Page 40 of Mister President

We stared at each other for a while before we laughed. I needed the relief. I felt my damn veins popping out of my neck and forehead. Had that man said some shit, I honestly would’ve popped him, so I was glad he sat there and remained silent.

“I’m sorry, Mandy. When you didn’t answer the phone, I checked the camera to see if you were here and saw you on him. That shit triggered me and made me mad as fuck clearly. The thought of you dancing for another man the way you used to do for me…”

Her hand slipped down my chest and voice softened as she said, “Imagine how you’re going to feel thinking about me fucking him and finally getting the love and position in a man’s life that I deserve. You wanted Fiona and now you have her. Let me move on and give my time and attention to someone else.”

“You got me fucked up.”

“Nah, you got me fucked up. I don’t deserve to move on too?”

“With this nigga?” I pointed toward him. “He ain’t bothered to get up and defend you. This the man you expect me to let you replace me with?”

“It doesn’t matter what you think or how you feel, Elias. He and I are not together, but if we were, that’s my business. Now what were you looking for me for?”

Sucking my teeth, I headed toward the door. “It don’t even matter right now. Get this nigga out the studio by the time I get my Glock. If he still in here, I’ma show you just how serious I am.”

“Eli—are you—what the hell!”

Ignoring her, I went to my car. Was it crazy for me to want to kill this man because he’d smelled her pussy and touched her ass? Yes. Did I give a fuck? No. Did this shit seem toxic? Yes. Was I going to let her move on with a nigga while I still had breath in my body? Hell the fuck no.

By the time I closed the door of my car, her friend was jogging toward his. I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head as I headed back inside the studio. Her hardened expression as she paced with her arms crossed over her chest was cute.

“You see how fast he ran out of here, Amanda? He didn’t deserve you. You need a man that’s willing to fight or die behind you. It ain’t him.”

Her hands slid down her face as she chuckled. “What do you want, Elias?” She enunciated each word like I was getting on her nerves or some shit.

“Fiona would like to meet EJ. You can be present. When would you be comfortable with that happening?”

“So let me get this straight.” She snickered and licked the corner of her mouth. “I can’t even dance for another man, yet you’ve moved on and want my baby to meet your girl?”

I shrugged. “If you find the right man for you, I have no problem approving of your relationship with him.”

“What kind of sense does that make!” she yelled, shoving me.

“You think I’m about to just let you be with any weak ass nigga?” I seethed, gripping her neck and pulling her into mychest. “You didn’t choose me. I’m assuming it was for a damn good reason. So yeah. The man you give yourself to gon’ have to come hard. I’m not about to let you make me question what it was about me that wasn’t worthy of your commitment while you give it to a nigga that’s beneath me.”

My body softened toward hers as realization covered her face. It was the first time I’d ever vocalized that to her or myself. That was the truth. I needed the man she settled down with to be ten times better than me, or my ego wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“I get it,” she whispered.

“Do you?”

Nodding, she wrapped her hand around my waist. “Yes.”

“Do better, Mandy.”

“I will.” The lowered eyes…her heaving chest…parted lips—she was aroused. This was turning her on. Releasing her, I took a step back. I wiped my forehead with the hand my Glock was in as I looked around her studio. I opened my mouth to speak, but I left instead.

24

Amanda

“Okay, wait.”Felicity chuckled and took a sip of her margarita. “You’re telling me his crazy ass actually went out to his car to get a gun?”

“Girl, yes.” Though I could laugh about it now, I was pissed when it happened. “Demarcus dumb ass ran clean out the studio. I can’t stand him, man. He begged me for a dance since I retired, saved for all these years, paid me more than his car was worth, just to dip behind Elias.”

“Man, say. Demarcus said he wanted to see you dance, not the devil. Ain’t no pussy poppin’ on a handstand worth his life.”

We cackled like two old hens. My eyes watered as I lifted my glass and took a sip of my lemonade. I definitely needed this laugh. What happened with Elias left me all discombobulated. I wanted to be upset with him for the way he showed his ass. More than that, I was hurt over his hurt and turned the hell on. If he wasn’t in a relationship, I would have tried to suck the skin off his dick.

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