Page 1 of Sunday

Cedar Omarion Jackson

“Inow pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Those words were like salt on an open wound. I clapped along with everyone else, though, and fought back the bitterness that cloaked me like a leather bomber jacket in the winter and ate through my soul like a leech.

My hands stung from clapping so hard and loudly, and I tried to keep my eyes on the happy couple. But as they always inevitably did anytime my ex was around, my eyes roamed the room until they landed on the object they sought.

And as if she knew that I would search her out, Taylor’s eyes were on me too. She quickly averted her gaze, leaned toward the dark-skinned woman beside her, and said something to make the other woman laugh. They both looked at the happy couple and nodded before they stood along with everyone else.

The pastor presented my sister and her new husband as Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Crawford to the wedding guests, and I had missed the announcement. The only reason that I knew was because my beautiful sister, Mrs. Tiffany Jackson-Crawford, beamed at me as she passed me by and gave me a tiny wink.

I breathed a sigh of relief because I could escape now, at least for a little while. Everyone poured out of the church, and I looped arms with Ebony, the bridesmaid I had escorted.

“They make such a beautiful couple. How long do you think it’ll be before she’s popping out babies?”

“Aye, that’s my sister you’re talking about.”

Ebony giggled and nudged me with her elbow. “Come on, Cedar. We’re all good friends here. I know she’s your sister, but she’s married now. You can acknowledge that Emmett will be blowing her back out.”

I tugged my arm free from hers and stalked away from her as we exited the church.

“Hey, Cedar,” she called after me.

It was bad enough that years ago, back in high school, I’d had the immaturity to chase after my sisters’ friends. What hadn’t made it better was that I’d fucked Ebony one drunken night during college. She’d spent every year since trying to get that night back.

“You good?”

A light hand tapped me on the back, and I spun around. My heart lurched in my chest. If Taylor had the power to raise negative emotions in me, then Sunday had the power to bring light in me and chase away the darkness.

She smiled brightly up at me, and it was like the sun had come out from behind the clouds. It was a beautiful day outside, but inside, I felt like I was in a severe thunderstorm. Between seeing my ex-wife, Taylor, with her former best friend turned lover, Monica, and being paired up with Ebony’s horny ass, I felt like a thundercloud.

“Hey, Sunny. Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for rocking with me today, love,” I remarked as I dropped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

Sunday Monroe, whom I affectionately called Sunny because of her positive disposition and the sunshine she brought to my life daily, was my roommate and also a co-worker. I had known that today would be difficult for me the minute that I learned my sister, Tiffany, had invited my ex-wife to the wedding with her plus-one.

It didn’t feel good having my face rubbed into my failure of a marriage. I couldn’t get out of the wedding, and Tiffany wouldn’t uninvite my ex-wife because they were good friends. Tiffany hadn’t condoned how my ex-wife cheated on me with her best friend, but she hadn’t stopped being friends with her either.

“Always got your back. You know this. And if I need to check somebody, let me know that too.”

I laughed loudly and shook my head at her little feisty ass. I knew that she meant every word she said. I removed my suit jacket and placed it on her. She tugged it closer, buried her face in the lapels, and closed her eyes.

I smirked as I watched her inhale and then look back up at me with the most beautiful smile.

“You always smell so good.”

I dropped a kiss on her upturned cheek. “So do you, beautiful.”

“You ready to head to this reception, big guy?” Sunday asked and wrapped her arm around my back as we made our way through the parking lot to my Range Rover.

“Hell nah.”

She smirked at me as I unlocked my SUV and helped her inside.

“It’s okay, boo. Your new woman is in town, and I’m about to teach all of them bitches how to treat a good man,” she declared with a wink.

I laughed and shook my head at her.

“I’m telling you. She married that nigga for his money. My uncle’s old ass is sixty-two years old. Why else would that twenty-eight-year-old be interested in him?”

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