Page 136 of Restless
“You’re lying,” he said. “I see it in your face.”
Roxy drew in a deep breath. Fuck it. If she was dying, then Joe was right. She’d meet her Maker, knowing she’d told Reverend Motherfucker exactly how she felt. She fisted her hands on her hips, lifted her chin and met the preacher’s eyes. “I wish I’d never come to this motherfucker. My fucking feet are still hurting. My momma paid over a hundred fifty dollars for my outfit and the hat is missing. Your Healing Ceremony was a fucking joke. Before you marched me in front of your congregation, you should’ve told me I needed to fucking faint. It would’ve saved me from almost being knocked the fuck out. Sister MC didn’t know if she was the mistress of ceremonies, the fucking choir director, or the preacher, since that bitch wouldn’t shut the fuck up.You, Reverend Banks, are a fucking disappointment. Momma adores you and took her hard earned money to send me on this trip. I was looking forward to meeting you, too. We both thought you were such a great man. But you’re not even a good criminal! You sent stupid fucking Quincy over here to roofie my ass.” She folded her arms, praying her death was quick. “And your party is fucking boring. No one’s dancing. A bunch of naked girls is walking around. If I liked pussy, I’d enjoy the sight, but since I like men they do nothing for me.”
Cold amusement lit Reverend Banks’s face. “Deramey was right. You are a firecracker.”
Wishing she could set his ass on fire, she glared at the minister.
“And Kaleb?”
“What does K-P have to do with this?” she snapped.
“K-P, huh?” Reverend Banks considered her. “He’s extraordinarily proud of his name. I’ll believe what he told me if you reveal what the ‘P’ stands for.”
“And if I don’t know?” she asked, not really needing the answer because she already understood. She was fucked.
The pastor shrugged. “Find out.”
Joe rocked on his heels, drawing her attention. His mouth moved but she couldn’t understand him. If she had to guess, he’d said one syllable, two at most.
Paulcrossed her mind. Then,Pete.Peter.
Her mind flip-flopping from Paul to Pete, she blurted, “Paul or Pete, but there’s so much ganja fumes in here, my brain’s foggy and I can’t remember it.”
Approval flickered in Joe’s eyes and he winked at her.
“What songs would you like to dance to?” Reverend Banks asked.
“Do Whatcha Wannaby Rebirth Brass Band.Second Lineby Stop, Inc.Da Butt.Baby Got Back. I have a very long list.”
He gave her a last look and walked away, taking his entourage with him and leaving behind Joe, Brother Caldwell, and K-P. For the first time, she noticed the blonde woman she’d seen earlier hiding behind Joe.
“I’m disappointed you didn’t include me in your critique,” Brother Caldwell mocked.
“I have nothing to say about you, Brother Caldwell,” she said irritably.
K-P and Joe guffawed.
“Don’t call Cee CeeBrother Caldwell, babe,” K-P howled, elbowing her. “Motherfucker’s not a deacon.”
“That’s what he was called in church,” Roxy protested, throwing the other woman a tentative smile. She looked so shaken. Her blue eyes flickered in every direction. “I’m Roxy,” she introduced. “I saw you earlier. I was coming to talk but Quincy interrupted.”
“I-I’m D-Dinah,” she stammered, wrapping her fingers around Joe’s wrist. “I have to return to my hotel, so I can get on the road early,” she told him. “It’s a long drive back to Seattle and I have to prepare my lesson plans for next week.”
“You’re a teacher?” Roxy asked. “I thought about going into the profession but decided I didn’t have the temperament.”
“It does require discipline,” Dinah said crisply. “Walk me out, Joe.”
“Go to the table and wait for me a moment,” Joe said. “I have a couple things to take care of.”
“Or you can sit with me,” Roxy offered.
Dinah shook her head. “Reverend Banks might return and I have no wish to cross paths with him again.” Without awaiting a response, she walked back to the table.
“Fuck, Joe, you’re sure you want to deal with that prissiness?” Cee Cee asked.
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend,” Joe said sharply. “I want pussy.”
Cee Cee glanced at Roxy. “Yeah, well, you missed out on this hot piece. Pity for your dick.”
