Southern Pleasure (Southern Heart 1)

“Yep, as soon as I stepped into her room, her tears stopped. I think you’re right about being spoiled.”

“Yeah, but we wouldn’t have her any other way,” I say, lying down beside them.

“Can you watch her for a minute while I clean up?” he asks.

“Sure, we’ll just go downstairs and look for something to make for dinner.”

“Why don’t we just order pizza? That new little market down the road delivers to us now. Let’s try it out.”

“Perfect. Do you have the number?”

“Yeah, there’s a menu hanging on the fridge. Just order whatever. I’m easy, but I’m starving.”

“Got it.” I gather Lexi and the few toys she was playing with and we make our way downstairs. I put Lex in the pack-n-play while I order the pizza.

A few minutes later, the three of us are on the couch watching Shrek. Evan was flipping through the channels and, as soon as the green ogre popped on the screen, Lexi’s babble stopped and her eyes were glued. “Who would have thought?” Evan says.

I laugh. “All kids love cartoons. We need to get you some princess movies, Lex,” I tell her. She doesn’t budge at the sound of my voice. “Looks like we take a backseat to the talking donkey,” I laugh.

The doorbell rings. “Shit. My wallet’s upstairs. Can you get the door and I’ll run up and get it real quick?”

He’s already up and moving. I pick Lexi up and she babbles on, reaching for the television. I’m afraid she’s going to cry until she sees we’re walking toward the front door. The girl loves being outside and going bye-bye, that’s for sure.

“Da da da,” Lexi says, grabbing my attention as I open the door.

“Sorry, my husband’s getting his . . .” I stop talking when I look up and see who’s standing in front of me. “W . . . what? H-how?”

“Sorry, man, how much . . . what the fuck?” Evan exclaims as he pushes Lexi and I behind him.

“They told me you were dead,” he says, matter-of-fact.

“Hi, Evan. Can I come in?” Misty asks.

“No! You’re not coming anywhere near her,” he seethes. “Baby, take her inside,” he says to me.

I do as he says, not wanting Misty to get her hands on Lexi. She was supposed to be dead. What the hell is going on?

This cannot be happening.

“Evan, I need to talk to you,” Misty pleads.

I hold my hand up, stopping her, and she clamps her mouth shut. Shit! I can’t let her in. I don’t want her around Lexi, but I need Kinley. I need her by my side for this. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call Aaron. “Hey, man, where are you?” I wait for him to answer. “Can you come and get Lex? I’ll explain when you get here, but I need you to come and get her, sooner rather than later.”

“I’m not here to take her, Evan,” Misty says quietly.

“I don’t give a fuck! I’m not letting you near her. You can wait out here until Aaron gets here,” I seethe.

I send McKinley a text.

Me: Hey, I called Aaron. He’s coming to get Lexi. Can you get her bag ready?

McKinley: Yes, everything okay?

Me: I don’t know, baby. I just don’t want her near her.

McKinley: Okay.

Aaron pulls in a few minutes later. His eyes grow wide when he sees Misty standing on my front porch. “Turns out she’s not dead after all,” I say in greeting.