As he walked off stage, Ruby clapped wildly. “Man, you haven’t put on a show like that in years! They loved it. I can’t believe you took your shirt off. I thought you’d given up the sex appeal angle.”
“Shut up,” he said as he pushed past her to take a towel from a stage attendant. Jason smiled sweetly at the young woman, who was obviously a fan. “Thanks.”
She shivered before stammering, “Yo-you’re welcome.”
Debony walked over to Jason, dressed in a short black halter dress and a pair of four-inch red heels. “Jay Slade! That was a great show. Thanks for the limo ride here. I should’ve known you weren’t serious earlier,” she said, then wrapped her arms around him. “So, where’s the after party or do they go to sleep with the chickens in South Carolina?”
He shrugged out of her embrace. “Debony, I . . .You know what, there’s a club downtown we can go to. But you have to get rid of Ruby.”
She smiled. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m going to get dressed. I’ll be ready in an hour.”
As he walked to his dressing room, warning bells rang in his head. Going out with Debony was a mistake, but he wanted to forget about Ingrid for a few more hours. After all, she’d forgotten for three years to tell him that he was a father. Part of him knew it was unfair to use Debony in this way, the same way he used her after Ingrid left him before, but she loved the limelight and riding his star. Besides, they were just going to a party, not to bed—this time.
An hour later, Jason emerged from his dressing room wearing a pair of black linen slacks, a white tank underneath a black button down linen shirt and his favorite platinum and diamond necklace. He looked the part of a star, but he didn’t feel like one. Debony was waiting in the hallway for him with a bottle of Dom Perignon Rosé and two champagne flutes.
“A gift from Ruby so that we could really celebrate tonight,” Debony said, her red lips curved in a sensual smile. “She said she didn’t want to come anyway. She’s going to the hotel with some guy she met this evening.”
“So,” Jason said as he took the bottle from her hands and popped the cork. “But don’t get any ideas about where we’re going to end up tonight.”
Her smile faded. “I knew that.” Her voice screamed disappointment.
Terry approached the duo and shot Jason a quizzical look. “What’s going on?” he asked as looked from Jason to Debony.
Jason filled his glass. “We’re about to hit the after party. Why don’t you roll with us,” he suggested.
Terry eyed Debony’s shift in body language. He knew she’d hoped the two of them were going to party alone. “Is Ruby coming?” he asked.
“Hell no,” Jason exclaimed after draining his glass.
“All right, sounds like a plan I can get down with.”
Debony sucked her teeth, and then she reached for the champagne. “What are you trying to do, build an entourage as if you’re a rapper?”
Terry smirked and shook his head. “I’m going to change,” he said.
Once Terry was out of earshot, Jason turned to Debony, “Let’s be clear. We’re not dating and this isn’t a date. You helped me put on a hell of a show and I wanted to go out and show you that South Carolina knows how to party. If you think that this is anything more than that, then you should go back to the hotel yourself.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, I realize that you have someone in your life, but Terry is. . .”
“My friend and he’s going. I’ll wait in the limo.”
Debony followed him outside and into the hoard of fans who waited to catch a glimpse of the stars. As the crowd chanted “Jay Slade, Jay Slade.” Jason held his hands in that air as he’d done on stage and gyrated his hips a bit. Debony smiled and ducked in the waiting limousine.
“See you at the after party,” Jason shouted before joining Debony in the car. She was already drinking another glass of champagne and had poured Jason one as well.
“They love you in the dirty south, huh?”
“This is home,” he replied. “Of course they love me.”
Debony took a sip of her drink and shrugged. “So, what about this contest?”
“We’re looking for a singer that will blow everyone away,” Jason said as he fixed himself another drink. “A strong voice and someone hungry enough to work hard to be a star.”
“That’s bull. You only wanted to come to South Carolina because you want to get back with that girl. You don’t have to lie to me.”
Jason took a big swig of his drink. “She had a lot to do with why I came back to town. And I haven’t kept that a secret from anyone.”
“What does she have that I don’t?” she asked wistfully.
Jason rolled his eyes. “Debony, if I wasn’t Jay Slade, you wouldn’t want anything to do with me; since you want to talk about honesty.”
She inched closer to Jason. “That’s not true. You’re very sexy and if we would’ve met before you became famous, I still would’ve wanted you.” Debony reached up to stroke his cheek, but Jason grabbed her hand. “Don’t,” he said. “You and I would’ve never met and you wouldn’t be so hard pressed to hop back into bed with me.”
“Well, maybe if I hadn’t known how good it is, that would be the case. But I know that being with you is amazing. Let’s go there again. Just one. . .”
“It isn’t going to happen. I’m not falling into this trap again,” he said. “Debony, I know Ruby had you come on to me so that you could come between me and Ingrid all of those years ago.”
“You really love her, don’t you?” Debony said with a hint of sadness in her voice. “I guess there’s no competing with that.”
Jason didn’t answer her as he downed his second drink. Debony frowned, “I’m sorry that I helped Ruby break you two up three years ago. Back then, I was all about my career and Ruby promised me that if I helped her, she would make sure my next record was a hit. I wanted the fame so badly, I was willing to do anything for it. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“If that’s what you need to tell yourself to make it through the night, then keep telling yourself that lie. You didn’t think coming between me and Ingrid would hurt me? What did you think would happen?” Jason asked.
“But after I got to know you, I fell for you, Jay-Jason.”
He shook his head and frowned at her. “You had it right the first time, you fell for Jay Slade, the same image that groupies fall for. What do you even know about me?”
Debony stared blankly at Jason. “Well,” she finally said.
“Exactly. Don’t sit here and let alcohol make you think we’re in love, all right?”
She slid even closer to him and as she was about to take his face in her hands, the door to the limousine opened. Terry looked inside and uttered, “Whoa.”
“Come on in,” Jason said as he swatted Debony’s hands away. Once Terry was in and seated, Jason tapped on the window separating them and the driver. “We’re ready.”
Debony fixed herself another drink and cast a contemptuous glance at Terry, who smiled sweetly in return. “Where are we going, again?” Debony asked as she tugged at the hem of her skirt. Terry reached out for the nearly empty bottle of champagne.
“This is Jason’s party, I’m just along for the ride,” Terry said as he poured the remaining sparkling wine in his glass. She rolled her eyes at him and Jason opened the door to the mini bar.
“We’re going to Situations, the club where they’re having the after party,” he said. Though part of him wanted to tell the driver to go to Elmore, Jason wasn’t ready to face his real problems. He wasn’t ready to deal with Ingrid and her farce of a marriage, he didn’t want to fight with her to get to know his son, but he felt that was just what was going to happen. Instead, he drained a mini bottle of Grey Goose, followed by a mini bottle of José Cuervo.
“Jason,” Terry said, breaking into his thoughts, “don’t you think you should slow down on the alcohol?”
“Man, it’s a party, give me
a break,” Jason said as he cracked open a second bottle of Grey Goose and took a huge swallow.
Debony smiled as she asked him to fix her a drink as well.
Ingrid brushed her hand across DeShawn’s face as he slept. He was a beautiful little boy and he had seen so many changes in his short life. Ingrid accepted that she bore part of the blame because she lied to her son about his father. The way he and Louis bonded, Ingrid thought that DeShawn would never have to know about Jason being his father. Louis had loved DeShawn because he knew he’d never have a child of his own. The day that Ingrid had brought the little boy home, Louis had been just as happy as if DeShawn had been his biological son.
“He’s so perfect,” Louis had said as he peered down at the sleeping baby. “Welcome to this crazy world.”
Ingrid had smiled, though her eyes shown with tears. She couldn’t help but wish Jason was standing there with her.
“It’s going to be fine,” she whispered to her son. “I’m going to do the right thing and make sure you don’t get hurt because of my stupid mistakes.” Ingrid leaned in and kissed her son on the cheek. As she walked downstairs, Ingrid’s thoughts turned to Jason and his reaction to her “marriage.” Was he just as homophobic as the other people in Elmore had been? Did he think that her association with Louis somehow would change how she raised her son or who she was? Did he think there was something sexual between her and Louis? What about his past? she thought. I know he slept with Debony. And the sad thing is I didn’t even entertain having a sexual relationship with Louis or anyone. It’s not as if I didn’t have a chance to sleep with someone else. But I chose to focus on raising my son. Had I ignored Jason as I planned to, I wouldn’t be sitting here worrying about what he thinks.
Ingrid was about to check the locks on her door when she heard the loud knocking. She opened the door and shook her head at Christina. “What are you doing here?” she asked her friend.
Christina smiled and walked in. “I was hoping to find your house empty. Jason didn’t come to his senses and apologize?”
“No, I bet he’s not even going to come back since he’s decided that I’m not worthy.”
“Maybe he’s just working through the shock of it all. I had a hard time digesting it myself.”
Ingrid rolled her eyes at Christina. “You don’t say,” she replied sarcastically.
“But, I understand why you did it. Your mother has never liked Jason and thought that you gave up too much of your life to be with him.”
Ingrid dropped her head as she thought about telling her mother the truth. “She’s going to love this.”
Christina nodded and moved over to the sofa. “Were you going to bed or is it time to watch your favorite sad black and white movie?”
“Imitation of Life is not a sad movie. It’s poignant and you don’t have to stay here and watch it.”
“Get the popcorn,” Christina said when she kicked her feet up on the table. “I guess we can watch this movie and pretend nothing’s wrong.”
Ingrid rolled her eyes as she walked over to the television and popped the DVD in the player. “You get the popcorn yourself.”
“You would wait until I get comfortable,” Christina said as she slowly rose to her feet. “Please tell me you have kettle corn.”
“In the cabinet above the refrigerator,” Ingrid said as she flipped through the channels. She stopped when she saw a news report on Jason’s show.
“One of South Carolina’s biggest stars came home to put on a show for his fans. Jay Slade, who is originally from Elmore, brought his signature sound to a sold out Township Auditorium. The crowd was surprised when singer Debony joined Jay Slade on stage to perform a sexy rendition of their single, Lover’s Lane.” The screen filled up with an image of Jason and Debony bumping and grinding against each other as if they were lovers. Ingrid’s blood heated as she watched them ‘performing.’
“News 10’s cameras caught the duo as they entered Club Situations. Although both singers deny that they have anything other than music going on between them, they looked awfully close.” Ingrid gasped when she saw Debony plant a huge kiss on Jason’s lips.
“Son of a bitch,” she muttered as she yanked her copy of Waiting to Exhale out of the DVD holder.
As Christina walked into the den with a bowl of popcorn and two glasses of juice, she knew something was wrong. “What happened?” she asked, looking from the TV screen to Ingrid.
“We’re watching a movie,” Ingrid said as the Waiting To Exhale menu filled the screen.
“This movie means someone has pissed you off,” Christina said. “What happened?”
Ingrid took the juice her friend offered her. “Looks as if Jason is enjoying himself at the concert after party with Debony. They were on the news kissing,” she spat then took a big sip of juice to cool her insides.
“What? Maybe. . .”
“Maybe hell. This is what he does, he turns to her every time things don’t. . .You know what, to hell with Jason. If he wants to be with Miss Thing, he can have her. He doesn’t have to be in my bed to be a father to DeShawn, if he still wants to. He might decide to go back to New York with her.”
Christina shook her head. “Any chance you misunderstood what you saw?”
Ingrid folded her arms across her chest. “How do you misunderstand a tongue being shoved down a man’s throat? And people wonder why Bernadine burned John’s clothes and sold his belongings for a dollar.”
Christina grabbed a handful of popcorn and tossed it at Ingrid. “Whatever. I know you’re not going to let that stuck up bi. . .”
“If that’s who and what Jason wants, what can I do?” Ingrid shrugged her shoulder. “Am I supposed to cry, beg him to come back? I don’t think so. And you’re cleaning this up.”
Christina rolled her eyes. “I hope you’re going to give the man a chance to explain.”
Ingrid rolled her eyes and pressed to button to start the movie. She didn’t need to hear Jason’s explanation. She’d seen it all before.
Jason shoved Debony with a bit more force than he meant, but he had to deliver a message to her. “What was that?” he demanded as he wiped the sticky imprint of her lipstick from his cheek. “I told you that we’re not going to do this. That picture is going to be on every web site and newscast. . .”
“Whatever,” she said as she regained her footing. “Tell the truth, you’re just worried about what Ingrid is going to think. She’s going to be mad.”
“You’re drunk.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “And? I might as well have some fun,” Debony said as she wiggled her hips.
“Don’t do something stupid,” he said as he reached his hand out to her.
Debony swatted it away. “I’m going to have some fun and you can sit here and sulk. Too bad you’re hung up on that chick, we could’ve had a really good time.” She winked at him and headed out to the dance floor where she was immediately surrounded by fans—male and female.
Terry closed his hand around Jason’s shoulder. “You’re a strong man because not too many people would’ve been able to turn all of that down.”
Jason shook his head and expelled a sigh. “I have bigger worries. You know, I don’t even need to be in here right now,” he said. “This isn’t the lifestyle that I want.”
“What do you mean?” Terry asked. “You’re the man right now.”
“Nah, Jay Slade is the man. I’ve got to work on Jason.” He turned toward the entrance and headed out, ignoring the screams and applause from people waiting to enter the club. Jason pulled out his cell phone and called the driver.
“Back to the hotel, sir?” the man asked over the phone.
“No, I’m going to need you to take me to Elmore,” Jason said.
Chapter Twelve
Ingrid and Christina woke up still sitting on the sofa. Ingrid glanced at the clock on the wall and hoped that DeShawn was sleeping late. Today, she planned to stay inside and do absolutely nothing. If DeShawn wanted to have p
izza and junk food all day then she would allow it, just this once. The last thing she wanted was to hear people whisper about what they saw Jason doing on TV last night. She didn’t want their looks of pity or their silent and smug looks that she was sure to get from people like Anna Belle Jacobs and her stuck up sister.
You can’t hide forever, she thought as she trudged up the stairs to check on her son. As Ingrid opened the door to DeShawn’s room, she noticed that her son was already awake, sitting in the middle of his bed with a pad, drawing. She watched him quietly, as he hunched over the sketch book. He had such a determined look on his face and was so engrossed in his work that Ingrid didn’t want to disturb him. Part of her thought of what Jason would say if he saw his son right now. Would he remember that he’d wanted to be an artist when they were younger? That had to be where DeShawn got his creativity from.
A single tear slid down Ingrid’s cheek as she watched her son. She should’ve been sharing this moment with his father. Jason should’ve had sense enough to know that their relationship was more important than the music. But she assumed that he didn’t. Despite what he’d said lately, she couldn’t risk her heart again.
“Mommy, are you crying?” DeShawn asked.
Ingrid hadn’t even noticed her tears or that her son was standing in front of her. “It’s my allergies,” she lied. “What are you drawing?”
He held his notebook to his chest, “I’m not finished.”
Ingrid stroked his head and smiled. “All right,” she replied. “Do you want me to cook you something special for breakfast?”
He nodded happily. “Pancakes!”
“All right. I’ll make pancakes and Auntie Chrissy is going to have breakfast with us, too. Then we’re going to watch some movies.”
If It Isn't Love Page 11
