Games of the Heart Page 16

  “Khari wants to check out UCLA and some other schools in the area.” He drummed his fingers on her thigh. “Maybe you can drive up and spend the weekend with us.”

  “Sounds good.” She looked up at him. “What happened to Harvard?”

  “I still want him to study medicine, but I’m not going to push it anymore. I’m trying to be more supportive. It’s like someone said, I just have to trust that he’ll make the right decisions.” He squeezed her shoulders, drawing a laugh from Sage. “I’m just glad he’s showing interest in going to college again. For the last six months, all he’s talked about is turning pro. I figured to relent a little.”

  “Marshall, you’re an amazing father. Maybe if we had more positive images of black men stepping up to the plate, sisters wouldn’t be so quick to label brothers lazy, good-for-nothing jerks. It’s sad, but you’re the minority, not the majority.”

  “That’s just it. Where I come from, I am the majority. You know what my earliest childhood memories are of? Playing football with my uncles. Dad teaching me how to hit a baseball. My granddad taking me fishing. The brothers I know are all strong, successful men who put their families first.”

  “You and I couldn’t have come from more different worlds. Where I come from, women are mother and father to their children. They don’t sit around waiting for their ex-husbands or baby daddies to get with the program. These women do it all. They take their sons fishing, they play basketball with them, they teach them what it means to be a man. They have the support of their girlfriends, and that’s all they need.”

  “That’s the problem. Sisters have been shouldering the burden for so long, they don’t know how to step aside and let their men take the reins.” He cleared his throat, and after a brief pause spoke about being deployed to Kuwait. “I never imagined the evil I’d encounter in the Middle East. Soldiers were dying all around me, and I had such horrific nightmares, I was afraid to go to sleep. But you know what kept me going?”

  Sage anticipated his response, but shook her head. “No, what?”

  “Khari. I dreamed of teaching him all the things my father taught me. But when I returned home, everything fell apart. It was like meeting Roxanne for the first time. She got so used to me not being around, she didn’t need me anymore. In her eyes, I wasn’t worth shit, and she wasn’t afraid to say it. I missed birthdays, anniversaries and recitals. It didn’t matter that I’d been defending our country, I wasn’t there when she needed me. We argued constantly and a few times things even got physical. Once a neighbor heard us going at it and called the police.”

  “You hit her?” she asked, flabbergasted.

  Marshall looked embarrassed. “I wasn’t the perfect husband, and I screwed up more than I care to admit, but I never hit her.”

  No stranger to drama, she listened without prejudice, wondering why he’d never said anything before. “You still love her, don’t you?”

  “Roxanne was my first love, and we had a lot of great times together, but I’m not in love with her, if that’s what you’re asking.” He leaned forward and kissed Sage hard on the lips. “Trust, respect and loyalty are at the heart of every good relationship, and you can’t recapture what’s been lost, no matter how hard you try.”

  Sage inhaled sharply. What was she supposed to do now? Keep quiet or come clean and risk him blowing up at her? Either way, she was screwed. Listening to Marshall not only made her feel guilty and ashamed, but dirty. Like she’d just finished a set at a seedy, hole-in-the-wall strip club. Just because she didn’t grow up with the Partridge Family didn’t mean she could slip and slide around the truth. Being in a relationship, beckoned by support, love and respect, made her feel like she could do anything, including owning up to her mistakes and telling Marshall the truth. He had made himself vulnerable tonight and she didn’t want any secrets between them. If they were ever going to have something real, she had to be real, starting now.

  Sage didn’t believe in beating around the bush, but she didn’t have the guts to come straight out and tell him. Better she ease into it. “There’s something I have to tell you,” she began, moving out of his arms. “Something you’re not going to like.”

  “Go on, I’m listening.”

  She took a deep breath.

  “I’m a celebrity manager, not a marketing executive for World Mission.”

  His jaw was tighter than barbwire.

  “I basically discover new talent and guide them through all facets of the entertainment business. I do everything from brokering deals, to arranging interviews and attending awards shows.” Fearing she’d lose her nerve, she rushed on. “I was only three credits away from getting my business degree when I lost everything. And I mean everything. I was living in a housing project and some idiot fell asleep with the stove on. I had no insurance, no money, and if it wasn’t for my best friend, I’d still be living on the streets. Tangela pulled some strings for me and I got a job working in the mailroom at Sapphire Entertainment, a talent agency. I worked my ass off for three years and then got promoted to junior agent. The rest is history.”

  The expression on Marshall’s face was serious. “I bet you’re one hell of a manager, because from what I’ve seen, you sure know how to talk a good game.”

  “I didn’t come here to sign Khari. My boss brought me on this trip.”

  “But when you learned that he could be the next NBA superstar, you wasted no time joining the pursuit.” Marshall sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed.

  “Okay, I admit I got a little caught up in the competition. I wanted to prove to my boss that I have what it takes to be an executive manager.” Sage searched for the right words. She felt her heart race and her voice tremble. “After spending time with you and Khari, I forgot all about the signing bonus. I swear.”

  “Sure you did.” Marshall stood and yanked on his boxer shorts. “I had a feeling you were one of them. I should have trusted my instincts.”

  “You did? How?”

  “I put two and two together when you showed up at the track.”

  “But I wasn’t there to spy on you. I—”

  “Let me finish. I was born at night, not last night,” he snapped, turning to face her. Sunlight splashed across his chiseled chest. Sage forced herself to concentrate. His body was perfect in every way. Physically strong and healthy, there was a light dusting of hair on his chest that trailed down to his stomach. His arms were firm and muscular, and just a few minutes ago they’d been wrapped around her in a lover’s embrace. Now he looked like he wanted to throttle her.

  “I like to think I’m a good brother, but I don’t look like those actors and models you’re always drooling over. I’m a regular guy, with a regular job.”

  “Regular?” Frowning, she shook her head. “Marshall, there’s nothing regular about you. You’re a man of integrity who puts his family first, and I feel honored to know you and—”

  “Is that a line from the employee handbook?” he asked, interrupting. “You deserve an Oscar for your performance, Sage. It’s truly remarkable. I just have one other question. Do you get a bonus for bedding your clients?”

  Sage lost her composure. “I hope you’re not implying that I used you, Marshall. Or slept with you to gain an advantage over the competition.”

  “I don’t have to be a brain surgeon to know something’s up. When you showed up at the track, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “But it is.” His eyes were empty and his tone was flat. “We had a good time. Let’s keep it at that. You were paid to do a job. You did what you had to do, right?”

  The jab was like a needle to her spine.

  “I’m just disappointed that it took you this long to tell me. I thought we were onto something.” Releasing a slow, ragged breath, he rubbed a hand over his head and down his neck. After a lengthy pause, he said, “I’d appreciate if you didn’t say anything about this to Khari. He really likes you and he’d be hurt if he kne
w the truth.”

  “I never meant to hurt either one of you.” Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too.” He took a long, hard look at her, then strode into the bathroom and slammed the door. A second later, the sound of gushing water filled the silence.

  Sage flopped onto the bed, feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Things couldn’t have gone any worse. Her head was swimming and her eyes burned. Tears threatened to come, but she pushed them away. It had been years since she cried.

  Pride pushed Sage to her feet. This wasn’t over. A plot brewing in her mind, she scooped up his clothes, crossed the living room and stuffed them under the mattress. She was going to make him listen to her, even if it meant holding him hostage. Dry-eyed and composed, she slipped on his shirt, careful to leave the first three buttons undone, and smoothed a hand over her hair. Pausing outside the bathroom door, she took a deep breath, hoping against all hope that he would hear her out.

  Butterflies danced in her stomach and her palms were slick with sweat. It was now or never. Gripping the door handle, she ordered herself to remain calm in spite of the awful scenarios running through her mind. Marshall yelling at her, calling her vicious names, walking out on her for a second time. Ready to face her problems head-on, she stepped inside the bathroom and said, “Marshall, we need to talk.”

  Chapter 18

  The whirl of the electric razor interrupted Sage’s heartfelt speech. She considered yanking the cord out of the wall and flinging the device into the jet tub, but she didn’t want to antagonize Marshall. Annoyed that he wouldn’t look at her, she stared at him through the gold-rimmed mirror. When the silence became unbearable, she slowly came up behind him. Peering over his shoulder, she met his gaze, and smiled apologetically. Still nothing. To appeal to his soft side, Sage leaned over and kissed his neck.

  Marshall flinched. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Fine. I won’t touch you, but at least give me a chance to—”

  “I’m not interested in hearing any more of your lies.”

  Staggered by the hostility of his voice, she grappled over what to do next. Determined to make things right, she sucked in her cheeks, and blew out a breath. “Marshall, at least let me explain. I know it looks bad, but once I tell you how this whole thing got started, you’ll see that I’m not a malicious person.”

  He pointed at the open door. “Get out.”

  “I’m not leaving until you hear me out.”

  “Sage, you’re a skilled liar and I don’t want someone like you around my son.”

  “Someone like me?” she repeated, touching a hand to her chest. “I’ve done nothing but help Khari. And contrary to what you think, I’d never do anything intentionally to hurt him.”

  “Right.” His humorless laugh filled the silence. “It’s funny. I always tell the kids at the center to trust their instincts, but this time I didn’t take my own advice. I knew you were trouble from the moment I saw you, but I was too blind to see the truth.”

  Marshall brushed past her, and she reached for his hand. His eyes narrowed in a malevolent glare. “Let go of me.”

  “I screwed up, is that what you want to hear? I never considered the consequences of my deception and I’m sorry.” Sage stood quietly, silently, praying that her words were penetrating his heart. “If I had to do it all over again, I never would’ve played this game. I would have been up-front from day one, instead of building our relationship on lies and half-truths.”

  “Drop the act, Sage. You’re not fooling anybody.” Head slanted, he rubbed the back of his neck, his hard, cold eyes roving over her face. “Is Sage Collins even your real name? I mean, you lied about everything else. So, come on, tell me,” he jeered. “What is it?”

  Her legs were rubber and her entire body was shaking. Sage felt powerless to do anything and feared that if she didn’t make things right, he’d be gone, out of her life forever. Fighting back tears, she pleaded for a second chance. “I know I hurt you, Marshall, but don’t throw away what we have. You’re special to me, and I’ll do anything to regain your trust.”

  Marshall raked his teeth over his lips.

  “I care about you, babe, and—”

  “Well, I don’t care about you.”

  Shrugging off her hand, he turned and stalked back into the living room. His words hurt and she bent over as if she’d been socked in the gut. Sage heard Marshall stomping around the suite and knew what was coming next. “Where the hell are my clothes?”

  Wincing, she hung her head. Gnawing on her bottom lip, Sage reluctantly returned to the scene of the crime. Feeling small and foolish, she trudged over to the bed, retrieved his jeans and handed them to him. Glad he didn’t ask for his shirt, she gazed out the balcony window, wishing there was something she could say to fix this. “Marshall, I am deeply sorry for the pain I’ve caused you and your entire family.”

  Wallet in hand, he crossed the room and yanked open the suite door. “Don’t come to Khari’s party,” he told her. “You’re no longer welcome in my home.”

  Marshall flipped off the living-room lights, raised his hands in the air and led his guests in singing “Happy Birthday” to his now eighteen-year-old son. His mom carried the chocolate cake into the room, drawing cheers and whistles from Khari’s friends. A photo of Khari, taken at North Hill, standing proudly at the top of Black Bear Mountain, had been recreated in the shape of a basketball. It had been Sage’s idea, and though Marshall had balked at the price, it looked great. But as his eyes settled on the Las Vegas beauty, he still couldn’t believe she’d defied his orders and showed up at Khari’s birthday party.

  After cake and ice cream were handed out, his mom said, “Time to open the gifts. Everyone gather around the birthday boy!”

  Within minutes, an iPhone, a bomber jacket and a pair of Nike’s were piled onto the recliner, and when Sage saw Khari pick up her card, her mouth went dry. She stood at the back, alone, feeling like an outsider. Marshall hadn’t so much as looked at her when she walked in, and he seemed to be going out of his way to avoid her. If not for Khari’s phone call an hour ago, she never would have showed up.

  Eyeing the teen now, she smiled to herself. Khari was going to flip when he saw the concert tickets. Glad she’d had the foresight to slip the Kanye West tickets into a blank birthday card, she watched with bated breath as the teen ripped open the blue envelope.

  “Wow, front row seats!” Waving the tickets high in the air, he met her gaze and winked. “Thanks, Sage. I knew you’d come through!”

  A giggle bubbled in Sage’s throat and she laughed out loud. There was no fooling Khari and as she watched him examining the backstage passes, she felt a deep ache in her chest. How could Marshall think that she’d ever hurt his son? Wasn’t it obvious that she adored Khari? Her heart and mind were in turmoil, and suddenly being in the room with the Grant family was too much for her to bear.

  Behind her, someone cleared their throat. Knowing instinctively that it was Marshall, she turned around and faced the man she loved. “We need to talk. Follow me.”

  “I want to see Khari open the rest of his—”

  Marshall interrupted. “I don’t care what you want. You’re not even supposed to be here, remember? Now come on.”

  Irritated by his tone, but not wanting to make a scene, she followed him grudgingly out into the hall. Inside the kitchen, Sage let him have it. “What’s your problem? Why are you trying to embarrass me?”

  “I thought I made myself clear when I left the hotel suite this morning. This is a family function and you’re not welcome.”

  “Khari asked me to come and I didn’t have the heart to disappoint him.”

  “So, you can manipulate him for months, but you can’t tell him no?”

  Offended, she reeled back as if she’d been struck.

  “Sage, do me a favor and just leave. No one wants you here.”

  “Hear me out,” she pleaded, her voice a soft whisper. She wanted to to
uch him, wanted to apologize with her hands and lips and mouth, but wisely kept her distance. Any closer and she might lose her dignity. “All I want is an opportunity to make things right. What can I do to show you that I’m truly sorry?”

  “Nothing, Sage. There’s nothing you can do.” His words cut her deep and underlined his bitter animosity. “Now, grab your things and get out.”

  Incensed that he could be so cruel, she said, “I thought by coming here today you’d see how much I care about you, but all you want to do is hurt me.”

  Marshall lowered his head. Her words gave him pause. Was he taking this too far? Hadn’t he punished her enough? But as he thought back over the last six weeks he felt the veins in his neck tighten. Used to working with entertainers, she’d perfected that sad, woeful look and as he stared at her now, he wondered how he could have allowed himself to be conned by her. “Have you ever worked for World Mission or was that all part of the ruse?”

  Swallowing hard, she channeled her gaze.

  Shaking his head in disbelief, he slowly clapped his hands together. “I have to commend you on a job well done, Sage. You certainly had me fooled.”

  “I’m sorry I came here. I’ll leave.” Unstable on her legs, she straightened her shoulders and walked out of the kitchen with her head held high. Intent on making a clean getaway, Sage snatched her purse up off the living-room floor without slowing.

  “Sage, where are you going?” Khari’s voice carried over the chatter. “You can’t leave now. You’re going to miss my big announcement!”

  Her feet slowed. Turning, she forced a wide, lopsided smile. “All right, now. Don’t keep us in suspense, Khari. What is it?”

  Guests chuckled.

  A pause, then, “I’m going to forego this year’s draft and go to college!”