In Too Deep

It all started a few years ago. My best friend Nick and I grew up together, but before he was Nick, he was my ex-girlfriend Amanda. Apparently, after we broke up, he met this woman Becky who had helped start the process of the Transgender transformation Nick had always wanted.. Amanda was an incredible woman, but she never felt comfortable in her own skin. We dated for about a little over a year and were always inseparable. She and I were a dynamic duo and got ourselves into so much trouble, but it was okay because we were doing it together. One day we got into a bad argument about how she cheated &, ultimately, led to our break-up. We stopped talking, but what we didn't know was that this separation wouldn't last forever as I had planned for it to. We were the closest of everyone in our group for a while, but before there was even a group, we were all separate friends. Until one conversation years later led us to be the Clique we all are now. It was a small group of just 6 people that met at different times in our lives, but all knew each other separately until one night changed it all. *flash back* scrolling on my social media page I saw a message pop up and, out of curiosity, I opened it and it read Nick: hey stranger, long time no talk, how are you? It's Nick. Well you knew me before as Amanda ... your ex. Me: omg hey! How have you been? You completed your transition I'm so happy for you! I heard from an old friend that you started the process a while back. Nick: Yeah, it feels good to be the real me. Looking like the man I am on the outside as well as on the inside. Me: that so great! how has life been? what made you hit me up? Nick: I just wanted to catch up with you, it's been a while. Send me your number? Me: yeah. okay it's 555-513-1269 *Bing* my phone chimes and i pick it back up to reveal Nick's text. Nick: Hey beautiful it's Nick. What's happening? Me: Hey, what's goodie? How is everything going? Nick: Everything has been great. Uhh...how about you? Me: Honestly Life is great . Just Running this company, and writing my books. Nick: That's cool. I finally started becoming the man I always knew I was. Me: You always said you would and I couldn't be more happy for you. Nick: Thank you, knowing the people I lived with, I never thought this dream would come true. Me: I totally get it. I knew you would, man, for real. You always talked about it growing up. Nick: Wanna facetime? Me: Yeah absolutely, I cant wait to see how you look now! *face time call begins* After hours of talking, catching up and reminiscing about the past, a text comes through from Tara's best friend. Liz: Hey, what cha doing? Me: Just on the phone with Nick... Liz: Wait whose nick?? hmm lol Me: So do you remember the chick Amanda I told you about from my past.....? Liz: mmhhmm.... Me: so Amanda is now Nick.were catching up on old times. Liz: wait which Amanda ? Me: Amanda Diaz Liz: Diaz?? Me: lol omg bestie I never realized you guys have the same last name!! lmfaooo You guys could be like long lost sisters or some s**t lmao Liz: Okay, that's weird... & yeah best, very unlikely. lol Me: No but seriously, you guys do have the same last name...Do you have an Amanda in your family? Liz: Hold on let me send a text to my sister and ask, I doubt it tho... *moments later* Liz: HOLY s**t. I DO!!! LMAO Me: okay, so I am totally starting a group chat. I just texted him, He's totally down. Hanging up with nick. We started a group chat that led to an hour-long conversation filled with laughs and memories and stories on how they each know me. Liz: WAIT ...YOU DATED MY COUSIN!!! Nick: LMFAO Yeahh Me: Lmfao! omg I f****d a pair of cousins !!! Nick: Dude that is hilarious and definitely gross. Me: This is one for the books lmaooo Nick: omg GO FOR IT! LMAO Me: lmao one day man, one day. Liz: hey totally random question, Tara do you still have the Keurig you got me like a year or so ago? Nick: wtf is a Keurig??? Me: lmfaooo dudeeee seriously? Are you joking? Liz:what?? How do you not know what a Keurig is? The Lord help us. Nick: No but seriously, what the f**k is that? A s*x toy or something? Tara: omg eww Nick! No! Liz: lmaoooo eww Me: okay guys i'm out gotta get to bed,I have work early tomorrow. Love y'all. The Group: love you guys GN *The next morning* Tara wakes up to a text from Nick talking about how crazy last night was, and he hasn't laughed that hard in years and is still in shock about his cousin. We laugh about it and Tara gets herself together after doing her morning routine and leaves for work. She gets a phone call from her friend T.J, T.J: baby mama, whats happening *T.J. always calls Tara her baby mama, TARA: nothing much baby daddy, heading to work. What's up? T.J: ehh just checking up on you. I haven't heard from you in a little while. TARA: yeah sorry about that been swamped and then last night the craziest s**t happened. T.J: What happened? Tara:so my ex transitioned and hit me on social media. So we were talking and catching up, and it turns out that Liz is actually Nick's cousin, and they never knew lol T.J: no way. TARA: omg yeah, it was a hilarious nick used to be known as Amanda, and we dated years ago, but it feels like absolutely no time has passed. T.J: Nick? Wait, what does he look like? TARA: I'll send you a pic of his flinsta hold on. (sends the picture she screenshots) T.J: no, no hold the f**k up. You dated this nick??? TARA: Well, technically I dated Amanda but I mean, yeah. lmao T.J:Baby mama; that's my wing man! He is related to Liz?? So they are related lol TARA: No f*****g way. no way. hold on i'm starting a group chat! this is f*****g crazy So your related to Liz and Liz is related to Nick and I f****d Nick and Liz at one point or another and your baby daddy lmfao dude, this is insanity. *Group chat begin* TITLE: SMALL WORLD TARA: This is f*****g insane man. I am literally so mind-blown by this. How the hell is it that we are all connected and never knew! NICK: This is such a small world man.... Tara, you f****d a pair of cousins!! This is some fuckery over here. Leave it to Tara to do some s**t like that... shameless. LIZ: Me and TJ are cousins through marriage and Nick & I are actually blood related and were all intertwined. TJ: Could it clearly be that no one asks questions anymore? TARA: Touche. We all definitely gotta chill soon! NICK: yyyyeeessss! When!??? LIZ: Let me know, I'll be there. TJ: I'm going to make this happen. A party at my house. TARA:BET! NICK: I'm there for real! I'm bringing drinks!!! and vapes! TJ: I got the smoke! TARA: Oh lord, we are getting f****d up aren't we?! NICK: I don't gotta work tomorrow, you don't work tomorrow, you definitely don't gotta work tomorrow & YOU definitely don't got s**t to do tomorrow. LIZ: Nick, not cool. Tara:TJ don't be an asshole, TJ: Cant help it, I was born an asshole. Liz:*rolls eyes* *the whole group laughing * TJ: YO, Nick, that's cold brotha. Nick: I mean am I right or am I right lmaoo T.J. You're right. Tara: Tomorrow it is! Party time! TJ: Are you bringing my kids' baby mama ?? Tara: I don't think so; their father has them this week. * rolls eyes* Nick: I wish I could meet them dude. I miss little Trey and I have not met the other two yet. TJ: My daughter Nellie is such a diva! Travy is such a little lady killer and Trey that's my heart right there, my right-hand man. Tara: TJ our kids are the best! Tara: I'm going to bed man. It's going to be a long day tomorrow! The Whole Group: GOOD NIGHT! *the next day* Tara's POV I got a call from my children's father asking if I could come pick up our kids. He got called to work. I had no problem, so before I left for my trip to TJ's and I had to pick up my kids and, so that meant I had to bring the little people with me. I didn't mind. They were always happy to see TJ, and behaved so well with her that it's totally cool. We all met at TJ's house. I was, of course, the last to arrive. I pulled up to TJ block and found an open parking spot, so I got out of the car and let the kids out the backseat of the car. I heard my name being screamed so loudly and I jumped, NICK: TTTTAAARRRAAA I turned around to see the source of the yelling; it was Nick and my heart dropped. I hadn't seen him in so many years, and seeing the man in front of me emotionally, I saw Amanda, but physically, I saw Nick. It was surreal. We hugged so tightly, and it felt like the hug would never end. We walked up together to TJ's house and saw Liz and TJ on the porch, and it was like a healing reunion we never knew we all needed. Liz and I hugged and TJ & Nick hugged the kids, and then I hugged TJ. After we all hugged and caught up and the excitement of all being together really hit and the party started. Before we headed inside, Bishop showed up. Bishop is TJ's brother, a man I have had the biggest crush on for years, but was always too shy to tell him. He hugged me so tight, and I felt my stomach flutter, and I was so red. I blamed it on the chill in the air. * way to play it cool Tara ugh* I said in my head, internally kicking myself. Bishop said what's up to everyone and hugged the kids. We went inside & got the kids situated in the guest room with their electronics and snacks and pj's. We all proceeded to head to TJ's room. We all picked a spot comfortably around the room and decided to play a game while in the midst of kicking ass. Winning this game of" s****l charades ", TJ starts to open the liquor bottles. Nick decided to switch seats with Liz, who was seated next to me. I smiled at Nick and started our own little conversation. The game ended due to the conversation we started; taking a stroll down memory lane. We all took turns telling our story of how we met and ended up laughing and continuously drinking. What a way to start this evening, I thought to myself. I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting evening. I excused myself and headed to the bathroom, unaware that Nick had gotten up and followed me. I finished my business in the bathroom and when i opened the door I was startled by seeing Nick. He pushed me back into the bathroom and up against the sink. He turned his hat backwards and started to kiss me. It was rough and passionate. He slid his tongue across my lips as if asking for entry. I parted my lips and allowed him to deepen the kiss. The taste of the liquor and his natural taste fuddled my senses, and it felt like old times. Emotions I thought I was past came flooding back, and we were lost in each other and started to explore each other's bodies, when I felt his hand at the top of my jeans. I stopped him. "Nick, I think we should get back before they realize we are missing." Nick: I'm sure they already realized it, but I don't want to stop. Tara, this feels right, let's just enjoy the moment. I looked in his eyes and I was instantly hit with the memory of when I first stared into Amanda's eyes. I pushed him back and hopped off the sink. I gave him a slight smile and walked out of the bathroom and headed back to the room, I thought to myself "f**k! That was intense."