The Blind Shot

By J. L. Campbell

When all else fails, love will find a way.

In fifteen years of traveling halfway around the globe, satisfying his need for advancement and adventure, Kofi Danquah has never met another woman as intriguing as Regina Chu. She's a chameleon—a wild child with issues she hides behind a playful persona.

In Gina's eyes, Kofi is a mystery—exotic, intense and secretive. His sober nature balances her bubbly personality and unconventional approach to life. Plus, he's appealing enough to make her forget they're from separate worlds.

Time spent together changes Kofi and Gina's platonic relationship into an attraction that burns hot despite their cultural differences and the disapproval of their families. But fairy tales don't always last and true love needs fertile soil in which to bloom.

*** The Blind Shot contains the potential trigger subject of date rape. While the incident isn't shown on the page, this warning may be helpful to those readers who may be affected by that subject matter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Writer's Suite
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9789768307279

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kofi

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Irolled my shoulders, trying to relieve the tension tightening them. Every time I spoke to my mother, I came away feeling stressed. I loved my family, but the pressure to go home was getting to me.

Mama squinted at me from the phone screen. When will you call again?

She asked the same question every time we spoke, which was once every couple of weeks.

Soon, Mama. I have to go now.

I love you, son.

Love you too, Mama.

I ended the call and got up to stretch. At least, she hadn't asked me when I was coming home. I'd been in America for the last fifteen years, where I'd been studying and working. I'd gotten my degree and done post graduate work in sports medicine and was on the verge of making another life-changing decision I hadn't mentioned to my family.

The cell phone rang, and I picked it up off the table.

Catherine Richmond's name appeared on the screen. She was a client I saw privately and knew she was trouble waiting to happen. She was well-to-do, White, married and on the prowl. I was a resident alien, Black and not looking to get killed by anybody's husband.

Hi, Catherine. What can I do for you?

I'm calling to ask whether we could move our session up to one o' clock. Something came up and I'd prefer not to miss our work out.

No problem, I said, I'll see you in half an hour.

My gym bag was already packed, so all I had to do was get dressed and be on my way. While I pulled on my sweats, I thought about the changes I'd need to make in a couple of months if I took up an offer from a good friend I'd met in university.

Kemar's parents had money and he was doing well in his chosen field of finance. He was ready to diversify his interests and was working out the details for of his plan to go home to Jamaica and open a state-of-the-art gym. Kemar invited me to invest with him, but I wasn't sure I wanted to leave the States as yet. I was making good money and enjoying life after years of a work-study-work routine to keep myself fed and clothed, plus send money home to my parents.

I got my keys, picked up my bag and left the apartment, unlocking my Honda Civic Type R as I approached the sidewalk.

Catherine lived twenty minutes away in Pompano Beach, which meant she'd be ready when I got there.

The scenic ride was uneventful and I made it to my destination with a few minutes to spare. The two-story, hacienda-style house stood behind a perfect lawn and garden and had a great view of the waterfront.

Catherine greeted me at the front door and we wasted no time, since she'd already warmed up. I put her through the series of exercises I'd tailored for her and by the time we were finished, she was sweating hard. Her home gym was outfitted with the latest equipment for weight and resistance training and she made good use of everything she owned.

I'll see you on Friday, Catherine said, reaching up to re-twist her brown hair into a knot once we completed her cooling down exercises.

I was prepared to let myself out, but she walked ahead of me to the doorway of the gym, where her shoulder brushed my chest when she faced me with a small flourish. A fruity perfume masked the odor of her sweat. The fact that I could still smell her meant we were standing too close.

I shifted as if to get past her. I can let myself out.

It's no trouble, she said, still standing in my path. Her fixed smile made me think she was deranged, but I knew better.

I wondered what her husband would say if he knew she was playing these games with the hired help. Catherine wasn't exactly obvious about what she was doing but having been in this situation a dozen times before, I knew exactly what she was thinking. I also knew what she wanted.

I glanced at my watch. I have to go, so …

That got her moving, and I went past her, through a narrow corridor and into her living room.

Just in case she came up with any other delaying tactics, I fired up the engine and quickly pulled out of her driveway. The things people got up to when they had too much time and money to spare never ceased to amaze me. I pumped up the volume on the Marley CD I'd been listening to and forgot about Catherine. Friday was soon enough to think about her when I saw her again.

After dumping my things inside my locker, I went to the weights room. Gina was the first person I noticed when I walked into the gym where I consulted and did specialized work. She was a half-Chinese girl from Jamaica, or what Americans called Blasian. When I first met her, I thought she was standoffish, but since then we got along great. We weren't bosom buddies, but enjoyed each other’s company. Gina and I talked about various things, including my country and hers.

She had just finished using the free weights, so I stopped to talk.

You're early today.

Over her shoulder she looked at me, flashing me a smile. I felt like shaking things up a little. Been sitting at my desk all morning.

What are you working on today?

My legs. She tipped her chin toward me. Are you going to stand there talking, or are you going to get on with what they pay you to do?

I could have told her the gym didn't pay me a regular salary, but I didn't. It would take the fun out of things. Instead, I chuckled at her brashness. Sure, what d’you want help with?

While Gina did her reps, I spotted for her and also helped with her form. She had more height on her than most Chinese people I'd met and she was lively. I'd assumed many people of Chinese ancestry were dull, thanks to limited interaction with them. A preconceived notion which I admitted was wrong. The longer I lived in America, the more lessons I learned about the way people perceived me because of my origins.

Gina was talkative, but right now she was focused on her sets. A light sprinkling of sweat dotted her forehead and her rhythmic breathing brought my mind back to what we were doing. She exhaled long and hard, then put the free weights back in their slots, having completed her lunges.

All done, she said, giving me a thumbs-up sign.

Her voice was melodious and that bubbly vibe she had going on made me want to stay in her company.

Great.

I sat on a bench nearby working out my routine for today in my head while Gina finished her stretches then picked up her towel and dabbed her forehead. As I watched her, Kemar popped into my mind and a question followed. What's Jamaica really like? I mean from an inside view.

I'd heard Kemar's view many times, but was suddenly interested in hearing about the island again from Gina.

She brushed a strand of hair off her face before answering me. Why d'you ask?

Before speaking, I weighed my words so I wouldn’t give away anything. I haven't been there, but I'd like to go one day.

Gina smile was brilliant and accompanied by a pair of dimples that pulled my gaze to her cheeks. You should do it sooner, rather than later. You'll love the atmosphere and you already like reggae music.

If the music is all I'm going for, I can get that right here in America.

She walked over and stood in front of me. You're too serious. You know what I mean. The island has a special flavor—the sights, the sounds, the people. You have to experience it, and hearing the music here is different than when you're actually on The Rock.

I folded my arms and returned her smile. Is that so?

Acting like a drama queen, she snapped her fingers and wobbled her head. You know that's right.

Gina was a trip. She'd always had a special something about her that made me forget how serious I was and laugh just because. This was one such occasion.

So why the sudden interest? she asked.

Again, I was cautious with my explanation. It's not really sudden. Coming from Ghana, I've always been interested because of your artistes, Bob Marley, Burning Spear and Luciano in particular. There's also the whole Middle Passage experience of my ancestors, or should I say the triangular slave trade?

When she looked blank, I continued, You know … how the slaves got from Africa to the Caribbean. Didn't you do history in school?

Oh. Her eyes brightened. Of course, I knew that. I did history at CSEC level.

What?

Waving one hand at me, she said. Never mind. Those are local secondary exams in Jamaica.

Oh, got it.

She flipped the towel over her shoulder and settled her gaze on me. So, like I was saying, you should make the trip to the island.

I have no reason to go, other than taking a vacation.

Gina shrugged. That doesn't sound impossible to me.

Yes, nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough and put the effort into getting it.

That's one thing we agree on. She turned away and bent over to root through her gym bag.

I tried to keep my eyes off her backside but it was impossible, given the way she was positioned—head down and butt pointed straight in the air. Her cheeks—encased in black spandex—were firm and round. If she didn't change position soon, I'd be in an embarrassing one.

She stood straight and spun around, facing me.

My gaze travelled up to her face, which darkened to an intense shade of rose brown.

I'm sorry, she said, I wasn't—

I put up one hand with my palm facing her. I know. Don't worry about it.

Her discomfort was cute, but I didn't dare smile. She wouldn't like it.

Gina sat next to me with her phone in hand, throwing me stealthy glances.

I wanted to reassure her that I didn't think she aimed her butt at me deliberately, but opted not to say anything. Commenting on the matter would only embarrass her all over again.

She tapped the phone screen and typed a message. Another few seconds passed and she sucked her teeth and muttered before sending another text. Her next phone notification had her scowling after she read the screen. She made a frustrated sound in her throat. Chase, she grumbled. You are the absolute limit.

I also knew Chase, her brother, so curiosity made me ask, Something's wrong?

She sighed. Yeah, Chase was supposed to pick me up, but he's been delayed. He has a last-minute meeting or something.

Where are you going?

Chase and I were supposed to go together. That workout made me hungry and now I'll have to sit here—

Would you like to grab a bite with me?

The question came out of my mouth before I thought about it. Usually, after arriving at Workout Boost, I did my workout and headed straight home. But here I was, offering to take Gina someplace. It would mean having her in my company for a while longer, which was about the only positive side to letting my mouth run away with me.

I guess I could, since my plans have changed.

Let's go to the diner down the block. I got to my feet. Give me a few minutes and I'll put on a tee-shirt.

No problem.

The men's changing room was nearly empty, so I went directly to my locker and changed my shirt, debating whether to stay in my sweat bottoms. It was an easy decision because Gina was still wearing gym clothes. Idly, I wondered where she was going with Chase dressed like that. Not that it was my business.

She sat in the same spot, smiling at her phone then tapping the screen. Her hair was loose around her shoulders—a black curtain I wanted to run through my fingers. I caught myself rubbing my thumb and fingers together.

Ready? I asked when I stood before her.

Yeah.

I picked up her bag and we walked side by side to the door, which I held open for her. She walked by me, filling my nostrils with the scent of almond and mango.

In response to her scent, I pulled in my breath hard but it wasn't a normal reaction. Since I'd been in this country, I'd come across many women. Some, I spent time with and others I gave a wide berth. For years, I'd kept my mind on my studies because that was my number one priority. I'd finished school for a while now and was not seriously concentrating on my career. Now that I had more time on my hands, I was reluctant to commit to anyone. Solitude had grown on me.

Turning my face up to the evening sun, I drew in a deep breath. The atmosphere was always the same—a kind of frenetic energy that was different from my homeland, where things moved at a slower pace. We passed people shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk, everybody minding their business. Another thing it took me forever to get used to when I first came here.

The restaurant was now in sight, so I put my thoughts aside.

This is where we're going, I said, touching Gina's back and steering her toward the door. A few people sat inside the coffee shop, where I ate several times each week. I liked it because the food was good and the waitresses were polite. The place was always clean and the atmosphere welcoming. What made Cosmo special was that they served coffee from different countries in a variety of ways, any time of day. They also served beer and smoothies.

As we sat, I put Gina's bag on the chair next to me.

She looked around before her dark eyes met mine. Weird, but as close as this place is to the gym, I managed to miss it.

It's easy when you're driving.

Right, she said, smiling.

From where we sat, the menu board was visible, so I gave her a run-down of what I normally ate. The waitress came with a menu card, but Gina looked at me. What do you recommend?

You can try a salad.

She frowned and lowered her chin as if asking if I was crazy.

Hiding a smile, I added, Or one of their sandwiches or platters.

The waitress reeled off a list of items, and Gina settled on the grilled chicken platter. When I ordered the grilled chicken salad, Gina studied me as if I couldn't be real. She waited until the waitress walked away before asking, That's what you're having for dinner?

Nodding, I said, I try not to eat too much heavy stuff in the evening.

I need to take you home with me to save me from myself.

Her comment made me laugh. Are you serious?

She nodded and let her smile come through. Why do you think I spend so much time in the gym? I have to work off what I eat.

You're exaggerating. It doesn't look that way to me.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

Our drinks arrived and we chatted while waiting for our food. Gina was amusing, and I could have listened to her talk all evening. Several times, she took out her phone and sent messages to Chase, apologizing when she did. I told her it was okay and continued listening to her chatter.

When our meals came and we were about to dig in, she looked at me with her eyes opened wide. You weren't joking. This serving is huge.

Eat what you can. I shrugged and picked up my fork. Who knows? Chase might come in time to help you with that. He's meeting you here, right?

She nodded and cut off a bite of chicken. That's if I decide to give him any.

We both looked at the chicken, sweet potato hash and vegetables and chuckled at the same time.

Looks to me like you'll definitely need help, I said, but if you eat all of that, I may have to get a forklift to move you out of here when you're finished.

Her lips twitched and when she couldn't stand it