Sean and I were face to face. Staring into each other eyes made me weak.

"Lizzy you know I love you and I wouldn't force you to do anything you don't want to."

"I know but..."

"You feel pressured to make what we have more than what it is. Would I love for us to take this farther, yes, but I know you. You would constantly second guess yourself if whether you did the right thing or not and I don't want you to do that. It would drive you crazy, although you are already certifiable," he said laughing.

I couldn't help but laugh too. I hugged him drying up my tears.

"I don't want snot on my clean shirt, so you need to suck it back up."

"Awe shut up."

"Come on little baby let big daddy tuck you in. You're grouchy when you haven't gotten a few hours of sleep." He tossed me in the bed.

"I'm not."

"Yes you are."

I pulled him down next to me.

"Do you think if we were to get together we would stay together?"

"I would say yes but you would have to determine that. Relationships take work. I'm here and you are back home. I miss you everyday and I would hope you would move here but I know your life is back home. I wouldn't want you to move here and be unhappy, it would just make things worst."

"I have another year on my contract at the hospital."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I don't know."

"I'll make you a deal Lizzy."

"What?"

"In one year if you are not officially in love with Aries and you want a change then you move here and we will be together and I mean more than just a friendship."

"Us together?"

"Yes. I am going to propose, you will be my wife and we will have a house full of kids. If you don't want to live here I will build you your dream house and I swear I will make you happy."

"Awe, wait you are dead serious." His expression on his face meant he was. I reached up and touched it.

"Why would you want to put up with this, it seems unfair to you?"

"Because I want you to see that there is no one but me that can love and understand you the way I can. You have to realize that for yourself. It's doesn't matter how many people tell you or if I get on my knees and confess it to you because you have to know in here," he said touching my heart.

"So you are really going to wait?"

He picked up my phone, went to the calendar exactly one year to the date and typed. He passed me my phone.

I looked down and it read.

I make a vow that Sean and I will be together forever as promised one year ago today if I'm still single.

I slid his phone out his back pocket. I unlocked it and went to his calendar. I went to the same date and typed. I took a little longer since I had so many characters that I had to finish in the comment section. Finally finished, I passed him back his phone. He looked down at it and a smile crossed his face as he read it.

"Today I make a vow that Lizzy and I could be together forever. On these conditions- I will marry Lizzy and build her the biggest house with the perfect kitchen. She will be my personal doctor anytime I want and we will have two children. A boy and a girl, in this order since I will determine the sex of the children. One last thing, I have to love her through all your faults and not say I told you so. If I follow these conditions, Elizabeth Johnson will be mine forever and forever until death do us part and we have to die together or all bets are off."

I chuckled.

"I need to think about this Lizzy."

I looked at him as if he had grown two heads. What did he have to think about?

"Since you like things in writing, I will give you my answer before you leave in the next eight hours." He got up and was about to walk to door but I stopped him.

"Wait one got dang it minute! What do you mean you have to think about it?"

"You have a lot of stipulations. By the time you and Aries finish with your little rendezvous it may not be any good, then I could end up with scattered leftovers." He said looking down below at me.

"What?!"

"I don't know if I want Aries leftovers. You did say he was good and all so maybe you two should just stay together. No man wants an outstretched canal."

"Boy you done lost your mind."

"No. Looking at you right now you wouldn't be able to hold out like I can."

"Who said I can't?"

"Me."

"You act like I'm a sex fiend. I've gone stretches without sex. I've been to the desert and back."

"Not when you have a man."

"I don't see him often. The season is about to start. Let's see, fifty-two weeks in a year, there are three more weeks before the regular season starts. Then there are sixteen weeks of regular season, playoffs, divisional championship and then the Super Bowl, which would add about another six weeks. That gives me twenty four weeks. Add endorsement travel, special appearances, sports camps, workouts that gives me another four weeks before vacation. Twenty-eight weeks. Damn, oh Lord, another twenty four weeks of nothing."

I looked at Sean and he had this unexplainable expression on his face.

"What?"

"If his team doesn't make it to the playoffs or divisional championship which means no Superbowl, then you would have to add those weeks back in."

"Really Sean?"

"I'm just saying."

"Do you really have to make this worst?"

"How are you going to tell your boyfriend you can't have sex with him? The first thing he is going to think is that you are cheating on him."

"If he truly loves me he wouldn't think that."

"Uhm yes he will."

"Relationships are not all about sex. I'll just tell him I want to practice abstinence."

"You're young and now more sexually active. You can't be a born again virgin, you're way to old for that. Just admit you can't last."

"I'm not old mister. I still look like a teenager thank you very much. There are other ways of getting off. Can we stop talking about this?"

"Why?"

"Because."

"You're horny."

"Am not."

"Yes you are," he said walking back over to me.

"Don't you come closer."

"What are you doing under those covers?"

"Nothing!"

He raised the covers and I quickly put my hand to the side and straighten up. My sweats were lodged in my coochie.

He laughed. "A little wet there. Did you have a little accident?"

"You make me sick."

"Lizzy just admit you can't go that long."

My phone started to ring with the ringtone of Marvin Sease's Candylicker. Sean looked at me and shook his head. As the words continued to play I grabbed it and turned if off.

"It's not going to help."

"Technically you had it first."

"And it only makes sense for me to have it last, only if it's still in tact."

"You act like I just give it to every Tom, Dick or Harry. You've been with Lucy, Ethel, LaVerne, Shirley and the whole Golden Girls staff," I said snickering.

He threw a pillow at me.

"Hardeharhar very funny. First of all, I don't do women that are my mom's age or older. You just nasty to even think that of me. Now if you would have said all the strippers at Chocolate City then I couldn't argue. They like rich white boyz because I can definitely make it rain. Speaking of interludes, I don't know what you be doing back home. You could have Tom Turkeyneck, Dickless Mcgee or Harry Nuts coming by on occasion and you not tell me."

"I don't need them because I have a LC."

"LC?"

"Lizzy's cooch..."

"Forget I asked."

"Well you did."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I said as he closed the door.

I laid in the bed just staring up at the ceiling. The reflection from the pool lights danced across the walls and ceiling. I never considered myself a cheater, but Sean had me thinking.

I grabbed my phone to call Aries back he answered on the first ring.

"Where have you been, I have been calling you all day," he asked in an irritated voice.

"Hello to you too darling. If you must know I'm at Sean's house. His teammate committed suicide."

"Yeah I heard. He was a good guy but why are you there?"

"I figured he needed a friend and plus I had met Lucius plenty of times."

"Why didn't you tell me you were in LA?"

"As soon as I heard the news I jumped on a plane and wasn't thinking about calling anyone and that included my mama."

"Then that's real immature. Something could have happened to you and no one would have known, but let me guess Sean knew... that means you have been there since yesterday."

"Yesterday afternoon actually. Sean didn't know until he came home."

I could hear him blow out a deep breath.

"So you have a key to his house."

"Of course, we are best friends and he has one to mine, duh."

"I don't even have a key, Liz."

"When you earn it then I will give you one," I said sarcastically.

"I don't have a key to your place either."

"If you want one just say the word."

"Word."

"Very funny. I swear you can be so childish," he said under his breath but I heard him. Now he was pressing my go to hell button.

"When are you leaving?"

"Later on this evening. It was a spur of the moment trip so I couldn't leave this morning."

"You should have told me you were there yesterday when I called you Liz."

"Wait a minute! Do I need to tell you when I have to go to the bathroom too?"

"Now you are real being childish."

"You don't say that when I'm giving it to you good. At least I told you and I don't have some strangers answering my phone."

"I thought we were over that. Sharon saw your name listed as Dr. Johnson and assumed it was important. No harm was done."

"That's where you are wrong. You probably over there with some chic spread eagle in your bed."

"What's wrong Liz, are you looking to start an arguement?"

"You know what I'm tired and I need some sleep. This popcorn trip has made me off edge."

"Whatever Liz," he said hanging up and I tossed the phone on the bed rubbing my hands over my face.

Sitting there with my knees up I just stared into the corner. I was horny, irritable, sleepy, tired and pissed. I told Aries the truth and he wants to know why I'm here? I'm not six years old where I have to tell him my every move.

"F' men. They make me sick. Why did God create them? That's right to piss me the hell off urgh!"

Maybe if I took a shower I would feel better. I just seem so agitated that I just wanted to scream. Looking down at the shiny pool, maybe I should just go for a swim then take a hot shower. I could do a couple of laps, wear myself out, shower and pick up a few hours of sleep.

I quickly grabbed a swimsuit, my skirt and tank headed out my room. I stopped by Sean's room and it was quiet. He was probably sleep knowing he had practice early. Tiptoeing down the stairs I unarmed the alarm and headed to the pool.

I dived into the water which was nice and warm. It was soothing and perfect for stretching my muscles. Back and forth I swam from one side to another. Taking a deep breath I went down almost to the bottom and came back up. This olympic size pool wasn't a joke.

Flashes of Sean and I where he did all those naughty things to me last time popped in my head. Me running around the table hoping he wouldn't catch me and moments later when he held me it just seem to ramp me up.

Then there's Aries, my sweet chocolate brutha that can lay the pipe down for miles. It's sex, sex, sex and although he thinks he probably invented it, was there truly a future for us? We were still new, but does he see us going further?

I came up for air and heard something. I stopped to wipe my face and I saw something gliding in the water. It had a black head, beady eyes and a red tongue, oh Jesus it was a snake! I screamed and started trying to get out the water but of course the ladder and stairs were on the other side. It was getting closer and all of a sudden my body felt heavy.

I screamed again trying to get a grip. Something was pounding the payment and then strong arms pulled me up. I grab on to Sean as if he was a life jacket.

"I got you."

"It...was trying...to kill me!"

He had the net in his hand and the snake was wrapped around at the bottom of it.

"It's a California Kings snake, they are not dangerous."

"I don't give a ratsass, it was coming for me."

"Actually he was cooling off from the heat. Let me go and release him."

"No he might try to get you too." I was jumping up and down squealing. I was terrified of snakes, worms, bugs actually anything that wasn't human.

"He's not dangerous."

"I don't care what other people say, they don't know they only guesstimate."

"You are going to have to let me go so I can get rid of him."

"Just throw him on the fire pit! Let his ass suffer for trying to attack me."

"He was a mile away from you. Lizzy, would you want someone to throw you on a pit?"

"That's different, I don't eat people!"

"He doesn't either. At least climb on my back because your arms are cutting off my breathing."

I jumped on it while he grabbed the net and headed through the backyard. Each time he took a step my swimsuit began to creep up and form a nice little barrier down below. I tried adjusting myself but it wasn't working.

With each step I was getting hornier and hornier. I rubbed my lips on the back of his neck. My hands moved down his neck to the crease of his chest. He continued to walk and my breathing became steady. I licked the back of his neck.

"Lizzy what are you doing back there?" he asked. We were still halfway to the wall.

"Nothing," I said breathless against his ear.

"Then cut it out."

"Maybe I need to get down."

He stopped and I slid down. Oh I shouldn't have jumped down cause now my bikini was stuck in my backside and coochie. I waited until he dumped the vermin. I hadn't noticed he was wearing a plain blue t-shirt and shorts. His hair was slicked back like David Beckham and his gait was more muscular.

"Why are you staring at me like a tall vanilla milkshake."

"What ya talking about Willis?"

"Eyes up here," he said.

Was I really staring between his legs? I was, dang it!

Maybe he was right I wouldn't be able to hold out. I was weak, in denial, I was desperate. I put my head down like a scorn child.

"You won't survive a year."

"I know, I'm weak, pitiful and shameful. I'm all up on my bestfriend making a mockery of our friendship. I should be tortured and left out to be pulled apart by the buzzards."

"You should actually. Trying to take advantage of me, how could you...Lizzy," he said pretending to cry.

He folded his arms and poked out his bottom lip. "You know (sniffling) how much I loveeee you and you just trying to have your way with me," he said walking away.

"You need Jesus, Sean."

"You need a good stiff one," he said laughing.

I turned around and chased him but he took off. Every time I got closer he would dodge me.

"Gipson fakes to the left, then right, she can't catch him ladies and gentlemen. The crowd is going wild and they are on the edge of their seats, wait most are on their feet. Will she catch him? Oh my goodness the crowd is screaming!" He started making a noise similar to an enthusiastic crowd.

I tried to catch him but he was ducking and moving too fast. He pretended to throw a ball in the air and I tackled him. Laying on his back and me straddling him, he laughed.

"You better get up before Aries finds you in this uncompromising position."

"He's not here."

"I can call him if you want?"

"I've already spoken to him."

"Let me guess he's mad that you didn't tell him you were here."

"You can say that."

"I would agree with him."

"Are you feeling okay?" I touched his forehead and cheek.

"I would wonder where my girl was especially if she wasn't with me or in her home state. It's a protective man thing we do."

"You don't ask me fifty thousand questions or have some hoochie answer your phone."

"I don't have to ask because you voluntarily tell me. The woman answering the phone thing, I don't play that, you will he drawing back nubs."

"I answer your phone."

"Only when I'm not in a relationship."

"Do you think he could be cheating?" I told him what happened last time Aries and I were together.

"It sounds harmless. Seriously I don't think he did. The way you explained it I'm sure there wasn't any foul play."

"Maybe you're right."

"Let's go. Put your clothes on and let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Stop asking questions and come on."

I slipped on my sandals, skirt and tank. My hair was wet so I pulled it back in a bun. Sean put on a cap with a big capital S, a jacket and sperrys. Next thing I knew we were in his car cruising down the street. I looked at him funny while he turned up the radio.

Rich Homie Quan's song, Flex, came on and he turned it up louder. I started to move in my seat as I sang the words. Quan knows he be rolling and then my favorite part came on and I asked the questions while Sean started singing the answers.

(How much you made) a $100,000

(How much, how much you made) a $100,000

(How much, how much you made)

Made some million dollars of a mixtape and I f*** like ooohhh.

We repeated it and started laughing as the song went on. Sean was trying to look gangsta flipping his cap back while I was throwing my hands up wearing his shades. We were bouncing to the beat and I was twerking in my seat.

Pulling up to some strange buildings that looked like warehouses, Sean parked on the side of this abandon looking building. Some six hundred pound dude came out dapping Sean up. He looked like a big black unwanted turd with white spots for eyes. I looked at him strange. Walking back over to me, Sean opened my door.

"Let's roll."

"Ah where are we?"

"You will see. Big Johnny no scratches." Sean threw him his keys.

"Big Sean you know me, I keeps it covered."

Sean nodded at the man.

I heard music playing, we must have been at a club.

"Sean I look a hot mess. No makeup, I'm dressed wrong and my hair is still wet and now bushy."

"You look fine. Let's go."

We walked inside through this metal door and two guys with guns on each side nodded and greeted Sean.

"Damn white boy, you smooth like lightening. Little Mama welcome to the Basement. Big S, she banging."

"That she is," Sean said sucking his teeth. I looked at him funny and he winked.

Walking in the place it looked like a regular bar. The music was blasting, people dancing and rap music blasting from a DJ. Lights flashed, people mingling and bartenders pouring drinks. Sean continued to lead me through the club. I felt so underdressed.

We stopped at another door where Sean was stopped and patted down by this huge Puerto Rican guy with a tat on the side of his face and whispered something to him. He shook Sean's hand nodding. I stood there nervous, where in the hell did Sean bring me? Sean slipped the dude a hundred and he opened the door to a long staircase.