Unwilling to CrossPaths

Short: One of The Guys

Greg

Most people think that a girl that tends to get along with dudes or hang around is a girl that got motives or she likes one of the dudes in the crew. Fortunately, I knew this was false. Emerald proved it whenever she hung around. It started when she would come out to the pool area and grill with us. Even though she was only one single, she wasn't trying to check anyone and everyone could tell. She just wanted to have a good time and eat of course. She tried to hang with the girls, but soon we all noticed that she ain't really fit with them. They were all in committed relationship, engaged, or married and were about that settle down life. Meanwhile, Emerald was enjoying the single life still in college and was not thinking about that life any time soon. So, the girls kind of pass her on to us, and we are happy they did. She was the little cousin that we all had but didn't see all the time. We soon found out more about Emerald and with that we found out she wasn't really single, but the relationship was just really getting off the ground. I noticed some mornings there would be an extra car in the driveway or her garage. I just thought it was my place, plus I could sometimes hear her yelling and shit.

And tonight proved it, we was chilling at Charles' place before he headed out to the strip club. "Emerald, you sure your man want you out with us?" Joseph yelled from the kitchen. "I told ya I got this." "That's means he don't know or probably do and told her ass to stay in the house." Charles added. "Shut up. I'm just trying to have fun. I'm tired of sitting in the house. I don't know nobody down here." Everybody started to laugh as Emerald went off on her rant about not going out because she was always busy with work. "It's okay. You going have fun tonight Emerald." I said as we all started to make our way out the house. We had two cars, I was the designated driver for one and Charles for the other. I told Em to ride with Charles since Smitty was going ride with me. Everyone made a mental note to keep Smitty away from Emerald because he was the only one that made us nerves. We was all in faithful relationships, but Smitty had a wondering eye and already told us that Em was a catch. I knew she could handle her own, but as a friend I was watching her back for her. "Em why won't you ride with us?" Smitty asked smiling from ear to ear. "Cause your ass is a pervert and you supposed to be in a committed relationship. Now, get in the car." We all busted out laughing because we ain't tell Emerald nothing about this fool.

We got to the club and Em was more ready than we thought. She was throwing ones and dancing with the strippers. The shit was hilarious. Everyone that was able to drink without watching their limit was taking shots. I could Emerald had too much because before we knew it. Emerald was on the stage with the girls. "I got to make her my girl" Smitty said. We just shook our head at him. We all knew that wasn't going happened and he was a bunch of talk. He wasn't about to cheat or leave Vanessa. Vanessa was the crazy on in the group but was laid back with it. Her and Emerald sort of had the same personality that's probably Smitty finds the need to fuck with her. Emerald was finally taking a break when she came to sit next to me. "How your night going?" She asked taking a sip of her ginger ale. "Fun and interested." She looked up at me laughing, "I think that was shade towards me but okay." "I don't do shade." I said watching the dancers. "Thanks for letting me tag along, tho. I know this was guy's night." "No problem. I know you be bored in the house. Where is your boyfriend at anyway?" I asked taking a sip from my cup. "Out of town for work." She said swaying with the music. "Work?" "No, it ain't like that. He's kind of a big deal." "Must be if he only comes around late at night and early in the morning." She looked at me, "Greg, what you trying to say?"

I held my hands up, "I'm not trying to say anything. I'm just trying to be a good friend and figure out who this fella is." She looked at me like she trying to figure out if she should tell me something or not. "Greg, you have nothing to worry about. I think you would approve of him." She said laughing. I nodded, "Okay, enough of that. Let's get back to the fun. "No, I actually got some questions for you." I looked at her with my eyebrows lifted. "Yes, you and your girl. What's really up with ya?" I sat back on the couch sighing, "It's a rough patch for us right now, but we getting it together." "You sure Greg because from the outside looking in it seems like ya not." "You don't have to talk about if you don't want to." "It's not that. It's just that's my girl and even though, we had our on and off moments in the past. She will always be the one." She looked over at me with sincere eyes, "You plan on marrying her?" "I sorta already did proposed, she just asked for some time." Emerald face said everything my boys keep telling me. "You think she's going say yes." Emerald put her cup down and turned to me, "Greg you know I keep it honesty at all times. That girl ain't going say yes and I'm not saying that because I'm mean. The girl is hardly around you that don't seem funny to you?" I just shrugged, "She asked for time." Emerald just smiled. "How about we just continue to have fun.