May the Best Man Win Read online

  May the Best Man Win

  M.T. Pope

  www.urbanbooks.net

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  More from M.T. Pope

  Acknowledgments

  A Letter to the Reader

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Book Club Discussion Questions

  Copyright Page

  More from M.T. Pope

  Novels:

  Both Sides of the Fence 1

  Both Sides of the Fence 2: Gate Wide Open

  Both Sides of the Fence 3: Loose Ends

  A Clean Up Man

  Novellas:

  Lost Pages of Both Sides of the Fence Vol. 1

  Stick Up Boys

  Anthologies:

  Anna J. Presents: Erotic Snap Shots Vol.1

  M.T. Pope Presents: Boys Will Be Boys

  Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

  Short Stories:

  “Don’t Drop the Soap”

  “I Saw Daddy Doing Santa”

  Acknowledgments

  I started “writing” in February of 2008 and never thought I would be here and finished another title, but, yeah, it’s done. Yippie! I can still say that I’m surprised at the success of them all. I am humbled by the people who support with money, time, words of encouragement and the hard work that goes into completing a story.

  My family, especially my mommy, is very supportive of me. My two very good friends that keep me in line. I am grateful for all the people that come into my life and for the love and happiness they deposit. Especially when I need it and they don’t know that they are helping. I am told that God uses us best when we don’t know it. So thank you to all for the deposits and withdrawals. Peace!

  This is my fifth full-length novel. I owe it all to God for blessing me with a wonderful gift that He chose to spring forth at the appointed time.

  To my Mom, Lawanda Pope, a little woman with big strength. You make me smile every time I see you. You are the best mom in the world. I love you. My brothers and sisters: Shirley, William, Darnell, Darlene, Gaynell, Latricia, Nathon, and Yvette. I love you guys.

  To my Pastor, Melvin T. Lee and First Lady Tanya Lee, for coming out and showing love at my first book signing and everything else I do in this life. I promise Dad that the Christian Fiction is coming . . . lol. To all my Because He Lives church family members. I love you with only the love that God shines through me. WE ARE! . . . BECAUSE HE LIVES!

  To Tracey Bowden and Arnisha Hooper, my two best friends in the world. I can’t even begin to say how much you mean to me. I don’t say it enough and I don’t show it enough, but I can’t pay for friends like you two. You put up with my mess and my mouth and I am grateful. For all the book signings you drove me to, all the books you sold for me and all the bookmarkers you passed out. I appreciate it so much. There are just some things in life that you just know. I know that only God could have put together and you two were chosen just for me. I am honored to have you as my friends.

  Carl Weber once again, thank you for this opportunity, and all that you do.

  To all the Urban Knowledge Bookstore workers that pushed my book, it is appreciated. May God bless you in all of your endeavors.

  To the Urban Books home office family: Carl, Karen, Natalie, George (Gee).

  To Nichelle Washington-Davis, Darlene Washington, Karen Williams, Aaron Brown, Deterrius Woods: Thank you for reading the first draft of this book.

  A special shout out to Anna J. for the encouragement and the GEM.

  To all the book clubs that hosted me, thank you for the love and support as well.

  Thank you for another slamming cover. Davida Baldwin, Oddball Designs (www.oddballdsgns.com)

  I want to give a special thanks to couple of people who really supported me from a distance:

  Martina Doss, thank you for giving me my first official review and selling my books down there in Atlanta. Also, thank you for calling me and letting me know how my books moved you. Thank you for hanging in there with me support wise since book one. You have to finish your book now . . . lol.

  My literary friends, J’son M. Lee (Just Tryin’ to be Loved). Man you are the best. We clicked from day one and we have so much in common. Thank you for answering the phone every time I call. Dell Banks, for the encouraging phone calls. Anna J for being one of the hardest working renaissance women in Philly. Leave something for somebody else to do . . . lol. Oh, Thanks for the pointers and lifelines. *wink*

  To the people that encouraged me along the way. Kenneth Goffney, your words are so inspiring. I am glad to call you friend.

  Deterrius Woods, an extraordinary Facebook buddy. Don’t be afraid to finish your book. You have some great stories to tell, so get to work.

  Kyeon, you have so much talent that it is ridiculous. So get started and get yourself out there.

  My E-supporters: I have never met you in person but you always are encouraging and honest about my work: Patrick Irené Plante, Aaron Brown, Shawna Brim, and to the MANY that e-mail me and hit me up and spread the word. It is too many of you all to name. Just know I appreciate all of you.

  My Walmart family: Shernae, Tamara, Renee, Gary, Ms. Val, Danuiella, Keisha, Wayne, Sharon. Thank you guys for your love and support. I still miss you guys . . . lol. But, not the work . . . lol.

  If I left you out, put your name here:__________, because you are important to me too. *Smile*

  I can be reached at www.facebook.com/authormt-pope, www.twitter.com/mtpope, www.instagram.com/[email protected]. Thank you for the love.

  P.S. Please please leave book reviews on Web sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. It means a great deal to authors no matter how you feel about the book.

  A Letter to the Reader

  Hey Everyone,

  Thank you for picking up this book. It is appreciated. I hope you have read my other books, especially the Both Sides of the Fence trilogy. I think you’ll love it. Also, check out my anthologies and novellas.

  Didn’t know that I would be a “writer” or “storyteller” and a lot of the time I don’t think that I am very good at it. I quit writing every other day . . . lol. It takes everything in me to write sometimes because I’m a procrastinator.

  I started this novel in 2010 right before I was surged with requests for Both Sides of the Fence 3. The storyline evolved over time and the characters did as well. This is a different type of story for me altogether. It is still adventurous in theme, but with a little more heart. I wanted to get away from the “revenge” novels, per se, and focus on something a litt
le different for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I like writing it.

  M.T. Pope

  Prologue

  “What the hell is going on here?” I walked up to the table where my man and my new enemy sat across from each other, talking, one hand covering the other’s hands. It was a sign of affection to them but a sign of betrayal to me. There was a few people staring at me and the scene going on, but I didn’t care at the moment. I had completely forgotten my reputation as an upstanding, law-abiding citizen and my senses. I was seeing red. I wanted to flip the table over in a tirade. My man looked at me calmly and the “enemy” had an evil smirk on his face. I wanted to smash his head into the glass window and watch the blood run down the side of his face and then do it again. This was my man he had his hand on. He had his filthy, hoeish hands on my man.

  “Hello, Kardell. How are you?”

  No, this bitch didn’t just ask me how I am doing while he is sitting across from my man. I didn’t answer him at first because I wanted to retain my dignity and some of my reputation as an upstanding citizen; but, as they say, shit was about to get real.

  “Have you lost your fucking mind?” I couldn’t believe I was speaking in such language in front of my man, but I was seething hot and didn’t care at the moment.

  “My mind is great right now. It couldn’t be better. I’m out with my man and we were having an almost quiet meal together before you showed up and showed us your ghetto side.” He looked at me and then at my man and then smiled slyly, like he was winning.

  “Your man?” I asked, looking at my man, waiting for him to answer.

  “Did I stutter? You have a degree or two and you mean to tell me that you haven’t grasped all of the English language?” Lewis said sarcastically. “How could he be your man if you didn’t want him?”

  “You’re in my business and I’m about to be in yours,” I threatened.

  “Like I said, my man and I are enjoying ourselves and we don’t want the interruptions, so we would appreciate it if you found you a man, if you can, and leave us two lovers alone.”

  “Are you forgetting the fact that you work for me and not the opposite?” I stated matter-of-factly.

  “Is that a threat? . . . Are you threatening me?” He turned toward me in his seat as if he was about to get up.

  I took a step back just in case he was about to swing or something. I can say I wasn’t planning on this shit happening today. I guessed there was something that could change my mood today. I never thought in a million years that it would be this.

  “It is what it is,” I replied.

  “Excuse me is everything okay over here?” A male and female member of the museum’s security walked up to us. The male asked the question.

  “No, everything is fine . . . Just a little miscommunication.” Mateo finally decided to talk by answering the officers. “Kardell, have a seat so we can discuss this rationally.” His smile, his calming voice was all I needed to hear, so I hesitantly pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. I was breathing hard, and looking at Lewis’s ass was not making it any better.

  “Okay, any more profanity or arguing and we will have to ask you to leave the grounds. This is a family-friendly environment and we like to keep it that way. Have a great day at the Walters Art Museum, fellas.” They walked off and left us to hash out the mess that we were in.

  “Gentlemen, this is entirely my fault. I wasn’t being honest with either of you. I like both of you and couldn’t decide on which one of you to see exclusively. You two are very good-looking guys and it is hard to decide when two guys meet my standards. I like you both.” He looked at both of us, one to the other, intensely.

  I was shocked at what I was hearing. Here I am thinking I am the only one and he is dating Lewis and me. I wanted to get up and walk out and leave them both here looking stupid, but that would only make Lewis the winner and I wasn’t going out like that. I found him first. The truth is I probably fucked myself by seeming uninterested in Mateo when I first met him and denying that attraction to Lewis. His fast ass swooped right in and made his move. I had to give it to him: he was a go-getter. I guess he was looking for love too. It just happened to be the same guy I was interested in.

  “Mateo, it’s okay,” I spoke up first. “It can happen to anyone.”

  “Yes, I forgive you,” Lewis stated, and then reached his hand across the table and placed it on Mateo’s hand that was resting on the table. I reached over, knocked it off, and placed my hand on his. I knew it was petty and downright childish, but I wasn’t giving up that easily. Pretty soon we were pushing each other’s hands off of Mateo’s before he finally pulled his hand back.

  “No need to fight, fellas. I have a great way to solve this dilemma.” He looked at both of us and smiled. “Since I can’t possibly choose between the both of you I propose a contest of sorts to see who the best man for me is. I love games, and why shouldn’t life be interesting?”

  “A game?” I spoke hesitantly.

  “Yes. I know it is totally unconventional, but I think it would be fun to have a little friendly contest. Think of it as American Idol for dating.” He laughed lightly.

  “I’m game if he’s game.” Lewis looked at me sharply. I eyed him back in the same manner.

  “But you can’t take it out on each other at work.”

  We both nodded our heads yes even though I knew that it was going to be hard to keep this from spilling over into the work atmosphere.

  “Great. It will take me a few days to think about what I want to do, but expect a text with the first challenge,” he said, getting up from the table. “I’m looking forward to this. Have a great day, gentlemen.”

  We both watched him walk off and then we looked at each other in silence for a few seconds.

  “May the best man win.” I stuck my hand out to shake Lewis’s hand.

  He hesitantly did the same before he said the same: “May the best man win.”

  Chapter 1

  Kardell

  A Piece or Some Peace?

  I jumped up out of a good sleep to the sound of some fool banging on my door. I lived in a pretty decent neighborhood in the suburbs of Baltimore County, Maryland. My neighbors were quite uppity and this sound just wasn’t tolerated. I scrambled to get myself together and focused my eyes on the clock on my nightstand. It read 7:15 A.M. Now I was pissed. I liked to sleep in on Saturdays, especially when I had no man in my bed. I moaned and groaned as I slipped on my housecoat and slippers, making my way downstairs to the door. My house was immaculate and I glanced around to make sure that everything was in place. I glanced into my full-length mirror on my living room wall to make sure my hair wasn’t all over my head before I opened the door.

  The banging sound echoed throughout my quiet home causing me to hurry my pace.

  “Okay, this is ridiculous. This better be Publishers Clearing House and Ed McMahon rose from the dead with a huge-ass check, because all this noise whoever this is is making is uncalled for,” I mumbled to myself as I unlatched the locks to my door.

  I opened the door and—guess what—no Ed McMahon. No check. Nothing. Just a fool. Just like I thought, Ronald was standing in my doorway with all the fineness he could muster up. About six feet tall with deep brown eyes, tight curly black hair, and he had a creamy chocolate complexion that was my weakness. I loved brothas! I mean real, sexy brothas who knew how to use what they had. And Ronald had everything going for him but a damn job. He stood in the doorway looking at me like I owed him something when, in actuality, he owed me. The last time I saw him, he had borrowed some money and that was right after he got a good nut off on me an hour before. That was about two weeks ago. Sorry-ass mother-ump-ump-ump.

  “Hey, Kardell, baby.” He flashed his pearly whites.

  He got no response.

  The first time I met him was at the supermarket. He was standing outside the market doing only God knows what. He offered to help me with my bags. I looked him up and down. Pretty hot and tempting, I
thought. I said yes and headed toward my car with him in tow. I got to the car, pressed the button on my key ring that popped the trunk, and started loading the bags that I had in my hand. He in turn did the same. But, as he did it he rubbed up against my butt with his crotch as he hovered over me. I instantly jumped and turned to see if it was an accident. I was pinned between him and the car. The look on my face said it all. I was appalled and turned on at the same time. How dare he assume I was gay, and easy, too?

  “Oh . . . my bad.” He looked at me and smiled. “That’s not you?”

  “Look, brother,” I said as I eased from under him and closed my trunk. “It’s not that kind of party.” I had to admit he was sexy, but I couldn’t let on that easy. We were in a parking lot full of cars and people. I looked around to see if anybody had noticed us. I sighed in relief, because everybody was doing their own thing and not paying us any attention.

  “Again, my bad,” he said as he licked his lips, stepping back and simultaneously looked me up and down. I had to admit I had that effect on people. I was hot and I knew it. Not arrogant, but confident. I garnered the stares of many men and women. I was a nice-looking brother with a toasted-almond complexion and I had shoulder-length dreads that I loved to death. They were one of my best features, I thought. I was about five feet seven and a little muscular. I wasn’t a geek, but I was quite intelligent. I was 150 pounds easy and I wore that well. One would say I had it going on.

  I wasn’t shocked at his stares. It’s was his boldness that sent me over. It’s was like he just didn’t care.

  “I just couldn’t help myself,” he said with a smile. He was cocky and confident.

  “Really?” I said as I made my way around to the driver’s side of my car. I pulled out ten dollars and handed it to him. He looked at me with confusion.