Free My Best Friend and My Man by Cydney Rax Page A

never agrees with anything the other members say, even though she rarely finishes reading the books. She’s often broke and always begs us to pass along our books to her.
    And who can forget Elle? If I could trade places with anyone besides Demetria, it would be Elle. She’s confident, stylish, upwardly mobile, and is engaged to a gorgeous hunk of a man named Darius. They make the perfect couple. Neither of them has ever been married. They’re fresh, unspoiled, and ready to support each other. Their love for each other sickens me at times. But I force myself to watch so I can model myself after people who are doing the damn thing the right way.
    So today I sent out a group e-mail to let the book club know that my pick for March is
Why Men Love Bitches
. I’ve already started reading the book and figure it will make for great discussions.
    Demetria agreed to come over and talk about the book with me tonight—it’s Sunday, one of the rare days when she takes a break from Thaddeus and her other men to spend time with friends.
    “Girl, I am not dumb,” she told me one time. “I know better than to always lay up with my men, neglecting my girls, and only coming around them after I’ve kicked a guy to the curb.”
    “Well, thank God for that,” I told her. “I know I’d never get a chance to see you if you didn’t specifically make time for me.”
    “I lost a really close friend because I chose a man over her,” Demetria said. “Her name was Wanda. She begged me not to get too chummy with this guy, but I figured she was a hater and I iced her. Imagine how bad I felt when only two short months later, my dumb-ass boyfriend was busted for selling two pounds of cocaine to an undercover cop, got arrested, and had to do a bid. I tried to reconnect with Wanda, but she never answered or returned my messages. I was really hurt, and I learned my lesson. So now I always leave time to hook up with family and friends, and if my man is too possessive or can’t understand, well, too bad for him.”
    Now, when I see this other side of Demetria, the caring side, it makes me able to tolerate her more snarky side. I know she has a good heart, even though her bluntness jars me at times. At any rate, I am having fun today reading my book-of-the-month, and I can’t wait to discuss these relationship issues with Demetria.
    I manage to read and outline four chapters when my cell phone rings. I look at the display and smile a little. I take the call, but don’t say anything.
    “Veron, stop playing games,” Ferris says. “C’mon, baby girl, I didn’t mean to act like an ass. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
    I quietly giggle and settle back on the couch, pressing the phone close to my ear.
    “I miss you. I haven’t even been able to eat, sleep, nothing since you dumped me.”
    “I didn’t dump you,” I say.
    “Baby girl? You finally talking to me?”
    “I just wanted to hear what you had to say. But I’m not talking to you.”
    “Awww, baby, it’s so good to hear your voice. But look what you’ve done to me. I’ve lost three pounds, haven’t been in the mood to go to church.”
    I roll my eyes. “Don’t let lil’ ole me come between you and your God. Plus, big as your church is, there are plenty of single women. I’m sure you can find someone else.”
    “Don’t want anybody else. I want you.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    “Why else would I put myself through this? You hang up on me all the time. I waste my minutes calling you and leaving long voice mail messages.”
    “Oh, so calling me is wasted minutes?” I say, insulted.
    “No, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that trying to win you back is costing me. I–I even got you a real nice present, but you not even decent enough to let me bring it by. You acting so different you got me wondering that you might pack a gun now or something.”
    “Ferris, why would I waste my time shooting you? Huh?”
    “Why you treat me so bad after all