FINAL SNEAK PEEK - THE LOVE NEXT TO ME

Tomorrow, Monae Nicole returns with The Love Next To Me. Here’s one final sneak peek.

Brooklyn

Unedited

It was time to get off of work, and I couldn’t be more excited. Luckily, I had some extra clothes in the trunk of my car for cases where I had somewhere to go after work, which never really happened, but still. I grabbed my bag and went in the bathroom, so I could freshen up and change my clothes. I took my ponytail out and fluffed out my curls. I popped a piece of gum in my mouth and applied some fresh lip gloss to make my lips pop. I’d change my shoes once I got to the restaurant. I tried not to drive with heels on, and today’s outing called for stilettos. It had been a while since I went anywhere. DeWayne sure didn’t take me anywhere anymore, and we definitely hadn’t had sex in a while. He had tried a couple of times, but who wanted to be intimate with someone who verbally abused you and called you names. He never told me how beautiful I was anymore. I colored my hair before, and it was like he never even noticed it. It’s like he got too comfortable and forgot the things he did to get me, all those years ago. He didn’t appreciate my efforts, so I didn’t even try anymore.

Jamir asking me to meet up with him gave me an opportunity to get cute, and I was happy about it. When he first asked, I declined but later changed my mind. I knew DeWayne was going to be pissed because I went out with J and didn’t at least leave him dinner, but oh well. Maybe if he learned to treat me better, then I would do those things for him again. 

Things changed between us over time, mainly after he got injured and slipped into depression, but even once things got better with him, he still treated me bad. He would do things like call me stupid or dumb, when I would say things he didn’t agree with or things he didn’t like. He stopped caring about how I felt about things in our relationship. I was supposed to do everything he wanted me to do; no matter if I wanted to or not. He didn’t see anything wrong with his actions because in his mind, if he wasn’t physically abusing me, then it wasn’t a big deal. Him, as well as so many other people, didn’t realize that verbal abuse was just as bad or worse than physical abuse. Over time, verbal abuse starts to mess with your self-esteem and confidence. I knew the things he would say weren’t true, but when you hear it so much you start to second guess yourself. By the time, he would see the error in his ways, I would be long gone. I should have probably left him by now, but I would when the time was right. Nobody knew the things that went on behind closed doors. Everybody just sees DeWayne Jackson, the football star and now the friendly face they see on their TVs every week. They didn’t see DeWayne, the manipulator and abuser. Soon enough, I would be gone and finding better for myself.

Pulling up to the restaurant, I changed my shoes and my double-checked my hair and lip gloss before I headed inside. 

The minute I spotted Jamir, I headed over to him and he stood up when he noticed me. I noticed a look in his eyes that I don’t think I ever noticed before. He looked genuinely happy to see me, but there was also a hint of lust in them. The look passed so fast that I almost missed it, but I didn’t. I wasn’t going to say anything about it though. Brushing it off, I stepped into his outstretched arms. 

“Hey, BB.” he kissed me on my cheek before pulling out my chair for me. 

“You look beautiful, Brooklyn.” The way he said it, sounded a little more sexual than I think he wanted to. 

“Thank you.” I blushed. I don’t know why I felt nervous all of a sudden.

The waitress came over and took our order. Jamir ordered for both of us, and I was not disappointed in his choice. DeWayne would have ordered something totally different from what I would have ordered. Jamir always knew what I wanted without me asking. That made me think of the multiple differences between them. Jamir was always so supportive of the things I wanted to do; whether or not he agreed with it. 

I remember back in high school, I wanted to try out for the girls basketball team knowing good and damn well I couldn’t play, but that didn’t stop Jamir from encouraging me to play. Needless to say, I didn’t make the team, but he still got me some vanilla cupcakes that day just for trying out. He encouraged me to pursue my career as a dental hygienist. When we were little, I would try to use different things to clean his teeth, and he really would sit there and let me. I was grateful to have a friend like him. I didn’t realize I was smiling, until he interrupted my thoughts.

“What you smiling for?” he asked, smiling himself. I loved to see Jamir smiling, he had a nice smile. 

“Oh nothing, just thinking about that time I tried out for the basketball team.” I laughed some more. 

“Aye, you were brave for trying knowing damn well you couldn’t play.” He grabbed his glass and took a sip of his drink. 

“True, but I wouldn’t have done it if you wouldn’t have encouraged me,” I spoke honestly. 

“BB, as long as you're doing something positive with your life, I am going to support you in any way I can. Never forget that.” I could see the seriousness in his face. 

“Thank you, bestie. So, how have your week been?” By this time, the food came, and it looked so good. Before he got a chance to answer, some girl came to our table and she reached over to hug him. He introduced her as Shanel, and he told her who I was. He also told me that she worked with him, and I wondered if it was the same girl he was with the other night.

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