Chapter 12
“You’re pathetic,” Lennon said, shaking his head and laughing.
“Call me what you will. I miss my woman,” I responded before taking a sip of my drink.
“Wait. What did I miss?” Kevin asked.
After Ginae left, I worked in my office until Lennon interrupted me at about five o’clock. He suggested we grab a bite and a drink, and I invited Kevin.
“Ginae’s best friend is in town, and they’re staying at his condo. He’s acting like he can’t function,” Lennon responded.
Kevin chuckled. “Oh yeah. I think I remember Phoenix mentioning that a few days ago. It’s just a weekend, bruh. Suck it up.”
“Fuck both of y’all. A nigga can’t miss his woman?”
“Most men welcome a break from their women,” Lennon offered.
“Nigga, you probably need a break with your two-family having ass,” I said.
“Fuck you, bruh. You stay coming for my lifestyle. You sure you’re not jealous?”
I shook my head. “Hell no, I’m not jealous of your ass. The only woman I need is Ginae Burns, soon to be Jordan.”
Kevin laughed at me and Lennon’s back-and-forth before adding his thoughts. “I look at it this way. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Being apart gives you a chance to miss each other.”
“I’ve spent the last thirteen years missing her. It’ll be a long time before I’m cool with not being in her presence for more than a few hours. I might lose my mind by Monday.”
“Shit. You won’t make it to Monday, bruh.”
“You don’t have to wait,” Kevin announced, looking at his phone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Phoenix texted saying she’s going out with Ginae and her best friend. They’re going to Pitch Black.”
I raised my brow and gave them a look. “Y’all down?”
“Don’t act like you need us to tag along. You’ll go alone if we don’t go,” Lennon teased.
“Damn right. Y’all going or what?”
“I’ll roll. Phoenix and I haven’t gone out in a while. Once the baby is here, we won’t have as much freedom,” Kevin said.
“I’m not doing shit tonight. We can use my driver,” Lennon offered.
We paid our tab and went home to get ready since we were still dressed in our work clothes. It was still early, so after I showered, I FaceTimed Ginae.
“Hey, baby,” she answered.
“Wassup, beautiful?”
“Nothing. We just finished eating, and we’re headed to the mall before going to the condo.”
“Hey, Phyre!” Devyn shouted before her face came into view.
“Hey, Devyn. How was your flight?”
“It was good. Thanks for asking.”
She disappeared, and Ginae’s face filled the screen again.
“Why are you going to the mall?”
“Phoenix convinced us to go to some place called Pitch Black. Have you been?”
“Yeah, but not recently. It’s cool.”
“Is it an older crowd?”
“I think it’s thirty or thirty-five and up.”
“Good. I can’t deal with young people or their music for too long. What are you doing?”
“Missing you.”
“Aww.” Devyn cooed in the background.
“You’re sweet, baby. I miss you too. We’ll come by the house tomorrow so you and Devyn can meet in person. What time is good?”
“Since you’re preoccupied, I won’t be doing anything, so any time is good.”
“Oh, man. You’re laying it on thick, Phyre,” Devyn commented.
Her face reappeared on the screen.
“I’m just telling the truth. I’m sure you know our story and can understand why I can’t get enough of my woman.”
“I definitely understand, and I’m sorry I had to steal your woman for a few days. We made these plans before she left Chicago, and at the time, you weren’t in the picture.”
“I know. Don’t pay me any attention.”
“Yes, sis. Please don’t pay my man any attention. He’s being a baby.”
“We’ll see who’s being a baby next time your legs are on my shoulders and my face—”
“Phyre! You know other people can hear you.”
“Sweetness, I don’t give a fuck about those people. I’ll let you get back to your friend. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We ended the call, and I tossed my phone to the side. Before I knew it, I was awakened by my ringing phone. I looked at the time before answering, and I’d been asleep for more than an hour.
“Wassup?”
“I’m headed to pick up Kevin, then I’ll scoop you,” Lennon said.
“Cool. I’ll be ready.”
The call ended, but I remained in bed for a few more minutes to get my bearings.
When I sat up, I stood and stretched before going to my walk-in closet to find something to wear.
After deciding on a pair of black slacks and an army green short-sleeved button-down, I went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth again.
By the time I finished getting ready, Lennon’s driver was in my driveway. I made sure I had my wallet and phone before securing the house and heading out.
“Wassup?” I greeted them as I got into the back of the truck with Kevin.
“You good?” Lennon asked from the front passenger seat.
“Yeah. Your call woke me up from a good ass nap, though. You know I’m usually a stickler about the number of hours of sleep I get during the week. I’ve been struggling since Ginae’s been here.”
“She likes to stay up late?”
I chuckled. “Not particularly, but I can’t stay outta her pussy.”
Kevin and Lennon laughed, but it was the truth. I’d had more sex in the past three weeks than I’d had in the past few years combined.
“In-house pussy will change your life. Add that to you two being apart for so long, I’m sure you want to sleep in it,” Lennon commented.
“You damn right. I don’t even feel right talking to y’all about my woman like this, but I’m starting to wonder if this shit is normal.”
“I keep forgetting you’ve never lived with a woman or been in a long-term relationship. Is she a willing participant?” Kevin asked.
“Hell yeah. It’s a miracle we haven’t fucked at the office yet, although we’ve come close a few times. By the time we get home, we’re tearing each other’s scrubs off . . . literally.”
“Damn. I miss those days,” Lennon said somberly.
Kevin and I exchanged a confused look before I commented.
“Bruh, if your wife ain’t putting out, your mistress is. What the fuck are you missing?”
“That ain’t how it works. I split the week, so if I’m with Sybil and she don’t wanna fuck, I can’t just hop outta bed and go fuck Calinda. I’ve told you numerous times, we got rules.”
“Ain’t that the whole point of having two women?” Kevin asked.
I didn’t care how many times Lennon explained the inner workings of his relationships with his wife and mistress to me. I’d never understand it.
“They made the rules, and I adhere to them, or our arrangement would go up in flames.”
“If you say so.”
“Phoenix just texted saying the driver dropped them off at Pitch Black,” Kevin announced.
“Did you tell them we were coming?” I asked.
“Nah.”
“I almost told Sybil where we were going, but she didn’t get an invite from Phoenix and might feel a way about it,” Lennon said.
We didn’t converse for the duration of the ride, with R&B music breaking the silence. When we arrived at Pitch Black, Lennon gave the driver some instructions as Kevin and I exited the vehicle.
Although we didn’t go out much anymore, everyone knew who we were, so we didn’t have to wait in line. Once inside, I scanned the VIP sections because I knew my sister wouldn’t sit anywhere else.
Pitch Black was a small club with a lounge feel. The DJ didn’t play the music so loud that one had to shout while conversing. He also didn’t play that new-age mumble rap or anything too ratchet, unless it was made over twenty years ago.
“They’re over this way,” I told them when I spotted Ginae.
I kept my eyes on her as she laughed and threw back a shot before slamming her shot glass on the table. The DJ played a twerk song from the mid-2000s, and she and Devyn hopped up and began twerking and throwing their asses in circles.
“Damn!” I heard Lennon say over the music.
I wanted to check him, but I let his ass slide because I was focused on the little ass dress Ginae wore and how good she looked. Phoenix spotted us first, and her eyes widened. I put my index finger up to my lips, urging her not to say anything, and she rolled her eyes.
When I got behind Ginae, I smacked her ass, and she stood up with a jolt and turned around. Based on her expression, she was prepared to lay me out until she realized it was me.
“What are you doing here?” she asked after she threw her arms around my neck.
I kissed her forehead before whispering in her ear. “I wanted to see you, and I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. You look good in this little bitty ass dress.”
She giggled as she stepped back, doing a spin and giving me the full view. The dress was short and red, with slits on the side that were higher than I preferred.
“You like?” She stepped back into my arms.
“I love. Are you wearing panties?”
“A thong. Why?”
“Because it doesn’t look like it.”
“Nae, are you going to officially introduce me to Phyre?” Devyn asked with a big smile.
“Of course, sis. I was a little distracted by his fine ass. Baby, this is my best friend, Devyn. Devyn, this is Phyre.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” I said.
“Same. Are you taking care of my sister?”
“I don’t know. Am I taking care of you, baby?”
“He’s taking very good care of me.”
“Good. She seems a lot happier than she was that first week. I was ready to come scoop my girl up,” Devyn teased.
“I’m glad you didn’t. It took me a minute for her stubborn ass to come around, but thankfully, she eventually gave in.”
“I’m Lennon,” he said, extending his hand toward Devyn.
“Oh, hey, Lennon. I’m Devyn. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. Can I buy you a drink?” he offered.
“Umm, we’re in VIP. I think we got everything we need,” Devyn told him.
“I’m sure there’s something I can do for a pretty woman like you. Can—”
“Lennon,” Ginae interrupted. “My friend is happily married, and her husband don’t play about her. Aren’t your hands already full anyway?”
Lennon looked at me before saying, “You been pillow talking, bruh?”
“Nah. We were wide awake when I told her you were juggling two households. I didn’t know it was a secret.”