Page 25 of Loving the Legend
“At the King's residence, we aim to provide exemplary service,” he quips in a refined voice while sticking his nose up and straightening an imaginary bow tie.
Kieran snickers. He flashes Sid a face that says you’re-so-full-of-it.
Sid shrugs. “It’s true, troublemaker.”
“Do you both live in Miami too?” I ask Tommy and Kieran as I help myself to a plate.
“We live in Brooklyn,” Kieran replies.
“Oh yeah, which parts? I was born and raised in Brooklyn before I moved in with my uncle in New Jersey.”
“A Brooklyn native. Your kind’s becoming rare in our hood. We’re in Fort Greene,” Tommy answers.
I wonder if they live together.
“Thanks to this guy,” he says, gesturing to Sid. “We own a brownstone. I have the top floor unit, and Tommy has the bottom unit,” Kieran adds as if reading my mind.
Tommy wraps Kieran up in a hug as Kieran leans his head against his chest. I wonder if they're a couple.
“Those two have been inseparable since high school. Neither one could keep a boyfriend for long because they refused to make space for anyone else,” Sid says, eyeing them with a glint of amusement.
“Fuck those dudes,” Tommy replies, making Kieran grin. He arches his forehead back, and Tommy kisses it without hesitation. I’ve seen married couples lack the closeness that they seem to share.
“Tommy is a science professor, and I’m an interior designer,” Kieran offers.
“Chemistry, biology, earth science…” I rattle off.
“Chemistry,” Tommy confirms.
I nod. “Dope. I had the best chemistry teacher in high school. It was one of my favorite classes.”
Kieran snickers. “Said no one ever.”
“K literally fell asleep when I tried to explain bonding and intermolecular forces once,” Tommy says, shaking his head.
As if on cue, Kieran’s knees buckle as he mocks faint, sliding down Tommy’s chest. “Just hearing the words intermolecular forces makes me drowsy,” he jokes, making Sid and me laugh.
Tommy sighs, then lifts Kieran and anchors him against his chest to keep him vertical.
“I’m kidding! You know I think it’s sexy that you're a nerd.” Kieran turns his face to meet Tommy’s gaze. Tommy crinkles his nose at him affectionately, then nestles it in Kieran’s locs, closing his eyes like he’s just inhaled the best scent in the world.
I can't imagine anyone smelling better than Sid.
“Get a room, you two!” Sid says.
“We have one,” Tommy replies without lifting his nose.
The doorbell rings. Sid looks at Kieran, arching an eyebrow.
“Vincent wouldn’t ring the bell,” he says as he pulls up a live feed of the front gate on his phone.
“Vincent is Aunt Lily’s driver,” Kieran explains to me.
“Huh,” Sid says.
“Who is it?” Kieran asks.
“Katrina. I wasn’t expecting her."
