A Lova' Like No Otha' (24 page)

I spent the evening bustling from one place to another, making sure everything was happening the way it was supposed to. As I hustled between the kitchen and the buffet table, Shay stopped me.

“Hey, girl. You look great. That dress is beautiful.”

I glanced at my cream knit gown and smiled. “Thanks, girl.” We hugged. “You look stunning too, girlfriend,” I said, admiring her red-and-black satin gown.

“I've been looking all over for you,” she said, lowering her voice.

“Why? What's up?”

“Aren't you excited about the charges being dropped against Chase?”

“Are you serious?” I asked, grabbing Shay's shoulders. I couldn't believe I hadn't heard, even though I had spent most of the day at this hotel getting ready for tonight. “What happened?”

She frowned. “You didn't know?”

I shook my head and repeated, “What happened?”

“Well, Byron just told me the charges were dropped after some of the Storm cheerleaders said Waverly told them the real story.” Shay lowered her voice even more. “Apparently she wanted to sleep with Chase so she could get pregnant and he'd marry her. When he wouldn't get with her, she made this claim. She never wanted it to go so far as a public rape charge, but things got out of hand.”

“Out of hand?” I exclaimed. “That's an understatement. Are they pressing charges against her for making false accusations?”

Shay nodded. “I think so. I know she's not a cheerleader anymore.”

“Good.” I didn't want to wish bad things on anyone, but this girl had almost ruined Chase's reputation and life with her craziness.

“I can't believe you didn't know this. I thought Chase would have filled you in.”

I shook my head. “We had kind of an…argument, a blow up.…I don't know what you would call it.”

“Really?” Shay's eyes widened.

“The other day.” I thought back to the way Chase had looked at me when Devyn said all those things. “It's over between us, Shay. I'm sure I've lost him for good this time.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Fawn waving to get my attention. “Can you excuse me for a minute?”

“Yeah, no problem,” Shay said. “I gotta go check on my man anyway.” She hugged me. “Don't worry about Chase, girl. He's gonna be okay. And I have a feeling the two of you will be all right too.”

I shrugged. I wasn't going to argue with her and tell her there was slim chance of that.

I rushed over to Fawn. She hugged me tight. “I told Frankie everything, Zoe, just like you said. I prayed a lot, and then I was completely honest with him.”

“How'd he react?”

She looked at me with dancing eyes. “He was totally understanding. He said he's ready to be a daddy, and he's happy and excited.”

“Oh, Fawn, that's fantastic!” I hugged her again. “God is so awesome.”

She dabbed at the corner of her eye, trying not to ruin her makeup. “I can't thank you enough for encouraging me to be up front and truthful. My life's at a much better place now. You're a great friend, Zoe Clarke.”

“Hey, I didn't do anything.”

She lowered her eyes. “You did a lot. After the way I talked to you about Chase, I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd never spoken to me again. But you didn't turn your back on me. You took the time to get involved with what was happening to me.”

“Fawn.” I tilted my head to get her to look back up at me. “You were right all along…about me and Chase. I didn't see it at the time. But if I had taken your advice, maybe I wouldn't have lost Chase totally. Maybe none of the terrible things that have happened to both of us would have occurred. You confronted me in love, and that's what the Bible tells us to do. So, I understand what you said to me.”

She smiled and nodded as if she were grateful for my words. “The Word also says we're to bear one another's burdens and lift up fellow believers. Like you did.”

“I'm just glad I could be there for you,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Hey, you know what?”

“What?”

“Y'all are gonna have a baby!”

She smiled. “You're right. I'm going to be a mommy.”

“You're having a baby?” Shay asked Fawn, coming up behind me.

“Yes, Shay. I am.” Fawn looked radiant, glowing like a new mother already.

“That is so wonderful! Congratulations.” Shay embraced Fawn carefully, like she was a fragile china doll.

“Well,” Shay said. “I'm going to head over to the chapel now.”

“I still can't believe you're getting married at midnight tonight,” Fawn said.

“Well, my parents got married at midnight on Christmas Eve, and so did my grandparents. And they're all still married.”

“It's not easy to make a marriage last these days,” Fawn said. “Especially when you're married to a professional football player.”

“Have you heard about Dre Simmons and his wife?” Shay whispered.

“What about them?” I asked.

“I heard she caught him cheating with a fan,” Fawn said.

“Yeah,” Shay confirmed. “Byron told me it's hard to resist all those gorgeous girls just waiting outside the stadium after every game, giving out their numbers…and other things.”

“It's even more difficult when the team goes to away games,” Fawn added. “You're out there in a strange city, lonely, without the one you love. Somebody comes up to you, looking all fine, offering you a good time. A woman hands you a piece of paper with her phone number on it. You go back to your empty hotel room, and there's that number, just sitting there calling to you.”

“Hey,” I argued, “it's not like they have to take it in the first place.”

“That's true,” Fawn agreed.

“Well, I really don't want to talk about this right now. That ain't gonna happen to Byron and me. I know he's gonna be faithful,” she said seriously, and then added with a mischievous grin, “If he ever cheats on me, I'll mess him up so bad he'll wish he'd been tackled by a four-hundred-pound linebacker!”

We laughed. I could just imagine sweet little Shay beating up her man!

“Hey, y'all,” Shay said. “Make sure you get to the chapel on time.”

“Don't worry,” I said. “This should be over about ten, and the chapel's right up the street.”

“You'd better be there,” Shay said. “I ain't walkin' down that aisle without you two!”

“And don't worry about Byron either,” Fawn said. “I'll be sure he gets there too.” She looked around. “By the way, have you seen him?”

“My husband-to-be is playing with some of the kids, God bless him.”

I looked at Shay, who was watching her man with a sold-out look in her eyes. I felt a twinge of jealousy, but it passed quickly. My wedding day had been ruined, but it never should have happened in the first place. And I knew my time would come, when God knew it was right.

“Girl,” I said to Shay. “You've been waiting a long time to be with that brother. You gonna be able to handle him?”

“Oh, yeah,” she sighed. “You know it.” She wandered toward Byron and the kids. I watched her, longing for the day when I'd have the kind of relationship she had with Byron.

“Are you all right?” Fawn asked softly.

I hadn't meant to feel sorry for myself, but I guess the sadness showed on my face.

“Don't worry, girl. Your time is coming,” she assured me.

“I know,” I said. “But, Fawn, I'm not pure like Shay. My dress is gonna have to be cream instead of white.”

Fawn put her arm around me. “That won't matter because of where your heart is now. That's all God asks us to do—that when we know better, we do better. And when God puts you with the man that He's chosen for you, you'll be able to wear a dress as pure and as white as new snow.”

I couldn't speak as tears came to my eyes.

“Excuse me, Ms. Clarke.” I turned to one of the waiters holding an empty tray.

Immediately switching to my business side, I swallowed my sorrow. “Is there a problem?”

He looked around to make sure he wouldn't be overheard. “We seem to be out of pumpkin pie.”

“That's impossible,” I said. “Excuse me, Fawn. I've got to take care of something. I'll catch up with you later, okay?”

“No problem,” Fawn said.

I led the waiter to the manager, and the matter got cleared up immediately. The hotel didn't want to lose the business of the Storm. When the fire was put out, and dessert was served, I returned to the gala. I saw Fawn and Shay talking in a corner, smiling and laughing. Honestly, my heart was happy for both of them. The bond between us had really grown. We were three very different women, but we had some important things in common. We all had a deep love for Christ and an appreciation for one another. And we were determined to be there for each other. Those things made for a special friendship. I didn't do so well with my friendships back in Miami. But now that God had given me another chance in that area, I wasn't gonna blow it.

My eyes fixed on the most handsome man in the room. Chase Farr stood a few feet away from my girlfriends. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him, but it felt that way. Love at first sight. I was mesmerized when he first walked into the room, looking so good in his black tuxedo with satin lapels. It seemed he wasn't my man anymore, but he was still near and dear to my heart.

A crowd of television and newspaper reporters surrounded him, all asking questions at the same time. I wondered why they were so into him, since the charges had been dropped.

“We want details, Mr. Farr,” one persistent reporter was saying. “What numbers are on that contract you signed?”

Contract?
I wondered.

Coach Sykes intervened. “After we lost those last games, I knew I needed to sign this man right away.” He clapped Chase on the back. “Besides his skills on the field, he's a good guy too. As soon as we received word that the case was dropped and he was cleared of all the charges, we offered him the best deal we could.”

The reporters clamored for details.

Coach held up his hand and waited for the din to subside. “I am happy to announce that Chase Farr has signed a four-year contract with a twelve-million-dollar signing bonus. This guy'll be pulling down around forty-two mill altogether.”

I could have choked. Not that I didn't believe Chase deserved it, but I remembered when just a few months before, none of this seemed possible. I wanted to run up and congratulate him. But instead, I wished Chase well in my heart and went back to doing my job and making sure the night was a success.

That night we raised $150,000 for the children's home. More than enough for every kid to get all the things they'd asked Santa for, and then some!

Although the ball was supposed to end at nine o'clock, it was after ten
P.M.
by the time all of the guests were gone. Still, I had final details I had to finish with the hotel staff and with my boss. It was almost 11:30
P.M.
when Mr. Ware looked at his watch and dismissed me.

“You did a fantastic job,” he said. “Unbelievable.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Now, you get yourself to that wedding, all right?” He grinned.

“Yes, sir!”

I jumped into my car and headed up the street to the chapel. When I walked into the small, quaint building, I stopped, smiling at the glow of candlelight. There had to be at least one hundred candles flickering everywhere. Even without all the guests, the room was filled with joy and love.

This was what a special day was all about. Shay had saved herself for a godly man. Although her groom wasn't as pure as she was, he had rededicated himself to the Lord and honored their sacred union. And he had never pressured her to give in sexually.

I wanted to stand in the midst of this feeling, but I knew Shay needed me. I raced to the bride's room, where Shay was already dressed and looking gorgeous. Fawn looked beautiful too, in the tea-length peach gown Shay had chosen for her bridesmaids to wear.

I sighed as I stared at my friends.

“Now, don't start crying,” Shay warned. “I have a feeling things are gonna turn around for you. Maybe sooner than you think.”

I nodded, and turned away from Shay. I had to get myself under control. The tears I felt building behind my eyes were for more than Shay. Yes, they were for her joy, but they mixed with the sorrow I felt for myself.

Fawn helped me get ready, and then we took our positions at the doorway.

I turned to Shay and kissed her cheek. “I am so happy for you, girl. You deserve the best. Just know that I love you, and I wish you all of God's blessings today and for the rest of your life.”

Though her lips trembled, she smiled. “Thank you, Zoe.”

At the sound of the music cue, Byron's brother took Fawn's arm and led her down the aisle. Shay's brother escorted me a few steps behind. After we separated at the bottom of the altar and took our places, the music paused.

When the wedding march began, the congregation stood. Shay walked down the aisle, on her father's arm, looking like a princess from a storybook.

As Shay and Byron said their vows, I knew heaven was smiling down on them. Nothing but good things were going to come from this union.

Though I worked to keep my eyes focused on the couple, I tried to find Chase in the crowd. I just wanted to look at him, smile at him. But he was nowhere in sight.

I frowned. I couldn't believe that Chase would miss Byron's big day. And then as I thought about it, I felt bad. Chase probably didn't come because he didn't want to see me.

I turned back to the couple and planted my bridesmaid smile back on. After my best friend and her man were proclaimed husband and wife, the guests adjourned to the fellowship hall, while we took photos. While I was able to smile and pose, my eyes still searched for Chase. After a while, I realized he just wasn't going to show up.

I was glad when the photographer released us; my cheeks were hurting from smiling. We joined the guests, where we were all served hors d'oeuvres, a sparkling apple cider toast and banana-crème-filled wedding cake.

When I glanced through the windows, I noticed that it was raining again—so typical for Seattle—but that didn't dampen the occasion.

At two in the morning, Shay found me sitting at a corner table, rubbing my feet and trying desperately to keep my eyes open.

“Zoe,” she said, her face flushed with excitement, “I know you're exhausted, but could I ask you for one more favor?”