Free Jaded 2: Broken Love Series by Renee Tyler Page A

Well, I don’t want to make that same mistake. Now I’m taking care of myself financially and emotionally.
    “I feel like I need to fit Troy into the part of my life that I need him in, which is to trust that he can give me companionship, and I don't want to feel that he’ll run out if I do something that he doesn’t like.”
    “Troy doesn’t even seem like the type of man that would run just to run. Laurie honey, you have to open yourself up to seeing things from his point of view as well. I understand you put yourself out there. You feel like he left you out there on a limb. But honey, you can’t compartmentalize people. You can’t put people in these perfect little boxes. No relationship works that way. People aren’t perfect, and our reactions to some things may not always be ideal. However, when a person’s heart is good, you have to forgive and accept. I want you to think about that with Troy, as well as when you meet Charity’s friend tonight.”
    “What does meeting Charity’s friend have to do with acceptance and compartmentalizing? However, I understand what you’re saying about Troy, and I’ll try and work on it.”
    Before Marcus could answer my question about Charity, she finally emerged from her room looking beautiful wearing a short, long sleeved, black Emilio Pucci dress with a silver intarsia pattern at the bottom with silver, laser-cut metallic Christian Louboutin’s. She had her short hair styled with her sides and back in waves, and the top crown of her honey blonde hair longer with her signature large barrel curls. She’d definitely been making good use of her access to this man’s black card. She joined us in a glass of wine before she and I took off for the club.
    The nightclub was huge. White leather couches lined on one side; ornamentally decorated white tables sat in front. Raised booths with white leather seating lined the other side. The position of the seating gave a 360-degree view of the centered dance floor. Bronze chandeliers with French pendants and facetted beads hung from the ceiling. The DJ booth was adorned with colorful fiber optic lights. Future’s “Move That Dope” blasted through the speakers as we made our way to the second floor VIP section. The area was filled with celebrities. My mouth fell open when Charity left my side to run up to hug and intimately kiss the very married Atlanta Hawks forward Calvin Callaway. Now it made sense why she was so secretive about who her new boo was. It’s widely known that he’s married to Latoya Callaway, who has a very successful hair extension line. Her exotic hair extension line is in magazines everywhere. Everyone who’s anyone boasts of wearing it online.
    Being a wife that was cheated on, I’m sure Charity knew I’d feel some type of way about her having a relationship with this very married man. I’m so shocked at my friend. She saw the tears I cried at my husband’s betrayal. How could she carry on a relationship with a married man? There’s never an excuse good enough. Of course, the man has a ton of excuses as to why he’s having an outside relationship. They all add up to bullshit and lies.
    I couldn’t hide the disdain in my face as Charity introduced us. I saw immediately that he picked it up, and he didn’t seem pleased about feeling judged. He furrowed his eyebrows as he extended his hand towards mine. I gave him a very limp handshake. I immediately turn towards Charity and begin communicating to her with my eyes.
    “Baby. L’oriel said she had to go to the bathroom when we came in. I’m going to go with her and we’ll be right back.,” she says as stretches her neck to kiss him, and he bends so that she can reach his lips. I try not to, but I can’t help my lip turning up.
    “Charity,” I scold once we reach the bathroom, and check to see if we’re the only ones there.
    “I know what you’re thinking, Laurie. I’ll go into more detail later, but I don’t initially go after other