by Stacy-Deanne
“Why on earth were you messing with the community center?”
He shrugged, scratching his arm. “I was pissed at the whole world back then and when you left it got worse.”
She looked away, almost dying to realize how much her leaving really had affected him.
“I didn’t care if I lived or died. Nothing at home was going right and I was poor.” He propped his elbow up on the armrest. “Shoot someone could’ve killed me and I wouldn’t have cared. When you don’t care about yourself then you don’t care about others.”
“So what happened with the community center?”
“We spray-painted the shit out of it.” He slightly grinned. “Someone called the cops and they took us down to the station. Your dad came to get me out.”
She gaped. “Dad did?”
“Yeah no one else could and Momma didn’t have no money to get me out. Stossel had Grant with him. Grant come walking in there like he was God.” Kevin stuck his chest out and balled fists to imitate. “I’d never seen him in person before. I almost shit my pants that he was in the same room with me.” He closed his eyes. “He smelled like money. I didn’t even know money had a smell until then. They got me out and Stossel said he didn’t want me continuing down that road and Grant said he was gonna make sure it didn’t happen. He said because I meant so much to your father, he was gonna give me a shot. He said he saw something in me and would give me the opportunity of a lifetime. So right there as we’re walking out of the station, Grant offers me a job.”
“Just like that?”
He nodded. “He gave me a job in the mailroom at Copeland Enterprises when I was eighteen. Now at thirty-five, I’m the youngest executive in the entire company.”
“I’m proud of you even though I wish you were doing this somewhere other than with Grant’s company.”
“This isn’t just about Grant. I got big plans for myself, Lexi.” He rubbed his hands together. “Finally I can show everyone in this town that I’m somebody because folks have been pissing on my entire family for years. The Reeds have never been shit around here but I’m gonna prove them wrong. If it wasn’t for Grant there’s no telling where I’d be today. He’s never shown me anything but kindness.”
“Then I’m grateful for him for helping you change your life.” She faked a smile. “I still can’t stand to even hear his name but at least he’s done right by you and even though I wish you weren’t working for him, I see why he means so much to you.” She touched his shoulder. “But get this straight, Kevin. I don’t care what happened before Grant. You were never a nobody.”
“You know you’re the only person who ever told me that. You always believed in me.”
“And I always will.” She moved her hand down his arm. “God I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t really know how much until I saw you today.”
“When you left…I felt like something died inside of me. Living here just wasn’t the same.”
“I’m sorry.” She put her cigarette in the tray. “You know when I got home today I went down memory lane. I’ve been doing it a lot since moving back.”
“How so?”
“I was looking at old picture albums of you, me, and Penelope.” She grew warm inside and smiled. “You remember that tie-dyed tank you used to always wear?” She grinned. “You’d change into it every day after school?”
He leaned back, laughing. “The one I gave you before you left?”
“Yep.” She stroked his hair. He seemed taken off guard by the action but didn’t acknowledge it. “I loved you in that shirt.”
“I wanted you to always have a piece of me. Something close to me.”
“I still have it.”
He looked at her with his eyes wide. “You do?”
“Shit an army couldn’t pry that shirt away from me. I take it out every once in a while and it still smells like you.”
He swallowed.
“It still smells like your sweat.” She closed her eyes, desperate to bury her hand in between her legs to quench the thirst of her budding orgasm. “Sometimes I lay down naked on the bed and I rub it over me.”
He moaned. “You…you do?”
“Yes. And I touch myself.” She bit her lip. “It’s so erotic. It’s the most passionate thing I’ve ever felt. I sniff you from the fabric and it reminds me of the first time we made love.”
“Stop,” he whispered.
“No.” She opened her eyes. “You’re uncomfortable? Good. That’s because you want me and you can’t keep denying it.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Do you ever dream about me like that, Kevin?” She stroked his hand. “Do you think of how it would be for me to touch you? How you want to touch me?”
“Lexi, please.”
“Making love to you was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.” She touched his cheek. “Once is not enough.” She went in for a kiss and he stood.
“I’m not gonna sleep with you, Lexi.”
“Yes you will.” She stood and pressed herself against him. “Maybe not today or even tomorrow but you will because this thing between us is bigger than both of us.”
“I’m not going back down this road.” He stomped off the porch and toward his car.
“What road?” She waved her arms, flustered. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Me getting involved with you and then you leaving again.” He stomped through sand to get to his car. “I can’t go back through this, Lexi.”
“I’m not leaving!” She stood on the edge of the porch. “Kevin.”
“What?” He turned around when he reached his car.
“We haven’t been able to stop thinking about each other for twenty years. How can we let go of it now?”
He opened his car door. “Goodbye, Lexi.”
“Kevin?”
He got into his car and sped away.
Chapter Seven
The Next Day
“Every time I’m out on the beach…” Alexis shielded her eyes from the sun, “…I’m reminded of why I came back home.”
Faye Ramsey strolled alongside Alexis in a blue bikini and beach towel wrapped around her tiny waist. “Yes, the beach here is beautiful.”
With her tanned skin, perfect body, and amazing muscle tone, Faye looked as if she’d been born to stroll on beaches.
Gulls screeched in the distance.
Faye pushed up her shades. “It’s one of the main reasons I stick around this useless town.” Her narrow feet disappeared in the sand as she walked. “You’re a California girl and you don’t have any shades, Detective?”
Alexis grinned. “I forgot my shades.” She shielded her eyes with her other hand. “And you called Tate Valley useless but you can go anywhere right? You seem like a woman who could find many opportunities to suit her.”
With a body like yours, I’m sure the possibilities are endless where men are concerned.
Faye’s blue eyes radiated from underneath the shades. “I admit there are some perks to sticking around.”
“Would Kevin Reed be one of those perks?”
“Kevin Reed.” Faye’s plump lips spread into a smile. “Now that’s one you gotta watch.”
“What do you mean?” Alexis kicked a shell out of her way.
Faye swiveled her hips. “He comes off with the ‘nice guy’ act but when you get down to it he’s just like most men.” She peeked at Alexis over the glasses. “Looking for pussy.”
“Wow.” Alexis looked off into the ocean. “Then why do you want him?”
“I’m not saying he’s not a nice guy but he tries to pretend he’s different.” Faye moved her hands down her waist. “You should’ve seen him at the company party last year. He was all over me.” Her long, black ponytail shifted back and forth in the breeze. “We have sex then he turns around and treats me like shit. The things he said to me the day after he fucked me were ridiculous.”
“Well I’ve known Kevin a long time and find that
hard to believe.” Sand stuck in between Alexis’ feet as she walked.
“You haven’t seen him in years though. People change.”
“Okay say you’re right. Why would you want someone who treated you so badly then?”
“I love Kevin.” Faye stopped smiling. “That’s the only reason I let him keep fucking me.”
“Wait a minute.” Alexis stopped. “You mean you slept together more than once?”
“Hell yes.” Faye lowered her shades. “Honey, we couldn’t get enough of each other. The more we had sex, the more addicted we became.”
“I don’t believe this.” Alexis held her waist. “He said he only slept with you once.”
“He’s full of shit.” Faye continued walking. “I’m telling you that Kevin is not this perfect guy you think he is.”
“Why would Kevin lie to me?” Alexis rushed alongside of her. “It isn’t even that serious.”
Faye shrugged. “I suppose he didn’t tell you about our trip to Hawaii two years ago either?”
“What?” Alexis huffed. “You went to Hawaii together?”
“Yep and the sex…ooh.” Faye straightened one of her bikini straps. “I can’t even describe it, it was so good.” She winked. “He’s huge.”
Alexis might not have been around Kevin in years but she didn’t need Faye to remind her of the size of his anatomy. It would be engraved in her memory forever. Even at sixteen he’d been such a great lover that he could’ve given men twice his age tips on how to please a woman.
Alexis squinted from the sun. “So did you leave Copeland Enterprises or were you fired?”
“Grant fired me. Grant treats Kevin like his little pet so if you piss off Kevin then you piss off Grant.” Faye’s ponytail blew across her shoulder. “But Kevin wants me even if he won’t admit it.”
“To hear him tell it you’re obsessed with him.”
Faye stopped and put her hands on her hips. “Really? If I’m so obsessed with him why did he buy me a four thousand dollar watch for my birthday after he and Cynthia broke up?”
“Lord, have mercy.” Alexis’ mouth dropped. “What?”
“Yep.” Faye kept walking. “Why would he do that if I’m bothering him?”
* * * *
Alexis tore into Kevin’s office. “You son of a bitch.”
“Whoa!” He jumped up from behind the desk with the phone receiver in his hand. “What the—”
His secretary ran in. “Sir…” She grabbed Alexis’ arm. “Detective, this isn’t appropriate.”
She yanked her arm from the woman and pointed at Kevin. “You lying rat!” She slammed her fists on the desk. “You think this is a game, Kevin? You think you can play me like a fool? I’ve had it with your ass!”
He dropped the receiver. “What the hell’s your problem?”
“You.” Alexis pointed. “You’re my damn problem. Why are you slinging me all this bullshit? What are you hiding?”
“Detective, you have to leave now.” The secretary pulled Alexis toward the door. “I’ll have to get security if you don’t.”
She ripped her arm from the woman again. “I’m here on police business.” She marched back to Kevin’s desk. “I’m not going anywhere until Kevin admits that he’s a lying turd.”
He told the person on the phone he’d call back and hung up. “If you’re going to come busting in here like some moron, Lexi, I think I should know why.” He plopped down in his chair. “And hurry up because I got a meeting in a few minutes.”
Alexis turned to the secretary. “Get out.”
“She works for me, not you.” Kevin pointed to the secretary. “Get out.”
She hurried out of the office.
Alexis slammed the door. “I want answers. No.” She held out her arms. “I want the truth and not more bullshit.”
“I’m not talking to you until you act like a civilized human being.”
Alexis wiped sweat off her forehead. “If you think this is uncivilized then you haven’t seen nothing yet.”
He pointed to the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit down.”
She fidgeted then followed the command. “I’ve had it with your shit.”
He sighed. “What the hell has you so upset that you’d act like a crazy person?”
“I just came from Faye’s.”
“God.” He rolled his eyes.
“You lied to me. You didn’t sleep with her just once.”
“I did!” He sprang up in the chair. “I only slept with Faye the night of the party, I swear.”
“You never went to Hawaii with her?” She squinted. “She made it up about all the great sex you guys had?”
“Yes.” He sighed into his hand. “She told you we went to Hawaii? I went to Hawaii with Cynthia long before I slept with Faye. Why the hell would I take Faye to Hawaii when I can’t stand her?”
“You could stand her enough to sleep with her.”
“I told you I was drunk.”
“Just can it, Kevin. You know damn well you guys had an on-going affair.”
“What?” He jumped up. “That’s insane! We slept together once. How many damn times do I have to say it?”
“Oh yeah?” Alexis crossed her arms. “Why would she lie?”
“I don’t know.” He marched from behind the desk. “She’s making this shit up.”
“You didn’t give her a four thousand dollar watch for her birthday after Cynthia broke off the engagement?”
His shoulders dropped.
She stood. “Well?”
“I did but let me explain.”
“Explain?” she yelled. “You claim you hate this woman and that she’s chasing you yet you buy her a four thousand dollar watch? Damn, I hope someone hates me like that!”
“I was stupid.” He hit himself in the face. “I shouldn’t have done it but I thought it would bring closure.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Sorry, but this is so ridiculous it’s funny. It keeps getting better and better.”
“I’m serious. I gave her the watch to make amends. It certainly didn’t mean I had affections for her. I do not nor have I ever loved or wanted Faye Ramsey.” He took her hand. “You gotta believe me.”
“I don’t.” She pushed him. “As far as I’m concerned everything out of your mouth is a lie.” She headed for the door.
“Alexis, wait.” He ran up behind her and grabbed her arm. “I know it looks weird but I’m telling the truth. Faye either makes up shit or twists it. She’s sick.”
“You’re the one who’s sick.” She tore her arm away. “Faye’s right. I don’t know you like I thought I did.”
“You do know me.” He blocked her from leaving. “You know me better than anyone has ever known me.”
“I used to believe that.” She glanced around the room. “But the more I’m around here, the more I feel like you’ve changed beyond anything I expected.”
“I’m still the same Kevin who always had your back.” He reached for her hand. “You know I’d never hurt anyone. Come on, Lexi.”
“I’m such a fool.” She scoffed, holding in tears. “All these years I’ve wanted to come back and pick up where we left off. But I can’t take lies, Kevin. Every time I turn around there’s another secret and I can’t deal with that.”
“Like you said last night, we can’t deny how we’ve always felt for each other.” He touched her shoulder. “Lexi, you were so right when I was at your place. Of course I want you and the more I try to stay mad at you, the more I remember how good it felt to have you in my arms.”
“Don’t.” She moved away from him.
“Just tell me one thing. Are you angry because of what Faye told you or because you’re jealous that I was with her?”
Damn he can still see right through me. Hell yeah I’m jealous. Mad he lied, but jealous that yet another woman in town got a chance to be with the man I’ve always wanted.
“Alexis, please.” He pulled her close. “Can we just talk about this? I don’t want yo
u to be mad.”
“Why do you wanna talk to me now? I don’t know, Kevin.” She shook her head. “I’m feeling very weird about all this and I think we need to keep our distance from each other.”
“Just last night you were begging me to admit my feelings and now you’re pulling away? Please don’t start these games.”
“I’m not the one playing the games.” She poked his chest with her finger. “I’ve just realized maybe I was in love with the idea of who you used to be and not the man you really are.”
“I’m still the same Kevin you loved.” He touched her chin. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“I’m not sure I believe that anymore.”
“Alexis…”
She left.
Chapter Eight
Alexis jerked up from the living room couch when she heard the knock that night. She set the television remote on the glass table and peeked out of the window.
She made out the silver-gray Porsche in the darkness.
“Shit.” She closed her robe and went to the door. “What do you want, Kevin?”
“I want to talk to you for a minute. May I come in?”
She leaned against the door. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not? I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you the truth about me and Brett.” He exhaled so loudly she heard it through the door. “I didn’t want you to think I killed him that’s all.”
“That’s not the only time you lied.”
“If you’re talking about Faye then all I can do is hope you believe me because she’s lying. Other than sex one time, we’ve never done anything else together. Come on, Alexis.” He tapped the door. “This is a small town and I’m one of the most popular guys in it. If I had gone to Hawaii with Faye, don’t
you think it would’ve gotten around?”
She gripped the doorknob. “You’ve got a point but it’s fishy that you bought her the watch.”
“I did it to be nice. That’s all it was. I swear.” He sounded as if he plopped against the door. “Can I come in please? Just for a little while?”
Of course she’d let him in. She wanted him there no matter how upset she was about anything else.