The Heat Seekers

“Maybe all they want is a real relationship.”

“Man, you’re living on Fantasy Island.” Dvontè rolled his

eyes. “What type of real relationship starts out with a woman sucking a damn dick on the first date? If she’ll blow me, she’ll blow any man who comes along.”

“That’s not even true!” Geren couldn’t believe Dvontè and his immature mentality. “See, it’s brothas like you that give good men like me a bad name.”

“You may be a good man, but you’re also a pussyless man. That’s why you’re trying to work off some of that sexual tension on the court. You’re here because you couldn’t get any sexin’ last night.”

Geren was on the brink of getting irate. “I really like Tempest! I enjoy her company, and I’ve already made plans to see her again next weekend.”

“Whoopty-do! Maybe she’ll even let you cop a feel or two, if you’re lucky.”

“I’m not concerned about that. Tempest and I will be together when the time is right for both of us, and not a second before. Sure, I wanted to be with her last night intimately, but she’s been hurt by too many brothas. I’m determined to show her what real men act like.”

Dvontè pulled the goggles down over his eyes, trying to mask the anger in them. “So you’re saying I’m not a real man?”

Geren adjusted his own goggles. “If the shoe fits.”

Dvontè took his racquet out of the casing. “Just because I don’t believe in kissing a woman’s feet and shit doesn’t make me any less of a man than you.”

“Maybe not, but the fact I can whup your ass on this racquetball court does.” Geren smirked, as he issued the challenge.

“We’ll just see about that!”

CHAPTER 9

rollerblading hell

geren picked Tempest up at noon, and it took every ounce of self-control he had not to fall out laughing when she opened up the door. She looked more like she was going to battle than Rollerblading. She was wearing a silver bike helmet with arm, elbow, shoulder and knee pads. The black spandex crop top and bike shorts looked mighty appealing to him though. He got an instant rise in his shorts.

“You sure you have enough protection on?” he asked her jokingly, after they were settled in his car and headed out.

She eyed him up and down before putting on her black Oakleys. “I don’t know. I might need something else to protect me from you.”

“Hmm, I see.” Geren wanted to reach over and rub her knee but was afraid he would draw back a stub. “So you go Rollerblading all the time, huh?”

“I never said I go all the time,” Tempest answered, smacking her lips. “Maybe a couple of times a month or so.”

“I see.”

“Is that all you can say? I see?”

“Well, I do have one other question,” Geren stated, glancing over his shoulder while they waited at a stoplight. He took a good, long look at the Rollerblades Tempest tossed on the back floor when she got in. “Those skates look brand-new. Are you sure you’ve been blading before?”

“Geren, are you accusing me of fabrication?” Tempest took her glasses back off, looking like she wanted to go upside his head. “Because if that is what you’re insinuating, you might as well turn this car around and take my ass back home right now.” She realized she was busted as far as the skates, so she added, “As a matter of fact, those are a new pair. My old ones are too worn so I decided to get some new ones. Is that a crime?”

“No, not at all. I was just won—”

“It’s not like I asked you to pay for them or anything,” she continued. “I can spend my money on anything I like.”

“I never said you couldn’t.” Geren was getting pissed. She was carrying the drama a bit too far. “Look, I’m sorry aiight?”

Tempest sucked her gums, rolled her eyes, and replaced her glasses. “Well, okay then.”

They were both speechless, so Geren threw in a Jerrold Dameon CD. He was quickly realizing that there were two Tempests; the nice one and the bitchy one. Heaven help him, but he was still intrigued and wanted to get to know her better, regardless of her evil twin.

“So, Geren, where are we going blading anyway?” Tempest stressed the word blading, trying to prove she was an expert on the subject. “Haines Point? Rock Creek Park?”