Chapter 8
“You like this girl, don’t you?” my mother acknowledged as she entered my dressing room at the Brittani Shepard Show .
I had been waiting for her to pull me aside since she found out Phileigh was joining us in New York. With Phileigh out in the studio audience, I guess this was the perfect chance for her ass to be nosy.
“I do,” I said, speaking my truth. “She’s… different.”
I glanced at my mom through the mirror, awaiting her reply. My mom was strict about who I dated. She was quick to call out a red flag on every girl I’d ever called myself seeing. I was intrigued to know what she thought about Phileigh.
“Hmm,” was all she said in response, but I knew there was more.
There was always more with Charlie Barnes. Ma didn’t have a man, so she always poked her nose in my business. Sometimes, it was annoying as fuck. Other times, I welcomed the intrusion.
“I think I might want to get to know her better,” I continued.
My connection to Phileigh was strange, especially given her news about being pregnant by some lame nigga, but there was something magnetic about her that I couldn’t shake. I couldn’t even bring myself to stop feasting on her sweet ass pussy when she’d first broke the news. I was down bad behind Phileigh, and I’d only known shorty for a couple of hours.
“You want to date her?” My mom’s eyebrows raised.
“Get to know her first, and then yeah... maybe.”
I hadn’t dated anyone in about three years. I didn’t have time to try to sort the good ones from the boppers. Every woman I encountered, I had to ensure she was genuine, understood my schedule, and wasn’t after me for a come up. It was exhausting and draining. It was easier to take them to bed when I wanted and have them sign NDAs. I didn’t have to worry about that with Phileigh, though. She was different. I could sense that shit.
“If that’s the case, you just have to make sure she understands your lifestyle, how complicated things are, how important your image is.” She took a few steps closer to me, catching me off guard with her statement. “And you have to understand that this is a different world for her.”
That wasn’t what I expected her to say. I expected her to start building a case against Phileigh, but this was the opposite. This was a case for Phileigh and our future relationship. I turned to my mom with a huge grin on my face.
“You like this girl, don’t you?” I threw her question back because it was the only logical reason for her behavior.
“The background check came back.” She ignored my question and pulled an envelope out of her purse. “According to this, she’s a good girl.”
She handed me the envelope. I opened it, scanning through the pages quickly. There it was—everything about Phileigh Read that I needed to know. She was an only child who grew up in a low-income neighborhood with her mother and father. I glanced at the thin file. She had no criminal record and no scandalous posts or exes on social media. Her image was clean. She was just a regular girl making an honest living as a barber.
“She’s a good girl,” I murmured, repeating what my mother had said.
It made me wonder how a nice girl like Phileigh even got involved with the type of bum that would abandon his seed. My heart went out to her. I guess she thought her pregnancy was supposed to push me away, but it only made me want to get closer to her. She didn’t deserve to go through this alone, and I wouldn’t let her.
“I like her for you. She brings out the grown man, protector side of you. Reminds me of your grandfather.”
I stared at my mom. She didn’t like anybody, so I knew Phileigh was something special. I wish I could ask Ma Dukes about navigating dating a woman in Phileigh’s unique situation, but I didn’t want to ruin this moment or her opinion of Phileigh. Besides, Phileigh’s condition was none of her business.
One of the show producers stuck their head in and announced, “You’re on in five.”
I peered down at my watch. Five minutes to clear my mind so I could go out there and do my job.
“Alright. I’m going to take my seat out front.” She patted me on the back before heading to the door. “Oh, wait. Where should I book Phileigh’s room?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow.
We’d rushed straight here as soon as the plane had landed. There had been no time to discuss the logistics of Phileigh’s stay.
I shook my head. “No room. Just some more clothes. She can stay at the house.”
There was no sense in putting her in a hotel room when I had a two-story condo here in New York City.
“Your house?”
My mom’s feet halted as she did an about face. I never brought any female to my properties, so I knew she was shocked.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I like her, Kellon, but we still don’t know her like that.”
“I know what I’m doing, Mom. Trust me,” I stated firmly.
She stared at me for a minute. A thousand expressions displayed across her face.
“Just be careful, baby. Y’all ain’t gotta move fast. Take your time,” she cautioned.
“I am, Ma,” I assured her.
“Okay, Son. I’ll be outside. Have a good show.”
She exited, leaving me standing with thoughts of Phileigh playing on repeat in my head. I heard all of my mom’s concerns. They were all valid, but a little too late. I didn’t know how to slow things down with Phileigh. The undeniable pull to keep pursuing her had me operating in the fast lane.
“I got this.” I exited the dressing room and headed toward the set.
The cameras stopped rolling, and Brittani Shepard blew out a deep breath. “Woo. Thank you so much, Kellon, for being on the show today. You did great.”
She leaned back in the chair, relaxing her perfect posture and professional voice. The interview was cool. She mainly asked fluff questions about my hobbies outside of football and cracked jokes. I appreciated that there was no mention of Jeronee or the accident. It made it easier for me to stare at Phileigh as she sat big-eyed and mesmerized in the front row.
“Thank you for having me.” I stood from the sofa, preparing to leave. I had only a tiny window of time to get down the hall to the next studio for my next round of appearances.
“And congratulations again on your big win! You made me an even richer woman,” she joked.
“Always bet on blue and green. Only the wise people know that,” I replied, shaking my head.
I wasn’t surprised at all that she had bet on the game. She wasn’t the only one who had cashed in from our win. I was sure of that.
“So, what’s next for you? Any big plans after the victory, sugar?”
“More press and just trying to enjoy the moment.”
“And enjoy it you should. Have a good day, Kellon.” She rose from the sofa, preparing to walk away, when I remembered what I was supposed to be doing.
“Aye, Brittani,” I called out, making her turn to look at me. “I almost forgot. If you don’t mind, I have someone that would love to meet you. She is a big fan.” I glanced at an unsuspecting Phileigh, who was busy flashing pictures by the show sign.
“Sure! Who is it?” she asked.
I glanced toward the studio entrance and waited for Phileigh’s eyes to meet mine before waving her over.
“Aye, come here for a second!”
Her mouth dropped, and I could see when she realized what was happening. Phileigh’s hand flew to her mouth as she slowly made her way over to us.
“Brittani, this is Phileigh. She’s a huge fan of yours.” I introduced them, and Phileigh’s eyes lit up.
“Oh my. It’s really you. You’re Brittani Shepard. I can’t believe I’m meeting you!” She squealed. Brittani laughed, clearly flattered.
“Thank you! It’s nice to meet you, Phileigh. Love the name by the way. I hope you enjoyed the show.”
“I loved it. I’ve been watching you since I was ten. It’s always been a dream of mine to see one of your shows live.” Phileigh gushed.
“Well, let’s get a picture,” Brittani offered, and Phileigh started screaming.
“I’ll take it,” I offered, taking Phileigh’s phone from her hand.
I took a few steps back and snapped a few shots of her posing with Brittani. The happiness radiating from her face was contagious, and it had me smiling from behind the camera. I wanted to recreate this look on her face every day, for as long as she would allow.
“I got a couple of pictures,” I said, handing Phileigh back her phone. I watched as she smiled happily at the photos.
“Tell me… What do you do for a living, Phileigh?” Brittani asked.
“I work in my best friend’s shop as a barber.” She was downplaying herself. I ain’t like that shit.
“Phileigh is a celebrity barber,” I added.
Brittani raised an eyebrow. “Really? A female barber? I love to see it! How did you get into that?”
“It’s a family tradition kind of. My dad was a barber for thirty years,” Phileigh answered, her confidence beginning to peek through.
“I love it! You know… I could actually use a barber for some future segments,” Brittani said. “If you’re open to it that is.”
Phileigh looked at me. All the color drained from her face.
“Oh my God. Are you serious?”
“Of course. Now, don’t ask me for all the details because I’m still working it out, but yes. A beautiful plus-sized female barber is something my show needs, sugar.”
“I’d be so honored!” Phileigh replied, her face lighting up at the opportunity.
“Great. Do you have a card, or what is your contact information?” Brittani asked.
I backed off a little, allowing Phileigh to connect with Brittani with a huge smile on my face. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I was glad I’d helped with the connection.
“I just met Brittani Shepard! And she took my number for a possible spot in an upcoming segment! Can you believe it?” Phileigh ran over to me once she was done talking to Brittani. She could hardly contain her excitement.
“Congratulations. You handled that like a professional,” I said, leading her out of the building toward a waiting black SUV. I was stuck doing press for the rest of the day, but Phileigh didn’t have to be.
“You mean that? ’Cause I was so nervous, but she was so nice that it made it easier.” She continued on about her encounter as I opened the car door for her.
“I think you made a good impression. Maybe this will lead to some great opportunities.”
“Maybe. She stepped inside the SUV. “Today was unbelievable.”
“I’m glad.”
“That’s Kellon Barnes!” a random voice called out.
“I better get back inside before I’m swarmed.”
“Wait. You’re not getting in?”
“Naw. I have press all day. My mom is going to take you to my crib, get you settled, and take you to grab some clothes.”
“Um… okay.”
“I’ll see you back at the house,” I told her. “Play nice, Ma,” I said as security led me back inside the studio building.