In the Life (18 page)

The urge to do something constructive hit Brandon. He wanted to do something in this moment other than turning on a television or listening to music.

Brandon went into his room to fetch one of his new favorite books. 'The Secret' by Rhonda Byrne had become sort of a new game plan on how he wanted to live his life. He had heard about this book on Oprah one day and immediately ran to go buy it.

'The Secret' is a book that talks about the laws of attraction. Whatever energy you put out in the universe you get back. It also deals with some things that you may hear every day like believing in yourself and setting goals, but it was done in such a way that inspires its readers. It was motivational.

Brandon reached the section of the book that talked about love. The book says that one must think about and visualize the mate of their dreams as someone that they could and would have. But to do that, you have to know what exactly you want in a lover.

What did Brandon want? He put down the book and began to visualize the perfect man. HIS MAN.

He would be around 6 feet tall, nice toned body, maybe a nice chocolate man. Brandon liked all skin complexions, but there was something about chocolate that was extremely sexy to him. Maybe it was because he too was of a darker tone.

His man would have flawlessly beautiful skin and kissable soft pink lips with a goatee and mustache framing them. His eyes would be the windows to his complexity. They would be alluring, yet aloof at the same time much like Omar Epps with his bedroom eyes.

Brandon could see this man. He could imagine how it would feel to be in this man's embrace. He could have this. He WOULD have this. All he had to do was speak this man into existence and one day soon he would appear.

The doorbell interrupted Brandon's thoughts. He reluctantly got up to answer the door. He didn't want to. He wasn't expecting no one, but what if it was the man he was visualizing paying him a visit. Could 'The Secret' work that fast?

Brandon felt a little let down when he saw that it was Jerrell at the door. Nothing against Jerrell, but it could have been his chocolate Adonis instead.

"Hey Jerrell. Braylon is not here right now. He just left."

"That's cool. I actually came here to see you. I was wondering if we could talk. You have a minute?"

"Of course, come in." Brandon ushered Jerrell inside. As he passed by, Brandon got a whiff of his new cologne. Brandon could not place the scent, but it was nice.

"It’s quiet in here. I hope you weren't sleep."

"Naw, I was just doing some thinking. You know, just letting my mind wander."

"Well, where does it wander to?"

"A lot of places," Brandon said with a laugh. "But I would rather not get into that. I might scare you."

"Why you say that?"

"I am just joking. Actually, I was thinking a little bit about love."

"Love? What's going on? Are you in love with somebody?"

"No. But I am in love with the idea of being in love," Brandon confessed. Jerrell fully understood.

"You know I am done with your brother, right? After I last talked to you, I came to the realization that I deserve more than what he is willing to give me. I wanted to thank you."

"You are welcomed, but I think that all I really did was listen."

"You did more than that, but even just listening to me was much appreciated."

"No problem. I was just doing what I could do."

"Well, there is something else that you could do for me." Jerrell scooted closer to Brandon on the sofa. His hand landed on Brandon's thigh as their lips were pressed against each other.

Brandon did not pull away from Jerrell. He welcomed the kiss. He welcomed the feel of a hard body pressing against him. Guilt should have come and brought Brandon back to his senses, but it didn't. For once, Brandon was going to be like Braylon and live in the moment. He was going to be a man and get something that he wanted.

No guilt. No shame. No regrets.

Chapter 10

The lights came on in the theatre and revealed Adrian's smiling face. Braylon had to admit that the movie really made him think. It may not have been a movie that he would have chosen to see on his o
wn, but it was good.

Adrian and Braylon were the last two people to leave. Adrian wanted to read some of the credits for some reason. Braylon didn't mind. He was finishing off the large Dr. Pepper that he had bought at the concession stand.

"Are you hungry?" Braylon asked his date.

"I could eat."

"You want to hit up Cheddar’s or maybe Applebee's?"

"Well, if we go to the Applebee's by Coliseum Mall we can sit at the bar. I know a couple of the bartenders so we might get a couple of free drinks."

"Alright then, Applebee's it is."

Braylon did not know how he ended up on this date. He didn't really do the whole dinner and movie thing. He liked to get straight to it and do it.

Seeing how Adrian worked the crowd at the party made Braylon really take notice. And then when Braylon had a moment to talk to Adrian outside, he became further intrigued. The next thing he knew was he was asking the dude out.

As they made the way to the car, Braylon walked half a step behind Adrian. He was talking about the movie both with his mouth and with his hands. Sometimes over usage of hand gestures can come off as kinda gay, but in Adrian's case, it was a sign of how passionate he felt about what they had just watched.

Braylon was surprised to see how busy Applebee's bar was. The two bartenders there were working hard to service all of the patrons. Adrian and Braylon lucked up and got the last two stools available when a young couple left.

"Yo wassup DJ?" Adrian said to the male bartender when they took their seat. The female bartender was looking at the two of them like they were a feast.

"Oh, you ain't going to say nothing to me, huh Adrian?"

"My bad Tiff, but you were busy."

"You want your Bonecrusher?"

"Yeah, give me two."

"What is a Bonecrusher?" Braylon asked.

"It’s like a Long Island meets a Mai tai and then topped off with beer."

"Damn! Beer?"

"Yeah, it’s good. Trust me. I get them all the time. We can start off with them and then get a Call a Cab. Those are off the chain too."

"Damn, you must come here a lot."

"Kinda," he replied with a smile.

"Hey Adrian," three pretty brown skin girls said in unison.

"Where were you at Monday? You are normally in here," one of the girls said.

"Oh, I went straight to sleep when I got home. I ain't feel like going out nowhere."

"Well, we were looking for you," another one of the said. "And who is your friend here?"

"My bad. Ladies, this is my boy Braylon. Braylon, this is Persia, Taylor, and Cynthia."

"Braylon, I don't think I have seen you before. Do you go to Hampton?" Cynthia asked while getting a little closer to him.

"Naw, I got to NSU."

"Oh boo," Persia teased. "Why would you want to go there?"

"Scholarship. But my twin brother goes to Hampton."

"There are two of you? Damn! What's your twins' name?"

"I ain't telling. You might try to find him and molest him." Everyone laughed.

"You damn right if yall are identical," Taylor said giving her girls a high five."

"Well, we over there in that booth in the corner. Drop by before yall leave."

"Cool. Aight." The girls made their exit as the Bonecrushers were finally put in front of them.

The first drink was good. Damn good. Braylon asked for another before moving on to a Call a Cab. Adrian warned him that the second drink was sweet yet lethal. Braylon didn't believe him until he went to stand up after he downed it in two long gulps.

The tipsier Braylon got, the hornier he became. Everything about Adrian was turning him on like his juicy pink lips. He licked them so smoothly. Braylon imagined what else could be done with that tongue.

Braylon had to drop Adrian off back at his apartment. He was hoping that he would be able to come in and get more 'intimately' acquainted with Adrian. However, that was not the case.

"I had a good time tonight," Adrian said as he stood in his doorway.

"I did too. So what you about to do now?"

"This buzz is telling me to go to bed. I'm about to have a good sleep."

"Oh, I feel you."

"Call me tomorrow. Actually, let me know when you get home. I don't want to worry about if those Bonecrushers started kicking your ass half way back."

"Naw, I'm good. I’ll call you though."

"Aight dude." Adrian extended his hand out. That was not the kind of parting that Braylon had imagined. A long kiss followed by hot passionate sex was more along the lines of what he had been expecting.

Feeling a mix of disappointment and contentment, Braylon walked back to his car ready to go home. He hoped that Brandon had gone to sleep by the time that he had gotten to the apartment.

It had been quite a night. Braylon sat in his car and reflected on his date. He wished that it wasn't over, but there he was sitting in his driveway alone.

He had driven home with the radio off. He had not felt like listening to the bass and thunder of rap nor did he want to be swept away in the heartfelt sentiments of R & B.

Before he exited the car, Braylon pulled out his cell phone. He had told Adrian that he would give him a call when he got home.

"Dude probably passed out by now," Braylon said to himself. Perhaps it would be better to send him a text message. Besides, due to his drowsiness, any phone conversation that would have would be short.

Braylon could see that all the lights in the apartment were off. Brandon must have gone to bed already. That was a relief to him. Braylon almost felt guilty about going out with someone that he knew that his brother liked; again, almost. But, Braylon always tried to tell his brother, you have to go for what you want. You can't be scared and timid all the time.

Walking into the dark apartment, Braylon could hear noises. He could hear moaning. Braylon cracked a smile. Brandon was finally getting him some! The living room floor was littered with clothing that was discarded in the heat of passion. Braylon could tell that the sexual feast had started by the sofa before moving to the bed.

Braylon tried to tip toe to his room. He didn't want to mess up his brother's groove. It was becoming harder and harder to stifle his chuckles as he listened to Brandon moan and talk shit.

"Aww, shit," Braylon heard echoing past the door and then came a loud smack. Whose skin was getting slapped? "Suck that… aww damn!"

Brandon's door was cracked open. He stopped and took off his shoes. To get to his room, Braylon would have to sneak by undetected.

"Hmmm, you like that?" Braylon heard someone say. The voice sounded familiar. The breathless panting, the tone, and the question; he had heard it all before.

Braylon was almost at Brandon's door. He was taking one step every ten seconds. He wanted to look inside. His curiosity was getting the better of him. It wasn't every day that his brother brought someone back to the apartment.

Who was it? What were they doing? Was Brandon the one getting the ass? Braylon wanted to know, but he decided not to invade his twin's privacy like that. Not only could he do without the sight of his brother possibly getting plunged, he could always ask Brandon in the morning. Braylon was sure that Brandon would probably come running into his room to spill the beans as soon as the guest left anyway.

Braylon was clear of the door and almost to his room. He slowly turned the doorknob to his room when something made him stop dead in his tracks.

"Damn Jerrell, shit!"

Braylon knew that he had recognized that voice. Oh, hell naw!

Jerrell tasted so sweet on Brandon’s tongue. He licked and lapped away at his opening as if there were no tomorrow. Never had an ass been so delicious.

Brandon was really enjoying this sexual romp. Jerrell was very good at pleasing his man and making him feel hot.

When the clothes had started flying, Jerrell had started to tug on Brandon's shirt. Jerrell wanted it off, but the self-conscience Brandon wanted it to stay on. Jerrell eventually won the tug of war and began to place kisses all over Brandon's body.

For the first time in ages, Brandon felt sexy. He was wanted. His body, despite its flaws, was being treated with such desire and passion. Brandon took the lead in this sexual tryst and made Jerrell pleasure him. Service him. Tonight, Jerrell belonged to him.

Brandon rolled the condom on his throbbing dick and entered Jerrell's well lubricated hole. It was a tight fit. Jerrell, who was lying on his stomach, tried to wiggle away for a second. The pain made him wince and moan. Brandon grabbed Jerrell by the hips to make sure Jerrell didn't get too far away.

This release was so needed by the both of them. Jerrell had longed for this connection ever since things went awry with Braylon. Every thrust and stroke satisfied Jerrell's body and soul. He couldn't believe it, but Brandon felt better than his brother.

After just coming home from a stimulating date with Adrian, Braylon stood at the door conflicted. In the darkness, he watched as his twin brother had sex with a guy that he himself had been intimate with on several occasions.

Not too long ago, Jerrell had wanted Braylon's love. It had been his affection that Jerrell had craved and yearned for. Unfortunately, Braylon was not the settling down type. He could not see himself giving his all to only one person without doing some dipping on the side. And if he was to get into some kind of exclusive relationship, it would not be with Jerrell. He was too clingy which was a major turn off. But damn, he had some good ass.

Braylon didn't know if Brandon was some consolation prize or form of revenge, but in any case Braylon was not pleased.

He backed away from the door and returned to his room quietly. All sweet thoughts of his night with Adrian had been displaced. In its place were ideas of revenge. It was time for a little war. Another sibling rivalry had been sparked. He could get Jerrell back easy. Brandon didn't have anything on him.

Braylon stripped down to his boxers and crawled into his bed. He could still hear the sexual sounds coming from the other bedroom. It infuriated him. It made him want to lash out. Tonight was not the night for that. Braylon had a plan.

Oh, heaven help them!

Chapter 11

The whirling of the ceiling fan accompanied with Jerrell's slow and peaceful breathing created the soundtrack for Brandon's thoughts. He quietly laid there with one arm around Jerrell and the other behind his head. He was at peace.

Brandon refused to let thoughts of Braylon enter his head. No guilt or worry would cloud this blissful moment. There had been great, mind blowing sex followed by romantic conversation. Feelings had been discussed, mostly on Jerrell's part.

Brandon wasn't in love nor could he say that he had any amorous feelings bubbling to the surface, but just to know that someone liked him made him feel special.

It was nice to feel wanted. Jerrell gushed over how much more passionate Brandon was and how he was such a good person. The look in his eyes when he talked was damn near love struck. Once again, Brandon was not in the same place. Although this had been great, at the end of the day, it was sex from his twin's ex-fuck buddy. And this was the same guy who just days ago was pleading for his twin to love him. You can't just go from brother to brother like that, can you?

Maybe Brandon was thinking about it too much. He did have a tendency to do that.
Over-analyzing. Over-thinking. Worrying about tomorrow when today isn't even halfway done. For now, Brandon decided the only thing he should worry about is not disturbing Jerrell's slumber.

When morning came, Brandon was able to let Jerrell out of the apartment with no problem. Just as he thought, Braylon was still in his room probably fast asleep.

"Are you going to be busy later on today," Jerrell asked before he headed out the door. Brandon kept a hushed tone while steadily trying to guide his overnight guest out.

"I don't know. Just call me later. I will probably just be doing some studying."

"You know what they say about all work and no play." Jerrell leaned in to give Brandon a quick kiss before exiting. As soon as the front door was closing, Brandon could hear Braylon's bedroom door open.

Brandon's heartbeat quickened. Had he heard Jerrell? Was this about to become a confrontation?

"So I take it that you got some last night," Braylon said as he made his way to the kitchen. "Good job."

"Umm, yeah. Thanks, I guess." Brandon said awkwardly as he slowly made his way to the kitchen as well.

"So who was it?" Braylon grabbed a glass and poured some juice in it. Although he was speaking to his brother, no eye contact was being made.

"Oh just a guy." Brandon didn't know what to say. He just grabbed some juice as well and tried to act natural. Braylon finished his juice in one big gulp.

"Okay," he said while walking out. "I got you." The war was on.

Chapter 12

It had been days since Braylon had spoken to his brother. He was not sure if it was the guilt or possibly the tension between them that kept Brandon away from the apartment. Either way, Brandon had not spent but one night at home since he and Jerrell hooked up that night.

There is a 'Bro Code' that is never supposed to be broken. Brandon blatantly broke that. He slept with someone that his brother had been talking to. If this was about Adrian, then that was a different case in Braylon's mind. Adrian and Brandon weren't even near close to having some kind of relationship outside of tutoring and even if they were, Braylon had not slept with Adrian, at least not yet anyway.