by M. Skye
“There is no way you could impose,” Brenda hissed. “Us widows have to stick together, and besides the nicer I am to you, the sooner we get our grandkids. I think a girl is in order first. I want her to have Liam’s eyes, but Draya’s beautiful facial structure. Couldn’t you just see it?”
“Mother, as always, you’re so inappropriate,” Liam blushed. “We are a while away from even discussing it. Please let us decide we even want that before you’re planning our first born.”
Draya had to admit the suggestion was ill-timed, but she was glad for the change of subject. She was seeing her mother’s first real smile in days and knew she had Brenda to thank for it. As crazy as the woman was, she knew her mother would be in good hands here. She had been worried about her being alone when she was working, but she knew Brenda would make the best company and was sure to keep a smile on her face in the process.
“Oh, Liam, you’re moving so slowly. This girl is the one I would have picked for you, so I see no problem in talking long term. When mother approves, it should be a no brainer. I don’t like many people, son, you know this.”
“I don’t think you like me sometimes,” he chuckled.
“Oh, I don’t.” She nodded. “But I always love you and that’s all that matters. You know I always have your best interest at heart, unlike others.” Looking over at Will, she turned back to face them and gave Caroline a bright smile. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have the driver take you to town for your things.”
“Thanks,” Caroline nodded and Liam pulled Draya off to the side.
Getting her alone, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips and ran his hand down her face. “Are you sure letting your mother hang around mine is the best decision? She can be a little over the top. Your mother might be uncomfortable.”
“She will be fine. Your mother is making her laugh, which is more than any of us could accomplish. She will have a good time and I won’t have to worry about her as much.”
“If you say so,” he shrugged. “I still don’t like the thought of her out on the beach, though.”
“Why? She’s not going to go out and drown herself. She’s not that depressed.”
“I know that.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “The beach is kinda our place. I don’t want to think about your mother sitting in the place where...”
“There is plenty of beach out there,” she breathed heavily. “Besides the rain probably washed out our little place.”
Closing her eyes as his head rested against hers, Draya blocked out the day and stayed in the moment. She had been going through so much over the past few days. With the investigation into her father’s attack mounting, she hadn’t been to her house in days. She had been staying over at Liam’s and he was great, but she felt like they might need some time apart soon or he was probably going to gnaw his foot off. She never wanted him to feel like he had to be with her every waking hour of the day, but it’s where he had been if he wasn’t taking care of his clients.
“If it’s okay, I think I might stay at Brittney’s tonight. She and Austin have the guest room made up for me.”
He looked at her like she was crazy. “Why would you do that?”
“I just want to give you a little space.”
“I don’t need space,” he assured her. “I love you.”
“I know you do, and I want you to keep on loving me, so I want to give you a little room to do whatever you need to. I know there is something on your mind that you aren’t ready to share.”
Looking away and then back to her, he grabbed her arms and gave her a gentle squeeze. “It’s nothing, just some stuff I need to sort out, but you’re not in the way of anything. I don’t want to spend the night without you. I won’t get any sleep.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. Damien is in jail, he can’t hurt me anymore. And besides, Austin will be there. He won’t let anything happen to me.”
Shaking his head, he placed a kiss to her temple. “I won’t sleep because all I’ll be thinking about is the empty space next to me. I don’t want to spend a night away from you.”
Leaning into his embrace, she scanned the room, looking at all the people who came to say goodbye to her father. Earlier, she had seen Liam standing with a group of women that looked familiar, but she couldn’t seem to place their faces. “Liam... Who are they?” she pointed to the women and one man standing together.
“Oh,” he sighed, “a few clients from the gym. They came because I told them I would be out for a few days to take care of my girlfriend. That’s Tammy, Melissa, Courtney, Nora, Kimmy, and Adam.”
“Kimmy looks familiar,” she nodded. “Maybe I’ve seen her around the gym.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “At least we know there are still some nice people in the world. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but things are going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”
“I know, baby. Hey,” she wrapped her arms around his neck. “After this, can I talk you into walking me out to the beach?”
“What are you trying to get into? You know we have a house full of people, right?”
Laughing, she shook her head and was happy to have this silly moment with him. He was taking her mind off the harsh reality they were living. “I know that. I want to talk to you. I want a minute alone without all the other eyes. I feel like everyone here is watching my every move.”
“They’re worried. It’s normal. It’s how everyone was when my dad died.”
Witnessing at the disgusted look on his face, she ran her hand up his neck. “You want to talk to me about it?”
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her towards the back door and once they were on the beach, he pulled her down into his lap. “I’ve never talked about him to anyone other than my brother.”
“I know you don’t like discussing it, but maybe it will help you. I know it would help me; we’ve shared so much, babe and—”
“I’m glad you’re here with me. I don’t like to talk about my feelings much, but I like the fact that I have you. You listen to me and you don’t judge, it’s as if you accept me in a way no one else ever has,” he interrupted.
“I accept you; I love you so much and it just scares me sometimes. I don’t know what you’re thinking most of the time, and I want to. I want to know everything.”
“Baby, you know me.”
“Do I? Do you know me?” She kissed his palm.
“I know you,” he kissed the side of her head. “I know all your moods and what can help pull you out of them. I think I’ve experienced just about all of them.”
“When? When have you seen me anything but cheerful?” she laughed. “Please tell me what you know.”
“I know that when you’re sad, nothing cheers you up like caramel sundaes. Squeeze a little whipped cream on top and it’s heaven in a cup for you. I’ve never seen a woman so damn fit, scarf three down in a row like you can.”
“It makes me look like a pig,” she laughed.
“Oh no, it’s sexy. I also know that when you’re mad, whoever it’s aimed at better take cover because to be such a tiny thing, you can be a little hellion. When you’re happy, your laugh is so contagious, and when you’re being sweet, I just want to hold you forever. You’re so damn perfect, babe.”
“I’m not,” she felt herself blushing and sank her head into his arm. “But you make me feel so good about being me. I’ve never had that; no one has ever made me feel this special.”
“I want to,” he sighed, “I want to make you feel good, always. And I want you to always feel special. I know things have been hard and I’m not gonna lie and say it’s over, but we have each other.”
“Does it haunt you still?” She leaned her head on his arm. “I feel you tossing at night.”
Sighing into the air, he kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. “Yeah. It wasn’t as bad until all this stuff started happening. When I was looking for you that night, all these images started flashing through my mind and I have been having t
he dreams ever since.”
“What are the dreams about?”
“I see me and my dad arguing and just before I wake up, I see my hands reaching out to push him. I really think I did it, Draya.”
Pulling his palm to her lips, she gave him a gentle kiss and held it tighter. “It’s your mind creating the details. You said you can’t really remember and I think you’re just grasping at straws. I can’t believe you would kill him.”
“Maybe it’s time you started to believe I’m not the good guy you think I am. Maybe it’s time you accepted that I probably killed him.”
“He was evil and you’re so wonderful. I can’t think about you like that—”
“I love you,” he cut her off. “I just want you to know that. No matter what I’ve done, you have made my life better. I’m not sure if I tell you enough, but I want you to know it now. I also want you to know that I want to turn myself in.”
Sitting up suddenly, Draya turned to look at him and touched his cheek. “No! You’re not doing that. You’re not sure what happened and I… I need you. You can’t leave me.”
“I don’t want to leave you. God, I don’t know what to do. I feel so lost and I…” Looking into her eyes, he stopped and grabbed her face. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do it,” she whispered. When his eyes dropped, she brought his head back up to look into her eyes. “You said you know me, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I know you. I’ve laid next to you every night for months and you’ve held me. You’ve made love to me and I’ve never felt safer. These hands…” She pulled them up and gave him a gentle squeeze. “…have never been anything but gentle. You are a lover; you love hard and I don’t know where I would be without you. You’re not admitting to something I know you’re not capable of. I won’t let you.”
“What if I did?”
“You didn’t,” she dismissed it, falling back into his embrace. “I’ll sit up with you. I’ll hold your hand through the nightmares. I’ll even go get you sundaes,” she smiled. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you see that you’re a good man.”
“I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I need to tell you—”
“Liam,” she interrupted, “things happened before we met. I’m not perfect and I don’t expect you to be. Let’s give each other a blank slate. I don’t need to know every bad thing you’ve ever done.”
“I don’t know what I did or how I found you, but I know I’m lucky. I may never meet another woman like you on the planet and I can’t ever see myself letting you go.”
Sitting in his arms for the better part of an hour, Draya just relaxed and watched the water rippling against the shore. No matter what she was going through, she knew this would always be a place of comfort to her. Letting his head drop to her shoulder, he held her there running his hands up and down her arms. She had never felt so relaxed with a person and when they had to get up and go back inside, she dreaded it. The moment had been so perfect, despite everything going on around them.
Walking into the house and standing against the wall for a few minutes, Draya scanned the room and felt her head spinning. “Shit.” She looked at the door and knew there was about to be a scene out of this world when she saw Deena walking in.
“What’s... oh shit,” Liam turned, watching her walk in. “Just stay here, let me handle this.” Grabbing his arm, Draya went barreling past him, stopping Deena right at the entrance, backing her back out to the porch.
“You have some nerve showing up here. Get out or get thrown out.”
“I have a right to be here. He was a dear friend.”
Feeling Liam tug at her while she walked closer, standing chest to chest with Deena. Draya huffed in her face. “You have caused enough trouble for my mother and you’re not going to disrespect her here. You may have had a child with him, but she is his wife, legally and spiritually. You never meant shit.”
“Legally and spiritually, huh? Kinda like what I am to Damien? You had no problem with fucking him knowing that.”
Draya had still been having her issues with her decision to sleep with a married man, but she no longer carried around the guilt she once did about it. The truth was that she didn’t break their marriage. Deena had a long time ago. “Blame me for him turning my way, but know this, I don’t give a damn. He was your train wreck to maintain and you let him off the rails. He killed my father because you, the original hoe, couldn’t keep your legs closed. Yeah, I borrowed your husband and now, you can have his worthless ass back. I’m done, and you’re done here.”
Digging her finger into Deena’s chest, Draya felt Liam trying to pull her back again, but stood strong in her stance. “If I catch you near my mother again, everyone at that church will know how big of a hoe you really are. Yeah, I slept with your husband, even stole him away,” she laughed, “but the difference between you and me is that I don’t care who knows it. Keeping up images is your thing.”
“You little bit–” she stopped in mid-insult when the door swung open and Brenda appeared on the steps wearing a huge smile.
“Is there a problem here?”
“No problem,” Deena smiled. “I was offering my condolences to Draya and her family.”
“And now that you’ve said them, be on your way,” Brenda advised, “I would hate to have to ruin my manicure dragging your ass down the cobblestone.”
“Lady, you don’t know me. I am not one of these kids to be trifled with. I know things and I know people.”
“I know exactly who you are. Deena Winters, married to Damien Winters, a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, two kids, no job, and a huge pain in the ass.” Crossing her arms, Brenda leaned in, saying her next statement quietly. “And a bit of a homewrecker. Shall I go on?”
Snapping her head to Draya, Deena rolled her eyes. “This isn’t over little girl. I’m just getting started.”
“I don’t think I left room for any parting comments in my invitation for you to get your ass out of here,” Brenda said, pressing her hands to her small hips. “The gate is that way,” she pointed out towards the road. “Darken this doorstep again and I’ll make sure everything about you gets out, and be advised, I’m not a little girl. I will make it happen.”
While Deena walked away hastily, Draya and Liam turned to face Brenda, who was wearing a sneaky grin. “Mother, have you been digging around in her business? I told you not to do that with Draya. I can’t believe you crossed the line again. I told you I would—”
“Liam,” Draya interrupted. “Don’t be angry with her. I told her everything about Damien and Deena. Although I didn’t give her all of that,” she laughed. “I’m glad she stepped in. I was two steps from slapping the taste out of her mouth and I don’t think it would have been the wisest choice. People like her have to be handled differently.”
“That’s right,” Brenda smiled. “Slapping a whore will only make them happy. You have to hit them figuratively, not physically.”
“You two,” Liam shook his head. “How did you get so chummy?”
“I told you,” Brenda grabbed Draya, pulling her closer. “I like this girl. Everyone has a past, so do you son.” She gave him a look that Draya picked up on. “I gave her the chance to tell me about hers and she did, and it built trust between us. She didn’t have to tell me about them, but she did, and I can appreciate that. There is nothing I won’t do for this girl because she’s genuine and you love her.”
Walking into the house, Draya had the hugest smile she had sported in days. Things had been a mess, but having the support of Liam and his mother helped. While she walked ahead of them, she turned back only to find them in deep discussion. She wanted to give them a minute, but she also didn’t want them fighting over Brenda stepping in to handle Deena. Draya knew she only meant well, but Liam was one who liked to keep her out of his business.
Walking closer, she caught the tail end of Brenda’s statement and crossed her arms. “You need to tell her before she finds out in
some other way. If you love her, do the right thing son.”
When Brenda said this, Draya watched as his face went stone serious. “Look, I tried. She wants to forget our pasts and so do I. I just want to forget it ever happened.”
“But it did, Liam. You can’t just wish it away and she will never forgive you if she finds out that you kept it from her.”
Ducking around the corner, she heard Liam saying that he couldn’t. Before she was caught, she slipped off, trying to pretend like she just hadn’t walked up on that. Just as perfect as the moment had been with him and his mother before, it was gone. Now she had so many questions. She only wished she had the answers. If only she hadn’t given him a free pass, maybe she would have them.
Chapter Seven: I Know When You're Lying
“Baby, come on now. Your form is way off. What’s going on with you?”
It had been a few months since the funeral and Draya had been behaving strangely, but she hadn’t said a thing to give Liam a clue why. He knew she was struggling with the fact that Damien was still denying the attack on her father, but he was convinced it was a lie. There was too much evidence to discredit his story. There were Damien’s bloody footprints, his fingerprints all over the door and wall where Andrew was found, and the obvious motive.
Draya and Damien’s affair had become talk around town, but she was handling it as best she could. She had stopped going to the church because like the vultures they were, they blamed her and lifted Deena up on a pedestal as the wronged party. Liam had advised Draya to reveal all she knew about Deena, but she refused, wanting to preserve her father’s memory.
“Maybe I just don’t want to do this. I don’t feel like working out, Liam.”
“Alright.” He sat down in front of her workout ball. “Tell me what’s up. I get that you’re still upset, but you’ve been giving me this ice queen routine and I’m a little bothered by it. Talk to me.”
“It seems like you should be the one talking. I hear the late night calls when you think I’m sleeping. You tell me who she is.”