Page 2 of Breeze and Melodie

“Why don’t you look happy? Today was a big day,” my younger sister, Raine, said.

“What was up with Mel today?”

“What do you mean?”

“Her mood was off, and she spent half the day looking at her phone.”

“Oh.” She rolled her eyes. “Sean was supposed to be here, and if you didn’t notice, he wasn’t.”

The grand opening for Black Reign ended about an hour ago, and I was still in awe of what we’d accomplished over the last year. Everyone had left except Raine, her husband, Shyne, and me.

“I still don’t know why she’s with that nigga,” I mumbled, but clearly, my sister had heard me.

“Maybe because the person she wanted acted like he didn’t want her.”

“Nah, Melodie wasn’t ready for me.”

“Says who?”

“Says me. She thought all that flirting and teasing shit was cute, but if I’d allowed her to awaken the beast in me, her ass would’ve been running.”

Raine gave me the side-eye. “Okay, big bro. I don’t think I want to continue this conversation. However, if you want to be with Melodie, she’s single until she’s married.”

“What kinda advice are you giving my brother?” Sonshyne questioned when he entered the barbershop area holding my nephew, RJ.

“He’s walking around here looking sad because he thought Melodie’s mood was off today,” Raine told him.

“She did seem distracted, but I assumed it was because her boy wasn’t here.”

“You assumed right. He was missing in action all day. No phone call, no text, . . . nothing.” Raine continued.

“Damn. That’s messed up. Maybe something happened,” Shyne said.

“Nah, ain’t shit happened. That nigga is just inconsiderate and jealous of Mel’s success. He doesn’t deserve a woman like her.”

“Like I said before, my husband came in here being nosy. Melodie is single until she’s married. I normally wouldn’t recommend pursuing someone in a relationship, but I don’t think Sean is the one for my best friend. I was hopeful in the beginning, but a lot has changed in recent months.”

“Things like what?” I pressed.

“Now, what I’m not gon’ do is tell you my friend’s business. Whatever you want to know, she’ll have to tell you.”

We talked for a few more minutes before locking up and heading home.

It had been a long day, but it was worth every minute that led up to it.

Most wouldn’t believe the obstacles I’d gone through to get to this place in life.

I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them and was grateful for every lesson.

I thought about Melodie the whole ride home. We lived in the same apartment building, and I was tempted to stop by her place to check on her before going to mine. However, as I drove toward my parking spot, I saw Sean walking toward the building.

“I guess he’s not missing in action anymore, . . . bitch-ass nigga.”

Once I made it to my apartment, I had to shift my thoughts because there was a surprise waiting at my door.

“What are you doing here?” I asked Tia.

“I thought you might need to unwind after your long day.”

“You should’ve called, and I would’ve been here sooner.”

“It’s cool. I’ve only been here for a few minutes.”

I kissed her forehead before unlocking the apartment door and letting her enter first. Once inside, I secured the locks and slipped off my shoes.

“Whatever’s in that bag smells good,” I commented.

“I thought you might be hungry, so I picked up some wings and fries from Onyx City Grill.”

“Thank you. I didn’t eat much at the grand opening.”

“I noticed that before I left. I’m sorry I had to leave so suddenly.”

“You don’t have to apologize again. You had a family emergency. Is everything good?”

“Yeah. My sister ended up getting stitches in her foot. She’s fine now, though.”

“That’s good to hear.”

We washed our hands at the kitchen sink, and Tia made me a plate of my favorite barbecue wings and fries.

“You’re not hungry?”

She shook her head. “I ate already. This is all for you.”

“I appreciate you thinking about me.”

While I ate, she scrolled through social media.

Tia and I had been messing around for about six months.

Some might say she was my woman for all intents and purposes, but we had yet to discuss titles.

It had been a few months since I’d hooked up with another woman because Tia was cool.

She was intelligent, beautiful, and seemed to have her shit together.

“Can I ask you a question?” she asked.

“Always.”

“Is there something I should know about you and Melodie?”

That was the absolute last thing I expected her to ask. “Me and Melodie? What makes you ask that?”

“She seemed very preoccupied at the grand opening. I noticed her texting and looking at her phone a lot.”

“Okay. What does that have to do with me?”

“I noticed you watching her.”

“You noticed me watching her?” She nodded. “Do you mean you noticed me looking in her direction a few times?”

“No, I said what I meant. You could hardly keep your eyes off her. I watched you watch her for half the afternoon, and this isn’t the first time.”

“Wassup with you?”

“Nothing is up with me. You still haven’t answered the question.”

“There’s nothing you should know about me and Melodie. Her and Raine have been best friends since middle school. She’s like a?—”

“Sister to you.” She interrupted, and I nodded. “I expected you to say that, and all I can do is believe you. I’m no dummy, Breeze, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Please don’t make a fool of me.”

I pushed my food away and wiped my hands with one of the wet wipes that came with it, then moved my chair back.

“C’mere,” I summoned, patting my lap. She did as I asked, and I wrapped my arms around her waist. “I’m too old for games.

Nothing is going on with me and Melodie, and we’ve never been romantically involved.

I am protective of her, just as I am of Raine.

If I sense something is wrong, I get concerned. Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s not a problem. Thank you for clearing things up.”

I wasn’t convinced she believed me, but I didn’t fully believe myself, so I couldn’t blame her. I gently gripped her chin between my thumb and index finger before pulling her toward me. Our lips connected in a soft kiss, and I slipped my tongue into her mouth.

“Mmm,” she moaned, putting her arms around my neck.

Our tongues intertwined and slowly slipped around each other’s. I moved my hand from her waist to caress her thigh, eventually making my way to her warm center.

I pushed up the hem of the dress she wore, moved her panties to the side, and pressed my thumb against her clit, eliciting another moan. She opened her legs a little wider, allowing me better access, and I dipped my fingers into her slippery hole.

We continued to kiss as I played with her pussy. I applied pressure to her nub and increased the speed of my fingers. Within minutes, her walls began to contract around my fingers, and my hand was covered in her nectar.

Her head fell onto my shoulder, and I gave her a moment to catch her breath. When her breathing leveled, I carried her bridal style into my bedroom. If my words couldn’t convince her nothing was going on between me and Melodie, my dick sure as hell could. How would I convince myself?