Ten.
“You’re so cute when you’re nervous,” Jules said, wrapping her arms around me from behind, and then peeking past me, into the mirror.
I shook my head, still moving the brush over the tapered sides of my hair. “I’m not nervous. I’m—”
“You’ve been standing here brushing the same spot for like five minutes.”
My hand stopped moving. “Seriously?”
Her arms tightened around my waist as she nodded. “Seriously.”
“Shit,” I said, dropping the brush onto the counter. “I guess I’m nervous.”
She grinned. “Yeah. But it’s okay though. I’d be nervous too, if I were meeting my long-lost twin today.”
Of all the things to kiss, she chose my bicep and then moved on, leaving the bathroom to put her own clothes on while I stood there… being nervous.
From what I could tell from the two phone conversations we’d had, Marshall was cool. A lot like me, actually. Laid back, not really into the party shit anymore, after doing way too much of it in his twenties. He had a fiancé – a fine ass fiancé at that, and he’d been proud as hell to spill the beans about her brand-new pregnancy. Those two pieces of news would’ve made me jealous if I wasn’t so damn happy for him – that’s just how corny I was about this thing. Know a motherfucker for two days, and already hype about a potential niece or nephew. A sister in law.
It was crazy.
But what was craziest?
He lived less than an hour away.
Mahogany Heights was essentially a suburb of the city of Blackwood, which is where I’d taken Jules for dinner, at Honeybee. Marshall lived and worked on the other side of the city – had since he moved back, after college.
All this time, my brother was an hour away, forty minutes without traffic.
When I contacted him – the day after Jules told me he’d reached out – he was out of town, so our reunion had to wait. Today, he was getting off a plane, and instead of going home first he was coming here, since Mahogany Heights was closer to the airport anyway.
And… yeah. I was nervous.
I couldn’t verbalize a good reason for it if I tried, and it wasn’t as if knowing the why would make it go away. Instead of sweating it any further, I left the bathroom to find Jules sitting on my couch, strapping sandals onto her feet.
“So, I’ll see you later, okay?” she told me, standing once she was done. “Remember, I’m gonna pop by UG to check on you, make sure you’re doing okay. Not freaking him out or anything.”
I frowned. “Jules, you know damn well you’re “popping by” UG to be nosy, because you want to see him too. Don’t front.”
“Troy!” she said, fake-gasping like I was lying on her. “Are you implying that I don’t care how this goes for you?”
“Not at all. I’m implying that your ass is nosy.”
“That’s so disrespectful, but I know you’re having a moment, so I’m gonna just let that slide,” she told me, putting a hand on my chest. “I promise, I won’t interrupt if it looks like you’re fine. I’ll peek in, get my coffee, and go.”
“You don’t even drink coffee,” I laughed, swatting her on the butt as she moved away, heading for the door. “But you’re welcome to come say hello.”
She looked back, frowning. “Duh. Why wouldn’t you want your brother to know you were dealing with a woman this fine?”
“Your skirt is on backward, mama.”
She looked down, and laughed. “Thank you,” she said, reaching to turn it to the right direction. “And thank you for breakfast this morning as well.”
“Least I could do after last night,” I told her, with a wink that made her do a little memory-induced wiggle as she bit her lip. There was a whole lot of power in those toned thighs of hers, and I was grateful.
“Let me get out of here before I have to talk you into another ride. Bye,” she said, blowing me a kiss before she breezed through the door to start her morning.
I wasn’t supposed to meet Marshall until eleven, so I spent my first hours of the day at the barbershop. Did a few cuts, laughed at Monty and Russ cutting up, and then headed out at the exact right time to put me at UG at eleven on the dot.
I’d just grabbed a booth for us when he walked in, carrying a duffle bag that probably held his barbering equipment and clothes over his shoulder. It was easy to spot him – he looked just like me. But somehow, it was still a little vertigo-inducing that damn… this dude looked just like me.
Only, me from before I met Jules.
Marshall still had his locs – shoulder length, and just about the same size that mine had been. It was almost comical to see him walk in, and watch people who were familiar with me do a double-take. I stood up, grabbing his attention, and as soon as he spotted me, a wide smile – my smile – spread across his face.
We did just the standard handshake at first, but that shit felt weirdly insufficient, to me at least. I quickly figured out that the feeling was mutual, when Marshall shrugged and then pulled me into a hug that felt much more… adequate.
I hugged him for a long ass time, and he hugged me back, and I really didn’t give a damn what might’ve been going through the heads of anybody around us. The only thing I cared about was that I was finally in front of the person I’d been missing all my life, without even knowing he existed.
“So what’s good bruh?” he asked when we finally broke apart, and sat down. “Literally, my damn brother.”
I laughed as I sat back in my chair, completely free of the nerves that had plagued me that morning. “Man… I can’t call it. You talked to your girl, let her know you landed and all that?”
“First thing I did when I got off the plane. Don’t be surprised if she sneaks her little ass in here. She’s been on ten since I told her about this, and if she can get away from the salon long enough, she would definitely make the drive to lurk and be nosy.”
I shook my head. “Man… I’d laugh if I didn’t have somebody I’m expecting to pop up at any second to “check on me”.”
“The one you told me about? The photographer?”
“Yep. I wouldn’t say she’s on ten, but definitely a strong seven.”
Marshall chuckled. “Just means she gives a damn man. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Not at all. You talked to your parents?” I asked, and Marshall scrubbed a hand over his chin – he didn’t have a full beard like me, opting for a cleaner look instead. Still, I recognized the body language – the exact same nervous shit I did myself.
He did a slow nod. “Yeah, actually. I did.”
It was something he’d mentioned during one of our phone conversations. He’d been adopted as a baby, presumably from the same place that I’d been too. Now that we knew about each other, he wondered why we’d been separated. I had the same question, but those were his parents, so I hadn’t really said much about it, not wanting to influence him either way. But having heard his story, knowing that they gave him a great life, while mine had been drastically different… I wanted to know.
“So what did they say?” I prodded, even though I understood it couldn’t have been an easy conversation. And based on his expression, I doubted it was something I really wanted to hear. But I knew he would tell me anyway.
He shrugged. “It’s… fucked up, honestly. They were always open with me about the adoption, but they never said shit about me having a twin brother.”
“So they knew?”
“Yeah. They knew. My mother broke down in tears over the phone, dad pissed cause I made her cry.”
My eyebrows went up. “Shit, man. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“You’re good, man. It’ll blow over. But, the story is that they went, they saw us, knew they could only afford one kid, so they had to choose. They picked me because they felt bad for me. I was sick, nose running, wouldn’t stop crying. The other baby – you – was calm and collected. Happy. They figured you would easily get chosen by some other family, but me… not so much. They picked me because I was the more pitiful one.”
“Wow.”
Marshall grunted. “Yeah, I had just about the same reaction. I hope you don’t mind – I told them what you told me of your story… that you didn’t have the life they may have liked to think you had. That’s when my mother had to get off the phone, so I was talking to my father. He says that after about a year, you were still on their minds, so they went back. But that agency was gone – had gotten taken over by the state, and all the records were sealed, so they couldn’t find you. This was like thirty years ago, so it’s like… no such thing as a viral tweet to help you out, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it. Hell, even now, something like that probably wouldn’t be easy, so… I’m not mad or anything. I just wanted to know.”
“I understand,” he nodded. “For what it’s worth, my parents are very interested in meeting you. My mother actually sent me a text this morning, since she knew about this meeting. Wanted me to tell you she was sorry, and that she’d love a chance to hug her “long-lost son”. If you’re into that. The shit is weird, I know, so… don’t feel like you gotta do it.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “Nah, man, I’m not gonna play her like that. Honestly… I’m in a place where I’m looking at all of this like a blessing, no complaints. I had some tough times growing up, yeah, not gonna lie, but…” I sighed. “It’s the past. I survived it. I’m here now, and not really trying to look back.”
“That’s what’s up,” Marshall said, reaching across the space between us to dap me up. “I like your attitude about it, and I know they’ll be glad to hear it. They’re big on family, and ready to pull you into it, whenever you’re ready for that. And trust me. Your ass needs to prepare for the Holmes family.”
I chuckled. “Damn, it’s like that?”
“No exaggeration.”
“What do we have here?”
Goddamnit.
I looked up to see Mia standing between our chairs, hands propped on her hips.
“Troy, you never told me you had a fine ass brother. How are you?” she asked, addressing Marshall with an outstretched hand, which he politely accepted – wrong damn move, because she took it as a license to sit down on the arm of his chair. “I’m Mia,” she purred. “You are?”
“Marshall Holmes,” he told her, extricating his hand from hers when she didn’t release it in a normal amount of time. His eyebrows furrowed together, and he looked at me, asking, “Is this the photographer?”
“Hell no,” Mia and I said, at the same time, in the same disgusted tone.
Speaking of Jules though, I glanced around, hoping she wasn’t going to walk in when Mia was around, stirring up trouble just for the hell of it.
“We’re trying to have a conversation here,” I told her, trying to be polite instead of outright telling her to get her ass on somewhere.
Instead of moving, she sucked her teeth. “Shit, so am I. Tell me about yourself Marshall” she added, her tone much different than the one she’d used with me. “Are you moving to the Heights, or just visiting? Either way… I could show you around.” She leaned toward him as she spoke, and he leaned back, making me proud. He recognized Mia for exactly the kind of trouble she’d become – a problem he wasn’t interested in having.
“Just visiting sweetheart, and I’m pretty sure my brother over there has the grand tour handled. And besides that, I feel like you should know I’m happily engaged.”
Mia laughed. “What, are you afraid your girl is gonna walk in and see me? All I’m doing is sitting here. No need for her to be jealous.”
“This is nice and cozy, isn’t it?”
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
When I looked to see Jules, her expression was completely cool, but I knew her just enough to know her annoyed tone, even if it seemed normal to everybody else.
She was pissed.
“Oh, it’s you,” Mia drawled, rolling her eyes. “Can we help you? This is a private conversation.”
Jules’ eyebrow went up. “I couldn’t agree more, so maybe you should see your way out of it. Or do you just thrive on imposing your energy where it isn’t wanted?”
“What are you trying to say?” Mia asked, standing up.
Still, Jules was unmoved, except for the slightest one-shouldered shrug. “I’m saying they don’t want to talk to you. Couldn’t you tell by their body language, or hell – the looks on their faces? But then again, you aren’t very good at catching hints are you? I mean, you were in the salon talking about Troy’s sex that you haven’t had in a year – and getting it wrong, by the way – so maybe you’re just dense.”
“Wait a minute, what?” I asked, as Mia flushed bright red, obviously embarrassed. I glanced over at Marshall to see his hand cupped over his mouth, clearly trying not to laugh about this shit.
“Let me tell you something,” Mia started, stomping in Jules’ direction.
“Girl, don’t you bring your ass within swinging distance of me with any bullshit, I promise you I’ll wipe your eyebrows off. Try me.”
Mia huffed, but she stopped short of getting in Jules’ face. “I have better things to do, and better company than this I could be keeping.”
“Then go do it, duh,” Jules said as Mia stormed off, then turned to where Marshall was still sitting. “I am so sorry about that,” she told him, extending a hand. “I would say that I’m not usually like that, but that’s not exactly true. I’m Jules, and I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re good,” he said, accepting her hand, but still standing to pull her into a hug. “You must be the photographer, and that was thoroughly entertaining. Nice to meet you Jules, I’m Marshall.”
“Nice to meet you too. You are just as tall and fine as Troy, like in real life. Wow.”
Marshall laughed, peeking around her to tell me, “Yeah, y’all will fit in just fine with the Holmes family.”
Her eyebrows went up as she turned to face me. “Family?”
“I’ll tell you all about it later,” I told her, and she smiled.
“Definitely looking forward to that.” She looked back to Marshall. “Again, nice to meet you, and sorry you had to see me act a little ugly with that… woman. I’m gonna head out, and let you boys get back to your conversation.”
I stood quickly, grabbing her hand before she could walk off. “Actually, let me holla at you for a second before you go. Marshall – you good with that?”
“Handle your business, bruh. I’m gonna see what this menu is talking about.”
I gave him a nod, and then led Jules to the back, where I knew we could get some relative privacy. Noticing that one was open, I pulled her into one of the private bathrooms, closing and locking the door behind us.
“You’re mad that I went at Mia like that in front of your brother,” Jules blurted before I could even say anything, and started pacing back and forth. “I know. It was horrible, and he probably thinks I’m—”
“Jules, no,” I laughed. “I’m not pressed about that. I threatened to put your ex in the hospital, you threatened to wipe mine’s makeup off. I think we’re good.”
She groaned. “But in front of him, when it’s your first meeting, I just… I’m so sorry, I just saw her sitting there, so close to the two of you, and I saw red, like how dare she!”
“Aww, you were jealous?” I asked, making her scowl.
“It’s not funny. I’m really distraught about this.”
I grabbed her arms, making her face me. “Don’t be. That’s not even remotely why I pulled you back here. I just wanted to tell you… thank you for encouraging me to go through with this. If it wasn’t for you, this wouldn’t be happening right now – hell, maybe not ever. I want you to understand how much I appreciate this. How much I appreciate you.”
A little smile spread across her face. “Oh. Oh, well…” She shrugged. “I just wanted you to be happy.”
“Yeah… I know.”
I moved my hands up to her face, pulling her into a kiss. Her fists twisted in the sides of my tee shirt as she pressed closer, and I kissed her again… and again… and again. When I finally pulled back, she was looking at me with this look that made me kiss her again… and again, and then her hands were cupping me through my jeans. And then the next thing I knew, she was sitting on the counter with her panties off, skirt around her waist while I ripped into a condom wrapper from my wallet.
Since I knew better now.
She groaned as I sank into her, immediately wrapping her legs around my hips to pull me tight against her. “We gotta make it quick,” she breathed into my ear as I plunged deep, and stayed there. “Think you can make me cum, and not keep your brother waiting?”
“Is that a challenge?” I asked, smirking as I pressed my thumb against her clit, knowing it was a surefire way to get her there, quickly. When she nodded, I gave her a long, deep stroke that pulled a sharp yelp from her throat, and grinned. “Challenge accepted.”
Her head fell back as she clutched at my shoulders, biting her lip to keep from screaming as I slammed into her, over and over again. Ten minutes later, she was digging into my biceps hard enough to draw blood as her body tensed and quaked with an orgasm, and I went through the last few strokes to finish myself off too.
Jules was all smiles as we separated to clean ourselves up, but something about her eyes was… off.
“You good?” I asked her, and she nodded. “You sure?” I pressed, and she nodded again.
“Yeah. Just gotta go do some family stuff,” she said, which set off an alarm bell for me.
I turned her toward me, catching her as she was unlocking the door. “You need me to come with you?”
“What? No,” she insisted. “You have your own family stuff to handle. And Jules is a big girl, so… no. I’ll see you when I get back though, if you’re not out tearing the town up with your twin. Y’all are so damn fine, wow.”
I knew she was trying to use humor as a distraction, but I figured that if she needed something from me, she would say it – that was the kind of girl Jules was.
So instead of pushing it, I nodded, giving her a kiss before I opened the door to let us out. I didn’t have a great feeling about it, but I knew I couldn’t force her to do something she didn’t want to.
I just hoped I wasn’t going to end up wishing I’d tried.