At that moment he wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that she was a master mouth-reader, given how hard she rolled her eyes before she disappeared. But even that tickled him. “What is your deal, Ms. Jacobs?” he wondered aloud. The only question now was whether he was curious enough to get to the bottom of it.
Chapter 12
For months Taariq had been dying to ask Stanley about how his date with Anna had gone or even if they were still seeing each other. But every time he practiced the question inside his head, he couldn’t make it sound like he wasn’t jealous—which he wasn’t. He was just curious. There was nothing wrong with being curious.
The first football game of the season was being hosted at Derrick and Isabella’s place and when he arrived, all of his boys’ cars were already there. The day’s game was the Steelers versus the Cowboys and there was no doubt that things were about to get rowdy since Derrick and Hylan were devoted Steelers fans while he and Charlie were die-hard Cowboy fanatics. Stanley wasn’t that much into sports. He just tagged along to be around his buddies.
“Well, hello there, stranger,” Isabella said, answering the door with a smile.
“Hello yourself, beautiful.” Taariq leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Is your knucklehead husband around?”
A roar of laughter blasted toward the front door.
Isabella rolled her eyes. “Does that answer your question?” She stepped back so that he could enter. “How have you been doing?”
“Doing good. I can’t complain—or at least it doesn’t do any good.”
“Mmm-hmm. Sooo…are you seeing anybody yet?” she asked as she escorted him toward the living room.
“Uh, not at the moment. Why? Are you thinking about running away with me?” He winked.
Isabella popped him on his arm. “Not on your life.”
Taariq laughed. “Just checking. You can’t blame a brother for trying.”
“I’m trying to be serious.”
He shook his head. “Don’t even go there.”
“What?”
“Just because three of my buddies tossed in the towel doesn’t mean that I’m crazy enough to do the same thing.”
“Aw. C’mon now. You and Stanley don’t want to be the last men standing, do you?”
“Yes. Absolutely. Positively. Yes!” His rich laughter deepened. “You’ll have to pry my player’s card out of my cold, dead hands.”
“Yo, T! You finally made it.” Derrick strolled away from of the sixty-five-inch flat screen to give him a knuckle bump. “You ready to get your butt kicked, man?”
“In your dreams!”
Hylan jumped into the fray and received his fist pound. “We’ll see who’s dreaming, man.”
Charlie laughed. “Please, the Cowboys are going to smack that ass.”
“You ready to put some money on that?” Derrick challenged, heading back to the couch and the huge bowl of potato chips.
“Hell, yeah. Put your money where your mouth is, baby.” Charlie and Derrick swung out their hands so that their palms slapped together and then gripped for a firm handshake. “How much we talking about?”
“The usual, man.” Derrick said.
“You got it. Five dollars.”
Derrick turned toward Hylan and Taariq. “Y’all want a piece of this?”
“Count me in,” Taariq cheesed. “This will be like taking candy from a baby.”
Gisella chuckled as she strolled out of the kitchen with a platter of hot wings. “Here you go, big ballers.”
Charlie jumped up. “Here, baby. Let me help you with that.” He grabbed the platter from her, stole a quick kiss and then sat it down on the coffee table.
Taariq settled into his usual chair and then tossed a glance over at Stanley who seemed to be on a personal mission to vacuum up an entire bowl of Chex Mix. “So how are you doing, Stan?”
“Same old. Same old.” He chowed down another handful of party mix.
“That’s good. That’s good.” So have you and Anna gone out yet? Taariq sucked in a deep breath but then turned his attention to the screen just as the Steelers kicked off.
A cell phone rang and Stanley stopped stuffing his face long enough to dig out his BlackBerry.
Taariq watched Stanley as he read the tiny screen and started texting. Was he texting Anna? Were they at the stage where they sent little cutesy messages back and forth? LOL. Smiley faces. He rolled his eyes at the thought.
Stanley chuckled and then kept texting.
“Want to let us in on what’s so funny?” Taariq couldn’t stop himself from asking.
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just—”
Charlie jumped up. “Go! Go! Go! Touchdown! Yeah!” He pumped his fists in the air. “This game is already a wrap.” He rushed over to Taariq where he received another fist bump. “We’re about to make some money, son.”
Derrick shook his head. “Sit your loud butt down. This game is far from over.”
Stanley shoved his phone back into his pocket and then climbed out of his chair. “I’m going for another beer. Anyone else want one?”
“Naw. I’m good,” Derrick said.
“Me, too,” Charlie followed up.
Damn. Taariq ground his back molars. Now if he asked about the text messages it would look like he was being nosey—which he wasn’t. It was just…hell. He didn’t know why the thought of Stanley and Anna together still gnawed at him. It just did. “I’ll take a beer—but I’ll come with you.” Taariq stood up.
Stanley waved him off. “That’s all right. I got it.”
Annoyed, Taariq huffed out a breath and then eased back into his chair. A minute later, Stanley returned and handed him a beer. “Thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it.” Stanley returned to his chair and reclaimed his bowl. “What I miss?”
“Steelers got the ball,” Derrick answered, reaching for a hot wing.
Ding, dong.
Derrick looked up. “Who’s that?”
The guys shrugged their shoulders but kept their faces glued to the television.
Derrick stood to go answer the door, but then Gisella rushed out of the kitchen with her son tucked under her arm. “I’ll get it. It’s probably just my sister,” she said. “I invited her over.”
Taariq felt a kick to his stomach before his gaze crashed into Stanley’s. Each tried to read the other during the thirty seconds before they heard Anna’s voice float from the front door.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said.
“Girl, you’re fine. Isabella and I are just getting started on those thank-you cards while the boys are watching football. Come on in.”
“Oh, look at my little nephew. Hey, li’l Charlie.”
The front door shut and then Taariq’s heart started pounding when heard the women’s footsteps heading toward the living room. Be cool. Be cool. He turned away from Stanley and tried to refocus on the game. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get his brain to even comprehend what he was seeing on the screen.
“Hey, guys,” Gisella called. “You all remember my sister, don’t you?”
Derrick and Hylan looked up. “Yo, what’s up?”
“Welcome to the family,” Derrick added.
Charlie beamed. “Hey, sis.”
Stanley stood and wiped the salt and grease onto his jeans. “Hello, Anna.”
“Hey, Stanley.” She smiled sweetly. “Look at you.”
Gisella nodded. “Yeah. He’s turning into a buffed Anderson Cooper.”
Apparently that was all the invitation Stanley needed to stroll away from the rest of the boys so that he could get a hug. Taariq’s ability to eavesdrop was thwarted when Derrick and Hylan jumped up from their seats. “Go! Go! Go!” But then their beloved quarterback got tackled so hard that he dropped the ball.
Derrick fell back onto the sofa. “Aw, man. This is some bull!”
Taariq missed all the action because he was still trying to peep what was going on with Anna and Stanley. But they were now wal
king toward the kitchen with the rest of the wives. Did he know that she was coming? Was that what all the texting was about? Taariq took a swig of beer while his gaze burned a hole in the back of Stanley’s head.
“Taariq!”
“Hmm?” Suddenly, a throw pillow smacked him in his face. “What the hell?”
Derrick laughed. “Man, what the hell is wrong with you? Spacing out isn’t going to get you out of paying me my money.”
Hylan joined in. “Yeah. Well, we’ll be expecting cash money.”
Taariq took another swig of his beer. “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.”
“What’s that? You want to make this double or nothing?”
“Sure, whatever.” Taariq shrugged.
“Whoa, ho, ho.” Derrick and Hylan stood for another handshake. “You got yourself a bet!”
Charlie went all in, as well. “Now the game is getting interesting. Ten whole bucks.” He laughed.
Taariq chanced another glance toward the kitchen, but Stanley and the women were no longer in his line of vision, which only made his imagination run wild.
“Anna, I’d like for you to meet Hylan’s wife Nikki.”
“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Nikki blushed. “I hope it was flattering.”
“Well, it was definitely interesting.” Anna laughed.
“Yeah. Who would have ever thought that the best way to get a Kappa man down the aisle was to fake being married to him?” Isabella laughed.
Nikki laughed. “I guess I’ve always been a little…unconventional.”
Gisella joined in. “Heck, I snared mine with chocolate—so go figure.”
Anna zoned out when the married women started talking about babies. Her mind raced back to the man in the other room. He didn’t even acknowledge me. Anna held her smile together while she bounced her two-month-old nephew on her knees. A small part of her said that she shouldn’t care. So why did she?
“You know, I’ve been trying to call you,” Stanley said, cutting into her thoughts.
Anna glanced over. She had forgotten that Stanley had followed them to the dining room. “I’m sorry, but work has been crazy lately.”
“What is it that you do?” he inquired.
“I’m COO at the K & L Corporation. We’re a management consulting firm. We have more than sixty offices in thirty-seven countries,” she rattled off.
“Wow. I’m impressed.” He smiled and bobbed his head. “You know, I’m not surprised that you’re a success. I remember back when you used to tutor Charlie. Smart…and beautiful.”
The other women fell silent as their heads whipped toward Anna and Stanley.
Anna blushed. “Thanks, Stanley. You’re sweet.”
Stanley groaned. “Oh, not sweet again. That’s what you called me back in the day before you kicked me to the curb.”
“You guys dated?” Gisella asked confused. “You never told me that.”
“Oh, no. We never dated,” Anna corrected. “He just…”
“Had a major crush on her back in college,” Stanley filled in, his blue eyes dancing. “And then she broke my heart.”
“I’m so sorry,” Anna said.
“Oh, please don’t feel bad. It was a long time ago.” He cleared his throat. “But I’d still like to take you to dinner. You know, so that we can play catch up.” By the time he got the question out, his entire face was red with embarrassment.”
All eyes shifted toward Anna.
She hesitated because she still didn’t feel that spark he wanted for him, but she couldn’t bring herself to kick the same puppy twice. “I’d love to go to dinner with you.” Anna leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The refrigerator door slammed shut and everyone at the table jumped and turned toward the kitchen. Taariq stood, holding up a beer. “Came for a refill.”
Anna clamped her jaw shut and then gave Taariq the same silent treatment that he dished out.
“Well, try not to break my refrigerator door,” Isabella said. “We just bought it.”
“Sorry about that, Isabella.” His gaze sliced toward Anna and Stanley before he turned and headed back out of the kitchen.
“I swear men don’t realize how rough they can be with things some times,” Isabella said, continuing to stuff envelopes.
“I’m learning that pretty fast myself,” Gisella chimed in.
Li’l Charlie started squirming on Anna’s lap and Gisella sprung into action. “Well, if you can excuse me, ladies,” Stanley said, getting up from the table, “I guess I should get back to the game.” He smiled down at Anna. “So what do you think about next Friday?”
Anna cleared her throat. “Ah. Friday’s good.”
A smile exploded across his face. “Great. I still have your card so I’ll call you.”
Anna nodded then watched him stroll out of the dining room.
“Well,” Gisella said, grinning. “I guess your dry spell is finally over.”
Anna shrugged. “I guess so.”
Chapter 13
At halftime, the Cowboys were up 14-7, but one wouldn’t know it judging by Taariq’s lack of interest. Instead, he remained crouched over and shooting invisible daggers at the side of Stanley’s head. Any attempt to try to examine exactly why he was angry was squashed internally because…well, just because. And anyway, he probably wouldn’t be so annoyed if Stanley wasn’t just sitting there, bobbing his head like the marching band on television was Jay-Z or something.
Suddenly, Taariq’s dagger war was interrupted when Charlie stepped into his line of vision.
“Yo, T. Are you all right?” He thrust another cold beer into Taariq’s hands. “You haven’t said anything for the past hour. We’re up seven points, man. Where’s the love?”
“Oh, I’m cool.” He forced what he hoped was a smile, but Charlie frowned as if he’d given him the bird. “What?”
Charlie shrugged. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Slowly, he twisted around and glanced over at Stanley.
Stanley stopped rocking to the beat when he realized two sets of eyes were watching him. “What?”
“Nothing,” Charlie said and then looked back at Taariq with a raised brow.
Taariq just ignored the silent question and took a long swig of beer.
“All righty then.” Charlie strolled off just as Gisella appeared with her little bundle. “Hey, baby. Can you change Junior for me?”
Charlie accepted his son with a smile. “Not a problem. Whoo, boy. That’s some ripe stuff you got going on in there.”
“Don’t talk about your son in front of company. You’ll embarrass him.” Gisella laughed.
Derrick strolled out of the kitchen and headed toward the deck. “Everybody staying for dinner later? I’m about to marinate these steaks.”
“Count me in,” Stanley hollered.
“What about you, T?”
“When have you known me to turn down a steak dinner?”
“Good point.” Derrick laughed.
Taariq settled his gaze back on Stanley. All he saw was a replay of Anna leaning over and kissing him at the dining room table. Were they or were they not a couple? What’s the big deal? I just want to know.
“Stanley,” Anna said sweetly, coming out into the room while glancing down at her phone. “Can we move our date from Friday to Saturday? I forgot I’ll be working late that day.”
Stanley hopped out of his chair like a toasted Pop-Tart with an instant smile on his face. “Yeah. Saturday’s great—same time?”
“Right. Eight o’clock.” She flirted by tossing another smile at him, but before she turned away her gaze cut toward Taariq, whereupon she just lifted her chin and strolled off.
Once she marched out of the living room, Stanley chuckled under his breath. “Wow. She really can’t stand you, man. Are you sure that you didn’t do anything to her?”
“Positive,” he grumbled.
“Well, all I know is your loss is
my gain—and I don’t say that too often.”
Taariq took another long swig of beer while still trying to stop himself from examining his emotions, he was more than happy to pin his irritation on Stanley. He was as good a target as any. “Sooo. You have a date Saturday night? Here I was about to ask you to be my wingman this weekend,” he baited.
“Sorry.” Stanley smiled so wide that it nearly stretched from ear to ear. “But there’s no way I’m breaking this date. It’s taken too long to actually get her to agree to a date.”
Taariq perked up, but reminded himself not to sound too interested. “So you guys haven’t gone out yet?”
Stanley shook his head but his smile remained intact. “Nah. She’s been too busy. But all that changes this weekend. I’m going to plan the perfect evening, man.”
“Is that right?” Taariq turned up his bottle again while he could literally feel his blood pressure rise.
“The game’s back on,” Stanley shouted.
Hylan tore himself away from Nikki and raced back into the living room with a new tub of onion dip. “All right, Steelers. Let’s even this score up!”
Charlie returned with the li’l man in tow. “Keep dreaming. We got this one, right, T?”
Once again, Taariq had to tear his eyes away from the side of Stanley’s head and force them toward the screen. “Right.”
“Well, don’t sound too excited.” Charlie laughed.
After two hours of flipping through wedding pictures and endless talks about what to expect when you’re expecting, Anna was ready to call it a day. After all, there was only so much happiness a single girl could take. Sure, she was genuinely happy for her sister and her newfound sisterhood with Isabella and Nikki, but it was exhausting trying to beat back that little green-eyed monster that kept asking where her knight-in-shining-armor was.
Maybe it’s Stanley. She silently shrugged and then weighed the possibility. She was impressed that he’d put about twenty pounds of muscle on his frame since she’d seen him at Gisella’s wedding and the silvering of his hair really made his blue eyes pop. He was actually…quite handsome.
My Only Desire Page 11