Chapter 5
Chapter 5
J ames settled down at a booth in the food court and pulled out his laptop to do a little more research on law schools. His plan was to announce his decision to the family during Thanksgiving break. He was down to two schools and decided to talk with his cousin Taylor who had graduated from Columbia, which was on his list. He checked his watch to make sure he still had time to talk. He pushed the call button on his phone and waited.
“What’s up?” Taylor asked, sounding hurried.
“Are you in the studio?”
“No, I’m going through the dreaded photo shoot, where my makeup has to be flawless and every little strand of hair is on point. Can I say I do not love this part of what I do?”
“You can say that, but I wouldn’t believe you,” James joked. “You love every moment of performing and this is a part of preparing for that.”
There was a hesitation on the other end of the line. “You know you are too darn logical just like your father.”
“Which one?” James and Taylor both burst into laughter.
“You know you are all the way wrong for that,” Taylor teased. “What’s going on?”
“I’m down to two schools. Columbia and Georgetown Law.”
“Hmm. Both are good. Both are in metropolitan areas. The night life is crazy in either. It really comes down to what field of law you want to go into. Have you decided?”
James thought for a moment. “I know the family thinks I’m leaning toward politics, but I’m not sure I’m feeling it. I think it will be best to leave the politics up to Dad.”
“Well, if you decide on Georgetown you have to ask yourself if you want to be that close to home. The one thing I can say about Columbia is it gave me a chance to just be Taylor. I didn’t have to deal with the celebrity issues there. And it gave me a chance to grow up without Daddy catching my every fall. Aunt Nikki gave me that freedom to take the falls and learn how to pick myself up. That is valuable at our age. It’s that coming-of-age time when we begin to really discover who we are and who we want to be.”
“My dad generally gives me space. He isn’t as aggressive as Uncle Vernon. Your dad was a beast when it came to you. Poor Jason didn’t stand a chance.”
“Jason brought some of that on himself, but I don’t want to talk about him right now.”
“Trouble in paradise? I thought you two were good,” James stated a little concerned.
“I thought so too, until he dissed me at a launch party.”
“That’s to be expected to a certain extent when other players are around.”
“That should not dictate how he acts around me.”
“It shouldn’t but it does,” James explained. “In Jason’s position you can’t always let people know who or what matters to you. There are times when being in the public life is dangerous to those you love. I’m not saying that’s the case, but just keep that in the back of your mind and give the brother a little slack.”
“I’m going to give him a slap upside his head,” Taylor hissed.
“When did you become so violent.” James laughed. “You sound really pissed.”
“I am. Here I was thinking he was my forever, you know. I have never felt that way about another guy and he’s acting like I’m not important in his life. When you meet that person you really like, don't ever leave them to wonder about your sincerity. Let them know every step of the way how you feel about them. Not knowing is not a good place to be.”
“I hear you,” James replied as he heard her name being called.
“Give me a moment,” Taylor called back to someone then continued. “So, which one is it going to be, New York or DC?”
“I’ll let you know after I talk with ZsaZsa.”
“ZsaZsa? Princess ZsaZsa?”
“Yes.” James replied then waited for her reaction.
“Princess ZsaZsa, hmm, okay, I can see that. What is she nineteen or twenty?”
“She’s nineteen.” James confirmed.
“Do you like her?”
“I do. I really do.”
“Does she like you? Wait, of course she does. What is there not to like.”
James smiled. “I think she does. We are going out tonight on our first real date.”
“So, you two have already spent some time together?”
“We’ve been talking for about a week now. She is in Richmond and I’m in Fairfax, so the distance is a bit of an issue, but you know I will make it work.”
“I know you will. I say go for it. Her brother is cool people. I’m not sure how your dad is going to take you being serious at such a young age. But I met Jason when I was twenty, and I knew what I wanted.”
“Does age really matter?” James asked. “I mean when you meet that person, you know whether you are nineteen or forty-nine. Look at your dad.”
Taylor laughed. “Right. Who would have thought my dad would marry again.”
“You know I’m not talking about marriage or anything like that, but…” he hesitated. “There is something about ZsaZsa that kind of does it for me. You know what I mean?”
“I do,” she chuckled. “Take your time getting to know her. If she is the right one, you will know.”
James looked up to see Deirdre walking towards him. “Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
“A girl who is trying to cause issues with me and ZsaZsa is coming my way.”
“Drama already? You just said it’s only been about a week.” Taylor chuckled.
“Yes, Phire said this one has me on her radar just to mess with ZsaZsa.” James explained.
“Let me guess. She has an issue with ZsaZsa being a princess?”
“I think it’s something like that. To be honest, I don’t care what her issue may be. I’m not a pawn in anybody’s game.”
“Handle your business cuz and let me know how it all turns out.”
“You know I will,” James disconnected the call.
With his attention on his laptop, James acted as if he had not noticed Deirdre, hoping she would simply walk by. Maybe Phire was wrong about her intent.
“Hi, James,” Deirdre purred as she approached the table.
So much for Phire being wrong, James thought as he looked up. “Hello, Deirdre.”
“What are you doing here?” She asked as if she was surprised to see him.
Since Phire had given him a heads up on Deirdre, he knew she was aware he would be in the student center. Neither he nor Phire knew what she was up to, but they knew she was going to make a play for him. No worries, James was not concerned. He knew just how to shut her down.
“I’m catching up on some research before my date with ZsaZsa,” he replied.
“Well, I have a few minutes. Do you mind if I hang here with you?”
She was wearing a come screw me short, body fitting red dress with a low-cut front, and three-inch heels. Deirdre was an attractive, brown skinned, Chicago beauty, who had everything in the right place. Some guy would have fun with her, however, he was not that guy. The only person ZsaZsa named as a ‘do not touch’ was Deirdre. But even without that, James knew he did not want to have anything to do with her. There was something about her he did not like or trust.
“I’m working on something right now.” James replied. “Besides it looks like you are dressed for a date.”
She ran her hand down her waist then over her hips. “I look this good all the time. I can’t help it,” she smirked. “No, I’m just hanging out on a Friday night with nothing to do. So, what are you working on?” she asked as she leaned against the back of his chair looking over his shoulder.
She was a little too close for his comfort. When he looked over his shoulder at her, her breasts were right in his face. He shook his head. She was a bold one. “Do you mind, I’m working here.”
“I can see that.” She leaned in closer, then licked her lips. “I was hoping to get your attention from your work.”
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” she asked in an innocent manner.
“Why are you all over me? You know I’m trying to get with ZsaZsa.”
“Why?” she huffed. “She don’t have nothing on me. I mean for real James, you don’t look like the type to wait for a girl to give it up. And why should you when there are some of us who are more than willing to spend time with you. Why don’t you pick a place where we can just go and hang for a while.” She smiled.
“Deirdre, I don’t want to hang with you,” James said as he closed then picked up his laptop. “You are a little too desperate for me. If you will give it up to me this easy, you will give it up to the next guy too. I don’t play that kind of game.”
“I’m not playing a game, James. When I want something, I go for it.” Deirdre stepped closer putting her hands on his chest.
“Even when the person doesn't want you?” James asked, stepping back from her.
“You don’t like what you see?” She stepped back with her hands on her hips.
“I’m not interested in what you have to offer. I like ZsaZsa.”
“What do you see in her?” Deirdre all but stomped.
James smiled. “Someone I like. Which is what I do not see when I look at you,” he said then walked away.
Deirdre frowned at his back. “You may like her, but I don’t,” she said then turned to her friend who was walking towards her. “Did you get any good ones?”
“A few,” her friend replied then gave her a cell phone.
Deirdre looked at the pictures and smiled. “Damn, he is fine. And we do look good together.”
“Look at this one,” her friend said as she slid to the next picture.
“Yes, that’s the one.” Deirdre grinned. She selected several pictures then texted them to her roommate Angela. Look who I ran into at the student center. I think I’m going to make him my new boo.