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

“Don’t come here again, because I won’t be so nice the next time,” he said before turning his back to me and walking away.


Darren was arguing with someone over the phone in Spanish when I got home. My first thought was that Carlos had called him. Shit. I should have known better than to ask for discretion from my boyfriend’s ex. When Darren saw me, he immediately lowered his voice and started speaking English.


“Mark just walked in,” he told the caller. “I’m hanging up now, okay?” He put the phone down and turned to me. “Why’d you go to Carlos’s shop?”


Fuck. Even though I was seething inside, I played it cool and shrugged. “I wanted some information on Terrance.”


“I told you everything you needed to know about Terrance. Besides, I thought you were done with this whole thing. Why can’t you just leave shit alone?”


“Was that Carlos on the phone?” I asked, ignoring the question.


“No, it was the fucking President. Of course it was Carlos!”


Chapter 37