“She wanted you to go back to her?”
“In Yelena’s eyes, it was best for my career. At the time, Elizabeth was a very popular soap-opera star. America adored her, and she used that to her advantage. She wanted me back, and she intended to make Yelena’s life difficult if I didn’t go back to her.”
“So you went back for appearance’s sake.”
He nodded. “I can see now that it was wrong. Everyone suffered in the end, especially you and Brian.” He stopped talking and looked away.
“Brian and I were just fine. He was a great brother. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”
“We were all blessed.”
“I need to go,” Jazz said hesitantly. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked as she stood and walked to the door.
“Yes, I’ll be just fine now,” he said, walking her to the office door and back to her car. He waved as she drove off.
Jazz looked in the rearview mirror, seeing the man she loved to hate. All of the old loving feelings were back again. It was what her mother had always wanted, and she knew that she approved. She turned out of the studio gate and headed to her last stop.
Chapter 20
EXTERIOR—BRIDGE
Devon drove over to Jazz’s house less than an hour after their phone conversation. She’d told him she had a studio meeting, but he couldn’t stay away, on the off chance she was possibly returning early. He traversed the Hollywood hills with ease, passing several gated communities until he came to hers. He stopped at the guard’s station. Of course the guard was a Stallions fan. He allowed Devon in with hardly a second glance.
Devon found Jazz’s home and pulled up to her gate. He rang the buzzer. No one answered. He tried twice more but still got no answer. He drove off, troubled. Jazz seemed different, and that bothered him.
He drove back into the city and stopped at Reed’s West Coast office. He needed to take care of the last-minute contract details and approve the official press release. The team owners were about to release the news about his future. Afterward, he headed back to the hospital to see his friend. Shelia had stepped out, giving them the opportunity to talk. “Hey, this is getting to be a habit.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I cracked two ribs. I guess you were right. Some of those rookies were pumping iron since birth. I didn’t even see him coming. I can’t do this.”
Devon nodded. “I’m out in two.”
“The contract?”
“They gave me five years. I dropped it down to two. They can bring in the next crew.”
“You gave back three years. Man, you’re nuts.”
“Nah, I’m smart.”
Armand nodded. “Did you find your love?”
“She was there all along. Jazelle Richardson.”
“Get out—for real?”
Devon pulled out the ring and showed him, just as Shelia walked back in. “For real.”
“Good Lord, please don’t tell me you’re marrying her.”
“Jazelle?” Devon and Armand said in unison.
“No, I thought this was for Trina. She’s been hanging around here all afternoon, asking when you were coming back. I finally had to get the nurse to shoo her away. What Jazelle Richardson? So, what they’re saying is true? You’re going to New York?”
“No, I’m here for another two years, then I’m out.”
“Devon, this is stunning. She’s going to love this. When are you proposing?”
“Tonight,” Devon said.
“Good luck,” Shelia said, hugging him.
“Hey, stop that. She’s my lady. Go get your own.”
Devon looked at Armand, then at Shelia. “Your lady?”
“We’re gonna try this again. Remarry.”
“Congratulations,” Devon said, hugging Shelia again.
“A’ight now,” Armand said. They laughed and talked about their future plans. By the time Devon left the hospital, it was much later. He assumed Jazz was home by now, so he drove back to her house. He rang her gate’s buzzer, and this time she answered. The gate opened, and he drove up the driveway. He got out and hurried to the front door. It opened wide, but it wasn’t Jazz standing there.
“Nice painting. Yours?”
“No, it’s a gift for Jazz.”
“No, the big bow gave the gift part away. Did you paint it?”
“Oh, no, I didn’t.”
“Devon Hayes, I presume,” Savannah said, smiling. “Jazz was right—you are gorgeous.” Devon looked at the dark black-haired crystal blue-eyed beauty with his mouth wide open. “Better close your mouth and come on in, darling. The neighbors talk, and paparazzi are everywhere.” She crinkled her nose and winked as she turned and sashayed away, leaving him to enter and close the door behind him. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No, thanks.”
She walked over to the small wet bar in the living room and began pouring herself a glass of wine. “I’m Savannah, by the way. Jazz and I go way back. We share everything,” she said, then looked up at him pointedly, “and I do mean everything.”
Devon smirked and shook his head. He understood instantly. He’d been in this situation dozens of times. Women liked the idea of sharing him with their close friends, often at the same time. But there was no way he was going there. He wanted only Jazz, and he wanted her exclusively. “Look, I don’t know what you think might be going on here, but it’s not. Jazz is the one and only woman for me, now and forever. So if you think that this is some kind of…”
Savannah chuckled and nodded. “Very good, I’m glad to hear that. You’d be surprised how often the response to that line turns out differently.”
“I’m with Jazz exclusively. No one else,” he said emphatically, taking no chance of her misunderstanding him completely. “I’m sure you’re a nice person, but no thanks.”
“I have to say, Devon, that’s got to be about the nicest refusal I’ve ever gotten.”
“You were testing me?”
“Call it a best friend’s prerogative,” she said casually. Devon shook his head. “Don’t be too offended. Jazz is like a sister to me. But as I was saying, she told me about you, everything about you.”
“Everything? That can’t be good,” Devon said, seeing in her eyes that she knew everything.
“On the contrary, that’s very good. I’m rooting for you.”
“Is Jazz here?”
“No, sunrise to sunset. It’s almost sunset—she’s probably just about there by now.”
“What do you mean, there where?”
“Today is the first anniversary of Brian death’s on the bridge.”
“I know. I wanted to be with her today. That’s why I was trying so hard to get back to New York. But she’s here. Do you know where I can find her?”
“Sure. You should go to her. She needs you more than you know.”
Moments later, Devon was in his car driving to the bridge where Brian had driven off. He didn’t waste any time. He parked, seeing a woman standing midway on the bridge looking out at the approaching sunset. He hurried to reach her, and then stood behind her, waiting respectfully.
Jazz smiled. She didn’t even have to turn around to know Devon was with her. She closed her eyes and pressed the play button on her cell phone. She saw it as clearly as if it were written in a script—every action, every movement, outlined precisely as it was to be played.
ACTION.
FADE IN—SCENE ONE:
1. INTERIOR DARK BEDROOM—MOMENTS BEFORE SUNSET
Asleep in her bed, Jazelle Richardson wakes up, hearing the phone ring. She rolls over, covering her head, ignoring it. The answering machine picks up. She hears Brian Richardson’s voice. “Jazze.” She reaches out and grabs the phone.
JAZELLE:
(yawning)
Brian, we wrapped today. I’ve been on set for thirty-two hours. I finally get to sleep in my own bed and not in a trailer.
2. EXTERIOR BRIDGE—MOMENTS BEFORE SUNSET
Brian Richardson sits
in his idling car, waiting on the bridge between their two homes. From his vantage point all he can see is the clear horizon as the sun lowers. He’s smoking a cigarette and sipping bottled water.
BRIAN:
(gazing across the skyline)
It’s almost sunset. I just called to say goodbye.
JAZELLE:
Where are you going, back east?
BRIAN:
(pauses)
Nah. Not this time.
Jazelle:
(hearing something in his silence, she gets a sudden chill)
Brian, what did you take, pills, drugs, alcohol?
BRIAN:
Nah, not this time, I’m stone-cold sober.
Jazelle:
(chuckle)
You, sober?
BRIAN:
(laughter)
I know, right? Imagine that.
JAZELLE:
(sitting up in bed)
What’s going on? What’s wrong?
BRIAN:
(heavy sigh)
It’s almost sunset. I just wanted to say…
JAZELLE:
(starts getting dressed quickly)
Hey, I gotta idea. We just wrapped production a few hours ago. Let’s go to Tahiti again, just you and me, like the last time. I’ll come pick you up right now. We’ll fly out tonight and take a few months off to just chill and veg out. My next film is on location in Prague. You’ll love it. There’s a nice juicy part they developed just for you.
BRIAN:
(takes a long drag of cigarette—watches smoke)
Babe, I need you to do me a favor.
JAZELLE:
Sure. What? Anything?
BRIAN:
I need you to be happy.
JAZELLE:
Brian, what are you talking about? I’m happy. We’re both happy, remember? We’ll be even happier in Tahiti. Where are you?
BRIAN:
I’m sitting on our bridge waiting for sunset.
JAZELLE:
Okay, you’re close. I’m coming over to watch the sunset with you. Stay there.
(silence)
Brian? Brian?
BRIAN:
The news vans are here. They’ll finally get the show they’ve been waiting so long for—the final scene from Frank Richardson’s son.
JAZELLE:
Why are the news vans there?
BRIAN:
Jazelle.
JAZELLE:
Brian.
BRIAN:
Fall in love, be happy, have kids.
JAZELLE:
Stay where you are. I’m coming to you now. I’m in the car.
BRIAN:
No. If you come, I won’t be able to do this.
JAZELLE:
I know. That’s why I’m coming.
(she sees his car and starts crying, knowing what he is going to do. She parks and runs to him)
Brian. Please, don’t leave me alone. You promised you’d stay with me. Please, Brian. Please.
BRIAN:
Stop running away, Jazze. Be happy. Sunrise to sunset, look for me. I’ll always be with you. I love you.
JAZELLE:
I love you more.
END SCENE
The phone message beeped and ended. Jazz took a deep breath then released it slowly. It had been exactly one year since that act played out, but she remembered it as if it were yesterday. She opened her eyes. Tears crept down her face. She stared at the light dipping below the horizon. It was sunset. There were no words. There never were.
“That was you and Brian?” Devon asked, still standing behind her.
“Yes, our last conversation. He dissolved right here in front of me. I didn’t know how to help him anymore. Before, when he came to me on location, I’d make him stay with me. When I was done shooting, we’d go someplace crazy and stay for weeks. This time he just wanted to be alone.”
“Your brother loved you, and just like he protected you in the club all those years ago, he was doing the same thing.”
She nodded. “No one’s ever heard that before. Not even my best friend, Savannah.”
She turned to him and half smiled. “Hi,” she said.
He moved closer and stood beside her. “Hi.”
“I guess Savannah told you where to find me.”
“She’s a good friend. I think I passed her test.”
“What test are you talking about?” she asked then paused. “Oh, the whole we-share-everything test?” He nodded. She smiled.
“Jazz…”
“No, Devon, let me say what I have to say first.” He nodded. She took a deep breath and began. “My life is crazy sometimes. It’s been like that since the day I was born. Being with me isn’t easy. I’m sorry about your contract.”
“What do you mean?”
“The newspapers and sportscasters said yesterday that I messed up your chances for the five-year contract you were negotiating. I know how much you wanted it. I’m sorry.”
“Since when do you listen to them?”
“Since your future in football was on the line.”
“My future in football is just fine. I got the contract. They offered me everything I asked for, plus more. I turned it down.” She looked at him, shocked and speechless. “Yep, I turned it down. Not all of it, of course. I’m not crazy. The contract is for two years on the field and three years in the front office. I think it’s time that I retire the jersey and look toward a different future.”
“Are you sure? You wanted to play so badly.”
“It occurred to me that football wasn’t as important in my life as I thought it was. There’s so much more.” He stood in front of her and smiled. “There’s you. The contract is exactly as I want it to be.”
She sighed, heavily relieved by the news. “Then you didn’t get cut or lose it because of me.”
“No, of course not. As a matter of fact, because of you it’s even better than I dreamed. If anything, that story about you and your father in the New York newspapers reenergized the team’s efforts to keep me as long as possible.”
“I’m happy for you, Devon. Congratulations.”
“I’m happy for us.”
“Devon, about that…”
“No, now it’s my turn to talk.” He reached out and took her hand and kissed it. Then he took the small diamond ring from his pinky finger and eased it on to her ring finger. She looked down in awe. He knelt down and looked up at her. There was nothing but love in his eyes. “Marry me, Jazelle Richardson. You are my heart’s choice. I love you, and I need you in my life forever.”
“Devon,” she began. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you need a cue card?” he asked. She shook her head, smiling.
“Devon, I love you, too. I can’t run away this time. I tried, but I can’t. My heart just won’t let me. Yes, I will marry you.”
Devon stood and grabbed her up into his arms and swung her around. They kissed. Sunset—that was their new beginning.
Epilogue
EXTERIOR—BEACH—LOS ANGELES
Devon and Jazz patiently waited on the beach for the sun’s setting. It had been a full year since they had met and married. She was deliriously happy. Her brother’s movie was in post-production and was already getting rave reviews. Devon’s football season was a success as he led the Stallions franchise to the playoffs with expectations of a Super Bowl ring in his last season. Movie scripts were pouring in, and her EP in honor of her mother was a huge success. “Are you happy?” Devon asked.
Jazz nodded and smiled. She was happy. For the first time in her life, everything she’d ever dreamed was coming true. “Yes, I’m happy. I’m very happy. What about you? Are you going to miss playing football when you retire?”
“Not at all.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes, really,” he said. “There was a time when I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. Football was everything. Now, being married to you and having our fir
st child is more important than anything in the world. I love you, Jazz. I always have and always will.”
She smiled. “I love you, too, Devon.” She grimaced.
“Are you okay? The baby…”
“…is just fine,” she said, finishing his sentence. “He just kicked. I think he’s going be an athlete like his father.”
“Or like his mother, a star,” he said and then reached down to rub her swollen stomach. “All right, little buddy, calm down. We have to take care of mommy, too.”
Jazz smiled and leaned back against his strong body. She closed her eyes, and he continued to rub her belly. The baby calmed down. “You have a way with him already. That’s not fair. I do the heavy work, and you two get to bond.”
“Don’t worry. The next one will be a girl, and the little guy and I will thankfully be left out of nail-polishing, lipstick-hunting, mega-shopping girl talk.”
“You’ve been watching too much television. Girls certainly aren’t like that anymore.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to meeting our next and all the rest, starting of course with this little guy.”
“All the rest?” she questioned.
“I’m thinking seven or eight, maybe ten.”
“Children?”
“Of course.”
She turned around to face him. “And who is going to have all these children?”
“We are,” he said. “What do you think about adoption?”
Jazz smiled. “I love the idea.” She reached up and kissed him. Afterward, he smiled and shook his head. “What?” she asked.
“I can’t believe how blessed I am to have you in my life, and how we almost messed everything up.”
“But we didn’t. And I have a feeling that Melanie, along with Jessica and Vincent, wouldn’t have let that happen. I never really put much stock in the whole matchmaking thing, but…”
“Yeah, there’s definitely something to it.”
“Do you think Melanie will ever find someone for herself?”
“She seems happy as she is now,” Devon said.
“I know she does, but…”
“You’re thinking that the matchmaker needs to be matched.”
She nodded. “Something like that.”
“Let’s hope so. One day.”
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