Page 19 of Defending the Post
Pops shrugged while surrendering his hands. “She got yo ass. You can try and fight it but it’s a losing battle,” he said.
I tossed my head back and glared up at the sky. “It’s been two days,” I reiterated again.
“Tell me the truth,” Pops coached me as I took an empty seat.
He stood in silence as I shuffled through my tangled thoughts.
“I want her fine, timid, mean ass. She so fucking thick in those jeans. Those plus size women get me every time. Shit, but she comes with requirements. At least, I think she does. I want to spoil the fuck out of her and treat her better than everyone else. The sensation scares the hell out of me. People be leaving my life and I’ll lose it if she rejects me,” I said.
“Is there more?” Pops asked.
I sighed, “yea. I don’t know if I’m ready to be with one woman, but I don’t want her talking to anybody else. It’s selfish as fuck, but that’s where I’m at,” I said.
Pops took the chair next to me, slanting his body in my direction.
“Let’s unpack. First, get your ass back in therapy with Dr. June. You have to deal with your abandonment issues. Didn’t I tell you I got you? I meant it, but you have to meet me halfway.”
Pops has been on my ass about getting back into therapy. I’ve told him countless times I was going back but never scheduled the appointment. Pops offered to go with me, and I still hadn’t made a move.
“I know where you are. Niecy and I did the same thing. We were best friends with no boundaries but do better than me. Don’t bully her—instead, be open,” he said, and my head sprung forward.
“Son, I’m trying to be careful with my words because I don’t want to influence you. In my opinion, you’re using those womento fill a hole. I’ve done the multiple woman thing, and I was still empty. But your mother fills me in ways I can’t explain,” he said.
Pops was right; as soon as whoever I fucked left, it was as if I bottomed out. There were times the emptiness lingered during the sex, leaving me no escape. I wanted a woman’s company, but not at the expense of being hurt.
I placed my elbows on my knees as I leaned forward. “You’re saying I should chase her?” I asked.
“You’re already doing it but I’m saying take your time. Be her friend. Get to know Erin. Do not lie, mislead, or approach her until you’re sure of your intentions.”
“Pops, I don’t know. What if somebody else snatches her,” I said.
It was only a matter of time before someone sniffed on my unmarked territory.
“You can’t control her dating someone else, but you can make it hard. Treat her better than any man could. Get to know Erin the person, and please do not sleep with her until you know for sure,” he said.
Pops placed his hand on my shoulder. “The best sex you will ever have is with a woman you care about. The intimacy and lovemaking is next level. Pleasing her will bring you joy and an orgasm you’ve never experienced. You will crave her and before you know it, that dog will stop fucking shit up.”
I chuckled and Pops shook his head as I watched him stroll down memory lane. Mom had Pops down bad running up on people’s cars and beating Brayton’s ass.
“I hear you, Pops. I’m slowing my ass down before I end up married,” I said.
“Please don’t. Your mother is still struggling with the Jhae and Malcolm thing. She can’t handle any more surprises,” he said as we stood.
The sun had set before we parked at the pier. Erin reached for the door but drew her hand back and giggled. Reaching in the back seat, I clenched my jacket and baseball cap. I made sure to stop by my old bedroom to grab it. Erin was wearing short sleeves, and I knew she would be cold. She would be rubbing her arms before we made it to Pacific Park. I put on a baseball hat as a disguise because I wanted Weirdo to enjoy the night. Opening her door, I gave her the jacket.
“You being a gentleman. Let’s write it down,” she said.
“I’m being nice, you’re at the pier. I could be doing something else,” I lied with a smirk.
There was no other place I wanted to be than with her. Erin slid on my jacket and it swallowed parts of her, including her ass.
“If you wanted to be doing something else, you would. Let’s go,” she said.
We held hands out of necessity as the crowd thickened. The lights from the vendors and Ferris wheel illuminated Erin’s skin. Since talking to Pops earlier, she had become even more beautiful. As we approached the gaming area, she pulled me toward the basketball game.
“I want the green monster,” she said.
“How much you gon’ pay me? My services are not free.”
