Free Star Struck by Shelia Goss

her head up high and continued walking towards the door.
    “I need to talk to you,” Shareeka said, as she neared.
     
    ~ 14 ~
     
    Hailey stopped and turned to face her enemy. Shareeka gestured for her to follow her in a different direction. “For a little privacy,” Shareeka stated.
    She followed her to the left of the ballroom; where there were fewer people entering and exiting.
    “I only walked over here because I really don’t need everybody up in my business,” Hailey said.
    “Good. So you won’t cause a scene after I tell you what I have to say.”
    Hailey tapped her foot. “What happens between me and Garrett shouldn’t concern you.”
    “You know good and well, it’s not about Garrett. I know who you are and what you mean to Tre?”
    Hailey held up her hand. “You’re the one wearing the ring, not me.”
    “But it’s not stopping you from flirting with my man every chance you get.”
    “Dear. I think you’re a little paranoid. The only man I’ve been flirting with tonight has been Garrett and I don’t see him complaining not one bit.”
    “He doesn’t have good taste.”
    Hailey licked her lips. “So what is it? Are you jealous because Tre and I have a past or are you jealous because I’m here with Garrett?”
    “Now who’s the one being paranoid?”
    “I’m just saying. Looks like you should be more concerned about your man running behind me than Garrett.”
    “Tre doesn’t want you. Get over him.”
    “If I wanted Tre, I could have him.”
    Shareeka walked closer and although she wasn’t as tall as Hailey got as close to her face as she could. “I would advise you to back off my man before it gets ugly.”
    “If you don’t back up, I’m going to show you ugly.”
    Shareeka stood for a second, but Hailey didn’t back down. Shareeka backed up. “You better be glad my family and friends are in there.”
    Hailey crossed her arms. “Or what? Don’t let the designer dress and make up fool you.”
    “Ladies, there you are,” Garrett said. He wrapped his arm around Hailey’s waist. “I’ve been looking for you.”
    Hailey rolled her eyes at Shareeka. “We were just having a little girl talk.”
    “But I think I better get back to my other guests.”
    “Do that.”
    “What did I interrupt?” Garrett asked.
    “She was concerned about me flirting with her man. Sadly though, I don’t think she really meant Tre, because I’ve only been flirting with you.”
    “You must have misunderstood.”
    She let Garret lead her back into the ballroom. Hailey sensed more was going on that Garrett wasn’t telling her. She saw Trevon talking to Shareeka. Shareeka looked in their direction and pulled Trevon into a lip locking session.
    “Let’s blow this joint. I’ve had enough,” Hailey said.
    “Me too,” Garrett responded. “Wait here and I’ll go let Trevon know that we’re leaving.”
     
    ***
     
    Garrett said his good-byes and before long he and Hailey were on their way back to her place. He wasn’t in the mood for much conversation so he turned the volume up on his system. It didn’t seem like Hailey was up for talking either, because she didn’t attempt to talk either. They drove almost the entire hour without conversing.
    “What’s your password?” Garrett asked as he pulled up to the gate at the end of the entranceway to her house.
    “It’s 1999.”
    “I forgot you were a Prince fan,” he said, as he entered the code and waited for the gate to open.
    “You know it.”
    Hailey didn’t wait for him to open her car door. She was walking towards the front door before he could get out of the driver’s side.
    “Want to invite me in for a night cap?” he asked.
    “I could, but I’m not in the mood for being sociable,” she responded.
    “Neither am I.”
    She flipped the light on and deactivated her alarm. “Make yourself at home. I’m going to get out of this dress.”
    Since he helped design the new security system, he was very much familiar with the