My Married Boyfriend by Cydney Rax

not to overreact.
    â€œCrazy or not, you two need to know this is a respectable woman,” Varnell insisted. “The fact that I brought her around you two lets you know everything you need to know. And, not to go deep into it, but she’s been through a lot in her past relationships. I’d like the chance to offer her something different, if you two could just chill out and act civilized.”
    â€œAwww,” Carmen said in a babyish tone. “Yep, my brother is feeling this beauty queen. Isn’t that special?”
    Varnell rose to his feet, clearly frustrated. “Come on, Alexis. We don’t have to put up with this type of disrespect.”
    â€œBrother-in-law, sit your Russell Wilson–acting ass down and let’s get it on with these spades. Some people are just too sensitive. It was meant to be an icebreaker. Damn!”
    â€œC’mon, Varnell, lighten up,” said Carmen with a laugh. “You know I don’t get to hang out with you that much. So have a seat and take it like a man. If you are treating her right, that means she will be around for a long time. And if she does, she needs to know how Forrest and I roll.”
    Varnell reluctantly sat down and picked up his cards. He slammed one on the table.
    â€œTake your ass whipping like a man,” he yelled.
    â€œUh oh, partner. That’s what I’m talking about,” Forrest said. “When a man ain’t getting any, he gotta let out his aggression one way or another.”
    Alexis smiled. “I like you two. Yeah, you are and your wife is crazy, but you’re real. I actually hate pretentious people.”
    â€œThey make me itch, girl,” Carmen replied and she wildly threw out a card.
    They resumed the game, throwing friendly shade and cracking obnoxious jokes. After the men thoroughly beat the women, they took a short break to use the restroom and get more refreshments from the kitchen.
    The moment that Forrest and Varnell left the room, Carmen leaned across the table. “I know my brother, and I can tell he honestly likes and respects you. That’s important in a relationship. Me and that silly teddy bear I got have been through relationship hell. Our marriage was rocky for a hot minute. I’m sure you couldn’t tell,” she said with a facetious smile, “but this handsome fella was so charming and generous that it forced me to deal with side chicks. Women love my man, if you know what I mean. So a lot of really crazy shit went down in our marriage. Long story short, I can’t believe I’m still married to him. But I am. The love is still there. We are going to make it to the finish line. But I have to constantly keep his ass in line.”
    â€œThanks for sharing that. I-I think I know what you mean.”
    â€œAre you telling me you’ve dealt with side chicks in your past?”
    Alexis looked Carmen dead in the eye. “I know the side chick life. I’ve been one. I was the queen and the princess. But I turned in my tiara, or crown, or whatever you want to call it. It’s time to do something different. And I really believe that this is where Varnell comes in.”
    Carmen stared at Alexis with new curiosity. “Hmm, we need to get together and talk. Does my brother know this? He normally doesn’t like skanks.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Alexis. I guess this proves I still have issues.” Carmen laughed, then grew serious. “But this isn’t about me. Just treat my brother right and you will never regret meeting him. And if he is saying no to sex, yeah, that is Russell Wilson in the making. So hold onto him and you can kiss the side chick life good-bye. We need to get together one Saturday when I don’t have my two daughters. You like crawfish? Like with that suicide seasoning?”
    Alexis told her she’d loved crawfish. They made a promise to meet up. And deep inside, Alexis agreed that if she had