Secret Indiscretions by Trice Hickman Page A

her.”
    â€œI agree. You’ve got too much to lose. Does she know where you live?”
    â€œI’m sure she can look it up. I hope she’s not crazy enough to try to come by my house.”
    â€œShe just might. I don’t put anything past anyone, especially a woman who’s on a mission.”
    â€œYou’re right about that,” Johnny said with a heavy sigh.
    Bernard cleared his throat. “I hate to even ask you this, but does she know who Geneva is? I mean, does she know her real name?”
    Johnny was silent.
    â€œDamn, you told her Geneva’s name?”
    â€œI’ve been seeing Vivana for five months, so of course Geneva’s name has come up.”
    â€œBut you know the rules of the game.”
    â€œYeah, I know I could’ve made up a name like I’ve done in the past, but for some reason I didn’t. Besides, Vivana told me her husband’s name and I even know what he does for a living and where he works. He’s a boring-ass accountant, and with a name like Wilbert, what can you expect.”
    Bernard laughed. “I ain’t never heard of no brother with a name like Wilbert.”
    â€œTell me about it.”
    â€œYou sure that’s his real name?”
    â€œIt was hard for me to believe, too, and I even told her so. It wasn’t until she Googled him on her laptop one night, right in front of me, that I believed her.”
    â€œDamn, she’s bold to do something like that.”
    Johnny shook his head. “You don’t know the half of it.”
    â€œHow much information did you share with her about Geneva?”
    â€œActually, I lied about what she does.”
    Bernard sighed with relief. “Ever since I straightened out my life, I no longer condone lying. But in this case I encourage it, and I’m glad you did.”
    â€œMe too. I told her that Geneva works in the healthcare field. I didn’t tell her where she works or what she does, just that she’s in healthcare.”
    Bernard cleared his throat. “Don’t go gettin’ Candace mixed up in your lies. We don’t need that shit.”
    Johnny couldn’t believe how pussy-whipped his friend had become. Although the thought had crossed Johnny’s mind to use Bernard’s girlfriend as an alibi if needed, especially because she was a nurse who worked odd hours, he had no intention of involving Candace in his business, mainly because he knew she wouldn’t comply.
    â€œCalm down,” Johnny said. “I wouldn’t do that.”
    â€œGood. The less information Vivana knows the better, and don’t tell her anything else about your home life either.”
    Johnny’s mind started racing. “I hope she doesn’t start acting crazy and do some dumb shit. I can tell from our phone call that she’s starting to get in her feelings.”
    â€œIf that’s the case, you’re definitely gonna have to end it, and you’ll probably have to let her down gently if you don’t want any problems. But even then she might act a fool.”
    â€œI should’ve listened to you last night because now I’m wishing I’d kept my ass home.”
    Bernard breathed heavily into the phone. “The important thing is that you’ve come to your senses and you’re gonna end it. When do you plan to tell her?”
    â€œAs soon as possible.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œI just have to figure out how I’m gonna do it, ’cause like you said, I need to break it off gently because Vivana’s so damn volatile. If she was afraid of getting caught, I’d have some leverage, but from what she said on the phone, it’s almost like she wants her husband to find out. She comes home late and sometimes not at all, and then she catches an attitude if he asks her about where she’s been.”
    â€œThat’s fucked up, man.”
    â€œTell me about it. I couldn’t and wouldn’t stand for