Page 31 of Where Is the Love

Tyeis was quiet for a moment, then she asked, “Was that Brixton? Bitch, I can’t deal with y’all nasty asses. I’m about to finally meet this Decaurey, and I’m ready as hell. Is there anything I should know about him?”

“He’s a fool. He’s younger than you. No kids. He a light bright nigga… just how you like them.”

“First of all, I don’t discriminate. I like them all shades of black. But those light brights do have my heart,” she added with a chuckle. “Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Your mama was talking about church. I can tell you now, if I stay out too late or if I get fucked up, she’s gonna write me off as one of Satan’s helpers. Who goes to church on a Friday anyway?”

“Girl, shut up. Have fun. We just got to our room.”

“Okay, nasty.”

She ended the call as I chuckled and shook my head. “She sounds fun to be around,” Brix said.

“She is. That’s why I think her and Decaurey will get along well. I hope they connect.”

“I hate that it seems I’m keeping you from them. You sure you don’t want to go shower and meet them wherever they’re going?”

“I’m beyond sure. I just wanna hear you say I got the best pussy in the world again. Your dick ain’t nothing to throw rocks at either. That shit is top tier.”

He slowly shook his head as a smirk appeared on his lips. “You ain’t gotta stroke my ego. I know my shit on that level. I’ll give you whatever you want, Jess. All you have to do is insinuate it. I rock that hard for you, baby, and I truly believe that you know that.”

I swallowed back the tears he was trying to pull out of me. Just the fact that I couldn’t spend this type of quality time with Nate had me ready to commit to Brix. We could live in the country and raise a family… something I’d always wanted. However, my brain was telling me to take it slow. Every time Decklan’s ass came up, it seemed I retreated within myself, and I hated that. He was probably going out with them tonight. That was another reason why I didn’t want to be there without Brix.

If Brix couldn’t go, then neither could I. His ass wouldn’t approach me again if Brix was with me. I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just accept the fact that he fucked up and that I was done with him. Years ago, I vowed to myself that I would never let a man mistreat me, nor would I stay in a one-sided relationship. I did that for four fucking months with Decklan. I was the only one making an effort, and it was because he was too busy making efforts with other women.

Brix had a lot going on in his life right now. I didn’t know his business was taking a hit too. What if it was too much for him, and he started taking that shit out on me? I couldn’t allow myself to end up in the same situation I was in with Decklan. I would have to do a better job at protecting my heart before it wasn’t worth having. I didn’t want to become bitter and hate men altogether. I wanted to love, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I fell for Brix if we continued the way we were.

“What are you thinking about, baby? You got quiet on me.”

“Just what you said earlier about me knowing how hard you rock for me. I do know that, Brix. Your friendship means the world to me. Now that we have leveled up to more than friends, I want to say that this means the world to me too. If I commit to you, I don’t want that to change.”

“It would change, Jess. It would get better… more intense. If you were mine, you would get all my love, tenderness, support, and loyalty. I’d be devoted to you. I’m not him and couldn’t be him, even on my worst day. I’d never fuck around on you. You the cream of the crop. What I look like pulling weeds? If I would do anything for you now, imagine what level that shit would be on if you were mine?”

“Brix, I’m bossy.”

“Always been.”

“I’m possessive.”

“Me too.”

“I’m crazy as fuck.”

“Once again, always been, Jess.”

I rolled my eyes and focused my gaze on the floorboard of the truck. “Brix, although I don’t show it, I’m sensitive.”

“I know that too, baby. I pay attention to you. I can tell when you’re hurting. I can see it every time Decklan’s name comes up. I know that’s probably why you don’t want to kick it with your people. You think he’s gonna be with them.”

This man knew me so well. I closed my eyes, trying to filter the negativity out of my mind. I wanted to just enjoy my time with Brix. “I want to enjoy time with you, Brix. That’s it.”

I crossed my legs and surveyed the leggings I’d changed into as he drove in the parking lot of the hotel. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

“Brix, let me pay for this. Just like you got me, I got’chu. I told you that. Let me have you now. Okay?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and bit his bottom lip. I could see that accepting help was hard for him, especially from me. He didn’t seem to have a problem accepting Uncle Kenny’s help building that fence. “Jess, I got it. Okay?”

I sat back in the seat and allowed him to go take care of the room. He’d driven to the Marriott. I knew this shit was going to cost a grip on a Saturday night. His pride was gonna have his ass broke. I wondered what decision my family came up with regarding him. While he was inside, I texted Jakari.How did everything go?

I was just about to text you. Uncle WJ has already paid Mr. Jeffcoat. In the morning we’re paying off the back taxes. We are going to present Brix with the news tomorrow evening.