Looking For Trouble (28 page)

Chapter 39

J
ohn lay in bed, exhausted, feeling as if he could sleep for another full day. He glanced over at the alarm clock on the nightstand beside the bed. “I can't believe it's already noon.” He yawned and turned over on his side. It seemed as if he'd just gone to sleep only minutes ago, but it actually had been closer to 4:30
A.M.
by the time his head finally hit the pillow. “I'm glad I changed my flight to leave out tomorrow afternoon,” he mumbled with relief. He'd decided that after all he'd been through in the last twenty-four hours, he needed one more day to recuperate.

He yawned again and stretched, thinking about all that had happened since he'd arrived in Nedine two nights ago. His weekend visit was supposed to have been free of stress and relaxing. He'd had every intention of combining business with pleasure and enjoying himself, particularly since his life always seemed to be so hectic. But instead of a slow and easy weekend filled with fun and laughter, it had turned into the exact opposite.

John willed himself out of bed and lumbered into the bathroom. He turned on the light and took a long look at himself in the mirror. “Damn, I need more rest,” he said, examining the tired look draped over his eyelids. He turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face before twisting the knob on the showerhead.
At least, Maxx is going to be all right, and I don't have to deal with Madeline.
He stepped under the warm stream of water and thought about the crazy chain of events that had occurred.

 

It was the wee hours of the morning when Maxx's doctor had come into the waiting room and announced that Maxx had made it through the surgery without complication, but he still wasn't completely out of the woods. Because of all the blood loss, he'd needed a transfusion; and because the bullet had chipped a bone in his right hip, he would also need another surgery. But the most important thing was that he was going to live and he had an excellent prognosis for a full recovery.

After hearing the good news, John embraced Elizabeth in a loving hug filled with relief. They ignored Grace's disapproving stare and enjoyed their moment, blocking out everything around them except each other. John had wanted to hold Elizabeth in his arms until the sun came up. But it had been a long, arduous night and he knew she needed rest. He also knew that he needed to head back to the hotel so he could deal with Madeline. Despite the late hour and the fact that she was probably pissed to high heaven that he'd stayed out all night, he was fairly certain she would still be awake—waiting for him—primed and ready for an argument.

He told Elizabeth he would take her home and they left the hospital, walking together, hand in hand. Even though her parents' house was only fifteen minutes away, John had relished each second and mile traveled as if they'd driven on a cross-country adventure. He felt that time spent with Elizabeth was worth its weight in gold. He'd heard people talk about how the right woman could change a man, and his own father had spoken those very words. Now he had experienced it firsthand, because Elizabeth made him want to be a better man.

He'd seen the time when the opportunity to bed Mary-Marie wouldn't have slipped by him. But when she'd approached him in the lobby, he realized that having wild sex with her was the last thing on his mind because all he could think about was Elizabeth. She'd changed him in just one night.

He explained to Elizabeth that once he returned to the hotel, he was going to check into a new room and then break the news to Madeline about ending their relationship. “I think it's best to get it out in the open,” John had said. “No need in having a huge fight once we get back to New York, and knowing her, she'll probably want to book a separate flight.”

Once John returned to the hotel, he headed straight to the front desk so he could get a key to a new room before facing Madeline. However, to his surprise, the pleasant night clerk handed him a quick and simple note that changed everything.

Although John was concerned about Madeline's well-being and her safety as a woman traveling on a long bus ride all by herself, a part of him was overjoyed that he was free of her. The first thing he did was rush to his room to share the good news with Elizabeth before she went to bed. Knowing that her parents weren't there to pick up the phone made his call even sweeter. They chatted briefly before making arrangements to see each other later that afternoon.

Just as John was about to undress and crawl into bed, he heard a knock at the door. “Who could this be at this time of the morning?” He shook his head and walked to the door, prepared to tell whoever it was that they had the wrong room. But when he looked through the peephole, he knew that the person standing on the other side had not only come to the right room, they'd come with a purpose.

John's first thought was that something had happened to Maxx, and whatever the news, it was so bad that it needed to be delivered in person. But if something had happened to Maxx, Elizabeth would have known and she hadn't mentioned a thing. He quickly opened the door, ready to get to the bottom of the early morning visit.

“What are you doing here?” John asked.

Mary-Marie smiled slyly. “Well, it's good to see you again, too.”

“It's late.” John said, arms folded at his chest. “How did you even know what room I'm in?”

Mary-Marie pushed past John and walked straight in, sauntering over to his bed. “Where're your manners, John? It's a shame I have to invite myself into your room.”

“I didn't invite you in because you shouldn't be here. Now please answer my question.” He was tired and he was losing patience. “How did you know what room I'm in?”

“First things first, sugar.” Mary-Marie licked her glossy lips and smiled.

“I'm not up for any games. I've tried to be polite, but you have to leave. I don't even want to know how you got my room number. Just go, please.”

Mary-Marie shook her head. “You won't want me to leave after I tell you how I saved you and Slim from a world of trouble.”

John sat in the chair at the desk as Mary-Marie quickly recounted the entire fiasco that happened tonight, including details about Madeline's shady and very dangerous past.

“So you see, John, if I hadn't come forward when I did, who knows what would have happened to poor Slim, and you, too. I came back here and sat in my car in the parking lot to make sure that crazy woman wouldn't come back. I saw you move your things down here to this room, so I gave you a few minutes to unwind before I knocked on your door so I could tell you what happened.”

John was almost in disbelief of the story, but after witnessing Madeline's behavior, it all made sense. “I'm going to go see Slim before I leave town to make sure he's okay. Thank you for what you did,” John said. “I'm very grateful.”

Mary-Marie cocked her head to the side. “How grateful?”

He knew what she meant and he wasn't in the mood. He was glad Mary-Marie had literally saved two lives, but he also knew he needed to get her out of his room before something else erupted. “Like I told you tonight, I'm seeing someone.”

“I just got rid of a woman for you. Who have you jumped to so quickly?”

“You need to leave.” John stood to walk her to the door. “If I have to ask you again, I'll be forced to call hotel security.”

Mary-Marie was outraged, but not insane, so she rose from her place on the bed and walked to the door. “This is the thanks I get after trying to help you?”

“I thanked you properly.”

Mary-Marie smiled. “I can think of a whole lot of other ways you can thank me.”

“Good bye,” John said.

“See you around.”

John closed the door and thanked God above that he'd just dodged another bullet. “Now maybe I can get some rest.”

 

John emerged from the longest shower he'd ever taken, feeling fresh and renewed. The puffiness had disappeared from his eyes, the luster had come back to his robust skin, and energy had been restored in his spirit. He'd washed the last two days down the drain and was ready to make the most of the afternoon in front of him.

After he dressed, he called Elizabeth.

“Hello,” she answered on the first ring.

“Hey, baby.” John smiled into the phone; Elizabeth smiled into hers, too.

“It's good to hear your voice,” she cooed.

“Yours too. How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?”

“I tossed and turned, but I feel surprisingly good, considering all that has happened.”

“Me too.”

“And I'll be even better, once I see you,” Elizabeth said.

“You sure do know how to make a man feel good.”

“I mean it, John. I can't wait to see you.”

“Same here, and I can't wait to tell you about what happened after we hung up the phone this morning.”

“What happened?”

“Mary-Marie came by my room and told me a crazy story about what really happened with Madeline.”

“Mary-Marie?!” Elizabeth squeaked.

“Don't worry, baby,” John said, sensing her concern, and for good reason. “I'll tell you all about it on our way over to the hospital to visit Maxx.”

“Okay, if you say so,” she said hesitantly.

“I also have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“If I tell you, that defeats the entire purpose of a surprise.”

“I guess I'll just have to be patient.”

“It's nothing big, but I think you'll like it. I'll be over to pick you up in about a half hour. Will you be ready?”

Elizabeth smiled. “I'm ready right now!”

Chapter 40

J
ohn peered into Maxx's hospital room, hoping that Grace and Milford had already left. On their drive over, he and Elizabeth had shared an open and honest discussion about her mother and the rest of her family. They both knew it was a high probability that any engagement with her parents—and, in particular, her mother—might turn hostile. John didn't want to have words with Grace in front of Maxx, especially not in his present condition. So when he didn't see them in the room, he breathed a little easier, squared his shoulders, and walked in with Elizabeth by his side.

Josie was sitting in a chair beside Maxx's bed, reading one of the many get-well cards that had already started pouring in. Flowers and balloons were beginning to fill the room as word of Maxx's shooting had spread. John had decided not to hold Elizabeth's hand, as he'd done on their way into the building, because he wanted to be respectful of his friend's condition. He knew that Maxx had no idea about his budding relationship with Elizabeth. Depending upon the shape his friend was in, he didn't want to give him another jarring shock.

Maxx's eyes lit up when he caught sight of John and Elizabeth. This was the first time the three had seen each other since the shooting last night.

Elizabeth went straight to her brother, leaned over his bed, and hugged him gently. “Maxx, I'm so glad you're going to be all right. I've been praying for you.”

“I appreciate that, Lizzy. Prayer is a powerful thing.”

“He ain't been up long,” Josie said, looking at Elizabeth. “He opened his eyes right before your parents left, just a little while ago. They was here all night, just like me, so they finally went home to get some rest. Matter of fact, y'all just missed them.”

John nodded his head, secretly thinking that was a very good thing.

Elizabeth examined her brother's pale skin, parched lips, and weakened eyes. “How are you feeling?”

Maxx reached for the plastic cup of water sitting on the tray next to his bed. “I ain't even gonna lie. I feel like shit.”

“You kinda look like it, too.” John laughed.

Maxx's face broke into a smile. He held out his hand, turned over his palm, and waited for John to slap him five. The two friends greeted each other with brotherly love.

“You had us worried, man,” John said. “But I knew you'd be all right.”

“I'm glad you did, 'cause for a moment there . . . Man, I just didn't know.”

Maxx went on to tell them that his doctor had said that if he continued to improve, he could be released in a few days. He would need to undergo another surgery next month to repair a chipped bone and then reset his hip. He'd also need months of physical therapy to regain full mobility and restore his natural walking gait. But that aside, his prognosis was good.

Just then, a nurse entered the room. “Time for your pain medication, Mr. Sanders.”

“That's the best news I've heard all day,” Maxx joked. He gladly gobbled down the pills the nurse handed him and thanked her before she left the room.

“You're in a lot of pain, aren't you?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, he is,” Josie spoke up. “He been tryin' to act all tough, but I know when he's hurtin'. I got a good mind to go down to that jail and beat Thelma's ass right through those bars.”

John and Elizabeth looked at Josie with alarm.

“Don't talk about doin' nothin' to nobody's ass,” Maxx said. “I'm sensitive about that subject right now. Hell, ‘kiss my ass' has a whole new meaning now.”

Josie shook her head “Since you put it like that, I guess I'll just pray for the heffa.”

“I think that's best,” John agreed. “After everything that happened last night, the last thing we need is for you to get arrested.”

“Yeah, you right.” Maxx nodded. “Things been crazy enough as it is. And speakin' of crazy, look at all these cards, flowers, and balloons. I been asleep most of the day, but Josie said people been stoppin' by to visit since early this mornin'.”

“Has Slim come by to see you?” John asked.

“Funny you mention Slim. He ain't been by or even called my room.”

John and Elizabeth looked at each other.

“What's wrong?” Maxx asked.

John took a deep breath. He didn't want to alarm Maxx because he had enough worries of his own, so he sketched out a story that was mostly true. “We stopped over to see him right before we came here. He's a little under the weather but I'm sure with a little rest he'll be feeling better soon.”

“I'll give him a call later today if I'm up to it.”

“I'm sure he'd like that.”

Maxx looked around. “Where's your girl? I'm surprised she let you outta her sight,” he said with a small laugh.

John shifted his weight to his right leg. “She's not my girl. Besides, she left town last night on a Greyhound headed back to New York.”

Maxx took a long look at John and then glanced over at his sister. “What's goin' on with you two?”

As if on cue, Josie rose from her seat. “I'm gonna walk down to the cafeteria,” she said. “John, Elizabeth, I'll see y'all later.”

Maxx, John, and Elizabeth were quiet until Josie left the room.

John and Maxx stared at each other, while Elizabeth fiddled with a piece of string on her shirt.

John knew right away that Maxx was hip to what was going on between him and Elizabeth. Since they'd been small boys, they understood each other better than anyone else. They knew each other's likes and dislikes, temperaments and tastes. They shared secrets between them that they'd both carry to their graves. They were loyal to each other, brothers through thick and thin. So John had no doubt about the conversation that was coming. He had wanted to ease into things carefully, but he respected Maxx too much to beat around the bush.

John took Elizabeth's hand in his and began to speak. “I know this is going to sound strange to you, and I can understand why, but the truth is, I want to start dating Elizabeth.”

There was a long pause filled with dead quiet. Maxx turned his eyes away from his best friend and toward his sister before he spoke. “Lizzy, I think you better leave the room so me and John can talk.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No, Maxx. I'm not a little girl. I'm a grown woman, and I want to be with John, too. Anything that you say to him, you can say to me.”

“Lizzy, I'm gonna talk to John, man-to-man. You don't need to hear some of what I'm gonna tell him, trust me.”

John could read Maxx's mind and he knew what his best friend was thinking. They were both ladies' men. Between the two of them, they'd bedded enough women to fill several harems. Throughout all their escapades, neither of them had ever known the other to be completely faithful in any of his relationships. Now that he had announced his intentions with Elizabeth, Maxx was not pleased.

He knew that Maxx would gladly take a bullet straight through his heart before he allowed Elizabeth to be hurt in any way—even at the hands of his playboy best friend. But he also knew that Maxx had no idea that his appetite for women had changed literally overnight. Elizabeth was the perfect serving size and he didn't need another helping. She made him feel like no other woman ever had, and she'd managed to make him do something he'd never experienced—want to become a one-woman man. It was more than he'd expected. Standing there holding Elizabeth's hand inside his, he wouldn't trade that feeling for his annual end-of-year bonus.

John knew that given his reputation, Maxx had every reason to be concerned. If the shoe was on the other foot, he probably would be, too. But he also knew that Maxx understood what kind of man he was, and he hoped his friend was taking this into account as he digested the situation.

Maxx looked at John. “Do you really want my sister to hear what I'm gonna say to you?”

“She might as well,” John said, holding Elizabeth's hand even more tightly. “I don't have anything to hide from Elizabeth.”

“Suit yourself.”

John held his breath and readied himself.

“Man, you get more pussy than any cat I know, including me, and that says a lot. How you gonna walk into town and try to get my sister's? We supposed to be brothers. This is fucked up.”

“I didn't plan on falling for Elizabeth, but I know what my heart is telling me.”

“Your heart?”
Maxx said. “After just one night! Negro, did you fuck my sister?”

“Maxx!” Elizabeth gasped.

“Lizzy, I told you, you needed to leave,” Maxx huffed.

“You know Elizabeth's not that kind of woman,” John cautioned.

“I'm not questionin'
her
morals. I'm questionin'
your
scandalous ass.”

John let go of Elizabeth's hand and rubbed his chin. “I can't get offended because you know how I've behaved with women in the past. But you also know that when I say something, I mean it. I've always been that way. When I said I want to start dating your sister, I meant it. I want to be with her.”

Maxx shook his head. “I can't believe this shit.”

“Have I ever, in my entire life, told you that I wanted to be with a woman? Any woman?” John asked.

Maxx was silent.

“Have I?”

“No,” Maxx finally answered.

“Do you think I would take advantage of Elizabeth?”

“Not knowingly.”

“Not ever,”
John corrected. He took a deep breath and walked around Elizabeth so that he was standing close beside Maxx's bed. “Hurting her would be like hurting you, and I'd never do that, man.”

“Hell is paved with the best of intentions. Sometimes people don't mean to do the shit they do, but it happens. I love you better than my own brothers,” Maxx said, “but, John, we're talkin' about Lizzy.”

Elizabeth stood silent like a fly on the wall as John and Maxx went back and forth about her.

“I didn't want to believe what I saw in the club last night,” Maxx said as he shifted in his bed. “I tried to blame it on the liquor when I saw you grinnin' like a damn fool and lookin' at Lizzy all funny-like. I prayed like hell that I was wrong, that you wasn't interested in my sister.”

John raised his brow. “You don't think I'm good enough for Elizabeth?”

“John, you one of the best cats I know. You wouldn't be my best friend on earth if you wasn't. But like I said, this is Lizzy we talkin' about.” Maxx looked at his sister and shook his head. “Man, I'm havin' a hard time with this one.”

“I understand, but you've got to know that what I'm telling you is solid. I'm not bullshittin' around. I can't explain how it happened, and I'm not even going to try, because it won't make sense to you. But I can assure you, man-to-man, I'm going to do right by her, Maxx.”

Maxx turned his head and let out a sigh. “Lizzy, is this really what you want?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I know this is hard for you, Maxx, but I've wanted to be with John for as long as I can remember.”

Maxx shook his head. “I don't believe this.”

Elizabeth cleared her throat and continued. “I'm not some little girl who's lost in the dark. I'm a grown woman. I know what I want, and I know my heart. I'm well aware of the fact that John's had more women than you can shake a stick at, and I know he's never made a commitment to any of them. But those women don't have a thing to do with me. What he did in the past is going to stay back there, where it belongs. What the two of us build together from today forward is going to be ours alone.” Elizabeth stepped forward and reclaimed John's hand. “Maxx, you're the best big brother a girl could ever ask for. I love you and I want your approval, because it would mean the world to me. But if I don't get it, I'm still going to be with John.”

John looked at Elizabeth and smiled. She'd not only stood beside him—she'd stood up for him. She'd shown what kind of mate she would be, and it made John feel like nothing was impossible with Elizabeth by his side. “Well, Maxx,” he said to his friend, “do we have your support?”

“But you're gettin' ready to move back here so you can open your bank. It's been your dream. And Lizzy's gettin' ready to take a teachin' job in North Carolina in a few weeks. How y'all gonna have a relationship when you livin' in different places?”

John nodded. “She can stay here and find a teaching job, or I can take my dreams to North Carolina. We'll work it all out.”

Maxx stared at John without blinking. He let a long pause linger before easing out a deep breath. “Man, if I hear about Lizzy sheddin' one tear over your ass, or I find out that you stepped out on her, I'ma find you wherever you are and beat your ass. And you know I'm sensitive about the ass!”

Maxx's comment eased the tension and the three shared a laugh. Elizabeth hugged her brother, and then Maxx and John slapped each other's palms. By the time Josie returned to the room, they had fallen into an easy conversation.

An hour later, John and Elizabeth walked down the hallway just as they had arrived, hand in hand. They were happy that they had Maxx's blessing. John knew the rest of the Sanders family was a losing cause, but he didn't care—and neither did Elizabeth. All that mattered was that they had each other.

They were about to open the exit door when John stopped and turned to her. “We just crossed our first hurdle as a couple. This proves to me that as long as we stick together, we'll be just fine.”

“Yes, we will.”