This I Promise You

by Smith, Maureen

  Lexi ignored the dig. “If you start dropping hints to Liam,” she said slyly, “maybe he’ll get you the shoes for Christmas.”

  “Maybe.” Veronica’s expression darkened. “Assuming we’re still together by then.”

  Lexi frowned at her. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”

  Veronica hesitated. “Liam’s been acting strange lately.”

  “Really? In what way?”

  “He’s been quieter…distant…” She trailed off with a frown.

  “Go on,” Lexi urged as they reached her car.

  “He hardly ever calls me anymore. Three whole days can go by without us talking. And when I get him on the phone, he seems distracted, almost impatient. It’s the same when we’re together.”

  “Hmm.” Lexi took out her keys, lips pursed in thought. “Maybe he’s just got a lot on his mind. The end of the semester is always a busy time of year for professors.”

  “That’s what he said when I asked him what was wrong.”

  “Well, there you go. Mystery solved.”

  Veronica shook her head. “I don’t think it’s work. Something else is going on with him.”

  Lexi arched a brow. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know.” Veronica hesitated, biting her lip. “Maybe he’s on the DL.”

  That startled a laugh out of Lexi. “Liam? On the DL?”

  “Would that be so crazy? We are in Atlanta. Isn’t this the DL mecca?”

  Lexi sucked her teeth. “Liam isn’t gay. Not that there’d be anything wrong with him if he were, but he’s not. So chill with that before I kick your ass back to the Bronx.”

  “Damn, mami,” Veronica said with a laugh, holding up her hands. “No need to go all Dirty South on me.”

  Lexi bristled. “I just think it’s really foul of you to question Liam’s sexuality just because you can’t explain the problems you two are having.”

  “I wasn’t serious, Lexi. I know Liam isn’t gay.” Veronica’s eyes glinted. “For one thing, he enjoys eating pussy too much. And he’s damn good at it too.”

  Lexi sputtered protestingly. “TMI!”

  Veronica laughed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Any of it. I know Liam’s one of your closest friends. I don’t want to offend you.”

  Lexi mock-glared at her. “You know where I grew up. Don’t bring out the Bluff in me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.” Veronica grinned. “Damn, girl. Liam wasn’t exaggerating about how feisty you are.”

  “Uh-huh.” Lexi jangled her keys. “And my bite is much worse than my bark.”

  “I’ll be sure to remember that.” Veronica smiled and then heaved a deep sigh. “To be honest, the thought of Liam being gay is more comforting than the alternative.”

  “What’s the alternative?”

  “That he’s seeing someone else. Maybe one of his students. God knows they’re always throwing themselves at him,” Veronica said resentfully. “Maybe he finally gave in to temptation.”

  “No way,” Lexi said with an emphatic shake of her head. “Liam isn’t like that. If he’s lost interest in you, Veronica, he’ll come right out and say so. He’s not gonna play you by sleeping around with other women. And he sure as hell wouldn’t hook up with one of his students. If we were talking about Jagger or Percy, that’d be a different story. But this is Liam.”

  Veronica gave her a smile tinged with relief. “Hearing that from you makes me feel so much better, Lexi. I mean, you’ve been friends with the Morehouse Nine for over twenty years. You know them better than anyone.” Her smile softened. “Liam has this picture in his study. It’s an old photo of you and the fellas at some Greek picnic during college. You’re in the middle, sitting on Quentin and Percy’s shoulders.”

  “I remember that picture,” Lexi said with a warm, reminiscent laugh. “Before we left for the picnic that day, Quentin wanted me to wear one of his Omega Psi Phi T-shirts, but Percy insisted that I wear something to represent the Kappas. They actually started arguing until I stepped between them and told them to stop treating me like their little mascot. As a compromise, I wore a purple shirt and red pants. That seemed to placate them somewhat.”

  Veronica grinned. “Those brothas love them some Lexi. They even joke that their future wives will have to get your seal of approval before they can marry them.”

  “It’s true. Just ask Reese.”

  Veronica laughed. When she saw Lexi’s deadpan expression, the laughter died on her lips and she stared at her.

  Lexi let a slow grin sweep across her face. “Relax. I’m kidding.”

  This time they both laughed.

  Lexi pulled out her phone and checked the time. She needed to pick up Junior from Quentin’s mom’s house, then go home and start dinner. Thankfully she’d prepped everything the night before, so all she had to do was boil the ravioli and bake the eggplant.

  “So you really don’t think Liam is cheating on me?” Veronica prodded anxiously.

  “I would be shocked if he was,” Lexi told her.

  Veronica looked at her imploringly, as though she possessed some secret knowledge that could unlock the mysteries of the universe. “Have you noticed anything different about him lately?”

  Lexi shook her head. “Can’t say I have.”

  “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “Two Sundays ago when the fellas came over to watch Mason’s away game. Liam seemed perfectly normal.”

  “Do you know if he’s said anything about me to Quentin?”

  “Not that I know of. But then, I try not to pry in the fellas’ business. If they want me to know something, they tell me.” Lexi paused. “How long have you and Liam been dating? Four months?”

  “Five months and thirteen days.”

  Lexi grinned. “Damn, girl. You got it bad.”

  Veronica sighed. “I know. Liam’s an amazing guy. Things seemed to be going so well and then…” She shook her head. “I don’t know what happened.”

  She looked so forlorn that Lexi took pity on her. “Tell you what. Let’s go on a double date with Quentin and Liam. That’ll give me a chance to observe you and Liam together and study his body language. If he’s not into you anymore, I should be able to tell.”

  Veronica stared at her. “Really?”

  “Really.” Lexi gave her a rueful look. “I’ve been around the fellas long enough to recognize the signs when they’re not feeling someone. But you shouldn’t assume that’s the case with you and Liam. He’s always been the introvert in the group. He’s very private, so it’s hard for him to open up when he’s going through something. They’re all like that to an extent, but Liam is probably the worst offender.” Her tone gentled. “Whatever’s going on with him, we’ll get to the bottom of it. All right?”

  Veronica smiled gratefully. “All right.”

  Lexi gave her a hug and told her she’d be in touch. Then she got into her car, tossed her handbag on the passenger seat and started the engine. As soon as she pulled away from the museum, she speed-dialed Liam on her Bluetooth.

  “Wassup, angel.” His deep voice flooded the car, as warm and lazy as Georgia sunshine.

  She grinned. “Hey, Dr. Masters. How’re you doing?”

  “I’m good, baby girl. How about you? Everything all right?”

  “Everything’s great. Got a minute?”

  “For you? Always.”

  “I just got out of a volunteer meeting with Veronica.” Lexi paused. “Did she tell you we’re serving on a committee together?”

  “For that new museum? Yeah, she mentioned something about that.”

  Lexi crossed her fingers for the little white lie she was about to tell. “Well, I was just saying to her how nice it would be if we went out on a double date. She loved the idea, but she said I should run it by you since you’ve been so busy lately.”

  “Yeah. I have.”

  “I understand. I know you’re coming up on finals week.”

  Liam was a tenured economics pro
fessor at Emory University. When he wasn’t teaching and running faculty meetings, he was consulting for the government and publishing scholarly articles. He was one of the hardest working people Lexi knew—and she knew plenty.

  “Quentin and I will be out of town this weekend,” she continued, “but if you’re free next Saturday, maybe we could all go out to dinner.”

  The suggestion met with deafening silence.

  Lexi frowned. “Liam? You still there?”

  “Uh, yeah. Sorry about that.” There was an odd note in his voice. “Listen, I’m not sure about next Saturday. Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”

  “All right.” Lexi slowed for a red traffic light. This was her chance to do some sleuthing for Veronica. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Anything.” But he sounded wary.

  “Is everything okay between you and Veronica?”

  Liam got quiet for a moment. “Did she say something to you?”

  “No. Of course not.” The lie made Lexi cringe and cross her fingers again. “I was just asking. I mean, you’ve been seeing her for several months now, and you seem to really like her.” She paused. “You do, right?”

  “Of course,” he said. “Veronica’s cool. She’s smart, beautiful, works hard. I really care about her.”

  Lexi grimaced. “Uh-oh.”

  “What?”

  “You used the ‘c’ word. Two of them, at that.”

  “Did I?”

  “Afraid so. You called her ‘cool’ and said you ‘care’ about her.” She paused. “Do you recall Michael ever describing Reese that way?”

  “Uh…no.” Liam let out a grim chuckle. “Damn.”

  Lexi shook her head, merging onto the congested freeway. She’d known the fellas for so long, she’d become an expert at decoding certain terms that spelled the death knell for their relationships. If a woman was considered “cool,” that usually meant she was one phone call away from being friend-zoned. It was even worse when said woman got demoted from girlfriend to fuck buddy and then nothing.

  Lexi sighed, unable to hide her annoyance. “What’s going on, Liam? You guys are getting too old for this.”

  There was a long silence.

  Then Liam pushed out a deep breath. “Remember that research fellowship I told you about a few months ago?”

  “The one where you’d be studying urbanization and economic development in Kenya while teaching at the University of Nairobi?”

  “Yeah. That one.”

  “Of course I remember. You were very excited about it. As you should be. It’s an amazing career opportunity and— wait. Did you get it? Were you awarded the fellowship?”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “Yes, ma’am. I was.”

  “Oh, my God!” she squealed excitedly. “Are you serious? That’s wonderful, Liam! Congratulations!”

  “Thanks, Lexi,” he said warmly.

  She beamed. “I’m so proud of you, Dr. Masters. This is huge. We need to take you out to celebrate.”

  He chuckled. “I’d like that. But you’re the first person I’ve told outside of my family, so—”

  “I won’t say a word,” Lexi promised. “This is your good news to share, not mine.”

  “Thanks, angel.”

  “But Liam?”

  “Yeah?”

  Her tone gentled. “I think it’s very telling that you haven’t shared the news with Veronica yet.”

  “I know.” His sigh was heavy. “I just haven’t found the right time. I’ll be gone for a year, and I honestly don’t know if our relationship is strong enough to survive that kind of separation.”

  “It could if you both tried.”

  “Maybe.” His voice lacked conviction.

  Lexi sighed, feeling sorry for Veronica and a little for herself. “I’m going to miss you, Liam. No one else appreciates The Walking Dead as much as we do.”

  “I know.” She could hear his grin. “We’ll have to do our recaps over Skype.”

  “It’s a date. So when are you leaving?”

  “Not until summer.”

  Lexi smiled. “I know how much you enjoy visiting Africa, and you’ll be doing important research work. But you have to promise to come back, you hear? Don’t be going to Kenya and getting your heart stolen by some Lupita Nyong’o.”

  Liam laughed. “Listen, baby girl. If I get over there and see that fine ass woman, I ain’t coming back!”

  14

  When Lexi arrived home, she was pleasantly surprised to find her younger sister sitting in a chair on the wraparound porch. As Lexi pulled into the driveway, Summer Austin glanced up from texting on her phone and waved at her.

  Lexi buzzed down her window. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming home.”

  Summer grinned. “Surprise!”

  As she grabbed her overnight bag and started toward the car, Lexi couldn’t help noticing that she’d put on a few pounds. Her hips were rounder, her thighs fuller. Dressed in a snug white sweater and tight jeans, the extra weight looked good on her.

  After graduating from NYU, Summer had opted to remain in New York rather than return home to Atlanta. She worked as a senior specialist at Sotheby’s, one of the oldest and largest auction houses in the world.

  As she came to the window, Lexi smiled up at her. “Hey, girl. You look great.”

  Summer made a face. “Don’t lie. I’ve gained weight.”

  “And it looks good on you. How long have you been waiting?”

  “Not too long.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? I could have picked you up from the airport, or I would have come home earlier so you wouldn’t be waiting.”

  “I know. But I remembered you had a meeting this afternoon. And I figured you’d be home soon anyway.”

  “How’d you figure that?”

  Summer grinned. “It’s after five o’clock. I know how you like to have dinner ready for your man.”

  Lexi chuckled. “Let me park.”

  Summer followed the Mercedes as Lexi pulled into the garage. She’d barely turned off the engine before Summer was opening the back door and cooing excitedly to her nephew, “Hey, cutie pie!”

  As Lexi grabbed Junior’s diaper bag, Summer took him out of his car seat and kissed him noisily, laughing as he patted her cheeks with his pudgy little hands.

  Lexi got out and rounded the car to hug and kiss her sister. Drawing back, she searched her face. “Is everything okay?”

  “Of course,” Summer assured her.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”

  Summer shrugged. “It wasn’t planned or anything. I got up this morning and decided I needed to get away for a couple days. So I called in sick, packed some clothes and bought a plane ticket.”

  Lexi nodded, taking the handle of her sister’s overnight bag. “Does Ma know you’re home?”

  “No.” Summer sighed. “Do I have to tell her?”

  “You don’t have to.” Lexi gave her a wry look. “But you should.”

  “I’ll be back in a few weeks for Christmas. She’ll see me then.”

  Lexi laughed, pushing the button on her key fob to close the garage door. “Now you know Ma will have a fit if she finds out you were here and didn’t tell her.”

  “Who says she has to find out?” Summer challenged as they entered the house through the kitchen. “I won’t tell her if you don’t.”

  Lexi frowned, leaving her sister’s bag by the door. “Summer—”

  “Look, things have been super crazy at work. I just need a day or two to recharge my batteries, and it’s hard to do that when Ma’s around. You know how she is, Lexi. She’s an emotional vampire.”

  Lexi sighed, crossing to the center island to unpack Junior’s diaper bag. “She’s getting better, you know. Therapy is working.”

  “So you keep telling me.” Taking a seat on one of the high-backed barstools, Summer settled Junior on her lap and began bouncing him up and down as he gleefully clapped his hands.
>
  Lexi smiled, watching them.

  People often remarked on how little she and her sister resembled each other. For starters, Lexi was only five two while Summer was several inches taller at five seven. Where Lexi was the same shade of brown as the actress Nicole Beharie, Summer had inherited their mother’s caramel complexion, as well as her thick, lustrous hair and brick house curves.

  She glanced up at Lexi. “So will you let me crash here tonight?”

  “Of course. You know you’re always welcome in my home.”

  “And you won’t tell Ma that I’m here?” Summer persisted.

  Lexi groaned. “C’mon, Summer. I really don’t want to lie to her. We’re trying to work on our relationship, and that requires honesty—”

  “You’re not being dishonest,” her sister reasoned. “You’re just withholding certain information. It’s a lie of omission.”

  “Which still makes it a lie.”

  Summer gave her a beseeching look. “Please, Lexi? Can you just do this for me? Pretty please?”

  Lexi wavered another moment, then heaved a sigh of resignation and muttered, “Fine. I won’t tell her you’re here.”

  Summer grinned. “Thank you, Lexi.” She kissed the top of Junior’s head and crooned, “Your mommy is the best big sister ever.”

  Lexi laughed. “Why? Because I’m willing to lie for you?”

  “No, because it’s the truth. You are the best big sister. Always have been. God knows how I would have turned out if it hadn’t been for you.”

  “You would have been just fine,” Lexi told her, walking to the refrigerator to take out what she needed for dinner. “Speaking of that, you know you’re welcome to come to therapy anytime. We’ve all got issues, and it helps to talk them out with an objective third party.”

  Summer grimaced. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. The thought of sitting on some shrink’s couch with Ma while I tell her all the different ways she fucked me up—”

  “Language,” Lexi warned.

  “Sorry.” Summer grinned sheepishly and nuzzled Junior’s head. “I’m not interested in going to therapy, but I’m glad you’re getting something out of it. Your child will have something we never did: a sane and happy mother.”