“Is Garrett okay? He doesn’t even really know me.”
“Isn’t that something? I thought the same thing. Why is this man fighting for this woman he can’t seem to keep his eyes off of?” She smiled knowingly. “Anyway, neither one of them got so much as a scratch. Maybe swollen hands. Since you’ve been sneaking glances, I’m sure you’ve noticed Garrett looks as if he can handle a little rough and tumble. He probably needed to beat the crap out of someone with all the drama he’s got going on with his life.”
Imani felt awful. “I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand. I tackled Shawna a few times, but it was within the confines of the game. It wasn’t too out of the way.”
“Doesn’t matter. She just better be glad I’m pregnant. Otherwise, there would be some consequences and repercussions.”
Right or wrong, Aaliyah and Maddon always had her back. She knew if Aaliyah had been at the game, she would have tried to waddle herself onto the field and get involved too. The mere thought of it made Imani laugh a little.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. This entire situation was ridiculous. I’m a grown up, so you would think this kind of thing wouldn’t be happening.” Imani decided to keep her real thoughts to herself.
Aaliyah placed her palm over Imani’s forehead to check for a fever. “You don’t feel warm. Mama had Dr. George from across the street come over to check on you. He said you’d probably wake up with a slight temperature and a headache because you got hit upside your head pretty hard.” Aaliyah giggled. “I know you wanted to impress Garrett but couldn’t you have found a different way than getting yourself knocked clean out? Maybe wear a dress, put on some makeup, and stop acting like one of the guys. Sometimes the simple things work. Girl it up a bit. Those sweats you’re wearing are not cute, and I warned you that he was HOT!”
Imani’s voice croaked. “I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I just wanted to have some fun and forget about my own problems. I’m here to get myself together not to find a man. Even if I were, Garrett has some reality tv-show like issues. I don’t need to complicate my life any further.”
Aaliyah smiled devilishly. “True, but he is really handsome. If I weren’t pregnant . . .”
Imani tried to roll her eyes but instantly regretted it. The pain was too much. “You’re a freak. Now I know why you and Drew made that baby so fast.”
Aaliyah winked. “You know it. That reminds me, I need to call him sometime today.”
Imani exhaled slowly. “Am I going to get to meet him?”
Aaliyah shrugged. “I don’t know. Depends on when you leave.”
“Good. I hope so.” Imani let out a little sigh. “I’m glad Maddon and Garrett are okay.”
Aaliyah got up from her chair. “They’re fine. You’re rolling your eyes which mean you’re back to your old sanctimonious self. I better go get Ma. She told me to come find her as soon as you woke up.”
“Whatever.” Imani closed her eyes and smiled weakly. “Thank you, Liyah.”
She walked over towards the door shaking her head, placed her hand on the doorknob, and started laughing. “Isn’t it interesting how you managed to finagle your way back into this room? How you always seem to get your way is beyond me. You should teach a class.” Aaliyah opened the door and walked out.
*****
Garrett sat downstairs in the living room with Mr. Jones and Maddon watching football. Every so often, his eyes would glance up at the staircase expecting to see Imani come down.
There was no way the women he knew would be caught dead on a football field let alone playing it, or even going into a sports arena unless it was the VIP box.
He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something about Imani. That woman got to him. If he were honest, the entire Jones family had. Garrett felt free to let down his guard. He’d taken to them like a fish to water.
They were truly the salt of the earth kind of people. He’d known Maddon for less than forty-eight hours but felt closer to him than people who’d been in his inner circle for years.
Maddon got up to go into the kitchen. “Hey, anybody else wants a beer?”
Garrett waved him off. “I think I’ve had enough over the last couple of days.”
Maddon smirked. “After today at the Dusky . . . I’d say you deserve a cold one. But, I hear you.”
Mr. Jones sat in his brown leather recliner with the remote in his hand. “I’m a man of the Movement. I believe in non-violence unless it comes to my daughters. Then, you need to whoop ass if someone gets out of line. With that said, thank you, Garrett. Today you’ve been indoctrinated into the Jones family.” He turned to his son. “I’m good over here. I’ve got a water bottle, Maddon.”
It didn’t matter if he were joking or not. Something about Mr. Jones’ words was heartwarming. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”
Garrett snuck another peek up the stairs hoping for a glimpse of Imani. The likelihood that she would come down after the hit she took was slim. They hadn’t spoken much outside of that one conversation, but he wanted to. It was strange that it was possible to be attracted to her given his current circumstances.
It was best that he kept
