Don't Tell A Soul by Tiffany L. Warren Page B

hurt my feelings. “All right, girl. You want to get lunch tomorrow? Maybe Yvonne can come, too.”
    â€œYes. We’ve got to grill her about Kingston.”
    â€œOkay! She thinks we forgot.”
    â€œShe needs to go on ahead and get back on the horse. Luke is sure riding into the sunset. That loser is getting married!”
    I chuckle. “Wow.”
    â€œHe claims he’s changed. He’s started a church.”
    â€œShut the front door!”
    Taylor giggles now. “Yes, child.”
    â€œWell, I guess anyone can change.”
    â€œMmm-hmmm. Anyone can start a church!”
    I hear Aria’s loud, shrill giggle in my home and decide it’s time to end this conversation.
    â€œSee you tomorrow, Taylor. Troy and I have company.”
    â€œOkay. Text me the place tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay.”
    After I disconnect the call, I walk back through the kitchen, where Gretchen has got everything under control. The chicken is sautéing with the onions and bell peppers, and she’s added slices of chili peppers to the mix.
    â€œYou need any help?” I ask.
    Gretchen smiles. “I got this, Mom. Daddy’s friends are here.”
    Gretchen knows me so well. She’s been my shadow ever since she could walk, and she has discernment when it comes to my feelings. She knows that I do not like Aria, even though I’ve never said it out loud.
    I put a fake smile on my face as I stride into the living room. Aria sees me and runs over to me. She gives me a tight hug and air kisses. I feel my body tense from this unwanted affection.
    â€œHey, Ms. Pam! Or should I say authoress Pam?”
    â€œUm, Pam is fine.”
    Logan hands me a colorful bouquet of mixed flowers and a gift bag. “I was a rude guest the last time I came by. This time I come bearing gifts.”
    Now, this makes me smile for real. I inhale the sweet fragrance of the flowers and then open the gift bag. There’s a small box with a beautifully decorated cupcake inside.
    â€œTroy said you like baked goods,” Logan explains.
    â€œI do, but I’m not sure if I need it. I’m on a diet.” A fact I am very much reminded of right now with Aria prancing around, wearing skinny jeans that hug her ridiculously large bottom. How can a woman even have that big a behind with those skinny legs? I thought big behinds came with big thighs. Mine does!
    â€œYou look great,” Logan says. “A grown man isn’t afraid of a grown woman’s curves. Isn’t that right, Troy?”
    Troy laughs out loud. “Don’t discourage her, Logan! She’s doing great on her diet. You are looking good, babe.”
    I narrow my eyes at Troy and take a huge bite of the strawberry and cream cupcake. The sweet, creamy frosting gives me a sugar rush, which immediately lifts my mood.
    â€œEnough kissing up to my wife!” Troy says. “Let’s get started on this music. I can’t wait to hear these tracks.”
    Not knowing quite what to do with myself, I sit down on the couch and wait to see what happens next. Aria takes her usual place on the stool in front of Troy’s keyboard. She always looks like she’s posing there to me, with her head thrown back and her weave flowing over her shoulders. Troy and Logan go to the computer and load the flash drive.
    The next thing I hear is a pounding, almost disco beat, but with a melody on top of it. It sounds like something you’d hear in a club or one of those rave things that teenagers have.
    â€œThat’s hot!” Aria says. “But what am I going to sing to that?”
    Logan holds up one finger, as if he’s waiting for something. Then he sings, “I came for the party. Now, leave me alone. You didn’t bring your boys. I didn’t bring my girls. I came to get my party on. Baby, I’m grown. I’m gone keep on dancing till the break of dawn.”
    After hearing Logan sing it a few times, Aria starts