Read In The Company of My Sistahs Online
Authors: Angie Daniels
In The Company of My Sistahs (10 page)
“No, she didn't,” I murmured under my breath.
“Yes, she did. And did you see the size of that ring on her finger? It had to be at least ten carats.”
“Hmm, must be nice,” I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Yeah, some of us ain't able.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the bunch and rolled my eyes. “Girl, they probably play for some overseas team we ain't never heard of.”
“I know that's right. And he's probably with her today and with someone else next week.”
“You know how they do.” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “He ain't even cute.”
“Not at all.”
Kayla and I looked at each other and started laughing.
“We need to quit. 'Cause all them brothas are fine. We ain't doing nothing but sitting here hating.”
“I know. I would give anything to be on that fine negro's arm,” I admitted with a laugh. “And the bulky one that winked definitely had potential.”
Lisa and Nadine returned with plates piled high with several succulent dishes.
“Do y'all see Clayton O'Neal?” Lisa asked as she lowered into the chair next to mine.
I glanced at her. “Is that name supposed to ring a bell?”
“Y'all never heard of him?” She looked at us with disbelief.
“Nope,” Kayla answered.
She looked at both of us and we shrugged our shoulders. Lisa shook her head. “Y'all heifers live in Missouri, not me. Clayton plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.” She nodded her head toward the group in the back. “The one in the green t-shirt is Clayton.” Discreetly, I glanced over my shoulder to see which one she was talking about.
“He just winked at us,” Kayla said.
Then it suddenly came to me. I remember reading that Clayton had just signed a ten-year 131-million-dollar deal, making him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. “Oh shit, that's the hundred-million-dollar man!”
Nadine took a bite of baked chicken and said between chews, “Yep. And to his left, with that woman hanging all over him, that's Alex Houston,” she replied, tilting her head in his direction. “He announced their engagement a couple of months ago. She's supposed to be some Central American model.”
They usually are. I glanced over my shoulder again with a strong rush of envy, then rose. “Come on, Kayla. Let's eat.”
We moved to the buffet line and directly on the other side of the atrium, I spotted Everton standing behind the counter watching me. He waved and I waved back. He wasn't a football player, and I knew for a fact he wasn't getting paid shit working behind a desk. But for the time being, his ass would do.
The buffet had barbecue ribs, pork, salads, desserts, and several authentic Jamaican foods. I helped myself to a serving of oxtails and rice. My grandmother used to cook them, so I know they can't be anything but good.
I moved back to the table before Kayla and slid onto my seat. I glanced over at the football group and that same woman was eyeing me down.
“I don't know why that bitch keeps looking at me.”
Lisa followed the direction of my eyes then snorted rudely. “Shit, she's probably heard the rumors.”
Nadine laughed. “I know that's right. She knows if she doesn't watch her man you'll be trying to fuck him before midnight.”
“Fuck you,” I said, then laughed because they weren't lying.
Kayla slid in across from me. “They've got cheesecake.” It was her favorite.
I reached for the brochure on the table. “Have we decided what excursions we're going on?”
Lisa sipped her drink, then replied, “Definitely shopping. Maybe a sightseeing trip or something.”
“I want to do that waterfall,” Kayla said.
I rolled my eyes. “I'm not climbing no damn waterfall. I heard if you don't hold on your ass might fall. You know I can't swim.”
“I thought you took lessons last month.” I knew Lisa was going to bring that shit up.
“I did. Enough to swim in a pool, not a damn waterfall.”
Kayla reached for her fork. “Well, I'm going.”
“Then have fun. 'Cause my ass is going to spend the week hanging out at the hotel, drinking.”
Lisa frowned. “Don't be getting drunk either. 'Cause your ass always acts like a damn fool.”
“Shit. I plan to spend the week fucked up, so you might as well be prepared.”
Kayla shook her head and laughed. “You are stupid.”
“Hey, she can do what she wants, just as long as we don't have to carry her ass to the room.” Lisa leaned back in the seat and gave me a knowing look.
Nadine started laughing like a hyena. “I know. Remember that time her ass was so drunk she passed out on the middle of the dance floor. We had to carry her ass out to the car and try to get her home.”
“Girl, I was only twenty-two at the time. Them days are long gone. I can hold my liquor.”
Nadine tried to come to my defense. “She ain't lying. Your sister is a damn lush.”
“Fuck all y'all.”
Kayla had to add her two cents. “She needs Jesus.”
Nadine reached for her napkin. “Speaking of Jesus, I'm selling tickets to our church anniversary dinner we're having next week. Anyone want to buy tickets?”
Kayla nodded. “I already bought a ticket. My pastor's wife was selling them last week.”
“I saw Reverend Brown and his wife last week at my GYN appointment. I can't believe they're having another baby.”
I glanced over at Kayla and didn't miss the look on her face. She didn't know I knew she was fucking Reverend Leroy Brown, but I knew. Everyone around town knew, except for Lisa and Nadine, otherwise she wouldn't have said anything.
Kayla lowered her fork. “I didn't know she was pregnant.”
Nadine's brow drew together in a thin line. “Girl, she's already three months. Reverend Brown brought her in for her ultrasound. He was so excited you would have thought it was their first child the way they were slobbering all over each other.”
She took a drink. “Y'all, I'm not feeling too good. I'm going back to the room.”
“You want me to get you something?” Lisa asked, looking concerned.
Kayla shook her head. “No, I'll be fine.” Without another word, she rose from her chair and moved past the pool toward the rooms.
Lisa looked worried. “I wonder what's wrong with her?”
I gladly provided the answer. “She's fucking her minister.”
Lisa choked on her chicken.
“What?” Nadine's eyes were wide as saucers.
“I ain't supposed to know, but I've seen them together.”
Lisa sat back in her chair, shocked. “I can't believe this shit. When did this happen?”
I paused for dramatic effect and chewed my food first, making them wait for my answer. “One night I was pulling into the Ramada Inn in Jefferson City when I spotted her and him coming out.”
Nadine's eyes danced with amusement. “What were you doing at the Ramada?”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Don't worry about that. Now, getting back to what I was saying, I saw the two of them come out and they were lip-locking and shit. He walked to his car, then as soon as he pulled off she went to hers. Her hair was all over the place and she was smiling like a damn fool.”
My sister's gaze held mine for a moment. “Did you tell her you saw her?”
“Nope. I figured she didn't want us to know, otherwise she would have told me herself.”
“I think I better go check on her.” Lisa rose from her chair.
“I think you need to give her a few minutes by herself.”
Nadine agreed.
Lisa glanced over her shoulder, sighed, then lowered into her seat.
“I don't understand. I mean, why the hell would she be messing with her pastor? His ass ain't even cute,” Nadine said.
“True.”
Lisa shook her head with disbelief. “But it is so out of character for her. She's much too spiritual for that.”
I snorted and almost choked on a chicken bone. “Girl, I heard that mothafucka can talk a woman out of her drawers. He used to mess with Ginger Clark.”
Lisa's brow rose. “Who?”
“You know, Ryan Clark's sister. The one with the big dimples in her booty.”
Nadine's eyes sparkled with recognition. “Oh, yeah. I know who you're talking about. The one that has a baby by Tony Monroe.”
I nodded. “Yeah, her. Reverend was messing with her for almost a year, then suddenly he broke it off and she tried to commit suicide over him. Now she's telling everyone he ain't got no dick.”
Lisa bit into a slice of chocolate cake. “Women always say that when they asses get dumped. And that nut was in a mental hospital, so I wouldn't believe shit she said.”
“Nah, I know it's true because he also messed with Teresa Fox. She said as soon as he pulled that little thing out, she started cracking up laughing and said there ain't shit she could do with that little thing, and put his ass the fuck out.”
Nadine sat back in her chair. “Oh, my goodness!”
We screamed with laughter.
Lisa sobered, then reached for her drink. “Well, as soon as I get done eating, I'm going to go and talk to her.”
I shrugged. “Good luck. I guarantee Kayla doesn't want to hear shit we have to say.”
Chapter 13
KAYLA
S
he rushed down the path as tears burned at her eyes. She couldn't believe what had just happened. What Nadine said couldn't possibly be true. There was no way Leroy would do her that way. No way. He loved her and planned to spend the rest of his life with her, just as soon as he asked his wife for a divorce, she told herself as she quickened her steps. Kayla was so overcome by grief she ran right smack into a wall, or at least she thought it was a wall until a large pair of hands reached out, stopping her from falling on her butt and embarrassing herself even more.
he rushed down the path as tears burned at her eyes. She couldn't believe what had just happened. What Nadine said couldn't possibly be true. There was no way Leroy would do her that way. No way. He loved her and planned to spend the rest of his life with her, just as soon as he asked his wife for a divorce, she told herself as she quickened her steps. Kayla was so overcome by grief she ran right smack into a wall, or at least she thought it was a wall until a large pair of hands reached out, stopping her from falling on her butt and embarrassing herself even more.
“I'm so sorry. Are you okay?”
“No, I'm ...” her voice trailed off as soon as she gazed into his eyes.
It was Clayton O'Neal.
She gasped. All the blood rushed down to her feet. She thought she was going to faint for sure. She wobbled slightly to the left. Clayton held out his hand to her, and she grabbed it half expecting a bolt of lightning.
“Are you okay?” he asked again.
“I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention.”
He smiled. “Feel free to bump into me anytime.”
Stunned by his comment, all she could do was smile. Was he flirting with her? No, he couldn't possibly.
Girl, the impact must have scrambled your brain.
Girl, the impact must have scrambled your brain.
“I'm Clayton O'Neal.”
“I know. I mean, my name is Kayla Sparks.”
“Nice to meet you, Kayla.”
She stood there looking up into his warm, dark eyes, inhaling everything about him. She slowly took her hand back and stepped away, fearful he might try to touch her again. “I need to make a phone call. It was nice meeting you.”
“The pleasure was all mine. Hopefully I'll see you around.”
She suddenly felt embarrassed. Her guard had fallen down and she felt exposed. The look he gave her was as though he could read her thoughts.
“Maybe,” she murmured.
She walked away feeling his gaze on her back. Sure enough, when she glanced over her shoulder, she found Clayton standing there watching her. Heat flowed through her chest and caused her nipples to become pebble hard. Quickly, she swung around and disappeared into her building. As soon as he could no longer see her, she paused and took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
Get a grip, girl
. He was just being nice. She wasn't stupid enough to think someone like Clayton O'Neal would be interested in someone like her.
Get a grip, girl
. He was just being nice. She wasn't stupid enough to think someone like Clayton O'Neal would be interested in someone like her.
Shaking off the effects of her encounter, she walked over to the elevator, then hesitated when the doors opened and decided to take the stairs instead. She definitely could use all the exercise she could get. Huffing and puffing, she reached the top step, worn out, but pleased at her choice.
It wasn't until she slid her key in the door that she remembered why she had returned to the room in the first place. She stepped inside, reached for the phone, and asked the woman at the front desk to connect her call. As soon as she received a dial tone, she called Leroy on his cell phone. As she waited for him to pick up, she nibbled nervously on her bottom lip and prayed that he wasn't going to be angry that she had called him directly, instead of paging first.
“Reverend Brown.”
“Leroy?”
There was a slight hesitation before he spoke. “Brother Barton, thank you for calling me back. Can you hold just a moment?”
It took her a few seconds to realize he was talking to her. It was obvious Darlene was around. She heard mumbling in the background before he finally came on the line again in a lower voice.
“Kayla, I'm at the movies with Darlene and the kids. Aren't you in Jamaica?”
She didn't miss the hint of annoyance that she had disturbed his family outing.
“Yes, I'm in Jamaica.” She paused to take a deep breath. “But I needed to ask you a question.”
“Sure, but hurry. I'm in the bathroom. If I take too long, Darlene will come looking for me.”
She rolled her eyes at his response. Since when did he care what his wife thought? “Someone told me that your wife is pregnant. Is that true?” There, she'd said it. She took a deep breath and prayed that he would give her the answer that she so desperately needed to hear.
He was silent for a moment. “Baby, I was going to tell you about that when you got back.”
She gasped. “I can't believe this! I thought the two of you weren't even sleeping together anymore.”
“We aren't. I mean, we weren't until one night. Darlene had just gotten news that her mother had had a stroke. She was emotional and I tried to console her, then one thing led to another. I'm sorry. She's my wife, so there is no way I could tell her no.”
“I can't believe this. What about us?” She felt her heart crack in two.
“There's still us. I still want to be together ... only it's going to take a little longer.”
“How much longer?”
“Until after the baby is born,” he confessed, then quickly added, “What would I look like leaving my wife while's she's pregnant? I am a man of God. It just can't be done.”
“Yes, it can. We can leave and move somewhere else. It doesn't matter where as long as we are together,” she said, practically pleading.
He gave a strangled laugh that she felt at the pit of her stomach. “Are you crazy? I've worked too hard to get where I am today, and I am not about to lose all that because of a piece ofâ”
Even though he had caught himself before he'd finished the sentence, she knew what he was about to say and it hurt, really hurt. Kayla again brushed the tears away, then decided to give up as more immediately fell. It was useless to resist. She suddenly felt older than her thirty-seven years. She felt larger than her two hundred ninety-five pounds.
“Baby, I didn't mean that. I am under a lot of pressure right now. I need you in my corner.” His voice broke and he paused for so long she was afraid he was crying. “Everything is going to be okay. You'll see. Please, understand.”
She felt her resolve weakening. Dang, she hated the power he had over her. “I'm sorry. I do understand. I was just upset to find out this way. However, I do love you.” She felt compelled to reassure him that she did love him only she felt betrayed.
There was a lot she wanted to say, but didn't. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him. How it hurt sharing him with another woman. But after what had been unveiled, she knew it was better to keep her feelings to herself for now.
“I'll call you tonight and we can talk. Okay?”
“All right.” Kayla took a deep breath. She was wrong for calling and reminding Leroy of the most difficult decision of his life. It was going to be even harder, preparing to leave his wife, because now there would be another child involved. Leroy was hurting far more than she could ever feel. She couldn't wait for the day they would be together, but until then she would have to be patient and wait.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He gave a long frustrated sigh. “Kayla, honey, we'll discuss everything tonight.” He didn't wait for an answer. He didn't tell her he loved her. Instead, he simply hung up.
Kayla sat there for the longest time holding the phone in her hand. It wasn't until she heard the operator's voice that she also hung up.
Even though he told her he would call later, something told her he would not. Now what was she supposed to do? She had invested two years in their relationship. Was she really supposed to get over him and get on with her life? She just couldn't see it being that easy.
She was startled by a knock at the door. She rose and walked across the room.
“Who is it?”
“It's Lisa.”
She reached up and quickly wiped away any traces she had been crying, although there was nothing she could do about the redness. She opened the door and was met by the concerned look on Lisa's face.
“Can I come in?”
She nodded, then turned and walked over to her bed and took a seat. Kayla had known it was just a matter of time before either Nadine or Lisa had come up to see what was really wrong. Renee was probably already at the bar, drinking and flirting.
Lisa moved around and took a seat on the opposite bed and sat directly across from her.
“Are you okay?” she heard her ask.
Kayla tried to put on a fake front. “Sure, why wouldn't I be?”
“I know you're messing around with Reverend Brown.”
Her eyes grew large with alarm. “How did you find out?”
“How else?” she admitted with a sympathetic shrug.
Renee. Figures.
Lisa then told her how Renee had seen them at the hotel. She dropped her head to her hands and groaned. If Renee had seen them there was no telling who else had seen them. Although she suspected Renee had found out because she had been creeping her doggone self.
She gave a frustrated breath.
“Have you called him?”
Kayla looked over at her, then nodded. “Yeah, and he admitted it.” She shook her head. “How could he treat me like this?”
Lisa looked like she wanted to comment, but remained silent. In the years that Kayla had known her, Lisa had never been one to immediately take sides. So she wasn't shocked when she heard Lisa say, “She's his wife, Kayla. She has every right to carry her husband's child.”
She rapidly shook her head, refusing to believe any of it. “I want to carry his child. He swore to me that their relationship was over. That we were going to be together.”
How? “Did you expect him to do this? The two of you were committing adultery. He would have had to leave the church and try to find another congregation to accept him.”
“I was willing.”
“Willing?” Lisa paused to shake her head. “Girl, listen to yourself. You are ready to give up your entire life and everything with it, for a man who would leave his pregnant wife and kids. What's to say he wouldn't do the same to you?”
“He loves me,” she argued, defiantly tilting her chin.
“Are you sure? 'Cause it sounds to me like he has a problem.” Lisa shook her head slowly from side to side, as though she were explaining right and wrong to a child. “He stands behind the pulpit, preaching to the congregation about sin and getting your life right, and shit, he's violating one of the Ten Commandments. Whatever happened to practicing what you preach?”
She simply shrugged. “He's human. Humans are weak and born sinners.”
“And that's his excuse?” Lisa looked appalled. “I bet every time after y'all make love, he says to you, âSister Kayla, let's bow our heads and ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins.'”
Her eyes grew large. How in the world did Lisa know that? Her blood ran warm with humiliation. Was he really playing her for a fool? No, she tossed that thought away. He loved her too much for that. No matter what she had to have faith in him. She needed to believe that what they had was real, because without him she was nothing.
Lisa leaned forward and held her shoulders. “Kayla, you are a beautiful woman. Don't settle. You deserve so much more than that.”
“Look at me. I'm not the finest thing around.”
“Who says you're not?”
She lowered her head and didn't bother to answer.
Lisa cupped her chin and lifted her head. “Kayla, listen to me,” she said, looking fixedly into her eyes to be sure that she was really hearing her. “You are as beautiful as you believe yourself to be. If you don't think it, how the hell you expect anyone else to?”
“Leroy makes me feel so beautiful, so sexy.”
“Girl, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I know for a fact you can do so much better if you would just believe in yourself.”
Kayla didn't know how to answer.
“Life is so short. I don't want you sitting back someday wishing you had done things differently. There's an entire world out there waiting to be discovered and you'll never know wasting your time with Reverend Leroy Brown.”
That was easy for her to say. Lisa had always been beautiful. She had a pretty face and a shape to die for. Unlike her, she hadn't grown up fat and never fitting in. Even though she had lost five pounds in the last six months, she still felt like an eyesore, a complete replica of her mother.
Kayla had been raised by Delores Sparks, an overweight woman with low self-esteem and a dummy when it came to men. For years, her children watched her jump in and out of one relationship after another that lowered her feelings of self-worth even more. After years of seeing her repeat the cycle, her kids never understood why she just didn't have a clue.
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