“He who finds a wife finds a good thing. Humph. How far away am I from that, Jesus?” I laughed to myself. I was thinking about that scripture; then I heard my cell ring. I didn’t recognize the number. Maybe it was the credit card company calling me or something.

  “Hello,” I answered.

  “Reese, what’s goin’ on? You at home?” Jason asked.

  I sat in my seat and tapped my nails against the table. “What do you want, Jason? I can’t believe you calling me after all the hell you have caused. What do you want?”

  “Who you think you talkin’ to? You better remember who you talkin’ to!” Jason yelled through the phone.

  “Jason! You in Aruba wit’ my so-called girl and you want me to sit here and pretend I don’t know?” I looked around the restaurant, then remembered I was in public and quieted down.

  “Woo, wait a minute. Who told you that? Huh? Kev said that to you? Sweetie, I’m not I’m in New York takin’ care of business that’s all. I been here since we got into it. I was hurt after all that stuff at the house wit’ you,” he convincingly said.

  I laughed, got up from the dinner table, and walked into the hall so I wouldn’t disturb the other guests. “Jason, the credit card company called me because of all the transactions in the last day in Aruba! And on top of all of that, tell Eva her husband is probably lookin’ for her!” I took a wild guess that was who he was with.

  Jason sighed, exasperated. “Now, I let the money go and wanna believe you don’t have it! But don’t make me mad by disrespectin’ me!” he fumed and hollered.

  But I wasn’t trying to hear him anymore. I was out of the city. My boys were out the city and there was nothing he could do about it, or the money missing. I hung up on Jason, walked back to the table, and noticed Kev sitting there. I tried to hold back the tears before I reached the table, but they continued to flow. It was painful, to be betrayed and disrespected by Jason and Eva, and what they were dishing out still hurt. No, I didn’t want Jason in my life anymore, that was clear, but to think I had done all I could to be a good woman to him and he did me dirty like this. And Eva, my girl, was icing on the cake!

  Kev noticed me crying and came over and hugged me. “What’s wrong? You okay?”

  “Yes, I will be. It’s Jason. He and Eva—”

  Kev cut me off and started talking. “Listen, we ain’t gonna worry ’bout that mess. Leave it in Ohio. You in Vegas. We gonna enjoy ourselves, okay?” He kissed my forehead. “I didn’t wanna tell you. I just thought you didn’t need to hear what Jay was doin’ or who he was with. I’m sorry, okay? I thought I was protecting you.”

  I believed him and nodded. “Thanks, Kev, for everything. You’re a good friend.”

  Kev released me from his embrace, looked at me, and kissed me on my cheek, then my nose. We both laughed, then we looked into each other’s eyes and he kissed me on the lips.

  We stood in the restaurant and kissed for what seemed like eternity.

  I couldn’t help but wonder where this was headed.

  Chapter 20

  360

  Kev sat back down at the dinner table after releasing our embrace. He leaned in and grabbed my hand. “We have been kiddin’ ourselves. You feelin’ me as much as I’m feelin you. It’s been that way since we met, but now I need to know where you are goin’ from here with Jason. With me.”

  My heart was fluttering. I squeezed his hand tight.

  He continued to hold on to my hand while he talked. “I know Jay, but what you gonna do, Reese? You stayin’ in it?” He motioned circles on my hand as he held it, and he waited to ask me the next question. He rubbed the side of his face where his shaded facial hair was. “Are you movin’ on?”

  I paused for a moment, and tilted my head while I squinted my eyes at him. I wanted to make sure I meant the words I was about to say. “I’m movin on.”

  Kev waited for those words to roll off my tongue. He grinned. “Watch that, Reese, ’cause if you mean that, then that opens the door for me to enter in.”

  I smiled, and took a deep breath. “Enter then.”

  Kev’s grinned widened. “Okay, so you didn’t hear me knocking? I’ve been standing out here knocking for months; it’s about time you let me come in.”

  My very dream was coming to pass. The man I wanted to spend forever with was standing at my door.

  “Reese, I wanna turn it around. I want us to do this together. I mean no more drug life!” he demanded. Then he got serious. “You know we can’t stay in Ohio, don’t you?”

  I listened then replied, “I know.” I felt so warm all over; I was so in love with Kev and now I knew what I suspected was true, he felt the same about me; no more hiding it.

  Then reality crept in and hit me. My eyes got big and I panicked with thoughts. Oh no! How can I tell him I’m leaving Ohio and headed to Atlanta? How can I tell him I took that money? I wanted to tell him the truth but how could I?

  I decided to just play it by how our conversation would go from here on. I knew he would never trust me after I told him what I had done. What I wanted was now in front of me and ready to start a life with me, but because of my determination to get revenge on Jason it would never happen.

  Kev told me how relieved he was to finally know that I felt the same way he was feeling all along. I listened to him go on and on but the money issue was all that was on my mind. I wished I had never taken that money. Dang, what was I thinking about? I wished I could have returned it without him ever finding out, but it was too late. Then I started wondering if this all was a setup. If Kev was just trying to get me to tell him the truth. After all he and Jay had been best friends since they were kids. What would make me think they aren’t playin’ me? They might be planning to kill me or something!

  I was getting paranoid, tapping my nails on the table again; then I started biting them. I crossed my legs and shook them, then uncrossed them and repositioned myself in the chair. I kept looking at the entrance, thinking Jason was going to come in any minute. “Kev, what’s goin’ on? You talk to Jason? Did he put you up to this? Please tell me the truth,” I pleaded.

  Kev frowned. He looked confused. “Oh, wow, you believe I would do something like that to you, Reese? Huh? All I have ever shown you was love, girl. Even before I fell in love with you I looked out for you.”

  He got up from the table and went over beside me and bent down. “You think I’m setting you up with Jay? Yeah, right. I ain’t got time for games, Reese. Look, I love you. I don’t know why I feel like this but I’m willing to betray my best friend for you, so please don’t think this is a game. I don’t play games!” Kev was upset as he walked back over to his seat.

  “I’m sorry, Kev, but I’m scared that’s all. Please forgive me. I didn’t want you to get upset, I just wanted you to be honest,” I explained.

  “I do, I forgive you, and I can understand a level of fear being there because I know all the stuff you been through with Jay. But I need you to believe me when I say this: I love you and I want nothing else but for you to be by my side until the day I die,” he proclaimed.

  That took my breath away. This is what love is really about right here: a man willing to do whatever for me. God, give me a sign if this is real.

  Once dinner was over we walked the strip, laughed, and talked about the possibilities of starting a new life together, away from Ohio and away from our old lives.

  Kev grabbed me and we stood face to face. He bent his head down and softly bumped his forehead against mine. He hugged me. I closed my eyes and thought, I wonder if he thinks I have the money. I would have loved to enjoy this moment but that continued to haunt me.

  He kissed me again. I had dreamt of being in his arms for so long, and now he was mine and the kiss was everything I could have ever imagined. It took my mind off the money for a moment, that’s for sure.

  “Reese, marry me,” I thought I heard Kev say.

  I looked up at Kev as if to say, “are you for real?” Am I hearing things? Did he just propose? Truly I was speechless. I knew we had spent a lot of time together over the years and I knew we both had deep feelings for each other, but I never expected him to say this, never.

  Marry me. Those words rang in my ears. I wanted him to be my husband but at the same time I was torn. I had begun to believe I wasn’t worth anything and would never be married again or happy. Besides that, I knew Kev was in the game deep. Was he really getting out the game like he said? All of this was something to think about. Love would not be enough any longer to make me stay with someone. Logic had to be there, and when I looked at this picture in full, Kev was a drug dealer, plain and simple.

  “Kev, what about the dope?”

  He took my hand and led me over to a bench outside the hotel near a beautiful water fountain. I sat on his lap and put my arms around his neck. I laid my head on his chest and relaxed.

  “I’m out the game,” he stated. “I’m serious, Reese. I came to Vegas to help Jay. That’s all.”

  I lifted my head and tilted it and watched him explain.

  “I’m serious. That money that came up missing was for some people here. I told Jay I would pay it for him.”

  Oh my God. I felt so bad. “Kev, about the money . . . I’m sorry.” I was about to spill the truth and just give the money to Kev when he cut me off.

  “Look, Reese, I don’t wanna know.” It’s like he knew what I was about to say. “It’s covered, that’s all you need to know. Don’t bring up that money again.”

  I wanted him to know I had it and I wanted to give it back to him. I have to tell him I have the money. No if, ands, or buts about it, my mind ordered.

  “I told you a while ago I wanted out of this and this”—he pointed to me—“you . . . you are my reason.” He grabbed my hands. “Marry me? I promise I’ll take care of you.” He waited for a response by never taking his eyes off of me.

  I sat on the bench and looked him in the eyes for a moment longer, asking myself if I could trust him. I loved him. I knew I did. I believed him. It made sense with him. Love and logic.

  “Yes, Kev, I will marry you,” I blurted.

  He picked me up and swung me around, then we kissed.

  “Let’s talk for a minute,” I said. I was concerned with my salvation for the first time in a long time and I wanted Kev to understand that getting it right with Jesus was my focus.

  I led him back to the bench to sit. I grabbed Kev by the hands and said, “I have to get it together, Kev, because I know God is looking at my life and seeing a big mess. I can’t be a part of drugs anymore. Please let’s just get the boys and leave. Please, Kev, promise me you will get on the plane with us? Jason isn’t going to do anything. God will protect us.”

  He paused a moment before saying, “I’ll seriously think about it. I may have to stay in Ohio for a few months to play it off. I don’t want nobody to suspect anything. I want you and the boys to be safe, Reese, that’s all. I don’t care about the business, just you.”

  Chapter 21

  Fairytales

  We got rid of our rooms and decided since we were engaged we could share a suite for the night. We promised each other no funny business. We wanted to be close to each other. I knew I didn’t want to spend another day away from this man. We left the lobby and went upstairs to the new room together.

  The first thing I noticed in the suite was the peanut butter–colored leather couch with Moroccan pillows all over it. Then I turned and looked across from the couch and saw the fireplace. I went toward the window that was as wide and long as the whole wall and looked out on to the balcony. The view is amazing! I opened the balcony doors and walked out and could see all of Vegas in the far distance.

  Kev stood back and smiled as I took everything in. He then sat on the soft, plush couch and watched me. He was so happy that I was going to be his wife and even happier that he was making my dreams come true.

  I inhaled the Las Vegas wind that was blowing through my body, not even once thinking about any mess; I was in my moment.

  I was interrupted by Kev’s cell ringing. I turned and saw him looking down at it. He picked it up and looked. “Reese, don’t worry, okay? I’ma take this. It’s Jay. I’m going to put it on speaker so you can hear everything.” I knew Kev was only doing that to show me that I could trust him.

  “Hello,” Kev said.

  “What’s up, Kev. You make it? Nobody in Ohio can get a hold of you,” Jason said.

  “Aw, man, I’m good and, yeah, I made it here. I’ll be back there in a couple of days,” Kev said.

  “Okay, you take care of that. Um, you seen Reese?” Jason wanted to know.

  Kev looked at me for a minute to think about what he was going to say. “Naw, I ain’t seen her since the fight you two had. I talked to her but I ain’t seen her and as far as that thing, you in the clear.”

  “Good lookin’ out, man. I did speak to Reese a couple hours ago. She was upset I spent money on her credit card and she found out I was here wit’ Eva in Aruba. Crazy huh?”

  “Jay—” Before Kev could finish Jason interrupted.

  “When I get back to Columbus I’ma stop treatin’ her like this. I don’t really have proof that she took that money, you know?”

  I stood there listening. I knew Jason was lying. He was trying to get sympathy from Kev. He probably figured if Kev felt bad he would tell him where I was.

  Kev held his head down and started walking with the phone. “Yeah, I hear ya.”

  I shook my head and mouthed, “He’s lying!” Kev put his finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet; even my whole expression changed. I was paranoid and started looking around like Jason was going to come around a corner any minute. I walked up to Kev and watched his motions as he talked.

  He took his phone off speaker and put it to his ear. He listened to Jason talk but pulled me close to him to let me know I was protected. We stood there holding each other while Jason was on the other end of the phone, not knowing a thing.

  “All right then, I’ll speak to you a little later, Jay.” Kev hurried to get off the phone and stood there holding me.

  He looked down to the top of my forehead all squinched up and kissed me on it. He took his finger and rubbed the wrinkles I was making on my forehead. He then patted me on the back and said, “Loosen up. You don’t have a thing to worry about.” Kev held me and let me know I was fine.

  “Kev, what do you think?” I was nervous; I thought Jason must have known something. “I mean, he callin’ you, actin like everything’s okay and stuff.” I pulled myself from Kev’s arms and started walking around the suite, closing up curtains and the balcony door.

  Kev followed me, watching me and shaking his head. “Reese, sit down. He don’t know nothin’. I will protect you. I’m not afraid of Jason, not at all.” He went and sat down on the couch. “Come on, sit down, babe.” He patted the empty spot next to him.

  I sat down beside him, and then leaned under his arm until I almost fell asleep.

  Kev stayed there with me until he knew I was okay. He covered me with a blanket from the hotel room’s bed.

  “Reese, I think I’m goin’ to get my own room, baby. You need your space. I’ll see you in the mornin’ okay?”

  I sat up and pulled on his shirt to stay, but Kev stopped me. “Baby, I’ma go get me a room. I know we are engaged, but I will be your desire unto God and wait ’til I’m your husband. If we are going to start a new life together, then we are going to start it off right with a threesome: you, me, and God.”

  I smiled and went back to sleep, after thanking God.

  Chapter 22

  The Ceremony

  The next morning Kev surprised me. He knocked on the bathroom door while I was finishing putting on my makeup.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he said when I opened the door.

  “Hey, you,” I replied. “Give me a sec, Kev.” I walked back to the bathroom and finished with my face by adding some lip gloss.

  “Take your time, beautiful. I’m not goin’ anywhere,” I heard him say. “You feeling better than you did last night? You all right?” He was concerned.

  “Yes, I’m okay. I was just a little worried when he called,” I called out from the bathroom. “Everything is good, babe,” I added.

  Kev came over to the bathroom door and stood. “I have a surprise for you this morning. How would you like to go down to the spa for a nice, long, intense massage?”

  I listened while I touched up my makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. “Yes! Let’s go!” I opened the door and I gave him a big hug.

  Downstairs, as we lay side by side on the deluxe massage tables, I fought with remembering so much. I wanted to think about the future and forget the past but for some reason every time I closed my eyes my past appeared. I heard Kev calling me, so I opened my eyes.

  “Baby, come on, we’re finished.”

  I woke up, got off the table, and Kev handed me a glass of water while I put on my robe.

  “Why don’t you go to the salon in the hotel and get yo’ hair done for this evening. I need to go handle some business while you do that, okay?” Kev offered.

  “Where you goin’, Kev? I thought we were staying together.” I was scared to be left alone.

  “Trust me.” He gave me a kiss, put his robe on, and walked out the massage room.

  I went in the salon to get dolled up. I was actually excited about being there. They had everything there: a nail salon, hair salon, body waxing, and a makeup artist. I told the stylists and nail technicians about my knight in shining armor and it melted their hearts. All of them wanted to come to the ceremony and bring something since we were away from home.

  I was sitting there getting my nails finished when Kev called and wanted to know what was taking so long, seeing hours had went by.

  “Baby, you told me to get it together and that’s what I’m doing. Beauty takes time,” I answered.

  “Well, you’re already beautiful. Come back upstairs. I miss you.”

  “Aw, I miss you too. I’ll be there in a minute, okay?”

 

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