I looked next at my dad, who quirked his brow and shook his head no. I didn’t even have to say anything; he knew what I was asking. That no meant that he hadn’t invited her over, and I’m pretty sure Justine hadn’t either because she doesn’t know her like that.
All of this mattered because I was raised to have manners and to show respect always. But since neither of my parents had invited her here, and it was obvious she was making my woman uncomfortable in her own home, that shit was dead in the water.
She acted like she didn’t see any of the others and just zoned in on me. “Hi Tyler, aren’t you finished breakfast yet?” Now I’m not stupid. I’ve seen females in action when they think they’re marking their territory before and am well aware of the head fuck games they like to play, especially when they’re trying to get another female off my scent. She picked the wrong one and the wrong fucking day.
If the lies she’d told the other night hadn’t already put a strain on our fledgling relationship as friends reconnecting, then the fact that this was the morning after for my girl and me would’ve been enough for me not to give a fuck about her feelings. But when you combine the two, it’s just a recipe for disaster. Because you see, the same dad who taught me to be mindful of others also taught me how a man is supposed to treat his lady. She’s fucked.
“What’re you doing here?” I addressed her first before turning my attention immediately to Lora. “Lora, sit down and eat; we’ve got things to do.” I pulled out the chair next to me and moved her plate from her regular place and put it next to mine. I’m about to start the process of easing our parents into knowing that things have changed between us; baby steps.
I saw the look that passed between dad and Justine and could almost read their minds. Dad hadn’t said anything to me, but I knew he hadn’t missed the tension between Lora and me in the last week or so, and now it was obvious that the breach had been closed if he only knew.
I didn’t invite Sherry here, so she wasn’t my responsibility; therefore, I ignored her, let dad deal with her shit. She seemed embarrassed by my question, but again, that’s not my problem. I stole a piece of turkey bacon from my girl’s plate to let her know that my focus was on her and her alone. Short of kissing her like I wanted to, that was the best I could come up with like a middle schooler fucking with the girl he likes but can’t tell her.
Dad, realizing that I had nothing more to say to Sherry, took up the reins. “Hi Sherry, where’s your mom and dad?”
“They went out on the boat today, but I didn’t feel like going, so I came to see if Tyler wanted to do something.” I felt her eyes on me but didn’t look up. Lora had yet to say one word, but I could feel the heat of her anger, singeing the hair on my arm. Damn!
Dad kicked me under the table when I didn’t answer, and I finally looked up. “You should’ve called first; I already have plans, sorry.” I was hoping that neither dad nor Justine would invite her along with Lora and me, and I could tell from the looks passing back and forth between them that they were wondering why I didn’t do it myself. They’d be waiting forever for that shit.
“Oh!” I knew to save face she wouldn’t dare ask me what I had planned or try to invite herself along, but I also knew that her manipulative ass might try to make an end-run around me, so I had to move fast. “Come on, let’s go.” I stood up from the table and grabbed Lora’s hand, pulling away from the food that she wasn’t even eating.
I kissed Justine on the cheek like I always do before leaving the house, pounded fists with dad while Lora gave them both a kiss on the cheek, and we bounced. I hurried Lora into the car, strapped her in, and jumped into the driver’s seat, all while Sherry was still standing in the kitchen wondering what the hell had just happened, no doubt.
I’m not quite sure what her deal is. I mean, we were friends as kids, but that was a million years ago, and I can barely remember her. If she hadn’t pulled her stunt, who knows, maybe we could’ve remained friends, but this one had already beaten her to my heart, so she was shit out of luck there. Speaking of which…
“What’s the deal with you and Sherry anyway?” I asked as I drove down the driveway taking her hand in mine. She shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window. “Who says anything is going on?”