by Goss, Shelia
“What’s so funny?” Hailey asked.
Garrett turned around. “Oh Nothing. Just sitting here thinking about old times.”
Hailey sat on the bar stool next to him. “I know you don’t agree with me seeing Trevon.”
Garrett twirled ice on his tongue. “You’re a big girl. You’ll get tired of playing second fiddle sooner or later.”
“I’m not second.”
“Really now. What if I told you that Trevon is outside right now talking to his fiancé?”
“He wouldn’t.”
Garrett could see the back of Trevon’s head from where he sat. “I’m not saying that he is, but what if he was?”
“I would tell him to leave. Doing something like that is not only disrespectful to me, but to her too.”
“Wow. You do have a conscious.”
Hailey squirmed in her chair. “I don’t believe in messing around with another woman’s man, but Trevon was mine first.”
“That’s the problem right there. You treat people as objects. Ones to be bought or pushed aside at your whim.”
Hailey stood up and came face to face with Garrett. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
“I know enough to know that beneath that diva attitude of yours is a woman who wants to be; correction, needs to be loved.” He paused. “A man like Trevon. He’s not capable of loving you the way you need to be.”
Hailey opened her mouth to say something, but didn’t when Trevon walked in looking at them strangely.
“What’s going on here?” he asked.
“Just waiting on you to finish your business call,” Garrett responded, stressing the word “business.”
“Well, all is well. I think I better get going though,” he responded.
“I’ll be going too,” Garrett said. He whispered, “Remember what I said.”
Hailey walked them to the door without telling either one of them good-bye. She made sure the door was secure and thought about Garrett’s last words.
~ 8 ~
“Man, you know you was wrong,” Trevon said, as he threw Garrett the basketball.
Garrett bounced the ball, blocking Trevon’s attempts to steal it. He took a shot and missed. “I’m trying to save you. Have you ever thought about what would happen if those two met?”
Trevon bounced the ball and made a shot. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Playa, you’re not a player. If you were, you never would have asked Shareeka to marry you.”
“Man, you don’t know what that girl can do in between the sheets. I would give up my right kidney as long as she was in my life.”
“See that’s the problem there. You’re thinking with your little head instead of your big one.”
“You got me mixed up with you. My women are thoroughly satisfied,” Trevon said, as he bounced the ball.
Garrett stole the ball from him and made a shot. The ball bounced off the backboard. Trevon took it out of bounds and they continued their match.
“All I know is a true player doesn’t get caught at the altar.” Garrett stole the ball away from Trevon and dunked the ball. “In your face. I’m tired of playing with you.”
Garrett picked up a towel and his bottled water. He didn’t wait for Trevon to respond. He headed to the locker room to shower and dress for work. While he was getting things out of his locker, Trevon walked in.
“What do you think I should do about Hailey? I can’t keep doing this with her. If you wouldn’t have stopped by the other day, her and I would have.”
Garrett interrupted. “I don’t want to know about your sexcapades.” He took a seat on the bench as Trevon talked.
“You know I’ve always had a thing for Hailey but that’s what it is a thing. I know she’s not the one that I want to marry.”
“Then tell her that.”
“I can’t. If I told her it would break her heart. I care about her too much to do that.”
Garrett threw his towel over his shoulder. “So you would rather keep screwing with her and giving her false hope.”
“Man come on now. You know Hailey can take care of herself.”
“This must be the twilight zone. You’ve loved Hailey as long as I can remember,” Garrett said.
“I did love her once, but I realized that she and I are too different. Maybe if she wasn’t in the spotlight, I could deal with her better.”
“Deal. Man you got it twisted. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.” Garrett stood up and picked up his soap.
“My priorities have changed. My feelings for Hailey have changed.”
“Then man up and tell her.”
“Did you notice how big her melons were? I would be a fool to turn that down.”
Garrett tried his best to control his anger. Trevon was his friend but the way he was talking now, didn’t sound like the friend he grew up with. Maybe working so close together, they lost sight of their friendship. He didn’t have room to say much because he had been sleeping with his fiancé; but he thought Trevon was one of the good guys. Now he didn’t know for sure. What bothered him the most is the fact that he cared whether or not Hailey got hurt; lately he had been thinking about Hailey more than he should.
“I’m through playing referee between you two. If this is the end for you two, let it be the end. Set her free.”
“I’m trying, but she won’t let me go.”
“You’re not trying hard enough,” Garrett said, as he left Trevon standing by his locker.
***
“Garrett, I need you. Please come right away,” Hailey pouted.
“You’re not my only client,” he responded.
“I know, but Brenda had a doctor’s appointment and I just don’t feel safe with everything that’s been going on.”
“I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
Hailey wiped the smile off her face as she hung up the phone. Although her charm never seemed to work on Garrett, she would do whatever she had to, to convince him to help her stop Trevon’s upcoming nuptials.
Hailey spent the next hour preparing breakfast meant for a king. It had been ages since she had cooked Garrett breakfast. In college, she would sometimes surprise him and Trevon with breakfast. Of course during that time, she was trying to impress Trevon with her culinary skills. Many assumed that because she was a super model that her skills stopped on the runway.
She was buttering her homemade biscuits when the buzzer sounded indicating she had a visitor. She tightened the apron she had on and met Garrett at the door.
“The great Hailey Barnes dressed in an apron,” Garrett said, right before entering the house.
Hailey didn’t know if she should smile or be offended that Garrett found her attire funny.
“Don’t frown sweetie. The look is becoming.”
“Just for that, I want let you taste some of my freshly baked biscuits.” Hailey led Garrett to the kitchen.
Garrett sniffed out loud. “I’m only teasing. You know I could never resist your biscuits.”
Hailey mumbled to herself, “I know.”
Hailey made sure she made Garrett a healthy plate filled with creamy buttered grits, several home made biscuits and almost a whole slab of crisp bacon and she topped it off with a large glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
She made herself a plate of a small helping of each. A strange feeling went through her as she watched Garrett devour the food placed in front of him.
In between bites, he said, “I almost forgot how good your breakfast is.”
“Eat up. There’s more if you like.”
“And mess up this manly figure,” Garrett joked.
Hailey couldn’t resist smiling. When he wasn’t being a jerk, Garrett had a good sense of humor. Now was the time. Either she’d spring her idea on him now, or else she would lose her opportunity to catch him with his guards down. .
She took a sip of her orange juice before clearing her throat. “We’ve been friends for how long now?” Haile
y asked.
Garrett placed his fork down and stopped eating. “I should have known. Hailey doesn’t do anything without wanting something in return.”
“I’m offended.”
“If I’m lying, tell me I am. If not, just spit out what you want.”
She stuttered, “I…well. Doggone it Garrett, why do you make things so difficult?”
He leaned back in his chair and let out a hearty laugh. “You’re a trip. You put on this damsel in distress act one minute and the next minute you’re showing how manipulative you can be. Now who is the one being difficult?”
Hailey looked Garrett directly in the eyes. “Okay. I admit you’ve been right from the start. I do want Trevon back.”
“You two are a trip and deserve each other.” Garrett pulled away from the table.
“Wait. I need you.”
He plopped back down in his chair and looked directly at her. “If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, the answer is n-o, no.”
“Please. Just hear me out.”
Garrett looked at the untouched food on his plate. “No need in letting good food go to waste.” He began to eat again.
Hailey sighed in relief. “I need you to pretend like you’re interested in me. One way to get a man back is to make him jealous.”
Garrett almost choked. “No can do. That’s playing with fire.”
She batted her eyes and licked her lips. “I like it hot.”
She saw Garrett squirm. Jackpot. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“So you’re telling me, that you’re happy about Tre marrying this Shareeka woman.”
Garrett took the last sip of his orange juice. “I’m telling you I don’t want to get involved with you and Tre’s mess.”
“Aha. So you agree with me. She’s not the best woman for him. I knew it.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” he responded.
“It’s not what you say; it’s what you didn’t say.” Hailey felt confident in her assessment.
The buzzer to the security system sounded. “That’s probably Brenda. I’ll go check.”
Hailey started cleaning up the kitchen. She heard a noise indicating the front door opening. She was disappointed to see Brenda walking into the kitchen by herself. “Where’s Garrett?”
“He told me to tell you good-bye and that he’ll call you later.”
Hailey called Garrett a bunch of names in her head and not one of them was nice.
~ 9 ~
“Shareeka is on line one. I told her Trevon was out in the field, so she insisted on talking with you,” Caroline said over the intercom.
Garrett stared at his computer. “Pass her through.”
He had been unable to concentrate ever since leaving Hailey’s. The sight of her in her apron and the way she licked her lips when she was trying to convince him to participate in her scheme almost sent him over the edge.
“Are you there?” Shareeka shrieked from the other line.
“What’s up?”
“Tre hasn’t slept with me in a few days. I know he’s messing around with that no talented Hailey again?”
“If you suspect that, then why are you insisting on marrying him?”
Garrett had to move the phone receiver away from his ear. Shareeka went on a tantrum. “I’ve invested too much time in Tre. I love him. He loves me. I just need Hailey to stay away from my man.”
“Let me give you a little advice; you’re not ready for marriage. Why don’t you postpone it?”
“Oh, hell naw. In fact, I’m having a party to celebrate our upcoming nuptials. You’re invited. Bring a date.”
“You got to be kidding.”
“I’m not. And you know what, since you and Ms. Thang are friends; why don’t you bring her as your date. Let her see that me and my man are solid and he doesn’t want her anymore.”
“Shareeka, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Why would you invite who you deem to be the other woman to your party?”
“To show her I’m not intimidated by her celebrity status. Trevon is mine and its about time that heifer knew it.”
“You got issues.”
“And its spelled H-a-i-l-e-y.”
Garrett glanced at the clock. “I got to go. Stop stressing. Stop calling me and by all means, talk to Tre about your suspicions.”
He hung up without waiting for her to respond. Women. They all have issues.
***
“That’s a wrap,” John said, through her earpiece.
Hailey greeted the people in the audience before retreating to her office back stage. While she went over her notes for the next day’s show, Brenda sat at a table going through her recently sent fan mail. Hailey hadn’t heard from Trevon nor Garrett. Her personal life was in shambles and it was beginning to affect her daily routine.
John burst through the door as if someone was after him. Brenda shot up on alert.
“Sorry, I was just excited,” John said, as he handed Hailey a faxed sheet of paper. “You did it.” Hailey jumped up and down. She hugged John and continued to jump up and down. “I’m nominated. I’m nominated,” she repeated over and over.
Brenda said, “I hate to rain on your parade, but nominated for what.”
John opened his mouth to say something, but Hailey stopped him. “No, let me. I’m nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for not only The Best Talk Show, but for the Best Talk Show host.”
“Congratulations,” she responded.
“Thanks. I have a People’s Choice Award, but this is my first Emmy nomination.” She turned to address John. “Did you tell the staff?”
“You’re the first one I told,” John responded.
After John left, Hailey reached for the phone to call Trevon but stopped before dialing the last digit. It pained her to know that although she had a successful career, she really didn’t have anyone to share the fruits of her labor with. If she really thought about it; it had been like that for awhile. Maybe Garrett was right. Maybe she should think about just moving on and letting Trevon go on with his life.
She hung up and dialed Garrett’s number. “The favor I was asking. Forget it. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Garrett responded, “You would change your mind after I got us an invitation to the party of the year.”
Hailey looked to make sure Brenda wasn’t watching her and she wasn’t. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been invited to a party hosted by Tre and his fiancé and I want you to go as my date.”
“You got to be a kidding.”
“I’m not joking.”
Hailey contemplated the idea for a moment before responding.
“Are you still there? I can always pull out my little black book and get someone else to go.”
“You wouldn’t dare. Count me in. Email me the details.” Hailey hung up the phone and forgot about leaving Trevon alone. She knew Garrett would come through for her.
Brenda commented. “You look like you got some more good news.”
“If you only knew,” she responded, as she logged on her computer to wait on Garrett’s email.
***
Garrett could kick himself for agreeing to attend the party with Hailey. He hadn’t planned on it, but when he heard Hailey’s voice, he couldn’t resist an excuse to spend more time with her on a social basis. What he was doing was playing with fire. Trevon had no idea what both women were up to and he debated on whether or not to warn him.
“Man, life is good,” Trevon said, after bursting through his office door.
“You need to learn how to knock first.” Garrett hit the send button in his email to Hailey and turned off his monitor as Trevon took a seat across from him.
“Whatever. I just came by to tell you that I just got off the phone with our next big client. We’re to handle security at the Grammy’s.”
“Good job man.”
“It was your proposal that got us in the door.”
Garrett stuck out his
chest. “Well, you know I can’t take all of the credit.”
“True, true. It was a team thing.”
“We do make a good team,” Garrett admitted.
“Since grade school.”
Garrett felt guilty about not telling him about his plans on crashing his party with Hailey. He thought about how to break the news to him. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
“Me first. I’ve decided to let Hailey go.”
“For real.”
“No. But it does sound good doesn’t it.” Trevon laughed.
Garrett didn’t. “Tre, you need to let her go and this is the last time I’m going to say it to you.”
“What man in his right mind would give up having Hailey Barnes? Man, do you know how many men wish they were in my situation?”
“Sometimes you disgust me. Hailey is a human being. She does not deserve to be used.”
“Hailey is selfish. Always has been. If she wasn’t, it would be her I’m marrying and not Shareeka.”
“The only person I see being selfish is you. Don’t you think your future wife deserves all of you and not just a piece of you?”
“I didn’t want to get you all up in my business, but since you are. Shareeka’s not all that innocent.”
Garrett shook his head in disbelief. “You two deserve each other.”
“Well, Shareeka’s who I want as my wife. Hailey can either get with the program or bounce.”
“You’re selfish. I don’t know what either one of them sees in you,” Garrett admitted.
Trevon stood up. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were jealous.”
“For what. Man, I can get any woman I wanted and believe me, Shareeka isn’t one I would call wife material.”
“Watch your mouth. That’s the woman that I love.”
“You need some help for real. You’re so confused, you don’t know who you love.”
“I better go before this gets out of hand.”
“Yes, you better.”
Trevon was at the door and was about to leave out, when he stopped, turned and asked, “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Garrett changed his mind about warning him. He was a big boy; let him deal with the situation. “Nothing. I figured it out myself.”
