It's in the Rhythm (6 page)

“I'm fine. How are you, dear?”

“I couldn't be better.”

A moment of silence fell between the three.

“Uh, Gail and I were going out for a bite to eat,” Lyle said, breaking the silence. “I waited to see you.” He was watching her face with great intensity, as if seeking her approval. He hadn't been with another woman since her mother passed.

Trinity raised her hand in front of her. “Dad, you go ahead. Enjoy yourself.”

“Why don't you come along with us?” Gail asked, standing next to Lyle.

“No. No. Go ahead. I don't want to be a third wheel. Some other time,” Trinity replied. She looked down at her shoes, then at Lyle and Gail, and muttered, “I better let you guys get going.”

“Let me walk you out,” Lyle added quickly.

Trinity whispered a goodbye to Gail and led her father out the door. Another moment of silence fell between them. Lyle sidled up alongside Trinity and placed his arm around her waist.

“Why didn't you tell me about her?” Trinity asked.

“I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner,” he began. “I didn't know how you would react to me dating again.”

Trinity sighed. “Dad, you have been alone for a long time. I'm glad to see you with someone.”

At her car, Lyle asked, “So, what do you think about Gail?”

Trinity couldn't help but smirk. “I think she's nice,” Trinity said, glancing over her shoulder. Gail stood in the entrance, staring at the pair.

“So you approve?” Lyle asked.

“You don't really need my approval, Dad,” Trinity answered. “But if you want it, yes, I do approve.”

Lyle smiled. “I'm glad. If I decide to settle down with someone, she has to get along with my daughter.”

Trinity was thoughtful a moment. She never really thought about her father getting married again, but she was glad he had decided to move on with his life. She was sure that her mother would be happy for him.

“Is it serious between you two?” Trinity asked.

“Only God knows. We've only been going out a month, so we'll see.” He breathed deeply. “I was thinking about your mother. You know, I haven't been out with anyone since she died. All this dating stuff is very strange to me.”

Trinity rubbed his arm. “Mother would want you to go on with your life. She wouldn't want you to be alone.”

“I know, pumpkin. I know.” He gave her a hug. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I'm going home. I have papers to grade and lesson plans to work on. After that, I'm just going to relax, maybe curl up with a good book.”

He shook his head. “I can't believe your old man has a date and you don't. What about Garrett?”

“Garrett is probably leaving today.” She leaned against the car.

“No, he isn't. He's going to be in town for at least three weeks. He's leading the choir at the Gospel Explosion.”

Her body stiffened in surprise. The possibility that Garrett would be in town for the next couple of weeks both thrilled and bothered her; she wasn't sure whether fear or excitement would win out.

“Are you sure?”

“That's what Pastor Martindale told us in the church meeting last night.” He looked at his daughter in puzzlement. “Didn't he tell you?”

“No,” she answered suddenly. “We haven't spoken recently.”

“I'm sure he will tell you. I wish you were still singing. With him leading the choir, it would be like old times. You guys made good music together.”

Trinity sighed. “Daddy, he's not joining the choir. He's only leading the choir at the Gospel Explosion.”

“I know, but you never know what might happen between now and then. I have to get back inside. We'll talk later.”

Trinity settled behind the wheel. Lyle leaned in the window, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Drive safe.”

“I will,” she said, pulling away from the curve.

As she drove, she could not stop herself from pondering what her father revealed. Garrett wasn't leaving town. She pulled to a stop at a red light and tapped her manicured nails on the steering wheel.
That explains his presence in church this morning
, she said to herself.

She stepped on the gas and sped across the intersection. She wasn't going to worry about it; she'd just stick to her decision to avoid him as much as possible.

Trinity turned the corner onto her street to see a woman leaning against a black Mustang parked outside her house. She pulled into the driveway. As she got out of her car, the African-American woman strolled toward her.

“Trinity Blake?” the woman asked.

Trinity frowned, wondering who she was, and how she knew her name. “Who's asking?”

“My name is Michelle Goodwin. I'm a writer with
Black Flavor Magazine
,” she explained, her whole face spread into a smile.

All Trinity had to do was hear “writer” and “magazine” and the conversation was over.

“We have nothing to talk about.” Trinity turned, heading toward the door.

“I know you've been out with Garrett Martindale since he's been in town. I thought you would like to elaborate on your relationship,” Michelle said to Trinity's retreating figure.

Trinity spun back around. “I said no comment.”

“That's not what I saw,” Michelle boasted.

Trinity quirked her eyebrow questioningly. “What are you talking about?”

“This.” Michelle opened a brown folder and handed Trinity a photo.

Trinity was at a loss for words. The picture was of Garrett kissing her. It was taken the night after Garrett's performance at Cadence. How long had Michelle been following them? Were there other photos of them together? It was an innocent kiss, but she was sure Michelle would never believe that.

“Well?” Michelle prompted. She was proud of herself. “The picture doesn't lie.”

“Again, no comment,” Trinity answered in annoyance as she handed Michelle the photo.

Michelle grinned. She held up the folder with the photo. “I wonder what Imani will think about your
friendship
,” she said.

Trinity rushed inside the house. She threw her purse on the sofa in frustration and paced in anger. She couldn't believe what just happened. Was everybody crazy? She could just see the headlines now. Garrett, Imani, and the other woman. What a mess. What was she going to do? What could she do?

She stopped in mid-stride, looking at the phone. She'd call Garrett. He'd know what to do. A trembling finger punched in Garrett's cell number.
How ironic,
she thought.
Just as soon as I decide to avoid him, our paths cross again.

* * *

“I'm sorry, Trinity,” Garrett said as he listened to her tell how Michelle ambushed her in front of her house. She was upset. She had reason to be. She wasn't used to dealing with reporters. What Michelle did was underhanded, even for her. She wouldn't have tried that tactic with him because she knew he would tell her to take a flying leap. Trinity was too nice of a person.

“I know Michelle. I can't believe she'd stoop so low.”

“Well, she did,” Trinity snapped.

“Trinity, we both know the kiss was innocent,” Garrett said, trying to convince himself. “There's no need to get bent out of shape about this.”

“People have begun to talk. What about Imani?” Trinity fired question after question.

“Let them talk. I will deal with Imani.”

“Good,” she said with a calmer tone.

“There isn't a love triangle. As soon as the media realizes that, they will move on to the next story.”

“Can't you call her boss or something?”

“I could, but that would just give them something else to talk about.”

“So we do nothing?”

“There's nothing I can do,” Garrett said.

Chapter 7

The next morning, Garrett had breakfast in the dining room. He phoned Collin to let him know he would be performing with the choir at the Gospel Explosion. Collin wasn't pleased, but mellowed out when Garrett said he'd go ahead with many of the interviews as long as they could be over the telephone or in Maryland. Rehearsing with the choir was essential, and they were working against time.

Garrett had tried to call Imani last night to give her a heads-up on the photo of him and Trinity. She wasn't home. He left a message for her to phone as soon as she got in.

The sound of a car horn outside interrupted his thoughts. A moment later, he heard the sound of footsteps on the front porch, followed by a knock on the door. Garrett opened the door to Taj, his five-year-old nephew, and sister, Tamara. He noticed the frown set in her features and knew this wasn't an ordinary visit.

“What's going on?” Garrett stepped aside to let them enter. Tamara didn't answer.

“Hey, Uncle Gary,” Taj said, hugging his tall frame.

“What's going on, Taj?” Garrett hugged him tightly. “How have you been?”

“Mom and Dad home?” Tamara finally asked. She craned her neck, looking around the silent room.

“No,” Garrett answered. “They're at the church.”

Garrett looked at Tamara head-on. “You've been crying. What happened?”

“Taj, go watch cartoons in the den. I need to talk with Uncle Gary.”

“Okay, Mommy.” Taj took off running.

“Sounds serious,” Garrett said.

“It is.”

Garrett shrugged his shoulders. “What's up?”

Tamara dropped her head and twisted her hands nervously together. “I left Brian,” she said in a low voice.

Garrett's eyes widened in shock. “What? Why didn't you call us?” Garrett exclaimed. “I knew something wasn't right when you came over last week.” Garrett took a seat next to her. “What happened?”

“There's someone else,” Tamara confessed.

“He's stepping out on you?” Anger hardened Garrett's voice. “I need to have a chat with Brian. He can't mess over my sister—”

Tamara grabbed Garrett's arm, but he shook it off. “Don't do that, Garrett.”

“He can't treat you like that.”

“Brian isn't the one having the affair,” Tamara blurted.

Garrett stopped and slowly turned to face his sister. He stared at her in disbelief. Never in his wildest dreams would he believe Tamara would cheat on Brian.

“Don't look at me like that,” she snapped.

“What do you mean, don't look at you like that?” His voice rose. “How could you do that to Brian? To yourself?”

Tamara got up and walked over to the window. “My marriage was a mistake.” She stared out the window for a moment, and then turned back to Garrett. “Brian and I only got married because I was pregnant. I didn't want to shame the family. We did what we thought was right at the time. I tried to make it work.” She looked out the window again. “I couldn't.”

“Having an affair isn't the answer.”

“I never said it was. It just happened.”

Garrett sighed heavily.

“What was I supposed to do? Live the rest of my life in a loveless marriage? Pretend everything is okay, when it isn't? I can't do that. Not even for Mom and Dad.”

Garrett knew their parents had pressured her to remain married after they ran off and eloped. Tamara was pregnant at the time. Tamara cared for Brian, but didn't want to stay married to him. Staying in the marriage, she believed, could make her learn to love him. He guessed it never happened.

“What about marriage counseling?” Garrett asked.

“There's no need for that.”

“It's worth a try.”

“Don't you understand? I want out of the marriage.”

“You want to be with him?” Garrett threw at her. “The other man?”

Tamara's face tightened. “Don't be angry at me, Garrett. Try to understand what I'm going through,” she pleaded. “What I've been through.”

Garrett drew a sharp breath. “Marriage is serious. You have to do everything you can to save it.”

Tamara's eyes misted over. “I'm sorry if I disappointed you.”

Garrett didn't answer. He was disappointed. Tamara wanted his support. He would give it because he loved his sister. He was a Christian.

“Who is he?” Garrett asked. “How long have you been seeing him?”

“I'm not going to tell you who it is. I want to keep him out of this for now.”

“How did Brian react to the news?”

“Not very well. He's angry and upset.”

Garrett shook his head in disbelief. He felt sorry for Brian. “Can you blame him? Everyone is going to find out what's going on sooner or later. I can only imagine how Mom and Dad will react.”

“They have to understand I'm a grown woman. I've made my decision. I stand by it.”

Once our parents learn the circumstances leading to the separation
, Garrett thought to himself,
the scriptures were going to fly.

“Do you love him?”

He saw the answer in her face before she ever spoke. “Very much. We want to be together.”

“You won't tell me who it is?”

“No.”

“We've never kept secrets from each other.” Garrett placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.

“The less you know right now, the better. I better get going.”

“Where are you staying?” Garrett asked.

“Don't worry about me. I have a place to stay.”

“With him?” Garrett asked?

Tamara's response was to call for Taj. She stepped forward, giving Garrett a hug.

“Don't say anything to Mom and Dad,” she said. “I want to tell them myself.”

“You don't have to worry about that,” Garrett replied.

A few minutes later, Garrett watched his sister drive away. He couldn't help but think that there was no way for this situation to turn out well.

* * *

Garrett said good night to the last of the choir members. Rehearsal had gone well, but they were missing their star soloist; Shannon had just had surgery and would be out for four weeks.

“They sound pretty good,” Marc Lloyd said. Marc was the new music director. He took over the Praise and Worship Choir after Garrett left. They were working together to prepare for the Gospel Explosion.

“Yeah, but we need another alto. Shannon is our best soloist. The majority of the songs are built around her. It's going to be difficult to move someone into her spot.”

“The timing couldn't be worse,” Marc said. “I can't think of anyone who sings with as much depth and passion as Shannon.”

“There may be someone.” Garrett smiled as he thought about Trinity. That wasn't difficult to do. She was never too far from mind.

“Who?”

“Trinity Blake.”

“Ah, man. I have asked her numerous times to come back and join the choir. She turned me down every time. She said singing just wasn't there anymore.”

“It won't hurt to ask,” Garrett said.

“I still think you're wasting your time.”

“We'll see,” Garrett said, moving toward the door.

As Garrett headed toward Trinity's house, he realized she might turn him down. Still, he had to try. Someone who sang with so much love for the Lord couldn't put aside her talent just like that; at least that's what he told himself. The truth was he wanted to see her again. He had wanted to speak with her after church on Sunday, but she avoided him. He felt it was best to leave well enough alone for the moment, but he could guarantee they would discuss what happened between them.

* * *

“We have to do this again,” Leigh said as she admired a pair of black pumps and a matching handbag. “And soon.”

They were in Trinity's living room, surrounded by bags and boxes from a spur-of-the-moment shopping spree at the mall.

“Your husband is going to kill you when he sees the credit card bill.” Trinity picked up a lavender two-piece skirt suit. She held it up in front of her, admiring it. She could picture herself wearing the outfit.

“It's my half of the money. I earned it. I will spend it any way I please, thank you very much.”

Trinity tossed her a look. She'd heard Leigh complain on numerous occasions on how Jake kept a close eye on her spending habits.

“Hmm,” Trinity answered.

Leigh pointed at Trinity. “I will deal with Jake. I noticed you didn't mention a certain singer's name once the whole time we were out.”

Trinity sighed. She still didn't want to discuss Garrett. “I told you about the reporter and Garrett's response. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing else to talk about.”

“Let me get this straight. There's going to be a photo of you and Garrett on the front page of the tabloid in a lip-lock.”

“I almost forgot about it until you brought it up,” Trinity said with sarcasm.

Leigh crossed her arms over her ample chest. “No way.”

“Way.” Trinity threw back.

“How did you end up kissing Garrett? The last time we spoke, you two were
just friends
.”

“We are friends.”

“Kissing friends.” Leigh chuckled.

Trinity playfully hit her on the arm. “Funny. I congratulated him after his performance at Cadence. That's all.” She wasn't about to tell Leigh about the hot, steamy petting session they shared afterward at her place. She'd never hear the end of it.

“That's all,” Leigh mimicked.

“Yes, that's all,” she repeated, determined to look Leigh straight in the eye. “Why do you say it like that?”

Leigh shrugged. “Like what?”

“Like you don't believe me.”

“Hey, if you say that's all it was, then that's all it was.”

“Forget it.” Trinity's frustration sharpened her tone. “You sound just like that reporter. She can write whatever she likes. I know the truth. I'm not going to go out with Garrett again, so there will be nothing else to write about.” She placed the lid on the shoebox and headed into the kitchen. “You want something to drink?” She opened the refrigerator door and rummaged through the contents.

“No, I'm fine. You guys are friends. Don't you think that's a drastic move, cutting all ties with him?”

Trinity grabbed a soda and strolled back into the living room. “I think it's best for everyone involved. Garrett is with Imani. The last thing I need is to be involved in a love triangle.”

“It's a shame to lose a friendship over this. What do you think Imani will do when she sees the photo?”

Trinity frowned. She could just imagine the conversation between them as Garrett tried to explain the photo. “That's Garrett's problem, not mine.”

“That's cold,” Leigh said.

Trinity laughed. “That's not cold,” she said as the doorbell interrupted the conversation.

Trinity strolled over to the door and opened it to Garrett standing on her doorstep. As usual, her eyes couldn't help but give his body a once-over. The brother always looked good enough to eat.
Keep it
together, girl
. She took a deep breath to cool the heat wave running through her body.

“Garrett,” she said.

“Hello, Trinity.”

“After what happened last night, this isn't a good idea. You know that.”

“I told you last night that I didn't care about the media. I have something I want to talk to you about.”

The last thing Trinity wanted to do was talk to Garrett, today or any other day.

“Hi, Garrett,” Leigh chimed in. “Come in.” Leigh waved Garrett inside before Trinity had a chance to protest.

“Hello, Leigh. It's good to see you again,” Garrett replied as he moved further into the room.

“Same here. We were just talking about you.”

Garrett's eyes landed on Trinity. He was curious to know what the two women said about him. Trinity looked like she wanted to slink away.

He refocused on Leigh. “I hope everything was all good.”

Leigh grinned. “It was. I better get going so you two can talk.” She walked over, gathering her bags. “I'll see you in school,” she said to Trinity.

Trinity began stacking bags and boxes on top of each other. She needed to do something to calm her jittery nerves.

Garrett cleared his throat. “I guess you're wondering what I want to talk to you about.”

Trinity glanced over at him. He also appeared nervous. “Yes. I am.”

He spread his hands apart and said, “I came to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to consider singing in the choir again.”

Trinity was taken aback. She knew that he had lost his mind. “With everything that's going on, you can't be serious.”

“You know I'm serious. Shannon is recovering from surgery. She's going to be out of circulation for at least four weeks. You're the perfect replacement for the Gospel Explosion in two weeks.”

It was difficult for Garrett to concentrate on the conversation. When Trinity opened the door, it took all the strength within him not to take her in his arms and kiss her like he did the other night. He couldn't forget the sweet taste of her lips on his. Thoughts of her had kept him awake through the night.

“I thought you were leaving town,” she said, changing the subject.

“You're ready for me to leave?”

The question caught Trinity off guard. “It doesn't matter to me,” she lied.

Garrett shook his head. “I can't believe you said that.”

Trinity did feel bad for what she said. “I did say it. Things have changed between us, Garrett, and not for the better. You know that.”

“You know how I feel about you. About us.”

Trinity held out her hands in front of her. “Garrett, we've been down this road. There's no need to go through this again.”