Single AF (Social Experiment Book 1) Read online

  SINGLE AF

  SOCIAL EXPERIMENT SERIES

  SHERELLE GREEN

  Copyright © 2019 Sherelle Green

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, incidents and characters are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to business establishments and events is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, no part of this book may be reproduced or copied without written permission of the author Sherelle Green.

  Editor: There for You Editing

  Cover Design: Sherelle Green

  Manufactured and Printed in the United States of America

  Huge thanks to my friends and family who continue to be an inspiration to me. Special shout out to my girl Kay, my sis Nikki, and my cousin’s, Mi & Fe, for understanding my insane habit to always jot down notes during our conversations. Without you ladies, I’m not sure this series would exist.

  To the amazing woman who inspired Madame Social … you know who you are.

  DEAR READER

  This series has been a long time coming and I’m excited to finally share the first novella with you, Single AF. In this story, you will be introduced to Meeka and Tone, but you will also notice a few other characters who will pop up from other novels that I’ve written.

  This story takes place in Chicago and if you know me, you know I love my city! I hope you enjoy Meeka’s journey as the kick off to this crazy mess called life and make sure you look out for future stories in my Social Experiment Series!

  SINGLE AF

  MEEKA

  The pure term ‘being single’ makes me want to gag every time I hear it. To me, the worst part is the fact that you’re constantly reminded of your status. Like, do you really think I can forget I’m single? I’ve dated more Mr. Wrong’s than I can count, and now, the network that I work for wants me to share my f***ed-up dating history with the world. To make matters more humiliating, my arch nemesis — aka Mr. Missed Opportunity — has a front row seat to my walking, talking mistakes.

  TONE

  To say working with Meeka on this assignment is bound to go badly, would be an understatement. We’ve never gotten along, and I have a good reason for staying clear. Everything about her screams … extra! So, of course when our network needs me to assist her with her project, I’m intrigued to hear what her exes have to say about their past relationship. Maybe I’ll get some insight into her character or validate my assumptions. Or unbeknownst to me, I might just find myself connecting with this loud, crazy woman more than I ever thought I would. They say don’t mix business with pleasure. Funny, I never liked that rule.

  CONTENTS

  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

  Epilogue

  Would Love To Hear From You!

  The Contingency Bid

  Excerpt: The Contingency Bid

  About the Author

  Also by Sherelle Green

  CHAPTER 1

  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket because you might trip and fall.

  ~ Madame Social ~

  M EEKA

  “STAR LIGHT, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this dick inside me tonight.”

  I rounded off my little ratchet rhyme for the night with a kiss up to the sky because I needed all of the prayers I could get since I was finally ending my year long drought tonight.

  It was a damn shame that I hadn’t been with a man in twelve months. One long, excruciating year in which Mr. Big, my vibrator, got too much attention. True, Mr. Big had helped me through some really lonely months. Like the time my manager Tabitha, aka Dragon Breath, had me working obscene hours because of a mistake she made. Or the time I went to a friend’s wedding and realized almost every friend we had from college had gotten married, was in a serious relationship, or had kids.

  I’d never aspired to be somebody’s baby mama, but at this point in my life, I’d take what I could get. And buddy may be just what I need.

  “Meeka, what’s taking you so long? This dick ain’t gonna fuck itself.”

  “I’ll be right there,” I yelled, moving away from the bathroom window to the mirror to give myself a once over in my black lace lingerie set.

  Squats got you looking right Meeka, I thought to myself. For the past few years, I’d started working out and eating clean, working extremely hard on getting my body right. Especially since I’d learned I had an underactive thyroid. There was nothing like a health issue to make my ass go from eating pizza and burgers every day to salads and protein shakes.

  However, even though my body may have undergone some changes, my dating life remained to be the same ole’ sad love song that was playing on repeat for the past decade. That is, until I’d met Reggie.

  Reggie Miller worked for an investment firm in Chicago, and we’d been dating for a month now. Ya girl had gone and got her a man in a suit, even though I’d never cared for the suit-wearing type.

  I’d noticed Reggie looking my way months ago on the train—we both took the same route to work. However, I’d been slightly closed off and not my normally flirty self since I wasn’t in the mood for a pity fuck like the last dude I’d messed with. I was better than that. Deserved more than that. And tonight, after Reggie had been traveling and I’d been busy with work, I was finally gonna give him some.

  Stepping out of his master bathroom, I took a deep breath as I sauntered into his bedroom. “You ready for me?” I asked, stopping in front of his bed in my best bad bitch pose. He was only wearing his boxers, and by the look of it, he was more than ready.

  “You already know it,” he drawled, licking his lips in the process. Reggie was fine as hell with his washboard abs and smooth caramel complexion. It was taking all of my energy to try and maintain my sexy composure because my crazy ass was known for fucking up an intimate moment. “Bring that sexy ass over here.”

  I walked over, switching my hips, making sure he got a good eye full of everything I had to offer. “I know you’ve been waiting for me.” I straddled him, making sure I was positioned right over his hardness.

  “Since the first day I saw you.” His eyes were hungry. His voice deep. “You betta not make me wait much longer.” He cupped both of my breasts, kneading my nipples through the lace fabric. Slowly, I began to move my hips, enjoying the way he grew harder in between my thighs.

  “Damn, you sexy as hell,” he groaned.

  Unable to help myself, I leaned down and kissed him, his hands moving to my ass as I increased the movements of my hips. My rhythm got sloppy when I felt his hand slide between our bodies, getting closer to the spot that was craving to be touched and fondled.

  Almost there. I grinded my hips more, encouraging his hands to move faster. He listened, but just when he was mere centimeters away, the sound of keys jiggling in his front door distracted me.

  “Are you expecting someone?” I managed to squeak out.

  Hazy, lust-filled eyes looked back at me. “What are you talking about?”

  On cue, a voice filled the hallway. “Babe, are you here? I waited for you at the restaurant, but you never showed.”

  Babe? My eyes widened at the same time he said, “Oh, shit,” before flying out of the bed, nearly knocking me to the floor in the process. He rushed over to the door and locked it.

  “You gotta get t
he fuck out,” he whispered. “My wife is home.”

  I froze. “Your wife? You’re married?”

  “Yeah,” he murmured. “And if she catches your ass in here, we’re both dead.”

  “You’re married!” I shrieked. “You told me you were single.”

  He glanced at the door, panic in his eyes. “Calm the fuck down. I never told you I was single. I just didn’t mention I was married.”

  “Same difference,” I whisper-yelled. “I’m not a homewrecker, but clearly, you’re a lying, cheating ass dog who didn’t have the decency to be upfront with me and tell me you were married. I should unlock the door and tell your wife the truth.” The loud knock on the closed door halted my words.

  “Is there a bitch in there with you, Reggie?” she yelled. “How many times have I told yo’ cheatin’ ass that you betta not bring these bitches back to our home? I’m about to get Belinda.”

  My eyes widened. “Who’s Belinda? She brought a friend with her to jump me?”

  “Belinda’s not a friend,” he said, gathering the clothes I’d left in the bathroom. “Belinda is her pistol.”

  “There is a woman in there,” his wife shouted. “I can hear her damn voice. She talks like a fucking hyena, but Belinda can shut her up real quick.”

  What? I’m offended. Granted, I didn’t have a sexy, sultry voice. But I always thought I sounded more like a kitten with a soft purr, not a high-pitched laughing hyena. “I don’t sound like a damn hyena,” I barked back. “You’re the one sounding like a damn bear wit’ yo’ baritone, man-sounding ass.”

  “Bitch, you got some nerve. Don’t matter because you got one coming.” His wife started kicking at the door, and to my surprise, I heard the slight crack in wood.

  Grabbing my arm, Reggie pulled me toward the window. “Go out the fire escape and head down two levels to the third floor. You can’t get to the bottom anyway, because the last level stairs are propped up.”

  “What?” I asked, the cool, early March breeze drifting across my skin.

  “Here’s your shit.” He thrust my clothes and boots into my hand. “When you get to the third floor, knock seven times on the window to your left and my guy will let you in.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” At my words, the door cracked even more as his wife continued to kick it in. Clearly, this isn’t Reggie’s first rodeo. I mentally slapped my forehead. “You got me fucked up! It’s cold as hell outside and I didn’t do anything wrong. You’re the one who didn’t tell me you were married.”

  “You ain’t the first one he’s lied to, bitch,” his wife huffed from the other side of the door. “But you about to be the last because I’m about to fuck you both up.”

  Reggie motioned for me to step out onto the fire escape platform. “If you want to live, you’ll do what I told you.”

  I rolled my eyes, throwing on my boots as quickly as possible before stepping outside. I’d just managed to get my blouse over my head when the door was finally kicked in.

  “Ah, hell nah,” his wife yelled. “You got you a little light-skinned bitch in here? She doesn’t even look like she can take a punch.”

  Reggie walked toward his wife. “Baby, it’s not what it looks like.”

  “Bullshit,” she countered, aiming her pistol at him. “Tell me you did not fuck this bitch and maybe I’ll let you live.”

  He didn’t even get the words out before she shot at his leg, sending him down to the floor. I felt as if I was watching it in slow motion, completely shocked at the scene before me.

  His wife waved off his wailing. “Relax. It’s just a BB gun, you punk. Enough to get yo’ ass in line, but not enough to actually kill you.” She glanced my way. “Curious to see if light-skinned over here can handle a couple of shots. The ones who bruise easily are always betta to watch.” Her icy eyes pinned me with a look that chilled me to the bone. She was enjoying making me squirm, and a brief glance at Reggie proved that even through the pain, he was enjoying it, too. Looking from me to his wife, his dick clearly grew harder by the second.

  Oh, hell nah. I’d unwillingly participated in my fair share of sick, twisted jokes, so I wasn’t about to add to that list. “We didn’t even have sex. Y’all have some real problems that don’t involve me.”

  She pointed the BB gun in my direction. “The minute you stepped your high-yellow ass into my house, this became your problem.”

  At the sound of the first shot near my legs, I was flying down the fire escape steps, ducking and dodging every time I heard a shot hit the railing. I couldn’t even understand the words Reggie’s wife was yelling at me because I had tunnel vision and was on a mission to get to the third level.

  Once I did, I knocked seven times like Reggie instructed me to do, but no one answered. Leaning against the window, I looked up to see if Reggie’s wife had followed me down, and noticed that although she was still two floors up, she was still shooting shots my way.

  “Oh my God,” I said to myself, lifting my gaze to the sky. “Lord, if you get me through this, I promise I will be on my best behavior from here on out. No more lying at work.” Even though it’s necessary sometimes. “No more taking money out of the collection basket at church.” Although I was broke as hell that one day. “No more convincing the sales clerks at Target to honor my expired coupons.” I mean, come on. Target is overpriced as hell. “No more borrowing my cousin’s Link card to get groceries.” Scratch that last one. Nothing wrong with discounted groceries. “Bottom line, I’ll be a better, more improved Meeka if you get me out of this shit.”

  Without warning, the window behind me opened, causing me to hit my head against the windowsill since it had been supporting my weight.

  I began falling and braced myself to hit the railing or brick of the building, when someone wrapped their arms around me, breaking my fall. “Whoa, careful there.”

  I glanced up, locking eyes with one of the most handsome faces I’d seen in a long time. His chestnut eyes were concerned. His brow furrowed. His mouth was moving, so I knew he was speaking to me, but I didn’t hear shit he said. I was too busy taking a mental picture of his strong jawline and neatly-trimmed goatee.

  When his eyes grew more worried, I figured I should focus on what he was saying, but instead of listening, I managed to say, “You’re beautiful,” instead.

  He smirked curiously. “Uh, thank you. I think.”

  “You’re welcome. She was shooting at me.” Suddenly, my head felt heavier than it had all night, the weight of everything that had happened, combined with me hitting my head, concocting a headache for the ages.

  He glanced up. “Who was shooting at you?”

  I opened and closed my eyes, trying to block out the piercing sound. “Deep-voiced lady was shooting at me.”

  “Are you okay?” he asked. Through all my blinking, I noticed his dreads were pulled on top of his head, his lining so fresh, I assumed he must have just gotten a touch-up. I’d meant what I’d told him. He was beautiful as hell.

  “Are you okay?” he asked again.

  I nodded my head. “My hero,” I voiced, right before I closed my eyes and everything went dark.

  CHAPTER 2

  When opportunity knocks, you better peek through the door first and make sure it’s safe to answer.

  ~ Madame Social ~

  T ONE

  WELL, damn. It wasn’t every day that a beautiful, half-naked woman passed out in my arms. Although some folks probably would have left her outside at the sound of shots coming from a couple of floors up, my heart wouldn’t let me leave someone stranded when they clearly needed help.

  I had no idea where she’d come from or why she’d been knocking on my window, but I quickly pulled her into my condo and gently placed her on my sofa, before grabbing some clothing items that had fallen out of her hands. After making sure my window was locked, I battled with what I should do. Calling 911 made the most sense, but in my experience, you didn’t always know a person’s situation and bringing in the authoritie
s didn’t always end well.

  I took a good look at the sleeping beauty, noticing a bump forming on her forehead. Mind made up, I quickly wet a towel in my kitchen and lightly draped it across the bump before gently nudging her awake.

  “Hey there,” I whispered when she began to wake back up. “You hit your head and I’m worried you may have a concussion. I can either call 911 or I can drive you to the hospital myself.”

  Her eyes widened. “No hospitals. I’m fine, really.” She stood on shaky legs, my eyes quickly taking in her nice, curvy thighs. Shit. I was so busy trying to help her, I hadn’t really focused on them.

  I grabbed a throw to wrap around her. “It won’t be any trouble,” I insisted. “I’d rather take you to the hospital and make sure you’re okay. I heard an altercation coming from a few floors up.”

  She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry I bothered you, but Reggie made it seem like you could help me get out of this damn apartment complex. I knocked seven times just like he told me.”

  “Who’s Reggie?” I asked. “And why would he tell you I could help you? What are you running from?”

  “I was running from his crazy wife and Belinda.”

  Huh? “So, you were running from a guy named Reggie and his wife, Belinda?”

  She shook her head and winced. “No, Belinda is not his wife’s name. I have no idea what her name is. Belinda is his wife’s BB gun.”

  “Okayyy.” I glanced down at her disheveled blouse. “And I assume she was shooting at you because you’re the side chick.”

  “I’m nobody’s side chick,” she huffed. “I didn’t know he was married, and in the month we talked, he never mentioned a wife. Crap, how did I miss this? I’m not a homewrecker if that’s what you’re thinking. Is that what you’re thinking?”

  I raised my hands in defeat. “Lady, we just met. I’m not thinking anything other than trying to decide if I need to take you to the hospital. You hit your head pretty hard.”