Unbreakable Bonds (21 page)

“Let me get your present, Jasmine,” she said, heading to the living room where it sat on the coffee table.

The other women put theirs up on the counter as well. They rarely sat in the living room, the kitchen their favorite hangout spot. Topping off her wine, Ta-Mara said, “Open them.”

“Mine first,” Heather said.

Jasmine tore into it and opened the small box. “Oh, Heather, they’re gorgeous.”

She’d gotten her two ear wraps. Jasmine had a thorn tattoo around her hips, and these depicted bramble thorns. It swept up the ear, weeping tears of blood-red crystal, and had been handcrafted out of pewter.

“Thank you.”

Rachel’s gift was a gift certificate for a tattoo at the place where Jasmine had gone for her first one. She’d been talking about acquiring another one. Then it was Ta-Mara’s turn.

The painting she’d gotten Jasmine was a lithograph of Sleeping Beauty, her favorite Disney film. The prince cut through the thorns upon his mighty steed and you could see the dragon in the background and Aurora lying upon her bed awaiting the kiss that would wake her.

“Y’all are the best,” Jasmine said hugging each of them.

“Good. Remember that,” Ta-Mara advised her.

Blue eyes narrowed. “Why?” Her voice laden with suspicion.

Seconds later when everyone burst in shouting “Happy Birthday!” she knew Jasmine understood. The look her friend gave promised retaliation. Blowing her a kiss, she retreated to Levi’s side and slipped her arm around him.

When the doorbell rang later, she waded through the people and opened it. Matthew stood there, thumbs hooked in his belt loops.

“Hi, Matthew. Glad you could make it.”

He tipped his hat slightly. “Thank you.”

“Come on in, Heather’s around here somewhere.” She led him through the house to the backyard where the party was in full swing. Trent was singing karaoke, his deep baritone easily recognizable to her. “There are drinks and food, help yourself and make yourself at home.

On the top steps of the porch, she saw Levi lift his head and pin her with his gaze. The anger that flashed across his expression followed by the sense of danger, shocked her. Then she realized his attention remained on the man beside her. Levi stalked toward them, menace in each stride.

“Levi, this is Matthew. Heather’s boyfriend.”

He didn’t respond, just appeared as if he wanted to tear the man from apart. This couldn’t possibly be good.

Levi clenched his fist, striving to not rip the man limb from limb. He couldn’t believe that Matthew Kline was Heather’s boyfriend. That this monster who had ruined his life was himself dating a woman of color.

“Nice to meet you, Levi.” Matthew held out his hand.

Levi stared at it fist clenched aching to knock it away.
“Let go of your anger. Of your hate.”
Calliope’s words echoed in his head. Levi breathed out then shook the offered hand.

“Matthew.” He nodded. It was all he could manage as he tried to stop his instinctive reaction to hurt him.

Matthew stared at him then his face clouded. He inclined his head then turned to Ta-Mara. “I’ll go find Heather.”

He glanced at Levi once more then left. Ta-Mara moved closer to Levi and glared.

“What is your problem?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me
nothing
.” Ta-Mara poked at his arm. “You were rude to him. He’s doesn’t need it right now because of what he will have to deal with.”

“What do you mean?” Levi glanced at Matthew. He was with Heather and smiling at her. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the expression on Matthew’s face. He cared for Heather. It was shocking to equate him with someone who could be that way with anyone.

“Heather is nervous about introducing him to Jasmine.”

“Why?”

“She’s a snob and when she finds out he’s a fisherman, she’ll definitely act like it.”

“Why does what he does have to do with anything?”

“Exactly. It shouldn’t, but to Jasmine it does.” Ta-Mara crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ll see what happens and if he can stand up to her sharp tongue.”

“Why are you all friends with her if she is that way?”

“Just because she is a snob doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about us. She’s a friend.” Ta-Mara frowned. “But I want to know why you are acting like an ass around him.”

“Nothing.” Levi rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “I’ll fix it.”

He wasn’t sure if he would, but he said it to appease her.

“Try fishing. Since you watch all those fishing shows, maybe you can bond over fish.” Ta-Mara glared at him. “Be nice. Maybe take Trent along. He doesn’t think you like him.”

“What?” Levi didn’t know either way how he felt about Trent.

“Make nice, Levi.” Ta-Mara left.

Levi sighed, knowing from her snippy tone she was upset with him. He glanced at Matthew then looked around for Trent. If he had to try to make nice, Levi needed some fortification first. He went to get a beer then took a long drag before he went to approach Matthew. He came from behind the couple.
I have to stop thinking of him as the bastard who killed Calliope and tried to kill me. He’s a different man, we both are
. He paused when he spotted Jasmine coming toward the couple. Levi waited to go to them, close enough to overhear.

“Heather, you’ve been keeping secrets. Introduce me to your friend,” Jasmine said in the same flirtatious way she talked to him.

Levi winced in sympathy.

“This is Matthew. Matthew, this is Jasmine, my friend,” Heather said nervously.

Levi had no idea why she cared so much what Jasmine thought.

“Hiya, Matthew.” She shook his hand and held it too long. “Heather hasn’t told me a thing about you. So fill me in, all about you. Who are you to her, and where has she been hiding you?”

“I’m her boyfriend.” Matthew placed his hand on Heather’s waist. “Nice to meet you, Jasmine. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Levi held back a snicker hearing the emphasis on the last part.

“I’m at a disadvantage then.” Jasmine smiled.

“I’m a fisherman so you needn’t bother wasting your time with me.” Matthew shrugged. “I’m not someone who you’d find anything in common with.”

“Matthew!” Heather watched him wide-eyed.

“What? You didn’t think I knew who she was. Not at first, but a buddy of mine had a date with her once. When she found out what he did, she was out of there so fast.” Matthew smiled broadly. “You’re Heather’s friend and we’ll be cordial to each other, but not bond, and I’m good with that. Just be warned, I don’t want to hear anything negative about her. Got it?” His tone was firm.

Jasmine blinked then swallowed. “Yes.”

Matthew bent and kissed Heather on the cheek. “I’m gonna get a beer. You want anything?”

“A juice, and how the hell you did that.” Heather gestured to Jasmine. “She’s stunned and mute now. I’ve never seen her like that.”

“It’s a gift.” Matthew grinned then went to get their drinks.

Levi knew he should walk away but he was curious, so he stayed to hear.

“Heather.” Jasmine blew out a breath. “Where did you find Mr. U—?”

“If you are about to say something negative, remember what Matthew said.”

“He said not about you. It was about him.” Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest, looking toward where Matthew went. “He’s—”

“My boyfriend.” Heather lifted a hand in warning. “And you can’t say anything about him. I won’t allow you to in my presence. I was so nervous about your meeting him and caring what you thought. I was stupid.” Heather shook her head. “I love you, Jasmine, but take the snobbery out your ass and make him feel welcome.”

Jasmine’s choked then laughed. “Oh God, girl, when you tell me off, you do it well.” She put her arm over her shoulder. “Fine, I won’t comment when you come hang with us smelling like fish.”

“Jasmine.”

“Okay, okay.” She sighed. “Damn, first Ta-Mara finds tall, luscious and intense and now you get tall, sexy, broody and speaks his mind. You lucky heifers.”

“Maybe if you didn’t act like such a diva, you would find someone too.”

“Now what fun would that be.” Jasmine fanned herself. “All these fine men in here and I’m old. I’m gonna get you all for this party.”

“Be grateful.” Ta-Mara came up to the women.

“And say thank you,” Rachel, who had come with her, said.

“Thanks.” Jasmine smiled softly. “Love you guys.”

“We know,” the three women said together.

They all laughed. Levi turned and made his way to the other side of the yard. He walked toward Matthew and knew he had seen him from the way—his stance became rigid. Levi stood by him and drank his beer. Matthew sipped from his, not saying anything. Familiar laughter caught Levi’s attention and he stared at Ta-Mara as she lifted her head back, teasing her friends. A warm feeling filled him and Levi he knew because of her he had to try.

“So you’re a fisherman?”

“Yep.” Matthew didn’t say anything further.

“Come on. I’m trying.” Levi glared at him.

“That’s trying?” Matthew looked at him in disbelief.

“Yes,” he said icily.

“Then you need loads of practice.” Matthew lifted an eyebrow. “You shoulda started with ‘I’m an asshole who didn’t know you but acted like an idiot’.”

“I… Can we just talk about fish? I like fishing,” he said.

“Okay.” Matthew studied him. “Is this where I’m supposed to ask you to come fishing with me? What I do isn’t for leisure, it’s work.”

“I know that but you have to like it, right?”

“No, you don’t. I happen to love what I do.” Matthew lifted his bottle. “So if you ever want to come fishing, you can come with me and the guy who I work with. It’s my boat, but he pays some of the expenses we have and we share the profits of what we make.”

“Is his name John? Was he in the bookstore with you?”

“Yes. I forgot that you were there.”

Levi didn’t know if he would be comfortable with not just one but both of them on a boat.
You’re thinking of the past. This is the present and you need to give them a chance.

“Fishing would be good.” Levi looked for Trent. “Can I bring Ta-Mara’s cousin?”

“Sure. The more the merrier. We’ll go for fun instead of when I’m working. I’ll let you know when I have some time.” Matthew put out his hand. “So, do over.”

Levi shook his hand and hoped it was indeed a do over and Matthew was as he seemed. “Doing fishing as a job, how difficult is it to get started?”

“You looking for a job?”

“Maybe.” Each time Ta-Mara paid for something, Levi didn’t like he didn’t have any money to contribute his share.

“It is back-breaking work. Some do it and hate it, which pisses them off every day. You should find something you love. At least that’s what I think.” Matthew shrugged. “That being said, I can take you out one time with me and John when we’re working, and you can see if it is something you want to do.”

“Thanks.” Levi thought of what he had seen on televisions and imagined doing that every day.

He had no idea if he would like it or not. They went and joined the women. Levi stood beside Ta-Mara and listened absently as the others conversed.

“Levi.”

He brought his attention back to the group. “Yes?” he answered Jasmine, who had called him.

“Ta-Mara was telling us you made the arbor”—Jasmine waved toward it—“from a picture she saw in a catalog. It’s beautiful and I checked it out earlier. Very well put together. Seems like you are good with your hands.” Jasmine smiled.

Levi was surprised to find she wasn’t acting flirtatiously as she usually did. Jasmine looked at Ta-Mara and winked. Levi wondered what that was about—he made a mental note to ask her later.

“Yes I did.”

“That’s good.” Jasmine bit her lip then said, “Maybe if you have time, you could build me a back deck on my house? I’ve been wanting one but can’t find someone I think would do a good job. I’ll pay you for your work. Give you a down payment for the work then the rest when you complete it.”

“Let me know what you are looking for and I’ll do it.” Levi immediately was excited—he loved working with his hands. “There is no need to pay me.”

“Yes, there is. You’re going to be doing an extensive project for me.” Jasmine waved her hand. “I insist.”

“I—”

“He’ll do it.” Ta-Mara touched his arm, squeezing it. “And will accept payment.”

“Okay.” Levi wasn’t sure what was going on but he went along with it.

“Good. I’ll show you some pictures of decks I like and we can figure out what features of each we will need and come up with something.”

“Sound good,” Levi said.

“You’re a carpenter?” Matthew asked. “Why aren’t you doing that as a job?”

Levi had no idea. He’d never thought of building things and fixing stuff as a possibility of supporting himself.

“You want a job?” Ta-Mara looked at him.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Levi said.

Ta-Mara didn’t push and focused back on the people around them. They parted ways as she went to check on her guests. Levi walked around the party and when people complimented him on the work he’d done for Ta-Mara, as well as Jessie Mae, he didn’t know what to say. People asking if he would be willing to do some work for him, fixing stuff or making things, baffled him. He took their information and said he’d be in touch. By the time the party wrapped up, people were slightly drunk and very happy. As they took their leave, he stood by Ta-Mara’s side and saw them off.

“Thanks for making my birthday so fabulous.” Jasmine hugged Ta-Mara.

“Anything for you.” She kissed her cheek then held her before she could step back. “You’re still a sexy woman, Jasmine. Like fine wine, you get better with age.”

“So damn corny.” Jasmine chuckled. “But I love you, girl. Call me, Levi, so we can get started on that deck.”

“Okay.” He watched as she left.

Ta-Mara closed the door then hummed as she headed to the kitchen. Levi followed.

“Did you put Jasmine up to asking her to build her a deck?”

She stopped and looked at him. “What? No.”

“Then why did she ask?”

“Because she looked at the arbor you built for me and was impressed. I mentioned that you did it then she asked questions.” She pursed her lips. “One thing you should know about Jasmine—she doesn’t blow smoke up your butt. If she didn’t think you have talent, she wouldn’t have asked you to do the deck for her. Even if I had asked her to, which I didn’t. So take the props she gave you and do it. And the payment for it. I know it bugs you that you don’t have any money of your own. Now here is a chance for you to get some of your own. Give her a fair price, then go from there.”