May the Best Man Win by M.T. Pope Read Free Book Online Page B

wanted to try to get a piece before I left, again.
    He went into the living room and cut the television on. As I made my way toward the door, I turned toward him as he sat in my chocolate and cream leather and suede sectional with his feet propped up on my matching ottoman.
    â€œAre you going to be here when I get back or is this the last time I am going to see you for a while?”
    â€œSure, baby boy. Because that fat ass you got right there belongs to me tonight.” He was smiling ear to ear and laughing. I just shook my head and exited my home.
    â€œI guess this is my life,” I mumbled to myself as I walked out of my door. I’d have to say that I wasn’t too comfortable with this situation. Here I was portraying one thing at work and being another thing in my personal life. I just wanted to be happy and in a relationship with someone I could depend on. Was that too much to ask?
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    I walked into work with a frown on my face and a frown in my heart. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to put up with Ronald and his shenanigans for a long time. I walked into my office and shut my door. My secretary waved a couple of messages or something in the air, but I was too preoccupied with my defunct love life. I was a successful marketing executive of a marketing company (Bankable Advertising, Inc.) that I launched right after I graduated from college. I was on the right track with a heavy client base that rivaled any other marketing firm in the area. I had several junior execs and one intern who were in my staff of professionals. All I needed to complete the puzzle of my life was a life partner I could lean on for love and support forever. It just didn’t seem like it was ever going to happen. Ever.
    Knock. Knock. Knock.
    â€œCome in,” I said, logging on to my computer system and checking my e-mails.
    â€œMr. Spencer, is everything okay?” My secretary, Janice, walked up to my desk with a notepad in hand. She was a petite woman. Her skin was as chocolate as a Hershey Kiss and she was as sweet as one, too. She was a bit older than I wanted to hire, but she was efficient and meticulous, which was why I hired her. I had just launched my company and my office was in disarray. In the middle of her interview I had to use the bathroom and within ten minutes of my absence she had completely organized my entire desk and half my office. I knew I should have been annoyed by her touching my things but she showed that she was orderly and professional. She also reminded me a little of my deceased grandmother. Needless to say, I hired her on the spot.
    I continued to type away, partially ignoring her. “No, Janice, everything is fine. Sorry for ignoring you earlier. I was thinking about something and I wanted to write it down before I forgot. How are you doing this morning?” I said all in one breath.
    â€œWonderful, Mr. Spencer. Just marvelous. God is good.” She was now smiling and that alone caused me to smile. She was infectious and lighthearted all the time. I’d never heard her raise her voice once.
    â€œThat’s great to hear, Janice,” I said with a bit of envy in my voice.
    â€œHere are your messages,” she said, placing them on my desk. “Do you need anything to drink, Mr. Spencer?”
    â€œSure, I’ll have a mint tea and a bagel with cream cheese, please.”
    She shuffled out of the door making her exit.
    As I looked at my messages I had noticed one from my father. He was estranged, or strange if I had to tell it. He and my mom were together, but they were separated. He came and went as he pleased and she let him. Maybe that was where I got my ways from. Letting men do and act the way they wanted to.
    My dad was a good provider from a distance even though he wasn’t always around when I needed him. And he asked me if that was the reason I was the way I was. You know, gay and all. Blaming him for me being gay was not even an option. I was gay