Page 44 of Anything Goes

“Of course, I have.”

“But come on, man. You weren’t even on the force that long.”

“Yeah, I know. But I did a lot while I was in there, and I had to deal with a lot of shit too.”

“So that’s what this is really about?” he questioned with a lifted brow. “This is about—”

“Let’s not even go there,” I interrupted.

“I think we do need to go there. Matter of fact, let me ask you a question,” he said, resting his elbow on the table. “Have you talked to her since all of that stuff went down between the two of you?”

“I don't need to. I'm good.”

“I seriously doubt that. You traded in your badge for some gym shoes. That doesn’t spell out good to me.”

“I made a necessary decision, and it isn’t one that I regret.”

“Are you sure about that? I mean, I don’t know if I would be cool with being lied on. She was lying, right?”

Irritated by the fact that he could even fix his mouth to ask me that question, I leaned back in my seat. “Are you serious? We’ve known each other since middle school. You know damn well what she said was a lie.”

“You’re right,” he replied, lifting his hands. “My bad. I just hadn’t asked, and you know Ayesha be all in my ear about it.”

“Look, I know that’s your girl, so I’m not going to speak on her. But when it comes to her friend, I don’t fuck around. That shit was always a lie. Did I make a few mistakes with Maxine? Yeah. But what she claimed, that wasn’t one of them.”

“I hear you man, and my bad for even bringing it up.”

“It’s cool. Just do me a favor and don’t bring that shit up around anyone else. My family doesn’t know about all of that. I want to keep it that way.”

“Yeah, well, I would watch my back if I were you. You know that girl isn't wrapped too tight. Now that you're no longer keeping a low profile, she might pop up on your ass.”

“Don’t even speak that up. Hopefully, she’s moved on. I know I have.”

“Oh really? With who?”

“None of your business.”

“Damn, it’s like that?”

“Hell yeah. You talk too much. You tell Ayesha everything.”

“Not everything.”

Giving him the side-eye, I waved him off. “Fool, please. We both know that's a lie.”

“You know what? Forget you.”

“Don’t get pissed off at me because I’m telling the truth. But it’s cool. I expect you to tell your girl everything. I would probably do the same.”

“Are you going to tell your new lady about Maxine?”

“I don’t know about all of that,” I replied.

“You don't think you should? I mean, it was a pretty crazy situation that cost you your job.”

“It didn’t cost me my job. I made a decision to walk away on my own.”

“Yeah, but—”