Page 46 of I Think They Love You

Jordan’s hunched over his phone, reading intently. Denz recognizes the body language: the Carter grind.

It’s been rooted in each of them since they were little: Work hard. Never settle for average. Be the best version of yourself whether you think anyone’s paying attention or not, because when you’re a Black professional, they’realwayswatching.

Denz respects Jordan’s dedication. He’s not going to be Kami’s assistant forever. But he misses the Jordan from swimming races in the pool. The one who challenged him to hot dog–eating contests. Who spent every summer as a kid talking about all his goals.

When Jordan got into UCLA, Denz knew that was it. He wasn’tcoming back. He was destined to become a beach yoga instructor or an investment banker. Someone fully removed from the public spotlight. But four years later, he was back in Atlanta, fulfilling his role in the Carter dynasty.

After a minute, Jordan’s eyes lift. “Figured you’d show up eventually.”

Denz plops into the chair in front of Jordan. “What’s new?”

“You tell me.” Jordan flips around his phone screen. “Or should I ask the group chat?”

“Please don’t.”

“Nice post on your IG, by the way,” Jordan says. “Have you read some of this shit?”

Denz has skimmed. There are over three hundred comments on the photo of him holding Braylon’s hand at Crema. He’s clocked the recurring theme: either it’somg this is so cute!orwho’s the top?

He grins sheepishly. “So, about the other day. When you saw me and—”

“Jamie, yourboyfriend?”

“Yeah… that.”

Denz sighs. He’s considered lying. It’s not like he’s going to stop doing that anytime soon. But when he stares at Jordan, beyond the mustache and goatee, the faint lines in his forehead, Denz sees the boy who whispered in the dark about never knowing his real dad. About how much he loves his stepdad, Uncle Tevin, but there’s a piece missing.

He can’t lie to Jordan.

“It’s fake.”

“What is?”

“Jamie and me,” Denz confesses. “Braylon and me. All of it.”

Jordan pauses his playlist. “Is this because of what my mom said? At the meeting?”

“Kinda.”

A vein in Denz’s left temple is threatening to burst. After a long breath, he finally explains everything. From how it started tothe levels it’s reached. The more he talks, the lower Jordan’s jaw drops. It’s almost comical, how much more dramatic his reaction is compared to the one Jamie had.

“Shit,” Jordan hisses.

“Yup.”

“I get it. I’m not condoning lying,” Jordan asserts. Unlike his mom, Jordan’s never been into gossip. “But it’s rough being us. One of the Carters. Beyond the media bullshit and all the attention. It’s the family shit too.”

They both laugh.

“If it’d get my mom off my back,” Jordan says, “I’d fake a relationship too.”

Jordan’s even more low-key about his dating life than Denz. He never discusses it. The last girlfriend he mentioned was Yazzie, his high school sweetheart. No one since then. At least, no one Denz is aware of.

“Anyway,” Jordan says, smug, his cherry lips lifting, “I knew there was no way you and Jamie were fucking.”

“Excuse you.How?” Denz was very convincing the other day. He can’t help Jamie has the acting range of Adam Driver.

“Zero chemistry.”

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