Benefits

Brandon was fixing his hair in the mirror when the buzzer to his apartment rang. He made one final adjustment and opened the door. A short l stout black lady in pink glasses, a stained lab coat, and pajama pants greeted him with two bottles of cheap tequila in one hand and a bag of McDonalds in the other Brandon smiled and stepped aside so she could enter. He punched in a code on his door and the security measures enabled.

"It's like you knew the way to my heart was to get me drink and feed me bullshit," he said, turning to face her

"I just brought over my normal dinner," she responded. She had taken her lab coat off to reveal a red tank top and was pulling her pajama pants off.

"Well, Admiral Tse approves," Brandon said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you actually attempted to dress up for this."

"You made it seem like we were doing more than just getting drunk and fucking around, so figured maybe it might be an idea. Plus, more clothes for if we play strip poker again." She unrolled the tank top until it reached just above her knees.

"You're the weirdest person I've ever met, Rheme," Brandon chuckled.

"You were not stripped down to just your thong in strip poker after two hands. I come prepared."

Brandon smiled and kissed her. "It's not like I didn't warn you I was good when we first met."

"Hmm. Do I remember what exactly we did thirty years ago?" She dramatically pretended to think. "I think not."

Brandon's hand slid down just below her waist. "You did drink a lot."

"And smoked a lot of weed. And did a lot of cocaine."

"God, we did so much cocaine," Brandon said, laughing. "I'm surprised we can still smell."

"Shall we get started?"

"Of course, Lauren," Brandon said smiling.

Rheme's smile faded. Brandon's face reddened. "I'm sorry, Rhe, I just--"

"I understand," Rheme said, feigning a smile. She'd pulled away from him and was unwrapping the food. "You still miss her."

"It's not all the time." Brandon sat next to her. She wasn't looking at him. Brandon tried to hold her hand but she pulled her hand away. "Being with you really has been helping. But, I mean, she's the mother of my kids."

"I understand," Rheme said. Her voice was shaky and she was looking at the floor. "I promise it's okay."

She felt Brandon wrap his arms around her. "You're important to me."

"Okay."

"Don't shut down on me, woman."

"I'm not shutting down."

"Thirty years of knowing you, and you think I can't tell when you're shutting down?"

"I just want to eat and get fucking wasted," Rheme muttered.

Brandon just held her tighter. "Not until you talk about how you feel."

"You're the worst," she murmured.

"That's why I'm your bestie with the testes," Brandon kissed her forehead and pulled her into his arms. "Speak your mind."

"I just wish we--I hadn't broken off our engagement."

"I mean, it's not like I don't still have the ring. The kids are all grown, and even if they weren't, fuck them kids, remember?"

Rheme chuckled. Brandon kissed her again. "I haven't been feeling good, B."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to traumatize my girls. They already have lost so much. Plus, Mae is getting engaged and Nae has that new job and I can't hurt them--"

"Rheme, what are you talking about?"

"I tried to hang myself. That's why I jumped at the chance to come over again."

"Oh. Baby, I--"

"You know how I feel about that word."

"I'm sorry. I just, I love you. I never want you to do anything like that to yourself."

Brandon was rubbing his finger on Rheme's neck. In the dull light of his living room, he could see the dark line where she had attempted to hang herself.

"You love me?"

"Well, don't sound so shocked," Brandon chuckled. "I know how we started but I mean, there's a reason you're the only friend with benefits I've ever had for longer than a year."

Rheme smiled and kissed him. "Well, I love you too. I always have."

"Well, let's eat so I can show you how much I love you."