Real As It Gets (16 page)

I
stood over Sammy's wheelchair, slow tears trickling down my face. Yes, I was furious over all his lies, but how could I stay mad when he had literally taken a bullet trying to come to my aid?

“I'm gonna be all right,” Sammy said, squeezing my hand.

I had been scared to death, but the bullet that had torn into Sammy had gone straight through him. It had been touch and go for the last three days, but he'd pulled through. I was still having a hard time processing that I was caught up in the middle of some drama like this. But you know your girl was working it. I'd done interviews with every news and entertainment outlet there was. (What? You didn't think I'd let an opportunity like this pass me up, did you? I mean, I didn't ask to be in the middle of this mess, but you'd better believe I'd worked it to my advantage.) Now, I was the media darling who had “survived a harrowing experience.” (That had been the headline in
USA Today
.)

Of course, my mom, whom the police had told everything except for Travis's involvement, didn't want me to talk to anyone. But this was major PR and I wasn't about to pass it up.

“Are you ready to go?”

I looked over to the detective in the cheap, off-the rack suit. Two police officers in uniforms stood on either side of him.

“Can I just get a minute with my girl?”

“We're really not supposed to—” the detective said.

“Please?”

The detective looked at the two officers and nodded, and all three of them took a step back.

“Maya, I'm really sorry to have gotten you caught up in the middle of all of this, for getting Travis caught up. Don't be mad at your cousin. It really isn't his fault. He needed some money, and I presented him with an opportunity. The first time, he told me no. Then his mom needed that money for a transplant, and he felt like he didn't really have a choice. He really is a good guy.”

“I thought you were a good guy,” I found myself saying.

He shrugged. “Believe it or not, I am. I'm a good guy that made some bad choices. But I'm about to pay for those choices. To the tune of seven years to be exact.” He tried to fake a laugh. “But Travis got a second chance, and I assure you, he's not going to mess it up.”

I glanced out the window at my cousin, who was pacing back and forth in the lobby. The police hadn't told my parents about his involvement with the drugs because Sammy had covered and taken all the blame. I know he was scared to death about what would happen with him.

Luckily, Joe, the undercover cop, hadn't said anything. He'd given Travis a speech that had literally scared my cousin straight. I had a feeling Travis wouldn't so much as jaywalk after this.

I hated lying to my parents, for the simple fact that you had to keep up with lies and I had way too many important things to do to try to keep up with lies. But Sammy was right. Travis deserved a second chance, and I didn't want my parents sending him home.

It helped that Sammy had taken the blame for everything. When he'd come to, he'd told police that Travis had been there with him and he was the one responsible for everything. Nico and Margarita had tried to implicate Travis, but Sammy had stood by his story and so Travis wasn't charged.

“I just can't thank you enough for what you did for my cousin,” I said.

He shrugged like it was no biggie. “Travis is good people. And he has a clean record. The last thing a young male needs is a record. This is my third strike. I'm going down regardless. No need to have Travis go with me.”

I looked at him in awe. Most criminals would've had the “If I'm going down, you're going down, too” mentality.

“Can I ask you something?” I knew now wasn't the time, but since I'd found out my boyfriend was a drug dealer, several things had been seriously bothering me.

“You can ask me anything and I'll tell you the truth.”

I looked at him like,
Seriously, I'm supposed to believe you'll be truthful now?
Even still, I said, “Do you remember I asked you about my classmate, Shay Turner, Jalen Turner's daughter? Did you get with her?”

He smiled. “I told you I didn't.”

“You also told me you were a record producer. But that was just a big act.”

“Ouch. Guess I deserved that one. I was just trying to impress you, that's all. But to answer your question, no. I never got with Shay. I met Shay a couple of times because I did business with her father.”

“Did business? What kind of business?”

Sammy raised an eyebrow. “I was his weed guy before I graduated to the more powerful stuff.”

I couldn't help but smile. So Shay knew my man was a drug dealer. That's why she had been smirking. Boy, this was definitely something I wouldn't live down.

“And the reason you didn't want me at your house? Do you live with your baby mama?”

“I hate that term. She's the mother of my child. We co-parent, but we're not together.” He paused. “I kept stuff ... in my place and just never wanted to put you in harm's way.”

“And your crackhead uncle?”

“Just a dude I used to sell to.”

“Why did you get involved in drugs?” I asked him, shaking my head as I processed everything.

“It's all I've known. Not making excuses, but it is what it is. Just make sure you tell Travis to leave this life alone. It ain't for him.”

It definitely wasn't. I knew one thing, I was going to tell my dad about Aunt Bev's illness. Because it made no sense that Travis should have to resort to criminal activity.

“Maybe when I get out, I can take a page out your book. Find me something I'm good at and do it,” Sammy said.

I nodded. I thought about his demos. He had the skills to make that happen. “Maybe you really can become a record producer. You have an ear for it.”

She nodded. “Maybe I'll write me some songs while I'm doing my time.”

“You can do it. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“Except get you,” he said softly.

I smiled, but didn't answer because he was right. I liked him. I really did. But I didn't do drug dealers. Or liars. Or baby daddies. Or dudes facing seven years in prison.

“So, you gon' write to me in prison?” Sammy asked with a sly smile. My eyes widened and he laughed. “Yeah, a diva like you doesn't do prison.”

I didn't know how to respond to that because he was right. As much as I cared for Sammy, my Louboutins wouldn't be clicking across any prison grounds, and I dang sure wasn't about to be some prison pen pal. So as far as I was concerned, this was good-bye.

I
took a deep breath, put my game face on, and dove in.

“What's up everybody, it's your girl, Maya Morgan coming at you for the latest episode of
Rumor Central
. Grab your shovels because I've got the scoop. You know the K2 craze that's sweeping the country? Well, we can tell you one area where they are clamping down on the disastrous drug. Right here in
Rumor Central
's home base. That's right, if you're looking for K2 in Miami, you might have to look a little harder. That's because police have shut down one of the largest K2 rings in the country. They have the K2 kingpin behind bars and you won't believe who it is.
Rumor Central
has the exclusive details that brought down a drug network.”

I pointed to the TV screen propped next to me showing video of a handsome man in an expensive suit being led into the police station. “Recognize this man?”

I waited for the nineties sitcom Donovan Davis used to star in to pop up on the screen. “Okay, what about now? You can catch him on reruns on Nick at Nite, but he hasn't done anything lately. That's because he hung up his Hollywood shoes and traded them for something a lot more lucrative. That's right, Donavan Davis was allegedly responsible for the pipeline that was funneling K2 into the States. He was apparently at the top of the food chain and after a two-year investigation, police have finally shut him down.”

I turned to camera two and kept talking. “You know I once heard a very famous rapper say ‘snitches get stiches,' but obviously the drug dealers of today don't live by that motto. Police struck a deal with notorious drug supplier Nico Caruthers, allegedly Donovan's top man. And in order to cut a deal, Nico sang like his name was Aretha Franklin. Yes, he told police everything he knows, and now it's our understanding that he's in a witness protection program. So, don't go looking for him. But if you want to find Donovan, his new address is the federal pen.” I finished up that story, tossed to commercial, then came back and wrapped up the show.

I was actually glad when the closing music came up. Once I got the all clear I removed my earpiece.

“Great job, as usual,” Tamara said, walking over to me. Dexter was by her side. They'd watched the show from the studio instead of the offices, where they normally watched.

“Yeah, it was good, but I still think you should've played up your part in everything,” Dexter said.

“Nah, I'm good.” I had gotten my fifteen minutes as it related to this whole drug thing. Now, I needed to go back to what I did best—regular celebrity gossip. This drug game was a little too real for me.

“I knew when I heard that message about you being sick, something was up,” Tamara said as we walked back to my office.

“I wish you had followed your gut,” I replied. “You're the one always telling me to follow my gut.”

Tamara nodded. “You are right.”

“Aren't I always?” I smiled.

“This could've ended very badly.” Tamara shook her head like she was imagining everything that could have gone wrong. “I'm just glad it didn't. I can't go losing my star.”

“Is that all you're worried about, losing your star?”

She laughed. “Or my mini-me.”

I walked into my office and tossed my papers on my desk before doing a slow twirl. “No disrespect, Tamara, but I'm a tad bit more fabulous than you.”

I loved our relationship because even though she was my boss, I knew she wouldn't take offense to that.

She smiled at me. “If that's what you gotta tell yourself, so be it. Enjoy your time off. You've earned it.”

I told her and Dexter good-bye as I started gathering my things. Next week was spring break and our senior trip, and I was so ready to relax and have a good time.

On the drive home, I was thinking of all the fun I planned to have in Cancun, which was where we were going for our senior trip.

I got home to find Travis and Sheridan standing out front.

I pulled up and parked. “Hey, what's up?” I asked after I got out.

“Nothing,” Sheridan said, glancing down.

Travis didn't say anything.

“What's really going on?” I held up my hands in defense. “And I'm just asking. I'm not trying to get in your business. I told you, I'm done. If you guys want to ride off into the sunset, then it's fine by me.”

Sheridan stunned me when she said, “No, you were right. We shouldn't have hooked up.”

I couldn't help but smile. “Oh, you're not really with that thug lovin', huh?” I joked.

Travis cut his eyes at me.

Sheridan shrugged and said, “Yeah, we can still be cool, Travis, but I'm not about that life.”

He stared at her and simply said, “I understand.”

Sheridan actually held her hand out for him to shake and this fool took it. I just laughed.

“That's all I wanted, Travis. Maya, sorry, I have to go. My mom is coming to town.”

“All right. Talk to you later.”

Both Travis and I watched her get into her silver Mercedes and drive off. I turned to my cousin, who was standing there just staring at her. Was he about to cry?

“I guess you're not used to getting dumped?” I said.

“Nah, I'm not. The bad part is I was really feelin' her. More than any girl I've ever been with. But she's right. She deserves better.”

I draped my arm through his. “It's okay. You live and you learn.” I leaned back and stared at him. “You have learned, right?”

He nodded. “Boy, have I ever.” He turned to me. “I'm really sorry.”

“I know you are.”

We stood in silence for a few minutes, until he just abruptly turned and began walking inside.

“Travis, what are you doing?” I grabbed his arm to stop him.

He stopped, leaned in, and gave me a peck on the cheek. “I appreciate everything you've done for me. I really do. But I have to make this right.”

I looked at him in confusion, but he just turned and walked back in the house. Of course, I quickly followed him. Inside the foyer, he made a left and went straight to my dad's office. He lightly tapped on the door.

“Uncle Myles, do you have a minute? I need to talk to you.”

My dad looked up from his papers. I guess the seriousness of Travis's tone caught him off guard because he frowned as he set his pen down.

“Yes?”

Travis eased inside. I watched him from the hallway. I just knew he wasn't about to do what I thought he was about to do!

“I have something I need to tell you. I know you brought me here for a second chance, a fresh start and I ... I just ... I just wanted ...”

“Well spit it out, son,” my dad said.

I immediately stepped up with a huge grin on my face. “He just wanted to say how happy he is to be here. He just finished telling me about how lucky he is to have a second chance.” Travis stared at me while I talked. “So he just wanted to say thank you.”

My dad smiled. “I'm happy to have you here. You're a part of this family, Travis. I actually was coming to talk to you in a little bit. I just got off the phone with Bev. I can't believe you all didn't tell me how sick she was.”

“She told you?” he asked, shocked.

My father nodded. “Yes. But why didn't you tell me?”

“She wanted us to figure out a way ourselves,” Travis replied. “I wanted to tell you so bad.”

“That's what family is for,” my dad said. “It makes no sense for her to be in need and not be able to come to me. It does no good for me to make all this money if I can't help out my own family.” He leaned forward and sternly said, “Understand this, we are going to get your mother the best of treatment and she's going to be well taken care of.”

It seemed like a tremendous weight was immediately lifted off Travis's shoulders. He relaxed and a slow smile crept up on his face. “I tried to tell mama that.”

My dad smiled too. “Well, I think she knows it now.”

“Well, that's just beautiful,” I said, grabbing Travis's arm. “We're going to let you get back to work. Come on, Travis. Bye, Dad.”

I pulled Travis out of the office. I didn't say anything until we were in his room, with the door closed.

“What were you doing?” I asked.

“I was about to come clean,” he replied.

“Yeah. No.”

“I was trying to do right.” Travis sighed.

“
Now,
you want to do right. You have a fresh start. Take it.”

Travis looked around his room, then blew a long breath. “I guess you're right.”

“I know I'm right.”

He pulled me toward him in a bear hug. “Maya Morgan, I'm so happy to have you as my cousin.”

I hugged him back, then stepped back. “As well you should be. It's not every teen that can survive being kidnapped and still come out more fabulous than ever.”

“I love you, girl.”

I smiled, and winked. “I love me, too. Holla!”