Page 35 of It's Love I'm After

“Going through dick withdrawals like you so eloquently shared through text. I’m not sure what you thought I could do. I ain’t got a dick to fuck you with, girl.”

“Oh, I know. I’m tired of riding the rubber dick I bought for the times these niggas act like they're slow or something. Hell, I think my pussy has a rash or rubber doll burn.”

The gulp of wine I just drank spills out of my mouth along with my laughter upon hearing the statements leaving my bestie’s mouth. “Isis.”

“Don’t ‘Isis’ me. You’re getting dick now, so you don’t understand my pain. I’m seconds from needing Monistat or urgent care.”

Boisterous laughter rocks my body, causing water to slip from my eyes from hearing the serious tone in Isis’s words. Now I understand the generic message from Isis that I never responded to.

Isis:Something has to give because taking matters into my own hands is costing me something fierce.

“Why are you laughing so damn hard, Chaniya?” Isis asks.

“Your ass ain’t got a lick of sense, Isis. Why would you think I could do anything to help you with this issue?”

“Friends don’t let friends suffer alone. The least you could do is sympathize with my pain instead of laughing like a damn hyena. I thought telling you would give me a more mature response than the one Riele gave me. Yet, here we are. Damn, I need new day ones because you bitches ain’t shit.” With that, Isis disconnects the call again, inciting my laughter.

Going to our group thread, I prepare to send a message to Isis and Riele, but my phone rings in my hand, and I lose interest immediately upon seeing the caller.

“Hello, handsome,” I purr.

“We really need to get to a comfortable place in this relationship, because talking to little man earlier has me wanting to hang out with him.”

Seeing the brief interaction between Caleb and Germayne at the barber shop was one reason I needed a minute alone. Caleb seemed to have zero reservations about talking to Germayne, and I didn’t know how to process it, primarily when Caleb had no knowledge of our involvement.

“Look, Cha-Cha. I’m not trying to force myself on you or your son. I understand wanting to protect him from temporary niggas. I’m just saying I’ll be glad when I’ve shown you that, with y’all, I ain’t on bullshit.”

My heart rate increases, and I close my eyes while processing Germayne’s words, which seem to have a more profound effect on me than any man before him has been capable of. Trying to interact with Germayne without Caleb hasn’t been too complicated up till now. Still, it could be because I need to ensure I’m not neglecting my responsibilities to be in a relationship. Caleb only has me in terms of parents, so I never want him to feel neglected because I’m dating anyone. That’s partly why I let Dedrick’s lame ass in Caleb’s presence, but after how things ended, I just want to be smart moving forward.

“I hear you and am taking it into consideration. Let’s continue building for now, and we’ll see how things progress.”

“No pressure, Cha-Cha. It’s your world, and I’m moving accordingly. How did the rest of today go? Were you able to find what you needed for Caleb?”

My pussy thumps wildly while my juices get to percolating upon hearing Germayne calling Caleb by his name for the first time. It’s the oddest thing for me to get excited about, but I can’t help myself. Knowing that Germayne knows my son’s name makes me feel like he genuinely is interested in learning the information he’s asking.

“It's well, and yes, I got everything he needs for now. Hopefully, my pockets can recover before I buy him more things. He seems to be growing like a weed, which is crazy since he’s only five. Did you give your parents these fits at this age?”

“I don’t have the slightest clue. Blame it on my incessant weed addiction in my early teens and twenties, but I don’t remember too much about my early childhood. I know some folks can recall their kindergarten teacher and all that, but that’snot me.” Germayne’s low laughter vibrates in my ear, making me clench my thighs from the heavenly sound.

“Wow. I would have never guessed that the man delivering my best friend’s baby used to chain smoke reefer,” I say, laughing at using the term for what Nana calls marijuana.

“Who I am today has nothing to do with who I hadn’t yet grown up to be. Age definitely brings maturity and a new mindset.”

“I hear you. What made you give it up? While I don’t smoke it, I have been known to indulge in a gummy or two. Let me have some issues with sleeping, and I’m liable to chew one today. No judgment. It just doesn’t seem like something you would engage in.”

“Honestly, I stopped getting high and didn’t want to wind up going to something stronger to chase the feeling. Around that time, I also decided it was time to figure out what I wanted my life to look like. Sitting around getting high is a waste of time that I no longer feel the need to do. My parents have taught me the importance of being a productive member of society, so I had to get my shit together. So, edibles, huh?”

“Occasionally.” I shrug, despite his inability to see me.

“Do they have any other side effect than providing great sleep for you?” Germayne’s husky and suggestive question has a smirk upturning my lips from knowing what he’s insinuating without asking directly.

Leaning forward, I place the wine glass on the table in front of me, unsure why I’ve been holding it for so long. Licking my lips, I consider if I want to mess with Germayne or tell him the truth before reaching an answer.

“Actually . . .” I express lowly and seductively while crossing my right leg over my left, swinging my foot back and forth.

“I’m listening.”

“Every time I take one, I can only sleep for an hour before the vibrating of my pussy wakes me up to silence the storm raging within. Then I find myself falling asleep from the fog of masturbation.”

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