Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

Grey’s sake. He walked away poised and pissed in the same breath.

Watching Nicola stride confidently out of the restaurant as cool as he had come in dark blue jeans and black shirt demanding the attention of all the women with his brilliant looks, Grey felt a sudden desire to kill…not just anyone, specifically him. He had touched her, felt her, known Ivy in ways that no other man should have been allowed.

Looking down at his half-eaten meal, Grey thought about all the women that he had gone through during his time with Ivy. She was totally clueless to how physically unfaithful he had been; yet mentally he loved her only. His feelings were human reaction and totally uncontrollable. And even though he had wronged her for years, at that very moment he was the one who felt betrayed.

Had he messed up so badly that Ivy would resort to seeing a white man? Or was race really the issue at all? He had been with white women, Mexican and Asian women and others as well. Maybe, the issue really was love? Did that man love her? Did she love him? What would make a man like Nicola want to spend six months apologizing for one night besides love? Grey’s questions were endless.

“Excuse me,” Grey said finally to the waitress as she passed by, “Could you bring me the check?”

*

Nicola pulled into the precinct and parked beside Brooks, who was in his truck arguing with Trina on the phone. Getting into Brooks’ Yukon, Nicola laid his head back on the peanut butter leather seat and closed his eyes. He couldn’t believe that he was getting a migraine so early in the day.

“Baby, I’m gonna have to call you back,” Brooks said hanging up the phone before Trina could reply. “Damn that girl gets on my nerves!”

Usually, Nicola had something smart to say about Brooks’ arguments with Trina, but today he sat quietly.

“What’s wrong with you?” Brooks asked yawning.

“I just had a meeting with Ivy’s fiancé,” Nicola said popping his shades over his tired eyes.

“What?” Brooks laughed. “Did you two hook up the shooting range and have a duel?”

“Might as well have,” Nicola said half laughing. “Guess whose son this asshole is?”

“Grey Henderson, Mayor Henderson?” Brooks said putting his phone in his coat.

“You knew?”

“You didn’t?”

“No, I didn’t, evidently.”

“Why does it matter? You would have still slept with her if you did know, maybe even enjoyed it more. Hell, you’ve never liked his ass.” Brooks looked over. Was the truth finally about to come out about how Nicola really felt about Ivy?

“He’s the son of a politician; he’s a politician in the making. He wants to keep this quiet for some reason, and I intend to find out why?”

“Maybe he just doesn’t want everyone to know that she stepped out with a white boy from Miami?” Brooks said patting Nicola on the shoulder. “This is still the south, man. You know how ignorant people can be on both sides of the fence.”

“No. This isn’t about race. It’s something else. Something more valuable to him.”

“It’s called a relationship.” Brooks laughed. “You’ve heard of one those things before, right?”

“Once or twice. Their suppose to be something like cancer, the end result is that it sucks the life out of you. But still, I’m not stupid. Something else is going on.”

“Do yourself a favor. Don’t get caught up between their families. Ivy’s family is well known and so is Grey’s family, obviously. Memphis socialites make your life a living hell. I know. I’ve banged more than a few. Stick to girls with a quiet life. The only way they get attention is if they come up missing.”

“So, if you were in my situation, you would just worry about the baby?”

“What the hell else is there for you to worry about? Ivy doesn’t want to be with you, and you don’t want to be with her. You’re both too different. Remember? Just wait until the timer goes off, and check the oven to see if the kid is yours on not.”

“Spoken like a true romantic,” Nicola said looking at his watch and instantly thinking of Grey. He almost wanted to get a different Rolex.

“No, I’m speaking from experience.”

“Really? And what socialite have you knocked up lately?”

“You can be a smart ass if you want to, but you’ll see,” Brooks said cutting off his truck. “Come on man, let’s go before we’re late for briefing. We’ve been talking about your baby’s momma long enough.” Brooks cut a sly grin and opened his door.

Chapter Eleven: Family Reunion

Chapter 11

FAMILY REUNION

“Momma, I need to talk to you,” Ivy said feeling her stomach in her throat. Far too much time had lapsed, Ivy had to tell her family about the baby.

“Sure, why don’t come over today and spend the evening with me. I haven’t talked to you for more than five minutes at a time in nearly a month Plus, every time I call you, I hardly ever get an answer. I was beginning to get worried.” Ivy’s mother, Sadie, had a knack for knowing that while Ivy could take care of herself, she only stayed away when something was wrong. Ivy had always been afraid of failure and never wanted to acknowledge when she had fallen short on her glorious climb to success.

Now at three months pregnant, Ivy was showing slightly. Luckily, it was the dead of winter, and she could hide her bulge with large designer sweaters, leather jackets and long sleeved shirts. She had to admit that she was keeping her secret well from the world, but there still was a longing to have the support of her family.

For Ivy, it was horrible visiting the doctor’s office by herself and watching as other young mothers came supported by their loved ones. She needed someone to tell her everything was going to be okay. She needed someone to tell her about pregnancy and how to deal with all the emotional and physical stress that