Melody’s P.O.V

“Say what now?”

Max looks dumbfounded. I just told him about the agreement Richie and I made three weeks ago.

“We’re friends with benefit.”

Even though I’m laughing about it with Max, It ain’t been easy. Richie has been acting very cold towards me lately, I ain’t really blame him though. This is what I wanted, right?

He stopped talking to me like he used to before, he ain’t say he loved me once in the three weeks. I never know where he is anymore and he stopped calling me to check up on me. This is what I wanted, so why does it hurt so much?

“Wait a minute lil mama, so you guys ain’t dating no more?”

I shook my head. “Max we was never dating, we was just together. There wasn’t no dating involved. Now we’re just friends with benefits. Ain’t nobody have no claim on nobody.”

Max whistled and I laughed.

“That’s a sweet deal, lil mama. You offering that deal to all yo friends.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

“Shut the hell up before I smack you upside the head, for talking smack.”

We were walking to our favourite diner to have lunch. It’s one of the things Max and I do a lot together. He’s my best friend, it’s a shame he a guy. I love him very much though.

We walked in the diner and the fresh smell of the food hit us. I closed my eyes and inhale deeply. I started walking over to a table, whiles Max order our food. However, Max blocks my path. I looked up at him confused.

“Get out my way fool, I’m hungry.”

I said jokingly but Max was not smiling.

“Melo, maybe we should try somewhere different. This place look pretty busy.”

Is this fool crazy, nobody gets in the way of me and my food?

“Max move yo white ass, or I’ll move it for you. I want Daddy’s burger for lunch, if you want something else, that’s yo damn business. Now move it or lose it white boy.”

He won’t move, so I shoved him aside and started walking to our favourite table. However, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Richie sitting way too close to some blonde, big busted girl. I felt Max’s hands on my shoulders.

“Breathe Melo, just breathe.”

I didn’t know that I’d stopped breathing. I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself. Who the hell is that bimbo, and why the hell is her hand on his chest? I wanna go over there and drag her away from him. And whop her bottle blonde ass. But I’ve never fought for a man and I’m not willing to start now.

“Let’s go someplace else.” Max says.

“No!” I say, “We’re ain’t leaving. We’re ain’t together, he’s entitle to do whatever the hell he wants.”

I started walking over to our table. I walked pass Richie’s table, but I didn’t make it very far before I felt his hand on mine. I didn’t even have to look to know that it’s him. I would know his touch anywhere.

I tugged on my hand but he wasn’t letting go. I’m tried my best to keep my breathing easy, but it’s wasn’t working. Max turned around when he notice I’m not following him. He looked at Richie then at our hands and I saw a muscle contracts in his face. My eyes pleaded with him to not make a scene.

I turned to look at Richie but he’s looking at Max, like he wants to kill him. His blonde companion does not look to happy, her eyes are going back and forth between my face and our joint hands. However, I didn’t have time to deal with her.

“Richie, don’t do anything stupid, please.”

His eyes are on me now. They’re cold but not as cold as when he was looking at Max. He stood, ignoring the blonde’s protest. He didn’t let go of my hand. He leaned in and I closed my eyes. His lips were at my ear and my breath caught as he whispered.

“You have an hour, don’t be late.”

Letting go of my hand, he sat back down and turned to the blonde like nothing happened. I make a U turn and head for the door. Air, I need air. I’m outside now and I’m crying, big hard sobs. My body is shaking and I can’t make it stop. Max comes up to me and holds me. I cried for a good 10 minutes then backed away from him.

“What the hell did he say to you Melo?”

I didn’t answer, I just started walking. “I have to go.” I said instead.

Max started following me, calling my name but I kept going.

I hailed a cab, getting in before he could stop me. I made the cab drop me back to my house then I jumped into my car and drove to Richie’s.

I’m sitting outside of Richie’s house debating on whether I should go in or not. I know he’s home because his car is in the driveway. I should turn back and drive my black ass home and stay there, but I know I ain’t gonna do that.

Getting out of my car I walked towards his door and opened it with my keys. Yes I have a key.

I’m inside now. I started to make my way up the steps to his bedroom. I turned the knob and walked in. He walks out of the bathroom just as I walk in.

“You’re late, don’t let it happen again.”

I say nothing, I just stood there.

“Strip Mel.”

I still say nothing. The coldness in his voice is very chilling. I didn’t know if I want to get into bed with him at the moment. I’m scared of what he might do to me.

His eyes gets even colder, when he sees I’m not moving. Even his words sends a chill through my body.

“Strip or leave now, Melody! Your choice.”

I turned and walked over to the door. My hand touched the knob just as Richie’s voice reached me.

“Take one step out that door and this’ll be the last time you see the inside of this room, Melody.”

I stopped and drop my hand. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t handle the coldness, it’s tearing me up inside. I turned to face him, my hands working at the buttons on my shirt.

I stood before him completely bare. Body and soul. He walked over to me and pulled me into his arms. His lips a whisper away from my mine.

“This can all end if you just say the word, Mel.”

I closed my eyes. I do want this to end. I wanted to keep him at a distance to not turn out like my mother, but it ain’t working. Because, no matter what I do, I still keep running back to him.

“I don’t wanna do this anymore Richie. Please, let’s not do this anymore.”

“Then we don’t do this anymore, Baby.”