Chapter Eleven
“Well, Quinton, you are Shania’s father.”
Halle expected the answer but hearing the words coming out of Imani’s mouth still made her feel as if she was going to fall over. And she was sitting down!
The three of them: she, Shania and Quinton sat in the exam room in the doctor’s office connected to the town’s hospital. Imani saw her OB-GYN patients there and had agreed to order the DNA test for Halle. Imani gave her a smile that Halle assumed she also used when trying to soften the effect of delivering bad news to a patient.
“I told you,” Shania said, sounding triumphant.
Halle pressed a hand to her temple and closed her eyes. “Shania, please.”
“Please what? I told you he was my dad. I don’t know why we had to do this, but now that we have, we know it’s true and I was right. So, what happens now?”
Halle dropped her hand and looked from her daughter’s expectant face to Quinton’s unreadable one. “What happens is we figure this out.”
“What’s there to figure out? He’s my dad. Which means he’s going to be around a lot more and we can do stuff.” She turned toward Quinton. “Right?”
Halle shifted forward in her seat. She shot a help me glance at Imani, but her friend seemed just as surprised as she was. “Shania—”
“I’ll be around as much as you and your mother want,” Quinton said evenly. He sounded just as unfazed as he looked. Did anything ruffle this guy’s feathers?
Shania grinned. “Really?”
“Yes, but...”
Shania’s face fell. “But what?”
“It’s going to be an adjustment.” He glanced at Halle. “For all of us.”
“I’m okay with adjustments,” Shania said.
“I’m sure you are, but everyone isn’t.”
“You’re worried about what people will think?” Shania said, being her usual observant self.
“I don’t care what people think about me. I just don’t want you to be hurt as the word gets out.”
Halle appreciated his words. He didn’t have to comfort Shania. He didn’t have to even promise to be there for her. He could have turned his back on them both and said his initial donation was the only involvement he wanted. She hoped he genuinely meant what he was saying because if he hurt Shania, Halle would find a way to make his life miserable.
“If anyone tries to say or do anything out of line then they’ll have to deal with me,” Quinton continued. “Plus, it’s none of their business.”
Imani grunted before clasping her hands on her desk. “As if that stopped people in this town from commenting.”
“Let them comment,” Halle said, her hand balling into a fist. “They just better do it behind my back because if I hear any kind of talk I’m going to shut it down.”
Shania grinned. “You sound like Aunt Tracey.”
“I’ve known her most of my life so that’s not a surprise.”
Shania’s expression turned curious. “So, you’re not mad at me for doing this?”
“Being mad won’t change anything. We’re here now.” She looked at Quinton. “We’ve got to figure this thing out.”
“Are you going to invite him to cousins’ day?” Shania asked.
“Cousins’ day?” Quinton asked, frowning.
Halle looked to Imani for help, but Imani only watched her with barely hidden amusement. “I don’t think I should.”
The look of affront on Shania’s face almost made Halle feel guilty. “Why not?”
“Because Quinton has his own life and he doesn’t have to come. Plus, I’m already bringing Gregory.”
“What’s cousins’ day?” Quinton asked.
Shania turned in her chair to face him. “It’s a thing Mom and her cousins do. They all get together at the park and do games and stuff. It’s the first time Imani will be able to come. And she’s bringing Cyril, right?” Imani nodded and Shania grinned. “He’s a friend of yours so you’ll get to have fun.”
“I don’t think that will be a good idea,” Halle spoke up.
“Why, because of Gregory? He’s gotta find out eventually,” Shania said, not sounding the least bit concerned about how awkward it would be to have Quinton and Gregory there. “Besides, he’s cool. He’ll understand.”
Halle threw Imani another help me look. Thankfully, this time her friend nodded. “Shania, how about we go grab a soda out of the vending machine and let your mom and Coach Q talk.”
Halle threw her friend a grateful look before waving toward the door. “Yes, please go get a soda.”
Shania’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not thirsty.”
“Yes, you are,” Halle said. “Go and give us a moment.”
Shania stared defiantly. Quinton shifted forward and got her attention. “I do need a moment to talk with your mom.”
Shania’s defiance immediately went away. “Fine.”
Halle watched, both amazed and frustrated by how quickly she’d given in to Quinton. She’d been ready to demand Shania leave the room, soda or not. He gives a few evenly spoken words and she agreed. Had to be a fluke. Shania was being nice but her rebellious side would show up with Quinton eventually.
They didn’t speak again until after Imani and Shania were out of the room.
“You don’t want me at cousins’ day?” His voice was calm, but despite the lack of emotion she still felt as if she’d somehow hurt his feelings.
Halle shook her head. “I don’t think that’s the best time.”
“Best time for what?”
“To announce this news to the rest of my family.” She had no idea how to tell her family, but was pretty sure introducing him at the pseudo-family reunion would be a recipe for disaster.
“When will be the best time?”
A few weeks. Several years. Never. She couldn’t imagine what her family was going to say, much less how they would react when they got the entire story. Her aunts, uncles and cousins had been so supportive of her as she’d raised Shania. They’d wrapped Halle up in their love and care after she’d lost her parents. Even more so when she’d returned to Peachtree Cove with a baby, “abandoned by the child’s father.” Now, ta-da, the dad was back, and not only had he not abandoned her, but he hadn’t known who she was to start with. They were going to say she lied to them. She had lied to them. She’d never admitted the truth and they’d come up with their own story, and she’d never bothered to correct anyone.
She sighed and shook her head. “I don’t know when the best time will be.”
“We won’t be able to ignore this. The word is going to get out and the people of Peachtree Cove will have things to say, but I meant what I said. I’ll be there to protect Shania. And you.”
“I don’t need you to protect me.”
“You may not need me to, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try.”
His words stirred something in her chest. The warmth of comfort, a hope that his words were true and a belief that they were based on the sincerity in his eyes. An unwanted thrill went across her skin. She cut it off before it could settle in and get comfortable. She was not going to start this. She had Gregory. She liked Gregory. She’d fantasized about possibly marrying Gregory if things worked out. Now, because handsome, dependable and considerate Quinton Evans was thrust into her life, she was supposed to change her plans?
She stood. “Gregory can protect me. You worry about Shania. There’s no need to come to cousins’ day.”
She walked to the door, done with the conversation, but Quinton stood and blocked her path. “I don’t care about what Gregory can or can’t do. I’m telling you what I’m going to do.”
“I didn’t ask you to do anything.”
He took a step forward. “You don’t have to always ask. My help is freely given.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Then what do you need?” He quirked a brow before his eyes dipped to her lips.
Heat flashed through her body. He was standing too close. She could smell the spice of his cologne. His dark eyes were hypnotic as the honesty in his question started that thrill up in her again.
“I need—”
He took another half step forward. “Because if you tell me what you need from me, I promise I’ll do whatever I can to give it to you.”
She squeezed her thighs as heat turned into the burn of desire. She hadn’t felt like this in a long time. She was attracted to Gregory. But this, this thing Quinton just stirred in her, was wild and hot and raw and completely unexpected.
“I have everything I need,” she blurted out. Embarrassed by how she felt and the train of her thoughts.
“Do you?” The quiet question wrapped around her like red silk and pulled tight.
She swallowed hard. “I do.”
His eyes dropped to her mouth. She licked her lips. His gaze rose back to hers. He didn’t come closer, but she saw that he wanted to. That he was thinking what she was thinking. Saw it, and her heart impersonated a jackrabbit in her chest.
Then he took a step back. His expression cleared and he nodded. “Fine.”
She blinked. Waited for him to say more. He didn’t. Just watched her. She lifted her chin. This was good. He understood what she was saying. “So we’re clear.”
“Very clear. Let’s go find Shania.” He turned and walked out.
Halle watched him saunter away and frowned. This was not fine.
He shouldn’t have come. He wasn’t supposed to come. But damn his competitive spirit. Halle wasn’t his. She made it very clear that she wanted Gregory. He was not the man she would have picked for Shania’s father, but damn if he didn’t want to prove that since he was her father that fate hadn’t made a mistake. He wasn’t going to be pushed out.
Feeling unwanted or underestimated wasn’t new to him. He’d battled against that most of his life and had proven his worthiness ten times over. He’d considered himself over the need to prove himself to anyone again, but Halle hit his buttons. One thing he knew was that he didn’t back down from a challenge. He’d known he was going to show up the minute Halle insisted Gregory was coming so he wasn’t needed.
He spotted his friend Cyril talking with Imani and a few other people beneath one of the picnic shelters. Sliding on his aviator sunglasses and Peachtree Cove High School baseball cap, Quinton took a deep breath and crossed the grassy field toward the shelter. Cyril noticed him first. His friend grinned and waved him over. Imani turned toward him; her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She turned back to Cyril and said something. Quinton was too far away to hear but didn’t need to. The what’s he doing here look followed by Cyril’s quick shrug told him everything.
“Q, you decided to come,” Cyril said when he got close.
“I did. You said you needed a little help with the flag football, so here I am.”
Imani raised a brow. “Flag football, huh? That’s what you’re here for?”
Quinton turned to her. “Yep.”
She shook her head. “Alright,” she said in a this is going to be interesting tone of voice. “Quinton, these are my cousins and their spouses.” Imani introduced the three men and two women, who then turned and pointed out their kids either sitting beneath the shelter on their phones or enjoying the playground equipment nearby.
Some Quinton recognized from around town. Others he learned were from out of town and here for their cousins’ day.
“What is cousins’ day, exactly?” Quinton asked.
Imani’s cousin Mick answered. He looked to be in his late thirties, with dreadlocks that hung down his back and a broad smile. “After our grandmother passed a few years back, the family didn’t get together for holidays like they used to. This is our way to keep the family together.”
Quinton nodded and tried to think about the last time he hung out with his cousins. His mom was one of five and his dad the youngest of three. His aunts and uncles had struggled to get by just as much as his parents had. Each of them scattered to different parts of the country and rarely came together without a wedding or funeral involved. He was cool with a good many of his cousins, but honestly, they didn’t call him unless they needed something.
“Does everyone come?” he asked.
Mick shrugged. “Most everyone. If they can’t, no big deal. We’ll catch ’em the next time.”
“You came up with the idea?”
Mick shook his head. “Nah, it was Halle’s idea.”
Quinton wasn’t surprised. If Halle spotted a problem, she would find a way to solve it. The family drifting apart would be the kind of thing that would spur her to pull everyone back together.
Imani’s eyes lit up and she pointed. “There’s Halle.”
Even though his heart rate picked up and his stomach clenched, Quinton turned slowly in the direction she indicated. He was glad he wore shades, so any hint of his uncertainty was hidden behind the reflective lenses. When he spotted her, he was happy the shades blocked his expression for another reason. His eyes widened at the sight of Halle in a pair of short basketball shorts, which left her thick thighs and long legs out for his viewing pleasure. Her smooth shoulders were bare in a sleeveless sports top that she’d tied into a knot at the front, revealing an enticing sliver of cinnamon-brown skin. Quinton licked his lips. She looked damn good dressed like this.
Shania walked to Halle’s right and waved. Gregory stood on Halle’s left. Quinton’s brows knitted together. She had brought him. When her eyes landed on Quinton they narrowed and her lips pressed into a line.
“Right on time,” Mick said before frowning. “Did you bring the coolers?”
Halle nodded. “They’re in the back of my SUV. I wasn’t carrying all that by myself.”
“Doesn’t look like you’re by yourself,” Mick said with a grin. “You must be Gregory.” Mick held out a hand.
Gregory smiled and shook Mick’s hand. “I am. Has Halle been talking about me?”
Mick’s wife, Beverly, grinned. “Maybe just a little bit.”
“Coach Q, you came,” Shania said, beaming. She quickly moved to stand next to Quinton.
Quinton couldn’t help but return her smile. She, at least, was happy to see him. “Yeah, when Cyril mentioned flag football, I said I’d come and referee.”
Halle raised a brow and looked at Quinton. “Oh really.”
Cyril looked to Mick. “Want to grab those coolers? It’s going to be a long, hot day.”
“Sure,” Mick said. “Where are your keys?”
Halle handed them over. “It’s two back there.”
“Do you need any help?” Gregory asked.
“Nah, we’ve got this,” Cyril said.
Mick and Cyril walked toward the parking lot. Halle eyed him warily while Gregory gave Quinton a quizzical look.
“I didn’t know you referee as well as coach,” Gregory said. He sounded pleasant enough, but Quinton saw the question in his eye.
“I don’t. Just helping out my boy, Cyril.”
“Hmm,” Gregory said, eyeing him. A second later he slid closer to Halle. “What do you need me to do? You know I’m here to help.”
Halle clasped her hands together and nodded. When she spoke, it was in her efficient, principal’s voice. “Mick and I usually set up before everyone gets here. Cards and board games over here under the picnic shelter. We can set up the badminton net next to it, and Zachariah said he’s bringing the flags for the football game. My cousin Robbie is going to fire up the grill.”
“Zachariah?” Quinton asked. “My coach?”
Halle nodded stiffly. “Yeah, he’s dating my cousin, Kayla. You didn’t know that?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t realize she was your cousin.”
“Yep. Small world.”
They exchanged a glance. Did she know that Zachariah already knew? Zachariah had approached him about overhearing his conversation with Halle, but that didn’t mean her cousin had said anything. It was one thing for Imani to know; she was closest to Halle and wouldn’t say anything. With two other people who knew what was up, he wondered if they could keep the secret during the entire day. He knew they had to tell everyone eventually, but he didn’t think Halle wanted it blurted out at cousins’ day. He’d be sure to pull Zachariah to the side when they got there and ask him to keep things quiet.
“Ooh, Halle, look at you! Got your boyfriend and your baby daddy here,” a woman’s voice called from behind them. “Girl, you’re really trying to shake up cousins’ day, huh.”
Halle’s eyes bugged. Quinton sucked in a breath. Shania’s jaw dropped. The three of them turned just as Zachariah strolled up with a woman with bright, inquisitive eyes, a short, cropped haircut and a similar stature to Halle. With the arrival of Halle’s cousin Kayla, Quinton understood why he should have stayed his ass at home.