Page 84 of Treason's Temptation
“You do that.”
Treason remained completely present, laughing at me, and rambling on with little-known facts about each exhibit. The only time he answered was when Jamie called, because we’d lost track of time and dinner had arrived. We walked back to the entrance, where a romantic dinner for two was set up, and vintage movie clips were on the screen in the distance.
“This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”
It just slipped out, softer than I meant, like my heart got there before my mouth could catch it. I regretted it immediately until I heard his voice.
“Even Candy Man?”
“Candy Man?”
“Hearingthatname ruins your mood. Have you all tense and shit looking for an exit like he isCandy Man.”
“You’re so annoying.” But I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. I hated how easily he could do that—make me forget how heavy things felt sometimes. “He did okay at first,” I shrugged. There were dates, nothing this thoughtful, because Lorenzo didn’t pay attention enough. “Then once he felt like I fell hard enough, he stopped, I guess. Can I ask you something?”
“Oh shit,” Treason dropped his fork and used the napkin to wipe his face.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he mocked.
“Make shit weird.”
“Aight, Blue. I’m listening,” he taunted, leaning forward, wearing the most obnoxious smile.
“Are you still fuckin’ Thandie?”
His shoulders laxed, “No,” slipping from his lips he’d just licked.
I reworded the question because I was dealing with a politician at heart. “Is she fuckin’ you?”
“I’m not fuckin’ Thandie and she ain’t fuckin’ with me. It was never a relationship. We were fuck buddies at best.”
Thandie was doing her best to prolong her fifteen minutes of fame, talking to anyone who shoved a microphone in her face. She couldn’t keep his name out of her fuckin mouth, hiding behind her professional opinion when asked about our relationship. A woman that smart knew she was fueling the drama while putting a target on my back.
Navie knows they’re fucking. She’s just in it for the money and clout, so she doesn’t care. Just like she did with Lorenzo.
Those comments always led back toCandy Man. I couldn’t get away from him if I wanted to.
“You are full of shit,” I chided, unsure if I believed his recount of events.
“Swear.”
“Don’t swear, Tre!”
“I promise,” he mouthed facetiously, “I don’t have shit to lie about.”
“You could be lyin’ in hopes I pull up this dress later.”
He laughed. Tre always laughed when I said something he deemed crazy.
“It might not be tonight, but you’re gonna do that anyway, Blue. You want to, but you like torturing yourself, so I don’t have to lie for that.”
“I don’t know why she’s doing all this behindyou,but she needs to stop.”
“Attention is the new heroin. She’s trying to get another hit.”
“Well, I’m tired of hearing her mouth.”
