chapter 1

Eddie stood hunched over the sink, giving his beard one last look as he washed his hands. Scanning from one side of his face to the other, he looked for any imperfections along the sharp line which separated the skin of his cheek from his thick black beard. He traced upwards, admiring how his fresh fade blended seamlessly, a thick head of fine black curls on top, falling down his forehead just above his brow. Looking from the side, he tilted his head up and down, noting how the angles changed the appearance of his jaw.

He confidently practiced smiles as he dried his hands, flashing his bright smile, doing his best to keep his cheeks sucked in. Adjusting the collar of his flowy short-sleeved button down, he observed how his small gold chain fell onto his chest, exposed with the top two buttons undone.

Eddie stepped back for a fuller perspective. He rolled up his sleeves once over to show more of his muscle-bound arms, patterned with black tattoos. Turning to the side, he observed his profile and again smiled, nodding his head to the mirror as though he were gesturing to a stranger.

He exhaled and watched as his profile expanded, belly pushing forward. He sighed and turned to face the mirror head-on.

“Big dudes can never pull these oversized shirts off,” he grumbled. He wondered how the shirt might look tucked in as he pulled the bottom of the shirt close to his waistband, but quickly decided against it, recognizing it only accentuated his belly and thick hips further.

“Whatever, man,” he sighed as he walked towards the living room.

--

“Everything come out alright, champ?” Mateo joked. “Do I need to wait a few minutes before I head in there?”

“Shuddup, idiot…”

“Woah!” Mateo laughed, “take it easy there, Mr. Sensitive.”

“Just because you blow up our bathrooms any chance you get doesn’t mean we’re all like that.” Eddie playfully pushed Mateos head. He sank into the couch next to Luca, who coughed as a thick cloud of smoke shot from his mouth.

“Yo, Eddie,” he struggled as he coughed, gesturing to the table, “got a couple of slices left. Get in there.”

“Nahhh bro, I’m good.”

“I’m not taking you home early when you’re drunk as hell all because you didn’t eat before, man.” Mateo warned, headed towards the bathroom.

“For real,” Luca wheezed, “don’t be a hero.”

“Nah, I have to start losing some weight, man. I gotta get back.”

“Get back to what? Tenth grade? When’s the last time you were shredded, bro?” Mateo teased from the bathroom.

“Man, come on. Really though, I lose 15...20 pounds, I’m gonna be set. It’s really gonna be over for you guys once I’m down like that.”

“I might start thinking closer to 30, maybe more, if I were you, bro!” Mateo teased over the violent splash of his stream.

“Shut the hell up and close the door, man!” Eddie laughed, embarrassed.

“My apartment, brother. I pee with the door open now. House rules!”

“I knew we should have pregamed at your place.” Luca whispered.

“Put that little thing away and let’s get out of here.” Eddie shouted, using his hand to block his view.

--

Loud bassy music pounded down the hall as Mateo locked his apartment door behind them.

“I have to meet those dudes down there,” he said as they walked towards the elevator, “they’ve always got something going on. Lots of girls coming in and out too, always so fine. My apartment’s gonna be like that soon, you know: parties, girls, every weekend.” he grinned as he pressed the elevator button.

“Man, any girl who goes into your gross apartment is going to turn around and leave in 15 seconds, MAX, bro. I bet those dudes down there don’t have a sink full of dishes all week.” Luca joked, Eddie laughing out loud behind him.

“You just remember that next time you ask to crash on my couch, man. You can take that train home if you want.”

“Yo for real, Mateo, you’re gonna have roaches in no time if you keep that up.”

“Man, you two are the only roaches who have ever been in that apartment.” Marco whined.

In the elevator, Mateo looked into the mirror ahead of them.

“Hey...you ever wonder if our kids will look at pictures of us now, kind of like how we look at pictures of the 90s? Like, are they gonna think we look fly? Or will they think we’re a bunch of nerds.” Mateo asked.

“I don’t know, man...Eddie is the only one of us who knows how to dress.” Luca responded, pointing at Eddie.

“Oh, what? This little number!?” Eddie joked, pulling at his shirt. “I mean yeah, I guess our kids are gonna look at pictures of us and think I’m fly, or whatever stupid question you asked a few seconds ago.”

“Man, *** guys,” Mateo chuckled, “I’m just trying to get my boys hyped!”

They walked out of the elevator towards the front door as he continued.

“We’re young! It’s Summer. We’re in the city. We’re gonna get lit the hell up. We’re gonna dance with girls. Let’s have a hell of a night.”

Eddie felt the humid New York air swallow him as he stepped out of the building, oppressively weighing on his face and bare chest. Sweat began to bead up above his brow in what felt like only a few steps. He wondered how it might feel in the congested clubs if the outside air, this late in the evening, was already so unbearable. He looked down to his armpits, thankful he wore a lighter patterned color.

“Luca, your boy’s already there, right? He said it’s good?” Eddie asked as they strolled down the sidewalk.

“Yeah man, he said it’s lit. They got a table, music’s good, they said there’s some ridiculous girls in there.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Mateo said, leading a few paces ahead, “if I don’t bring a girl home tonight, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

“I can probably guess.” Eddie quickly jumped in.

“15 seconds either way, my man.” Luca finished. The three laughed as Luca pushed Mateo’s shoulder.

“I got 20 seconds in me tonight, fellas. It’s a big night.” Mateo laughed, looking over his shoulder.

In the distance, a group approached. Eddie identified four young women, walking in the opposite direction.
“Eh? Ehhh?” Luca whispered to Eddie as they approached, trying to elicit his opinion.

To Eddie, the light of the city’s evening, made softer by the thick humid air, fell on one alone. Time slowed with her full figure in plain sight. Her black hair was tied up, slicked to her head and overflowed with dense, thick curls behind her, falling just above her shoulder. Her bronze skin shone in the murky light, cheeks and forehead smooth and clear. Adorned in a mustard yellow crop top and brown-and-white striped high-waisted shorts, Eddie’s eyes were drawn to the exposed sliver of flesh just below her breasts, pressing tightly against her waistband. Above her legs’ intersect protruded a soft mound of flesh, straining the threads of her shorts, giving sight to the indent of her belly button. Hanging by her sides, plump arms decorated with earthy beads swayed confidently with each step. From the bottom of her shorts, two wide thick thighs wobbled and rubbed together with each step. Plush knees gave way to chunky calves and pudgy ankles. Sandals with a single wide white strap and short heel hugged her feet as she owned the asphalt below her.

Her wide body moved with familiar ease as three slender shadows bounced around her. Dark red lips slowly parted, opening for an immaculate smile as her deep dark eyes met Eddie’s. His eyes nervously darted downward and ahead.

Sounds became audible again as Mateo butt in: “Ladies…?”

A few muffled giggles were given in return, but none of the women spoke. As they passed and moved further in the distance, Mateo turned around.

“Dude…” he gasped, “I think they were into me!”

“They literally laughed at your ***.” Luca bantered.

The two carried on as Eddie slowed and looked behind him. Below her springy tight curls, her thick hips bounced fluidly with each step, sending her wide ass into a hefty wobble. He watched as her butt quaked, until she slowly turned her head to look in his direction. He wiped his forehead and again jerked his gaze in front of him.

“They were so fine, bro,” Mateo continued. Eddie couldn’t remember a single thing about the other three women. “That one in the green? My GOD, bro.”

“Calm down, man, easy now.” Luca taunted. “We’ll be in the club surrounded by tons of women just like her in just a few minutes.”

“Why don’t we just meet up with those girls!? I already said hi!”

“Idiot. Girls don’t want to be followed around on the street. Let them go on with their night.” He wrapped his arm around Mateo, halting him to a stop. “Alright bro, picture this: we’re at the club, the music is loud, we all got a good buzz, we’re dancing, there’s a hundred women just like her all dancing, grinding on everybody…”

“Yeah…” Mateo trailed, staring into the distance.

“And some of them are probably hoping some young stud like one of us will buy them a drink and try to talk to ‘em.”

“Uh huh…” Mateo confirmed.

“And if they don’t? Well, there’s tons of others. And if you find one who’s into it? Maybe get to dancing...yada yada yada...and maybe you take her home? Sound good?” Luca encouraged.

“Yeah...Yeah! That does sound good.” Mateo snapped

“You’re pathetic, bro.” Eddie joked.

“At least I talk to girls, man.”

“Much to their dismay.” Eddie prodded.

“Fuck you, Ed.” Mateo smiled and led them onward.