THE UNHINGED BEST MAN : A NOVELLA

by M Monique

“Eddie, I do trust you. However, I hope you make decisions that we can both agree on. You can’t just uproot because you want to. It has to be a mutual decision…”

On something like adrenaline, I drove until I couldn’t any longer. Disappointment and anger warred with relief and gratefulness.

Shayna just didn’t know how her fucking up literally opened the door for destiny to spin the block. Wasting my emotions over spilled milk wasn’t about to get me anywhere but in a cell where I wouldn’t have access to the one woman I would’ve moved heaven and earth for.

“You gotta go, Nikki.” It was that or hem her little ass up. “Nope. Now go clean up like I said and get ready for dinner.”

Dr. House had been my doctor for years and didn’t once question what I needed testing for. He wasn’t stupid by a long shot. “I’ll have you some answers by tomorrow,” he’d said. That was good enough for me. Next, I went to the bank and had Shayna removed from all my accounts. She could keep the money in her personal accounts. She’d need it to move the fuck around while I got my shit together.

“It seems like with success, you two have recently landed in some awkward situations. Tell the viewers what has been going on in the lives of Memphis McCorvey and Boston Kelly.” “It’s simple,” I began. “We’re two men who’ve always been men first. Business is secondary to life. When life’s situations occur, our thoughts aren’t what about our business. It’s about handling things as men would.”

“Respectfully, money will never make me switch up. If I determine something requires me to act in a way that society doesn’t see fit, that doesn’t mean I’ma lay down just because I may lose a check. That’s a check I can do without so long as I remind people not to play with me.”

Don’t mistake the fact that we’re multi-millionaires with us being above emotional reactions. This is still life and while most people like to live in fantasies, we live in reality. And the reality is, unfortunately, sometimes people deserve to have hands put on them. You can’t cause an issue and expect people not to respond a certain way.” Nigel regarded us both, he took a gulp of nervousness.

“I know this ain’t how marriage is supposed to end, but I refuse to try to work it out. We were already in counseling because of minor issues we were having. This…this I can’t come back from.” My mama sat next to me and placed her hand on my back. “We don’t expect you to. All we asked of you was that you honor your wife. You did your part. It’s okay if you walk away.” Not that I needed their approval, but I hated for my parents to be at odds with me. They’d been married going on thirty-five years, long before I was ever born. I was the oldest child, the only boy, and as such carried a heavy fucking load.

“Now, will you please get my stuff out of the car?” My hand found my hip as I looked up at him. Then his face broke into a smile. “Sure, baby.” He took my keys and popped the hood with me watching his corded back. As he carried my bags inside, I followed behind him, nearly swooning from how good he smelled. “What’s for dinner tonight?” he asked once the front door was closed. He carried my bags to the sofa and sat down next to them. One by one, he started going through the bags, commenting on each of my outfits, shoes, and even perfume. “I like how this one smells,” he said of the Dior. “Boston, why are you going through my things?” “I just wanna be nosey,” he replied. “Tryna see what was more important than me.”

A man’s masculinity was something to never question or make fun of. Being cheated on was one way a man’s masculinity faced the ultimate test. Many couldn’t handle the betrayal.

Forgiveness was a bitch. It was the fruit of knowing you were over something that hurt you.

Stopping short, my confused gaze scanned the driveway. “Where’s my car?” “Since you wanna keep buckin’ on Pug, I sold yo’ shit. The money is on the dining room table.” “What!” Profoundly stupefied, my eyes bugged. For my birthday last year, Mems bought me an all-black AMG S-Class. It was my customized dream car and completely paid off. Now this nigga sold my shit!

“I hope he comes and beats yo’ ass!” I stated just as Memphis answered his phone. “Mems!” “’Sup, baby?” “This nigga sold my car!” “After the shit you pulled yesterday, you better be glad that’s all he fuckin’ did. I was gon’ drive there and deal witchu myself, but he said he had it. Long as he ain’t goin’ upside ya thick ass head, I trust his judgement.”

Lmaoooooooo

“Whew,” he teased. “I’ve never seen you so angry. Feel how hard you done made my dick.” Appalled, I snatched my hand away which only made him cackle. “When you learn to listen to yo’ husband, I’ll think about getting you another car.”

Lmaaaaoooo

holding hands is supposed to be intimacy between two people. Not a sign of jealousy or possession for others to back up.”

Anger, I could do. Fear…I could never. But I was afraid that this shit was just a dream. For so long, this was what I wanted. To even think it could’ve been snatched from me had the logical part of my brain being cut slap off. Replacing it was a man who would do anything to keep this woman by my side. “I feel like a truck hit me.” She snickered. Smiling, I ran some soapy water down her titties. “It’ll be better next time.” Her lip ended up tucked between her teeth as she shyly grinned. “Next time?” Leaning down, I pecked her lips. “A whole lotta next times, baby. I’ma show you just how good ya body can feel. And I’ma damn sure enjoy teachin’ you how to please me.”

Nikki and I would have to get Poppi a gift for the ass whooping she put on Shayna. She had lumps every fucking where, and they didn’t look to be going down anytime soon. Mentioning Poppi only made her angrier, though. “I hope she loses everything! Our circle was fine until she came along.” “Not too much on my G,” I warned her. Secret animosity was a muthafucka. “Poppi exposed the fake shit. You can’t be mad at her for that. You played yaself.”

All her life, I watched Nikki play by the rules and remain quiet when her voice should’ve resonated far beyond space. I loved her meekness and how she carried herself even when she was upset. I fell in love with her softness, and the absolute fire ass feminine energy she possessed that caused any man to stop and pay attention to her. She was dainty and delicate.

can you imagine how Boston may feel? One woman cheated on him and the one he’s actually in love with won’t even claim him. That’s absurd, Nikita.” My mother never referred to me by my birth name, which meant she was deathly serious. “I understand you want to preserve the reputation you have. Preserving love is much greater than that, though. Love will overcome everything, Nikki. Remember that.”

Pug finally broke me and Mika up. She was breathing hard and by the looks of it, didn’t want any more. The bandage over her nose was lopsided, and that shit was bleeding again. As for Poppi, she had both cousins by the hair and swinging their frail asses like a carousel.

Lmaaaaoooooo

Poppi and I fueled think pieces on friendships. Many agreed that healthy friendships were a must for women. Some believed that having a strong sisterhood kept women healthier mentally. Having someone to go to in a crisis would beat the confinement of the mind any day.

I saw it coming and still, I wasn’t ready. Poppi’s hands flew over her mouth as Memphis dropped to one knee. My brother was finally doing it. He was finally proposing the only contract that mattered between two loving people. This contract was until death and the investment was love.

If we weren’t at the hideaway, we were here. Most times, I’d lay on the sofa and listen to her record her videos. I was so proud of my baby and the strides she’d made. Nikki was out of the protective shell she’d built around herself and resting in my arms instead. I didn’t take my job lightly.

I’d spent so much time being improperly loved by the wrong man that being in the arms of true love did nothing but cause my nerve endings to totally relax. They were safe here.

That fueled Jonathan to seethe with rage. This time when he stepped forward, Boris’s fist cracked him back a few steps. “Oh, shit!” “Damn, Old Head!” “Well…” That was Memphis, Boston, and Poppi. Their comments didn’t help the situation. Another thing that didn’t help was Jonathan swinging on Boris, which was a costly mistake. It went from a casual love tap, to Boris beating Jonathan’s ass all over the backyard. And not a single person tried stopping him. “Stop them!” I implored. Memphis and Boston just stood there with their arms crossed. Poppi had her hands on her hips and a satisfied smile on her face. Nikki looked so proud it was sickening. As the fight progressed, not a person in this backyard mumbled a word. There was no fellas stop, y’all too old for this, or that’s enough now. Nope.