BFF'S

Book 0: Best Frenemies Forever Series

by Brenda Hampton

Genres: African American Urban; African American Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Kayla, Evelyn, and Trina have been on-and-off-again girlfriends for many years, but the lines of true friendship will be crossed, the knives that go into another friend's back will cut deep, trust will not apply, and no one will share their dirty little secrets. With enough backstabbing, finger-pointing, and disrespect to go around, this trio sticks to their motto of "What she can do, I can do better; and whatever she has, I want a piece of it too." Much competition is thrown in the mix, and jealousy is so thick that there will be no place for anyone to run when the mess hits the fan. Only then will they attempt to put their many differences aside, but when severe damage is already done, it may be possible to forgive, but certainly not to forget.

Release date: January 26, 2016

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

It had been a long day at work. I was completely exhausted. I breezed my Lincoln Navigator through the busy traffic in downtown St. Louis, trying to make my way home. My loft was on Washington Avenue. It was good to know that I was only ten minutes away from relaxation. My stomach was growling and my bed was calling me. I had worked overtime today so I could have extra money in my pockets to pay down the rising debt I found myself in. My girlfriends, Kayla and Trina, were the only ones who knew how messed up my financial situation was. But just so I didn’t have to borrow any more money from them, I decided to pick up more hours at work. I also decided to do something else—something that I suspected my girls wouldn’t approve of. That was find a man who could help me crawl out of my unfortunate situation. He was exactly what the doctor ordered. And there was no question that I had to give a little in order to get a whole lot. On-call pussy was what he wanted, but that didn’t bother me one bit. I was willing and able to give him whatever, and for the past three months I realized how beneficial this relationship could be to me.

Minutes later, I entered the parking garage, parking my SUV into the reserved spot. That was the plus side of living in a loft apartment. I appreciated the privacy it offered. I used my swipe card to open the elevator that took me to my loft on the third floor. Dressed in a black pencil skirt and silver blouse, I sashayed down the narrow, carpeted hallway like a runway model. I had always wanted to be a model, and my slim figure had brought about many opportunities in the past. But then life happened. Moneywise, things didn’t pan out for me. What I settled for was being a customer service representative, working for a white man who did nothing but boss our entire department around. It pained me to get up everyday and go to work, but I was blessed to have a job. Therefore, my complaints were kept to a minimum. I just had to put up with the bullshit until I could get the man in my life to save me by forking out more money.

I approached the bright red door to my loft with a smile plastered on my face; partially because I was home, but mainly because of the written note I saw taped to the door that instructed me to enter at my own risk. That meant Cedric was inside, waiting for me. I was delighted that he was there, only because we hadn’t seen each other for almost two weeks. Our relationship was . . . complicated, but it was a relationship that I refused to tear myself away from.

I hurried to put the key in the door. The moment I walked inside, I was hit with the scent of Cedric’s masculine cologne. A trail of pink and red rose petals were scattered on the hardwood, shiny floors. The petals made a path that led straight to my bedroom door. The door was closed and there was another note taped on it. I squinted behind my silver-framed glasses and still couldn’t read the note. Eager to see what was up, I put my purse on the kitchen island and removed my high-heel pumps. My hair was parted through the middle and making sure everything was in order, I teased the flowing, blond-tinted tresses of curls with the tips of my fingers. I didn’t have time to freshen my makeup, but with it being M•A•C, I was sure that it still looked fresh. My light, silky skin glowed from the shimmery lotion I wore. It didn’t take much for me to present myself as sexy.

As I neared the door, the words on the note became clearer: SOMETHING GOOD AWAITS YOU! HURRY!

I rushed to open the door, feeling as if I had entered paradise. The strawberry-scented room was dim from the melting, flaming candles that burned on my nightstands. The trail of rose petals continued to the foot of the bed and a white sheet rested on the bottom half of Cedric’s muscular frame. A smile was washed across his face, and as our eyes locked together in a trance, my heart started to race from excitement.

“What’s up, sexy?” Cedric said, flashing his pearly-white teeth. “I hate to say it, but you know you looking more and more like my future wife, Evelyn Lozada, everyday. And not because of the first-name thing, baby, but because I said so.”

My smile turned into a smirk as I started to undo my silky blouse. I pulled it away from my shoulders and began to create a pile behind me.

“I hate when you compare me to other women, and must I remind you that she doesn’t have it like this.” I flashed my goodies, hoping that Cedric appreciated what I was offering. “So, on another note, I’m glad you let yourself in. I’m highly interested in learning about the risk you mentioned at the front door, so why don’t you tell me more about it?”

Cedric moved the sheet aside, exposing his flawless body that looked as if it had been dipped in creamy, milk chocolate. His dick stood at full attention, and as he relaxed sideways on his elbow, I walked to the bed and crawled my way up to him. Our eyes remained connected. When our lips finally touched, all I could do was shut my eyes and savor the taste of pure sweetness. My tongue danced with his, and like always, the lip-lock was intense.

Cedric held the sides of my face then backed away from me. “What did I ever do to deserve all of this?” he questioned.

“I could ask the same question, but I won’t. I’ll just say that we both should feel grateful and leave it there.”

Cedric nodded then lay back on the bed. I straddled the top of him as he tucked a fluffy pillow behind his head and narrowed his light brown eyes to stare at me. His eyes scanned down my naked body. It didn’t take much longer for his hands to roam. From the small curves in my hips to my plump ass that was just right, Cedric squeezed all of that and then some. I was so hungry for him that I reached for his package and positioned it to enter me. As my pussy lips sucked him into the heat I was packing, he closed his eyes. His hips started to grind in circles with mine, and the sound of my creamy juices being stirred played like theme music to our ears.

Minutes later, things sped up and we were going at it like two dogs in heat. The mattress squeaked and the loose headboard kept slamming against the wall. I was putting in some serious overtime, doing my best to please the one man who kept me satisfied more than any other.

“Yeah, you bad. Work that pussy on me, baby,” Cedric said with a healthy portion of my ass gripped in his hands.

I rubbed the minimal hair on his buffed chest, and then gripped his broad shoulders so I could have something to hold on to when I increased my pace. I always got excited when he talked dirty to me, but there were times when he got too animated and went a little overboard.

“That’s right, bitch!” he spewed through gritted teeth and smacked my ass. “Serve Daddy like you supposed to! Do that shit, girl, do it!”

By now sweat was raining down on my body. Per his request I was doing it. My pussy felt swollen from being beat by his mammoth-sized package that Cedric always used as a weapon. I was just about ready to cum. The moment my toes curled Cedric hurried to lay me on my back. He threw my long legs over his shoulders and broke into my insides like a thief in the night. For fifteen more minutes, we went at it. Then it happened: The same thing that happened every time we got together. It was always the one thing that brought our sex sessions to an end. I couldn’t help myself from going there. I wanted to know what his wife had been up to, because I hadn’t heard from her today.

“Why go there?” Cedric looked down at me with a blank expression on his face. “Why must you bring up her name every time we get together?”

“Because I can’t help but to wonder how she would feel about all of this? I mean, do you fuck her as well as you screw me? I hate to keep asking, because one of you is lying. She says you do, you say you don’t. What’s really the truth?”

Cedric eased his dripping wet goodness from my insides, causing my coochie lips to lock. He released a deep sigh and shook his head.

“The truth is, all that shit you talking right now don’t matter. I always try to do nice things for you, Evelyn, just so you’ll recognize how much you really mean to me. You’re pushing me away with your bullshit. Don’t be mad at me when I tell you I’ve had enough.”

As Cedric got dressed to go, I sat on the bed and pouted. Maybe I had been too hard on him, but then again, maybe not. After all, he was my friend’s husband. Kayla would kill us if she knew about this, but this was not about me being in love with Cedric. I was in love with his money: Money that I needed right now and saw no other way to get it. Kayla had everything in life she wanted. Sharing a piece of her husband’s dick wasn’t going to cause her world to come tumbling down. She knew Cedric was no good, and after fifteen years of marriage all they did was put up with each other.

I honestly didn’t view this situation as a big betrayal. I assumed that Cedric didn’t love Kayla anymore and that she didn’t love him. They stayed in their marriage because of their sixteen-year-old son, Jacoby. That in itself was the wrong reason.

Feeling kind of bad for bringing up Kayla around Cedric, I realized that I had some quick making up to do. But when I got out of bed, Cedric was dressed and ready to go. He was one fine man who knew how to turn up the heat in the bedroom. He also knew how to present himself as a professional businessman. The business suit he wore clung to his athletic frame that had been there since college. At thirty-eight, Cedric had his act together. I wasn’t the only woman who craved him. Many people thought he was the real Columbus Short, and some women were foolish enough to run up to him for an autograph. So, not only did Kayla have her hands full with me, but she also had her hands full with tricks who desired to have her husband for his looks, and with those who wanted him for his money.

“I’m out,” he said, glaring at me as I stood in front of him. He buttoned his suit jacket and backed away from me when I lifted my arms to place them on his shoulders.

“Evelyn, we’re done for the night. Sex was good, but if you learn to keep your mouth shut you can always make it better.”

He turned to walk away, but I followed him. “Forgive me,” I said, knowing that he would. “I let the thoughts of Kayla get to me sometimes. I guess I shouldn’t do that.”

Cedric removed his keys from the living-room table then turned to face me. “I said it once and I’ll say it again. Kayla is my concern, not yours.”

“You’re so right. From here on you will not hear me speak her name around you again. On another note, were you able—”

“Yes. The deposit is there. Check your account to be sure. If the money hasn’t been deposited, let me know.”

Cedric walked around me, making his way to the door. Knowing that the money was mostly likely in my account, the least I could do was send him off with a good-bye kiss. I hurried past him, just so he could get once last glimpse of my naked ass and come back for more. I reached for the doorknob to unlock the door, but Cedric stopped me when he inched close to me, pressing his body against my backside. He moved my hair away from my neck and planted a trail of soft kisses on it.

“I guess I’m forgiven,” I said with a smile.

“Always,” he whispered in my ear. “Especially since I can’t resist that cute little dimple you have on your left ass cheek. Every time I see it, I just want to bow down and kiss it.”

I wasn’t sure if the dimple thingy was a compliment or not, but when Cedric squatted to kiss my ass I laughed. He laughed too then told me he needed to get going before he changed his mind about leaving.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” He kissed my cheek and reached for the doorknob. I moved out of the way to let him exit.

“Tell Kayla I said hello.”

Cedric glared at me then walked out. I watched as he smooth-walked his way to the elevator. Before it closed, I waved and he gave me a nod by tossing his head back.

Needing a shower, I closed the door and went into my bedroom. I turned my backside to the huge floor mirror that sat against my wall to check out the dimple on my ass. My ass and thighs were cellulite free, but Cedric was right. There was a dimple on my left cheek, and at thirty-six I didn’t appreciate it. I frowned as I made my way to the bathroom to take a shower, but when I got out and checked my bank account, the money Cedric had deposited was there. That left a smile on my face. I wanted to call and thank him again, but instead I called Kayla.

“I’m in the middle of something,” she whispered into the phone. “Can I call you back?”

I hoped that she wasn’t in the middle of having sex. Just for the hell of it, I had to be sure. “You and Cedric are too horny for me. Why would you answer the phone during sex?”

“Uh, no. I’m at Jacoby’s band concert. Don’t you hear all the music in the background?”

“Oh, I do. Tell him that I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. I’ll make it next time. From what I can hear, though, the band sounds good. Is Cedric there too?”

“No. He hasn’t made it yet. I’m not sure if he’s coming. I don’t care, either, but let me call you back, okay?”

“Sure. Sorry for interrupting. Don’t forget to tell Jacoby what I said.”

Kayla said she would and ended the call. I sat on the bed, thinking that if she didn’t hold Cedric accountable for not being there for her and Jacoby, why should I care about all that was transpiring behind closed doors? As far as I knew, nobody suspected that anything was going on between Cedric and me. If he wasn’t going to tell, neither would I. I was getting what I wanted; that was all that mattered. I swiped my hands together after I clicked the send button on my laptop to make my rental payment on time.

The school’s auditorium was filled with plenty of parents, as well as grandparents and siblings, there to show support for the high school students in the jazz band. Jacoby had learned to play the saxophone years ago. His solo performance brought tears to my eyes. I sat proudly and my heart was filled with joy. There was a little disappointment too, as the chair next to me remained empty. Cedric said he would do his best to come, but I guess he couldn’t pull himself away from his office chair that he was forever glued to. Either that or he could have been out somewhere wining and dining one of his tricks. I had a gut feeling that Cedric had been stepping out on our marriage, but after so many years together, some things weren’t worth bringing to the kitchen table anymore. We had been there, done that before.

My main gripe was the relationship Cedric had with his son. Needless to say, I was disappointed. There was a time when the two of them were very close, but as Jacoby got older he started pulling away from Cedric. Jacoby barely wanted anything to do with him anymore, and they often walked around the house like two people who didn’t know each other. I expressed my concerns to Cedric, but he blamed it on Jacoby’s age. He said that as a growing teenager, Jacoby didn’t want to be bothered and the two of us needed to back off and let him grow up. I agreed with that too, but there was much more to it that Cedric wasn’t seeing. I figured it was up to Jacoby to tell him what was really going on with his attitude. I’d be lying if I said the way things were turning out didn’t hurt.

The band instructor announced the last song of the night. That was when I looked up and saw Cedric walking down the stairs and making his way up to me. I wasn’t sure if Jacoby saw him or not, but to be honest I was rather embarrassed by his late appearance. I crossed my legs, causing the slit in my ruffled yellow dress to slide over and show my cinnamon-brown skin. My metallic, pointed-toe heels matched my accessories, and my long, thin braids that flowed midway down my back were pulled away from my round face. My makeup was on like a work of art. The rich, plum lipstick I wore made me resemble Lauryn Hill, which was a plus because she was one of my favorite artists.

Cedric noticed me from all the brightness I added to the room. He displayed a forced smile before sitting next to me.

“You’re late,” I said with a little snap in my voice.

“Thanks for the announcement, but at least I’m here.”

“Then maybe the standing ovation at the end of the concert should be for you. And by the way”—I turned my head toward him—“you should have showered before you came. The smell of sex can be calmed with hot water, you know.”

Cedric held a smirk on his face and straightened his suit jacket. “And a loud mouth can always be silenced with a fist. Wrong place, wrong time, Kay. Silence yourself to prevent the embarrassment.”

“You’ve already done that, and I welcome the idea of you putting your hand. . .