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

“Brian keeps me out of trouble,” Jay said. “Honestly, I’m surprised he’s still with me given the hell I put him through.”


I knew all about Jay’s escapades with Brian. How he dumped Brian, got married, and had a child while he was still in the closet. How he hooked up with Brian again during his divorce and then fucked things up by sleeping with Brian’s best friend Olivia and fathering a child with her. Yes, Jay and Brian’s relationship had gone through a lot. I also wondered why Brian stayed with him, but Jay could be very persuasive and he tended to get what he wanted. He was also good in bed. Verygood.


“Do you remember the first time we had sex?” Jay asked.


I groaned. “How could I forget? Us squeezed together on that twin bed in my dorm room? You tore my shirt.”


“I know. I’m sorry. I was just so desperate to have you. God, we were so young back then. I barely knew what I was doing.”


Chapter 28