Talk a Good Game

by Angie Daniels

Something in my face must have caught Kaleb’s attention because he was practically leaning across the bed all in my face.

  “What? Your man sent you a message?”

  I sighed, growing tired of this whole thing and put my phone back on the nightstand then started enjoying the second half of the game. After a while I noticed that he was getting into the game as well. We’re both Cubs fans. But then his phone started beeping and again he was reading more of his so-called work related text messages. By then I was too through with his attitude. When the game ended, I climbed under the covers.

  “Babe?”

  “Yeah?” I said and I faked a yawn, so he would know I didn’t feel like talking.

  “What time do I need to be at the restaurant on Friday?”

  I hesitated before answering, “What does it matter? I’m getting the award not you.”

  He actually laughed at me, which pissed me off. “Oh yeah, I forgot. Friday is all about you.”

  I have never known a grown-ass man to be jealous about anything that didn’t deal with him. Friday was a big day for me and I could already see he was going to try and ruin it for me.

  I sat up on the bed and turned to him. “Do me a favor and don’t come to my ceremony.”

  “Are you fucking serious?”

  “Dead serious.” I didn’t even want to see his pathetic face. “I don’t want you there stealing my shine.”

  “Stealing your shine?” he mocked and then he had the nerve to laugh. “You act like it’s a big deal.”

  “To me it is a big deal and the fact you don’t see that shows just how selfish you really are. I am sick of your negative attitude! And I’m tired of you always trying to control this relationship.”

  “You’re not gonna be talking to me any kinda way!” he snarled.

  I smirked. “See, that’s what the damn problem is. You’re so used to those minimum wage hoes that let you run them. But you can’t run me! I worked too hard to get where I am to let someone like you bring me down.” I gestured over to his phone. “So all them hoes who keep texting you that you’re pretending is work related, keep on doing you because I’m definitely gonna do me.”

  Next thing I know Kaleb snapped. “Get your shit, and get out my house!”

  “What?” I know he wasn’t about to make me leave in the middle of the night.

  “You heard me. Give me my ring then get your shit and go!”

  I heard CJ’s bedroom door open so I know he had to be listening. Thank goodness because he saved me from sticking my foot in his father’s ass.

  “Really?” I slipped off the ring and tossed it on the bed. “Fine,” I said and started laughing.

  “Good riddance,” Kaleb barked then picked up his phone and started texting again.

  I couldn’t believe he had dismissed me like that. Of course, I had to have the last word.

  “You can’t fuck, so you did me the favor!” You should have seen his face. “Lying on your back like a bitch… with that stupid-ass smirk on your face. That ho can have your tired ass!”

  Kaleb stood there looking stupid before he stormed downstairs. Probably went to look at his dick in the mirror.

  I changed clothes then grabbed the small suitcase I had tucked away in the closet and quickly filled it with a few things. “I’ll be back for the rest of my stuff,” I said as I went downstairs. Kaleb was sitting on the couch, with his head in his hands. He rose and walked over towards me.

  “Babe… wait…,” he said but I brushed past him and kept on walking.

  “C’mon Honey.” I stormed out to my car. I couldn’t believe he had treated me that way! But as I climbed into my vehicle, I couldn’t resist a smirk.

  I may have been stupid to have moved in with him, but at least I had sense enough to make that mothafucka put the title to the BMW in my name.

  31

  NYREE

  I was just finished evaluating the first job vacancy when my office phone rang.

  “Master Sergeant Dawson speaking.”

  “Whassup sexy.”

  I smiled as I twirled around in my chair. Man, Timmy always managed to sound so sexy on the phone. If he took it down just a notch he could have given Barry White a run for his money. “Hey you. How’s the new job going?” I asked.

  “I’m still tryna settle in this little country ass town.”

  “Where you living… Knob Noster?” I teased.

  “Hell no. I found me a nice spot in Sedalia.”

  I gave a rude snort. “You know my father’s from there. That’s not saying much.”

  “No, I guess it ain’t.” He laughed. It was a deep robust sound that made me feel so relaxed and at ease. “So how have you been?”

  I twirled the phone cord around my finger as I replied, “I’ve been good. Can’t complain.”

  “Dude still treating you right?” It was obvious, Timmy was digging.

  “Of course. You know I won’t settle for any less.”

  “That’s whassup.” His voice trailed off and I could tell he wanted to say more but then decided against it. I was almost tempted to ask what was on his mind but decided I better keep it professional.

  “So what can I do for you today?”

  “Well… I hear you’re doing some onsite training sessions on the new hiring process.” He must of read my mind about keeping it professional, although I felt slightly disappointed.

  “Yes, I have a few site visits scheduled over the next few weeks. I’m probably making a lotta work for myself but I decided it was easier to train right on each supervisor’s system than trying to get all of you in one room.”

  “Can a brotha get some of that one-on-one training?”

  There goes the sexual innuendos again. “Absolutely. I can schedule to come out to Knob Noster before my honeymoon.”

  There was a slight hesitation. “Honeymoon?” he said incredulously. “Damn! You about to tie the knot already?” Maybe I was feeling myself but I was sure I heard disappointment in his tone.

  “Yep, we’re taking the plunge.” I suddenly felt the need to explain the rush and told him about Jeremy being offered a transfer to Hawaii.

  “No joke? Hawaii? You’re gonna love it there.”

  “I sure hope so,” I replied and then there was another pregnant pause that I wish I could jump in Timmy’s head and know what he was thinking.

  “Yo, I really am happy for you,” he finally said.

  “Thanks, that means a lot coming from you.”

  After we ended the call, I sat back and I couldn’t help thinking what if things had been different. With Timmy moving closer we would have had a chance to build on our relationship and there is no telling where it could have gone. But there was no point in thinking about what coulda-woulda-shoulda when I had an amazing fiancé.

  At twelve I stepped outside the building just as Jeremy pulled up into the circle drive and climbed in his vehicle.

  “Hey baby!” I sounded way too happy even to my own ears.

  “Hi Angel.” He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “What are you so happy about?” His eyes were sparkling with interest.

  “Everything.” I was grinning like crazy as we pulled away from headquarters.

  “Care to share?” There was that worried look in Jeremy’s eyes. I’ll be so glad when he learns to lighten up.

  “The wedding… moving to Hawaii, just everything. I just can’t wait to start this new life with you.” I was talking excitedly with my hands.

  He brought one to his lips and kissed it. “Neither can I.”

  As Jeremy pulled onto the highway, I leaned back on the seat with the air conditioning cooling my skin. It was the middle of August and well over ninety degrees. I slid over on the seat and rested my head on his shoulder, which wasn’t easy to do while driving in a Tahoe, but I do it all the time anyway. I can’t help it. I loved being under my man.

  “Where you wanna eat?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t care. Sonic’s is cool.”

&nb
sp; Ever since our engagement had become official, Jeremy and I had been riding to work today. We figured since we both had to make the thirty minute commute to Jefferson City every morning why not make it together and save on gas. Saving money had always been a really big thing of mine. I expressed to Jeremy as soon as we were married we needed to open a joint saving’s account. I was no fool. I think all women needed to have their own account to save for a rainy day, but a couple also needed to pay bills in a joint account.

  “Angel we need to get the rest of your stuff moved into my place before my kids get here,” Jeremy reminded me as he climbed off the highway.

  “I know. I promise to finish packing my things this weekend.”

  “I’m going to hold you to it,” he teased and gave me a corny smile.

  We pulled into Sonic’s drive-thru and I ordered a double burger and fries and he did the same. While we waited, I tilted my head and stared into his eyes. Have I mentioned how much I loved this man?

  “I’ve been online looking at places to live in Hawaii. I even asked one of the guys in my unit about it. He was stationed there for a while.”

  For a moment we were both quiet.

  “Let me ask you a question,” Jeremy began then hesitated before saying, “Is that the only reason why you’re marrying me is because we’re going to Hawaii?”

  I swung around on the seat and met his gaze head-on. He was dead serious. “What? Why you say that?”

  “Because,” he swallowed dryly. “That’s all you talk about.”

  I shook my head. “That’s because I’m getting ready to uproot my entire life to go there.” What was wrong with him?

  He dropped his head and stared down at his hands then back at me. “I’m sorry Angel I just feel that’s the only reason why you’re with me.” Our eyes locked. “You hardly talk about the wedding, but Hawaii is always the first thing outta your mouth.”

  “That’s because I am excited about the two of us starting a new life, but that’s not the reason why I agreed to marry you. We could be going to Alaska somewhere and I would still marry you.”

  His brow rose and he looked surprised. “Would you really?”

  “Yes, I would.” I was getting a little testy. I couldn’t believe he was questioning my reason for marrying him.

  Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good to know.”

  I was starting to wonder if there was more going on than he was saying. “Why, is there something you need to tell me?”

  “No, why do you ask?” he said as our server arrived on roller skates with our order.

  “I’m just asking,” I mumbled and suddenly had a bad feeling.

  32

  JANELLE

  I shook hands with Mayor Castle, turned toward the camera, and smiled while the photographer for the Columbia Daily Tribune took another round of photographs. As soon as he was done, the mayor turned to me and gave me another firm handshake.

  “Congratulations, Ms. Fox.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  As he stepped away, I glanced around my restaurant grinning my ass off. This was such a proud moment for me.

  “Janelle, girl, I’m so proud of you!” Nyree sauntered her uniform-clad body in my direction and wrapped her arms around me.

  “Thanks, girl,” I began and then my eyes widened in amazement. “I can’t believe how many people turned out for this event!” Everybody who was anybody was there sampling food and admiring my restaurant. My hostess wasted no time letting me know she had made so many dinner reservations, we were booked every weekend for the next three months. This was any restaurant owner’s dream.

  “Well it’s happening and you deserve it.” That’s what I loved about Nyree. You would have thought it was her restaurant the way she was beaming. “Look, I gotta get to work, but I’ll call you tonight.” I nodded and blew her an air kiss as she walked out the building.

  After she was gone, I walked around, shaking hands with patrons congratulating me on their way toward the door. I felt like I was on a cloud.

  “Look at little Jae doing her thang!”

  Grinning, I turned around as Frankie swept me into his arms and spun me around. “Put me down!” I was laughing and screaming at the same time.

  Chuckling, he finally lowered me to my feet. “I’m so proud of you.”

  I had tears in my eyes as I took in how good he looked in Dockers and a yellow button down shirt. I know he couldn’t wait to get back home to his wife-beater and jeans. I was just thankful he was willing to upgrade his wardrobe a few hours for little old me.

  “Thanks for coming, Frankie.” His support truly meant a lot. Especially since it was a shame my man couldn’t share the same feelings for me. But just as I had instructed he hadn’t even bothered to come although part of me had hoped Kaleb would have showed up anyway.

  “Jae, how ‘bout we go out tonight? We’ve gotta lot to celebrate.”

  My brow arched. “What are we celebrating?”

  Frankie was standing in front of me showing off a pretty white smile. “You winning the award… and me getting my carwash.”

  “You got the carwash? I’m so happy for you!” I squealed.

  His chest was stuck out with pride. “Yeah, it looks like I’ll be able to finally get off the road.” Since his return home, Frankie had been, doing deliveries for a local distributor that had him driving all across the state.

  “We definitely need to celebrate. Where you wanna go tonight?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. How about some pool?”

  I grinned. “I haven’t played pool in a long time.”

  “No time like the present,” he said with a wink.

  * * *

  When the lights came on, I wanted to scream. There was no way it was closing time even though I noticed several couples moving toward the door. Damn, and I was having a bomb ass time.

  I tightened my arms around Frankie and continued to slow dance to Jodeci’s “Forever my Lady.” Jodeci did things to my body that I couldn’t begin to imagine. In fact for the last two hours, I had been bumping and grinding, and creaming in my thong. Hell, if I had known it was going to be this kinda night, I would have worn a panty liner.

  Even though we were the last two on the dance floor, I figured as long as the DJ was playing, I was dancing. I tightened my hold on Frankie, squeezing him across the back and savored the way it felt being held in his arms.

  We had started the evening out shooting pool at this hole in the wall he found in Jefferson City near Lincoln University. They had pool tables in the far corner. A bar and a wooden dance floor. We spent hours shooting one round of pool after another while sipping Coronas. I think it was somewhere between bottles four and five that I realized the lights had dimmed and folks were gyrating all over the place. I looked over at Frankie and the moment we made eyes contact, he was putting our sticks away and leading me out onto the dance floor. And we had been there ever since.

  “I think it’s time for us to go,” he whispered then pressed his lips against my forehead. Goodness them bad boys were warm, wet and once again had me wondering what they would feel like buried between my thighs.

  “Okay,” I said and I was sure he heard the disappointment before he drew back and stared down at me.

  “You ready to go?” Frankie asked.

  There was no way I was putting my feelings out there before I knew where this conversation was headed. “I guess,” I said, nibbling my bottom lip.

  “Quit lying. You’re not ready to leave any more than I am.” Frankie took my hand and led me off the dance floor. Neither of us spoke until we were outside and walking over to his Sequoia.

  “What else is there to do at this time of night?” I asked. Well, I could think of a couple of things, but I wasn’t about to go there.

  “How about we go back to my place for waffles?” he suggested. “At least I’m close by.” He had rented a two bedroom apartment in Jefferson City saying he was glad to be back, but didn’t want to be
in Columbia. Otherwise his mom, Ms. Lorraine would be dropping by every day. It was a good thing he didn’t live in the area. I didn’t have to worry about us running into Kaleb.

  I laughed. “Waffles? You cook?”

  “Anyone can cook using Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix. All you do is add water.”

  I stuck a well-manicured finger into the air. “Don’t say anybody? I met many who can’t even boil an egg.”

  “Boiling an egg is hard work.”

  I looked over at him and grinned. “Okay, maybe I should have said water.”

  “Good answer.” He playfully bumped my shoulder. “So how about it? I even have a floor we can dance on the rest of the night if you want.”

  I laughed and it truly felt good. Frankie always did have a sense of humor. “Sounds good.”

  He pulled away and headed to his apartment. I was impressed. It was located right near downtown but far enough away from the college crowd. I admired his simple decorations and unique pieces of art.

  Frankie was reaching inside the refrigerator when he glanced over at me and said, “I got that while I was in Germany.”

  “Very nice.” I put the unique paper weight back down on the shelf and padded into the kitchen with bare feet. As soon as we had arrived at his apartment, those puppies came off my feet. “I would love to live overseas,” I said with a sigh, “but with the restaurant I don’t know if that dream is ever gonna happen.”

  Shaking his head, he put a carton of eggs on the counter. “Quit doubting yourself. It will happen. Just like your dream of opening a restaurant. What you need to do is start taking time off for yourself. Your family is capable enough of running that place while you’re gone.”

  I lowered onto a stool in front of a small island. “Yeah, you’re right. I do need to start taking more time out for myself.”

  “Yo…, I’m just flattered you took time to hang out with little ole me.” While grinning, he held his hands up in surrender.

  I gave an exaggerated eye roll. “Whatever. I should be the one who feels special to be hanging out with such a gorgeous man.”