The Game of Seduction (Arrington Family Series) by Candace Shaw Page A

with it toward the other basket, shot a three-pointer, rebounded it, ran back to other end, and stopped at the free throw line and shot another basket.
    Derek threw the ball back to him. “Bria isn’t like that.”
    “I know. When I’m with her, I’m just me. I don’t have to impress her. I feel at home and at peace with my girl. We have fun. We talk about world issues, politics, and medical stuff. She’s so intelligent and a breath of fresh air to be around. She’s athletic and doesn’t complain about how she can’t break a sweat because she just got her hair done. She doesn’t get mad if she breaks a nail. She’s had the same Lexus SUV since medical school that her parents gave her and said she’s going to drive it until the wheels fall off. Hell, I bought Terri a brand new car every year we were together. Three cars!”
    The men called it quits when the next group arrived to use the gym. They grabbed their things from the bleachers and headed out toward the parking lot while Rasheed stopped to sign a few autographs along the way.
    “I meant to ask you earlier,” Derek said as he leaned on his black BMW. “How do you feel about Terri doing the reality show about the ex-athletes wives or something like that?”
    “First of all, none of those women were ever wives, including Terri. She’s on basketball player number two, with three kids and no ring. I filed a motion for her not to mention my name on the show unless she wants to get sued and give back her parting gift that I gave her. The one I’m sure she has blown through on purses, shoes, and hair extensions.”
    Derek opened his car door and tossed his jacket inside. “You do realize everyone in the world knows you were engaged to her. You weren’t exactly a bench warmer unlike her new baller that no one has heard of except to say that he has your leftovers.”
    “True, but I don’t want any part of it.”
    In his pocket, his cell phone rang “There Goes My Baby” by Usher. He smiled.
    “Must be Bria.”
    “Yep.”Rasheed pushed the unlock button on his key. His Bentley beeped three cars down.
    “Interesting song choice,” Derek said sliding into the driver’s seat and closing the door.  He waved and sped off.
    Rasheed answered the call.
    “What’s up, girl?”
    “I think I’m going to be sick.”
    “What?” He felt his adrenaline rise. “Baby, what do you need? What can I do?”
    “Calm down. Not that kind of sick. I think I’m going to tell my family about my trip to Atlanta and the real reason why I’m going.”
    “Girl, you scared me.” He started the car and headed toward his house in Midtown Memphis. “I was about to speed to you and rush you to the hospital. When are you going to tell them?”
    “This afternoon during our weekly staff meeting.  So I might as well face the music and then skip town so they can’t harass me.”
    “Bree, you know what I admire about you the most? You’re a strong, independent, self-confident woman who is very focused on her career and goals. Alternative medicine is a passion of yours, so I say go in that meeting, look Dr. Daddy in the eye, and tell him how you feel. Be honest with the man. You never know. He may agree with you.”
    She sighed and a tapping sound was in the background. He grinned. She always tapped her fingernail when she was in contemplation mode.
    “All right. I will. Are we still on for bowling tonight? I may need to knock down a few pins to relieve some stress after this meeting.”
    “Yep, and a few is all you’ll be knocking down since I win every time.”
    “Whatever. I gotta go see a patient. Pray for me.”
    “I always do.”
    *****
     “So, what else is on the agenda for today?” Cannon asked as he presided over the Arrington Family Specialists’ weekly staff meeting in the practice’s conference room.
    Bria had sat numbly in her chair during the majority of the meeting while her siblings and parents discussed their latest patients’ issues and the