Page 14 of Pulse of True Soulmates

Deck was extremely calm. This was the first time that I’d seen him handle conflict, so I was interested to see how it would play out. “Alesha, I already told you that I don’t argue with crazy. You can do that with Charlotte-Meck when they get here.”

He gave her no real energy as he came and sat back in the seat that was closest to me. He continued to lay out what he needed for my tattoo. That clearly agitated Miss Alesha. “Yeah, I’m gonna beat you and your bitch’s ass.”

Deck laughed. “I got something that says you won’t.” He reached behind him and pulled a Glock out. He pulled the hammer back and set it on my leg. “Now, I don’t hit females, but if you come near my woman, I’ll shoot the shit out of you before I tell Midnite to tear your ass up.”

Alesha’s eyes widened. She’s not that tough now. Julian stepped forward. “Aye, you need to get the fuck up out of here. Your ass is about to go to jail over a nigga who told you a long time ago that it wasn’t you.”

“Fuck you, Julian! Nah, it wasn’t me because he rather a disabled bitch. Look at her with her lil service dog!” she spoke callously.

Fatima’s abrupt laugh drew everyone’s attention. “Bitch, I was trying to let you live, but you got my best friend, her dog, and me fucked up. You wanna beat someone up, beat me the fuck up.”

Before Fatima advanced the dumb bitch, Julian grabbed her. “She’s not even worth all that shit.” His head dropped back. “Who the fuck called them!”

Rushed steps came up the stairs. Before any of us could blink, Iesha punched Alesha in her face. “Bitch, who the fuck are you playing with.”

Julian let go of Fatima, which was a horrible mistake, to grab Iesha.

Deck jumped up to grab Leydi who had jumped in as well.

I held onto Midnite to make sure he didn’t get worked up.

The other tattoo artists that worked on the far side of the loft came over to help.

It was complete mayhem for a moment. I, however, was chilling with Midnite in one arm and Deck’s gun in my other hand.

By the time the guys were able to peel all my girls off the Alesha dummy, the police had arrived.

I was terrified that my girls would get locked up, but they didn’t.

Miss Alesha was arrested for trespassing, and Deck went a step further to ask for a restraining order.

I guess he’s serious about not arguing with crazy.

Tiberius and Derrick arrived soon after the police left to reprimand their women, which was funny to see.

“Baby, I stopped talking to that girl weeks before I met you,” Deck said. “I love you, and I would never do shit to jeopardize us.” Sincerity laced his eyes.

I told Midnite to go back to his pillow since everything had calmed down.

Once I made sure he was comfortable, I turned my attention to Deck.

My lean toward him prompted him to lean toward me.

Our lips locked in a passionate kiss. “I know you wouldn’t.

It’s clear that you haven’t dealt with her.

Can I get my tattoo now? It’s an hour over my appointment time. ”

He chuckled. “I got you, love. I’m sorry about that shit though, for real. I don’t do drama, but unfortunately, I can’t control other’s actions.” He pecked my lips with his. “I’ll still make it up to you.”

I guess this is the best time to tell him about dinner plans tomorrow. “You can make it up to me tomorrow at my father’s house for dinner. He wants to meet you.”

Deck sat there frozen for a second. “I thought I was going to meet him at the party. What happened with that?”

“Fatima, can you tell Deck what happened with him meeting my father at his birthday party?” I asked when I turned in her direction. Julian had finished her tattoo, so she was sitting in my recliner. “I’ll let her tell you all about that.”

She rolled her eyes before she gave her version of the story while everyone tuned in. Everyone thought it was funny, including Deck. All the couples were invited to my father’s party. I also made sure I told Leydi to have Tiberius invite Georgie.

“I guess I’ll be meeting my pops-in-law tomorrow. Let’s get this tat done so we can go home.” For the rest of the time, Deck worked on my tat.

Fatima eventually went home, but everyone else chilled until my tat was done. I was happy they stayed because my tattoo was still painful, even with the numbing cream. It would be a while before I got another one.

TIME TO MEET THE FATHER . . .

“How are you more nervous than me. I’m the one fucking your daddy’s daughter,” Deck joked from the driver’s seat. We were on our way to my father’s house for dinner.

I smacked him on the arm. “Deck, that is not funny. You don’t know my father. He can be intense. I mean, him and Troy never got along.”

His laughter stopped abruptly. When we came to a stoplight, he glared at me with not so friendly eyes. “I know you’re not comparing me to your bitch ass ex? I’m sure your father never got along with Troy’s fuck ass. Troy was a bitch, I’m not. Do you see the difference?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to compare or offend you. I’m just nervous.” I lowered my head and fidgeted with my fingers.

Deck’s hand cupped my chin to lift my face. He turned my face to his, then kissed my lips. “You have no need to be nervous. Trust me, I got this.”

All I could do was trust that he did have it. When we got to my father’s house, you could smell the food in the air as soon as we got out of the car. One thing that Vernon Blackwell could do was grill his ass off. He grilled during any season. “Daddy!” I called out when we walked into the house.

“I’m in the kitchen, baby girl,” he responded. His smile was bright when I walked into the kitchen with Deck on my heels. “You look beautiful today.” He pulled me into his arms for a tight hug and kiss on my temple.

When we pulled away, I cleared my throat. “Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Declan Phillips Jr. Declan, this is my father, Vernon Blackwell.” My eyes ping ponged between my father and my man.

Declan’s hand extended. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Blackwell. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

My father looked down at his hand for a beat before he took it into his and shook it. “It’s nice to finally meet you too, Declan.” After their hands disconnected, he said, “At least you have a firm handshake unlike that fuck boy Troy.”

My eyes bulged. Why would he say that? Deck’s boisterous laughter made my eyes expand even more.

“Mr. Blackwell, bitch boys can’t have firm handshakes, sir. I’m a grown ass man,” Deck said cooly. He chuckled a little more.

My father didn’t initially laugh, but when he did, I let out the breath that I didn’t know I was holding.

Dinner was ready, so we sat down to eat.

There was casual get-to-know-you conversation during dinner.

After dinner, I was told to sit in the den with Midnite while the men had a talk.

I wanna know what they’re talking about.

By the end of the night, my father and man seemed like damn best friends. What kind of conversation was that?

When we got to Deck’s house, we had a short sex session in the shower, then showered before we got in bed.

The second time that I came to Deck’s house, he had installed a showerhead that regulated the water temperature like the one that I had at my house.

It took me a while to get the shower right after my diagnosis.

I was one of the rare women who didn’t like their water lake of hell hot.

“Baby,” I softly spoke. My head was on Deck’s chest as we lay in bed. “What did you and my dad talk about? Y’all seemed like best buds by the end of the night.”

He tittered. “Why are you so nosy? All you need to know is that me and your father have an understanding. I love you, and he loves you. Cool?”

“Really, baby? That’s the understanding that had you two buddy, buddy?” I turned on my award-winning pout. From his stoic expression, my pout fell flat tonight. “Whatever.”

He smacked my ass. “Right. Go to sleep, nosy ass girl. You know all that you need to know.”

I couldn’t stand him or my father at this point. I may have wanted to wait for my father to meet Deck at his party, but tonight proved to be a better plan. I guess I owe Fatima a thank you.

IT’S A BIRTHDAY PARTY . . .

I looked gorgeous, and my man was fine! The gown that I wore fit me like a glove. Today was a busy day, but to see the final results felt great. The venue was perfectly decorated.

Arms wrapped around me from behind before lips kissed my neck. “I’m going to fuck you in the bathroom tonight. No ‘let me show respect’; I’ll just eat that good pussy,” Deck whispered in my ear.

“Why are you so mannish?” I turned in his arms, then kissed his lips. “We have to be on our best behavior while we’re here. When we get home, you can have me however you want me.”

He smacked me on my ass, then squeezed it. He was so mannish, but I loved it. Declan was so different from what I was used to.

Photographers littered the event to take pictures. Many had been taken of my father, me, Declan, our friends, as well as the other dignitaries in the building. I didn’t reach out to them, but somehow, the media got wind of the party. They were outside covering it.

Fatima came over with two champagne flutes in her hand. “Alright, this is the only glass of alcohol that you can have tonight. Midnite, make sure you keep an eye on her.”

Midnite was very handsome in his doggie tuxedo. I reached for the flute excitedly because I hadn’t had an alcoholic drink in months. Before I could put it to my lips, Deck’s hand went around my wrist. “The only one, Aeon?”

“Ok, Deck. I mean, I think three should be the limit, but we can talk about that in a bit.” I took a sip from the flute. In a low voice, I said, “I get fancy on the dick when I’m a lil tipsy.”

He snickered at my words, then responded. “I guess I won’t know what it feels like for you to get fancy on my dick.”

Fatima burst into laughter because, of course, her nosy ass was listening to our conversation. She was gorgeous tonight. When we all got here, she met Georgie. They’d been talking for most of the night. “He told your unfancy ass.”

Before I could quip back, a voice from behind me stopped me. When I turned in the direction of the voice, Troy stood. His parents flanked him. “Aeon, you look beautiful tonight.”

Fatima let out a loud ‘ha!’ “This can’t be life. The devil is a fuckin’ liar.”

My eyes roamed over to Deck who wore the most sinister smirk that I’d ever seen. I had a feeling this night would not go like I thought it would. Jesus, be a fence.