Southern Love

by Synithia Williams

  “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.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that. You told Kia what?”

  He froze. It was too late to take it back now, and truthfully he didn’t want to. If he was going to insist that she come clean, he’d have to as well.

  “I told Kia,” he pulled her close, “that I love you.”

  She blinked; two large tears fell down her cheeks, but her lips spread in the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “I love you too. Always have, always will.”

  He wanted kiss her senseless. Snatch off that sorry excuse for a nightgown, toss her on the king size bed that was too big for her bedroom, and fuck the hell out of her. And he would, after they settled this.

  “Then say we won’t hide this anymore.” He lifted a hand to wipe the tears from her face. “I don’t care what the town thinks, what your mom thinks, I just want us to be together.”

  “I’ve got the job in Columbia.”

  He pressed his chest against the softness of her breasts. “It’s an hour away. That’s nothing.” He ran his lips across her jaw. “No more hiding.”

  Her body trembled, sending another jerk through his aching penis. She lifted her hands to his head. Her fingers slid through his hair, tickling his scalp, exciting him even more. She grabbed his hair in her fist and gently pulled his head up. Their eyes met, and she nodded.

  “No more hiding,” she said

  That was all he needed before pulling off her night gown and tossing her on the bed.

  Chapter 30

  Shayla groaned when the alarm on Devin’s phone went off the next morning. She hadn’t had to respond to an alarm clock in weeks. Starting a new job the following week was great, but she would miss sleeping in. Her back was against Devin’s chest, his arm around her waist. When he shifted away to reach for his phone, she groaned again, and turned with him. Wrapping her arm around him and pulling her body against his back, she nuzzled him with her nose.

  “It’s not even light out.” She said.

>   His body vibrated with his deep laughter. She kept her eyes closed, but her grip on him tightened as he reached for his phone on her night stand. The shrill alarm stopped soon after.

  “I have rounds this morning. This gives me time to go home and change before going to the hospital.” He turned on his back and she shifted until her head rested on his chest.

  “Why can’t someone else do rounds?”

  His fingers softly trailed up and down her arm. “I’m the only doctor in my office, remember? I don’t ask other doctors to see my patients unless I’m out of town.”

  “How about when you have a woman begging you to stay in bed?”

  She wrapped her leg around his; pulling him closer until the hairs of his sack tickled the top of her knee. Warm fluid desire meandered through her body, awakening her much better than the alarm clock ever could. His breathing hitched, and she smiled against his chest. His hand stopped its gentle massage of her arm and instead traveled down the length of her body to cup her butt and pull her against him.

  “I may have to look into that,” his voice was low and coated with desire. He gently squeezed her behind, before groaning and kissing the side of her neck. “But I can’t today.”

  Shayla sighed and pulled away to lie on her back. “I know.”

  He turned to his side to face her and propped his head in his hand. “Stay with me tonight.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, argue about why they couldn’t. But after he’d spent the night here, there was no use trying to hide that they were together. He loved her; she still couldn’t believe he admitted that to her and Kia. She would have to find out for herself that Kia was okay with her relationship with Devin. She wouldn’t think about what her mom would say. It didn’t matter anyway. There was nothing she could do to earn Marcella’s good opinion.

  She met his concerned gaze with a smile. “What time do you want me there?”

  He grinned then leaned over to kiss her quickly. “It’s Friday, so we’re only open for half the day. Still, I doubt I’ll be out of there until two. Meet me at three?”

  She nodded. “It’s a date.”

  “Good.” He kissed her again, and then got out of bed.

  She tried not to pout as she watched him pull his clothes back on. She could do this every day: wake up beside Devin and watch him get ready. But will he want to do this every day? She pushed the thought aside. For now he loved her. Despite the fact that other men had claimed to love her, only to play baseball with her heart, she didn’t — wouldn’t — believe Devin would intentionally do the same. She’d savor what he gave her now, and build up enough happiness to get her through the days after he eventually left her.

  He dressed quickly and came back over to the bed to kiss her forehead. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  “Can’t wait.”

  His full bottom lip enticed her as he smiled. “Love you.”

  “Love you too.” Seizing temptation, she lifted up to gently take his lip between her teeth. He groaned, kissed her hard then left.

  With a sigh, she looked at the clock. It was five; her mom would be up getting ready for work. She wouldn’t go down the street until after Marcella left. She’d interrogate Kenny to see what to expect. She didn’t doubt someone on the street had called to tell her mom that Devin’s truck was in the yard all night. And if her mom had a blow up after hearing the news, Kenny would let her know how bad it was.

  Instead of going back to sleep, she got out of bed and took a bath. She hoped to find an apartment soon. Living without a shower had definitely run its course. Afterwards, she finished packing the small amount of stuff she’d unpacked when she moved in. She called Tasha to ask for recommendations for apartments to consider. Her friend offered something better. Tasha had moved in with Jared after they were married and had never sold her own home. She offered to rent it to Shayla who readily accepted. That was one less thing off her back.

  She didn’t leave the house until eight, when she was sure that her mom would be long gone. When she entered her mom’s home, the sound of a morning news show blared from the kitchen. Her heart sped up. She looked out the window to be sure her mom’s car wasn’t parked on the side of the house. Slowly, she walked into the kitchen. Kenny sat at the table watching television, and she heaved a sigh of relief.

  “You’re watching the news?” she said walking in and sitting at the table with him. She grabbed a piece of bacon off the plate in front of him. He looked from the plate to her with a frown. She smirked.

  “I can watch the news if I want.”

  “Turn it down, the neighbors can hear it.”

  He picked up the remote and lowered the volume. “I had it up to drown out ma’s fussing this morning.”

  She cringed. “Me and Devin.”

  “You know it. Damn, Shayla, you couldn’t go to his place? Two people called last night to tell her and she spent half the night debating on ignoring it or going to your house demanding he leave.”

  “I don’t understand why she’s so against it. I’m not hurting anybody. If it’s because of Kia, then I she shouldn’t worry because Kia already knows.”

  Kenny scoffed. “Kia don’t care. She hooked up with Bobby’s cousin who just got out of jail. I don’t know why mom’s always on your back like she is. He’s my daddy too. She don’t ever get on me.”

  It was the first time Kenny had ever admitted that their mom was harder on her than him. She’d never said anything to him about it, preferring to keep the good relationship she had with her brother versus trying to get him on her side against mom.

  “I didn’t think you noticed,” she said in a soft voice.

  “Come on, Shayla, give me some credit. I stay out of y’alls fights, but I know when she’s giving you a hard time.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Kenny shrugged and stuffed the last piece of bacon in his mouth. “I always look out for you. That’s why I beat the shit out of Tony a few years ago.”

  Her hand fell to the table with a slap. “What?”

  “Yeah, his homeboy Stan was talking to me one day about what Tony did to you back in high school. I ain’t ever understand that situation. I know you never felt Tony like that, so what Stan said made sense. I handled it. And let Tony know not to bother you again. I thought I’d have to handle him again after the way he got you all messed up at his club, but Devin did instead. I knew then you two were back together.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she stared at her little brother. She’d always assumed Kenny was oblivious to the things going on around him. He kept his business to himself, never offered advice to her or her mom, and usually bailed whenever things got rough in the house. To know that he’d been her silent champion, even when she hadn’t been home in years, touched her more than anything.

  She got out of the chair and wrapped her arms around her brother’s neck. “Thank you.”

  He gently pushed her away. “Stop all that. You’re my sister, what else am I supposed to do.”

  She smiled and sat down. “You didn’t have to do anything.”

  He shrugged again. “Then I wouldn’t be a man.”

  • • •

  Strengthened by her brother’s support, Shayla had lunch at the diner. The owner, Mr. Wilson, greeted her warmly and even talked with her for a few minutes while she waited on her food. Jennie took her order with no attitude. She assumed it was due to Mr. Wilson’s friendly greeting. The few patrons nodded in greeting, one even offered an actual hello.

  She was starting to feel silly about hiding her relationship with Devin for so long, when Martha from the church came in with a few of her cronies. They gave her the evil eye and whispered behind their menus. It wasn’t long before they started to loudly discuss how loose women tended to lead good men astray. The looks they threw in her direction
with every head nod and ‘mmmhmmm’ were a testament that she was the loose woman they referred to. She hurriedly ate her food and left, instead of confronting them and causing a scene.

  She went to Piggly Wiggly for fruit, instead of going home. A few people who she’d worked with to make the changes to the festival were there and were cordial. But there were others who whispered and pointed as she walked through the store. She overheard her name, Devin, and Tyrell in one loudly whispered conversation. By the time she made it home her good mood was deflated.

  It was foolish to think things would magically become easy because Devin said he loved her and her brother admitted she received the short end of the stick. If one afternoon of dirty looks and whispered conversations had her miserable, how long would Devin put up with it? Sure it would be easier when she lived in Columbia and no one would really care what they did. But he lived here, and if this week were any example, his job prevented him from staying in Columbia during the week. By the time two thirty hit, she was once again wondering if a relationship with Devin would cause more harm than good.

  But she had a selfish side. And that side packed a few clothes to meet him at three. She was leaving her house when Kia pulled in the driveway. Even though both Devin and her brother assured her that Kia was seeing someone else, Shayla’s heart rate accelerated. Kia was one of the few people in her family who had looked up to her; she’d hate to ruin any chance of a future relationship with her.

  Kia got out of the car and walked over, a tentative smile on her lips. “You should have heard them at work today, giving Devin a hard time about you.”

  Shayla slumped against her car. “Did they really?”

  Kia nodded. “Not Anna. Mainly Lisa, but she gives everyone a hard time. It’s not you personally, they all treat Devin like the brother they never had. No one wants to see him hurt.”

  Shayla had to stop herself from snorting her disbelief. If anyone would end up hurt after this it would be her. When he realized he could do better.