Page 16 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

Malcolm held on to the doorknob while he gave a deep laugh. Erin tried pinching my stomach, but its pure muscle leaving behind a scratch. I gripped her hand while talking to Malcolm.

“I got you,” he said.

Erin popped her head from underneath the bedding.

“No, I’m going to work.”

Malcolm peered over at me. “I’ll keep Jhae busy today,” he said.

My brother shut the door, and Erin pulled a slick one exiting the bed. Before she could get to the door, I blocked it waiting for her.

“Let me...out,” she stammered to say through laughter.

I folded my arms, mimicking a bodyguard at a nightclub. Those thick thighs and the print of her little pudge drew my attention. I waved her to me, wrapping my arms around her body.

“Take your hot breath in the bathroom and get ready. We hanging out today.”

She narrowed her eyes, and she tilted her head back to make eye contact. I wanted to kiss her pouty lips, but I settled for a forehead kiss.

“Best friends don’t kiss each other, Marquise,” she said.

“I know what you girls be doing when y’all be hanging out.”

Erin’s forehead wrinkled before asking, “what exactly do women do?”

I tilted my head to the side, “eating each other’s pussy.”

Erin cackled, but she didn’t deny my statement. Too many women be lying to their men about hanging out with their homegirls. I directed Erin to the bathroom for her to get dressed. I found my phone with a drained battery and screen filled with text messages.

Unknown

Let me eat that dick.

Unknown

Every hole in my body misses you.

Unknown

You, me and my friend makes three.

Unknown

Marquise, I’m not going to wait forever.

The last message was from Brittany’s crazy-ass.

She, yet again, changed her number to get through to me.

Before the All-Star game, I could rub one out from the messages and videos alone but I’m over it.

My dick didn’t move from anything I saw or read.

Erin, your ass in trouble. I plugged in my phone and began my morning routine of bothering my old ass parents in the group chat.

Me

Mom, my lawyer will be contacting you for summer custody of Khaira

Me

Ivey I ain’t forgot about you being Herman’s little prom date.

Me

Pops I heard your knees when I got out of bed this morning.

Malcolm

Guess who is volunteering to chaperone Ivey? I had fun last time.

I placed my fist to my mouth, chuckling at Malcolm before putting my phone down.

Ivey was pissed he volunteered to chaperone at her prom.

It was epic to witness her having a meltdown.

Walking into my closet, I kept my attire light for today with my T-shirt, the Malcolm ones, and tapered leg sweatpants.

My phone danced across my nightstand as the replies came through.

Mom

You can get her two days a week.

I scoffed at her comment. Khaira is moving in after the championship game. I missed my little princess running around my room messing with shit. When she poured juice in my gaming system, I wasn’t upset. I bought a new one the next day.

Ivey

Do not embarrass my boyfriend.

Me

Boyfriend! Not happening. A friend. He is only a friend.

Malcolm

Boyfriend? Since when?

Pops

Boyfriend! Niecy, did you know about this?

Me

Cancel

Malcolm

Cancel

Ivey

Mom!

Pops

We need to discuss this after your last class. Eighteen don’t mean grown.

Me

I’m on the way. Ain’t no boyfriend.

Mom

Everybody pump your brakes. Ivey, I will handle this.

Mom

Marquise, meeting today at Noise Level headquarters at 3:00. Do not come by my house.

Mom

Malcolm, don’t text or pressure your sister for an answer.

My eyes took in the time, leaving me with an hour to get dressed and out the door. Traffic in California was insane, but the quality of life remains unmatched.

Me

What about Pops?

Mom

Do you really want to know the details?

Malcolm

TMI

Pops

Niecy, I’m ready to be convinced.

I made the vomit noise as I dropped the phone heading to the bathroom.

Erin exited the bathroom, with everything fitting her curvy body.

“Do you not know what a yeast infection is?” I asked.

Those high waisted trouser pants sat in the crease of her ass to perfection. The cut of her white shirt put the girls front and center.

“I’m going to work,” she said, and I said no with my head.

Erin sucked her teeth before she turned the doorknob to leave. Thirty minutes later, I entered the living room to both Jhae and Erin yapping about nothing. They hovered next to each other and by the hand motions, they were swiping.

“Bestie, I didn’t get to see any pictures,” I said, and Erin dismissed me with her eyes.

“Anyway, Jhae, a few people want to connect with us. I met a dope-ass photographer. I will send you over his portfolio, but he understood the vision we’re going for. People went crazy when the Icey single dropped. It was a vibe,” Erin said.

I was going to interrupt, but I needed more information about her night.

“Is that Noah?” Jhae asked, and Erin froze.

Jhae mouthed I’m sorry which was a dead giveaway they had a past.

“Later,” Erin murmured and Jhae’s brows crowded at her friend.

“No. Let’s hear about Noah, bestie,” I said with flared nostrils.

Erin continued to stare at Jhae instead of turning her attention to me. Jhae’s eyes traveled from mine back to Erin. A smile etched on her face as she caught on to the tension.

“Who is Noah, Weirdo?” I asked.

“Jhae, we need to buckle down on some decisions for the visuals,” Erin said with her back turned.

In a few steps, I closed the space confiscating her phone. She reached for it, but I moved my hand.

“Oh, Bestie, he means something to you. Let me investigate,” I said.

She extended her hand for her phone, but I took it with me into the living room. Erin’s phone vibrated and the screen flashed Noah’s name. I answered on speaker.

“What’s up? We getting out today,” Noah asked.

I looked right at Erin waiting for her to show a reaction. The fact her body stiffened pissed me off.

“Hell, the fuck nawl. Lose this damn number before I beat yo ass about mine,” I said.

Malcolm joined us, scanning the room for clues. Jhae’s mouth flung open at my words. This wasn’t the first time she heard me talk reckless, but it’s the first over a woman.

“Yo bitch gave me her number,” Noah said.

“Bitch!” Erin and I both said in unison.

Malcolm tilted his head sideways at me as he crossed his arms. “You gon’ let him disrespect your woman. You wild for that, Quise.”

A fire churned in the pit of my stomach as I released my rage.

“Yo momma the bitch for not having the courage to tell your daddy to nut on her face. I’ma beat yo ass if you call this number again,” I said and ended the conversation.

Silence fell over the room as everyone glared at each other. Before Erin’s phone could lock, I called him back, putting it on speaker. “Erin, who the fuck...”

“Didn’t I tell yo bitch ass to lose this number, and you keep answering, homie. I’ll beat yo broke ass about my woman,” I said.

Erin covered her mouth as she continued to give me a frozen stare.

“I ain’t about to argue with you about some pussy I already had,” Noah said.

“It’s some pussy you will never feel again. Hug yo dick and reminisce, bitch. I got something for your hardheaded ass,” I said, ending the call.

I memorized the number before I stuffed Erin’s phone in my pocket and retrieved my own phone. Tapping the screen, the picture of me and Khaira disappeared. I scrolled to my few saved numbers and texted Ivey to get the ball rolling.

Me

Need a favor

Ivey

I need diamond earrings

Me

Charge it.

Ivey

What you need.

Me

Make life hard for Noah.

Ivey

Cool, I was bored, anyway.

I gave Ivey Noah’s number. Lifting my head, Malcolm gave me an approving smile.

“Erin, let’s go, we’re running behind,” I said in my usual calm tone.