Free Crazy Love by Desiree Day

office, Tameeka was sitting on one end of the couch and Tyrell on the other. Tameeka crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes at Tyrell. “So you wanna talk? Well, talk!”
    â€œYou need to chill, bossy lady.” Tyrell said it as gently as he could.
    â€œWhat?” Tameeka sputtered, then pointed to herself. “I need to chill?” When Tyrell nodded, she let loose. “Let me tell you something. Where the hell were you when I had to work twelve-hours days, seven days a week—by myself, mind you—because half my friends and almost all my family members thought that a black woman couldn’t own a successful wellness store. Where the hell were you when I had to sleep on that cot right there.” She pointed to her army-issued cot, which she’d picked up from an army surplus store. “Because I was afraid that if I got in the car and drove home, I’d fall asleep at the wheel. Where were you—”
    â€œHold up…time out.” Tyrell grabbed Tameeka and pulled her into his arms. Holding her body against his, he began talking softly. “I’m not disrespecting you or taking away your accomplishments. You’re my queen, I told you that when I first met you and you’ll always be. But baby, you can’t talk to me like that. You heard the old saying: It’s easier to catch bees with honey than vinegar. Well, throw a brother some honey once in a while, that’s all I’m saying.”
    Tameeka pulled out of his arms, then glared up at him; his mouth was twitching at the corners as if he was trying to suppress a grin. That made her even angrier. “Well, I’m not bossy. When it comes to my business, I know how things should be run. I didn’t get to be the owner of a store by letting people tell me what to do!” she shouted, and soon her whole body began shaking; she was making soft hiccupping sounds and crying quietly at the same time. After some time the room was quiet. Then Tameeka looked up at Tyrell.
    â€œYou must think that I’m the most horrible person in the world, don’t you? Don’t lie…tell me the truth,” she demanded, and Tyrell shook his head.
    â€œI’m not thinking anything like that. If I was I would’ve told your bossy ass off in front of everybody. You’ve gotten a little swollen, that’s all.”
    â€œAnd you decided to stick a pin in me?” she joked, suddenly feeling better. She grabbed Tyrell’s sleeve and began wiping her face.
    â€œHey, do you see Kleenex stamped on my sweatshirt? Go get some tissues.”
    Tameeka hopped up and grabbed some tissues and wiped her face. “So how bad am I?” She had tossed the soiled paper in the garbage and was sitting comfortably in his lap.
    â€œWell, this is you on a good day,” he said, and began mimicking her. “‘Put that down, I can do it better. Don’t touch that, you don’t know what you’re doing. Sweep the floor, at least you can’t mess that up!’”
    Tameeka’s heart banged against her chest. “I don’t do that,” she protested, horrified at Tyrell’s portrayal of her.
    â€œYeah, you do,” Tyrell said. “And it makes me feel like shit,” he admitted.
    â€œOh baby, no! I didn’t mean to,” Tameeka exclaimed as she gently stroked his face.
    â€œI could be somewhere else on my day off. But I chose to come in and help you out. I really want to spend some time with my lady.”
    â€œDo I really sound like that?” Tameeka asked quietly.
    â€œYep. You sound like a drill sergeant whose jock strap is two sizes too small,” Tyrell answered, breaking it down for her.
    â€œNo I don’t!” she argued heatedly, then her voice suddenly softened. “Yeah, I do. Bea’s told me so…on many an occasion.” She laughed self-consciously, then continued. “She says that I treat people as though they