Chapter 34
Ifire up the golf cart and push it to its max speed of eight miles per hour, twisting and turning around the garden paths lined with squat palm trees, bushes of pink hibiscus, and lizards sunning themselves on top of the solar lights planted in the ground.
Tiny hummingbirds zip about dipping their iridescent heads to drink nectar from the flowers. They fly by so fast they almost take out my eye.
“Watch it, my friends.”
The scent of coconut oil and salty air drift my way.
I feel exhilarated (thanks to Charlotte Campbell) that I get to see my love Keston soon, despite reservations about the whole “I have not told you I have a brother” thing. There must be a good reason why he didn’t tell me.
Kelley didn’t strike me as a bad person.
I slide my golf cart to a stop next to the sandy beach bar, like a figure skater at the end of a routine. If I expect a round of applause from Keston, I won’t be getting any. His back is to me, and his head is bowed next to Tabitha as they look at a laptop side by side.
The jealousy bug shoots its poison at me. I force shield it away. Not me becoming annoyed at seeing Tabitha St. Clair again.
One, Mikah is on her way. I’ll soon have backup. Two, I am holding onto the belief that Keston loves me, and I love him, and nothing will get between us until the stars burn away.
Three, I’m a grown-ass woman.
That last reason lacks conviction. So what I’m grown. Ex-girlfriends should not be hanging around their ex-boyfriend’s jobs every day.
What would CC do?
That young woman defied everyone for her true love. All I have to do is defy this one woman. Emphasis on defy!
Easy peasy.
Tabitha must hear my approach. Or my menacing thoughts about how to defy her.
She glances over her shoulder and locks eyes with me. I see something I don’t expect to see. Is that happiness? Admiration? Nah!
That can’t be for me.
I look over my own shoulder to see if someone else is behind me causing those emotions to flicker in Tabitha’s eyes.
Walking up in his slouchy manner, grizzled chin catching the orange light of the evening sun, linen pants rolled and tied at the ankles, feet bare, a smoky scent emanating from his bare chest, where abs dip and ripple, making women (and men) stop and drool into their drinks, is none other than Mr. Secret Brother himself.
Kelley Kips is not smiling.
Oh my God!
Why do I feel as if a showdown is coming?
Why isn’t Mikah here yet? I glance at my Fitbit. She’s arriving first thing tomorrow morning.
I inhale deeply and step off the pathway to make room for the new gunslinger in town.
“Hi there, CJ,” he says softly.
I do a little wave from my hip.
Keston spins around. His eyes lock on me first. As if I’m all that matters.
I nod, frozen in place. I see Kes’s shoulders square themselves at the sight of Kelley strolling breezily toward the bar.
Tabitha hops off her stool and runs, yes r u n s, in high heels, on the sand, to this man.
If I’m not mistaken, this is the brother she’s in love with. Not Keston.
Her body language is all “pick me,pick me.” Is she fawning over him? I cover my mouth with my hand so no one can hear me giggle.
Keston makes his way over to my side, slides one arm around my waist, and leans over to kiss my lips. It’s firm and warm and fast.
But his eyes are dead locked on Kelley.
I want to ask, “Who’s that?” just to see what he’d say. But I can’t get my tongue to work.
Tension thickens the air.
“What’re you doing here?” Keston’s deep voice asks, as Kelley approaches with Tabitha hanging onto his arm. I’m not sure if she’s leading him toward us or trying to drag him away.
Either way, Kelley Kips is his own man. He slouch-strolls like he has all the time in the world. It’s quite impressive. It’s as if he invented swagger. He’s not doing anything to exude it. It’s all-natural.
“Yo,” he says to Keston.
I cringe. I’ve never heard anyone address Keston with anything except respect, admiration, or friendly banter.
Kelley’s tone offers none of that. It’s more matter of fact. Like, “I see you standing there.”
I feel Keston’s body tense next to mine.
My bottom lip catches between my teeth. I find my hand gripping Keston’s, pressing down on the fleshy part of his palm as if to say, “I got your back.”
Kelley stops in front of me, ignoring Keston.
“She’d have liked you a lot,” he says. “Viola, I mean. And Charlotte.” He tilts his head as if that last part is surprising to him.
Tabitha frowns. “Who’s Charlotte?”
Keston pushes me behind him and steps to his brother.
“I said, what do you want?”
“Her,” Kelley says calmly. “I want to speak to CJ.”
Even though I can’t see the expression on his face, Keston’s hand loosens in mine giving me an idea of what he may be feeling.
Betrayed?
Hurt?
Confused?
I wish the sand would sweep me up and bury me into a castle.
I never got a chance to tell Keston that I met Kelley. Now it looks as if I’m the one who is keeping a secret from him.
What the hell!
“Don’t be mad at her,” Kelley’s voice drops low. “She was alone on the beach. I was checking to make sure she was okay.”
Oh God.
Tabitha’s eyes narrow into slits. If looks could kill I’d be dead right now. I’m thankful Keston has not let go of my hand. Otherwise, I might collapse right here.
What would CC do?I ask myself.
A moment of silence passes as everyone stares at each other.
She’d lie to save her true love’s feelings. Maybe some lies are okay. I look at them all and say, “I’ve never met this man before in my life.”