Page 17 of Truce Of The Matter

“Okay. I’ve loved on you, looked into your eyes, gotten my two hugs, and checked on momma. Now, I need details. Spill it,” Monae insists.

Since I didn’t go to her house or let her meet me at Flavor last night, she demanded that we have breakfast before I go check on my mom. So we met at Morningside. The waitress just brought our drinks and took our order.

“And people think I’m bossy. They clearly haven’t met your ass.”

“We’re both bossy and? Who cares? What the fuck happened with Rex? I’m ready for some fun talk and juicy details,” she says then sips from her latte.

Her eyebrows raise as she impatiently awaits my response. Who knew that we would become close friends like this when she came to Crescent Falls over ten years ago? Even then, she was impatient and slightly despotic but surprisingly we clicked. Usually, I don’t rock with other women that are so much like me but Monae was different. I admired her strength. Not many women would hop in a raggedy ass car, hit the road, and drive with no final destination in mind but Monae had. She leftChicago, ended up here all alone, came into Redmond’s for food, and left with a job. We’ve been friends ever since.

“So, my drunk ass invited him over then I fell asleep in his ride. I do not sleep cute when I’m fucked up either.”

“Not at all,” she says then laughs.

“Bitch!” I laugh too because I know my mouth was wide open. I shake my head at the horrific thought. “See, so you know. Ugh. I can only imagine, but whatever, it didn’t scare him off. He helped me into my house and into my room. Then my drunk ass tried to pull him into bed with me. He refused.”

“Shit! What? He said no.”

“Yeah because I was drunk. He wants me sober.”

“Well damn! I can appreciate that. Any other nigga would have jumped your ass. Now I like him even more for you. You just don’t know how ready I am to see you happy in love. Plus, I want to do couples’ dates and game nights. Kinnidi is so busy with little Jamari and planning her wedding and I love my brothers and sisters-in-law but I want you to be there too for this couples’ stuff. Sounds like Rex is up for the job.”

“I think he is,” I say, remembering our connection and that damn kiss. As soon as he left my place, I hopped my turned-on ass in that tub and had to use my water-proof vibrator to finish the damn job. “But listen, you’re not going to believe this. We went to junior high together.”

“Rex? I thought you and his brother were classmates.”

“We were but Rex is younger and he was at Ridge Pointe too.”

“Okay! Get yo’ cougar on!”

“Two years doesn’t make me a cougar. Hell, anything less than five doesn’t even count. In my mind, we are the same damn age. Plus, apparently, he had a crush on me back then. Loc and his dumb ass friends were bullies and I stopped them from fucking with him. I didn’t even remember until he told me this morning.”

“Are you kidding me?” she asks, sounding as surprised as I was when he told me.

That skinny boy was Rex. My day had already been shitty, so when I saw them, I jumped in and took my anger out on them. Who knew that I’d inadvertently helped him and made him want to work out and get into a boxing ring. The tiniest moments could have a significant impact. I know that firsthand.

“I’m not. Girl, he is definitely not that little boy anymore. That kiss was some grown man, sexy shit. I damn near had an orgasm.”

Her dramatic ass fakes spitting out her coffee then laughs. It’s contagious as hell because I join in too. We are still laughing when our waitress returns with our food. Monet has her usual lobster eggs benedict and I have the Monte Cristo made with turkey instead of ham; light powdered sugar. I might be just a tad bit biased, but the breakfast here is really good, however it doesn’t beat our breakfast at the restaurant.

“So we are definitely seeing him again,” she states after we pray over our food.

“Definitely,” I respond without any hesitation.

“Now, let’s talk about Daija. How’s she handling everything?”

“Like me, times two. She already talked to her school and she’s gonna miss next week too. She’s trying to stay home as long as she can to help out with my dad. He’s having a rough ass time. I’ve never seen him cry before, Monae, and that shit broke me. You know he’s already at the nursing home. He is there as soon as the damn doors open for visitation. I’m going to scoop Daija up after we leave here and we’re going to check in on her together.”

“Well, I bought Momma something for her room. I know how much she loves her candles and plug-ins so I got this candle for her. It’s my new obsession and please don’t tell Samaya that I’m cheating on her and Light My Flame.” She reaches to her sideand pulls out a little red gift bag then places it on the table. When she slides it over to me, I reach in and pull the candle out. “That’s for Miss Irene, not for you, heifer.”

Ignoring her, I examine the candle and open it to smell it. “Wow! This smells good as hell. I didn’t know they made candles. I know you better reach out and pull up another bag with the candle for me in it.” Without saying a word, she does just that. Another bag with a Baccarat Rouge 540 candle inside of it lands on the table and I smile like the Cheshire Cat. “This is why you are my best friend. Thank you.”

“I’m your best friend because I’m the only one who understands your bossy ass and I love you. I hope she likes the candle too. I want to visit and bring the kids. You know how much MJ loves your mother. Is it okay if we visit? Are there restrictions for kids?”

“No restriction for kids. They just simply say they can’t be loud, but I don’t have to worry about that with my niece and nephew. Just remember that visitation is only from eight to eight.”

My cell vibrates on the table and I flip it over. It’s a text from him.

Rex: Still thinking about you.

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