It’s Always Been You

Justin

The sun had long since set as I pulled onto my old block in Pasadena, California. I was late. I was usually on time, maybe a few minutes late sometimes, but never hours late. As I parked my car in front of my childhood home, I reminisced about how this block was once my entire world. The block parties, riding my bike with my two best friends, Harper Chatman and Jayceon Robinson, the family cookouts, and playing outside until the streetlights came on. I missed this place, I missed Harper. I was glad to be back from Washington D.C. to see my family, my best friends, and celebrate Harper’s engagement. Though we haven’t talked much over the last few years, I still cared about her, and I always wanted the best for her.

With a sigh, I mulled over the fact that I was showing up extremely late to her engagement party after not talking for years. I wondered if things would go back to normal or would she be annoyed at my presence. Lost in my thoughts, I absentmindedly walked to the Chatman home, opened the side gate, and walked up the slight rise to the backyard. As expected, the party was nice, decorated in light blue and silver. Mrs. Chatman, Harper’s mom, always could throw a good party. I scanned the crowd for Harper and didn’t see her. I spotted my best friend, Jayceon, and his sister, Alexis. I approached them and Alexis gave me a warm hug followed by a handshake from Jay.

“You look handsome, Just,” Alexis complimented.

I had to admit I looked good in my black slacks, black button up and brown jacket. Being fashionably late wasn’t uncommon. I loved fashion and dressing nicely. I got teased about it a lot growing up, but it never bothered me. My dad, Joseph, was a sharp dresser and always said, ’if you don’t look the part, no one will take you seriously’. I took that to heart.

“Thanks, Lexi. You look beautiful as usual. How’s my Jada?” I said.

“She’s good. She’s here with Logan somewhere. How’s Joan?” she said.

I almost forgot about my girlfriend, Joan, for a second. We’ve been at odds lately because I took a new position at the FBI Intelligence Branch that required me to travel between Los Angeles and D.C. For the most part, I’d be in L.A. Joan, born and raised in Washington D.C., wasn’t too happy about me leaving. She knew when we got together that I would eventually come back home. She was the reason I was late. I missed my flight and had to scramble to find a flight to get here. Fortunately for me, my good friend, Tyler Gates, owns a private jet company.

“She’s good. She’s been busy with work,” I said.

“That’s good, and I understand. Well, it’s always good to see you. Happy that you’re back. I’ll let you two catch up,” she said before she left to be with Harleigh, Harper’s sister.

I watched Jayceon’s three sisters, Alexis, Janae, and Alana, talk with Harper’s three sisters, Harleigh, Haven, and Hope. It was like old times, with us being kids and hanging out in the backyard. Since I am an only child, it was nice to have siblings around. It made me feel like I wasn’t missing out or alone.

“I didn’t think yo scary ass was coming,” Jay said with grin.

“I’m here, and I ain’t never scared.”

“What’s all that ’she probably doesn’t want to see me’ bullshit you were on last night?” He teased

“Shut up, nigga.” I frowned. “I know yo hoe ass ain’t talking. You saw Hayden at Tyler’s house a few weeks ago and didn’t say nothing but hi.”

“That’s different. First of all, I’m single unlike you. Second, she’s engaged to my best friends’ brother and has a baby. What am I supposed to do? Take her from her man? I just think she’s beautiful and fine as hell. I’m not trying to be what you on.”

The way he was staring at Hayden, I knew he really liked her. If a woman he liked had a man, it never stopped him. So, Jay not pursuing her meant he wanted more than just sex. Too bad he didn’t see we were both in the same situation, but I wasn’t going to argue with him. I had my own relationship to deal with, and the uneasy feelings I had about Harper getting married.

“I ain’t on nothing. I just miss my friend. I want to support her. That’s it.”

“Well, she is coming this way,” he said before he left me alone.

I turned around and there she was dressed in a blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places. She was as beautiful as ever. The day of our Prom came to mind. She was the most beautiful girl there and still is. Her golden-brown skin, deep brown eyes, and deep dimples made my heart skip a beat. Her smile lit up every room and space she entered. I had to remember that she was engaged, and I had a girlfriend. Maybe Jayceon was right about it being more than a bad feeling. I shook that thought off. I didn’t want her in that way. What Harper and I had in High School was just young love that wasn’t meant to last forever. We both knew it, and that’s why we decided to end it and remain friends.

An older gentleman grabbed her hand, and I realized that it was the fiancé. He wasn’t what I expected. He looked to be about mid-forties, maybe younger, slim, tall, his skin, a light-yellow brown. He never once glanced at her. His focus was on everyone else, as if he wanted everyone to see his shiny new toy, not the woman he was about to vow to cherish and love. I didn’t like that shit, and I was starting not to like him.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. She let his hands go and went straight for me. Her reassuring dimples and her eyes that pierced through like the sun through clouds went straight through my chest to my heart with one look. I definitely needed to get myself together.

“Justin Carson Brown. I can’t believe my eyes,” she said with a playful smile. “What a nice surprise.”

“Harper Danielle Chatman.” I grinned. “It’s really good to see you. You look great. You look the same as if time didn’t past by.”

“Thanks. You look great too. It’s good to see you. How has everything been going for you?”

“Everything is great. I heard the good news from my mom, and I had to come. I’m happy for you. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, JC.” She blushed. “So, you’re back for good?”

“Yeah, for the most part. I’ll be back and forth.”

“It’s the same for me for a while, well until the wedding. Then its back to Atlanta permanently. You know I want you at my wedding,”

I was disappointed that she wasn’t coming back home. On a positive note, I was relieved how easy it was to talk to her. The time apart had little affect on our friendship. From this point on, I wasn’t going to let time slip away again.

“You know I will be there. I’ll visit you in Atlanta too,” I said.

“Really?” She looked up at me. “You’ll keep in touch this time?”

“I promise. I know I should have been better about contacting you, and I apologize. I won’t let years, not even months go by without talking to you ever again. I missed you, Harps.”

“Aww, I missed you too. It has been way too long. Come here,” she said with open arms.

We embraced, and I squeezed her a fraction tighter. I missed her and needed my best friend. I felt at peace in her arms and every muscle lost its tension. I didn’t know how long we held each other, but I was startled when I heard someone clear their throat. We pulled away and smiled. When I realized it was the fiancée, I noticed how tense and nervous she was. Her smile, those dimples were nowhere to be found when he was near.

Another red flag.

“Justin, this is my fiancée, Dr. James Gill. James, this is my best friend, Justin Brown,” she introduced us.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Gill,” I said with my hand out.

“You as well,” he said as his hands remained at his side.

It’s like that.

“Congratulations to you both. I look forward to the wedding,” I said.

“Thank you. Enjoy the party,” he said dismissively.

He walked away, and I noticed how he pulled Harper along. She quickly looked around as if she hoped no one noticed. It took everything in me to stop myself from snatching his ass away from her. It was official, I didn’t like him. There was something about him that doesn’t sit right with me. I wasn’t going to make a scene. Harper had good instincts. I hoped I was wrong about him.

I needed a drink to take the edge off. I headed to the bar and I ran into Haven, the baby sister. She was almost unrecognizable. The last time I saw her she was fourteen. She had to be at least twenty-two now. She looked similar to Harper with the same dimples, skin complexion, and eyes. Her dress was so short, I fought the urge to give her my jack and cover her up. Haven and Alana, Jay’s sister, were like my baby sisters. It’s hard to see them all grown up.

“Oh, my God, my Justin,” she squealed and practically jumped into my arms.

“My Haven.” I laughed. “Look at you, all grown.”

“Sure am.” She giggled. “I’m so happy that you’re back. I hope you’re back to stop Harper from making the biggest mistake of her life.”

I hoped Haven was not trying to tell me some bullshit about that old nigga. I was ready to get my gun and light his ass up. I only needed one reason.

“I can’t make Harps do anything. But why do you think she making a mistake? What’s up with that old man? He’s hitting on her or something?” I interrogated her.

“Let’s talk in private.”

She looked around and then pulled me inside the house. We ended up in the living room. It still looked the same, perfect, just out of a high-end furniture ad.

“Tell me what’s up, Haven,” I demanded.

“You are still bossy as hell.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, he’s not abusing my sister. You know my daddy would kill him and Hope would be all in that ass. He’s just boring and annoying. I don’t like him for Harper. I feel like she’s settling. You know everyone thought you two would eventually get back together. I saw how y’all were holding each other. It’s still love there.”

“Haven, that was a long time ago. Nothing is there. Harper and I are better as friends. Besides, I have a girlfriend and Harper is grown. You know she never listened to me anyway.”

“Whatever, Justin. I thought you wanted to be my real brother.” She huffed. “Just promise me that you’ll talk to her. She won’t listen to us. Not even her other bestie, Lauryn.”

“Fine. I’ll talk to her. I can’t guarantee anything. Go have fun, kid,” I said as I playfully nudged her.

“I’m 22, old man.”

She popped my arm and ran just like old times. I shook my head at her childish behavior. But it was nice to see that some things never changed.

As I stood in the living room. I thought about other interactions between Harper and Dr. Gill. Haven’s concerns only intensified that gut feeling that he wasn’t what he presented. So, I had to do some digging myself. I took my phone out of my pocket and called my partner and friend, Mario.

“Whats up, Brown?”

“I need a full background on Doctor James Gill from Atlanta.”

“Is this for a case?”

“Personal. Keep it under wraps.”

“I got you,” he said before we ended the call.

I went back to party and closely watched him and her. It made sense that Haven thought her big sister was settling. There was no chemistry. But Harper was stubborn, and she acted more on facts than feelings. If there wasn’t proof or reason, she wasn’t going to listen. I knew I had to earn her trust again to get her to see what everyone else saw, red flags.