“Should I be worried?”
“Worried? No. Cautious? Always.”
“I don’t need Slick to babysit me.”
“He volunteered.”
“Call him off.”
“No can do. Need eyes on you and Lex tonight.”
I glance over my shoulder in time to catch the roll of Lily’s eyes. I wonder what went down between her and Slick?
Chapter Eight
“Oh, this color is perfect.” I hold up my nails to appreciate the simple yet elegant pearl pink with French tips Jules did for the wedding.
“Told you. Jules is like a wonder woman. She can do anything,” Wylla says, taking up the seat I just vacated to get hers done next.
“You sure Zoe doesn’t mind being on baby duty?” Jules looks to Pam.
“She owes me, and she enjoys it. Wants to open up a daycare. Told her I’d invest.”
“That’s awesome,” I tell her.
“I figured it’d be a sound investment all these kids you bitches keep popping out.” She shoves cheese and sausage paired with a cracker into her mouth. “Enough about babies. Lily what’s up with you?”
“I’m stepping out for a smoke,” Slick announces.
Lily’s gaze trails him until the front door shuts behind him.
“Not much. The usual. Doing what I can to make the world a better place. Happy to see my brother tie the knot and spend time with my beautiful niece.” She winks at Wylla.
“You got a man these days? I heard Slick is still single,” Pam presses.
“Don’t start with me. I am perfectly happy with my work. I don’t need a man getting in my way.”
“Mhhmm. Right. You gonna tell me you don’t want a fine ass man like Slick crawling into your bed to keep you warm at night. A man that’s wanted you for years.”
“You don’t know what you are talking about. We’re good friends.”
“I bet he is afraid of what that brother of yours might have to say.”
“Leave it alone, Pam.”
“I’ll leave it alone if you admit the truth.”
“Which is?”
“You think Slick is F I N E. Fine.”
“Okay. Yes. Slick is sexy. Now you happy?” Lily goes pale as soon as the words leave her lips.
Slick is standing in the doorway wearing a shit eating grin if I ever saw one. “You think I’m sexy, babe?”
“I um. Pam made me say it.”
“Oh no you don’t. Not blaming this on me. I only made you confront your feelings. Looks like you two got some shit to talk about.” Pam sticks her tongue out and makes an aha noise while high fiving Wylla Mae’s free hand.
Jules mutters under her breath and shakes her head. “And she wonders why her husband drinks.”
“What’d you just say?”
Uh oh.
“I think I’m ready for that ride to the clubhouse, Slick.”
“No problem.”
“No. Hold up. Why’d you say that shit, little sister?”
“I don’t think now is the time.” Jules glances around the room at their audience and I agree.
“Link say something to you?”
“I overheard him talking to Roane. He mentioned that things aren’t good.”
“I’m gonna kill him. Alexa, I’m with you.” Pam jumps up out of her chair.
“Shit fire,” Slick mumbles and goes to dial someone on his phone.
“Don’t you dare tell him I’m coming. This is between Link and me.”
**
The ride to The Devil’s Playground is quiet and tense. The radio hums some classic rock, but it’s too low to make out the words. I don’t know what I’m so damn nervous about, but I can’t help but notice from my back passenger seat of the SUV that Slick has his right hand on Lily’s thigh.
“You want to talk about it? If you walk in there all pissed off...”
Pam’s palm flies up in front of my face. “Don’t.”
“Okay. I won’t, but if you change your mind, I can be a good listener.”
“I’m good.”
The SUV rolls to a stop outside the gate.
“You don’t want to hear it, but gonna say it anyway. You need to think long and hard about what you might see and whether or not you want to see it,” Slick warns.
Shit. He knows. Link is up to no good. Fuckity. Fuck.
He catches my eye in the rearview mirror.
“Not saying Link is doing anything. That’s my brother and I love him. Got mad respect for both of you, and I’ll catch whatever hell is coming my way if need be. I’m just asking you to think before you make a move.”
Pam licks her lips. “Appreciate the pep talk, but I need to speak with Link.”
“All right.” He uses the electronic opener on his key ring and drives us through, stopping at the door.
The vehicle idles while Slick exits and comes around to open my door. I hitch my overnight bag up on my shoulder and climb out, hoping Pam changes her mind.
Lily rolls down her window. “Watch out for her.”
I nod and follow Pam inside.
Cherry Pie by Warrant booms over the speakers. Two club girls work the poles, and another is dancing around in nothing but her G-string rubbing up on whoever is closest. I expected much worse. I don’t see James right away, but I do get a chin lift from East as he nurses a beer by the bar looking bored out of his mind. I smile knowing he’d rather be home with his girls.
Pam stops abruptly in front of me and I nearly bump into her backside. “Little warning next time.” I look past her and that’s when I see it. Link slumped down in a chair with his fist buried in some skank’s hair as her head bobs from between his legs. “Pam...”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m just gonna go pick up Connor,” she mutters, her voice cracking toward the end.
“You aren’t going to beat both their asses? I’d kill James.”
“It’s what I agreed to. He wants to explore his options. Who am I to stop him?”
“You’re his wife. That isn’t right.”
“Learn your place, Alexa. You used to be the other woman. Now you’re an Old Lady and the rules have changed.”
I don’t reply because despite her tough act I know Pam is hurting. She’s going to go home and cry herself to sleep. Nothing about this is okay. I get it. Some of the men are unfaithful. Hell James was a cheater, but I don’t think he’d do that to me. Link was supposed to be one of the good guys though.
“I’ll see you for the big day. Go to your man. He’s waiting for you.” Her shoulders drop, and she trudges back the way we came.
“Pam,” I call out, but she keeps moving.
“I got her,” East tells me, jogging to catch up with her.
Fuck this. Fuck Link. Who does he think he is doing this shit right in front of everyone? He’s making a fool of Pam. His bitchy and crazy ass woman. She may be a pain in my ass most the time, but she deserves better than this.
James locks his eyes with mine. Then he stares past me then back to the scene that has me shaking my head. I watch him utter the word fuck and move to his feet.