Southern Gossip: A Complicated Love Story Read online

  Southern Gossip

  A Complicated Love Story

  By: Tiece

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  Chapter1

  Jada sat on the front porch of her family home enjoying the spring breeze that gently lifted her peach sundress as it rushed underneath it. “Whoo!” She gasped, catching her straw sunhat before it blew off of her head. She took in a deep breath while rocking back and forth on the white, wooden rocking chair.

  The amazing view of the green pastures and the rich country estate was still just as beautiful as it was when she was a child. She inhaled the fresh air, glancing over the twenty acres of well kept land. The air smelled of sweet pine, taking her back down the most pleasant moments of memory lane. The wind whistled in the air, like nature was softly singing a soft melody in her ears. A smile crept across her face as she pushed her Gucci shades up, trying her best to block out the piercing rays of sunlight shining brightly from above.

  All of a sudden a surprised expression covered her face. She quickly removed her shades from over her light brown, almond shaped eyes while closely listening. Faintly, she could hear the sound of a 4-wheeler motor racing up the back path behind the big two-story family home. The familiar sound took her some years back of remembering what it was like being the love interest of both Marlon and A’keem Gray. The two brothers were well known in the city for their occasionally unpredictable behavior, spree of beautiful ladies, and fast cars. Not to mention, their personal business being spread across the city in the Weekly Times of Rocky Spring’s hottest gossip column called, ‘Here’s the Tea’. Anybody who was ever somebody had been spoken of at least once in that gossip column.

  Jada’s stomach fluttered as the sound of the ATV drove closer. Her heart pounded faster listening to the noise grow louder and louder. She stood up to peek around the side of the house, but while leaning over the white picket balcony surrounding the large, circular porch, the 4-wheeler zoomed past, startling her. The swift drive-by was followed by lightning speed winds that blew her sunhat off.

  “Hey!” She yelled out. The 4-wheeler immediately slammed on breaks causing a long skid mark to appear in the grass as the muscular framed guy cut a donut and came back towards her. Jada stood to the edge of the porch with her arms crossed as the 4-wheeler pulled up and stopped. A bright smile immediately spread across her face when she saw who it was.

  “My Mama is gonna kill you for digging up her yard.” She teased with her arms folded.

  Hearing her voice was like music to his ears as Marlon smiled. Jada had a sweet, southern accent that was quite different and very cute. Her presence invigorated him as he stepped off of the 4-wheeler.

  “Miss Jada Kent,” he said with a satisfied expression on his face. “I heard you were back in town.” He walked over to the porch noticing that her sunhat was on the ground. “My bad, did I do that?”

  She popped her lips. “Yes you did, Marlon Gray.” He laughed to himself as he cut his eyes at her then leaned down to pick up the straw sunhat. “Just like the perfect gentlemen.” She said with a blushing smile.

  He grinned at her comment. His perfect white teeth added a touching glow to the handsome, bright smile he shot her way. “Some things in a man never changes.” He responded as he winked, and then held the hat up. “If you want it come get it.”

  “Well for goodness sake, I do want it since I paid for it.” She remarked with a tone of playful sarcasm.

  “Don’t just stand there, get your sexy ass down these steps and give me a hug so I can give you this ugly ass hat back.” Jada laughed out loud. She didn’t want to seem too eager, but Marlon looked good standing there in a fresh pair of Ralph Lauren blue jean shorts and a navy blue, Ralph Lauren polo shirt. He still looked the same; tall, dark, and very handsome. His deep wavy, jet black hair was now about two inches high. He had a temple tape that accentuated a different look.

  Jada’s peach sundress blew lightly in the wind as she made her way down the steps towards him. Marlon immediately wrapped his arms around her the second she was within reaching distance.

  “I’ve missed that voice and this smell,” he whispered holding her tightly around her waist. Undeniably, she too felt the stimulating chemistry they shared as she hugged him back. “It’s good to see you, Beautiful.” He added.

  “It’s good to see you, too.” She responded as the warm feel of his soft lips kissing the side of her neck made her mushy inside. The soft spot she’d held for Marlon was like no other. He was every woman’s prince charming, but none lucky enough to become his princess.

  Marlon gently let go and backed up a bit, but only to get a good look at the only one woman who’d ever stolen his heart then walked away with it. She hadn’t changed a bit. Her beautiful eyes, long eyelashes, and pretty face had him in a deep trance. Her shoulder length hair was still pulled up in a ponytail with the baby hair naturally showing around her edges. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to kiss her soft, tempting lips, but he held his composure. “That smile always did something to me.” He finally said causing her to blush.

  “You’ve always brought out the best in me,” she said with the feeling of just wanting to jump in his arms and love him like he’d always wanted and needed her to. She cleared her throat knowing that it was best to change the subject before something intimate happened. “So, how’s the family?”

  “Everybody’s good. It’s the same old, same old.” He answered with a soft chuckle. “You’ve not missed anything in the five years that you’ve been gone, trust me. You know Rocky Springs wouldn’t be Rocky Springs if shit wasn’t always so damn rocky ‘round here.”

  Jada laughed. “You know I know.” She said, thinking that the city’s relentless gossip about her and her family was one of the main reasons why she had to go away for so long. “Gossip, money, sex, and lies will always run this city. I’ve not known a time in my twenty-eight years of living that it hasn’t. I was born already knowing that this city was gonna make me a star just because of my last name.” She teased causing Marlon to laugh.

  He nodded his head definitely agreeing. “You should know.” He responded while thinking back at how quickly time had passed since he last saw her. He shook his head feeling like it was a lifetime ago. “Hell, I didn’t think you were ever gonna show your face around here again. I thought that Jada had done what the people expected her to do.”

  “And, Jada is wondering what that was?” She questioned with sarcasm.

  “They expected you to run away from love without ever looking back. Don’t act like you don’t know the history.” He responded.

  She shook her head with an unpleasant smirk. “Make me feel bad about coming back, why don’t you?” She said holding the edges of her knee high sundress down as the wind continued to briskly blow.

  “I didn’t mean it like that.” He explained. “I was in general speaking of the way you just up and left here. I didn’t know what to think. After you took off running, all I got was a phone call telling me that you couldn’t do it and that you were sorry that it had to be that way.” His expression still showed the hurt and disappointment that she’d left behind. “Oh and before you hung up, you told me to move on and find someone else.” He added. “Five years later, now you’re back.”

  “Okaaaaaaaay,” she sorrowfully dragged. “I understand where you’re coming from,” she said no
t really wanting to relive the moment at that moment. Again, she attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction. “So, how’s Seth with his crazy ass?”

  “Cuz is still cuz and just as funny as before you left.”

  Jada grinned. “I should’ve known. And, how are your mom and dad?”

  Marlon shook his head with light laughter. “Mom is still getting inside everybody’s head.”

  “Of course,” Jada quickly agreed with a nod of the head.

  “And Dad is still the King of his castle, still holding the key to the city.” Marlon added.

  “Some things will never change in Rocky Springs.” She uttered. “And how is Mama Gray?” She laughed, knowing all too well that Mama Gray was a handful and some.

  “She’s a little under the weather today, but she’s been good. Still nosey as ever, but she’s good. You know she’s gonna be upset that you’re home and hadn’t stopped by to see her yet.” He said thinking that his Grandmother always adored Jada regardless of the things that went on between the Gray’s and the Kent’s. “She missed you just as much as I did.”

  “I know and I’ve missed her too. I’m going to stop by there soon.” Jada said feeling somewhat bad about the way she’d packed her things and left town without an explanation why. She was actually hoping to never return, but now she’d found herself back. “You must be heading over to Mama Grays’ house now?” She asked.

  “Yep,” he said with a handsome Colgate smile spread across his face. “It’s one of the reasons why I chose to invade your yard space. You know it’s much quicker to get there through the path.” He grinned while looking back at the ATV.

  She grinned back. “Of course, and if your dad knew about you cutting through this yard he’d get you.”

  Marlon shook his head. “He can be a stubborn man at times.” They laughed. “But, I must admit that I haven’t traveled this route in quite a while.” His thoughts reflected back to the many times that he and his brother had taken the shortcut through the wooded path just to get some kind of fun time with Jada or hoping for a glimpse of her as they headed to their grandmother’s house.

  “It’s just like before I left.” She said blocking the sun out of her face as her eyes wandered off a bit, but gradually returned back to him. “How’s Keem?” She slick slid in. She knew that asking about A’keem could resurface old unsavory feelings, but since so much time had gone by, hopefully it wouldn’t.

  Marlon didn’t hesitate as he answered. “Keem is good. All over the place, but he’s good.” He knew that his brother’s name would eventually come up. There was no way around it considering the history that they all shared together; a very complicated history to say the least.

  “Good,” she said with a hesitant pause. “Weeeeell,” she softly stalled.

  “Yeah well,” he cut in sensing that their temporary reunion had run its course for the moment. “Let me get outta here. I’m sure that Mama Gray is looking for me being that I called her as soon as I was leaving the house.”

  “Oh yeah, she is definitely looking and will probably ride by here soon if you’ve not made it there in the next five minutes.” They laughed as she looked down at her Gucci Timepiece like she was counting down the time.

  “Just a heads up,” Marlon said so she’d know what was going on. “Mom did call and tell Mama Gray that you were back in town.”

  “How did I already know that your mama would be all up in my business?”

  “Where ever your pretty lil feet walk at on Rocky Spring’s soil you can count on her knowing about it one way or the other.”

  “Trust, I already know.” She irritably uttered, thinking back at how manipulative Mrs. Gray could be in order to find out things concerning her sons or her husband. Jada stared at him, sincerely wanting to bring up parts of her life that he’d missed while she was gone, but decided against it. She was still uncertain about her drawn out feelings for him. “Well, don’t let me hold you. Serenity should be pulling up soon anyway. We’re going into the city to shop a bit and then out to eat.”

  “Sounds like you and your bestie are about to paint the city. It’ll be in the, ‘Here’s The Tea,’ column this week.” Jada was so caught up in his handsome looks and fine muscular frame that she was stuck for a moment watching him. He always left a lasting imprint stamped on her mind.

  Marlon chuckled a little causing her to snap back to reality. She quickly cleared her throat. “So, maybe we’ll stop by your place of business later tonight.” She finally said.

  “Stop by my place of business?” he asked like he was surprised.

  “Sure, why not? Just because I’ve been gone for a while doesn’t mean that I’ve lost my spunk. I’m still very good company. Plus, you know that’s my kinda place or have you forgotten?” she questioned with sarcasm.

  Marlon smiled immensely.”How could I ever forget about that?” He teased, thinking back at the time when she and Serenity had given him a seductive, half naked lap dance for his 21st birthday.

  Jada blushed, reminiscing about some of the sweetest moments of her life that were spent with Marlon. Their blissful thoughts were quickly interrupted by a jet flying overhead as instinct caused them to look up at the sky. Jada anxiously cleared her throat again, refocusing her attention back to Marlon. “Hey, I want you to know that I was very glad to hear that you’d started your own business and was doing something you wanted to do. I know that had to be hard going against your family’s wishes.”

  “My mom and Mama Gray were the main ones who didn’t agree with me opening the Lion’s Den.”

  “That’s because it’s a titty bar.” Jada slid in. “You know y’all have an image to uphold around here.”

  “Well, my father is the Mayor of this city and he didn’t make a big deal out of it.”

  “He’s a man, Marlon. What men do you know that don’t wanna look at a fine female with a nice set of breasts as she’s sliding her half naked ass up and down a damn stripper pole?” she questioned.

  Marlon laughed a little and shook his head. Her southern accent was to die for. He loved it. They all had down South accents, but Jada’s was very distinct. “You’re still a smartass, I see.” He told her.

  “I’m just saying.” She commented with a playful chuckle.

  “Either way, my dad ended up feeling like it could be good for the family name. It added a taste of entertainment for the people here.” He said referring to those that traveled near and far, showing their love of the place by stopping by to kick back inside of his exotic lounge.

  “I can only imagine,” Jada said feeling like the only night life they’d had in the past was partying at a friend’s house or at the park on the Gray Plantation.

  “Look, we have different things going on each night of the week. So for your information, Miss Jada Kent, the women on the stripper poles don’t always strip or touch the pole for that matter. We have some very tasteful nights of just erotic dances, good food, and mixed drinks.”

  Jada looked at him with the side eye stare. “Well, what’s going on tonight?” She asked with good intention, but before Marlon could answer, she added, “Because, I wanna see some breast and ass?” She teased, but was very serious. She was back in town and there was no way that she wasn’t turning up. If Lynn Hilton’s famous gossip column, ‘Here’s The Tea,’ was going to report that she was back. She’d make it worth their while writing about it.

  “I want you to come out and enjoy yourself, but don’t forget that this city is relentless in finding out the juiciest gossip. I’m sure that reporters come in and out of my business trying to dig up something on us and now that you’re back,” he paused taking in a deep breath. “They may get a raise in trying to find out exactly why you left on a day that I thought was supposed to be special for us.” He said, also trying to figure out what had happened on that joyous day that turned out to be his worst nightmare.

  Jada dropped her head, knowing that there would be questions. She wasn’t sure if she was ready
to answer them, but she was ready to face her fears in hopes of putting the past behind her.

  Marlon stepped up to her as she rested the side of her face on his chest. He couldn’t resist the urge to once again wrap his arms around her body as a sign that he still cared. For the moment he just wanted to keep her close and only think of the happy times.

  Just knowing that he was still the Marlon she knew before she’d left only confirmed the feelings he would always have for her. She had no choice but to do something about those unresolved feelings between the both of them. Walking away again wasn’t an option. However, secrets scattered across the Gray Plantation would make it very difficult for a girl to ever choose wisely.

  ***

  Elsewhere on the Gray Plantation, Mr. Gray had just entered his large, family home and had made it upstairs. He walked inside the huge master bedroom suite as he looked over at his beautiful wife. Upon seeing her, he started. “Darling, where is Marlon? I see his car parked out front, but I didn’t see him.”

  Mrs. Gray glanced away from the Essence magazine that she was reading. “He left on the 4-wheeler to go to your mom’s house. Apparently, she’s not feeling well and he was going to sit with her for awhile.” She responded.