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Thank goodness Cory was still young enough to put hanging out and playing video games above alone time with his girlfriend. In a few years, that may not be the case.
Cory listened to his aunt on the phone. His exuberant smile dwindled to a disappointed frown. “I didn’t ask him. He offered…Why not? You were just worried about me being home alone…Come on! Don’t be like that.”
Isaiah held out his hand. “Give me the phone. Let me talk to her.” Cory handed over the phone. “Angela, hey, it’s Isaiah.”
He heard her quick inhalation. Had anger or something else made her do that? “I’m sorry if Cory asked you to hang out. Believe me I will tell him not to impose on you anymore. I’ll figure out someplace for him to go tonight.” Her tone was brisk. The lack of warmth made him want to squirm. He’d hurt her.
“It wasn’t Cory who asked. I overheard him talking to you, and I think it’s best if he spent time with me instead of being home alone.”
“Why, what’s wrong?” Her voice sharpened with worry.
Isaiah glanced at Cory and Denise; Cory excited, Denise glaring daggers at Cory. “Denise’s sister signed her out already. I’ll make sure she’s still here before Cory and I leave,” he said slowly, hoping she picked up on what he inferred. “That way Cory won’t have to wait with her alone.”
“Crap, was he planning to bring her back to my place?”
He was glad she’d caught on quickly. “I’m not sure, but I know he’ll have a good time with me and I’ll keep him out of trouble.”
Angela sighed. “What about your girlfriend? Will she have a problem with you spending time with Cory after camp?”
“Bridget and I haven’t officially been together for over a year. She just moved to the area yesterday. I’m still very free to hang with whomever I want on my own time.”
“Oh, really?” She sounded skeptical.
“Really. I’ll have Cory text you my address. Come over when you’re off work.”
“You’re taking him to your place?”
“Yes, it’s more secure than your place. I don’t want to cause a scene.”
“That’s right. I forgot you’re a famous basketball star.”
“Believe me, the famous part is more inconvenience than anything. I don’t want to make things difficult for you and Cory. Are you cool with him coming with me?”
She hesitated. He wished he could see her face. To see if she was worried about imposing on his time, or because she didn’t want to have to see him.
“I’m cool with that.”
He had to fight not to let out a heavy sigh. He hadn’t completely ruined her trust in him. “Great. We’ll see you when you get off.”
He liked the idea of being there to help her out. To provide a shoulder for her to lean on in a time of need. He liked that feeling a lot, but hadn’t that always been a problem for him? Jumping in to save the day without regard to consequences?
“Isaiah…thank you.”
The relief in her voice made him feel like he was a superhero who’d just saved her from harm. He pictured her angelic smile and bright eyes. Consequences be damned. “You’re welcome, Angel.” He used her nickname on purpose. “I’ll see you when you get off work.”
CHAPTER 11
“Let’s be real, you were trying to sneak Denise over to your aunt’s place tonight,” Isaiah said to Cory.
They stood in Isaiah’s upstairs media room, each holding electronic guns pointed at the television, where a virtual military unit carried out a rescue mission. They’d been playing the video game for the past half hour.
Cory glanced quickly at Isaiah before shooting a few villains in the game. “She mentioned coming over just to hang out.”
Isaiah smirked. “Uh-huh, just hang out. How did you get out of camp without your aunt signing you out?”
Cory looked sheepish. “Denise’s sister.”
“Not cool, Cory. If you get caught sneaking out, Keri may put you and Denise out of the program and get your aunt in a lot of trouble. Do you want that?” Isaiah made a mental note to tell Keri what happened anyway so she could handle it with the young people signing kids in and out at the end of the day.
