A Lesson Learned

Chapter 14: The Game of Trade

Over the next few months things between Darius and Ahmad seemed to have gotten better for the most part. Ahmad was now allowed to hang out with his friends, with Darius' approval of course, and Darius managed to see Ahmad almost everyday even though he was engaged, expecting a kid, and still slept with several people a week.

On this particular day, Ahmad was posted outside Darius's and his apartment waiting on late ass Navarre as usual. Sulking in boredom, he flipped through his cell phone deciding to send a few texts to people he hadn't spoken to awhile.

After sending a text to Shelly, and a few old friends, Ahmad found himself scrolling over Maxwell's name and becoming very curious to how the man was doing.

Meanwhile on the other side of Harlem, Navarre found himself quite preoccupied, in his apartment sprawled out on his bed, as if it was his own, was none other than Winston. Much to Navarre's regret, Winston was fully clothed rolling a blunt and talking to some chick on the phone all the while Navarre was searching for his wallet so he could leave and go meet up with Ahmad. But Navarre didn't really want to leave, he was rather enjoying being in Winston's presence. The man was such a thugged out turn on, and kept Navarre quite entertained as well. But at the moment Navarre felt a little jealous that while Winston was in his presence physically, his mind was occupied by whoever was on the other end of the phone.

"So baby when am I going to get to see you again," Winston asked the caller stretching out his legs and reaching in his pants to adjust his crotch. Navarre stole a glance and found himself getting excited as he saw the large imprint in Winston's jeans. Not trying to get caught. Navarre went back to looking for his wallet.

"You lying, you know I wasn't talking to no other bitch in the club that night," Winston said into the receiver then looked over at Navarre inquisitively, "Nigga what you looking for?"

Not sure if Winston was talking to him Navarre looked over to him with a blank expression. "You talking to me?" He whispered.

"Yeah dummy, what you lost?" Winston asked.

"My wallet nigga and watch ya mouth up in here," Navarre said picking up one his pillows and throwing it at Winston.

Winston chuckled and got up from the bed and continued his phone conversation, "So I'm saying when you gon stop making up excuses and go out with me again? I know you ain't on no shit that happened in the club, cuz you know how that go. I'm saying though, you act like niggas don't be up in your face in club? So what's the difference when a girl be up in mine? Don't mean I'm fucking her!"

Navarre couldn't help but be amused at the way Winston spoke to the girl, he imagined that the girl was falling for the lines as he probably would just because Winston had a way of making people feel dumb. Winston and Navarre continued to search the room for Navarre's wallet while Winston talked on the phone. Suddenly, Winston noticed Navarre's wallet in the corner of the room under a pile of clothes. Winston picked up the wallet from the floor and hid it in his back pocket deciding to have a little fun.

Back on the stoop, Ahmad chuckled as he read a text from Maxwell. The man certainly was still intriguing to him.

'So I'm saying when can we chill again?' Maxwell texted suddenly causing Ahmad to skip a heartbeat. Could he be in Maxwell's presence alone and not be tempted to cheat on Darius?

'I dunno I've been quite busy,' Ahmad responded unsure if he wanted to go down that route. He knew there was still chemistry between him and Maxwell though he tried to assure himself and everyone around him that they were just old friends. The friendship they shared was compassionate, and the kiss was unforgettable.

'Word? To busy to even chill with me?' Maxwell asked.

Ahmad felt bad, and felt foolish. He could go out with Max and nothing would happen if he didn't want anything to happen. Besides they were old friends and could become that again.