Southern Love

by Synithia Williams

  The regret in her eyes twisted his heart. “You didn’t steal me. I came for you.”

  She frowned. “Why? What happened with Kia?”

  He rested his forehead on hers briefly before lifting his head. “We have nothing in common outside of work. I spent the entire time trying to think of something to say that didn’t involve you and she spent the entire time playing with her phone.”

  Her face brightened and her hand thankfully delved into his hair again. “You were thinking about me?”

  He nuzzled her nose again. “Don’t look so pleased. Come on, Shayla, as if I could think of anyone else.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know, but you don’t understand. The entire town loves you. Always has. I’m finally getting respect from people. Stealing you from Kia, no matter what the true circumstances are, would ruin that.”

  He sighed. “Shayla, I don’t do secret affairs. I’m not ashamed of being with you. No matter how fleeting it is.”

  “Please, Devin. Let’s keep it between us just for awhile. Let my family get over the fact that you and Kia didn’t work out before we go holding hands in public or eating at the diner.”

  He grimaced. “Even if we do that, people are still going to talk.”

  “Why?”

  “Tony.”

  She stiffened and tried to pull away. He held fast, but his half swollen erection slipped out of her.

  “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  “I think you’ll have to. I punched him earlier tonight.”

  Her brown gaze collided with his. “You didn’t.”

  “I did, and I’ll do it again.”

  “Why?”

  He brushed the hair away from her forehead. “For you.”

  Her gaze softened. Her full lips tilted upward, and if he were a foolish man, he’d swear that love shone from her eyes. When she opened her mouth he kissed her to cut off whatever she was about to say. He’d like to think she was going to say she loved him, but knowing she would say something along the lines of “that’s sweet” — which would only wound him — he opted for the better option. To kiss her senseless and make love to her again.

  Chapter 22

  Shayla’s soft laughter woke Devin the next morning. He reached for her in the bed, but only grabbed a handful of the sheet. He turned his head from where it was buried in the pillow toward the sound of her laughter. She sat in a striped chair beside the window in their room. Her slim fingers played with the curtains as she looked out. Morning sunlight reflected off her brown skin. She laughed again and he frowned. She should be in the bed with him, not giggling on the phone.

  “Yes, Mom, I’m okay. I’m sorry I’m gonna miss church … again … but I’ll be home in time for dinner.” Shayla giggled and pushed the hair from her face. “Tell Kenny you’re not supposed to leave a hot iron on a shirt. I seriously think you dropped him on his head.”

  Her mom’s voice sounded through her cell phone. He couldn’t make out what she said, but she was laughing. His frown deepened as he tried to remember a time when Shayla and her mom ever laughed together. He drew a blank. Shayla was always trying to escape her mom’s company, now they were on the phone chatting like girlfriends?

  “The art show was good. I met Tyrell, he’s really nice.” There was a pause as her mom said something. Her shoulders stiffened. “What did Kia say?”

  She sighed. “When I want you all to know the guy I’m interested in I’ll let you know.” Another pause. “Really, her date with Devin went well.” Shayla pulled her legs up into the chair and rested her head on her knees the thick curtain of her hair blocking her face from view.

  Devin watched with mixed emotions. He didn’t like the idea of hiding his relationship with Shayla — regardless of how brief it would be. But there was a defeated slump in her shoulders as she spoke of him and Kia. He wouldn’t be surprised if her mom brought up the possibility of him and Kia getting together as a way to manipulate her. A report on her niece’s date wasn’t necessary.

  He clenched his jaw, his entire body tensed as if it were physically rejecting the idea in his head. As much as he hated the thought of pretending as if there was nothing between him and Shayla, he would do it. Shayla had always craved her mom’s approval. He wouldn’t break up the tentative truce she and her mom had formed during her stay in Helena.

  Shayla lifted her head. “I’m glad their date went well. Hopefully things … work out with them.” She turned and caught him watching her. The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. The tension left his body as he returned the gesture.

  “Hey Mom, I’ve gotta go … yes, I’m staying in a hotel room and I’d like to enjoy the shower before coming home.” She paused, then laughed out loud. “I’d pay money to see you convince Mr. Porter to do that. Okay, bye.”

  She held the phone in her hand and stared at the screen until it went black before turning to look at him. Her lips curved seductively. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” He turned on his side to face her. “So my date with Kia was a success?”

  She kinked a brow and tossed the phone on the bed. “Yep.” She ran her fingers through her hair before taking a deep breath. The simple movement unsettled him. It was as if she were preparing herself for something bad. He’d be damned if a conversation with her mom was going to change her mind about them being together.

  He was a grown man and wasn’t going to deny himself a relationship with the woman of his choosing. If he had to keep it from her family, so be it, as long as he had her.

  “Look, Devin — ”

  “Come here.” He said lifting the sheet.

  She didn’t argue. He grinned when her soft body slid against his. Pulling her into his embrace so that her back was pressed against his front, he pushed the hair from her shoulder and kissed her neck. Her skin was warm against his lips. She sighed and wiggled her butt against him, causing his dick to harden.

  “We’ll keep this between us for now,” he said.

  “Are you sure?”

  His hand traveled up to cup one of her breasts. The nipple was already hard and his mouth watered. He gently played with the erect tip with his fingers, taking pleasure in the change in her breathing. She pressed her behind firmly against him.

  “Damn sure.” He said against her neck. “Now turn over.” She quickly complied. As his hand glided across the wetness between her thighs and he took one of her nipples into his mouth, he tried to convince himself this would be enough.

  • • •

  A few hours later, Devin sat with Malcolm on the bleachers in the Central Midlands Recreation Commission’s gym as they waited on the current teams playing basketball to finish their game. If Jared would have gotten there on time they would have been able to join the first pick-up game, instead he’d called to say he was running late. Devin didn’t mind, his spirit wasn’t into playing today. He’d forgotten about agreeing to meet his friends this afternoon to ball until Malcolm called to remind him that morning. Luckily, he kept workout clothes in the back of his truck. Even though he wasn’t in the mood, he looked forward to the distraction and the excuse to stay out of Helena for a few more hours.

  “So you gonna tell me why you had to change clothes in the gym instead of coming dressed?” Malcolm said still watching the game.

  Devin tried for nonchalance when he shrugged, but inside he reeled. He hadn’t expected Malcolm to call him out. “No reason, just rushing to get here.”

  “Really? Rushing from where?”

  “Does it matter?”

  Malcolm laughed. “Hell yeah. You show up in wrinkled clothes and grinning from ear to ear, man, I want to know what’s up.”

  Devin shook his head and leaned on the bleacher behind him. “Nothing’s up.”

  “Come on, man. Yo
u’ve listened to me and Jared talk about women for years with barely a peep about the women you date. Your love life was so dry it didn’t matter, but now that Jared and I are married men, your dry love life is the only thing new.”

  “We can still talk about your love life.”

  Malcolm scowled. “Hell, nah. Nobody needs to know about my baby in the bedroom, but me.”

  Devin laughed. “Well, looks like we’ll be talking sports from now on.”

  He looked back at the guys running up and down the court, but Malcolm continued to stare him down. He tried to ignore it, but after a few minutes he finally turned. “What?”

  “Spill it.”

  Devin sighed and held his head back. He might as well tell Malcolm. He hadn’t confided in his friends about the women he dated before because usually there wasn’t much to tell. His relationships with women only lasted a few weeks, if that long. He always found some reason to move on, and if he dared tell himself the truth it was because he never wanted to let himself trust a woman enough to get close to her.

  “Fine, I spent the night with Shayla.”

  “Tasha’s friend Shayla? I knew something was up there.”

  Devin lifted his head and stared without seeing at the basketball court. “There’s always been something up where Shayla’s concerned.”

  “You’ve never mentioned her before.”

  “Wasn’t anything to mention. We were friends in high school, at one point tried to be more than friends and it didn’t work out. I hadn’t talked to her in years, until Tasha and Jared hooked up. I didn’t realize she and Tasha were such good friends.”

  “According to Tasha, she’s only been home about a month,” Malcolm said. “For someone you haven’t talked to in years, it seems like y’all jumped in bed fast. Especially after the fight you two had at Jared’s place.”

  “Long story, man.”

  Malcolm looked at the guys on the court before looking back at Devin. “We got time.”

  Devin considered how much to tell at the same time Jared came through the doors of the gym. He looked around until he spotted the two of them and rushed over.

  “My bad,” Jared said dumping his gym bag on the bleacher before them. “Tasha was dying for some ice cream, so I ran out to get her some.”

  “I still can’t get over you being married with kids.” Devin said.

  Jared grinned. “Hell, me neither. But waking up with Tasha every morning reminds me why I did it.”

  “True that,” Malcolm said.

  Devin looked at the brothers. Both married to the women of their dreams. They were completely different from the men he’d known a few years ago. Malcolm and Jared had lived by the motto of sex-only relationships. Malcolm because he hadn’t thought he had the time for a serious relationship, and Jared because he didn’t believe in monogamy. All it had taken was for them to finally get with the right woman and they were happy to give up that lifestyle to stay home with their wives.

  He didn’t hate on the change in his friends. If anything, he envied them. Instead he was forcing himself into doing what they’d done for years without a second thought. What he really wanted was to turn this hidden affair with Shayla into a real relationship and see what happened.

  Jared sat sideways on the bleacher in front of them. “So, what I miss?”

  Malcolm cocked his head in Devin’s direction. “Devin was about to tell me how he ended up in bed with Shayla last night.”

  Jared leaned back and raised his eyebrows. “I got here right on time.”

  Devin shook his head. “It’s no big deal. We’re just having a little fun.”

  “Having fun?” Jared said. “From what my wife says it’s more than that.”

  Devin’s eyes shot to his friend. “What did Tasha say?”

  Jared grinned. “Something about Shayla having a thing for you going back to the late nineties.”

  Malcolm rubbed his goatee. “Now that’s a bit more than what Devin said.”

  Devin shook his head. “We’ve got history. I told you that much. Things just never worked out.”

  “And now you’re making it work?” Malcolm asked.

  Devin grimaced. “Something like that. But we’re keeping it to ourselves right now.”

  Jared leaned forward and frowned. “You and her are a secret?”

  “For now.”

  “Wait a second.” Malcolm said. “You two are doing the late night hook up thing?”

  Devin bristled at the way Malcolm described it, but his friend was on point. That was what he was doing with Shayla. It felt wrong, but he knew no other way to get her to trust him other than to go with her wishes.

  “If you want to call it that, yes.”

  Malcolm and Jared exchanged a look. Devin waited for one of them to tell him it was okay. Tease him, give him pound and tell him to play on, playa. Instead, they both looked as if they were at a loss for words.

  Jared spoke first. “Hey man, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “I can’t believe you’re saying that either,” Devin said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Jared shook his head and continued. “I don’t know Shayla well, but Tasha’s afraid you’ll end up hurting her.”

  Devin scowled. “Where would she get that idea from?”

  “Man, I don’t know. You know how women get. All I’m saying is tread carefully.”

  Devin looked at Malcolm. “What you got to say?”

  Malcolm held up his hands. “Hey man, do what works for you. I had my share of night time only relationships before I got with Kenyatta. Just make sure one … or both … of you know the rules.”

  “Believe me, I know the rules.” Devin said. He looked at Jared. “She laid out the rules, so you can tell Tasha not to worry about her friend.”

  Jared studied Devin. “I’m wondering if I should worry about you.”

  Devin scoffed. “Don’t bother. Look, y’all been telling me to get laid for months. I am. End of story. Shayla’s isn’t here forever and I know that. We’ll have our fun and move on.” His chest constricted with each word. “They’re almost done with the game, I’m gonna run some laps and warm up.”

  Afraid that they would see through his lie, he got up and jumped of the bleachers before his friends could say another word. It was hard enough lying to himself about this situation with Shayla without having to lie to his friends.

  Chapter 23

  Shayla finished applying the last coat of red nail polish to her pinky toe when her mom’s car pulled into her driveway. She leaned forward to peer out the front door which was propped open with the glass raised on the screen to let in some fresh air. Light jazz played on the radio, not her favorite, but she was too lazy to get up and change the station.

  In a way the music helped sooth her uneasiness. Devin agreed too readily to keep their relationship a secret that morning. After making such a fuss about letting everyone know they were together, she’d thought he would continue to insist. A part of her hoped he would. It was nonsense, but she liked that he didn’t care what people thought. But, as she watched her mom get of the car and lumber toward her porch, she had to admit she could kiss any chance of her mom visiting her after church goodbye if Devin had gotten his way.

  The smile Shayla had to greet her mom melted away when Marcella yanked open the screen door. There was a thin sheen of perspiration on her face along with a fierce scowl. Her blue dress suit was spotted with sweat. It was the same look her mom had when she’d heard the rumors about Shayla and Tony.

  Shayla lowered her feet from where they’d been propped on the coffee table. “Everything okay?”

  Marcella put her hand on her hip and took several deep breaths. “You care to explain to me about last night?”

  Sh
ayla’s heart pounded. There was no way her mom could have found out about her and Devin. She’d told no one, not even Tasha. “I told you about the art show.”

  Marcella narrowed her eyes. “Not the art show. You care to tell me why Devin tried to fight Tony at the diner last night?”

  Shayla released a sigh of relief and sat back on the couch. “I have no idea. They’ve never really been close.”

  “They were close before you started playing games with them. Don’t play with me, Shayla, are you up to your tricks again.”

  “My tricks! Are you serious?”

  “I’m very serious. It’s was all anyone could talk about today. The way he and Tony got into it after Devin’s date with Kia. Aren’t you tired of playing those two against each other?”

  Shayla shot up from the couch. Her indignant march to her mom was more of a waddle due to the cotton balls between her toes, but she was too angry to care. “I’m not playing those two. I don’t want anything to do with Tony. I never did. He — ”

  “Save it, Shayla. There wasn’t a problem between them for years. You come to town for a few weeks and suddenly they’re fighting in the street. Did you go to Tony and put him up to this? Were you trying to ruin Kia’s date?”

  “I can’t believe this. I went to Columbia last night. I haven’t seen Tony since that horrible night at his club and I don’t want to see him again. Disregarding my feelings, I listened to what you said and haven’t gone after Devin. When he has, and always will be, the only man — ”

  “Stop it.” Her mom held up a hand and walked away. When she turned back to Shayla her lips were compressed in a hard line. “Don’t say anymore. I believe you didn’t put him up to it. It’s just that people assumed you were the cause and knowing your history … ” Her mom shrugged as if that explained it all.

  Marcella’s abrupt change of subject was clearer than words that she knew her request for Shayla to stay away from Devin was painful. It should have been a shock to discover her mom’s complete disregard for her feelings. But, it was just another example that no matter how much she may try, Marcella’s feelings wouldn’t change. Why the hell did she keep trying to make her mom happy?