by Tiece
“You’re right,” Brendon said. “I guess in time we’ll see what Candy plans on doing since she’s living life so freely now.”
“Well, hopefully not that freely,” Monty stated. He still wasn’t keen on the fact that Brendon could end up sleeping with her which is why he knew he had to step his game way up.
Brendon grinned at his comment. He knew where Monty was coming from, but he didn’t want to pretend like he didn’t have a thing for Candy, because he did. However, he wouldn’t cross that line either unless he knew for sure that she was sure.
What Monty didn’t know was that Brendon’s heart was just as vulnerable as hers. Sleeping with her wouldn’t be as simple as just fucking some basic female that came along. He could turn that off without ever even turning it on, but with Candy that’d be a whole ‘nother story.
Monty stood up to leave. “Well Cuz, it’s been real, but I gotta go get my boy.” He said.
Brendon stood up to walk him out. “I’m glad that you stopped by.” He told him as they gave each other dap.
“I’m glad too.” Monty responded, but before he made his exit he stopped to face Brendon with a smile on his face. “Aye Cuz,” he said.
Brendon’s raised a pondering eyebrow. “What’s up?” he questioned.
“I love her, man. I really do. I also know how you feel about her too, but I can’t let you have her like that.”
Brendon smiled, and then said. “May the best man win, Cuz.”
Monty smiled with a raise of the eyebrow. “May he,” he responded with a for sure smile, and with that he made his exit.
Chapter 14
A swift month had passed as Candy woke up and rolled over in bed. She stretched her arms out with a slight yawn like she was up but still kind of tired. Maybe it came from staying up till the wee hours of the morning talking to Monty about the new house that he had found. He was moving in it within the next few weeks and was pretty stoked about it.
They talked about when they first kissed and how it was when they made love for the first time. Their conversation had gone from that to how he messed up and he knew it. But, more importantly on how he was going to make it up to her if she gave him another chance. They also talked about the nice dinner they shared at California Dreaming just hours prior and the passionate kiss they had when he dropped her off. It was that kiss that led them back to the first kiss when their phone conversation first started.
“Damn Candy,” she said to herself. “Don’t get caught up.” She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Being with Monty lately had been doing something to her. He was indeed changing into the man that she’d been hoping he would’ve been all along. However, the main reason why she felt that she had him by the balls was because of the close relationship that she still had with Brendon. This within itself kept him on his toes and this Candy absolutely loved.
She looked over on her nightstand at her ringing cell phone. “Damn, what if that’s Brendon and he wants to know how my night went? I don’t wanna have to tell him that I kissed Monty; not right away.” She said looking at the phone as it continued to ring. “Should I answer it? Shit, I’ma have to keep it real with him. Nah, I’m not.” She said finally reaching over for the phone as she looked at the caller ID.
“Mommy!!!” she happily shouted while quickly answering the phone. “Hi Mom,” she said filled with excitement. It was always a joy to talk to her mom Nancy.
“Hey baby girl, how are you doing?” Nancy asked with a smile on her face. “Talking to her daughter was one of the best highlights of her life. She always got an immediate high off of the good feeling Candy’s voice gave her.
“I’m good, mom. How are you?”
“I’m great,” she responded.
“That’s good,” Nancy said. Candy made her proud. She had stepped into an adult position overnight and was handling it quite well for herself.
“So, what’s with this early morning phone call? Not that I ever mind hearing from my mommy when she calls, but I wasn’t expecting it to be you.” She added thinking that it was either Brendon or Monty, but since Monty was probably still asleep then it sure as hell had to be Brendon.
“Well, SURPRISE!! It’s your mommy.” Nancy said as she mocked her causing her daughter to laugh.
Candy was always excited to hear from Nancy. Other than MJ, Nancy was her world. They were super tight and loved each other dearly. Without a doubt, they had each other’s backs no matter what.
“So, what have you been up to?” Catherine pondered like she always did. “What’s the latest on this lil thing you got going on with Monty and Brendon?”
Candy smiled. She loved her situation just fine. “Well, I’m cool with both of them, baby daddy and my new best friend.”
Catherine grinned a little, and then asked, “Your new best friend, huh?”
“Yeah,” she blushed. “I like him. He’s cool people.”
Nancy shook her head. Her baby girl had grown up so fast in such the little time she’d been gone. She loved the fact that she was taking a stand in her life, and not falling prey to getting hurt again. She was definitely smart on that part, but she didn’t want her to take it too far.
“So, what’s going on with your baby daddy?” she questioned while continuing to mock Candy.
“Weeeell,” she said blushing like she did when she was a youngster watching Monty come in the house all sweaty from playing ball with his shirt off. “Baby daddy and I are getting along great.” She answered her.
“How great?” her mom asked.
“We’re in a good space.” Candy admitted. “He’s been really trying to prove to me that he’s changing, but of course I know that he’s a work in progress. He even showed me his paperwork from the doctor last week. He has a clean bill of health.” She happily stated.
“Well, I think that’s good.” She said.
“I see him almost in a different light now, mom. I thought I’d never get that back. I’m starting to see that spark in his eyes like I used to in the beginning of our relationship.” She said with a smile, and then her facial expression quickly changed. “But, don’t get it twisted, mom. I’m not being a fool for love so easily this time. He has got to work for this. No lie.”
“I don’t blame you, baby girl. Don’t let a man run over you or treat you bad and sit back and take it. Show him upfront what the deal is and you won’t have those issues later.” She said thinking that in the beginning of her and Will’s relationship he was definitely the player, but she never left. She just beat bitches asses, and then eventually killed him over it. She should’ve just put her foot down and left him like Candy had done Monty. If she would’ve, it wouldn’t have ever gone to that extent and he’d still be alive.
“I was burned once. He won’t burn me again and I sit back and take it.”
“It’s good to hear that. Are you protecting yourself?” Nancy questioned just to feel her out and see if she’d been sleeping with either of them. To her that wouldn’t have been a good look, but she was hoping her daughter wasn’t going that far.
“I’m not having sex with either of them.” Candy told her. But, I did kiss baby daddy last night. She thought. She definitely wasn’t about to say that not knowing if her mom would be happy about her getting back comfy with Monty in that way or not.
“That makes me happy. Just because you’re good friends or close with a man doesn’t mean that you have to sleep with them. Your temple is your treasure. Cherish that and make a man work hard to get it. He’ll appreciate it more.”
“Thanks mom,” Candy said. She was glad to still have her mother to be able to get advice from. There were never any ill feelings toward her mom for killing her dad. She hated it happened, but she knew why. There had to be a breaking point, and unfortunately Nancy’s took her to the end of her limits. “I always appreciate your guidance.”
“I’m grateful to be around to still be able to give it to you.” She said with a receiving smile. “What are your plans today? It’s a nice Satu
rday to be doing something fun.”
“It is,” Candy said as she gotten out of her bed and was now peeking out of the bedroom window. “I’m actually going to an all white party tonight at Brendon’s club.”
“An all white party?” she questioned. “That sounds extravagant.”
“It is,” Candy responded with a smile. “It’s going to be nice. Brendon is going to have white and red roses all over the place, chocolates at all the VIP sections, bottles of Dom Perignon, and catered food. The décor is going to be amazing. I already know it if it’s going to be anything like the grand opening. He really goes all out. That’s why his spot is booming like that.”
“You gotta spend money to make money and, at least, he knows what it takes to keep the crowd coming back.”
“He does,” Candy agreed. “I wish you could see my outfit. I’ll be wearing a white BCBG Josanna Ponti bodice lace dress. Its mid thigh; hugs my upper body and flares out with white lace at the bottom. It’s too cute.”
“It sounds cute!” Nancy said with excitement. Talking to Candy always put her in good spirits; especially when she sounded happy about something.
“Dee and Auntie just went to the mall so she could find something to wear tonight.”
“Yeah, I just spoke to your Auntie. I had to share the big news with her.”
Candy frowned. “What big news?”
“The news that I’ll be home in a year and a half tops!” Nancy said with pure excitement in her voice.
“WHAAAAAAT?!” Candy shouted. “YOU’RE COMING HOME?”
“YESSSS!! They’re gonna let me come home.”
“WOW,” Candy said taking in a deep breath. This was the best news that she’d heard in a long time. She was very overwhelmed as the happy tears started falling. “What happened to make them decide that you’d come home early?”
“Apparently, my lawyer has been working overtime on my case. And surprisingly, your father’s ex mistress came forward with some kind words on my behalf. Can you believe it?”
Candy was shocked. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Me either,” Nancy said. “But, it won’t be long now baby girl.”
“I know and I can’t wait,” Candy said.
“Me, either.” She said with a pause, and then she said,” Listen baby girl, I gotta go, but I’ll call you on tomorrow to see how the party was.”
“Okay mom, I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Nancy responded, and with that they ended their call.
***
Meanwhile, Dee and her mom shopped inside of Dillard’s looking for something white to wear to the party. Dee browsed through the racks of white dresses. She wanted something short fitted and snug.
“Honey,” Deb said as she checked through the rack of dresses behind her. “You know you don’t have to rush in getting in another relationship. I know that I’ve been stressing that since I’ve been here, but it’s the truth. You’ve been through a lot with men and I think you deserve some time to do you, be you, and focus on getting your life back on the right track.”
“I don’t disagree with that,” Dee said pulling out a white fitted, short dress by Chanel. “This is cute,” she whispered and then checked the tag. “This dress is ninety dollars. I only plan on spending around fifty.”
“If you like the dress, get it. I’ll pay the difference.” Debbie said.
“Well, in that case. Let me keep looking.” She said with light laughter.
“I knew you’d say that.” Debbie said, and then uttered. “My God, whose loud mouth is that?” Debbie questioned with a frown on her face.
Dee glanced back over her shoulder to hear loud cackling and talking. The first person she saw was Karen as she cornered the section of the store and immediately started browsing through the clothes down from them. Dee didn’t think much of it, because she didn’t know Karen. However, Karen had company.
“Does she have hot pink hair?” Debbie questioned. “Oh, wow, that’s a man.”
Dee instantly looked up again, and then she did a double take. It was Payton and instantly her blood boiled. “Ma, that’s the punk that was sleeping with Maurice.”
Debbie looked at Payton through squinted eyes, and then questioned, “Who, him?”
Dee hung the dress back up on the rack. “Yes, that’s him.” she said.
“Wow,” Debbie said with a disappointed shake of the head. “I would’ve never expected to see someone that’s as flamboyant as he is. My God, the colors he has on are just as loud as his mouth. I don’t know how I would’ve handled that one, sweetie.”
Dee shook her head. “I still can’t believe that I did, because I truly wanted to kill both of them.”
Debbie felt bad for her daughter. “It’s amazing how people can make you step outside of your character.” She said as she noticed Dee hanging the dresses back up.
“Let’s go.” Dee said. All she wanted to do was go the other way to avoid any drama, but as they got ready to leave she heard Karen ask, “That’s her right there?” She and Karen locked eyes, and then Karen nonchalantly smiled at her.
“Come on, ma. Let’s go,” Dee said again. This time choosing to walk by them since she knew that they were talking about her.
“Hey,” Payton spoke. “I just wanted to say-”
“NOTHING,” Dee spat. She immediately wanted to shut down any small talk that he’d planned on having with her.
“Dee,” Debbie called out. “Don’t show your ass in these people mall.”
Payton stood there feeling somewhat embarrassed that she had cut him off so bluntly. “I was only trying to say-”
“You ain’t got shit to say to me and I don’t have shit to say to you.” Dee chimed in before he could finish his sentence again. She wasn’t about to be making friends with the nigga that was sucking her ex nigga’s dick. That type of shit just wasn’t going to happen.
“Fuck that bitch,” Karen shot. “I wouldn’t be trying to apologize anyway. She was the one fucking your man.”
Instantly, Dee walked up on Karen as Debbie tugged on the back of her shirt. “Bitch?” she questioned with a serious frown on her face. “I got yo bitch, bitch.” Karen’s neck jerked to the side like she was appalled that Dee would stand up for herself, but before she could come back with a fly remark, Dee continued. With her finger now pointing in Karen’s face she said, “I don’t even know you, hoe. But, if you ever stick your nose in my business again, I’ll beat your muthafuckin’ ass!”
“In your dreams,” Karen responded with a mean mug on her face that said, I wish a nigga would.
“Please, don’t let the cute face fool you.” Dee told her.
“Dee!” Debbie called out. “Let’s go! Ain’t nobody got time to be gettin’ locked up in Georgia.” She uttered. And with that being said, Dee turned as she and Debbie walked off.
Chapter 15
Later that night, Rico stepped out of the shower. He wrapped a white towel around his waist and headed into the bedroom. He looked over on the nightstand noticing a blinking light on his cell phone. He’d missed a call. He picked up the phone and clicked on the missing call. It was from Monica.
“I wonder what the hell she wants at nine 0’clock at night.” He said while clicking on her name and calling her back. The minute she answered he said, “What’s up?”
“Hey, what are you doing?” she questioned.
“Just getting out the shower,” he said.
“Can I come see your sexy ass? I bet you got a towel wrapped around you.” She teased.
Rico grinned. “Is it a time when you don’t be horny?”
Monica sat in silence for about twenty seconds, and then responded, “Nope.”
“I figured that.” Rico said shaking his head. He held the phone to his ear as he opened up his drawer to pull out a pair of boxer shorts. “I’m getting ready to go to the all white party at Raven’s Hot Spot.
“Yeah, I was going too. Your mama just picked up Aiden for the night.”<
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