Free Was it Good for You Too? by Naleighna Kai Page A

care to join them?”
    Both looked at each other, then back to Tailan, then emphatically shook their heads.
    â€œRiiiight,” Tailan drawled with a lopsided grin at their lack of loyalty. “Love is love, blood is red, and money is green.” Something in the way she slowly straightened to her full height let Delvin know that she wasn’t done. With a quick shake of her head she blurted, “On second thought—no.” Tailan stared at Traci and Chanel. “I’ve had enough of you too. Stick with your homegirls.”
    She glanced to Delvin then immediately gave her attention to the rest of the authors. “I appreciate you backing me up on this. The police are on their way. I told them we need escorts for our celebrities.”
    When everyone looked toward Delvin, Tailan added, “Not him.”
    The authors laughed.
    â€œWell him too. But for all of you.” She fanned her hand over the group. “You are literary superstars, and don’t you forget it!”
    A roar of approval went up on the bus, and Delvin nearly burst with pride. In the excited commotion he took her hand and gave it a quick peck, then held it up like the winner of a boxing match.
    Joyce stood and faced the group and began to croon her take on an old gospel song. “I don’t know what you come to do, but I come to sell some books.”
    â€œSome books!” the rest of The Vets chimed in, rocking in their seats.
    â€œI come to sell some books.”
    â€œSome books,” the rest of the authors chorused.
    â€œI come to get sold out.”
    â€œSold out!”
    While Joyce and The Vets continued to bring the spirit in through song, and the four problem children huffed, a news van pulled up, and the camera crew piled out behind the reporter.
    Tailan tossed back her head and laughed as she clasped her hand in his.
    * * *
    Time was a precious commodity for Tailan. For her plan to work, all the pieces had to fall into place without a hitch. Showtime!
    Tailan nudged Delvin in his side. “Get out there and do your thing.”
    With a caress of her shoulder and a whisper of, “I’ve got this, baby,” in her ear, he was down the steps and walking toward the female reporters.
    Tailan moved to the driver. When he looked up she ordered, “Ray, move the bus near that crowd of people.” She pointed over to the steadily growing group in front of the store’s main entrance.
    The driver pulled about one hundred feet forward and opened the door.
    At that moment, The Nelson Entertainment Group team wheeled around the corner, tires squealing in protest as they stopped in front of the bus. Authors piled out and swiftly went to unload the books out of the cars.
    â€œTeamwork makes the dream work,” Tailan whispered. “Hallelujah!”
    The authors’ enthusiastic rushing about caught the attention of their fans. Stampede style, the excited book buyers hurried from the store and created a cul-de-sac around the bus. The authors were lined up, side by side with their books neatly stacked on the ground before them. Tailan wanted to kiss every single one of them.
    Still no police. Their presence would ease her fears immensely. She turned to the four authors on punishment. “You’ll have to wait until this signing’s over to go back to the hotel. I need all of my team with me right now.”
    â€œWhat can we do to help?” Nona asked in the softest tone she had used— ever .
    Tailan pursed her lips and absently massaged her temple. “Seriously?” she questioned. “Now you want to act like you’ve got some sense?”
    â€œYeah,” Nona started. “I was being difficult—”
    Tailan nearly choked on her response.
    â€œOkay, a bitch, and I know it,” Nona admitted. “Apologies for what I said to you and The Vets.” She cleared her throat twice; apparently, the humble pie was lodged in it. “I didn’t mean