Talk a Good Game (35 page)

“
Babe?”

“
Yeah?” I said and I faked a yawn,
so he would know I didn’t feel like talking.

“
What time do I need to be at the
restaurant on Friday?”

I hesitated before answering,
“What does it matter? I
’
m getting the award not
you.”

He actually laughed at me, which
pissed me off. “Oh yeah, I forgot. Friday is
all
about you.”

I have never known a grown-ass man
to be jealous about anything that didn’t deal with him. Friday was
a big day for me and I could already see he was going to try and
ruin it for me.

I sat up on the bed and turned to
him. “Do me a favor and don’t come to my ceremony.”

“
Are you fucking
serious?”

“
Dead serious.”
I didn’t even want to see his pathetic face. “
I don’t
want you there stealing my shine.”

“
Stealing your
shine?” he mocked and then he had the nerve to laugh. “You act like
it
’s
a big deal.”

“
To me it is a
big deal and the fact you don’t see that shows just how selfish you
really are. I am sick of your negative attitude! And
I
’
m tired of you always trying to
control this relationship.”

“
You’re not gonna be talking to me
any kinda way!” he snarled.

I smirked. “See,
that
’s
what the damn problem is.
You
’
re so used to those minimum wage
hoes that let you run them. But you can’t run me! I worked too hard
to get where I am to let someone like you bring me down.” I
gestured over to his phone. “So all them hoes who keep texting you
that you’re pretending is
work
related,
keep on doing
you because I’m definitely gonna do me.”

Next thing I know Kaleb snapped.
“Get your shit, and get out my house!”

“
What?” I know he wasn’t about to
make me leave in the middle of the night.

“
You heard me. Give me my ring
then get your shit and go!”

I heard CJ
’s
bedroom
door open so I know he had to be listening. Thank goodness because
he saved me from sticking my foot in his father
’s
ass.

“
Really?” I slipped off the ring
and tossed it on the bed. “Fine,” I said and started
laughing.

“
Good riddance,
” Kaleb
barked then picked up his phone and started texting
again.

I couldn’t believe he had
dismissed me like that. Of course, I had to have the last
word.

“
You can’t
fuck, so you
did me the favor!” You should have seen his face. “Lying on your
back like a bitch… with that stupid-ass smirk on your face. That ho
can have your tired ass!”

Kaleb stood there looking stupid before he stormed
downstairs. Probably went to look at his dick in the mirror.

I changed clothes then grabbed the
small suitcase I had tucked away in the closet and quickly filled
it with a few things. “I’ll be back for the rest of my stuff,” I
said as I went downstairs. Kaleb was sitting on the couch, with his
head in his hands. He rose and walked over towards me.

“
Babe… wait…,” he said but I
brushed past him and kept on walking.

“
C’mon Honey.” I stormed out to my
car. I couldn’t believe he had treated me that way! But as I
climbed into my vehicle, I couldn’t resist a smirk.

I may have been stupid to have moved in with him,
but at least I had sense enough to make that mothafucka put the
title to the BMW in my name.

NYREE

I was just finished evaluating the first job vacancy
when my office phone rang.

“
Master Sergeant Dawson
speaking.”

“
Whassup sexy.”

I smiled as I twirled around in my
chair. Man, Timmy always managed to sound so sexy on the phone. If
he took it down just a notch he could have given Barry White a run
for his money. “Hey you. How’s the new job going?” I
asked.

“
I
’
m still tryna settle in this
little country ass town.”

“
Where you living… Knob Noster?” I
teased.

“
Hell no. I found me a nice spot
in Sedalia.”

I gave a rude snort. “You know my
father
’s
from there.
That
’s
not saying much.”

“
No, I guess it ain’t.” He
laughed. It was a deep robust sound that made me feel so relaxed
and at ease. “So how have you been?”

I twirled the phone cord around my
finger as I replied, “I’ve been good. Can’t
complain.
”

“
Dude still treating you right?”
It was obvious, Timmy was digging.

“
Of course. You know I won’t
settle for any less.”

“
That
’s
whassup.” His voice trailed off
and I could tell he wanted to say more but then decided against it.
I was almost tempted to ask what was on his mind but decided I
better keep it professional.

“
So what can I do for you
today?”

“
Well… I hear
you
’
re doing some onsite training
sessions on the new hiring process.” He must of read my mind about
keeping it professional, although I felt slightly
disappointed.

“
Yes, I have a
few site visits scheduled over the next few weeks.
I
’
m probably making a lotta work
for myself but I decided it was easier to train right on each
supervisor
’s
system than trying to get all
of you in one room.”

“
Can a brotha get some of that
one-on-one training?”

There goes the sexual innuendos
again. “Absolutely. I can schedule to come out to Knob Noster
before my honeymoon.”

There was a slight hesitation.
“Honeymoon?” he said incredulously. “Damn! You about to tie the
knot already?” Maybe I was feeling myself but I was sure I heard
disappointment in his tone.

“
Yep,
we
’
re taking the plunge.” I suddenly
felt the need to explain the rush and told him about Jeremy being
offered a transfer to Hawaii.

“
No joke?
Hawaii? You
’
re gonna love it
there.”

“
I sure hope so,
” I
replied and then there was another pregnant pause that I wish I
could jump in Timmy
’s
head and know what he was
thinking.

“
Yo, I really am happy for you,”
he finally said.

“
Thanks, that means a lot coming
from you.”

After we ended the call, I sat
back and I couldn’t help thinking what if things had been
different. With Timmy moving closer we would have had a chance to
build on our relationship and there is no telling where it could
have gone. But there was no point in thinking about what
coulda-woulda-shoulda when I had an amazing fiancé.

At twelve I stepped outside the building just as
Jeremy pulled up into the circle drive and climbed in his
vehicle.

“
Hey baby!” I sounded way too
happy even to my own ears.

“
Hi Angel.” He leaned over and
pressed a kiss to my cheek. “What are you so happy about?” His eyes
were sparkling with interest.

“
Everything.” I was grinning like
crazy as we pulled away from headquarters.

“
Care to share?”
There was that worried look in Jeremy
’s
eyes. I’ll be
so glad when he learns to lighten up.

“
The wedding… moving to Hawaii,
just everything. I just can’t wait to start this new life with
you.” I was talking excitedly with my hands.

He brought one to his lips and
kissed it. “Neither can I.”

As Jeremy pulled onto the highway,
I leaned back on the seat with the air conditioning cooling my
skin. It was the middle of August and well over ninety degrees. I
slid over on the seat and rested my head on his shoulder, which
wasn’t easy to do while driving in a Tahoe, but I do it all the
time anyway. I can’t help it. I loved being under my
man.

“
Where you wanna eat?”

I shrugged. “
I don’t
care. Sonic
’s
is cool.”

Ever since our engagement had
become official, Jeremy and I had been riding to work today. We
figured since we both had to make the thirty minute commute to
Jefferson City every morning why not make it together and save on
gas. Saving money had always been a really big thing of mine. I
expressed to Jeremy as soon as we were married we needed to open a
joint saving
’s
account. I was no fool. I think
all women needed to have their own account to save for a rainy day,
but a couple also needed to pay bills in a joint
account.

“
Angel we need to get the rest of
your stuff moved into my place before my kids get here,” Jeremy
reminded me as he climbed off the highway.

“
I know. I promise to finish
packing my things this weekend.”

“
I
’
m going to hold you to it,” he
teased and gave me a corny smile.

We pulled into
Sonic
’s
drive-thru and I ordered a
double burger and fries and he did the same. While we waited, I
tilted my head and stared into his eyes. Have I mentioned how much
I loved this man?

“
I’ve been online looking at
places to live in Hawaii. I even asked one of the guys in my unit
about it. He was stationed there for a while.”

For a moment we were both quiet.

“
Let me ask you
a question,” Jeremy began then hesitated before saying, “Is that
the only reason why you
’
re marrying me is
because we
’
re going to
Hawaii?”

I swung around on the seat and met
his gaze head-on. He was dead serious. “What? Why you say
that?”

“
Because,” he
swallowed dryly. “That
’s
all you talk
about.”

I shook my head.
“That
’s
because I
’
m
getting ready to uproot my entire life to go there.” What was wrong
with him?

He dropped his head and stared
down at his hands then back at me. “I
’
m sorry Angel I
just feel that
’s
the only reason why you’re with
me.”
Our
eyes locked.
“You hardly talk about the
wedding, but Hawaii is always the first thing outta your
mouth.”

“
That
’s
because I am excited about the
two of us starting a new life, but that
’s
not the
reason why I agreed to marry you. We could be going to Alaska
somewhere and I would still marry you.”

His brow rose and he looked
surprised. “Would you really?”

“
Yes, I would.” I was getting a
little testy. I couldn’t believe he was questioning my reason for
marrying him.

Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief,
“That
’s
good to know.”

I was starting to wonder if there
was more going on than he was saying. “Why, is there something you
need to tell me?”

“
No, why do you ask?” he said as
our server arrived on roller skates with our order.

“
I
’
m just asking,” I mumbled and
suddenly had a bad feeling.

JANELLE

I shook hands with Mayor Castle,
turned toward the camera, and smiled while the photographer for
the
Columbia Daily Tribune
took another round of photographs. As soon as he
was done, the mayor turned to me and gave me another firm
handshake.

“
Congratulations, Ms.
Fox.”

“
Thank you, sir.”

As he stepped away, I glanced around my restaurant
grinning my ass off. This was such a proud moment for me.

“
Janelle, girl, I’m so proud of
you!” Nyree sauntered her uniform-clad body in my direction and
wrapped her arms around me.

“
Thanks, girl,”
I began and then my eyes widened in amazement. “I can’t believe how
many people turned out for this event!” Everybody who was anybody
was there sampling food and admiring my restaurant. My hostess
wasted no time letting me know she had made so many dinner
reservations, we were booked every weekend for the next three
months. This was any restaurant owner
’s
dream.