Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Navy
When I made it home from work this evening, I wasn’t expecting Ian to be waiting for me.
Things had been off between us since my trip to Memphis.
I refused to allow him to believe he could control me and have his way when it came to what I said and did, so though I hated how distant we were, I wasn’t going to do anything to change it. It was on him.
When I told him it was on him to fix things between us, I expected him to accept my friendship with Zander in my heart and life.
If he couldn’t, I expected him to leave me the hell alone.
What I wasn’t expecting was for him to be a little tattletale big baby and tell my parents on me, but that’s what it seemed like he’d done.
I took the time to unwind and take a shower, and once I was refreshed and dressed, I met him and my parents in the living room. I almost choked on my water when Mama said Ian came to them upset over the way I’d been acting lately.
A quiet laugh escaped me as I ran my hands up and down my thighs. I looked over at him, and the serious expression on his face shifted my amusement to anger.
“You snitched on me?”
Daddy’s head hung as he smiled. I knew he was only entertaining this because of Mama.
If it was up to him, I wouldn’t even be with Ian.
He told me he wasn’t the man for me but that he wouldn’t stop me from having fun and being taken care of if Ian was providing that.
Lately, we weren’t having fun, and the relationship was bringing stress more than anything else.
“I didn’t snitch. I made your parents aware of a problem I’m having with you. With us. Your father made me promise to treat you right and come to him if we had issues, and I want to honor that.”
My eyes rolled and head shook, but I decided to entertain the conversation.
“Is this about me ignoring your phone calls while I was live?”
Ian’s head shook. “It’s a symptom of the bigger issue.
If I can be frank, you’ll never get married as long as Zander is hanging around you, Navy.
No real man will tolerate the disrespect he spews out in the name of friendship.
I was hoping we could talk and that your parents would be able to convince you that you need to cut him off. ”
I looked at my parents and asked, “Do either of you think I need to stop being friends with Zander?”
Mama looked at Daddy, and he nodded, acknowledging the silent signal she gave him to speak first.
“I don’t think you need to stop being his friend. However, I do agree that the close bond you all have will make it difficult for you to be completely invested in a relationship with another man. Not for the reasons Ian believes though.”
“Then what reasons?” I asked, surprised by his answer.
Daddy sighed, discomfort covering his face. “I do believe men and women can be friends and there never be anything romantic or sexual between them. I believe if you and Zander remained friends, you are capable of never crossing that line.”
“But?”
Mama nudged his arm with her elbow, forcing him to answer me and continue.
“But you and Zander aren’t just friends.
Well, you treat each other as if you are more.
The way you prioritize each other and care for each other, it can be intimidating to some people.
” He shifted slightly in his seat. “Don’t take offense to this, Ian, but I’ma keep it real witcha.
Zander is an amazing friend to my daughter.
He protects her and keeps men who aren’t worthy or willing to put in the effort away.
“I know the day a man comes into her life and challenges his place respectfully, getting him to stand down and make room for him, she will have found the one. That man isn’t you. Now if my daughter wants to stay with you, I’m here to help resolve your issues so you can have a healthy relationship.
“If you feel like you can only have a healthy relationship with her if Zander is out of the picture, you can leave now. Otherwise, I would suggest discussing boundaries to make sure you feel comfortable in your relationship with her and not concern yourself with their friendship. It will always create dis-ease between the two of you, and eventually, resentment.”
“You might not think I’m the man meant to marry your daughter, but I do.
I love Navy. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.
Regardless of how much I love her, I feel like she isn’t taking our relationship seriously because of her friendship with him.
All I’m asking for is the same priority in her life that she has in mine.
With that, I can prove to her, and you, that I’d be a damn good husband. ”
Okay, so that made me feel a little bad. As frustrating as Ian could be about Zander, I wouldn’t deny that he actually liked and cared about me. Outside of him cumming too damn fast, the only other complaint I had about our relationship was how he reacted over Zander.
I took his hand into mine. “I do care about you, Ian, and I don’t want to feel like I’m bringing drama and stress to your life. I will not stop being Zander’s friend, but if you wanted to discuss boundaries like Daddy suggested, we can do that.”
His posture relaxed, and he smiled softly.
When he agreed, my parents left us alone.
Daddy cupped my cheek and tilted my head to meet his eyes, then squeezed my shoulder.
I appreciated him letting me make my own choices and supporting them even when he didn’t agree.
I’d probably hear him tell me to break up with Ian’s ass as soon as he left, but he’d support the relationship as long as I was in it.