Free Doin' Me by Wanda B. Campbell Page A

the “benefits” part of the relationship ended with the pregnancy. The experience left them both scared and, eventually, led them to the altar and into a relationship with the Lord.
    â€œAre you still haunted by it?” Kevin asked. Tyson had shared with him the nightmares he used to have.
    â€œNo, but I still regret it.” Tyson cleared his throat in effort to steady his voice. “I wonder what could have been.” He looked his friend in the eyes. “And to be honest, I’m jealous of you and Leon. I’m starting to think maybe Paige and I don’t deserve a family, because of our selfish decision. Look at us. We’re both workaholics and can’t relate emotionally to anyone.”
    Kevin grabbed his shoulder. “Man, don’t do this to yourself. God forgave you and Paige a long time ago. You’re workaholics because you choose to be. You can’t express your feelings, because you’ve suppressed them for so long, you can’t identify what they are.”
    Tyson’s head dropped.
    â€œAnd you need to learn what unconditional love is,” Kevin said after shaking him until he lifted his head. “Not that legalistic stuff you experienced growing up.”
    â€œHow do I learn anything else?” Tyson asked, hunching his shoulders. “I’m thirty-six years old, and I have yet to receive that from a human. I have to give my father a list of my winning cases in order to get one compliment out of him. And Mother, she’s always been too busy enjoying the prestige of being the wife of a judge to care about me.”
    â€œMan, you know I love you. So does Marlissa. We accept you no matter how anal you are.” Kevin pushed him with his shoulder. “Come on, dude. You’re going to be my child’s godfather, remember?”
    Tyson maneuvered himself upright. “That’s right. And don’t forget to name him after me.”
    â€œHmm. Anal Jennings.” Kevin said the words slowly, then stood up. “It has a nice ring to it.”
    Tyson retrieved his towel and racket and once again started for the exit. “Just for the record, I love you too. I don’t think I could care for you more if you were my biological brother. And Marlissa? Well, she’s become the bossy little sister I never wanted, but I love her like crazy. And Leon and Starla have grown on me like mold on bread.”
    â€œThat wasn’t so bad, now was it?” Kevin asked once he stopped laughing. “Sharing your feelings is good for the soul.”
    â€œYeah, well, if you tell a soul about my emotional meltdown, I’ll sue you for defamation of character.”
    Kevin slapped him on the back. “And lose the only friend you have? I doubt that.”
    Tyson chuckled at his idle threat. Kevin’s unconditional friendship had carried him through the hardest times in his life. When he confided in him about the Paige situation, Kevin didn’t judge him. When he passed the bar exam on the first try, it was Kevin who celebrated his achievement before his parents did. And it was Kevin who’d accompanied him to the altar the day he dedicated his life to the Lord.
    Tyson treasured their bond, but he’d trade in his law practice to have a happily ever after with Reyna.

Chapter 11
    Strutting before the full-length mirror in her bedroom, Reyna admired her reflection. “Girl, you look good!” she exclaimed. The black lace–strapped dress was perfect. It showed just enough cleavage, without revealing too much, and flared just below the knee. She’d learned her lesson the hard way; it was possible to look sexy without impersonating a lady of the evening. If she spent the night with Peyton, he wouldn’t feel obligated to leave money on the nightstand.
    She and Peyton had spoken on the phone every day since their chance meeting five days ago. During those conversations, she learned Peyton had relocated to the Bay Area