Suspicions

by Sasha Campbell

  Chauncey rose and leaned back against the weight of the vending machine. “So whassup?” he said all nonchalant, like he no longer had feelings for me. I couldn’t blame him. When he needed me most, I had turned my back on him.

  I took several deep breaths before finally saying, “I came to apologize.”

  “For what?” Chauncey was acting like he had no idea what I was talking about. I guess I deserved that.

  I didn’t know where to start. “For everything. I should have listened to what you had to say. I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge you.” My voice was shaky and I hated sounding so weak.

  He looked at me without an emotion in sight and folded his arms. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have. I’ve been judged all my life. My mother turned her back on me the one time I needed someone the most, and then I try to start over a new life and yet I’m judged again.”

  I took a step forward. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. But I was scared. I have a little girl and just hearing sex offender with all the crazy stuff going on in the world, I panicked and ran, and I’m sorry for that.” He just stood there looking hurt and there was nothing I could say to fix things. “That’s all I wanted to say. In time, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” I was hurting inside and ready to cry because I knew I had lost him forever. I swung around and headed through the door.

  “It wasn’t all your fault.”

  I held my breath, then slowly turned around and waited for him to continue.

  “I should have been honest with you from the beginning and explained to you my past. My bad. I was wrong for that. If you’re gonna be my wife, I have to learn to keep it real wit you.”

  “Your wife?” my voice cracked.

  He flashed a gorgeous smile. “C’mere.” He held out his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me against him. “I love you, girl.” It was a long time before I stepped back and wiped my eyes. “I wanna build something solid with you.”

  “And I want to—”

  Chauncey pressed a finger to my lips. “Wait a minute. Let me say something first. Candy, I was wrong. I should have told you the truth. I was nervous if you knew the truth about me you wouldn’t have given a brotha a chance. I just didn’t want to lose you.”

  I was shaking my head. Tears were rolling down my cheek, but I didn’t care. “It’s okay, boo. I shouldn’t have gone off the way I had. I should have given you a chance to explain in private. But now none of that matters. I love you. I never stopped loving you.”

  “I love you, too. And as soon as we both feel we’re ready, I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He wrapped his arms around me and pressed his lips to mine, and there was no question how he felt. I was never letting him go and as soon as the time was right, you better believe I was marrying him.

  “Chauncey, your eleven o’clock is here!” Tiffany called from the doorway.

  His eyes never left mine. “I’ll be out in a second. Right now, I’m handling my business.”

  Ooh! I loved the way that sounded.

  47

  Noelle

  Seven months later

  “Wait! I forgot something.”

  Grant put the car back in Park. “Baby, hurry up. I hate to miss the big occasion.”

  I playfully rolled my eyes. “Yeah . . . right.” I knew good and damn well my husband hated weddings. I climbed out the car and hurried back into the house. I had forgotten Chauncey and Candace’s gift.

  It had been the buzz in the salon all week long. Candace and her wedding party came in for the royal treatment. I spent the past two days plucking eyebrows and doing body waxing. Tiffany was the maid of honor, so I had the luxury of doing her hair and the three bridesmaids, while she hooked up her best friend’s hair and Miasha’s for her big day. I had to lock Chauncey out the salon just to keep him away. Those two were so in love. They were the reason why Grant and I were still together.

  With Chauncey, I learned something about forgiveness and second chances. Chauncey had it hard. His mother and so many other people turned their back on him because of a mistake he made in his past. I realized that I was doing the same thing to Grant. He made a mistake messing around with Lucy, and yes, it was hard knowing he slept with another woman, but it was during a time when our marriage had fallen apart. However, I was confident that when we got back together and found out I was pregnant with Scott, from that day forward we were totally committed to each other. I would be a fool to condemn him for something he had done in the past. Yes, he should have told me Lucy was pregnant instead of trying to hide her pregnancy by giving her the money for an abortion. It still hurt me to know that she had given him the daughter I would never have; but in the time I have known Amber, she had become everything I could have ever hoped for. She still hasn’t forgiven her mother for leaving Sierra on our doorstep. But she has opened up her life to me and Grant. We get to see our granddaughter whenever we want. She is currently stationed at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana, which is about a four-hour commute. And we look forward to the drive. We had invited the two to spend the Christmas holiday with us, and the holiday would have been perfect if my son had been there.

  Whitney and Michael had Christmas dinner with us. He was such a beautiful baby with those gorgeous gold-green eyes and that family birthmark. There is no doubt in my mind who his father is. Too bad Scott doesn’t feel the same way. He had no intention of being a father to his child. According to him, he had been tricked, and since he hadn’t wanted a baby in the first place, then he doesn’t feel he should have to take any responsibility. It’s so sad. Whitney is heartbroken that Michael may never have a father. Grant couldn’t even talk any sense into Scott. Like I said before, the kid was spoiled. We decided since he wanted to be grown and make grown man decisions, then he could learn how to make it on his own. We cut him off financially and haven’t spoken to him in over four months.

  For the sake of my grandson, Whitney and I had worked on strengthening our relationship. I kept Michael for her whenever she needed a babysitter and she called me when she needed parenting advice. I don’t know if our relationship can ever be the way it was, because betrayal is a powerful thing, but I have learned that forgiveness and second chances are important, especially when it involves the people you love most.

  I grabbed the beautiful wrapped gift from my bedspread and hurried out the house to my devoted husband, who was patiently waiting in the driveway. “Okay, I’m ready,” I said, and closed the car door.

  “You sure you got everything this time?” Grant asked with that gold glitter in his eyes.

  “If I forgot anything, I can buy it when we get there.” I put the gift on the back seat beside my tote bag, then leaned over and pressed my lips to his. As soon as we leave the wedding reception, we’re heading to the airport. Finally, we were taking that trip to Aruba.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Should Tiffany have continued to hold on to her virginity until after her wedding, or do you agree with the ladies in the shop to “try before you buy?” Do you believe Tiffany would have slept with Kimbel a long time ago if she hadn’t felt pressured by her mother?

  2. Did Noelle come off being too controlling and suspicious of her husband, or did she have reason not to trust him? In the beginning, did you think Grant was messing around on her?

  3. Should Chauncey have been honest about his past from the start, or was he justified in thinking he would have been judged?

  4. Was Candace too critical of men? After she found out about Chauncey, was she too quick to judge? Should Chauncey have forgiven her?

  5. If you were Candace, would you have told Tiffany the truth about Kimbel and risked your job? If you were Candace, would you have continued being friends even after you asked her not to say anything?

  6. Do you believe Kimbel really loved Tiffany? Was Tiffany wrong for stalking him? Would you have handled the situation differently?

  7. What should Noelle have done when she
found the baby on the porch? Would you have gone to extremes to track down the mother, or would you have gone about things differently?

  8. Should Noelle forgive Whitney for sleeping with her son? Was Whitney a victim? Do you believe they will ever salvage their relationship?

  9. Do you feel that Chauncey’s parents were wrong for the choices they made? Do you feel he’ll be able to repair the relationship with his father? His mother?

  10. Do you think Baughn and Tiffany have a chance or was he strictly her rebound man?

  11. Which of the main characters do you feel still has a lot of growing up to do?

  If you enjoyed Suspicions, don’t miss

  A Good Excuse to Be Bad

  by Miranda Parker

  Coming in July 2011 from Dafina Books

  Turn the page for an excerpt from A Good Excuse to Be Bad . . .

  Wednesday, 11:00 PM Club Night Candy, Underground Atlanta, Georgia

  If I weren’t so screwed up, I would’ve sold my soul a long time ago for a handsome man who made me feel pretty or who could at least treat me to a Millionaire’s Martini. Instead, I lingered over a watered-down Sparkling Apple and felt sorry about what I was about to do to the blue-eyed bartender standing in front of me. Although I shouldn’t; after all, I am a bail recovery agent. It’s my job to get my skip, no matter the cost. Yet, I had been wondering lately. What was this job costing me?

  For the past six weeks, Dustin, the owner of Night Candy and my Judas for this case, had tended the main bar on Wednesday nights. His usual bartender was out on maternity leave. According to Big Tiger, she would return tomorrow, so I had to make my move tonight.

  Yet, I wished Big Tiger would have told me how cute and how nice Dustin was. I might have changed my tactic or worn a disguise so that I could flirt with him again for a different, more pleasant outcome. See, good guys don’t like to be strong-armed. It’s not sexy, even if it is for a good reason. Such is life . . .

  Dustin poured me another mocktail. Although I detested the drink’s bittersweet taste and smell, I smiled and thanked him anyway. It was time to spark a different, darker conversation. The fact that his eyes twinkled brighter than the fake lights dangling above his station made it a little hard for me to end the good time I was having with him.

  “If you need anything, let me know.” He stared at me for a while, then left to assist another person sitting at the far end of the bar.

  I blushed before he walked away.

  Get it together. I shook it off and reminded myself that I was on a deadline. I wanted his help, not his hotness and definitely not another free, fizzled, sugar water. It was time to do what I was paid to do.

  When he returned to my station, he wiped my area again. I caught his hand.

  He looked down at my hand on his, glanced at my full glass, and grinned. “Obviously, you don’t need another refill.”

  I giggled. “No, I don’t, but I do need something from you.”

  “I was hoping you would say that.” He smiled and took my hand, then held it closer to his chest. “Because I’ve wanted to know more about you ever since you walked into my club.”

  “Great.” I couldn’t help but giggle back. “Does that mean I can ask you a personal question?”

  He nodded. “Ask me anything, sweetie.”

  I leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “Do you have a problem with me taking someone out of here?”

  “Of course not. You can take me out. My patrons don’t mind, long as the tap stays open.” He chuckled.

  “No, Blue Eyes. I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about dragging someone out your club. Very ladylike, of course, but I wanted to get your approval before I did it.”

  He stepped back, looked around, then returned to me. “I don’t think I understood you, sweetie. You want to do what in my club?”

  “Take someone out.”

  He contorted his grin into a weird jacked-up W. “And what does that mean?”

  “It means that you have someone in the club that I want, and I’ll shut this club down if I don’t get who I came for. I don’t want to cause a scene, so I’m asking for your cooperation.”

  He scoffed. “Is this some kind of joke?”

  “No, it’s a shakedown, Dustin Gregory Taylor, and surprisingly, you’re the one who sent me. So I need you to play along with me right now. Okay? Sorry for the inconvenience.”

  “Sorry?” He stumbled back and let go of my hand. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”

  “You’re causing a scene, Dustin, and that’s not good for business. Why don’t you come back over here and I’ll tell you . . . quietly.”

  He looked around the bar. The club was jumping so hard only a few people around us noticed his confused facial expression and his almost backstroke into the glass beer mug tower that stood behind him. He ran his hand through his hair, then walked back to me.

  He murmured, “Who told you about me?”

  “We have a mutual friend.” I pulled out my cell phone, scrolled to a saved picture, and showed it to him. “I’m sure you know the man in this mug shot. It’s your cousin Cade. Correct?”

  His brow wrinkled; then he sighed. “What has he done now?”

  “What he always does, Dusty, rob banks and skip bail. But do you want to know the worst thing he’s done?”

  Dustin just looked at me. He didn’t respond.

  “Well, I’ll tell you anyway. He convinced your mom to put a second mortgage on the family house, in order to pay his bail the last time he got caught. Guess what? He got caught three months ago and then he missed his court date, which means—”

  Dustin yanked the towel off this shoulder. “Say what?”

  “Your mom’s home is in jeopardy if I don’t find him tonight. My boss Big Tiger Jones of BT Trusted Bail Bonds is ready to turn your childhood home into his Smyrna office, if you know what I mean.”

  “Son of a . . .” He turned around in a full 360. His towel twirled with him. “This isn’t fair.”

  I nodded. “Life can be that way sometimes.”

  “I had no clue he had gotten back into trouble. He didn’t say anything to me, and my mom . . . No wonder she hasn’t been sleeping well lately.” He rung the towel in his hands, then snapped it against the bar. “I don’t believe this.”

  “Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is to watch your family make horrible mistakes and you or someone you love pay the price for their burden.” I thought about my sister, Ava. “Dustin, I have to take Cade downtown tonight. We both know that he’s here in Night Candy right now and has been sleeping in your back office since his ex-girlfriend Lola kicked him out of her house. So tell me how you want this to go down, nice or easy?”

  “Neither.” He folded his arms over his chest. “You can’t do this, not here. It’ll ruin me.”

  I sighed. “I know, ergo this conversation.”

  Last year after a stream of violence and crime, the Atlanta Mayor’s Office and the Atlanta Police Department issued a new ordinance against crime. Any businesses that appeared to facilitate criminal activity would be shut down. Night Candy already had two strikes against it: for a burglary gone bad that ended in the brutal murder of Atlanta socialite and real-estate heiress, Selena Turner, and then there was that cat brawl between two NFL ballers’ wives that was televised on a nationally syndicated reality TV show. The club definitely didn’t need a showdown between a habitual bank robber and me. I’d tear this place up and anyone who stood between me and Big Tiger’s money. I’m that bad, if I need to be.

  “Maybe it won’t.” I touched his hand with hopes that I could calm him down. The last thing I needed was Cade to notice Dusty’s agitation. “But you must do as I say.”

  Dustin leaned toward me. His starry eyes now looked like the eye of a hurricane. I shuddered. Man, he was hot.

  “Listen to me,” he said. “It’s not you I’m concerned about. Cade has made it clear to everyone that he’ll never go back to jail. He will fight. Lady, he�
��ll burn my club down with all of us inside before he goes back in.”

  I patted his shoulders. “I believe you, and that’s why Big Tiger sent me. See? Look at me.”

  “I’ve been looking at you all night.”

  “Exactly. This frou frou that I have on is a disguise.”

  “Didn’t look like a disguise to me.”

  “That’s my point, Dustin. I can sweet talk Cade out the back where Big Tiger’s waiting for him in the alley. No one will suspect a thing, not even the plainclothes APD dudes hanging around near the champagne fountain.”

  He looked past me toward the fountain, then lowered his head. “I didn’t see them there.”

  “That’s because your attention was on me, just like Cade’s will be once he sees me.” I grinned. “All I need you to do is to introduce me to him. I’ll take it from there.”

  “Makes sense, but there’s a problem.” He ruffled his hair again. “Cade’s in the cabanas upstairs, but I can’t leave the bar. I’ll let Ed, the VIP security guard, know you’re coming. He’ll parade you around for me. What’s your name?”

  “Angel.”

  “Angel, that name fits you.” He looked at me and then over me. His eyes danced a little; then he frowned. “You’re very pretty and too sweet looking to be so hard. Are you really a bounty hunter?”

  I slid off the stool, smoothed down my hair and the coral silk chiffon mini cocktail dress my little sister Whitney picked out for me, then turned in the direction of the upstairs cabanas. “Watch and find out.”

  Night Candy sat in the heart of downtown—underneath it, to be more exact—on Kenny’s Alley, the nightclub district inside Underground Atlanta. Real-estate moguls, music executives, and Atlanta local celebrities frequented the club whenever they were in town. They also hosted popular mainstay events there. The upscale spot had become so über trendy that, unless you were on the VIP list, getting inside was harder than finding a deadbeat dad owing child support. But getting admitted was worth the effort.