by KR Bankston
Trinity thought about the game tonight. She’d almost told Morgan no, since she was coming to her birthday party in a few days, but she couldn’t. Her best friend had no clue about the party her husband was planning, and Trinity actually owed it to Morgan to spend some time with her. She’d been pretty busy hitting one tour after the other, and even though Morgan was her agent, they still didn’t get much social time with each other. Taking another deep breath and blowing it out slowly, Trinity decided she would give tonight an honest try. She actually loved basketball, both Morgan and Jared were a lot of fun to be around, so Trinity knew the night would definitely not be a wash, she thought going on to greet her next patron and sign the next book.
Brian Holbrook
Brian was still chuckling thinking of the elaborate sales job his best friend Jared had done to get him to come to the game with them this evening. That man is crazy as hell, he continued to chuckle. It wasn’t that Brian was adverse to hanging out, he just didn’t make time for it often. He was a one of a handful of African American shipping tycoons and he had to stay on top of his business if he didn’t want it to fail. That left very little time for a social life. He had to give Jared credit though. The man had never wavered in their years of friendship. Even when they didn’t talk for months, whenever they connected again it was as if time had stood still. Brian’s busy schedule also kept his mind off his singleness. Not that he was the one who worried about it. Sighing deeply, Brian thought about the numerous blind dates, hookups, and so-called chance meetings his friends and family had provided in the three years since he and Shonna had broken off their engagement. Everyone except Jared and Morgan, Brian thought smiling again.
He appreciated them more for that than anything else in their friendship. They could all go out and have a great time and there was never any pressure for him to hook up with some friend or other. Brian was in no hurry to connect with any woman anytime soon. Shonna had taken his heart for the ride of its life and he wasn’t trying to relive that drama. He’d met Shonna when he bought his first fleet of ships. She worked for one of his mentors at the time as his personal assistant. She was alluring and charming, yet smart and on top of her game. She understood the business and was a tremendous help to Brian in his first years. They dated and he fell hard, making up his mind he wanted her for his wife. She seemed to return the love, always doing sweet things for him, planning trips for them, cooking romantic dinners and the like. Brian proposed to her on the third anniversary of his business established date, even considering christening and naming a vessel after her. She accepted and he was on top of the world. Shonna began to plan the elaborate showplace wedding with him paying for everything and balking at the price of nothing. Whatever she wanted, he provided.
Brian exhaled deeply recalling the rehearsal dinner. Everyone was in attendance at the huge cathedral where the ceremony would take place. They went through a dry run of the next day’s festivities at least twice to ensure everyone knew their role and that it went smoothly. Brian recalled how happy he was as he looked at Shonna coming down the isle, even during the rehearsal, she was so beautiful and he was so proud to have her as his wife. After everything was double and triple checked, everyone began to leave. Brian socialized with the wedding party for a while afterward, waiting for Shonna to come and them to leave for the dinner. Soon he was alone in the cathedral’s vestibule. Worried, Brian headed for the auxiliary rooms where everyone had been meeting and mapping out dressing directives for tomorrow. He approached the room where Shonna would be and heard sounds. Stopping his motion, as his hand hovered about the door knob, Brian continued to stand and listen. He heard the soft moans and knew it was Shonna. He’d heard the sounds enough when they made love to know they were sexual. What he heard next crushed his heart. “Don’t marry his ass, you love me and you know you do,” Kevin said aloud. Brian recognized the voice. Kevin Arliss was the spoiled brat son of his mentor and Brian hated him. “Kevin, just fuck me and stop complaining,” Shonna threw back as the conversation ceased.
Gathering himself, not wanting his anger to overtake him completely, Brian opened the door and regarded the two occupants as they looked up to see what the interruption was. “Brian, baby, wait I can explain,” Shonna tried, hurriedly pulling her dress down as Kevin calmly, pulled his pants up and regarded him with a condescending smirk. “You don’t have to explain, Shonna,” Brian returned calmly, looking her right in the eye. “She’s all yours partner,” he told Kevin turning to walk out. “Wait Brian, it’s like that, shit,” Shonna threw out angrily. “You’re not gonna fight for me, not gonna even be mad,” she spat embarrassed and bewildered by his reaction. “Fight for what Shonna,” Brian regarded her becoming angry again. “You’re doing what you want, you’re fucking who you want, he didn’t take the pussy, you gave it to him,” he yelled at her as Kevin smiled slightly. “But baby, I got caught up, I’m sorry, I love you,” Shonna tried, producing the tears hoping to change his mind. “You can kill those crocodile tears Shonna,” Brian told her, taking another deep breath and calming himself. “You better get busy letting everyone know the wedding is off,” he added as a final thought before walking out and closing the door behind him, ignoring her wails and pleas as she screamed after him to come back and talk things out. Sighing deeply and coming back to now, Brian pushed the dark thoughts away and concentrated on tonight. While he hadn’t given up on love, he wasn’t on a quest to find it either. Turning his thoughts back to later tonight he thought about his love of basketball and how the Magic always gave them a great game. He would enjoy himself and kick back, have a few drinks, worry about nothing, and enjoy all that his fortune afforded him.
The Magic Plan
“Remember we can’t act anxious or anything when we introduce them tonight,” Jared told his wife as Morgan chuckled.
“I know, I know,” she giggled.
They were relaxing a moment before showering and changing headed to the arena.
“You want a drink,” Jared asked rising to make himself a short one.
“Nah, I’ll wait till we get the game and have one in the suite,” Morgan replied.
Having a few moments alone she reflected on their plans. Morgan knew Trinity would kill her if she found out she and Jared were setting her up, but she wanted her friend to have someone. She knew Trinity was a phenomenal woman who would make the right man a perfect wife and companion. Michael wouldn’t want her alone forever, Morgan continued to muse. She knew her friend far better than Trinity thought she did. She could see the sadness in her eyes as she watched other couples together enjoying time at the park, or browsing the mall shops together. She saw the loneliness that Trinity would never admit when they watched those lifetime movies about love and relationships. Morgan loved her bestfriend with her whole heart and all she wanted was to see her happy. Brian would be so perfect for her, she thought again of Jared’s best friend.
Morgan knew Brian had trauma of his own when it came to love, but unlike Trinity, he hadn’t closed and locked the door on it forever. He’s just slower than a snail about looking for it again, Morgan thought and chuckled lightly as Jared came back into the room.
“Inside joke,” he teased giving her a look.
Sighing lightly Morgan replayed her earlier thoughts for him.
“Hmph, yeah baby, I agree,” he told her coming over and sitting beside her on the couch. “Let’s just hope when they meet there are some sparks,” he went on. “Then we can let nature take its course,” Jared added, kissing Morgan’s neck softly. “And speaking of nature,” he murmured, putting her hand on his erection.
“So nasty,” Morgan chuckled as he kissed her deeply pushing her back onto the couch.
“We don’t have time,” she murmured as Jared got her top and bra off, licking her nipple gently now.
“Oh, we got time,” he told her removing her skirt and panties.
Morgan helped him out of his shirt and undid his pants, removing his own boxers as he lay atop her once more,
kissing her deeply as her softness enveloped him.
“Mmmm,” Morgan moaned as her husband made love to her.
“Baby, you’re so wet,” Jared whispered huskily turned on by her body’s reaction.
Pulling him deeper inside her, Morgan bit his ear softly.
“Shit baby,” Jared returned loving it.
Thrusting into her yet another time Jared surrendered as his body reached crescendo and Morgan cried out simultaneously.
Still breathing hard he whispered in Morgan’s ear. “I think I’m going to like this making you pregnant thing.”
Morgan chuckled and told him to come on and shower or they were going to be late.
*****
Trinity was searching for something to wear. She didn’t go out often anymore so much of her clothing was dated. She of course had plenty of stuff to wear to conferences, signings and such, but casual clothing was very sparse in her closet. Searching harder she came across the four pairs of jeans that Morgan made her buy the last time they went shopping, about 3 months ago.
“OK cool,” she mumbled pulling down the pair she liked most.
“Now I need a top,” Trinity mused before finding the baby and navy blue peasant top she’d bought on a recent signing trip to Houston.
“Perfect,” she mused once again knowing they were the team colors.
That much decided Trinity headed for her shower glancing at the clock on her way. Stepping under the steaming spray, she found herself actually a little excited about getting out of the house tonight. She’d been slightly melancholy all day today for some reason. Because of the guy you saw at the signing, her mind answered as Trinity sighed deeply.
He was just another patron buying a book, but the resemblance was uncanny. She’d actually dropped her pen when she saw him. Quickly gathering herself Trinity had asked the man’s name so she could sign the book. She had to be honest and admit she was half expecting him to say Michael when he answered, but to her relief he told her Shawn and she signed the book, took a picture with him and he went on about his day. Finishing her shower and stepping out, Trinity consciously pushed the thoughts away. She wanted to have a good time tonight. Seeing Morgan and Jared brought another smile to her face as she began to dress. Trinity turned on the radio and actually began to sing along as they played some of her favorite old school rap. They were bumping Big Daddy Kane at the moment and she soon found herself dancing along. Chuckling at her silliness, Trinity put her blouse on, trying to decide if she wanted her hair up or down tonight. She normally kept it up, but tonight she wanted to live a little so she let it down. It was almost mid-back now, since she’d let it grow. Bumping it with her flat iron, she was satisfied moments later with the look and added her hoop earrings, completing the casual look. Checking her reflection once more, Trinity passed her own inspection. Grabbing her purse, she headed out to the Infiniti and over to the arena, still listening to her old school as Whodini took center stage and Trinity once again began to sing along.
*****
Brian was shaving and getting his grooming on for the game tonight. He knew Jared had access to the company suite, and that’s where they would be tonight. Personally Brian preferred being down on the floor, shouting and enjoying the game with the other fans, but knowing Jared and the crew he hung with, the suite would be just as live. Trimming the mustache and goatee to his satisfaction, Brian added the aftershave letting it cool for a while before adding his cologne. Normally clad in 3k suits, he decided to be casual tonight. It was a game after all, not a business meeting. Smiling at the thought he grabbed the designer jeans hanging and put them on. Checking his reflection in the mirror, he smiled slightly. They didn’t sag like some of the ones he’d seen the men wearing, both young and old, but they gave enough relaxed fit not to appear nerdy. Chuckling still he grabbed his Magic jersey, number 12. He loved Dwight Howard, thought he was a tremendous catch for the team.
“Sure hope they make it to the championship again,” Brian mumbled grabbing his sneakers and checking them for cleanliness. Thinking for a moment, he remembered the new pair he’d just bought. They would match the jersey perfectly he continued to muse going inside the massive walk in closet. Brian’s home was a showplace. The majestic estate housed a 10 bedroom, 9.5 bath residence, complete with a separate guest cottage, indoor basketball court, Olympic sized indoor heated swimming pool and of course, game room. Finding what he was looking for Brian headed back to his California King bed and sat down on the ottoman sitting at the beds foot area. As he put on his shoes, Brian thought about how empty the house was. Not in material things, but in human contact. All this house and no one to share it with, he thought as his singleness reminded him of his needs. Sighing deeply and deciding to push it once again away from his consciousness, Brian rose and grabbed his wallet and keys, heading to the garage. Surveying the cars housed in the 7 car structure, he changed his mind about the Bentley and decided to take the Ferrari instead. He wanted a little speed and adventure as he drove, Brian thought chuckling and starting the fire red speedster, peeling out of the garage and heading for the arena, looking forward to a wonderful night.
*****
Morgan saw her when she arrived, running over to greet her, hugging her tightly.
“Girl, I am so glad you came,” she gushed as Trinity chuckled and told her she was glad too.
“You are looking cute as hell too,” Morgan added taking in the outfit as well as the fact that Trinity was wearing her hair down.
“Those are the shoes we bought last month?” Morgan questioned of the 3-inch stilettos that Trinity was rocking.
“Mhmm, I thought they would go good,” she replied as Morgan assured her they did. “Hey Ms. Author, what’s up,” Jared teased walking up as they talked.
“Hey Mr. Jared,” Trinity returned laughing as they embraced each other.
“You lookin’ all fly and such,” he remarked as Trinity again chuckled.
“OK, so I must look like hell every other time you two see me, huh,” she teased as they both laughed.
“Come on, there are some folks you need to meet girl,” Morgan told her taking her hand and pulling her away.
Glancing back without Trinity seeing her, Morgan gave him a look as Brian stepped off the elevator and entered the suite.
*****
“Wassup Brian,” Jared greeted his friend giving him dap.
“Wassup,” Brian returned jovially.
Jared was glad to see him relaxed and in a good mood. Hopefully that would make things a lot smoother when he and Morgan introduced the potential partners.
“You’re wearing the jersey,” Jared teased as Brian told him to stop hating.
“You want a drink,” Jared asked.
Brian told him sure and followed him to the bar. He was in the middle of constructing the black Russian another friend had asked for, when Morgan and Trinity walked up. “Hey Brian,” Morgan greeted him smiling.
“Hey Morgan, you’re lookin’ good girl, despite being married to this one,” he teased as Jared told him he was going to get his drink spiked.
“Keep it up,” he teased as both Morgan and Trinity chuckled.
“I’m sorry, where are my manners,” Morgan caught herself. “Trinity Sorenson, this is Brian Holbrook,” she introduced the two.
“Brian is my best friend, though you can’t really tell that at the moment,” Jared quipped as everyone laughed again.
“It’s a pleasure, Brian,” Trinity told him politely.
“Mine as well,” Brian returned.
“You want a margarita don’t you,” Jared asked Trinity, giving her a look.
“Yes, and don’t try and kill me like you normally do,” she replied smiling.
“One killer margarita, coming right up,” Jared joked as they laughed again and told him they’d be back in a moment to get the drink.
Jared casually glanced at Brian as they walked away, pleased with what he saw.
“Have you finished the next book,” M
organ asked as she and Trinity grabbed wings from the buffet.
“Almost,” Trinity replied. “I have about three more chapters and the Epilogue I think,” she replied absently still picking up the wings.
Morgan was a bit disappointed by both Trinity and Brian’s reaction to each other. While they were cordial, she couldn’t detect any interest or sparks by either one. Damn, she continued to think, knowing the two would be great together. Making up her mind she would push a little harder, they headed back to the bar after dropping of the plates at their table inside the suite.
“The game is about to start, is my drink ready,” Trinity teased as Jared placed the huge margarita in front of her.
“You’re trying to be funny now, right,” she threw back grabbing a smaller glass pouring half the drink in it.
Jared burst into laughter and told her it was for later.
“Whatever,” Trinity bantered back.
Brian grabbed his Brass Monkey, vodka and rum infused drink, and headed to the table with them. Jared and Morgan managed to seat themselves so that Brian and Trinity were sitting next to each other.
The game began and soon everyone’s attention was on the court below as both Trinity and Brian were animatedly enjoying the presentation. Morgan however was regarding the couple, still as platonic as two cousins hanging out. Neither seemed the least bit interested in the other. Defeated, she sighed slightly. Jared heard her and turned, looking into her eyes and seeing the sadness. Smiling slightly he gave her a look and Morgan knew she’d missed something. Smiling, and her faith renewed, she returned her attention to the game. Jared was thinking about the signal he just sent his wife. As cool as his friend was acting, Jared hadn’t missed the once over he gave Trinity after meeting her, or the small smile that played on his lips as he did. Brian was interested, but Jared also knew he was going to be extremely slow and meticulous about the interest. Shonna had burned him good and Brian wasn’t going to jump into any other fire as quickly this time. Trinity is good people, gotta make sure he knows that, Jared thought sipping his beer and dismissing the thought for now. Joining everyone else now on their feet cheering, he smiled and enjoyed the evening.
