Chapter 9

Music boomed out of hidden loudspeakers in the walls of the nightclub. It was a Tuesday night in New York City. Colin and his friends were in the club enjoying one of their rare boys only hangouts. They sometimes agreed not to bring any of their partners or allow any of their female friends to tag along. And this night was one of such. 

But one girl who didn't get the memo was Debbie. Colin watched her with the corner of her eyes as she danced away on the dance floor. 

All of Colin's friends happened to be her childhood friends like him and, without being invited, she would usually come to join them at their hangouts. She had become friends too with those of their girlfriends who could tolerate her excesses. 

He didn't know what else to do to make her understand he would never fall in love with her. She had always been expressive about wanting him the way their mothers desired. 

Every hair on the back of his head stood at attention as she