"Bryce, I want to know what I do for you."

A light, intimate valley girl voice game from Bryce's room as I walked by with a blunt in my hand. Something was telling me to keep walking. Another thing told me to be nosey, just to see if what I've been saying is right.

That these females got my friends wrapped around their pinkies, standing at full attention and waiting for them to command them to do something. Too busy trying to be their best friends instead of their men.

"What do you mean, babe?" I heard Bryce ask.

The wedding was tomorrow and all of his wedding party stayed at his place. We were there to chill, hang out, and get him prepared to marry this picky ass woman. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Had to ask him if he wanted to reconsider but he was so sure about it.

"As your fiancée, your lover, the woman you're about to marry in less than 24 hours...what do I do for you?"

What you're doing for him is getting on his damn nerves. I bet she got this question from one of those shows on TV. You know the movies where they have some romantic moment and they ask questions like that? Then they say something all starry-eyed and shit?

I would've been like 'Woman, you're annoying the hell out of me. You know how much I love ya and-"

Wait a minute. This is Tiffany we're talking about. I would've just said she was annoying me. A woman ain't gonna ever break me down like that. Romanticizing and shit like a fairytale movie. This is real life. Let's come back. We've outgrown the 1700s.

Well, most of us have. Bryce, on the other hand, "Tiffy, you've changed my life in an amazing way. You make me the man I am today with all the love you show to me each and every day. God smiles down on us because of you. Out of all the stars in the sky, he chose you as the star in my life."

How fucking corny, bro.

See what I'm talking about? He had to be telling her all that just to stroke her ego or some shit. He bangs her all the time, on the regular, and she tells him what to do with his life. That ain't love, dawg. That's bondage.

"Bryce, you help me shine and make coming home that much more exciting. Baby, you're living proof that God answers prayers. You are such an amazing man. I love you more than words can express."

My eyes widened at the evil witch's words. How the hell Bryce got Miranda Priestly to actually be nice is beyond me. Let me say that whack shit and I would've gotten slapped.

I overheard them go back and forth about how much they love each other. Then they started on this whole phone sex tip and I was out. That's nasty as hell and Tiff sounded like a pained dinosaur during sex. Didn't wanna hear all that shit over the phone.

Maybe it's a good thing Bryce took over because she was bothering the hell out of me when we messed around.

The patio was decorated with these pansy ass tiki lights that lit up when it was dark outside. It sat right outside the kitchen and that's where I went to sit and think. Lighting the joint between my middle and pointer, I took a puff and Tiff's words haunted me in my mind.

How much she loved that guy upstairs and shit. Made me think of a time with Rena and that made me take a long puff right there.

At that point, I had to give the hell up. Fuck that woman. She gets with any man that tells her that she's beautiful and thinks they really feel that shit. They just there to feed into her ego and smile in her face to make her feel better about herself...just to fuck her and leave her.

I would know. How couldn't I know how these lames work on women? I busted the block a few times, stuck my dick in any hole that wanted it, and moved the hell on.

This No Brian Diet done got her feeling herself. Not talking to me, picking up and dropping off T, and making T tell me important things going on with her. It got to the point where I went to pick up Tiarria and my own daughter just stared at me like I wasn't supposed to be there.

To be honest, I was there to catch Rena but she never came by. Just wanted to talk to her or something. Since she didn't show up, I was just there so I decided to watch my baby girl dance. Sitting on those bleachers and watching T dance so fluently was mind-blowing. She had so much balance and the sauce from her daddy was all in her moves.

For once, I saw why Rena put her dance school and why T was so passionate about dancing.

Though we were really broke after Gina bled me dry, I could put what I had left into my little girl's hobbies. Got a second job and was able to keep her in that school. Though there wasn't much time to spend with her, seeing that smile on my baby's face made working all worthwhile.

I was proud of my baby because she was happy to see me siting in those bleachers even more. What I wasn't so proud of was her backside on this dude she was dancing with. No twerking or anything serious but her backside was somewhere where the sun don't shine. That little cornball horn dog couldn't hide that little hotdog if he tried.

Of course, I gave him the evil dad stare. She don't understand now but she'll be grateful for that when she grows older. Don't want her fucking up like me and her momma did. Damn it, Valerie.

I'm the bad guy for protecting my daughter from these nasty ass boys but Valerie gets applauded for leaving me by myself at almost 15 years old with a daughter. When do we, as black single fathers, get our applause? When do we get our flowers?

I ain't been the best father but I been raising that little girl since she was days old and there's only so much I can do as a man. Just like a little boy needs his Pops in his life, a little girl needs her momma, the woman that held her in her stomach for nine months straight. There were times where I wanted to give up, thinking I wasn't a great fit for my baby. But that's my seed and ain't nobody gonna have the kid I created but me.

Thinking of my daughter spending time with Rena and the rest of the bridal party, I shook my head. The one time you do right, you feel like you're losing every time. When I was slanging that thing around, it seemed like I was high up and winning. It was all fucked up and I paid the price for it. Shit, I got the scars to prove it. But when I try to get back on the straight and narrow, it feels like I'm losing every time.

Hell, I can't even shed a tear about it as bad as I want to. This is my fucking life and I gotta live it out. One thing I learned at an early age was that nobody is gonna live this shit out for you so you gotta do the dirty work yourself.

Looking down at the lighted blunt in my hand, I rolled my eyes and put it out. That hard shit will put you in your feelings. Have you crying and shit. I gotta lay off that stuff. Deon may not have a customer in me anymore. His shit too strong.

****

Here we go again. Been through three marriages and I still came out the wannabe playboy. When they ask me when I'mma get my shit together, I never know. Well, that was until the reception.

Bryce and Tiff's wedding day was here and he was sweating like a damn pig. Trent passed him a napkin to wipe his face as the organ music played throughout the church. Everybody and their mommas and daddies were there.

All this yellow/gold and white just like Tiff wanted. Gotta give Tiff her props though. She took over everything after the wedding planner dipped on them at the last minute. She did a fabulous job.

Anyway, all the bridesmaids came down in their different yellow dresses and, of course, the only one that catches my eye is Rena's. She walked down the aisle with her golden tulips in hand, her honey gold sleeveless dress that pushed her chest up and hugged her body so well, her hair pressed and curled with a yellow tulip tucked in behind her left ear.

Man, did my baby maker wanna jump out of my dress pants and bone that beautiful woman. That sexy, curvy, thick cutie made me wanna get her pregnant. Actually, no because she didn't want babies of her own right now. However, if she did, we'd be making babies right here on this venue floor.

Good thing I was right behind Trent because I was too uncomfortable looking at Rena. Her precious smile and the way her head tilted. You could see the hope look on her face as Tiff and Bryce exchanged their vows. Basically, saying the lovey dovey shit they were saying over the phone last night.

Speaking of the venue, it was out in a vineyard. They picked the perfect place to have their wedding because, after this ceremony, my ass was diving in the wine.

We watched Bryce and Tiff exchange their vows, rings, and the pastor announced that they were Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Pogue. Woopty doo. Bless Bryce's heart and all his parts because Tiff's about to rip him into shreds.

So, the reception was on and the wedding party came in white-and-yellow draped dining hall dancing. Of course, they made me first because they knew I wasn't dancing for anybody. That's not my style. I just walked down the aisle-like way and sat down with a wine glass filled with Zinfandel.

Everyone got together and made a soul train line for the rest of the wedding party. All the kids went after me as I sipped on my wine and Tiarria looked so happy dancing down the line. All graceful with Raina and Candy in hand. Then Carmon and Trent-

Carmon and Trent...What do you think they did? Twerking and dry humping down the line. He's got it so bad. They wanna do each other in the bathroom. Watch them escape to the bathroom during the first dance.

Jess and Mario came out doing some kind of dance for the culture and that was hot as hell. Sometimes, I wonder if Jess misses Jana but it ain't none of my business. A mention of Jana's name around her and she'll switch like a light switch.

And bam! There she was. Rena came out with Grayson in hand and an infectious smile on her face. His goofy ass smiling back at her like they're all happy and shit. Fuck the dancing. I was happy for Bryce and Tiff getting married but this shit was out of line. Grayson changed the whole vibe for me.

Maybe that's why Rena was on this No Brian diet. She's probably really happy with this popsicle stick.

Watching Tiff and Bryce slow dance down the soul train line, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I look up to see Trent's dumbass smiling down on me like he knew what my mind was up to.

"I hope this shit eats your stupid ass up inside. I really mean that."

Those were fighting words for a minute there. He ain't have to say all that. I was just minding my business and vibing with my internal frustration until he came around. Leave me the hell alone. I already know I fucked up.

As Tiff and Bryce cut the cake and shoved it in each other's faces, all I could do was sit there and watch in anger. Jealous really. Fuck, Brian. You really gotta get your shit together and stop sitting there pissed off. Let it go.

After a few minutes, they started off with the garter and Bryce's freaky ass took that shit off with his teeth. Won't lie though, I'd like to do that one day...with a fine ass female. Hell, we ain't even gotta get married. We can just have a reception. Save ourselves the heartache.

Anyway, the garter was thrown and Mario caught that. Bryce tried to get me out there to catch it but I wasn't catching shit. Marriage wasn't in my future yet and I didn't wanna be cursed by that thing. It was probably near Tiff's vagina and it had to be cursed.

Rena caught the bouquet of flowers and there was Grayson standing there, congratulating her, giving her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. There she goes. Giggling at the fact, letting this fool in already. Time to just leave them alone now. They were in love and it seemed serious now. What's the point?

As everyone came out on the dancefloor again, a delicate tanned hand sat in front of me and I turned to see who it was. It was my daughter asking me to dance with her but I just couldn't.

Hell nah. I can't even do the hokey pokey if you asked me to. Dancing just doesn't come easy for me but it does for my daughter and she gets that swag from me.

"Come on, Dad. Dance with me. Maybe we can use this time to talk," she persuaded as she continued holding her hand out.

Looking into her eyes was hard because her eyes made anyone fall into her trap. Plus, this was a good opportunity to spend some time with my daughter. I've pushed her away enough. Go for it, Brian.

Tiarria took me by the hand and led me to the dancefloor, looking all happy. As we swayed back and forth, her skinny little fingers intertwined with mine as she got comfortable and rested her head against my chest.

My focus was on everyone else dancing on the floor as I danced with my daughter. Tiff and Bryce dancing the same way we were, Carmon being held in Trent's arms, Jess and Mario hugging each other, and Rena held hands with her nerdy stud.

"Pretty upset tonight, aren't you, Dad?"

I looked down in surprise at my curly-headed child wondering where the hell that came from. She can read me like a damn book. She's been able to do this since she was really young. I wanna say Rena taught her that but, even when she was a baby, she could read my vibe easily.

"Little bit but everything's alright. Why do you ask?"

Sighing at my question, her head sat up from my chest with tears coming down her face. Ah hell, Brian. What did you do this time?

"Because I made you mad again. I just wanted to make it right. I didn't mean to bother you, Dad, but I just wanted to spend time with you and make things better. I'm sorry I ran Gina away..."

We stopped mid-sway as T just broke down in her hands and confessed how guilty she felt about ruining my life. Where the hell was all of this coming from? How did she get that from my anger? She's reading the wrong book...

Or I gave her the wrong book cover all this time.

That's what she was so upset about. Damn, the ball dropped on me pretty hard as she blamed everything on herself. Those tears came down so fast and it fucked with my emotions for a bit, making me wipe away a few tears.

From anger to guilt, realizing that I was doing the same thing my parents did to Maria and I. Fuck. That's why she's saying that. That's where it was coming from.

Closing my eyes in disgrace, I blurted "Tiarria, you never made me mad at all. I just...Things aren't alright with me right now and I'm trying to fix them one step at a time."

"Well, Rena says that it helps to talk about it. Talk to me, Dad. I'm old enough for you to tell me what's wrong. You push me away and make me feel like I'm nothing to you. I'm your daughter, not your side piece."

Widening my eyes at her, I see her fold her arms and wipe her face. She's about to make me-

Nope. I can't do that because she's mad right now and she's trying to talk to you. Plus, she's not wrong. Listen to her, Brian.

Fine, but I would've whooped her ass for talking to me like that if we weren't at this wedding and if I wasn't in my right frame of mind.

"Tiarria, I wanted you to have a woman in your life to look up to. Someone to show you what love should really look like, someone to help you with your hair, teach ya about your lady parts, all while I had love in my life. I wanted you to see that there is such thing as black love out there and you can have that. Instead, I thought about myself and did the complete opposite."

"Didn't want to be lonely but, in the end, I ignored you and forgot all about you and I'm really sorry, baby girl. You may not understand now but, when you get older, you'll see how desperate your daddy was. I just hope you don't repeat what I did. I just want you to see that I want to be better for you and myself."

With a quick smile and a few wipes of the cheeks, she rushed over to me and hugged me tightly while sobbing a bit harder. My arms went around my baby as my heart sank in some serious guilt.

"You're all I have left, Dad. Please don't leave me again." T pleaded, holding me tighter. Shit, here we go with them damn daddy tears.

Kissing my child on her head, I held her face, looked into her teary eyes, and promised "It's just you and I, kiddo. No matter what. You're always gonna be the first girl I love. I love you so much."

A smile appeared through her tears as she sniffled back that she loved me too. Another slow song came on and I just held my daughter in my arms as we swayed to the music. Right in our little corner of the dancefloor.

Looking up from T's curly hair, I caught a quick glimpse of Rena grinning at us and looking away like she didn't see a thing afterwards.

Thanks for bringing my girl back.

****

Whats up folks?!

Well, that was interesting. The wedding wasn't told by Bryce nor Tiff because I have a different plan for Bryce's POV.

Anyway, tell me what you think?

Do you think that Brian is trying or will change his ways?

Do you think that Rena will fall for him again?

Well, find out on Saturday! See ya then! Love ya!