The Favorite Son Read online

  “I tried to get her to have an abortion,” Blaine said.

  “And why would you do that?”

  “I thought that’s what you would want. I thought that would be best for the ministry.”

  “What would be best for the ministry,” Pastor Wilson roared, “is for you to act like you got some damn sense!”

  “Yes sir.” Blaine felt himself reverting back to his childhood.

  Pastor Wilson inhaled deeply and sighed. “You have to marry her. That’s the only option to save the group and the Oklahoma City church.”

  “Marry her? Marry her? Everybody knows she’s Camden’s fiancée. That’s going to look crazy.”

  “Ain’t nobody buying no records from a gospel group with a baby’s mama on soprano. Use your head, fool. You marry her now. Launch the ministry with her. Make a few more records and then quietly divorce once you’re established.”

  “She’s never going to go for that.”

  “Oh, my Lord. Do I have to spell out everything? You’re not telling her about this. You’re just going to present it to her as if you’re going to do the right thing. She’s a church girl to her heart. She won’t turn you down.”

  “What about Camden?”

  Pastor Wilson laughed. “Now you care about your brother’s feelings? You wasn’t saying what about Camden when you was going up in his woman.”

  Blaine felt his stomach drop. This was going to break Camden’s heart, and there was no way around it. Not if they wanted to keep everything that they’d worked for. Not if So G.I.F.T.E.D was going to remain on top of the charts.

  “I can’t do this. Maybe I can talk Camden into marrying Dawn anyway,” Blaine said in a panicked voice. “He would forgive her. I’d tell him it’s all my fault. He could raise the child as his own. Knowing our genetics, it’d probably come out looking just like him.”

  “Pull yourself together and do what you gotta do,” Pastor Wilson said. “And don’t worry about Regina. I’ll handle her.”

  Blaine closed his eyes. Regina. He didn’t want to be with her anyway, but she seemed to be falling back in love with him.

  “I’ll talk to her,” Blaine said. He wanted to see her face when she heard the news. Regina had been a sworn enemy before.

  “You don’t know Regina like I do. And you don’t have the tools to make her keep the peace. I asked you to do one thing. Get Dawn to marry you. Go buy a ring, and take her to dinner. She will accept.”

  “I don’t love Dawn,” Blaine said in a quiet voice.

  “So what? You’re divorcing her anyway. Get out of my sight before you’re proposing with a fat lip. I can’t look at you anymore.”

  Blaine stood, trying to look unafraid, but desperately failing. His father’s threats still struck fear into his heart even as a grown man.

  “You’re not hitting me, Dad. Just so you know. You aren’t in your thirties anymore.” Blaine’s voice quivered a little bit as he said this, causing Pastor Wilson to laugh.

  “You’re right. I’m not going to hit you. You’re a gospel celebrity now. Wouldn’t want that in the headlines. Wouldn’t want two sissy sons out there.”

  Blaine stormed out of his father’s study and slammed the door. Usually, when they argued, First Lady Rita stood just outside waiting to comfort either of her sons. But not this time. She sat in her favorite chair next to the foyer, sipping a glass of tea.

  “Mom … did you hear?” Blaine asked.

  She nodded. “I can’t believe I gave birth to you and rocked you to sleep. How did you turn out this way? Camden only ever had one girl, and you took her away.”

  Blaine shook his head. “You’re wrong about Camden. He’s had women. When we were in college he had his share, and he didn’t care that Dawn was back home going to junior college and waiting on him.”

  “So that’s why you felt it was okay to take that girl’s virginity?”

  “I’m sorry I did that.”

  She took another sip of her tea. “I want to see how you and your trifling father are going to swing this one.”

  “Don’t you always say that God gets the glory out of everything?”

  “Yes. He does. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be on your face begging for mercy somewhere. Don’t mock God.”

  Blaine left the house with his mother’s words echoing in his ears. Everything he did was a mockery. Standing in front of the people of God, singing worship music, and taking ministry classes like he could actually be somebody’s pastor. It was all a farce.

  But his father said that this could work. Marrying Dawn could fix it all. The group would remain intact and he would still be a pastor. And Camden would forgive him one day, as long as his precious music didn’t suffer.

  CHAPTER 31

  Dawn stared down at the ring box in front of her and blinked several times. This was, of course, not the reaction Blaine was going for. He was expecting her to jump for joy and say yes. Blaine had resigned himself to his father’s plan. He just needed Dawn to get on board too.

  Dawn had seemed hesitant when Blaine had invited her to his apartment, but she did show up. That had to count for something. At least she was willing to hear him out.

  “I don’t think I want to marry you,” Dawn said. “You don’t love me.”

  “I could learn to love you. I know I’m not Camden, but you could learn to love me too.”

  Dawn looked confused. “But why? When I first told you about the baby—and there is a baby—you wanted me to get an abortion or try to trick Camden. Why do you now want to get married?”

  “I’m going to tell you the truth, Dawn. My father told me that this would be the best plan for everyone. He thinks your being pregnant by me will destroy the group, and So G.I.F.T.E.D is part of the draw for the Oklahoma City church. I’m getting installed as pastor soon.”

  “So, I’m just supposed to go along with the program.”

  “Why wouldn’t you? You’ll be a first lady, and our child will be raised in the church. What’s the problem?”

  “I love Camden.”

  Blaine chuckled. “The man you think is gay.”

  “That was the devil whispering in my ear. I know that now. I want to try to see if I can salvage things with him.”

  Blaine threw his head back and laughed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh at you, but there is no way Camden is gonna be cool with his girlfriend getting pregnant by his brother.”

  “I thought about that. I’m not going to tell him the baby is yours. I’ll tell him it’s someone else’s but that I don’t want to reveal his identity.”

  Blaine paused for a moment. That plan could’ve actually worked. Maybe Dawn was more cunning than Blaine realized.

  “Amber knows, so it’ll never work. If you hadn’t told her, I might have supported this plan. She will tell Camden.”

  “I didn’t mean to tell her. I panicked when I saw the pregnancy test results. I didn’t think about how she’d react.”

  “I honestly think you should just chalk things up with Camden. I know you love him, but some things you can’t take back. He’ll forgive us at some point.”

  “But you would be okay being married to me when you don’t love me?”

  Blaine kept the “quiet divorce” plan to himself. There was no need to talk about that now. And Blaine was sure they’d come to a consensus when they both realized they were unhappily married.

  “Like I said, we can grow to love each other. My parents did it. My mother wasn’t goo-goo ga-ga over my father when they met. But over the years she fell in love with him.”

  Dawn giggled. “Goo-goo ga-ga? Isn’t that what babies say?”

  “Huh?”

  “Never mind. Go on.”

  “I think over the years we will find that we are a good fit. We both love Jesus and music, and we both love Camden.”

  “Do we really love Camden? I keep asking myself that. How could I have done this if I love him?” Dawn said.

  “You weren’t thinking, and neither was
I. We let our flesh dictate our actions. Now we have to bear the consequences.”

  “There you go with that wisdom again. You are such a dichotomy, Blaine.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you’re a straight-up ho.”

  “Excuse me! That was very rude.”

  Dawn laughed. “Really, Blaine. Everybody knows that you are a non-apologetic skirt chaser. But then, God is tugging at your heartstrings. He wants to use you. You just have to conquer your flesh.”

  “That was encouraging. It sounded like wifely advice.”

  “I guess it did. Let me think about your proposal, Blaine. I’m not ready to say yes yet. I still want to see Camden. Maybe … maybe I’ll still want to get that abortion. I don’t know.”

  “Hold on to the ring. If you do decide to keep the baby, then we need to do the marriage thing. I’m not pressuring you either way.”

  “Thank you for letting this be my decision, and not yours or Pastor Wilson’s.”

  “It’s definitely not my father’s choice.”

  Dawn smiled sadly as she put the ring in her purse. “It’s not. But I know he put you up to this. It makes sense to keep the ministry above reproach, so I know it was his idea.”

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t agree with it.”

  Dawn rose to her feet. “Thanks again. I’m extremely tired and I need to lie down. I’m gonna go home and get some rest. Camden says that Royce wants to fly us all into Atlanta to celebrate the number one and to give us an announcement.”

  “Yeah, I got the message on my voice mail. Get some rest, and don’t worry. It’s all gonna work out.”

  Blaine walked Dawn to the door, but on second thought he decided to walk her all the way to her car. He wasn’t sure if he was doing a better job convincing Dawn than he was himself. Deep down in his core, Blaine felt that everything wouldn’t be all right. He remembered his mother’s words about God getting the glory, and his begging for mercy. He hoped his mother was wrong and that he’d never have to do the latter.

  CHAPTER 32

  Blaine walked out of a meeting with his father at the church and ran into Regina in the hallway. She stopped and stared at him with an expression devoid of emotion. There was no anger, sadness, or even joy at seeing him, so Blaine assumed that she’d talked to his father.

  “Regina …”

  She held up one hand. “Don’t fix your mouth to say my name. You are dead to me.”

  “Wow. Really? I thought it was just business anyway. I’m sure my father honored his contract with you.”

  “You know it was more than that. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to let myself go there, though. That was my bad.”

  Blaine shook his head. “Whatever. I’m sorry it went down like this.”

  “You aren’t sorry. You’re never sorry. You don’t have to be. Your father cleans up every one of your messes. You never have to worry about remorse.”

  “Okay, you’re being rude, so I’m about to keep it moving. You have a great day.”

  Blaine tried to pass Regina, but she stepped in his path. “Who was it?” she asked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “What ho is stealing my first lady position? Was it that trick in Houston?”

  Blaine gently moved her to the side so he could continue down the hall. “There was no other woman. We just decided to go a different direction.”

  “You’re a liar, Blaine. There’s always someone else. There’s always a woman.”

  “I wouldn’t stress about it. You’re still a part of the ministry. My dad seems to love you, so you’ll always have a position.”

  “Your father does love me. That’s more than I can say for your sorry self.”

  “I never claimed to love you. You and my father both said I needed you for this ministry. I disagree.”

  “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done to me, Blaine. And all of the other women you’ve used and tossed to the side.”

  “I might have to pay for how I’ve treated some of them, but not you. You were bought and paid for. You don’t love me, so don’t act like you’re heartbroken.”

  “There is something wrong with you. Like really,” Regina hissed. “I think you’re dead inside.”

  “We’re kindred spirits, baby. If I’m going to hell, we’re gonna be cell mates.”

  “I hate you.”

  “Aww, that’s not very godly. Do you know Jesus as your personal savior?”

  Regina gave Blaine a cold look before she walked away from him. He didn’t care about her thinly veiled threats. His father had her on the payroll and in a position of power. That was all she wanted anyway. Love had nothing to do with her feelings for him … lust maybe, but not love.

  CHAPTER 33

  Camden hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his friends until he and Royce were on their way to the airport to pick them up in Royce’s Suburban. He was especially happy about seeing Dawn. He had a surprise for her that would change everything.

  “There they are. Pull over!” Camden said.

  Royce laughed. “Okay, calm down!”

  Camden was out of the SUV before Royce came to a complete stop. Amber was the first one he reached, and she gave him a huge hug.

  “Camdeezy! I missed you, man!”

  Camden kissed her cheek. “I missed you too. I hate I wasn’t out touring with y’all.”

  “You didn’t miss much,” Akil said as he gave Camden a fist bump. “Just crowds of adoring fans, five-star hotels, the beach, and sumptuous meals.”

  “Rub it in, why don’t you!”

  Dawn stood still, with a tiny smile on her face. Camden rushed her and scooped her into his arms. She laughed as he spun her around.

  “I missed you, babe,” Camden whispered in her ear.

  “I missed you too.”

  Camden released the embrace and looked at Dawn funny. “You okay? Why are your eyes puffy? It looks like you’ve been crying.”

  “Everything is okay now,” Dawn replied. “I just missed you.”

  Blaine was last to greet Camden and he gave him a brotherly hug.

  “Twin. Looks like you ain’t been eating,” Blaine said. “I thought they had some good soul food here in the A.”

  Royce said, “He’s been working. No time to gain weight.”

  “Leave it to Camden to get here doing one project and then end up working on everybody’s stuff,” Amber said. “You go, boy!”

  The guys packed everyone’s bags in the car. Camden let Akil have the front seat so that he could snuggle up with Dawn in the back row. Her hair, her perfume, and even her flowered sundress all had a dizzying effect on him. He wanted to spend some time alone with her.

  Camden was expecting her to be all over him too, but she wasn’t. He hoped she wasn’t still thinking about the gay accusations.

  When they got back to Royce’s mansion, his wife showed everyone to their rooms. The girls had one and the guys had another. After they all settled in, Royce invited everyone to the patio for lunch and to chill by the pool.

  “I want to congratulate all of you on your number one. You couldn’t have done any better on your debut,” Royce said. “The record company is beyond pleased.”

  “They are? So does that mean we’re going to get a million-dollar budget for our album?” Blaine asked.

  Royce took a sip of his sweet tea before responding. Camden thought there was still a little tension between Blaine and Royce since the diva scene he pulled in Dallas, but Royce was being very kind to him.

  “Not a million-dollar budget. That’s unheard of in gospel. You’ve got to remember your genre. If you want million-dollar budgets, you should move over to R&B.”

  “You said you could see me doing that, right?”

  “Not as a pastor, though, nitwit,” Amber said. “You ’bout to sing bump-and-grind music and then preach on Sunday? Whatever!”

  “Maybe Regina will like it,” Camden said.

  When
no one laughed at his joke but Akil, Camden knew something was going on.

  “Where is Regina anyway?” Camden asked. “I thought she was shadowing you, Blaine.”

  Blaine shook his head. “Nah. She’s working on some stuff with Dad, so she hasn’t been with us at all.”

  Royce said, “You guys have gotten off topic already! We were talking about the record label and their plans for you.”

  “Sorry, Royce,” Amber said. “This is what we do. We digress. Especially when you feed us yummy food. Compliments to whoever threw down on these fajitas.”

  Royce laughed. “That would be my wife Kita. You can tell her later how much you enjoyed them.”

  “So, the record label wants to make a slight change to the group,” Camden said. “They would like for us to add a member.”

  “We’ve been singing together forever. I don’t know why we need someone else,” Blaine said. “We’re fine the way we are.”

  Royce said, “They want the group to be able to sing a diverse selection of music, and they don’t feel you have a soprano soloist.”

  “I sing soprano,” Dawn said.

  “And you do a wonderful job, babe,” Camden said. “They are looking for someone to do what Amber and Blaine do, though. On the soprano notes.”

  Dawn frowned and looked so upset that Camden almost wished they hadn’t told her.

  “No one is being replaced,” Royce said. “But what if one of you get sick? There’s not enough depth here. I would really like to add an alto too, who can back Amber up, but we’ll start with the soprano.”

  “They have a really fun way that they want to make it happen. They want to do an open audition here in Atlanta and film it like a little reality show for the Gospel Music Network. Royce will host it, and we’ll be featured. It’s great publicity and it’ll be a good look for us,” Camden said.

  Amber pushed away her plate of fajitas. “Oh, I’m about to be on TV? Let me fall back on this yumminess so I can look completely snatched in my wardrobe. My husband might see me on TV.”

  “Royce, she’s always waiting for her husband to find her,” Akil explained.

  “Yes. He will find me and not the other way around. But I do not have a problem with presenting my best self for all potential boos.”