CHAPTER 38
Maxwell wiped the sweat from his brow and took a long gulp of Gatorade.
“Another game, man?” Andre asked.
“Naw, gotta get to work.”
“Tony, you up?” Andre asked.
“Nope, I’m heading in, too.”
“No more ball? I thought you were off today?”
“I am,” Tony replied, “I’m just tired of playing one-on-one.”
Andre sat down on the gray metal bench and bounced the basketball from one hand to the other.
“You guys going to come to my party tomorrow?” Tony asked, pushing his thick blond hair from his eyes.
“Yep,” Maxwell said.
“Yeah. I been promising to take Brenda out somewhere nice to make up for missing our anniversary,” Andre said, stretching out his long legs.
“Wait a minute, you are bringing Brenda to my housewarming party? It’s not going to be that nice. Shouldn’t you take her out to dinner?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, I can get you reservations at Ray’s if you want. Lyfe Jennings is supposed to be there tomorrow.”
“Nope, we’re coming to your party,” Andre said. “That’s what I want to do, so that’s what we’re doing. Besides, Brenda will appreciate any place I take her.”
“Why can’t you for once do something nice for your wife? Brenda loves you—”
“I don’t need anybody telling me that my wife loves me! I know she does. But like I said before, Brenda is the kind of woman that will appreciate the little things. I don’t need to make a big fuss to show her I care. That’s your problem with women, you always trying to do too much for them,” Andre said.
“Who you talkin’ to?” Maxwell asked.
“To both of y’all. Y’all too hung up on looks to actually know what’s good for you.”
“Don’t even go there,” Tony said. “You wouldn’t even be with Brenda if Rosslyn hadn’t dumped your butt before prom.”
Andre’s face darkened. “First of all, she didn’t dump me. We just grew apart. Second of all, I probably would have married Brenda anyway. I mean, she was all over me in high school. Who wouldn’t love that? Besides, y’all just jealous. Y’all out here wasting y’all’s time with all these women, going out partying, having fun…” Andre’s voice trailed off. “I’m out here taking care of two boys; I mean, raising a family, that’s where it’s at.”
Maxwell rolled his eyes.
“Oh, so you don’t believe me? Well, who are you bringing to the party?”
“Nobody,” Maxwell said.
“Why don’t you bring that girl from the work? That new girl,” Tony asked.
“Yolanda? No, that’s not gonna happen. Especially, after the other night…”
Andre sat up. “You really starting to like this dogface, aren’t you?”
“She ain’t ugly!” Maxwell shouted.
“Oooh wee, ain’t we getting testy? It really don’t matter who you bring. As long as it’s not Theresa, I really don’t care.”
“What do you have against Theresa? Besides the fact that she looks like a model and your wife looks like a—”
Maxwell stopped when he saw the threatening look on Andre’s face.
“Look, don’t get it twisted, man. Just because I make fun of Brenda don’t mean you can. Don’t go there. I was trying to protect you, but fine. Don’t listen to me.”
“Protect me from what?” Maxwell asked.
“How many times I have to tell you, pretty women can’t be trusted. Especially Theresa. She’s a pathological liar and you still considering taking her back because you too chicken to try it out with—God forbid—an average girl.”
“Yolanda is not average. I told you she is too skinny for me. The girl is a downright bone.”
“So? You like what you like,” Andre said.
“Get it through your thick skull, Andre: I don’t like her!”
“I’ll get it through my skull when you admit you like that girl.”
“I already told you, she’s not all that, but there’s something about her…”
“Fine, I’ll help you,” Andre said. “When she walks in, I’ll give you a thumbs up or thumbs down—”
“What? I’m not in high school anymore, Andre. I don’t need your opinion,” Maxwell objected. He hated talking about this stuff. He liked Yolanda, but not enough to call her his woman.
“Besides, she ain’t even my woman.”
“Yet. Dogface ain’t your girl yet,” Andre said, teasing.
“Shut up. I told her that we should just be friends. I mean she’s nice…”
“Nice? That’s all you can say? She’s nice? Tony, you heard this?”
“Yeah, I heard it. I already heard that after he told me he tried to kiss her.”
“What?” Andre burst out laughing, rolling all over the metal bench. “Game over man, game over! You like that chick!”
“Man, you really need to stop talking about stuff you know nothing about.”
“Tony, you all quiet over there? What you think is wrong with yo boy?”
“Nothing’s wrong with Maxwell; he is just being extra cautious. Something that might have done you some good.”
Andre waved his hand dismissively.
“You said this girl was just gonna be your friend, right? So just bring her to the party and check out if she fits in with your scene. Right, Tony?”
“I hate to say this, but Andre’s right. Just call her and see how it goes. You never know…”
“Never know what?” Maxwell asked.
“It’s obvious that there’s something you like about this girl, or you wouldn’t have tried to kiss her already. All we’re saying is find out more about her, to see if you want to take it further. If you don’t, no harm done, no feelings hurt, you guys will still be friends.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll bring her to your stupid party.”