Chapter 22
22
The ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn reception hall downtown. It was the same place where Angel had attended his senior prom and received his first kiss from a girl named Aliya Brown. Granted, Aliya had ditched Angel after she’d been voted prom queen and she’d left early with the prom king, but a first kiss was still a first kiss. After he’d signed his gospel recording deal, Aliya, as well as several other girls in his class who hadn’t given him the time of day previously, had suddenly started paying him a lot more attention. He hadn’t known what to do with it.
But Angel took the attention in stride now as he spoke to Aliya, who was also being honored tonight for her accomplishments with the elementary school’s PTA. The ceremony hadn’t officially started yet, and Angel was making the rounds, trying to say hello to as many people as possible. Aliya’s husband, a firefighter, was an honoree as well. He was somewhere in the room too, but obviously far enough away that he didn’t see when Aliya lightly placed her hand on Angel’s arm.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said, leaning in and giving his biceps a covert squeeze. “I mean, you used to sing the national anthem at assemblies and now look at you.” She slowly dragged her eyes up and down Angel’s form. “We are all so, so proud.”
Beside him, Ray snorted quietly. Angel elbowed him in the side as he smiled at Aliya.
“Thank you, for real,” Angel said, easing his arm from her hold. “And congratulations to you too. It was nice talking to you, but I’ve got to…” He gestured around at the rest of the room, politely indicating that there were other people he needed to talk to.
“Of course,” Aliya said, eyes twinkling as she waved goodbye.
“You’re the belle of the damn ball,” Ray said, snickering as they walked away.
Angel couldn’t do anything but laugh because it was kind of true. Further proving Ray’s point, a camera flashed in their faces, startling them. A photographer from the local paper circled them, snapping pictures. Angel posed and smiled. Already, he’d spoken to a couple local journalists. Claudia had worked with the ceremony organizers to make sure that the media list was selective. Angel hadn’t wanted his hometown to be overrun with the media or paparazzi because of him.
“Great, thank you,” the photographer said, giving them a thumbs-up. “Angel, can we get one with you and the mayor?”
Mayor Daniels suddenly appeared by Angel’s side, and soon Angel was surrounded by his old teachers and classmates and other attendees. Everyone was trying to get their pictures with him before the ceremony began.
Across the room, he saw his parents talking with Trey Jones, Angel’s old youth pastor at Mount Olive, who was now a senior pastor. He was presenting Angel with his award tonight. Leah stood by their parents, smiling yet somehow simultaneously looking bored out of her mind. At their mom’s request, Leah had smoothed her hair down into a neat side bun on the half of her head that wasn’t shaved. She’d refused to remove the row of hoop earrings in both ears, though. Of course, Cora had blamed Angel. If she wasn’t up there with you in New York, she wouldn’t have all these piercings.
Already, Cora had picked a fight with Angel about his outfit. He was wearing a double-breasted Versace suit, contrasting black and plaid and a black turtleneck. He thought that he looked good, low-key even. But Cora had asked why he couldn’t have worn a “normal” suit. And couldn’t he have died his hair a normal shade instead of that burgundy? She’d also wanted him to take out his nose ring. He wondered again why he’d bothered to come tonight and subject himself to her.
Other than saying hello to Reverend Jones and to his old Sunday school teacher Mr. Price, offering condolences on his wife’s passing, Angel hadn’t made small talk with many others from Mount Olive. Not because he didn’t want to talk to them and hear about how they were doing, but because he was apprehensive that they’d treat him just like his mother did, and there was only so much of that he could handle.
The ceremony was starting soon, and the host asked everyone to take their seats. Angel glanced toward the door, looking for Iris. Her flight out of Newark had been delayed, so he knew she’d be late. She’d texted him a half hour ago saying that she’d just gotten to the hotel and was getting dressed. He was so grateful that she’d agreed to join him here tonight, even if they couldn’t be honest with everyone about what they meant to each other.
Angel and Ray took their seats at the table, which was situated in the front of the reception hall. Soon, Leah and their parents sat down too.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love you,” Leah whispered to Angel. She nodded her head at Cora, who leaned across her husband to continue her conversation with Reverend Jones. “She’s driving me nuts.”
Angel smirked at his sister, knowing exactly how she felt. “We’ll be outta here soon.”
Then, suddenly, Iris appeared at their table as dinner was being served. She looked slightly winded as she smiled and waved hello. Her hair was styled in a wavy bob. She wore a black turtleneck dress and heels. Instant relief swept over Angel. He immediately stood to hug her.
“Hey,” he said, turning his face down to her hair, breathing her in.
She hugged him back. “Hi. Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay.”
He realized he held on to her for a beat too long when she cleared her throat and lightly tapped his side. Reluctantly, he stepped back. “You remember my parents, Cora and Percy. And this is Reverend Jones. He’s known me since I was a kid. This is my friend Iris Greene.”
Reverend Jones stood, offering his hand to Iris.
It felt weak and empty to refer to Iris as his friend, but it was what Iris wanted.
“Nice to meet you,” Iris said.
Reverend Jones smiled at her. “Likewise. Thank you for coming to help us honor Angel.”
Iris nodded as she took the open seat on the other side of Leah. This had been part of the plan too. Iris wanted to look like a member of Angel’s overall group and not make it obvious that she was his romantic partner. Angel hated that she wasn’t sitting right next to him. But they’d be alone later.
The ceremony started with a welcome speech from the mayor, and awards were presented to each honoree. Angel tried not to keep glancing at Iris the entire time, wishing that he could be next to her and rest his hand on her thigh or loop his arm around the back of her chair. He craved her nearness and he wondered if it was obvious to everyone around him. But Iris was the only one who caught his gaze time and time again. Neither of them was paying attention like they should have been.
They’d saved Angel for last. Reverend Jones walked to the podium to present Angel with his award.
“I’m here to honor a young man by the name of Angel Hughes, but most of you know him simply as Angel now. I remember when Angel was this big.” Reverend Jones lifted his hand to his waist, and a few people laughed. “He would stand up in church, clapping loud and singing his little heart out. Even then, he had a strong voice that carried. We all knew that he was special. His success should come as a surprise to no one. And he’s paid his blessings forward by donating to Mount Olive and helping us in our time of need. He’s also made it so that the young people in our community who are interested in music have the tools to learn and realize their dreams. I am so proud to present this Maren honoree award to the one and only Angel Hughes.”
Angel stood to loud applause. Leah hopped up and hugged him, and he looked across at Iris, who smiled at him with such warmth in her eyes, he felt her happiness radiating out to him. At the podium, he hugged Reverend Jones and thanked him. He would keep his speech short and sweet.
“Thank you for this honor,” he said. “Thank you, Reverend Jones, for your kind words, although I do remember being taller than that as a kid.” He paused as people laughed. “I’d also like to thank my family and this community. In a way, everyone here in this room helped make me who I am today.” He glanced up at Iris, who watched him. He wanted to thank her too, just for being here. But he knew that she wouldn’t want him to do that and draw attention to her.
He held his plaque and thanked everyone again. As Angel stepped away, the mayor resumed his place at the podium and wished everyone a good evening. Then the ceremony was over. Angel had been so nervous about being back home because it meant having to be around Cora, but other than her usual nitpicking, tonight hadn’t been that bad. Maybe his apprehension had been unfounded.
Iris smiled softly as she took Angel’s plaque in her hands. She tested its weight. “This is really special,” she said. “Are you going to put it in your award case?”
He nodded, looking at her. “I’m ready to go. Are you?”
“Yes.” She handed the plaque back to him and he purposely brushed his fingers against hers, holding her gaze.
“You can go with Ray and Leah to the car,” he said. “I’ll just say bye really quick.”
“Okay.”
Angel was in a hurry as he went to say goodbye to Reverend Jones and his parents. He hugged his dad, then his mom.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
Cora stiffened and squinted at him. “Well, we both know that’s a bold-faced lie.”
Angel paused and let out a deep breath. Reverend Jones cleared his throat, and Percy sighed, looking at his wife.
“He’ll fly all around the world before he visits his mother,” Cora explained, turning to some of her friends from church. “It’s the truth, and y’all know it is.”
It had been a surprisingly good night. Angel wanted to spend the rest of it with Iris. He didn’t want to let his mom bring down his mood.
“It was good to see you, Mom,” he forced himself to say, easing away. To Reverend Jones, he said, “I’m sorry I can’t stay around longer. I’ll be back in New York tomorrow. I’m working on my next album—”
“Oh, a new album,” Cora said. “Does that mean you’re going to be naked all over television again?”
“Naked?” Angel turned to her sharply. “What are you talking about?”
“Close enough to naked. Singing about those things you do. All the women.”
Angel closed his eyes and fought the urge to rub his temples in frustration. He wasn’t surprised at Cora’s words, but he was surprised that she was saying them in front of other people. Reverend Jones and his mom’s church friends glanced away, making embarrassed and awkward eye contact with one another. Couldn’t his mom see that she was making them uncomfortable?
It was like she couldn’t take that he was being praised for the positive things that he’d done. He didn’t want to argue with her in public. He didn’t want to have this conversation at all.
“Okay, Mom,” he said, choosing to let it go, like always.
Cora placed her hands on her hips. It was like Angel’s refusal to engage her only rankled her further. Her voice dripped in quiet disappointment as she said, “You know that I raised you better than what you’re doing. When’s the last time you’ve been to church? You don’t go anymore. I know that you don’t.”
It’s because of you, he wanted to say. I stopped going because of you.
Her rules had gripped his throat like a vise. Growing up here, he’d been stifled by her, and he’d tried to twist himself into the version of the son that she wanted. But he didn’t want to change himself. He liked himself. He didn’t think that there was anything about him that would make God love him any less. So why did she always give him such a hard time?
“How could you be willing to miss out on the opportunity to get to know your son for who he is?” Iris said fiercely, coming to Angel’s side. He looked down at her in surprise. He thought she’d gone outside already. A pink flush spread across Iris’s brown cheeks. “He’s a good person. He’s here, and he’s alive . You need to love him while you’re still able.”
Without another word, she grabbed Angel’s hand and together, they walked outside. Ray and Leah were already waiting in the car. Leah had jumped at the first chance to escape their mom.
Angel blinked at Iris as she walked briskly beside him.
“I can’t believe her,” she hissed, keeping her quick pace. “I’m sorry to have spoken to your mother like that. I know it might have been disrespectful, and I’ll probably apologize to her at some point in the future. But she treated you so horribly, I couldn’t listen to another word!”
He didn’t say anything. He was thinking, watching her. A realization crystalized in the forefront of his mind.
“I want you to look at me,” she said, stopping abruptly. She lifted her hands and firmly rested them on either side of his face. “You are a wonderful person, and no one should ever speak to you like that, least of all your own mother.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly on deep breaths. She was fuming, all because she was feeling protective over him. He stared at her, feeling too many things at once. He, who wrote love songs for a living, could only close his eyes and lean his forehead against hers and breathe her in.
“Okay?” she said, wanting an answer from him.
“Yeah,” he said. “I hear you.”
“Good.”
He was beyond touched by her concern. She didn’t resist as he took her hand and they walked together to the car.
Back at the hotel, Ray and Leah went to their rooms, and Iris went to hers before changing into flats and knocking on Angel’s door. In the minutes that they’d been separated, he’d been able to think clearly about what he’d been feeling. He let her inside, and she lightly touched his cheek as she passed him. She sat at the edge of the bed and let out a deep exhale.
“I’m exhausted ,” she said, looking at him. “I’m sure you are too.”
He came to stand in front of her. His heart pounded in a steady, strong rhythm.
“I want you,” he said.
She laughed and raised her eyebrows. “Is this foreplay?”
“No, no, not like that,” he said, shaking his head. She blinked, and he hastened to clarify. “I mean, yes, I want you in that way too. But what I’m trying to say is that I want you in my life, Iris. I don’t just want to see where things go with us. I want to say, for real, that I’m yours and you’re mine.”
He watched her face change. Her smile slipped from her face as she gazed at him seriously.
“I know you probably don’t want to be out in public with me because of everything that comes along with it, and I understand that,” he said. “I won’t ask you to go on red carpets with me or to places where there will be tons of paparazzi or people around hounding us. I can be so, so careful.” He paused, looking at her. She was still listening with rapt attention. “Tonight, I wanted to sit next to you and hold your hand. I don’t want to lie and say that you’re just my friend. It feels like it’s watering down what we have. I know you’ve been through so much, and I don’t want to pressure you to do anything right now. I’m here and I’ll wait until you’re ready. I just needed to be real with you.”
Iris was quiet for a long time, looking at him. As his adrenaline wore down, he realized how nervous he was to hear her response. He sat beside her and resisted the urge to touch her until she spoke.
“You and I came out of nowhere,” she said quietly. “I never could have expected anything like this, and I’m honestly still trying to wrap my mind around it.”
“I know,” he said.
She placed her hand over his, and his pulse quickened again.
“It would be a really big transition for me to be known as your girlfriend,” she said. “So if we’re going to do this, we would need to take it very, very slowly.”
“As slow as possible,” he said eagerly. “Slower than a turtle. Slower than a sloth .”
She laughed, and it was music to his ears.
“I’m serious,” he said. “Whatever you need.”
“The first step is talking to Calla about it,” she said. “And then I have to find a way to bring this up to my boss. I have no idea what she’s going to say. But I need time to think about how to tell her. We definitely should wait until your ambassador contract ends after the holidays. It will be less of a risk then.”
That was months from now, but he would wait. Five months was nothing if it meant that he could really have her.
“Whatever you need,” he repeated.
She leaned in and kissed him. He pressed his hand to her upper back and held her there against him.
“I appreciate you being so forthcoming with me,” she said as their noses brushed. “It’s one of my favorite things about you. I never have to guess how you feel or what you’re thinking because you’ll tell me.”
“I will always be honest with you,” he said.
Quietly, she whispered back, “I’ll always be honest with you too.”
He kissed her again, slow and sweet. Then exhaustion settled over him. He flopped down on his side, and Iris lay in front of him.
“You look as tired as I feel,” she said, smiling.
He pulled her closer, inhaling her perfume. It made him dizzy with happiness. His eyes began to close as she wrapped her arm around his waist and crossed her legs with his. She rested her face in the space between his neck and shoulder. They built a comfortable cocoon.
She whispered something to him about needing to wake up at the crack of dawn for her flight. He nodded drowsily, too content to move with her there in his arms. He fell into the deepest, most soothing sleep of his life.