Page 9 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

“I think we should take her suggestions. We’ve been in business for a while, but we’re wearing training wheels when it comes to touring. Creating a frenzy drives up sales and creates chatter,” Tyrus said.

All eyes were on Jhae. She smiled, agreeing with a head nod.

“Lead the way, young lady,” Tyrus said.

Getting Tyrus’s approval was a big deal as he carried weight in the industry. I trembled at the opportunity to push myself to the limit.

“Marquise said you’re a bad friend. This is embarrassing,” Jhae said.

I flipped open my tablet to more text messages.

Marquise

Weirdo

Marquise

I know you ain’t ignoring me.

Me

We are never sleeping in the same bed together. Go, enjoy Denver.

“I’m going to get on it. When is the next meeting? Can you guys send me the important dates and social media handles with the passwords?” I said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Jhae said.

“I’ll run everything by you and Tyrus. If you don’t respond within twenty-four hours, I’ll assume it’s good to post,” I said, and Tyrus gave me an approving expression.

Marquise

I can’t believe you’re ignoring your best friend.

Me

I’m at work.

Marquise

Multitask. For example, chewing gum and walking.

Me

Bestie, what do you want?

Marquise

I’m bored.

Me

Are you serious?

Marquise

Down time.

Me

Give me thirty minutes. I’ll beat yo ass in Blazing and Gunz.

Marquise

Hurry up.

I rolled my eyes, diverting my attention back to Jhae and Tyrus.

“Sorry about that. My new bestie is bored and somehow, it’s my problem,” I said.

Tyrus chuckled as we returned to the meeting.

Jhae passed me her social media handles and passwords.

After the login process, we scheduled a time for tomorrow.

With Marquise on the road for the next week, I can focus on Jhae instead of seeking him out to get underneath his skin.

Those brown almond-shaped eyes, natural thick brows, smooth, warm, even-toned skin could make a girl think twice.

“Okay, we have our plans. Social media and venues,” Tyrus said, pointing toward me. “Narrow down the track list, Jhae. Better yet, on Wednesday, how about everybody have a curated list.”

I closed my tablet with about five minutes to spare before my new bestie hit my phone.

Pushing the key inside the door, my phone vibrated, and I chuckled. I stopped by the kitchen for a fruit juice and one of Malcolm's muffins before I found his bedroom.

Marquise

Erin pick up the pace.

Entering the room, I hit the start button on the gaming system and the blue light shined. Both my phone and tablet sounded simultaneously, signaling a call was coming through. I retrieved my phone from my pocket to confirm it was Marquise. Tapping my headphones, I answered, laughing.

“It’s not funny you’re late, Weirdo,” he said.

I twisted the top of my juice and sipped as Blazing and Guns loaded.

“Earth to the science project,” Marquise said, and I almost choked on my drink.

“I was drinking. Can you chill out? I’ve never seen someone run to an ass whooping,” I said.

With the controller in hand, I created a private game and searched for his name in the database.

“You think you so tough.”

“Accept the damn invite. I’m seven levels above you and don’t embarrass me by getting killed and shit,” I said in return.

Marquise’s player appeared on the screen next to mine in a blue space suit. My player was dressed in a metallic black suit with a ponytail extending out of her space helmet, ending at her ass.

“Embarrass you?” he questioned, and I snickered.

I hit the button and off we went to the planet Jupiter.

“On your left,” I screamed into the phone.

“You worry about the right, I got the left,” he said.

We lit up the aliens, avoiding craters and blow holes.

“Shit! Where did he come from?” Marquise said, after I covered his back.

For two hours, we scoured the planet and hopped into a new level. Marquise wasn’t half bad, but I protected him a few times.

“Mother. ..” I screamed as the one-eyed monster ascended from the ground.

“Fuck!” Marquise said, falling victim to the sunlight blast.

I reached for my juice, discovering the empty bottle. Placing my hands on my back, I arched forward to pop it.

“We made a good team. I carried your ass, but we did good,” I said.

“Do you take medication for lying or is it natural for you?” Marquise asked, and I leaned to the side in laughter.

“What time is the game?”

“In a few hours and you better watch,” he said.

“Marquise, I don’t have to watch you flop all over the court,” I said.

From these brief interactions, I knew he was going to need road etiquette training. He’s trying to insert a dictatorship, and it wasn’t happening. He liked to be in control, and I needed to keep us within the lines to make this friendship work.

“Yes, you do. Best friends support one another.”

“Are you serious? You didn’t support me at work a minute ago. I’m turning my phone off and disconnecting my tablet,” I said, as I stood and paced around his large room.

“Erin, what are you talking about?”

“Marquise, you want me to respect your job, but you don’t respect mine. You cannot demand my time while I’m at work. I hope you get dunked on tonight,” I said.

“For you, I’m dunking on everybody, bestie,” he said.

I regret introducing the word to him. He says it with such disdain as if it hurts to release the - ie at the end.

“Speaking of which, why are you playing the game with me? Denver doesn’t have any attractive women?”

A silent pause stood between us. I armed myself for whatever was getting ready to exit his sarcastic ass mouth.

“I’ma try this. Can I be honest with you?” he asked, and the playfulness left his voice replaced by a deeper, seductive tone.

“I’m listening.”

“I did meet up with a woman, but it didn’t go as planned. Right now, the only woman I want is your thick, sexy ass. You’re fucking up my sex life.”

I swallowed hard at his confession as I scrambled my words. Marquise already tried to cross the boundary line.

“Uh. No. Don’t blame that on me. The reason why you can’t have sex is because meaningless sex no longer fills the void,” I said.

I wanted to crawl underneath the bed as the words slipped from my mouth.

Sex meant nothing to him, judging by the way he used women.

But our friendship wasn’t in a spot for me to highlight it without offering support.

Marquise required me to think on my feet, but I should’ve thought this one out more.

“I’m sorry, Marquise. I was out of line. That doesn’t make my statement less true, but I was out of line,” I said.

He sat in silence for longer than I would have preferred. There was a small sting of guilt settling within me.

“My method for filling the void was working fine then you showed up freeloading. Until I get you off the brain, it’s me and you,” he said.

“What do you mean, it’s me and you.”

I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for his explanation. Surely he wasn’t suggesting friends with benefits. I was not joining his roster of women waiting to please his every need.

“Erin, sometimes I wonder about you. What do you think I mean? If you keep interrupting my coping method, our dynamics are going to change,” he said.

My mouth parted as I searched for words to tell him what he suggested was never going to happen.

“Maybe the more you get to know me as a friend, it will wear off. I’m not this innocent cookie-cutter girl you think I am. I’ve burped in front of a guy before,” I said.

“And? What else do you got?” he questioned.

When I remained silent, he filled the space. “If I don’t get over this drought, I’m coming to you,” he said.

I jolted my body forward from the sectional. “Excuse me. Say that again.”

Marquise had clearly lost his senses suggesting I should satisfy his sexual hunger. To be bold about it, took a large pair of nuts. I rubbed my forehead, regretting my offer of us being friends.

“I said,” he projected his voice. “If this drought doesn’t subside, I’ll talk myself in between those thick brown covered thighs.”

“Marquise.”

“Weirdo.”

“I don’t do casual sex,” I said.

Well, I wasn’t completely honest. I’ve had a stint or two of casual sex with two partners. When the last guy lied about being married, I cut the cord on friends with benefits.

“I understand. I didn’t plan on sharing you anyway,” he said.

“Marquise!”

“Are you going to keep calling my name or actually say something?” he said.

“You can’t bully me into a relationship,” I said as I stood, tossing my controller on the seat cushion, waiting for a response.

“You’re going to volunteer and I’m willing to assist if needed. It seems as if we have work to do,” he said.

I chuckled as I took in the view of L.A. from his bedroom. The air in Denver had sucked the oxygen from his brain.

“What work?” I questioned.

“On making this friendship work or I’m eating your pussy,” he said.

I swallowed hard at his statement as my mind scrambled to find a response. Marquise had become a little too comfortable with me to expose his internal thoughts. He had to be playing. What person tells their best friend something sexual in nature.

“Marquise, I promise after you eat my pussy your mouth won’t venture anywhere else. You and your wallet don’t want these problems. Now, talk to me nice,” I said.

“I need to get ready for the treatment,” he said, backing down, and I hung up.

Afterward my phone vibrated, and I laughed.

Marquise

Me

Marquise

Old fashioned, but I used those too.

Me

Go play basketball.

Marquise

Last night, holding Erin in my arms had me on an unbelievable high.

The melon scented lotion she rubbed on her body lingered in my nose.

This morning, I made sure she packed enough to remain upstairs with Jhae.

Not only did it ease Malcolm’s worry, but it allowed me to relax.

We had security cameras outside the door.

If a dude came by, I would know about it.

“What she say?” Malcolm asked, as he grabbed his bag.