“Okay. No worries.”
She exited, and Antoine watched until she was out of sight. Tag along with her? That can’t be the Lina I know. He heard a tap on the door, and Kiley walked in. Dang! Lina forgot to lock the door.
“Uh, I’ll be on the air in one minute.”
“I know,” Kiley tossed her long hair behind her shoulders. “Here’s today’s schedules for Griff and Toni.” She handed him a sheet of white paper with notes and quickly exited the studio.
Why Kiley catered to him so much was puzzling. He was used to the little ‘DJ crushes’ from time-to-time, which were normal in the business. Those tended to pass with time, but Kiley’s seemed to linger. One time, he accepted what she claimed was Starbucks’ error of giving her an extra coffee; afterward, she brought in breakfast, fruit, and other snacks until he kindly rejected them, making it clear that he couldn’t accept anything from her or drop her off at home when she attended his events. For some reason, she continued to do certain unrequested favors, and he wished she would stop. He laid the paper down next to the mic, placed his headset on, and adjusted the mixing board.
“This is D.J. Ant, the Prince of Romance, and you’re listening to 101.3 KTLM radio station. Up next is a special request from Dahlia. ““It’s Yours” by Tamia.” The paper was missing from the desk. He searched the desk, then the floor. Spotting it near his chair, he bent down, picked up the paper and an orange Post It note was underneath. Jada’s note about the log change. “Ah, man!”
Chapter 5
JADA
Jada’s office door opened, and Gordan’s head popped from behind the door. With the cell to his ear, he said, “I understand. Let me call you back.” He scanned the hallway and walked toward the breakroom.
Jada walked out carrying a coffee cup. “I’m on my way,” she said, walking toward the office. “A sales exec stopped me in the hall.”
“I heard you shouting, but I was talking to my boss. What happened?”
“Sorry about my outburst. It’s nothing. Nothing at all,” Jada marched inside the office. Gordan followed; he shut and locked the door. She flopped down in the chair. Pressing both hands to her face, she looked at Gordan who stared at her as if he was waiting for an explanation.
“I know that look,” Jada said. “I’m okay.”
Gordan’s involvement in work issues — most definitely the ones concerning Antoine—could not happen. Knowing him, he’d wait outside the studio and approach Antoine about the situation.
Gordan walked over and dropped a hand on Jada’s shoulder. “You’re upset. Talk to me.”
“I said I’m fine. You better go to your meeting. Me and Antoine had a misunderstanding. He’s reporting me to Toni. I’m ready to defend myself because I’m right.” She picked up her coffee cup and drank some.
“Word?” Gordan frowned, taking a seat in the chair next to Jada’s desk. “The general manager. Why is he involving her?”
“Protocol is to meet with Griff first, so I’m sure Toni will inform him of station policies. I know my job.”
“Yeah, you work hard.” Gordan rolled his wrist and checked the time. “I have some time left; I’ll hang around for a minute.”
Jada inhaled and exhaled a few more times; the edginess gradually started to subside. She’d learned relaxation techniques and other activities to manage stress and anxiety from her therapy sessions. “I told you I’m okay.” She scrolled the log and punched information into the computer. “I wouldn’t move the spot; he’s angry.”
“And you didn’t tell him off?”
Jada faced Gordan with a blank look. “Remember, I’ve changed. I don’t do that anymore.” She really wished Gordan would leave so she could rejuvenate and finish her work.
“Don’t sweat it; forget him. He’s new and has some growing up to do.”
“Antoine, or DJ Ant, is not new. He’s been here over a year. Everything was great until they changed his shift to days.” She pulled some files from a drawer and sorted through them.
“So that’s DJ Ant. I’ve left him a few promos but never met him. They moved him from nights?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” She had worked too hard to restructure her methods of dealing with stress to allow an indignant DJ to ruin her career. Antoine was a tough one.
Gordan walked behind the desk and massaged her shoulders. “Don’t forget to practice what you’ve learned. You can’t allow people to upset you. Is that the necklace I bought you?”
“Sure is. The necklace and earrings.” She pulled her hair back to give him a full view of the silver earrings. “I still wear them.”
Gordan removed his black-framed scripts from his pocket and put them on. He stared at the locket and smiled. Gently lifting it from her chest, he opened and read the engravement out loud, “Locking up my heart. Love, GP.” His smile slowly faded as he gazed at Jada. “Memories. We had a really cool thing going on.”
He let the locket go and planted kisses on her neck. She paused and closed her eyes. I should make him stop. He slipped both hands down the back of her blouse, massaging the tension from her shoulders and back. “I better not hear of him giving you a hard time. I’ma make a quick call, and I’ll text you later, okay?” He whispered.
She raised a finger, acknowledging his comments while taking a swig of bottled water to reduce her internal thermostat. He gives the best massages. One of the main reasons why she shouldn’t go to lunch with him. Gordan knew her strengths and weaknesses quite well; he also knew that his touchy-feely, kissing-the-neck actions never failed to arouse burning desires that sent her prancing straight to his bed. I need to stop allowing him to do this. He finished the call, winked at Jada, and stuck the cell in his briefcase before he left.
Several hours later, Jada’s phone buzzed and Gordan’s message popped up. “Darn.” His text would come in the middle of a task. She picked up the phone and texted that she’d walk to the corner shortly. Jada called Kiley, the sales secretary, and left a message on her voicemail. She hustled to the corner to avoid running into any employees who might be going in or leaving the building.
“Don’t know about you, but I’m ready to chow down on some Roscoe’s,” Gordan said after Jada climbed into his gray Nissan Maxima.
“Me, too. I’m taking an early lunch, but the timing is great. I’m starved.”
“I forgot you take late lunches. That is if you take one.”
“If I take one is right.” She fastened her seat belt and put on her sunglasses.
Gordan seemed preoccupied while driving and didn’t say much. Maybe the meeting didn’t go well. Maybe… Could that be it? Their dating anniversary was coming up, and he hadn’t mentioned it. Maybe he wanted to. No, surely, he’s not thinking of us getting back together. Their relationship had been close to perfect — friends for years, a two-year committed relationship, then back to a friendship.
Jada touched his hand. “You okay?”
He nodded.
She glanced at him as he drove, admiring his naturally black wavy hair slicked back in a ponytail. Gordan claimed people swore he was sporting a Jheri curl back in the day. Jada thought about the men in her family who dropped their afros for Jheri curls and tried not to laugh aloud. Long or short, you could have sworn their heads had been dipped in deep fryers, and no one was exempt from the stained shirt collars and jackets.
They arrived at Roscoe’s before the heavy lunch traffic streamed in. The environment appeared quiet as the waitress seated them in a booth. They browsed the menu, but Jada already knew what she was going to order—the Obama’s Special, one waffle and three wings. Gordan ordered the same.
“So, how’s your fast tail sister?” Gordan rubbed his hands together.
“Humph,” Jada turned up her nose. “Charmaine can’t get her act together. The latest news is Char’s job cut her hours, and she’s not concerned. Between that and the different boyfriends every two to three months, it’s nerve-racking.”
“What? She still dating the basketba
ll team?”
“Excuse me, that girl is not dating a team. She dated two players from different teams at different times. That’s it.”
“Yeah, the ones you know about. You sure those dudes are not paying her bills?” He chuckled at his own square joke while Jada dismissed him with a hand wave.
“I doubt that, and it’s not funny. What I’m trying to get through to Char is don’t depend on anybody for help.”
“Yeah, I hear you. Maybe she’ll change some day. How’s Celine?”
“Celine? She’s finishing her bachelor’s next year. Still working as an R.N. in the E.R. and dating Darius.”
The waiter came over to the table with water, and they ordered meals and drinks.
“We all miss our parents, but Char… I don’t know. I think she’s still suffering. She was a hardcore daddy’s girl.”
“I remember you telling me. What’s she gonna do when you get married?” he asked with a glow on his face.
Jada paused and stared at Gordan. “To be honest… I don’t know. I’ve never thought about that.”
“Why don’t you consider selling or renting the house? Then split the profit.”
She shook her head. “Why would I? The house will be paid off in a few years.”
“Start talking to them about options. You won’t be single forever, and the ladies have to get out on their own.”
Jada stared at the lemonade. Sell my parents’ house?What is he trying to say?
“You got them through school; it’s your time to live. Am I right or wrong?”
“I guess so.” She clamped her face between her hands and pondered. “It’s just… you know
living in California is tough. Rent is unaffordable for many people, finding jobs is challenging. With that administration in the White House, who knows what’s next? The house is our mainstay.”
Jada smiled, “Celine doesn’t know this, but I overheard her and Darius talking. I don’t know when, but I think they’re planning to get married.”
“I get it. You’re looking out for your sisters. Eavesdropping on your sister’s conversation is not cool, though. What if she’d caught you?” Gordan’s dreamboat eyes captured her attention, she wished he would hurry up with the question. He could sit here and give advice all day.
“Please. I didn’t listen that long. Just needed to know they’re moving in the right direction. Momma always said no shacking, and Celine wouldn’t do that anyway. Now Char… I’m not sure what she’d do.”
“Yeah, your Aunt Dee would cut that off quick.”
That was Gordan. His caring and kindness attracted her to him from the day they met. If he could have only focused on work more than women, maybe they’re relationship would have lasted.
“How did your meetings go?” Jada asked.
“Very productive. Your girl, Denise hooked us up with good drive-time rates. The Air Mist Record execs are happy.” Gordan opened a packet of sugar and added it to his coffee. “This is off topic. Close your eyes and give me your hand.”
“For what?” Jada clasped the glass and sipped her lemonade. This man is always up to something.
“My question. Remember? Bae, just let me know what you think.” His eyes beamed on Jada. “I’m thirty-nine and it’s time to dive into this before I change my mind. I’d like your opinion.”
Giving him a cautious stare before squeezing her eyelids shut, Jada reached across the table. She fought an urge to sneak a peek before Gordan dropped a small box in her palm. When she viewed the round yellow-gold diamond ring, she clapped a hand to her mouth and gasped.
“Oh, wow!” she said louder than she’d intended.
“So, what’s your opinion?”
“It’s beautiful!” Jada slipped the ring on her left ring finger, leaped from the booth and hugged his neck. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She sat down, extended her hand and stared at the ring. “Good thing I got my manicure this week. And leave it to you to propose in Roscoe’s,” she rambled on, giggling.
Excited about the proposal, yet ambivalent, Jada had not focused on the sudden change in Gordan’s behavior. He kept rubbing his hands together more than usual. He wiped his sweaty face with a napkin. “Bae, can I ─”
An older woman turned around from the booth behind them. “Scuse me, did I hear you say he proposed?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jada bent her wrist for the woman to see her ring.
“Young lady, your parents know you gettin’ married?” she asked, looking over the rims of her glasses.
Jada sighed. “Mam, I’m thirty-two- years-old.” Being 5’ 1” and petite, she was often mistaken for a teenager and always asked for I.D. when she entered certain places.
“Thirty-two? I’ll say. Chile, I thought you was about sixteen.” She smiled, “Congratulations. Hey, y’all, we got a couple over here who got engaged!” She waved a hand toward Jada and Gordan.
The people in the restaurant applauded, some shouted “congratulations” and “woot-woots.” A male customer rushed to the table and gave Gordan a high-five and congratulated them. Jada’s mocha brown face blushed over all the public attention. Stunned over the sudden proposal, she and Gordan would have to discuss a few issues. They had not been dating exclusively for a year, and now he’s ready to walk down the aisle. What happened, and why the rush to get married?
That waitress returned to the table. “Your order should be ready soon.”
“Can you please cancel it? We need to leave,” Gordan said.
“Sure can. Do you want take out?” the waitress asked Gordan.
“Uh, I don’t.” Jada gave Gordan a quizzical stare.
“No, thank you.”
After the waitress walked away, Jada said, “Why’d you cancel?”
“Listen, we gotta talk. But not here.” Gordan reached across the table for Jada’s hand. “Come on. Let’s take a ride,” he glanced around the restaurant. “I changed my mind about Roscoe’s.”
Chapter 6
ANTOINE
Friday Afternoon
“Man, what do you mean you got into it with the Traffic Director? You’ve been on your job a split second, now you arguing with employees? You wanna lose your job?” Derrick asked in his best Mickey Mouse vibrato.
“That’s what I said.” Antoine propped his feet up on the coffee table. “And losing my job won’t happen.”
“You’re gonna lose your head if you don’t keep your feet off my table, bro’.”
“Sorry, my head is messed up right now.” Antoine’s feet swung to the floor and he slouched on the couch.
“Mine would be too if I got out of line with a co-worker. But then again…” Derrick swung his head around to face Antoine, “we know that wouldn’t happen. Have you slept with her yet?”
“No. Why’d you ask me that crazy question? I barely knew her before they moved my show. Attractive woman, pissy attitude. Like some of the other women I’ve met in L.A. That’s unless they’re star-struck on DJ Ant.”
“I shouldn’t have asked. Watch your mouth about L.A. women. They’re probably three-fourths of your fans.” Derrick rolled his eyes. “I’m talking sex, you’re complaining about the woman being pissy. Get Fiona out your system, man.” He added mixtures to his blender and turned it on. “You want a margarita?”
Antoine gave him a pointed glare. “No thanks. Where are you digging up these assumptions? Fiona is history.”
“Don’t get me started. Most straight guys need to keep their zippers closed. You need a little help with unzipping yours. Can’t you see what’s happening? You’re plain cranky ’cause you haven’t had a piece lately.”
Antoine shook his head. “Would you stop? I don’t need a woman to fuel my physical or psychological well-being. I have a boss career and I’m straight.”
Derrick’s large eyes fluttered faster than a butterfly’s wings, and he continued staring at Antoine.
Antoine clasped his hands behind his head and stared back. “Anyway, how would you know about my sex life?�
�
“It’s not hard to figure out.”
Antoine could almost read Derrick’s mind. “Believe me, it’s not like that. I’m not interested in Jada. I swear on a stack of my favorite books, when the right lady shows up, I’ll start dating again. And you’ll be the first to know.” He paused and crossed his arms. “Okay, she’s gorgeous, doesn’t wear a ton of makeup either, has a head full of beautiful hair. A bit shorter than I prefer…” But Jada’s finer than fine, and it was hard to take my eyes off her face and shapely legs.
“And? You’re over six feet, and what’s her height, three feet?” Derrick opened the dishwasher and began stacking dishes in the cabinets.
Running a hand through his dreads, Antoine sighed. “No, she’s not that short; she’s not my type. Let’s just say we mix like dynamite and a torch lighter.” He regretted spilling his guts to Derrick. This was personal. He didn’t want Derrick hounding him for more information.
“What can I say? People are different. Ask her out to dinner. If you two get to know each other, your work relationship should get better.”
“That’s not possible. The problem is I messed up.” Antoine bent forward with both elbows on his knees. “We argued fiercely. I mean we took bow and arrow shots that hurt, and I was hella mad. She didn’t mention adding an extra commercial. I later found the orange Post It note she wrote on the floor.”
“Uh, huh. That’s why you’re stressed out. Well, admit it and apologize.”
“Heck no. And get my head blown off? I mean, it wasn’t all my fault. I was on the air, and she should’ve talked to me.”
His cousin could be brazen at times, and Antoine didn’t have qualms about setting him straight. Derrick’s nitpicking about orderliness in the house wore him out. With the money he received monthly out of his trust fund, and the added cherry of his wages from the station, he could lease an apartment or buy a home by the beach, but he wasn’t ready to own a home in the Bay area and in L.A. It was also too risky. He didn’t want anyone to know about his wealth.
Rhythm Bay Love Page 3
