Love on the Run by Zuri Day Page B

out. Anything I owed Jarrell I feel I paid back a long time ago.”
    She sat on the same couch she’d occupied the day before, this time wrapped up in one of Michael’s shirts (several sizes too big) and a pair of his shorts (several inches too long). Her ribs were wrapped as well, tightly and expertly. They had gone to Gregory’s doctor friend’s office last night, where his diagnosis of cracked ribs was confirmed. Two, on her right side. A blood vessel in her throat had been broken, causing a nasty looking purplish splotch, but the other scratches and bruises were superficial. After learning that her car was still on Sunset, and that last night she’d run from there all the way to his house, Michael had insisted she stay, at least for the night, so that they could decide the best course of action. Shayna didn’t want to, felt she’d already been enough of an imposition and should go home. Gregory advised against it while Michael simply informed her that leaving his house in her condition without her roommates there to take care of her and a fool still on the loose was not an option. Period. Having taken the sleep-inducing pain pill that Gregory had offered, there was nothing Shayna could do but leave a message on the phones that neither Talisha nor Brittney were answering to let them know that she was all right and would see them later. Then she’d enjoyed an incredible night’s sleep in Michael’s room (he’d insisted), and a scrumptious all-American breakfast that Orlando had prepared. And now, here she sat, feeling somewhat surreal, as she shared with Michael the details of her first and only love. Not at all what this twenty-five-year-old had planned for this particular Saturday. But here she was.
    Michael reared back in the oversized chair that was positioned across from the couch. His emotions had been turned upside down since seeing Shayna huddled next to his wrought-iron gate. The line between professional and personal was not only blurred, but quickly becoming obliterated. Michael felt an indescribable need to protect Shayna, to take care of her, in a way he’d not only never felt about a client, but had never felt about anyone. He wasn’t comfortable with that. Not at all. Still, he continued questioning this very personal part of her life by telling himself that as her manager and the shaper of her public image . . . he needed to know.
    And for some inexplicable reason, Shayna felt a need to tell.
    â€œJay is basically a good person. He’s got enough game for his own arcade, but he’s smart and focused and at one time, I really cared about him. He always seemed so knowledgeable about everything. I thought he was sophisticated, going places. He wore suits to class, even in high school, and was a business major in college. He’s good people.”
    â€œHe’s also the man who attacked you on a public street.”
    Shayna glanced up at Michael as her eyes became glassy. “I know. And I know I should hate him right about now. As it is, I’m pretty pissed off. But the man who tried to grab me isn’t the Jay that I know. Plus, part of this is my fault.”
    â€œWhat?” Michael looked at her as though she’d lost a major part of her mind, if not all of it.
    â€œNo, Michael, you don’t know the whole story. He’s been calling and I keep ignoring him. Whatever has happened between us, he was my friend for many, many years.” She continued, looking out the patio doors into a yesterday when Jay had been the sun in the sky otherwise known as her life. “If I’d just talked to him, maybe none of this would have happened.”
    â€œSo you’ll keep talking to him for the rest of your life, then he won’t beat you up. Is that the logic that we’re working with here?”
    â€œI know it sounds crazy, and no, I’m not going to get back with him. But I’ve known him practically all my