Worth the Wait

chapter 25


Tasha squeezed Jared’s hands as they entered the doors of the banquet facility where his mom’s party was being held. It was a standalone building with a lobby decorated in shades of gold and cream. Small sitting areas were in each corner and double doors led to the main banquet hall. At the last minute, the party had been changed to a birthday and engagement celebration. Luckily, Malcolm and Kenyatta had rented the entire facility for the party.

Tasha had finally agreed to come around noon. They’d barely gotten out of bed, dressed, and arrived in Atlanta before the start of the party. But remembering Jared whisper in her ear he loved her as they made love during the night was worth every hurried second to get there.

On the way, Jared said they’d invited all of his mom’s friends from college, church, her job, and the old neighborhood. Based on the full parking lot and the large number of people mingling, everyone invited must have shown up.

Jared winked at her between smiling and nodding to various people. To anyone else he would appear to be at ease, but his nervousness and tension was as plain to her as the nose on his face. His smile was tight, his movements jerky, and laughter forced. After watching Jared agonize over this event for the past few weeks, she was nervous.

Jared was right — what he’d seen was hard to justify, but for his sake, she prayed there was more to the story. Despite her anxiety, she had to stifle a yawn as they entered the main room.

Jared caught her yawning and concern filled his eyes. “Are you tired?”

She smiled. “After last night, you’re surprised?”

He grinned. “You’re right.”

She rolled her eyes and looked away. She was exhausted, and that pissed her off. Angie had been exhausted during her pregnancies. Her recent fatigue combined with a still absent period probably meant the worst. Her breathing picked up. What Jared would say? When he’d said he loved her the night before she’d thought things would be okay, but today she wasn’t so sure. He didn’t trust women. His newfound feelings for her might dissipate as soon as she voiced her suspicion. She wouldn’t say anything to him until she worked up the nerve to take a pregnancy test.

His grip on her hand tightened and she looked up. He wasn’t looking at her and her gaze followed his to Malcolm and Kenyatta talking to an older couple. The woman’s features were so similar to Jared’s, she could only be his mother. A tall, well-built man had his hand around her waist and she assumed it was Mr. Carter.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

He clenched his jaw before taking a deep breath and visibly relaxing. “Let the games begin.”

Tasha felt Jared’s hands become sweaty as they approached his family. She reached over to place her other hand over his.

“I’m here,” Jared said to his brother. “Where’s the bar?”

Surprise was the first emotion on Malcolm’s face before annoyance replaced it. “Jared,” he said through clenched teeth.

“It’s okay, Malcolm,” Mrs. Patterson said. She smiled warmly at Malcolm before turning to Jared and Tasha. The warmth in her eyes and was replaced with cool indifference as she looked at Jared. It was an expression so similar to his, the exact same mask he put on to hide his hurt. “Hello, Jared.” Her eyes flicked coldly and dismissively over Tasha. “I see you brought a friend.”

Jared pulled Tasha closer to his side. “Tasha, this is my mother, Gladys Patterson. Mother, this is Tasha.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Tasha.” Although the words were cordial, the warmth behind them was as welcoming as the Antarctic. “This is Mr. Carter, my fiancé.” She raised a slim hand to Mr. Carter.

Jared squeezed her hand again and she pasted a smile on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Carter.”

“Please, call me Randall,” he said sincerely. There was warmth in his gaze, and after the cold reception of Jared’s mother, she couldn’t help but respond with an open smile. She hadn’t expected hugs and kisses, but a little pleasantness would’ve been nice.

“Don’t call him anything,” Jared said before she could respond.

Randall’s smile was replaced with a somber expression. “Look, Jared, I don’t care how you feel about me, but for your mom’s sake, don’t make tonight harder than it has to be.”

Jared sneered. “And why should I do that?”

“Jared, please,” Tasha said.

Gladys held up a hand. “Don’t, my son stopped caring about me a long time ago.”

All pretense of calm left Jared, his body visibly stiffening. “Since the day my dad died.”

Malcolm stepped up. “I think we need to talk. Tonight.”

Jared laughed bitterly. “No need. Tonight’s all about celebrating love … and life.” He looked at Tasha. “Come help me find the bar.”

“There isn’t a bar,” Malcolm said.

Jared cringed. “I’m supposed to do this sober?”

“I’ve had enough of your attitude,” Randall said, taking his hand from around Gladys’s waist.

Jared glared back. “I really don’t give a f — ”

“Gladys, I’m so excited.”

Tasha sighed with relief as a middle-aged woman rushed over to hug Jared’s mom. “Celebrating a birthday and an engagement at the same time. It’s about time you found some joy in life. I thank the good Lord it was with Randall.” The lady turned to look at Malcolm then Jared. “And both of your boys are here. You boys must be so happy for your mom.”

“We are, Mrs. Jeffries, thank you,” Malcolm said.

“Ecstatic,” Jared said.

If Mrs. Jeffries noticed Jared’s lack of enthusiasm, it wasn’t apparent. “Well, we all knew in college Randall loved Gladys, but she had a soft spot for your father. Good thing too, because she saved his life. God bless him. I think even he would approve of this match.” Jared snorted but Mrs. Jeffries continued on. “Now, Malcolm, I’ve met your girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” he said, smiling and holding up Kenyatta’s hand to show of the ring.

“Oh, Lord, another reason to celebrate. Congratulations!” She turned to Jared. “Are you next?”

“No, excuse us.” Jared turned and walked away, pulling Tasha along with him.

“That was rude,” Tasha said when they were out of earshot.

“Mrs. Jeffries will talk to a wall. Believe me, I did you a favor,” he said. “Can you believe that nonsense? So he’s wanted my mom since college? I wonder if their affair lasted that long. And what did she mean, saving his life? How did my mom save my dad’s life?”

Tasha hurried to keep up with his pace. “You were too busy hightailing it out of there to find out. It’s obvious you have more questions than answers. You need to talk to her, tonight.”

“I thought I could, but seeing them together … ” He sighed. She squeezed his hand and he nodded. “Tomorrow, I’ll try tomorrow.”

She stopped. When he turned to face her she stared pointedly. “Tonight.”

He looked as if he would argue, but didn’t. Instead, he lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’ll try.”

They walked over to the buffet table where Jared’s friend Devin was piling food on his plate.

“Man, you and my brother love filling your body with junk,” Jared said, slapping Devin on the back.

Devin turned and grinned. “Hey, man, I’m just trying to let Kenyatta feel good about the food she ordered.”

“Whatever. You remember Tasha?” He pulled Tasha to his side.

Surprise flashed across Devin’s face before he covered it with a smile. “I do. Nice to see you again.”

“Same here.”

Devin turned back to Jared. “So have you pissed Malcolm off yet?”

“I think so. I’ll steer clear of him tonight.”

Devin shook his head. “I’m staying out of this family drama.”

Before Jared could answer, Kenyatta came up to their group and pinched Jared on the arm. Tasha admired her beaded lavender jumpsuit and wished she’d taken more time to pick out something for the evening. Jared had complemented her yellow maxi dress, but Kenyatta looked more polished than she felt.

“You know Malcolm’s gonna kill you,” Kenyatta said to Jared.

“He’ll be all right. I’ll keep my distance for the rest of the night.”

Devin laughed and shook his head. “You must have really pissed him off.”

Kenyatta nodded. “I didn’t order them, but I think they’ll be fireworks.”

Jared grinned at her. “Why don’t you take him to some dark corner and distract him? That’ll get him off my case.”

“At your mom’s party? You must be crazy.”

It was the first time Tasha had been with Jared around other people. She’d thought his openness with her was something special. But he teased Kenyatta with an open friendliness she’d never seen him give other women. Maybe she was deluding herself into thinking she was more special to Jared than she was.

“Tasha, girl, I am so glad to see you,” Kenyatta said.

Tasha blinked several times. As much as Angie complained about her spending time with Jared, she’d figured Kenyatta would feel the same. Angie had even told her previously Kenyatta thought Jared was a dog.

“Really? What’s up?”

Kenyatta smiled and clasped her hands to her chest. “Can you help me with something in the kitchen? I tried to make the pasta salad recipe I got from Angie. You know the one your mom makes that everyone loves? Well, it needs some work.”

“I thought you catered the party?” Jared asked.

“I did, but some of your mom’s friends asked if they could bring food, and since I didn’t want them to think Malcolm was marrying a woman who can’t cook, I figured I’d make something too.”

Tasha laughed. “Kenyatta, you can cook.”

“Only when necessary. Malcolm and I eat out most days of the week because of our schedules. I know you can, Tasha. You’re almost better than your mom, but don’t ever tell her I said that. Will you help?”

Tasha laughed at the obvious compliment. “For that, I’d make a red velvet cake. Sure, I’ll help.”

Kenyatta’s eyes lit up. “Great. Come on.”

Tasha looked and Jared who raised an eyebrow. She shrugged helplessly before Kenyatta pulled her away. They didn’t talk much as Kenyatta wove her way through the thickening crowd. Before they got to the kitchen, Gladys stopped Kenyatta.

“I can’t believe he did that. He’ll never listen to me.”

Pain laced Jared’s mother’s voice. She stepped around Kenyatta to offer sympathy, but when Gladys saw her, the hurt in her eyes was quickly replaced with disappointment.

“Never mind, Kenyatta, we’ll talk later,” she said before turning and walking away.

Tasha frowned and followed Kenyatta into the kitchen. “What was that look for?”

Kenyatta sighed and pulled Tasha out of the way of a caterer with a tray of sandwiches on his shoulder. “That’s why I pulled you in here. Jared’s mom is upset he brought you.”

Tasha scowled. “You must be joking.” How dare his mom be upset about her presence when she was the one in the wrong? As soon as the thought came she felt bad. She was no better than Jared. But that didn’t ease the pain of knowing Jared’s mom didn’t like her.

“Come on, Tasha, we all know the type of woman Jared usually dates. She thinks he brought some dumb broad he can paw on in front of her friends all night to embarrass her.”

“Did you tell her you know me?”

“Yes, but it didn’t change much. Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you’re not a slut.”

Tasha cringed. “Kenyatta.”

Kenyatta bit her bottom lip. “Sorry, her words, not mine.”

Tasha took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s not like that with me and Jared.”

Kenyatta looked skeptical. “Maybe you think that … ”

“I don’t think anything. I know.” She crossed her arms.

“Tasha, you’re my best friend’s little sister, and I care about you and your happiness. But, Jared is no good. I mean, he’s a decent person and all, but when it comes to women, he’s a dog. Angie’s really worried you’re in over your head.”

Tasha uncrossed her arms to put her hands on her hips. “Angie’s being overprotective. I know you guys are trying to do what you think is right, but I know what I’m doing. You don’t have to protect me from the same type of mistakes you all made.”

Kenyatta reached out to take her hand. “This isn’t about that, it’s about us caring about you. Jared uses women. We’re worried he’s using you.”

She snatched her hand back. “Jared isn’t using me, he loves me.” The words were out before she could think about it. She hadn’t meant to go professing their love for each other so soon, but now that she had she was ready to fight anyone who doubted it. What she wasn’t ready for was the pity in Kenyatta’s eyes.

“You really believe that?”

She clenched her fists to keep from shaking her sister’s best friend. “I believe it because he said it. Jared loves me.”

Movement at the door caught her eye and she turned to see Malcolm standing there, a stricken look on his face.

He took a small step toward her. “Do you love my brother?”

His tone begged her to say no. The anger in his eyes made her more uneasy than anything her sister or Kenyatta could say. Why was everyone so against her and Jared being together? She wanted to cry, instead she clenched her fists. It had to be hormones.

“Yes,” she answered. He cursed and she flinched. “Is it really so terrible?”

He held up his hands. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It doesn’t matter how you meant it. If you’ll both excuse me, I’m going to look for the one person in your family who’s actually happy I’m here.” She rushed past him back into the main room.

Jared was the first person she saw. She couldn’t shake the unease from the scene in the kitchen, but when he looked at her and smiled, it was almost forgotten as warmth spread within her. She’d fallen in love with him, and hoped she wasn’t stupid for believing he loved her too. He wasn’t despicable enough to tell her such a hurtful lie. Was he?

As handsome as he was in the silk peach shirt and tan slacks he’d worn, she wished he was wearing his customary basketball shorts and sleeveless t-shirt, and that they were sitting on his couch watching television instead of here. Surrounded by people who didn’t believe what they had was real.

When his eyes met hers his smile faded, and he rushed over. “Are you okay?” He took her hand.

She smiled and squeezed. “Yes. Perfect.”

He didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? Was Kenyatta’s pasta salad that bad?”

She laughed. She’d completely forgotten about the excuse Kenyatta had used to get her in the kitchen. “Let’s just say stay away from the pasta salad.”

He continued to study her face and she looked toward the dance floor. “Let’s dance. I feel like dancing.”

He hesitated for a second before smiling. “All right, let’s see what you got.”