The Certainty of Deception (17 page)

As I sat mesmerized by the stone and my thoughts, the bedroom door flew open.  Justice dashed into the room. “Mackie!” he hollered.  “Here, Mackie!”

“No, Justice!” McKenzie called out. 

The boy saw me and jumped back.  His eyes widened upon recognizing me.  “Dwuw!” 

I sprang up from the bed, startled by the sudden intrusion.  I tucked the necklace under the pillow and smiled.  “Hi, Justice.”

McKenzie ran into the room followed by Jackie who held the baby tight to her chest.  So many things rushed through my mind at once, but the close proximity of me and the child won above all others.  I backed away, willing myself to breathe.  Perspiration trickled down the back of my neck, and my body felt as though it had suddenly turned to jelly.  The room started to spin and my stomach began to churn.  There was nowhere for me to run.  I had no way to hide.  Jackie stood between me and the bedroom door, my only escape, and all I could do was stand there.  Helpless.

“Well, hello there,” Jackie greeted me.  Her gaze washed over me, producing a very inquisitive smile. 

I waved.  “I, um, uh, hi,” I stuttered, desperate not to choke.  My lungs felt as if they were starting to collapse.

“Are you okay, Andy?” Mickie asked, raising her eyebrow.  The deep lines were back in her forehead.  I wished I could get rid of our intruders so that I could once again kiss those lines away.

“Yeah.  Fine,” I gasped.

“I wike your shiwt, Dwuw.”  Justice pointed to my chest.  “Yoda cool.”

I looked down at my shirt and chuckled.  “Yeah.  Yoda’s awesome.”

Jackie handed McKenzie the baby.  “I’d love to stay and chat longer, but I really need to get to Norma.  Thank you again for watching the kids, Mick.  Lindsey said she’d be here around ten-thirty or so to take them off your hands.”

“Kids?” I croaked.

“Yeah, since Mom has her weekly ladies prayer meeting this morning, I told Jackie I’d babysit while she helped out with the preparations for the festival.”  McKenzie rocked the little girl in her arms, and for an instant the pressure in my chest faded.  She looked gorgeous holding that precious little bundle against her chest.  In my heart, I could see her as a mother.  It was something she deserved.  Yet the nagging thought entered my mind.  Could I give her a child?  Would I be able to get over my fear in order to give her the one thing we both have always dreamed of; a family? 

My mind wouldn’t allow my heart to answer.  Instead it flooded me with images of what I’d lost all those years ago.
A lifeless body in my arms.  Rebecca in tears, screaming at me.  I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, willing the dark ghost of my past away.

“Norma called after we got home last night, begging for my help today.  It was a last minute thing,” Jackie supplied.  “Are you sure you’re okay, Drew?”

I opened my eyes and took a step back, finding my legs pressed against the nightstand.  “Yeah.  I’m fine.”

Justice grabbed my hand, staring up at me.  “Will you pway with me?”

I smiled down at the child and squeezed his hand.  I hated the reaction I had to Honor.  I really liked this kid, and under different circumstances I would’ve been more than willing to play with him.  But in the here and now, I had to get away.  This was neither the time nor place for me to let McKenzie in on my secret.  “I wish I could, buddy, but I have to head out for a bit.”

“What?” McKenzie exclaimed.  “Now?”  Her voice came out strained and full of malice. 

I hunched my shoulders and looked away.  “Yeah.  You know, I forgot.  Ethan set up an appointment for me to pick up my new phone this morning.”  I released Justice’s hand and shuffled my way toward the door.

“You need an appointment to get a phone?”  Jackie didn’t sound at all convinced by my rouse.

“Yes.”  I used my best courtroom voice, hoping to sound more convincing.  Let’s face it, an appointment to pick up a new cell phone was the poorest excuse in the book, but it was the only one I could come up with.  “It’s a corporate phone.”

“Ah, I see.”  Jackie nodded, but wasn’t buying my story.

I maneuvered around, placing a small kiss on Mickie’s temple.  Being this close to the infant made my empty stomach heave.  I had to get out of this enclosed space and fast.  “I’ll be back after I get my phone.”

“Don’t bother.”  Anger and hurt poured out of her with every word.

“No, I want to,” I argued.  “I just need to handle this one little thing.  I’ll be back.”

McKenzie lifted her eyes to meet mine, and fixed me with a narrow stare.  “I’ll see you at the festival.”

There was finality to her words.  I wasn’t welcome back.  If she only knew what was wrong, I knew she’d understand my reaction.  She’d more than understand.  She’d feel the pain with me. 

I sighed, rubbing the scruff on my chin.  “Okay.  I guess I’ll see you then.”

For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why McKenzie was so upset.  As I left the room, I caught Jackie’s expression.  In a single glance, I could tell she was trying to convey a message to me.  I had, yet again, missed something vital.  What was I not seeing?  Either way, all the leverage I’d had when I woke this morning was gone.  McKenzie had rebuilt her walls and fortified them with titanium.  Bill was right; winning her back wasn’t going to be easy.  My only saving grace was the fact that McKenzie still intended on seeing me at the festival.  This was my last shot.  If I screwed it up, last night would be nothing more than goodbye sex.  That wasn’t an option I was willing to live with.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky, mirroring the mood I was in.  Even with the reprieve from the scorching Texas sun, the wind and heat still dominated the land. 

I stood at the mouth of 6th Street and Georgia, staring down a long, somewhat winding road, filled with swarms of people.  The entire street had been blocked off for the festivities, yet every shop, bar, and restaurant was wide open for business.  A variety of music blared from within these establishments, creating an atonal effect, yet no one seemed bothered by the contrast of sound.  The delicious aromas of barbecue and southern fried foods floated through the air, making my mouth water. 

All day long I’d carried a weight on my shoulders, wondering how to fix things with McKenzie.  After picking up my new cell phone, I had to filter through countless emails, text messages and voicemails.  Most of which had been from a very pissed off Olivia demanding that I call her back as soon as I got my new phone.  She’d even called Gavin, requesting to speak with me.  When he told her I’d lost my phone, she demanded that he tell her what hotel we were at.  According to him, she wasn’t too happy when he refused and she even went to Morgan in an attempt to obtain the information she desired. 

“Howdy,” an older gentleman greeted the three of us.  His overalls hung like a curtain on his thin frame.  He pushed his gray hair under a ratty baseball cap.  A large mass jutted from beneath his bottom lip, making it difficult for him to keep his mouth completely closed.   “You folks from ‘round here?”  He spit a wad of brown liquid on the ground.

Gavin covered his mouth about to gag from the nasty mess the man expelled.  “No, sir.  We’re from Florida,” he muttered.

“Florida, eh.  What brings you to these parts?”

“We’re guests of the Evans family,” Jared replied.

After that I barely paid attention to the man and his incepted questions.  All I could think about was finding McKenzie.  My eyes wandered from face to face, searching for the only person who mattered.  It came as a relief when I found her.

Dressed in a pale blue collared shirt with pearl buttons, a short denim skirt, and cowboy boots, Mickie looked as though she belonged on the cover of a country music album.  What little bit of sun there was in the sky seemed to rest right above her.  The light illuminated the gold strands of her hair which hung over her shoulders in large curls.  A small girl clung to McKenzie’s finger while she danced around her legs.  Once again, I was reminded of what a great mother this gorgeous woman would make. 

All day long I’d fought the urge to call her.  She’d made it perfectly clear this morning that she didn’t want to see me again until the festival.  And while that struck a chord with me, it didn’t stop me from thinking about her.  Time was running out.  I had to leave tomorrow, and I was no closer to winning her back than I was when I arrived.  Somehow I had to make her understand that my heart truly belonged to her.  I had to make her realize she didn’t need to run anymore.

I pushed my sunglasses up my nose, continuing to watch McKenzie from a far.  She appeared so happy and carefree.  The girl I knew back in Florida was ever present at this moment. People passed, each stopping to say hello to her and her dancing partner. 

Gavin leaned into me and whispered, “She looks beautiful.”

“She does,” I replied.

“What are you waiting for?”

I shrugged.  “You know.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes you do.”  I wasn’t about to tell him what happened again.  It was bad enough he and Jared ragged on me the whole day wanting details of my evening.  Was I really the only guy left in the world who believed one shouldn’t kiss and tell?

“Just because she asked you not to come back, doesn’t constitute her being upset with you.  She told you she’d see you tonight.  Did she not?”

I shrugged again.  “She did.” 

“And when she asked you to breakfast, there was nothing in the invitation that indicated you’d be engaged in a daylong event, was there?”

I rolled my eyes.  “No, counselor, there wasn’t.”

“Then, it’s quite possible she had other things she was slated to do today.  Therefore she suggested you didn’t return because she might not be there.”

Maybe my sister had been right.  Maybe I was growing a vagina. 
Over thinking wasn’t typical for me, but concerning McKenzie that’s all I ever seemed to do.  But I wasn’t about to admit defeat to Gavin.  I flipped him the bird, feeling his smirk without needing to look at him.  “That’s quite possible,” I agreed.

“Then quit being such a pussy.  Jesus, you’re acting like Andie when she’s
PMSing.”  He shook his head, waving his hand in front of him. 

I laughed and slugged him in the arm.  “Oh, shut up.”

Gavin slugged me back.  “I’m just saying, little bro,”

Jared leaned into Gavin, hissing, “Save me.”  I glanced around, and about died laughing when I realized the old man was still talking to Jared. 

Gavin and I looked each other in the eye and nodded.  Without saying a single word, we dispersed, going separate ways, leaving Jared with the old man. 

I tucked my hands into my pockets and started toward McKenzie.  Her tiny partner had dashed off, leaving her alone to enjoy her drink.  She looked up from her glass in my direction. I was certain she’d seen me.  I wiggled my fingers in a tiny wave, quickening my pace to reach her. 

My pace was halted when Gage appeared, picking her up from the ground in a hug.  McKenzie laughed, hugging him back.  She smacked his chest and he placed her back on the ground.  I felt sick.  I could’ve easily vomited right then and there.  Images of me ripping the bastard’s arms off and beating him with them played through my mind like a bad movie.  I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep breathing.  I wouldn’t lose my self control.  I wouldn’t allow him to get to me.  McKenzie made it perfectly clear that there was nothing between them.  She’d been honest about who and what Gage was, so I had to trust her.  This was innocent.  Even still, seeing that man touch her made my skin crawl.

I stepped backward, ready to bolt, only to run into someone.  I tensed and inhaled through my teeth.  “I’m so sorry,” I apologized, as I turned around to face my victim.

Familiar brown eyes and shaggy blond hair came into focus.  “It’s all right, man.  No harm.  Where you off to?”

I glanced back at McKenzie and Gage who were chatting.  She laughed at something he said, sending another wave of hate through me. 

Pull it together, Wise.  He’s only a friend. 

Jared peeked around me, catching sight of them.  “Ah. I see.”

In a horrible attempt to appear cool, I shrugged my left shoulder and laughed.  Even to me that laugh sounded flat and fake.  “There’s nothing to see.  They’re just two old friends who work together.”

Jared gave me a look of disbelief, but didn’t attempt to argue with me.  “If you say so.  How about we go find Gavin?”

I forced a smile and nodded.  “Sure.  I think he went that way.”  I pointed in the direction where I’d last seen my older brother.  As we started walking, I fought the urge to check out what was going on with McKenzie and Gage.  It wasn’t my business, and staring them down wouldn’t help my case any.  “Hey, Jare, how’d you get away from the old guy?” I asked out of the blue.  Anything to get my mind of McKenzie and the orangutan.

“I’m seriously going to kill you and Gavin for leaving me with him.  If it hadn’t been for him needing another beer, I’d still be stuck over there.”

I laughed.  “I
didn’t
want to get stuck with him.”

“Drew!  Jared!”  We looked around, searching for the person calling our names.

“Over there.”  Jared pointed to Lindsey who was sitting at a picnic table with Bill, Glenda, and Gavin, waving us over. 

Glenda hooked her arm into Gavin’s and by the look on his face she’d already discovered new ways to embarrass him.  As we made our way to them, I found myself wishing Andie were here.  She’d enjoy witnessing Gavin’s humiliation, but most of all, she’d enjoy seeing what a real family looked like.  For all my father’s money and prestige, we lacked the solidarity of family unity. 

“It’s about time,” Glenda squealed, patting the open spot beside her.

“You just want a Wise sandwich,” I teased, sliding in next her. 

She hooked her other arm into mine.  “Damn skippy.  I’m the luckiest lady here.  I have two very good looking fellas on my arms right now.  Just call me the belle of the ball.”

Gavin groaned, covering his face with his hand.

“Well, one good looking fella,” - I pointed to myself - “and the other is just moderately handsome.”  I thrust my thumb toward Gavin.

Glenda pulled her arm out from mine, reaching over to pinch Gavin’s cheek.  “I don’t know about that, Drew boy.  Gavin here has some very kissable lips.”

Gavin’s eyes widened.  “What!” he exclaimed.

The table broke into a roar of laughter.

While everyone was distracted, my weakness won out.  I looked back toward where we’d left McKenzie and Gage.  From what I could see, there was now considerable distance between them.  They’d been joined by others and were talking animatedly.  McKenzie buckled over in laughter, steadying herself on one of the ladies beside her, who appeared to be laughing just as hard as she.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” Glenda asked, following my gaze. “It’s good to see her laugh again.  It’s been too long.”

“Ma!” Bill scolded.  “That’s none of our business.”

“Pish posh.” Glenda waved her hand as if to dismiss her son.  “I’m an old woman.  Everything’s my business.  Besides, I’m only speaking the truth.”

“What do you mean?” I asked; my curiosity piqued.

Glenda leaned forward, resting her wrinkled elbows on the table.  Bill gave her a warning look which she ignored.  “I mean exactly what I said.  It’s good to see her laugh again.  When she came back here two months ago, she was a shell of the woman she once was.  That sparkle in her eyes
had disappeared.  She didn’t laugh.  She barely smiled and even that was forced.  The only time we ever saw a semblance of our McKenzie was on Mondays when a certain bouquet of flowers arrived at the shop.”

I took off my sunglasses and dropped them on table.  There really was no need for them since the cloud coverage was so thick that the sun had been
siphoned from the sky.  It was nice to know that I made her smile, but it ripped my heart from chest that she was so unhappy.  “But that’s now changed?”

Glenda smiled, placing her hand over mine.  “As of last night.”

My gaze dropped to her withered hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before bringing it to my lips.  “Thank you, Granny.  I needed to hear that.”

“Hear what?” McKenzie’s sweet voice rang from behind me.  I jerked around, looking up into the eyes of my angel. 

“That he’s the sexiest fella here,” Glenda heralded without skipping a beat.

I gave a nonchalant shrug.  “Who can argue with such wisdom?”

A slow smile bloomed across McKenzie’s face.  “Mr. Wise, have you finally met your match?”

I cocked my head to the side, glancing back at Glenda then to the McKenzie.  “I did when I met you.”

“Lame!” Gavin groaned through a fake cough.

“Seriously, man.  You can do better than that,” Jared groused.

“Have you no respect for my daughter?” Bill teased.

“Leave him alone, guys,” Lindsey defended me.

McKenzie’s head fell forward in laughter.  I waved my hands around, silencing my naysayers.  “Fine, fine.  That wasn’t my best line.” 

“Then fix it, Drew boy,” Glenda prodded, her blue eyes gleaming.

I tapped my chin, pretending to ponder what to say next.  “Hmm.  Let’s see.”

Glenda pushed me, nearly knocking me off the bench.  “Ask her to dance.”

“Yes, Drew.  Ask her to dance,” Lindsey squealed, clapping her hands in excitement.

“That’s not necessary,” McKenzie refuted.

The way she said that didn’t sit right with me.  So, I stood up from my seat and offered her my hand.  “May I have this dance?”

Gavin snorted.  “This should be fun to watch.”

Jared propped his fist under his chin, a strange smirk on his face, as if he knew something and wasn’t telling.   “Why do you say that?” he intoned.