Southern Comfort (9781622863747) Read online

  “I don’t think you are using the saying right anymore,” Katrina pointed out.

  “It doesn’t fucking matter,” Teri hissed. “What is so special about being in a fucking relationship? I don’t see relationships being the best thing since sliced bread for either one of you.”

  Devon and Katrina both lowered their heads. Teri was right; relationships hadn’t worked out in their favor.

  “Look, I may not have found the right person but I do believe that there is someone out there for me. I’m not going to dismiss a person just because I don’t want the work that falling in love can take.” Devon took another sip from her water bottle.

  “Okay well, Katrina, it’s the end of the week. You have been out with both girls. If you had to choose one today who would it be?”

  Teri’s question brought all eyes on Katrina.

  “I . . . I don’t know.”

  “Well, Tree, maybe you should take some time to figure that out.” Devon patted her friend on her back.

  The trio got back on their bikes to continue the trail. Katrina couldn’t stop her mind from racing the entire way.

  Willow dove into Devon’s warm swimming pool. She stayed under, opening her eyes. The blue water had a calming effect on her. She swam up to the waterfall, climbing into the hidden grotto. Willow let the sound of the waterfall calm her nerves. She had only seen Katrina in passing in the last two days. She knew she had dinner with Saura, and it was killing her that she didn’t know what happened. She wondered if she was really busy at the restaurant, or if she was avoiding her.

  The whole situation was wearing on her spirit. Piper kept telling her to fight for what she wanted, but she wondered how much fight she had left in her. Although her heart was telling her that Katrina was the one, her brain was calling her an idiot daily. How could she be so invested in someone she had only known for a little over two months?

  “I’m going to get her.”

  Willow opened her eyes when she heard Katrina’s voice. Willow perked up. She rushed out of the grotto and swam to the pool steps. Willow ran to the guest house to find Katrina standing in the room.

  “Hey, I was wondering where you were,” Katrina said as Willow walked into the house wiping the water from her with the towel.

  “I just decided to take a dip in the pool. What’s going on?”

  “We are going out tonight.” Katrina smiled.

  A huge smile covered Willow’s face. The truth was she didn’t want to spend another day kicking it with Devon. Willow thought Devon was sweet, but she didn’t come all the way from London to hang with Katrina’s best friend.

  Katrina sat on the bed contemplating her next move. She didn’t know if she should tell Willow what happened. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Willow. Katrina decided to take a page from Teri’s book and keep the little incident to herself.

  Willow decided it was time to take Piper’s advice. She pulled out her sexy black peasant dress that was so short she knew she had to watch it bending over. The dress hung off her shoulders, with only two small strings holding the dress up on her shoulders. The crystal embellishments on the bottom added an elegant touch to the flirty dress. She put on a pair of open-toed stiletto boots Piper gave her. Willow infused her hair giving her huge curls.

  Katrina turned her head from the television when Willow walked out of the bathroom. Katrina sat up in the chair; she did a double take; her eyes widened at the vision standing in the bathroom. Willow was always beautiful, but she pulled out all her sex appeal in the dress. Katrina felt the heat rising. She didn’t want to take her out; she wanted to keep Willow all to herself.

  “What do you think?” Willow asked the drooling Katrina.

  “I . . . I . . . um,” Katrina stuttered. “I . . . wow.”

  Willow smiled. She had to remember to thank Piper later.

  They walked into the main house to see Teri nursing some cognac on the couch. Devon walked out of the bedroom wearing a short black skater dress with a plunging neckline. She stopped in her tracks when she laid eyes on Willow.

  “Damn, bitch, I need to go change,” Devon said looking at Willow up and down.

  Katrina stood behind Willow. She wrapped her arms around her torso. Teri turned her head to see Willow. Her mouth dropped open.

  “Fuck why does this bitch get all the hot girls?” Teri stood up, taking the last of her drink to the head.

  The group headed to one of their favorite lounges. The cover band was live, packing the dance floor with people two stepping to the beat. The group made it to their reserved table where a bottle of Grey Goose was sitting on ice.

  “Willow, come on, girl, let’s dance.” Devon stood up.

  “You better keep the men off of her, Devon,” Katrina warned.

  “Hey you snooze you lose,” Devon yelled as the two headed to the dance floor.

  Katrina watched as Devon showed Willow the basics of how to two step. The band went into a cover of “Baby I’m Scared of You,” which only filled the floor more. Willow made her way back to the table while Devon danced with an attractive bald brother.

  “I don’t know any of these songs,” Willow said as she sat on Katrina’s knee. “But I like it.”

  Katrina kissed Willow on her cheek as they moved to the music at the chair.

  Teri headed to the bar to grab something to mix in the Grey Goose. She rolled her eyes, annoyed with the bartender who kept bypassing her for men she felt would tip better. Teri turned around to check out what was happening on the dance floor. She noticed a face that looked too familiar.

  Teri made her way through the crowd. She was right; toward the stage was Victoria dancing with a tall white man. Teri couldn’t help but laugh at the man who was struggling to keep up with Victoria. Teri walked over tapping Victoria on her shoulder. Vitoria turned around. Her expression was quite haunting.

  “Hey.”

  “Um hello, Ms. Teri. Daniel, this is Teri Howard, she works in pharmaceuticals. Teri, this is Daniel, my husband.”

  Teri wanted to blow the spot up but she resisted the urge. She held her hand out, shaking Daniel’s hand. Victoria clung to Daniel’s jacket for dear life.

  “Well I just wanted to come over and say hi. I thought it was you I saw.” Teri looked Victoria in her eyes. She wanted her to know she was pissed.

  “It’s great seeing you. I will see you at work Monday.”

  “Yes, you will.” Teri walked away.

  Willow noticed a man staring at her and Katrina. It wasn’t the usual stares she got for being sexy. This man looked like he was angry about something. Devon came back from the dance floor and plopped down in her seat just as Teri arrived with a tray of glasses with cranberry juice in them. Willow glanced back at the man; he was staring at her, folding his arms. Uncomfortable, she slid off Katrina’s knee and into her own chair.

  “What’s wrong,” Katrina asked as Willow’s energy seemed to shift.

  “Nothing, I’m all right.”

  Katrina turned her body completely to Willow who wouldn’t stop looking down at the table.

  “It’s nothing.” Willow shook her head.

  “No, Willz, tell me.”

  Willow motioned her head in the direction of the man. “I am probably overreacting but he just kept staring and it made me feel weird.”

  Katrina slowly glanced at the guy who was making no attempt to hide his distaste for their table.

  “Just try to ignore him but if you feel uncomfortable we can leave.”

  “No, I’m okay. It’s nothing; I am sure of it.” Willow smiled; the last thing she wanted to do was ruin the night before it really got started.

  The club reached maximum capacity. Teri felt like a fool but she couldn’t stop staring at Victoria and her husband. How did she not know the woman was married? There were no signs of a husband in her house or office. She never wore a ring and never mentioned anything about any type of partner. Teri felt some kind of way as she continued to stalk the couple through the clu
b. She took her moment when she saw Victoria heading to the bathroom.

  Victoria came out of the stall to see Teri staring at her through the mirror. Victoria walked up to the sink next to Teri. She began washing her hands.

  “I know you are mad,” Victoria said as she lathered the foaming soap on her hands.

  “I’m not mad.” Teri shook her head. “I’m fucking furious.”

  “Teri, you can’t be that mad. We aren’t in a relationship or anything. Well we’ve been fucking for a week.”

  “It’s not about what we have been doing or how long we have known each other. You lied to me.”

  “I didn’t lie. I omitted.” Victoria showed no signs of remorse.

  “Did you ever think that maybe I didn’t want to sleep with a married fucking woman?”

  Victoria shrugged her shoulders. “Exactly. If I would have told you we wouldn’t have had fun this week. But we did and we still can.” Victoria tried to put her arms around Teri who quickly pulled away.

  “Okay, you are trippin’. I’m so done with you.” Teri turned to walk away until Victoria called her name.

  “Teri, this isn’t over. You will want me again, and I’ll be waiting, with open legs.”

  Teri shook her head and walked out of the bathroom.

  Devon and Willow were completely wasted. The women draped their arms on each other.

  “Katrina, I like her, keep her,” Devon slurred.

  “Okay, I think you are cut off,” Katrina said taking the glass from Devon.

  “You know I’m right. She’s so cute and sexy.” Devon held both sides of Willow’s face. “Look at this face; you could just kiss her.”

  Without saying a word Devon leaned in, pressing her lips against Willow’s. Katrina’s mouth dropped open. Willow was astonished, not sure of what she should do. Devon pulled back with a drunken smile on her face.

  “I think I’m going to throw up now.” Devon sluggishly stood up. Katrina held on to her friend.

  “I’m going to walk with her. I’ll be right back,” Katrina said to Willow. Willow nodded as she shot the last of her drink.

  Willow watched the band and the people dancing on the dance floor. It was different from the dance clubs she went to in London. The old school music had a bluesy vibe that she enjoyed but was new for her. Willow nodded her head to the beat until she felt someone sit down in the seat next to her. She turned her head to see the man who was staring at her earlier.

  “I’m sorry but this seat is taken.” Willow was nervous. She didn’t know what the man was going to try.

  “Now you know you are too fine to be a dyke.” The man’s breath smelled like weed and hard liquor.

  “Excuse me, but I would like for you to leave now.”

  “Aw don’t be like that. I’m just letting you know you got better options.” The man touched her on her thigh. Willow jumped up from the table.

  “Please leave my table immediately,” Willow forcefully commanded, which only upset the man more.

  “What you too good for a real man?”

  Teri appeared. She put her arm in front of Willow. “Come on, Willz, it’s time to roll.” Teri took Willow by her hand.

  The man grabbed Teri’s arm. “I ain’t done talking yet.”

  “Let go of me, bro,” Teri demanded.

  “Fuck outta here.” The man pushed Teri with so much force she fell to the floor. Willow helped her up.

  Pissed, Willow pushed the man who jerked her by her arm.

  “Don’t ever put yo’ hands on me,” the man yelled, shoving Willow in her head until she fell over the chairs.

  Two men close by pulled the guy back as Teri helped Willow up. They watched as one of the men argued with the drunk man until he pushed the guy causing him to punch the drunk man, knocking him to the floor with one punch. Security arrived out of nowhere, dragging the unconscious man out of the club.

  “Hey are you all right? Are you two all right?” the man who came to their rescue asked.

  “Yeah, I think we are okay,” Teri replied as she checked on Willow.

  Katrina and Devon walked out of the bathroom. They noticed the crowd gathered around their area. Feeling that something was wrong they fought their way through the crowd.

  “What happened?” Katrina ran up putting her hands on Willow’s shoulders.

  “It’s okay. The fucking prick pushed me.”

  “Who fucking pushed you?” Katrina was filled with rage.

  “Dude, it’s okay. They kicked him out.”

  “Thank you, sir, for helping.” Willow shook the man’s hand who came to her rescue.

  The group thanked him immensely and sent a bottle over to his table before heading out of the club. They saw the man still surrounded by the police. One of the security guards checked to make sure Willow was all right.

  The group walked into Devon’s house. Devon sat down at the first chair she could get to. Willow watched as Katrina walked past them without saying anything and headed straight to the guest house.

  “Thank you, guys, I had a lovely time.” A tight smile covered Willow’s face.

  “Yeah, right,” Teri said as she made herself comfortable on the couch, grabbing the throw blanket off the back and covering herself with it.

  “No, I really did; it was rather exciting. Thank you again for taking up for me.” Willow patted Teri on her shoulder before exiting the room.

  Willow could see Katrina sitting on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. She walked in, pulling the uncomfortable shoes off and flinging them to the side.

  “You must put some of that music on my playlist. I can have a Memphis playlist.” Willow smiled trying to break through the tension in the room.

  “Are you really okay? Let me see your arm.”

  Willow sat on the bed next to Katrina. Katrina examined the scrape on her arm. She got up and grabbed a bottle of peroxide from the bathroom. She let a little bit of the liquid drop on Willow’s arm causing tiny bubbles to appear. Katrina blew on the scrape. The air was cool, causing Willow’s body to shiver.

  “I’m really okay, Tree. Don’t be upset.” Willow placed her hand on Katrina’s thigh.

  “I am mad at myself. I should have been there. I can’t believe I wasn’t able to protect you.”

  “You were taking care of your friend, which was just as important. I was okay.” Willow rubbed her hand against Katrina’s thigh.

  “I still should have been there.” Katrina’s eyes blurred. The idea of anything happening to Willow was maddening to her.

  Suddenly she could see clearly again. She truly did care about Willow, so much the idea of anything happening to her scared her. She knew in that moment that she didn’t want to lose her.

  “Willow,” Katrina muttered under her breath.

  “Yeah,” Willow replied as she stood up.

  “It’s you. I want to be with you.”

  Willow couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Katrina stood up, walking over to her surprised girl. Katrina had lifted Willow’s chin with her finger, pressing her lips against Willow’s. Katrina pulled Willow’s body into hers. Nothing else mattered; she wanted to be with Willow more than ever.

  Katrina traced the edges of Willow’s body with her fingertips, tasting the salty sweetness of her skin, getting lost in her curves. Their bodies intertwined, becoming one as they gave themselves to each other unconditionally.

  Chapter 26

  Katrina had never been so sure about anything in her life. Willow was the one she wanted to be with. As they woke up, bodies tangled together, she knew that fate brought them together, and even though she would always care about Saura, her heart no longer belonged to her.

  “So you know Teri is expecting something awesome for her birthday,” Devon’s voice echoed through Katrina’s car speakers bringing Katrina out of her own thoughts.

  “I know, things are set, we are doing dinner at the restaurant. I am preparing a special meal for us, all her favorites. Do you think we should invite t
he Victoria chick?”

  “I don’t know,” Devon responded. “You know she might want to find some new booty that night.”

  Katrina pulled on her street. She let out a loud sigh.

  “Oh what’s that all about?” Devon questioned.

  “I just hope this girl doesn’t do anything crazy,” Katrina said as her house came into view.

  “I mean you know she is going to be mad, but what’s the worst that could happen?”

  Silence filled the car. They both knew that things could go really bad. Katrina pulled into her driveway.

  “Oh I really don’t want to do this.”

  “You got to,” Devon’s voice echoed through the car. “Go ahead and get it over with.”

  “If I call you back you better answer the fucking phone. I might need you to call the police.”

  Devon laughed but Katrina knew she was dead serious. She knew Saura had a mean streak in her; she just hoped she didn’t let it out today. Katrina turned her car off and got out. She headed to the front door. She put her key in the door, turning the knob as slow as she could.

  Saura came from the back of the house when she heard the front door close. She wasn’t expecting Katrina ’til later. As she walked closer and saw the look on Katrina’s face, she knew something bad was coming.

  “Saura.” Katrina stood in the doorway. “We need to talk.”

  Saura shook her head. She didn’t want to hear whatever it was that Katrina wanted to say to her. She could tell from the straight-faced look on Katrina’s face what was about to happen, and she wasn’t ready for it.

  “Saura, please, sit down.”

  “No, I’d rather stand.” Saura stood in the hallway entrance with her arms folded tight.

  “I don’t really know how to tell you this, but—”

  “No, I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear that you are leaving me for her.”

  “It’s not that I’m leaving you for her, but, Saura, I just don’t think this is going to work anymore.”

  “That’s bullshit!” Saura hit her hand against the wall.