After dark, p.3
After Dark, page 3
“Easy money! We’re talking about dollars and cents. You always told me that you wanted a career in chemistry. Have you changed your mind about that also?”
“No!”
“That means a degree and then graduate school.”
“I know that. Do you have any idea what I could make playing pro ball? I’m talking about millions. You would have the money to go back to school full time without having to work. Money that Mama and Daddy could use to build that dream house they’ve always wanted. We could see them more often.”
“If you do this, you are doing it for yourself not us…certainly not me.”
He chose to ignore the last and went on as if she hadn’t interrupted. “The money will take a worry off the folk’s shoulders. Dad can have whatever treatment he needs, no matter how expensive. Do you have any idea how proud this will make me? To be able to help my family? Jenna and I wouldn’t have to wait to marry.”
“Marry?”
“We’ve been talking about it after college. This way we wouldn’t have to wait. We’re together as much as we can manage it now. I want to be able to pay for her schooling so she won’t have to worry about it. I love her, Sis.” He said, closely watching her reaction.
Taylor was somewhat traditional in her views. She knew he spent more time with Jenna than he did at home. Taylor didn’t like it that they were practically living together, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She had purposefully not mentioned it to their parents, not wanting to upset them. He knew that Taylor felt he was rushing things and he was too young to be so serious about any one girl.
Yet, she also loved Jenna. She was a wonderful girl and she had been so good for Scott. But marriage? Now was not the time to further complicate an already complicated situation.
“This decision should be about you, Scott…only you. What does Coach Gardner say about it?”
“Are you kidding? He was all for it.”
“That doesn’t make sense! He should be encouraging all of you to finish college. Good grief! The man is an educator, for heaven’s sake!”
“Come on, Sis. He’ll look damn good if I’m picked up early in the draft. It also draws attention to U. of D.’s athletic department. It’s a win-win situation for the college. Just look at what Donald Williams’s success has done for the college’s reputation.”
Taylor tried to concentrate on her dinner, even though she had lost interest in food. She nearly choked when Scott asked, “What do you think of Donald? I saw you talking to him in the foyer.”
Taylor did not welcome the question. And worse, she didn’t have an answer. She had been unable to think of little else besides Donald Williams.
It had been years since she had been so taken with a man, not since she had been used by someone she cared about. She had made it her business to stay away from men, especially the good-looking, womanizing variety. When she dated now it was no different than when she went out with a girlfriend, nothing more than casual friendships.
“Sis?”
“What?”
“I said…”
“I heard you. Shall we change the subject?” Taylor was on her feet, having discarded her plate. She paced the brightly furnished living room done in shades of rose, from the deepest burgundy to the palest blush.
“That’s too bad, because he asked about you.”
“What? Scott, I don’t want to talk about him. He’s your hero, not mine. I would have been perfectly happy not to have met him at all.”
“Well, he is interested in you. He wanted your phone number.”
“Maybe he was trying to reach you?”
“He wanted to know about you, not me,” Scott was trying not to grin. He found the whole thing amusing.
“He questioned you about my personal life?”
“Yeah!”
“What did he want to know?” She could not stop herself from asking.
“The usual. If you’re single, involved, or dating that kind of stuff.”
“And you told him?” Her voice was filled with accusations.
“Why not? You’re not serious about anyone and haven’t been for a long time. The guys you go out with are friends, nothing more.”
“You should know when to keep your big mouth shut!”
Scott roared with laughter. “Why?”
“It’s none of his business, that’s why!” Taylor snapped.
Scott chuckled. “Liked him, did ya?”
“No!”
“Yeah, sure. What else is new? The sky falling?”
“I said…”
“I don’t care what you said. I saw the way you were looking at the guy. You should be pleased that he’s interested. He’s a great guy.”
“Scott! The man has women falling all over his feet everywhere he goes. I’m not joining that crowd.”
“I don’t think there’s a problem, just because he’s in the NBA does not mean he is a player.”
“Sure.”
“Taylor…”
“Not interested.”
“And if he calls?”
“It’s not likely. My guess is you will talk to him before I do.”
“I have his number if you’re interested.”
“Bury it!”
Scott, almost fell on the floor laughing.
“Forget Donald Williams. We are discussing your future.” She hesitated, her worried gaze directed at her baby brother. “Do me a favor, kid?”
“What?”
“Don’t rush this decision. Talk to the folks. Talk to Jenna. Maybe she might not want to be married to a college dropout? We haven’t even talked about you getting seriously hurt. One serious injury and your career goes down the drain. That has to be considered. This would change your whole life. Maybe not for the better? Think about it.”
“Okay,” he said, collecting the plates and the uneaten food. He started carrying everything into the small kitchen in the rear of the house.
Taylor was right behind him when she said, “Okay? That’s it?”
“I agree with you,” he said, placing dirty dishes in the sink, then turned to face her. “I’ll take my time deciding.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I have to get going. I want to meet Jenna after her night class. I don’t want her walking home.”
Taylor followed him to the front door. “Be careful.”
“I will. But you have some thinking to do also.”
“Me?”
“Why are you so reluctant to give Donald a chance?”
“I just met the man.”
“This has everything to do with Alex.”
“No way!”
“Then why don’t we ever talk about what happened between the two of you?”
“It’s ancient history,” Taylor explained quickly. “There is nothing to discuss.”
“If he’s history then you should be over the man by now. Sis, you’ve been using him as a shield to protect yourself from other men. It’s time to stop. I love you and I want you happy. You’re twenty-eight, not a hundred and twenty-eight.”
“Get going! Isn’t Jenna waiting for you?”
Taylor finished in the kitchen before she prepared for bed. It was still early, but she was exhausted. It had been a long, emotionally draining day. As she slowly sank into a sudsy, hot bath, she vowed to pretend that she had never even met Donald Williams. He was not for her. The man of her dreams was strong, sincere, capable of loving one woman and devoting himself to her alone.
She had waited years to find such a man. In fact, she had given up hope of ever finding him. Nowadays, she concentrated on her personal goals. She read and studied, worked hard in her classes as she prepared for an eventual teaching career in computer science. It would take years, even if she could afford to take classes full-time.
Unfortunately, her days of being a full-time student were behind her. She had to keep her job at least until Scott graduated. Only then could she afford to work flat-out to complete her master’s degree and eventually, a doctorate degree.
She had never considered the sacrifices she had made to help Scott as a hardship. They were family and family meant everything. She wanted Scott to have all the advantages available to him. She didn’t consider having a career in the NBA to be living up to his full potential. His dreams were much higher than shooting hoops for a price. Now, if Donald Williams stayed out of both their lives they would not have a problem.
Chapter Four
Donald had very little free time these days. His schedule had little room for extravagance. Although he owned Williams Enterprises, with his basketball schedule, he really didn’t have as much lime as he needed to devote to the rapidly growing business. He relied on Carl and Jess to handle the day-to-day operations.
The three partners had a variety of business interests, including real estate development, and new housing starts, as well as giving minority businesses support in getting started. Currently, they were working with the mayor’s task force, recruiting Black-owned businesses for Detroit’s empowerment zone.
Charles Randol had contacted Donald in hopes of getting him involved in the expansion of the Malcolm X Community Center throughout the city. Charles had met Donald in Washington while taking part in the Million Man March and he had learned about Donald’s work with teens in Chicago and New York. The two had become friends, realizing they had more than business interests in common but also similar views on the black man’s role in insuring black boys’ survival.
Donald had spent most of the day in meetings; the high point had been meeting Taylor Hendricks. She hadn’t been far from his thoughts, even when he arrived at the Randol home exactly at seven for his scheduled business dinner.
“Welcome,” Charles Randol said at the door with a smile, offering his hand. The African-American business tycoon wasn’t a small man, but he didn’t quite equal Donald in height—but then few men did.
“You’re sure I’m not imposing?” Donald asked as he stepped into the foyer.
“No problem. My wife enjoys entertaining. She’s a jewel.” Charles smiled easily.
“Sounds like you are a lucky man.”
Charles nodded. “I have no complaints. This is Dexter Washington. Dex runs the center.”
Donald accepted the other man’s outstretched hand. “Great to meet you. Charles speaks highly of you.”
“It’s good of you to take time to meet with us,” Dexter said quietly.
“No problem,” Donald assured them. “Sorry it had to be so late in the day.”
“Come on in. I bet you could use a drink.” Charles led the way into the elegantly furnished living room.
“Sounds great.” One thing Donald liked about Charles was that he was not star-struck, there was no hero worship, no cheesing.
Charles’s dark eyes sparkled. His gaze lingered on his lovely wife who was seated on the sofa. Her eyes danced with pleasure as they locked with her husband’s.
“Look who’s here,” he announced, then dropped his gaze to the pretty little girl on his wife’s lap. Madelyn, fourteen months old, giggled, “Da-Da,” holding up her chubby little arms. She was a tiny replica of her very beautiful mother, from her toffee-tone skin to her large dark eyes and thick black curls.
Charles laughed, kissing her plump cheeks and tossing her up into his arms. The baby giggled with delight.
Donald watched the intimate family scene. The deep love that the couple shared was easy to discern. Yes, Charles was a damn lucky man. He had what Donald felt was missing from his own life, a loving woman to fill his arms and soothe his lonely heart.
Realizing his oversight, Charles hastily said, “Oh, sorry. Donald Williams, my wife, Diane Rivers-Randol and our daughter, Madelyn.”
“How do you do, Mr. Williams? Please, have a seat.”
Donald smiled, comfortable with her warm easy manner. “Please, call me Donald. You have a lovely home.”
“Oh, thank you. We’re constantly finding things to work on.”
“What ya drinkin’?” Charles asked.
Donald noted the beer Dexter was holding, and then said, “Water. Season’s on,” he explained.
Once they were all comfortably seated, Charles and Diane side by side on one sofa, the baby in her father’s lap, Diane said, “I’m sorry I’m not much of a sports fan, but we’re honored to have you in our home. Chucky has told me what a busy man you are and I would like to thank you for finding the time to work on this project with him. It means a lot to us.”
Donald smiled. “Unfortunately, it is necessary work. I apologize that I have to intrude on your family time in order to meet with Charles.”
“I assure you, it is not a problem.”
Donald was conscious of the tenderness and genuine love and warmth these two shared and probably took for granted, just as he was when he was around his sister and her husband or his brother and his wife.
It built in him…a longing that was always there, no matter how full his own life seemed. The problem was, he didn’t have a special lady in his life and in his heart. Because of it, the road ahead seemed longer and lonelier with each new day.
The evening proved to be pleasant and Donald found he was able to relax as they discussed the year-round sport camps that he had developed and that were working so well in Chicago and New York, as well as the community center here in the Detroit area.
It was while he was on his way to the airport that he realized his thoughts had never strayed far from Taylor Hendricks. She had captured his attention in a big way without any effort on her part. She clearly had no idea what she had done to his equilibrium - shot it to hell. He had been completely thrown off balance when she flounced out of the restaurant, refusing even to listen to him. He had no choice but to seek out her brother.
He noticed everything about her, from the way she dressed—fashionably chic—to her thick black curls. There are some things a woman can’t hide. Taylor’s figure was lush and provocative, while her features were downright alluring. The woman’s pouty sweet mouth looked as if she were begging for a man’s tongue. What was that old saying? Something about sopping up like a biscuit? Oh, yeah, he grinned roguishly. It fit. He felt as if he could swallow her whole.
What was it about that woman that he found so incredibly appealing? It was more than her looks. Her smile had caused his breath to quicken and his heart to race. She was so feminine, from the way she smelled, to the way she moved her head, down to the sound of her voice. He found the entire package fascinating.
Curiously, her resentment toward him was not a turn-off. In fact, it was a clear challenge. She had formed that opinion based on a single brief meeting. How difficult would it be to get her to change her mind? He was almost certain that she had been as aware of him as he had been of her. He would be stupid not to try to capitalize on that awareness. He wasn’t prepared to walk away. His instincts told him Taylor’s warmth and sweetness were worth any sacrifice.
He didn’t often meet opposition from women. In fact, he couldn’t honestly remember the last time his advances had been rebuffed. Donald almost laughed aloud. His cockiness was showing. He considered pride as part of manhood. If he didn’t believe in himself, who would believe in him? No one.
The absolutely crazy part of it was that he had wanted Taylor to notice him, to like him, had wanted her to give him a chance. For the first time in memory, his professional basketball status hadn’t helped, instead, it had hurt his cause. Taylor hadn’t fawned over him when they had been introduced. Her smile had held a natural curiosity, nothing more—until she realized he had encouraged her brother to quit college in favor of pro ball. After that, it was downhill all the way.
Donald jogged to the hangar where his private plane was waiting for him. He would be the first to admit that he was somewhat set in his ways. He preferred a late night flight rather than staying over. He spent his nights, whenever possible, in his own specially designed bed, made to accommodate his super-sized frame. Lately, he found the traveling tiresome; waking in a different city, surrounded by unfamiliar furnishings, had lost all its appeal.
As the plane started to climb, he stared absently out the window. His laptop was beside his oversized leather armchair, his briefcase was open on the seat of the matching leather chair next to him. As he looked down on the twinkling lights of the city far below, he realized that leaving Detroit meant leaving Taylor. He didn’t have to close his eyes to recall her scent...it was a light, airy scent, almost like jasmine. He remembered leaning toward her in hopes of drowning his senses. Damn! He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He’d been semi-aroused since meeting her earlier that day.
It had been quite a while since a new woman had captured his interest. He’d been turned off women, turned off by the greed he saw in their eyes once they recognized him. They saw dollar signs, not the man. As with most pro ballplayers, women were constantly making themselves readily available to him. After ten years on the basketball court, it was, frankly, a bore.
Hell, he’d given up on meeting a normal, down to earth woman who would not fall instantly in love with his bank balance - that was, until today. Taylor’s heated reaction to him had given him something that he’d thought he’d lost hope. He was hopeful that she might eventually be interested in him as simply a man - no different than any other. He grinned. He could not help but respect her views and applaud her courage in standing up for them. A woman of conviction.
Carl would have a good laugh at his expense, that was, if he were dumb enough to tell his brother about the situation he had gotten himself into. Imagine, Donald shook his head in dismay, he was wildly attracted to the one woman in America who could not stand the sight of him.
It had been going on for years, yet he still was amazed at the things women had done to obtain his interest. More often than not, it was downright disgusting. There were no limits. He’d been stalked, he’d been propositioned. A few women had tried to trap him in false paternity suits. Simple blood tests had cleared his name every single time, but the publicity had been nasty.
Thank the Lord, he had the good sense to listen to his father and his older brother. Without fail, he had used a condom, even before the advent of AIDS. It had saved his neck on more than one occasion. Eventually, he had gotten so fed up with casual relationships that never touched his emotions, or spirit, that he’d finally opted for celibacy. It was a fact he shared with no one, not even Carl. And the two them, along with his brother-in-law had few secrets. Yet, he was too private to share with anyone.
