RIPPED & READY (PART 36)

RIPPED & READY (PART XXXVI)

I arrived home from work early with Anita Charles, my friend from work in tow.  Anita and me became best friends that night she allowed me to sleep on her couch -- the night I busted my step sister Denise and Pops screwing each other a couple of years ago. She was there for me during one of the worst nights of my life.  Over the past several months we had gone out and partied several times at this popular Gay club in Oakland. 

Once inside the apartment, I noticed that Joseph's backpack was sitting on the living room table, along with his lap top.  I also noticed that Lance's things were nestled neatly in the corner beside the long sofa.  Anita looked at me and asked, "Marco, what's up, it looks like you've seen a ghost?"

"No, love, it's worse than a ghost," I told her.  

Right when I was about to fill her in, the sliding glass door of the balcony opened and, Joseph and Lance entered, dripping wet with water, wearing nothing but skimpy bathing suits and these massive smiles (and massive bulges). 

Anita's and my presence startled them.  

"Uh...hey, baby," he said, as he walked over and gave me a quick peck on the lips. 

"Yea, hey, what's happening, Marco," Lance said, strolling over all nonchalantly.  

Sensing the bad vibes, Anita extended her hand and introduced herself to Lance.  "Hi, I'm Anita, Marco's friend from work, nice to meet you...” 

"Lance...pretty lady...Lance Livingston is my name," he said, shaking her hands, focusing on hers and not my eyes.  

Joseph knew this wasn't sitting well with me but, do you think that mofo made things better? No, he announced that he and Lance were going to finish studying in the office (the second bedroom we had set up as a home office).  

"Come on, Lance, grab your stuff," he said, ignoring the glare I had on my face, disappearing down the hall and into the office. 

"Maybe I should go," Anita said.  

"Oh, no, baby-girl, don't you go anywhere.  I need someone here to keep me company," I told her, wrapping my arm around her neck and leading her to the kitchen.  

"Marco, this place is gorgeous," she said. 

"Yea, girl this is home.  What are we going to cook for dinner?" I asked her, in a friendly-but-slightly annoyed tone. 

"I don't know, you pick, you're the cook, remember," she said, opening the freezer, scoping out what we had available.  

I laughed at her and said, "Girl, you pick it out, you've already started searching for something," I told her.  

"MMMM...shrimp!" she exclaimed.  

"Chile, black people know they love themselves some seafood," I told her, giggling, and swatting her on the backside. 

She jumped, "Nigga, you know damn well  I've knocked out some brothas for touching my rear," she said, swaying to the music I had just turned on.  

As we were preparing the meal, we heard intervals of laughter coming from the office.  I was so damn pissed I could've shot fire from my mouth.  I started moving towards the hallway, mumbling, "Oh no, I'll slap..." she grabbed me by one of the loop holes of my pants. 

"Don't...that's the last thing you want to do is make a scene.  Haven't I taught your ass anything boy?" she asked, looking at me with a cat-with-the-canary-in-the mouth grin.  

I looked at her, puzzled. 

"Marco, if you act like a jealous bitch, then he'll get the upper hand.  You and Joseph should have friends outside of your relationship -- don't you know that too much togetherness is like sabotage to any relationship?" she asked, matter-of-factly. 

"Come on, boo-boo, let them have their fun.  Let's just focus on what we're doing and add our own little giggly to the air out here," she said, winking at me.  

The light bulb went on over my head.  "Oh, okay, I get it," I said, churning out some laughter of my own.  

She looked at me with this, bitch-please, look and said, "Don't overdo it, Marco, damn!" she said, pinching me on the ass.  

"Ouch, bitch!" I said.  

Needless to say, I made it through round one, thanks to Anita.  

This shit was far from over though, because the more I tried ignoring their relationship, the more heated I was becoming.  

Fuck all of this game playing shit; I needed Joseph to know that I wasn't pleased with all of this "kee-keeing" behavior taking place.  

We were about to have our first big argument....