Page 13 of Their End Game

“Santia!”

“Would you look at that? I do have my book after all, but you don’t need mine since Ja’vari already giving you his. I’ll catch y’all later.” She tossed up two fingers and strutted away in proudness.

Ding, ding, ding.

Hearing the dings indicating I had a message pulled me from the short memory that had been a favorite one of mine. Santia was pushy, but not in a way that it was bossy. Every time she pushed me, it was for my benefit, and I’d come out on top. Grabbing my phone, looking to the screen, I realized it was Santia that had texted. Since my preview was on from my lock screen, I read her message from there.

Santia ????????:Friend, sorry for leaving you but I know the feelings you “buried” for Ja’vari are there, and I don’t want you messing up for a second time. He’s ya endgame, play the game smart and get your man. Love ya, bye.

Her message caused me to smile and pissed me off at the same time. Even if I did admit my feelings, Ja’vari was now involved with someone else, even if he didn’t see it as serious. I was never one for the drama in any situation, but I surely wasn’t going to fight over a man I’d let go of or even one that was mine. If he wanted to go, or didn’t want me, I’d accept that as my fate.

“Radiance?”

Ja’vari’s voice caused me to look away from my phone. Meeting his gaze, he wore the perfect smile. I returned the smile. “Yes?”

“You gotta run outta here, too, or you mind if I grab something to eat and come back and kick it with you for a min?”

I wanted to instantly say yes; however, considering how things had played out at dinner the other night, I was relucent to agree. “Your girlfriend joining us?” I looked around, positive she wasn’t too far behind. Ja’vari chuckled. “What’s funny? I had my daughter the other night, so I kept it together. Today, though, she show out, I can’t promise it will be the same.”

The chuckle I heard halted almost instantly, and a serious expression was now plastered on his face. “First thing,” he held up his index finger, and I already knew from the tone of his voice that he meant whatever he was about to say, “Ja’Lani is our daughter. That was your last time referring to her as just yours.”

Well, shit.“Okay.” I felt so much like a child being scolded that my grown ass didn’t even have a comeback.

“Two,” his second finger went up, “Vanessa is not my girlfriend. We kicking it ’cause we grown, and we work together, but let’s not confuse the two with her being my girlfriend.” His pitch never adjusted.

“Okay.”

“So, can I get my food and come back and chill with you for a minute?” His smile was back.

“Sure.” I tried my best not to seem excited, but seeing his smile widen, I knew he wasn’t convinced.

Ja’vari winked. “I’ll be right back.” He casually strolled off, and before disappearing into the poolside restaurant, he looked at me. I quickly averted my eyes as if he hadn’t already caught me.

“Whew, shit,” I mumbled. I had it together at first, but now knowing he was single, all bets were off, and I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to pretend my feelings for him were gone.

“What the hell?”I muttered under my breath, hearing the faint knock on my hotel door. I was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine and bag of popcorn. My feet were tucked under my butt while watchingManifest. At the pool earlier, Ja’vari and I chatted for hours, catching up, laughing, and joking until it was time for his meeting with his job. I’d learned that he was in Vegas for training. Ja’vari had been offered an executive position for their headquarters in California, so he’d be moving back to the states and running the show. Once he and I parted ways, I went and had lunch with my parents and Ja’Lani. Since Santia had gone out with Carlo for the night, I ended up back in my room, enjoying the company of myself, since my parents also insisted on Ja’Lani spending the night. I was forever grateful for my parents and the relationship they had with my child, but they surely hogged her.

Hearing the light knock again, I looked to see the time, along with seeing if I’d missed a text or call from my parents or Santia saying they were coming. Seeing no notifications, my mind went to Ja’vari stopping by unannounced. I was slightly hoping it was him, simply because being in his presence was bringing me comfort.

Standing, I ambled my way to the door, my soft, pedicured feet sinking effortlessly into the thick, fluffy carpet. Lifting on my toes at the door, I looked through the peephole, my brows dipping in confusion. “Can I help you?” I asked with a bit of an attitude, opening the door with the chain still on it. Vanessawas at my hotel room door. How she had even gotten my room number was amongst many other questions I had.

Vanessa smiled. “You mind if I come in?”

Hell no. Have you lost your damn mind?were my thoughts and were about to be my words, but Vanessa spoke before I could.

“I just really want to apologize about the other night.”

Pondering, I surveyed Vanessa’s eyes as I was typically good at reading people. Her smile and the expression on her face seemed genuine. Without saying hold on, I pressed the door shut before removing the chain and reopening the door. “Come in,” I said the words and gestured as I stepped back.

“Thank you,” Vanessa said politely as I closed the door before turning to face her.

We stood in the suite, awkwardly staring at each other. I was waiting for said apology, and Vanessa was looking like she wanted me to offer her a drink or something. A little over the staring and wanting to get back to my show, I cleared my throat and shifted my weight from one leg to the other.

“Oh, sorry.” She nervously laughed. “First off, I want to sincerely apologize for how I reacted the other night. It’s no excuse, but I was three cocktails in, and Ja’vari and I had already had a disagreement, so I was a little overwhelmed. When I saw you three together, all I saw was red. It wasn’t right, so I am sorry.”

Vanessa was well spoken, nothing like the other night, and she seemed remorseful. “It’s fine,” I dismissed. I appreciated her apology, but we weren’t friends, so there wasn’t much for me to say.

“It’s not, but I can understand your need not to talk about it.” She offered a smile. “I’ve known Ja’vari for some time now, and though we aren’t technically in a relationship, we don’t messwith other people, and you being his baby mother, I want us to get along.”

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