Moments of Clarity (13 page)

Chauncey bent his head, pretending to need deep concentration as he edged his customer's sideburns, while Clarence grinned at the ruckus he had helped create.

Tawny's eyes flashed angrily at Sasha and she opened her mouth to retaliate but instead closed it.

Obviously wanting to ease the tension in the room by changing the conversation, Kitty said to Sasha, “I have a new girl who's doing the waxes. She's Asian and doesn't understand English very well, but she's real good and she's cheap. She's in the back.” Kitty bent her head and whispered to Sasha, “She never comes out and associates with anyone, and I don't blame her. I'm tired of these hoochies running their mouths.”

Sasha was grateful as well for the change of topic and said, “Good. I'll have my eyebrows waxed.” For the rest of the time as Kitty attended to Sasha's needs, neither of them looked in the direction of Shaneka or Tawny. While Sasha was getting her hair blow-dried, Marjorie walked over and said, “You would have been out of this hell-hole over an hour ago if you had shorter hair.”

“As I already told you, that doesn't work for me. I'm a hard sleeper and whenever I wrap my hair, the scarf is hidden somewhere in the covers when I wake up in the morning. At least with long hair I can pull it back into a pony tail if all else fails.” Exasperated, she finally exclaimed, “Why don't you cut yours if you like short hair so much?”

With an attitude, Marjorie stomped back to her chair and her customer who was staring at the ceiling, attempting to not notice the cattiness.

Once her hair was done, Sasha felt that all the hours that she had been in the salon were worth it. Looking in the mirror, Sasha said to Kitty, “Girl, you gave me the hook up. I love it.”

Kitty had taken an extra long time and crimped her hair into small sections. The effect was to make Sasha look more sexy and adventurous than she usually did.

Sasha stood up and stretched. “I think I'm ready for that eyebrow wax now.”

“Tawny!” Kitty called sharply. “You aren't doing anything. Go and tell Kym that she has an eyebrow wax coming up.” Again she lowered her voice and whispered, “It's the least she can do.”

They watched Tawny walk sulkily to the back of the salon where the waxes were done. Kitty then dropped her voice so she wouldn't be overheard. “I'm sorry about them. I can't do anything about it right now because they have leases on their booths. Once their leases are up we'll have a talk and decide whether or not they should continue to work here.”

Tawny reentered the salon area and drawled, “Kym's waiting for you. I told her what you need.” Then she walked over to the counter and pulled her pocketbook out of the bottom drawer and looked at Shaneka. “I'm going to lunch. My next appointment isn't until five o'clock.” Then she looked Sasha up and down. “I hope you're gone when I get back,” she said huffily, then made a quick exit.

Sasha turned angrily to Kitty and said, “If you don't get rid of her, you're going to have to change the name of your salon to Kitty's House of Cats!”

Kitty shook her head regretfully. “I can't get over her being so spiteful to you with you guys almost being kin and all.”

Sasha was bowled over. “Whatever made you think something like that?”

Kitty said, “You go with Abdul.”

“Go on.” Sasha's eyes were narrowed into slits and her words were deceptively quiet.

“Well, Tawny and Pandora are first cousins. Pandora and Abdul are cousins also. So you're all kind of family, aren't you?”

Sasha's voice was harsh. “I'm not seeing Abdul anymore, and he and Pandora aren't blood cousins. They're play cousins, and the only playing is with each other. I caught Pandora giving him a blow job. And no, I didn't know those heifers even knew each other. What a bunch of sneaky women. Go figure. He's probably screwing Tawny, too.”

Chapter 11

Sasha buzzed Sexton in, and not breaking his stride, he stretched out his arms and gave her a big hug. She expectantly lifted her face to his and he gave her the long, languishing kiss that she craved. It nearly took her breath away.

Once Sexton released her he held her at arm's length. His eyes widened in appreciation as they took in the black silk mini-dress she wore. It was a striking contrast to the gold French hook earrings that had square diamonds threaded on them and a matching necklace. They had been a present from Desiree the previous Christmas, and Sasha wore them only on special occasions.

This time her stilettos were made of black eel skin that matched her purse. Even in five-inch heels, she only came to just beneath his chin.

Sexton folded his arms across his chest and said, “I like.”

He was dressed in a pair of black trousers and matching jacket. With every movement of his body, the fabric of his suit moved with him. Underneath the jacket he wore a beige shirt trimmed with black buttons. Sasha folded her arms across her chest and said, “I like.” Then she reached for her keys to lock the door.

As they waited for the elevator the sexual tension was nearly overwhelming. When the elevator arrived, a neighbor exited and gave them a knowing look before he entered his apartment.

They reached the street and she saw that Sexton had driven his Mercedes. She looked at him teasingly and said, “Show off.”

He only winked at her.

* * *

As Sexton drove to his coach's house in upstate New York, Teddy Pendergrass's music was playing softly in the background. Sasha placed her hand gently on Sexton's knee and squeezed it playfully. “Don't you have any current music? Every time I get into your car I feel as if I go into a musical time warp.”

“I love old music. The lyrics have meaning, and it brings back memories of my parents. You can change it if you want something different,” he offered.

“Not a chance,” she replied. “I love it, too.”

After about forty-five minutes, Sexton exited the interstate and veered to the right down a dark winding road. In the darkness of the car, Sasha studied his profile. “Don't you ever get angry, Sexton? You have the most accommodating personality that I've ever run across. I would think that your personality would be more aggressive. All I ever hear on the news is how out of control our NBA players are. You are the exact opposite.”

“I have my days. You just haven't done anything to incur my wrath.”

“ ‘Incur your wrath'?” She raised one eyebrow at him. “When you put it like that, I certainly don't want to. It sounds frightening.”

“I never want you to be frightened of me, Sasha. Fear does not promote a healthy relationship.” Before Sasha could answer, Sexton slowed the car down and pulled up alongside a booth with a guard. “How are you doing tonight, Clarke?”

“Everything's great, Mr. Johnson.” He ducked his head down so he could get a good look at who Sexton had in the passenger's seat. Clarke gave Sexton a conspiratorial manly smile and pointed to the long driveway that led to a brightly lit mansion. “Almost everyone on the list is already here. Enjoy your evening.”

After Sexton rolled his Mercedes to a smooth stop, Sasha understood what Clarke meant. There were countless makes and models of every expensive car on the market: Infinitis, Hummers, Range Rovers, Corvettes, and everything else that a person with money might want to view if car shopping was available in one spot.

Sasha pointed at the cars and said, “I'll take one of those, and those, but maybe I'll take that one in a different color.” She laughed.

Sexton's only response was to smile, get out, and open her door.

She clung tightly to his hand, her heels clicking on the cobblestone walkway that led to the entrance of the house. Sexton pressed the doorbell and it was immediately opened by a woman in a very short, very revealing, knit dress. She was beautiful, with long black hair that was complemented by her skin. She looked as if she had just stepped out of a tanning salon.

“Why so formal, Sexton? No one else is ringing the bell. The gate guard is making sure none of the riff-raff gets in.” She leaned forward and held her cheek out to Sexton, which he dutifully kissed.

“Shiloh, this is my girlfriend, Sasha.” He stepped to the side so that the broad expanse of his body no longer blocked the woman's view of Sasha.

Sasha's body had stiffened and the tightening of her hand in his let him know that she'd been taken aback at hearing him call her his girlfriend.

Shiloh gave Sasha an open smile and held out her hand for a warm handshake. “It's nice to meet you,” she said. “You know, he turned me down and I didn't like it so I threw a tantrum. Now I understand what's been the hold up. You are astonishingly beautiful, so if you ever get tired of Sexton, call me.”

Sasha didn't quite know what to say, but the look on her face made Shiloh burst into a raucous laughter.

“I've surprised her. Don't you know that's the trend?”

“I can't say that I did.” Sasha couldn't help sounding a little put out by the suggestion.

Shiloh gave Sexton a long look. “I didn't think that it was possible for you to find someone as old-fashioned as you are. Come on in. The food is laid out in the kitchen, and they're dancing on the porch and in the recreation room. Daddy's in his office talking business with some old guy. Others are just sort of milling around trying to look important.”

After giving her assessment of the party, Shiloh turned around, motioning for them to follow her further in the house.

Still holding Sasha's hand, Sexton bent over and whispered in her ear, “Ignore Shiloh. She says and does things to get a rise out of people.”

“She's quite good at it,” Sasha retorted. “Did she really come on to you?”

Sexton laughed the throaty way he did when he was really amused. “She invited me to do a threesome in which I would be the only male. I politely declined. I know that she didn't mean it to be, but I considered it an insult.”

As Shiloh had described, the party was in full swing. Sasha recognized a famous model and an up-and-coming actress leaning against a wall drinking what appeared to be champagne. A group of video vixens chattered a little too loudly, obviously trying to be seen by the ball players.

Immediately she recognized some of the greatest basketball stars and she gave herself a shake mentally, cautioning herself not to gawk at them. Dwight, James, Dwayne, and Penny were all gathered together in one circle talking. If the ceilings in the house weren't so high Sasha wondered if they would have been able to stand up. “Why are players other than the Knicks here?”

“Why wouldn't they be here? Besides a mutual respect for each other, we all love the game, and have a lot in common.”

“I understand that, but I've seen some of these players go at it on the basketball court and sometimes their fights have caused them to be ejected from the game.”

“That's on the court. Obviously emotions run high when money and ego are at stake. But at the end of the day, we all have the same goal in mind, to make basketball as interesting and competitive as possible.” He gave her a look tinged with seriousness, “We're not animals.”

“I know that.” She squeezed his hand as he led her over to the group they had just been discussing.

“Fellows, this is Sasha.” He gave her a look. “You know who they are.”

They all smiled and replied in unison. “Hello.” Just then Dwayne held out his empty glass to Sexton and said, “Man, I know since you're just getting here you want a drink. Will you go and get me a refill of a Long Island iced tea while you're over there?” He pointed to the waiters at the bar who were in the process of mixing drinks for guests.

“Nice way for you to try to get rid of me so that you can hit on my woman. Get it yourself, I'm no damn waiter.”

All the guys in the group fell out laughing, and Penny slapped Dwayne on the back. “That's a good one. Too bad he didn't fall for it.”

Sexton led Sasha away and gave the group a stern look over his shoulder at the men still laughing and making jokes. Smiling at Sasha, he said, “What do you want to drink?”

“With all of this testosterone in the air I think that I want to keep it light. A glass of white wine will do me just fine.” She spied Calvin and was startled to see Tiara standing next to him.

“Calvin and Tiara are here,” she said with surprise.

“I expected to see them here. He always brings her to these things.”

“He does? She never told me that.”

When they walked up to them a broad grin lit up Calvin's face. He was obviously glad to see them. “Girl, you look smokin'.”

Sasha gave a small curtsy and said, “Thank you, Calvin. You look quite dapper yourself. And who is this model that you have at your side?” she asked, looking at Tiara, who was appraising her.

It was true. Tiara looked absolutely breathtaking in a sleeveless coral silk mini dress that buttoned down the front. She wore a string of pearls and matching pearl accessories. As usual, her heels were a perfect match. Sasha noticed that Tiara had had her hair trimmed since the last time they had seen each other.

Tiara dutifully leaned forward and Sasha made smooching sounds at each of Tiara's cheeks, careful not to actually touch her and ruin her makeup. “You look great, Tiara. Why didn't you call me and tell me that you were coming to this?”

From the look on her face, Tiara was obviously groping for an answer that didn't sound selfish. “I figured that Sexton was going to bring you so I felt that I didn't need to call you.”

Sexton and Sasha's eyes locked momentarily before Calvin interjected, “Man, I was just going to get a drink for us when I spotted you. How about it?”

“Sounds good to me.” For the first time since they had arrived at the party Sexton let go of Sasha's hand. “I'll be right back.”

Sasha's eyes followed Sexton as he made his way through the crowd. Then her attention was brought back to Tiara.

“Girl, those two cheerleaders that were fighting over Sexton at the basketball game are here.”

Sasha swung her head around and spied the two women that Tiara was speaking about. Rosemary and Monique were part of a group of women who were laughing and talking with some of the Knicks. “I guess they made up because they look like they're having a good time.”

“Maybe they're going to form a little group or something and call it ‘The Toss Away Club.' ”

“That's not very nice, Tiara. Besides, Sexton said that he only dated one of those girls, and it was a while ago.”

“I know,” Tiara cautioned consolingly, “but take it from me, watch your back.”

Sasha bit back a sharp reply and then said, “I'm not worried about Sexton going with some cheerleader. He's already been there and done that.”

She turned and saw with relief that Sexton and Calvin were on their way back with their drinks. “Your brother is so handsome and personable.”

“I know,” Tiara grinned. “He thinks you're beautiful.” Then, as if she were confiding some great secret, she whispered, “Calvin talks about you all of the time.”

Sasha looked at Tiara in surprise. “He does?”

“He does. As a matter of fact, I think that he wants to go out with you.”

Now Sasha felt even more surprised. “He does?” Sasha turned again to look at Calvin, and his eyes met hers. He and Sexton had been stopped by a group of teammates and Sexton was engaged in a heated discussion.

Tiara scrutinized Sasha's expression. “Are you interested?”

“No.”

At Sasha's flat refusal Tiara bristled, “Why not? He's better than Abdul!”

Sasha felt her cheeks grow hot with anger, but she held her temper. “I agree with you on that, but as you know, I'm sleeping with Sexton and I don't do friends. I'm stunned that Calvin would even want to go behind Sexton. I thought that they were best friends.”

“They are good friends, and that's why he has some reservations about it,” Tiara admitted. “That's also the reason he's never approached you. As a matter of fact, he would kill me if he knew that I even mentioned it to you. It's just that I know that after Abdul you said that you weren't looking for anything serious with anyone, so I kind of figured before you took any more of Sexton's time or got into anything too deep with him that you might want to know that you have other options.”

Sasha looked at Tiara and replied with mild sarcasm, “Thank you for looking out for me, but I'm quite content with Sexton. It's true that I wasn't looking for something permanent, but he's already worked his way into my heart. I don't want to mess up what we have going on. I want to see where our relationship is going to lead us.” She looked at Tiara's disappointed face and felt as if she needed to appease her. “If Calvin and Sexton weren't friends, and I wasn't in a relationship, I would have been more than happy to get to know him on a personal level. But now that I've been with Sexton, even if he and I were to break up, I could never go out with Calvin. My mom raised me better than that.”

Sasha was relieved when Calvin and Sexton returned with their drinks and conversation turned to sports.

Because of what Tiara had confided to her, as Calvin talked Sasha paid a little more attention to him than she usually did, but whenever her eyes met his in conversation, she neither saw nor felt an undercurrent of sexual interest.

The music at the party was a mixture of salsa, rhythm and blues and light rock. Shiloh had invited a group of her friends, and when Nelly Furtado's music began to play, they stood and began to salsa. Sasha turned to Sexton and said, “Do you know how to salsa?”

“Baby, I can do it all.” He led her to the dance floor. As they were doing the two step, Sasha had to practically yell over the music, “Who taught you how to dance like this?” Then a note of jealousy crept in her voice. “Your last girlfriend?”