After being robbed by a black assailant, white Chicago dentist Mark Cross is hesitant to go out at night, let alone get involved in an interracial relationship, but that’s exactly what happens after he meets Darren Nichols, a black high school teacher and basketball coach. When Mark and Darren are introduced at a party, their attraction to each other is immediate and intense, and they soon begin dating. As their relationship progresses, Mark realizes he loves Darren. But he’s hesitant to ask Darren to move in with him because Darren’s last relationship ended poorly and Darren is scared to get involved with another man so quickly after that experience. Mark also worries he doesn’t live up to Darren’s expectations and fears Darren ultimately longs for a man who isn’t white. And Mark is still haunted by the man who mugged him and harbors fears about black men in general. Despite his worries and insecurities, Mark asks Darren to move in with him and Darren agrees. Though they both bring baggage to their bond, Mark and Darren work hard to build a life together. But when Darren invites over some of the guys he plays basketball with, Mark suspects one of the players, Terrance, is the same man who assaulted him. Mark shares his suspicions with Darren, but Darren isn’t convinced his friend could do something so terrible. Mark is determined to uncover the truth, but will he jeopardize his relationship with Darren in the process?

Pivot

Darren and I had been seeing each other for almost four months when an unexpected visitor showed up at my dental office. I had just finished filling my last cavity of the day when Lori, the receptionist, told me there was a woman waiting to see me.


“No. She said her name is Deena Nichols-Bryant and that you two have a dinner date.”


A chill ran down my spine. I’d never met Darren’s sister. I’d never even talked to her on the phone. I’d seen pictures of her and her daughter Ashley, who looked just like her only smaller and with glasses, but we’d never had any contact. I was slightly freaked out that she’d shown up at my office unannounced. Had she and Darren planned this? I couldn’t imagine him just springing his sister on me without any warning. That wasn’t his style, or at least I didn’t think it was. I wanted to call him, but I knew he had practice with his team that afternoon and I didn’t want to disturb him.


Chapter 6