A Different Time

My cellphone rings, and I already know who it is. Roy is probably trying to drag me down to the country club because we haven't hung out in a while. Roy has always been undeterred by subtle signals.

"Hey Roy, what's up," I ask as if I don't know.

"Just confirming you are alive, Lee. We haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been around, but we must have just missed each other," I chuckle.

"Well, why don't you come down to the club? Me and the boys will be eating there for a bit, and you should come." So my absence hasn't gone unnoticed by the entire group, and they have probably been talking about me. It's better to make an appearance now and quiet the chatter.

"Sure, Roy, I'll see you in a bit." Click. Lexi will be over later, but this shouldn't take too long. She can let herself in, and I'm sure she will have no problem waiting up in my "Playboy Mansion," as she called it. Should I take the Rolls Royce or the McLaren? Brunch with the boys, definitely the McLaren. Playboy.

Speeding down to the country club, listening to Jay Z and Jermaine Dupri's song with the sun beaming down on my yellow Mclarin and the trees left in the wind, and then my mother calls.

"Leonard, I just got these courtside Lakers tickets, and of course, I would sooner watch paint dry than sit at a basketball game for two hours. So I was wondering if you'd want them?"

"Oh yea, I'd be happy to take those courtside playoff tickets off your hands. Thanks, Mom."

" Wonderful, this will be such a lovely date for you and Catherine. Maybe you can even end up on TMZ." I spoke without thinking. Mother blinded me with the tickets, and I let my guard down, and now she is attacking me with her true purpose.

" Mom, Catherine, and I are on a break, and I'm seeing someone else anyway. "

" Oh, come dear, that little girl isn't your speed. She's clearly a social climber. You would save yourself so much heartache if you stayed away from women like that. You were born to marry a woman like Catherine. A sophisticated woman who won't use you because she doesn't need anything from you. "

It takes every fiber of my being not to cry out in laughter. Catherine is a horrible woman, and she has no problem using me. She sees me as a means to an end—a supporting character in the play of her life. I have no doubt that she would have no problem killing off my character the minute I ceased to be useful to her ambitions.

" Mom, I have to sow my wild oats. I know Lexi is not on my level. There's no heartache. It's just fun. You and I know my new girl will be my ex-girl soon enough. You also know Catherine will be there when the time is right to settle down. If it's meant to be, it will be. "

"Leonard, what about me? You aren't getting any younger, and neither am I. Do you ever think that I might want to meet my grandchildren before I die? You know what, never mind, Leonard. I'll send these tickets to Catherine. She has a great appreciation for the game" Click. She doesn't, Catherine could care less about basketball, but my mom knows she will stir up trouble for me if she goes to Catherine. But that's a problem for a different time.

When I arrive, the Boys are holding court in the back by the window that looks out on the golf course. I am greeted with a chorus of Heys and What's up, and then when I finish the shakes and fist pounds and sit down, everyone just turns to me. Justin starts first.

" Catherine has been asking about you, man. Your mom told her that you have been hanging with a "new harlot." Is it true? "

Of course, I can't really escape my mother. By hell or high water, she will ensure I marry Catherine. " What about you, Justin? You still with Denise?"

" Wow, you really have gotten out of the loop. Denise is old news. I have been with this Brazilian Instagram model Sofia, and she is a complete smoke show, bro, like unreal."

" But you didn't answer the question, Lee. Are you chilling with another civilian girl," asked Donnie, like we were some kind of royals or something.

" I'm seeing a girl from La if that's what you mean. "

"Ahh, come on man, not again. How many times are you going to do this before you learn?" said Roy exacerbated. Donnie took the baton from there.

" I don't get you, bro. Catherine Vanguard is the hottest girl in the game, and she is interested in you for some reason. Yet you keep messing with these gold diggers who always use you. "

Unfortunately, Donnie was on point. My dating history reads like a Greek tragedy. I am to relationships as Sting was to tag team partners. To say my past judgment was poor would be an understatement. Still, that didn't mean I had to sit here and take this brotervention.

" Okay, cut the crap. Justin, is this your 8th or 9th IG model? Donnie, weren't you the one who fell in love with the stripper in Atlantic City and Roy? Roy, didn't you date a pornstar?" There was a moment of silence before Justin cut back in.

" Yea, but that's different. We are scoundrels. That's not you, bro."

"You are not a casual dater. Remember when Vanessa just ghosted you? We're just tired of seeing you take a beating," said Donnie solemnly. Vanessa, of course Donnie would bring her up, and now they really aren't playing fair.

" You are a home run or strike-out guy. Instead of chasing these wild pitches and striking out, why don't you take Catherine? She is a guaranteed homerun."

It's not surprising they want me to take the easy way out. They are looking out for me in their own way. The easy way comes naturally to us because it's our entire life. But something feels wrong about my predestined relationship with Catherine. I work at my family's company, and everything I have is thanks to my family and decisions made before I was even born. But love is different. I get to choose who I fall in love with. Catherine might be okay with running the script, but my relationships are my choice.

Vanessa got me, but I'd rather have fun with the Vanessas of the world than sign the rights to my heart over to Catherine and my family. Vanessa taught me an important lesson. The mistake I made with Vanessa is I believed in her too much. As long as I take things as what they are, these fleeting Vannessas can be fun. We can use each other.

" Guys, this is nothing like that. I'm just living my best life, and that just happens to include Lexi right now. But I have learned my lesson. I will not save them if they don't want to be saved. In fact, I've actually started to get a little bored with Lexi. I mean, probably gonna break up with her soon."

"Well, if that's the case, why don't you dump her tonight, and we can hop on my jet and stop when we get to the biggest party," said Roy staring intently at me. Now they were all staring at me. Waiting to confirm whether I am who I say I am or the same old Lee. Lexi and I had a certain chemistry, and I have enjoyed our time together, but I know how that story goes. One thing is for sure I will never be the simp that fell for Vanessa again.

"Alright, bet, let's go. She is at my place right now, and I can get this over with tonight. I don't give a damn!"

"Let's go," shouted Roy.

"Lee's a savage," touted Donnie.

" Looks like Lee's balls have finally dropped," jeered Justin.

" Shut up, Justin. What about you and that IG Model?"

"Scoundrel, remember," laughed Justin

They were so psyched that they wanted to follow me back to the house. After we talked about how fucked up we were gonna get and who was gonna do the most damage, we finally arrived at my house. The guys were excited about the trip, but I still don't think they fully believed I would go through with it, but I was serious.

"You sure you got this, " asked Donnie.

" Ya'll just make sure that the Jet is ready. I'll be back in a flash," I boasted.

"We'll be waiting," sang Roy.

When I entered the house, the main light was off, and I could only see a warm violet light coming from one of the second-floor bedrooms. As I got closer to the bedroom, I could hear some Jhene Aiko playing, and then I heard Lexi shout Yes. Perfect, Only I could be cheated on with my friends outside on my way to breakup up with the girl. Like the universe itself refuses to let me strike first for once.

The door is ajar, and I peek through and see Lexi on her back with her legs spread talking on the phone.

"Yeah, I get it girl. I thought that exact same thing. He's got resting douchebag energy, but Lee's not what I expected. When we met, I totally expected him to be a rich asshole, but he's actually pretty deep. I don't know how to explain, but Lee talks to me differently than other guys. I know it's early, but I really like him. "

I sank to the floor. Of course, I read the situation wrong again.

Just then, one chime went off on my cellphone from Roy

Dude whats taking so long?

I heard another chime, and this time, it was from my mom.

I'm sorry about snapping at you earlier. Catherine thought you should have the tickets. She is bringing them over now.

"Lee, is that you,"ask Lexi. I got up and went to the door.

"Hey Lex, wanna go over to yours?"

"Why would you want to leave this place to come to my apartment?"

" Well, I assume you are gonna need to get some things for our trip this weekend. "

"Where are we going," said Lexi confused.

"Depends on where you want to go."

"Why the trip all of a sudden."

" Well, I have wanted to go on a trip, but I needed the right person to travel with."

" Alright, playboy, let's go," she said, staring into my eyes. I grabbed her and took her away from the front door, and led her to the garage. This time I'll take the Royce. The McLaren can stay where it's at.

We drove out of the other end of my garage and left the back way. I rolled the windows down a bit and let the wind run through our hair. I may have completely misread Lexi and ruined our relationship by trashing her to my family and friends, who are probably pissed at me right now. But those are problems for a different time. Right now, it's just me, Lexi, and the open road.