When She's Broken

by Briann Danae

  "Girl look at these grown ass women lusting over my cousin," Honey scoffed.

  "Do you not see how fine he is? Shit! I'm ready to see what that cheating life is about," Greigh said, walking up on them. They had walked in right when D'Haven was walking away.

  "And be all hurt when Esmin leaves your ass," Honey laughed but stopped when she saw the look on Astryd's face.

  "A, what's wrong?"

  Shaking her head from the life she imagined having with D'Haven, Astryd looked towards her girls. "Nothing. Was just in deep thought."

  "You thinking about cheating too, A? I won't tell your nigga if you don't tell mine," Greigh said playfully and her eyes bucked when she felt someone lightly smack her booty.

  "Thought I was Esmin, huh?" Lee laughed.

  "She sure did. You should've seen the look on her face," Honey laughed.

  "I don't know why she's talking about cheating when she knows what happened the last time she was even texting a guy."

  Greigh rolled her eyes at Lee. "Malone was nice. Real nice. If Es wouldn't have gotten his shit together, I sure was going to fool around with him."

  "I'm good on that. I was just… you know… admiring, I guess," Astryd answered, and they all snickered.

  "Yeah, girl. We know. Let's go get some food. I'm hungrier than a kid who just came home from school," Greigh said.

  "Kids be starving like they ain't ate all day," Honey added as they laughed and walked across the yard to where the long tables were filled with trays of food in warmers.

  Following behind then, Astryd's eyes fell on the girl who had walked over to their table while they were out to eat last week. She couldn't help but notice the way the girl was touching all over D'Haven and smiling in his face.

  "Is that his girlfriend or something?" she found herself asking Honey in a whisper.

  Lifting her head after piling macaroni on her plate, Honey sucked her teeth. "Girl, nah. That's his ex, Baylei. I don't know who invited her, but I'm sure it was Demi's doing. The bitch ain't been coming around, so I don't know why she thinks she's about to be now."

  The disdain in Honey's tone let it be known that Baylei wasn't her favorite person, but she couldn't say the same for D'Haven. While she tried not to stare, it was hard. D'Haven was the man of the hour and he silently, even feet away, commanded her attention. When he looked up from talking to Baylei, his eyes landed on Astryd's who was staring back at him. Shooting her a wink and playful grin made her hastily turn away, breaking their connection.

  D'Haven chuckled before walking away from whatever Baylei was trying to convince him into doing. If there was one thing that stuck with him while in jail, it was to never let another muthafucka convince him of doing something he knew he had no business doing. One time was all it took for D'Haven to learn his lesson, and what Baylei was trying to be on in broad daylight wasn't a go for him.

  "Wait," she called out after him. "I wasn't done talking."

  "I was though. You got a lot to say for someone who I haven't heard from since I went in," he chuckled not hurt at all by her actions. "You enjoy yourself without my presence."

  "Don't act like that," Baylei cooed. "I promise it wasn't intentional, D. Can we start over?" She asked softly, grabbing ahold of his arm.

  Watching her plump lips move as she ran a tongue over them, D'Haven's dick twitched. Baylei was the last girl to have given him head before he was locked up. In fact, she was the last piece of ass as well, but it had been years, and D'Haven wasn't pressed at all for pussy. Not from her at least. He was backed up like crazy and though her trying to top him off right now in the whip or the bathroom of his mama's house couldn't go down, he'd gladly take her up on her offer later in the evening, though.

  "I'll come find you when I'm about to leave," he told her.

  Smiling wide, Baylei nodded her head. "Okay."

  Watching her walk away with a little more pep in her step, D'Haven shook his head before heading to catch up on lost time with his folks. It had been way too long since he had seen them. Many had kept in touch, the ones who really fucked with him, and some… well, they weren't in attendance. Deb wasn't playing when it came to her son's welcome home party and well-being. Walking up on his group of male cousins and closest homeboys, they slapped hands while his righthand man Tech tried handing him a blunt.

  Chuckling, D'Haven waved him off. "I'm good. They got me meeting with my PO first thing in the morning."

  "Damn. They serious ain't they," Tech said, inhaling the potent weed.

  "Yeah, but I ain't worried. I'm just trying to knock this shit out and move on with my life."

  They all nodded in agreement. Plenty of them were or had been on papers. The time it took to adjust back into society after being locked up was tough. D'Haven wasn't trying to jeopardize his freedom in any way. The only thing on his mind right now was kicking it with his family.

  "I see you eyeing your girl," Tech smirked.

  D'Haven's eyes were glued to Astryd and how fine she was even from a distance. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She had surely matured over the years.

  "That ain't mine. Not yet. She still with her baby daddy?"

  "Yeah, last I heard she was. Got two pretty little girls. They don't ever come around for real. I'm surprised she even here without that nigga," Tech offered.

  D'Haven just ran a hand over his head as he watched her walk into the house through the back door. Before his mind could register what was going on, his feet were moving, following behind her. Chuckling, Tech shook his head just as Baylei walked up on them with a frown on her face.

  "I know he going after her," she spat.

  "What that got to do with you?"

  Baylei rolled her eyes. "I don't see what's so special about her. That nigga keeps blowing me off and I'ma let you take his spot."

  Tech laughed out loud. "Say, man. Get yo ass out my face. Ain't no spot. You a hoe."

  Blowing the smoke from his mouth, his eyes roamed her frame freely. He had seen her naked a handful of times, and though she had a nice body, Baylei was ran through. After D'Haven got locked up, she held him down for a little while but was nowhere in sight for the remainder of his sentence. She was somewhere getting fucked by one of his niggas and doing her. Tech wasn't the first one, and probably wouldn't be the last. When he told D'Haven what was up, he didn't even trip. Not for long anyway. He knew what type of broad Baylei was from the jump, but never thought she'd fuck his niggas. That was on her though.

  "I wasn't a hoe when I was sucking your dick the other night," she hissed, as a few of his boys chuckled.

  "Nah. You were one then too. Go sack chase another nigga, ma. I ain't it."

  "Fuck you, Tech! I should tell your baby mama about your dog ass!"

  "What's that gon' solve?" he asked, laughing. "She gon' beat yo ass and be right back home with our child. Get yo ass on fore' I have one of D'Haven's cousins dog your ass for real."

  Sucking her teeth hard, Baylei shoved him in his arm before stomping off to find where D'Haven ventured off to. She couldn't believe the way Tech was acting with her, but she should've known he wasn't about to wife her ass. The first opportunity she saw to hop on his dick with D'Haven not around, she did. The only reason D'Haven didn't care was because he never loved her. Yeah, he had feelings for her, but his time in jail made him realize she was just convenient, and he was young; 23 at the time. It was five years later, and she was not the woman he planned to settle down with ever.

  Stopped by Demi on her way inside the house, Baylei ran down what had just transpired. Inside the house, D'Haven was smiling at Astryd from behind as she swayed to the beat of the music while pouring herself a drink. There were drinks outside in the cooler, but she needed something slightly stronger. Sipping the sweet red wine from the glass, her taste buds danced with excitement.

  "It must be good," D'Haven said, making her jump and grab her chest as the wine traveled down the wrong pipe.

  Violent coughs escaped her mouth as she turned to
face him. When she got her breathing under control, she cleared her throat. "Jesus, D'Haven. Don't walk up on me like that."

  The frightened look in her eyes made the grin on his face drop. "My fault. I didn't mean no harm."

  She took a deep breath. "It's fine."

  When he stepped closer, Astryd swallowed hard. Being this close to him again was torturous. As he towered over her, she did everything in her power not to look him in his eyes. Those gentle eyes that she was sure would suck out every dark secret she was trying to keep contained. So, instead, she focused on his arms. They were big, but not scary big. The few tattoos decorating them told some stories unknown to her, and others she knew well.

  "I make you nervous still?" he asked.

  Astryd's neck grew warm. "N-No. Why would you think that?"

  "You can't even look at me in the face. I hope you don't think I'm mad about what happened."

  "You should be. It was my fau—"

  D'Haven hushed her next words. Him going to jail had nothing to do with her. Not in the way she had made up in her mind. While he was locked up, Winston had visited and let him know that she was so hurt how the entire situation had played out. He wanted to reach out to her, and he did a few times, but Alonzo shut that down quick. Wasn't no nigga behind bars or not going to be calling her phone. Neither of them was given a chance to express their feelings about the situation, and today wouldn't be that day.

  "No, it wasn't. Don't ever say that again," he said, forcing her to look him in the face.

  The slight touch of his index knuckle lifting her head made flutters swarm through Astryd's belly. Staring in his eyes, she blinked slowly and smiled softly. D'Haven saw the forced smile on her face, but it never reached her eyes. That didn't sit right with him, and he didn't know why. He hadn't seen this girl in years, yet he was drawn to her so magnetically, he couldn't pull away if he tried. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Astryd turned her head away, and D'Haven retracted his hand though he didn't want to.

  "So, um… you have any plans now that you're a free man?" she asked.

  Leaning against the island in the kitchen, D'Haven shrugged. "A few. First thing is finding a job." That made Astryd smile.

  "I know a few places that are hiring if you're interested. I mean, I know it's not something you're used to, but it's a start."

  "That's a’ight. This is a brand-new start for me. A clean slate Pebbles," he said casually making Astryd blush so hard.

  "Oh, my goodness," she giggled. "I know you don't remember that silly nickname."

  D'Haven grinned and licked his lips. "Of course, I do. I gave it to you. And, by the looks of it, it's still fitting."

  A flush of heat covered Astryd's body as his eyes fell on what she knew were her hardened nipples. That nickname was very fitting, and his intense stare was making her lady parts thump uncontrollably.

  "Stop," she let out almost breathlessly.

  "Stop what?"

  "Staring at me like you're going to eat me alive."

  "I could if you want me to," he said easily. "I wouldn't mind at all, and you know that. But I don't think your man would approve."

  Astryd didn't like the way he made that last remark. Though Alonzo wasn't shit, she would never let someone else bad mouth him. Though that was far from what D'Haven was doing, the barrier she had temporarily let down in his presence was back up.

  "Actually, he wouldn't. Not that my man is any of your business," she sassed.

  "He's not, and clearly you're not his. What man lets his woman come to another man's welcome home party, knowing she was once in love with him?"

  Astryd's eyes stretched widely. "That was years ago."

  "Time has no limit on what the heart feels. Trust me, I know."

  Stepping close in her space, Astryd held her breath as his face lowered to her cheek. His closeness was about to make her lose her mind and the flood that had gathered between her legs leak. When he spoke in her ear with his minty fresh breath, she could have floated to the pearly gates.

  "You look good as fuck by the way. Thank you for blessing me with your presence and welcoming me home."

  With his words sealed by a kiss to her cheek, D'Haven pulled back and headed for the door he entered through. Breathless, Astryd stood in place rapidly blinking her eyes. What in the world was that? She had to ask herself the question. After years of Alonzo being the only man whose lips touched any part of her body, they felt nothing like D'Haven's. The simple kiss set off fireworks in her core that expanded through her chest.

  Grabbing ahold of it, Astryd couldn't believe how fast her heart was beating. The pace it was pumping couldn't be safe. Picking up her wine, she chugged it down in a few gulps, exhaled, and chuckled.

  "I have to stay away from him."

  The words sounded good coming from her lips, but D'Haven wasn't going to let her. Their brief encounter had him wanting to be in her presence more than she knew. Was it the best decision to be knowing she had a man? Absolutely not. Did he care about her relationship? To an extent, yes, but he cared about Astryd more, and the energy she gave off wasn't sitting right with him. Until he figured out why, D'Haven was going to make it his duty to be wherever she was. Little did he know, Astryd didn't go anywhere but to work and home. Keeping up with her would be a task; one he'd gladly take on.

  Later that evening, his mind was still on her as he stroked the insides of Baylei's walls. She wasn't as tight as he would have preferred, but she was wet as hell, so she'd have to do. The way she sucked his dick had D'Haven wishing he hadn't even slid a rubber on and entered her; the head could have been enough.

  "Aaah, yes. Right there," Baylei moaned loudly.

  Squeezing his eyes shut, D'Haven forced himself to drown out her moans, and imagine Astryd's. The girl was driving him crazy already, and he hadn't been home twenty-four hours yet.

  He imagined the curve of her hips, lips, and ass from early that day. She was fully clothed and still looked better than all the scantily-clad women in attendance. The way her cheekbones lifted when she giggled invaded his mind and then it drifted to her nipples. Her pebbles that he had once wrapped his thick lips around and had the pleasure of tasting.

  Though it had been years, the image of her young body back then had gotten him through more than a few lonely nights in jail. The smell of her hair, the soft moans she released in his ear, the way she clawed at his back plagued his memory and before he knew it, D'Haven was releasing his seeds into the condom with Astryd on his mental.

  Groaning, he nutted for so long, he thought he'd never stop. Breathing hard, he pulled out of Baylei with ease and sat back on the bed. Swiping her hair from her face, Baylei grinned up at his rock-hard abs and flaccid covered dick. It was bigger than she remembered, but she wasn't complaining at all.

  "Damn, that was good," she let out.

  Climbing out the bed, D'Haven didn't give her a response. It was good, but he was ready to head home. It'd been a long day and would be an even longer one tomorrow. After flushing the condom and washing his hands, he walked back into the room. Slipping his jeans and tee on, Baylei stared at him with a bewildered expression masking her pretty face.

  "It's three in the morning, D'Haven. I know you're not leaving."

  "I'm getting dressed for a reason, B," was all he offered.

  She sat completely up in the bed. "Why? You can stay the night. I can get up and cook breakfast for you like old times."

  "That's the thing… this ain't old times. I don't want you thinking because I'm a free man now and tossed you some dick that this is more than what it was. You and I both know we could never go back to that."

  Baylei's eyes watered. That was not what she was trying to hear. "I know I wasn't there for you, and I'm sorry. Why can't we just start over? You don't have to leave."

  "And you should never beg a nigga to stay. Starting over would be pointless and will never happen with us."

  D'Haven wasn't about to explain to her how her hoeish ways were one of the reason
s they could never be again. It was her disloyalty as his woman back then that really had him not wanting to deal with her. Sliding between her legs shouldn't have caused any confusion, but he should've known better. Instead of Baylei taking the dick as a way of him releasing years of built up sexual frustration, she took it as them getting back together. That was never happening.

  "Is this because I fucked Tech? I'm a big girl, you can tell me."

  D'Haven chuckled. "Nah. If you thought giving him the pussy was a good move, that's on you. It's just pussy, B. He gone always be my nigga. I'm leaving because I have business to handle in the morning and it doesn't involve being laid up over here. Come lock up," he said smoothly, snatching his keys from her dresser.

  D'Haven had never talked to Baylei so disrespectfully, and her heart broke the second those cold words left his mouth. "How could you say that to me? L-Like I don't mean shit to you!" she yelled at his back.

  "You don't."

  His answer was so dry, Baylei gasped. Picking up the closest object to her, the remote, she launched it at his head, but it hit his back instead. "Fuck you!"

  D'Haven turned and faced her with the coldest look in his eyes. He didn't play that hitting shit. "Don't ever in your life throw something at me. If I knock your ass upside your fucking head, you'd be ready to call the cops. Let me get the fuck up outta here ‘fore I be back in jail," he grumbled making his way out of her bedroom and the front door.

  He didn't care if she locked it or not anymore. Hopping in his ride, D'Haven ran his hands down his head. Thinking with the wrong head this time around had him irritated. She knew better than to ever think they'd be in a relationship again. The notion was absurd, honestly. D'Haven would much rather settle down once he got his shit together. The person he'd settle down with would be a good wholesome woman. One who had her head on straight and could encourage him on the days he didn't feel encouraged at all.

  Thinking back to Astryd offering to give him a few jobs that were hiring, D'Haven smiled. She was eager to help him get back on his feet, and he loved that. Grabbing his phone out the cup holder, he didn't care about it being three in the morning as he scrolled to his cousin's name in his new phone. There weren't many contacts, so Honey's name was quick to get to. The text he sent was simple yet had him feeling nervous as hell. Asking for Astryd's number was risky knowing Honey would probably never give it up, but it was worth a shot. A shot he was willing to take and miss if he had to.