Army rose to his feet. “We went out for dinner, for fuck’s sake. There’s nothing to tell.” He rinsed out the glass and put it in the dishwasher.
“Why’re you getting so mad?”
“Because this is pussy bullshit we’re talking about. I’m done.” Army picked up his boots and went to the bedroom, closing and locking the door behind him. Gripping the hem of his T-shirt, he tugged it over his head then shrugged off his jeans and tossed them on the floor next to his shirt. He slipped on a pair of sweat pants and went over to the square four-paned window. Looking out, Army could see the building across from Taylor’s and what the residents had on their balconies: grills, pumpkins, hanging plants, and patio furniture. A small courtyard filled with flower boxes, winding walkways and clusters of ash trees, whose leaves had now taken on various hues of red, yellow, and orange, separated the buildings. For the most part it was quiet, except for the few muffled voices from unknown apartments that bounced off the stuccoed walls and the rustling of branches in the wind, which sounded like trees whispering. Gradually, the lit apartments went dark and soon the only lights were the dim lampposts lining the sidewalks, the soft spotlights under the trees, and the glow from the tip of Army’s joint.
That night had puzzled him because it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced with a woman. It was the first time he’d been with a chick where the night didn’t end in sex. That alone surprised him, but what blew him the hell away was he’d had a great time even though they hadn’t fucked. For Army, women were for pleasure, and it never occurred to him that he could have a good time with a pretty chick without screwing. He actually enjoyed talking to Mia and getting to know her. Army knew more about her in the short time they’d spent earlier that night than he did about any of the club girls or Willow, who he’d been fucking for several months. The crazy part of it all was that he wanted to know everything about Mia and spend more time with her. She’d gotten into his head and under his skin, and that was a first for him. Mia was like a shot of whiskey, only smoother and more potent.
I don’t have time to get involved with her. We got a possible war with the fuckin’ Pistons looming. I have to focus on that.But thinking for even a moment that he’d never see her again brought up emotions inside him he wasn’t ready to deal with. This had never happened to him with a woman and he couldn’t believe it.I’m just all riled up because we haven’t fucked. She’s teasing me, and I’m a natural hunter. Of course I love the challenge.It had to be that because he didn’t getinvolvedwith any woman. He thought Steel, Paco, Goldie, Diablo, Sangre, and Muerto were damn fools for tying themselves down to one chick. He didn’t want or need that shit … but at that moment, the only woman he wanted was Mia.No …Stiletto’cause right now she’s busting my fucking balls. I should hook up with Willow. She’d take the edge off for me.
Army stared at a raccoon scampering across the sidewalk. He wouldn’t hook up with Willow or any other woman because, for now, he just wanted Mia, and he was positive she’d be worth the wait. He didn’t plan on keeping her; he just wanted some time to fuck her out of his system. As much as he enjoyed their time together, at the end of the day, women couldn’t be trusted. All the years his mother told him she loved him were nothing but damn lies. She walked out of their lives without a backward glance.And that’s love?The women he fucked all had other men they banged on the side.No one gives a damn, that’s the way it works. Just have a good time.
Army pushed away from the window, a hard expression tightening his facial muscles.That’s all it’s gonna be,sweetheart—a good time. I’ll give you my cock, but there’s no fuckin’ way you’ll ever have my heart.
He lay down on the bed and rested his forearm over his eyes. Mia was front and center in his mind, and for a long while, he kept replaying their night together and every other instance they’d shared thus far. Turning on his side, he punched the pillow and tried to get comfortable, but the images kept running through his mind like a movie reel. After a couple of hours, he finally drifted off into a fitful sleep.