Page 7 of No Remedy for Love

“Well, act like it then,” Mav spoke up, shaking Remi out of her daydream. Tracy was busy texting someone so she wasn’t paying attention to them anymore.

“What do you want Mav?”

“I want your big fine ass.”

“It’s a hard no for me. I don’t break up happy homes boo. It was good while it lasted, but our time together has passed.”

“Come spend the night with me.”

Mav knew he was wrong as hell but he couldn’t help it. Remi had him ready to risk it all. He had to be careful though because he wasn’t trying to lose his family. He knew without a doubt that Remi would never deal with him as long as Kiva was still in the picture.

“Where am I gonna sleep, in between Kiva and your son? Keep it pushing Mav. I’m not in the mood.”

Remi walked away and headed to the bar for a drink. Mav wanted to follow her but he had to be careful. He played it off and looked around for Kiva and her people. When he saw them on the dance floor doing some kind of line dance, he knew that he had time. He walked over to the bar and stood behind Remi.

“You know a nigga still love you, right?” Mav whispered in her ear, making her body involuntarily shiver.

Truthfully, Remi was never in love with Mav but she did have strong feelings for him at one time. She thought she loved him, but moving to Arizona opened her eyes to a lot of things. If her feelings were as deep as they should have been, she would have jumped at the idea of Mav moving there to be with her. Mav fucked like a porn star, and she realized that it was morelust than anything. Even now, she had no butterflies flipping in her belly and her heart never skipped a beat. Her kitty was thumping like a bass drum, but that was the only effect that Mav had on her. Her father went to his grave not liking him or their relationship. He always told Remi that he was gonna do her the same way he did Kiva, and she believed it.

“Nigga, if you wanna fuck, just say that.” Remi walked away once again, but it was even better that time since she went to the other side of the bar where it was secluded.

“Seriously Remi? Pussy is everywhere and it ain’t hard to get. You know you always did have my heart and ain’t nothing changed. I’m not trying to crowd you though, love. I know you got a lot going on right now and I’m not trying to stress you out. Just know that I’m here for whatever you need.”

Mav sounded sincere, and Remi felt bad for how she was handling him. He had always been good to her and spoiled her with whatever she wanted. Mav was a good boyfriend but she wasn’t interested in rekindling their old flame, even if he was being truthful about his breakup with Kiva. She was ready to settle down and possibly start a family one day. She just didn’t want to do it with Maverick. She didn’t mind them being friends with benefits though.

“I’m sorry for my fucked up attitude Mav, but you’re right. I do have a lot on my plate but I shouldn’t be taking that out on you.”

“It’s cool, love. I know how close you and your pops were. How you been holding up?”

“As best as I can. I’ve been trying to stay busy so I don’t really have to think about it too much. I know I can’t do thatforever though. I wanna get a job once I handle all my business and get settled.”

“Oh, and congrats on the new degree.”

“Thanks.” Remi smiled, melting his heart like butter.

“Let me take you out to celebrate.”

“Can I take a raincheck, Mav? I have a lot to figure out. I don’t even have furniture for my house yet. I have to reach out to all the tenants in the rental properties and so much more.”

“I understand, baby. I’m just happy that you didn’t say no. And I’m here if you need help moving and shit.”

“Thanks. How’s the barbering business?”

“I’m the boss, baby. Business is always good for me.”

Mav didn’t really cut hair as much as he used to in the beginning. One of his barbers was popular with a lot of kids and he kept the crowd coming in, even on slow days. He couldn’t always get to all of his customers so Mav jumped in and helped out sometimes. Mav was cool with him selling his weed out of his barbershop because that, too, kept the place busy. His real income came from the houses that he and his pops loved to flip.

“Still cocky I see. But help me understand something.”

“What’s good, love?”

Mav couldn’t stop looking at Remi, even if he tried. She was naturally beautiful and her sex appeal was off the charts. He didn’t know if Remi was dealing with somebody back in Arizona or not, and he really didn’t care. He stood to lose a lot but he wasn’t sure that Remi would be taking the same risk.

“How you claim you and your girl broke up but y’all still work in the same shop?”

“We own it together, so nobody can put the other one out of that bitch. Ain’t no beef with us though. We remain cordial for the sake of our son. She stay in the back and I stay up front.” Mav hadn’t even done anything wrong and he was feeling bad already. He was straight up lying like he and Kiva didn’t just talk about marriage earlier that morning.

“Yeah, I hear you.” Remi looked at him sideways but she didn’t care one way or the other. She had outgrown Mav, but he would serve as a good fuck buddy.

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