Free Delilah by Shelia M. Goss Page B

insisted on throwing him until Calvin said, “Michelle just called me. Delilah’s at the bridal party.”
    â€œI better get over there,” Samson said, placing his can of soda on the table.
    â€œNonsense. Michelle’s going to play interference. If anything jumps off, she’ll call me.”
    As much as Samson tried to forget about what was happening at Calvin and Michelle’s place, he couldn’t. Delilah hadn’t called him once since he’d left her place earlier that day, and that scared him. He slipped away from the men and walked out on the patio. He dialed a number.
    â€œDelilah, I hadn’t heard from you, so I just wanted to make sure things were cool between us.” Samson knew it was a bad idea to call Delilah, but he didn’t hang up.
    He could hear women laughing in the background. “You miss me already?”
    â€œAre we cool?”
    â€œDo you want to talk to her?”
    â€œNo. Are you crazy?”
    â€œNot certifiable.” The noise level decreased on Delilah’s end. “I’m surprised to hear from you.”
    â€œJust checking on you.”
    â€œI’m fine, and your wife-to-be is fine too. After the games, we’ll be opening up gifts.”
    â€œWhat are you doing there, Delilah?”
    â€œAre you jealous? Would you rather I be at your party instead? You know I can leave here and come where you are. All I need is the location.”
    â€œI would feel better if you left. You don’t even like Julia.”
    â€œNo, I don’t, but I love you. So if she’s going to be a part of your life, I’ll have to adjust.”
    â€œMan, what are you doing out here? The fellows are looking for you,” Michael said, interrupting the words Samson was about to speak.
    Samson didn’t hear him coming, but turned to face him as soon as he realized he wasn’t alone. Samson held up his hand. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.” Michael turned away and went back into the house.
    Samson turned his attention back to the phone conversation with Delilah. Slightly above a whisper, he said, “Leave before any drama starts, okay?”
    â€œYou should be getting back to your party, and I’m about to get back to mine.” Delilah hung up on him.
    Samson re-entered the house and whispered in Calvin’s ear. “Man, we need to go crash the bridal party. Delilah refuses to leave. I don’t trust her around Julia.”
    â€œCalm down. Forget Delilah for a minute and enjoy your night. Are you my partner or what? Because I’m ready to show them who the dominoes kings are.”
    Samson decided to take his friend’s advice and relax and enjoy his party. “I’m counting every time I lay a bone down,” Samson said.
    â€œThat’s what I’m talking about. Let’s do this.” Calvin followed Samson to the den, where the other men were waiting.
    Samson sat across from Calvin, and after a few hands played, Calvin slammed a domino on the table. “Thirty.”
    When it was Samson’s turn, he counted, “Twenty-five.”
    Michael and his partner barely counted. When it was Calvin’s turn again, he shouted, “Y’all really don’t want none of this.” He counted again. He and Samson stood up and high-fived each other.
    Michael pretended he didn’t care that he and his partner were losing. “I just haven’t been getting any good hands.”
    â€œOh, you was talking noise when Samson wasn’t here,” Calvin said as he placed his dominoes on the table.
    When Samson’s turn came around, he turned and looked at Michael. “Just because I feel sorry for you, I’ll let you get ten in.” Samson, with a wide smile across his face, placed his domino on the table.
    Michael counted and a few minutes later Calvin yelled, “Domino.”
    Samson did