“Let’s go spend some money.”
The women yelled while the men groaned as everyone trailed out of the house.
Shade was the last one out the door and waited for her to lock it. “Brooke cause any problems?”
“Same old Brooke. What can I say? Shade, she’s really sick. I can’t believe she’s my sister.”
“She’s not sick; she’s an evil bitch. I wish I had known who she was married to. I would have talked Lucky out of letting Merrick take over for him.”
“It’s too late now. We’ll just have to deal with her.”
Shade turned to walk back to his bike, but Evie grabbed his arm. “Shade, she’s still fixated on you. Watch out. I’m worried with Lily being around her so often.”
Shade’s face darkened. “I didn’t want to talk to Lily about Brooke until I spoke with you first.”
Evie sighed. “You’re going to have to tell her everything. I understand. I don’t want her hurt because you want to respect my privacy.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Lily won’t talk about my past with anyone, and she of all people will understand me not wanting to talk about it.”
“I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“The sooner, the better. I don’t want to give Brooke any opportunity to damage what you and Lily have.”
“If that bitch causes you any more problems, you tell me immediately.”
“I will. I promise.”
Shade gave her a brief nod before going to his bike, watching as the excited women left to go shopping. Sighing, he sat down.
He had mistakenly believed he and Lily would have a peaceful life after their honeymoon. King was no longer trying to break them apart, and Lily was no longer in danger from her past. He had thought their troubles were over. According to Evie, however, they were just beginning.
*
Lily rolled over to face him, her hand reaching out to cup his face. “You’re the best husband.”
“I hope you always think so, Lily,” Shade said seriously. “I really do.” He sat up in the bed, turning on the lamp.
Lily blinked at the light.
“Sorry,” Shade apologized. “But I need to talk to you.”
“Is something wrong?” Lily sat up in the bed.
“You remember when I told you Evie and I went to high school together?”
“Yes.”
“I went to school with her sister, too.” Shade stared at Lily. “I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable in church, and I wanted to make sure there was a need to tell you before I did.”
“Shade, you’re frightening me.” Lily’s voice trembled.
“Lily, Brooke is Evie’s sister.” When Lily’s expression turned angry, Shade raised his hand, stopping her angry outburst. “She and Evie do not get along. Evie hasn’t spoken to her in several years, and I didn’t think it was my place to talk about Evie’s relationship with Brooke. I have only talked to her a few times, which I couldn’t avoid, and I have never touched her, nor have I ever wanted to.”
“I can understand Evie not wanting to talk about her past. I don’t like to discuss mine, either. I thought you were going to tell me you had a relationship with her. I learned to accept the women at the club, but I’d feel strange looking at my pastor knowing you and his wife … Well, you know.” She waved her hand in the air.
“Fucked each other?” Shade asked, trying to keep a straight face.
“I don’t think you should talk like that about a pastor’s wife. God might punish you,” Lily said seriously.
“I’ll take my chances where Brooke is concerned. She’s an evil bitch.”
“Shade…”
“Listen, I wasn’t finished,” Shade interrupting her. “While I didn’t care for Brooke in high school, unfortunately she developed an obsession for me. Evie had a boyfriend. Levi and I hung out together, we played football, and both of our fathers were in the service. It was through him that Evie and I became introduced. We would even party and double-date together. Brooke always tried to butt in, which I didn’t pay much attention to until it was too late. I had believed she was trying to bug Evie. At one point, I even thought she had a thing for Levi.”
“But it was you she was interested in, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Shade’s voice became unconsciously harsh. “She began to flirt with me.”
Shade would never forget the night he had showed up at Evie’s house. He was meeting Evie and Levi there to watch some movies. When Brooke had answered the door, he had gone inside thinking Evie and Levi were waiting. They hadn’t been. When he asked Brooke where they were, she explained they had gone out to dinner with her parents.
“Why did Evie text me to come over then?” Shade had asked impatiently, turning toward the door.
“She didn’t. I did, on her phone when she was getting ready,” Brooke had admitted, gleefully proud of herself.