Read Online Games by Wanda B. Campbell - Free Book Online Page B

Marcus then frowned. “Unless you mean the two of you are an item? That would be such a waste.”
    Justin and Craig snickered, but Brian and Marcus glared at Shannon.
    “What I mean is if my cousin Shay catches you in his face, you won’t be able to see anything by the time she finishes with you,” Marcus clarified in a tone that conveyed his dislike for the annoying woman.
    “Trust us, we’re trying to keep you from danger,” Justin added.
    Shannon looked back at Brian who smiled and shrugged his shoulders, but remained quiet. Finally, she said, “Here’s my number, just in case you find yourself available.” She slipped her number into his pocket and slowly walked away.
    After she was out of earshot, the men laughed and made fun of Brian. For someone who wasn’t available, he certainly received his share of attention from women.  Brian took the jesting in the spirit it was given. He didn’t think it was a good time to tell them that he and Shay were nothing more than friends. It didn’t matter because he wasn’t interested in Shannon and would never see her again. What Brian didn’t know was that Shannon had spotted him in the parking lot getting out of Julia’s Jaguar and she was going to make it her business to find out more about him.
    Two weeks later, Brian had the privilege of being interrupted by Shannon once again as he studied on campus.
    “Brian , is that you?”  She was wearing dress slacks and a V-neck sweater.
    “Hello,” he paused, “ do I know you?”
    “It’s me, Shannon. We met at Dave and Buster’s.”
    It took a moment for Brian to recall the long hair and colored contacts. “I’m surprised to see you here,” he said referring to UC Berkeley’s law library. “Are you a student?”
    “I work on campus in the admissions office. What about yourself?” Shannon took the liberty of sitting next to him.
    “First year at Boalt.”
    “So you’re going to be a big-time lawyer.” Shannon smiled.
    “I hope so.”
    She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Brian, I know you’re going to be successful,” she said a little too sweet for Brian’s taste.
    “Thank you.”
    “I knew there was more to you than playing pool,” she said and leaned forward without revealing any cleavage.
    “Maybe you’re right,” he said trying not to focus on her long brightly painted nails. He closed the law book and turned to her. “ Shannon, tell me about you since it seems our paths keep crossing.”
    “Are you sure your girlfriend won’t mind us having a conversation?” Shannon mused.
    “I don’t have a girlfriend and right now I’m not looking for one,” Brian answered firmly.
    “But your boys said—”
    “I know what they said,” he cut her off, “but the person they were referring to is just a good friend.” Brian looked away after he made that statement. It was the first time he’d said it out loud and it didn’t sound right to him. If Shannon noticed the change in his demeanor, she didn’t address it.
    “So when we met at Dave and Buster’s, you just didn’t like me? Is that why you were so rude?” she asked, incredulously.
    Brian closed his notebook. “To be perfectly honest, yes. You’re not my type.”
    His blatant dislike of her physical appearance didn’t seem to bother Shannon at all. “Exactly what is your type?” she asked.
    “It doesn’t matter, because I’m not interested in a relationship, remember?”
    “Well, can I at least know your last name and a little more about you?” she asked still holding a smile. “I don’t see why we can’t be friends.”
    Brian hesitated before answering. Perhaps a friendship with a female would take his mind off Shay. “My last name is Pennington. I moved here almost five years ago from Arizona.”
    Shannon twisted her face. “Pennington,” she mumbled to herself repeatedly. “Are you related to that Pastor Pennington in East Oakland? I think the church is True Witness or something?”
    “He’s my father,”