WORK IN PROGRESS
Hot Fun in the Summertime
By Chicki Brown
Author’s Note
This is a work of fiction. All events and characters in this story are solely the product of the author’s imagination; any similarities between any characters and situations presented in this book to any individuals living or dead or actual places and situations are purely coincidental.
Chapter One
Shontae
July 1st
I don’t know what possessed me to want to do this again. As I stepped out of the car and inhaled the sea air, the first thing that struck me was how great the house looked with a new coat of paint and an abundance of red tiger lilies growing in a bright border around the front. The beautiful contemporary beach house with a wrap-around porch on both levels and a deck in the back sat atop the sand dunes on a higher elevation than the other houses in the neighborhood. Seven of us were staying this time – four women and three men. No couples -- just friends. Living with six other people for two months is just asking for drama, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to spend the summer writing by the ocean. There’s no place like the Jersey shore. The smell of salt water and the sound of seagulls do more to relax me than any downward facing dog or lotus position ever could. Sure, the California coast is cleaner and South Florida beaches offer more eye candy, but I grew up here. I’m a Jersey girl at heart. No one can convince me there’s a better place to spend the summer than any shoreline town between Atlantic Highlands and Cape May, especially if you’re not rich. And I’m not.
I say friends, but that isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe my relationship with Kinnik, Linda’s sister. At least it looked like nobody else had gotten there yet. Linda’s BMW was the only car parked in the driveway beside the house. Actually there wasn’t a real driveway. Everyone just parked in the sand – unless -- God, I hope Kinnik hadn’t come with Linda.. I’d rather see her for the first time with a room full of other people.
“You made excellent time.” Linda shielded her eyes from the sun and called to me as I hefted two of my three suitcases from the trunk.
“So, I’m the first one here?”
She grinned at me. “Wasn’t that your plan? You know the bedrooms are first come-first served.”
“I want the sunroom this time instead of a bedroom. It’s the best place for me to work.” I wasn’t joining the house this year to lounge on the beach. I was committed to finishing my current manuscripts and appreciated her being able to relate to my commitment to work. She’d understand because she was one of the hardest-working women on the planet. She worked as a realtor and a self-employed accountant. That’s why she handled the arrangements with the owner, and she was the official “key mistress.”
She ran a hand over her sandy colored hair she now wore in twists contradicting her otherwise conservative appearance. “Go claim your space. I’ll get your other things out of the trunk.”
“Thanks.” Linda had obviously been there for a little while because all of the windows and doors were open to let the fresh air in. I loved this house, with its contemporary design and coastal colors. Both floors had a wraparound deck and sliding glass doors on every room on the ocean side. Right now it was peaceful and quiet. The only sounds were the waves lapping at the shore and the call of seagulls swooping over the beach. Before nightfall the modern upscale rental would be jumping with activity.
“What in the world do you have in here?” She struggled to drag my blue Pullman case and my CD player into the bright, glassed-in room.
“Clothes, some CDs, my laptop and Alphasmart in case the laptop decides to act up, and a couple of books, of course. Not that I’ll have time to read them.”
She grunted and hoisted the huge bag up onto the pullout sofa. “It feels like you brought the whole library.”
“Ooh, I’m scared of you! Guess you’ve been keeping up with your Pilates.”
“It’s vinyasa yoga, and you’re looking at one sister who refuses to turn into a fat, pitiful divorcee. This body is staying in top form.” She proudly patted her hips. “The physical body reflects the state of the spiritual/emotional body.” Even though Linda was the oldest of the group, she was a bundle of energy in perpetual motion, and she put the rest of us to shame. But I’m not mad at her. She feels about exercise the way I feel about writing. If I had to go more than a couple of days without it, I think I’d die.
“And that certainly doesn’t hurt out there in dating land.”
Linda rolled her light brown eyes toward the ceiling. “I haven’t visited datingland recently, but speaking of men, we won’t have the same crew this year. Kip is bringing a friend with him. A male friend.”
“Don’t wiggle your eyebrows at me. My only reason for being here is to write.” We both understood a new person brought a new dynamic to the house. “I don’t know how it happened, but I ended up with deadlines for two different publishers thirty days apart. I have to meet them because both publishers have options on my next book. If I can show the mortgage company I’m not a risk, they’ll consider me loan worthy.”
“You’re still trying to buy that house. Good for you.”
“It’s a necessity. Another year of apartment life might just kill me. Those thin walls are torture. My neighbor on one side is a devout Muslim who plays his Arabic sermon tapes, or whatever they’re called, at maximum volume. The woman on the other side is a freak with an endless parade of equally freaky men in her bedroom.”
“Ugh, I can understand why you’d want to get away from there.”
The calm ocean waves beckoned to me through the open door. “My muse adores the water, and the sound of waves works like a snake charmer’s tune when it comes to conjuring up her presence. And I plan on giving her what she needs in order to finish these books.”
She nodded her understanding. “This is the place to let your creative energy flow.” Linda’s dual personality never ceased to amaze me. Her analytical side had no problem embracing all things metaphysical, and the spiritual side never stopped her from excelling in her logic-oriented profession. She was so unlike her sister, Kinnik. Sometimes I forgot they were related.
“I think I’m going to get myself situated right away to cut down on any conflict when the others get here.” I unzipped my suitcase and grabbed a few hangers from the closet. “By the time they pull in, it’ll look like I’ve been here for weeks.”
“You’d better hurry up,” she said, leaning toward the hallway. “I think I just heard a car door. Come out when you’re ready.” She started through the doorway and turned back around to face me. “We need your spirit to balance the house. I’m glad you decided to come back, Tae.” The heartfelt smile that softened her lips told me she meant it.
“Yeah, me too.” I think.
Gradually I got the contents of my luggage into the double closet and upright chest, and I thought about how perfect the room was for writing. I’d be able to go in and out without traipsing through the living room where everyone hangs out. The owners have set it up with a desk, a fax machine, and a broadband Internet connection for the convenience of seasonal renters, those of us who save up all year for this. Luckily, for the past two years, Linda’s been able to reserve July and August for us. We couldn’t get two nights in any decent shore hotel for the two hundred a week we each pay here.
The sound of raucous laughter told me Jo had arrived. That girl was so loud sometimes it was frightening, but her big heart made people disregard her boisterous ways. For the past two summers, she’d been the comic relief and the peacekeeper in the house. I couldn’t wait to see her. Once I threw my clothes in the chest and sat my laptop and Alphasmart on the desk, I rushed back to the living room.
“Yo, woman!” Jo shouted as she hefted her large frame from the kitchen stool and stretched her arms out in my direction. “It sure is good to see you skinny heifers.” At nearly three hundred pounds, Jovita Blasingame considered any woman weighing under one hundred seventy five to be a stick. She scanned me with exaggerated pursed lips then pulled me into a smothering hug. Once I extricated myself from her enthusiastic embrace and caught my breath, I took the stool beside her.
“I need to stake out my bedroom. Did either of you take the pink room?”
“No. I took the yellow room and Shontae’s using the sunroom downstairs.
“Last summer I got stuck with that center bedroom, and it was like a sauna. I almost sweated to death.” She patted her elaborate upswept hairstyle. “The pink room is a corner room, and it has better air circulation. Kinnik is going to share with me, right?” She sent Linda a speculative glance.
“Sure, but you’d better hurry.” Linda peered out the open window. The caustic sounds of Lil’ Jon and the East Side Boyz blared outside as another car swung into the sand at the side of the house. “That’s Kip.” She shook her head. “I told him about that mess last year. He thinks all of Ocean County wants to hear his music.”
We all laughed. “You know Kip brings the party with him,” I said. “Come on, Jo. Let’s get your bags on the bed before they get inside.”
“Thanks. Tell Kip to get my other suitcase from the trunk, will you? It’s open,” Jo said to Linda as we dragged the two bags she’d brought inside down the hall. Once we got into the bedroom, she pushed the door shut, the armful of bangle bracelets she’d accumulated from her regular trips to the islands making a jangling sound.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay with Kinnik being here?” Her round, perfectly made-up face wore a mask of apprehension.
“I’ll be fine. This time I came by myself.” I honestly appreciated her concern for me, but it didn’t interest me as much as trying to figure out how she got her metallic eye makeup to not look garish on her dark chocolate skin. Especially since all I’d managed to get on my face that morning was some lipstick. I always admired Jo. In spite of her size, she was probably the prettiest woman I knew. Besides Kinnik, that is. But Kinnik didn’t have to work at it; she was born beautiful. Jo had a wardrobe to die for, even if you don’t wear a size twenty-four. I don’t know where the girl bought her clothes, but she laid out some serious cash for them. Cash never seemed to be a problem for her. Walter, her fifty-something boyfriend saw to that. Their relationship/arrangement left a lot to be desired, in my opinion. He’s old, dresses like a pimp left over from one of those blaxploitation movies, and we’ve yet to figure out what he does for a living. To each his own, I guess.
“Well, I’m glad you came back, girl. Linda told me you’re working on a new book. You know I bought the last one for two of my friends, my cousins and my Mama.” Her creamy blushed cheeks rose into the warm smile that instantly drew people to her. No wonder she was such a popular hairstylist and cosmetologist. She not only knew her craft, but her cheery disposition and wide, friendly smile just made you want to talk to her. The last I’d heard, she’d even scored a couple of movie and music stars as clients.
“That means a lot to me,” I watched as she unloaded a bag holding her toiletries that could’ve stocked an aisle at Target. “You know in my world they say you’re only as good as your last book.”
“You shouldn’t be concerned then,” Jo reassured me. “That one about the interracial couple was smokin’, girl.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I’m here to do some serious work. No fooling around this summer. I’m on deadline and I’m behind as usual. As soon as we have the house meeting and draw for chores, I’m going on lockdown.”
“What are you fine ladies up to in here?” Kip said in his sexiest voice from the doorway where his shoulders seemed to touch the frame on each side.
“Hey, gorgeous! Come give me a hug.” Jo beckoned to him, her hands clutching close to ten bottles of various shades of nail polish.
“Here are your bags. We’re staying for eight weeks, not eight years, woman!” His incredible biceps flexed as he pulled two enormous wheeled suitcases into the room, leaned them against the wall then wrapped his arms around her.
When he released Jo, Kip scanned me from head to toe and kissed my cheek. “You’re looking good, Shontae.” None of the women in the house were ever offended by his blatant scrutiny. He loved women, and he studied everything we did for future reference. His motives weren’t a secret to us. Ogden “Kip” Lee had a legitimate college degree in Drama, but he deserved a Pro Masters in feminine psychology and a Ph.D. in flirting.
I mimicked his examination and studied the amazing biceps he showcased by wearing a skimpy tank. His powerful legs looked like granite pillars extending from the baggy shorts that hung low on his hipbones. “You’re looking pretty good yourself, big boy. So NYU let you loose again to wreak havoc on the female population of New Jersey?”
“Yeah, and I’m primed for action.” He rubbed his big hands together in a hungry gesture, his eyes sparkling with trouble. “When my boy gets here, the beach honeys better watch out.”
“I heard we have some new blood this time,” Jo said. “Hope he can adjust to the craziness.”
Kip laughed. “Devon can adjust to anything. He’s an actor.”
That news made me groan. One man with an overblown ego was enough for the house. “At least we have Doc to balance things out. We need one grounded male in the house. Is he here yet?”
“Yeah.” Kip chuckled. “He’s downstairs sweating Linda already.”
Curtis Whetstone taught at the same college with Kip, but he was a Calculus instructor, who’d rightfully earned his nickname. The original brainiac, he and Kip were opposites in every way, yet they had been best friends for years. Doc was medium height, thin and presented a serious appearance even with his twisted hair. Kip portrayed raw masculinity at its finest and he used it to his advantage every chance he got. I wondered how Kip’s new friend coming into the house would change his and Doc’s relationship.
“And exactly what do you have against thespians, Shontae?”
“Ah, let me see.” I spread my fingers on one hand to count. “Gigantic egos, having to fight you for bathroom mirror time, your little beach groupies showing up at the house all hours of the night, etcetera, etcetera.” He cocked his head to the side and put on a pitiful, hurt face, one he’d probably taught to his students many times. “Kip, our worlds are so far apart it’s not even funny.”
“Don’t hate the player, baby.” He flashed me a blinding smile. “I’d better get my stuff from the car. Devon left the City a few minutes after I did. He should be here soon.”
“Pardon me if I don’t roll out the red carpet.”
“You’re a tough woman, Tae. We’re artists just like you.” The serious tone in his voice made me laugh.
Linda’s voice called from the living room telling us she was ready to start the meeting.
Doc was sitting next to her on the sofa, just where I assumed he’d be. Last summer he’d made it plain he was interested in her, but she’d just separated from her husband. Getting into a relationship with another man was the farthest thing from her mind at the time. Secretly I hoped something would jump off between them because they were made for each other. It had to be a coincidence, but this time they even had their hair done the same way, only Doc’s was black and shorter than hers. With his wire-framed glasses, mustache and goatee he looked every inch of the brilliant, dignified Morehouse man he was. Nerdy in a very cool way, Doc was the only one of the men I ever saw reading, at least something other than the last issue of King or FHM. Of course the writer in me loved him for that.
“Your friend is here, Kip. As soon as he comes in we can start.”
“What about your sister?” Jo asked from the big easy chair where she’d chosen to sit rather than try to maneuver onto a bar stool at the kitchen counter where I’d taken a seat near the window.
“I’m not waiting for her. She operates in her own personal time zone. I already have her money.”
Of course she did. Kinnik probably suckered her into covering her rent. Her sister not only operated in her own time zone; she existed in her own self-centered universe. That’s just the way she was.
“When she shows up, I’ll give her a chore for the week.”
“Just make sure it’s not kitchen duty.” Jo extended her arm in a “talk to the hand” gesture. Kinnik’s lack of culinary skill was legendary. In three summers the only things we’d ever seen her create in the kitchen were microwave popcorn and hard-boiled eggs.
Linda looked up from the pile of papers in front of her on the coffee table and cast her a sidelong glance. “Oh, please! I know better than that. Her creative energy isn’t geared toward food preparation.”
The slam of a car door drew my gaze to the window. A tall, lean man with a complexion that reminded me of butterscotch pudding stood beside a gleaming silver drop-top Mercedes. This had to be our new housemate. He looked toward the window, and I leaned away from the screen hoping he hadn’t seen me staring. When he turned back to his luggage, I craned my neck to get a better look He turned again and scanned the house, standing for a moment as if contemplating whether or not to come inside then began pulling several garment bags from the back seat. I couldn’t decide which was more beautiful, him or his car. A pair of expensive looking shades covered his eyes, but his jet black, wavy hair and high cheekbones told me we’d met somewhere before.
“Kip, what did you say your friend’s name is again?” I asked.
“Devon. Devon Burke. Yeah, what’s taking him so long?”
“I think he could use some help. Looks like he brought more bags than Jo did.”
Kip rose from the bentwood rocker and headed out the front door. I watched them share a masculine embrace before Kip lifted one of the suitcases from the sand.
He hit the button on his key chain. “I have some other stuff in the trunk if you grab one of those boxes, man.” His voice was so deep it startled me, and a weird chill ran through me when he spoke. I’d heard it before.
After a few seconds he followed Kip into the house and pulled off his shades after he crossed the threshold. Suddenly I felt as if all the air had been sucked from the room. If the stool I was sitting on hadn’t had a back on it I probably would’ve fallen to the floor and made a complete fool of myself.
The man was ridiculously fine, as if a master craftsman had chiseled him out of marble. He had the most astonishing features with high cheekbones; a strong chin and heavy yet neatly trimmed brows framing deep-set dark eyes. It almost hurt to look at him.
“People, this is my boy, Devon.” Kip pointed to each of us. “Linda, Jovita and Shontae. And you met Doc at my place.”
“Nice to meet you, ladies.” Devon flashed a megawatt smile that left all three of us women speechless. He put his bags down and sauntered over to clasp hands with Doc.
When I got a good look at him I realized we’d never met, but still there was something so unsettling about him. I was determined to figure out what it was before the day was over.
“Anybody want a drink before we get started?” Linda rose from the sofa and headed into the kitchen. Doc, Jo and Devon followed.
Once Linda left the room, I turned to Kip. “I guess your girl, Kinnik has to be fashionably late. She always has to make an entrance.”
“Behave, Shontae. Cut her a break.”
“Why? I’m only speaking the truth.” From the corner of my eye I saw Devon making his way back toward us carrying a tall glass of spring water and ice. “Maybe you’ve slept with her, but I know her better than you ever will, Kip.”
“You forgot to mention that part to me, man.” Devon’s voice rumbled from behind me, and my stomach did a weird twist.
“Wasn’t anything to tell. Kinnik and I spent some time together. That’s all.” Kip turned back to face me. “And how can you say you know her better than me?”
I peered into the kitchen to be sure Linda didn’t hear me talking about her sister. She and Jo were talking to Doc. “Because I know how her mind works. In fact, I can tell you exactly what’ll happen in the first five minutes after she gets here.”
Kip rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “No you don’t.”
“Okay, Devon. You’re my witness. I can guarantee you five things. In fact, I’ll put money on it.”
Not one to ever turn down a wager, Kip grinned and reached into his pocket. “So what’s the bet?”
“You pay me five dollars for each thing I get right or I’ll pay you five for each one I miss.”
“Deal, baby. Let me hear it.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a challenging half smile.
For the life of me I couldn’t understand why men were so naïve. “Number one, despite the fact that we all have on shorts or capris, she’ll be wearing a brand new freak-um dress,” I whispered. “Two, she’ll have on four-inch stilettos, either Choos or Manolos even though she has to trudge through the sand to get up to the front door. Three, the hair will be longer, and most likely a different color.” I contemplated the last two. “Ahh, let’s see … the first two things she’ll want to know are: ‘Who does the Mercedes belong to?’ and ‘Who is your gorgeous friend?’” I made sure I didn’t look at Devon but heard his deep chuckle.
“You’re on, sweet thing. Money on the table.”
When Linda returned to the living room, I noticed she had a copy of The Secret tucked under her arm.
“How’s the book?” I asked.
“Wonderful. Have you read it yet?”
“No, it’s not my style.”
“How could it not be your style? I know you, Shontae, and I know you’re all about attracting health, wealth and happiness into your life.”
“Oh, please!” Jo said with a roll of her eyes. “I bought it. All that “Universe” talk just irked me. Those folks are just scared to call God by His Name and give Him the credit for creating the original secret. All they did was put their own spin on what Jesus said 2000 years ago. Shoot, I could’ve saved my money and did what my grandmother always told me – just kept reading my Bible. I already know I’m magnificent.”
“To each his own.” Linda ignored Jo’s comment. “We’ll have to eat out or order in for dinner tonight because the only things in the fridge are a few cans of soda and a gallon of spring water.”
“No brew?” Kip frowned. “I knew I should’ve stopped and picked up a few six packs and some wine coolers on the way.”
“We might as well get started,” Linda reclaimed her place in front of the stack of papers. “I guess the best thing to do is collect your money and then go over the house rules. Okay, you know the deal. I got everyone’s first week in advance, but I need the rest in cash now.”
We each put our cash or money orders in her hand, and watched her record our payments in a thin red covered journal before she passed the currency to Doc to count. Their left-brain ways fascinated me. He passed it back to her and told her the amount before she promptly closed it up in a metal cash box and locked it with the key she wore on a fine gold chain around her neck.
Devon sent Kip an approving look to which he responded, “That’s why the woman’s last name is Cash.”
“That’s a joke, right?” Devon asked looking at me for confirmation.
“No. Harris was her married name, but after her divorce she took her maiden name back,” I explained.
Linda cleared her throat and let her business side take over. “I guess I’ll read the house rules for Devon’s sake and to refresh your memories. Any money we have above the rent is our working capital and goes for food and household items like paper products and cleaning supplies. After that, whatever is left over goes into our reserve account. If there’s a balance in the account at the end of August, it’ll be split evenly among us. If you don’t want to eat here, it’s on you. No refunds. We do a random drawing for chores.” She gave Devon an apologetic look. “I admit the division is totally chauvinistic. The men sleep in the downstairs bedroom for safety sake and they get outside maintenance, garbage, and security.”
Devon raised one heavy eyebrow. “Security?”
“Yes, locking up at night and getting rid of any unwanted guests,” she explained. “Can you handle it?”
“No problem.” He tried to look unconcerned, but it was obvious to me from his callous-free hands that other than the weight circuit at his local gym, Devon Burke hadn’t done anything physical in a long time.
Linda continued her annual speech. “Those who want to cook take turns, and the cooks do the grocery shopping. While I’m thinking of it, did everybody make a shopping list like I asked?”
We each handed over our food requests.
“Where’s yours, Devon?”
“I’m easy to please. Whatever’s on the stove will be fine with me.”
“All right.” She gave him a skeptical glare. “When Jo cooks up some pig ears and fried okra, I don’t want any noise from you.”
The horrified look on Devon’s face sent us into a fit of laughter.
“She’s just kidding,” Jo reassured him. “But if you’re into all that low fat, low carb mess, I am not the one.”
“Okay, let me get on with this. Of course, no illegal drug use is allowed in the house. We all agreed the first year it would be grounds for instant eviction with no refund.”
The clicking sound of high heels on the wooden steps outside drew my eyes to the screen door. I hadn’t heard a car engine, so seeing Kinnik approach caught me off guard. In the few seconds it took to adjust my expression, she’d breezed over the threshold and now stood in the room in all her glory. All conversation stopped, just as she’d probably wished and all eyes focused on her statuesque form.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said in a breathy voice.
“What took you so long?” Jo asked with her arms outstretched beckoning for a hug. Kinnik floated right into them.
“I had some personal business to take care of." She looked at Kip. What’s up, jigga? Can you get my luggage from the car?”
“We’re in the middle of the meeting, K.” Linda sounded more curious than annoyed. “Grab a chair and relax until we’re done. Okay?”
“I guess you bitches already took the good bedrooms.” Kinnik flipped a strand of her expensive weave behind one ear, flopped down in the big cane papasan chair and crossed her long, exquisite legs.
It never ceased to amaze me how she used the word as a term of affection, but considering she was employed as a dancer in hip-hop videos, I understood. It came with the culture. Instead of letting her know she offended me, I played to her self-centered nature. And since she had already disrupted the meeting, I couldn’t resist the urge to remind Kip of our bet.
“You’re looking amazing, K. That dress is fabulous,” I gave what she probably thought was a thumbs up toward her microscopic strapless mini that looked like an oversized sweatband. “And those shoes! Where did you get those?” My hand dropped to rest on Kip’s knee, and my index finger rose to join the thumb.
Kinnik stuck one foot out. She was such a sucker for flattery. “Choo’s from Nieman Marcus.”
“I don’t know how you do it. I mean, we all look like a bunch of slobs, and you – even your hair is perfect. Great color.” My middle finger did a little dance on his leg.
She made a throaty sound and swept the flattering reddish-blonde locks over her shoulder, all the while keeping her gaze locked on Devon.
“Before you get back to your little meeting, somebody needs to answer a question for me. Does that SLK in the driveway belong to your gorgeous friend here, and isn’t anybody going to introduce me?”
“Ka-Ching!” I whispered into his ear, holding all five fingers spread wide in front of his face. “Dinner money!” I’d save it for the nights Jo cooked. The girl could wail on some pots, but she could give Paula Deen a run for her money when it came to fat content. Everything was battered and fried, heavy with butter or so sweet the entrees tasted like dessert. Kip and Kinnik loved her cooking, but they both worked out like maniacs and could get away with it. Since I parked my butt in a chair and stayed there all day, I needed to watch everything that passed over my lips. On the nights Jo cooked, Linda, Doc and I usually made a fast escape to one of the local restaurants for some lighter fare
