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

“Hey,” Darren said as he approached Carlos.


“Hey,” Carlos said. “The Blazer’s parked out back.”


Carlos looked long and hard at me and my car before turning back to Darren.


“You going to introduce me?” he asked.


Darren sighed. “Carlos, this is Mark. Mark, Carlos.”


Carlos put his hand out for me to shake. I was surprised it was clean. Well, there was dirt beneath his fingernails, but the hand itself was clean. I figured he must have scrubbed before we got there.


He gave me a nod and a quick hand squeeze before turning back to Darren. They talked about the work done on the Blazer, something involving the water pump. I tuned out then and was about to get back into my own car when Carlos said something that made me snap to attention.


“You’ve got some mail at the house,” he told Darren. “Why don’t you stop by tonight and get it.”


Chapter 18