A Heart to Heal

by Synithia Williams

  Chapter 28

  Devin went through morning rounds and his first few patients in a flash. He barely had time to think between appointments. When lunch hour arrived, he decided to skip eating in his office and walk to the barber shop instead. It would mean staying late to go through lab reports and patient calls, but it was worth the sacrifice to clear his head for an hour.

  He told his staff he was taking lunch away from the office and would be back soon. Kia avoided eye contact and hurried into one of the storage rooms as he passed. He’d have to deal with that soon, this afternoon preferably. He wasn’t sure if she was mad at him about their failed date, or embarrassed now that it was obvious there wasn’t much between them. She’d avoided him as much as the small office would allow, and he’d been too wrapped up in figuring out how to handle things with Shayla to care. But getting Kia to admit there was no chance of a future between them would go a long way to ending this stupid concealed relationship he had going.

  His office was two blocks off of Main Street. The air was crisp and cool, and for the first time he noticed the yellow, orange, and red leaves on the trees along the street. Fall was here. He breathed in the fresh air, energized after a day cooped up in hospital and exam rooms.

  The crisp air gave way to heated, incensed air in the shop of his long time barber. Devin had gotten his hair cut by Al Larson since he was a kid. Al was a young man when Devin’s dad first brought him. Boastful, full of swagger, and everything that represented 1980s cool with his Adidas track suit, gold tooth, and perfectly parted high top fade. Decades passed, yet Al still represented the best of the eighties.

  “What’s up, Devin,” Al said when Devin walked in. His gold tooth shining in the bright light of the building. He wore a purple and black sweater that would have made Bill Cosby proud with black acid wash jeans. Despite his refusal to give up his golden decade, Al and his barbers still gave the best hair cuts in town.

  “Nothing much, Al. Just came in for a tape up.” Devin greeted the two other barbers in the shop, Joe and Terry.

  “Sit down, my man,” Al got up from his seat and motioned for Devin to take it. “Always got time for my favorite customer.”

  Devin smiled as he sat. “Everyone’s your favorite customer.”

  Al laughed and draped a cover over Devin. “True, true, but you been coming since I opened this place. I ’ppreciate that man.” Al grabbed his clippers and studied Devin’s head. “You letting it grow?”

  Devin ran his fingers through the inch and a half worth of growth on his head. He wouldn’t let it get too much longer, but for now this was good. He couldn’t help but smile when he thought of Shayla running her fingers through it.

  “Yeah, but not much longer than this.”

  “Cool, I’ll shape you up right.” He spun the chair around so Devin’s back was to him. “I hear you playing Mike Tyson at the diner the other night.”

  Devin stifled a groan. “Nothing like that. Tony said something that was uncalled for. It’s over.”

  “He must’ve said something pretty messed up to get you fighting in the street.”

  Joe lowered his paper. “I was there. They weren’t fighting in the street. Devin did get a good swing on him though.” He lifted the paper back up.

  The bell on the door chimed as another customer walked in. Devin recognized Stan, one of Tony’s friends. His body tensed, the brief relaxation he’d experienced dissipating.

  They made eye contact and Stan narrowed his. Devin clenched the arm of the chair. No telling what kind of trouble one of Tony’s friends would try to start.

  “What’s up, Al. You got time to cut my hair?” Stan asked.

  “I’m just starting, get Joe to do it.”

  Joe looked up from his paper and sighed. “I’m on break.”

  Al sucked his teeth. “You always on break.”

  Joe snapped the paper and lifted it in front of his face.

  Stan laughed. “No problem, I can wait.” He sat in one of the chairs against the wall.

  Devin held Stan’s stare until Stan finally looked away. He tried to relax, but the reminder of Tony and their fight the weekend before irked him.

  “Devin, you still cool with Shayla Monroe,” Al asked.

  Stan’s eyes snapped to Devin and Al, while Joe lowered the paper.

  “We’re friends, why?”

  “Just wondering. I saw her in the store the other day, and damn, that girl can get it.” Al said.

  Devin sat up and glared at Al, who raised his hands, his eyes immediately filled with remorse. “No disrespect, just real talk, man. I thought y’all were just friends.”

  “We are friends, so don’t disrespect her.”

  Al pulled Devin back in the chair and resumed edging up his hair. “My bad. I was just pointing out how much she’s grown. I never believed the rumors about her being fast when she was little.”

  Stan laughed. “She lived up to those stories in Atlanta.”

  “Shayla made a mistake in Atlanta. And don’t act high and mighty, Stan,” Devin said. “We all know about you and Lila Green. Don’t you still run the other direction whenever you see Mr. Green?”

  The shop erupted in laughter. Stan crossed his arms and shut his mouth. Al changed the subject to other town gossip and Devin relaxed somewhat. He should have known better than to come here. Al’s was the place to get the best hair cut, and the best story. Usually he didn’t pay much attention to what the men talked about; occasionally he participated in discussions on sports and women. He knew Al took the conversation away from Shayla out of respect for him, but he also knew her name would be right back on their lips when he left.

  He didn’t notice the fresh air, or fall leaves on the walk back to his office. The waiting room was full, which didn’t leave him much time to think about what the men were saying about Shayla in the shop. He pushed it out of his mind and focused on his patients. The afternoon flew by just like the morning had. It was almost six by the time the last patient left the office.

  He’d just slumped in his office chair, and was rubbing the bridge of his nose when Kia came in. She dropped a few patient files in his box, gave him a tight smile, and turned to walk out.

  “Kia, stop. Close the door, we need to talk.”

  She cringed, but closed the door and turned to face him. She looked everywhere but at him, reminding him of Shayla.

  Shayla. He wanted nothing more than to sit and laugh with her for a few hours. Unwind after the long day he had. But he couldn’t, unless they snuck to some hotel to do it. Annoyance clenched his stomach. Foolishness prevented him from going to her house tonight or her coming to his. Just so some petty people in town wouldn’t have proof of what they already knew.

  Devin stared at Kia. “Are you angry with me?”

  She blinked, clearly startled by his question. “No. I thought you were mad at me.”

  He shifted in his seat. “Why would I be mad at you?”

  “I walked out on our date.”

  “I deserved it.”

  She shook her head. With a sigh, she came to stand by his desk. “No you didn’t. I knew you were in love with Shayla, but I thought I could make you forget her. It wasn’t until we were staring across from each other at the table that I realized we didn’t have a whole lot in common.”

  That was unexpected. The past few days he’d felt guilty for not trying hard enough on their impromptu date, and she’d felt guilty for pushing the issue.

  “I like us better as friends.” Devin said.

  She sighed and smiled. “I do too. Plus, I met this guy at the club that night and I’ve been seeing him since. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

  Devin grinned and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve never been happier to be replaced so quickly.”

  Kia visibly relaxed. “Good. I thou
ght you’d be upset after I said I was better for you than Shayla.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not mad.”

  Kia sat on the edge of his desk and frowned. “I’m still not sure if Shayla is good for you.” His smile fell. “It’s just, this thing with her and that artist. I love Shayla, and looked up to her for years, but you’re a good guy, Devin … ”

  Devin held up a hand. “Shayla was with me last Saturday night, not Tyrell.”

  Kia’s jaw dropped. He eyed her warily. “Are you upset that I replaced you too quickly?”

  Her mouth snapped shut and she shook her head. “No … I just thought … I mean she said there was someone in Columbia.”

  “Shayla loves you, and her mom. She didn’t want to hurt you.”

  Kia scowled. “But she didn’t know that I didn’t like you anymore. Why would she go after you?”

  “She didn’t. I went after her. Because as you’ve already said, I love her.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “As crazy as it is, I do. But she’s afraid to tell anyone, because of what people will say.”

  Kia’s face relaxed and she bit the side of her lip. After a few seconds she said, “You didn’t have to tell me this.”

  He dropped his hand and met her gaze. “Yes, I did. I don’t want to hide the fact that I’m with her, but she won’t tell anyone as long as people think there’s something between us. Introduce your new guy to your family.”

  Kia’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She jumped up from the desk. “I can’t. He just got out of jail. My mom would kill me.”

  He fought back the small sting to his pride that Kia found an ex-con to be more her style than a doctor and continued. “Then tell them there’s nothing between us.”

  She brought a hand to her chest and relaxed. “Okay, I can do that. Are you sure about coming clean about you two? Despite what you say, wherever Shayla goes, scandal follows. I know it’s not always her fault, but that’s a lot to deal with.”

  “I’m not worried about that. I can handle what comes our way.”

  Kia nodded. “If you’re sure.”

  There was a knock on his door before Anna poked her head through. She looked between the two before settling her gaze on Devin.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but Reverend Jenkins here to see you.”

  Devin looked at the pile of lab results on his desk. A visit from the Reverend would push back his work even more. With a reluctant nod he looked at Anna. “Send him in.” After Anna left, he glanced a Kia. “We’re okay?”

  She nodded. “We’re good. I’ll see you later.” She followed Anna out.

  Reverend Jenkins came in a few seconds later. The man’s brow was crinkled with worry, the lines around his eyes pronounced. He sat in the chair across from Devin with barely a hello.

  “I’ll get right to it. Shayla has done a great job with the festival. She’s gotten the town excited about it. The band she’s booked is Tweeting about it, or that’s what my grandson tells me. I’ve agreed with every change she suggested, but I’m not sure about the latest one.”

  Devin folded his hands together before him on the desk. Trepidation slivered up his spine. “What has she come up with?”

  “I mean, under any other circumstances, I would be thrilled. But, with the rumors … I’m not sure if it’s the right image for the church.”

  “Reverend, please, just tell me what it is.”

  Reverend Jenkins slid forward in his chair. “She called this morning to tell me that Tyrell Crawford agreed to paint caricatures at the festival. This is big, it’s wonderful, but the rumors about her and him will make it look bad.”

  Devin shook his head. One blog post shouldn’t have shaken the Reverend’s faith in Shayla so much. It was surprising that she’d gotten the offer, but she wouldn’t do anything drastic to bring Tyrell here. He’d never asked her more about the painting, but would bring it up again. Men didn’t give expensive gifts just to be nice.

  “Reverend Jenkins, it was just one bloggers far reaching opinion that Shayla and Tyrell have something going on.”

  “I agree, if it was just that one article. But Martha came by the church today with a new one. Shayla spent the entire afternoon in a coffee shop with the man. There are more pictures of them smiling and laughing. One of the Columbia news stations has a link to it on their website. This could blow up into something big.”

  Devin tried to keep his face impartial, when jealously and hurt battled for control inside him. She’d spent the afternoon with Tyrell but told him she was there for a job interview. His fists clenched. Taking slow and controlled breaths, he tried to calm his rapidly beating heart.

  There had to be more to this story. She wouldn’t lie to him. But Kia even said herself Shayla was interested in someone in Columbia. Her betrayal in high school was one thing, it wasn’t her fault and out of her control. For her betray him now, made him question if anything between them was real.

  “What do you think, Devin? You’re her friend. Would this be good or bad for the church?”

  Devin took a deep breath before looking back at the Reverend. “I’m not sure,” he said slowly. “Let me talk to Shayla. Find out what’s going on.”

  The Reverend nodded, but didn’t look relieved. “For her sake I hope it’s not true. I like her and would hate to see that she’s making the same mistakes.”

  “Me too.” Devin said in a grim voice.

  Devin stared at the pile of lab reports on his desk after the Reverend left. Everything in him burned to go to Shayla and demand the truth. But he was an adult, a professional. He would not overreact and assume the worst as he had in high school. Tyrell at the church would be great. But if it did turn out to be a way for her to play them against each other he was through with her. He wouldn’t play second string on Shayla Monroe’s list of men ever again.

  Chapter 29

  Devin didn’t care who saw him as he drove down Shayla’s street and parked in her driveway. One way or another, their charade would end tonight. Either she wanted to be with him, regardless of the consequences, or she didn’t. Between patient calls, he’d let what Reverend Jenkins said sink in. He wanted to believe there was a reasonable explanation for Shayla spending an afternoon with the artist. But the fact that another man was giving her expensive gifts, and spending time with her in public — something she insisted they couldn’t do — was dissolving his reasoning. Her reputation would suffer a lot more being seen with Tyrell than it would with him. It was time for her to choose.

  He slammed the door of his truck. The loud noise would cause her neighbors to look out of their windows, but he didn’t care. He marched up the stairs and pounded on the door with his fist. She was there within seconds.

  “Devin, what are you doing here and why are you banging on the door?”

  It was after eight. She was already in pajamas, if that’s what the red scrap of silk clinging to her curves was supposed to be. The flimsy material had to be made to drive a man crazy: thin straps, a lace hem that stopped mid-thigh, and a front split that revealed creamy brown skin. He narrowed his eyes. No woman dressed that provocatively this early in the evening.

  His eyes narrowed. “Were you expecting someone else?”

  “Who would I expect?” she snapped, a hand on her hip.

  “I’m not sure, but you’re dressed as if you’re expecting someone.”

  “No, I’m dressed for bed. I’ve been packing all day, and trying to tie up the loose ends for the festival. I’m tired. Or at least I was before you banged on the door and scared me half to death.”

  Her next door neighbor flicked on their porch light. He pushed himself through the door and shut it behind him despite her protests.

  “I thought we agreed — ”

  “That was before you spent an entire afternoon in a coffee shop with a married man
.”

  She took a step back. “I didn’t mean to stay there so long. We started talking and — ”

  “I can’t be seen in public with you, but it’s okay for you to sit in public with a married man that you’ve already been connected with. A man who sent you an expensive painting,” he pointed to the painting resting against the wall, “A man who you insist there’s nothing going on between you two.”

  She crossed her arms, pushing her breasts up. If he were closer, one glance downward would reveal the darkened edges of her areola. He took a step forward. Lust stirred in his pants when she swallowed hard.

  “There isn’t anything between me and Tyrell.”

  “How can you expect me to keep our relationship a secret, if you flaunt your relationship with a married man?”

  Her eyes sparked fire. She put her hands on her hips. Her legs spread in a defensive stance. Desire hardened his dick instantly. He tried to concentrate on why he was here and not the way her nipples were outlined beneath the thin material.

  “I don’t have a relationship with him.”

  “Who do you have a relationship with?”

  “You.”

  He took another step forward. “Right, me. No one else. So if you’re going to spend an afternoon in a coffee shop, laughing and having a good time, it’ll be with me. If a blogger or your noisy ass neighbor wants to know who’s in your bed there will be no guessing because everyone is going to know that it’s me. Do you understand? I’m not hiding anymore.”

  Her brown eyes became uncertain. “My mom and Kia.”

  “I’ve already told Kia that I love you. She doesn’t care because she’s seeing some ex-convict. Your mom can be as upset as she wants, but it’s time for you to stop trying to make her happy. It didn’t work in high school, and it’s not going to work now. It’s time to make you happy.”

  Her arms fell to her side. Tears filled her eyes and immediately he became contrite. Rushing forward, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t cry. I know I’m being firm, but I can’t stand sitting by watching people connect you with another man.”