Page 15 of Grown Folks Confessions: Black Lush

“Ares, pay attention,” Eros whispered.

My eyes dropped from Layla’s. “Fine, I am. Get off my back.”

I only had a few seconds to compose myself before the music began and the on-site wedding coordinator queued for us to begin walking. The walk down the aisle seemed to go pretty quickly as we marched to the beat of the ceremony song.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Audrea slipping through the side door and sliding into the back of the ballroom right before Ivy was scheduled to walk in. The moment Ivy stepped into the ballroom, my eyes went to Theseus as he slowly exhaled at the sight of his gorgeous bride in her white lace gown.

Eros glanced back at me, both of us sharing a look of pride that our older brother had found someone as amazing as Ivy. Well, more like they’d finally gotten together since big bruh been in love with her ever since high school.

Ivy’s custom dress was a showstopper, and her full, thick hair was pulled to the side and secured with a veil that nearly reached the length of the train of the dress. She was radiant, but honestly, I couldn’t take my attention away from Theseus who looked the happiest that I’d ever seen him before.

As I stood in that ballroom witnessing my brother exchange vows with the love of his life, I couldn’t help it as my eyes wandered over to Layla who was gorgeous in her deep purple, form-fitting bridesmaid dress. She caught my eyes, blessing me with one of her sexy smiles before returning her eyes to the happy couple. We both remained focused on the Theseus and Ivy until I felt Layla’s eyes on me, and she slightly nodded her head to the audience.

I glanced to my left as discreetly as I could and spotted Audrea batting flirty eyes at the man next to her, who—if memory served me right—had come into the tattoo shop a couple times and was Theseus’ client. I think he announced he just landed a role as a doctor on some TV show or some shit.

Figures.He was cool when we’d talked though, so good for Audrea. If she connected with ol’ dude, I’d probably have to go back through my roster to find her replacement.

I looked back to Layla and shrugged, while she stifled a laugh. The officiate announced Theseus and Ivy as husband and wife a few minutes later. I wasn’t sure if anyone in the audience noticed that I was undoing my bowtie as I followed the rest of the bridal party and the happy couple down the aisle, but I didn’t care. Ties made me itch.

“That was beautiful,” Layla whispered, coming up behind me when we reached the hallway.

“It was.”

I turned around, already laughing because I knew she was about to crack a joke about Audrea before she said, “Hope you at least cleaned up before you tucked it back into your pants earlier.”

I wiggled my eyebrows. “Why do you care? You tryin’ to get a taste before the end of the night?”

“Ha!” She leaned in closer. “I don’t drink after no damn body.”

“Who the hell said anything about drinking?” I asked. “I was talking about sucking or fucking.”

“Not that I would get anywhere near your dick again,” Layla explained, her eyes snarky and her voice low, “but if I’m fucking you, I’m milking your dick for all I can and drinking your cum like it’s the only liquid for miles.” Her eyes dropped to my pants. “Or did you forget how good of a student I was back then?”

Fuck me.Only Layla could have me hard in seconds. “You don’t play fair.”

She shrugged. “If you don’t play to win, why step onto the court anyway?” She briefly glanced over her shoulder, but when her eyes met mine again, she was nervous.

“What is it?” I asked. But, instead of responding right away, she fumbled with the stems of the bouquet she was holding. “Just tell me.”

“It’s time,” she blurted. “Remember when I told you I had something important to tell you last time we were kicking it with Meeka and Tone? Well, I want to tell you tomorrow morning and collect on that favor.”

I swallowed back my surprise, edging out a quick, “Sure thing.”

A few years ago, we’d both been home in Michigan, and she’d gotten me out of a sticky situation when I was cornered at church by the aunties about why I was there so early on a Sunday. They weren’t my aunties, but they were the widowed older women of the church, and everybody called them auntie as a term of respect.

It didn’t take a genius to see I’d been there since Saturday night fooling around, but I wasn’t trying to disappoint my mama again. Layla had been there dropping off some curtains that she’d handmade for one of the aunties and came up with some crazy story about me helping to assist her with a surprise she had for the church. Since the aunties never forgot anything, a few days before we both returned to Chicago, Layla dropped off new curtains for all the floor-to-ceiling windows in the front of the church.

“Thank you,” she whispered, a slight smile on her lips.

After she walked away, I let out a frustrated breath and dragged my fingers down my face. Felt like my motions were robotic as I congratulated the happy couple and took pictures with the wedding party.

Shit.Why did Layla have to pull this mess today? My mind wandered back to what Eros had said in the alley, causing me to shake my head at how wrong he was. My brother ain’t know shit. The older woman I’d dated who had almost become my fiancée had been the first to help me realize why I could never commit. That deep down, there was only one woman I wanted be with.

Sexy, irreplaceable Layla Payne.

Unfortunately, I’d proposed to that woman three times.

Once in high school, but she’d been sleeping and it had been before I left for work after she’d offered herself to me, so I guess it didn’t count.

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