Double Trouble (26 page)

Pam nodded. “It’s like an interracial lovers convention in here, girl. All these black women are married to these white guys except Vianca’s Spanish and Smoke’s black.” She chuckled beneath her breath. “Sisters don’t play. They got these guys on lock-down.”

“Yeah, Red is Donnie and Blaine’s youngest brother. Frank is their oldest,” she whispered, turning so her back was to everyone in the room.

Pam’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “That might explain a couple of things. No offense, but your future brother-in-law can be an ass. Red, not Frank.”

Belinda sputtered. “Brother? What? No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. And I haven’t made a decision on that in-law stuff yet.”

“Mmm hmm, tell that to someone who believes that crap. Right now you have a lot on your plate, but your heart has already made a decision. All I ask is that you give me some notice so I can come sit in the 'I told you so' section.”

Belinda snorted and then laughed. Pam had a way of cheering her up and she sorely needed that right now. “We’ll see. Right now let’s meet your guests before they think we’re talking about them.”

“We are talking about them.” Pam giggled as they moved fully into the room. Julio separated from his friends and met them. He wrapped his arm around Pam’s waist and brushed a kiss against her cheek while staring into her eyes. It was an erotic gesture that had Belinda wishing Donnie and Blaine were nearby.

“I’m glad my wife’s threats worked and you have come to dinner. I worried that she would insist on following through and I would need to drive the getaway car,” he said, smiling. Belinda grinned seeing why her friend had fallen fast and hard for the Latino heartthrob. Despite the edgy aura surrounding him, the man was sexy as shit and the hungry, devoted way he looked at Pam was the stuff women dreamed of.

“I keep telling her that she’s one of the toughest women I know. She looks all innocent and sweet but she has claws… big claws that don’t take shit.”

Pam laughed. “Like you can talk.”

“I can and I am. You’re one tough lady. I swore I was going to stay in tonight, but lookie here, I’m standing in this fabulous room because you threatened me.” Belinda laughed when Pam stuck out her tongue. “Good thing I know why you did it… and that rocks. Thanks for everything.”

Pam took her hand. “Anytime, I’m here for you, too.” She tipped her head slightly to the room and winked.

Belinda smiled.

Julio exhaled and looked at his wife. “Ready?”

Pam’s eyes flicked at Belinda and then returned to her husband. “Yes.”

With his arm wrapped around his wife, Julio turned to face his guests. “Come, Belinda, let’s go to the circus.”

Belinda bit back a laugh as she walked alongside them.

“Everyone this is Belinda Moore, my wife’s closest friend.” Julio stopped short of Cherise’s chair and began introductions. Belinda nodded and hoped she remembered the names of the husbands of the women she had already met. She wondered at the coldness in Julio’s voice when he introduced Red and then Cherise’s husband, Ross. Smoke, the only other black male in the room beside Tex, got a warm introduction, while Frank’s intro was indifferent. Whoever said it’s not what is said, it’s how you say it that’s important, hit the jackpot. Julio wore a pleasant face but made it clear that he didn’t care one way or another about a couple of his guests.

When they went to dinner, Red, Ross, and their wives sat at the opposite end from Julio and Pam. Belinda sat next to Tex, who kept up a funny dialog throughout their meal. When dinner was over, she headed for Denise and Cherise. Whatever was going on between them and Julio was not her battle or business. Besides, Pam wanted everyone to make up, have fun, and she was here to help her friend.

“Denise, when we met the last time I didn’t know you were married to Red.” She embraced the woman, earning a smile from Red, who then strode off toward Ross and Smoke.

“I know, right. Small world.” Denise leaned forward and whispered. “Girl…you got the twins, double trouble. I envy you all that luscious-ness.”

Belinda laughed. “So if I put them in the ring and we have a battle of smackably delicious beefcakes, you’re saying I’d win?”

Denise laughed, drawing attention. “Nope. Red still wins hands down, but I’d love to see that contest.”

“What contest?” Veronique asked as she and Cherise joined them.

“Well, Denise is under the misconception that her husband has the most delectable ass in the room. I disagree. Donnie can take him in a heartbeat, Blaine would be overkill and make Red cry.”

Veronique covered her mouth while choking and coughing.

Cherise laughed and looked over her shoulder at the men who were on the other side of the room watching them.

Pam and Vianca strolled over, grinning. “I see that wicked gleam in Belinda’s eyes, so I know whatever you guys are talking about is wild,” Pam said, taking a sip from her glass.

“What?” Belinda tried to sound innocent. “I was just suggesting a simple contest.”

Vianca frowned. “Contest?”

“Yes,” Denise said, holding in her laughter. “For which man has the most smackable ass. She thinks her twins have it hands down.”

“No, sorry Belinda, you’re wrong.” Vianca shook her head and set her hand on her hip. “Smoke has it hands down. Just look at him. See the high curve and the way his pants fit. White boys' flat asses can’t compare.”

They all turned and looked at the men who had started talking to one another. “Damn, she has a point,” Veronique murmured.

Cherise and Denise nodded as well. “I told Red to do a few more squats, that always blows my ass up,” Denise said, chuckling.

“Well, my man’s not white and is still in the running,” Pam said with a laugh.

“Maybe, but who’s going to test it? I’ll be a judge if you and Vianca want to go give your men a nice swat,” Belinda said, smiling.

The look of horror Pam sent her had all of them laughing. The guys stopped talking and stared at them. Julio stepped forward, which made them laugh harder.

“We’re going into the den, baby,” Pam said while trying to stop laughing and backing up at the same time.”

Frowning, Julio nodded slowly and watched as all six women left the room. Once they reached the den, they exploded in laughter again.

“Girl, you should’ve seen your face when I said go smack his ass,” Belinda said, pointing at Pam.

“It was priceless,” Denise said, slumping in the chair and holding her stomach.

“I thought you were going to throw up,” Cherise said, as she tried to catch her breath. “You looked ill.”

Vianca nodded. “She got you good with that one.”

“Yeah, but can you imagine the look on Julio’s face if she had done it?” Veronique asked.

They all broke out laughing again.

Belinda and Pam gazed at each with a small smile. Pam nodded, mission accomplished, the men were talking, and they were having fun. It was all good.

Chapter 20

Belinda eased onto the highway after the dinner party, still chuckling over some of the more outrageous comments Red had made when they were all reunited with the men. Abe was right, Red was funny. Add Denise to the mix and they had everyone laughing so hard, tears pooled in her eyes. Even Julio relaxed and threw in a few raunchy comments, causing everyone to laugh even more. She had no idea Pam’s husband had a coarse side, but he showed it tonight, to the point he stood next to Smoke for an impromptu ass-smacking contest. Pam’s hesitation to pop his ass in front of them served to make his comments cruder. She laughed in remembrance of Pam’s tiny taps and Vianca’s much louder smacks on Smokes backside. After Smoke teased Julio about his flat ass, Pam got into the spirit of the competition, which ended as a tie.

As she turned onto the road leading to her home, her phone beeped. She grabbed her cell and looked at the screen. She had four missed texts and two missed calls. Scared of what the text messages said, she held the phone on her lap until she pulled into the driveway. Inhaling deeply, she turned the phone over and read each text.

“
Mr. Moore is awake and asking for you.”
She read the nurse’s first text and smiled.

“
Mom, granddaddy is awake and he’s talking a little bit. He asked me who I was and smiled when I said, I’m your grandson. Dad and I are at the house now.”
Abe and Donnie must have returned earlier than they planned, she wondered what happened. Donnie had said they might spend the night in Detroit.

“
I introduced granddaddy to my dad, I don’t think he likes him.”
She frowned. “What would make Abe think that?”

“
Mom, answer your phone.”
She chuckled, sensing his aggravation at her missing both of his calls. Relieved, she stepped out her car and headed inside, eager to see her father. When she entered the living area the first person she saw was Donnie sprawled on the couch. She stopped and stared at him dozing with the TV on in the background. Moving closer, she placed her purse near his feet. A pang of loneliness hit her. Soon both sets of twins would be leaving for Pennsylvania. Seeing him on the couch in her living room seemed right, homey. If only… she turned and headed for her father’s room, leaving her hopes behind.

The nurse was checking his blood pressure. From the doorway he looked asleep and she hated she wasn’t here when he'd asked for her. Then he turned his head in her direction and their gazes met. She moved swiftly to the bed without releasing his gaze.

“Daddy?” Her voice shook a bit but she couldn’t hide her relief at seeing him awake.

“Hi cupcake. Glad you’re here. Looks like you were right, I can feel my legs and should start therapy soon.” He lifted his hand and she took it. “Thank you for coming…I’m surprised you came.”

She squeezed his hand. “When Chucky called and said you were asking for me to come help you, I had to come.”

“Chucky? Chucky called you?”

She pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat. This was the first time since she’d been here that they’d talked about anything other than his health. The condition of his back, coupled with arthritis, kept him doped up on pain medication. There wasn’t a lot that could be done about the arthritis or his twisted fingers, but the surgery should alleviate the pain in his back and allow him to walk a bit.

“Yes. He said he couldn’t come and you didn’t want to go into a home. Then he told me you wanted me to come.” Basically her brother had said it was her turn to care for their father since he had put his life on hold to help with their mother. He acted as if she had been missing in action by her own choice. When she reminded him that their mother had forbid her to come home, he downplayed it.

“That was years ago, I can’t believe you’re still holding that against her. She never said anything about you.”

His callous words hurt more than he could imagine. How could a mother not say anything about her absent child? Furthermore, how could a mother never want to see her grandchildren?

“That asshole!”

Her head snapped up as she stared down seeing him glare at the ceiling. “What?”

“I never told him that. I asked him a few questions, told him a few things, he…” He inhaled and then looked at her with sad eyes. “We need to talk, but the medication is making me sleepy. Tomorrow cupcake. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

She nodded but remained seated, holding his hands until he fell asleep. Once he was out of it she left his room and bumped into Abe, who walked with her into the living room.

“You talked to him?” Abe tipped his chin in the direction of her father’s room.

She nodded. “Yeah. Felt good to see him alert and able to feel his toes.”

“You’re awake,” Abe said to Donnie, who lay still watching them.

“Yeah. You wore me out with all that walking around today.” Yawning, he sat up and stretched. His tee-shirt pulled across his muscular chest and made her mouth water. Donnie caught her gaze and winked.

Her face warmed and she turned toward Abe, who was still talking. “So Dad, you’ll be here for breakfast in the morning?”

She frowned, wondering what she had missed. “Huh?”

Abe looked at her with a guilty smile. “I kinda invited dad to spend the night here, thought it’d be nice to wake up with both my mom and dad in the house.” He paused and looked at Donnie before returning to meet her surprised gaze. “Plus this way you’ll be here in the morning when granddaddy wakes up.”

Her cheeks were on fire now at her son’s implication. She had tried to be quiet the nights she returned home from spending hours with Donnie and Blaine at their hotel. Obviously her nosy son knew all along.

“Brat.” She swatted him on the arm, watching as he ducked before she could land another blow.

Abe laughed and ran down the hall toward his room. “Night Mom, Dad,” he said giddily before he stopped and stared at her. “I never thought I’d say that.” He shook his head and walked off.

“Why do I feel as if I was just out-maneuvered by a sixteen-year-old?” she asked Donnie, who stood and pulled her back against him.

“Because you were. He’s been talking about this all day, surprised me at first. But when he asked me to stay the night, I knew he was serious.” He brushed his cheek alongside her face. “Plus, there is no bed I’d rather sleep in than yours.”