That took my breath away. This is what love is really about right here: a man willing to do whatever for me. God, give me a sign if this is real.
Once dinner was over we walked the strip, laughed, and talked about the possibilities of starting a new life together, away from Ohio and away from our old lives.
Kev grabbed me and we stood face to face. He bent his head down and softly bumped his forehead against mine. He hugged me. I closed my eyes and thought, I wonder if he thinks I have the money. I would have loved to enjoy this moment but that continued to haunt me.
He kissed me again. I had dreamt of being in his arms for so long, and now he was mine and the kiss was everything I could have ever imagined. It took my mind off the money for a moment, that’s for sure.
“Reese, marry me,” I thought I heard Kev say.
I looked up at Kev as if to say, “are you for real?” Am I hearing things? Did he just propose? Truly I was speechless. I knew we had spent a lot of time together over the years and I knew we both had deep feelings for each other, but I never expected him to say this, never.
Marry me. Those words rang in my ears. I wanted him to be my husband but at the same time I was torn. I had begun to believe I wasn’t worth anything and would never be married again or happy. Besides that, I knew Kev was in the game deep. Was he really getting out the game like he said? All of this was something to think about. Love would not be enough any longer to make me stay with someone. Logic had to be there, and when I looked at this picture in full, Kev was a drug dealer, plain and simple.
“Kev, what about the dope?”
He took my hand and led me over to a bench outside the hotel near a beautiful water fountain. I sat on his lap and put my arms around his neck. I laid my head on his chest and relaxed.
“I’m out the game,” he stated. “I’m serious, Reese. I came to Vegas to help Jay. That’s all.”
I lifted my head and tilted it and watched him explain.
“I’m serious. That money that came up missing was for some people here. I told Jay I would pay it for him.”
Oh my God. I felt so bad. “Kev, about the money . . . I’m sorry.” I was about to spill the truth and just give the money to Kev when he cut me off.
“Look, Reese, I don’t wanna know.” It’s like he knew what I was about to say. “It’s covered, that’s all you need to know. Don’t bring up that money again.”
I wanted him to know I had it and I wanted to give it back to him. I have to tell him I have the money. No if, ands, or buts about it, my mind ordered.
“I told you a while ago I wanted out of this and this”—he pointed to me—“you . . . you are my reason.” He grabbed my hands. “Marry me? I promise I’ll take care of you.” He waited for a response by never taking his eyes off of me.
I sat on the bench and looked him in the eyes for a moment longer, asking myself if I could trust him. I loved him. I knew I did. I believed him. It made sense with him. Love and logic.
“Yes, Kev, I will marry you,” I blurted.
He picked me up and swung me around, then we kissed.
“Let’s talk for a minute,” I said. I was concerned with my salvation for the first time in a long time and I wanted Kev to understand that getting it right with Jesus was my focus.
I led him back to the bench to sit. I grabbed Kev by the hands and said, “I have to get it together, Kev, because I know God is looking at my life and seeing a big mess. I can’t be a part of drugs anymore. Please let’s just get the boys and leave. Please, Kev, promise me you will get on the plane with us? Jason isn’t going to do anything. God will protect us.”
He paused a moment before saying, “I’ll seriously think about it. I may have to stay in Ohio for a few months to play it off. I don’t want nobody to suspect anything. I want you and the boys to be safe, Reese, that’s all. I don’t care about the business, just you.”
Chapter 21
Fairytales
We got rid of our rooms and decided since we were engaged we could share a suite for the night. We promised each other no funny business. We wanted to be close to each other. I knew I didn’t want to spend another day away from this man. We left the lobby and went upstairs to the new room together.
The first thing I noticed in the suite was the peanut butter–colored leather couch with Moroccan pillows all over it. Then I turned and looked across from the couch and saw the fireplace. I went toward the window that was as wide and long as the whole wall and looked out on to the balcony. The view is amazing! I opened the balcony doors and walked out and could see all of Vegas in the far distance.
Kev stood back and smiled as I took everything in. He then sat on the soft, plush couch and watched me. He was so happy that I was going to be his wife and even happier that he was making my dreams come true.
I inhaled the Las Vegas wind that was blowing through my body, not even once thinking about any mess; I was in my moment.
I was interrupted by Kev’s cell ringing. I turned and saw him looking down at it. He picked it up and looked. “Reese, don’t worry, okay? I’ma take this. It’s Jay. I’m going to put it on speaker so you can hear everything.” I knew Kev was only doing that to show me that I could trust him.
“Hello,” Kev said.
“What’s up, Kev. You make it? Nobody in Ohio can get a hold of you,” Jason said.
“Aw, man, I’m good and, yeah, I made it here. I’ll be back there in a couple of days,” Kev said.
“Okay, you take care of that. Um, you seen Reese?” Jason wanted to know.
Kev looked at me for a minute to think about what he was going to say. “Naw, I ain’t seen her since the fight you two had. I talked to her but I ain’t seen her and as far as that thing, you in the clear.”
“Good lookin’ out, man. I did speak to Reese a couple hours ago. She was upset I spent money on her credit card and she found out I was here wit’ Eva in Aruba. Crazy huh?”
“Jay—” Before Kev could finish Jason interrupted.
“When I get back to Columbus I’ma stop treatin’ her like this. I don’t really have proof that she took that money, you know?”
I stood there listening. I knew Jason was lying. He was trying to get sympathy from Kev. He probably figured if Kev felt bad he would tell him where I was.
