Games (18 page)

Shay
hadn’t taken two steps before Shannon’s sultry voice reached her ears. “Brian, dear, do you mind if I ride you tonight? I mean, do you mind if I ride with you to the reception?”

Shay wanted to turn around and slap Shannon across the sanctuary, but
Taylor’s words rang loud and clear in her head.
“If you would take care of your business, you wouldn’t have to worry about Shannon.”
Shay continued walking at an increased pace.

Shay strolled around the lavishly decorated
Snow Building on Jason’s arm.  She felt bad because she’d deserted him earlier and was trying to make up for it by giving him her undivided attention.  On the ride to the reception he chatted more with Reggie, than he did with her.  She knew something was bothering him. That something was probably Brian. 

“So
, Jason,” she started once they were seated at a reserved family table, “did you enjoy the performance?”

He nodded. “It was good. A little too spiritual for my taste, but good.”

Shay frowned. “What do you mean, it was too spiritual? I did mention to you that Marcus was recording a gospel CD at my parents’ church, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did, but I didn’t know your family
was so deep in religion. I didn’t know you attend church until recently.”

Jason didn’t know it, but he had just insulted her in the worst way; he told the truth.  Shay had kept her belief in God a secret, like she was ashamed of it.  In actuality, she was ashamed of herself for falling victim to fornication. She sat back in her chair and watched Jason. She tried to recall if Jason had ever shared his faith with her. He hadn’t.

“Jason, do you have a relationship with God?” she finally asked.

“Yes, I do, but not the same kind of relationship your mother and Reggie along with the rest of your family believe in.”

“What do you mean?”

Jason leaned into her. “Well, for starters, I don’t believe it’s necessary to attend church regularly in order to be close to God. I’m definitely not into all the dancing and screaming that you Pentecostals do.” Jason paused to see if Shay would respond to his last statement. She didn’t
, so he continued, “I think it’s unrealistic to tell people they can live free from sin. God knows we’re human and that we will make mistakes. I believe that the good deeds we perform will balance out our shortcomings. And to be absolutely honest with you, I believe there’s nothing wrong with two people living together or having sex outside of marriage as long as they are committed to each other.”

For the first time, Shay saw just how different she and Jason really were. They were on two different paths
, heading in opposite directions. His profession of beliefs, or lack thereof, convinced her beyond a reasonable doubt that she needed to end their so-called relationship soon.

“Jason, I respect your beliefs. I don’t agree with them, but I respect them as being yours. Now, I may not shout it from the rooftops, but I do believe the Bible to be the truth and the final authority in all matters.” 

Jason leaned closer to her. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Do you plan on remaining a virgin until you’re married?”

Shay was careful to answer him. He had assumed she was a virgin and she had never told him any different.

“Until my wedding night, sex is not an option,” she plainly stated.

Jason looked disappointed, but she wasn’t going to pacify him; she meant what she said.

Shay’s attention turned to the front door when the room erupted in a thunderous applause for Marcus and his group.

“Come on,” she grabbed Jason’s hand,” let me introduce you to Marcus.” 

Before Jason could respond, Shay was on her feet. Jason followed along somberly.

“Congratulations
, cousin!” Shay and Marcus exchanged hugs and kisses.

“Thanks for making the trip.”

“Anything for you, dude. I love your music. I didn’t realize how talented and anointed you are,” Shay complimented her cousin.

Marcus imitated an old woman’s voice
. “Baby, you pray my strength in the lawd.”

When Marcus finished laughing, he looked at the man with locks, standing next to Shay. 

“You must be Jason; I’m Marcus Simone.” Like the rest of his family, Marcus shook Jason’s hand instead of embracing him.

A slight smile crossed Jason’s face. “It’s good to meet you, especially since
LaShay has already told you about me. I hope it was all good.”

Marcus gave Shay a smile, and she knew he was trying to conceal his laughter. He probably didn’t know Jason existed before his sister Staci or someone alerted him through the Simone family’s public service announcement system, also known as text messaging.

“I didn’t hear anything bad.”

Shay and Jason chatted with Marcus a few minutes longer before they returned to their table. Shay nearly tripped when she saw
Shannon seated next to Brian at the same table.

Taylor
walked past Shay on her way to the buffet and mumbled, “Handle your business.”

Shay rolled her eyes at her cousin’s back and sat down next to Brian. Jason sat down on the left side next to Shay.

“Aren’t you guys hungry?” Shay asked Reggie and Brian.

“Your mother is making my plate,” Reggie answered.

“I was waiting for you—and Jason,” Brian answered.

Shay understood Brian’s hidden message and so did his father. Reggie never made his own plate when Julia was around. Neither did Brian when Shay was around. That was a tradition passed down from the family matriarch, Ana Simone. All of the Simone women made sure their men had plenty to eat.

“Well, I’m here now. Let’s eat,” Shay announced and headed for the buffet.

Jason and Shannon stood.

“I’ll get the drinks,” Brian said then asked Jason and Shannon what they would like.

By the time
Shannon returned to the table with what she thought was a plate for Brian, he was already eating and discussing the show with his father and Julia.  Shay gave her an innocent smile and continued eating. She’d seen Shay making a second plate, but she assumed it was for Jason, who had lingered behind.

“You must be very hungry,” Brian said when
Shannon set the second plate on the table. 

“I’m starved,” she said then smirked at Shay.

Jason sat down a moment later with his plate. “How did you get your food so fast?” he asked Brian.

“Someone was looking out for me,” Brian answered and kept eating.

Shay didn’t say a word. Neither did Reggie and Julia, although it was obvious what was going on.

During the meal, Jason and Shannon were too busy eating to notice that Brian and Shay were holding hands underneath the table most of the time. Reggie and Julia noticed.

“If he slips and calls her ‘baby’, somebody’s going to get hurt,” Julia mumbled loud enough for Shay to hear.

“I know, that’s why I’ve been praying since the moment they sat down,” Reggie responded.

“That’s my song!” Shay exclaimed and jumped from her seat when the music started.

Jason looked at her strangely. “I didn’t know you knew how to dance.”

“It’s time to dance,” Shay announced and automatically pulled on Brian. “Come on.”

He stood without hesitation; they always danced together.

“What is she doing?” Julia sneered underneath her breath.

“Shay, what about Jason?” Reggie called after her.

“He’s not into church or gospel music,” Shay called over her shoulder then proceeded to get her dance on with the man she loved.

Shannon sat with her arms folded, fuming. Jason was too busy fielding questions from Reggie and Julia about what he had against the church and gospel music.

On the dance floor, Brian and Shay fell in sync like always, doing the Electric Slide to the upbeat praise song.

“I miss dancing with you,” Brian said after the first song. “Although I think
it’s kind of shady how you left Jason.”

Shay tilted her head to the side. “Would you rather I dance with him?”

Brian’s smile evaporated and he stopped dancing. “Just in case I didn’t make myself clear last night, I’ll say it again. I won’t share you with anyone.”

His words threw her off balance and she tripped and fell into him. He caught her and steadied her. Shay stared into his darkened eyes and realized this was the moment she’d been waiting for.

“What exactly are you saying? What do you want from me?” Her heart thumped in her chest waiting for his answer.

Brian’s eyes drifted over her head to where
his father and Julia were then back at Shay. At that moment, he desired to kiss her and…but this was not the time, nor the place to reveal his heart to the woman he was still holding in a compromising position. After all, her boyfriend was seated a few feet away. He quickly whisked her out the side patio door. Out on the balcony, in one swift motion, Brian pressed her into his body and finally satisfied his desire.

The fervent and passionate kiss ignited an inferno so hot an
d intense, Shay moaned with pleasure. After a fulfilling feast, Brian broke the kiss and held her securely against his rapidly beating heart until their breathing slowed to a normal rate.

“Does that answer your question? We’ll talk later,” he said after he drew back.

“Okay,” she said, barely audible. Brian released her and followed her back inside, but didn’t return to their table.

An hour later, Shay stood outside in the moonlight waiting with her family for their limo.  Her eyes were glued on Brian as he engaged in a conversation with Jason a few feet away, about politics. Shay admired his reflection in the moon’s glow. Brian was simply beautiful and not just physically. It was his personality. It was his demeanor
, his sincerity. It was just him. 

“He’s a nice specimen, isn’t he?”
Shannon asked from behind.

“Excuse me?” Shay turned around to face her adversary.

“You were looking at Brian and admiring how attractive he is, weren’t you?”

Shay turned her back to
Shannon without responding.

“I don’t mind, because I know he’s mine,”
Shannon’s voice dripped with arrogance.

Shay turned to face her again. “
Shannon, I wouldn’t count on that. I hear he’s given his heart to someone else.”

“Maybe, but he spends his time with me, and time equals relationship.”
Shannon folded her arms and stepped closer to Shay.

Shay looked her up and down. “Giving you a ride to church doesn’t count.”

Shannon wouldn’t let her win. “But what happens afterward does.”

Shay was just as tenacious. “You are absolutely right, because that’s when he calls me.” Just then the limo arrived and Jason and Brian joined them.

“What time does your flight leave?” Brian asked Shay.

“One o’clock. I’m going to church for about an hour first.”

Brian hugged her and quickly released her. “Have a safe trip.” He turned to Jason. “I hope you have enjoyed your visit.” He finally asked Shannon, “Are you ready?”

“Always for you
.” Her soft voice dripped with seduction.

Shay didn’t find it necessary to respond.
Shannon may get a ride home, but the kiss she and Brian shared earlier promised much more. 

Shay looked anxiously around the sanctuary one last time before leaving for the airport. Jason was already in the car with her uncle Mike. She
hoped to see Brian before she left, but he was nowhere to be found.  She gave up and left.

The ten-minute ride to the
Oakland International Airport was long and quiet.  Jason hadn’t said much to her since she’d reminded him that she still didn’t have any intentions of sleeping with him. Shay didn’t mind his attitude, which only made it easier for her to end their bland relationship. 

Her journey to rebuild her spiritual life had begun earlier that morning. Before she packed, she spent time on her knees praying and even read a few familiar scriptures. That, along with the talk she had with Reggie, made her optimistic about her relationship with Brian.

Reggie was just about to leave for service, when he knocked on her door.

“Mind if I come in?” he asked.

“Of course not.” Shay lowered the volume on Donnie McClurkin singing about falling down and getting up again.

Reggie walked in and sat in the winged
chair adjacent to Shay’s bed. “Have you been reading?” Reggie gestured at the open Bible on Shay’s bed.

Shay smiled and tilted her head. “Yes I have.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Reggie tapped his fingers together. “Shay, did you ever have that talk with Brian?”

She tried to stall. “Reggie, you’ve been married to my mother too long.”

“Are you saying that because I went straight to the point?”