Chapter 14
I s t o o d t h e r e for a full minute after the door clicked shut, staring at my reflection like it held all the answers. My bottom lip was still tingling and my throat was dry. What the hell was that?
I had to blink myself back to reality, fix my lipstick, blot the shine off my forehead, and fan myself with a paper towel. My thighs were still tight, clenching. I straightened my jumpsuit, smoothed my edges, and took a deep breath before unlocking the door and stepping back out into the chaos.
The music had switched to old school with Tina Turner floating through the house.
The smell of sweet potatoes, baked macaroni, and roasted turkey wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
Taj’s kids were running in circles, somebody’s auntie was cackling loudly in the kitchen, and spades had officially been slapped on the card table.
The energy was warm, messy, and familiar.
“Girl, you was in there forever,” Taj said, walking toward me with a red cup in her hand. “You good?”
“I’m fine,” I smiled. “Just had to freshen up.”
She squinted at me. “Mhm. Woods had that lil’ pussy wettin’ up, huh?” I choked on my laugh. “I knew something was up the second he walked in,” she whispered, leaning in. “That look you gave him? Baby, if eyes could fu—”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You a damn lie. Come. Let’s get you a drink.”
I looked over her shoulder and spotted Woods standing by the island, sipping from his cup again. His eyes found mine, but I looked away first.
Taj nudged me. “Tequila and pineapple?”
“With a splash of cranberry and make it strong.”
“I gotchu.”
I nodded and was about to follow behind her when her mother clutched my arm. “Autumn!” Sherry beamed, and I could tell she was a little lit already. “I forgot to ask… you single, baby?”
I laughed awkwardly. “Uh, yeah. I actually…”
She looked over my shoulder. “Mmm. What you think about Quamaine?” Before I could say anything, she was already motioning for Woods to come over. “Quamaine, come here!” I damn near jumped out of my skin.
“Ma…” Taj groaned from behind me.
Ty popped his head in from the hallway. “Yo, that might be a move though, Ma. Autumn’s a good one.”
Just then, a pretty older woman sauntered into the kitchen dressed like she was going to a BET award show. She was ghetto fabulous. “I’m finally dressed, and I hear y’all in here matchmakin’ with my son already.”
Son? This is his mother? Lord, help me.
Taj nudged me, handing me a red cup. “Autumn would be perfect for him.”
Everybody in the kitchen started talking about dating and whatnot, and I could feel Woods walking up behind me before I saw him. “So, we just gon’ let them think we’re strangers?”
I sipped my drink. “I’m fine with that.”
He chuckled. “You gon’ keep playin’ with me, huh?”
I finally turned to face him, slow and sweet. “Depends.”
“On what?”
“If you can handle me playing back.”
His eyes narrowed, just a hint. That cocky, dimpled smile curved one corner of his mouth. “Mhm,” he said, sipping again. “We gon’ see.” And just like that, I flipped the script.
For the next hour, I gave him what he gave me. It started with light touches on his arm when I walked past, then I went to sit a little too close on the couch. I laughed too hard at Ty’s jokes whenever Woods was watching. The tension between us was so thick, and nobody had a clue.
He leaned down to whisper, “You tryna get a rise outta me, good pussy?”
I ignored him, and then the door opened. The music didn’t stop, but shit, it might as well have. A tall, pretty, dark skin woman walked in with long jumbo box braids, a designer bag on her shoulder and high heels. Her body was tea in a cream jumpsuit, and her face was beat to the Gods.
“Happy Thanksgivingggg, everybody.”
Taj’s face dropped. “Oh hell nah,” she muttered. “I know this hoe ain’t just pop up.”
And in that one second, I saw the look Woods and Taj exchanged.
It was subtle but enough for me to put it together.
She was there for Woods. The tightness in my chest hit fast, and I hated that it did.
I turned back to my drink, masking everything behind a smile.
Then one of the uncles yelled from the dining room, “FOOD’S READY! ”
And just like that, everyone scattered. I just sat there for a moment, wondering what the hell I’d just gotten myself into.