Page 8 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)

“What have you done?” my mother, Kia, asked.

“Huh? I just got here.”

“You heard what I asked. Whether you just got here or not, I know you did something.”

I hadn’t visited my parents since I crossed the line with Devyn. Since I was their only child, I’d never been able to hide anything from them. Sometimes, it seemed like my parents knew me better than I knew myself.

“Ma, I came to visit you and Pops, and you’re harassing me.”

“Nobody’s harassing you, boy, but we know when our son is up to something or has something to tell us. Which is it?” my father, Vince, asked from his recliner.

I’d gotten my business sense from both my parents.

They have owned and operated a hardware store in Hyde Park for most of my life, and expected me to take over when they retired.

With the way I’d been feeling lately about working with Maurice, my parents might be able to retire sooner than expected.

“I wouldn’t say I’m up to anything, but I do have something to tell you.”

“We’re all ears,” Pops said.

“I’m dating someone and it’s serious.”

“It can’t be too serious, because we haven’t met her,” Ma said.

“Actually, you have.”

They exchanged a knowing look, and something told me they knew I was talking about Devyn.

“We’ve met her?” Ma asked, and I nodded.

“Son, you don’t introduce us to women you aren’t seriously dating, so how is it that we’ve already met this young lady?”

I sighed and rubbed my hand down my face before leaning forward and resting my elbows on my legs.

“I don’t know how it happened, but?—”

“You broke the bro code. Tell me I’m wrong, Son.”

My eyes widened, but I wasn’t surprised. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, but nothing came out.

“I told you he was in love with that girl,” Ma said. “You kept talking about the bro code, and I told you when it comes to love, codes don’t matter.”

“Are you talking about Devyn?” They nodded. “How did y’all know?”

“I don’t know if you realize it, but she’s all you talk about when you come to visit,” she said.

“Not to mention you can’t keep your eyes off her. I don’t know how Maurice didn’t catch on. Ain’t no way another man can stare at my wife the way you stare at Devyn and me not notice,” Pops added.

“It wasn’t just you. At the anniversary party for ERL , she was stuck to you like glue and looked at you with googly eyes,” Ma told me.

I thought back to the celebration and recalled it being a very enjoyable night. Part of the reason was that I spent the majority of my time with Devyn while Maurice worked the room . . . and the women, although he was discreet about it.

“It was that obvious?”

“Yes. It was that obvious. Can we assume Maurice doesn’t know?”

“Not yet, but soon.”

They shook their heads. “This ain’t good, Tariq. This ain’t good at all. People lose their minds over stuff like this. I don’t know how you plan to tell him, but you better be careful and ready,” Pops warned.

“She found out Maurice has been cheating on her, and she?—”

“Hopped in your bed for revenge?” Ma questioned with her lips pursed.

“Nah, Ma. That ain’t how it happened. Devyn’s not even like that.”

“I don’t get that kind of vibe from her, but a woman scorned will do things outside of their character,” Ma said.

“Not her. She’s not like that,” I repeated.

“How did she find out he was cheating?” Pops asked.

I hesitated for a moment but eventually said, “I told her, but not how I’m sure you’re thinking.

It wasn’t my intention, but after a series of events that had nothing to do with me, she overheard him with another woman having sex.

After that, she asked me to be straight up with her and tell her what I knew. ”

“And you agreed,” Pops pressed.

“I did because I was tired of covering for him. He doesn’t deserve a woman like Devyn.”

“Whether he deserves her or not ain’t the issue, Son. In his mind, that’s his woman, and you’re his friend. That’s really all that matters at the end of the day,” Ma said.

“When do y’all plan to tell him?” Pops asked.

“She wants to wait until she’s completely moved out of his condo before telling him.”

“I like her style. His reaction will likely be extreme if she tells him about you. Are you ready and willing to lose your friendship with Maurice for this woman?” Ma asked.

“Me and Maurice are partners. We haven’t been friends for a long time.”

My parents exchanged another knowing glance.

“I’ll be booking that cruise tomorrow, Mr. Thompson.”

My father tossed the book he was pretending to read onto the floor.

“Damn it, Kia. Have you seen all the crazy shit happening on these cruises? Why do you insist on going on one?”

“Cruises look like so much fun, and those crazy things are rare. You said if I was right about Riq and Maurice, we could go on a cruise.”

“He didn’t say why they aren’t friends. Son, what happened that changed your friendship with Maurice? At one point, you were like brothers.”

“Remember the girl I was dating in college, Tamira?”

“I knew it! I knew it! I knew it. Fun Time Cruises , here we come!”

My mother stood and did a little dance while my father frowned.

“He’s not done, woman. Finish your story, Son,” Pops encouraged.

“Tamira played the innocent role well, but she was cheating on me with multiple guys. Maurice was one of them. He claims he didn’t know I liked her like that, but that wasn’t the point.

I let him slide because I refused to let a ho—I mean, a woman like that mess up our brotherhood, but it kept happening.

If he knew I was interested in a woman, he’d go behind my back and hook up with her before anything popped off between us.

His excuse would be that if she hooked up with him, she wasn’t worth my time anyway. ”

“He’s not wrong, but he’s not right either.”

“Damn, Son. He’s been stabbing you in the back for years. How could you trust him as your business partner?” Pops asked.

“That’s why I handle all the paperwork. ERL is very lucrative, so I don’t regret going into business with him, but I wouldn’t call him a friend.”

“Are you sure this thing with Devyn isn’t your payback?”

“Ma, y’all didn’t raise me to be that kinda man. I would never put her in the middle of our shit or use her like that.”

“Are you sure she’s not using you to get him back?”

“Her feelings for me are genuine, and she’s not using me to get revenge, but we’re both aware that this is the ultimate revenge.”

“Bring her over for Sunday dinner. I want to hear her side of the story,” Ma requested.

The following afternoon, I was in my office, preparing for a visit from our accountant. I rarely went into the office this early, but I wanted to ensure we were prepared.

“Devyn’s been acting funny,” Maurice said as soon as he stepped into my office, closing the door behind him.

I continued reading over the document on my computer screen, as he sat in front of my desk, not responding.

“Do you think she knows something?” he asked.

Annoyed by his presence, I sighed and gave him my attention.

“Knows something like what?”

“About the other women.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but if she does, it’s about time.”

He pulled his head back and frowned. “Fuck you mean, bruh?”

“I mean, you’ve been fucking around on her since day one. If she knows something, it’s about time.”

Even with all the shit he’d done to me, it was hard as hell to sit in his face and pretend like I wasn’t in love with a woman he claimed as his. However, every time he opened his mouth, it became easier.

“That’s some fucked up shit for you to say. You praying for my downfall?”

“Nigga, you ain’t worthy enough to be in my prayers. If you’re worried about her finding something out, stop doing shit. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“Nah. I can’t do that. If I tell her about one, she might start doing some digging, and that wouldn’t end well for me.”

“Let me ask you something. Why not let her go if you can’t be faithful?”

“Let her go?” He shook his head. “Devyn is wifey material. These other bitches are just something to do. When I’m ready to get married, Devyn is the one I want to marry.”

I should have been shocked, but I wasn’t. Maurice was selfish, and his thought process didn’t surprise me. I had a lot to say, but it was best to end the conversation.

“I need to finish this up before our appointment with our accountant.”

“Oh shit. That is today. Let me tell this chick I met last week I got a meeting and will be late. I think I’m gon’ see if Devyn wants to take a short trip next week. I ain’t had no pussy from her in forever. Maybe new surroundings will loosen her ass up and get us back on track.”

Although I knew Devyn wasn’t fucking this nigga anymore, it felt good to have confirmation. Maurice stood to leave and continued talking, but I’d already returned my attention to the document on my screen. When the door closed, I sent Devyn a text.

Me:

He’s noticed the change in you.

Devyn:

And?

Me:

Mentioned taking you on a trip.

Devyn:

I don’t even want to go to bed with him, much less leave the city with his trifling ass.

Me:

He also said you’ve been holding out. I’m glad you know that pussy now belongs to me.

Devyn:

Boy, bye!

I laughed at her dismissal and got back to work.