That was the beginning and end of their conversation before Claire’s eyes returned to Kevin. “I’ll see you later…at around four? I have violin lessons until three-thirty.”
He ran his hand through his disheveled hair. “Sure.”
They watched her walk away and Perry only spoke once she was out of earshot. “I didn’t know she could play the violin.”
“Neither did I.”
“I’ll never understand the two of you.” He paused for a moment. “Hey, weren’t you dating Hope this morning?”
“I was.” He started walking towards the street and Perry followed behind him. “But that was before I found out she was fucking the whole football team…Sorry, I’m exaggerating. It wasn’t thewholeteam. Just five of them.”
They took a long stroll, heading towards the Barber Shop. The Barber Shop wasn’t really a barbershop. It was a coffeehouse that had the appearance of a barbershop. Pillars decorated in red, white and blue stripes, mirrored walls, even some reclining chairs at the back. It was ridiculous, but they loved its uniqueness. And the desserts were great.
“I don’t understand the point of cheating, Perry,” Kevin complained as they crossed the main road. “If she wasn’t happy, all she had to do was say: ‘Kevin, it’s not working out. You’re short and I don’t like you very much.’ And that would have beena nice, amicable ending to our relationship. I’m a faithful guy and we were only dating for a month. Is it so hard tonotfuck five other guys in amonth?”
He heard his friend chuckle beside him. “You seemed pretty broken up about it while Claire was sucking you off.”
“I’m not hurt. I’m upset. It’s false advertising. Her name isHope. Hopes organize charity drives and volunteer their weekends to helping underprivileged children. Hopes don’t gangbang half the football team. I mean, I would expect that from a Jennifer or a Tiffany or a…”
“Or a Jackie,” Perry filled in.
“Or a fucking Jackie,” Kevin agreed exasperatedly. “Jackies can’t be trusted. But a Hope…That name comes with responsibility, Perry.”
They walked into the Barber Shop and Shandré was already there waiting for them.
“Hey, beautiful.” Perry sat down beside her and placed a long kiss on her mouth.
Kevin ignored the smacking of their lips and looked towards the door just in time to see Clayton walk in. Perry and Shandré were still making out by the time he sat down.
“Where did you go after class this morning?” Clayton asked, ignoring the lovebirds. In the short time he’d been hanging out with them, he’d learned how to block out their sickening affection as well. “I thought we were gonna study together.”
“I was with Claire,” Kevin replied.
Clayton was confused by this because even he knew that it was out of character. Kevin enjoyed sex. He loved women. He had flings all the time. And if he was horny enough and Claire wasn’t available, he would even indulge in a one-night stand (maybe). But cheating? Cheating was a no-go zone. He had three nieces, two moms and one sister. If there was one thing his dad and brothers had taught him, it was that a woman’s heart wasn’tsomething to be toyed with. Unfortunately, not everyone shared the same views about cheating.
“What happened to Hope?” Clayton asked.
Perry finally pulled his lips away from Shandré. “Don’t get him started.”
Rose came to the table then. She was fifty-six years old and the owner, but she didn’t think it was beneath her to still wait tables. Three kids and age had rounded her figure yet she still carried herself with elegance. “The usual?” she asked and while everyone chirped their yes’s, Kevin looked her dead in the eye.
“Rose, I want you to know something. You live up to your name.”
“Oh, shit,” Perry cursed under his breath.
“You are as sweet and as beautiful as a rose. And I appreciate that.”
“You best stop flirting with me, Kevin,” she teased. “You know I like them youngens.”
“If I were even ten years older, you’d definitely be my girl.”
She batted her eyes playfully. “Flatterer.” She pinched his cheek and walked away.
“Maybe you should look for a girl named after a flower,” Perry suggested. “Like Daisy or Lily or…Petunia.”
Clayton looked even more confused now. “What’s going on?”
“Kevin’s a little disappointed because Hope decided to release the talents of her inner porn star on half the football team. She didn’t even let him watch. I think that’s what hurting him the most.”
