Chapter 18
WHAT HE SAYS… GOES
Dexz had been home for all of two weeks, and he was living his best life.
He had bought himself a new wardrobe and draped out his bachelor pad.
He finally got the okay from his PO to live on his own instead of going to a halfway house or staying at Pretti’s.
Money fixed everything with his record, and he was happy his best friend had plenty of clean cash to help him.
He got some pussy from a couple of girls he had known from around the way and hung with all his old friends.
He even hit the club, but all he really wanted was to spend time with Pretti for their birthday.
So he had to sit Lunden down and tell him his plan.
He knew Lunden was going to be pissed, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
He also wanted him to know he was not happy about their relationship. He trusted his boy and knew Pretti was fragile, so he figured Lunden would look out for her. He didn’t think they would hook up. Lunden liked classy girls, but he liked them on drugs and already experienced in bed.
As the days went by and he thought about his best friend being in a relationship, he realized Lunden was with her because he knew he could control her. Dexz was going to set him straight, though. Lunden was not going to fuck her over while he was around.
Lunden and Dexz sat in the neighborhood seafood restaurant and ordered all their favorite dishes. It had been years since they had been to their favorite restaurant together, so they agreed to meet there.
After they ordered, they sat and made small talk. The moment was awkward because they both had Pretti on their minds. Dexz was tired of holding back, so he started the conversation.
“You know when I sent my best friend down here, I didn’t send her here for you to wife her or do her dirty.” He pierced his eyes at him.
Lunden chuckled. He had been waiting for the conversation to come up.
“I know you didn’t, bro, but it happened. She said y'all wasn’t nothing but friends, so I slid in on what I thought I could have. And as far as me doing her dirty, I don’t see it. Shorty out here living and being herself, and I ain't cheatin’.” He shrugged and sipped his Pepsi.
“That’s because Storm put the burner to your head and made you act right. Yeah, she told me. You might think Pretti is dumb, but she is smarter than you think, bro. She aims to please. Her foster momma molded her to be that way.
That’s why she’s submissive and comes off weak.
Those the reasons why I never took advantage of her.
She don’t like confrontation, so she does anything to keep the peace.
I’m positive if you were visually cheatin’, she would’ve left your ass, and I say visually because I know you ain’t faithful, bro.
It’s not in yo’ nature.” He glared at him.
“Like I said, I’m not cheatin’, my nigga, and I know she smart and don’t need a nigga.
She’s told me a million times. She’s making sixty grand a month on her own, and she don’t sell dope.
That’s a smart-ass woman to me, no matter what she’s going through in her relationship.
So I don’t know what you talking about me doing her dirty.
Me and my lady are good,” he spoke with confidence, even though he knew he and Pretti weren’t on good terms.
She acted like she was happy, but he knew she wasn’t. Her smile wasn’t the same, and their sex life was almost nonexistent because she always pushed him away. Yet he wasn’t letting her go because he didn’t want anyone else to have her. She complimented his fly, and she was easy to deal with.
“Well, I know you gon’ think I’m buggin’, but I'm taking her to the Hamptons for her birthday for three days. Just me and her… I’m sure you know we have the same b-day.” Dexz sat back and watched the lines form on Lunden’s forehead.
“What? You not taking my girl to the Hamptons for her birthday, my nigga. You right, you buggin’.”
Dexz chuckled. “Nah, this ain't up for debate, bro. I'll do you one better; we will leave the day after our birthday. That way you can do what you gon’ do for her, and then we out. She already knows.”
“Whatever, my nigga. Don’t make this shit a habit of taking my fiancé out of town alone. Because when we married, a lot of this close shit gon’ end.”
“She’s my best friend, bro. I can’t guarantee none of that.”
Before Lunden could say anything else, the waitress walked up with their feast of food.
“Hey, fellas. Here’s your food. Who ordered the grilled salmon plate and the fried shrimp basket? Somebody is hungry!” the waiter said when she walked up with a tray full of food.
“That’s me, ma’am. I’m fresh out of jail and ain’t eaten here in years!” Dexz exclaimed as she reached for his food.
“Welcome home, handsome.” The waitress set the rest of the food and drinks on the table and walked off.
Dexz wasted no time digging into his food, but Lunden sat staring at him with a frown while his lobster fries and fried catfish got cold.
He couldn't believe he was taking his girl to the Hamptons for their birthday without him.
He thought it was disrespectful. He was embarrassed, but he decided to take his argument up with Pretti instead.
She hadn't said anything to him about the trip, and that had him fuming.
“You gon’ eat, my nigga?” Dexz asked with a smirk as he bit down on a shrimp.
“I’m about to bounce, bro. I'm taking my shit to go.” Lunden stood up.
Dexz chuckled. He had known his friend since they were kids and knew how he could get in his feelings. They'd bumped heads plenty of times, but the beef never lasted long. So he refused to let him leave because he was mad at them for going to the Hamptons.
“Nahhhhh. You gon’ stay and eat with your bro. Sit down, you good. We ain’t falling out over no woman, no matter how close she is to us.” Dexz continued to eat his food.
Lunden gave Dexz one last crazy look and then sat down.
He couldn't wait to get home and see Pretti, but he ate his food.
They talked about business, and Lunden calmed down enough to let Dexz in on the surprise party he was throwing her for her birthday.
An hour later, they both left the restaurant full, but with the same girl on their mind.