Free Games by Wanda B. Campbell

Brian answered, “and it’s True Worship.”
    “How does it feel to be the son of a wealthy pastor?”
    Brian smirked as sheer fascination veiled Shannon’s face. “I wouldn’t exactly call my father wealthy.”
    “I’ve seen True Worship. It’s probably the faste st-growing church in the Bay Area with state-of-the-art facilities.”
    “Since the community center opened two years ago, membership has surged. My father is considering having three services on Sunday to accommodate everyone,” Brian announced proudly.
    “Maybe I can visit one Sunday ,” Shannon suggested, the key word being maybe.
    “Are you a Christian?” Brian wondered out loud. Considering her provocative mannerisms he would have thought not.
    Instead of looking him in the face, Shannon looked over his shoulder at a stack of periodicals. “I believe in God, but I don’t attend church regularly.”
    “Hearing my father or Mama J preach one time would change that,” Brian said with confidence.
    “Your mother preaches too?” Shannon questioned.
    “No, but Mama J does. That’s what I call my stepmother. My mother lives in Arizona,” he clarified.
    He thought he read disappointment on her face. “So, Julia Simone is your stepmother? I read somewhere that Reverend Pennington is married to the wealthy real estate developer.”
    “That’s correct, but I’m very close to my stepmother,” he continued. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Now, tell me about you,” he said, leaning back in his seat.
    “What would you like to know, Brian?” Shannon placed her hand on his and Brian casually moved his hand away.
    “How old are you? Where are you from? What’s your story?”
    “For starters, I’m twenty-five. I was born and raised in Oakland. I don’t have any baby daddies and I’m available.” She added a wink to the last part of her answer.
    “That’s good to know, the baby daddy part, I mean.”
    She rubbed his forearm and spoke softly. “Brian, who is Shay?”
    Brian moved his hand away, again. “Shay is a special friend,” he said almost sadly. “Very special.”
    “How long have you known her?” Shannon probed.
    “Why?” Brian asked sharply.
    She shifted in her seat. Like she knew she’d just worn out her welcome. “How old are you, Brian?”
    “Twenty-three.”
    “So was Shay your college sweetheart?” Shannon wouldn’t let it go.
    Brian shifted in his seat, mainly because he hadn’t come to terms with the answer. Shay wasn’t his college sweetheart. She was much more than that. “No, but LaShay Hampton is my friend and she will always be special to me. Now, if you want to continue this conversation, don’t ask me anything else about her.”
    Shannon leaned back in her seat. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hit a sore spot.”
    “Well , now you know. My relationship with Shay is private.” Brian looked at his watch; suddenly he was ready to leave. “I’d better get going if I’m going to make it to Bible Study on time.” He turned back to Shannon. “Would you like to join me?”
    “Maybe next time; or maybe I’ll come with you on Sunday. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll call you and let you know if I can make it,” Shannon innocently suggested.
    Brian scribbled his cell phone number and handed it to her. “For the most part, it was nice talking to you. I hope you make it to church one Sunday.” With that he gathered his books and laptop and was gone.
     
    ***
    Watching Brian walk away, a million thoughts raced through Shannon’s mind.   She’d have to play it very careful, if she were going to win Brian. It was evident he had strong feelings for this Shay person. He was probably in love with her, but she didn’t care. A man didn’t have to be in love with her, for her to spend his money. Brian was definitely her meal ticket, even if Julia Simone wasn’t his biological mother. His father received more than enough money from that church and like Brian said, Julia Simone