“Devon, I’m so happy for you.” She reached out and hugged her brother, then squealed and hugged him again. “I’m so happy for you both. Oh my God, I’m so happy for me. I have one foot in the sports world and one in the entertainment world. This is fantastic. I have the serious hookup now. I’ve got about a million calls to make first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Whoa, hold up. Don’t you think I should possibly propose and give her the ring before you plan her entire life as a campaign spokesperson?”
“So what are you doing here? Go find her and propose.”
“Actually, I’ve been trying to call her all day and all night. Her phone’s turned off. I don’t know what’s going on. I have a red-eye flight out tonight. As soon as I drop you off, I’m headed out.”
Terri picked up the small phone in the back of the limo. “Driver, could you please take us to San Francisco International Airport?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s fogged in. There are no flights in or out, but I can definitely drive by just in case.”
“Yes, do that,” Terri said. He agreed. She hung up the phone. “Okay, big brother, hopefully it’ll be clear enough so that you can take care of your business. Make sure to call me and let me know.”
“I will. Thanks, little sister.” Moments later they arrived at the airport. The wide-open space made it seem even foggier. It was just as the driver said. There were no flights in or out that night.
Chapter 19
INTERIOR—LOS ANGELES
When it came to having a breaking point, Devon didn’t have one. When it came to giving up on something or someone, he couldn’t fathom it. He didn’t surrender, and he didn’t give up. When he wanted something, he focused on getting it and went after it full force. So when it came to wanting Jazelle Richardson in his life, he was adamant. He smiled victoriously, knowing that everything in his life was finally balanced. Still, the frustration of not being able to fly out or contact her ate at him all night. He barely slept.
He showered, changed and went downstairs. The smell of coffee hit him instantly. He went to the kitchen, seeing Terri sitting at the table with a mug in her hand. She wore one of his jerseys and sweats along with her reading glasses. She was so focused on what she was doing on the computer that she didn’t even realize he was standing in the doorway. “Good morning,” he said.
She jumped and grabbed her hand to her heart, nearly spilling her coffee on the laptop’s keyboard. “What, are you nuts? Don’t do that,” she chastised hotly. “You nearly scared me to death.”
“Don’t tell me you forgot I was in the house,” he said, walking over to the coffeepot. A twelve-cup carafe, it was already over half empty. He poured a mug and walked over to the table. “So, what are you doing at six in the morning?”
“I couldn’t sleep, and I needed to answer e-mails and make changes to my Web site, plus I had to send out some advance letters and notices. Then I needed to blog about last night and…”
“Never mind,” Devon said, chuckling at his sister’s crazy-busy life. “Sorry I asked. You seriously need to take some time off or take a vacation or something,” he suggested.
“Yeah, I know,” she said, absently focused back on the monitor again. “I’m going to take one right after my nervous breakdown.”
“Terri,” he said, looking down at her seriously. She hmmed without looking up. “Terri,” he said again. She looked up, grimacing, but continuing to type. “Stop,” he said. She stopped. “Is it the money? Do you need money?”
“No, I’m fine,” she said.
“Then don’t do this to yourself. Look at you. You barely slept last night, and I’m sure this wasn’t the first time. You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends.”
“Look who’s talking. You’re the most focused person I know, besides Dad, of course. You’ve never let anything stop you from getting what you wanted. Your career is the perfect testament to that. You’ve always gone after your goals full force, no stopping.”
“Yes, and look what it’s gotten me.”
“Houses, cars, tons of money, notoriety, fame, celebrity—let me know when I can stop.”
“Stop,” he said. “You didn’t say love.”
She smiled. “You have love.”
“Now, yes. But look at all this wasted time focusing on what really wasn’t important. I’m thirty-two. Don’t let your life pass you by chasing something that’s not real.”
She sat back and looked up at him. “You really are happy, aren’t you?” He nodded. “And the contract you signed—you’re happy about that, too?” He nodded again.
“It’s time for us to slow down, Terri. If it means that you need to hire three or four more people, do it. You can’t keep going like this. I won’t let you. I was headed for a rewind of Dad. It wasn’t pretty. Don’t follow in my footsteps like this. I want better for you. You deserve it.”
She nodded. “Our little sister has been bugging me about taking her on vacation. I think our big brother needs to send us someplace warm and sandy with lots and lots of drinking, shopping and half-naked gorgeous men.”
“Okay, that’s way too much information, but you got it. Let me know when and where.”
“Deal. In the meantime, I need to finish this, so shut up and cook me some breakfast before your flight out of here.” Devon laughed. Terri was without doubt the worst cook on the planet. “Nope, you’re on your own,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh, listen—two things. I saw on the Internet this morning. Your friend Armand is in the hospital.”
“What? What happened?”
“I read the article, but it really doesn’t say much. Apparently he got hit really badly at some football camp, and he has some broken bones, a cracked rib and a really bad concussion. That’s all they’re saying.”
Devon shook his head woefully. He had been afraid something like this was going to happen. “Where is he?”
“L.A., in the hospital. Also, Devon, they’re talking steroids, the really bad kind.”
“All right, I’m headed down there.”
She nodded as she stood to follow him to the front door. “I’ll drive you to the airport. Everything’s back on schedule.”
“Good, what’s the other thing?”
Terri sighed heavily. “Trina e-mailed me this morning with congratulations. She wants to have a chat.”
Devon shook his head. “I can’t deal with her drama right now. Come on, let’s go.”
Two and a half hours later, Devon arrived at the L.A. Medical Center. He saw Armand’s ex-wife Shelia sitting in the waiting room. She looked up as soon as he walked over. She stood and crumbled into his arms. “What was he thinking?”
“I don’t know,” Devon lied.
“Yes, you do,” she said, leaning back and walking away. “It’s this obsession with the game. You all have it. You can’t let go. He wanted back. Do you know that I hated football? I always have. I never liked it, ever. It’s brutal and savage, and it destroyed my marriage.”
“Shelia…”
“Don’t Shelia me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Look at your mother and father. It ruined their marriage, too. It never fails. What made him think that he could go back? Why, what was he thinking?”
“He was thinking about you,” Devon confessed.
She looked up at him, deeply hurt and confused. “What?”
“I talked to Armand in Sag Harbor. He was there in training. He wanted to get back into football because he wanted you back in his life. He thought you’d come back to him if he made everything the way it was before.” She instantly broke down and cried. Devon hurried over to embrace her and sat down. “He loves you still. He was just trying to win you back the only way he thought he could.”
“I love him. I always have and always will. It wasn’t about what he did for a living. How could he even think that?” She looked up at Devon and shook her head. “Don’t let that game destroy your life. There’s so much more than a hundred yards and
a couple of goal posts. You used to listen to me when you were a rookie. Listen to me now. Know when enough is enough. Let it go and walk away.”
“I already have,” he promised her.
A nurse walked over, smiled and nodded. “We’re done. You can see him now.”
Both Devon and Shelia thanked her and stood. “You go. Tell him that I stopped by, and I’ll be back later.”
“Are you sure? I know he’d want to see you.”
Devon shook his head. “Shelia, he wants to see you. Trust me.” She nodded and walked down the hall to Armand’s room. Devon watched until she disappeared from sight. He turned, seeing Trina standing behind him waiting. She smiled as if nothing had ever happened between them.
“Hi, sweetheart. You’re a hard man to find.”
It was all he could do not to laugh. “Trina.”
“Devon, I’m so sorry about Armand. I know how much you adore him. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, nothing,” he said, walking past her.
“Devon, can we talk?”
He stopped and turned to her. “Talk?”
“Yes, I have so much to tell you. But not here—tonight. We can maybe meet someplace, or I can have dinner cooked for you. I just need to see you.”
“To what end?”
“I still love you, Devon. I always have. I made a mistake. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I just want us to be like we were before this thing happened. Please, tonight.”
“I’m busy.”
“I know you’re angry with me. I understand. But I can make this right. Just give me a chance.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Because of your movie star?” She flashed her true colors.
“No, Trina, because of you.” He turned and walked on.
“Devon, I can make you forget her. Give me another chance.”
He turned. She stood smiling sympathetically. “Trina,” he said, “you could never be the woman Jazz is. And as for forgetting her, it would never happen. Thanks for the closure. Have a nice life.”
He walked back to his car and called Jazz. As her cell rang, he knew that he’d done the right thing. Shelia was right—football wasn’t everything. He was just happy he’d learned that lesson from Jazz a while ago.
“Vincent, what on earth are you doing here?” Jazz said, surprised to see him standing and chatting with a woman in the lobby of a record company.
“Hey, Jazz, long time no see,” he said then introduced the two women. Each recognized the other and proclaimed herself to be a big fan of the other. After a quick conversation, Jazz and Vincent stood talking alone.
“She’s fantastic. Is she your…”
“No, she’s a new client,” Vincent said quietly.
“Impressive.”
“You’re back.”
“Not completely, but I’ll keep you posted.”
“Rumor has it that you and Devon are together.”
“Is that what the rumors are now?” she hedged. “So, are you coming or going?” she asked, changing the subject and looking around the lobby as people rushed in and out.
“Coming. I have an appointment upstairs.”
“Interested in a singing career?” Jazz joked.
He laughed hardily. “Trust me, that you don’t want to hear. No, we have a new client. I’m doing the first contact.”
“Wow, sounds like the Platinum Society is everywhere.”
“We certainly are,” he agreed then glanced at his watch. “I gotta go, but let me know when I need to press my tux.” He kissed her cheek and winked.
Jazz shook her head, watching him hurry to the bank of elevators. She turned to leave as her cell rang. She answered, assuming that it was Savannah telling her she’d arrived.
“Jazz,” Devon said.
“Devon, hi, where are you?”
“I’m still in L.A. I was up in San Francisco last night and got fogged in. Then I found out this morning that a friend of mine is in the hospital. I’m catching a flight out this evening.”
“I’m in L.A.,” she said.
“What? When did you get here? Where are you?”
“I came in on the red-eye this morning. I had some business to take care of.”
“Where are you now?” he asked.
“I’m on my way to the studio to meet my father.”
“Great. I’ll meet you at the studio afterward. We need to talk.”
“No, I have another stop to make after that. Why don’t I meet you later? Stop by the house. We’ll talk then.” She gave him her address and hung up quickly. A few minutes later, her cell rang again. This time she looked at caller ID. It was Savannah. “Hey, are you here?” she asked.
“Yep, I just got in. I’m at my house. What happened?”
“I couldn’t get a meeting with the owners. Apparently they’re out for the rest of the day.”
“And that means what?”
“I don’t know. Devon’s meeting me at my house later. I’m headed to the studio to meet with Frank and the new studio head.”
“I have to change and do some running around. I’ll meet you at your house later. We’ll go together.”
“Savannah…”
“Unless you’re going to tell me that you’ve changed your mind about ending this with Devon, I don’t want to hear it. I’m going with you this evening, end of conversation. I’ll be at your house at eight. That’s plenty of time before sunset.” She hung up.
Jazz walked to her car, shaking her head. Savannah was her best friend and had been most of her life, but sometimes she was a huge, pushy pain. At other times she was the perfect friend. But this was something she needed to do alone. It was her final goodbye to her brother.
She drove to the studio to meet with her father. He’d put her name on the drive-on list, so she entered the gates easily and found his office. As soon as she pulled up, she saw him waiting at the door for her.
“Welcome,” he said, smiling cautiously.
She walked up to him, and, for the first time in nearly two decades, she hugged him. He went still, and then he embraced her with all the love and emotion pent up in his heart. “Thank you,” he said proudly, still holding tight. They stayed like that awhile until someone cleared his throat. They looked back. The studio head stood smiling in the doorway.
“Right, let’s get going on this. Jazelle, I’d like you to meet your new boss, Clark Keaton, head of the studio.”
“Ms. Richardson, Jazelle, it’s an honor to finally meet you. We’re all excited about this new project. Having you and your father connected is going to shoot this film through the roof.”
The three went inside and got down to business. Two hours later, most of the logistics had been ironed out. The next step was getting agents and lawyers involved and actually sealing the deal and signing contracts.
After the meeting was over, Jazz and Frank sat in his office and talked. For the first time in a long time, it was a comfortable conversation. “So, why didn’t we meet in Clark’s office? I’m sure that was the accepted way, right?”
“He’s really excited to have you on board. He’s a huge fan, and I’m not just talking Hollywood talk. He’s for real. When I brought the project to him, he nearly choked saying yes. So, to answer your question, I told him that I wanted this first meeting to be comfortable for you. I didn’t want your first time here to be overwhelming, especially not today.” She nodded, knowing that of course he’d remember. “What are your plans for later?” he asked.
“I’m going to the bridge at sunset.”
“Good, I’m glad. So, what’s this I hear about you and some football player that I’m supposed to have convinced to play with the New York team?”
“I guess I should ask you. Was New York ever interested in Devon?”
“Yes, very interested, but not through me,” he said. “They knew that our relationship wasn’t, shall we say, cordial. Any suggestion to you from me would have resulted in him never considering an offer from
them. No, not me. It was just sensationalized reporting for the sake of selling papers.”
“Since when do you own a football team?”
“I don’t. I’m an investor. That makes me a part-owner, a very small part-owner. There’s a major difference on the tax forms, trust me. Hadn’t you heard? Your father’s a very wealthy man. So was your brother. He left everything to you.”
“He what?” she asked, surprised. “But I thought his will was still being contested by his mother.”
“The judge ruled a few days ago. The will is probated. Brian left everything to you, including the stock in Elizabeth’s online-shopping company. At fifty percent, you’re half-owner.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Jazz chuckled and shook her head. She knew it was her brother’s last practical joke. He connected her to his mother, forcing her to finally deal with Jazz. Something she’d always refused to do. “Well, I can tell you that the first board meeting ought to be extremely interesting. What exactly am I supposed to do with half of her company?”
Frank chuckled, waving his hands. “No, no, don’t look at me, I’m out of it. They’re your shares, fifty-fifty. But I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I have a feeling you’re gonna be hearing from Elizabeth’s attorneys soon to offer you a quick buyout.”
“I guess refusing the offer would be spiteful,” Jazz said, smiling mischievously.
Frank just shook his head. “Now you sound just like your mother. I’m sure Yelena and Brian are up there cracking up.”
Jazz laughed, and just as quickly the humor left her eyes. “When Mom left and you went back to your career and your life with Elizabeth, what did you think? Did you despise her for leaving you?”
“Despise your mother? No, I could never despise her. I knew exactly what and why she did what she did. She wanted me to be happy. But what she didn’t know was that I was happy with her. She knew that I loved acting, that much was true, but I loved her more. She could never see that. We were only together for a short time, but in that time we fell in love for life.”
“But when she left with me, you went back with Elizabeth.”
“Only because Yelena asked me to,” he said.
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