Boy Trouble by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

boyfriend?’ ”
    â€œHuh?” she said, looking confused. “He’s at home sick.”
    â€œOh, is that what he told you?” I stopped in her foyer and turned to face her.
    â€œUm”—she held up her phone—“I’m on the phone with him now.” She pushed the button and put him on speakerphone. “Javier?”
    I heard a cough. Really, dude?
    â€œYeah, babe. What’s up?”
    â€œUm, Maya just got here,” Sheridan said.
    â€œOkay. Go hang out with your friend. I’m going to go lay back down. This flu is kicking my butt.” His voice was all husky like he was straining to talk.
    â€œGet better soon, baby,” she said, smiling. “You want me to bring you something?”
    â€œNah,” he said, his voice sounding all weak. “My mom is here. She’s supposed to be making me some soup or something.”
    Was this dude for real? That’s all I could think as I stood there watching the phone with my mouth on the floor.
    â€œAll right, baby. Call me if you need anything.”
    Sheridan hung the phone up and I looked at my friend in disbelief.
    â€œHe is straight playing you,” I said.
    â€œWhat are you talking about, Maya?” Sheridan walked into her living room. “I just don’t get your obsession with him.”
    â€œI’m not obsessed with your man.”
    â€œThat’s what he calls it,” she said.
    I threw up my hands. “Oh, give me a freakin’ break. I’m not obsessed with your man. I don’t like him because he’s disrespectful and abusive.”
    â€œNo, he is not,” she said, defending him.
    I dug in my purse and pulled out my phone. “He’s also a cheat.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about, Maya?” She opened the refrigerator, pulled out a bottled water, opened it, and took a sip.
    â€œI just saw Javier at dinner,” I said. “With another girl.”
    She spun around to face me. “No, you didn’t. He’s at home sick.”
    â€œNo, he wants you to believe he’s at home, but he just left Sullivan Steakhouse with another chick.”
    â€œMaya, here we go again,” she huffed as she folded her arms, not taking the phone. “Is there any guy you like me with?”
    â€œHow ’bout you find one that’s faithful,” I said.
    â€œI really wish you’d stay out of my business,” Sheridan said.
    We’d almost lost our friendship when she got with Travis against my advice, so fine. I was just going to leave it alone. If she wanted to be played by a guy again, then I was going to let her.
    â€œFine, Sheridan,” I said. “Since it’s obvious you believe your new boyfriend over your old BFF.”
    â€œMaya, don’t even be like that,” she said, cutting me off. “I didn’t say that I believe one over the other. I’m just saying you’re mistaken. I’ve been on the phone with Javier for the last twenty minutes and he’s sick. He was sick earlier today.”
    â€œYou just believe anything, don’t you? He lied earlier today just like he was lying now.”
    â€œYou’re being such a drama queen,” she said. “All I’m saying is that you’re mistaken. You saw somebody else. Not him.”
    I thrust my phone at her. “I’m not crazy. Look. I snapped a picture of him.”
    She kept her eyes on me as she reluctantly took my phone. She looked at the picture, then back at me. “Just wow.”
    â€œYeah, I know, right. Just wow. He’s a dog.”
    â€œNo, wow to you,” Sheridan said. “You’re a trip.”
    â€œWhat is that supposed to mean?” I asked.
    She all but threw my phone back at me. “That’s not Javier, smart aleck. That’s his twin brother, Jose.”
    â€œWhat?” I said, stunned. “What do you mean twin? Javier has a twin?”
    â€œYes,” Sheridan replied,