Measure of a Man Page 10

  “Are you sure? It shouldn’t take—”

  “Yeah, I’m sure.” He grabbed his cane. “I’ll call you,” he said, bolting toward the door and fastening his pants as he went.

  Joey jumped out of his way.

  Lincoln snatched open the door and nearly collided into the housekeeper. “Sorry, ma’am.” He turned again and flashed a smile at a stunned Peyton. “I swear, I’ll call you.”

  Peyton blinked and he was gone.

  “He’s cute,” Joey said, crossing her arms. “But there’s definitely something strange about him.”

  Peyton couldn’t agree more.

  Chapter 14

  After surviving a forty-eight-hour shift at Local 1492, Flex rewarded himself with a hot shower and a seaweed-and-cucumber facial mask. He could tell that his self-imposed mourning for his ten-year relationship was nearly at an end, because he was beginning to long for companionship.

  Kicking back in his easy chair, while the soft soothing sounds of the ocean played on his stereo, Flex was just drifting off to sleep when the telephone rang.

  Why didn’t I unplug that thing?

  The ringing continued, but he lacked the energy to get up and answer it. After a few more rings, the call was transferred to the answering machine.

  “C’mon, c’mon. I know you’re there.” Michael’s voice blasted through the speakerphone. “Pick up. There’s something I have to tell you.”

  Flex groaned.

  “If you don’t pick up, I’m just going to hang up and call back.”

  Finally he got up. “Yeah, what is it?”

  “Is that any way to talk to your older sister?” she asked cheerfully. “Your sister who is getting married?”

  Flex shrugged. “So what’s new? You’ve been engaged for four years.”

  “Ha-ha. Keep that up and I won’t invite you to my wedding in July.”

  “In three months?”

  “Yes,” she shrieked. “Can you believe it? We’ve finally set a date.”

  He blinked and stuttered for the right words. “That’s great…and so soon.”

  “I know. The sooner the better, don’t you think? I don’t want to chance Phil selecting a date next year or something. Then I would’ve been engaged for five years and I’m just not going out like that.”

  Flex laughed. “Well, this is great. Congrats!”

  “You’re coming, right?”

  “Ooh,” he said, cringing. “With it being short notice—”

  “Francis Marion Adams, you swore when you left here you’d come back for my wedding and you better believe I’m holding you to that.”

  “All right, all right. I’ll be there. What’s the date?”

  “July Fourth.”

  “Starting the marriage off with a bang,” he laughed.

  “Just another reason to celebrate. Plus, this way Phil won’t be able to forget our anniversary.”

  “If you say so.” Flex returned to his armchair and kicked his feet up. “Fourth of July, I got it.”

  “Great. Try to show up a few days early so everyone can play catch-up with you.”

  “Will do.” He yawned.

  “And don’t forget to bring that handsome new boyfriend of yours Peyton told us about.”

  Flex sat up. “Huh?”

  “Trey Carter. Isn’t that his name? Boy, the whole family can’t wait to meet him. Even Dad.”

  “Dad?”

  “Oh, boy, Flex. You would be so proud of him. He’s really trying to come around and understand this whole alternative lifestyle thing.”

  “I’m gay, Michael, not Chinese.”

  “C’mon. You know what I mean. He loves you and he’s trying his best. Give him a chance.”

  Flex sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”

  “Of course I am. What better way for him to understand you than for him to meet the new love of your life?”

  “Uh, about Trey—”

  “I’m also looking forward to meeting him. I hope he’s able to pass the ‘sisters test.’” She laughed. “But I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “Trey’s not going to be able to come.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, it is short notice. We both can’t just…you know, just up and leave.”

  “You haven’t even asked him.”

  “I don’t have to ask. You know how it is in a department. Our schedules rarely allow us time together, let alone allow time for both of us to fly across the country. It will be difficult enough for just me to get the time off.”

  She fell silent for a moment. “Then maybe we should bring the wedding to you?”

  Flex knew Michael was crazy enough to do just that. “No, no. That’s way too much trouble. I’ll talk to him. I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, it’ll be more expensive if we come out there, but I’m sure I can get everyone to agree. We’ve all been dying to come out and visit, anyway.”

  “No, no. I won’t put the family through that kind of inconvenience. We’ll be there.”

  “You promise?”

  He winced and dropped his head into the palm of hand. “Yeah, I promise.”

  * * *

  “Fifty bucks he doesn’t call.” Peyton slammed her clothes into her new suitcase. Anger was the only thing that prevented her from crying. “Not that I care.”

  “If he doesn’t, then to hell with him,” Joey huffed, plopping down on her bed while she watched Peyton pack. “I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow.”

  “There’s no crime in getting ready early, is there?” she snapped.

  “No. Not at all.” Joey held up her hands. “I’m surprised you’re so upset. It was just one date. Yeah, he’s cute and all, but—”

  “Who said I was upset? I don’t care if he ever calls.”

  “Uh-huh.” Joey folded her legs so she could sit Indian style. “For someone who didn’t get laid, you sure are showing signs of being sprung.”

  “I’m not sprung.” Peyton dropped to her knees and searched under the bed for a missing pump.

  “If he calls—not that you care whether he does or not—will you go out with him again?”

  Peyton stopped. “I don’t know. I’d have to think about it.”

  “Oh, boy. You really do have it bad.”

  “Look, I’m not going to lie and say I had a terrible time last night.”

  “Even though he fell asleep on you?”

  “It wasn’t his fault, he mixed alcohol with his medication—”

  “And he ran out of here like you told him you were having his kid.”

  “What—are you getting off on this or something?” Peyton snapped. “Fine, I’m a little hurt. I admit it.”

  The room fell silent before Joey responded, “Sorry, P.J.”

  Peyton sighed and climbed up onto the bed. “I can’t believe it. The first guy that stimulates my mind and fills my body with butterflies just blew me off like I was contagious.”

  Joey switched beds so she could drape a supportive arm around her sister. “Maybe there is a perfectly good reason why he acted the way he did. And who knows? He might call you.”

  Peyton rolled her eyes. “Please. ‘I’ll call you’ is the universal brush-off line. I should know. I used it religiously.” She moaned and fell back against the bed. Damn it, she really liked this guy.

  “Poor thing.”

  Joey stroked he
r hair for a few minutes and Peyton was beginning to enjoy their small pity party. “Don’t get offended or anything, but you didn’t get on a soapbox or anything on your date, did you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Joey sighed. “Well, you know how you get. You start preaching about things you don’t like about men—they watch too much sports or they don’t know how to listen—and don’t forget how much you don’t care for metrosexual men.”

  Peyton grew uneasy. “We both…discussed the difference between the sexes.”

  “I’m going to take that as a yes.”

  She sat up. “What’s wrong with that? He had his own list, as well.”

  “Great. There’re two of you.”

  “That’s what I’m saying. We had a lot in common. And believe me, it’s refreshing to meet a guy with honest observations about the dating scene.”

  Joey groaned and shook her head. “There is such a thing as being too honest, P.J. How many times do I have to tell you men don’t want to hear what they’re doing wrong? It’s a major turnoff.”

  “It wasn’t like that,” Peyton assured her, though she was really trying to convince herself. Had she blown it?

  Joey stroked Peyton’s hair while silence filled the space between them. “Michael called last night.”

  “Oh, please tell me you didn’t tell her that I was out on a date.”

  “You didn’t tell me not to,” Joey said defensively.

  “Great. Now I’m going to be grilled by Curly, Larry and Moe.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to be that bad. She has other news that should take her mind off your love life for a while.”

  Peyton sat up. “I can’t imagine that. What is it?”

  “Believe it or not—”

  The phone rang.

  “That’s probably her now.” Joey reached over to the nightstand and picked up the phone. “Hello.” She rolled her eyes.

  Peyton shook her head and waved for Joey to tell her sister that she wasn’t there.

  “Yes, Michael. She’s right here.” Joey handed her the phone and whispered, “I had to talk to her all last night. It’s your turn.”

  Peyton sighed and grabbed the phone. “Hello, Mike. What’s up?”

  “I should ask you that question,” Michael said sweetly. “What’s this I hear about you being out all night?”

  “Just having some fun. Nothing serious.” Peyton pinched the bridge of her nose. “I hear you have some good news?”

  “Yep. I need for you and Joey to head back home and help me prepare for my wedding.”

  “You’ve set a date?” Peyton said with disbelief.

  “Can you believe it? It’s going to be on July Fourth. We’re going to have it at Dad’s house and I’ve already talked to Flex. He and his boyfriend, Trey, are coming down, so there’s no need for you to go to Atlanta. I need you here.”

  “Three months? That’s not a lot of time.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing the Adams family can’t do. So hurry up and get your butt back here. And when you get here I want to hear all about this date of yours.”

  * * *

  “Just call him already,” Tyrone said, cramming on his Yankees hat. “The worst he could do is kill you for banging his sister.”

  “Nothing happened,” Lincoln said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “That pain medication knocked me out.”

  “Says you.” Tyrone winked.

  “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t be going around boasting that I fell asleep on a beautiful woman. Trust me. It’s not going to win you any playa points with the guys.”

  “I’m not interested in being a playa.” He lowered himself into a cramped chair. “By the way, you should see the rooms over at the Palace. They look like highrise condominiums. We need to stay there next time.”

  “Sure. Just as soon as my rich uncle gets out of the poorhouse or you become this big-time artist, then we can stay anywhere you like. But I have to tell you, if your girl can afford to stay at the Palace, then she must be pulling down some serious cheese.”

  “I’m not bothered by a woman making more money than I am.” Lincoln shrugged. “In fact, I find it a bit of a turn-on. A woman who can hang with the big boys by day and then purr with me at night? What’s not to love?”

  “Purr? You know how to make a woman purr?”

  “Can we please focus? What if Flex flips when I tell him I want to date his sister? When I inquired about his sisters before, he just brushed me off—like it was taboo or something.”

  Tyrone nodded and crossed his arms as he considered Lincoln’s point. “I guess it would be in bad taste to screw over a guy who saved your life.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Then again, you could always act like you didn’t know it was his sister. Peyton Garner—Peyton Adams. It could be an honest mistake. You might be sweating over nothing. One date doth not a relationship make, my friend.”

  “Yeah, but I’d feel better if I had my man’s permission.”

  Tyrone snatched up the phone and held it out. “Then stop talking about it and call him.”

  Chapter 15

  “Leave me alone,” Flex moaned at the ringing phone, and then buried his head farther beneath the pillows. He cursed himself again for not shutting off the ringer or, better yet, yanking the cord out of the wall.

  The ringing continued until he remembered that when it came to his sisters, resistance was futile.

  “Make it quick,” he croaked into the receiver.

  “Flex?”

  Frowning, he tried to place the voice. “Yeah, who’s this?”

  “It’s Linc, man. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “Pulled a straight forty-eight, so make it quick.”

  Lincoln cleared his throat. “Nah, I think this can wait. You go ahead and get some sleep. I’ll just holler at you when I get back into town.”

  “I’m awake now. Spill it.”

  “Really, it’s—”

  “I take it this has something to do with your date last night?”

  Silence greeted his question.

  “Don’t tell me you crashed and burned.”

  “Oh, never that, man. Never that. I, uh, just wanted to swing out this hypothetical situation at you.”

  “Hit me.” Flex yawned and sank deeper in the sheets.

  “A friend of mine…well, you know how sometimes we as boys don’t like it when our buddies start dating an ex-girl or…family member—you know, cousins, sisters, aunt or what have you?”

  “I think so, yeah,” Flex said, slowly drifting off to sleep.

  “Well, have you ever had a situation when one of your boys wanted to date…you know, one of your family members?”

  “One of my ‘boys’?” Flex chuckled lazily. “That would never happen. Wait, I did have an old high school buddy that dated one of my sisters. Big mistake.”

  “Oh.” Lincoln cleared his throat. “Well, let’s just say that you were interested in Henry’s, ah, sister.”

  “I didn’t know he had a sister.”

  “Yeah, she’s a nice girl.”

  “All right.”

  “So anyway, you like his sister and you two go out a few times. You don’t tell Henry because he’ll nut up if he found out. So—”

  “Linc, if you care about this woman, see her. It’s an A-and-B relationship. Keep Henry out of it, but both of you must agree to that. If
it develops into something serious, the only thing that’s going to matter to Henry is that you make his sister happy. If it doesn’t work out just make sure that you and Henry’s sister part on good terms.”

  After a long pause, Lincoln admitted, “That’s pretty deep.”

  “Well, I do what I can. Now I’m going back to sleep.”

  “Cool, cool. I’ll catch up with you later,” Lincoln said, and ended the call. That was much harder than he had expected.

  “So what did he say?” Tyrone asked, popping peanuts into his mouth.

  Lincoln glanced up and frowned. “You know that stuff in the minibar costs, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I got it. How much could it possibly be?” He laughed. “Now tell me what he said.”

  Lincoln smiled and pushed up on his cane. “I would love to, but I have to go. There’s someone I have to see first.” He winked. “Wish me luck.”

  * * *

  Peyton flipped through the pages of Lincoln’s portfolio while the director of the Museum of African Modern Art briefed her over the phone about the success of last night’s show. However, five minutes into the conversation, Peyton’s attention had drifted. She was too busy trying to imagine Lincoln in the throes of creating one of his pieces. Of course, flights of fancy had him welding with nothing but a pair of boxers on.

  A warm tingle coursed through her body as she remembered what those large chiseled muscles looked like. Why couldn’t they have been alone this morning? Why did he have to fall asleep last night?

  “Ms. Garner, are you still there?”

  “Yes, Mary. I’m here. Uh, thanks for calling with those numbers. You and your staff were phenomenal. I know I’m looking forward to the next time we work together.” She smiled and added more small talk before she finally ended the call.

  While Joey was out shopping again, Peyton dove into work, making one phone call after another and pretending that she was already over Mr. Lincoln Carver.

  “It’s just lust,” she mumbled under her breath. “He’s a good-looking man, a great kisser—and damn it, why didn’t he want me?” She tossed down her pen and flopped back in her chair.