Secret Indiscretions by Trice Hickman Page B

that.”
    â€œThat’s what you do to Geneva, and it’s what I did to Suzanne. Sometimes things come back to bite you . . . I’m just sayin’.”
    â€œI get that, but still,” Johnny said with frustration, “that’s not how I want things to roll.”
    â€œShe sounds pretty bold. Do you think she has violent tendencies?”
    Johnny paused and then sat down in his chair as he thought about Bernard’s question. Even before last night and this afternoon he’d recognized subtle things about Vivana’s choice of words and behavior that had led him to believe she was the kind of woman who could get physical if she was pushed to a certain point. “Probably so. Anyone can go there if they get mad enough.”
    â€œTrue,” Bernard said. “But it usually takes a lot to push a woman to the point of physical violence. When a woman’s pissed, and I mean really mad, she might curse you out, give you the silent treatment, or show her ass and get loud with you. But most won’t take it to a physical level unless they’re completely out of control.”
    â€œYou think Vivana’s gonna do something stupid?”
    â€œLike I said, I don’t put anything past anyone. I’ve seen it all working in security. After you cut things off, she’ll be a woman scorned, and you know what they say about that.”
    â€œYeah, I do.”
    â€œI’m not trying to alarm you, but from everything you’ve told me about Vivana, you better be very careful. I’ve had a bad feeling about her and this whole situation from day one. Watch your step, man.”
    Johnny rubbed his chin and leaned back in his chair. “Up until last night she’s been cool, and things were going fine. Then all of a sudden she starts acting strange, wanting to meet during the middle of the day, questioning me about whether or not I love my wife . . .”
    â€œOh, yeah,” Bernard said. “She’s more than just in her feelings, she’s caught up. And if she doesn’t give a damn about her husband, well, she really has nothing to lose and she might try to hijack your shit.”
    Johnny shook his head in frustration. “Ain’t gonna happen. I’ve made up my mind and I’m putting an end to this before that has a chance of happening.”
    â€œYou can’t just cut her off cold. You gotta be smooth about it or some shit’ll really jump off.”
    â€œI know, and I will.”
    â€œAnd listen, I got your back, man.”
    Johnny smiled. “I appreciate you, brother. You could’ve said I told you so, but you didn’t. Trust and believe me when I say I’ve learned my lesson.” Johnny meant every word that he’d said. Bernard was the one friend whom he knew he could always count on, and Johnny was glad that Bernard always looked out for him.
    â€œNo problem. That’s what real friends do. We’re brothers, you know that.”
    â€œYes, we are. Thanks again. I needed this call.”
    Bernard laughed. “You got so much going on and we got so wrapped up in your situation that I almost forgot why I called you.”
    â€œWhat’s up?” Johnny asked.
    â€œAfter we got off the phone last night, Candace came over because her shift ended early. She spent the night and I wanted you to know in case you told Geneva you stayed over here. ’Cause, man, you know how things can happen, and if Geneva runs into Candace and decides to question her about where you were last night, the gig’s up.”
    â€œYou’re right about that.” Johnny didn’t tell Bernard that was exactly what he’d planned to do.
    â€œAnd, playa, I’m tellin’ you now, Candace ain’t gonna lie for you, so you better hope she doesn’t run into Geneva.”
    â€œI really have to figure something out fast.”
    The two friends talked a few more minutes before Bernard had to take another