I held the award up and received a standing ovation. I bowed, hugged and air kissed the presenters, and gracefully walked back to my seat with my head held high despite the nerves that were a tangled web within me. I knew that everyone would catch what I said about Christian, and the internet would go haywire. But I didn’t care. People were still standing when I returned,and everyone at my table gave me hugs and air kisses. When I reached Christian, I was shocked to see tears in his eyes, and he pulled me close.
“I love you, girl, and I’m so damn proud of you. I’ve always seen you, Angel,” he whispered.
I held onto him and felt amazing until I opened my eyes and locked eyes with Jeremiah, who sat a few tables away. My body tensed, and Christian immediately noticed. He released me, looked around, and then squeezed my hand as we sat down.
“I love you,” I declared, staring into his eyes with a smile.
“I love you more.”
I worried that might be true. I didn’t want to do anything to hurt Christian. And it wasn’t that I had intentions of hurting him, but I knew, despite the fact that I was in love with him, I was also guarded. There was a part of me that hadn’t let go of the resentment that I had against Jeremiah and how he treated me. I worried that I would lash out against Christian because of it someday.
We finished eating and danced.
“I told you that you would be the most beautiful girl here tonight.”
I giggled as we danced around the floor. “You’re just saying that.”
“Did you see how many men kept staring at you tonight?”
“They’re horny, and they were staring at all the women.”
“Nah, baby. Think I’m gonna have a hard time letting you out of my sight. I’ll never be that man who tells you what you can and can’t wear, but just know that I’ll be right there with you.”
“Oh my goodness, you’re horrible, Chris.” I giggled as he danced me around the floor.
“You make me this way, girl. You drive me crazy with how I feel about you.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Don’t make a nigga have to prove his love up in here tonight.”
“Please don’t.” I giggled.
We danced to a few more songs before I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I recalled Sawyer’s reminder about her accompanying me everywhere so that I didn’t run into Jeremiah alone, but she was slow dancing with Sampson. They looked to be deep into their dance and sharing an intimate moment. I didn’t want to interrupt them, so I left. When I returned, they were still deep in their dancing, but Christian was nowhere to be found.
I went off in search of him. Just when I was ready to give up and return to the ballroom, I thought I heard his voice. I rounded the corner to hear both him and Jeremiah talking.
“. . . believe that shit when I saw it, man. What the hell were you thinking getting with her? Already broke her in. You’re better than that.”
“Chill, Jay. You tripping, homie.”
“Am I though?”
“Yeah. We’re boys, but don’t make me check the fuck out of you tonight.”
“Oh, it’s like that now?”
“Yeah. It is.”
“You didn’t even have the decency to tell me. We’re supposed to be boys. You could’ve given me a heads-up. You know how I found out?”
“How?”
“One guess.”
“Erica?”
“Hell yeah. She was too happy to tell me about it.”
