Ty Goode

Ty Goode’s debut novel, SINFUL DESIRES, earned her respect as a writer. She brings the highly anticipated sequel, WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT, to light- reintroducing three estranged couples.

 

Tricia and Tarik are coping with the shooting of a friend at their wedding. Life is good until each of their secrets is exposed. Will their love for each other outweigh their unfaithfulness? And can Tricia live with unresolved issues?

 

Due to a wedding, turned crime scene, Simone and Kareem are facing prison time. While their time should be consumed preparing for their upcoming trial, both are secretly having an affair. As their trial date nears, Kareem stumbles upon those discoveries that Simone tried to keep a secret. Is it too late to repair their relationship? Will they go to prison?

 

Melissa and Phil are expecting their first child. While Melissa is overjoyed, Phil has reservations. He suspects Melissa had an affair. Phil is convinced that Melissa’s baby is not his child. His bad habit of drinking drives him to take his frustrations out on Melissa. She sticks to her story of not having an affair and Phil loses all control.

 

With Friends Like That answers every unanswered question that lingered at the end of Sinful Desires. Ms. Goode picks up right where she left off. This is still a story of friendship, trust and love. You will discover that true friendship lasts a lifetime, trust is something that is earned and love is just another four letter word. This story is guaranteed to have you second guessing those Sinful Desires that we all have within.

 

You’re just a few hours away from the answer to the most controversial question, “Does love really conquer all?”

   

     

SNEAK PEEK

Chapter 21

Phil entered his house and dropped his bags on the floor by the door. He called out to Melissa and got no response. He walked into the kitchen and didn’t find her there. He went to the pantry and took out one of the many bottles of Hennessy he kept hidden behind the trash bags. He took out a glass from the cupboard and filled it to the top. He sat at the table and drank until the glass was empty. He continued to do this until the bottle was empty.

Phil went into the living room and walked up the stairs. He peeked into his bedroom and didn’t see Melissa. He walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door. When he didn’t get an answer, he went to the telephone and called Melissa on her cell phone. He heard the cell phone ring and followed the sound. He walked into one of the guest bedrooms and found her asleep on the bed. He stood over her and stared. He sat down on the bed and gently shook her. She didn’t respond until he shook her a little harder.

“Oh, hi Phil, when did you get here?” She sat up on the bed.

“I’ve been here for about half an hour. We need to talk. Now!”

Melissa rolled onto her back. She tried to open her eyes. “Could it wait baby? I’m so tired. I just want to get a little more sleep.”

“NO! We need to talk right now! Get up!” Phil tugged at her robe.

“Phil, wait a minute. I’m getting up. Let go of my clothes. What’s wrong with you anyway?” she asked as she sat up on the side of the bed. Phil moved over towards the foot of the bed so he wouldn’t be too close to his wife.

“You have some explaining to do! I want you to tell me who in the hell is the father of that baby!” he said pointing to her stomach.

“What are you talking about? You are the father. Are you drunk?” she asked in confusion.

“I’m not the issue here! You better tell me the truth! Who did you cheat on me with?”

“Phil, I didn’t cheat on you. What are you talking about? Why would you think I cheated on you?” Melissa got scared. She was careful not to let Phil see her reaction. “Phil, you’ve been drinking and you’re not thinking straight. Why don’t you come on in the bedroom and lay down?” She pulled Phil by the hands but he snatched away from her. Melissa was beginning to get scared of what her husband was going to do to her. She eased away from him and stood close to the door. She was trying to get out of the room before Phil attacked her.

“Where are you going Melissa? We are not finished talking. You didn’t answer my question! Who were you cheating with? And don’t tell me that you weren’t because I know I’m not the father of your baby!”

“Of course you’re the father, Phil. What makes you think I’ve cheated on you?” she asked in a cracking voice.

“DAMN IT, MELISSA! STOP LYING!” He headed towards her. Melissa backed out of the room and walked backwards until she reached the top of the stairs. Phil grabbed her and shoved her into the wall. Melissa grabbed her stomach and bent over.

“Phil, please. Think about the baby,” Melissa pleaded.

“The baby? Think about the baby? Whose baby should I think about? It sure as hell ain’t mine!” He stepped closer to his wife. Melissa was desperate. She tried to reason with Phil but for some reason, his mind was made up that he wasn’t the father of the baby.

“Phil, I’ll prove it to you. We can take a paternity test. Please just don’t do anything that you’re going to regret. Think about this innocent baby. Don’t hurt me or this baby, Phil.” Melissa walked down the steps as she continued to plead with her husband. Phil looked into her eyes and backed away. The demon inside of him was pleading to come out. He didn’t want to hurt his wife or the baby. Phil looked at Melissa with tears in his eyes. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to make everything ok. Every time he looked at her, he saw an image of her with another man. He went back into the guest bedroom and slammed the door.

Melissa went and sat on the sofa. She balled up in a knot and rubbed her stomach. She cried out of fear. She didn’t know what to expect from Phil but as long as he was up in the room, she felt a little safer. She didn’t know where Phil got the idea that she cheated on him.

She stayed on the sofa crying. She was terrified to go up to the bedroom. She stayed on the sofa shaking until he came down with red eyes. Melissa sat up as soon as she heard him open the door. Phil came down the steps slowly. He stood at the bottom of the steps and stared at Melissa. He didn’t know how to approach her. He was still pissed about the baby but he couldn’t understand why Melissa kept denying she cheated. He went to the sofa and sat down. Melissa held her head down and sobbed. Phil wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and shook his head.

“Melissa, please just tell me the truth. I already know that I’m not the father of your baby.”

“Phil, why do you keep saying that?” She looked at him for answers.

“Melissa, I went to see my doctor for a check up and he informed me that I can’t have any children. I know that you’ve been with someone else. I want to know who!” Phil hadn’t meant to yell but he was getting sick of Melissa denying the truth.

“Phil, it’s the liquor you’ve been drinking. You aren’t thinking straight. We are getting ready to have a beautiful baby. Why…why…don’t…just go upstairs and sober up.” Phil looked at Melissa with rage in his eyes. He stood up to leave out of the house but Melissa grabbed his arm.

“Phil, where are you going? Don’t go out driving while you’re drunk!” Phil shoved Melissa down on the sofa and left out of the house. She cried after him for what seemed like forever.