Page 21 of No Remedy for Love

“Neither did my father!” Remi yelled in her own defense.

“He had a reason, but you don’t. Mr. Reid didn’t miss a beat before his health started declining.”

And that part was true. Reid used to spend most of his free time at the rec center and that’s why they all knew him so well.

“My cousin is playing in the tournament too, and that’s who she came here for. I’ll come but only if she wants to. She doesn’t know anybody else here, so I can’t leave her alone.”

“Where she at? Let me talk to her.”

“Stop acting so pressed Blaze. Damn. Where is your wife? Why she ain’t coming to see you play?”

“She might be there, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m trying to see you. Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

“Blaze, no. Stop doing that. A bitch is already using all her willpower to even be around you. Don’t make the shit harder than it already is.”

It had been almost two months since they first met and they talked on the phone all the time. Remi preferred that versus seeing him because she wasn’t trying to fuck with nobody else’s husband. The nigga looked good as fuck and it was getting harder. He made it his business to be at his grandmother’s house every time she was there and he didn’t make it easy. He confided in her about his failing marriage, but niggas were known to lie when they were trying to fuck.

“How do you think I feel having to be around your sexy ass all the time? You really make a nigga wanna file for divorce now.”

“Don’t blame that shit on me. You’re unhappy and ain’t had pussy in months because you’re no longer attracted to your wife. Your words, not mine.”

“And ain’t a lie was told.”

“Why don’t you divorce her if you’re so unhappy? Niggas kill me with that shit. Y’all be so miserable but, instead of walking away, y’all want a bitch on the side to further complicate things.”

“See, you keep putting me in the same category with them other lames that you fuck with. I never cheated on my wife once, even when we were dating. I ain’t gon’ lie, I might do a lil flirting and shit but I’m faithful. Truthfully, I was waiting for the woman that I married to reappear, but I don’t see that happening. I got the divorce papers locked up in my safe but I’m battling with myself about it.”

“Have you ever thought about cheating?”

“I can’t even lie; I thought about it lots of times but I never acted on it. Shit, you got a nigga willing to risk it all though.”

“Nah, I don’t like to share, especially my nigga.”

“Nigga went from getting pussy damn near every night to going months at a time without it. Hell yeah, I thought about cheating. But we were good until she switched up on me and my attraction to her stopped.”

“Do you think she’s cheating? I mean, I’m sure she’s just as sexually frustrated as you are.”

“She might be, but whoever the nigga is can have her.”

“You obviously were attracted to her at one point to marry her. What changed?”

“She changed. She’s a follower and my sister thinks for the both of them.”

“That hoe don’t seem to be able to think for herself. Your mama chilled out, but that bitch ass sister of yours can catch these hands.”

“Your lil short self always talking about fighting somebody. Your pretty ass don’t even look like you got no hands. You might be out there pulling hair and windmilling everybody.” Blaze laughed at his own joke.

He, just like so many others, underestimated Remi, but that was cool. She didn’t get out there starting fights or even looking for one. She put her tomboyish ways behind her and walked in her femininity. She used to pop off for any little thing when she got upset, but that was the old Remi. A lot of people were in their graves for being hotheaded so she had to grow up and she did.

“As long as you don’t let me get beat up, we’re good.”

“Never that beautiful. I’ll be sliding hoes like we’re on the dance floor before I let anybody mess up that pretty face.”

Blaze moved the phone away from his ear and saw his customer off. That was his last one for the day and he was excited. He was always the last one to leave and that day was no exception. He had the most clients so he didn’t mind. It was a little after eight, but the hair salon was still in full swing. Mav, the other owner of the shop, had just left but his girl would lock up whenever she left. He swept up his area before he left to go home. Surprisingly, one of his aunties was making a rare visit by his grandmother. Since she was staying overnight, he didn’t have to stop there before going home.

“You really know how to make a bitch blush but I’m still going strong,” Remi said, right as her phone beeped with another call. She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling when she saw that it was Mav calling. She knew that he had just left the shop because she heard Blaze telling him good night.

“You ain’t gon’ admit the shit but I know I’m breaking you down.”

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