by La Jill Hunt
Though he was polite, Devyn noticed the hint of urgency in his voice and replied with a simple, “Sure.”
“That’s what’s up,” he told her, finally letting go of her hand as he backed away, then turned before hurrying to wherever he was headed. Devyn tried to keep her eyes on him as long as she could, which was relatively easy due to his height.
“There you are, Dev. I’ve been looking for you.” Asha’s voice made her finally turn around. “Ben is somewhere waiting on us, and Sully is probably having a fit because he can’t find us.”
“My bad. But, Asha, I just ran into the finest man in the world.” Devyn gushed as she grabbed her friend by the arm.
“Where? Was he tall and fine?” Asha gasped. “Brown skin with perfect teeth?”
“Yes, hella tall and hella fine,” Devyn grinned.
“That’s who we’re here to meet. That’s Ben Maxwell. I was gonna introduce you to him.” Asha sighed. “See, I knew you’d like him. Oh my God, I’m officially excited.”
“I knew you were up to something when you kept insisting that I come with you tonight. You ain’t slick, Ash,” Devyn said.
“I had to get you here some kind of way. But aren’t you glad I did?”
“I am.” Devyn laughed and hugged her.
“Wait, here he comes now.”
Devyn was giddy with anticipation and couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited to meet a guy. They hadn’t been formally introduced, but if Asha had already given him her stamp of approval, then he had to be special.
“Mr. Maxwell, so nice to see you. This is Devyn Douglass, my best friend.”
Devyn stared blankly at the man she didn’t recognize that was shaking Asha’s hand. He was good looking, no doubt, but he wasn’t the same guy she’d seen earlier, that was for sure. She and Asha had been speaking about two different men.
“Nice to meet you.” Ben smiled and held his hand toward her.
Devyn reached out and shook it, hoping he didn’t see her slight disappointment. “Likewise.”
“I’m so glad you guys were able to make it. Where’s your boyfriend?” Ben asked Asha.
Devyn looked around, hoping to find the man who turned out not to be Ben Maxwell, but she didn’t see him anywhere.
“He’s around here somewhere. Why don’t the two of you get acquainted while I see if I can find him,” Asha said. “I’ll be back. Dev, you’re in good hands with Ben.”
“I’m sure.” Devyn smiled nervously, then, in an effort not to seem rude, said, “Thank you for the invite and car service. This place is incredible.”
“You’re welcome. It’s a pretty dope spot. My friend Nadia and her brother have created something really special here. I figured you guys would enjoy checking it out,” Ben replied. “Asha told me about your new coaching business, Pivot. Congratulations. I think that’s really cool. Were you in a lot of beauty pageants?”
“Actually, just one,” Devyn told him. “In college.”
“I’m pretty sure you won.” He smiled.
“I did, but I admit, it was rigged.”
“From what I’m looking at, I’m pretty sure you would’ve won anyway. You definitely are stunning.” Ben stared at her.
Devyn knew his compliment was genuine, but for some reason, instead of feeling flattered, she felt flat, partly because she was slightly distracted by discreetly looking for her mystery man and wondering where the hell Sully and Asha had disappeared to.
“Thank you.” She tried to sound sincere. Her watch vibrated and displayed a notification for the text that she’d gotten. Devyn frowned as she read the small font, then took out her phone to make sure she’d read it correctly. “I’m sorry, Ben. I need to go and check on Asha.”
Devyn apologized and rushed off in search of her friend. Somehow, she knew they wouldn’t be coming back. Something was wrong.
Chapter 10
Asha
“Sully, baby, please tell me what the hell is going on,” Asha pleaded and touched his shoulder.
“Asha, I told you, I’m out of here. If you wanna stay, that’s on you.” Sully shook his head.
“I don’t have a problem leaving with you, but at least let me know why it’s so abrupt. Are you sick? Did something happen?” she asked.
“No, I ain’t sick. And, yeah, a lot of shit happened. I can’t believe I agreed to come to this bullshit in the first place.” Sully began to walk away.
“Asha, what’s wrong?” Devyn rushed out the front door and toward her. Although justified, her question made Asha even more upset than she already was because she didn’t have an answer.
“Sully wants to get out of here. So, I guess we’re going,” Asha shrugged.
“Why?” Devyn frowned. “And how are we leaving if we didn’t drive?”
Asha closed her eyes for a moment, realizing that Devyn was right. They’d been chauffeured to the event, courtesy of Ben Maxwell, who was probably inside thinking she was the rudest person on earth.
“Sully, can you please come here so we can talk about this like adults?” Asha yelled.
Sully paused but made his way back to where she and Devyn were waiting. The front door opened again, and Ben walked out.
“Hey, is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, but Sully’s not feeling well.” It was a lie but sounded a hell of a lot better than admitting that she didn’t know what was going on. She continued. “I’m sorry, but we’re gonna have to leave.”
“Oh, wow. I’m so sorry. I’ll call the driver and tell him to get back here as soon as possible,” Ben offered.
“You don’t have to do that. I can call an Uber.” Sully glared at him.
“It’s no problem. He’s not far at all.” Ben reached for his phone.
“Don’t bother. I can get my own ride.” Sully raised his voice, and Ben took a step back.
Asha’s face became hot, and had the hue of her skin not been the color of deep caramel, she was certain that her blushing cheeks would be very noticeable. She was confused, frustrated, angry, and most of all, embarrassed. Not wanting the turn of events to deter the potential romance between Devyn and Ben, she tried to offer some suggestion.
“Dev, you don’t have to miss this great event. Stay with Ben and enjoy.” Asha lowered her voice so Sully wouldn’t hear.
“No. We came together, so we leave together. Girl code.” Devyn shook her head.
Asha turned to Ben. “I’m so sorry. Thank you so much for the invitation and your hospitality. I wish—”
“Hey,” Ben touched her shoulder, “I understand. It happens. I hope he feels better.”
“Thanks.” Asha nodded, grateful for Ben’s understanding. She hoped that Devyn noticed the level of concern he demonstrated.
“Devyn, it was nice meeting you,” he said and shook her hand.
“Thanks, you too,” Devyn told him.
Ben went back inside just as a Ford sedan pulled up. Sully opened the back door and waited as Asha and Devyn got in. Then he sat in the front seat with the driver. They were quiet the entire ride. When they arrived at Devyn’s house, Asha walked her to the front door.
“Are you sure he’s okay? What the hell happened?” Devyn asked as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Asha punched the alarm code. “I don’t know, Dev. I’ve never seen him this angry. Something set him off. That’s why I didn’t pressure him into staying.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty upset. Well, call and let me know how things go.” Devyn hugged her. “I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry stuff went down the way it did, but at least you hit it off with Ben,” Asha smiled.
“Uh, about that—”
The face Devyn made indicated that she was about to say something Asha didn’t want to hear. “Oh, hell no, Devyn. You said that he was hella fine. Don’t let whatever Sully has going on make you—”
“No, it has nothing to do with Sully, Ash. The dude I was talking about wasn’t Ben. He
was someone else. Another impressive male specimen.” Devyn shrugged. “Quite impressive.”
“He couldn’t have been more impressive than Ben. No way. That’s not possible.” Asha refused to think whoever the guy Devyn talked to was any comparison.
“This man was all that, and then some. There was something about him. We vibed. I can’t explain it.”
“I don’t know who he could be, Dev. But I do know that Ben is interested in you, and you should give him a chance,” Asha told her. “He is a great catch and the kind of guy you deserve. Good dudes like him don’t come around very often. Keep that in mind.”
Asha hugged her once more before leaving. When she got back to the car, Sully was now in the backseat. She got in and slid beside him. He still seemed bothered, so she stayed quiet. If he didn’t want to talk, then neither did she. When they got to his house, she wasted no time getting out of the vehicle and rushing to her car, parked in his driveway.
“Where are you going?” he called out to her.
“Home.” She unlocked her door and opened it.
“You’re not staying the night?”
“Why would I do that, Sully? You acted like a complete ass and embarrassed me in front of my best friend and new client, who went out of his way to invite us. You insisted on leaving an event that everyone was enjoying with no explanation. You’ve been giving me the silent treatment since we left. Do you really think I want to come inside right now?” Asha lashed out.
Sully gave her a solemn look. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve any of that. I owe you an explanation and an apology. Can you please come in so I can give you both?”
Despite her aching feet, growling stomach, and mounting headache, Asha wanted to hear what Sully had to say, so she closed her door and followed him into the house. When they got to the den, she sat and waited for him to speak.
“You want something to drink?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine.” Asha shook her head and folded her arms.
Sully took a deep breath. “I truly apologize for the way I acted tonight, Asha. You know me well enough to know that I’m a laid-back guy. I don’t upset easily, let alone get angry. I don’t bother anybody. There’s only one person in the world who I would go tooth and nail for, and tonight, that almost happened.”
“What are you talking about, Sully?” Asha was still confused because no one bothered or said anything to him from what she could recall.
“When we got to Culture, I knew there was something familiar about a couple of people. I couldn’t place them at first. Then when I saw that bastard walking past with that grin on his big-ass face, I nearly lost it. That’s why I ran in and out of the rooms so fast. I wanted to make sure it was him. And it was. He looked right at me, had the nerve to nod, and then said something smart.” Sully’s eyes were full of anger. “Seeing him standing there with that smug-ass look on his face, I felt like someone opened an old wound and poured salt on it. The sting came rushing back like it never left. All I could think about was my daughter. I couldn’t be in the same damn room with him. I was gonna lose it.”
“Sully, who did you see, and what does this have to do with Ingrid?” Asha asked.
Sully looked over at her and said, “Bear.”
“Bear? Who the hell is that?” Asha had no idea who he was talking about.
“He is Ingrid’s ex. The guy who ruined her life,” Sully explained.
Asha remembered the conversation they’d overheard Ingrid having at lunch. The news of her ex being in town bothered him. She didn’t think much about it, but it was obviously more serious than she would’ve considered. She’d never seen Sully so enraged.
“I guess they had a pretty bad breakup, which left you with some ill feelings about him.” Asha’s statement could’ve easily been a question considering that she really wasn’t sure. “But don’t you think you’re being a little irrational? You’re acting like this guy tried to kill someone.”
Sully looked directly into her eyes and said, “He did. He tried to kill Ingrid.”
His words and tears rendered Asha speechless. She was shocked at the revelation and felt terrible that he’d had to face this guy. A part of her felt responsible for putting him in this situation, even though she hadn’t done it intentionally. Not knowing anything else to do, Asha stood up, wrapped her arms around Sully, and hugged him tightly.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she whispered. “I didn’t know.”
“I know you didn’t. I could not be in that place another moment while all those people celebrated for that monster. Oh God, I know someone is going to tell Ingrid I was there. She’s going to be so upset.” Sully sighed. “I’ve gotta get to her.”
“Yeah, it’s probably best that you do. There were a lot of photographers there, and I’m sure people are gonna post on social media, if they haven’t already,” Asha told him.
“Damn it. You’re right. Asha, I feel bad about the way I behaved. I would never act like that under normal circumstances. I hope you know that.” Sully touched her face.
“I know, Sully. It’s fine,” Asha smiled.
Sully kissed her. “Stay the night, please.”
“I’m not sure, Sully,” she told him. “I’m starving. We didn’t eat anything but hors d’oeuvres, remember?”
“I’ll get food. I need you tonight, Asha.”
“I’ll stay,” she told him after he promised to pick up wings from her favorite spot. As soon as the door closed behind him, she wasted no time calling Devyn to update her on what he’d shared.
“Shut the hell up! A killer? Do you really believe we were at a party with a potential murderer? And when did all of this happen? How did he try to kill her? Like, did he shoot her or stab her? Did he go to trial?” Devyn quickly fired off the questions, and Asha didn’t have any answers.
“That’s what he said, and I don’t know the details. I mean, I know this is gonna sound crazy, but I didn’t see anyone there that looked like a murderer. Did you?” Asha thought back to the faces of the people who’d been at the event.
“Uh, I don’t think killers have a certain look, Asha. Do you know how many fine men are in jail for murder?” Devyn laughed. “And why don’t you know the details? Did you ask questions?”
“No. I think I was too shocked to ask anything. I just let him talk.”
“You suck, Asha,” Devyn groaned. “When he gets back, I’m gonna need you to ask questions.”
“Okay, I will, but on one condition,” Asha told her.
“What?”
“You go on a date with Ben.”
“A date? What happened to just think about it?” Devyn asked.
“You want the details or not?”
“Fine. One date, Asha.”
“Yessss,” Asha squealed.
“Don’t get too excited. I’m only agreeing because I wanna know what Sully was talking about, and if I don’t agree, then you probably wouldn’t even ask,” Devyn sighed.
“You’re right. However, if it will get you to go out with Ben, I’ll ask Sully whatever you want,” Asha laughed.
“Whatever. I’m going to find something to eat. I’m starving because we didn’t get to stay and indulge in our culinary delights that we were supposed to prepare.”
“Talk to you tomorrow. And I’ll make sure that Ben has your number,” Asha told her before hanging up.
Since Sully still hadn’t made it back, Asha decided to shower and get ready for bed. Her headache was getting slightly worse. She opened the medicine cabinet in search of something to help. There were several bottles of prescription medicine and vitamins. She wasn’t a pharmacist, but she recognized that most of the drugs were for blood pressure and high cholesterol. Asha shifted through them until she found a bottle of Aleve and took two. She got into Sully’s comfortable bed and turned on the television. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.
Chapter 11
Devyn
“Dionne, you’ve got to stop slumping,” Devyn yelled, forgetting for
a moment that they were in a library meeting room. She quickly lowered her voice and said, “What is up with your shoulders?”
It was her second week of coaching, and although both girls showed some improvement, they had a long way to go. Asha had to work late, and in her absence, Devyn decided to focus on stage presence. They’d spent most of the past hour practicing poise and confidence while being centerstage.
“Oh, my bad.” Dionne straightened her back.
“Thank you. Much better,” Devyn nodded.
“She does that to elongate her torso,” Journi explained.
“What?” Devyn turned and frowned.
“Lengthening her body. That’s why she kinda folds her shoulders in like that.” Journi demonstrated the awkward stretch Dionne was attempting, looking just as ridiculous.
“I don’t understand,” Devyn said, still confused by the explanation.
“I mean, she’s tall and has long legs, but her torso is short. The technique makes her look longer.”
Devyn looked from Journi, then to Dionne, who now stood beside them. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Where the hell did y’all get that from?”
“YouTube,” the girls said simultaneously.
Devyn held her head down, and despite her effort to suppress her laughter, a giggle slipped out.
“What’s funny, Miss Devyn?” Dionne asked. “The girl on Top Model said every great model has a signature walk. Something that makes them stand out. My shoulder hunch is mine.”
“No, sweetie, your shoulder hunch is horrible,” Devyn laughed. “Your torso is beautiful, just like the rest of your body. Embrace it, boo. There is no need to elongate anything. Head up, shoulders back. Let’s perfect your basic walk before we develop anything else.”
“Fine,” Dionne sighed.
“Good, now, try it again,” Devyn instructed, then watched with pride as Dionne demonstrated a much-improved walk. Her praise was instant. “Yes, that’s what I’m talking about.”
“Can I ask you a question, Miss Devyn?” Journi said.
“Yep, ask away,” Devyn shrugged.