Not A Homie, Lover Or Friend

Chapter 11

Ismiled as I glanced down at my text. I hopped up, grabbed my purse, and left Foe’s.

It was perfect timing as he and Harvey were in the bedroom doing God knows what.

I rushed down the stairs, then out of the house to Monfua, who was waiting on his bike right outside.

His two long braids hung from his helmet as he waited for me to approach him.

He hit the kickstand, got off, removed his helmet, and slid it on my head.

He gently took my hand and helped me before he got on and took off.

My arms wrapped tightly around him as he picked up speed by the second.

Monfua was fine, long hair, bomb ass smile, body like a God, tall, and skin that the sun had kissed a million times.

He was different than the guys I dealt with back at school.

He was on the prettier side. I was used to men like my brother or older.

Rough, street, gangsta, and hood. He didn’t seem like any of those things.

I wondered how he had gotten mixed up with the Zoo.

However, tonight when he checked Prentice, it made me look at him differently.

The night was good as we vibed at Diamond’s.

When Prentice called himself trying to play the big brother, I went along with it to avoid confrontation, but the truth is, I’m grown.

I have two years on Myles, and he was trying to control what I could and couldn’t do, which wasn’t an option.

Here I was on the back of a bike, riding with a dude who hung out with my brother.

I had always vowed not to cross that line with his friends, but this was different.

Maybe it was because I knew it would piss my brother off.

To me, it was payback for him trying to play daddy. Either way, I was having fun.

Monfua flew through the city until we ended up at some place called Layoni’s Bar & Grill, not too far from Diamond’s. When we entered the bar, I noticed there wasn’t anyone else inside. I pulled at his hand, “They’re about to close.”

He turned to look at me. “No, they’re not.”

“Monfua, nobody is in here but me and you.”

He ignored what I saw as he set the helmet on the bar counter and walked toward the back.

I glanced around at the island-style bar, from the tropical-like décor to the table settings.

There was subtle music playing, which sounded like reggae.

Moments later, Monfua came from the back, hopped over the bar counter, and smiled. “You want a drink?”

I tossed my hands on my hips, “Nigga you don’t own the place, get from over there before we get kicked out.”

“No,” he said as he turned and glanced at the assorted liquors. “You don’t look like a bottom shelf girl, but you're damn sure ain’t a top shelf one either. I would say you like mixed drinks, not too sweet but not too strong,” he paused as he glanced over his shoulder.

My eyes narrowed in on him as I smacked my lips, “You don’t know me.”

“I don’t, but what I do know is liquor and people. I’ve been doing this for a long time, Sukalati.”

“Sukalati? Who the hell is that?”

He finally turned around with a bottle of tequila that he spun in his hand like a professional.

He began pouring and mixing. The way Monfua gripped the shaker and shook it mesmerized me.

His tongue ran over his lips as he began to pour the mixed drink into the glass.

The drink started blue and turned orange.

My eyes grew wide in excitement. “Nice.”

“I know. Sukalati is my name for you. What, you don’t like it?”

I giggled. “No, it’s ugly,” I lied.

I thought it was cute, but I didn’t want to admit it.

I didn’t want him to think I was crushing on him like some schoolgirl.

I’ve been there before, and falling into the trap cost me.

It cost me so much that an invitation was about to turn into a permanent stay.

He slid the drink over to me and crossed his arms over his chest. “Try it.”

I picked up the chilled glass and placed it to my lips. The smell was amazing, fruity with a hint of lime. I took a swig and tried to play it off like the drink was mediocre, but the shit tasted so good. “It’s ok.” I shrugged.

He raised his brow. “Funny, you think it’s ok, but it’s one of the house favorites.”

“Well, maybe they don’t want the owner to feel bad.”

“The owner doesn’t give a shit.”

My face balled up. “How do you know?”

He poured him a shot and took it back. “Because—”

“Because I’m the owner,” A lady said as she came from the back.

She was beautiful. She was tall, with russet brown skin, shoulder-length hair, brown eyes, and a thick build. I took another swig of the drink as she began to walk closer to me. She cut her eyes at Monfua, “Who’s the girl?” she asked, pointing at me.

I didn’t know who this lady was, but if she tried to do something, we were going to be thumping all over this place. Monfua poured himself another shot and took it back, “A friend. Sukalati, this is my mother, the owner, Shaneice.”

His mother is black, got it. I quickly picked up the glass and chugged down the drink. My fingertips slid the glass back toward him, “Another one, please.”

I wasn’t in the position to meet anyone’s mother, but here we were. When she stepped fully into the light, all her beauty shone through. Monfua got some of his looks from her, but now I was curious what his daddy looked like.

“You don’t like the house drink?” she asked.

“It’s, it’s ok.”

She looked at Monfua, “Finally, someone who agrees with me.” She laughed.

I burst out laughing.

“Man, I don’t care what either one of you says, my drink is the shit.”

“What is it called?”

“Suamalie Pussy.”

I knew I had a dumbfounded look on my face. “Sweet Pussy.” He winked.

My body began to feel hot. His mother swung the towel at him.

“Don’t start. And you,” she pointed at me.

“Don’t let him mix his languages on you.

It’s how the girls fall every time. I will be in the back.

Please let me know if you need anything.

Don’t drink up all my damn liquor, Fua,” she said as she headed to the back.

Monfua lined up six shot glasses and then filled them up. “You down?” he paused as he picked up a shot glass.

My lip disappeared between my teeth. He was trying to get me drunk.

I could see the lust all in his eyes. I wasn’t sure what the night would lead to, but this thing I was calling a vacation was soon to end.

I wanted to have fun. My hand eased toward a shot glass as my eyes bored into his. I shrugged my shoulders, “Why not?”

Unable to count the number of drinks Monfua and I had, we laughed, danced, took pictures and even flirted with each other.

The liquor began to settle in as my straight steps turned into crisscrosses and tiptoes.

He had decided to call an Uber to take us home because he and I were both intoxicated, or at least I was.

It had been a while since I’ve felt this happy around someone.

When it arrived, we both giggled and stumbled to the car, getting in.

At first, things were silent, then I felt his hand on my leg as he rubbed it gently.

The feeling that went through me made my pussy scream.

It had been six months since I had slept with anyone.

It's been a year since I’ve been out in the streets, and tonight, a bitch felt liberated.

I felt like I deserved one night of pure fun, no matter what it was, with no regrets.

Monfua leaned in and began whispering in my ear.

I would be lying if I said I knew what the hell he was saying.

Instead, I smiled and giggled as if I understood all his words.

His hand slid further up my thigh until the tip of his fingers reached my pussy.

That alone made my head fall back on the seat. “Mm,” I moaned.

My eyes eased open slowly to his soft brown eyes, ones that made me so comfortable.

He rested his hand behind my neck, lifting my head slightly.

His mouth opened slowly as his lips grazed mine.

My eyes began to close again when he kissed me.

Lips soft, tongue gentle, and I melted. Goddamn! I thought.

“Are you two newlyweds?” I heard the driver say as we pulled away from each other.

My head shot up as I glanced at Monfua, then the driver, “Uh—”

“Yeah, nigga, why?”

I cut my eyes at him. “Uh, no.”

“Why not?”

“Because I—”

“Because if we were married, you would be scared of what your brother thought? Because you're scared to take risks?”

“No,” I mumbled.

Shit, I took a big risk. It’s how I ended up here, well, part of the reason. Monfua lifted my chin, turning it toward him, “Let’s do it.”

My eyes grew wide. “Do what?”

“Get married.”

My eyes widened. “You can’t be serious.”

Monfua didn’t even blink. “But I am. Fuck Foe, if you're married, what can he say?”

A feeling settled in my stomach, then I thought about it.

I knew I could take advantage of this moment.

Not just to shut my brother up, but I had my reasons.

A smile eased on my face as Monfua started to become blurry.

I knew I needed to say something before the liquor fully settled in, and then I would be too drunk to even say I do.

I glanced down at my phone, “Shit, I could use somewhere to stay,” I mumbled.

Monfua rubbed my leg gently, “What did you say?”

My eyes eased toward him. “Nothing, let’s do it.”