When Hell Freezes Over (30 page)

She folded her arms. “You know I still love him, don't you?”

“You had a sick way of showing it, Sierra,” he said with a frown.

“I know you and Keaton hate me for what I did. I had too much to drink that night and Neil offered to give me a ride home. One thing led to another.”

“Look, Sierra, I'm not trying to get up in the middle of your and Keaton's business and I don't hate you.”

She sniffed and said, “I never wanted to hurt Keaton. I can't even get him to look at me.”

“Damn, Sierra! Do you blame him?”

“I made a mistake, Gerald. Men do shit like that all the time.”

Gerald laughed. “Sierra, you committed the ultimate betrayal. First, you're caught screwing another man. Second, you did it in your man's house.”

“I wasn't screwing him.”

“If Keaton hadn't caught you, I'm sure that was next on your list.”

Sierra teared up. “I miss him so much.”

“Put yourself in his position, Sierra. What if it was you who walked in on Keaton getting busy with some chick?”

Sierra was silent. She knew everything Gerald was saying was true. The fact remained that she did still love Keaton and something told her Gerald was getting ready to hook up with his boy. This might be the perfect opportunity for her to try, once again, to talk some sense into him.

Walking toward the checkout line, Gerald said, “I'm sorry things didn't work out between you two.”

“Me, too. Well, it was good seeing you. Tell Keaton I said hello.”

Hugging her once again, he said, “I will. Take care of yourself.”

“You do the same. Goodbye.”

Gerald shook his head as he watched her walk out the door.

Keaton's yard was filled with almost fifty close friends and family members. There was great music and good food, Texas style. Meridan wore a long, straight, gold skirt with a matching blouse. She put her braids up into an upswept hairdo, leaving some hanging loose. Keaton introduced her to all his family members and friends. She was very impressed with Keaton's family.
Their backgrounds were similar to hers: country. They worked in various levels, whether it was blue or white collar but they never made her feel inferior.

As Keaton refilled his drink, he turned and spotted the last person he thought he would ever see at his house again: Sierra. She was tall, slender, and very beautiful. Meridan noticed her immediately and picked up on the fact that Keaton was shaken by her appearance. Keaton immediately walked over to Sierra and started a conversation with her. Meridan couldn't hear what was being said, but after a few words, she saw him hustle Gerald into the house.

“Damn, Gerald! What is Sierra doing here?”

Playfully punching at Keaton, he said, “I ran into her on the way over here. I guess she followed me.”

Keaton grabbed him by the collar and pulled him further into the house.

“I don't need this shit tonight. Meridan is here and I don't want any trouble. You need to get rid of her.”

Rubbing his chin, he said, “I'm sorry, Keaton. But you have to admit, she looks great. Doesn't she?”

Sighing, he said, “Yeah, she looks great. Sierra always looks great, but she's in my past now.”

Gerald put his hand on Keaton's shoulder. “Do you really want me to get rid of her? I mean, I don't want her to cause a scene.”

Walking toward the backyard, Keaton said, “Don't worry about it. I'll handle Sierra.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I'm going to try and get her to leave without causing a scene. Follow me. I want you to meet Meridan.”

Keaton introduced Gerald to Meridan. From across the yard, Sierra noticed the gleam in Keaton's eyes when he looked at one particular woman. As she stared at the woman, she noticed she was plain and nowhere close to being any serious competition. Her main motive tonight was to get Keaton back. As she stood there, she thought back on the reason for their breakup.

Months ago, Keaton had caught her in a compromising position with another man in of all places…his house. He had been out of town for a couple
of days on business and trusted her alone in his home. Unfortunately for her, he came back a day early. He hadn't looked her way or returned her calls since. Even though he was a man who had dated many women, Sierra had basically become his main woman. What sickened him most wasn't the fact that she was with another man. It was the fact that she disrespected him by bringing the man into his house.

The party was in full swing and Sierra had been trying her best to get Keaton alone all evening. Finally she saw him retire upstairs so she followed.

Up in his bedroom, Keaton went to the medicine cabinet and pulled out some pain medicine. He had decided that it was best that he ignore Sierra, instead of chancing an ugly scene. When he came back through the bedroom, he found Sierra standing there. The short dress she had on accented her long, slender, cocoa brown legs.

Keaton frowned. “What are you doing up here?”

Walking toward him, she said, “This used to be our favorite spot.”

Popping the medication, he solemnly said, “You said the key words, used to be. What do you want, Sierra?”

“I've been trying to get you alone all evening. We need to talk.”

Laughing, he said, “Why don't you just leave, Sierra? You weren't invited and we have nothing to talk about. You're lucky I haven't thrown you out of here.”

He walked past her and she grabbed his arm. “Keaton, don't you miss me at all? I'm sure you remember how good we were together.”

He looked her in the eyes. “Not at all. What I do remember is walking into my house and finding you with your head in some guy's lap. Now, I would appreciate it if you would get the hell out of my room and out of my house, because you're not welcome here.”

Sierra folded her arms. “What's wrong? You afraid your little transvestite girlfriend will get the wrong idea with me up here with you? She's a little muscular for a woman, don't you think? You might need to check the Adam's apple, Keaton.”

Keaton had taken all he could take. He looked at her in anger and stalked toward her. Sierra realized she had gone too far. She knew he would never hit her, but he wouldn't think twice about throwing her out of his house in front of all his guests. He'd done it the night he caught her with the man and never looked back.

Meridan stepped through the door at that precise moment. “Is everything okay in here?”

He turned and firmly said, “Everything's about to be just fine because Sierra was just leaving. Weren't you?”

Sliding past Keaton cautiously, Sierra said, “Yes, I was. Goodnight.”

With Sierra gone, Keaton sat down on the bed and let out a loud sigh.

“What was that all about?”

“We used to date a while back. She was trying to provoke me and she almost succeeded. I'm glad you came in.”

Meridan walked over to him. He pulled her close, resting his head against her stomach. She caressed his neck to soothe him. They were silent for a minute.

“I caught her giving oral sex to another man in my house,” he announced.

Stilling caressing him, she said, “I'm sorry, Keaton. That must've hurt.”

He said, “I'm glad I found out her true colors before it was too late.”

Meridan didn't respond. It was obvious he'd had feelings for this woman at one time. He raised her blouse and kissed the soft skin of her abdomen. “Enough about her, because she's history. I'm ready for everyone to get out of my house because I want to be alone with you. You're all I care about.”

Meridan smiled and asked, “Really?”

“Most definitely. I'm ready to have you all to myself.”

She kissed him lovingly. “I'm ready whenever you are.”

Taking her hand, he said, “Good! Come with me so I can throw everyone out.”

Giggling, she asked, “You're not serious, are you?”

“I don't care where they go, but they have to get the hell out of here.”

He winked and led her out of the room.

 

K
eaton didn't put everyone out like he threatened. In fact, they enjoyed another hour or two of fun and games. Later, when all the guests and food were finally gone, the caterers started cleaning up. Keaton asked his parents if they could hang around until the caterers finished because he had a special surprise for Meridan. He noticed that she seemed to really enjoy herself playing cards and Taboo with his friends, which made him love her even more. He had shared her with his friends and family; now he was ready for some private time with her.

Keaton's parents were unaware of the plans Keaton had made. They thought it was humorous when he blindfolded Meridan and walked her out to the car.

“Goodnight, Meridan!”

“Goodnight!”

Before turning to walk back into the house, Judge Lapahie yelled, “Keaton, you drive carefully with that young lady. You hear me?”

“Yes, Sir. Goodnight, Momma! If you need me, call my cell.”

“We'll be fine. Goodnight.”

Keaton started the car and started down the driveway.

“Where are you taking me, Keaton?”

“Just sit back and relax, sweetheart.”

He kept driving and finally came to a stop. Meridan could hear all sorts of unfamiliar sounds; especially the sound of water. He came around to her side of the car and opened her door. Taking his hand, she cautiously let him lead her. His hands were warm and strong as he pulled her forward. After a series
of steps he pulled the blindfold from her eyes. Before her was a room filled with candles. She looked around the room and asked, “Where are we?”

“We're on a yacht. It's called the Ecstasy,” he said as he lit the candles.

“Keaton Lapahie, you are something else. It's beautiful.”

There were two empty glasses on a small table. He walked over and poured the champagne that was chilling in a silver bucket into the glasses. Walking over to her, he handed her a glass and touched it to hers. “To a long life full of love and happiness, Meridan St. John.”

“Ditto that, Keaton Lapahie.” They sipped the champagne together in silence. Sipping more champagne, she walked around the room admiring it. “Your barbecue was a hit, Keaton. Your family and friends were so nice to me.”

“They fell in love with you,” he announced proudly.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Blushing, she asked, “So what's the occasion? I thought we were going to relax at your house.”

“Can't a brotha pamper his woman without it being an occasion? Besides, there's no telling what time those people finished cleaning up. I didn't want them to hear you moaning from upstairs.”

Laughing, she said, “Keaton, you can pamper me anytime and as far as the moaning, we'll just have to see, won't we?”

Taking her hand, he said, “I guess we will. Follow me.”

They retired to the deck. It was so peaceful. Meridan hugged him affectionately.

“This is a very nice surprise and this yacht is unbelievable.”

Playing in her hair, he said, “We're staying overnight, if it's okay with you.”

“Oh, Keaton! Wait! I don't have a change of clothes.”

He sipped his champagne. “Yes, you do. I packed some things for us. They're in the trunk.”

She hugged his waist again. “You thought of everything, didn't you?”

He kissed her neck. “I try. I'll be right back. Let me get the bags out of the car.”

Releasing him, she said, “Hurry back.”

Keaton returned to find Meridan refilling her glass. She said, “It's getting a little cool out here. We should go inside.”

“It sure is. Come on so I can show you around.”

They went below deck and Keaton walked down the long hallway. The yacht had four bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with a kitchen and a family room. He opened the door to a huge bedroom. Once again Meridan was in awe.