Chapter 6
Chapter Six
D read coursed through Chelsey as a multitude of emotions wreaked havoc inside her.
Parker wouldn’t be there holding a gun on this guy if he didn’t have a good reason. His question sparked several of her own. Like, why was he there? How’d he know her date’s name? And what crime had Terrance done to warrant a gun to his head?
“I know him well enough,” Chelsey snapped as that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach sunk lower.
“Did he tell you that he lives with his longtime girlfriend? A woman he’s been with for the last three years. Did he tell you that last week they celebrated his two-year old’s birthday?”
Shock rocked Chelsey, but she didn’t respond. She had done a preliminary background check on him to make sure he didn't have any warrants. Nothing more than that, though.
“By your silence, I assume you didn’t know any of that. Which means you’re probably not aware that his baby’s mama is seven months pregnant,” Parker said dryly, then added, “Oh, and congratulations Terrance, you’re having a boy.”
Chelsey could feel steam coming from her ears as she glared between Parker and Terrance. Parker because he probably only added that last comment for good measure, but Terrance…
“Is this true?” she whispered and studied her date who looked as if he was about to soil his pants. She was the biggest fool on the planet. Her man-picking skills were worse than she originally thought.
Whether Terrance responded or not, Chelsey already knew every word of it was true. Like the rest of his Atlanta’s Finest team, Parker was one of the most resourceful people she knew. How he found all of this out didn’t matter at the moment. What mattered was that she hadn’t known any of it.
“Go home to your baby’s momma, and stay the hell away from my woman,” Parker said, and still didn’t lower his weapon.
“Was anything you told me true?” she asked Terrance—but really, did it matter? “Never mind, I don’t need to know. I suggest you leave before I let this idiot shoot you.” When he didn’t move, she stepped closer. “He’s an impatient asshole, but he’s an excellent shot. Now get lost and lose my damn number!”
Terrence slowly lowered his hands and slowly moved away from Parker as if fearing the gun might go off if he moved too quickly. Parker knew everything about every gun, and he was a master at using them. There was no doubt in her mind that the gun’s safety was on, but still, accidents did happen.
When Terrance had put some distance between them, his bravery must have returned and he said “Chelsey, I’m sorry. I—l never meant…”
Turning, Chelsey gave him her back and she also ignored Parker who hadn’t moved. She was so pissed at him. It was best they didn’t talk right now. She pushed open her front door and started to enter when Parker touched her arm.
On reflex, Chelsey jerked away and swung at him, but he caught her wrist seconds before her fist connected with his handsome face. Thanks to boxing, his reflexes were lightning-quick.
She yanked out of his hold. “Don’t touch me,” she ground out, anger and embarrassment charging through her body like a live wire. “What you did was way out of line.”
When tears suddenly filled her eyes, she lowered her gaze. Dammit . No way was she going to cry, but she was furious; she could barely keep her emotions in check.
“Sweetheart…”
She lifted her hand and glanced at him. “Don’t,” she croaked out. “You hurt me when you broke things off, but I guess that wasn’t enough for you. You had to embarrass me too, huh? Because what you just did—”
“Sweetie, I am so sorry. If you give me a chance to—”
“No. We’re done, Parker. Now get the hell off my porch!”
He started to say something else, but Chelsey slammed the door in his face.
How is this my life?
Once inside the house, she flipped on the light for the foyer and locked the door before leaning against it. A few rogue tears slipped down her cheeks, but Chelsey quickly wiped them away.
No way was she going to cry because of a stupid man. Or two stupid men.
“Ugh!”
Maybe they weren’t the stupid ones. She’d been a cop, for goodness sakes. How had she read Terrance so wrong? How did she not know he was hiding so much baggage? She had asked if he was married and if he had kids. He’d said no to both, but she never thought to ask if he was in a long-term relationship or screwing some woman. Had she been stupid enough to have sex with him and then found out this information, Parker would’ve had to pull her off that asshole.
Parker... Gawd!
She pushed away from the door and headed to the stairs that would take her to the second floor. “I hate the male species. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them,” she shouted with each step she took until she reached the primary bedroom.
Chelsey had moved into the townhouse a month ago. Though it was a little older than she had preferred, she loved the Midtown Atlanta location. She figured she’d live there a year before she bought her own place.
When she strolled into her bedroom, she flipped on the light and her perfume, Miss Dior, lingered in the air. She released a long, cleansing breath as the floral and woodsy scent surrounded her. It felt good to be home. It was going to feel even better to get out of her dress and high-heeled sandals and change into lounging pajamas.
Feeling more like herself, Chelsey padded barefoot down the carpeted stairs and to the bright-yellow kitchen. Forget the ice cream that she’d been thinking about all evening. She needed something more decadent to wash the blues away.
After pouring a glass of milk, she grabbed the container of red velvet chocolate chip cookies and took them into the living room. She set the items on the end table next to her, dropped down on the sofa, and picked up the television remote. She ran through a few channels before settling on HGTV, her favorite station.
“Should’ve done this in the first place,” she mumbled and grabbed her cookies and the milk. Dunking the first one, she bit into the gooey goodness and moaned. “Yep, definitely should’ve stayed home with my cookies instead of going out with that loser.”
After a few bites, Chelsey pulled her cell phone from her lounging pants pocket and called her best friend.
“Don’t tell me the date is over already,” India said by way of a greeting. “It’s not even nine o’clock. Let me guess, he talked about how wonderful he is and how you’re lucky that he took time to grace you with his presence.”
Chelsey laughed. “Almost.”
She told her friend about the boring date, and her ability to pick the biggest losers in Atlanta. As she replayed the dinner and the conversation her mood lightened even more. She couldn’t have made up the events of the evening if she tried.
“Oh but let me tell you the best part. Parker was here when we arrived.”
“What? My man Parker showed up to claim his woman? Girrrl , you should’ve started with that. Tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out!”
“ Pu-lease , you got it all wrong,” Chelsey said and recounted Parker’s surprise visit.
India howled with laughter as if Chelsey was telling a joke. It wasn’t funny at the moment, but now that she was replaying the events verbally, it sounded crazy as hell. She could understand why her friend was laughing, because it was so over the top, even for Parker.
“That man of yours sure knows how to—”
“He’s not my man, remember?” Chelsey grumbled.
“I would’ve paid money to see that,” her friend said, still laughing and acting like she didn’t just hear what Chelsey said. “I know you hate him, but I still love him for you. He’s gorgeous, smart, witty, sexy as hell, and protective.” India sighed wistfully, and Chelsey rolled her eyes. “If only I could land a man like that.”
“Whatever. Have you forgotten he dumped me, twice ?”
“I haven’t forgotten, but we both know you’re not over him, and it’s safe to say the feeling is mutual. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be going to such lengths to talk to you. You always did attract the passionate bad boys. It sounds like Parker was living up to what you like in a man.”
Chelsey didn’t respond.
Parker was everything she wanted in a man, no matter how she tried to deny it. Her body and her mind missed him, longed for him, and craved him. How and why would she want to be with someone who was insane enough to hold a gun to a man’s head the way he had? What did that say about her and the men she chose to spend time with?
“Let’s go back to Terrance,” India said. “I’m surprised you didn’t sense something was up with him. Was he that good of a liar?”
“My spidey senses started tingling during the second date, but I went out with him again anyway. I knew there would never be anything between us, but you know how we women do. We try to give a guy a chance, even knowing deep down they aren’t the one for us.
“What angers me, though, is the fact that Parker was the one who dug deep into Terrance’s life. I’m so embarrassed. Now I have even more reasons why I don’t want to see Parker anytime soon.”
Chelsey’s phone beeped, signaling another call. She glanced at the screen, surprised to see her sister-in-law, Egypt’s, name.
“India, hold on a sec.” Chelsey clicked over. “Hey, Sis, what’s up?”
“Hey yourself. Sorry to call this late, but you’re about to get your wish. I hope you’re free tomorrow, because you’re needed to provide security tomorrow night.”
Chelsey dropped her sock-covered feet to the floor and sat forward.
“Yes!” she bellowed, feeling like she did whenever she placed first after running a hundred-yard dash in college. Like she had accomplished something she’d been working so hard toward. The powers that be at Supreme Security were finally giving her another chance to prove that she belonged on the Atlanta’s Finest team.
“Count me in!” It didn’t matter the job—she just wanted a chance.
“I’ll text you details in the morning. For now, I can tell you that it’s a fundraiser. I’m not sure how you’ll feel about this, but the client, a CEO of an ecommerce company, needs a woman on his detail. You’ll be going as his date.”
Chelsey’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Not a real date,” Egypt hurried to say. “His actual date backed out, and after a short conversation, I suggested that we have one of our female security specialists pose as his date. Since he wants three people on his detail, you’ll be one of them. Oh, and he knows that you’ll be there to provide security and nothing else. Are you game?”
Egypt could’ve gotten someone else for the assignment, but this was Chelsey’s chance to show them that she was ready to provide personal protection.
“I’m game.”
“Be at the office tomorrow night by eight. Oh, and you won’t need to wear a black suit,” she said of the security specialist’s usual uniform. “The attire is formal. Since this is for the job, you’ll receive a generous spending allowance to buy an evening gown. Unless you already have one. If that’s the case, you can keep the allowance as a bonus.”
Chelsey chuckled. “Nice! Talk about perks.”
“I know, right? But it’s the least Supreme can do for you, especially on such short notice. Just make sure whatever you wear, you can move easily in the garment. You’ll get more information tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Sis. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“My pleasure.”
Giddiness bubbled inside of Chelsey as she disconnected that call and clicked back over to the call with India. Suddenly the night was looking up.
“India, your girl got an assignment for tomorrow night.”
As Chelsey told her friend about the job, her excitement grew. All she needed was a chance to prove to Mason and Hamilton that she could handle herself. There was no doubt in her mind that she was ready and if all went well, she’d be a shoo-in for one of the open security specialist’s positions.
“Okay, so you know I’m saving to buy a house,” Chelsey said. “How about you loan me one of your evening gowns, and then I can pocket the bonus from Supreme.”
India laughed. “Girl, as much as you’ve talked about wanting to do security, the least I can do is loan you a dress. I have a feeling I already know which one you’re going to choose.”
Chelsey grinned. Her friend was an entertainment agent and was always attending formal events. Her massive closet had more clothes than the woman could wear in a lifetime and yes, Chelsey had the perfect evening gown in mind.
“I’m going to prove to Mason and Hamilton that they need more women and that I can handle the job.”
“Well, be careful what you wish for. Hopefully the guy you’ll be guarding doesn’t turn out to be a jerk.”
Chelsey wasn’t worried. If the guy ended up being a creep, dealing with him would be good practice for future assignments.
“Now, let’s get back to Parker,” India said. “You need to swallow your stubborn pride and talk to him. Or if nothing else, you need to listen to whatever he has to say. You always said that the breakup didn’t make sense. It sounds like he might’ve had a good reason.”
“India, I’m not ready to talk to him, especially not after tonight. I felt like an idiot when he told me about Terrance.”
“How did he know you’ve been going out with Terrance?”
“After our first date, Terrance and I had just pulled into my driveway when I saw Parker climbing out of his vehicle across the street. When Terrance got out to open the door for me, Parker climbed back into his truck.
“Terrance didn’t notice him, and I made it look like I hadn’t seen him. He took off as we approached the porch . I wouldn’t be surprised if he got Terrance’s license plate before leaving. Or knowing him, he might’ve waited down the street and followed the poor guy home. Who knows?”
“God, you sure know how to pick them. If I didn’t believe in the girl-code, I’d make a play for your ex.”
Chelsey smiled. When they were in high school, they’d heard about the dating code that India started calling the girl-code: never date your friend’s ex or your ex’s friend .
“You can have him,” Chelsey said half-heartedly. “I can’t go backward.”
“Reuniting with Parker would not be going backward. It would be you hooking back up with the man who owns your heart. There’s a difference.”
“Yeah, if you say so.”
“Okay, enough talk about Mr. Man. Let’s talk about the event tomorrow night. Even if you’ll be pretending to be this guy’s date, you can check out any single men who’ll be in attendance. Who knows, since you claim you’re done with Parker, you might catch some millionaire’s attention.”
Chelsey shook her head as if India could see her. “Even if I wasn’t going to be on the clock tomorrow night, I wouldn’t be looking for a man. I’m done with the male species, at least for a while. I’m going to focus on my new career, show the peeps at Supreme that I’m an asset, and enjoy some of the perks that come along with working for them.”
They talked a few minutes longer, and by the time the call ended, Chelsey felt better than she had all day. Excitement filled her, and she couldn’t wait for her gig tomorrow night. Hopefully, if she stayed busy enough, thoughts of Parker would be a thing of the past.
At least she could hope.