Karen laughed hard as she held her belly. She was right behind him and in front of me. Bernard could be funny when he wanted to. Nothing moved that boy more than music. He lived for it. Whenever a new gospel song broke the airwaves, he’d jump to rehearsal to teach it to our choir and execute it the following Sunday. Tonight was no different.
What was out of the ordinary was the fancy Lamborghini parked just outside the door. The lengthy figure leaning against it with his legs crossed was unexpected, too. Just behind the sports car was a conspicuous black SUV with all tinted windows. Right away, I knew that was his security, or armor as he referred to it.
My mouth went dry at the sight of him in army fatigue cargo shorts, a simple yellow tee and sneakers just as fancy as his sports car.
Stenton’s impassive eyes assessed me, then went to Karen. But it was when they landed on Bernard that I’d seen an emotion. He was angry. He pushed up from the car and stood tall—as if he could appear any lengthier. His biceps flexed beneath his tatted sleeve and his jaw followed suit. I swallowed hard.
“Holy mother of Joseph!” Karen whispered, clearly entranced.
That woke me out of mine. But I still couldn’t think to speak. As crazy as it sounds, I hadn’t counted on ever seeing him again, much less outside of my church.
“Can I talk to you, Zoey?” His eyes darted over to Bernard. “Alone.”
“I’ll wait here for you,” Bernard murmured, undoubtedly star-struck, but exposing his blustering ego along with Stenton’s.
“What do you want to do, Zo?” Karen asked, attempting rationale.
Stenton approached us and my heartbeat increased with each step.
“You must be Karen. I’m Stenton. Congrats on your recent nuptials and new baby. Zoey shared his pictures. He’s a gorgeous little guy.” Stenton extended his hand.
Karen obliged with an ashen face. “Y-you know my name...seen my baby? Holy mother of Joseph!”
Stenton snorted. “Of course. Zoey was proud to become an auntie to him.”
My body steeled at him recounting my sharing of my elation when I’d first met Karen’s bundle of joy. How could he present himself as an intimate friend of mine after dramatically and coldly creating a wedge between us? It was torturing.
Karen blushed herself red. “Oh!” she yelped, regaining her faculties, I’d assumed. “This is our friend, Bernard.”
Stenton turned to Bernard, narrowed his eyes and angled his head. “I don’t recall Zoey ever mentioning you.”
Bernard’s mouth went agape. He didn’t seem to have a response to that. Neither did I.
“Did you drive?” Stenton asked.
My eyes fluttered as I shook my head, still overcome by his all-consuming presence. “No.”
“Karen, I’ll give Zoey a lift.” Stenton looked directly at Karen, assuming I’d driven with her.
“Zo, your mom is expecting me to drop you off safely tonight,” Bernard sheepishly asserted.
He was embellishing. I didn’t know what his motive was and simply hoped it was to give me an out in case I didn’t want to retreat with one of the biggest names in sports.
“I’ll make sure Sarah’s wishes are carried out.” Stenton extended his hand to reach for me.
“Zo, if you want to come back to my place, you’re more than welcome,” Karen offered, I was sure she was trying to dispel the illusion of Bernard and me having more than we did. I was grateful for her wit, because I was rendered witless in Stenton’s presence.
I couldn’t resist him if I wanted to. There was no way I should have gone with him considering how raw and vulnerable I was. However, no matter his audacity, I couldn’t repel him. After all, he didn’t exactly seem to be well adjusted himself.
I took his hand and he walked me over to his car. I heard Karen’s goodbyes behind me. From over my shoulder, I saw them walk over to their respective cars. When they pulled out of the parking lot I turned to Stenton, facing my pain.
“You’ve been staying with Karen?” He reached over and brushed his calloused thumb over the dark spot underneath my right eye. I winced at his touch. I didn’t know how to receive him, receive it.