Free Consequences by Sasha Campbell Page A

Tammy, is crazy jealous.”
    Tristan leaned close. “You know her?”
    Yeah, I knew her, and we could have been friends if she wasn’t so damn stuck on herself. She was high-yellow, rocking a short natural, wide hips, and a pair of double Cs. She was cute, but truly had low self-esteem the way she called and checked on her man all day long. I told Donovan I didn’t know how he dealt with her worrisome ass, popping up at the shop and demanding to know who Lorenzo’s clients were.
    â€œHell yeah, I know her, and the two of you are headed for disaster. She’s always in the shop clowning Lorenzo in front of all the customers. I’m surprised she hasn’t caught the two of you together.” Tammy was such a bitch, part of me felt Lorenzo deserved better, and if he was happy, then who was I to rain on his parade? “You know how I feel about your involvements with married men.”
    I looked at Tristan with a disgusted look. I love him more than I love my own sister, but I’ve already told him on several occasions how I feel about him messing with someone’s husband. Men want to mess with each other? That’s their prerogative, just as long as they had enough respect for the woman he had to go home to. “Please tell me you’re using a condom.”
    Tristan lowered his head, then lifted it and met my hard stare. I wanted to make sure he knew I was serious. “Of course we used condoms. You know I always practice safe sex. Don’t worry. Lorenzo knows exactly what to tell his wife and has everything worked out,” he said with a little too much confidence.
    â€œThat’s fine, but just keep me out of it. I’m serious. I don’t want to be in the middle of that shit. Because if Donovan knew . . .”
    His eyes widened. “Please don’t tell him!”
    I gave a dismissive wave. “You don’t have to worry about that from me.” Besides, I seriously doubted Lorenzo wanted anyone to know either. “I still can’t believe Don’s partner is gay.”
    Tristan’s eyebrow lifted. “I’ve told you before it’s always the man you least suspect that’s undercover. Although with all this lusciousness over here, I can understand why it’s hard for a man to resist.” He gave me a shit-eating grin. “I’m crazy about him.”
    I was half listening because I still had a hard time picturing Lorenzo with Tristan.
    â€œHe’s leaving her.”
    I had to slide a little closer just to make sure I had heard him right. “Who’s leaving whom?” I needed clarification.
    Tristan grinned. “Lorenzo’s leaving Tammy as soon as he pays off a few bills.”
    He was looking full of himself today. I didn’t have the heart to tell him there was no way Tammy would allow that to happen. She was one of those types of women who had saved her virginity for that one man. And after giving birth to three of his babies and building a life together, there was no way she was letting her husband go. She told me before that her parents had been married for fifty years and she planned to do the same.
    â€œPump your brakes and slow it down,” I warned, because Tristan had a nasty habit of moving way too fast when it came to relationships and usually ended up getting hurt. “You really need to tread lightly with this one. I’m serious.”
    â€œOohh-kay, chica. I hear you.” He sucked his teeth, rolled his eyes, and gave me that look like he wished I’d just be happy for him. I sighed. I knew I needed to talk some sense into Tristan’s head, but with that big glossy grin and that faraway look in his eyes, like the time he had met Janet Jackson in the elevator, I knew now was not the time.
    After another drama-filled radio show, Tristan and I got our things and headed out into the parking lot together. The weather in May was my favorite time of the year.
    â€œYou wanna go