Trust

Chapter Nine

Lichelle Andrews

I blew out a harsh breath of air, as I tossed myself on Kofi's bed. My best friend laughed at me, already accustomed to my dramatics and reached over to ruffle my hair.

"I've been waiting for this moment. Justine's only been hinting at some shit, but she won't tell me."

I laughed and turned to look up into my best friend's handsome face and wondered why I just didn't go ahead and become one of his wives.

Kofi's family was from Ghana and though nobody truly knew, he was pretty much royalty from that side. His parents decided to move to the states to basically give him a different life from the one he would've had on the other side. It was his desire to return back after graduation with Justine and take the place as chief in one of the villages he's from. Kofi's dream was to build up the space to become safer and do his part in the world. I already knew my friend would be a natural because that's just who he was. Somebody that wore leadership like a second skin and wished for life and harmony for all. Kofi Siriboe was definitely a person I inspired to be like but often times fell flat.

Such as these days.

Still, in his culture he's allowed to have more than one wife. Of course, Justine always joked around with him that he's not allowed to take no other wife but me. As we've gotten older however I realize that the sentiment was more heart felt than I knew. Knowing this, I often times wonder why I don't just pledge myself to a marriage with them and just live breezily. I could picture myself living comfortably in Africa, not wanting for anything. My husband a masterpiece to look at and someone that doubles as my best friend. My sister-wife the most beautiful woman I've laid eyes on. My more sensual side didn't argue with belonging to them.

However.

Something about DeMarcus made me know that fantasy was nothing more than what it was. A sexy dream that held no weight for me or fed my soul. My heart doesn't trip the same at the thought of an easy life with Kofi and Justine. I already know that while she might accept and even love me, she'd still be sharing Kofi with another body and another life. Their bond was so deep that it didn't seem right to...infringe. I believe before Justine, any woman he married would have expected to share him and live with it. Post Justine, I was the asterisk but even then...I valued their union too much.

And they were honestly the backup plan and not my end game. Ever since DeMarcus and I kissed, I saw him everywhere. His presence hung over me like wet on a dog. The stink drove away would-be suitors better than my wedding band. I sighed, unsure of what the magic was behind it. I knew since DeMarcus and I kissed, I also haven't been myself.

Any chance I had free, I was kicking Trevante out and spending those hours with DeMarcus instead. I'd leave, my lips swollen, vagina aching and my guilt hanging over me, but none of that stopped me. I hated it every time DeMarcus said that I didn't care because in essence, I didn't. Still, in my heart of hearts, if Shakyra had paid me the same kind of disrespect, I was unsure I could still call her a friend. I knew I would deal with anyone that screwed me over harshly. To this day I pay Kimberly dust for how she attempted to get at John knowing I liked him. That happened over the summer before I started at that school.

I told all of this to Kofi, who smiled, almost dopily at everything I told him. He chuckled lightly.

"I knew that miserable ass nigga was in love with you." He said, "You probably should've just forgiven him back when he tried."

"No, I shouldn't have. Technically if he had liked me so much, he should have kept trying until."

"Until what? You decided not to fuck with John for real?" Kofi questioned, "That was never happening. Once John got at you seriously it wasn't going to happen. Boogie was still being Boogie and the fact that John played ball dazzled you. Honestly if he'd done better by you, you would've married him in the long run."