Free Who's That Lady? by Andrea Jackson

Smothering a groan, she gave it a cursory drying and secured it with an elastic band at her nape.
    All the time, her brain was moving on fast forward speed. Why was he coming over here now? What kind of mood would he be in? Who was he bringing with him? Was this person connected with last night somehow? A shrink? A preacher? An exorcist? Someone planning to sue her?
    The sound of the doorbell made her drop the hairbrush to the dresser top with a clatter. Motionless, her heart hammering, she concentrated on taking deep, calming breaths. Be cool. Stay calm .
    After a minute, she wiped her sweaty palms on her pants legs, moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and walked out to face her ordeal.
    She was on the stairs when she heard Shonté open the door with a greeting. Crystal’s heart did a little skip at the sound of Key’s voice when he responded. She plastered on a smile and kept moving steadily down the stairs as Key came through the door, then half turned to extend his hand to someone outside.
    A young girl allowed herself to be drawn inside. Flashing Shonté a nervous smile, she ducked her head shyly. The girl couldn’t have been more than seventeen or so. Tall, slender, with a mass of long coppery braids hanging down her back, she wore a pair of tight, low-slung jeans. When she slipped off her jacket, a strapless top bared her shoulders. She would have been narrow-waisted except for the bulge of early pregnancy pushing between her top and her jeans. One fine-boned hand spread protectively over her protruding belly.
    Crystal rocked to a stop on the step, a scowl twisting her face. Who the hell was she? Had Key lost his mind, hauling around an underage pregnant teenage girl? She was positive the girl had something to do with one of Key’s football players, but didn’t the man know the meaning of the word discretion? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d let his concern get him in trouble.
    She didn’t realize she’d made a sound until all three of them turned to look up at her curiously.
    “You okay, Shortcake?”
    “I’m okay,” she said through gritted teeth. “Are you? What is this, a kidnapping or something?”
    He sprang away from the girl’s side as if burned. The flash of guilt he shot at her was secretly gratifying. “She’s not with me! I’m helping someone. I know after last night, I should have called…or something…But when the phone call came this morning, I didn’t know who else to go to. You know?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” She made an effort to pull herself together. After last night! Good grief, it was already affecting the way they interacted. Of course he’d come to her for help. That was exactly the way she wanted it. Nothing more.
    “What’s the matter?” Shonté asked with an anxious tone.
    “Nothing. I’m okay.” She wiped a hand across her mouth, then turned to the girl, who was watching them with huge, scared eyes.
    “Come on in, honey. Let’s sit down and talk.”
    Key made introductions. “This is Jalessa Hines. My sister Shonté and her roommate Crystal Taylor, who I told you about.”
    Shonté invited them to the kitchen where she had prepared a meal. Crystal took note of the savory smells wafting through the condo, but her stomach rebelled.
    “I’ll be there in a minute,” she mumbled.
    Key hung back while Shonté led Jalessa toward the dining area. Now that she could notice details, Crystal saw he wasn’t looking much better than she felt. His normally gleaming skin was ashen, the skin beneath his eyes looked bruised, and he sported scruffy beard stubble. He was dressed in jeans, a jersey and new shoes, dazzling in their whiteness.
    As soon as the other two were out of earshot, he caught her elbow, his look guarded but intense. “Listen, we’ve got to talk later,” he murmured in a low tone. “I know this isn’t the best time, but I couldn’t let these kids do something crazy—”
    Crystal couldn’t suppress a slight gasp at the feel of his hand on