“Hello?”
“Is that guy still there?” Lamar demanded, without extending a greeting.
“What?”
“Have you gotten rid of my replacement?”
“You have a lot of nerve. Don’t call me again.” Nina ended the call and rolled over on her side. Closing her eyes, she hoped sleep would come quickly, but the phone rang again.
“What?”
“Is that any way to talk to your favorite sister?” Yolanda asked.
“I’m in the bed.”
“Alone or is Clinton beside you?” Yolanda teased.
“Whatever, Yolanda. He left after we had breakfast.” Nina couldn’t help but smile as she thought about washing dishes side by side with him. They’d spent the morning flicking water on each other and flirting. She’d never had more fun washing dishes.
“Oh, no! Please tell me your non-cooking ass didn’t poison that man with your so-called food. You know the last time you cooked, we could drink your grits through a straw.” Yolanda laughed loudly.
“Ha, ha. I didn’t cook, Clinton did. It was so sweet. And he’s a good cook.”
Yolanda stopped laughing. “Don’t tell me you’re jumping from heartache to love again. Be careful, Sis.”
“I plan to. Clinton’s a nice guy and all. But what do I know about him?” That he can kiss you right out of your panties.
“What did Lamar think when he saw y’all at the game? You’re not going to keep playing this game to get him back, are you?”
Nina sighed. “Lamar isn’t worth my time. Not when someone like Clinton is out there and values me for more than a booty call. Someone who’s concerned about how I feel and . . .”
“Yeah, you got it bad and you don’t even know it yet. If you plan to get involved with Clinton, do me a favor, make sure he’s what you think he is. I don’t want to see you wallowing in self-pity in a few months. And since I can get my hands on this one, I will hurt him if he hurts you.”
“Slow down, My Little Pony. Clinton and I just met. And he told me he’s in no hurry to get in my drawers.”
“Ooh, classy. Tell me he didn’t use those words.”
“No, he didn’t.” Nina closed her eyes and thought about their conversation at the diner. Just hearing him say he wasn’t in a hurry to take her to bed made her want him even more. She stopped herself from moaning, remembering Yolanda was on the line. “Are you still in Charleston?”
“Yes, but I’m leaving today because your sister is getting on my last nerve with her bossy self. Alex needs to realize that we are all adults. That girl really needs to get some in the worst way. If she had a life of her own, then she could leave us the hell alone.”
“Stop it. You know how Alex is. She wants the best for us and she knows what’s best.” Nina snorted. “But she’s always been a control freak.”
“Whatever. Anyway, I’m going to have lunch with Daddy. If I see your new beau before I leave, I’ll tell him you said hello.”
“You better not!” Nina exclaimed. “Besides, I’m sure that I’ll talk to him before you will.”
Nina could hear her sister’s smile through the phone. “I bet you will.”
* * *
Clinton arrived at the bed-and-breakfast five minutes before he was scheduled to begin his day. Still, he was met with an angry Alexandria as he entered his office.
“Good morning,” he sang, trying not to let Alex’s scowl spoil his mood.
“Despite your little vacation in your first week, the interview went well. In the future, you’ll be here to supervise your projects. After all, that’s what we’re paying you to do.”
Taking off his jacket and laying it across his chair, he looked up at Alex and smiled. “Absolutely. Do you have a copy of the paper?”
She hurled a copy of the paper at him. “And we’ve gotten some website traffic from the article.”
“Then what’s the problem?” He collected the paper and glanced at the pictures. Clinton was satisfied to see Sheldon Richardson looking suave and important on the front of the travel section. “I can share it on our social media sites.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “I’ve done that already. Keep your mind off my sister and on the job you were hired to do. I still don’t trust you and if I find out that this is some ploy by your former employer to gain control of this place, I’ll personally make you pay.” Alex turned on her heels and stomped down the hall.
Clinton shook his head, wondering how Nina and Alex could be from the same gene pool. They were polar opposites and he couldn’t be happier. Nina was sweet and light and Alex seemed to be doom and gloom. He dropped his head in his hands because he hadn’t gotten Nina’s number and he wanted to talk to her. Before he could berate himself, his desk phone rang.
“Clinton Jefferson.”
“Nina Richardson.”
“I was just thinking about you. An old wives’ tale says that you’re going to live a long life,” he said, smiling.
“Good. I realize that I didn’t give you my number. I’m glad you made it to work safely and on time. Have you seen Alex?”
“Yes, I did. How’s your day going?”
“Eh, it’s going. I finished up a few stories and got some assignments for the rest of the week. What are you doing this weekend?”
“I don’t have any plans. What do you have in mind?”
“Well,” she said, clicking her tongue against her teeth. “I’m covering a basketball tournament in Charleston. I know you aren’t a sports fan, so why don’t we meet for dinner after the game.”
“That sounds great and I’ll do you one better, I’ll cook.”
“If you’re trying to spoil me, you’re doing a good job of it. Where do you live?”
“Out in Summerville.”
“That’s a heck of a commute every day.”
“I like it out there. It’s quiet and it gives me a chance to de-stress,” Clinton said.
Nina laughed. “I guess working with Alex would cause one to stress. Speaking of my illustrious sister, she didn’t give you any grief today, did she?”
“No more than usual. I could talk to you for hours, but I’m sure if Alexandria catches me chatting away on the phone with you, she’ll have my head. Check out your father’s article in USA Today when you get a chance.”
“I will do that and I’ll see you on Friday night.”
After hanging up the phone, Clinton was all smiles and couldn’t wait for Friday.
“Knock, knock.” Yolanda sauntered into Clinton’s office with a bright smile on her face. “I just came to say good-bye. So, did you and my little sister have fun last night?”
“If by fun, you mean we enjoyed each other’s company, then yes, we had a great time.”
Yolanda perched herself on the edge of his desk. “Listen, I’m not Empress Alexandria. You can be real with me. You like Nina, don’t you? And I’m talking about in a more-than-friends way.”
Clinton leaned back in his chair and assessed Yolanda Richardson. She was definitely the wild one of the bunch. He could imagine her and Nina causing a lot of trouble together. “I do like her. She’s a very nice—”
“Look, that’s good and all, but you better treat her right or I’ll make Alex look like a teddy bear. I don’t get into Nina’s business a lot, but I don’t want to see my sister hurt. And if you’re the one who causes her pain, you can get these hands.”
He rose to his feet and scooted Yolanda off his desk. “What is it about the women in this family? This is the second time I’ve been told off by a Richardson woman today. But let me assure you, I’d never do anything to hurt Nina. I respect her and I can’t wait to get to know her better.”
Yolanda tweaked his nose. “I’m sure you do, but I wouldn’t be on my job if I didn’t warn you. I think I like you, Clinton Jefferson, and I hope you’re just what my sister needs. Any more like you at home?”
He shook his head. “Sorry, I’m one of a kind.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “F
igures.” Yolanda strolled out the door as if she had her own theme song playing in her head.
Clinton chuckled and dove into his work. He definitely liked Yolanda.
Chapter 11
Nina was floating as she went through her day. Just the thought of Clinton brought a smile to her lips and a fluttering in her chest. But all of that changed when she got a call from her editor.
“Nina, it’s Johnny. I need you to do something for me.”
“What’s that?”
“An interview with Coach Geddings.”
Hell no! she screamed inwardly. Johnny continued. “The turnaround at West Mecklenburg High is noteworthy. And we have a few parents who want to see the school in the paper.”
You can’t expect me to talk to this man after he trampled over my heart the way he did. “When do you want this interview?”
“Today. I was going to do it, but I’m tied up on several things. He’s expecting me at three over at the school. Can you swing that?”
Say no, just say no. “Sure, Johnny.”
“You’ve lobbied for this story for a while, so I hope you’re happy I finally saw the light.”
“Thrilled,” she said flatly. “Let me get ready so that I can get out there.”
“Thanks, Nina. You’re the best. Sure that I can’t interest you in a staff position?”
She laughed and said no before hanging up. Nina dashed into her bedroom and threw on a pair of jeans, an oxford shirt, and a pair of loafers. She ran her fingers through her hair and didn’t bother to put on any makeup. The least she could do if she had to do this interview was to make sure she looked like she meant nothing but business.
I will treat Lamar like any other coach. He’s not a part of my life anymore and I won’t be sucked in again. Wrapping her jacket around her shoulders, she headed to her car and drove slowly for a change.
Nina hated that because she’d lobbied so hard for some editor to care about Lamar’s story, now she had to pay for it because she had to write the story. As she drove into the school’s parking lot, she shook her head solemnly wondering how she’d ever fooled herself into believing that what she and Lamar had was love. Maybe I’m just in love with the idea of being in love, she thought. I’m old enough to know that sex and love are two different things. He was skilled at giving me orgasms and that’s about it. Lamar’s main concern has always been himself and that damned football team. Maybe that’s why he wanted me, so he could get some media coverage.
Nina sighed as she pulled into an empty parking spot near the coaches’ offices. She realized that she allowed herself to be used because she’d built up this fantasy version of Lamar when reality was staring her in the face all the time.
She put on her game face as she headed into the office. For a moment, Nina stood in the doorway looking at Lamar as he spoke with a player. She couldn’t deny that he was still attractive, his skin still looked like the smoothest chocolate and those curly eyelashes still framed his sexy brown bedroom eyes. Inhaling sharply, she tapped on the door. “Coach Geddings, Johnny sends his apologies and me to do the interview,” Nina said.
Lamar’s eyes lit up as he drank in her appearance. Nina figured he was thinking about the last time they were in the office together. Nina had shown up in a long leather coat, thigh-high red patent leather boots, and a red satin teddy. Lamar had been going over his playbook, but when Nina dropped her coat, he pushed everything on his desk to the floor so that he could have his way with her. It was exciting and fun to her at the time. Now she felt like a fool for stopping her work to drive all the way out to the school where she was to give him a cheap thrill.
“Chavious, we’re done. We’re going to have a good season,” Lamar said, ushering the student out of his office. Then he turned to Nina. “Have a seat.”
She took a seat across from his desk, reached into her purse, and retrieved her iPhone and notepad. “So, Coach,” she said flatly, “to what do you attribute the turnaround in your team this season?”
“And how are you doing?”
“Doing my job, please answer my question.”
Lamar reached over and pressed stop on the phone. “So, that’s how it is?”
“How what is?” She folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes at him.
“You’re just going to come in here and pretend I’m just another coach?” Lamar leaned forward and smiled seductively. “You know what happened the last time we were in here alone together?”
Nina threw her hand in his face. “And that’s just what it was, the last time we will ever. Do you want this story written or not?”
“I want the story and I want you. Am I wrong for that?”
“Yes,” she snapped. Nina leapt to her feet. “You want me and every other woman you can parade around town. Sweetie, I’m not a second-round draft pick. And I’m done being reduced to an option in the life of Lamar.”
He stood and closed the space between them. “I want you and I want things to stay the same. When you add labels, everything changes.” He tried to draw her into his arms, but Nina pushed against his chest.
“Are you going sit down and do this interview or continue to beat this dead horse?”
Lamar didn’t answer, he just brought his lips on top of hers. The quickness of his kiss and the force of it didn’t give Nina a chance to react, but her treacherous body responded to his kiss as if he hadn’t broken her heart. It seemed second nature for her to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him back. She was angry and showed it with her kiss, pressing her lips hard against his and digging her nails into his neck. Then, in an instant, Nina pulled back, pushing him away.
“I’m not doing this. You’re insane. This can’t happen, not after you flaunted your other woman in my damn face!”
Lamar reached out and grabbed her. “You want me, I could feel the fire in your lips. Whatever you and that cat did last night can’t compare to what we have. You know that, otherwise you wouldn’t have kissed me.”
“We don’t have anything!” Nina shook her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “You only want me because you saw me with Clinton. Negro, you told me to move on and when I do you want me? Grow up, Lamar.”
Stepping back from her, he rested on the edge of his desk and cast a cold stare at her. “To say you claimed to love me, it didn’t take you long to move on. So, that leads me to believe that you were playing games all along,” he said. “Why would you have that guy at the game when you knew I was going to be there? Then you gave him my seat.”
“Oh, go to hell,” Nina screamed. “For the last year, all I did was fall in love with you. I gave my heart and soul to you like a damned fool and you want to sit there and accuse me of doing the same thing you did. We’re just friends, remember? No commitment. Isn’t that what you said? Or does that only work for you?”
“I’m just saying, how much love was there if you could replace me in five minutes?”
Nina slapped him as hard as she could. “You son of a bitch. You can’t do what you want to do and get upset when I do the same thing.”
Lamar rubbed his cheek and glared at her.
“Obviously, I’m not going to be able to do this interview with you.” Nina snatched her jacket from the back of the chair and stormed toward the door.
Lamar crossed over to the door to block her exit. “Look, this wasn’t the right time for this. I’m sorry. But seeing you with that other guy did something to me.”
Nina pulled her jacket on. “I’m not a possession and you’re not going to treat me like a discarded toy that you want back because another kid is playing with it.”
Lamar stepped back from her. “So, you’re saying you slept with him, huh?”
Nina narrowed her eyes and remained silent, then she took a step forward.
“Are we going to do this interview or what?” he asked.
Though she wanted to say no, Nina knew she had bills to pay and a deadline to meet. Huffing, she walked to his desk and sat down. “Let’s get
this over with.”
The interview went fast and Nina walked away as soon as she asked her last question, barely listening to his answer. Thank goodness for the electronic ear.
Lamar watched her as she slammed out his office. She was aware of his stare, but didn’t look back. If she was truly going to put him behind her, this was the last time that she would ever speak to him.
* * *
As Tuesday turned to Friday, Clinton couldn’t wait to see Nina. All week he’d put up with Alexandria’s bad attitude with a smile on his face because he knew he had a special weekend planned. Thanks to the article in USA Today, the bed-and-breakfast was getting more reservations than ever during what was normally a slow period for the business. Sheldon Richardson was beside himself with joy.
Friday afternoon, he walked into Clinton’s office smiling like the cat who had eaten the canary. “I should’ve hired someone like you twenty years ago,” he said as he sat in the chair across from Clinton’s desk. “I don’t remember a busier winter. The reservations are through the roof. And we’re booked for the rest of the summer.”
“People like to get away in the winter and summer,” Clinton replied, smiling at his boss.
“Did you and Nina enjoy the game?”
“It was very nice. I’m sure you hated not being there.”
Sheldon fanned his hand. “There’ll be other games. Besides, I think she had more fun with you than she would’ve had with her old man, anyway. Alex tells me that she’s coming down here this weekend for some basketball event.”
Clinton nodded.
Sheldon smiled, then grew serious in a split second. “Most fathers meddle in their daughters’ love life. I don’t. But if there is anything going on with you and Nina, make sure you treat her right. I love my daughters and each one of them is special. Nina’s the youngest, she’s the one who missed out on knowing her mother. I did what I could to make up for that. What I’m trying to say is that we’re all a little overprotective of Nina. She hates it, but what I hate more than anything is seeing my little girl hurt.”
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