About a week after that tweet went viral, Tynisha called to invite me to All-Star weekend taking place in Arlington, Texas. With little reluctance I obliged. It came with the perk of her dressing me for the occasion. My parents agreed to keep Jordan while I was away.
I didn’t book at the same hotel where Tynisha was staying with Alton. It was the same one where Stenton would be with Erika, I was sure. I booked a suite around the corner, not wanting to be too far from Tynisha and the other girls I ventured out there with.
The first night proved to be horrible. I thought I was ready to conduct myself with no cares and not be affected by Stenton. I mean, I mentally prepared myself, went over and over the way I’d say ‘hello’ for days. I even came up with an impassive response to him finally introducing me to Erika. Thought I had it in the bag. I learned I was so wrong.
The club was dark with flagrant neon lights illuminating the room. Of course we were escorted to the V.I.P. section upon arriving. The girls immediately grabbed champagne, clicked their phones for pictures and danced. I indulged when asked, but I wasn’t all that comfortable with joining in. Yet I was fine. The music was energetic and I surprisingly sat fascinated, watching the droves of celebrities come through, chatting very familiarly with Tynisha. Alton immediately joined us with his crew just behind him. His eyes turned uneasy as soon as they hit me.
“Daaaamn, Zo! You got security, right?” He asked directly in my ear over the hard music.
I shook my head. “For what?”
“For one: you look good as shit. You putting every man in here at risk. And two: because of who JR’s father is. If word gets out you here with no armor, it could get ugly.”
I pushed into his ear, “I’m fine. Don’t think anyone even knows I exist.”
Reluctantly, he accepted my answer with a wry smile before moving along. I continued to people watch and even danced a bit with the girls. I guess with the alcohol having seeped into my blood stream, I got lost in the music.
“There they go.” I was jerked at the arm and looked over to find Tynisha, who quickly let go and strutted over to Alton.
Then I scanned the room, not quickly registering her “heads up.” It didn’t take long for me to meet eyes with a tight-eyed Stenton. He sat across the room with his arms and legs stretched on wide, appearing meditative. Next to him, dancing in her seat and laughing with someone to the left of her was the beautiful Erika Erceg. That image of them jarred me. Suddenly, I felt unstable on my feet and needed to sit. The D.J. announced that Stenton and Erika were in the building and the crowd went up in hysteria. He’d done it to most of the celebrities I noted as present, but Stent and Erika’s got a louder response.
After twenty minutes, I’d realized there would be no hellos or introduction of me to Stenton’s girlfriend. In fact, they remained on their side with Erika occasionally dancing, occasionally chatting animatedly with others, and occasionally feeling Stenton up. It didn’t matter that he’d seemed distracted during their pseudo make out session, it stung.
My phone vibrated in my hands with a text from Jacques telling me he’d be available for dinner tomorrow. We’d spoken a few days before I left when he arrived on U.S. soil. When he asked to see me I expressed my regrets for being away. After talking a bit, Jacques “conveniently” informed he’d be in the “vicinity” that weekend. I texted him back agreeing to it. Why not? What was holding me back?
“That fool is over there brewing. He won’t even speak to me?” I hear being shouted into my ear. My neck jerked to find Tynisha, again.
“Who?”
She gestured across the section with her eyes. “StentRo!”
My gaze found him. He was talking with a waiter.
“Why?”
“Because I brought you here.”
She didn’t bring me anywhere. I came on my own volition. I had a brain of my own and was not influenced by anyone.