Page 22 of Fever

“I’ll call you back.”

“J, if you hang up this phone, I’ll come over there with my story. I’ve been dying to tell you all night, just listen!”

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. Desmond was one of my homeboys, and as much as he was getting on my nerves at the moment, I knew he would show up at my door. And I’d hate to kick his ass.

“Make it quick,” I said, glancing at Santana once more. She sat a pot on the stove and strolled over to me and stuck her finger out to hit the speaker button once again. Desmond’s voice came through loud and clear.

“Me and Kevin went to The Dream Lounge, the new spot that opened on Crenshaw and Sutton. After midnight, it was wide open. With it being a twenty-five and older club, it brought the sophisticated freaks out. BOYYY! You just don’t know. It didn’t take us long to spot Kayla, Kennedy, and Shameka and Tanisha getting out of a Dodge Durango. I watched them walk in and go straight to the dance floor looking like superstars. I hit Kevin, and when his gaze followed mine, he started to approach them. I said naw man all the dudes in the club were trying to get at them or panting in the background.”

“Like I’m sure you all were,” I said, keeping my eyes on Santana. As Desmond talked, I watched her. Every curve.

Desmond laughed. “Yeah but the difference was they couldn’t see us from all the other guys in the club, so you know me, I started formulating a plan.”

“You should really call me back,” I reiterated.

“Just listen, I’m almost done. I went outside to the parking garage while no one was looking and siphoned the gas out of the Durango. So, when those pretty little ladies got to their car, it wouldn’t start.”

Santana turned to me astonished, her mouth hanging open. I shut my eyes and shook my head slowly. I had never been embarrassed by something my friends had done before. But they say there’s a first time for everything.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Desmond went on to say. “Sounds a little farfetched, but if not this, then we would’ve been just like the guys in the club, and they wouldn’t have given us the time of day.”

“A little farfetched?” I said. “Honestly, Desmond, I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Me either but you should’ve seen them, they were thick, with the small waist, big butts, breast just about bursting out of their outfits, long hair, skin creamy and glowing and everythang! It was a long shot, but it worked! When I cut the corner with my gas can, they were thrilled to let us be of assistance and begging for a third friend who shall remain nameless because he was nowhere to be found.”

I sucked my teeth. “While you were out getting your siphon on, I was in bed trying to fight off the flu.”

“Never mind that, I got her number for you, dog. We didn’t ruin her too much, but we did play with her a little bit.”

“Ewww,” Santana finally said.

Desmond let out a howl. He was very amused with himself. “If you want, I can call them up and get them to come over this weekend. Do you think you’ll be ready then, playa?”

I hung up the phone. Something I should’ve done from the beginning. I figured if Desmond came over, kicking his ass was better than what he would possibly say next.

“I apologize for him.”

Santana stood with her mouth still agape. I could tell her thoughts were flying a million miles a second.

“Is that how you get down, Josiah?”

I frowned and gritted my teeth. “What do you think, Santana?”

I folded my arms and leaned on the counter as we stared each other down from across the kitchen.

Santana shrugged as her eyelashes fluttered. “I’m not sure what to think. From what I do know of you, you’ve been nothing but a sweetheart. A lady killer nonetheless but a sweetheart.”

“A lady killer?” I asked, smirking.

“You know you’re a lady killer. But I have to wonder if you’re anything like the company you keep.”

I moved away from the counter and strolled to her, turning Santana in my arms to nuzzle my nose behind her ear.

“I would never do something so vile. Hopefully, the more you get to know me, you won’t have to question my character this way again.”

I felt her melt in my embrace, and I tightened my squeeze, laying a kiss against her temple.

“I need a knife,” she said, and I bristled. A giggle fled from her. “To cut up my onions for the soup.”

---