I stared between City Boy and Country Boy as they did the Date Night with The Lost Boys introduction. They barely said hello when I entered the studio. Carlos arrived two minutes after I did, and he was the one who set me up at the microphone and tested my headphone. He was on the other side of the glass, but I could see him clearly. Everything seemed simple enough, but my head was spinning. I eyed City Boy, the baby-faced asshole with curly, reddish-brown hair and Country Boy, the tall, lanky jerk with dimples, as they sat across the table. While the two men looked like they’d be harmless, the reality was that they were toxic.

“…and without further ado, we have Date Night adversary, A. Bishara, in the building,” City Boy announced leaning into the microphone. “Welcome!”

“Adversary is right. And thank you,” I returned staring daggers into him.

“Oh, you want to get right to it, I see,” Country Boy chuckled, looking at me with amusement. “But before we give you a chance to tell us what your problem is with us, we need to take some calls and emails.”

“Let’s give our listeners a little back story on A. Bishara.” City Boy grinned. “She wrote an article attacking us, folks. She said that we were toxic and that we gave out bad advice. When that wasn’t enough, she did it again in another article. It’s like she’s obsessed with us.”

“Stage-five clinger,” Country Boy added.

“Definitely,” City Boy laughed. “So, now that you’re caught up on who our guest is and what her jaded perspective is, let’s get started with your emails and calls.”

“We’re ready to show her that we’re not who she says we are,” Country Boy cheered.

I shook my head. “I’ve listened to enough—”

“Sorry, sweetheart, your mic isn’t on,” City Boy interrupted me with a smug grin. “We’ll turn it on when it’s time for you to do more than just sit here and look pretty.”

“I didn’t want to be the one to break it up, but now that City Boy has opened the door: A. Bishara… not bad.” He stood so he could see more of me. “Not bad at all.”

“Fellas, come on,” Carlos spoke up, his jaw clenched. “Let’s show the lady some respect.”

“Los Cabos, the diplomat,” Country Boy groaned. “We’re paying her a compliment.”

He looked from me to them. “Let’s just get to the emails.”

“Someone is in a mood tonight,” Country Boy joked, looking at City Boy for backup.

City Boy was staring at me. “I think I know why Los Cabos is getting bent out of shape.” He paused for a beat too long. “You know he likes to keep us on time.”

“That’s the truth,” Country Boy agreed.

“So, let’s get to it.” He looked down at a piece of paper. “First up, we have GreatestShowman27. His email says: What’s the best advice you can give me to meet women and score a date? I’m a pretty good-looking guy. I have a good job. I dress well. But I’ve never been good with striking up conversations with women. I get nervous and I end up going home early—and alone. What are some ways I can score a date? Or even some regular ass? It’s been so long, I’m okay with either at this point.”

I looked around the room as I braced myself for ignorance.

“Well,” City Boy started. “This right here is a common issue with lots of men, so this is a perfect place to start.” He winked at me. “Give our guest a taste.”

I rolled my eyes. Country Boy stifled a laugh, avoiding eye contact with me. Carlos sat back, expressionless.

“GreatestShowman27, you’re a good-looking dude with no game. Sounds like you feel intimidated by women. You have put pussy and women on a pedestal, and that’s why you’re having such a hard time. You need to remember that women are just people. If you see a woman and you think she’s out of your league, level the playing field. If you’re nervous, make her nervous. If you’re feeling like a seven, make her feel like a six. You have to feel like you have the upper hand. Once you feel like you have the power in the situation, all your nerves and anxiety will disappear.” City Boy looked around. “Let’s see what the boys think. Los? Country?”

“I have to say I agree with City Boy,” Country Boy stated, nodding aggressively. “You have to level the playing field. If you think she’s better than you or too good for you, you’ll never be comfortable enough to make a move. Even if it’s just in the beginning.”

I sighed loudly to convey my displeasure.

“GreatestShowman27, you should work on your self-esteem, man,” Carlos chimed in. “Your focus shouldn’t even be on getting a date or a one-night stand. Your focus should be on you. Women like a confident man, so until you figure out how to channel your confidence, you won’t have the success in meeting women that you’re seeking.”

“The man is trying to get some ass, Los! You’re always trying to mentor somebody! If the man wants ass, let him have ass,” Country Boy joked, causing City Boy to laugh.

Carlos chuckled to himself. “You know I’m right though.”

“I know working on himself is important, but you can’t tell me it’s better than pussy,” City Boy responded before looking at me. “Oh, excuse me, vagina.”

I knew he was hoping for a reaction out of me and I refused to give it to him. I just stared at him, expressionless, taking in all his bullshit.

“City Boy, chill,” Carlos cautioned.

“I’m speaking the truth! Back me up, Country.” City Boy looked to his left.

“Like I said, if the man wants ass, let him have ass.” Country Boy shrugged. “Maybe you need to get some ass, Los. Maybe that’s why you think this man should write daily affirmations or some shit instead of running game and fucking. When was the last time Los got some?”

My eyes darted to Carlos. Ummmmm…

“Good point!” City Boy exclaimed, hyping the situation up. “Let’s talk about it! When was the last time you got some? I don’t mind answering. For me, it was last night.”

“For me, it was this morning,” Country Boy interjected.

City Boy howled. “So, Los, let’s talk about it. How long has it been? Your dry spell could help somebody out. Even good-looking, confident dudes go through dry spells, and the world needs to know about it!”

“Maybe Los Cabos is really GreatestShowman27,” Country Boy clowned before succumbing to raucous laughter. Everyone joined in while I sat silently holding on to the truth about Carlos’s dry spell. Country Boy shook his head once he caught his breath. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. It’s funny because nothing intimidates Los. I know it doesn’t sound like it, but Los has game.”

“When you’re confident in yourself, you don’t need game,” Carlos countered, redirecting the conversation. “So, like I was telling our listeners—focus on being confident in yourself and then you don’t have to run game on anyone.”

City Boy chuckled. “Since Los doesn’t want to admit to his dry spell, we’ll move on to our next email…”

Three more painstaking conversations took place that I had to listen to, and I considered leaving after each one. It was like the longer I sat there, the angrier I’d become. Because I’d already been announced, I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of telling their listeners that I left. So, I sat there, stone-faced, taking mental notes.

“And for our last email, we have Cole,” City Boy started. “His email says: I want to convince my girlfriend to have a threesome. She’s not into it. How do I get her to change her mind?”

Country Boy whistled. “That’s a tough one. But I don’t think there’s a way around that. If she’s not into it, she’s not going to do it.”

“Unless you can finesse her,” City Boy replied with a laugh. “Here’s what you do, Cole. If you want a chance to score a threesome, you’ll have to make it seem like it’s her idea. Don’t bring it up again unless she specifically asks you what your fantasy is or what you would want if you could have anything in the world. Instead, every few weeks, watch a movie with a threesome in it. If you two are into watching porn together, watch threesome porn. Think of all the ways she’d get pleasure from it and when she asks you why you want a threesome, tell her all the ways she’d be pleased. Make it about her, and you’ll convince her that this is something that she wants, something that she’s into.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. “So, basically gaslight her?” I muttered, crossing my arms and leaning back in my chair.

“Do you have something to say?” City Boy directed his question at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you going to turn my mic on?”

“First…” He turned to Carlos. “Los Cabos, what do you think?”

“I think you have to hang up the dream, Cole. I agree with Country Boy. If she says she’s not into it, leave it alone. Decide what’s more important: your girlfriend or your fantasy. Because if you go for one, you’ll lose the other.”

“I’ve never known Country Boy and Los Cabos to give up so quickly.” City Boy laughed and then directed his attention to me. “We haven’t made it to the guest portion of the show, but it’s good to see A. Bishara already has some thoughts.”

Country Boy laughed.

I shifted my eyes to him and curled my lip in disgust. City Boy was the worst of the worst, but Country Boy’s willingness to normalize and cosign on City Boy’s bullshit was astounding.

And then there’s Carlos.

He was there to gently admonish and to keep the other two in line, but much like what I’d heard in the four months’ worth of podcasts I’d listened to, he never blatantly called City Boy out.

“We’re now turning on A. Bishara’s microphone,” City Boy announced. He hit a button and then sighed dramatically. “Here it comes.”

“What you’re calling advice is really just manipulation, predatory behavior, and ignorance. Just sitting here listening to the complete bullshit coming out of your mouth has really just proved all my points for me.”

“Woah!” City Boy held his hands up as he laughed. “She’s just as aggressively annoying in person as she is in print. That’s crazy.”

“What’s crazy is that you don’t see how destructive your advice is.”

Country Boy whistled. “I have to say I didn’t see this coming.”

“I did,” Carlos spoke up.

“When you said you wanted to come on the show, I thought you would give it a chance. But it’s clear you were never trying to give us a chance,” City Boy baited me. “Sounds a little judgmental to me.”

“You told one of the callers to not take no for an answer when pursuing a woman.” I leaned forward. “You actually said that women play hard to get and no doesn’t mean no except for in the bedroom. While I’m glad you had the common sense to add that caveat, what message are you trying to convey by telling people to not respect a woman’s no.”

“It’s called being persistent,” City Boy argued.

“It’s called being a predator,” I countered, narrowing my eyes.

Country Boy’s eyes bulged as he watched us. Carlos silently observed the scene, his face emotionless.

City Boy’s jaw dropped. “Predator? Are you serious? Come on… you’re taking it too far now.”

“Taking it too far? If someone tells you no and you keep pursuing her, you’re taking it too far.”

“I don’t like how you’re trying to twist this so chill out,” he barked at me. “I’m serious.”

“I’m serious, too. You told someone to disregard a woman’s no and keep going after her. What kind of shit is that? If a woman says no—leave her alone.”

“Women like the chase.”

“Women like to be pursued, not chased. If you pursue a woman, she’s an active participant. If you chase her, she’s running from you.”

“Bullshit. You seem focused on just me. The Lost Boys include Country and Los. You haven’t directed your anger at them. Why are you so focused on me? You have a thing for me?”

“I’m focused on you because you’re the primary problem. The other two are complicit. And I have issues with that as well. But you are the one who says the outlandish bullshit. And no, I don’t have a thing for you. I actually don’t like men who promote toxic masculinity.”

City Boy chuckled. “Let me ask you something… are you single?”

I made a face. “What does that have to do with anything?”

City Boy laughed. “I guess that explains everything, fellas.” He grinned. “Your advice comes from your perspective as a single woman with no prospects. Now I’ll admit, you’re not bad looking, but your overbearing attitude is a real turn off.”

“I don’t exist to turn you on,” I snapped. “And don’t try to deflect from the topic at hand. All of the advice that you’ve given has been disgusting and sad.”

“What’s sad is the fact that you can’t get dick because of your ugly ass personality and—”

“City, chill,” Carlos cut in roughly.

City Boy glared at him. “No, she wanted to step into the ring. She asked for this.” He took a breath and then his lips turned upward, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes “But I’ll chill. You just have to stop slandering me.”

“How am I slandering your name?” I shrugged my shoulders, purposely ignoring the fact that he called me crazy. “You advocate for disrespect. My issue is that you’re trying to normalize emotional manipulation and the objectification of women. That’s not me slandering you. That’s me calling you on your shit. And I get why you’re so mad right now… there’s nothing a man like you hates more than a woman who calls you on your shit.”

“You must not have had dick in a while, huh?”

“That’s enough,” Carlos growled. “Show her some respect.”

I didn’t look his way, but I could hear the warning in his voice.

City Boy’s eyes darted to Carlos before making a face. “Are you going to be like this all night because a lady is present? I mean, I’ll give it to her. She’s not a four. But you’re acting like—hey! I have an idea.” His face brightened with apparent amusement. “Since Los Cabos hasn’t gotten any in a while and A. Bishara needs some dick in her life, so she can get the stick out of her ass, maybe they should do each other.”

Country Boy stifled a laugh.

I didn’t know what to do or say so I just sat there, eyes narrowed, and mouth set in a straight line.

“I’m getting tired of telling you to chill, City,” Carlos warned. “This is supposed to be a conversation. So, converse and stop with the other shit.”

City Boy stared at Carlos for a tense thirty seconds. “For those of you who don’t know, Los Cabos collaborated on a little project for Re-Mix magazine with A. Bishara. So, if you’re wondering why all of a sudden Los is a little more vocal tonight, that’s why. But fine...” Turning his attention to me, he smirked. “Let’s switch gears. I don’t want to get your panties twisted.”

I scowled. Opening my mouth to respond, I was interrupted.

“Bishara, can I ask you a question?” Country Boy inquired, speaking up for the first time in a while.

“Yes.”

“What is your main issue with Date Night?”

“Like I said, the disrespect, the use of emotional manipulation, and the objectification of women,” I answered.

“How do we objectify women?” City Boy asked.

Is he serious? My eyebrows furrowed.

“You talk about women as sex objects as opposed to people. You sexualize women in your advice and even in the conversation that we’re having, you’ve put more emphasis on my looks and my sex life than on the things I’m saying.”

“Women objectify men, too,” City Boy argued.

“Not to the degree that men objectify women. Not to the degree that you and this show objectifies women,” I countered, adding several examples from the podcasts I’d listened to and from the show. “And if we did, men wouldn’t know how to handle it.”

“Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay,” City Boy cut me off with a laugh. “But you’re telling me that women don’t sit around and compare muscles and dick sizes of the men they’re sleeping with?”

“What I’m saying is that you give advice as if women aren’t human beings with the right to decide what they want to do with their lives. For instance, we have the right to turn down dates from people we don’t want to date We have the right to say no. We have the right to not participate in threesomes. We have the right to do whatever the hell we want. When you give advice that aims to not only take away that right but treat us as if we are here for your pleasure, you’re treating us like objects.”

City Boy made a skeptical face. “So, you’ve never checked out a man’s package before?”

My thoughts immediately went to Carlos in his sweatpants. Heat crept up my neck as the thought of how we spent our time prior to the interview.

I cleared my throat. “I check out the whole package—starting with the things that he says, the way he thinks.”

“City has a point,” Country Boy interjected. “Have you seen the way women react at strip clubs?”

“I’m not talking about in strip clubs. I’m talking about the way you objectify every day women who are going about their lives. Just because they have breasts doesn’t give you the right to ogle them, to sexualize them, to...” I exhaled, trying to keep cool and choose my words carefully. “You know what you did and it’s wrong.”

“And what did we do?” City Boy asked, a slow smile spreading on his face.

I narrowed my eyes. “You already know.”

“Well we’re almost out of time, but for those listening, I think she’s talking about the special shout out we gave her in the newsletter.”

I looked at Carlos to see his brows furrowed.

“All of this because of a little shout out in our newsletter?” Country Boy exclaimed with a laugh.

Staring pointedly at City Boy, I repeated myself. “You know what you did and it’s wrong.”

Licking his lips, City Boy smiled cunningly. “But seeing the look on your face is worth it.” He winked. “Okay, that’s it for tonight. Tune in next week and we’ll answer more of your emails. We’ll have the Date Night O.G. that you won’t want to miss. I’m City Boy—”

“I’m Country Boy…”

“And I’m Los Cabos.”

“And this is Date Night with The Lost Boys,” the three of them said in unison.

“We’re off air,” Carlos announced, standing up. “What the fuck is going on, Bryant?”

City Boy laughed, sliding his headphones off. He stretched his arms above his head. “I should be asking you the same thing, Carlos.” He pointed at me. “She got in your head? We’re supposed to have a difference of opinion, but goddamn, you acted like your job was to protect her honor.”

“You were being disrespectful,” Carlos informed him with a clenched jaw.

“She got the same treatment anyone else would get. You were the one acting different.” City Boy looked at Country Boy. “Back me up, Quentin.”

“Come on,” Country boy sighed. “You two have been getting into it over bullshit ever since we took over this show. It’s always something. We only have three more months left and then it’s done.”

City Boy raised his hands in surrender. “It’s Los acting like he’s in his feelings. I was just doing an interview and providing quality entertainment.”

Carlos ran his hand down his face. “You were being an asshole and disrespecting Akila. You—”

“Oh, it’s Akila, now,” City Boy taunted, egging him on.

“B, Los is always keeping you in check. And Los, B’s an asshole to everybody.” Country Boy glanced at me. “But it’s not like she didn’t shit on us in her article.”

“That’s my whole point,” City Boy grumbled, rising to his feet. “And when I told you about the article, you were mad about it, too. And now you’re up here defending her. You stand with your bros at all times. You don’t switch up because a chick comes in here with a short ass skirt on.”

Carlos rubbed his hands together. “I didn’t switch up. I thought her article was an unfair portrayal of who we are. But I’m not going to let you disrespect her.”

City Boy walked around the table. “Let me?”

“Yeah, that’s what I said.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Yo, come on now,” Country Boy yelled. “Over some chick? Really?”

City Boy shrugged. “Date Night has been on for almost ten years and in the final few months of our year, we’re getting scrutinized thanks to her. Come on, man.”

“You’re getting scrutinized because what I’m saying is valid.” I stood, smoothing down the front of my dress. “I’ll see myself out.”

“Thanks for being a guest today. It was a pleasure.” Sarcasm dripped from City Boy’s words.

I rolled my eyes. Turning on my heels, I stormed toward the door.

“Akila, wait. I’ll walk you out.”

I looked over my shoulder. “It’s cool. Sounds like you guys have a lot to talk about.” Without another word, I walked out the door.

“Akila!”

Even though I heard Carlos call out to me, I didn’t look back. I hesitated for a second, but the click of the door behind me made my decision for me

“Let her go, man.” City Boy’s voice traveled as he screamed. “We need to get this prepped and uploaded.”

“And I’ll take care of it in a minute,” Carlos barked back before I heard his footsteps down the hall. “Akila!”

I slowed and waited for him to catch up.

“You held your own in there,” he informed me as he fell into step with me. “Did you get what you wanted to get out of it?”

“I did. I hope people will realize that the whole show is trash.” I smirked. “Maybe with one exception.”

“Oh, just maybe?” His hand grazed mine and my stomach flipped.

“Maybe. The jury is still out.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Are we still cool?”

“Yeah.” I snuck a glance at him. “Why? Aren’t we?”

“I didn’t know how you were going to feel after doing the show. I know you hate Date Night and The Lost Boys so I thought you would… I don’t know.”

He knew. And I knew, too.

“Wait… is that what the sex was about this afternoon?” I hissed, looking around to make sure I wasn’t overheard.

“No.” He paused, slipping his hands into his pockets “But—”

“But it was why I told you how I felt. In case the interview changed how we saw each other.”

“And did it?”

His gaze was penetrating as he said, “No.” He swallowed hard. “What about you?”

“It’s complicated.”

“What is?”

“My feelings.”

He was quiet.

We eyed each other, and a chill ran through me.

Clearing my throat, I shifted my gaze. “You don’t have to walk me to my car.”

“I’m not going to let you walk to your car alone.”

“You are such a mystery to me,” I mumbled as he held the door open for me.

We walked out of the building and as soon as the cold air hit me, I pulled my sweater around me tighter. He placed a hand on my back.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Hm?” I was completely distracted by his touch.

“You said I was a mystery.”

“You’re the kind of guy who is on Date Night, and you’re also the kind of guy who makes sure I get to my car safely. You’re the kind of guy who relentlessly defends The Lost Boys but also gets into a fight with your frat brother to defend me. You just…” I eyed him as I unlocked my car. “I struggle with that.”

“I have a newsflash for you…” He leaned around me and opened my car door. Taking his finger, he stroked it down my cheek. “You don’t agree with what City says, but you were also on Date Night.”

I shook my head and tried not to smile. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Before I knew what happened, his lips brushed mine, and then he was already headed back to the building.

I sat in my car for a minute, smiling. Carlos Richmond was completely unexpected. I was conflicted, but there was something about him. Sighing, I put my key in the ignition and started my car.

“Shit!” I hit the steering wheel.

I didn’t want to go back in there, but there was no way I could leave without my notebook.

Summer is officially over, I thought as I shuffled to the front door of the Empire Building.

I was still shaking off the chill when I headed to Studio B. I stopped when I heard yelling through the partially closed door.

“…kept this going for ten years and because some pissed off girls complained, we might get shut down. All thanks to her!” City Boy yelled.

“Well, now Los is pissed,” Country Boy responded.

“He’ll get over it. He always does. I cross the line, he smooths it over so we can stay on air. It is what it is. I didn’t say anything worse than I ordinarily say, so I don’t know why he’s tripping over this.”

“Do you think you helped your case or helped hers by acting like an asshole? If she wrote about us before, you didn’t help,” Country Boy snapped.

“Look, she held her own. It’s not like I steamrolled her,” City Boy barked in frustration.

“What was she talking about at the end? When she said you know what you did?” Country Boy asked.

“I don’t know,” City Boy lied.

Bullshit.

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, B. Carlos will be back any minute and he’s already pissed, so I don’t think you want me to ask again in front of him. What was she talking about? She looked right at you when she said it.”

“It was the newsletter thing,” City Boy blurted out, lowering his voice.

I crept closer to hear more.

“Oh, okay. I can see why she’d be mad about that—”

“Her sister might’ve been featured in the newsletter this week.”

So, he knew… he knew it was Alex. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. He knew and to get back at me, he went after my sister.

“Wow,” Country Boy whistled. “That’s low, Bryant. Even for you.”

“She said that we were sexualizing and objectifying women. So, I decided to show what it would look like if we were really sexualizing and objectifying. Come on… stop looking at me like that. In my defense, I thought it was her. I didn’t know it was her sister until I did a little research.”

“What the fuck, man?”

“It’s not like the faces were in the newsletter. And the dude wrote the email! Is it my fault that he mentioned the event he was at and used their names? I saw Alex Bishara and figured she was A. Bishara. It was an honest mistake.” City Boy let out a rough laugh.

I felt sick. I had to get out of there.

Fuck the notebook.