Her mom and aunt cackled beside her. She missed the joke, but still turned and smiled before picking up the pace and snapping beans. Her brother came out the door, followed closely by his friend Bobby.
Kenny squeezed between their mom and Aunt Linda’s chairs which blocked the front door and rested his large shoulders on the railing at the top of the porch. Bobby leaned against the porch rail right in front of Shayla. She glared at him and he just grinned back.
“Damn, Ma, you think you got enough beans,” Kenny said grinning and nudging the tub of beans with his toe.
“The way you eat, I probably need to go back for more.”
Kenny laughed. “Yeah, you probably right.”
Aunt Linda pointed from Kenny to Bobby, “What are y’all about to get into?”
Kenny rubbed his hands together. “Gonna hit up Club Voracious tonight. Check out the ladies.”
Aunt Linda’s lips twisted with a frown. “Nothing good goes on in that place.”
“Save that for Kia. She’s up in there every weekend,” Kenny said.
Marcella waved a bean at Linda. “That’s what I said.”
Linda shrugged. “I told that girl she’ll never catch Devin hanging out there every weekend. She don’t wanna listen.”
Shayla’s hands slowed only momentarily. Her family acted as if it was inevitable for Devin and Kia to hook up. She snatched the ends off the bean in her hand and threw it into the bucket.
Bobby shifted and cleared his throat. “I thought Devin’s interest was elsewhere.” He stared pointedly at Shayla.
Everyone else on the porch turned toward her. Her face prickled with heat. She quickly picked up another bean to break apart. “I hope you don’t mean me. I have my sights set on bigger fish than Devin Jones.”
Her mom and aunt both fell back in their chairs. The relief in their eyes caused a pain in her chest.
“Who you got your eye on, sis? Ain’t too many big fish round here besides Devin.” Kenny asked.
She didn’t have her eye on anyone, but it was better to make up a pretend love interest than have her family suspect she was going after Devin.
“A guy in Columbia. Don’t ask who, you’ll find out when you need to,” she said.
Her mom stopped snapping beans and faced her. “When you get time to meet a guy in Columbia?”
“It’s nothing serious. Just something I’m thinking about. Can we leave it alone, please?”
Kia’s car pulled up in the driveway, ending the interrogation. Kia got out and walked toward the stairs, a bounce to her step. “What’s up, everyone. Hey, Momma,” she said leaning on the railing opposite of Kenny.
Aunt Linda eyed Kia from head to toe. “What got you all happy?”
Kia grinned, brightening her entire face with youthful exuberance. “I just ran into Devin and his daddy at Piggly Wiggly.”
“Really?” Marcella asked.
Linda planted a hand on her hip. “Did you get the vinegar like I asked you to?”
Kia nodded. “Yeah, it’s in the car. Kenny, go get it.”
Kenny rolled his eyes, but left the porch for her car. Aunt Linda nodded and Kia continued.
“I went over to say hi. And then we got to talking about weekend plans. They’re eating dinner at the diner downtown tonight. I said I didn’t have plans, but loved the pot roast down there . . . ”
“You hate that pot roast.” Kenny said coming back up the stairs. He handed the bag with the vinegar to Linda.
Kia sucked her teeth. “Shut up. He don’t know that. Anyway, I kinda hinted around that I wouldn’t mind eating there tonight.” She paused and grinned at everyone on the porch.
Linda leaned forward in the chair. “And come on girl, spill it.”
Shayla held her breath. But the answer was obvious. Her cousin wouldn’t be so happy if she wasn’t eating with them. Still she hoped for another answer.
“And,” Kia said drawing out the syllables for effect. “Roscoe said ‘why don’t you two go there tonight and I stay at home’. I could have jumped for joy.”
Linda squealed. Raising her hands in the air and shaking them. Shayla lowered her head and fought back tears. Roscoe pushed them together? She would have expected Devin to do it as a way to get back at her, but for Roscoe to do it hurt more.
“Damn, y’all women be plotting,” Bobby said rubbing his neck. “I feel for old doc.”
Marcella flicked her wrist. “Boy, please. We ain’t no worse than men. Always plotting and scheming to get a woman in bed.”
Kenny shook his head and shuddered. “Momma, hush. I don’t want to think of you like that. Come on, Bobby; let’s hang at your place.”
Bobby straightened away from the railing and followed Kenny. “Looks like things are working out. Kia’s bout to snag Dr. Jones and Shayla has a new man in Columbia.” His snicker made Shayla’s skin crawl.
Kia’s face brightened even more. “You got a man, Shayla?”
Shayla tossed the last of her beans in her bowl and stood. “Something like that.” She dumped her bowl into the bucket between her mom and Linda. “I’m going home to chill for awhile. I’ll be back later.”
“Okay, baby,” her mom said.
Shayla froze. Her mom hadn’t used an endearment with her . . . ever. She smiled tentatively at her mom, who returned the gesture before looking at Kia with satisfaction.
Shayla turned to go down the stairs and Kia stopped her. “Hey, can I borrow that red blouse up you wore the other day?”
No, was on the tip of her tongue. Kia didn’t need more ammunition in her hunt for Devin Jones. That shirt was cut to accentuate curves and the buttons didn’t start until right above the breast. The last thing she needed was for Devin to notice the curves on the, as he said, young and gorgeous Kia.
“Of course you can borrow her shirt,” Marcella said.
Kia smiled turned triumphant and Shayla fought the urge to slap it off her cousin’s face. “Come on,” Shayla said.
Kia followed her off the porch. Kenny blew his car horn as he and Bobby pulled out of the yard and down the street. They both waved and then walked the short distance to Shayla’s rented house. A few minutes later they were inside and Shayla was grudgingly pulling her shirt out of the closet and handing it over to Kia.
Instead of leaving, Kia plunked down on Shayla’s bed. “So, you really don’t care about me going out with Devin?”
Shayla crossed her arms and leaned against the dresser. “Why should I care? I told him you two would make a cute couple.”
Kia’s eyes widened. “Really? What did he say?”
Shayla picked an imaginary piece of lint off her shirt in an effort to pretend this conversation wasn’t excruciating. “Something about you being gorgeous.”
Kia clapped her hands and fell back on the bed. “I can’t believe it. Oh, Shayla, I was so worried that you really planned to go for him.” She sat up and sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, because I really like him.”
Kia’s apology and happiness was like a knife to the gut. She turned away and fiddled with the mountain of perfume, makeup, and jewelry on her dresser. “It’s okay.”
“So, who’s the new man you’re into?”
Shayla shook her head. “Just an idea I got, that’s all.”
“Don’t hold back, what type of idea?”
Shayla pulled a folded sheet of paper from the mess on her dresser. It was the flyer for the art show held by the artist who painted the picture she’d admired in the library. She’d forgotten the show was tonight. It was something she’d hoped to do when she’d first gotten to town. A way to get a taste of some of the culture she’d enjoyed in Atlanta, but over the past week she hadn’t missed art shows or fancy conversation any more. Suddenly, the idea of doing that versus waiting around for Kia to come back from her date seemed promising.
She picked up the flyer and gave it to Kia. “I’m going to that show tonight. Maybe something good will pop off.”
Kia read the flyer,
and her brow furled. “You’re not going there to hook up with Tyrell Crawford. He’s married!”
Shayla rolled her eyes. “Oh, Kia, please.”
Kia held up her hands. “Never mind, it’s none of my business.” She jumped up from the bed and put the flyer on the dresser.
“Kia—”
“You be careful and have fun, because I know I will.” Kia said. The last part effectively ended Shayla’s attempt to clarify her assumption.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Kia smirked. “Whatever Devin Jones wants it to mean.” She grabbed the shirt off the bed and gave Shayla a quick hug. “See you tomorrow.” Then breezed out the door.
Chapter 19
Devin glanced at Kia over the top of the menu. She caught his gaze and smiled. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly before he looked back at the plastic covered sheet. He was stalling. He knew what he wanted, what he always ordered when he and his dad came to the Main Street diner for dinner. Grilled pork chop, collard greens with rice and gravy. Right about now he’d be arguing with his dad about ordering the apple pie a la mode to eat before dinner. Instead, he was on an unwanted date with a member of his staff. He could strangle his dad for forcing this on him, but why bother. Roscoe Jones would come back as a ghost and try to influence his life.
“I think I’ll get the baked chicken,” Kia said putting the menu down. “I’m in the mood for something different.”
Devin set his menu aside and cocked a brow. “Not feeling your favorite dish here tonight?”
She grinned prettily and leaned forward. “No, but I am in the mood for a good dessert.”
He cleared his throat and sat back. Thankfully, Jennie came up. She pulled a pen from behind her ear and braced it against the pad in her hand.
“Good evening, Dr. Jones.” She glanced at Kia. “Decided for prettier company than your dad, I see.”
Kia beamed and Devin shifted in his seat. “Kia works with me.”
Jennie shrugged. “Don’t mean she ain’t pretty.”
Devin slid the menu to the side of the table and changed the subject. “I’ll have my usual, thank you.”
Jennie wrote down his order and looked at Kia. After Kia ordered, she stuck the pen back in her hair and sauntered away. Kia looked at him with thinly veiled stars in her eyes. He shifted in his seat and looked everywhere but at her. That didn’t help. All eyes were on their table. Many of his patients had to pick that night to have dinner there. He hadn’t brought a date out in Helena in years. The last few women he’d dated he’d met in Columbia. He knew that if he was seen with a woman around town the gossips would have him engaged before the end of the week. His dad knew the same thing, yet he’d insisted Devin come. He wasn’t sure what Roscoe’s game was, but forcing Kia on him wasn’t cool. It would only make it harder to convince Shayla to get over what the gossips thought and agree to date him.
He gave another weak nod and half smile to one of his patients from across the room. Shayla’s idea of keeping a relationship between them a secret had merits. He hadn’t gotten through dinner with Kia yet, but already he could see the tongues wagging and speculating.
He turned back to Kia who was twisting the napkin into pieces in front of her. He could try harder to be a better dinner companion. It wasn’t her fault they were here.
“So, what is . . . ” he stopped mid sentence. Asking what Shayla was up to tonight wasn’t going to redeem his lack of enthusiasm. “What’s your mom up to?”
Kia sighed and relief filled her eyes. “She’s probably at home trying to dig herself out of a mountain of beans. I don’t understand why she buys so much stuff, but every time she goes to the farmers market, she comes back with enough food to feed the entire neighborhood. Her deep freezer is overflowing.”
Devin smiled. “She does this often?”
“Yes. But she’s not alone. Shayla’s mom is right there with her.”
“And Shayla?” It was out before he could stop it.
The light in Kia’s eyes dimmed. He would bet money that she was waiting for him to bring up her cousin’s name. “She was snapping beans, too.”
Kia twisted the last bit of napkin and tossed the remains on the table. Devin drummed his fingers on the plastic surface. Okay, talk of family led to talk of Shayla, so he searched for another topic.
“Do you like working in our office?”
The smile returned to her face and she sat up. “Yes, I love it. But that’s no secret. I told you how I feel about working in your office.”
He slowly lifted his head up and down. “Good. I’m glad things are comfortable for you.”
They became silent again. He fought the urge to look at his watch. Kia pulled out her cell phone and checked the screen.
“Waiting on a call?” he asked.
She shook her head and put the phone on the table. “No, just wanted to see if anyone texted or Tweeted.”
He wrestled back his annoyance. Kia spent most breaks and lunch hours scrolling through her cell phone. He hated it when people spent half of their time cultivating online relationships instead of having real conversations. He hadn’t thought much of how Kia spent her spare time before, but the fact that she was leaving her phone out while they were on a date—albeit an unwanted date—ate at him the wrong way.
“And did anyone text?”
She picked up her phone and slid her thumb over the screen. “Yeah, my friend Mariah said there’s a new DJ at Club Voracious.” She looked up at Devin. “Maybe we can check it out after leaving here?”
He shook his head. “Not a club fan.”
She raised a brow. “You went with Shayla.”
He shrugged. “One time for a welcome home party. Not something I’d want to do every weekend.”
She sighed and set her phone down. Again they grew silent. He looked toward the kitchen, willing Jennie to come back with their food. Kia’s phone chimed and she ran her hands over the screen again before chuckling. Devin clenched his jaw, and no longer fought the urge to check his watch. Damn, only twenty minutes since they’d sat down.
“This is crazy. Why is it so hard for us to find something to talk about?”
Her question startled him. Feeling guilty, he pulled his shirt sleeve over his watch. “We’re not at work. In the office we have specific things to discuss. Here, we need to find common ground.”
“I thought it would be easier. I mean, I’ve known you forever.”
Devin smiled. “Watching me while you grew up isn’t the same thing as knowing me.”
She sat forward, revealing too much cleavage. “Then let me get to know you.”
Devin sat back. “Kia, I can’t do this.”
“Do what?”
He motioned between the two of them. “This. Look, you’re an attractive girl and . . . ”
She held up a hand. “Stop it. I don’t need the ‘it’s me not you’ speech. Especially when I know the reason why.”
He looked her straight in the eye. “She’ll always be the reason why.”
Kia’s lip twisted. “Not for long. You know where she went tonight? To some art show in Columbia for that senator’s son-in-law. The one who came to Helena a year ago and painted downtown.”
Devin shrugged. “And?”
Kia smirked. “She told everyone this afternoon that she had her sights set higher than you. When I asked her about it, she admitted it was for Tyrell Crawford. She doesn’t even care that he’s married. Don’t buy this good girl act she’s putting on, it’s all a front.” Kia picked up her phone and slid out of the booth. “Don’t bother to call.”
Devin watched her walk out with his mouth hanging open. She had to be lying. Shayla wouldn’t have gone to Columbia to hit on a married man . . . would she? Anger, jealousy and frustration formed a tight ball in his gut. Had she moved on after he pushed her away? He refused to believe it, and he damn sure wasn’t ready to watch her make another foolish decision like she’d done in Atlanta.
Jennie fina
lly came with their food. “Date’s in the bathroom?”
Devin pulled out his wallet and threw more than enough money on the table. “No, she left.”
“What the hell did you do?”
Devin slid out of the booth. “Agree to go out with her in the first place.” He stormed out of the diner. He ignored the curious stares of the patrons. One of them was probably going to call his dad to report that Kia had walked out on him.
Outside, his anger kicked up a notch when Tony’s red sports car pulled into the spot next to his truck. He owed Tony an ass beating for everything he’d done to Shayla in high school. But now wasn’t the time, or the place.
“What’s up, Devin,” Tony said getting out of his car. “Where you running to?”
Devin jerked the door open to his truck. “Not tonight, Tony.”
Tony laughed. “Oh, I see. Did Shayla call? You always did go running when she called. But in the end, she made her choice.”
Devin slammed his door and turned to face Tony. “From what I hear, you didn’t give her much of a choice.”
The smile left Tony’s face, but the cocky look in his eye remained. “She didn’t seem to mind.”
“When a woman says no, that usually means they want you to stop.”
Tony held out both hands. “She didn’t say it like she meant it.”
Rage pumped through Devin. He rushed over and grabbed Tony by the shirt, slamming him against the front window of the diner. “If you ever lay a hand on her again, I’ll kill you.”
Tony smirked. “Before she leaves town she’ll be begging me to lay more than a hand on her. Shayla ain’t ’bout nothing. Never was, never will be. You look like a fool chasing after her.”
Devin’s hand balled into a fist at the same time that Mr. Wilson, the owner of the diner, came out of the front door. “What’s going on out here? We don’t need any trouble.”
Tony smiled and pushed Devin’s hands away. “Ain’t no trouble, Mr. Wilson. Dr. Jones and I were just having a talk.” Tony straightened his shirt. “We’re through. He’s got a bitch to catch.”
Devin’s fist flew into the side of Tony’s face. Tony was stunned momentarily before taking a swing that Devin easily avoided. Mr. Wilson ran over and put himself between the two. By then, other male patrons of the diner came out and pushed the two apart. Mr. Wilson dragged Devin toward his truck. The sight of Tony’s smirk as Mr. Wilson pulled him away fueled his anger. Adrenaline pumped through him, fueling his need to beat the crap out of that sorry excuse for a man.
Hearts Are Wild Page 15