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  Why did you wait until the last minute to tell me? he responded, then read Langston’s comment, Your place. Tonight. 7pm? Somebody’s gotta be on top this time, man, I’m about to bust for you. It was followed by a scrumptious dick pic.

  Thank God for whoever created privacy screens, Kingston thought, noticing Theodore leaning toward him.

  Clearing his throat, Theodore interrupted, “Can you stop it? I’m lying right here next to you. The outsiders can wait their turn. Or I can leave now.”

  Why was bruh being extra? Always threatening to bail when Kingston didn’t give him his undivided attention. “You’re right,” Kingston told him, simultaneously responding to Langston, Cool, knowing it would be Langston on the bottom or another round of quiet and sloppy fellatio. Man, it had been hard not to scream and awaken Jordan.

  Placing his cell underneath his pillow, Kingston rolled onto his side, facing Theodore. “When did you know you were different?”

  “Oh, this is going to be good. Let me order our food first. I’ll surprise you with something savory and delicious,” Theodore said.

  Kingston texted Monet: What time tomorrow? And what play? He was close enough to make it if he tried.

  Watching Theodore tap on his phone, Kingston admired the joy in his friend’s eyes. Every part of Theodore’s face lifted a fraction of an inch as he uttered aloud, while using his thumbs, “One juicy rib eye steak, a rack of lamb, both medium-well. A lil pink is okay.” He measured a slit of space between his thumb and pointing finger. “Don’t send me no bleeding cow. I promise I’ll send it back with a box of maxi pads.”

  Theodore paused. He glanced at Kingston. “Give me kiss.” Continuing, he typed and talked. “Add a scramble of red potatoes, sausage eggs, and jack cheese, country potatoes, grits, brown rice, a large side of spinach, and two tall pineapple juices. You want coffee?” he asked, then said, “Of course, we do. It’s not like you have any in the kitchen. We need to go grocery shopping today.”

  That heavy of a meal was going to make both of them lazy after eating. “I have to hop a flight later. We only have three hours. Plus, my relator wants to show me a property she thinks the family will like,” Kingston lied.

  “Huh? What? The order is in. Should be here in forty minutes. You’re going to have to push that appointment back. After we eat, you’re next,” Theodore said, then licked his lips. “It’s going to take me at least five hours to digest everything.”

  What Theodore had said sounded good, but in three hours tops, they were going to be completely dressed from head to toe and on the other side of the front door. Kingston would make a few stops, then double back to the house.

  Putting the focus on Theodore, Kingston said, “Answer my question.”

  “When did I know I was gay?” Theodore clarified.

  Propping his elbow on the firm pillow and his cheek on his fist, Kingston gave Theodore his undivided attention, praying what he was about to hear would help him move forward in making a decision.

  “God made me this way in the womb.” Theodore moved his mouth as though he were chewing.

  Kingston didn’t mean to, but he burst into laughter. “Bruh. God didn’t do that to you.”

  Defensively Theodore stated, “How you know? You ain’t God. I was never sexually attracted to girls. Then when I found out they bleed from down there.” Theodore’s eyes protruded; he pointed toward his penis, then flopped onto his back. “Eew! That was it for me.”

  A menstrual cycle was like a self-cleaning oven. Kingston knew HIV wasn’t a gay man’s disease, but he believed it was easier for a woman on her period to transfer blood to a man during oral sex than to contract it sucking dick.

  Kingston laughed at his lover, then asked, “What was your first anal experience like, bruh?” recalling being in the janitor’s closet.

  Theodore sat up. Pressed his back against the headboard. Bending his knees, he buried his face between his thighs and wept.

  Kingston retrieved his cell, powered it off. He went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of cognac and two snifters. Filling both glasses, he returned to Theodore’s bedside and tried to place one in his hand.

  Shaking his head, Theodore cried, “I hate him!”

  Swallowing a gulp of liquor as though it was a shot, Kingston set the empty glass on the nightstand, scooted next to Theodore, then embraced his trembling body.

  “I’m sorry, bruh. For real.” Kingston had been emotionally distraught before, but he didn’t hate anyone. He empathized with his friend, wondering what truly happened. “Were you raped?”

  Theodore nodded and sniffled. “He hurt me. They hurt me.”

  Fuck! “They?”

  Nodding again, Theodore said, “An officer broke me in.”

  What the hell? Is Theodore serious? “A police officer?” Kingston wanted, and didn’t want, to know more. What good would that do? “Fuck that. He’ll get his.”

  “Military officer. You’re the first person that I’ve told.” Slowly lifting his head, Theodore warned Kingston, “You’ve got to be careful who you meet off- and online. Men are cruel. Human trafficking in Atlanta doesn’t only happen to women. One-point-five million black men are missing in America.”

  Now Kingston wanted to hear the rest of Theodore’s story. “It’s going down like that in the military?”

  Had the military guy done it to establish dominance? How many men had he done that shit to? Or did he take advantage of men because there were no females in his camp and he hadn’t had sex in months?

  Same-sex relations were going down in professional sports, but they, too, had a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, like the military used to have. What really made him attracted to men? Kingston questioned himself.

  “As a straight man, which you’re not, but if you were, what would you do if you were stationed overseas and didn’t see—I mean, as in ‘laid eyes on’—a woman for years, with an s?” Kingston knew if Theodore opted to masturbate, that much jacking your dick was unhealthy.

  Theodore’s body slid flat against the mattress.

  Hmm. He realized the answer wasn’t easy. But under no circumstance would Kingston force himself on a woman or a man. What had happened to Theodore was criminal.

  “I love you, Kingston. There’s nothing I won’t do for you. Leave your wife and come out so we don’t have to hide.” His gaze focused on the motionless ceiling fan at a time when Theodore should’ve made eye contact.

  Kingston enjoyed the company of a man, but he never wavered from the fact that he didn’t want a relationship with one. “I hear you.” And he was nobody’s fool. “Sit up, bruh.”

  Handing a glass to Theodore, Kingston refilled, then held up his. “To friendship forever. What’s most important was your opening up to me.” With that make-believe story, he thought. It was a good try by Theodore to win his heart, but Kingston didn’t believe that military officers raped men. Women, yes. Dicks were confused.

  Clinking their glasses, Theodore sipped, then passionately kissed Kingston on the lips. “I’m going to freshen up. When the delivery comes, sign for it. It’s paid for.”

  “Cool. Use one of the guest bathrooms,” Kingston replied.

  Theodore mumbled, “Humph. That’s a first.”

  “Close the door behind you.” Soon as Theodore was out of the room, Kingston powered on his cell, texted Langston, Send me something naughty to get me started.

  A picture of Langston’s asshole appeared. Damn! That is tight.

  Kingston never had a yearning to penetrate his wife’s rectum. Maybe he was meant to be with Langston and not Theodore. Perhaps Langston’s equally yoked masculinity better matched his personality.

  Don’t leave me hanging, Langston texted.

  Kingston had no naked photos of himself saved in his phone. Whenever he’d taken one, he’d delete it right away. Give me a sec.

  Spreading his thighs, Kingston positioned the phone at his groin. He lifted his balls. Raised his knees to his ears, then clicked the side b
utton. It wasn’t the greatest angle. He lightened the pic. Zooming in on the hairs, he smiled proudly, thinking that was definitely a virgin butthole. He shared the picture with Langston.

  Are you and Jordan still involved? Kingston inquired.

  Why not? She’s fine as hell, great in bed and at giving head. Plus, if I ever need a lawyer, she’s an orgasm away.

  Bastard. You can’t do both of us. She’s going to find out.

  How? Langston texted back. You want exclusivity with me?

  Kingston recalled his moment at Langston’s place. Considering both of them were toppers and virgins, Kingston wanted to be Langston’s first, but under no circumstance would he be Langston’s or any man’s first bottom.

  Your asshole, bro, Langston texted, then added, #Priceless.

  Ding. Ding. Ding. The doorbell chimed.

  Opening the bedroom door, Kingston called out to Theodore from the foyer, “I got it, baby.”

  CHAPTER 42

  Kingston

  “I like how you added a personal touch to this Airbnb. I can trick out whatever home you buy. Develop and add your branding. Let me house search with you,” Theodore pleaded.

  As he opened the front door, sunlight blinded Kingston. He placed his hand above his brows. The sky was a bright blue. A perfect afternoon to end with Theodore, and prepare to share with Langston.

  Kingston held his cell in front of his face. No new messages from his next guest. Pretending to be looking at the trees surrounding his place, he had to get Theodore off of the premises before he crossed paths with Langston.

  “Nah, nah, nah. That would be inappropriate, bruh.” Kingston kissed Theodore. “Tell you what, I’ll give you a call when I’m done with Lilly,” he lied, then lied again. “I’ll invite you back over to spend the night.”

  “I thought you had to catch a flight.” He placed his hand on his hip.

  “That’s exactly why I need you. Forgot that quick. My girls’ recital is tomorrow,” Kingston lied.

  There was no way Kingston would let Theodore know that this was his property.

  A short huff was followed with, “When you’re done house shopping for her, meet me at my men’s clothing store. I can introduce you to my business partner and we can give you a private showing. Together,” Theodore said. His lips curved as he tilted his head, then looked at Kingston out of the corners of his eyes. Standing in the doorway, Theodore awaited a response.

  A ménage à trois. Hmm. The thought was intriguing. Might have to take Theodore up on that offer soon, depending on what his partner looks like. Kingston only liked men who were physically fit.

  Sex between the two of them was filled with passion. That was cool, but if Kingston wanted intimacy all the time, he’d go home to Monet. Now that he’d experienced his inner-beast, animalistic side, Kingston preferred it rough—thrusting, banging, shoving, grabbing, groping. Furniture-moving, accidentally-breaking-a-lamp kind of sex had never happened with Theodore.

  Redirecting his attention from the underground sexcapades he’d solicited before and after church on Sundays, Kingston left the door opened, then escorted Theodore to his car, which was parked in the private driveway.

  Lying was becoming second nature to Kingston. “If I finish by eight, I’ll stop by.”

  Thumb in the front, fingers on his back, Theodore propped his hand on his hip. “We’re not going to be sitting around waiting for you to show up.” Theodore stood outside his car, staring directly into Kingston’s eyes. “I need a commitment.”

  Theodore’s tone was more personal than professional. Kingston bit his bottom lip and thought, Get your sensitive ass the fuck outta my face. He never wanted to regret physically harming Theodore. But Theodore wasn’t helping the situation by trying to force a relationship.

  “Are you seeing someone else?” Theodore questioned.

  Annoyed with Theodore’s procrastination about leaving, Kingston replied, “Nah. I’m not seeing anyone,” hoping to piss him off enough to make him go.

  “Anyone else.” Getting in his car, Theodore lowered the window, then said, “Don’t let me catch you cheating on me. You’ll be added to that number of black men missing.” His tires screeched against the pavement as he sped out of the driveway.

  A dirty cloud trailed Theodore’s car. When the smoke cleared, black tracks remained on the concrete. Astonished that men could be more desperate than women, Kingston got in his SUV, exited through the gate, then drove to the nearest liquor store.

  * * *

  Kingston purchased two bottles of Rémy Martin XO cognac. Returning home, he went directly to the kitchen. Kingston placed the brunch leftovers into skillets, tossed the containers into a trash bag, and disposed of it in the can in the outdoor garage.

  He generously sprayed air freshener and opened windows throughout the house, giving a few extra squirts in his bedroom. Quickly changing the linen on his bed, he fluffed his pillows.

  A text registered from Langston: At your front door.

  Damn, bruh! No heads-up. And he’d gotten through the security gate without a code. How? Kingston texted Lilly, What’s up with the security gate on this property? Just had a visitor show up at my front door?

  Lilly promptly replied, Okay, we need to do a reset on all codes. You probably have an 1111, 9999, or simple combo that previous homeowners used for landscapers. I can stop by now and show you how to reprogram your system.

  Kingston messaged her back, No. I’m walking out right now. I’ll let you know if I can’t figure it out.

  Kingston hadn’t showered. Theodore’s bodily fluids were all over him. Opening the front door, Kingston was caught off guard with an aggressive kiss.

  Unsure if he should respond in kind or resist based on the intrusion, Kingston stepped back. “There’s time for that, bruh. Let’s eat out on the deck.”

  The backyard was Theodore’s and his haven. Kingston shouldn’t taint the energy by chilling there with Langston, but it was Kingston’s house.

  “Man, you know what I came for. I already ate. Plus, I don’t like outdoor adventures, if you know what I mean. Let’s have a drink in the living room. Don’t want to scare the snakes when I whip out mine.” Langston laughed.

  Truth was, Kingston wasn’t hungry, either, but he was accustomed to being the one in control. Turning off the burners in the kitchen, he missed Theodore already.

  An incoming text prompted Kingston to remove his cell phone from his pocket. Theodore had messaged, How’s the house?

  I don’t like this one, Kingston replied, then asked Langston, “How you liking the ATL?”

  “Not nearly as much as I’m about to,” he said, nodding as he sat on the sofa. “On second thought, I am hungry. Fix me a plate,” Langston ordered. “I want to start this moment off right, like I did with Jordan.”

  Kingston retreated to the kitchen. Already his mood changed from being enthusiastic to wanting to kick Langston out of his house. Preparing two cocktails, he reentered the living room, handed a snifter to Langston, then set his glass and the bottle on the end table.

  “Man, it smells good in that kitchen.” Langston downed his drink in one swallow, then refilled his glass. “Go get my food. I told you I’m hungry.”

  Kingston retreated to the kitchen, carried two red square plates into the living room. “You ever been violated?” he inquired, then handed Langston his meal.

  “That’s my role. Indirectly. Got a date with Jordan tonight. Give me that.” He took Kingston’s plate, placed both on the coffee table, then handed Kingston the cocktail that he’d left on the end table. “Lighten up. No, I have not.”

  Disgusted with Langston’s personality, Kingston gulped his cognac in a single swallow. Was Langston avoiding letting Kingston question what happened between them in elementary school?

  Langston refilled his glass. “This time wait for me, bro. Let’s take it to the head at the same time on the count of three.”

  “One. Two. Three. Motherfucker.” Kingston tossed back hi
s cognac. “I want to know what made you suck my dick in the janitor’s closet?”

  Following his lead, Langston did the same, then refilled their glasses. “You were weak. A follower, not a leader. An insecure little boy. You still are. All those years a standout player and you were never captain. You can’t stand up to your wife. I’d fuck her in front of you.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite,” Kingston stated. “You need to leave, bruh.”

  Picking up his plate, Langston stared at Kingston, then began eating the steak.

  Kingston left his food untouched, checked his cell. Theodore texted, Are y’all done yet?

  I don’t like this house, either. Heading back to the Airbnb, Kingston replied, then told Langston, “Why the fuck you staring at me like you ’bout to do something?”

  Calmly Langston said, “I am.”

  Another text from Theodore registered. Kingston’s vision started to blur. He struggled to read it. He screenshot the message, went to his photos, enlarged the text, then read, I know you don’t like it, because you never saw it. Out of all the men you could’ve cheated on me with, you chose my business partner, Langston Derby. I warned your ass!

  Kingston blinked several times. He paused, rubbed his eyes, leaned back. As he struggled to focus, Langston’s facial features became cloudy. Kingston could barely see his hand or the phone in it.

  “Shit, bruh.” Kingston’s body slid off of the sofa onto the floor. Slowly his eyes opened, then closed. He fought to reopen them. His mind said to get up. His body couldn’t move.

  “I told you, bro. Somebody’s gotta be on top.” Langston rolled him over, facedown on the carpet.

  The last thing Kingston recalled was when his pants were pulled to his ankles.

  CHAPTER 43

  Victoria

  Victoria texted Heavenly his new gate and door code.

  Dropping a pinch of matcha green tea powder into sixteen ounces of water, Victoria vigorously shook the bottle, then swallowed without stopping.