Love Don't Cost a Thing (8 page)

“So, are you giving up?”

“Hell no! So that ass wipe can come in running to pick up the pieces. Best friend my ass. I see how he looks at her. Why can’t she see it?

“Bud, just lie low. It will play out and they will be gone soon. But if you approach her with this, you may push her straight into his arms.”

“I know, but what if she’s not ready to get married because she wants to see how she feels about Preston, and how the dude feels about her?”

Colin grabbed hold of a pencil and snapped it into several pieces as he pondered his thoughts.

“No, man, don’t think like that. Let that thought go. You know Moe is a decent, straight to the point and very serious woman. She don’t play those types of games. She won’t even joke with me.”

“I’m trying, Neil.”

“Right now, show her that you trust and love her. Damn, I wish I could listen to myself sometimes so I would stop making stupid mistakes myself.”

“I know, it’s easy to help others instead of yourself. For instance, she keeps telling me to regulate my spending.”

“I told you that in the beginning. That could’ve driven her away too.”

Colin stood up and banged the desk again. “Damn, do I have to change everything? What about her? Why can’t she except that this is who I am.”

“Dude, I don’t think your desk can handle another hit from your fist man. But listen, isn’t she still with you? That says a lot, and she’s wearing your ring, even in front of the douche bag over there.”

“You’re right!”

“Go back to her place and take her home with you tonight. You’ll feel a lot better once you get her in your bed. And pencil neck can only imagine in agony what you two are doing.”

“Yeah, I like that!”

They both burst into laughter. Colin calmed down.

****

Colin pulled over to the side of the rode to call Monica to see if she was still up.

“Hello, Moe?”

“No, this is Leah. Hi, Colin.”

“Hi, Leah, I didn’t wake you did I?”

“No, I’m just spending some one-on-one with Justin.”

“Where’s Moe?”

“Oh, she and Preston walked to the store.”

“There’s no store in walking distance, besides nothing is open. Good bye, Leah.” Colin replied in a deep voice before disconnecting the line.

Colin sped off, driving around in the night to clear his head. He finally decided to stop at her condo. He headed for the garage. As he drove closer, he noticed two figures sitting in Monica’s car. He sped up, then slammed on his brakes. He jumped out of his car and rushed up to the passenger side of her car. Monica’s eyes widened as she jumped. She was startled by Colin’s sudden appearance.

Snatching the door opened, he pulled Preston from the car by his collar. The other fist was cocked back and ready to strike. Colin stood taller. He leaned over into Preston’s face yelling.

“What the hell is going on here? You’re going to disrespect me just like that.” He dropped Preston onto the ground, then walked to Monica’s side of the car as she jumped out.

Monica was in a frantic rage. “Colin, wait, it’s not what you think! Colin, stop!”

“No, you stop, Moe. What am I supposed to think?”

“You’re supposed to trust me, Colin.”

“I do trust you. But it’s him I never trusted. And now look, you’re out here in a dark garage alone with him. I walk up and his arm is around you. What was next?” Colin yelled.

“That’s enough, you’re overreacting. I told you, it’s not what you think. Nothing happened!”

“If you believe this is innocent, Moe, then you must be blind or very naive, and I know as well as you do, you’re neither.”

Colin began to walk back to his car. Preston tried to help with the situation. “Dude, calm down, nothing happened here. Listen to Moe!”

“Yeah, probably because I ruined it for you. Get back in the car man, and mind your fuckin’ business.”

“Let me talk to you man,” Preston pleaded.

“You don’t want to talk to me right now. I’m telling you, dude, piss off right now before I come over there and shove you in the car myself! I see straight through you, OK?!”

Preston stared at Colin for a second and returned to the car.

“Moe, look at you. It’s cold as hell out here. You only have on some flimsy sweats, a tee, and a jacket. I can even tell you don’t have a bra on.”

“I just stepped out the house for a minute.”

“No, I called your cell an hour ago and Leah has your phone.”

Monica checked her pockets and the car to see if she had her phone.

“I didn’t realize I didn’t have it with me.”

“What am I supposed to think? Is this why you didn’t want to get married just yet, so you can check your feelings for Preston?” Colin argued as he reached for his car door.

Monica tried to block his hand. “No! Please, Colin don’t leave like this. I promise you, you’re wrong.” She gazed at him with wide eyes.

“Moe, how would you feel and what would you think if this situation was me and another woman. You would swear that I was fuckin’ her. Think about it and get back to me.”

Colin jumped in his car and sped off, leaving Monica standing in the middle of the garage.

Monica snuggled up to her older sister, laying her head on her shoulder for comfort. “Lele, what should I do? Colin might call off the engagement.”

“No he won’t. He’s just angry and confused right now.”

“But it’s been a week and he won’t answer my texts or my emails. When I go past his office, the door is shut and locked. His receptionist says that he works from the field.”

“Well, Moe, maybe he needs this time just like you asked for time from him. Isn’t that what you told me?”

“Yes, but that’s different, Le,” Moe snarled.

Leah got up to get something to drink, letting Moe fall to the side of the couch.

“Damn, you could’ve gave me some warning that you were getting up. Where’re you going? I’m pouring my heart out to you.”

Leah kept walking as if she didn’t care.

“I’m thirsty, do you mind? And you don’t need sympathy.”

“Yes I do. My man, my husband-to-be, might be leaving me. I need your help, big sis.”

“No, you don’t. You need a kick in the ass.”

“What?”

Leah looked around the condo. “Where’s Preston and Justin?”

“They took my car and went to the store.”

“Good, we can talk freely.”

“About what?”

“About everything, you, Colin, and Preston! What’s going on? Do you have feelings for Preston?”

“Hell no! You know the only regard I had for him was as my best friend.”

“No feelings at all? This is sissy you’re talking to.”

“Nope, none, never in the least.”

Leah held the palms of her hands up with puzzlement. “Well, I don’t get why Colin is so upset.”

“I do, but I want to say that I’m madly in love with Colin.”

“Then why is Preston here?” Leah questioned.

“What? Because you brought him here.”

Leah slung a pillow from the couch to gently hit Monica.

“Monica London, don’t make me hurt you up in here! When I talked to you on the phone and told you about Preston, that was your cue or your moment to tell me not to bring him. When you’re into your man, you don’t have time for a single man hanging around, friend or not. Would you want another woman hanging around Colin?”

“No, I wouldn’t. I would have a problem with that.”

“You say you want to love him and marry him.”

“I do.” Monica still tried to defend herself. “Well, you didn’t say he was coming too. I didn’t know he was going to hop on a plane to come here with you.”

Leah cut her some slack. “I don’t even know where he’s staying or what he’s up to. Justin and I ran into him at the airport during a layover.”

“What did he say to allow you to let him travel with you?”

“He didn’t say much except that he wanted to see a long lost friend, his best friend. The next thing I knew he booked a ticket and was coming with us. I told him all that’s happening with you.”

Monica jumped up from the sofa and began to pace the floor.

“Wow, I don’t believe this!”

“Sorry, sissy, I thought it would be a good surprise for you.”

“Ooh, that scandalous! You told him about me from the beginning when you talked to him at the airport. So he knew I was engaged and he wanted to try and mess it up for Colin and me, thinking he would try and move in on me. And it looks like he did.”

Monica covered her eyes to catch her tears.

“Moe, what happened between you and Preston? Moe!”

Shaking her head with embarrassment, she wouldn’t look at Leah.

“I don’t want to say.”

“Talk to me, sissy. I can’t help if you don’t open up.”

“I can’t believe he did what he did.”

“What did he do?”

“He’s not my friend. He’s not even a man. He’s a bitch, who’s selfish and self-centered. He almost messed me over. Colin and I will get married when the time is right.”

“Tell me you didn’t have sex with him?”

“God, No! But he did try to make a pass at me. When we left to go to the store it turned out to be closed so we decided to just sit in the car so you and Justin could get your freak on…”

Leah threw her head back smiling, “Lord, yes, thanks sis. I owe you for that one.”

“In the car, before Colin showed up, Preston was telling me that he always loved me and he saw an opportunity to see me again and he took it.”

“Bastard! Yeah, I’m listening, go on.”

“He then said he never felt he was successful enough to approach me in the past. But now he’s doing pretty good for himself. The next thing I knew, he tried to kiss me and then touched my breast.”

“Get the hell out!” Leah’s mouth fell open.

“So I tried to slap the taste out his mouth, and that’s when Colin drove up screeching his wheels behind us and jumped out the car. He scared the hell out of both of us.”

“Oh god!” Leah covered her mouth in shock.

“I wasn’t sure what Colin was about to do. I thought he was about to go off on Preston. I never saw so much rage in his eyes. At the same time, Preston had his hand around my neck trying to pull me toward him.”

Leah reach for Monica’s hand to squeeze it for comfort and support.

“You know men are very protective and possessive when it comes down to their property and their women.”

“He is that! I must say, and he let no one go there with him.”

“Girl! I know you’re a trained agent, but I’m about to go trained
crazy
on his ass!”

“No, Leah, this is my place, my problem, and my man Preston compromised. Thanks, big sis, but I can handle myself. He has to go, as a matter of fact. Leah, pack his shit and call him a cab. As soon as they get back I’m snatching my keys!”

“That’s right, girl, handle your business! We are the London sisters and don’t nobody fuck with us. That’s how we carried it growing up and that’s how we carry it now.”

“I should’ve listen to Colin. He has a very keen sense of judgment when it comes to peoples’ characters.”

“I got your back, Moe. Preston’s not going to start any shit while I’m here. I’m going to sit here and let you handle things until you need me.”

“That’s good, but I got it. I think I hear them coming.”

****

Preston and Justin finally returned laughing and joking as they entered the condo. Leah signaled Justin to follow her to the bedroom and shut the door behind them. Preston hopped onto the sofa, throwing his legs up on the ottoman to get comfortable.

“Hey, Moe, what’s up with Le… Hey, isn’t that my bag in the middle of the floor? Why is it out here?”

“I’ll tell you why, motherfucker, because you’re getting the hell out of my house!” Moe walked swiftly over to the bag and picked it up and threw it at Preston.

“What? Why are you talking to me like that, Moe? What did I do to you?”

“Too damn much. I said get the hell out!”

Monica paused and threw her hand on her hip as she pointed her finger with the other hand.

“You knew I was engaged and I remember just now that I also introduced Colin to you as my fiancé. And you thought in your sick, twisted little mind that you were still going to try your hand. Not!”

“But, Moe, I’m sorry. I can explain all that to you. It won’t happen again. I know now that you love Colin! Can’t I just be here for you guys?”

“Just give me the keys to my car, Preston, and wait outside for your cab.”

Within seconds a horn was blowing. Monica walked toward Preston to direct him out as he walked backward to the door. They stopped in the foyer.

“I’m going to say it one more time, keys please!”

Preston replied in a deep voice as he leaned in to try and steal a kiss.

“What if I don’t?”

Monica met his nose and mouth with a right hook of her fist and then grabbed him, pulling him forward as she jolted her left knee between his crotch.

“Ah!” Preston yelled in a high pitched voice and fell to the floor.

“Preston, you don’t get to fuck with my life or my man. If he was here, an ambulance would be here for you instead of a cab.”

“Fuck you too, Moe,” he replied in a squeaky voice. “You know we could’ve had something nice together. You missed out,” he yelled as he threw her keys at her.

Out of reflex she reached down and slapped his face with excessive force as she yelled back at him, “Please, I wouldn’t be with your sorry ass even if you had the only cock on this planet. And another thing, no one gets to touch me uninvited. That’s for putting your hands on me! Get outta my house while you can!”

By the time she finished speaking, Justin came running in from behind Monica to escort Preston out the door while Leah attended to Monica.

“Yes, please do, Justin. Get him out of here. I don’t want to jeopardize my job on that immoral rat.”

Leah took Monica’s hand and led her back to the sofa.

“He’s gone, calm yourself! Sissy, I thought you were about to lose it. That’s why Justin and I came out to help get him out of here, plus I heard him talking trash.”

Monica chuckled a little to try and calm down.

“Yeah, ha, I got it. I’m all right now. Girl, I hate his guts now. Obviously, he was no longer my friend, but more of an opportunist trying to satisfy himself.”