Page 37 of More to Love

“You jinxed me, Daria. If you hadn’t brought that shit up constantly for weeks, I wouldn’t be in this mess. I was perfectly fine before you opened your mouth.”

“That’s what you should’ve done, and we wouldn’t be here,” she shot back.

“Get the fuck out my face bitch.” I was aggravated because I really got myself in a situation that couldn’t be resolved without someone or multiple people getting hurt.

“Calm down Ri. I know you’re upset but it’s nothing we can do about it now other than get prepared. We ain’t got to go to the hospital but we are going to Dr. Wilcox. She’s expecting us at two-thirty.”

“What the hell EJ? You not going to give me time to wrap my mind around this?”

EJ was never the one to sit around and wait on me to do anything. When it came to the kids in our family, she was on it. The aunt that the kids loved and always wanted to be around. I couldn’t fault her for scheduling an appointment so quickly.

“No, now let’s go. I’m hungry and afterward we can head over to get you checked out. It’s your first day off in a while so I want to get as much time with you as I can,” she said grabbing my keys out of my hand and laying them back on my dresser. “I’m treating today.”

I didn’t want to leave the house, but she was trying to keep me in high spirits, so I wasn’t going to disappoint her. I tagged along and kept quiet the majority of the ride over to the restaurant of her choice. My thoughts weren’t trying to settle, and Hendrix was in the center.

He was such an amazing man and the way he cared for Akeera was simple pure, untainted love. He loved that little girl down and I knew when it came to mine that he would do the same. However, the fact still remained that he was already committed to one household and mine wouldn’t receive the same… him.

My feelings for Hendrix were stronger than ever and when we were physical, I felt like he was all mine. I was the only person he was giving himself to and that gave me hope of him possibly becoming mine. That was wishful thinking though because I always overheard him talking to his friend Dex about not breaking his family up. I guess I was in a delusional state all because the dick was phenomenal.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated when one of EJ’s old friends from school noticed us. She waltzed over with a man in tow. If I could remember correctly, she and Portia used to be thick as thieves before Portia moved to the next city over. Coppins wasn’t too far from Max Peeks. It was about the same distance from here to Reedsburg.

“Erykah! What the hell girl!” she shouted in excitement.

“Damn P. How long has it been? I missed your bright self man.” EJ stood and they engaged in a hug that swayed them from left to right.

“I always wondered if I would ever see you again. Ri and Daria I ain’t forget about y’all either. God it’s been ages,” she said offering us a hug as well. “This is my husband Fazio.” He followed up with a side hug of his own.

“How y’all ladies doing? It’s nice to meet you.” He didn’t linger too long in physical gestures, and I took notes. He knew how to handle women without appearing to be too friendly.

“Join us if y’all haven’t already been seated. I’d love to catch up,” EJ offered, and they accepted. “I heard you say husband. For how long because you swore men were the devil.”

“For almost two years. I moved away and went into the military right after. I met Fazio when I was home for a break, and we clicked instantly. We got married maybe six months later and I was back off to finish my tour. I recently just got back to town maybe three months ago. I’m adjusting.”

Daria tapped my thigh, and I knew that meant to pay attention. Daria could be messy at times, but she always had good reason for it. Her shop was gossip central, so she heard more than we did and filled us up with hot steaming tea often.

“Fazio what’s your last name if you don’t mind me asking? I feel like I’ve heard your name around before,” she questioned.

“Nah, I don’t mind. It’s Woods and you might’ve heard my name because I’m getting ready to open Shot O’Clock downtown here. Max Peeks seems to have traffic compared to the smaller towns like Coppins and Reedsburg,” he stated.

“That’s exactly how your name came about. That’s dope and I hope it all works out for you. Portia what you dipping your hands into now that you’re off tour?” Daria was on a roll, and they were going to answer her questions not thinking she had a reason for them.

“I’m starting this shoe line that I’m working on with someone. She’s a real sweetheart and pretty much allows me to take creative control. She’s putting up the funds and going with wherever I take it. The line is called Spades and I’m excited,” she said carrying the biggest smile on her face.

We matched it and showered both her and her husband in congrats. I was proud of any Black owned business. Whether it lasted temporarily or made it big, it was Black excellence and I supported it. I would definitely be copping a pair of shoes and going to his spot to throw back shots like no tomorrow.

“Excuse me while I go to the bathroom, please. Ri, join me,” she said grabbing my hand giving me no choice.

We got to the restroom area, and I was pulled inside. She then began to check the stalls for any bystanders. Once she saw that it was empty, she locked the bathroom door and let her gums flap a mile a minute. I could hardly keep up.

“Bitch! Portia is getting played like a muthafuckin’ set of drums hoe. Remember that night at Vixen when I told y’all Hendrix’s chick was dating somebody from Coppins? Woods is that damn somebody. I knew his name sounded familiar. Girl, yo’ baby daddy’s baby mama is fuckin’ on that girl husband and has been since they’ve gotten married.”

Damn! Fuckin’ on Hendrix didn’t seem so bad now. Aviana had no respect for him or for relationships period. And then on top of that, he had no clue on how often she was with another man. He was just clueless about the woman he laid down with and I didn’t like that.

“Why are you so damn ghetto?” I asked laughing at how she couldn’t contain herself.

“Never mind all that. What do you plan on doing because the way I see it… Hendrix is up for grabs.”

“That man is in a committed relationship, bruh. He is not up for no damn grabs.”