Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
She dropped her hands and turned back to her brother who stood there motionless, as if someone had picked up a remote control and put him on pause. “Tony, I’m sorry. Yes, I said those things that Roman is now using in his unsolicited comedy routine, and he will pay dearly for that.” She shot him another sharp look. He can forget about getting any pussy tonight, tomorrow, or next week! “I don’t like Penny and never pretended to, but I was always at least cordial, and yes, I called her Penny Un-Wise, but that—”
“I’m, I’m sorry, too, Tony!” Roman chuckled all the louder, interrupting her. Tony remained quiet. Too quiet. “But see, what got me going was when you said, ‘Penny has a spendin’ problem.’… and her name is Penny… Bwahahahaha!!!” Roman fell into a fit of obscenely obnoxious giggles, doubling over. Damn clown! He’s the REAL Pennywise!
And then the damnedest thing happened… Tony smiled—a faint, straggly smile. It was as if he were trying to suppress his amusement, even if his own misfortune was the butt of his best friend’s joke. The damnedest thing—Roman seemed to know some hidden code to break through Tony’s anger. A key to turn an invisible lock. Maybe the bro-code was legit? Something about Roman’s high-pitched jovial laugh made it all the worse.
“A, A, Tony, look on the bright side. A Penny saved is a Penny earned.” Roman was now coughing from laughing so much. Genesis covered her mouth tighter, to keep from following suit. “…And don’t worry about the fight y’all had. They say a bad penny always comes back.” Roman could barely get the words out before he was drowning in a fit of giggles again. Trifling ass.
“I’ll leave,” Tony announced, then headed to the door where his shoes were placed.
“No, Tony, don’t go.” Genesis sauntered after him and pulled him by the shoulder. He spun around to face her with the same dejected look on his face. “Seriously, if you need to stay here with me and your non-supportive, immature, cackle-box of a no-good, pun-addicted friend who won’t be getting laid for at least a month, please do.”
“Stay with us, man. You definitely cock blocked, but it’s cool. I want you here. I know you love her and feel bad. It’ll work out between you and your wife. Just let things cool off. I was just tryna lighten the mood. That’s what friends are for.” Roman patted the couch, inviting him back over.
Tony smiled at that. It wasn’t long before Genesis had the Uno cards out, three glasses of wine poured, a fresh bowl of buttery popcorn served, and some rap music playing. She glanced at the men. Nothing in this world could tear these two apart. Tony admitted that Roman lifted his spirits, in spite of his pain. As they discussed their past shenanigans, it became obvious Roman had a way of melting a person’s problems away, at least for a short while. He was magnetic and possessed a beautiful way of bringing even complex emotional issues into perspective, even laughing in the face of his own pain. And now, he could teach those closest to him how to do the same.
Something about this moment was absolutely captivating. Special. The two men she cared for most were sitting right in front of her, supporting one another and mending broken hearts. Imprinting this day in her mind, she then tossed down a draw four…
…A few days later
Roman slid his Rolex off his wrist. Unbuttoning his shirt, he watched Genesis lying on one of the two long tables in the massage parlor. Her hair was pinned up and a towel was wrapped around her ass. It stopped at her upper thighs, leaving her legs and feet exposed. Her body appeared so supple and smooth as candles flickered, soft music played, and two masseuses set out additional supplies for their pleasure. One of them asked him to undress in a thick European accent, announcing they’d be back in a couple of minutes.
He’d arranged for them to have a couples’ massage date, surprising her first with a large bouquet of flowers, her favorite white-chocolate-covered strawberries, and a five-star lunch on the river. Removing his pants and underwear, he loosely wrapped a towel around his waist before lying down across from her.
“Are you ready to be nice and relaxed?” he asked.
She turned her head to face him, a big, pretty smile on her gorgeous face.
“Mmm hmmm, but I know when they get started it’s going to send me to Lully Byland, snoring and drooling. I can’t wait.” He chuckled at that. He watched her slowly close her eyes. A minute or so passed, and he couldn’t keep the truth to himself anymore.
“…I’m in love with you.”
She quickly turned back to him, her eyes now three times their normal size. Before she could respond, there was a light tap at the door.