My eyes were so puffy from crying, I didn't know how I was going to show up to the party that evening.
Even though I promised myself that I wouldn't cry over Kannon again, the pain was just too much to bear. I kept thinking about the five years of my life I spent being a good woman to him, giving him everything, helping him through school.
Had he stayed with Draya, there was no telling where he would've ended up. Probably in prison—where he was on his way to before I stepped in.
While I laid in bed sulking over my failed engagement, everyone else ran through the house excited for the party that evening. I felt like I was in a madhouse, and I was the only one losing my sanity.
The kids—Felicia, Michael, and James—were screaming and shouting as they chased each other through the long hallways.
My mom ran back and forth shouting demands to the housekeepers and event planners. And my dad—my poor dad—he was busy making sure everyone knew their roles before his team showed up.
I had no idea where Kannon was, or what he thought about my statement before he left. And I didn't care, really. All I cared about was getting through the weekend without breaking down and having to explain to my family what caused it.
"Brielle, it's Aunt Judy. You in there?"
I wanted to say no, but I knew she wouldn't leave. Even though she was my dad's sister, she was just as pushy as my mama was.
"I'm coming, Aunt Judy," I called out on my way to open the door.
Before opening it, I took a second to pause and get myself together as much as possible because I knew the minute Aunt Judy saw my swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks, she was going to ask more questions than 50 Cent.
"Hey Aunt Ju—"
My words got caught in my throat.
I felt like I was in the Twilight zone and my world was spinning uncontrollably.
I was excited, happy, confused. And Aunt Judy stood there with an enormous smile, looking like one of her kids had just won a championship game.
"Monty! Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I thought you wouldn't be able to make it."
I jumped into his arms, and every thought I had about Kannon flew out the window when Monty swept me off my feet and squeezed me like I was his favorite teddy bear.
"That's all me right there!" Aunt Judy cheered. "I called him earlier and made him get on that jet and get here to save the day!"
I playfully rolled my eyes at Aunt Judy while I wrapped my arms around Monty so tight I nearly choked him.
"What did you tell him, Aunt Judy?" I asked. "I hope it wasn't anything crazy."
"The truth," she said, simple and plain. "Ya'll call me drunk all the time, but Aunt Judy always knows what's going on. Remember that."
Monty set me back on my feet, but I wasn't ready to let go of him.
He felt so good and smelled even better. If I didn't remember I was there to celebrate my engagement to another man, I would've taken Monty into my room and rocked his world just to get back at Draya.
"You good?" he looked at me with concern when I finally let go. "Mi see it pon yuh face... yuh been cryin'?"
His passion for me made me tear up instantly.
I couldn't hide anything from him–he knew me too well. Even when I tried to figure things out myself, even when he didn't say anything, he always knew when something was wrong.
"Aunt Judy, can I talk to Monty alone for a minute?"
Even she looked concerned. And Aunt Judy was never concerned about anything. Except gossiping and drinking.
"Of course, baby. Keep him for as long as you want. I'll get him back later."
I couldn't help but laugh as she walked away and Monty invited himself into my room.
Out of respect for Kannon, I was going to take him to the foyer or somewhere else that was quiet, but Monty had a way of making me do whatever he wanted me to do. And I shouldn't have been worried about respecting Kannon anyway.
He didn't respect me.
"So tell mi now… wah mek yuh sad when yuh fi be di happiest woman inna di world right now?"
He sat on the edge of my bed, then gracefully laid back and closed his eyes—his shirt rising just enough for me to see the V-shaped muscle that led to what was forbidden.
I inhaled deeply, then released slowly before I could say anything. I didn't even want to say anything because I knew how Monty was about me.
Especially with Kannon.
"Mi come all dis way, yuh coulda tell mi wah really gwan," he said.
"Alright, Monty, damn." I rolled my eyes.
"Mhm. Start talking."
I looked at him for a moment. His eyes were still closed, and his lips were semi perked like he was annoyed but wanted a kiss.
I almost kissed him.
I wanted to.
Not the way I kissed Kannon, but better—with more passion instead of lust. More feeling instead of encouragement. Because I actually wanted to, not because I knew it was what he wanted.
"Mi nah hear yuh."
"Oh my God," I blushed. "Can you give me a minute to get it out right? Damn."
His accent had me in the kind of chokehold that was only appropriate for the bedroom when no one else was home.
Paired with his assertiveness—like he was my daddy—drove me crazy in all the ways Kannon didn't.
"I'm pretty sure Aunt Judy already told you something, being that she tells everything. But I think Kannon and Draya had sex last night."
Saying it out loud felt so unreal. I was embarrassed and hurt to admit what I knew was the truth. But Monty didn't judge me or call me stupid for staying after Kannon had already cheated on me a dozen times.
He just listened.
"He says he thought it was me. And then he says it was all a dream. So, I don't know what to believe. But I know for a fact it wasn't me in the bed with him. I did think it was a dream at first. But then we walked into brunch this morning and I saw her sitting there … with this all-telling smirk on her face. And of course, Kannon froze up like he was guilty as charged. That told me everything I needed to know."
"Mi just a wonder… why yuh still a keep di party if yuh nuh feel up to it?"
"My dad." I shrugged. "He's running for mayor and wants to use the party for his campaign."
Monty let out a soft chuckle before he looked at me with the most gentle eyes, and I already knew what he was going to say because he said it to me all the time.
Bri—always a look out fi everybody else before she.
I mocked him in my head as I anticipated him saying it. But instead, he sat up and wrapped his arms around me.
"Wah yuh plan fi do?"
"I don't know," I sighed. "But I know I can't do this anymore."
I felt safe being in his arms. Like nothing could break me down, and the pain I felt before he got there didn't mean a thing. I felt like I had closure and I was at peace with him by my side.
It was crazy to feel that way, when the man I was supposed to marry was under the same roof. It was even crazier because I had the chance to be with Monty years before. And I chose Kannon.
Yet and still, Monty showed up for me more than anyone.
"Well, crying nah go change nutten, yuh hear? Come, mek wi enjoy di party and big up yuh fada—him a run fi mayor!"
He released me and stood up to leave the room.
His legs bowed when he walked, and his shoulders swayed with a swagger that was hard to ignore. If I had never met Kannon, and Monty wasn't dating Draya, I would've locked him down a long time ago.
But I had a lot on my plate during that time, and a good man like that deserved more than what I could offer him.
"I guess I better come out of this room and interact with everyone."
"Yeah, mi see yuh when yuh come down. Mi a go look fi Aunt Judy."
"I'm right behind you."
There was no way I was letting him out of my sight around Aunt Judy.
Or Draya.