Free Give Me Fever by Niobia Bryant Page A

2001.”
    “Oh, and the poison ivy in 2006.”
    Kaeden winced at each of his brothers adding fuel to the fire. How could he have forgotten the poison ivy he tripped and fell in when he accompanied his brothers and sister on a foolish horse race one Sunday afternoon after church? “Since we’re strolling down memory lane, Kahron, why don’t you tell Jade about the time you set the whole west field of the farm on fire.”
    “Whoo-oo-eee. Now that was one helluva whupping,” Kahron admitted.
    Jade smiled brightly as she eyed them all. “I wish I grew up in a large family,” she told them.
    “You’re an only child?” Kaeden asked, feeling completely mesmerized by the sight of Jade’s warm smile.
    “Unfortunately. You all are so lucky.”
    “Don’t be so sure,” Kaeden muttered darkly.
    She just smiled at him and reached over to reassuringly squeeze his hand quickly.
    Jade was very touchy-feely and Kaeden liked it—even if her innocent touches did arouse him. Just do it. Just ask her out , he thought. Step up to the plate.
    “I haven’t seen your mama since your parents’ divorce,” Kael said.
    “She’s fine. She lives in Summerville, but she’s hardly ever home since she’s a flight attendant.”
    Kaeden found himself staring at Jade’s profile and forced himself to look away. What do I say to her? How do I ask?
    “You look exactly like your mother,” Kael told her.
    “There’s another one of you running around?” Kaleb asked. “What flight is she on?”
    Kaeden eyed Kaleb thinking he would cross the line, but thankfully no further jokes came from his lips.
    “Well, fellas, this has been a long day,” Jade said, rising to her feet in her lemon sweatsuit. “I am going to leave y’all to this and turn in.”
    Jade stretched and Kaeden allowed his eyes to follow the curvy lines of her body. She hasn’t shown me any inclination that she likes me. Why would I put myself out there to be rejected?
     
    The look of pure horror on Lisha Strong’s face was priceless and her daughter captured it for all eternity on her iPhone.
    “There is no way I am putting that on,” Lisha said, her hand to her chest as she eyed the bright yellow and very sheer catsuit Bianca held up in her hands. “Who would?”
    Garcelle bit back a smile. “I have one in every color,” she admitted before she bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling. “And trust me, Mama Strong, it was worth every red centavo. ”
    Lisha raised a brow.
    “Mama, this is the first time you and Daddy have been apart in ages, and I think you should spice it up for him when he gets back tomorrow night,” Kaitlyn advised as she reached for another sheer entrapment in Frederick’s of Hollywood. “How about this?”
    “Be adventurous, Mama Strong,” Bianca advised with a soft smile as her diamond hoop earrings glistened from her ears.
    Lisha eyed the three of them. “Ladies, please get from underneath my husband and my clothes.”
    The three younger women just laughed before walking back to the rear of the store. Lisha side-eyed her companions as she reached inside her Coach purse. She turned to the young saleswoman. “Have the black one in a large sent to Lisha Strong at 1001 Cougar Lane…and keep the change,” she said, easing the hundred-dollar bill from her purse and into the saleswoman’s hand.
    “Right away, Mrs. Strong.”
    Lisha closed her purse and made her way to the back to join her daughters. Humph, they don’t need to be all up in me and Kael’s business , she thought with a sly smile. Like they really need to teach me something. Chile, please.
     
    Jade sighed as she dropped her used bath wipes into a Ziploc. The premoistened cloths were as thick and large as washcloths and Jade used enough to cleanse her entire body. It was a great alternative to a shower since they were too far from the public shower to walk to it. Use of any soap near any water source in the state parks was not allowed. She supplied the men with some bath