Page 3 of Fraudulent Beauty

“Fuck this game.” He stormed away from the table, and Tahli laughed.

“You did not have to do bro like that.”

“He’ll be aight,” Sheniah shrugged passively. “I’m in the comfort of my own home. I don’t have to drive anywhere, and I’m paying my niece to clean up when the cookout is over. I’m about to get another drink,” Sheniah stood.

Looking after her, Tahli shook her head. “You think they gonna end up arguing?” I asked. Ever since Nook hinted at us linking, my interest had been piqued, and I found myself wondering if I should ask for her number. Tahli was bad as fuck, and she seemed cool as hell.

“With them there’s no telling, but I hope not.”

“So, you’re single huh?” Tahli shifted in her seat.

“I am,” she replied slowly. “I’ve actually been single for five years.”

“Damn why so long?”

“Because the dating pool has piss in it,” she frowned slightly making me simper.

“That it does.”

“How long have you been single?” Tahli picked her cup up and eyed me over the rim.

“Almost two years.”

Tahli swallowed and licked the remnants from her lips. “That’s not too bad. I don’t think people should leave a relationship and jump right into another. But that’s just my opinion.”

“I agree. I was in a relationship for five years, so when it ended, I wasn’t thinking about another one. After about eight months, I did start dating, but well you already know.”

Tahli took another sip of her drink. “You know I’m kind of biased, right? I think there are way more good women than good men. It’s easier for you to find a woman than it is for me to find a man that’s worth something.”

“You think so?” I checked my watch because I wanted another drink, but I couldn’t risk getting a DUI. Another hour and a half would be enough time for me to have one more drink and be able to drive home.

“I know so.”

“A good woman doesn’t necessarily mean a compatible woman. At my age, I kind of want to start dating with intention. A woman that has three kids is cool, but I have one. That makes four. So, we’d need at least four bedrooms. Her kids’ father doesn’t pay child support, but she wants to stay at home. So, I’m supposed to be the sole provider for six people?”

“Oh, hell no,” Tahli’s nose scrunched.

“See? That was a chick I dated for about three months. She brought up marriage at least once a week. One of her kids is special needs, so it’s easier if she doesn’t work, but I wasn’t trying to be Captain Save a Single Mother.”

“I feel you on that. I can’t imagine it’s easy having a special needs child, other kids, and having to work, but that’s a hell of a burden to put on a man that you just met.”

“I’m not saying any woman should want a broke man, but there are a lot of women that just want someone to take care of them. I don’t mind being a provider, but I’m not a lame. As soon as I feel like that’s the motive, I’m out.”

“Wh”

A loud noise from inside the house made my head whip in that direction. I could hear a man yelling, but I couldn’t make out what was being said. “Oh hell,” I grumbled standing up.

Tahli shook her head and sighed. It was probably safe to assume that we were thinking the same thing. I had seen Nook and Sheniah get into it more than once. To be fair, I knew they loved one another and while the fights didn’t get physical, it could still be draining to watch.

Opening the door, I found Nook’s uncle trying to break him and Fred up while Sheniah stood watching with baked beans at her feet. The pan had been knocked off the counter.

“Chill the fuck out!” Marvin barked. “This is yo’ house, and if you want to tear the shit up that’s on y’all. But y’all are brothers, and you need to quit this dumb shit.”

Nook and Fred finally separated. Nook pulled his sagging jeans up. “This hoe ass nigga always want to check me about my bitch. Nigga, you want to fuck her?” Nook took a step toward his brother.

Tahli walked over to where Sheniah was standing and began cleaning the beans up off the floor.

“Bitch?!” Sheniah screeched. “You become lame as hell when you start drinking.”