Playthang

by Janine A. Morris

  “Stop playing,” Billy said.

  “I’m serious. Just spoke to Randi. She’s bugging. Talking about she don’t care about me and Jordan’s relationship, not that that is a surprise. It don’t even matter, though.”

  “So what happened with Jordan?”

  Jayon had no intention of telling him that he just rode down her block like a stalker, at least not yet. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be driving through looking for that car again, so he left that out for now.

  “She went upstairs crying. I was so stressed I start to talking to homeboy on the couch for a second, and then he gets ready to go upstairs behind Jordan. I can’t stomach that, so I go up there, and when I get up there I can tell she was getting all sexy for this dude downstairs. It was tearing me up, being the outsider like that. When she came out of the bathroom, I just held her, and I told her I was sorry. She finally let me hold her for a second, but she’s through. She told me she can’t forgive me. She gave me this look when she walked out of the bedroom,and I can tell in her eyes she don’t see me the same no more.”

  Billy could hear the pain in Jayon’s voice, and he really didn’t know what to say. “Damn, man,” Billy said.

  Billy was usually one with many words of advice, but even he was at a loss for words. What could he do? If she was done, he was done. Billy knew that just a little over a month ago, Jordanwas happily in love with Jayon while he was creeping and crawling, trying to keep Jordan happy and sneak in time with Randi. At the time it was just an interesting and exciting game; neither of them looked forward to this day, when the game was over.

  28

  Jordan was happy that Marcus had handled her little situation the other night so well. Once Jayon left, he pretended like it didn’t happen. He told her there was no need to apologize and settled down to a television program with her like it was nothing.Jordan wasn’t really in the mood for sex after Jayon left, and Marcus didn’t try anything because he probably figured the groove was ruined.

  It was Friday, and Jordan was getting ready to head out to meet Donovan, Eddie, and Tayese. She was wrapping things up around the office, closing programs on her computer, and straighteningup her desk. Jordan had worn something she could transitionout of easy, so she could have a professional look by day and with a twirl be fit for a night on the town. She changed out of her gray skirt suit with the white-collared bodysuit and gray pumps, into a more dressed down in the city look, and she released the bobby pin from holding her hair up. Once she was done shutting down her computer, she headed to the bathroomto freshen up and reapply her makeup.

  As she was heading out, her office phone rang and she glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Marcus. Jordan felt a slight flutter and answered the phone.

  “Hey, how did you know I was still here?” she answered.

  “I didn’t know. I just figured I’d try.”

  “Why didn’t you just call my cell phone?” she asked.

  “I don’t know, I just dialed the first number that popped up in my address book. Why, is there a problem?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “So when am I going to see you again?” Marcus asked.

  “I guess whenever, you tell me,” Jordan said. “I live right around the corner, so I’m only a hop, skip, and a jump.”

  “Well, I’ll hop, skip, and jump over there tomorrow night when you get home.”

  “OK, I’ll call you when I get home later,” Jordan replied.

  She wasn’t sure if she was 100 percent comfortable with that, but she knew she could always make up an excuse to get out of it if she wanted to.

  “OK, see you later,” he responded.

  It was seven thirty when Jordan headed out of her Manhattanoffice and into the street to wave down a taxi. She walked toward the corner as she waited for the banana-colored car to come into sight. Jordan hated when a cab didn’t come quick and easy. She made it to the corner, and when she spotteda taxi coming in the other direction, she frantically waved her hand. She leaned into the street slightly so the driver would definitely see her, and just as it looked like it was too late, the driver pulled over. Thankful, Jordan walked across the street towardthe taxi. Just as she was heading there, a man was walking up to the car door as well. Jordan gave him a look to let him know that she was getting in the cab.

  “Oh, this was for you?” he asked.

  “Yes, I waved him down.”

  “Actually, I waved him down,” the man said, pointing a few feet away.

  The taxi driver was just looking without saying anything.

  “He was way past you when he stopped, which means he didn’t see you.”

  The man looked back to where he was and looked quite annoyed at the ordeal.

  Jordan ducked her head into the cab. “Which passenger did you stop for?” she asked.

  “I saw both of you,” the older gentleman replied with an accent.

  “How about we just share the cab.Where are you going?” the man said.

  “I’m going to Times Square,” Jordan said.

  “That’s fine; I’m going uptown as well.”

  The gentleman took his seat and scooted over. Jordan wasn’t in love with the idea of strange company for the ride, but she wasn’t in the mood to give up the cab or fight any longer. Jordansat beside him and gave her destination to the driver as she whipped out her BlackBerry. She began typing to Tayese that she was on her way, and the funny story that she was sitting in a cab feeling real uncomfortable with this strange man.

  Midway through her text, the strange man said, “I’m sorry about this, by the way. I would’ve been a gentleman and let you have it alone, but I am running so late for a business dinner,and I have been waiting twenty minutes for a cab.”

  “Sorry to hear that, but it’s OK. I would’ve let you have it as well, but I’m on my way to a business dinner too, and these heels are not the most comfortable.”

  The guy began to laugh. Just then, Jordan noticed how attractivehe was. His smile brought his face to life.

  “I understand,” he said. “The ride will be short and painless.”

  The sound of a phone ringing came from the guy’s pants. He pulled out his BlackBerry and silenced it.

  “I won’t bother you with conversation that you don’t want to hear. That’s the least I can do,” the guy said as he put his phone away.

  “You can take the call,” Jordan said.

  “It’s too late,” he said as he put the phone back in his pocket.

  “My name is Jordan,” She said as she put her hand out for a handshake.

  “Shakai,” the gentleman said back as he shook her hand in return.

  For a moment, Jordan didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t want to bother him with small talk, but she was interestedin the strange man beside her now. She finished her text to Tayese and then sat there a few moments looking out the window. She looked back toward the front and was trying not to look too much at him. Shakai was about six feet, two hundredpounds. He had a very lean body build and broad shoulders.He was dressed in black slacks with a green collared shirt. His cuff links read “S.” on them, and his black loafers were intact.He wore a black cap with gray and green stripes through it. His green shirt went well with his medium brown complexionand light brown eyes. Jordan was eager to look back at him and take in more of his physical features, but she didn’t want to look as though she was interested.

  “So, where uptown are you headed?” Jordan finally asked.

  “The Shark Bar,” he responded.

  “Oh, wow. I haven’t been there in a long time. Great food.”

  “Yes, their food is some of the best in the city. I have most of my business meetings there,” he replied.

  “That’s nice. I’d weigh three hundred pounds if I ate there that often.”

  Shakai must have found that funny, because he began to laugh a real laugh.

  “So what do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?” Jordan asked.

  “I’m a
n accountant,” he responded.

  Jordan immediately thought of how Jayon was an accountant,and that was one strike against him.

  “That’s interesting. How do you like it?” she asked.

  “I’ve always liked numbers, so I love it.”

  “That’s great.”

  “What do you do?” he asked.

  “I am an attorney,” she said.

  “Oh, OK,” he said, not showing his opinion.

  “Where is your business dinner tonight?” he asked.

  “Just meeting some colleagues at Olive Garden in Times Square.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.”

  They were close to Forty-second Street; the streets began to get wider and more crowded with people and cars. The hustleand bustle of New York City close to the holidays was like no other. Jordan glanced up at the meter and began to reach in her bag to get her wallet.

  “Please, let me handle it,” Shakai said.

  Jordan looked at him, expressed a look of hesitation, and then put her wallet away.

  “OK, thanks, but you really don’t have to.”

  “It’s the least I can do for being so rude,” he said.

  Jordan reached into her wallet anyway, but she pulled out her business card and handed it to him.

  “Well, keep in touch,” she said.

  Shakai reached in his back pocket and pulled his business card out as well.

  “You do the same,” he said.

  The cab had pulled to the side of the road, and Jordan opened the door to step out. She waved good-bye to her new friend and walked toward the Olive Garden. She walked in and went straight upstairs to look for Tayese, who had said she was already there. She spotted her sitting in the back with both Donovan and Eddie at a booth. Jordan made her way through the tables and toward them.

  Once she reached the booth, Donovan scooted over to make room for Jordan. She looked around the table, and noticedthat on Donovan’s other side was Tayese, and beside her was Eddie. Jordan sat down in the room that was made for her and wondered if this gesture from Donovan was once again a hint as to who he was interested in. She assumed if he was thinkingthat Eddie was there for her, he would’ve waited for or told Eddie to move down, or better yet scooted away from Tayese so she could move down, leaving room for Eddie to scoot down and make space. Regardless of what could’ve happened, Donovan made room for Jordan and was now sandwiched betweenher and Tayese.

  “We ordered appetizers already, but if you want to add something, it’s not too late,” Donovan said.

  “I’ll just pick at what’s coming,” Jordan said.

  “Oh, and I ordered you a piña colada,”Tayese said.

  “Thanks,” Jordan replied.

  For a second she felt her heart skip a beat. Piña coladas were her and Jayon’s thing. He used to make her one all the time when they were having movie night or just relaxing at home. He made a mean piña colada, and she knew she would miss them just as much as she missed him.

  “I did want to talk to Jordan here about my business ventures,but she didn’t feel safe unless her best friend Tayese was here,” Donovan oh-so-boldly added.

  Tayese and Eddie laughed as Jordan dropped her mouth open in disbelief.

  “Oh, it’s like that? You trying to blow me up?”

  “Nah, I’m just kidding,” Donovan added.

  “I wasn’t afraid in the least bit.You obviously don’t know me,” Jordan said, trying to sound tough.

  “Well, I know her,” Tayese interjected, “and that is somethingshe would do.”

  “What?” Jordan said, humored by the sudden attack.

  “I mean, you just met him a little while ago, at a club at that.You don’t play those games,”Tayese added.

  “True, but if it was business, I can handle my business.”

  “That’s true,” Tayese said, backing off.

  “Well, I guess she just wanted to make sure it was business first,” Donovan said.

  Jordan was all confused. She was now feeling conceited, like she didn’t want to seem. Then she realized that it was in her head. She was tempted to blow him up as to the things he was saying to make her question his intent, but she still didn’t know what was said before she got there between him and Tayese.

  “All you had to say is you wanted to discuss business and you would’ve preferred that I didn’t invite her, but instead you said you would invite Eddie—so don’t even try it,” Jordan said.

  Donovan laughed. “That’s true. Get out of here, guys,” he said, laughing.

  They all laughed. Jordan didn’t realize that Donovan had such a feisty and humorous side about him. She couldn’t say she didn’t like that in a guy, but at this point she didn’t know what to think. She didn’t know if he was trying to let her know he was only interested in a business relationship, and wanted Tayese to know it too, or if he was just being funny to break the ice again.

  By the time the waiters finished taking all of their orders and brought their drinks out, the four of them had broken all the ice there was to break and were laughing at and discussing the night they met at the club. Right after they finished laughingat Eddie and Tremaine, their other friend, for going to the wrong club, most of them began to pick at the appetizers.

  “We are not getting any business done,” Donovan said out of nowhere.

  Jordan was taking a sip of her drink, and she looked up. She looked at him, trying to read what the feelings were behind his words.

  “How about this, Donovan,” Jordan said as she placed her drink down. “We will deem tonight as business in the sense that we got to know each other and make a decision if we want to do business together, and if we choose to do so, we will have a meeting at my office.”

  Donovan seemed unprepared for that comment.

  “OK, that sounds fair,” he replied.

  “So don’t worry, my time tonight will be free of charge.”

  Tayese started laughing, and so did Eddie.

  Donovan couldn’t help but drop his head in defeat. “OK, you got that one,” he replied.

  “I’m just saying, in case that’s what you’re worried about, getting a bill for three hours and all we did was talk and eat.”

  “Yeah, ’cause I’m sure your time ain’t cheap,” Eddie interjected.

  “Not at all,” Jordan said, looking straight into Donovan’s eyes.

  “Understandably so,” Donovan said, looking directly back.

  Tayese and Eddie continued picking at their appetizers, as if they didn’t notice the unspoken words being said at the moment.

  Jordan felt her BlackBerry vibrate and removed it from the clip to check it. It was a text from Tayese that read, “Isn’t he cute?” Jordan looked up at Tayese and smirked as she tried to play off her confirming response. Jordan quickly typed back, “Which one?” Jordan took another sip from her drink as Eddie and Donovan exchanged a few words about something. Jordan felt her BlackBerry vibrate, and when she looked at it, Tayese had replied, “Donovan.” Jordan just smirked, trying to also disguiseher confusion. “Yeah, he is,” she typed back.

  The waitress approached the table with a large tray with plates of food. Their eyes locked on their food, and their mouths began to water. The waitress placed the four plates down in front of them as she called out the names of the dishes. The steam from Eddie’s stir-fry filled the table and his nose.

  “Mmm, this smells good,” Eddie said.

  “It looks good,” Donovan said, looking at Eddie’s meal and not at the lemon chicken with linguini that was placed in front of him.

  “Get out of my plate,” Eddie said, picking up his fork and getting ready to dig in.

  Forks were picked up and mouths began to fill.Within secondsthere was silence at the table. Everyone was enjoying their meal and too focused to incite a conversation. As Jordan took forkfuls of her fettucciné Alfredo, she was realizing that she still didn’t know exactly what was going on at this table. There weren’t any flirtatious or implicative comments made, no
one was sitting too close to anyone else, there was nothing to draw from to say what was going on one way or the other. Jordan wasn’t sure if Tayese’s comment about Donovan meant she had her eye on him or she was encouraging Jordan to go for hers. Jordan didn’t know if this was a date, a business dinner,a casual dinner, or just four young black folks getting to know each other better in New York City.

  29

  Jordan was driving home with a full stomach and feeling beat for the night. She’d had a long day at work and had just left a three hour dinner with Tayese, Donovan, and Eddie. By the time the cab dropped her off by her car and she was en route to home, it was already midnight. She had her radio tuned to 98.7 KISS FM as usual, and she was listening to Bugsy’s reports on the weather, news, and celebrity drama in between her songs. Bugsy was filling in for Lenny Green, and he kept her laughing and entertained while she drove.

  She was driving down the street, heading toward the midtowntunnel, when her cell phone rang. She pressed the button on her steering wheel that turned on her Bluetooth connection.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hey there, miss,” the voice on the other end said. “It’s me, Donovan.”

  “Oh,” Jordan said with a giggle.

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “Heading home, are you?” Jordan said.

  “Come meet me. I’m at the W on Seventeenth Street.”

  “What?” Jordan said, not expecting that request.

  “Come meet me. I’ll be here for a while.”

  “I just left you,” Jordan said.

  “Well, that was fun, but this will be just the two of us,” Donovan said.

  Jordan was surprised to hear him make such a leading comment. Still, she felt like she had been misled before by his statements.

  “Why do we now need to spend time just the two of us?” Jordan asked.

  “Because now we can really have fun and really get to know each other better,” Donovan said.