“You can’t keep this from her. I think you underestimate how strong Leila really is. I’ve only known her for a while but she seems to be pretty good at taking care of herself. You have to tell her.”
“Tell me what?” They both spin around in their seats to face her. They hadn’t noticed that she returned to the table.
Tucker looks over at Shauna. He knows she’s about to blurt out everything. “Sit down,” Shauna says to Leila.
“What’s wrong, you guys look as if someone died,” Leila says easing onto the seat.
“If you don’t tell her I will.”
“Does this have anything to do with you deleting my voice messages?”
“We don’t need to discuss this right now. I can handle it,” Tucker says.
Shauna shakes her head. “Stop the macho man act, this is serious. Leila the reason Tucker hired a body guards and has been acting like an over protective idiot is---“
“Stop,” He says flashing a frightening glare at his sister. “I’ll tell her myself,” He says exhaling loudly. “I’ve been receiving threatening calls.”
“What type of threats,” She says.
“One of his many scorn ex-lovers has been leaving terrible messages on Tucker’s phone.” She blurts out as the waiter sets their drinks down on the table.
“We’ll need a few more minutes to decide,” Tucker says to the waiter.
“You’re a big guy. You can handle a few phone calls.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about. The messages were threatening you,” He says.
Chapter 27
My relationship with Tucker has been like a dream. A dream that I didn’t know I wanted until it fell into my lap. He’s handsome, smart, kind and sexy as hell. It was all too good to be true so I should have expected a homicidal maniac to step in and disrupt the balance. Tucker, Shauna and I are sitting in the living room waiting for my mom and dad to come out. I was so distraught after hearing that I’m being stalked by a lunatic that I couldn’t finish my breakfast this morning. I insisted that we pack our things and come here.
My mom strolls out of her room running her fingers through her damp curls. I nearly walked in on them making out a few minutes ago so she looks a little flush. Tucker stands up to hug her. “You remember Tucker’s sister Shauna from the party,” I say, although I can’t remember if they were ever introduced.
“Yes. She and I had a long talk about you two after you disappeared last night,” My mother says with a raised eyebrow. Tucker’s face turns bright red.
“Sarah, Nickie, Keisha and Pookie are on the way,” I say changing the subject
“Alright,” She says. “Come into the kitchen and I’ll fix you all something to eat. You have to be hungry.” We follow her to the kitchen and she starts pulling out platters of leftovers. We all turn when we hear the front door open. Tucker is instantly on the defense. He leaps up with his fists balled. “Why are you so jumpy? Sit down boy,” My mom says swatting him with a dish towel. He returns to the chair where he was sitting. I walk over and stand in front of him. I feel badly for being so mean earlier. I don’t know why he puts up with me. I know that he was only trying to protect me. He holds onto my waist and rests his head on my chest. He’s always trying to protect me I think to myself as I brush my hand over his hair.
“Is anyone home,” Sarah’s voice rings out across the living room. She and Nogood are walking hand and hand. He is nearly unrecognizable in his dark chinos and white button down. I had never really noticed before but Nogood is actually handsome.
“You clean up well,” I say.
“Well look at you two,” my mother says smiling. Sarah is beaming with pride. In just a few days she’s managed to get Nogood to look like a man rather than a-wanna-be thug. I guess my grandma Bess was right sometimes it just takes the right woman to bring the good out in a man.
Sarah releases Nogood’s hand, hugs my mother and waves hello to Shauna. “So what’s up? Why did you need us to get over here in such a hurry?” Nogood says.
“We’ll talk when everyone gets here.”
“Oh my goodness are you pregers?” Sarah squeals. “If you are please stay away from me. It might be contagious.” My mother stops what’s she’s doing and looks over at me.
“No I’m not pregnant. I jump up and down on one foot after having sex. It’s a fool proof birth control method.” Shauna laughs but everyone else just stares at me blankly. “It was a joke. I’m not pregnant, jeez.” My mom hands Shauna a plate with food piled high. Shauna just gapes down at the plate in astonishment. It’s enough food to feed three adult men. My mom makes similar plates of food for everyone else in the room. “Mom it isn’t even noon yet,” I say biting into a piece of fried chicken.”
“Just call it an early lunch and eat,” She says as she buzzes around cleaning the kitchen. I watch her realizing she’s the reason I’m so obsessed with keeping things orderly. “What are you guys doing here so early? I thought you were taking an architectural tour of LA then coming by later tonight for dinner,” Dana says. Tucker and I look at each other. He stands up without a word and walks towards the backyard. Not wanting to be left alone in a room full of women Nogood picks up his plate and follows Tucker. My mom puts her hand on her hips and gives me that what did you do now look.
“Someone, I’m assuming one of Tucker’s ex’s has been leaving threatening messages.”
“Is that all,” Dana says continuing to clean. “She’s probably just pissed because he broke up with her. Just change your number or ignore the calls.”
“I didn’t think it was a big deal at first either but I listened to a few of the messages and the woman sound’s completely insane.”
“Who sounds insane?” Keisha asks popping up out of nowhere. She has on her standard tight jeans and heels. She actually walks around the shop like this all day, glamour taking precedence over comfort.
“One of Tucker’s crazy ex-girl friends has been stalking Leila,” Sarah says.
“Well who is the bitch? Let’s go have a talk with her.”
“If you feel like she might actually hurt you we’d better call the police,” Shauna says.
“No offense Shauna but fuck the police,” Keisha says. Dana throws the dish towel at her.
“You wonder why your son swears so much. Watch your mouth girl.”
“I’m sorry Momma but what are the police going to do? They’ll just say their hands are tied until the woman comes to kill Leila. So I say we beat her behind now and call the police later.”
“Do we know which ex-girl friend it is?” Sarah asks.
Shauna tells us about going out for drinks with Samantha and Amy. She says she thinks that Amy has moved on but Shauna still thinks there’s a chance for her and Tucker to reunite. I feel a twinge of anger listening to Shauna talk about Amy and Samantha.
“Do you know where Samantha lives,” Keisha asks.
“You are too old to be fighting,” Dana says.
“Oh Momma please,” Keisha says waving the comment away. “I’m not going to fight. I’ll just punch her in the face a few times.”
“No Momma’s right. Let’s just file a police report and let them handle it.”
“That’s a very smart idea,” Dana says drying her hands on a dish towel. “I’m going to check on your father,” She says before leaving the room.
Keisha takes a piece of corn bread from my plate and bites into it. When she’s sure my mom is gone she says, “So we’ll swing by Pookie’s place and pick up Nickie then head to the airport,” Keisha says swinging her purse over her shoulder.
“I’m a ride or die bitch,” Sarah says. “Let’s roll out.”
“What the hell is wrong with you two? Whoever is making the calls is in Los Angeles not the Bay Area. She followed us here. In fact I think I might have seen her at my party last night.”
�
�Oh no are you serious,” Shauna says.
“I can’t say for certain but I’m pretty sure. There was a woman wearing dark clothes and a baseball cap. I wouldn’t have noticed her if she didn’t look so pissed.”
“Why didn’t you tell someone,” Keisha says.
“Look, I’m not going to be in LA for much longer. I’m not about to let this woman ruin the rest of my stay. I’ll file a police report then we’ll pick up Nickie and go out.”
*****
Tucker tells Xavier and Nogood about the calls.
“So what are you going to do man?” Nogood asks.
“I’m not sure but I have to do something soon. I don’t know if they are just idle threats or if this woman is really planning to do something crazy.”
“I know a guy who can make this whole thing go away,” Nogood says watching Tucker’s reaction.
“If you listen to that boy you’ll both end up in jail,” Xavier says. “Sometimes mistakes we’ve made in the past come back to bite us in the ass. If you know who the woman is just call her and try to appeal to her sensibility. She must have loved you once. So try talking her down. If that doesn’t work and she continues to threaten my daughter I know someone who really will make the whole situation go away.” Xavier places a firm hand on Tucker’s shoulder before walking away.
Nogood watches Xavier until he’s out of earshot. “I think you should handle this little problem on your own. If my uncle gets involved you might be the one that disappears.”
Xavier walks into the house and steps into his bedroom. Dana is rearranging shirts in her drawer. She always busies herself with cleaning when she’s anxious or upset. He steps behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. “I need to go to the construction site for a while.”
“I thought you were taking the week off,” She says leaning against his chest.
“I’m just going to check up on things. I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“Please be sure that you do,” She says turning to face him. We need to talk to the kids tonight. We’ve carried this burden for far too long.” Xavier kisses her on the cheek and turns to leave. “Did they tell you what’s going on with Leila?” She says while his back is turned.
“Yeah Tucker told me. It’s crazy how history has a way of repeating itself,” He says as he leaves the room. He pauses in the hall and listens to his daughters and their friends talking and laughing.
“Hey daddy,” Keisha says when he walks into the kitchen. He hugs her and kisses the top of her head. Leila crosses the room and stands on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
“Hi Mr. Peterson,” Shauna and Sarah say in unisons. They both have the googly eyed look that women always get around Xavier.
“Hello girls,” He says. He takes Leila by the hand, “I need to talk to you before I go.” She follows him feeling anxious. They step out onto the front porch and sit down on the stairs. They sit in silence until Mr. Clayton steps out onto his lawn and turns on the hose to water his grass.
“How many times a day does he water that grass?”
“He waters it every time he thinks there might be something going on. I’m surprised that grass is still alive.” There’s a few more seconds of silence. “Tucker told me about the calls.”
“Yeah the whole thing is so bizarre. I can’t understand why some women just can’t let go.”
“I don’t want you going anywhere by yourself until this thing is sorted out.”
“Daddy I’m not letting this woman make me run scared.”
He leans over and kisses the top of her head. “Just do it for me,” He says standing to leave.
“Daddy I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“What is it baby?” He says looking down at her with a serious expression.
“How did you find out Tucker and I got married?”
He pulls out his phone and pushes a few buttons. He hands the phone to Leila and she gasps loudly. Xavier takes his phone from her and shoves it back into his pocket. He offers a rare smile and kisses her one more time before walking away.
*****
I walk back into the house both shocked and confused. “What is it,” Keisha says when she sees the look on my face.
“Daddy just told me how he found out about the drunken wedding.”
“I just assumed Momma told him. It sure wasn’t me this time.”
“So how did he find out?” Sarah says.
I stumble over to the kitchen table take out my cell phone scroll down the message history and there it is. I give the phone to Shauna then lower my face to my hands. She reads the messages to herself and gasps.
“The first message,” She says choking back laughter. “The first message says ‘dada I go mayed in vulva’ I think that translates to Daddy I got married in Vegas,” She turns the phone so that Sarah and Keisha can see the picture of Tucker and I standing in front of the justice of the peace smiling broadly. There are five more pictures all attached to messages each one worst than the last.
“I can’t believe I drunk texted my daddy.” I leave them in the kitchen laughing and set off to find Tucker. He’s sitting in the back yard talking to Nogood. I stand in the doorway and watch him. Nogood is talking to him but he seems to have drifted away. He has a tiny frown line that appears in the middle of his forehead when he’s thinking. I slide over to him and take his hand. “Tucker will be right back,” I say to Nogood. I lead him quickly down the hall and into my bedroom. I lock the bedroom door, kick off my shoes and walk over to stretch out on my bed. Tucker stands in the middle of the floor watching me.
“I’m not having sex in your father’s house,” He says licking his lips.
“You have such a dirty mind. Can’t I just spend time with my husband without doing the horizontal mambo?” I say laughing. I pat the bed and Tucker walks over and sits next to me. “Lay down. I promise not to jump your bones.” He takes off his shoes and lies next to me. He’s on his side and his feet are hanging off the end of the bed. I touch the tiny line on his forehead. “I don’t like it when you’re upset.” He takes my hand and kisses the palm. I snuggle against his chest for a long time listening to his heart beat. “Someday we’ll look back at this and laugh.” Tucker leans over and kisses me softly. I get butterflies in my stomach and that familiar itch returns. I climb on top of him and nibble his ear.
“No,” He says moving his head away from my mouth. “I made a promise to your father.”
“Daddy will never know,” I say unbuckling his pants. He gives in easily. He lifts his body and slides out of his pants and underwear. I stroke him gently then reach down and kiss his hardness. Tucker takes off my shorts and underwear. He grabs my hips and holds me right above his face. He flicks his tongue over my engorged clitoris as I circle my tongue around his glistening tip. He gets harder with every circle of my tongue. I feel like I might explode from the sensation. I can no longer stand it so I slide off his face and guide him inside me. Tucker moves his hand up to my mouth and shushes me.
“Baby you have to be quiet,” He says rolling me onto my back.
“Ok,” I whisper breathlessly taking a pillow from the bed and holding it over my face to stifle the groan. I push him back onto his back and ride him until I feel my body burst. I continue to roll my hips and he looks into my eyes as he releases inside me. As usual he falls asleep almost instantly. I clean the room, take a quick shower and change into a green strapless sundress and wedged heels. I cover Tucker with a blanket and leave the room feeling refreshed.
“I can’t believe you just had sex while we all sat here waiting for you,” Keisha slurs. She, Sarah and Shauna are sitting on the couch with a picture of margaritas in front of them.
“We were just talking,” I lie. “Where is Momma?”
“She went to go pick up grandma Bess.”
“So let’s call a car and go to hap
py hour before dinner. We have time,” I say.
____
We get back to the house at around 7:30PM. We couldn’t get in touch with Nickie or Pookie so we stopped at Tiffany and Company then headed to the Promenade for drinks. We lost track of time and I know my mom is going to be pissed. I can hear yelling from the drive way. Sarah, Shauna, Keisha and I rush into the house to see what’s happening. Pookie is standing in the living room yelling and crying. My parents, grandma, Bess and a man I’ve never seen before are all silently listening to him. He turns to face us when we walk in. “Ladies I would like you to meet my brother Chris. I guess I should also re-introduce myself because apparently I’m not your uncle,” He says throwing his hands into the air and rushing past us.
Chapter 28
When I was younger my grandma Bess would take Nickie, Keisha and I to church at least once a month. My mom would yank and tug my thick hair into two neatly braided ponytails. She would make me wear foofoo dresses with ruffled socks and pinchy patent-leather shoes. I loved Sunday school because the teacher was soft spoken and gave us butterscotch candy if we sat quietly. But after bible study we’d all file into the grown up service. The adult church was a whole new world filled with big colorful hats and paper fans. Keisha and Nickie would disappear the minute grandma Bess turned her back but I sat mesmerized by the service. The preacher would shout and jump around while pounding on the pulpit and sweating profusely. The music was like thunder that I could feel in my chest. The shouting, dancing and falling on the ground after being touched by the pastor was like watching an African ritual. I didn’t understand what was happening but watching the people throw their hands in the air and shout praise gave me a strange feeling. It made me think that God must be so great if these people put on their nicest clothes every week just to come to sing and dance for him. As I got older I started going to church less and less. But I never forgot the sense of peace I got every time I closed my eyes to pray. I could use that peace today. I need someone other than my husband and family to let me know things are going to be okay.
A Love Like This (Book 1) Page 21