The Best Part of Me 2 Read online

  “Well, what?”

  “Don’t be evasive.” Forever rubbed something from his shoulder. “That’s not you.”

  That wasn’t him? Goody was really convinced then. Forever didn’t even know Marcellus well enough to know what he was and wasn’t.

  Marcellus stopped just outside of a door and turned to face them both. “Actually, hiding is my thing.” He licked his lips at her, then focused on Goody. “We didn’t talk about anything serious. Just about how much work he had to do today. I told him about this meeting, and that was it.”

  Goody nodded, satisfied. Whether Marcellus was lying or not was still a mystery, but she’d just have to take that for what it was.

  “Alright, you ready? Your mind good, or do you need a minute?”

  Goody’s signature frown returned to her face. “You know me better than that.”

  Marcellus nodded. “Just want to make sure you’re on your A game. This money talks. We don’t need personal issues in the way.”

  Niggas. Goody shook her head. He’d definitely talked to Jerrico about the situation, or he wouldn’t have made a reference to her personal life, but it was what it was. She had business to handle.

  “We good. Let’s go in.”

  Marcellus pulled the door open for Goody and Forever to walk in. The large room was dimly lit but decorated immaculately. The all white set up was nice and looked expensive. There was greenery strategically placed around the furniture while a few people congregated in the sitting area.

  Goody spotted Killa K and his manager, Jacorey, but the other two people she’d never seen a day in her life. There was a super pretty dark-skinned girl holding a little baby and another white man who looked too comfortable to be in a room filled with black people.

  Jacorey stood when he saw them then walked over to shake Marcellus’ hand and hug Goody. He shook Forever’s as well before ushering them over to where everyone was sitting. Once they’d all gotten comfortable, Goody and Forever on the same sofa while Marcellus occupied the chair next to them after kissing the woman’s cheek.

  She smiled and stood to hug him. They embraced lovingly before parting ways. “How you been?” she asked.

  “You know me,” Marcellus answered coolly.

  “Lord, I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.” She giggled as they took their seats.

  “With me, it’s always good.”

  She smiled. “Lies.”

  Goody, Forever, and Jacorey watched their exchange until Jacorey turned to Goody with a smile on his face and got the meeting started.

  “Slim Goody, how you doing today, baby girl?”

  “Well, and yourself?”

  He smiled. “Better than ever. I have a surprise for you.”

  Goody’s smile lit up as she anticipated what he was going to say.

  “Okay, so thanks to the couples shoot you decided to do the other day, the song you and Killa released has shot to the top of the charts. Apparently, everyone has been researching you and your man, and it paid off.”

  “Say what now?” Goody questioned.

  Marcellus’ low laughter got her attention. “You heard him.”

  “You’re the gimmick you didn’t want to be,” Killa K spoke indifferently.

  Goody couldn’t necessarily determine the attitude of his statement, but she knew it wasn’t congratulatory. He may not have been completely sour about her turning him down, only to turn up with Jerrico, but he sure as hell wasn’t happy about it. Her eyes cut to him, nastily sizing him up until Forever discreetly elbowed her.

  Goody looked back at Jacorey, “So, because people saw our pictures, they researched me?”

  “Basically. You already have your solid fans, but the love affair got you some more.” Jacorey grabbed the baby girl from the woman and wiped her mouth with her bib. “It was crazy to me, but my phone hasn’t stopped ringing this morning.”

  “Mine either. Whoever leaked the pictures helped you out in a major way.” Marcellus finally joined the conversation.

  “Which is why I’m here.” The white man finally spoke up. “I’m a publicist for Essence Magazine, and they’d like to do an article on the two of you.”

  Goody was stumped and overwhelmed all at once. “What would they need?”

  “Just a simple interview and photo shoot,” he answered while popping open his briefcase.

  The babbling baby gave Goody a moment to think. All her attention was focused on her as she clapped her little hands wildly in Jacorey’s face.

  “Let me have her, bae. She’s disrupting your meeting.”

  Jacorey shook his head and pulled the baby out of the girl’s grasp. “Leave my baby alone, Summer. She’s fine.” Jacorey kissed the baby’s fat cheeks. “Your annoying mama always in our business, ain’t she, ma?” he spoke softly to the baby.

  Goody smiled while Forever crooned a quiet, “Aww.” “You’re his wife?” Forever asked, totally getting in those people’s business.

  The woman smiled while rolling her eyes in Jacorey’s direction. “Unfortunately.”

  They all laughed at her sarcasm.

  “Aye, woman, don’t start no shit with me, and it won’t be none. I’m unfortunately married to your fucked-up ass too.”

  Summer slapping him across the back of his head lightened the mood of the room for Goody. Everyone’s laughter had been just what she needed. All the talk about her and Jerrico had thrown her for a minute. Neither of them had stamped any titles on what they were doing, and here the social media world was, doing it for them.

  “So, Ms. Goody, what do you think?” the publicist asked with his hand out toward her. “I’m Maxwell, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Goody took his hand and shook it. “Likewise.” She pushed her long, purple hair over her shoulder. “Umm, I’m not sure about that. I kind of wanted to make it on my own. With my talent, I mean. I appreciate the boost, but I don’t want my career to be based off a social media relationship.” Her head shook.

  “It’s not just social media, though,” Forever vocalized.

  “I think it’ll be cute. People love a happy couple. If you can be you, keep dropping that heat, while all the while entertaining your man, I don’t see anything wrong with it.” Summer shrugged. “Pop your shit, boo. You can do it.”

  Goody smiled at the sincerity in her voice. She appreciated the encouragement like no other, but she still wasn’t sold. At the point she was at in life, Goody didn’t even think she wanted a man, let alone to let her career thrive off one.

  Goody cleared her throat while all eyes were on her. She looked at Marcellus first. “You know first-hand how your brother is. He won’t want to do this.”

  Marcellus scratched his head and nodded. “I know. He hates the press, but for you, he may do it.”

  “I don’t know, I don’t think so. He wasn’t too happy about the pictures that were posted already.”

  “He wasn’t mad either. When I spoke to him this morning, he sounded more pissed about his privacy being invaded than the actual pictures.”

  Goody sat quietly, trying to get a feel of Jerrico’s attitude from Marcellus. She’d been too afraid and stubborn to call and check on him herself.

  “You have to strike while the iron’s hot. Social media is a major mecca for exposure right now, so while your wave is hot, you need to take it,” Jacorey instructed.

  “I agree, sis.” Forever looked at her. “I know why you’re skeptical, but you can’t let it hold you back.”

  Goody’s eyes wanted to water as she thought about her ruined relationship with Kayson, but she wouldn’t allow it.

  “Jerrico is understanding. I think if you talk to him, he might surprise you,” Summer added.

  Goody and Jacorey both looked at her with a perplexed expression. She’d already been extremely familiar with Marcellus. Did she know Jerrico too? Goody’s questions must have been on her face because Jacorey’s next statement clarified and confused her all over again.

  “She
used to be in love with that nigga too, so you can believe the shit she’s saying.”

  Marcellus laughed lightly while Goody’s attitude toward her changed. Say the fuck what? She leaned her head to the side some, looking from Summer’s feet up to her face. Jerrico had mentioned having an ex that he’d messed up with but never mentioned her name. Goody momentarily wondered was it her.

  “Why you say that?” Summer looked at him before looking at Goody again. “Ignore him. Jerrico and I were romantically involved at one point, but that was years ago. Nothing that he needed to open his big ass mouth about.”

  Maxwell and Marcellus laughed while Jacorey just shrugged. None of the women found anything humorous. Goody sat in her seat still eyeing Summer. She didn’t want to not like the girl, but it was taking her a minute to get unmad at her. Just thinking about Jerrico loving another woman made her want to fight.

  “I’m sorry he said that,” Summer apologized.

  “It’s cool,” Goody said nonchalantly. “I’ll talk to him about it and see what he says. When’s the shoot?”

  “As soon as possible,” Maxwell told her just as the door to the room opened again.

  What in the hell kind of conspiracy was this? All heads turned toward the door, and there he was with his sexy, chocolate self. Dressed casually in a pair of light blue pants, a white V-neck t-shirt, and a red fitted cap, Jerrico swaggered into the room. His cologne greeted them all before he could. The brown flip flops on his feet did the outfit good, making Goody’s mouth water.

  She loved the way he dressed and the way his clothes always fit his physique. It was immeasurable. There was literally not another man on the face of the planet who looked better than him, and that was on her life. As weird as their relationship was, Goody still felt possessive of him, so of course, she was out of her seat and headed his way almost immediately.

  The long gold chain around his neck went perfectly with the gold watch on his wrist. Even with her stomach flying all over the place with uncertainty, Goody was sure that he cared enough for her not to embarrass her in front of his ex. At least she hoped.

  “What are you doing here?” Goody asked while simultaneously wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Once he wrapped her up, the amount of compassion in his hold made Goody’s eyes close. He cared. She relaxed in his arms, even releasing a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding.

  “Marcellus told me you needed me.”

  Goody’s heart beat for him as she willed herself not to tear up. It was a tough battle because those tears were threatening as hell, but she managed.

  “And you came?” she whispered in his ear while pulling away.

  He looked into her eyes and pecked her mouth. “I wouldn’t leave you hanging when I know you need me.” One of his hands came up and wiped her wet eye. “I know big, bad, Goody ain’t crying.”

  Goody blushed and broke eye contact. “I thought that maybe you didn’t want me anymore after this morning… you left.”

  “I don’t think I could stop wanting you if I tried.” Jerrico sighed. “Trust me, I tried this morning.” He exhaled again, and she quietly laughed.

  Goody kissed his mouth again before looking at him. “You’re not about to like this.”

  Jerrico looked behind Goody’s head and waved his hand at everyone before looking back at her. “It’s something with the pictures?”

  Goody nodded, and he shook his head.

  “We don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. I know how you feel about this kind of stuff.”

  Jerrico released her and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his mouth. “For you, it’s whatever.” He winked and pulled her toward the sitting area.

  Everyone was quiet as they approached. Forever and Marcellus had the same smile, both probably surprised by their siblings’ behavior but happy as well. Jacorey and Killa K didn’t look one way or the other, Maxwell was looking over some papers, while Summer smiled widely. Her eyes were trained on Jerrico, and it made Goody’s blood boil. She was smiling way too hard for her to have her own man sitting right next to her, holding their fat ass baby.

  “Jerrico, the man hoe.” Summer stood with her arms outstretched. “How you been?”

  Jerrico released Goody and hugged Summer to his chest. Not the way he hugged Goody, but still too tight for her not to get mad. Silently, she breathed slowly, trying to tame her inner beast, but it was hard. Goody was a fighter by nature, so of course, the moment things got rocky, throwing hands was her first action. Lucky for them both, they didn’t hug for long.

  “Summer, how you doing, girl? What you doing up in here?” Jerrico asked while taking the seat Goody had occupied.

  She momentarily got mad, but when he grabbed her hand and pulled her down on his lap, she let it go. His hand lightly rubbing her back made her feel that much better.

  “You know I’m always in the mix.” She smiled and touched the back of Jacorey’s neck. “Today, I’m just with bae while he’s handling business. He acts like he can’t stay away from me.”

  Jacorey looked at her with a frown on his face. “That’s your hot ass who acts like you can’t stay in the house.”

  Summer and a few of the others all laughed at him before she leaned into his shoulder. “Keep acting like you don’t want me here and see what I do for you.”

  The bashful smile on Jacorey’s face, while Summer whispered in his ear, was the cutest thing and made Goody feel more secure in her relationship with Jerrico. She didn’t look like she was worried about him in the least, and that was good for her because Goody would definitely fight her.

  When Jacorey finally pulled away from her, he was fighting his smile. “Y’all excuse my ghetto ass wife. She ain’t got no class. Her mama didn’t really teach her shit.”

  Everyone laughed, Jerrico and Goody included. Jerrico’s hand hadn’t left Goody’s back yet, and she was happy for that. It felt good to have his hand on her, especially in front of his old girlfriend. Petty as it may have sounded, Goody needed that attention.

  “It’s good to see you, Summer.” Jerrico smiled at her and almost got punched. His hand to Goody’s thigh halted that.

  “Same here, man hoe.” She giggled, and Jerrico and Marcellus joined her.

  Goody looked down at him, ready to start some mess, but he was already looking at Jacorey. He’d leaned forward so that his elbow was resting on his kneecap while the other draped loosely around her waist. His chin lazily sat in his open palm.

  “So, what’s up? Somebody fill me in,” Jerrico spoke rhetorically but looked at Marcellus.

  As always, Marcellus’ face lit up with a smile. Sneaky ass. Goody watched him while shaking her head. That was one man who just looked like a ball of secrets. If Forever knew what was good for her, she’d stay out of his way because everything about Marcellus looked like a broken heart and a closet full of skeletons.

  “Aight, so here’s the thing.” Marcellus sat up and hit his open palm with his fist. “Goody’s career has the potential to catapult in this very moment, but with your help,” Marcellus spoke carefully.

  “Anything,” Jerrico stated easily.

  Everybody’s eyes went to him.

  Jacorey smiled and clapped. “My boy said anything! I can fuck with it.” He held his open hand across the table, and Jerrico shook it with a smile.

  “Well, that was easy.” Maxwell’s commentary was comical. “It’s her career, and she gave us a harder time than you.”

  Jerrico looked up at Goody, and all she did was shrug.

  “Keep listening. Y’all tell him.” She nodded at the other men.

  Marcellus spoke first. “Somehow, social media has fallen in love with y’all, and they want to capitalize on it. More pictures, more lovey shit on the computer.”

  Jerrico’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “All we have to do is take more pictures?”

  “And do an interview, and basically become a social media gimmick.” Goody’s unenthused attitude was loud and clear.


  “Not a gimmick, Goody, a love affair.” Summer smiled.

  Goody and Jerrico both looked at her. Although Goody wasn’t trying to hear it at all, Summer’s personality was too sincere to hate on.

  Jerrico didn’t say anything right away, just stayed in the same position, tightening his arm around Goody while they waited. He sat back again and tapped her thigh.

  “How you feel about it?” his question seemed innocent, but Goody could tell he was on the same page as her.

  Neither of them knew what they were doing, and here they were being asked to broadcast it.

  “What if we break up?” Goody questioned.

  “Make a hot breakup song and keep it moving,” Marcellus offered. “This is what you need, baby girl. My brother is down, so what’s good with you?”

  “That’s what I’m saying.” Killa K stood up and stretched. “Our song is hot, and this will make it better. Hell, I might even find me a li’l shawty to snap it up with.”

  Goody didn’t respond to him because he was annoying, and his input was biased anyway. The only person she cared about was Jerrico. She looked down at him, and he was scrolling through an email on his phone.

  “Babe,” Goody called out.

  He looked up at her with a sullen expression on his face. Goody frowned for a moment before looking around at everyone. All eyes were on them. To give them as much privacy as possible in the small space, Goody turned in his lap and grabbed the bottom of his face.

  “What’s wrong?” she mouthed.

  He tried to shake his head, but she was still holding his face.

  “Tell me,” she voiced out loud. “I know it’s something.”

  Jerrico looked away and pulled his face from her grasp. Goody didn’t necessarily like that but paused her feelings when he nodded toward his phone. She read the words on his screen.

  You plan to break up with me? I don’t like that

  Him expressing his feelings to and for her would never get old. Her entire body and soul wanted to love him. Goody looked at him and shook her head before leaning down so that her mouth was near his ear.