Like Nobody's Business

Friends With Benefits

Nayeli Binns

"Again Nayeli I am so sorry." Alexander apologized for what seemed like the 100th time as he pulled up to my house. I wasn't exactly happy to go but we just spent the last couple of hours together so it's only right that I go, I'll see him at work anyway.

"I said it's alright," I answered softly before turning to him. "I'm gonna go now my mama probably worried since she can't even get to me."

"Okay, tell her I said hello," he got out of the car and helped me get out.

"Sure, I guess I'll see you later again?" We walked to my door at a slow pace, seems as if neither of us was ready to go our separate ways.

"Yes ma'am" he nodded.

We both stood at my front door looking around not knowing if we should hug or not. I will never understand why we're like this around each other, we make things so awkward. I gave him a hug unexpectedly and it took him seconds before he wrapped his arms around me. We smiled at each other before I went into my house, to my surprise Stormi and my mom are playing Monopoly.

"Hey mama, why is she here?" I asked jokingly. "Are you replacing me?"

"What? I can't be with my mama?" Stormi asked playfully.

"Someone stopped by just a while ago, they delivered something saying Alexander sent it here." My mother stated and I frowned wondering what it could be.

"We wanted to open it but decided not to," Stormi said causing my mother to slap her playfully.

"I was the one that said not to, you were the one begging me to open it." I ignored them both and lifted the cover of the box to see a brand new iPhone and an iPad, they finally stopped the bickering when they realized how quiet I was.

"Damn he's good, these are nice." Stormi scoffed. "Nayeli, have I ever told you how lucky you are?" I ignored her and focused on a card laying in the box with a number on it. I grabbed Stormi's phone from her hand and dialed it.

"This is not okay," I said as soon as the phone is answered.

"I see you got my gift." Alexander's voice flowed through the phone.

"I'm giving it back."

"Whoa! Not even a thank you?"

"Thank you but I'm giving it back."

"Why? Did you forget I broke your phone?"

"No I didn't and while I would take the phone, which I am not, I can't take the iPad from you."

"Hand the phone to your mother please." He requested.

"Why?" I questioned. I feel like he had this all planned out but I'm impressed as to how he got it dealt with the entire time we were together and I didn't notice. I don't remember seeing him on his phone.

"Just do it."

"Why?" I repeated.

"Do it," the tone in his voice was one of humor which meant he would keep it up as long as possible.

"Mommy he wants to speak to you." I stretched the phone to her quickly. I watched as she laughed and occasionally said 'yeah' and 'okay'. After some time she hung up the phone and turned to me.

"You keep the phone and I'll keep the iPad." She passed the phone to Stormi.

"Mom you can not be serious, we can't accept these." I tried to argue while she ignored me completely giving all her focus to the large device in her hand.

"Sure we can you just don't want to but I will." She dismissed me.

Alexander Nixon

Searching through the different papers on my desk I released a frustrated sigh after realizing I might have lost the paper I'm looking for. I told Nayeli I'm not as organized as she made me out to be. I rested my head in his hands but immediately lifted it when my phone began to ring, it was my brother calling.

"Hello?"

"Alexander my brother!" He sounded excited, probably high on drugs.

"Anthony....haven't heard from you since the other night." I sound uninterested because I am.

"Yeah, shouldn't you be happy?"

"I am, can't you tell?" Sarcasm thick in my voice.

"Of course you are, you took my girl from me."

"She wasn't your girl and never will be." And with that, I hung up.

Time waster.

I have way more important things to handle than my worthless brother running his mouth. I didn't even care for what he had to say because I knew for a fact that Nayeli would never look in his direction again. Still, I don't want her anywhere near him.

Regardless of the fact that I just spent hours with her, I am eager to see her later at work, whenever she's around I'm always happier. I smile more, I laugh more and worry less. When she's around it's as if all my worries are forgotten and the only thing that matters is whatever it is she's saying to me.

Sometimes I wonder why is it that I'm so interested in her, what pulls me so much to her that she has so much control over me. Every thought I normally push to the back of my head about building a family resurfaces whenever I think about her and it's so odd that I don't try to forget. I actually catch myself thinking about it. I imagine what it would be like for me to wake up every day with my wife and kids.

"But you just met her," my subconscious reminds me and I quickly stop daydreaming. However, it doesn't take long before she crosses my mind again.