Page 63 of Caught off Guard

“Did you know that Sophie was a secondary education student at Liberation?”

Of course, I didn’t have any idea, but I wasn’t going to condemn myself again for doing something I’d already apologized to Sophie for. What happened at the club was separate from my time with Zora. Zora continued speaking before I could answer no.

“She’s also going to be a recipient of your new scholarship.” She paused longer this time as if waiting for me to finish Sophie’s resumé, but I wasn’t touching that with a ten-foot pole. “And you slept with her two days before you and I humped in your bed. What do you have to say about that? Am I another conquest to you?”

“No, Zora.” I kept my answer short because I didn’t feel like arguing with a brick wall.

I didn’t have enough time to explain what happened, and for my sanity, I wasn’t going to go there with her right now.

“I promise we will work this out. Baby, I hate to do this to you, but I can’t go into great detail about this now. Please say you’ll hear me out later. My flight to Phoenix won’t wait. I promise I’ll explain everything when I return.”

She turned her head toward the window as her countenance fell. Because her soul was now partially tethered to me, I felt her angst and disappointment. I was on the clock, though, and I couldn’t jeopardize my career for this misunderstanding. Zora wiped a quick tear from her eyes.

“I get it. Have a good trip.”

Before I could say goodbye, she exited the SUV and shut the door in my face. Wayne rose from the bench and watched her walk into her house. When she closed the door, he searched my face. In his eyes, I saw a ‘go and get your woman’ look, but I ignored it. If Zora wanted to be petty, I’d let her. She was angry and needed time and space to process my interaction with Sophie. Whatever this was would have to wait until after tonight’s game. When Wayne entered the driver’s seat, he met my eyes in the rearview mirror and sat there.

“What are you going to do?” he asked.

I stared at him and put on my shades.

“Go to the airport. I have a plane to catch.”

WHIRLWIND

I leanedagainst my door and looked outside my window, watching Cairo drive away. I was a damn fool. He wasn’t the man I thought he was. He talked about me being real with him, yet he was the one keeping secrets.

As my head pounded from his dismissive exchange, I moved to my bedroom. I sat on the bed and responded to as many work emails as possible, calling Whitney to plan meetings and events for the rest of the month.

Around 7:30 p.m., I made a cup of tea and sipped it until my nervous stomach settled down. Since I didn’t have an appetite, I shut off my phone, stripped, brushed my teeth, put on my satinhair bonnet, and snuggled under the cool sheets of my bed. My head hurt the way it always did when I needed rest, so I took a couple of over-the-counter pain relievers and settled in for the night.

I tried to calm my mind, but all I thought about was Cairo and how much I missed him. And how I still wanted to be with him. I was so sure he was the one, but what happened? Tears left my eyes until I fell asleep. I slept hard because it was after 1 a.m. when I woke up. I picked up my phone and noticed that Lena had left five voicemails and multiple text messages.

Lena:

Are you in Phoenix with Cairo at the hospital?

I read the text several times, wondering if I might be dreaming. When the reality of her words set in, I called her immediately.

“What are you talking about?” I shouted.

“What do you mean?” She shouted back.

“Stop it. I’ve been sleeping. In my bed. What the hell are you talking about with a hospital and Cairo?”

“Heffa, check your phone and the news. Cairo got injured in the game. Reports say he’s in surgery at University Medical Center in Phoenix. It’s his knee, girl. They’re saying his career might be over.”

I fell across the bed, feeling as if every bone in my body turned to liquid. Was Cairo okay?

“Are you there? I asked if you’re going to see him.”

“I…don’t know.”

“Y’all are in a relationship. Why wouldn’t you?”

After today, were we still together? Yes. I needed to see if Cairo was alright. I would search for flights leaving early in the morning and fly out then.

“You’re right.”

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