A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) (16 page)

He tooted the horn to get Brian’s attention. The boy trotted over as Tim rolled down the window. Brian smiled. “Hey, aren’t you the guy at the basketball games?’

“One and the same. Are your parents home? I would like to ask your father if I can speak to Brandi.”

“They’re out shopping.”

Even better.
“Then is Brandi home?”

“Yeah, she’s in her room trying to drown out her tears by playing the stereo on sonic sound.”

“Is she okay?”

“She cries all the time. No one tells me anything. I actually feel sorry for her—almost.” He added with a smile.

“You’re some kid, Brian.”

“You think I can still play ball with Madison?”

“Maybe one day.” He scanned the front of the house. “I would really like to see Brandi.”

“Come in with me. If she’ll turn down that ghetto music, as Dad calls it, maybe she can hear me.”

Amused, Tim shook his head and followed the boy into the house. Tim stood in the middle of the living room as Brian went for Brandi. The inside decorations were as pretty as the ones outside. He looked at the pictures on the table. One was of a baby in a yellow gown; had to be Brian. Another was of a baby girl, maybe three months old. She was wearing a frilly, pink dress. Dimples were on either side of the baby’s beautiful brown face. Brandi’s face. He picked up the picture, gently touching the infant’s smiling face. He loved her so much, and hurting her the way she thought he had was killing him; no one had given him the chance to explain anything.

Moments later, Brian bounced down the stairs, still tracking wet snow on the plush carpeting. “She’ll be down.” He ran off with some video game in his hand. Tim stood waiting for Brandi. She appeared at the top of the steps wearing something pink; it was her signature color, and it looked great on her. Her lovely brown legs looked as tempting as ever. All he wanted to do was slide his hands up and down them, kissing her, making everything bad go away.

Brandi came down the steps, looking at him as if she couldn’t believe he had the nerve to show up at her house after what he had done to her. Tim started to speak, but she broke in. “Why are you here?”

“I had to see you, Brandi.”

“All of a sudden, after ditching me, you have to see me.”

“Brandi, please let me explain this again.”

She faced him point blank. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“I don’t want anyone but you.”

“You have a funny way of showing me. You don’t call in two days even to see how I’m doing. I see how Miss Shang looks at you. Maybe you’re seeing her.”

“Don’t be silly, Brandi.”

“Who’s being silly? You break us up and blame it on someone trying to get to me through you.”

“I never said that. They’re after me, and will get you if you’re in the way. Why can’t you believe that?”

“Maybe it would be believable if everything else wasn’t true.”

“Like?”

“My father scaring you. He knows I’m mad at him.”

“So am I.” He stared into her eyes. “Are you okay?’

“Do I look okay? Look, make this quick because Dad will be home soon, and I don’t want to hear his mouth. I don’t want to hear yours as well, trying to explain to me why we can’t be together. Nothing would have happened to me. You just got spooked.”

“Brandi, that’s so untrue. Someone doesn’t want us together and I…”

“I think that’s you and Dad. So, why are you here?”

“If I was scared of being with you for whatever reason, would I have moved to Columbia just so we could be together?”

Made sense, but she was mad. She lowered her eyes to the floor. “Maybe it’s that fear of relationships thing haunting you again. I don’t know what it is, but what do you want?”

“Just to see if you’re okay. I’m concerned about you, and I’m sorry things have happened this way.”

“So am I.” Tears started welling in her eyes. “Can you please leave, since you’re not interested in working things out.”

“There’s nothing to work out. All we have to do is wait.”

“How long? We’ve had this conversation before. It wasn’t convincing then, and it still isn’t.”

“Please, just trust me.”

“I trusted Eric, and look what it got me.”

“I’m not Eric, and I just need a little time.”

Tiring of the conversation, she walked to the front door and opened it. “What do you really want, Tim?”

The opened door meant that things were over between them. He had forgotten the gift was in his briefcase. When he remembered, he opened it, placing the small package in her hand. “I just want you to have your gift.”

“I don’t want it. Take it back.”

“It’s yours, keep it.”

“Look, all I want is for you to leave, and take this gift with you. You left me cold, now want to warm up all of a sudden. You’re nuts.”

“You and I are not over, whether I’m nuts or not. Please, can’t we go somewhere and talk?”

“Wouldn’t that be dangerous for us? Now, do I need to call the police to get you out of my house?’

His eyes bore into hers. “You would do that?”

Tears uncontrollably rolled down her cheeks over the sound of his voice. “Tim, just leave. If you love me like you say you do, you’ll leave me alone. This on and off thing is terrible.”

“I can’t believe this.”

She pushed the door further open, and he moved to the screen door. Before he stepped out, he tried one more plea but she stopped him. “Just leave!” Her words choked through the tears, rolling down her face.

He put her gift into his pocket and watched as she slowly closed the door. Through the closed door, he could hear her crying, and hated himself for somehow letting her down.

Tim woke to the sound of his doorbell ringing. He peered through his curtains and saw his co-worker, Dean Mori, at his door. Tim cursed under his breath.
What the hell is it now?
He opened the door. “Dean. What’s going on? I thought you were preparing for surgery?”

“Something last minute came up. My doctor wants me to have the surgery earlier than April, and I won’t be able to go back to work so soon after that. Colletti can’t do it because of midterms, so Mr. Moore told me to talk to you and get you signed up immediately. I have the paperwork.”

“Do we have to do this now?”

“Afraid so. The new school year starts soon, and they need the paperwork as of last week. After all, this is your project. You’re second in charge after Colletti. They wanted me to have it first, since you were new to the school and still getting used to being there. This is really important, Tim.”

“I know, Dean, but April is when my class will have their midterms as well.”

“Adams will take care of that. Besides, Niagara Falls in April is beautiful; wish I could go.”

Thoughts of Brandi entered his mind.
She and I will be there together, in a motel. No problem, she hates me anyway, so how could anything happen?
“Dean, this is just a little much on me right now. I don’t think I’ll do it justice with all that’s going on with me.”

“What’s going on?”

“Too much to talk about in one night.”

“Are you going to be okay over the holiday? Seems like there’s some heavy stuff going on with you.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“You should be with your family on the holiday.”

“I should have a family worth being with.”

That took the man by surprise. “Well, you could come over. Sasha and I are having a few friends over. You’re always welcome.”

“Maybe. Thanks for the invite.”

“So, pal, will you do Niagara?’

“Do I have a choice?”

“Not this time, guy. You will do a good job.” He looked at his watch. “Gotta go. I’m on my way to the airport to pick up my youngest son, Jeremy. Think about the invite.”

“I will.”

Tim walked him to the door. After he was gone, Tim looked at the bottle of liquor on the table, and it was looking better and better by the minute.

The day after Christmas, Tiffany slowly opened Brandi’s bedroom door; she was lying across her bed whimpering. She walked in and sat next to her friend. “Brandi, your mother called me.”

Brandi took a tissue, patting her eyes dry. “Why?”

“Why do you think? You cried all day Christmas day and now. Is it still about Tim?”

“You really are a smart one, aren’t you?”

“Brandi, this is serious.”

“It is serious. Tim and I are through. He was looking for a way out because of my father and society’s views on interracial relationships.”

“Don’t blame it on that.”

“I’m
not. He is.”

“And you know this for sure? He told you this.”

“Not in so many words.”

“Then ask him, Brandi. Get to the real dirt and ask him. Stop being so stupid. The man has a good reason. Someone’s been attacking him. I think that you wanted him so much that the least little mishap has clouded your mind. Brandi, listen to reason. The man is crazy about you and you’re messing it up. I sure wish I were in your shoes. A good man is hard to find.”

Brandi wiped her eyes. “I…I know. I’ve been thinking about that all day and last night. I tried calling him, but couldn’t reach him.”

“Did you go to his house?”

“Although he told me not to, yes, I did, but he wasn’t home, Tiffany. He, he wasn’t home.”

She started crying and Tiffany took her into her arms, trying to console her. “Brandi? Brandi. Call him now. He may be home, since his favorite movie is on television.”

“
Animal Hous
e
? He must be home.”

“Then call.”

Brandi reached for the tiny cell phone, stared at it for a while, and then punched in Tim’s number. They held their breath as the phone rang…and rang. Then his recording came on: “You have reached Timothy Polaris. I can’t take your call now. Leave me a message at the beep.”

Brandi’s voice shook as she spoke. “Tim, please pick up. I really need to talk to you. I’m really, really sorry for doubting you, and I need to tell you this face to face.”

She started crying again and Tiffany quickly took the phone, trying to console her. The crying continued as Tiffany held her tight. “He’ll call you back. I know he will.”

On his end, Tim heard Brandi crying. He lay on the couch, replaying the message over and over in his mind. He felt awful for Brandi, but felt she was right about him not being secure with relationships. But he loved her beyond reality, and in such a short amount of time. The last thing he had wanted to do was hurt her. Yes, staying apart would definitely be best. She would get over him—but would he get over her was the question?

He picked up his glass of wine and continued watching
Animal House
, but not even it could take his mind from the only woman he knew he had ever loved. His phone rang again. He quickly answered it, thinking it was Brandi. His spirits dropped when he heard Monica Shang on the other end. “Yes, Monica, what is it?”

“I have an extra ticket all of a sudden for Breck’s Dinner Theater. My wonderful boyfriend was called out of town for his job. Would you like to go with me?”

“When is it?”

“The thirtieth of this month.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Sure. I’m not doing anything else. I’ll be back in town by that time.”

“Where are you going?”

“Maybe to find my brother, or go to my cabin up north. I could use some family right now; even the worst family is better than nothing.”

“Has something happened?”

“A lot, but I don’t want to get into it.”

CHAPTER 16

Brandi listened to the exchange between Eric and her father. They were still a little strained around each other because of what went on between her and Eric, but Mr. Miles tried to be tolerant because of his friendship with Mr. Fontaine. Eric would have been her father’s top pick if he had kept his hands off other women. She knew Eric still wanted to try again, but her heart wasn’t having any part of Eric romantically. They were friends; they had agreed on that, and there was no slipping back. She watched her father being friendly with Eric, wishing he could be that way with Tim. Her dad still had a color problem, though ultimately the problem was hers, because Tim was nowhere around. That was why Mr. Miles was smiling like a Cheshire cat. He said it was the Christmas holidays, but Brandi knew better.

It was time to leave for the show, so she took Eric’s hand, pulling him away from her father. “Come on, it starts in about an hour.”

“We have time. The place is only a half-hour away. What’s your hurry?”

“I just want to be there for the start of it. Is that so bad?”

Before he could answer, his phone rang. Brandi listened in on the conversation, getting what little she could. He flipped the phone down and turned to Brandi. “Dad has an emergency at the office to take care of before leaving town. He can’t sit with my grandmother until I get back from Breck’s.”

“Well, what do we do? We have these tickets. Can’t your mom do it?”

“She’s already in Nevada waiting for Dad. I’m really sorry about this.”

Mr. Miles spoke up. “Brandi, see if Tiffany or one of your other friends can go. If not, I’ll go with you.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I know you and Mom were planning on…”

“Don’t worry about that. Eric, you better get going.”

Eric kissed Brandi’s cheek then took off. She looked at the tickets with disgust. “I’ll call Tiffany and see if she can make it at the last minute.” She called Tiffany’s cell and waited for her to answer.

“Tiffany, I’ve got an emergency.”

“What?”

“Eric can’t make it to Breck’s. He has to sit with his grandmother. Can you go?”

“Thanks for saving this for the last minute, Brandi.”

“It wasn’t my fault. This just happened.”

“I have plans with Stuart around ten.”

“It ends at nine. Please go with me; save me from having to go with my dad.”

“Wanda or Brina can’t go?”

“I tried you first. Come on, Tiff, you’re my best friend.”

She waited as Tiffany hemmed and hawed, finally saying, “Okay, I’ll go, but we have to be back by ten because he’s giving me one of my gifts tonight. Know what I mean?”

“Knowing you, I do. Tell him to keep it on ice. Be there in a half-hour?”

“Okay, but how do I dress?”

“A nice dress or pants suit.”

“Cool, I’ll be ready. You owe me, Brandi; you owe me big time.”

Brandi was amazed when they walked into Breck’s. The place had been newly remodeled: all-wood floors, mahogany paneling, nice dinner tables with a rose on each table. The place had a Da Vinci appeal. “This place is gorgeous. I haven’t been in here in almost five years. I was here for a school luncheon in high school.”

Tiffany nodded in agreement. “Lots of things have changed. It was totally renovated about two years ago. Why not? The place makes money hand over foot. Tonight is the best night to be here, apparently.”

“The murder mystery?”

“Yes, but I think Eric bought these tickets tonight because its also the grand opening for the remodeling.”

They walked to their table, which was dead center; where they could see everything. Brandi handed Tiffany the menu. “With the price he paid for these tickets, we can order anything. I hear the lobster bisque is fantastic. I know how you like it. Maybe we can have that for the appetizer.”

As Tiffany looked though the menu, she noticed a woman across the isle walking to a table. It was Miss Shang. Tiffany looked again to see if what she saw was right. She touched Brandi’s arm. “Isn’t that Miss Shang?”

Brandi looked where Tiffany was pointing. “Yes, that’s her. Why is she here alone?”

“Maybe she isn’t alone. She could be waiting for her date.”

“Maybe. Let’s go over and say hello.”

“Can’t we order first? I’m starving.”

“The waiter won’t be over for a while.” Brandi laid her napkin down. “Tell you what. If I’m not back, which I should be, place my order.” Brandi briefly scanned the menu. “I’ll have the turtle soup appetizer with Italian crackers. For the entrée, I’ll have the baked Alaska whitefish with brown rice and a salad.”

Tiffany sneered at her. “Are you sure that covers it?”

“Oh, for dessert…

“Just cool it and hurry back.”

“Why not go with me?”

“Because she gave me a B- on a paper that should have been an A. Dr. Polaris would have given me that A.”

“Right. I guess your world is coming to an end.”

“Oh, buzz off. You want a Coke or something with it?”

“Sure.”

Brandi walked across the room and held her hand out to Monica. “Miss Shang. What a surprise seeing you here tonight.”

Monica stood. “Brandi. Good seeing you. Are you here for the grand opening?”

“That and the murder mystery.”

“It is supposed to be very good.”

Brandi looked around as if to find Monica’s date. “You aren’t here alone, are you?”

“No, my date is meeting me here.”

“Oh, yes. Aren’t you getting married soon?”

Monica swallowed hard and stumbled over her words. “We…we’re postponing it until the summer.”

“He will be here with you tonight, won’t he? It’s a very romantic-looking place. I was supposed to be here with Eric Fontaine, but he had to cancel at the last minute.” She pointed to Tiffany. “My best friend offered to go in his place. You remember Tiffany Jackson, don’t you?”

“Sure. She’s a smart young lady.”

“Yes, with a very smart mouth. I love her to death, though. Anyway, that’s why I’m here.”

“I’m not here with my fiancée, Brandi. Timothy Polaris is meeting me here.” Monica knew those words would hit Brandi like a ton of bricks. She had known about the brief romance, since Tim had spoken of it to her after he left Madison. A curt smile appeared. “He’s such a wonderful man, and he was so excited about coming here tonight. He should be here soon.”

Brandi had to remember she was an adult and not a baby, though she wanted to throw a tantrum in the middle of the floor. She also stumbled for words. “Really? Timothy Polaris? I wasn’t aware that he liked murder mysteries.”

“He loves them.”

He apparently loves other things.
Brandi was beginning to let her emotions run away with her. There had to be an explanation as to why he wasn’t returning her calls and why he was attending this affair with Monica. Her eyes briefly glanced around the room, panic-stricken. Her heart was suddenly racing, hands nervous, words barely able to pass through her now dry mouth. Yes, blowing Tim off on Christmas Eve had been a big mistake, and she knew she had blown everything out of proportion, as usual. It took her good friend to help her see reason, but it had been too late. Tears slowly welled in the corner of her eyes, though she tried to hide it. A strained smile came across her face. “Well, Miss Shang. I hope you enjoy the evening. I should go back to Tiffany.”

“When Tim comes, why don’t you stop by and say hello to him.”

“I might.”

Monica saw the look on Brandi’s face, and had wanted to smile, but she decided not to rub more salt into the wound. “Are you okay, Brandi?”

“Sure. Just a little tired. Good to see you again.”

“Likewise.”

Brandi hurried back to her table and took her purse. “Tiffany, lets get out of here.”

“Out of here? Why? We just got here, and didn’t Eric pay a small mint for these tickets?”

“I don’t care about the tickets, Tiff.”

Tiffany stood, seeing the hurt look on Brandi’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Can we just go?”

“What did Miss Shang say to you?”

Brandi faced her friend, tears suddenly streaming down her face. “She said Tim was her date tonight. He will be here with her, and he hasn’t even called me. Maybe I really did ruin everything. I just wish I were dead.” Brandi walked from the table, and Tiffany quickly followed behind her.

Inside Tiffany’s car, she listened as Brandi practically sobbed on her shoulder. “Do you want to go back home?”

“That’s the last place I want to be.”

“I can break my date tonight and we can buy some burgers, sit back and watch monsters hack up stupid bitches.”

That made her smile. “Sounds tempting, but Stuart wants you to meet his family tonight.”

“I can meet them another time. You need to be with someone other than your parents.”

“I…I know, but I want you to have fun tonight. You already took too much of your time to come with me tonight.”

“Brandi, I think it’s more to it than that. I think he’s friends with her.”

“She is awfully pretty and smart.”

“So are you. He doesn’t want Monica Shang, trust me.”

“Why are you so sure of that?”

“I see how he looks at you. He doesn’t want anyone but you.”

“Then where is he—other than at Breck’s Dinner Theater with Monica?”

“Come on. Let’s get those DVDs and some burgers and hang out tonight. You can call him later and see what’s going on.”

“If he answers.”

“I think he will.”