For the Love of Art

By Areal D. Mitchell

It’s about what matters when it comes to matters of the heart . . .

When his ex, Adrienne, walks out of his life with half of his heart in her pocket, Artavious Brooks swears off all things love and puts all his time and attention into building his construction business—that is until he meets Gia McGee.

There’s something about Gia’s quiet confidence and sweet southern personality that captivates Art. He wants to learn more about her. Yet at the same time, his past is preventing him from wanting to get too close to her. Gia is no stranger to heartbreak herself, but she is willing to give love another chance if Art is willing to do the same.

Two heavily guarded people waiting for the right time to break down the walls are tested when Art’s former fiancée comes back into his life with a shocking confession. Art is left to make a decision based truly on love . . . or doing the right thing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984565105

Book preview

FOR THE

LOVE OF ART

Areal D. Mitchell

Copyright © 2018 by Areal D. Mitchell.

Library of Congress Control Number:              2018913402

ISBN:                  Hardcover                     978-1-9845-6512-9

                            Softcover                       978-1-9845-6511-2

                            eBook                            978-1-9845-6510-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/28/2018

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Broken Man

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

Epilogue

For my son.

My only sunshine, Elijah.

Mommy loves you this much!

BROKEN MAN

God, please don’t send me another broken man –

Whose heart is still in the hands of another woman,

Whose mama neglected him for her own man, or,

Whose daddy never taught him to be a real man.

Please God don’t send him to me-

With his trust issues and scars.

I got my own issues and everybody knows,

Two broken people can’t get very far.

All he would see is my worse.

All he would know is pain.

My heart can’t take being hurt by a hurt soul,

And getting broken all over again.

God, I need someone who is ready,

To love, let go, and be free.

Someone who would see the real,

flawed, but still willing me.

So God, whatever you do,

Please don’t send me another broken man,

Because trying to love him past his hurt-

is only going to hurt me

CHAPTER 1

December 2017

Marcella’s Brazilian Steak House was the place to be for couples, family, or anyone celebrating a special occasion. Located in St. Louis, Missouri in the Central West End district, at the corner of Manchester Road and Kingshighway Boulevard, overlooking the beautiful Forest Park, it was Heaven on Earth. It had been so fondly nicknamed by the patrons because of its heavenly white and gold interior design. At the main entrance was a set of pearly white gates, with a welcome sign that read, Our Version of Heaven. The owners wanted to capture an ambiance of romance, love, and happiness. Everything was dipped in white and gold, from the ceiling-length windows, the linen tablecloths, and the plush chairs, to the centerpieces and candlelight sconces hanging from the ceilings and on the walls. What could be more heavenly than a singer and a live jazz band playing mellow tunes, creating the perfect cherry on top of a romantic ambiance? It was this restaurant’s very distinct flair that made it a popular destination for wedding proposals.

It was the middle of December, and although the temperature outside was below freezing, inside the restaurant the heat from the fireplace, soft music, and candlelit scenery gave Artavious Brooks a cool and calm confidence. He was dining with his longtime girlfriend, Adrienne Lytle, and unbeknownst to her, she was about to be the lucky number eighty-eight on Marcella’s proposal roster.

Art looked over at his beautiful girlfriend, watching the movement of her lips, as she chewed slowly. They have been sitting in silence for about ten minutes, eating and enjoying the steak dinner for two.

"So, how is it, he asked while slicing through his own T-bone steak.

She pondered the question for a moment, giving herself some time to swallow her food before speaking. You know what, it’s not bad. She smiled at him.

Oh yeah, I’m glad you like it. He smiled back at her. More silence followed.

You ready for tomorrow?

Yes. She sighed in relief. Tomorrow, Adrienne was traveling to their hometown of Kansas City to visit her family for a week. And I know my mama has a mountain of plans for me.

Like?

Like everything. She is going to want to go to every yard sale on Saturday morning, and then visit every sick and shut in on Sunday, you know how my mama is.

Oh yea, Art chucked. I know exactly how she is."

Adrienne looked up and caught Art’s eyes. She loved her some Art. Despite the decision she was about to make was going to cause a lot of confusion and raise a lot of questions. But deep down she believed she was doing the right thing.

Art watched her forehead dance. What are you over there thinking so hard about?

Oh, nothing. She nodded her head from side to side. She forgot how attentive he was. He always noticed everything about her.

You all right? He paused to hear her response.

Yes, Art I’m fine.

You sure? He wasn’t buying it for one second.

She laughed, nervously. Trust me…I’m good.

Art studied the woman he had loved since they were sixteen and attending McKinley Heights High School. He practically watched her blossom into the strong and beautiful woman she was now. He loved everything about her. Her caring and nurturing personality. Her strong will. Her dark brown, waist length hair that always smelled of coconut. Her love for him and her love for life. Her happiness was his destination. Whatever he had to do, whatever he had to say, wherever he had to go, just to see Adrienne happy, smiling, and full of life.

Yet, tonight something seemed odd. Although, she said she was fine. He couldn’t help but notice, with her petite frame sitting sunken in her chair while playing with her steak, that she looked like a toddler whose parent was making her eat her vegetables. He could clearly tell her mind was not on the moment he was trying to share with her. She has nothing in the world to worry about, he thought. He gave her everything she needed and everything she thought she needed. There was no room for complaints, period.

Her caramel skin glistened under the candlelight in the restaurant. He wanted to reach out and brush the strand of hair that fell across her eye, but before he could, she quickly moved the hair off her face and sighed. Something was indeed bothering her. He watched her carefully as she took a couple of sips of wine.

Adrienne’s eyes met Art’s and she knew he saw all the worries written over her face. So she needed to assure him.

I’m just tired, that’s all.

You sure? His eyes pleaded for the truth.

Yes, baby. I’m sure. Everything is fine. You worry too much. She smiled brightly at him.

‘Oh, wait a minute now, pot. She laughed at him, knowing where the joke was heading. I think you got the kettle beat in the worry department." In that instant, they shared their first genuine laugh of the evening. She placed her hands in his. He held them tightly, and every emotion he had ever felt for Adrienne came to the surface. He needed her like he needed oxygen to breathe. He needed her as bad as his next heartbeat. She was the epitome of the rib that Jesus took from man when he made woman. And he knew she needed to know that more than ever.

Art was nervous as he gave the host the signal. Within a matter of seconds, their host appeared with a covered, silver platter and placed it in front of Adrienne.

I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered your favorite dessert – chocolate cake.

Oh Art, you shouldn’t have. I really can’t eat another bite. I’ll just take it home.

What are you talking about? You barely ate at all! Just take one bite before we leave.

Art-

C’mon baby, one bite won’t hurt.

Art, I’m stuffed.

Listen woman, don’t make me do you like Ike did Tina. Now eat the cake, Anna Mae!

She burst into laughter. Okay, she finally agreed. She pulled off the cover. Oh my God! she gasped.

In the center of the platter was a chocolate cake, outlined in red syrup in the shape of a heart were the words, Marry me? On cue, Art raised up out of his chair and was down on one knee. With the ring in his hand, he faced the love of his life.

Adrienne, you were my first I love you and I want you to be my last. I’m ready to make this forever with you. Will you give me the honor of being your husband and marry me?

Adrienne couldn’t speak as a thousand and one thoughts were going through her head. She did not deserve him. He was perfect. He was what every black woman desired, dreamed, and prayed to the Heavens for. Although she too, had dreamed for years what this moment would feel like, she knew she could not be selfish. She knew she could not be the wife that Art rightfully deserved. So, she was willing to walk away from it all.

Art interrupted her train of thought. Adrienne, say something, baby, Art whispered as he glanced nervously around the room at the patrons watching them and anticipating the big yes from her.

I’m feeling light headed, she said, fanning her face with her hands.

Um, it’s just yes or no, baby. That’s all I want to hear. Yes. Or. No.

The ten seconds it took for her to respond felt like eternity to Art. His palms were getting sweaty and droplets starting forming across the top of his forehead. Please say yes, he prayed silently.

Yes! Yes! Of course, I will marry you! Her stomach flipped upside down. She was going to be sick for the next week, or two weeks, she felt it in her bones.

She said yes! Art shouted to everyone. He hugged her but her embrace felt cold and almost forced. What the heck is going on with her? he thought.

Congratulations to Artavious and Adrienne on their engagement. The room erupted in applause and cheers.

This next song goes out to you two, the singer said, before giving the signal for the band to start playing.

Art pulled Adrienne up from her seat and headed to the center of the dance floor. He pulled her in close and just held her. He couldn’t believe that tonight, all of his dreams had come true. He was finally going to be with the only girl who