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or we’re just friends and no benefits. I’m too old to be playing games with you, Angela.”

“Fine, I want a walk-in closet,” Angela told him while stomping into her bedroom.

“Whatever you say, baby,” Brent replied and smacked her on the butt.

“You two are a mess,” I mumbled to myself.

“I swear if I didn’t love her, this would have ended a long time ago. She’s stubborn, loud, sassy, likes to lead anything we have planned.”

“So why are you with her again?”

He shrugged his shoulders and ran a hand down his face in frustration.

“That’s my baby; she can be all those things. But let somebody else call her crazy, and I’d knocked them out.”

“Well, it’s nice to see you’ve finally tamed the beast.”

“Hey, watch it now, she’s your best friend.

Waving off Brent’s comment, I grab a glass and pour some wine as Brent comes closer into the kitchen.

“I see the bottle is out. I know I’m not Angela or Emery, but I’ve been known to give some great advice. Tell your play brother what’s up.”

“Nothing, you wouldn’t understand and besides Angela’s waiting on you in the room.”

Hearing the music being turned up lets us both know she’s getting impatient.

“She’ll wait, so tell me what has you drinking at this time of night. I know after Devin’s death you’ve been raising DJ alone and your brother’s shit has gotten everyone pissed at him. So, the stress has to be building up.”

Sighing in relief that I could talk to someone and not feel judged has me wanting to open up more than ever.

“I met someone today.”

“Okay and that’s a bad thing why?”

“Because I feel guilty for dating and what if DJ hates me for bringing someone around that’s not his father.”

“Whoa... now, how many dates have you gone on with him?”

Gulping another glass down Brent takes the bottle out of my hands and screws the top back on.

“I can handle my liquor, Brent. I’m not Angela,” I walked off and sat on the couch pulling off my shoes. He followed behind me and plopped down next to me.

“Thank god there’s only one Angela in the world. Many times, I’ve questioned if she was dropped on her head when she was born.”

We both busted out in laughter at his comment, and he nudged me in the shoulder to continue talking.

“He’s a parent at the school, and we met today. Well, we bumped into each other, and he wouldn’t let me leave without giving him my number or having dinner. Somehow his daughter and DJ are friends in the same class, and they heard ice cream so of course, he wouldn’t deny his daughter anything she wants.”

Hearing Brent laughing under his breath, I smack him upside the head for taking my dilemma as a joke.

“That’s not funny, Brent.”

“I’m sorry J, but it’s the oldest trick in the book. You have to admit the guy has skills.”

“Whatever.”

Shaking his head at me, I stand up and grab my shoes before walking toward my bedroom.

“Okay, Okay...I’m done messing with you. It was one date. Give it some time before you cut off all men and besides your kids are friends so don’t go messing up little man’s friendship.”

Nodding in agreement, we both hug and go in the opposite direction of bedrooms.

“Thanks, Brent.”

“Anytime J and remember I’m here for you and DJ. That’s my nephew, and you’re my sister. Even though it’s not by blood, you’re family to me. Get some rest, and I’ll drive DJ to school tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“You and your girls need some time alone and I can already tell Angela’s going to argue about me bossing on her. So, I’ll make arrangements for you guys to get some spa time in at that local salon she was talking about.”

“Oh... the one that opened next door to her salon. ZeniibyInez?”

“Yeah, it’s a locally owned business by a black woman, Inez Laval. So, we have to support our people. She even hosts a podcast show called Moscato something.”

“I know what you’re talking about. Moscato and Tea. I listen to it whenever I’m working out or driving to work.”

He hates it since he swears, he’s a big boy. Leaving a kiss on his cheek, I walk over to DJ’s bedroom to make sure he’s still asleep. Opening and closing his door, I walked back into my room and tossed my shoes by the closet and checked my phone for any messages.

Seeing a new message from an unknown number, I open it up and smirk in amusement.

555-486-6907: You know you owe me.

Me: Tony, stop playing on my phone.

555-486-6907- Who the fuck is Tony? This is Damon.

Falling back on the bed in laughter, I continue my banter.

Me: Whoops, sorry my bad. How did you get my number?

I saved him in my phone under “Jackass” I wait for his response.

Jackass: Baby, did you forget at the school today. I took your phone and saved my number.

Me: Someone’s a little ahead of themselves with using words of endearment.

Jackass: Jordan, you might as well let every guy know you’re my wife. So, cut off all those little boys you’ve been dating now because Daddy’s home.

Me: Blocked

Turning the light on in my room, I put my phone on to charge. I grab my nightclothes and head to the bathroom to shower and get some sleep for tomorrow.

Chapter 11 Emery

LISTENING TO ANGELA on the phone talking with Brent and watching Jordan text away on her phone, this so-called girl spa day was turning into a one-woman show.

“We’re here ladies.”

“I’ll call you back because I said so,” Angela snapped into the phone.

“This is gorgeous I can’t wait to get pampered. She does facials and waxing.” Jordan took the brochure off the counter as we stood in the lobby signing in.

“You’re pissing me off Brent. I see no ring on my finger-” Angela rolls her eyes in frustration and walks back out the door.

Jordan and I turn around and see her walking over to Brent’s car in the parking lot. She ended the call, and he steps out of the car and pulls her into his arms and kisses her cheek.

“Those two will either end up married with ten kids or dead.”

“Jordan you have such a morbid sense of humor. Now, who are you texting back and forth? You’ve been on your phone for the last thirty minutes ever since we left breakfast,” I asked being nosy.

She smiled and turned her phone off as a woman walks up to us laughing with a glass of champagne in her hands.

“Welcome to ZeniibyInez, I’m Inez.”

“Hi Inez, you have a beautiful spa. I’m Emery, and this is Jordan.”

“Thanks, ladies, you’re more than welcome to grab a glass of Moscato, and you can follow me back to the room.”

“I love Moscato, any chance you have anything stronger? My head hurts.” Angela walked up behind us.

“Angela, its ten in the morning.”

“Its Happy Hour somewhere,” Inez and Angela say at the same time and burst into laughter and slapping high five.

“I can see you two are going to be trouble,” Jordan stated.

“Don’t mind them. I’m ready for the facial then waxing. I have a date tonight.”

“I thought Brent said he had to work late tonight?” Jordan questioned.

“He does,” Angela told her.

Jordan, Emery, and Inez all looked at Angela in shock. Jordan waves her off and steps out of the room to go next door.

“You are determined to run that man away. Don’t come crying to us when he leaves you for good this time.”

“I’m not worried about Brent leaving me. He knows what it is with us. I never hid that I don’t want to be tied down.”

“Okay.” Jordan walked out and left Angela with Inez as she headed to another waxing room.

...

Forty minutes later we were sitting in the café area in our fluffy white robes eating lunch and sipping on mimosas as other ladies chatted and ate. While looking around the spa that has high ceilings, cream colored walls with gold trimmings and an indoor pool, the waiter approaches and places our baked salmon and rice meal with fruit on the side down. We enjoy the low music playing Mariah Carey.

“We’re best friends, so this is coming from love so don’t take offense.”

“Okay.” Angela placed her drink down as Jordan turned in her seat and put her hands in her lap.

“You’re fucking up, and I need you to grow up before he leaves you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Emery please tell her how dumb she’s acting.”

Angela rolls her eyes at Jordan in annoyance and picks up her fork to eat her food.

“She’s right Angela; you need to stop playing games with Brent. The man’s been running behind you for years.”

“That’s funny coming from you Emery. Have you taken any calls from Anthony?” Angela questioned.

Jordan’s eyes widen in shock and Angela smirks at me like she caught me red handed. Leaning onto the table, so no one hears me, “I have, and they ended with me blocking him after I told him we’re through. So, before you try and come for me like I’m the enemy, you should look in your closet.”

“What about that Jackson guy we met at the restaurant?”

“Nothing, we’ve had dinner a few times and slept together. I’m not in the right headspace to date someone exclusively. Work takes up a lot of my time.”

“Did he ask you to marry him?”

“What, no.”

“Then date the man. Somebody needs to clean out that cobweb between your thighs,” Angela joked and picked a piece of fruit off my plate. I smacked her hand as she dropped it and stuck her tongue out at me.

“You are so childish Angela, I wonder how Brent puts up with you?”

“Easy, the wetness between my thighs has him under control,” Angela wiped her mouth with her napkin and took another sip of her drink.

“Anyway, what have you been up to Jordan?” Giving my undivided attention to her. I could tell something was bothering her after not talking for a few days and ignoring her brother didn’t help.

“Just missing Devin and raising DJ, that boy is growing so fast. I wish his father could be here.”

“I heard someone’s trying to make his presence known.”

“Who?” I asked shocked by her statement.

“Nobody.” Jordan waved Angela’s little comment off.

“Let me determine that, so who’s this guy?”

“Angela, you have such a big mouth. Nothing to tell, he’s a parent at DJ’s school that I bumped into by accident.”

“And that leads to a family dinner with the kids.”

“Focus on