Debra Webb - In His Touch Box Set (Here To Stay, Up Close, Tempting Trace, Basic Instincts) by Debra Webb Page A

possessed a key.
    “What’s up?” Calvin straightened from his supine position on the couch. He propped his forearms on his widespread knees.
    Paige sat down beside him. “I need to know why you’re so popular, Calvin.”
    He dropped his head and blew out a heavy breath. “My cousin A.J. works for the man.”
    “I assume you mean Malcolm Reed, the drug dealer?”
    “Yeah.” He paused. “I was running late for work. My car wouldn’t start and I didn’t want to get into trouble with my boss so I hitched a ride with A.J.”
    “Is A.J. one of the guys who took you for a ride today?”
    “Yeah. Him and Baby Dave.” Calvin shifted and clasped his hands, twiddling his thumbs around each other.
    “Did A.J. tell you something or show you something he shouldn’t have?”
    “Naw, he’s too smart for that. That day he took me to work he got a call on his cell phone. The caller wasn’t none too happy. So A.J. said he had to make a quick stop.” Calvin shifted again. “What could I say? Beggars can’t be choosers, you know?”
    “I understand,” Paige assured him.
    “When we got to the place, I waited in the car for a long time like he told me to.” Calvin shrugged. “But I was gonna be late for work, so I got nervous. I went on in the pawn shop to see what was keeping my cuz.” He let out a long breath and paused again. “The man running the place gave A.J. a package and told him he should be especially careful with it.” He fell silent then.
    “What happened then, Calvin?”
    “A.J. yelled at me for coming in. Told me to go back to the car.” Calvin rubbed his hands over his face. “He said if I ever told anybody what I saw that I’d be history. Said he had a hard time talking the man into letting me walk as it was.”
    “Do you think A.J. had anything to do with the drugs planted in your locker?”
    “I figure they did that to make sure I understood they were serious.” He shook his head slowly from side to side. “I wish I’d just went on and called in late for work that day.”
    Paige put her arm around his shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t worry, we’ll work this out, Calvin.”
    “I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Miss P. But I don’t want to cause you no trouble.” He gazed at her with the saddest eyes she had ever seen.
    “You’re no trouble, Calvin.” She smiled.
    Calvin returned her smile and then his expression grew somber. “What’s the deal between you and Tonto—I mean Nathan?”
    “No deal, just old friends. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
    “Yeah, right and my cousin A.J.’s the Pope.” Calvin chuckled. “I got eyes, Miss P.”
    “Well, I think you need to have your eyes checked, because we’re only friends.”
    Calvin snorted. “The man’s got it bad for you and you’re only friends. Yeah, right.”
    Paige shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous, Calvin.”
    “Just ‘cause you blind, don’t mean I am. I read the signals loud and clear. Old Nathan thinks you’re his woman.”
    “Well, old Nathan is wrong and so are you. I’m my own woman,” Paige stated firmly.
    “Whatever you say, Miss P.” Calvin shrugged. “Personally, I don’t see what women see in the tall, silent type. The man don’t have a sense of humor at all.”
    Paige laughed. And when she started she couldn’t stop. Tears streamed down her cheeks she laughed so hard. She hugged her abdomen and tried to compose herself, but nothing worked.
    “Don’t strain yourself, Miss P., it ain’t that funny.”
    “I’m sorry, Calvin,” She choked out, her breath catching on every other word. “You’re right. Nathan doesn’t have a sense of humor. Everything’s serious to him.” She sucked in a long breath and swiped her eyes.
    “I know I’m right,” Calvin informed her. He jutted his chin stubbornly. “I’m right about the other part, too. Old Tonto’s crazy about you and you know it.”
    Paige didn’t laugh this time. It wasn’t funny, because she knew