Worth the Wait (Crimson Romance) (22 page)

Malcolm rubbed his face and sighed. “I don’t know. Mom called me in college to say Dad was having a hard time, but I didn’t ask with what. I didn’t want to know, but I suspected. There was heroin in his system when they did the autopsy.”

“Hell no!” Jared pushed away from the wall. “I was with him all day. He didn’t do anything when we were out.”

“Were you with him every minute of that day?”

He opened his mouth to say yes but stopped. He remembered his dad rushing into the house when they’d gotten back. He’d stayed out and put up the fishing equipment. Could he have gone in to get a hit?

“Just as I thought,” Malcolm said.

Frustrated, Jared rubbed his eyes. “This is some bullshit. I’m gonna grab Tasha and we’re out of here.”

Malcolm pushed away from the wall. “You can’t keep running from difficult situations. That’s why I didn’t tell you in the first place.”

“I don’t run from situations.”

“Yes, you do. Anytime a conversation is too tough or too serious you bail. You shake your head, say you don’t have time for it, and haul ass out the door. Randall’s right, it’s time for you to grow the fuck up.”

“You and Randall can kiss my ass.”

Malcolm shook his head. “That’s real mature. Face it, Jared, you’re still a kid. You ran after Dad died instead of facing mom. You ran from California when Cassandra started wanting more than a business relationship. And you lied to Tasha to get her here so you wouldn’t have to face your family. The first two only hurt you, but this shit with Tasha is messed up.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Malcolm got in Jared’s face. “You told her you loved her? Come on, Jared, I could see it in your face that day in my office — you wanted to make her fall for you. You were supposed to end it before that.”

“No, you assumed I would,” Jared said, pointing a finger in Malcolm’s chest.

Malcolm scowled. “Tasha’s a nice girl. I know you like running game on women, but this is low even for you.”

Jared wasn’t about to tell Malcolm he was in love with Tasha. It wasn’t any of his damn business anyway. What they had was working, and until he was used to the idea of loving, and trusting her, no one needed to know what was going on. “You think I care what you think? She’s here, isn’t she? Tasha’s happy and that’s all you need to worry about.”

“Is that why you told me you loved me? Because you wanted me here?” Tasha’s voice hit him like a ton of bricks.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He turned away from Malcolm to face her. “Tasha, don’t listen to Malcolm.”

She waved her hand as she approached him. Her face a mask of pain and confusion. “No, I think I should listen to him. I should have listened to him, my sister, Kenyatta, and everyone else who told me I was in over my head.”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Isn’t it? I break it off with you, told you why, and you still … ” She broke off and held up her hand. “You know what, it doesn’t matter.”

“Tasha … ”

Devin strolled up beside Tasha. “Malcolm, Jared, Kenyatta’s looking for you. It’s time to cut the cake.” He looked from one face to the other and frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Tasha said, turning to Devin. “Can you give me a ride somewhere?”

“Where?” Jared asked.

She whipped around to glare at him. Her usually warm honey eyes were cold. “That’s none of your damn business.” She turned back to Devin. “Please. It’ll only take a minute.”

Devin looked from Tasha to Jared, who shook his head, then to Malcolm, who nodded. When he looked back at Tasha, he nodded. “I will.”

She sighed. “Thank you.”

Jared stepped up. “Wait a minute.”

She pointed at him. “No, you wait a minute. I’m tired of this. I thought I knew what I was doing, but it was wrong. From the start, it was wrong. I shouldn’t even be mad at you for doing what you do. That’s why I picked you in the first place. But right now, I am mad and if I have to look at you any longer I’ll say something I’ll regret.”

Tell her you love her
, screamed his brain. He opened his mouth then closed it. Devin watched expectantly. Malcolm glowered as if he would choke him if he didn’t say it. He couldn’t say it with everyone standing there. He wouldn’t beg in front of Devin and Malcolm. He would talk to Tasha when she wasn’t so angry and they didn’t have an audience.

He swallowed before forcing out the words, “Maybe you should go.”

The pain that flashed in her eyes was like a knife in his chest. He would have expected hysterics or crying from any other woman. Her ability to be strong when things hit her hard was one of the things he loved about her. His hands flexed with the need to grab her and kiss her, but instead he stepped back.

Devin shook his head and glared at Jared. “Let’s go, Tasha.”

She nodded and turned. Jared bit the inside of his jaw to keep from calling her back. Devin gave him a scathing look before turning and following Tasha. It was a bad scene, but he would get her back. When they were alone, and he wasn’t pressed by Malcolm and Devin to pour his heart out, he’d talk to her and get her back.

“So where are we going?” Devin asked as they buckled their seatbelts in his black Ford F-150.

Tasha blinked back the tears that threatened to spill the moment Jared admitted he’d lied about loving her. She’d suspected it, even accused him of it, but stupidly let him convince her otherwise.

“My friend is at a party at the St. Regis hotel in Buckhead, can you take me there?”

He nodded. “Sure.”

Tasha thanked him and pulled out her cell phone to call Shayla. She hadn’t told her friend she was coming to Atlanta with Jared. It had been such a whirlwind decision she hadn’t told anybody. It would be a miracle if Kenyatta didn’t tell Angie as soon as she left the party.

Shayla answered after a few rings, the sounds of laughter and talking were in the background. “I can’t believe you have the nerve to call me after avoiding my calls all day. You better not be wrapped up with Jared somewhere and coming up for air just to tell me you’re not coming to my party. I could have figured that out myself.”

Despite her crushed spirits, Tasha mustered a small laugh. “You’re a fool. No, I’m calling to tell you I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

“Are you serious? It’s after … ten. And
you
don’t leave the house that late.”

“Unusual circumstances.”

“You came with him, didn’t you? Is he coming too?”

“No.”

“Oh.” A slight pause. “Fine, come on, girl. You can tell me the story when you get here.”

“Thanks, girl. I’ll see you soon.”

She hung up and looked out the window. “I can’t believe he lied to me,” she whispered.

“Neither can I.”

She turned toward Devin who glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Why would he say … what he said?”

Devin shrugged. “That’s a new low, even for Jared. But sometimes I don’t think he understands himself.”

Tasha rolled her eyes and turned away. “Spare me. I know he doesn’t trust women, doesn’t believe in love, and doesn’t believe in marriage. This is my fault.”

Devin didn’t say anything and Tasha leaned her head against the seat rest. She closed her eyes and images of her time with Jared flashed in her mind. The way he looked at her, touched her, made love to her. It had all felt so right. They’d clicked, or at least she’d thought they had. But with the good images came the bad. He’d manipulated her to stay every time she’d tried to end it, starting in Charleston when she’d known he was too much for her to handle. She should have trusted her instincts then and walked away. Now she was broken hearted and … pregnant. She bit her lip to keep from sobbing. If Devin noticed, thankfully he didn’t say anything.

Thirty minutes later the car stopped. She opened her eyes and stared at the front of the St. Regis hotel. She blinked several times as the valet attendant came over to open her door.

“Thank you, Devin,” she said.

“I’ll walk you in.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“I know, but it’s against my nature to drop you off at the door.”

Tasha smiled. “Thanks.”

He got out and told the attendant he’d be right back. They walked into the hotel and Shayla immediately ran up to Tasha. She looked flawless as usual in a sleeveless red dress that hugged her perfect figure and complemented her smooth brown skin.

“Girl, you look like someone stole your dog.” She embraced her friend. “I told you it was time to break it off. I told you not to come here with him. But I also agreed you should sleep with him in the first place. Don’t listen to me when it comes to men.”

Tasha sighed and pulled away. “Amen to that.”

Shayla sucked her teeth before looking over Tasha’s shoulder and freezing. Her mouth fell open and she pulled at the top of her dress. Tasha turned to see what had stunned her friend. Devin wore a similar expression. His gaze ran over Shayla’s figure from the top of her perfectly flat-ironed shoulder-length brown hair to her pedicured feet in black peep toe heels.

“Devin,” Shayla gasped, her almond-shaped eyes wide.

Devin swallowed before answering. “Hello, Shayla.”

Confused, Tasha looked between the two. She could light a match with the electricity firing between them. Shayla always had an effect on men, but she’d never seen Shayla reduced to staring.

Tasha pointed from one to the other. “You two know each other?”

Shayla cleared her throat and looked away from Devin. “Devin Jones,” she said. Tasha raised her eyebrows and shrugged. Shayla shook her head and said, “Devin Jones from high school.”

Tasha’s eyes bulged and she looked back at Devin. “You’re Shayla’s Devin?”

“I’m not Shayla’s Devin,” he answered.

Shayla pointed at Devin. “You didn’t recognize him?”

“I never met him. You two were at Helena High, I went to Airport, remember? He only dropped you off at my house once. You always kept
Your Devin
to yourself.”

“I’m not her Devin. She was my teammate’s girlfriend.”

Shayla stiffened. “That’s right. Remember, Tasha? Devin and I weren’t cool after I started dating Tony.”

Tasha frowned. “You didn’t start dating Tony. That ass took advantage — ”

Shayla cut her off with a wave of the hand. “It doesn’t matter, that was years ago.”

“Years ago,” Devin agreed.

She didn’t like how Shayla had breezed over what she was about to say. Tony was a jerk who’d taken advantage of Shayla, but she respected her friend’s wish and left it alone.

Tasha turned to Devin. “Thanks for the ride.”

He opened his mouth to respond when a man approached. He walked with a swagger and an air of arrogance in his blue eyes. He presented Tasha and Devin with a large fake smile, before turning to Shayla. “I was able to get away for a minute. We can have that talk now.”

The look in his eye gave Tasha the impression he was interested in more than talking.

Shayla glanced briefly at Devin before pulling the man to the side. “Mark, my friend just got here and she’s upset. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Mark rubbed his chin, the light gleaming off the gold band on his left hand. He looked at Tasha quickly before turning back to Shayla. “I’m free tonight.”

Shayla crossed her arms and stepped back. “Then we’ll talk another time.”

Mark smirked. “Fine.” He ran a finger down her arm. “Tomorrow.” Without so much as a word to Tasha or Devin, he turned and walked away.

Tasha didn’t like him. “Shayla?”

Shayla held up her hand. “Don’t even start. We’ll talk about this after we talk about you.” She looked at Devin. “I guess I still disappoint you, huh?”

Devin’s eyes were sad as he shook his head. “It’s not about disappointing me. You know what you’re worth.” Shayla stiffened and he sighed. “You look beautiful, Shayla,” he said before turning away.

“Devin,” Tasha called. He turned to look at her. “Please don’t tell Jared where you brought me. I don’t want to talk to him.”

He nodded and walked out. After he left, Tasha turned narrowed eyes on Shayla. “What was that all about? And who was that man?”

Shayla crossed her arms. “Forget the man. I can’t believe you brought Devin Jones here. Ever since Tony he’s only found fault with me.”

“Don’t yell at me. I didn’t know he was
Your Devin
. Maybe he wouldn’t find fault if you’d tell him the truth about Tony.”

Shayla scoffed. “Doesn’t matter. That was years ago, and since I have no plans to move back to Helena, hopefully I’ll never see him again.” Tasha started to interrupt but Shayla shook her head. “No more talk about Devin Jones. I’ll get my stuff and you can tell me about Jared Patterson.” She turned to walk away.

“I think I’m pregnant,” Tasha blurted out.

Shayla spun around so fast Tasha was surprised she didn’t trip over her five inch heels. “No.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes but she wasn’t going to cry. This was her mess and she had to deal with it. “Yes.”

“No, no, no, Tasha. This shit isn’t supposed to happen to you. This is the type of mess that happens to me,” Shayla said walking back to her.

“Tell me about it,” Tasha said.

Shayla laughed and Tasha joined in before they turned into sobs. Shayla pulled her into her arms. “Stop it. You don’t cry over a man, remember?”

Tasha nodded and tried to stop the tears.

Shayla put her hands on her shoulders and held her away. “Now you said you think you’re pregnant. Have you taken a test?”

“No,” Tasha answered, wiping the tears from her face.

Shayla nodded. “Okay, I have one at my house.”

“Why?”

Shayla shrugged. “You never know when you need one.”

Tasha shook her head. “You’re a mess.”

“Tell me about it.”

They laughed again and Shayla squeezed her shoulders. “It’ll be okay.”

“How am I going to tell my father?”

“Daddy, I’m pregnant.”

Tasha rolled her eyes. “It’s not that simple.”

“I know. Preacher isn’t going to be too happy about this, but what can he do? If you are, you are. Unless you don’t want to be.”

Tasha knew what Shayla implied and she shook her head. She knew of at least one abortion Shayla had had years ago, but had never asked her friend if she’d done it again. Tasha couldn’t do it, no matter how hard it would be to have this child.