Mended by By Kimberly M. Clayborne Read Free Book Online Page A

response . . . not that Tim gave two shits.
    “I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Nick looked off down the street, missing Tim’s startled look.
    “What way?”
    “Like you want to rip her clothes off.”
    “That’s a bit crass.” Tim said disgusted.
    “Gotta say, I can’t see her with a White dude,” Nick stood up and continued as if Tim never spoke. “But then again sistas are hooking up with ya’ll now as much as you guys are going after them.” He sighed as Tim stared at him.
    Tim made no excuses for it. He loved women. Tim had developed an attraction to Black women, ever since he caught Gramps watching Pam Greer movies. That woman had a set of legs on her! But he was always afraid to approach Black women, admittedly finding them slightly intimidating. His senior year in High School had been a turning point in his life. Tim had his first sexual experience with a Black Goddess named Denise Marston and quickly lost his fear. The Black women he had dated had a way of making him feel better about himself, more confident and gave him a sense of humor in a way. He could laugh at himself, as he couldn’t before. He wasn’t so serious or conceded as he had once been and he appreciated being knocked down a peg.
    “She’s letting me go,” He sighed, leaned his hip against the fence and folded his arms over his chest. “Said it was because my daughter hates her, which is probably true since she wants me and her mom to get back together.” Nick stared at Tim. “Secretly I think she still has ex issues.”
    “I doubt that, from what I heard, they had a pretty messy break up.” Tim said feeling a glimmer of satisfaction knowing that they were through. He knew it was a messed up way of thinking but he didn’t want Kassie with anyone other than him.
    Nick eyed him suspiciously. “You got a thing for her?”
    “I gotta be honest with you.” Tim said softly. “I kinda can’t stand her.” He knew he wasn’t being entirely honest and Nick saw it too.
    “Right.” He said slyly and stood up off the fence. They stared at each other a moment before Nick turned and walked away.
    Tim raised his chin and tried to shake it off but he couldn’t shake off what he felt. Nick saw right through him so easily it was ridiculous and if he could see through Tim’s front, Tim wondered if Kassie could too.
    *****
    Fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating Tim’s room. He sat in an armchair watching T.V. with Griff curled up on the bed sleeping. He turned off the T.V. and looked out the window. The party next door was in full swing and everywhere he looked people milled around laughing and having a wonderful time. His eyes scanned the yard and fell on Kassie. She was tucked under Nick the dick, who had his arm over her shoulder and was kissing her ear. He whispered something that made her laugh before nuzzling her neck. It grated Tim’s nerves like nails on a chalkboard. She seemed genuinely happy being with Nick and Tim’s jealousy grew with every millisecond of watching them together.
    *****
    Not truly believing what he was doing, Tim found himself walking out of his fence and over to her house before his brain had a chance to catch up with his legs. He walked into her backyard as a large purple explosion happened over head. Kassie looked up at it, smiling and clapping. Nick’s eyes followed hers and then fell on Tim. Nick whispered in her ear and Kassie looked at him. A sweet, pretty smile lit up her features. She excused herself, giving Nick a quick kiss and stood slowly, walking his way.
    “Are we too loud?” She asked but he barely heard a word she said.
    His eyes were glued to her. Lord she was beautiful! She wore very little makeup, which he loved and she was the prettiest woman here to him. Tim wondered if she had even the slightest inkling that he was falling in love with her.
    “No.” His heart was like a drum in his ears, overshadowing the loud fireworks and the muted music. He was blasting earlier