Nate was now nearly an hour and a half late. Sahleen’s flight to Barbados had been delayed because of severe weather along the coast of North Carolina, and she had insisted that Nate wait with her. As they sat in the lobby of Gate C at BWI Airport, Sahleen sipped on some Starbucks. Meanwhile, Nate sat anxiously, trying hard not to act as though he had somewhere to go.

“Baby, is something wrong?” Sahleen asked.

“Nah,” he answered. “What makes you ask that?”

Sahleen smacked her lips together and picked up her latté. “If you don’t want to wait, then go. I’m sorry. I really didn’t intend to hold you up.”

Nate sensed her suspicion. It was so unlike him to get rattled, but something about Sahleen, probably her overpowering intuition and strong spirit, often made him uneasy.

He was beginning to doubt his own game. He kept feeling as if Sahleen had him figured out. It seemed that she would call at the oddest hours, right when he was about to get into something, and demand his company. Or if she was out of town, she always had thirty or forty minutes of intense conversation for him. By the time she was finished with him, he was usually too on edge to go through with his plans. Often India was the one left hanging, just like she was right now.

At this moment she was at home, dressed and waiting for Nate to arrive. He was supposed to have picked her up at five o’clock to go see Maysa, who was performing live at Blues Alley in Georgetown. Sahleen’s flight was supposed to have left at four-thirty. But here he was at a quarter after six, waiting in the airport. He had promised India dinner before the show, but the clock was ticking, and his two-way pager had been going off every ten minutes.

Sahleen reached into her attaché case and pulled out a large manila envelope. “I almost forgot,” she said. “I need you to mail these bills off for me.” She handed Nate the envelope. He nodded his head in agreement. “No later than Monday afternoon. I messed around with the cable bill, and I don’t want to have to pay a reconnect fee.”

“Okay, okay.” Nate was glad that she had changed the subject and redirected their attention, away from his impatience. “So, when are you coming back?”

“I thought I told you already. Thursday, but I won’t need you to pick me up. Franco’s car is here at the airport. He left yesterday, but we’re coming back together.”

“Five days in sunny Barbados. Must be nice.” Nate smiled. Everything was an effort. He was as nervous as a rapper who’d pissed off Suge Knight. His two-way had just gone off again. India was growing tired of his excuses.

“Yeah, baby, but you know it would be nicer if you were going to be there,” Sahleen said, as she leaned closer to Nate and put her head on his shoulder.

“I wish I could come, but you have got business to conduct, and it’s not like you’d have time to spend relaxing or…”

Sahleen cut him off unintentionally. “I know, I know, but still, I can wish, can’t I?” She paused, then lifted her head off his shoulder.

“Do you still want to come to New York with me for the Shawn Simmons video?”

“You know I want to. When is it?”

“They’ve pushed it up to the weekend after next. Her new single is going to be released Memorial Day weekend, and they want the video done by the first week in May.”

“Baby, you know I can’t wait for that. Next to you, of course, Shawn Simmons is the bomb.”

“Next to me my ass. I saw how you and Brendan reacted when she sang at the Soul Train Awards. You would have thought she was naked, the way you two were howling and whatnot.”

“Now, you know that was Brendan. I don’t even trip like that. Plus, it was television,” Nate laughed. “But you have to admit, that dress that she wore left nothing to the imagination.”

“Just imagine what we’ll have on for the video,” Sahleen said.

“I’ll wait and be surprised like everyone else.”

“You won’t have to do that. You’ll be on the set when we shoot, of course. And if you behave, I’ll make sure that you get to meet Shawn in person.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, in that case, I’ll have to be sure to behave for the next couple of weeks at least.” They both laughed out loud.

“Flight 312 now boarding to Barbados at gate C 12,” the announcer blared over the loudspeaker.

“That’s me.”

“I heard.”

They stood and locked in a quick embrace and a quick dance of the tongues, and Sahleen walked off toward the terminal. Nate headed for India.

 

Brendan and Renee sat in the bed with their heads propped up on oversized pillows. They were naked and still sweating, watching the BET movie channel. This had been their routine for the last month, since they had first slept together. As a matter of fact, they had only slept apart one night. That had happened only because a late snow had surprised the nation’s capital.

In D.C., by the end of March the threat of snow is almost nil. This was the snow that caught everyone off guard, particularly Brendan. That night some flurries had been predicted, but instead nearly four inches of snow and sleet had hit the ground, coating the streets and making driving home an unnecessary risk. Brendan had taken a night to hang out without Renee. He, Nate, and Sahleen had gathered at Nate’s to watch the Soul Train Awards show; Laney ending up at Nate’s apartment had been unexpected.

It had just been a coincidence that the snow came on the same day Brendan had reluctantly agreed to see Laney. She had come to his job and told him that she really wanted to talk to him. She had sounded convincing enough, when she assured him that she didn’t expect anything but conversation. Though he was still angry with her from his birthday disaster, he was starting to miss her, and therefore he agreed to let her meet him at Nate’s. Laney was reluctant to meet him where his friends would be gathered, but she realized it might be her only chance. Plus, she hoped to gain some support in her battle to win Brendan back.

Although she stayed with him for the night, Brendan didn’t sleep with her. He wanted to, but his anger, coupled with his new situation with Renee, made him hold fast. But two weeks had passed since that night at Nate’s, and Laney was slowly but surely melting Brendan’s anger. Her approach had gained ground for her, even if it was only an inch at a time.

She wasn’t pressing him the way Trina had after their breakup. Her approach was subtle, and more effective. She would leave sweet messages on his voice mail when she knew he wouldn’t be at home. She had sent flowers to his job, and had even had a mobile car detailer come to his house to wax and buff his car in the parking lot early one Friday morning; he hadn’t known it was being done until he came out of the house to go to work. Laney knew how much Brendan loved his car, and that had really gotten to him. Laney’s onslaught was really beginning to wear him down, but it didn’t change the fact that he was truly enjoying his fling with Renee. Even still, he found himself starting to return phone calls, even when the message said “Brendan, I don’t want anything. Just wanted to hear your voice. Laney. Bye.”

 

Renee wriggled her bottom and then lifted it off the bed. “Uhhh.”

“What?” Brendan said, momentarily moving his eyes away from the screen.

“I was in the wet spot,” Renee whined.

“It’s all yours. Why are you tripping?” Brendan smiled at her.

“It is not. Hand me a towel.”

Brendan hopped out of the bed, grabbed a towel, and tossed it to Renee. “You want anything to drink? I’m going to get a glass of Minute Maid.”

“Yes, please. But hurry back before I miss you.”

Brendan shook his head and headed down the steps. While he poured lemonade into the oversized cups, he thought that he had really gotten some shit started with her. He wondered when they would be having “the talk.” The “where do we stand, and where is this headed?” talk.

 

Earlier in the week the three of us had eaten dinner at Ben’s Chili Bowl after leaving happy hour at the Bar Nun. While we pigged out on Ben Ali’s famous chili burgers and cheese fries, Nate had taken the opportunity to confide in Brendan and me the status of his relationships. He actually admitted that while he had been avoiding “the talk” with India, he was somewhat curious as to why Sahleen hadn’t been trying to initiate one. Judging from the way he went on about it, apparently it troubled him. By the end of the conversation he had just chalked it up to her pride and decided that he would hold off as long as she could. Looking back on the conversation now, it should have been obvious to us that he actually wanted to have the talk with Sahleen for the first time in his life, though he would never actually admit it, even to himself.

Brendan had brought up the fact that Nate had been dating the two women pretty much exclusively since November. “Damn, you’re right,” Nate had replied. It was nearly May, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to ward off India’s request for a heart-to-heart too much longer.

I had asked him if he originally had intended to stick around with either of them for so long. His response had been, “Not really.” But at this point in the game it was simply too late. Whether Nate wanted to admit it or not, he was in love with his situation. Both ladies were gorgeous. If she were taller and slimmer, India could have passed for a model herself. Both were independent go-getters and outgoing sistahs with great personalities, and both, it appeared, were crazy about him.

 

Brendan was headed back up the stairs and was almost at the top when the doorbell rang. He entered the room and set the glasses down. Renee was lying on her stomach looking really comfortable. “You expecting anybody?” he asked, as he put his underwear on.

“No. I thought I heard the doorbell. Put on a shirt; it might be my mother. She said she might be coming out this way to go to Target.”

“Alright,” Brendan shot out, as he grabbed his pajama bottoms.

 

Brendan pulled the door open and stood there, shocked. It was Laney.

“A little early for bedtime, isn’t it? Why do you have pajamas on?” Laney continued, while Brendan’s mind raced. “It was a rhetorical question.”

“What are you doing popping up like this?” Brendan replied.

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to come in unless you invite me. I just wanted to drop something off. I’m about to go to Philly for a bit, and I wanted you to have this before I left.” She handed Brendan a shopping bag.

There was a momentary silence that was broken when Renee made her way down the steps. “Who is it, Brendan? Is it my mother?”

“No, it’s for me,” he said, but he didn’t have to say it loudly, because Renee was now standing beside him in a terry-cloth bathrobe.

“Well, hello Laney. Long time no see.”

Laney’s eyes showed Brendan her concern and curiosity about the picture. Why in the world were they both in their nightclothes at eight-thirty on a Saturday night? And why did it look as if every light in the house was off?

“Hi,” was all Laney said to Renee. “Well, Brendan, I’m off. It looks like I caught you at a bad time, and I apologize for that.”

“No need to apologize.”

“Next time you might want to call first,” Renee said, and she turned and walked toward the kitchen.

“What the hell is her problem?” Laney said, loud enough for Renee to hear.

“It doesn’t matter, but you really shouldn’t be buying me stuff. I mean, I just don’t want to confuse matters, ya know what I’m saying?”

Laney was biting her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. Then she stated, “Look, I told you I don’t expect anything from you. I know my keeping things from you hurt you, but you never gave me a chance to explain. Just open the package when you have time. Maybe it will help you understand.” She started to back away. “Do it when you have some time to yourself, though. Just do that for me, at least.” She turned and walked away without saying good-bye.

Brendan closed the door and headed upstairs with the shopping bag in his hand. He put it in his bedroom behind the door, and headed for Renee’s room. Once he walked into her room he saw that Renee had turned the movie off and had the video channel on.

“Why did you cut off Baby Boy? You know I love that flick.”

Renee just glared at Brendan, and then he knew at that very instant it was coming.

“I guess we need to talk? Huh?” he mumbled.

“Yeah. You guessed right,” Renee said, arms folded.

Brendan walked into her bathroom to relieve himself. He looked into the mirror, stared into his reflection, and tried to come up with some answers to questions that hadn’t even been asked yet.

“So, is now a good time?” Renee called from the bedroom.

Brendan made his way back to the bed. “What’s wrong, Renee?”

“What’s wrong is, I don’t like her just popping up over here like that. And I don’t know why you didn’t bomb her out for showing up like that, anyway.”

“C’mon now, why would I have…”

“And when did you start speaking to her again? What’s going on with you two, anyway? I thought you weren’t speaking.”

“Look, she just said she had some things to get off of her chest. I never told you that I wasn’t speaking to her. I told you that she had tried to initiate several conversations with me, but that I wasn’t ready to talk to her at that point,” Brendan said calmly.

Renee breathed deeply. “Oh, but now you’re ready to resume talking with her?”

“I didn’t say that. I didn’t mean that all of a sudden I am going to forgive her for anything. She just wants to be my friend. That’s all. She’s not pressuring me, or even trying to talk about our relationship.”

“I guess she doesn’t know about us? I can tell from the way she looked at us that she didn’t.” Renee rolled her eyes and shook her head in disgust.

“Now, why would I call her and explain what I was doing with you? That’s none of her business.”

“Well, I think you had better make it her business.”

“Hey, why are you getting all bent out of shape?” After a pause Brendan continued, “If this whole situation is making you uncomfortable, I understand.”

“No, Brendan. The situation isn’t making me uncomfortable. You’re making me uncomfortable. But if you want to forget the whole thing ever happened, we can.”

Renee was lying. At least about her ability to forget. There was no way she would ever be able to forget what had happened between them. She had foolishly allowed herself to get involved with her best friend. It was When Harry Met Sally ghetto style. She somehow knew, though, that in this version she would be the one hurt if the affair went too much longer. Brendan had been the victim too many times before, and Renee knew that sooner or later the law of averages would have to balance things out and give him one in his favor. “Brendan, did you hear me?”

Brendan was sitting down on the bed and had his hands clenched together between his legs. “Yeah, I heard you.”

“Well, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Brendan, don’t play with me. What do you think about us just forgetting the whole thing and going back, if it’s possible, to just being friends?” Renee managed to stumble out.

Brendan closed his eyes and thought for a few seconds before he spoke. His mind was filled with uncertainty. He didn’t know what was coming next. While he still couldn’t quite see himself in a relationship with a stripper, he still longed for Laney’s company and her touch. And to make matters worse, even thoughts of Trina crept into his mind every now and again. If it were any heart other than Renee’s that he was dealing with, he wouldn’t have thought twice about continuing on until he sorted things out. “I guess if I am making you uncomfortable then maybe we should chill until I sort everything out.”

Renee just nodded her head.

“And what about Barry?” Brendan said. “He still has clothes over here. He has been calling you nonstop. You never told him anything. We both need to get ourselves…”

“I told Barry about us last week,” Renee mumbled out. “But hey, don’t worry about it.”

Brendan felt like crap. Now who would Renee turn to? Barry had been her Mr. Dependable. He had been the one she called for movie dates and dinners, and for Blockbuster nights in the house, always his treat. Renee used to brag that she only had to sleep with him every so often to keep him coming back. Renee had ’fessed up, and he was surely pissed off. But probably not half as pissed off as Renee was right about then.

Brendan picked up his belongings and headed toward his room. The room that he hadn’t slept in for almost five weeks. The results of “the talk,” Brendan thought. It seemed as though everyone always ended up worse off after it than they had been before they had it.

It was only nine o’clock on a Saturday night, and the lights were out in the house and on Brendan and Renee’s relationship as well. When Brendan got back up to take a shower, he noticed Renee’s door was shut. He wasn’t tired, so he called Shue to see if he was home.

“Hello,” Shue answered.

“Hey, it’s me, cuz.”

“What’s going on, Brendan?” Shue sounded tired.

“Not much. I was just calling to see what you were getting into tonight.”

“Me? I’m not doing anything tonight. I’m having company in a little bit, and that’ll probably just be that.”

Brendan was disappointed. He was hoping for a party or a movie or something with his older cousin. It was not meant to be this night. “Okay. Well then, I’ll just give you a call tomorrow.”

“Good deal. Talk to you tomorrow.” They hung up.

Brendan finished putting on his underwear and headed down into the basement to watch some television and maybe do some thinking as to what he was going to do—about everything.

 

As soon as the door opened, it started. India opened the door and looked at her watch. Nate stepped through the door of India’s apartment and followed her to the bedroom.

“I’m not going, Nate. You may as well leave. I am tired of this shit.”

“Come on now, baby. I told you earlier that I had to make a few runs. You know how time gets away from me sometimes, Indy baby.”

India smacked her lips and huffed. “Whatever. Time always gets away from your ass. Excuse my language, but damn, Nate, this shit is ridiculous.”

“Look, I told you I had to drop my cousin off at the airport. He missed his flight, and I didn’t want to leave him until I was sure he had another one.”

“Yeah, and you couldn’t find a second to call and return my page. You are so full of shit. I’m sick and tired of this. I refuse to let you do this to me any longer. If you don’t know what to do with me, then believe me, I will find a man who does.” She walked back into the kitchen.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Nate asked as he watched her toss a birth control pill into her mouth and guzzle down half a glass of water.

“Exactly how it sounds.” India slammed the glass down on the counter. “I figure that you don’t have your priorities together. We’ve only been seeing each other for about six months. I met you in October, and it is April now…not even six full months, and how many times have you stood me up, called and canceled a date, or been two hours late? Just like you are now,” India rattled off, with her hands on her hips.

Nate just stood there. He couldn’t even count them himself.

“I didn’t think you could recount them. But let me help. Christmas day. We were supposed to spend the day together. I saw you for what, twenty minutes? Same damn thing on Valentine’s Day. The night we were supposed to see the OJays and Gerald Levert. What did we see, the last half-hour? How about the money I wasted on the play at the Warner Theater?”

“I gave you that back.”

“That’s not the point, and if you think it is, then there is nothing for us to talk about.”

“Look, I know you are mad, but let’s go and get some dinner and talk things over.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

“So what are we going to do? Sit around here and argue about it for the rest of the evening?” Nate asked.

“No. You can sit around here if you like. I have made other plans.”

“You did what?”

“I made other plans.” Nate’s eyes showed disbelief. India reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a bowl with freshly cut watermelon slices. “You expect me to sit around and wait for you all night. Well, I got a news flash for you, partner. It ain’t gonna happen no more.”

Nate was stunned, to say the least, but what could he say? “So what kind of plans did you make?”

India answered him while chewing on the watermelon. “Um goin’ ow wif a few of ma…”

“Swallow the food, child.” Nate was letting on that he was upset.

She swallowed. “I’m going to the Soundstage and probably down to Dream with a group of my friends. And now…”There was a knock at the door. India answered with Nate looking over her shoulder as she let her friend inside.

“Hey girl, you ready?” The girl at the door asked.

“Just about. Gimme a quick second and let me grab my jacket. Oh, by the way, this is my friend, Nate. Nate, this is Regina. We work together.”

“Hi, Nate.”

“Hey.”

“All right, I’m ready.” Nate didn’t have time to say much. He just stood there with his lips poked out. He was wishing that he were on that plane with Sahleen. “Nate, if you’re not leaving now, please make sure you lock the door behind you.” India turned and ushered Regina out of the door. “Girl, your hair looks good. You just got it done today?”

“No, child. I need it done bad,” Regina said, patting her hair. Then she said, “Nice meeting you, Ned.”

“Nate,” India whispered. But they were in the hallway already and the door was closing shut behind them.

Nate sat on the couch, pissed off and not believing what had just happened. He had thought that India would never give him any problems. As fine as she was, though, she wouldn’t sit around waiting for him forever. He wondered, What am I tripping for? The time was coming when he would have to let her go, anyway. What was he doing with two girlfriends any damned way? Sahleen was perfect. She was always flying in and out of town. He had time to do what he had to do, whatever that may be, and then be finished with his dirt by the time she was back in town. India was always around. Waiting usually, but now demanding. That was precisely the reason she was going to have to go soon. He just had to hit that ass a few more times, and he was out. Sahleen was the bomb, anyway, and she never sweated him.

Nate picked up the cordless phone and sat on the couch. He turned on the television and began scanning the channels while he contemplated calling another female from India’s house because his cell was dead. It seemed a bit too risky, and he truly didn’t feel like answering any questions about why he had dialed *67 before calling them. Before he realized it, two hours had passed and he had watched an entire NBA play-off game between the Nets and the Hornets. It was almost ten, and he was nowhere near tired yet, so he dialed Cory’s number. After four rings, he heard a voice on the line. It was Nina.

“Hello,” she said softly.

“Yo, girl. What’s up?”

“Nate?” Nina asked.

“What’s happening?” Nate asked, nearly repeating his first greeting. “Let me holler at Cory right fast.”

“Cory is out of town. He didn’t tell you?” Nina asked, sounding surprised that Cory hadn’t touched base with his main man.

Nate recalled a conversation with Cory earlier in the week and said, “As a matter of fact, he did. But I thought he said he was going next weekend, not this weekend. Atlanta, right?”

“He said some place right outside of Atlanta.”

“Why didn’t you go?” Nate asked. He knew why. He was just curious about what story Cory had come up with.

“Well, he didn’t leave until this morning, and he’s coming right back tomorrow afternoon. He said one of his boys was getting married. It wasn’t a big deal. Some white boy he used to work with. He said that the guy, Chad, was real cool, but that it wasn’t a big deal. Plus, he had promised to watch Kyle and Tory for Brenda this weekend. That’s why I’m over here at his place,” Nina explained. “Brenda is working part-time now, trying to save up some money for Tory’s college tuition.”

“Yeah, Cory mentioned that to me.” Nate thought, The boy is pretty damn slick. He has his girl watching his niece and nephew while he is out of town boning his ex-girl, or mistress, sex partner—whatever he viewed Paula as.

Nina blew her nose into the line. “Sorry, allergies.” She sounded as if she was wiping. She went on. “Well, let me go check on them and see what they’re watching. We rented some videos, none of which I wanted to see, so I’m in bed.”

“You go ahead, and I’ll catch up with Cory tomorrow night,” Nate shot back.

“Alright. Take care, Nate,” Nina said, still sniffling.

“You, too. Peace.” He hung up and dialed Brendan.

 

On the first ring, Brendan answered, “Hello.”

“What’s up, dog?” Nate asked emphatically.

“Nuthin. I’m just in here chilling, watching some TV,” Brendan answered listlessly.

“Damn, nigga, you sound like you asleep.”

“Nah. I’m just chillin.”

“Yeah, I’m sitting up over India’s crib. She ain’t here, though. I just finished watching the Hornets get that ass busted,” Nate said.

“Me too,” Brendan said. “Man, Jason Kidd was taking the Hornets’s defenders off of the dribble every other play,” Brendan added.

“Yeah, the Hornets played like some shit today. The Nets are going to bust that ass when they go back to New Jersey, too.”

Nate nodded his head in agreement even though Brendan couldn’t see him through the line, and said, “No doubt. This series is over. I think New Jersey is going all the way to the finals.”

“Yeah, but it don’t matter. Nobody from the east will beat the Lakers if they get past Sacramento.”

“True dat.”

Brendan, out of his own restlessness and desire to find a temporary escape from the discomfort he was feeling under the same roof as Renee, asked Nate, “So what are you, or should I say, who are you getting into tonight?”

“I’m not making too much noise tonight. To be honest, I’m going through some changes with these broads, man.” He paused for thought while he flipped the channels again. “That’s why I called you. I was thinking about getting into something.”

“Like what?” Brendan asked.

“I was thinking about hitting the Platinum Club,” Nate replied.

“I don’t fool with the Platinum on the weekends. Wednesday night is the shit down there. I don’t even think they get too many people on the weekends,” Brendan said.

“Well, it’s not like a Wednesday night for sure, but you can catch a couple of stragglers down there. Maybe bump into a strange piece down there, ya know,” Nate offered as an incentive.

“Nah, the joint is weak. Too many niggas standing around fronting and acting like they somebody. I can’t roll with that phony crowd tonight.”

“Well, what about Dream? You know that’s where all of the bitches are tonight,” Nate said, as he flipped the top off a Corona he had found in India’s fridge.

“Man, Dream is going to be crowded as all hell. Plus, I’m not really up to waiting in any lines tonight.” Brendan had let out yet another excuse.

“C’mon now, B, when was the last time you ever waited in any line when you were with me?” Nate asked, sounding as if Brendan might have bumped his head. “All I have to is call Marc and let him know we’re coming.”

“Oh, excuse me. I must have forgot who I was talking to.” Brendan did know better. Nate was as connected as a brother could be in the city. He didn’t even wait in lines at movies. Brendan added, “Plus, my cheese is a little tight. I just got my ride serviced on Thursday, and that put a dent in my wallet for sure.”

Nate laughed. “Look, don’t worry about it, dog. I got you. Now stop making excuses.” Nate thought about all the excuses that Brendan was giving him. “What’s wrong with you, boy? You know you haven’t hung out with me or Cory since that shit with Laney happened on your birthday.”

Brendan flipped the channels. Richard Pryor Live in Concert was on BET Starz and he left it there briefly. “I know. I just haven’t felt like going out lately.”

“Well, it’s no sense in you sitting in the house moping around and contemplating over that shit.” Nate went on: “You got to keep on movin’. She’s the one that’s trying hard to win your ass back. You can’t shed no tears or waste no time on some booty that you’ve already had.”

“Believe me, I definitely haven’t been moping at all,” Brendan said, with a self-assured attitude that aroused Nate’s curiosity.

“Oh yeah, what, you got yourself a new bunny?” Nate asked.

“Not really new, but I guess…” Brendan paused. “Nah, never mind. I ain’t saying anything to your ass. You can’t keep a damned thing to yourself.” Brendan was right. Nate could do a lot of things, but keeping a secret, or rather someone else’s secret, wasn’t one of them.

“What, nigga? Who am I gonna tell?” Nate asked, trying to gain Brendan’s confidence.

“For starters, Cory. Then you’ll probably tell both India and Sahleen, maybe Kim if you bump into her, and of course she’ll tell Trina whenever she does her hair. Let me see who else.”

Nate huffed, “Aw man, cut that shit out. You know you are being petty, man.” Nate wasn’t finished. “C’mon now, what is it?”

“Okay, okay. Stop whining. But I’m telling you, Nate, if this shit comes back to me, that’s your ass,” Brendan shot out.

“All right, all right,” Nate said, as if Brendan was killing him. He knew why, and he knew he deserved it. Nate had carelessly and sometimes purposely let a few of Brendan’s confidences slip down the drain.

“Well, just listen then,” Brendan started off. “You remember that night when I was over your crib and Laney called me, and I told her to come over to your spot.”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Well, I knew that she was going to call me that night. We had spoken earlier in the day and I agreed to get together with her. I just didn’t want to do it over here.”

“Why not?”

“Because I couldn’t,” Brendan offered, waiting for Nate to figure it out.

“What the hell do you mean, you couldn’t? Was Laney banned from over there or something?”

“Well.” Brendan breathed in deep. “Let me just say that, due to changes in the situation over here it wouldn’t have been cool for me to bring any other ladies to the house.”

Nate paused, and so did Brendan. Then Nate blurted out, “What? Are you fucking Renee or something?”

“Why do you got to say it like that?” Brendan asked, sounding slightly offended.

“Are you for real, B? Say honest to God!” Nate burst into laughter. “My nigga. You finally hit that ass,” Nate screamed. He kept saying it over and over, as if Brendan had hit the lottery. “You finally hit that ass. You finally hit that ass.”

Brendan interrupted. “Man, chill with that shit.”

“I’ll be damned. You finally hit that ass.”

“Bye, man.”

“Nah, I’m straight. So what’s up? How was it? Wasn’t it like incest, though?” He added, “You two are super tight. I know that shit had to be weird.”

“Kind of,” Brendan said.

“Hell, I know. I fucked one of my cousins at a family reunion one time. That shit was wild. She was like a third or fourth cousin, though.”

“You know, you got issues,” Brendan said.

Nate changed the subject back. “So when did this thing with Renee go down?”

“On my birthday, that night after I left you all.”

“So it just happened that one night?” Nate asked excitedly.

“Nah. It happened like every night for a few, and when she was on her period…but even on those nights…never mind.” Brendan caught himself.

“She gave you some head? Damn. I know she broke you off some head.”

“Anyway. This is going to be the first night that I’m going to be sleeping in my own bed.”

“Why tonight?” Nate asked.

“We had a little falling-out. Laney messed around and popped up over here unannounced and brought me a package. We had just finished getting our groove on. Renee was mad because I didn’t go off on Laney for coming over. Plus, she didn’t know that me and Laney had started speaking again.”

“So are you and Renee supposed to be together or what?”

“We haven’t discussed all of that. But we’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. Much more than usual. Plus, like I said, we’ve been sleeping in her bed together every night. I guess she just assumed that we were doing something.”

“Well, did you ever tell her that…you know…that she was your girl or something?”

“We never actually discussed it, but any decent woman will assume that if you are you coming home to their house and sleeping in their bed, you know, and having sex with them every night.”

“Not necessarily,” Nate checked him. “Not necessarily. Some women don’t want the relationship. Did you have ‘the talk’?”

“We had it today after Laney left,” Brendan said, sounding dejected.

“And now your ass is sleeping in your own bed,” Nate laughed out. “Enough said.”

Nate laughed some more. “That’s why you have to avoid ‘the talk,’ my man, at all cost. At all cost. Never discuss with them today what you can put off indefinitely. That’s what my uncle Miles used to tell me.”

“Your uncle has been married for a while now, right?” Brendan asked.

“Yeah. Ten years to his third wife.” Nate laughed out. “But he says that the third is going to be the one that lasts.” After a brief silence, Nate added, “You know how he says he knows for sure?”

“How?”

“He said that he used to have ‘the talk’ all of the time with his first two wives, but he said he ain’t never having it with this one.”

“So what does he do when shit hits the fan and she wants to talk things out?” Brendan asked.

“He said that he just tells her that actions speak louder than words, which is true. Then, he said, he taps that ass.”

“Yeah, I guess that could be true.” Brendan thought about how he had been acting lately. He wondered what his actions had been telling Renee, by having sex with her almost every night. Had he in fact stooped so low as to use his best friend? If so, were he becoming more like Nate than he would have ever suspected possible? “I guess it definitely is,” Brendan repeated, referring to the actions-speaking-louder-than-words statement Nate had quoted from his uncle Miles.

Brendan tapped the remote in his hand and came to the heartfelt conclusion that he needed to go upstairs and have another talk with Renee and really set things straight. He needed to be honest with her about every feeling and emotion he’d been experiencing since they had first fallen into bed that night. He knew that if he approached Renee with honesty that the two of them would be able to work things out. They always had before. With that, he closed his conversation with Nate and headed upstairs. To talk.