f*ck with ya boy (Friends and Lovers #3)

One

Emory

I t started with a night out in Vegas at Drai’s. Actually, it all started with a small group trip where I was the only single person. My sister decided her second marriage didn’t need all the pomp and circumstance of a formal wedding and instead decided to tie the knot in Vegas.

“Over here, big head,” I heard a familiar voice call out, making me shake my head.

I turned to my left to see my sister Ebonée half hanging out of a cabana, waving an arm so I could see her. Like she could be missed in the neon yellow bathing suit she’d chosen for the occasion, looking like a Hershey’s wrapped highlighter. I headed in that direction, hoping like hell they had private service over here because the main bar situation looked crazy as hell with tons of folks crowded around it.

“I see you finally made it, my guy,” Floyd said as I approached the cabana, holding his hand out for a shake we’d done since we were kids and still hadn’t let go of.

“Man, I thought my ass was about to miss this. I was pissed as hell yesterday,” I grumbled, the flashback of my near-ruined vacation quickly souring my mood.

“Uh uhn, change that look on your face, baby bro,” Eb chimed in, coming my way with a drink that looked to be more juice than spirit. “Nobody is allowed to frown during my wedding weekend.”

I looked at Floyd like, “you see this shit”, but he was too busy pulling Ebonée into his arms to whisper something into her ear. As soon as she giggled and murmured for him to stop I knew that was my cue to move on. I headed past them toward the cabana situation to see it was actually larger inside than I imagined and there was a mini bar setup with bottles of cognac, tequila, and champagne as well as mixers for us to serve ourselves. I wasted no time pouring myself a nice serving of tequila and splashing it with the grapefruit soda from the table then topping my concoction with a couple of limes. A sip later had me complimenting myself out loud.

“Not bad for a poor man’s Paloma,” I said, turning back to see Flo’s lil sister and her guy entering the space.

“Emmyyyyyy,” Janiah squealed, immediately heading in my direction for a hug.

“When’d they let your ass get away from the kid’s table?” I joked, embracing her briefly then dapping up Eriq.

“Hush, I’m good and grown,” Janiah fussed before turning to Eriq and asking him to make her a drink.

I left them to it and headed back out front, settling onto one of the loungers parked just beyond the cabana’s entrance, taking in the scene around me. I hadn’t been to Vegas in a grip, but the pool scene was just how I remembered it. Hella women looking good as hell in a variety of swimsuits, copious amounts of alcohol flowing, music blasting…just a good ass time. Something I hadn’t had in a minute.

It didn’t take long for the rest of the crew to show up and for some reason, seeing all of them booed up struck the wrong chord with me. Now granted, I knew what I was getting into before I brought my ass out here, but living in the reality of it all was not the vibe. There was no way in hell I could or would have missed this trip, but I sure as hell didn’t have to subject myself to being a tagalong. Leaving them to lounge in the cabana, I refreshed my drink and took a stroll around the pool area, taking in the scene, wondering how quickly I could find someone here willing to kick it with me for the weekend, simply so I wouldn’t be forced to be the only solo one within the crew.

As quickly as that thought entered my mind, I shook it out.

Finding somebody to chill with for a couple days wouldn’t solve the lingering problem I’d been trying to avoid for the past few months. It was strange. I’d gone from being perfectly content doing my own thing, hooking up and hanging out with women at my discretion, but being perfectly clear and up front about what the expectations of our connections were. And those expectations didn’t exist beyond that night and the good time we had.

Now, however, being the last of a dying breed amongst my boys—the rare single one—had me rethinking that shit. Was it time for me to settle down? Would there be a woman who could capture my attention long enough for me to even consider the thought? So far the answer to those questions had been no and hell no. I typically didn’t surround myself with women of substance, only wanting to be around them for a good time, not a long time.

But today, in the company of my folks, I couldn’t help but feel a way from the fact that I was the only one in the crew without someone on his arm. Before, that shit wasn’t nothin’ major, but now I found myself wondering more and more if I was gon’ settle into the life of being the old Unc in the club with a pretty, young thang on his arm at all times or if I was gonna grow up and consider pursuing someone seriously one of these days. I had no prospects for the latter, as the former had been my default for way too long at this point.

I settled onto a lounge chair in gen pop, taking in the sights around me. I laughed, watching a group of guys poolside trying to act like they were cool but desperately scoping the scene looking for someone to approach. I recognized the game because I’d been a willing participant in it not too long ago. With women, for me anyway, part of the thrill was the chase. Spotting the one I wanted, making an approach, not knowing which way it was gonna go until she gave off the signal that let me know it would be in my favor.

“Ay, you good?” I heard suddenly and I turned to see Floyd sitting on the chair next to me. I’d been so caught up in scoping the scene I hadn’t even noticed his approach.

I gave him an easy grin. “I’m straight,” I replied.

He looked at me like he didn’t believe me.

Laughing, I replied, “For real, g. I’m good. I just needed a break from the love fest happening in y’all’s cabana.”

“I thought you woulda brought a lil somethin’ somethin’ on ya arm for the weekend considering the group,” Floyd said.

“You know better than anybody I been off that,” I said. “But ay…” I trailed off, letting my gaze wander back to the other side of the pool where my sister was talking to an unfamiliar woman. “Who is that ?”

Shorty was bad as hell. She stood taller than Eb by a good five or six inches with smooth pecan skin that seemed to shimmer under the sunlight. Similarly to my sister she was outfitted in a brightly colored swimsuit and that shit looked fucking phenomenal against her skin. I catalogued her features greedily, instantly feeling myself drawn to her—a perfect handful of breasts, curvy hips that led to a fat ass, long, lean legs that would look amazing draped over my shoulders. Making my way back to her pretty ass face, I felt suspiciously let down by the fact that she rocked designer shades so I couldn’t see the eyes that went along with the sensually plump lips and cute little upturned nose I peeped.

“I… don’t know who that is, actually,” Floyd said.

“Shiiiit, from where I’m sittin’ she lookin’ like my future,” I muttered.

I shot up from where I rested, eager to find out more about the mystery woman as we walked back to the rented cabana.

“Babe, you remember Bree, right?” Eb said to Floyd as we approached. At his confused look she continued, “Lily’s dance instructor!”

“Oh yeah,” he said, holding out a hand for her to shake. “My bad, you look different out of the leotard.”

That just earned him an angry glare from Eb, which he quickly recognized and said, “I’mma go make me another drink. You want one too, baby?” Not waiting for her to reply he walked off, likely knowing that response was gonna earn him an earful from her later.

“Damn, I’m invisible?” I cracked, bringing Bree’s gaze in my direction for the first time. Up close I saw those glasses weren’t as dark as they appeared from across the way and I caught the way her eyes scanned my body as my sister introduced us.

“Bree, this is my pain in the ass little brother, Emory. E, this is Bree.”

I grabbed her hand immediately, bringing it to my mouth for a light kiss and murmuring, “My pleasure.” Was it a lot? Sure. Was she into it though? By the way her breath hitched briefly before her lips curved into the slightest of smirks? Hell yeah. I stepped away after that, but not straying too far, shamelessly listening to their continued conversation.

“But yeah girl, like I was saying, we’ve got drinks in there. Feel free to help yourself! And settle in, there’s plenty of room.”

“Thanks, Ebonée. I appreciate that for real. Because that bar is looking crazy. I knew this place would be packed but sheesh.”

“You’re here alone?” Ebonée asked.

“Mmmmhmmm. Trying something new. None of my friends were available this weekend, but I desperately needed a little break before we got knee deep into recital rehearsals for the company. So I packed a bag and my spirit of adventure, ready to get into whatever I encounter. After all, what’s it they say? What happens here stays here, right?”

That made Ebonée laugh as they slapped hands.

“ I know that’s right . Now are you really tryna be alone this weekend for real or you wouldn’t mind a little company? Because it would be absolutely nothing for you to join the I Do crew.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t impose on you like that. I’m sure you don’t wanna look back on your wedding weekend and see some rando in the pictures.”

“Bree, please . I don’t offer anything I don’t mean and it isn’t an imposition if it’s at my insistence, girlie. Gon’ back there and make yourself a drink, take a lil bit to think about it while you sip, and before we part ways later, let me know if you down to clown and I’ll shoot you the itinerary, okay?” Ebonée insisted, pushing Bree into the cabana toward the makeshift bar, not allowing her to rebut.

Once Bree cleared the front of the cabana, Eb made her way to me with a sneaky little smile on her face.

“You’re welcome,” she said smugly.

“What?” I replied, trying to act like I didn’t know what she was getting at.

“I know this isn’t easy for you, being surrounded by couples. But I also know you would take it in stride. However, you don’t have to. I saw the way you were checking Bree out.”

“I’m not bothered being the only one rollin’ dolo, sis. I’m good, aight?”

Ebonée stared at me skeptically before continuing, “So you just gon’ ignore me peeping you being on Bree’s bumper, huh?” She shook her head then chuckled. “She’s a nice girl, Em. So if you’re on your regularly scheduled bullshit, leave her be. But if not…” She let her sentence trail off as she walked into the cabana to introduce Bree to the group, loudly expressing that we'd expanded our crew by one.

“Hey now! I haven’t agreed to anything yet, but a little bit more of this Laurent-Perrier might just change my mind,” Bree quipped, making all of the ladies present laugh along with her.

She’d removed the sunglasses, hooking them onto her swimsuit right between her titties and giving me the perfect view of her hazel, cat-like eyes as mirth danced in their depths. Despite this being a couples’ outing, the group had naturally split into two, separated by the sexes, but I was barely paying attention to the shit Nigel and Eriq were talking about as they debated which of their teams would make it to the NBA finals. My attention was fully focused on the beauty who’d easily integrated herself into this little set up.

“Here you go, man,” Floyd said suddenly and I turned to see him holding a bottle of water in my direction.

I frowned, not having asked him for anything. Then he said, “Oh, my bad. You ain’t thirsty?”

“Fuck outta here, man,” I said, joining him and the other guys in their laughter. “I’m just…enjoying the view.”

“Yeah, aight,” Floyd said. “Tell that shit to somebody who don’t know that look in your eyes. It’s obvious Bree has caught your attention. Actually…never mind, I got you.”

He got up from where we were standing and migrated over to the ladies, lifting Eb from her perch and sitting down over there, pulling her into his lap as he smoothly asked, “What we over here talmbout?”

I shook my head at his antics, but loped my ass over there right behind him, settling into a chair right next to Bree to continue my not so discreet perusal.

“Trying to convince Bree that kicking it with us this weekend would be more worth her while than whatever she planned on doing on her own. You should at least come to dinner then Drai’s with us tonight. Floyd got us a section, so it’s VIP behavior only this weekend,” Ebonée crowed before twerking slightly in Floyd’s lap, making the other ladies charge her up by cheering her antics on.

“You’re making it pretty hard for me to say no,” Bree said.

“So don’t,” I said, chiming in to the surprise of even myself. “Roll with us tonight and save me from being the odd man out.”

“I thought you sa—” Eb started, but was quickly silenced by Floyd leaning forward and whispering something into her ear that made her quiet down.

Bree looked over at me with an assessing gaze before a slow smile curved her lips. “I mean… I guess the company wouldn’t be too bad or whateva. Fine , I’m in!”

“Hell yeah,” Eb cheered. “I’ll text you the details. Now that that’s settled, I wanna go splash about a bit. C’mon, babe.” She stood and dragged Floyd out of the cabana toward the pool. The others went about their business either making more drinks and talking amongst themselves or heading out to the pool with Eb and Flo, leaving me and Bree sitting there alone.

“Hey, I wasn’t trying to put you on the spot. I just… I knew my sister wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I figured I’d try to save you from her badgering for the rest of the afternoon because she gets like a dog with a bone until she gets her way,” I commented, laughing.

Bree’s tinkling giggle blended with mine and the sound was like the smoothest harmony to my ears. She leaned closer, resting a hand on my forearm, eyes sparkling with mischief as she whispered, “Can I tell you a secret?”

I gave her a nod in reply.

“I was always gonna say yes… at least to hanging out with y’all tonight. I’m overdue a night to let my hair down and throw caution to the wind. And doing so with unlimited alcohol in a VIP section of a nightclub right in the hotel I’m already staying in? Tuh! I’d be a fool to say no.”

“Damn,” I said, chuckling. “And here I was thinking my personal invitation did something to sweeten the pot.”

Bree bit down on her lower lip, eyes grazing me from head to toe once again before she responded. “I did say the company wouldn’t be too bad. You fishing for compliments or something, Emory? You know exactly how you look.”

“Oh yeah? And how is that?” I tossed back.

“Like you didn’t need to add me to y’all’s party to ensure that you wouldn’t be left alone with the rest of the crew. But…if I’m gonna look like someone worth anything tonight, I need a nap and a few hours to figure out what I’m gonna do with this bush atop my head,” she said, ruffling her curls.

Before I could stop myself, my hand grazed the bottom edge of her wild, curly afro. “This looks good to me. It suits you,” I murmured.

“You don’t even know me to know what ‘suits’ me,” Bree volleyed back, a half-smile quirking the left side of her mouth upward.

“Well it’s a good thing we’ve got tonight to change that, huh?” I replied smoothly, resting a hand atop the one she still had braced on my arm.

The moment my hand met hers, I felt a charge of energy jolt through me. When I looked into her eyes, I saw the attraction I felt mirrored there as her chest heaved ever so slightly before she sucked in a deep breath and pulled back.

“I-I’m gonna head out. Can you tell everyone goodbye for me?”

I shook my head slowly. “It’s not goodbye quite yet, Bree. I’ll see you later.”