoken to each other is because you don’t know how to act. I thought I’d give you some space to get your mind right. However, it seemed like you were giving me space, too. We are better than that. We should be able to talk without all this tension.” She said noticing that Monty wasn’t feeling it. “Quit looking like that. I accepted the fact that you moved on.”