To say he slept would be a stretch.
Deon had spent the night somewhere between sleep and lucidity, basking in Amina's presence. His body refused to welcome rest, but he didn't mind.
He watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest, afraid to look away — as if his gaze alone kept her real.
Each second was precious. He couldn't waste them sleeping.
He didn't mind if she did, though. After the night they'd shared, it would've been more surprising if she wasn't in recovery mode.
Funny how a memory so new could already feel irreplaceable.
The first light of dawn crept through the curtains. The dream was ending.
He brushed his fingers through her hair. Her eyes opened gently. She hadn't been sleeping either.
"Five more minutes," she murmured, rolling onto her back.
"It'll never be enough."
"No," she sighed, curling her knees to her chest. "But I don't want another sad goodbye."
"Nah. Me either. One was enough for a lifetime."
"So we don't say it. We just... go our separate ways and let destiny take its course."
He raised an eyebrow. "Destiny?"
"Stohp." She nudged his shoulder. "I know it sounds corny, but I figure, you know?"
"That something this good must be destiny?"
"Right!?"
"Can I offer a counterargument?" He smiled.
"Go on."
"It's a coincidence."
She tossed a pillow at him. He laughed.
"I'm serious," he said. "A series of fortunate events. Plane to a foreign country, cute girl in a bar, then again at the market, instant chemistry — all coincidence."
"Okay, but why couldn't that be destiny?"
"Because that's less romantic."
"How?"
"If it's written in the stars, it's not a choice. I'd rather believe every step — including this — is mine."
"This?" She moved closer.
"Yeah. Us."
"And we are?"
"Figuring it out."
She traced a finger along his chest. "Mhm."
"We can't be more than what we are right now, can we?" she whispered.
"I feel—" he hesitated—"I feel we could manage."
"You have things to sort out."
"True. But I'm taking that step."
"I saw." She smiled faintly. "Maybe after a few more steps we—" she caught herself.
"You have apprehensions too?"
"A woman should have some secrets." She slipped from the bed, pulling on her clothes. "Take a good look. Might be the last time."
"Doubtful."
"Why's that?"
"I can be patient. Exhibit A: Sierra."
She froze. Her heart twisted.
"I can't," she muttered. "I can't be more than this."
"I'm sure we can—"
"I'm involved with someone, Deon."
His breath caught. She turned away, staring at the floor.
"T-that's okay," he managed. "Not like I can judge. I'm kinda the same."
"No. It's not." Her voice was bitter. "You didn't fuck Sierra. I did that—just with someone else."
"Amina, that shit don't mean anything to me."
"I know. But it means something to me."
"You love him?"
"No. Not anymore."
"Then—"
"I can't. I don't know what he'll do."
"To you?"
"To himself."
"So you do love him?"
"Yes. But not like I love you. I'm not in love, okay?"
"Okay." He smiled softly. "You love me?"
"Deon!"
"My bad."
"Be serious."
"I'll do better." He grinned.
"For real, if you've got other things on your mind, we can drop this topic."
"When the lights are out, I need a recreation."
He smirked. "Sex scene — I need a re-creation."
She rolled her eyes, cheeks warm. "You play too much."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
He leaned closer. "Yeah?"
She kissed him once, then pulled back with a smile. "Yeah. But I don't mind it."
"Me either."
⸻
They decided to share a taxi to the airport. They figured, any additional time would be better than none. They were wrong.
He had spent the first 5 minutes forcing a meaningless conversation. She had offered her best smile, but all she wanted was for him to hug her and cry into his chest. After another 5 minutes of awkward silence, she reached out her arms for an embrace and did just that. The tremble of his body let her know he may have been crying too.
That made her feel closer to him. That he'd show that level of vulnerability made her feel unique if not special.
When they arrived at the airport they kept things short. Probably for the better.
"Well I'm this way." She said looking down at her boots that were more cutesy than anything she'd normally wear but she wanted him to have an ideal image of her in his head.
"And I'm this way." He said pointing the opposite direction. He never looked down or away. He wanted to take in as much of her as possible in this moment. "You have my number. If you get bored, hit me up."
"What about be when I'm not bored." She said still looking down.
"Anytime. I'll pick up on the first ring."
"...too slow."
"My hands are clumsy, so that's all I can manage."
"Mhm." She was still looking down. She didn't want him to see her cry. Again.
"Okay then. Imma just go." She said turning on her heels.
"Aye!" He called to her.
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"Text me to let me know you got home safe." He said.
A warmth spread across her chest. She just nodded and walked away. Only slower this time.
He watched her as she went, until she was swallowed by the crowd.
——
Amina settled into a seat near the window, waiting for her boarding group to be called. She switched off airplane mode.
She'd turned it on when she decided to skip her flight yesterday. She knew it was irresponsible, but she'd done it anyway. She didn't want her friends talking her out of staying—she knew she would've listened.
As expected, her phone lit up with notifications, chiming like rain against glass. She took a deep breath and opened the messages from her friends first.
To her surprise, there was no panic. No reprimands.
Just joy.
"Go get him."
"Finally 😁🥰😍😀!"
"Aren't you happy you came?"
Every message was encouraging. She couldn't help but smile. They'd have questions when she got home, sure—but for now, it felt good to be seen.
Then came the messages she'd been avoiding.
All from one name.
Ra'Quan.
She opened them.
"Hey. I know you said you needed time to think, but it's been two weeks. Can we meet up?"
"Come on, Mimi. You just gon' ghost me like this?"
"Can you at least answer the phone?"
"I'm sorry, i'aight? I'll pull up to your spot tonight and we can talk."
"I'll be there around 7:30."
"Aye, I'm here. I know you're home—your car's here."
"Come to the door. Please."
"Damn, you wasn't gon' tell me you left? I bumped into your neighbor—they said you wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Said they're watching Sasha for you. You know you coulda asked me to help."
"Anyway, sorry for blowing you up. Hope the trip's been fun. I miss you. See you tomorrow. 😘"
"What happened!? I bumped into some of your friends—they said you missed your flight!? Are you good? You need cash to get home? Let me know wassup, Amina. I got you."
"I must've really fucked up, huh? But you were in that bed too, Amina. It's not all on me. I thought—nah, I knew we both wanted it in that moment. So why am I being punished?"
"Can you please, just respond. Please!"
She sighed heavily, pressing the phone to her forehead.
"Back to reality, huh?" she muttered.
Her thumbs hovered over the screen before she typed:
"Be home tonight. Talk then. Just talking."
Send.
The reply came almost instantly.
"Okay, tonight. Thank God, Amina. You okay?"
She stared at it, then typed two words.
"Tonight."
And switched her phone back to airplane mode.
"Guess my life's complicated too," she said with a bitter smile, thinking of Deon as her boarding group was called.
She took one last look out the window.
"'Til next time."
———
Sierra and Keyon arrived back in the states hours ahead of Deon, in sunny San Francisco. This wasn't him. Keyon needed to come straight here for business. She was just along for the trip like a good wife should be. And after failing to bring Deon into their love life, she had little to no leverage in the relationship now. Keyon held all the cards. The idea that Deon could steal her away afforded her a modicum of power, but now she after his rejection, that had faded.
Dammit Deon. You're always so adamant about the most inconvenient things at the most inconvenient times.
If you love me, just fucking love me. Is that so hard? It's like I have to do everything.
Sierra took out her phone preparing to send just that to him, but she caught herself, showing more self restraint than she was normally capable of. A small victory she was quite proud of.
Instead she sent something he wouldn't expect.
"I'm sorry. I know I came on a little strong in the trip, but I'm serious about you. About us. When you get this please give me a call. XOXO."
She sent a photo of her smiling as well. She knew he loved that. Then tossed her phone on the couch.
Patience wasn't her strong suit, and it didn't have to be. Because she had no intent on waiting this out.
She hadn't realized just how much she didn't want Deon getting away from her.
"As it turns out. I don't like people eating off my plate either." She glancing over at her phone as it light up. She didn't check it. A smile crept onto her face.
"Balls alway in my court." She said as she walked off into another room. "Let's let it simmer a bit."
——
Deon reached his apartment door just as his phone chimed. He pulled it out while fishing for his keys.
I can't deal with this shit right now.
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and unlocked the door.
The scent hit him first—homemade pasta and red sauce. His favorite. Only one person would bother doing this for him, and only one other person even had a key.
"Making yourself at home, per usual," he called out.
A soft laugh drifted from the kitchen. "Welcome home, bro."
A small, tan Asian girl with green hair stepped into view. "Right on time. Dinner's almost ready."
"Oh, so you cooked for me?"
"Who else?"
"I mean, I might not have even come back today."
"You? Mr. Fifteen-Minutes-Early? Yeah, right."
"I'm not as predictable as you think."
"You're an open book, bro. For example, I already know the answer to the following question."
He raised a brow.
"Would you like dinner, a bath, or—" she paused, smirking, "—me?"
"That explains the outfit," he said. She was wearing a lime-green negligee, completely see-through. It was almost too distracting. "And my answer is?"
"Me, of course!"
"You know," he said, grinning, "someone told me a book's easy to read when you're interested."
"I don't get it."
"I bet. I'm gonna shower, then dinner."
"Then?"
"If you're gonna beg, I guess I'll have you too."
"Ass!"
"Guess you and Jaron are over."
"Fuck him."
"And fuck me too, huh?"
"In that order," she shot back. "Did you see the new Pokémon?"
"Haven't seen anything. What do you think people do on vacation?"
She shrugged. "Never been. I imagine the same thing you do here, just somewhere prettier."
"You're not wrong," he said, pulling his shirt off. Her eyes followed the motion.
"Uh, can I help you?" he asked.
"Absolutely. Look at me, bro. I'm not here to waste time."
"Sounds like that's exactly what you're here to do." He chuckled.
"So..."
"I got you—just let me clean up first."
"You ain't gotta treat me like a lady."
"I'm not. I just like clean balls."
"I'll clean 'em."
"You freaky frog."
She stuck out her tongue.
"Anything change while I was away?" he asked.
"Nah. That one neighbor of yours stopped by today."
"Savanah."
"I don't know her name. The one who comes over half-naked all the time."
"Said the pot."
"Completely different. We have an arrangement."
"Do we?"
"Don't start. I need that."
He laughed. "I got you."
"Now?"
"If I must."
"You must." She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the couch.
"Here?"
"It's closer."
"Fiend."
"Whatever—you're just as ready," she said, glancing down.
"I mean..."
"Shut up." She pushed him onto the couch and straddled him. Her voice softened. "Don't do that thing. I have work tomorrow."
"It's your show. I just work here."
She lowered her hips and exhaled sharply. He placed a hand on the small of her back and rocked slightly.
"Deon..." she whimpered. He was doing the thing.
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
"Okay," he said, pulling out his phone. "Let me know when you're close—I'll finish up."
She didn't answer.
He checked his screen instead.
A text from Sierra.
I'm sorry. A picture of her smiling.
"Damn," he muttered. "Good combo." Cunning little vixen.
Another chime.
I made it home.
Amina.
Jordy bit into his shoulder with a gasp. "Fuck, Deon. Was that good news?"
"How can you tell?"
"Hard to miss," she breathed.
He laughed. "I get it."
He didn't answer Amina. He didn't want to stain that thread with what was happening now. He'd rather keep it pure.
I'm all over the place, he thought, listening to Jordy's breath in his ear.
"I'm close," she whispered.
"Yup." That's all he said. But his body answered her with practiced precision.
When it was over, Jordy collapsed beside him on the couch.
"Iight, I'm gonna grab that shower."
"Okay. I'll make you a plate."
"Wash your hands first."
"Not like you haven't tasted me before."
"Touché. Do it anyway." He disappeared down the hall.
What are you doing? he thought. For the first time in a long time, he didn't have an answer.
———
Elsewhere,
"Hello."
"It's me Juan."
"Stacey. What's this about. We're not supposed to-"
"It's not an issue anymore."
"What does that mean-"
"Juan. I want to see her. I want to see my daughter."
Author's Note:
Thanks for reading up to this point. I'd consider this the end of Act 1 of Man in the Middle.
If you've made it this far, let me know what you think — who's your favorite character so far? Who's your least favorite? What moments have hit the hardest or stuck with you the most?
Act 2 gets even wilder, and I think this is where I really hit my stride.
Stay tuned — things are about to get complicated.
— Dri