by Zuri Day
And then there was Doug, and Cynthia, and Crystal, and Peter, Thump, and the band, and D’Andra, and the thousands of fans who’d downloaded her song who got it. Without a doubt, they accepted her for who she was, loved her for who she was, and had no desire to change her.
That’s my new name for you, Juicy Jan.
The thought of Doug’s comment made her smile. She reached for the mug of tea but then, on second thought, went into the living room and grabbed her phone from her purse. She tapped a name in her contact list and waited for the call to be answered. When it went to voicemail she thought about hanging up. At the sound of the beep, she changed her mind.
“Nick, hi. This is Jan. I was hoping you’d pick up but since this is a time-sensitive matter and I’m wanting you to know as soon as possible, I’m leaving a message. I’m not going to do your show, Nick. I’ve thought about it, and decided it just isn’t for me. It’s not who I am. Good luck with it, though. I’ll be watching!”
She went back into the kitchen, knowing that she’d done the right thing and made the right choice. Nick was just a childhood crush, his reality show a vehicle to success that she no longer needed. She had a man named Doug Carter, who said he’d manage her, too. He called her his ride or die chick. She was ready to ride with him. Wherever. Whenever. Forever.
49
Later that day, Jan called Doug. “What are you doing?”
“At the club, hanging with the fellas. What’s up?”
“I made a decision earlier.”
“Oh, yeah? What about?”
“About the reality show. I’m not going to do it.” Silence. “Did you hear me, Doug?”
“Yes, I heard you. What made you change your mind?”
“A few things, actually. The way Nick has handled this whole situation, and only reached out to me because of the song. The fact that the production team says they support me but keep trying to change my image. And there’s another reason.”
“What?”
“You.”
“Me? How am I a reason?”
“I want you to be my manager and you said that couldn’t happen if I worked with Nick.”
“Wait a minute, Jan. I don’t want you giving up something you want because of me.”
“I’m not giving up something because of you. I’m gaining something because of you, something that Nick or no other man could ever give me. I’m gaining the experience of being loved for me, not what I do or what I can bring to the table. But just for being Jan. I’m enjoying the experience of having someone to care about my career and want to do whatever it takes to help me reach my goals. To share that dream and have someone to help make it come true. That’s you, Doug Carter. I love you.”
Several moments of silence passed. Jan almost regretted her moment of truth. “Well . . . aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Wow, you came in a way I wasn’t even expecting. That’s a lot to digest.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m just glad I told you how I really feel.”
“I’m glad you did, too.”
“Are you planning to spend the whole night with your boys or can we get together?”
“And do what?”
“How about us going bowling?”
“Bowling?”
“Yes, we haven’t been on a real date in a while and you’ve not taken me bowling since the first time.”
“Maybe there’s a reason.”
“Whatever. Just because you got lucky and hit a few strikes—”
“Luck had nothing to do with it.”
“And I held back just to make you look good doesn’t mean we should make that the only occurrence. Thinking back, the whole experience was actually fun.”
“All right, then. Let me roll through and get you now.”
“On your motorcycle?”
A pause and then, “Yes.”
A longer pause. “Okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but hurry up before I change my mind. On second thought, don’t hurry. I mean it. Drive safe.”
She turned to see Lionel parked in her doorway, an expression on his face that she couldn’t quite read. “What?”
“Did I just hear you say that you’d ride a motorcycle?”
“Yes. Does that make you uneasy?”
“Heck no. It makes me feel good, happy that you’re starting to live.”
“I’ve been living for thirty years.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve been existing, scared to put yourself out there.”
She crossed her arms and leaned against the dresser, having no idea her brother felt this way. “Keep going. I’m listening.”
“You play it safe. With boyfriends, cars, job, everything. That open mike thing is the first time I remember you putting yourself out there. Fear is like prison. It’ll hold you back. I’m glad you let yourself out of the cell to be free.”
When Doug arrived thirty minutes later, Lionel had gone out with Bernard and her mom, in a rare night out, to support a friend who’d recently lost her mother. Their planned night included dinner and a movie. Jan was glad to see her mom doing something besides work. Lionel’s words played like a loop in her head. She loved Rochelle Baker but didn’t want to imitate her. Jan didn’t want work and children to become her whole life.
That’s if she’d even have them. At thirty, still unmarried, and no desire to raise a child alone, her chances were slim.
“You look good, babe. Those jeans do you justice. But where’s the leather?”
“Where’s my helmet? Let’s stay focused on the important things.”
Doug reached for Jan and pulled her close. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For trusting me. I love bikes and have wanted to share this part of my life with you for a long time.”
“Well, don’t get too excited. Going twenty miles an hour from here to your house might not be as exciting as you’d planned.”
“If we’re doing twenty, then definitely not. But I’ve got a plan for you and my bike.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. When the time comes, you’ll be the first to know.”
They went outside and put on their helmets. Doug got on the bike first. “Use my shoulder for balance and swing your leg over.”
It took a few tries, but Jan was finally behind him.
He started the bike and turned so she could hear him. “Hang on tight!”
“Don’t act crazy, Doug. You know I’m scared.”
“As long as you’re hanging on to me, you’ll be fine.”
Jan believed him but still didn’t take a full breath until his complex came into view. Only when he came to a full stop did she release the hold on his waist. He helped her off the bike, took off her helmet, and kissed her. “Congratulations. You’re no longer a virgin. Now, was that so bad?”
“No, it wasn’t. But I still prefer more metal around me while passing automobiles that way a few tons.”
“Keep rolling with me. The life will grow on you.”
“If you say so.”
They showered together, enjoyed a quickie beneath the spray, and, at Jan’s request, headed to the bowling alley in Doug’s SUV. “I did something,” Doug said, once on the way. “And I hope you won’t be mad.”
“What?”
“I was talking to Byron earlier and invited him and Cynthia to join us.”
“Why would I be angry about that? The more the merrier.”
“She’s never bowled either and I figured her presence might keep you from being the absolute worst bowler there.”
“Thank you,” she replied. This reply, even though her face and tone didn’t exude the same gratitude. “We are kind of on the same page, though.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nodded. “I invited Crystal and Brent.”
Doug laughed. “Perfect.”
The couples arrived at the bowling alley within ten minutes of each other. The guys approached the
game seriously, with both Byron and Doug getting repeated strikes and spares, but with Jan’s and Crystal’s gutter balls and Cynthia’s attempt to throw with power sending her ball into the next lane, the women spent more time laughing and enjoying the old-school R & B playing overhead.
After an abysmal hour the couples decided to scrap the bowling lanes for the pool tables.
“Anybody hungry?” Doug asked as they passed the dining area. They all were. “Then, let’s eat first.”
It was a crowded Saturday night. The group was lucky to arrive at a table just as a group was leaving. The waiter quickly cleaned the table and handed them menus.
Doug looked at his sister-in-law. “There’s no fancy food here, Cynthia. You’re going to have to eat like regular folk.”
Used to his teasing about her upper-class background, she just gave him a look and went back to the menu.
“What kind of fancy food?” Jan asked.
“Organic,” Byron answered. “Nonprocessed.”
“That’s not fancy,” Crystal said. “That’s healthy. Brent and I have started buying organically more often. These days there’s no telling what’s being put in our food.”
Cynthia smiled triumphantly. “Thank you, Crystal.”
“No problem. We women have to stick together,” she finished with a wink to Jan. “Although, and I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I wouldn’t have put a woman like you with a guy like Byron.”
Byron showed offense. “Just what are you saying?”
“No, please don’t get upset. It’s just that Cynthia seems more the suit-and-tie, white-collar type of woman—”
Byron interrupted. “I own a suit and tie.”
“I’m sorry. That came out all wrong.”
Byron smiled. “I know what you meant. And you’re right. Cynthia used to go after those professional types. Until she got handled by a blue-collar brother.” Byron gave Cynthia a smoldering look. “Changed her life.”
Crystal looked at Cynthia, who said, “It sure did.”
“How did you two meet?”
She was looking at Cynthia, but Doug spoke up. “She got on Byron’s bus and got more than a ride downtown.”
Quiet, contemplative Brent spoke for the first time since they’d sat at the table. “Looks like she’s still riding.”
The waiter came amid the laughter. They ordered food and drink.
Afterward, Cynthia continued the conversation. “Jan, I know you and Doug work together. How does you two being in a relationship affect the office, or does it?”
“It affects me more than Doug,” Jan said. “I’m a private person and the post office is like a soap opera with a lot of coworkers hooking up and going out. I didn’t want any part of that drama.”
“Yet here you are.” Jan nodded. “So, who made the first move?”
“Jan, of course.” Doug said this loudly, then dodged Jan’s punch.
“That is so not true. When I started at the post office, a relationship with anybody who worked there was the last thing on my mind.”
“Yeah, sort of like you, Cynthia,” Doug said, then waited for the waiter to deposit their drinks. “Jan was looking for one of those suit-and-tie-type brothers. But I put a Carter cuddle on her and . . . changed her life.”
“You put the Carter cuddle on her, bro?” Byron laughed, reached over, and gave his brother a fist bump. He looked at Jan. “You didn’t stand a chance.”
Jan took in Doug’s smug expression. “Don’t sit over there looking all cocky. When my multimillion-dollar deal comes through I just might have to go after my other heartthrob.”
“Who’s that?” Cynthia asked.
“Usher,” Crystal said. “He’s been her idol since she was twelve years old.”
There was silence for a few seconds before Doug spoke. “I’m not worried about him, or anybody else for that matter. They’d have to come through me to get to my wife.”
Jan raised a brow. “Um, excuse me, but does anybody see a ring on my finger?” She raised her left hand and showed her bare third finger.
“I don’t see one,” Cynthia said.
“Me neither,” Crystal added.
Now Jan was the smug one. She laughed confidently, having rested her case.
“Oh, right. You don’t have a ring.” Doug stretched his leg to reach into his pocket. He watched Jan’s expression go from satisfaction to curiosity. “You shared something with me today and asked me what I thought about it. I didn’t have an answer then. I do now. From the moment we met there was something about you. I couldn’t put my finger on it, really, but it was like you were a walking contradiction. You were conservative and serious, but then Joey stepped to you one day and I saw a fire. And I wondered how hot it would burn. Then I sped into the parking lot one morning on my bike. You chewed me out like my mama would and I was like, damn, she must care about me.”
The men cracked up. The women smirked.
“But I think what made me want to get to know you more was when I found out about your brother and why you were working so hard and why you took life so seriously. And I thought, that’s a good woman, because not everyone would do what you’re doing.
“And then I heard you sing. And I said, Doug . . .” He paused for effect, eyed the sentimental looks on the women’s faces. “That’s your ticket out the ghetto.”
The table burst out laughing. Jan went for another punch.
“Naw, on a serious tip, though.” Everyone became quiet. “I love you, Jan Baker.” Doug stood, knelt on one knee, and opened the black velvet box he’d been holding beneath the table. “And if you agree to be my wife, I’d be a happy and lucky man. Will you marry me?”
“Of course!” They hugged as everyone around who’d witnessed the proposal clapped and cheered.
“Obviously the mail isn’t the only thing he’s packing,” Brent muttered to himself.
Byron overheard him. “You hear that, bro?”
“No, what?”
“Brent said mail wasn’t the only thing you’re packing!” Jan buried her face amid snickers and chuckles. “You got a lethal weapon, brother?”
“Indeed,” Doug answered as the waiter brought over a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. “It’s not a weapon that will kill you, but you’ll be in heaven anyway.”
Later that night he pulled out what he was packing, and over and again to Jan’s delight . . . he brought the heat.
Zuri Day turns up the heat with three sexy
page-turning tales of unexpected love and
introduces the Morgan men, three fine brothers
who have it all—except what their mama wants
most for them: wives. . . .
Meet Michael Morgan in
Love on the Run
In the world of sports management, Michael
Morgan is a superstar. But his newest client,
Shayna Washington, may be his most lucrative
catch yet. The record-breaking sprinter with the
tight chocolate body has a talent and inner light
Michael knows he can get the world to sit up and
notice. He’s certainly paying attention—and
suddenly the sworn bachelor finds his focus
changing from love of the game to true love....
Meet Gregory Morgan in
A Good Dose of Pleasure
When artist Anise Cartier leaves Nebraska
for LA, she’s finally ready to put the past and its
losses behind her. She’s even taken a new name
to match her new future. And she soon finds a
welcoming committee in the form of one very
handsome doctor, Gregory Morgan. Their
attraction is instant. So is their animosity . . .
Meet Troy Morgan in
Bad Boy Seduction
Gabriella is a triple threat—singing, acting, and
dancing—and has always lived the life of a
princess. Now, her father i
s determined to marry
her to someone who can help expand her brand
and the Stone empire, not some ordinary Joe.
Of course, Troy Morgan is anything but ordinary.
But can bad boy Troy take a back seat
to someone with more money, more fame, and
more of just about everything than him?
Pick up these books
wherever books and ebooks are sold.
From Love on the Run . . .
1
On a warm, overcast day in late September, the forever-grooving-always-moving female magnet Michael Morgan found himself spending a rare day both off from work and alone. After sexing her to within an inch of her life, he’d sent his latest conquest—all long hair (still tangled), long legs (still throbbing), and . . . well . . . perpetual longing—on her melancholy yet merry way. As usual when his mind had a spare moment, his thoughts went to his business—Morgan Sports Management Corporation—and the athletes he wanted to add to this successful company’s stable. At the top of the list was former USC standout and recent Olympic gold medalist Shayna Washington, a woman he’d been aware of since her college days who he’d learned had just lost the mediocre sponsor who’d approached her two years prior. When it came to business, Michael was like a bloodhound, and he smelled the piquant possibility of this client oozing across the proverbial promotional floor. Along with his other numerous talents, Michael had the ability to see in people what others couldn’t, that indefinable something, that “it” factor, that star quality that took some from obscure mediocrity to worldwide fame. He sensed that in Shayna Washington, felt there was something there he could work with, and he was excited about the possibility of making things happen.
The ringing phone forced Michael to put these thoughts on pause. “Morgan.”
“Hey, baby.”