really good friends. Now, he wasn’t sure he even knew Marvin anymore. And with the direction Marvin was heading, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. “You’re not turning this onto me.” His personal life was just that, personal. The last time he’d spoken to Marvin about a woman, they were in high school. Maybe that was because he knew what type of guy Marvin was. If he for a second thought Jordan liked a girl, Marvin would’ve dropped everything and pursued her just for fun.
“I haven’t been back there since you walked out on Gianna. But what would your wife say if she knew you were seeking out another woman?” Jordan asked.
“Alice and I are separated,” Marvin declared.
Jordan took his eyes off the road for a second to confirm Marvin wasn’t joking. “Set a new record. You’ve been married for only six months.”
“Five. And it’s her fault. She nags. Every time I go out, she wants to know where I’m going. It’s like she doesn’t…”
“Trust you? Go figure,” Jordan laughed. “You’ve run around on every one of your wives.” The only reason why Jordan knew this to be true was because Marvin liked to brag. He still couldn’t believe how lucky Gianna was by Marvin backing out.
“I promised Alice I wouldn’t,” he stated in a serious tone.
Sadly Marvin seemed to believe what he said. But Jordan knew his words were empty. It was Marvin’s actions that reflected who he really was. It’s getting harder and harder to even call Marvin a friend at this point. How can you be friends with someone that you barely respect?
Jordan needed to change the subject because this one wasn’t going anywhere. “How long are you going to be in New York?”
“Got some business to take care of. A few legal matters.”
And maybe meet with a divorce lawyer?
“Next time you ask me for a drink, let me pick the place,” Jordan stated. “What hotel are you staying at?”
Marvin chuckled. “I was hoping I could stay with you. You know, catch up on what’s been going on.”
There was no way in hell Marvin was staying with him, not even for a night. “I’m still working at Lawson Steel. There. All caught up.”
“You’re really not going to let me stay at your place?” Marvin asked.
Jordan shook his head. “I like my privacy.”
“I see some things haven’t changed in all these years. I guess you can drop me off at a hotel. Want to grab dinner first?”
He shot him a look, and then shook his head. Marvin looked rough. It was obvious that Marvin had consumed plenty of alcohol prior to getting one poured on him. They’d been in contact over the phone, but over the last few years, they were distant. Marvin seemed to be spiraling out of control. If he wasn’t out doing something stupid, he was running off at the mouth and making enemies. If Marvin wasn’t careful, he might find Jordan adding his name to that list.
“I’ll pass,” he replied.
Marvin laughed. “I get it. Not until I have a shower and a change of clothes. You never know who I’ll meet while we’re out.”
Yup, some things never change. Always looking for the next conquest.
“Let’s make it lunch tomorrow. Maybe by then you’ll be…” Sober. “ready.”
“Ready for what?” he asked.
For the warning that’s coming your way. “To eat.”
Jordan dropped him off at a hotel and drove off. Marvin had been swaying a bit, but he didn’t need assistance. He wanted to be happy to see Marvin again. That’s why he agreed to meet him at the bar. But he also had gone because he knew there could be trouble. That bar was Gianna’s old stomping ground and it pissed him off knowing that Marvin was out trying to find Gianna.
Jordan had no control over what Marvin did, but knowing he was back in New York for Gianna twisted his gut. The only good thing was Marvin didn’t know where to look. But how long was it going to be before Marvin found her right there in the city? And what the fuck are you planning to do when you do find her?
It wouldn’t surprise Jordan at all if Marvin tried getting back with Gianna. Marvin and Rhonda had broken up, married, divorced then dated again. Rhonda wasn’t the nicest girl in the world, so Jordan didn’t feel too badly for her. Gianna, on the other hand, even though she still harbored resentment towards Marvin, he doubted she’d be prepared for Marvin’s next game.
It wasn’t like