Married Men Read online

  Table of Contents

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  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Seven years later

  Chapter 1 - Kyle

  Chapter 2 - Allen

  Chapter 3 - Wil

  Chapter 4 - Jay

  Chapter 5 - Kyle

  Chapter 6 - Allen

  Chapter 7 - Jay

  Chapter 8 - Kyle

  Chapter 9 - Wil

  Chapter 10 - Allen

  Chapter 11 - Kyle

  Chapter 12 - Jay

  Chapter 13 - Allen

  Chapter 14 - Wil

  Chapter 15 - Kyle

  Chapter 16 - Allen

  Chapter 17 - Kyle

  Chapter 18 - Jay

  Chapter 19 - Allen

  Chapter 20 - Kyle

  Chapter 21 - Jay

  Chapter 22 - Kyle

  Chapter 23 - Wil

  Chapter 24 - Allen

  Chapter 25 - Jay

  Chapter 26 - Wil

  Chapter 27 - Kyle

  Chapter 28 - Kyle

  Chapter 29 - Wil

  Chapter 30 - Jay

  Chapter 31 - Kyle

  Chapter 32 - Allen

  Chapter 33 - Jay

  Chapter 34 - Allen

  Chapter 35 - Jay

  Chapter 36 - Wil

  Chapter 31 - Allen

  Chapter 38 - Wil

  Chapter 39 - Allen

  Chapter 40 - Jay

  Chapter 41 - Kyle

  Chapter 42 - Jay

  Chapter 43 - Kyle

  Chapter 44 - Tracy

  Chapter 45 - Diane

  Chapter 46 - Lisa

  Chapter 47 - Rose

  Chapter 48 - Kenya

  Epilogue

  Teaser chapter

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  DAFINA BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  850 Third Avenue

  New York, NY 10022

  Copyright © 2001 by Carl Weber

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  All Kensington titles, imprints and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund-raising, educational or institutional use.

  Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Special Sales Manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Attn. Special Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Dafina Books and the Dafina logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  First Trade Paperback Printing: September 2001

  First Mass Market Printing: September 2005

  10 9 8 7 6

  Printed in the United States of America

  This book is dedicated to Jeffery Dumpson, Walter Nixon, Albert Butler, Kevin Dwyer, Bryant Murphy, Harold Gilliam, Travis Hunter, and Tyrone Thompson—the best group of friends a man could have. Oh, and, of course, Martha

  Acknowledgements

  First off, let me thank God for all the blessings He’s bestowed on me this past year. Although there were some hard times, He alone made life worth living, and for that I give Him praise.

  Thanks to all the kind and wonderful people who read Lookin’ for Luv. Your letters and e-mails have touched my heart and you are the real reason why my book made the Blackboard and Essence magazine bestseller lists.

  Special thanks to my readers: Ann Murphy, Crystal Burson, Kimberly Carrington, Linda Travis-Isbell, Jerri Lynn, Lauren Dixon, Brenda Cheese, Valerie Skinner, my sisters Maria and Teresa and of course, Antoinette Jorge. Your feedback has been instrumental in making this book what it is today. I’ll be taking a bit of each one of you for the characters in my next book, Baby Mama Drama, so don’t be mad at me.

  Before I thank anyone else I have to thank E. Lynn Harris and Eric Jerome Dickey for paving the way for brothers like myself. In an industry dominated by women authors you two have made it possible for us men to succeed.

  Thanks to my fellow authors who came by my stores and encouraged me to write: Timm McCann, Terri Woods, Donna Hill, Marcus Major, Van Whitfield, Kim Roby, Donna Deberry and Virginia Grant, Mary Morrison, Gloria Mallette, Robert Flemming and Chandra Taylor.

  Big thanks to my agent, Marie Brown, for keeping me grounded and focused on what’s important.

  Thanks to my editor, Karen Thomas, and the Kensington publishing family. You’ve made my publishing experience a true joy and I look forward to working with you for years to come.

  Thanks to Peggy Hicks for a great job with publicity.

  Thanks to Pamela Walker Williams for your patience and a great web site.

  And, of course, I’d like to thank all of my customers at the African-American Bookstore. You’ve been there from the beginning and your support has been truly appreciated.

  If you would like to get in touch with me, please write or e-mail me at:

  Carl Weber

  P.O. Box 3045

  Farmingdale, NY 11735

  E-mail: [email protected]

  Check my web site: carlweberonline.com

  Prologue

  It was a warm July day when the white stretch limousine pulled up to St. Mary’s church on Fourteenth Street in the West Village of Manhattan. Jay Crawford stepped onto the sidewalk and looked up the steps to the gray stone front of the Roman Catholic church. Placing his designer shades on his head, Jay smiled at two college-aged women who were passing by, making them both blush. At an even six feet, Jay wasn’t what most sisters would call good looking. No, he was fine, real fine, and when he walked into a room, everyone took notice. He was tall, with smooth, baby-soft dark skin and two of the cutest dimples you ever wanna see. He was the kind of man that made women of all races tak
e a second look and it wasn’t just his face. Jay’s well-chiseled muscular body was by far his finest asset.

  Jay turned to his friend Kyle, who was stepping out of the limo.

  “Well, we’re here. You sure you wanna go through with this?” He motioned toward the two women who were halfway down the block now, the sway of their hips still enticing, even from a distance. “Mmm, mmm, mmm, look at the ass on the one on the right.”

  Kyle, a short deep-chocolate brother with Caribbean features and a handsome smile, was visibly nervous about getting married. He didn’t answer his friend, although he did turn his slim, muscular body in the direction of the woman, trying to appear nonchalant as he checked out her behind. Jay smirked as he busted his friend sneaking a peek. He and Kyle had both been ladies’ men for years, and Jay was relieved to see he hadn’t lost his friend completely, even on the day of his wedding. Jay was the only one of Kyle’s friends who was upset about his upcoming marriage. As far as he was concerned, he was losing his partner in crime.

  “Cut that shit out, Jay! You know he’s gonna go through with it.” Wil Duncan, a thick, light-skinned man with a round, shaved head, chastised Jay as he stepped out of the limo. Wil was almost six feet tall himself, and damn near twice the size of Jay. He was Kyle’s best man, and clearly in favor of his friend getting married.

  Wil smiled as he stood in front of his friend and straightened his tie. “You aw’ight, Kyle?”

  “Yeah, I’m cool.” Kyle nodded breaking his nervous trance. He turned to see what was keeping his third friend, Allen, who had yet to step out of the limo. “Al, what the hell are you doin’ in there?”

  Allen Jackson, a slim, cocoa-colored man with a narrow face and a fade haircut, stepped out of the limo with a bottle of champagne and a glass. He poured himsclf some champagne as his eyes traveled from Wil, to Jay, to Kyle.

  “Why y’all staring at me like that? You didn’t think I was gonna let a good bottle of champagne go to waste, did you?” He sipped contentedly. “Ahhhh!”

  “Put the damn champagne back in the limo.” Kyle slapped Allen in the back of the head. “You can be so stupid sometimes, Al. Can’t you see we’re going into a church?”

  Allen guzzled down what was left in his glass and handed the bottle to the driver. “Yo, chief, keep this cold for me.”

  The driver nodded his head as he closed the car door.

  Turning his attention to the church steps he was about to ascend, Kyle sighed. His insides were churning with nervous energy. Marriage was a big step, and he hadn’t slept a wink all night thinking about it. He wondered how anyone ever knew if they were truly making the right choice. He was in love with Lisa, there was no question about that. But would that be enough to make their marriage last?

  He was the first of his friends to get married. Maybe it would have been more comforting if one of them had gone before him and shown him that it can work. He glanced at Wil, who was getting married himself in a year, and then at Jay, who had sworn he would never commit to marriage. This was the moment of truth. He had to either climb the stairs to the church, or turn around and get in the limo to ride out of the life of the woman he loved.

  “Well, guys,” he finally announced with confidence, “let’s go get me married.”

  Jay put his hand in front of Kyle, blocking him on the first step. “You can still back out if you wanna. We could jump in that limo and be in Atlantic City in two hours.”

  “As tempting as that might be right now Jay, I’m gonna have to pass.” Kyle pushed Jay’s hand out of his way. “I know you don’t understand what Lisa and I have. That’s because you’ve never been in love before. All I can tell you is that I can’t see living my life without her.”

  “Aw‘ight, man, I ain’t no playa-hater. Hell, I’m a participator. I just hope you know what you doin’.”

  “So do I. Now get out of my way before I change my mind.” Kyle laughed as he walked up the stairs to the church.

  “Kyle,” Jay called to him.

  “Yeah?” Kyle turned toward his friend.

  “I’m happy for you, brotha. I don’t know why, but I’m happy for you.” Jay smiled.

  Kyle nodded and headed to the church entrance. When he rang the rectory bell, Father Smith soon greeted him and his friends.

  “Well, I see you didn’t get cold feet,” Father Smith laughed as he led them down a small, narrow hallway into an equally tiny room. “You boys have a seat. We’ve got some time before we’re gonna get started.”

  Kyle and Allen sat on the only two chairs in the room. Jay and Wil leaned against a table, facing their nearly wedded friend, who still had “nervous” written all over his face.

  “Ya know, Kyle, I’m happy for you, bro,” Wil said with folded arms. “Lisa’s a good woman, and she really loves you, man.”

  “Thanks, Wil. That means a lot coming from you.” Kyle had always respected the advice of Wil, who was usually the most levelheaded of the group.

  “I feel sorry for your partner in crime over there.” Allen joined their conversation, gesturing toward Jay. “You gonna be aw‘ight chasin’ women by yourself, Jay?”

  “Man, I been runnin’ solo ever since he met Lisa’s ass. The boy’s pussy whipped!” Jay sucked his teeth.

  “Come on, Jay, we in church, man.” Kyle shot him a dirty look.

  “So you guys gonna try ta have kids right away or what?” Wil changed the subject.

  Kyle grinned. “The minute we get on that cruise, I’m tossing her diaphragm overboard.” They all laughed. Even Jay couldn’t help but smile at the thought of a Kyle Junior, running around.

  “Ya know the one thing I want when I get married? I want all of our kids to be close like we are,” Jay said.

  “Amen to that,” Kyle agreed.

  “I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Allen said sadly.

  “Damn, Al! You act like I’m dying or somethin’.”

  Jay laughed at that one.

  “Nah, it’s not like that. I just never imagined you or Jay settling down.”

  “That’s true. I never thought either of you would get married” Wil agreed.

  “Hey, man, I’m twenty-seven. I can’t be a player all my life,” Kyle reasoned.

  “Speak for yourself.” Jay stepped away from the table and puffed out his chest. “I’ma be a player till I die.”

  “Truth is, 1 shoulda been the first one to get married.” Allen had a distant look in his eyes. “I shoulda married Cinnamon when I had the chance.”

  “Yeah, you shoulda,” Wil stated matter-of-factly.

  “She wasn’t gonna marry ya ass, Al.” Kyle stood and started pacing.

  “Why the hell not?” Allen asked.

  “ ’Cause your ass ain’t got no job, that’s why.” Kyle laughed, stopping in front of Allen. “Who the hell’s gonna marry a brotha with no job?”

  “I can get a job anytime I want to.”

  “Yeah, right!” Jay laughed. “Last job you had was two years ago, and you quit two months later.”

  “That’s ’cause school was about to start again,” Allen protested.

  Wil sat down next to Allen and faced him. “Allen, you been going to school eight years. When the hell you gonna . get a degree?”

  They all burst out laughing at that one.

  Allen lowered his head. He knew his friends were joking, but he wished he had an answer for them.

  “Ahem!” Father Smith interrupted them. “The bride’s just pulled up to the church.”

  “Okay, Father Smith,” Kyle nodded, “can we just have a minute?”

  “Sure, son.” The priest walked out, closing the door behind him.

  Kyle placed one arm around Allen and the other around Jay. Jay put his arm around Wil, and the four friends pulled together into a tight circle. They were silent for a moment until Kyle spoke to his lifelong buddies.

  “I want you all to know I love you. We’ve been best friends since the fifth grade and better friends a man has never ha
d. You three have always been there for me, and I wanna thank you for that. Lisa may have my heart, but it’s you guys that built it. I love you.”

  “We love you too, Kyle,” Jay said for the three of them. “Come on. It’s time to go get you a wife.”

  Seven years later

  1

  Kyle

  My wife Lisa pulled our Ford Windstar minivan in front of the Jamaica train station and leaned toward me for a kiss. The scent of her White Diamonds perfume reminded me of the incredible night of passion we’d shared last night. Lisa had started the night by seducing me with a black Victoria’s Secret negligee with a matching thong that would have made a gay man straight. She knows how much it turns me on to see her in some lingerie, and last night not only was she wearing the hell out of that see-through number, she was an animal in the bed.

  We didn’t have that usual don’t-make-any-noise-so-the-kids-won’ t-hear-us sex. Nooo, not by a long shot. Last night was one of those pre-kids nights. The kind of night when neither of us cares about who’s listening. Things got so out of hand, round two wasn’t a possibility but a necessity. That was the kind of night that reminded me why I fell in love with her in the first place. Not the sex, but the passion and desire we had for each other.

  Just remembering the night’s passion was starting to make my nature rise as we sat in the minivan with our kids in the back seat. I was supposed to be getting on a train to meet my boys for the first game of the over-thirty basketball league. But I swear, if this game wasn’t so important to Jay, I would have had Lisa turn the van around, stop at Blockbuster for a video for the kids, and tried my best to reenact every damn minute of the night before. Of course, I knew I couldn’t because the last thing I wanted to do was listen to Jay’s mouth about how I let him down. After twenty-five years of friendship, I knew him well enough to know that he would never let me forget it if I missed the game.