It was the next day and I couldn't even sit still in class. My legs were bouncing and I couldn't stop myself from smiling. My teammate Johnny was even looking at me like I was going crazy.

"Hey dude," Johnny whispered, "Calm down it's only math."

I smiled leaning over to whisper back, "Math is not what I'm concentrating on right now. I have somewhat of a dick appointment tonight."

"What!" Johnny yelled excited, forgetting that we were in the middle of class. The whole class turned towards us looking as if we were on drugs. The teacher looked at us with a furrowed brow and asked," What is going on?"

"Nothing Mr. Turner," I answered, "We just saw some writing in the text book that wasn't really appropriate."

"That doesn't mean disrupt my class. Next time keep it down."

I just nodded as everyone reverted their attention back to the board. Mr. Turner was a young teacher but he was really strict especially towards me. Johnny leaned in again looking at the board and said, "You finally have another ass to bang. I'm so proud."

I laughed as I pretended to take down notes. Johnny always was the one I would tell my hoe adventures to. Since he was the only other gay person on the team, him and I grew close. Well not as close as me and Darrius but I could talk to him about the men I was sleeping with in detail without the groans of disgust.

"Is it with Caleb's brother?" He asked shocking me. My eyes widened as I asked," How do you know?"

"I've never heard you talk about a guy more than you talk about him. It makes me jealous."

I laughed and said, "I don't talk about him that much."

"Your exact words are he is so fine that I want to eat his vanilla ass," Johnny said trying to contain his laughter. I playfully hit him laughing. Then he turned his head to me and stared at what I was wearing.

"Off the subject, your clothes are so fucking crazy bro," he stated, "Where you get them from?"

I looked down at the outfit I was wearing. It was a simple loose fitting black t-shirt with a grey bomber jacket and blue jeans. Nothing special about it but according to the many compliments it was everything and more.

"Oh, I got the shoes from somewhere, but I made the clothes," I said. Johnny's green eyes opened wide with shock.

"I swear you and this designing clothes thing are a match made in heaven," he said touching my jacket, "I don't think my own grandma can stitch this good."

I rolled my eyes just as the bell ringed to go to lunch. This meant that Darrius and Caleb were going to be outside of D's locker sucking face. My theory was proven correct just as Johnny and I left class going towards his locker. Darrius was against the locker with his hands-on Caleb's side just as Caleb had his arms around him locking lips. I could see them smile into their kisses just really enjoying each other.

"They never quit do they," Johnny asked laughing. I shook my head just as Marcus approached them, thumping Darrius on the forehead. Caleb laughed as Darrius tried to thump him back but failing.

"Okay break it up," I yelled from down the hall, "Are y'all ready for lunch?"

"Yea," Marcus said smiling before quickly frowning. I knew who was approaching as Marcus walked away.

"Hey guys," I heard Evan's soft baritone voice before he appeared from behind Johnny looking as if a truck had ran straight through his life. He had been having it pretty rough, seeing as how Gabrielle was making his life a living hell. She has been going around saying she was going to make him pay for what he did and that now she has something to hold over his head forever. I hated girls like that especially since Evan really didn't deserve it.

I understood that my friends had an issue with him because of what he did to Marcus but I don't know. I guess it hit a soft spot for me that he wanted to be a part of his child's life and she was making it hard on him. Plus, he barely had any friends now that he came out over the winter break. However, it felt like I was betraying my friends by even feeling sorry for him and that's the reason why I ignored him when he walked by.

Caleb stopped him to talk while Darrius walked over towards Johnny and me. He rolled his eyes once he approached us and said," I still don't understand why he is still friends with dude. He a bitch man."

"You still going on about that," Johnny laughed as he dapped hands with Darrius, "I thought you would be over that by now."

We begin our walk towards the cafeteria, passing Caleb and Evan, as Darrius said, "You know me, once you disrespect my family it's over. There is no forgiveness or anything. He disrespected my boyfriend and my brother too many times. So, no I will never get over that. Chris know how it is."

I just nodded in Johnny's direction. I didn't want to say anything that would cause an argument before I went over Harry's house tonight. I could already feel myself blushing at the idea of spending the night with him. Not even thinking about getting anything to eat, I walked to the team table not really caring where I was going.

That's when I bumped into him. Daniel Henry, the best quarterback in the state. He is also the worst person I have ever known. He pulled back looking at who had dared to even touch him before he realized it was me. He smirked at me biting his lips before saying, "Chris? How have you been?"

"Great, now move," I said pushing him out the way only to feel him aggressively grab my arm. He leaned a little closer and whispered sensually, "You know you still can call me whenever. I've been dying to get back in that ass."

There was a time that if he would have said that to me I would have had an erection for the entire day. However, knowing what kind of a person he is now, it only made me push him away in disgust. He wasn't even shocked by my reaction as he walked away with a smile. My face burned with so much hatred that when Darrius approached me, he stood back for a few seconds before he stuttered, "I-I-I got you sum."

I looked at the sloppy joe on his tray and slightly smiled at my best friend for thinking about me. He gave me a small smile and then he turned towards where Daniel had sat down. He scoffed as we walked our way to our round table. Once we sat down he asked, "So is he bothering you again?"

"No," I answered, "He is just being an ass like always but I'm starving."

I reached to take my sandwich off but Darrius swiftly took hold of my wrist. I looked up into his brown orbs as he said, "Don't do it."

"Do what," I asked confused.

"What you always do," he answered. He let go of my wrist and I waited for a moment before getting my sandwich. He continued to stare me down until Caleb approached the table with Marcus and Johnny.

Caleb cuddled up next to Darrius while Marcus sat next to me. Marcus's friend, Kevin, came over to join us just as the rest of the basketball team sat down. As everyone settled, I saw Evan go out into the hallway with his tray. I felt for the guy. He had no friends to sit with and his only friend has decided to sit at a table full of people that don't like him.

"Hey Chris," I heard Caleb call me, "My brother said that you are supposed to be coming over for dinner tonight."

The fact that Caleb knew caught me off guard. Well, seeing as they are close I could have probably guessed it. So, I hesitatingly answered, "Yeah I am supposed to. Why?"

He smiled and said, "He invited Darrius too. He wants us to have a dinner with his boyfriend."

Johnny almost choked on the water he was drinking as my heart just fell on to the table. Darrius rolled his eyes and sweetly said, "I thought I was going to tell him that baby."

"Well you were taking too long," Caleb stated, "Plus he obviously didn't know that Roman was still in town."

"You mean old dude that you told me about in class D," Tre asked still chomping down on his sloppy joe, "Yea that's gonna be funny."

"Shut up stupid," Darrius yelled before smiling towards Caleb, "But baby, Chris and I had a plan."

"Chris is just going to have to win my brother fair and square D," Caleb stated playfully looking at both of us, "You know how I feel about cheating."

Darrius smile broke into a frown. He sucked his teeth and stared at his boyfriend before saying, "Yea I know."

The only thing that could be heard around the table was chewing and the loud voices around the rest of the cafeteria. Everyone knew about the drama that happened that night with Alicia. The way Caleb ran out and the mess Darrius was after. That was one of the worse moments of Darrius's life that he probably wouldn't mind forgetting.

Everyone knew not to make eye contact but Tre. His eyes moved back and forth between Darrius and Caleb while still eating his sandwich. Then once he swallowed he said, "Y'all going to finish y'all food though? Cuz Caleb sitting over there actin' like he can't eat."

Darrius sucked his teeth before handing Tre his sloppy joe while I chewed on mine. Not even this sandwich could take away the anger I felt. Why didn't Harry tell me this? Well maybe because he doesn't have my number but still. I feel silly for thinking that there was even an opening for us to even try something. Caleb was probably right as well. I don't need to try to break up someone else's relationship. That would make me as bad as Alicia. No one wants to be as bad as Alicia.

So, I should just go to this dinner and suck up whatever feelings I have. Maybe Roman isn't that bad. I never really got to talk to him and I wanted to see if he is okay for Harry. So, I turned to my friend's boyfriend and said, "I'll be there tonight, hopefully Harry is cooking."

***

The room was dead silent as everyone sat around the white marble dinner table. No one had reached for anything on the table because Roman was taking a call out in the hall. However, I don't think even if he was sitting in here we would. The aroma of the food filled up the entire house. I didn't know if it was fish, shrimp, or whatever sea urchin lurking but it smelled like hot garbage water.

I looked across at Darrius who had his black shirt pulled over his mouth and nose. Caleb was looking at the different foods trying to figure out which one smelled but pulled back from every dish scrunching up his face.

Harry cleared his throat and spoke, "Doesn't this look great! I mean Roman prepared unique dishes from different countries for you guys."

"You sure he didn't get the recipe wrong?" Darrius said uncovering his mouth, "They have a very...unique smell."

I laughed at my best friend before Harry sighed and said, "Look, be nice. He tried and the food doesn't look that bad."

Darrius furrowed his brow and said, "What food you looking at? He burnt half of what's on this table."

"Maybe that's how it's made D," Caleb interjected.

"I don't think nobody in the world orders extreme blacken food baby."

"Shh I think he is off the phone," Harry warned us. I heard his footsteps coming from the other end of the room. He appeared in his usual suit and tie but this time it was gray. He smiled bright as he walked down towards Harry where I left a seat for him.

"I hope you guys didn't start eating without me," he joyfully said sitting down, "I wanted to see the look on everyone's faces when they took their first bite."

The room was still filled with fear, disgust, and that over powering odor. How could he not be smelling this? Maybe because he was around it all day. However, I couldn't look like the bad guy. Darrius would probably love it and Caleb would just think it was mean. So, I stayed quiet.

I could feel Harry's gaze on me though. The one time I looked he had mouthed that he was sorry but I tried not to look his way anymore. It was just fucking hard. The man was wearing a black button down with khaki slacks that showed an amazing outline of his booty. Not to mention his face is just icing on top of a marvelous cake that I would like to devour.

Pushing me out of my head, I heard Roman say, "So who wants to try the first dish?"

"What?" Darrius said with his eyes going wide, "You really think this food is actually edible?"

A laugh escaped my lips before I could catch it but I pretended it was a cough. I could see a slight smile appear across Harry's face before he fixed it. Roman stared at Darrius and said, "Yes, it is. So why not give it a try?"

Darrius looked around the room and his eyes landed on me. He motioned for me to get a piece of one of the dish that looked like it was either chicken, fish, or both. I nervously shook my head and he said, "Oh come on Chris don't be shy, you said that you wanted to taste his food."

All eyes were on me now but I couldn't eat this shit first. So, turning to my lying friend I smiled and said, "No, it's not my home. Maybe Caleb should eat some first."

"He is right baby," Darrius stated pushing the food towards Caleb, "You said that you wanted to be nice."

Caleb looked so betrayed as his eyes and mouth shot opened. Then he said, "He isn't my boyfriend! Harry, you should take the first bite!"

Harry's smile quickly turned into a glare. He looked at his boyfriend who nodded agreeing with Caleb. He looked at me but I couldn't save him from his sudden death. Even though I would miss him, I still had my life to live. He smiled awkwardly looking at the food before he picked up his fork. I could see him shaking before scooping up a piece. We looked on intensely as he ate it. Then in the next moment, he was spitting it out on to his plate.

I laughed so hard as he drank his water down to the last drop. Darrius and Caleb followed my lead, leaning on each other so they wouldn't fall off their chairs. The only person that wasn't laughing was Roman. He looked almost ready to kill Harry.

I settled down enough to speak, "Hey come on Ro, don't be as sour as your food now."

"Ugh!" he groaned rolling his eyes, "This is the last time I will ever try to do anything nice. It's clear you people don't appreciate effort."

"Now hold up Roman," Harry begin wiping his mouth, "The guys didn't say they didn't appreciate the effort. They just knew that they didn't want to eat it."

"So now you are taking up for him? Ha! Figures."

I was confused now. It had become quiet but I could feel the tension rising. I wasn't sure if he was angry at us laughing or something else.I looked at Caleb and Darrius only to see that they were just as confused as me.

"Roman. Don't start with this today," Harry sternly stated turning to us, "Guys tell him that you appreciate his effort."

"Of course we do," Caleb said.

"It was a fail but at least you tried," Darrius said earning a punch in the arm from Caleb before he groaned, "I mean...yea you appreciated."

Roman then turned to me, ignoring what they said and asked, "What are you doing here?"

He had attitude dripping from every word making me feel like whatever I said he was going to get pissed off about it. I was being singled out and Darrius was the first to see the uneasiness in my face. He knew I hated these situations and my mouth didn't know any better when placed in them. So, with the same amount of attitude I answered, "I've been sitting here this whole time and you want to ask what I'm doing here?"

"I mean better late than never right," he said folding his arms, "You obviously don't have any ties to family except your friend over there. So, tell me who you are here for?"

"What are you talking about?" I irritatingly asked before Darrius interrupted me to say, "Who wants pizza? Everyone? Okay, Chris let's go to the kitchen and- "

"No, he still hasn't answered my question yet," Roman said putting his hand up to stop Darrius. He turned back to me confident that I wouldn't bust his fucking jaw. I grinned before I heard Darrius say warningly to Roman, "You really don't want him to answer that."

"Pizza sounds really great," Harry said trying to get the tension to come back down, "What toppings do you guys want?"

"Chris answer my question," Roman's voice sounded like he was trying to command me to do something. At this point being quiet wasn't an option. He obviously had a problem with me, even though I had only met him yesterday. I have not even given him reason not to like me. Okay maybe about Harry but still I wasn't making it obvious that I wanted him. I wasn't throwing myself at him or anything. I was literally sitting there just being quiet. You know what? If he wants drama, well he picked the right person.

I turned to him straight faced with my fist balled on the table and said, "I really don't know why you have a problem with me but I'm going to ask you to kill that shit. Dead."

"Excuse m- "

"I've been sitting here all-night quiet as a motherfucka not saying one thing to you but to only joke about your food, which everyone was doing by the way. But naw you wanted to single me out and for what? Because you saw me in the house yesterday."

He didn't say anything and it proved to me that's what it was. My irritation was evident as I continued, "I don't know you and you don't know me. So, I'm not going to hit you because you look like the type of nigga that press charges. I'm just going to tell you to stop coming for me the way you have been because honestly you wouldn't want to see me mad."

I could only hear the heater running as I finished. The look of pure anger on Roman's face said it all. He wasn't going to be accepting my presence but he didn't say anything else as I turned around.

Everyone stared at me except for Darrius who just stared at Roman and said, "I told you."

I breathed in before clapping my hands together and said, "I sense that my presence here is unwanted and I don't stay where I'm not wanted."

I pulled back my chair, getting up as Darrius protested, "Come on Chris don't leave."

"Naw man y'all have a nice dinner and I'll go home and cook something that won't have me  throwing up."

With that last insult, I took my leave.I could hear footsteps coming towards me as Roman said, "Why are going after him?"

"Because he is my guest and I don't want him to leave," I heard Harry say as I was half way to the door.

"If he wants to leave he can leave Harry," I faintly heard as I opened the door. I was just done with the night. My gut was telling me not to come but like a dumb dumb I went against it. However, it wasn't about to end like this.

Getting into my car, I decided to call up Johnny. He was probably doing homework for some advanced class he was in but when I called he instantly picked up.

"Yo!" He answered.

"You want to go out tonight?" I asked. I could only hear his breathing before he said, "What happened to the dinner?"

Just then I saw that Darrius was also trying to call me but I ignored him and said, "Didn't go as planned and I need something to take my mind off of it."

"Uhm, I gotta get the keys from my dad but I'm game. What are we doing tonight?"

"That new club downtown that just opened and I've been dying to go."

There was a new LGBT club called MiXXXed and judging by the triple X's, there were some parts that weren't for the faint hearted. But it said it was 18 and older so why not go and get this dinner out of my head. Telling from Johnny's huge gasp, he was up for it too.

"I heard it's huge on the inside. I'm most definitely going."

"Great be ready in about an hour so we can hang out before we go."

He told me bye before hanging up but Darrius was still calling me. Guess who still didn't answer? It kind of hurt that I was still at the house and no one came out to check on me. Not even my best friend but it's okay. Since I already started my car, I begin my drive home, and prayed for a better ending to this night.