Granny cocked her head to the side, glaring at her son. “He’s no boy, Billy. Drew here is all man.”
Jared and Gavin practically keeled over in laughter. “How is it that you know my name, but I don’t know yours?” I asked.
She patted my ass and grinned, exposing her oversized dentures. “I’m Glenda,” she stated, “but everyone calls me Granny.”
“May I call you Glenda?”
Her thick tongue washed over her teeth. “Only if you’re screaming it.”
McKenzie whipped around, her gorgeous eyes wide. “Jesus, Granny!” She covered her face, hiding her embarrassment.
“You can do better than him,” a snarling voice interrupted our banter.
I jerked my head around to find Gage entering the room near the kitchen table. He opened the refrigerator and retrieved a beer. He’d cleaned up from work, now wearing faded jeans and a t-shirt that exposed the quarter sleeve of tattoos on his right arm. The voice in my head screamed to ram my fist into his ugly mug. The arrogant prick had no business being in this house or conversation as far as I was concerned.
Not a soul responded to him, not even McKenzie paid him a glance. I didn’t mind. He could disappear into thin air for as far as I was concerned. Fucking prick.
“What?” Glenda protested. “You’re over there, hiding in your stove. I’m taking advantage of the situation.”
“Go for it, Granny!” Cody hollered in laughter. “It’s about time you took interest in someone new.”
McKenzie stood still, not uttering a single word. Her body language screamed, “Get away from him!” She clenched her teeth and clutched the wooden spoon tight in her hand. It was a faceoff between age and youth. Youth finally won out.
“Fine. He’s all yours,” Glenda announced. She shoved me away and turned to Gavin, waggling her eyebrows. “I’ll take this one instead.” Gavin’s eyes widened and his face turned the color of a beet. “What’s your name, cutie?”
“Ga-avin,” he stuttered.
“Oh, don’t be afraid of me. I don’t bite,” she paused, “at first.” She patted his cheek, turning around to everyone. “He sits by me at the table. This one’s a little shy, but I like a challenge.”
My gut hurt from laughing so hard. Gavin had that deer in the headlights look. It had been okay when I was in her sights, but now that it was his turn, he was lost. “I’m engaged,” he countered.
“I don’t want to marry you, cutie.” Glenda grabbed his left hand, twisting his ring finger between her wrinkled fingers. “Long fingers. You’re going to be so much fun.”
“Help!” Gavin whimpered.
“Sorry, buddy,” Jared said. “You’re on your own now.”
The sound of the baby crying echoed around the room. The banter around me died into a nonsensical chatter. All I could see were two tiny hands grappling at the air, having escaped their swaddling blanket. Blood drained from my body. I felt cold yet sweaty, gasping for air.
“Baby,” Jackie looked adoringly into her husband’s eyes. “Can you take her?” Jackie handed the baby over to Cody. My chest ached at the sight of the little girl. I quickly diverted my eyes only to meet Jackie’s as she stood. She tilted her head, her gaze moving back and forth between me and the child. This woman was intuitive, much like McKenzie. I’d have to keep my guard up around her.
Jackie approached us, her hand outstretched to me. She was nearly the same height as McKenzie, but where Mickie was petite and trim, her body sculpted from running, Jackie was all curves. “Sorry I didn’t get to talk to you fellas this afternoon. It’s been a hellova first week back. I’m Jackie.” She shook my hand with a firm grip to which I returned. In my opinion, a woman with a good handshake was to be trusted, respected, and admired.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I stated with a nod.
“Daddy!” Justice bounced into the room, grinning from ear to ear. “Skylanders Giants.” The words sounded almost like a song.
“In a second, son,” Cody replied.
“Pwease.”
McKenzie grabbed a hand towel, wiping her hands before tossing it back on the counter. “I can set it up for him.”
“Skylanders?” I questioned.
“It’s a video game,” Jackie advised.
“You wanna pway?” Justice looked up at me, hope filling his eyes.
“Maybe after dinner,” McKenzie answered for me.
“The same goes for you, Justice. You can play after dinner.” Jackie shook her head at Mickie who was posed to retreat with the child.
“Aww,” he mewled.
“You heard your momma. After dinner,” Cody reiterated.
“How ‘bout you go sit at the table. Dinner’s almost ready,” McKenzie instructed the child. Her voice was soft, and she was very gentle in her mannerisms when handling him. Justice looked up at her, and while it seemed he was looking at her, it also felt like he was looking through her. She patted his cheek. He grinned and bounced off to the table without so much as another argument or complaint about having been told no. The child simply accepted what he was told.
“Amazing,” I whispered.
“She really is with him,” Jackie agreed. I continued to watch McKenzie as she helped Justice pull out his chair. She was so patient and kind. I was in awe of her. “He’s her reason for doing what she does, you know.”
“Really?” I asked. McKenzie had never mentioned why she’d become a speech therapist before. She’d only ever told me Jared’s reasoning.
“Mickie was in college when Justice was diagnosed with autism. It affected her so much that she changed her major from psychology to speech pathology. She made it her mission to help children like him.”
My awe turned to hero worship.
“Dinner’s ready,” Lindsey announced.
“‘Bout time. I’m starved.” Bill kissed his wife, grabbing the plate of chicken fried steaks from her hands.
“Kenz, can you set the table, please?” Lindsey asked.
“I can help,” I offered. I dashed to aid McKenzie, hearing a snicker from Gavin as I rushed past him.
“No, I got it.” Gage pushed away from the fridge. I’d almost forgotten he was in the room which turned out unfortunate for me, because he was closer to her than I. He reached above her, grabbing the plates from the cabinet. “What would you do without me?” He winked at her.
“Hmm,” -she smiled, cutting her eyes to me- “I suppose I would’ve gotten the plates on my own.” McKenzie turned back to the cabinet, pushing up on the tips of her toes.
Something in me snapped. I wanted to rip this asshole limb from limb. The last time I’d felt like this was when Jared tried to replace me in helping McKenzie hunt for a new apartment. So, Gage wanted to be the hero. Two could play this game.
I moved behind her, placing my hands on her hips. The heat of her body penetrated my cotton shirt the instant our bodies connected. Leaning down, I whispered into her ear, “Tell me what you want.”
She gasped softly, but didn’t make a move. “I, uh.”
“Yes?” My voice dripped with wanton need.
“Glasses,” she choked. She moved against me, pointing above her head.
“Is that what you really want?” I pressed my chest flush against her back, entrapping her between me and the counter. There was no escaping me.
A soft groan caught in her throat as she swallowed. “Y-es.”
I reached above her head, pulling the cups from the cabinet and handed them to her.
“Thank y-” Her words were cut off by the shattering sound of glass meeting tile.
“Shit!” Every head in the room turned to see Gage, red-faced, clambering to collect the plates he’d dropped.
“Uh-oh!” Justice hollered. He pointed to Gage. “Gwage said a bwad word.”
McKenzie pushed away from me, and dropped to the floor to help Gage. “Lucky for you none of them broke,” she teased, nudging Gage in the arm.
He nodded, obviously upset. “Yeah. Lucky.”
“Don’t be picking on my stuff, McKenzie Paige,” Lindsey scolded.
“Now who’s getting the full name?” Bill laughed.
“You’re by me.” Glenda grabbed Gavin by the hand, leading him to the table.
“Wait! Mrs. Evans,” he disputed.
“Mrs. Evans was my mother-in-law. Don’t ever call me that again. That woman was a bitch from hell.”
For a moment I stood completely still, unsure of what to do. I blinked several times, the noise from the conversation faded into the background. The sweet angel of my life was doing exactly what I would expect her to do. She was helping. McKenzie was a giver. She cared for everyone, even those who didn’t deserve her affection. With that in mind, I knelt down beside her, resting my hand on her shoulder. “Let me help.”
Her smile, soft and innocent, took my breath away. “Thank you,” she whispered, placing plates in my hands.
Gage huffed, bouncing a couple times before finally lifting himself upright. “I guess I’m not needed.” He marched to the table and plopped down, crossing his arms over his chest.
People bustled around us, as though we weren’t there. When the last plate was retrieved, I stood up, offering Mickie my hand. She accepted, allowing me to pull her up with me.
“Get over here, you two,” Cody called out.
Everyone gathered around the table. The aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air. McKenzie took the cups that I’d left on the counter and made her way to the table. Without a word, I followed.
Much to my surprise, I ended up having a seat right next to McKenzie. Glenda gave me a quick wink, indicating she was the mastermind behind the seating arrangement.
Mental note: Give that woman one big kiss!
I picked up my fork, ready to dig into the mounds of delicious food sitting before us.
“Who wants to say grace?” Lindsey asked.
All at once, hands reached around the table. Gavin and I looked at each other, a little confused at what was happening. In my thirty-three years of life, no one had ever suggested a blessing before eating. I quickly dropped my fork. My hands fell to my lap, as humiliation washed over me.
“I will.” Bill reached out, accepting Lindsey and Glenda’s hands.
Heads bent. Eyes closed. Even little Justice settled in for the prayer.
“Thank you, Lord,” Bill started in the most reverent of tones. “These seem like simple words, but they come from simple hearts that overflow from your goodness and grace. We ask for your blessing today over this meal we are about to receive. Let it nourish our bodies as you have nourished our souls. Thank you for the fellowship of our friends, both far and near, and for our family who shares in this bounty with us. It is in your name that we pray. Amen.”
A chorus of Amens echoed around the table.
“Let’s eat!”
C
hapter Eight
“So,” Lindsey said, passing me the potatoes, “McKenzie tells us you fellas are here through the weekend.”
I graciously accepted the platter, and leaned in a little closer to McKenzie so that our arms touched. “Potatoes?” I asked in a soft whisper.
“Yes, please.” I scooped a mound a potatoes onto her plate before piling mine. The real fun came when I passed the plate over McKenzie to Cody, because my arm brushed across her chest. She let out a little gasp and shifted in her seat.
“Oh, sorry about that,” I apologized most insincerely. Teasing her was too much fun, but I had to make sure not to overstep my bounds. Little accidents here and there were enough to get her blood pumping; not to mention mine. I placed a napkin in my lap to cover the raging hard-on that developed thanks to my little game.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jared responded to Lindsey’s question.
“Wonderful. Then you can join us at the Sixth Street Festival tomorrow.”
“That’s a great idea.” Glenda patted Gavin’s wrist, her oversized teeth exposed in a huge grin.
“We wouldn’t want to impose,” Gavin countered.
“Nonsense,” Cody rebuffed. “The more the merrier. It’s a city wide celebration. There’ll be great music and good food. You can’t miss it.”
I speared my fork into my steak, sliding my knife through the meat. “Thank you for the invite, but we’d hate to intrude.”
This time it was McKenzie’s turn to toy with me. She placed her hand on my leg, thrumming her fingers over my knee. “Really, Drew, you should come with us,” she cooed. “It’s nothing like a drum circle, but-”
The delicious steak in my mouth hit the back of my throat in just a way that I started to choke. Lindsey began beating on my back. “You don’t need to swallow it whole, dear heart.” She handed me a glass of the sweetest tea I think I’d ever tasted. I gulped it down.
McKenzie removed her hand from my leg, a mischievous half grin curving her lips.
“Better?” Lindsey asked in a motherly tone.
“Yes,” I gasped. “Thank you.”
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I caught Gavin and Jared’s humored expressions. My watery eyes cut to McKenzie who pretended to not even notice me choking. She’d gotten the exact reaction she’d intended.
Game on, woman. Game on.
“So, you’ll join us?” Jackie queried. The whimper of the infant in the carrier beside her pulled at my heartstrings. I dropped my eyes down at my plate, toying with the mashed potatoes there. My arms and legs felt numb and a sick feeling invaded my stomach. I closed my eyes, determined to regain my control.
“They said they don’t want to go,” Gage sneered. The sound of his voice was all I needed to let go of my near panic attack. I felt his gaze burning a hole into my skull. “So, don’t pressure ‘em. I bet they’d be bored around us country folk anyways.”
I looked up, making direct eye contact with Gage. “We never said we didn’t want to go,” I refuted. “We said we didn’t want to impose.”
Gage shook his head. “Same difference,” he grumbled, spearing his green beans.
I stretched my arm out, draping it over the back of McKenzie’s chair. Focused on Gage, I leaned in closer to McKenzie so that our bodies were almost touching. “We’d love to join you tomorrow. McKenzie can attest to my love of good music and if the food is anything like this,” - I waved my hand toward the spread in the center of the table- “then we’re in for a fantastic evening.”
“Wonderful. It’s set then.” Bill announced.
Conversations broke around the table. I lightly trailed my thumb along her shoulders, as I removed my hand from the back of her chair. She shivered at my touch. A buzz of energy crackled between McKenzie and me. I glanced at her, only to catch her looking back at me. Her eyes danced with amusement.
“You thought you were funny, didn’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” She took a bite, chewing with diligence.
“You know exactly what I’m talkin’ about,” I mocked her accent.
Her eyes widen and her lips twitched. “Oh!” she snapped her fingers as if remembering something. “You mean mentioning the drum circle.”
“That, amongst other things.”
“I thought it was hilarious. You should’ve seen your face.” Mickie elbowed me in the side.
I pursed my lips. “This means war, sweetheart,” I teased.
“Bring it, Andy. I’m on home turf. I’ll whoop your ass anytime, anywhere.”
My head fell back in gut-aching laughter. “When you least expect it, expect it.”
“A loser’s response,” she rebutted.
“I thought you knew me better than that. I never lose.”
The smile disappeared from her face. Her expression suddenly became serious. “There’s always a first time for everything.”
That same feeling I’d had earlier overwhelmed me. Something was going on inside her head. Something I didn’t understand. She was friendly, but every time we came
close to our old banter, she pulled away. Walls, thick and high, encased her, locking me out, and any time I came close to cracking one, she mortared it back in place.
“That there is,” I muttered against my fork. “But let’s hope it’s not now.”
Her head jerked in my direction. She stared at me with the most incredulous look. I returned the long gaze, determined to make her see I wasn’t here on a whim. I meant business. The playful banter was gone. It was simply us, locked in a moment.
She licked her lips. Her throat dipped with her deep swallow. She picked up her glass of tea, breaking our eye contact. “We’ll see,” she breathed against the lip of the cup, taking a drink.
“That we will.” I returned to eating my meal in silence.
No one seemed to notice that McKenzie and I had all but shut down in their midst. We ate quietly, only responding when addressed. Gage attempted to engage McKenzie in conversation several times, but she appeared as lost in thought as I was. This wasn’t the perfect evening I’d planned. Our typical friendly banter turned into a cryptic challenge. And I was never one to back down from a challenge.
Lost in thought, I almost didn’t feel my cell phone buzzing in my pocket.
“You gonna answer that?” McKenzie asked me. Pulled from my trance, I found myself staring into the most beautiful eyes in the world. Her eyelashes fluttered, fanning over her cheeks. War raged behind her eyes so violently I could see it. “Your phone, Drew.” She nodded toward my pants. “Answer it.”
I blinked several times, lost and confused, before I lifted my hips, pulling the phone from my pocket. Within an instant my stomach soured. I closed my hand around the phone, clenching my jaw in aggravation. “What the hell could she want?” I muttered under my breath.
McKenzie leaned in closer to me. “You really should take that.”
I shook my head, lifting my hips to put the phone back in my pocket. “Not right now.”
“Andy,” the cadence of her tone held a strong warning. “Take the call.”
Squeezing my hand around the phone, I looked back into the eyes that haunted me. It was hard to read her face, and while I didn’t want to take the call, I knew that Olivia would keep calling until I finally answered. “Okay. I’ll be right back.” I tossed my napkin on the table and got up from my seat.
The Certainty of Deception Page 10
