Chapter Three
Jamal
“Holy shit,” I whispered to myself as I stared up at the brownstone towering before me. I could tell it was impressive from where I parked my car across the street, but now that I was standing on the front landing, I could truly see its size and opulence.
This was nothing like the apartments in my neighborhood, with their crumbling stoops and boarded windows.
These homes were perfectly structured and manicured.
They were so uniform that they appeared pretentious…
except for Geo’s. Hanging on his door was a wreath crafted of artificial daisies.
I was sure he’d made it himself, given the visible globs of hot glue on the petals.
The little imperfections made it even more special.
I lifted my hand to knock, but before my knuckles touched the wood, the door swung open, revealing a beaming Geo. It warmed my heart that he was watching and waiting for me.
“Wow,” he said quietly, his eyes quickly scanning over my body.
“You look great.” Per Geo’s request, I arrived dressed casually in a pair of dark jeans and a fitted gray t-shirt.
It was much different from my work attire, and also from what I would normally wear on a date, but Geo wanted me to be comfortable for the evening, and I was quickly finding out that there wasn’t much he could ask of me that I wouldn’t oblige.
“So do you,” I replied, also giving him a hungry gaze.
His white t-shirt hugged his slim body, and its V-neck gave a peek of collarbone.
The light denim of his blue jeans matched the shade of his eyes perfectly.
But the sweetest sight was his bare toes peeking out from the hem of his pants.
They were each painted a different color with swirled designs etched onto them.
“I was watching a YouTube video the other day,” he explained when he saw me inspecting his toes, curling them so they were hidden beneath the fabric. “And I was trying out some of the polishing techniques. I kind of forgot to take it off.”
“I like it,” I told him with a shrug. He’d spent long enough hiding or being ashamed of the things he was interested in. He never had to worry about that with me. “And you did a great job.”
“Really?” Ten little piggies popped out of their hiding spots.
I leaned in closer to see the designs, ranging from swirls to flowers, each one just as pretty as the last. “Definitely. They look better than most people get at a salon.”
His lips stretched into a proud smile. “Thank you.” Geo opened the door wider and motioned over his shoulder. “Come on in.”
I stepped inside and couldn’t hold myself back for one more moment.
I took him in my arms and kissed him deeply.
I couldn’t get enough of Geo, especially since most of our time together was spent at work, meaning our physical interactions were limited to makeout sessions in the alleyway.
That didn’t mean I didn’t appreciate every single one of them.
After our first date, Geo invited me over to his place for dinner the following Saturday, which was why I was standing in his home with him in my arms, but neither of us could wait for this moment.
We went to lunch together every single day.
The more time I spent with him, the more I craved.
I finally had time alone with him, and didn’t want to waste a single second.
But I also didn’t want him to think I was only there for just physicality. I wanted everything with him.
I managed to peel myself away from his lips, and looked around the large foyer surrounding me.
Like the outside of the structure, the interior was perfect…
almost too perfect. It lacked any kind of personality.
The walls were adorned with fine art, which complimented the very specific color scheme of beige…
and more beige. I doubted Geo’s parents even liked the paintings, assuming instead that they were supposed to like them.
There were no hot glued daisies or other signs of Geo’s personal touches.
I doubted he was allowed to contribute to the decor.
Hell, the only reason his wreath was hanging was probably because his parents weren’t there to take it down.
And suddenly I understood the chaos of Geo’s desk at work.
It was his space to decorate as he wished.
He guided me through the living room and dining room. Each space was more pretentious than the last. I nearly choked on the stuffiness of his father’s office, and Geo’s facial expressions told me he felt the same way; there was no smile on his face or gleam in his eye as he showed me around.
That was, however, until I followed him into the den.
His entire body language changed; he stood taller and walked faster until he reached a stand holding a huge rectangular aquarium that took up half of the wall.
The bottom of the tank was lined with perfectly round stones which appeared polished.
Several plants swayed in the gentle current of the water, and a bright red fish swam between the leaves.
“And this,” he announced with a bright grin and pride in his voice, “Is Richard Swimmins.”
I snorted a laugh before I could stop myself, but Geo didn’t appear bothered; he only beamed wider. “I love the name.”
“Thanks.”
“What type of fish is he?” It was an awfully little thing for such a big tank, but it was very pretty as well. He had billowing fins that flowed behind him as he swam.
“He’s a betta. I’ve had him for years; since I graduated high school.”
I was surprised to hear it; I had a goldfish once, but it only lasted a week before meeting an untimely end. “You must take very good care of him.”
Geo nodded and added, “I even taught him tricks.” Assuming he was joking, I let out another laugh, but his eyes widened. “I’m serious! Watch.” He faced the tank and lifted a small bottle of fish food, giving it a shake. “Come on, Richard; let’s show him what you can do. Ready? Follow.”
Geo moved the jar slowly back and forth in front of the glass, and I'd be damned if that little fish didn’t swim right along with it. “That’s amazing,” I said dumbfoundedly. “I thought dogs were the only pets that could learn tricks.”
“My parents would die before they let me have a dog,” Geo answered sadly. I had no doubt. I’d never met the people, but I was certain shedding and carpet accidents were absolutely out of the question.
“But watch; it gets better,” he insisted.
He led the fish left to right, up and down, and even in a circular motion, leaving me surprised and impressed.
And then Richard Swimmins was rewarded with a heaping pile of fish flakes.
As he nipped away at his food, Geo stuck his fingertip in the water and gently stroked down his scales.
I’d never known anyone to pet a fish, but at the same time, it made total sense when Geo did it.
A high-pitched beep sounded in the distance and Geo beamed. “Dinner’s ready. Do you care to grab it out of the oven while I wash my fish hands?”
“Sure,” I chuckled, and watched him hustle towards what I assumed was the bathroom. I followed the sound of the timer until I stepped foot in the kitchen. Like the rest of the home, it was pristine; filled with high-end appliances and shiny white floors that looked clean enough to eat off of.
I pressed a button to stop the sound, and slid on the oven mitt which Geo had left on the swirled marble countertop. I opened the oven door and smiled at what I found inside; a baking sheet which held two circular chicken patties and a pile of tater tots.
I was positive this wasn’t the type of elaborate dinner this kitchen was designed for.
Undoubtedly, it had seen its share of fancy dinner parties and extravagant meals fixed by hired help.
I was also sure Geo could prepare one without trouble.
But this meal meant so much more. This food was what he liked.
It showed he was comfortable around me and not concerned with putting on airs.
He was simply being and offering himself, which was more than enough for me.
Just as I was placing the baking sheet onto the stovetop, Geo entered the room, shaking jazz hands. “All clean!” I chuckled as he jutted his chin towards the food. “Is that okay? I figured we could chill in the living room and eat while we watch the game.”
“It’s perfect.” And I wasn’t just talking about the meal; Geo planned ahead to watch a basketball game together, even though it was something he had no interest in. He wanted to make me happy, and the chance to experience something I loved together was doing just that.
We filled our plates, situating the patties onto buns and divvying up the tots.
I laughed at the ungodly amount of ketchup Geo poured onto his plate before following him into the living room.
Instead of sitting on the sofa as I imagined, he plopped his cute little ass onto the floor, placing his food onto the coffee table in front of him.
I followed suit, settling in next to him and even kicking off my shoes, feeling a bit guilty that I hadn’t done so already, though he didn’t mention anything.
I popped a tot in my mouth and looked up at…
nothing. I expected to see a television, but the only thing before us was a large blank wall, the same bright white color as all the others.
Before I could ask any questions, Geo lifted a remote and clicked a button.
My eyes widened as a crack developed in the wall, creating two panels that separated from one another, unveiling a huge, flat screen television that had to be at least eighty inches wide, and which I never would have guessed was there.
“Whoa,” I whispered before I could stop myself. I hadn’t even batted an eye at the opulence of his home…until now. I had to admit, I was impressed.