"You gotta go home, Rell." Tanya pushed Jarell's arms from around her waist.
"I don't want to."
Tanya smiled. She liked it when Jarell was persistent but it wasn't going to work tonight. "I have to get up in the morning and go to work and so do you."
"Can I stay tonight?"
Tanya hesitated. "Uhhh....okay... I guess...but no sex."
"No sex?"
"You heard me, nucca." Tanya got up off the couch and walked to the bathroom to run her shower. Jarell followed her. She got into the shower. Jarell followed. He massaged her shoulders turning her facing him. They kissed, deeply.
Tanya and Jarell were deeply in love. They had been dating for almost three years now. It was past due for a marriage proposal. Jarell loved Tanya with all his heart but he also knew that he wasn't ready for that type of a commitment.
Druex sat on the couch his apartment that he shared with his best friend Demario. Demario was at his girlfriend's place, so Druex was alone that night. He didn't like being alone. He decided to call his friend over.
Demario finished scrambling the eggs and scrapped the eggs onto two plates. The toast jumped up in the toaster. Demario hummed "Beautiful Stranger"(picture the movie Best Man when Monica walked down the stairs "Beautiful Stranger" was playing) as he placed the toast on both of the plates. He was adding the sausage patties, when Shayla came in to the kitchen scratching her head.
"Go, go, go, go shorty. It's your birthday." The DJ blasted 50 cent. The club was packed. Niggas and dimes everywhere. Jarell danced upon Tanya as she grinded her ass on him. He nodded his head as he noticed Omari walking toward him with Kesha trailing behind.
"You nervous?" Druex asked Cris.
Back at the club...
"So, Fizz Fizz Fizz", Jarell started, " tell me what is up with you and ole gurl?"
The ladies....
"He just came out of nowhere asking you to be with him." Tanya asked.
"Shayla." Demario looked into her eyes. "I've known you for almost eight months."
"Shayla's getting married." Kesha said.
"When's the wedding?" Crystal asked.
"I don't know. Maybe next summer."
"That's like nine months from now." Crystal said. "I wanna get married."
Kesha slipped on a big t-shirt. She sighed as she looked into the mirror. Omari came out of the shower wrapped in a towel.
Jarell and Omari were having lunch at the local pizza place. Two girls sitting at the bar sat watching them from over there shoulders.
Shayla knocked on Demario's apartment door. Demario opened the door surprised to see Shayla holding a catalog.
Out of breath, Crystal jogged upstairs to her apartment. She jogged in place, while she unlocked her door. Soon as she was inside of her apartment she stopped running. "Whew."
"Hey, Cris what you doing?"
"Nothing." A female voice answered.
"Come over then."
"What makes you think my man ain't ova here with me?"
"Cuz you ain't got no man." Druex confirmed.
"Whateva. I'll be over in a few."
"Aiight. Ay.."
"What?"
"Pick up something to eat."
"I gotcha ya."
They hung up. Druex flipped through the channels waiting on Cris. She didn't stay far, so it wouldn't take her long. He had known her since high school and they were good friends. He never really had feelings for her until now.
There was a knock on the door.
"About time you got here." Druex opened the door, letting Cris in.
"Hey to you too."
"McDonald's? Why you couldn't get no Chik Fila?"
"Cuz it's a across town. Damn, why you always complaining."
Druex plopped down on the couch and began to devour the chicken burger and fries. Cris did the same.
"I'm surprised you not out with one of your many female friends."
"I don't do that know mo'. I'm tryin to find me a real gurl."
"A real gurl, huh?"
"Yeah. One that wants me for me and not because I got money."
"What money? You are a gofer for Def Jam."
Druex made the sound you make when someone answers wrong. " I am an A & R executive now."
Cris seemed impress. "Wow. Go head with you bad self. Where's De?"
"He is at Shay's house."
"He is over there all the time. You would think they were living together or something"
"I know. He was telling me the otha night how he might think that he loves her. That's probably what he doing tonight."
"Professing his love to her." Cris said in a lovey dovey tone.
Druex laughed. "Yea, he's probably like ‘I love you. I love you'"
Cris and Druex were laughing hard at their impressions of Demario and Shayla.
"So Miss Crystal, where is your Mr. Wonderful?"
"I don't know. Haven't found him yet."
"You wanna try something?"
"Try what?"
"Us. I mean you the only gurl I feel I can talk to like I do and still be attracted to you. I mean that gotta mean something."
"What makes you ask something like that?"
"I was thinking ‘bout it last night when I was alone."
Cris hesitated, "Druex, I'm willing if you're willing."
"Aight bet." Druex smiled, looking over at Cris. He felt relieved to have that off his chest. "Can your man get a kiss?"
"Naw." Cris fought back a smile.
"Forget you then."
Cris pulled Druex face to hers. They locked lips. Cris pulled away. Druex was still lingering on for the kiss.
"Why you stop?"
"Making the Band about to come on."
"Oh, snap."
Druex sat up on the couch and scooted closer to Cris as the opening of Making the Band II came on.
Kesha checked her watch. It was 10:10 pm. Where was her fiancé'? She arranged the tulips in the vase and filled the vase with water. She then placed the vase on the kitchen table.
On the kitchen table sat the cold dinner she had prepared. She sat down in front of her cold steak and waited. She hated when he was late for things. But it was her fault too.
It was supposed to be a surprise dinner. So, he had no idea that he was expected at home nearly three hours ago. She heard a key unlock the door. Her heart jumped. She knew it was her man. Kesha had gotten so excited, she almost forgot she was mad. She turned her smile back into a miserable frown.
Omari closed the door behind as he entered the three bedroom condo. He walked through the living room straight to the kitchen where his fiancee' sat at the table.
No greetings were exchanged.
"Where were you?" Kesha demanded. She folded her arms across her chest, leaning back into the chair.
Omari noticed the table was set. He tucked his bottom lip in remorse. "Damn baby. I'm sorry. Why you didn't tell me you had something plan?"
Omari smiled. He loved this gurl too much.
Kesha got up and leaned into Omari's chest.
Omari rubbed her back. All Kesha needed was an ‘I love you'.
"Kesha." Kesha looked into Omari's puppy dog eyes. "I love you. But you gotta tell me when you want to do stuff like this."
Kesha nodded in his chest. "I love you, too."
Omari and Kesha kissed. Omari unbuttoned his business shirt and snatched off his tie which lay around his neck loosely. He took Kesha's hand and lead her to the bedroom. Kesha followed like a lost child. They made love that night as they do every night.
"What's this, baby?" Shayla asked, surprised.
"Breakfast."
"I see." Shayla was amazed. "Wow, De. It looks good."
Demario pulled a chair out for Shayla. Shayla sat down as Demario placed a plate in front of her. He sat across from her and watched her eat."
"Why you looking at me like that?"
"Cuz I love you."
"I know. Stop getting mushy on me De."
"It's hard when you are in love."
Shaya blushed. She was light skin, so it showed up red on her. She never knew how to respond to remarks like that. He told her she was beautiful she would practically argue with him. He told she was smart, but she just didn't believe it. When she fell in love with him, she wouldn't admit it to herself until last night.
"Just tell me you love me and I'm through...for today."
Demario said, gazing into her eyes.
"I love you." Shayla mumbled.
"What?" Demario acted as if he couldn't hear.
"Demario."
"I'm just playing baby."
Demario got up and walked behind Shayla, he leaned down and kissed her on the check. She pulled her shoulder-length hair behind her ear, signifying him to kiss her neck. He did so. She trembled at his touch. It was just something about him that made her want to trust him and give him her all.
"Was up?" Omari and Jarell did a handshake. "Sup, Tanya."
Tanya gave Omari a warm smile.
"Hey Kesha." Jarell greeted.
"Sup Rell. Where's De and Fizz?" Kesha asked.
"Fizz is suppose to be picking up his gurl. And De just paged me. He should be here by now."
"I wonder which gurl Fizz got now." Omari said.
"I asked him that too. He told me it's different now."
Jarell added.
"Yea right." Jarell and Omari said in unison.
Everybody was laughing when Demario approached them. Shayla stood beside him. Demario tapped Jarell on his shoulder then ducked behind Shayla, holding on to her waist.
"Man, De, stop playing like that. I'm telling ya one day my reflexes gon click on ya."
"Okay. I'll be waiting." Demario shot back. "Hey yall."
"Hey". Everybody greeted Demario and Shayla.
"Let's dance." Tanya told Jarell.
Tanya pulled Jarell back in the midst of people. Omari, without words, pulled Kesha on to the dance floor and they began their grind.
"Demario you want...." Before Shayla could finish her statement, Demario had her on that dance floor.
"I'm not that nervous. It's just weird how I've never met your friends except for Demario. And I hardly see him."
"Well, they all will be here. I'mma warn you they crazy."
Cris relaxed a little. Druex stepped in the club and immediately spotted his friends out. "Rell." Druex shouted.
Rell looked up. "Fizz in the house."
Omari and Demario looked up anxious to see who Druex was with.
Druex approached them. "Hey, yall this is my gurl Crystal."
Crystal stepped up to be greeted by Druex many friends.
"Ay yo this is Jarell and his gurl Tanya. You already know Demario. That's his gurl Shayla. And this is Omari and his gurl Kesha. They engaged."
"Congratulations." Cris told Omari and Kesha.
"Thanks." Kesha said. "Crystal you wanna chill with us tonight?" Kesha was refering to her, Tanya, and Shayla. Every once and awhile the ladies would get together and talk about their men. Now they had a new fish to reel in.
"Sure. I guess. What about the guys?"
"They just chill at the club. C'mon we finna go." Cris followed Kesha and the ladies out of the club. They all piled into Omari's black excursion.
"So, Crystal, how long have you known Fizz?" Tanya asked.
"Since high school."
"High school? Where have you been?" Kesha asked.
"I've been around. I guess me and Druex just never saw each other like that."
"Oh". Kesha was still confused. "How come we never seen you before?"
"He must have been hiding you."Tanya giggled. So did Shayla.
Crystal hadn't heard much from Shayla. She peered over the seat noticing Shayla's long reddish brown hair. Her hair seemed to make her skin look redder than it already was.
"We are here." Kesha announced.
Everyone got out of the Excursion. Crystal looked over what appeared to be a condo.
"This is nice. Who's place is this?" Crystal asked.
"It's Kesha's and Omari's. Omari is this big marketing executive."
Kesha unlocked the door and walked into her place. "It is nice."
"Shut up, Kesha." Tanya yelled.
"I'll get yall a glass of wine."
"Whatcha mean what's up? Thats my gurl now."
"Fizz got a girlfriend." Demario said to himself. "Never thought I'd see the day. Our lil boy is growing up."
Omari, Jarell, and Demario faked like they were crying.
"Stop it yall." Fizz said.
"Okay, but let me ask you a question." Omari stated. "Why her?"
Fizz thought for a minute, then began to speak but stopped. "I don't know. It's just something about her."
Jarell, Omari, and Demario nodded there heads simultaneously, smiling. When there is something about a girl you couldn't explain, then that meant she would be around for awhile.
"A toast." Omari proposed.
Everyone lifted there drinks in the air.
"To Fizz and Crystal." Omari said.
"To De and Shayla." Jarell added.
"To Jarell and Tanya." Fizz added.
"And to O and Kesha." Demario finished.
They clinked glasses, drank up and headed back out to the dance floor.
Four fyne brothers all in love. How much better could it get.
"Yep. He caught me off guard. I was like what the hell. " Crystal was getting comfortable. She liked the rest of the girlfriends and enjoyed there company.
"That proves all the guys are different. ‘Cuz when Jarell pursued me I turned him down. He came back again and again until I went out with him. That's what I like about him he's persistent." Tanya's heart fluttered when she spoke of Jarell.
Shayla spoke for the first time since they arrived at the condo. "When De tried to hook up with me he would drop hints. But I never knew they were hints. It went on like that for about two weeks until finally I asked him out. And he was like I've been trying to ask you out for the past two weeks. I was like you should be more direct. He was like ‘You sassy. I like that.'"
"We all know", Kesha started,
Tanya almost spit out her wine laughing.
"No, he didn't. Don't believe Kesha, Cris. I wasn't that mean."
Cris nodded toward Shayla, trying to believe what she said was true. "How long have yall all been with your man?"
"Uhhh....me and Omari have been together for about three years." Kesha second-guessed.
"Me and Jarell....it's been almost a year." Tanya sipped her wine.
"And me and Demario...going on eight months." Shayla concluded.
"Do yall think they the one?" Crystal was curious about love. She had never been in it. And was about to take a huge plunge in to the sea of love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Omari, Kesha, Crystal, Fizz, Jarell, and Tanya all stood inside of Crystal's apartment. Demario had been planning this for months now.
"It feels like forever though." Demario stood in front of Shayla, holding her hand. "I knew I was the one for you when you allowed me to open your heart. I ain't gon lie you was a mean bitch."
Everyone giggled.
"But you let me inside you heart until I became your heart. I know this because you tell me. I know this because of how you look at me. How you touch me." Demario got on one knee and presented Shayla a single solitare diamond ring.
Shayla's eyes filled with water. She kept telling herself she wasn't going to cry.
"I knew you were the one when every time I see you my heart leaps. It don't jump or flutter it literally skips a beat in your presence. When I'm around you I can't stop smiling. I can't even explain it. I am so in love with you. Will you, my love, marry me?"
Shayla cupped her hands around her mouth in surprise as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Yes." she spoke softly.
"You and Druex that serious?" Kesha asked.
Everyone stood around in the living room. Jarell turned the stereo on , blasting Lil Jon and the eastside boys. Jarell grabbed Tanya and started grinding her.
"Stop." Tanya pushed him off playfully. She turned around and started to dance with him.
"Crystal, dance with me." Druex commanded.
"Make me." Druex tugged on Crystal's arm pulling out on to the open area for them to dance.
Kesha eyed Omari. Omari eyed Kesha. Silently, they asked each other to dance. Kesha nodded. Omari made his way over to her.
Arms slid around Shayla's waist. It was her fiancé.
They danced like this for nearly two hours. After everyone left, Druex stayed behind to help clean up.
Druex brought the last of the trash into the kitchen.
"You staying tonight?" Crystal asked while drying the last glass.
"Only if you want me too."
"I want you too."
Druex approached Crystal kissing her passionately. He let his hands explore her back down to her butt.
"Druex." Crystal broke the kiss. "I think you should go home, instead."
Druex was horny. " I've been a good boy. So why can't I get some."
"Because I'm not ready."
"No, you don't understand. I am horny. I want you. Not my right hand."
Crystal laughed. "Is that how you handle your sexual frustration?"
"Pretty much."
"I'm a virgin." Crystal blurted out.
"Where that come from?"
"You asked why you couldn't get some."
"A 22 year old virgin. Wow. Are you waiting for marriage?"
"Naw. Just the right one."
"That means no sex tonight."
"Yep." Crystal exited the kitchen, laughing.>br>
"It's not funny." Druex followed Crystal out to the living room. "I'mma have to sleep on the couch."
"Why not with me?"
"I might rape you."
"You are so silly."
"Why you get out the shower when I came in?"
"I was finished."
"No, you weren't. You had just gotten in."
"I was finished." Kesha repeated.
"Okay." Omari changed the subject. "You want to do something to night?"
"No sex, O. I'm tired."
"What's wrong with you? The Kesha I know doesn't turn down sex." Omari went to the dresser pulling out a pair of boxers.
"Then you must don't know me very well." Kesha snapped.
"What are you talking about?" Omari dropped his towel and slid on his boxers.
"Then you would know that I am upset that we are not married now. Tell me something Omari, when's the wedding?"
"I don't know."
"Exactly."
"Why are you snapping on me?"
"Cuz everytime I bring it up you find something else to talk about."
"Whateva." Omari pulled the covers back.
"Yeah, whatever. I'mma let you know this. We've almost been engaged for a year. If Demario and Shayla marry before us than I'm leaving you."
"O, those girls keep looking over here." Jarell said.
"I know. I'm not thinking about them. Kesha got be buggin." Omari sounded hurt.
"What she do?"
"She talking crazy. Talking about she gon leave me."
"Why? What you do? You didn't cheat on her, did you?"
"Naw. She...just...wants to know when can we start planning the wedding."
"Okay. Well, start planning. What's so hard about that?" Jarell was baffled. He didn't understand why Omari was putting the wedding off.
"I don't wanna get married....not now."
"Why you propose?"
Silence. "You can't tell nobody this. But Kesha's was pregnant. She lost the baby two months after our engagement. I didn't see any reason to get married."
"Damn. Why you didn't tell nobody?"
"I mean before the news even settled in good...the baby was gone."
Jarell took a bite of his pizza. "Well, you love her. And I know you don't wanna be with nobody else. So, just let her know how you feel. She'll understand."
"She threaten to leave me. She ain't never said anything like that before." "Kesha not gon leave you. You got that gurl sprung."
Omari relaxed a little. "I do, don't I?"
"She got you sprung, too."
Omari chuckled. "What can I say? That's my girl."
"I didn't even think love could get that deep until I met Tanya."
"Speaking of sprung, Rell." Omari faked a cough hinting that Jarell was sprung.
"I'm not sprung. I'm just extremely infatuated with my woman."
Omari and Jarell laughed. They both were sprung and loving it.
"Hey baby." He greeted sleepily.
Shayla walked in to the apartment. Druex sat on the couch playing the Playstation 2. "Hey Druex."
Druex nodded his head acknowledging her presence.
Demario closed the door. "You not gon speak to me."
"You just woke up?"
Demario nodded as he walked sluggishly back to his bedroom. Shayla followed.
"What you think about this wedding cake?"
Demario laid back down in his bed attempting to go back to sleep. "It's nice."
"You didn't even look." Shayla whined.
"Yes, I did."
"Long night at the club?" Shayla inquired.
"Yeah. There was a fight. We hadn't had a fight in like a year. So, I had to deal with that. Then the bartender was tripping again."
"You need to fire him."
"I will as soon as I find another bartender. Right now, Curt has to do."
Shayla laid down beside Demario. His eyes were shut. She decided not to bother him with any of her wedding ideas. She stroked his ears staring at his face. Demario jerked back. "Stop, baby."
"I'm not trying to get freaky or anything."
"You know you want some of this."
"Not while Fizz is out there."
"He wouldn't know. He is way into the game." Demario sat up.
"Oh, you want to wake up now. I think not. You go back to sleep and I'll keep looking for a cake and some decorations."
Demario laid back down. "When I wake up, I hope you ready."
Shayla was flipping through the catalog. "Ready for what?"
"You know what I'm talking about." He rolled over and kissed her on her lips.
"Oh, I see now. I'm always ready."
Crystal checked her caller id. No one special had called. She sighed. There was a light tap on her door. Dressed in sweats and hair pulled in a ponytail she answered the door.
"Hey, Crystal. You must of went jogging."
"Druex, I was just thinking about you. Yeah, I just got back from jogging. What brings you around my way?"
"I was bored and wanted to see my gurl."
"Well, I don't have anything to eat and I don't plan on cooking."
"Just bust my bubble."
"Shayla must be over there." Crystal assumed.
Fizz nodded. "And they are going at it. I couldn't take it. I had to bounce."
"They're in love Fizz, what'dya expect?"
"Plus, they was making me horny."
"Okay that's enough. Why don't you order a pizza?"
"What makes you think I'm hungry?"
Crystal shrugged. "I don't know. I just figured—-"
"Am I that predictable?" Druex turned on Crystal's tv.
"I'mma go take a shower. Order the pizza."
"I'm not hungry."
"I am." Crystal wasn't just hungry for pizza. She turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up. Once at the right temperature, she slipped off her sweats. For some reason, she was extremely hot. She adjusted the water, making it a little more cooler. Then got in the shower closing the curtain.
The curtain was pulled back. Druex stood there naked. Crystal didn't say anything. She moved up under the shower head making room for him. Druex grabbed her waist, and kissed her shoulders gently.
"Druex." Crystal whispered.
He nibbled on her neck, before turning her around and devouring her lips. Crystal nipples were erect. Druex was also erect. Crystal was a bonafide virgin . Druex could tell. She seemed so new and willing to learn.