Real As It Gets

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “Whatever, Alvin.”

  “Maya, if it was that serious, I wouldn’t have even answered your call.”

  “Oh, so now you’re doing me a favor by taking my calls?”

  “You know I didn’t even mean it like that.”

  “No, you know what, I’m just going to let you go on back to your date and I’m going to talk to you later.” I quickly hung up, then tossed my phone on the sofa next to me. I sat there, fuming and trying to figure out why the heck I was so bothered about who Alvin was kickin’ it with. It wasn’t like I wanted him, so what was with the crappy feeling in my stomach?

  I tried to forget that conversation as I began quickly turning the pages of my magazine. I was taking my frustrations out on People.

  “So, are you still salty with me?”

  I looked up to see Travis standing over me, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I didn’t say a word and just kept flipping through the magazine. I had a rare day off and I was stretched out across the living room sofa watching our seventy-two-inch TV and reading my magazine.

  Yes, I was still mad at him. And Sheridan. But I’d called her anyway to talk about Alvin and that skank hadn’t even called me back. I guess she was too busy kicking it with my cousin. Well, that was why I didn’t have anything to say to her or to him.

  “I’m going to take that as a yes,” Travis said, plopping down on the sofa next to me when I didn’t answer.

  Travis had been here less than three weeks and had already stolen some of my shine and taken over my best friend. Thank God Kennedi was coming here this weekend. Travis and Sheridan could go jump off a bridge for all I cared. I made a memo to myself to keep Kennedi far away from Travis before he stole her, too.

  “Come on, Maya. Don’t be like that,” Travis said. “We try to invite you along, but you always trippin’.”

  “I told you, I’m not about to be a third wheel,” I huffed. “So go do you.”

  “Well, let me fix you up with my boy. Then, we could all go out together.” He smiled like he’d just come up with the most brilliant plan ever.

  “Boy, please,” I said. “I don’t need anyone fixing me up with anyone.”

  “Seriously, I think you’ll like him. You guys would have a lot of fun together. He’s like me.”

  “What, a liar?”

  Travis didn’t seem fazed by my insult. “No, he’s fun, and good looking.”

  “Why are you bothering me?” I said, cutting him off. “I’m sure you have a date or something.”

  Travis ignored me as he put his feet up on the table. I looked at him like he was crazy. “Ummm, that’s a twelve-thousand-dollar imported Egyptian marble table. You must want to die a slow and painful death at the hands of my mom,” I said, pointing at his feet.

  He dropped his feet but kept talking. “You know, I figured the best thing to make you feel better about kicking it with us was if you had a date of your own.”

  That actually made me close my magazine. “I don’t know how many ways to tell you this. I don’t need you fixing me up with anyone. Maya Morgan doesn’t do blind dates. You won’t have me sitting up with some dork.”

  “Nah, this dude is cool people,” Travis said. “I mean, I don’t think you should be getting serious or anything, but he’s someone great to hang out with.”

  “Whatever, Travis. Go somewhere with that.”

  He smiled as he stared me up and down.

  “Why are you staring at me like that?”

  “I’m just making sure you look together.”

  “I always look together,” I told him.

  “Well, you know, first impressions are everything so I just wanted to make sure you were tight.”

  I sighed. “What are you talking about, Travis?”

  Just then, the doorbell rang. My cousin jumped up before I could say anything.

  “Who is that?” I asked, getting up and following him.

  “Oh, just a friend.” Travis opened the door. “What’s up, man?” He gave a brotherly hug to the guy standing on the other side of the door. Or should I say the model, because this guy standing on my doorstep looked like he had just stepped off the runway. He looked like a darker, much younger version of that actor Boris Kodjoe. In fact, he looked like he could be Boris’s little brother.

  “It’s all you,” the guy said, walking in. I tried not to stare. I would never tell Travis, but my cousin was handsome. But this guy, he put Travis to shame.

  “Yo, this is my cousin I was telling you about,” Travis said, pointing at me. “Maya, this is my boy, Sammy Martin.”

  I hesitated before finally shaking his hand. Sammy was fine and all, but I still wasn’t feeling a blind date. I didn’t need him thinking I was some kind of desperate chick who couldn’t get her own date.

  “Well, I’m gonna let you two handle your business,” I said, turning to leave.

  Sammy kinda looked sideways at Travis.

  “Maya, what you doin’?” Travis said. “I told you I had someone coming over.”

  “I hope you didn’t invite him over here for me,” I said. “I told you, I don’t do blind dates.”

  Sammy held up his hands. “Whoa. Hey, it isn’t even like that. No hard feelings,” he said with a warm smile. “I don’t believe in having any chick kick it with me that doesn’t want to be there.” He side-eyed Travis. “I thought this was all cool. My apologies,” he said, before turning around and heading to the door.

  Travis gave me a look, and I felt frozen for a minute. Had Sammy just dismissed me? No, I said to myself as I shook that thought off. I’d told him that I wasn’t interested, and obviously, Sammy wasn’t the type to play around.

  “Wait,” I said, just as he reached the door. I walked over to him. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be such a jerk, but my cousin here could’ve given me a little warning.”

  “I did,” Travis protested.

  “Yeah, but you could’ve told me before two minutes ago.” I faced Sammy. “But it’s all good. Come on in. Would you like something to drink?”

  “Nah, I was actually hoping to take you somewhere nice,” he said. “I even made reservations at that new seafood restaurant down on South Beach.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. That place was the new hot spot, but it cost a grip for a meal. So, if Sammy had taken it upon himself to make reservations there, that meant he couldn’t be half bad. Images of my failed relationships with Bryce and J. Love, and even Alvin and Marisol, flashed through my head.

  No, maybe Sammy Martin might be exactly what I needed.

  Chapter 10

  I had dated my share of guys who could hold their own—Bryce (the son of an NFLer), J. Love (the singer), my first boyfriend (a model)—and Sammy was ranking right up there with them. It didn’t take but a couple of minutes for me to realize that Sammy truly had it going on. Last night, it had been dinner at the exclusive South Beach restaurant. Tonight, we were going to a VIP reception that even I hadn’t been invited to. Don’t ask me how he’d gotten the tickets. When I asked him, he just smiled and told me, “Don’t worry about it.”

  I was in my bedroom getting dressed like some kind of giddy chick who had never been anywhere. Sammy had told me to just look my usual gorgeous self and not worry about what time he was coming or any other details of the night. Usually, I didn’t take too kindly to guys trying to boss me around, but I was feeling him, so I let him make it.

  I saw Sammy pull up outside. I quickly punched in the security code to the gate. I raced toward the door. “I’m gone,” I yelled out to my parents, who were sitting in the kitchen, talking.

  “Where are you going?” my mom shouted back.

  “On a date!”

  “With whom? Where?” she yelled, but I pretended I didn’t hear her.

  I had just reached the car when Sammy got out. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Let’s go.”

  “Slow your roll,” he replied. “Are your parents home?”

  I stared at him like he’d lost his mind.
“My parents? Yeah, why?”

  He shut his door and began walking up the sidewalk. “I’m not about to just swing through here and grab you without saying something to them. That’s disrespectful.”

  My mouth was open. Was he for real? “Boy, if you don’t quit playing and come on ...” I opened his car door, but he kept walking.

  “I don’t believe this,” I muttered as I turned and followed him.

  Just as he reached the front door, it swung open and my dad was standing there with my mom right behind him.

  Sammy didn’t seem intimidated as he reached his hand out to shake my dad’s. “Mr. Morgan?”

  My dad eyed him hesitantly, then shook his hand. “Yes, that’s me. And you would be?”

  “I’m Sammy, Maya’s friend.” He smiled back at me, then turned to my mom. “And Mrs. Morgan, it’s such a pleasure. You’re even more beautiful than Maya said you were.”

  Okay, this boy was laying it on thick. Even though my mom was pretty, I had never even mentioned her to him.

  My mom smiled, shaking his hand. “Why thank you, young man.”

  “We were just coming out here because my daughter was being quite rude leaving the house and not telling us anything about you.”

  Sammy nodded like he understood. “I’m sure she’s just anxious because we’re going to an exclusive event tonight, but I would never disrespect you or your home by just swinging through to pick up your daughter.”

  I rolled my eyes. But both my parents smiled proudly. Okay, so maybe Sammy knew what he was doing after all.

  “Now, that’s what I’m talking about,” my dad said. “I didn’t know you young fellas today still got that.”

  “Don’t know about other young fellas”—Sammy grinned—”but I was raised better. A young man never pulls up and honks for a young lady.”

  “I think I like you.” My mother laughed. “Do you want to come inside for a minute? Our maid makes some wonderful tea cakes.”

  That was my cue. I scurried to his side. “No, he doesn’t want to come in. We need to get going.”

  “Maya, don’t be rude,” my mom said.

  “Mommmmm,” I protested. “Tea cakes? Seriously?”

  “Maya’s right. We need to get going. But, it was nice to meet you,” Sammy said.

  “You, too,” my dad replied. “It’s great to see such a well-mannered young man. Come around anytime. Maybe my daughter can learn a thing or two from you.”

  “Bye,” I said, waving over my shoulder as I pulled Sammy toward the car.

  “Really?” I said, once we were in the car.

  Sammy flashed a sly grin. “I told you if you want to win, you gotta know how to play the game.”

  I couldn’t help but smile back. Sammy had definitely played my parents well. He probably could spend the night and they’d be just fine. Okay, maybe that was a bit much, but I could tell they definitely were feeling him.

  I snuggled close to him. I know it was just our second date, but I felt like I’d known him forever. “So, are you gonna tell me how you managed to get these tickets.”

  “I told you, you’re not the only one connected,” he replied. “I just want you to have a good time. That’s all you need to be worried about.”

  “I definitely could get used to this.” I didn’t know how Sammy was so well connected, and I dang sure didn’t know how my cousin knew somebody like him, but whatever. I was feeling Sammy and was even willing to sit back and let someone else be the star—for at least a minute.

  Chapter 11

  Was it possible to fall in love in a week? Okay, I may not have been in love, but I was definitely deep in like with Sammy Martin. This guy was all that and more.

  Sammy was a record producer, a behind-the-scenes guy who didn’t like to flaunt his success. I didn’t know how well he was doing, but obviously with the way he was balling, he was pretty successful. He’d played some of his demos for me, and he was actually pretty good on putting together sounds.

  In the past week, he’d wined me and dined me. Every time he picked me up, it was a new adventure. I was very well traveled and cultured so it was hard to impress me, but Sammy was doing a pretty good job. I hadn’t thought there was a lot I hadn’t seen and done, but Sammy changed that.

  But it wasn’t just the places he took me. He was fun to be around. I could see why he and Travis were such good friends. They were both funny. Sammy had an awesome sense of humor and he was the perfect gentleman. He definitely made me feel special.

  Yeah, I knew we were moving kind of fast, but when you know it’s right, you just know. Like tonight. Last night, we’d gone to a private party for one of the Miami Heat players. Tonight, we were at an opening for the Underground Railroad exhibit for the National Cultural Museum. Usually, I wasn’t into any depressing slavery stuff. But I was really feeling how knowledgeable Sammy was.

  “This is an original copy of The Souls of Black Folk,” Sammy said, pointing at a huge book sitting in a display case. “I’m actually reading that now.”

  I frowned. “I thought you weren’t in school.”

  “I’m not,” he replied. “I need to be in somebody’s college, but ...”

  “Then what are you reading that for.”

  That made him laugh. “To educate my mind. You don’t read?”

  “Yeah, magazines, and Ni-Ni Simone and Nikki Carter are some of my favorite authors, but that”—I pointed at the book—“that’s like school reading.”

  He laughed again and shrugged. “I like fiction, but I prefer nonfiction. It helps you be a better person.”

  Yeah, I was gonna let him have that one. Give me my made-up stories any day. But still, something about that whole educated thing definitely impressed me. I’d never met a guy who read books like The Souls of Black Folk just because.

  “So where to now?” I asked once we had finished looking at the exhibit. I was really feeling Sammy, but I had been saving my goodies. The guy who got this had to come majorly correct, and while Sammy was definitely a contender, he wasn’t there yet.

  “I’m not ready to take you home,” he replied.

  I flashed a sexy smile. “We can go back to your place, but I don’t want to give you any ideas.”

  “Well, I have some asbestos issues, but we can go by my friend’s place.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “A friend’s place?”

  “It’s not even like that,” he quickly said like he could tell I wasn’t feeling that idea. “You’ll get to come to my place. I’ve just been staying at my friend’s while they get that asbestos cleaned out.”

  That didn’t even sound right. Asbestos?

  “Naw, I need to get home. I’m working on this story I need to do some digging on.” I knew my now-cold demeanor told him I wasn’t happy.

  He snuggled up closer to me. “Don’t be like that, babe. We can go by my place if you’d like. I can show you all the work they’re doing. I just don’t want you to stay there.”

  That actually made me feel a little better. Maybe he wasn’t trying to hide something after all.

  “Well, hello. If it isn’t Sammy Martin.”

  We both turned to face a pretty, brown-skinned girl with long jet-black hair. She was wearing a purple wrap dress with a slit that revealed some perfectly toned legs.

  Sammy sighed, but before he could say anything, she stuck her hand out toward me. “Hi, I’m Patricia. Sammy’s girlfriend.”

  Sammy shook his head, pushed her hand away, and said to me, “My ex-girlfriend.” He pulled me close to him. “This is my girlfriend.” He didn’t know it, but he had just earned major cool points with me.

  I could tell Patricia was struggling to keep her smile. It was icy, though. “Oh, was she your girlfriend last night?”

  I couldn’t believe this chick was trying to play me like that. She had the wrong one. I turned to Sammy and frowned. “You were with her last night?”

  Patricia put her hands on her hips. “He sure was. Took me to dinner, then back to my
place.” She looked me up and down. “For grown folks stuff.”

  Sammy looked like he was shocked at my question, but I kept talking. “So when you claimed you went to the bathroom while we were at that VIP party last night, you actually snuck off, took her to dinner, then back to her place ‘for grown folks stuff,’ and were back with me in five minutes?” I asked, pretending I was horrified.

  Sammy actually smiled when he realized I was being sarcastic. Patricia lost her smile.

  “I guess I’m just that good,” Sammy said.

  I turned back to Patricia. “Or she’s that bad that it only took you five minutes to handle her.”

  She folded her arms and wiggled her neck. I could tell Sammy was proud of the way I’d managed her.

  “Glad you warned me about your psycho ex,” I told Sammy, glaring at her. He hadn’t, but he played along.

  “What do you want, Patricia?”

  “I just came to say hello. Does your little girlfriend know everything about you?”

  “On that note, we’re out.”

  She laughed. “I’m going to take that as a no,” she said.

  Sammy ignored her as he pulled me away. Once we were outside, I did ask him, “What is she talking about, do I know everything about you?”

  “Tricia is always trying to start mess.” He pulled me closer and kissed me. “But you know the most important thing about me—and that’s that right now, I’m right where I want to be, with who I want to be with.”

  That was music to my ears.

  Chapter 12

  I had to give it to my cousin. He’d done good.

  I watched Sammy bob his head to the sounds of the artist coming from the booth. We were inside a small studio in West Miami.

  “That sounds good, man, but we need to try it again,” Sammy said, leaning and speaking into the microphone. “I know you can give me better than that.”

  The guy in the booth frowned, and looked like he had an attitude. Personally, I thought it was a little disrespectful, but I didn’t want to get all up in Sammy’s business.