“I’m going to Seattle. Microsoft made me an offer I can’t refuse.”
I couldn’t even form a sentence correctly. “Umm, why? I mean, you, like, I didn’t know you were looking for a job. I mean, why can’t you work from here?”
“Because the job is in Seattle.”
“But you don’t need that job. I mean, you have plenty of money.”
“You know I don’t do what I do for the money.”
I was literally shaking. “What about your mother?”
“Mom will be fine. My cousin will move in with her.”
“You have this all worked out.”
“Yeah, it just came all of a sudden. I mean, they interviewed me and offered me the job in a matter of two weeks.”
“Two weeks? Why are you just now telling me?”
He looked at me crazy. “Why would I have told you? We’re not together.”
“But we—I mean . . .” I didn’t even know what to say. I’m sure I sounded like a bumbling idiot.
“Look, Maya. You’re all over the blogs, in magazines. J. Love got what he wanted. You. You made your choice and I was trying to respect your decision.”
I wanted to cry and tell him that I’d made a bad choice. A dumb choice.
“The only reason I’m here now,” he continued, “is because we did used to be friends.”
We were more than friends. I love you! I wanted to shout. But I didn’t open my mouth because if I did, I just knew I would burst out crying.
“Why do you need to go?” I finally said.
“Why do I need to stay?”
Me! Stay for me! I wanted to shout. But staring in Alvin’s eyes, I knew I had no right, so I didn’t say anything.
After a few minutes, Alvin said, “Well, I just came by to tell you that.”
“When do you leave?”
“In two weeks.”
It felt like my world was falling in, and I had no idea what to do about it.
“So, you’ll miss my graduation?”
He shifted from one foot to another.
“Yeah. I probably won’t be able to make it back,” he replied.
I didn’t think it was possible for me to be any more hurt, but that was a slap in the face.
“Yeah, Seattle is pretty far,” he added.
“That’s what airplanes are for.”
He stared at me. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like his eyes were watering up as well. “It’s probably not a good idea anyway.”
“So, it’s like that now?” I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking.
He nodded, but didn’t respond. Finally, I said, “All right, cool. I see what our relationship meant to you.”
“Don’t do that, Maya, because you know why—”
“Nah, nah. It’s all good,” I said, holding my hands up. “You go on to Seattle. Start your new life. I’m good.” I was trying to display a hardness I didn’t really feel.
“Maya . . .”
I turned and headed toward my stairs. “See yourself out.”
“Maya . . .”
I kept walking, ignoring his pleas for me to hear him out. I didn’t stop as I headed up the stairs. I couldn’t stop. Because if I did, I would collapse to the floor in tears.
Chapter 33
I should be excited. Should be.
I’d gotten the good news—my contract for the film was signed, sealed, and delivered. J. Love and I had made up, or at least stopped fighting. So why wasn’t I happy?
The world premiere of the video with J. Love was in two days. And me and J. had a round of interviews. I really didn’t want to do them, but that stupid contract I’d signed required me to do media to promote the video, so I had to. And I was already waiting to see if I was getting in trouble behind my quitting Rumor Central.
“So, Maya, how do you feel about branching out?” the television host asked.
“I’m sorry?” I replied, snapping my attention back to her. We were on the set of Behind the Scenes, an entertainment show that talked about upcoming videos.
J. Love huffed his agitation. We’d argued every day since I left his house, about everything.
“Are you here with me today?” the host laughed.
I wanted to tell her no. While I was excited about the video, and even the movie, my mind was on how jacked up my life had become. I couldn’t put my finger on why I was so bummed out. It couldn’t be because I’d left Rumor Central. I’d made that decision, and the fact that no one had called to come after me, good or bad, didn’t seem to faze me. Yes, a part of me was disappointed that they were willing to let me go, but I just took that to mean that it was time for me to go. I refused to believe that it was because of Alvin.
“Hello.”
“Yes, umm, yes,” I replied.
J. Love stepped in. “We’re very excited for this project. It’s been fast-tracked and we’re just happy Maya stepped up at the last minute. Hype Lee did an amazing job.”
“Well, we’re excited about it, too. And we just love seeing you two together. So, tell me, do you still feel she’s perfect for you?” the woman asked with a sly smile.
I expected him to say “Absolutely” or something else like that, but he just gave the woman a stupid smile and didn’t respond.
“Well, is there trouble in paradise?” she said, being messy.
“We’re here to focus on the movie, that’s it,” J. Love said.
I tried my best not to side-eye him the rest of the interview, but afterward, I couldn’t wait until we were back in the car.
“What was that about?” I asked him.
“You tell me,” he said, leaning in and turning on the radio in his Hummer. “You the one acting like you didn’t want to be there.”
“I just have a lot on my mind, J. You know I’m going through some stuff.”
“Whatever. Where do you want me to drop you?”
I just stared at him.
“Where?” he repeated. “Home or w—well, I guess I can’t say work, since you don’t work.”
I turned back around in my seat. “Oh, you’re for-real trippin’.”
He didn’t say another word as he turned the music up and blared it all the way to my house.
I got out in front of my house without saying a word to J. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why he had an attitude with me. So my mind wasn’t completely in the interview? That wasn’t a reason for him to be a complete prick.
I had just made my way inside and walked over to the refrigerator to find something to eat when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but I went ahead and answered.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Maya.” I rolled my eyes, closed the refrigerator, and walked over and plopped down at the kitchen table. I was not in the mood for Nelly Fulton.
“What do you want?” I said.
“See, that’s that mess I’m talking about,” Nelly said. The chipperness was gone from her voice and she sounded like she had an attitude. “All I have done is try to be your friend. I’m sorry you were so threatened by me that you had to quit Rumor Central.”
“Girl, please,” I said. “Nobody is threatened by your whack behind.”
“Tell yourself that if it makes you feel better.” She exhaled. “Look, I wasn’t calling you to fight. I was trying to see if you wouldn’t mind turning over some of your contacts to me since I don’t know a lot of people in Miami.”
I had to pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it. Was this girl for real? I even looked around my kitchen. Surely, I was being punked.
“I mean, you can’t do anything with them anymore. So, I was hoping you would just give them to me,” she continued.
“Nelly, I don’t know what kind of supersonic drugs you are on, but you have lost your mind.”
“Maya, you don’t want to make an enemy of me. I am the new host of Rumor Central and I really can make your life miserable.”
I swear I would’ve been furious if this wasn’t so funny. “
Nelly. I’m really not in the mood for this craziness you’re talking on my phone. I wish I would give you an initial of one of my contacts. You wanted the job, it’s yours. Now make it work.”
She was silent for a minute. Then, she said, “Fine. I will. And guess who’s going to be the target of my first story? You. I know you have some dirt in your closet somewhere and I’m going to find it. Bet on that.”
“Do you, Nelly. Do you.” I hung the phone up. Programmed her number in my phone as NutBasket, then tossed my phone on the counter.
Everybody was losing their minds.
Chapter 34
I missed my man. It wasn’t just because J. Love had turned out to be a total jerk, but I really and truly missed Alvin—his corny ways, his attentiveness, even those Coke-bottle glasses. It was true that you never really knew what you had until it was gone.
I laid across my bed, twirling my phone in my hand, wondering if I should call Alvin. Only I didn’t know what to say. Maya Morgan didn’t beg, but I wanted to say anything to get my boo back. Before I could make up my mind, my phone rang. I smiled when I saw my cousin Travis’s name pop up on the screen.
“I can’t believe you’re actually calling and not texting,” I said, answering.
“What’s up, girl?” he said. “I do know how to use the phone. I just know you busy leading that superstar life, so texting is easier. What you up to?”
I could picture him multitasking (playing video games, cleaning his tennis shoes) because he never sat still and just did one thing. “Same ol’ same ol’,” I replied.
“Then that means you’re still pissing people off.” He laughed.
“You still getting in trouble?” I shot back. The whole reason Travis had come to live with us in the first place was because he’d gotten into trouble from hanging around the wrong crowd and skipping school. Aunt Bev, my dad’s sister, was a single parent who had already lost one son to gang violence. She wasn’t about to lose another, so she’d sent him to live with us.
“Nah, trying to stay out of trouble,” Travis said. “I can’t be stressin’ Mama out any more than I already have.”
“How’s Aunt Bev?”
“Better. The doctors had all but given up, but she went to a different specialist and it looks like stuff is turning around. I’m glad Uncle Myles could help.”
“I just can’t believe you didn’t tell us in the first place. You know Daddy would’ve helped.”
“You know my mama is stubborn.” Travis laughed. “Well, I saw you and your boy all over the blogs. I thought you was giving Alvin a chance.”
I blew a frustrated breath. “I was. I mean, me and Alvin were together. But he broke up with me,” I said, finally admitting it to someone.
“What?”
“Yeah. He said he couldn’t take the celebrity life any-more.”
“Wow. When I saw J. Love on MTV talking about he was going to make you his, I thought he was just mouthing off. I didn’t think he really would do it.”
I always get what I want. J. Love’s words popped into my head at that moment and I actually felt stupid.
“Yeah, I don’t even know how I ended up back with J. I haven’t told anyone this, but I regret losing Alvin, I really do.”
“Dang, cuz, I hate to hear that.”
“Alvin is moving,” I said, actually trying to keep my voice from cracking.
“Um, are you about to cry?” Travis asked.
I swallowed hard, and before I knew it, the tears were falling down my cheeks. I sat up on my bed and buried my face in my hands. “I messed up, Travis. I want him back.” I was shocking myself. Never in a katrillion years did I think I’d be sitting up boo-hooing over some dude like this.
I guess Travis couldn’t believe it either because he said, “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day that my cousin, THE Maya Morgan, would shed tears over a dude.”
“I know, right,” I said, managing a faint chuckle as I wiped my tears.
“That must mean that he’s pretty special and you need to let him know that.”
“But he’s leaving.”
“And? I mean, he hasn’t left yet so it’s not too late. Have you told him how you feel?”
“No.”
“Then that’s where you need to start. I know that you’re super diva and all, but you’re also human. Call the boy. Tell him that you made a mistake and you want to make it right.”
I was quiet as I thought about what Travis was saying. “You’re right,” I finally said.
“I’m always right,” he replied.
We made small talk for a few more minutes, then made promises to do a better job of keeping in touch, before hanging up. I took a few deep breaths, then dialed Alvin’s number. Just when I thought it was going to go to voice mail, the phone picked up.
“Hello.”
I paused at the sound of the female voice. “Ah, is, uh . . .”
“Yes, Maya?” she said and I instantly recognized Marisol’s voice. What was she doing answering Alvin’s phone? “Do you want Alvin? Because he can’t come to the phone right now. He’s packing our stuff.”
“Our?” I said, without even realizing it.
“Oh, yes. Our. We’re moving to Seattle.”
“We?” How was that even possible? I thought she’d be under somebody’s jail. How could she be getting ready to move? And with my man.
“That’s right, we. Alvin paid for a top notch attorney for me, so they’re working everything out now.” She sighed like I was an annoying fly or something. “Look, Alvin had his little phase with you, but then he came back to the one he really loves. He’s forgiven me for what I did and we’re moving forward.”
That made me pause. She had to be lying. There was no way Alvin would get back with Marisol. Would he?
“Girl, whatever. Put Alvin on the phone,” I said, fuming that Alvin even had her up in his house.
“I guess you think I’m playing,” Marisol snapped. “I’m in his house. I’m answering his phone and I’m helping him realize that you are only about that celeb life. He told me all about you and J. Love. And when he told you he was fed up, he meant it. So you enjoy your celeb-filled life, and me and my man will enjoy ours. Don’t call him again. Got it?”
She hung up the phone in my face and I was too stunned to be furious. My first thought was that she was lying, but if he’d told her about J. Love, and she was at his house, answering his phone, maybe he had gotten back with her. I couldn’t believe it. And she was moving with him? I was sitting here shedding tears over this guy and he’d already moved on—with her of all people? I didn’t think it was possible, but I felt even more hurt than I had before.
Chapter 35
It felt funny sitting at home watching my show live. I shook away that thought. Rumor Central was no longer my show. I needed to get that out of my head.
I heard the back door open and the clink of my father’s keys as he tossed them on the bar. I knew it wasn’t my mother because she was off getting some kind of eight-hour spa treatment. Besides, when I was a little girl, I used to wait for the clink of those keys to let me know my daddy was home.
“Hey, Daddy,” I said as he walked into the den.
“How’s my sweet pea today?”
“Not good.” I turned my attention away from the TV and back to the email I’d printed out from our family attorney. Just when I’d thought my week couldn’t get any worse, I got this email that WXIA was moving forward with plans to sue me for quitting and violating my Rumor Central contract. “Can you handle this? I can’t deal with this stuff,” I said, handing him the email.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, taking the paper.
“The station said they’re going to sue me,” I said.
“Oh, that.” He waved me off as he set the paper down. “Walter called me about that.”
“You don’t seem fazed,” I replied. I’d been sitting here stressing for the past hour, and my dad was acting like it was a summons for jury duty.
&
nbsp; “Darling, if I had a dime for every time someone threatened to sue me, we’d be even richer than we are.”
I smiled at my dad. I loved how it took a lot to make him sweat. The only time I’d seen him nervous was when a former partner had gotten caught up in some illegal activity and my dad was worried that his name would be tied to it. But as usual, my dad had come out on top.
“How do you know they’re not really going to sue?” I asked.
My dad smiled. “Let’s just say that whole dangerous trip to Cancún they sent you on left them wide open.”
“What do you mean?” For spring break, we had taken a senior trip to Cancún that the station all but forced me to film. They were hoping I could get some dirt since a lot of young celebrities went to the Spring Break Fling. That’s when Evian had faked her kidnapping after going off with some guy during a game of truth-or-dare. We’d gone crazy trying to find her and had gone to some pretty shady places, but nothing had happened to us, so I didn’t know what that whole trip had to do with anything.
“You’re seventeen, sweetheart,” my dad explained. “The station placed you in a position that could’ve ended very badly in pursuit of a story. So, we reminded them that, as soon as their lawsuit was filed, we would be pressing charges for endangering the welfare of a minor.”
I frowned in confusion. “But I agreed to do that.”
“By the time we got through in court, you’d be a young, naïve, starstruck girl who was coerced into putting her life in danger for the sake of ratings.”
I couldn’t do anything but smile. My dad could be ruthless. I guess he wasn’t a multimillionaire businessman for nothing. “So you think they bought it?” I asked.
“Oh, they have to take it back to the bigwigs, but I doubt they want to mess with a Morgan child,” he said, squeezing my cheek. But then his voice turned serious. “I want you to take some time off and enjoy the rest of your senior year and the summer.”
“I’m trying.”
“You have the rest of your life to be an adult and live a lavish life. Enjoy your youth. And since you start college in the fall, you especially need to just relax.”
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