Southern Love

by Synithia Williams

  Bentley tented his fingers in front of him and stared at her with friendly grey eyes behind wire framed glasses. The lines around his eyes and mouth, along with the grey hair, were the only thing that hinted he was in his sixties. The bicycle hanging in his office showed that his trim figure was due to exercise and his mind was as witty as half of the people her age.

  “You look as if you’re trying to figure out if you should say something,” he said.

  Shayla nodded slowly. “I am, but I’m not sure if it’ll help or hurt my chances.”

  Bentley laughed lightly and leaned back in his chair. “Right now, there’s not much you could do to hurt this interview. I’m very impressed, I’ve seen your work and it’s notable.”

  She frowned. If he was familiar with her work, then he had to be familiar with her history. She silently hoped her next question didn’t turn out to be a huge mistake. “You know about my previous work, so you must know why I left.”

  His smile left as he pulled the glasses off his face. Shayla’s stomach clenched. She never should have brought it up.

  “I know why you left, and personally, I don’t understand why you didn’t fight to stay. I know Mark Reed. He and his wife have been playing this little jealousy game with each other for years. I can’t believe he would take it out of his private life and make it public just to win a senate seat.”

  Shayla couldn’t stop her jaw from dropping. She hadn’t told anyone that Mark and his wife laughed about planning the entire affair so the media would feel sorry for them.

  The public loves a victim. The story of an older man lured by a younger woman but admitting it and asking for forgiveness from his faithful wife won votes. They started attending church together, and visiting a marriage counselor between television appearances on daytime talk shows about how they were learning to reconnect and save their marriage. By throwing the blame on Shayla, they’d become the sweetheart couple of Georgia politics that other married people could relate too.

  “How did you know that?”

  Bentley’s lips twisted into a cynical smile. “A few years ago I saw Mark at some function in Atlanta. He’d had too much to drink and let it slip that he might try that type of scheme before running for senate, but wasn’t sure because it was a big risk. When I saw the headlines, I knew that he’d decided it was worth the risk.” Bentley sat forward and looked her in the eye. “I’m not offering you this job out of pity. I truly am impressed with your work and your interview. But I did ask you for an interview because I felt bad about what happened. No one deserves to be used as a pawn.”

  “I didn’t think anyone would believe the story,” she said stunned.

  Bentley shrugged. “They wouldn’t. I wouldn’t, if I hadn’t heard it myself.”

  Slowly the rest of Bentley’s words made it through the fog in Shayla’s brain. “You’re offering me the job?”

  He held his hand across the table. “Can you start on Monday?”

  Shayla grinned from ear to ear. “I’ll be here at seven.” She took his hand and pumped it enthusiastically.

  Laughing, Bentley said. “I’ll be here at eight.”

  It was all a blur as Bentley led her out of the office and introduced her to some of the staff on her way out. The office was in a refurbished home in downtown Columbia. Again, it wasn’t the limelight that came with working in downtown Atlanta, but it was light years away from the close-at-eight downtown of Helena.

  Her good luck continued when she found a parking spot near the front of Starbucks in the Vista. After such a great afternoon, a caramel macchiato was just what she deserved. Her smile lasted through the wait in line. She would have to find an apartment in Columbia soon. Luckily, her lease with Mr. Porter was month to month — something they’d both eagerly agreed upon — so the sooner she moved here the better they’d both be. It would also give her and Devin a place to meet away from the prying eyes of the town. And not a sleazy hotel.

  Her gift from Tyrell upset him, but there was nothing behind it. The painting came with a simple message “to happiness”. Despite their rough encounter the day before, she believed she and Devin could be happy for a small amount of time. Helena was an hour away from Columbia, but close enough for weekend visits and maybe quick mid-week visits. She’d be busy with her job, but they could make something work until he grew tired of her.

  The thought dampened her high spirits. She didn’t want to think about Devin growing tired of her. It may be inevitable, but she would enjoy it while it lasted.

  The barista called her name and she picked up her macchiato at the counter. She thanked the college aged guy and turned to find Tyrell waving at her from a table in the corner. Despite the warning bell that being seen with him was the last thing she needed, she still walked over. One stupid blog post didn’t mean she couldn’t thank him for the painting.

  He folded up the magazine in his hands and smiled at her. “You breezed right past me when you came in, smiling from ear to ear. I’m guessing you did find happiness.”

  Shayla laughed. “That, and a job. I’m starting with G and N Solutions next week.”

  He raised a brow. “Congratulations! Bentley is a great guy, I’m sure you’ll enjoy working with him.”

  “You know him?”

  “Bentley knows everyone, and their company handled the marketing for my father-in-law’s campaign two years ago. He sees through the bullshit, but will get you elected anyway.”

  Shayla frowned at the possibility of being assigned to another politician’s campaign. “Hopefully, my projects will deal with other areas.”

  “Same here.” He held his hand out to the chair across from him. “Have a seat.”

  Biting her lip, Shayla looked around the coffee shop. It was a brisk October afternoon and the place was packed. Although no one paid any attention to them, Bentley’s seat was near a window that faced Gervais Street. The last thing she needed was a cell phone shot of the two of them having coffee.

  He noticed her hesitation and the warmth in his smile diminished. “You saw the blog post.”

  “Yes, and I really don’t need that type of publicity. Not right now.”

  Tyrell shrugged. “That blogger has been trying to dig up dirt on my family for years. Fortunately, no one reads it.”

  “Well, the ladies at my mom’s church do.”

  He flinched. “Ouch, that is touchy. Look, just for a second, I did send you a four thousand dollar painting.”

  Shayla pulled out the chair and flopped down into it. “Four thousand dollars.” She said in a hushed whisper while leaning across the table. “That’s too much. You have to take it back.”

  He waved a hand as if it were nothing. “It didn’t cost me anything but some canvas and paint.”

  “Still, I can’t accept it.”

  “Only a few things make me happy nowadays, and giving you that painting is one of them.”

  “I don’t understand. We only talked for a moment.” She sat back and eyed him warily. “I meant what I said about not being interested.”

  He chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. “And so do I. I didn’t give it to you expecting anything in return. I’m around so many plastic people I forgot what it was like to talk to someone real. The way your face lit up when he walked through the door,” the corner of Tyrell’s mouth lifted as he looked out the window, “she looked at me like that the day on the beach. When she caught me painting her.” He sighed and met her eye. “I couldn’t look at it anymore, or bear to have some pretentious fool own it. That’s why I gave it to you.”

  Honesty reflected in his gaze. Reminding her why she thought she could like him the first time they met. Again, she didn’t get the sense that he was playing games or trying to deceive her. Tyrell Crawford could probably sleep with any woman he wanted to without going through so much trouble.

&n
bsp; Taking a sip from her coffee and delighting in the rich flavor of warm caramel, she sat back in her chair. “So, what are you doing hanging out in Starbucks.”

  He laughed. “I’m not usually so ordinary.”

  Shayla lifted a brow. “Hanging in Starbucks is ordinary?”

  “Yes. So many people enjoy saying ‘I’m in Starbucks’, or ‘let’s meet at Starbucks’ that its become ordinary.”

  “So why are you so ordinary today?” she said, taking another sip of her macchiato.

  He held up his cup. “They make a damn good cup of coffee.”

  They both laughed. An hour and a half later, Shayla left Starbucks with Tyrell’s promise to draw caricatures at the Fall Festival. She still wasn’t sure how she’d convince Reverend Jenkins to agree to it. Her ability to get a well known artist to do caricatures drawings at a small town church would be attributed to her bedroom skills instead of Tyrell’s eagerness to help. Apparently his father-in-law helped get him off the streets as a teenager, and he liked the idea of drawing in older kids to the event. Even though she was thrilled at the idea, she would also run it by Bentley. No need threatening her newly found position. If he expressed any concern over her ties with Tyrell she’d cut them. No matter how much she liked him, she liked having a job better.

  There was a ticket on her car that she snatched off with a curse. Her phone rang as she got in and tossed the ticket in the passenger seat. She smiled when she saw Devin’s number.

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “In Columbia. Are you off work?”

  “Yeah, I finished up early to play basketball with some other doctors at the Rec Commission tonight. Since you’re in Columbia, why don’t you come watch me play.”

  Shayla laughed. “You’re not in high school anymore. I don’t want to watch you throw your back out.”

  “Woman, please. I haven’t lost any of my skills on the court. If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself.”

  “I will, now what’s the address?”

  He told her and she plugged in into her car’s GPS.

  They talked for a few more minutes before getting off the phone. Elated that the tension from their conversation on Monday was gone, Shayla pulled her car out of the parking spot. That’s how it was with her and Devin. They’d fight one day, then talk the next day as if nothing happened. She sensed his moods as well as he did hers. And in the time it took her to leave downtown and head toward Northeast Richland County toward the Rec Commission, she pretended they’d always be like that.

  Chapter 27

  Shayla followed two women into the refurbished school that housed the Central Midlands Rec Commission. She scanned the people sitting in the bleachers and the teams playing, but didn’t see Devin. The score board showed there was fifteen minutes left in the current game, so hopefully Devin would arrive soon.

  “Shayla, what are you doing here?”

  Shayla turned around and smiled as Tasha walked over carrying a clipboard and wearing a pink Rec Commission t-shirt. “You’re still working the night games?” Shayla said giving her friend a hug.

  Tasha grinned. “Only because Jared insists on helping out when I do.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  Tasha rolled her eyes. “It’s crazy. I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”

  Shayla put her arm around Tasha’s shoulders. “Pregnant and lucky.”

  Tasha briefly leaned her head on Shayla’s shoulder and laughed. “I won’t argue with that.” Tasha’s eyes lit up. “I know why you’re here, Devin’s team plays tonight.”

  Shayla tried to pull away but Tasha put her hand around her waist. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on there.”

  “Nothing to tell. I’m just watching a friend play ball. Let’s sit down.”

  Tasha let her go and they walked over to sit on the first row of bleachers.

  “Okay, Jared probably wasn’t supposed to tell me, but he did. I know that you and Devin are doing some secret love affair.”

  Shayla leaned back on the bleacher and looked skyward. “It’s not some secret love affair. We’re just not letting anyone in our business.”

  “And what is your business?”

  “For now, nothing serious.”

  Tasha’s forehead crinkled with a frown. “Shayla, I know how you feel about him, remember. You can’t fool yourself into thinking you can handle that. Sex-only relationships don’t work. I’m proof of it.”

  Shayla sat up. “Don’t even pretend as if you’re not happy with the way your situation turned out.”

  Tasha grinned. “I’m not. I’m thrilled, but you remember how I was when I found out I was pregnant the first time. Jared thought I tried to trick him, I didn’t think he loved me, we almost didn’t make it.”

  “But you did.”

  “And it could have easily not worked.” Tasha sighed. “I’m worried about it not going the way you expect with Devin.”

  Shayla’s lips twisted in a self-deprecating smile. “I expect us to keep this up for six months before he grows tired of it or finds someone so much better suited for him.” She toyed with the charm at her neck, thinking about how hard it would be when that day came.

  Tasha shook her head. “You say that as if it weren’t sad either way. Why sign up for something you expect to end so badly?”

  “Why not? I’m being real, going in with my eyes open. Can you let me enjoy myself while it lasts?”

  “No, not when you’re going to get hurt.”

  Movement in the corner of her vision caught her attention. She turned as Devin walked in the gym with a few other guys. She stopped fingering the heart at her neck, the tension in her body evaporated and a smile curved her lips. If she could get away with a pre-adolescent sigh of happiness she would, she was so thrilled to see him.

  She let her gaze sweep over him, admiring the virility of his body in the basketball shorts and cut off shirt. He looked younger, more carefree than he did in Helena after work. Back home his khakis and polo shirts were accessorized with stress lines around his mouth after spending a day in the office.

  “Look at you,” Tasha said. “You’re like a love struck teenager and he just walked into the room. Seriously, Shayla, you’ve got to get out of this. I’ve never — ever — seen you so wrapped up in a guy.”

  Shayla blinked and looked at her friend. Concern reflected in Tasha’s gaze. She wished she could tell Tasha she didn’t have to worry, but she couldn’t. She’d been crazy in love with Devin in high school and hadn’t gotten over it. She loved the man more than she could have ever loved the boy. Heartbreak was inevitable, but when you had a chance at a few months with the person you always wanted, you didn’t turn it down.

  “Don’t worry about me,” she said. “If I don’t take this one chance, I’ll regret it. I promise you won’t have to pick up the pieces of my broken heart.”

  Tasha shook her head. “Yeah, right.”

  Ignoring her friend’s doubt, Shayla turned back to Devin. He walked toward her with another tall dark skinned guy. She suppressed her grin and only gave him a small smile that she hoped hinted at how badly she missed seeing him. The upward tug of the corner of his mouth, and the smoldering desire in his eyes was all the answer she needed.

  “I’m glad you made it,” he said when they stood before her and Tasha.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  He smiled at her and her heart flipped in her chest. “This is Kevis Flynn, he works at Baptist Hospital.”

  Kevis reached out to shake Shayla’s hand. “Dr. Kevis Flynn,” he said in a deep voice. “It’s nice to meet you.” He turned to Tasha. “Tasha, you look lovely as ever.” He said leaning over to kiss Tasha’s cheek.

  Tasha smiled fondly. “It’s good to see you, Kevis.”

  Devin elbowed Kevis in th
e side. “You better get on before Jared sees you.”

  Tasha laughed and pointed to the door. “Too late.”

  They all turned to see Jared scowling and heading their way. Kevis grinned and winked at Tasha. “I’ll see you around. Devin, I’m going to warm up.”

  “Cool,” Devin said. “I’ll join you in a second.”

  As Kevis walked away, Jared walked up. Still scowling in the direction of Kevis, he sat beside Tasha on the bleachers. “What the hell did the Good Doctor want?”

  Tasha smiled and scooted closer to him. “He was just saying hello.”

  “Well, he can say hello without kissing my wife. I may have to talk with him after the game.”

  Tasha rolled her eyes before kissing Jared. “I’m going home with you.”

  He stopped scowling and put an arm around her shoulder. “Damn right.”

  He kissed Tasha who giggled in return. Surprised by the public display of affection, Shayla turned toward Devin with raised eyebrows. “This is Jared Patterson, the famed playboy with a string of girlfriends from here to L.A.?”

  Devin laughed. “I don’t believe it either.”

  “I don’t need a string of girlfriends anymore. I got all I need right here.” Jared said squeezing Tasha’s shoulder.

  Devin shook his head, still smiling. “Let me warm up before I throw up.” He leaned over and kissed the corner of Shayla’s mouth. “There’s no one here to see.”

  She did do a silly sigh and grinned back. “Then do it again.”

  “Gladly.” He kissed her again before straightening putting his gym bag beside her. “Will you watch my stuff?” She nodded and he followed Kevis to where the rest of his team warmed up.

  “He’s one to talk,” Jared said. “I think my boy’s got it just as bad.”

  Shayla glanced at Jared. He was grinning at her. Tasha’s look of concern from earlier was back. She shook her head and turned to watch Devin warm up. Getting turned on by the bunching and flexing of the muscles in his body as he went through stretches and sprints as if he were doing a strip tease. She leaned forward, placed her elbow on her knees and rested her chin in her hand, pretending for a moment that he did have it just as bad as Jared.