Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(16)

He dropped his bag as he fell down onto my couch, making himself at home.

“Thanks, it’s only temporary.”

“Why? You moving yo ass back to Charlotte?”

“Nah, just bought a house,” I replied, settling into the chair.

“Nigga, please. A house? That sounds too much like a domestic thing,” he said with a snort.

I let out a laugh and shook my head. “Just call it a wise investment. This place runs me eighteen hundred a month. I’m tired of paying someone else’s mortgage.”

He whistled through his teeth as he pushed himself off the couch to look around my small one-bedroom condo. “Eighteen hundred? What the fuck are you paying for? That stuffy, old ass doorman downstairs?”

“Yeah…that among other things, mostly location. And that view that you can’t see currently because of the clouds. Anyway, man, you want something to drink?”

I walked into the kitchen as Gerald took a seat on one of the barstools. He burst out laughing when he saw the Keurig machine. “Seriously, man...”

“What? Macy got it for me.”

His eyes lit up at the mention of my baby sister. “How is that fine piece of woman doing?”

“Don’t even go there.” I leveled my gaze at him. He’d been after Macy for years and I made sure he knew in no uncertain terms she was strictly off limits.

“Married,” I replied, pointing to the picture sitting on the corner of the counter.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he picked up the wedding photo. “Damn, I missed my chance.”

“Nigga, you never had a chance.”

We spent the rest of the day catching up while I kicked his ass on Madden. He was excited about getting picked up by the Storm. He wouldn’t be making the millions he’d hoped for, but he was at least back in the sport he loved. I hoped he would stay clean this time and keep his life on track.

By eleven, we were all set to go out. I’d decided on taking him to Reign, figuring it was a good mix of what he was looking for.

“Dude, a car seat?” Gerald remarked as he climbed into my Land Rover. “What girl tricked you into knocking her up?”

Shit. His comment about the car seat reminded me that I’d never called Ginger. Taking a quick glance at my watch, I saw it was too late to call now. I’d have to do it tomorrow and let her know about the house.

“Not my kid,” I replied as I cranked up the engine. “You remember Calida right? Macy’s friend?”

“The shy red-head?”

“Yep. That’s for her kid.”

“Just hers?”

I nodded.

“What? She let somebody hit that? I thought for sure she’d be a virgin for life. But hey…if she’s not as uptight—”

“Stop now if you know what’s good for you.”

Gerald looked confused for a second before a big grin spread across his face. “You hittin’ that.”

I shot him a glare. “For your sake, let’s drop the subject of Calida.”

He threw his hands up in surrender then cranked up the music as we drove to the club.

The place was packed, as expected on a Saturday night. G had already zoned in on some chick with a blonde weave and gray contacts, and I was expected to play his wingman to get the friend out of the way.

Keeping Sasha occupied while G tried to land her friend was easy enough. She had no problem talking about herself, and even less issue dropping not so subtle hints about how she thought the night would go. In need of a refill, I left the dance floor in favor of the bar. I felt hands in my back pocket and turned to see Sasha had attached herself to me and gave my ass a squeeze in the process. She was tipsy but not totally wasted. However, the alcohol made her extremely forward. Well, at least I hoped it was the drinks. I smiled politely as I removed her hand, and moved her so she walked in front of me.

“Would you like another Sex on the Beach?” I asked, signaling for the bartender.

“For now,” she replied with a wink. “Hoping later I’ll have sex on a few other things.” I jumped when she reached out and rubbed my crotch.

I grabbed her wrist and turned her toward the bar to keep her wandering hands in sight. I shuddered from the violation and wondered if this was how women felt when guys grabbed on them while out at the club. My dick on the other hand enjoyed the attention; it had been too long since it had gotten any. That reaction gave her some false hope as the smile on her face grew bigger.

I stood behind her as I ordered our drinks. That only made things worse as she pushed back, and shook her ass against my crotch to the beat of the music. I stepped back, putting more space between us. G needed to hurry up and close the deal with the friend and get an invite to go back to her place.

I stayed by the bar, drinking my Jack and coke, with Sasha unfortunately staying close. She kept trying to get me to dance, but I politely declined each time. That didn’t deter her. She stood in front of me, continuing to dance along. I kept my body at an angle, leaning against the bar to keep from having a repeat incident. I’m sure she expected to get lucky like her friend, but no matter how much my dick had reacted, it wouldn’t be happening for her. At least not with me. To keep her somewhat happy, I kept her drinks flowing while I switched to drinking just coke. The more she drank, the bolder she got, and my patience wore thin. Gerald and the friend finally made their way off the dance floor to us. She was just as bold as the friend, leaving no questions about her intentions for the night.