“Look, it’s not cut and dry,” I said. “This is hard.”
“Life is hard,” Tamara said. “You know what you have to do.”
“But I can’t make a decision,” I said.
“Then be honest, and let them both decide for themselves.”
“Vic already knows about Eddie.”
“Does he know you’re still seeing Eddie?”
“Well,” I said uncertainly. “I guess so. I never said we were exclusive.”
“Girl,” Tamara said. “You have to be honest. And you said they’re friends?”
“Coworkers,” I said.
“You know, I am all for a bit of fun messing around, but this. You’re in too deep. You’re messing around with gang members and their coworkers. This is going to end with your head on a pike. I can taste it.”
“Yet, you still want me to be honest?”
“Well!” she said. “No relationship works without honesty, Stacey. Let alone two.”
“So, what do you suggest?”
“I suggest you bite the bullet. You invite both of them to a public place. Tell them what’s up. See what they say.”
“Oh, so I can get the rest of the people around me murdered, too,” I said.
“Do it. Call them here. Now.”
“I can’t,” I said. “Vic’s. An insomniac. He’s probably sleeping.”
“A daytime and a nighttime boo,” Tamara said. “You’re living the dream, girl.”
* * *
She wasn’t wrong. I asked them both to come see me at the park. At about ten in the evening. They came in the same car.
“Hey,” I said. “So, I invited you both here to talk.”
“About?” Eddie seemed unbothered by the secrecy.
“About us.”
“You mean, us,” Eddie said, moving his fingers between him and I.
“No,” I said. “About us.” I motioned in a triangle.
“Oh,” Eddie said. “I was wondering when this would come up.”
Vic looked over at him.
“You’re not mad?”
“No,” Eddie said. “I mean. I could smell Vic on you. I’m not stupid. And it’s not like he’s bitten you, right?”
“Right,” I said.
