Chapter Twenty-One
Brent and Renny
Brent: So maybe if I sent some nudes, you’ll finally reply to my text? *question face emoji*
Renny: Sorry. Been busy.
Brent: Oh. Working? Found a job?
Renny: Just working on myself.
Brent: *after sending five photos* Just a few pics of me now *toothy grin smiley face emoji*. In case you forgot me since our reunion.
Renny: Still look the same.
Brent: Well…A few lines and some grays in the beard lol.
Renny: *after sending five photos* A few of me now.
Brent: Always so damn handsome. You’re like a fine wine, Renny. You’ve gotten BETTER looking lol.
Renny: You’re too kind lol. I grew into my looks finally.
Brent: Yeah, its’s crazy. You were handsome when we were young, but damn! Like, it’s insane. You’re stunning. Usually it’s the other way around: People are gorgeous young and then their looks fade. You got BETTER looking. I’ve only seen that a few times in my life lol. Wow!
Renny: *after sending a link to Nancy Wilson song, “An Older Man Is Like an Elegant Wine”* Thank you. Too kind.
Brent: Listening now. You ARE aging like an elegant wine, Renny. *wine glass emoji, kiss face emoji*
Renny: I don’t claim age anymore. Only anniversaries. Like Mariah. *uploads GIF of Mariah Carey shaking her head*
Renny: Where are the visuals? *question face emoji*
Brent: Visuals? Random. *shrug shoulders emoji*
Renny: I’m tipsy. I’m teasing. The nudes you promised.
Brent: Aaaah. Got it. I’m a dad. I’m slow. Haha.
Renny: We’re elder millennials. Get with the program lol
Brent: What’s visuals got to do with nudes?
Renny: Never mind. Forget it.
Brent: Are you okay?
Renny: Tipsy. Reminiscing. Reflecting. Calling a rideshare soon to get home.
Brent: Where are you?
Renny: At a new gay bar in downtown Detroit. They’re playing Beyoncé’s Renaissance album. I’m sipping on SirDavis.
Brent: Be careful and safe. Text when you’re home.
Renny: Such a dad. Such a zaddy. Punish me daddy. I need some discipline. *uploads link to Janet Jackson’s song “Discipline” and a fire emoji*
Brent: You’re bad. Too bad you’re in Detroit and I’m in San Francisco. Because the way you’re getting me *eggplant emoji* and I’m at a volleyball match on campus
Renny: Sorry for getting you *eggplant emoji* at work. Wish I was there to take care of it.
Brent: Don’t apologize. It’s kinda hot.
Renny: You’re *three fire emojis*
Brent: Flattery will get you some good dick. Just don’t get someone else’s dick tonight.
Renny: I’m flying solo. Being a good boy *prayer and angel emojis*
Brent: Get home safe. Text me when you’re there.
Brent: *after sending five invisible photos* Good morning, Renny. Here are your visuals.
Renny: What a way to wake me up *five eggplant emojis*. Sorry I didn’t text when I got home.
Brent: All good. Busy day on campus. Just saying hi. And fulfilling your ask *wink emoji*
Renny: *after sending five invisible photos* NSFW. I hope you have a LONG and HARD day.
Brent: Hmmmmm *mystery face emoji*. You’re bad.
Renny: Talk later.
Brent: Sometimes I get these random thoughts about you *kiss face emoji*. Crazy, since we’re thousands of miles apart.
Renny: Sometimes I do, too.
Brent: Wish we could do something about it. Long distance crazy.
Renny: Calm down. Long distance text relationships ain’t real.
Brent: Humor me, please. I’m just having a moment.
Renny: Okay. Sorry. Anyway, until you move to Detroit or I move to San Francisco.
Brent: Or we move somewhere in the middle.
Renny: Ha. I’m never moving back to Missouri. No way, José.
Brent: Okay. Back to work. Just saying hi.
Renny: Hi *wave hand emoji*
Brent: Hi back *wave hand emoji* Mr. Smarty Mouth *face sticking tongue out emoji*
Renny: *uploads link to Diana Ross & the Supremes’ song “Someday We’ll Be Together” and a heart emoji*
Renny: Random. I talked to a group of teens at a Black LGBTQ Center in Detroit today. It was cool. They read one of my books. Had never met an author before. A good day. *blush face emoji*
Brent: That’s FANTASTIC! *three hand clap emojis*
Renny: Kids have so many more resources and support today.
Brent: Very lucky indeed.
Renny: You sound busy? *question face emoji*
Brent: Yeah. Not the best day. Budget cuts and enrollment. Have to cut three or four sports from my roster. Athletics is an expensive area for campus life. President James wants my decision today. Work sucks today.
Renny: Sorry. Wish I could help.
Brent: Hearing your good news helps *toothy grin smiley face emoji*
Renny: Let me know if you need to talk.
Brent: Will do.
Brent: Can I tell you something?
Renny: Yeah.
Brent: First, I don’t drink. Well, rarely. But I bought a four-pack of those mini wine bottles. Only had one and I’m tipsy. Work stressful. More work this evening. Ugh.
Renny: Save the rest of the wine for me, lol
Brent: When you come…when you cum. I’ll save it all for you.
Renny: Naughty man, you.
Brent: You bring it out in me.
Renny: What did you want to tell me? *question face emoji*
Brent: Thinking about summer orientation in Missouri when we met.
Renny: *grave and skull emojis* Ancient history lol
Brent: Humor me *prayer hands emoji*
Renny: Sorry.
Brent: When you walked over to the table at orientation and introduced yourself to Jalon and me—I remember thinking, Damn, he’s gay!
And sexy as fuck lol. I was like, Lord, I like girls and got a girlfriend.
And then I was like, Oh shit, I think I might cheat on my girlfriend or have to break up with her to not cheat. *two laughing emojis*
Renny: You did not! *gasp face emoji*. And then you ended up dating Macy right away.
Brent: Well, there were a few girls before Macy.
Renny: Such a man whore. Only girls? Hmmm.
Brent: Yeah, only girls. What’s crazy is you were my first. I had never had a sensual moment with a guy.
Renny: Good memories *blush face emoji*. Both our firsts.
Brent: You sucked dick like a champ. Barely 19 or 20 and turned me the fuck out! *five fire emojis* Innocent me *angel emoji*
Renny: Innocent my ass, no pun intended. Hard to believe I was the first guy you fucked. And that you were my first. I didn’t know what to expect, but I remember it feeling painful and good all at the same time.
Brent: Quick subject change. I’m getting *eggplant emoji* and I shouldn’t. Got more work to do this evening.
Renny: Okay. We can text another time.
Brent: Wish you were here. I gotta hop on a Zoom in an hour with the parents of athletes whose sports I decided to cut. About to get a royal cussing out.
Renny: Oh no…sorry.
Brent: Talked to the students and coaches earlier. The looks on their faces. Sucks.
Renny: I’m really sorry. What sports?
Brent: Football—mostly Black, too expensive, most expensive sport on campus.
The injuries and insurance crazy high. Wrestling—we’re not competitive at all.
Swimming—well, you know WE ain’t grow up with pools, lol, too expensive to maintain.
Golf—boring, snobby, rich kids with country club memberships, they’ll survive.
Renny: You’re funny. But sorry about the cuts. And the cussing out.
Brent: At least they get a year’s notice. Still. Text you later *kiss face emoji*
Renny: You up?
Brent: It’s 2 a.m. here. I’m asleep. Something wrong?
Renny: Just up early writing. You good? Just checking on you.
Brent: Been better. Sleepy. Text later.
Brent: You good? Sorry it’s been some weeks. Work crazy.
Renny: Been better. Text later.
Brent: *question face emoji* You mad? Because I haven’t texted lately?
Renny: It’s not all about you, Brent.
Brent: Sorry.
Renny: Money stuff. That’s all. Stressing me out.
Brent: Need anything?
Renny: No. Not your problem. Already owe Dustin for some $$$ he fronted me. I’ll be good.
Brent: Okay. Just let me know.
Renny: Appreciate it. Thanks. Sorry for the foul mood. I’ll be better.
Brent: Understood.
Brent: Just wanted to say…I’ve had the hottttts for you for A LONG TIME! 20+ years. Random.
Renny: *blush face emoji*
Brent: It’s like breathing *heart emoji*
Renny: *hug emoji*
Brent: Renny, you have a SIGNIFICANT place in my life, heart, soul, past, and present *five heart emojis* I still wanna call you Larenz sometimes, though.
Renny: *blush face emoji* It’s Mr. Ross to you! *crying laughing emoji*
Brent: #NoDiana. Lol *sends GIF of Diana Ross twirling in a rainbow-colored caftan*
Renny: I’m a nice boy *angel emoji*. I love my readers and fans and all their beautiful faces. They love me for loving them for loving me. *sends GIF of Diana Ross extending arms and face toward the sky*
Brent: So silly. Random. I will spend the rest of my life making apologies for how we ended things *prayer hands emoji*
Renny: It’s a new day
Brent: In a weird—non-threatening way—I love you. Always have.
Renny: Thank you. I always have love and admiration for you, too.
Brent: Okay. Sorry to be weird.
Brent: Why am I always the first to text? Guess you’re always on my mind.
Renny: *sends link to Jill Scott’s song, “Cross My Mind”* I’m mesmerizing that way, I guess lol
Brent: You are. Miss you.
Renny: Miss you, too.
Renny: Beat you. I’m texting first.
Brent: Hahaha. I may be athletic, but WE are NOT a race or a competition lol
Renny: Just letting you know. Been busy. Text you later.
Brent: Random thought. Renny, you were literally the first guy I was intimate with. That’s significant.
Renny: First? And only, I thought? *question face emoji*
Brent: First and only. I was DEEEEEEEP in the closet. I was young, closeted, stupid, and afraid.
Renny: Totally blushing now, Brent. You drinking?
Brent: *sends link to Beyoncé song, “Drunk in Love”* That was just one stressful work day. I usually don’t drink.
Renny: Just checking lol. Love that song.
Brent: We should be married now lol
Renny: Imagine *blush face emoji* *sends link to Whitney Houston song, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”*
Brent: If only we knew back then. How different life would and could be for both of us. Damn, I’m about to cry.