The Devil Is a Lie Read online

  “FAITH-BASED FICTION DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN BILLINGSLEY’S” raves Publishers Weekly…. And in a starred review, Library Journal says her storytelling “will appeal to fans of Michele Andrea Bowen’s Second Sunday and Pat G’Orge-Walker’s Sister Betty! God’s Calling You, Again!”

  Be sure to read these wonderful, soul-satisfying novels

  from

  ReShonda Tate Billingsley!

  CAN I GET A WITNESS?

  A USA Today 2007 Summer Sizzler

  “Scores a direct hit on the ever-popular subjects of love, marriage, and divorce. Billingsley makes the spiritual angst hilarious…. Billingsley’s entertaining [novels are] notable for their humor, wonderful characters, and challenging life situations that many readers, Christian or not, can identify with.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “An emotional ride that rivals the highest roller coaster, and readers will not want to get off.”

  —Ebony

  “The prolific ReShonda Tate Billingsley serves up a humdinger of a plot.”

  —Essence

  THE PASTOR’S WIFE

  “ReShonda Tate Billingsley has done it again…. A true page-turner…. If you loved Let the Church Say Amen, then you’ll love The Pastor’s Wife.”

  —Urban-Reviews.com

  The heartwarming sequel to her #1 Essence bestseller

  Let the Church Say Amen

  EVERYBODY SAY AMEN

  A USA Today Top Ten Summer Sizzler!

  “Packed with colorful characters, drama, and scandal…. A fun, redemptive book.”

  —Romantic Times

  I KNOW I’VE BEEN CHANGED

  #1 Dallas Morning News bestseller

  “Grabs you from the first page and never lets go…. Bravo!”

  —Victoria Christopher Murray

  “An excellent novel with a moral lesson to boot.”

  —Zane, New York Times bestselling author

  “Emotionally charged…will not easily be forgotten.”

  —Romantic Times (4½ stars, Gold Medal, Top Pick)

  LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN

  #1 Essence magazine bestseller

  One of Library Journal’s Best Christian Books for 2004

  “Creating full-bodied characters and a plot that avoids heavy-handedness, Billingsley infuses her text with just the right dose of humor to balance the novel’s serious events.

  —Library Journal (starred review)

  “Amen to Let the Church Say Amen…. [A] well-written novel.”

  —Indianapolis Recorder

  “Emotionally compelling…. Full of palpable joy, grief, and soulful characters.”

  —The Jacksonville Free Press (FL)

  “Her community of very human saints will win readers over with their humor and verve.”

  —Booklist

  MY BROTHER’S KEEPER

  Her award-winning debut novel

  “This is a keeper.”

  —The Daily Oklahoman

  “Poignant, captivating, emotional, and intriguing…. A humorous and heart-wrenching look at how deep childhood issues can run.”

  —The Mississippi Link

  Also by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  Can I Get a Witness?

  The Pastor’s Wife

  Everybody Say Amen

  I Know I’ve Been Changed

  Let the Church Say Amen

  My Brother’s Keeper

  Have a Little Faith

  (with Jacquelin Thomas, J. D. Mason, and Sandra Kitt)

  Help! I’ve Turned Into My Mother

  And check out ReShonda’s young adult titles

  Friends ’Til the End

  Fair-Weather Friends

  Getting Even

  With Friends Like These

  Blessings in Disguise

  Nothing But Drama

  Pocket Books

  A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  1230 Avenue of the Americas

  New York, NY 10020

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2009 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

  POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1–866-248–3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Billingsley, ReShonda Tate.

  The devil is a lie / by ReShonda Tate Billingsley.—1st Pocket Books trade paperback ed.

  p. cm.

  1. African Americans—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3602.I445D48 2009

  813’6—dc22

  2008054652

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-7816-1

  ISBN-10: 1-4165-7816-1

  Visit us on the Web:

  http://www.SimonandSchuster.com

  A Note from the Author

  I cannot believe I’m doing this again. Not only because I can’t believe I’ve written eighteen books in eight years, but because I swore I was done writing acknowledgments. I’d even gone as far as turning my manuscript in without them, but when the time came to send in my final corrections, I just couldn’t send my book back without acknowledging the people who help me do what I do. But just to be clear, this isn’t an acknowledgment page, so if your name isn’t here, don’t feel slighted. This is just a note from the author, to thank a few people, say a few things, and let you know how eternally grateful I am to be living my dream.

  And I am living my dream.

  I’m making up stories for a living. (See, Ma, you always called it lying and didn’t buy my “active imagination” argument, but it paid off.) And these stories ARE MADE UP. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I don’t care if something in one of my books sounds just like something that so-and-so did. Any resemblances to actual characters or situations are purely coincidental. And if you shared something with me and you now see it in my book, that’s just a coincidence as well. Besides, if you don’t tell anyone it’s you, I won’t, either. But I digress. The great thing about what I do is that my stories, while fictional, mirror the lives of so many people. I can’t tell you the number of people who say they’ve learned to forgive, to love, to heal, to be open and honest, who’ve renewed their relationship with God, who gave their marriage a second chance, etc., etc.—all because they were moved by something in one of my books.

  That’s some powerful stuff and it makes everything I do worthwhile.

  But I wouldn’t be able to do what I do were it not for some very important people who make my writing career possible. Of course, first and foremost, thank you, God, for blessing me with a talent to write.

  Much thanks to the man who has been there from the very beginning, who nurtured and encouraged my dream when it was still a concept, Dr. Miron Billingsley. Thank you to my three lovely children, who bear with me when I’m writing and traveling.

  And to my absolutely incredible support system, there are not enough words to show my gratitude for helping my writing career flourish by making my personal life flow as smoothly as possible. My mother, Nancy Blacknell, I am what I am because of you. My sister Tanisha Tate, who does whatever I need, whenever I need it, without complaint. (Okay, I take that back,
you do complain, but you still do it, so thanks!) Fay Square, you have no idea the blessing you have been in my life. I thank God for you!

  As always, many, many thanks to my agent, Sara Camilli; my editor, Brigitte Smith; Melissa Gramstad; Louise Burke; the awesome people who design my covers (I’ve never met you but you are the best!); and everyone else at Pocket Books. I’ve been so lucky to have found a publishing home I’ve loved from the beginning. Thanks for all your hard work! To John Paine, thank you for a fabulous job!

  Thank you also to my extended support system: LaWonda Young, Jaimi Canady, Raquelle Lewis, Kim Wright, and Clemelia Richardson. You know that core group of people you should always keep in your life, the ones that will be there whether you’re up or down, hot or not? You guys are my core. Thank you for always having my back.

  To Pat Tucker Wilson, my sister in spirit, who has been an unbelievable support in my television and literary career: Thank you for always being there. I’ll say it again, keep your head up. Your blessings are coming.

  To Carmen Green, thank you. That’s all I can say. A hundred times, thank you.

  Lots of love to my literary colleagues who always offer words of advice, encouragement, and just are trying to run this race with me…Nina Foxx, Victoria Christopher Murray, Jihad, Tiffany Warren, Lori Bryant Woolridge, Mikoseneja, Zane, Trisha Thomas, and Dee Stewart. (If anyone needs a good publicist, Dee is off the chain!)

  Once again, I have to say thanks to Holly Davis Carter, Jeff Clanagan, Regina King, and Crystal Garrett. Thank you soooooo much for making my movie dreams come true!

  I must also show love to Sonny Messiah Jiles, Cale Carter, Candace K, Pam Walker, Marina with the Good Girl Book Club online, Curtis Bunn, Sigrid Williams, and Gwen Richardson at Cush City.

  I almost hate to start naming book clubs, but I just cannot end without saying a huge thank-you to all the book clubs that selected my latest book. You guys are the best. This go-round I have to give a special thanks to: Pages Between Sistahs, Go On Girl, Cush City, Black Women Who Read, The Sistah Circle, Circle of Friends, Cover 2 Cover, Nubian Pageturners, Black Pearls, Southern Kreationz, Women of Character, Ladies of Literacy, Sistah Time, and The Mo’nique Book Club.

  As always, much love goes to my wonderful, illustrious sorors, especially the Houston Metropolitan Chapters.

  And finally, thank you. Yeah, you holding this book. If it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If you’re a new reader, thanks for checking me out. I hope you’ll get hooked. If you’re a previous reader, thanks for coming back. If you enjoy this story I just ask one more thing…pass the word, not the book!

  I know, I said I wasn’t going to get caught up doing acknowledgments again, but when you have such wonderful people in your life that’s a promise that’s just hard to keep.

  Until the next book…. Thanks for the love.

  ReShonda

  Contents

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  Epilogue

  Readers Club Guide for The Devil Is a Lie

  1

  My eyes must be playing tricks on me. Nina Lawson glanced at the digital clock in the lower corner of her Hewlett-Packard laptop. It was two forty-five in the morning. Yes, her eyes had to be playing tricks on her. She was dog tired after staying up studying for her latest real estate exam, so she knew she shouldn’t put much stock in the email that was blaring at her. She’d only checked it because she came across it as she was looking for an email from one of her clients. She realized she hadn’t checked her numbers from Saturday’s drawing, so she decided to quickly look at the update email from the Lottery Commission.

  She never expected this.

  “‘The winning lotto numbers for Saturday’s Texas Lotto drawing are four-seven-fourteen-seventeen-twenty-one-twenty-five,’” she mumbled, reading the email again.

  Nina’s eyes made their way back down to the little pink ticket clutched tightly in her right hand. 4–7-14–17-21–25. This was her fifth time comparing the numbers, and the results were still the same.

  Slowly, any semblance of weariness began to fade away.

  “Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod.” Nina’s whispers gradually turned into an all-out shout.

  “I won! I won! Yes!” Nina began screaming as she jumped up from her leather chair, sending it toppling to the floor. She didn’t realize how loud she was being until she looked up to see her fiancé, Rick Henderson, standing in the doorway to her office.

  “What in the world is wrong with you?” he groggily asked. “You know I have to get up and go to work in the morning. Why are you still up? And why are you in here screaming like you’re crazy?”

  Nina shook out both her hands, trying to calm herself down. Rick was standing there shirtless, his caramel-colored skin and rippled abs reminding her why he was one of the most sought-after personal trainers in Houston. They’d met two years ago, after he whipped her best friend Michelle into shape. He’d flirted with Nina, telling her how pretty she was and how much she looked like Gabrielle Union. Even so, she didn’t give him the time of day because she was married at the time. Then, two months after her divorce, she’d bumped into him at the gym where he worked. They’d gone to lunch, and the next thing Nina knew, he was spending every night at her house.

  Rick was sweet, caring, and the finest man she’d ever seen. But more than that, he was good to her. After her ex-husband, Todd, betrayed her, Nina thought she’d never be in love again, but Rick had quickly changed that. Too quickly, her friends said. He’d moved in with her about six weeks after their first date to help her with her bills, which she’d been struggling to pay since Todd left. Despite her apprehension about getting involved with someone so soon after her marriage ended, things had progressed quickly. Before she knew it, not only were they living together but they were engaged to be married.

  “Baby, you’re not going to believe this,” Nina said, bringing her excitement level down a notch.

  “Do you know what time it is?” he repeated. “I have a client at five o’clock, Mrs. Brighton. And you know she comes all hyped up and ready to work.”

  Nina smiled widely. “Well, you need to call Mrs. Brighton and tell her you aren’t coming to work out with her tomorrow. Tell her you won’t ever be working out with her again.”

  Rick rubbed his closely shaven head. “Nina, what are you talking about?”

  She had to use everything in her power to contain her excitement. She inhaled deeply, then sauntered over to him, lightly waving the pink ticket in front of him. “This is what I’m talking about. This little piece of paper is about to change our lives.”

  “What is that?” he asked, squinting.

  “Here.” She excitedly handed him the ticket. “Take a look at this.”

  He took it but continued to frown as she raced back over to the computer.

  “Look, girl, I don’t have time to be playing. I need to get some sleep.”

  “Just gimme a minute.” Nina began reading the computer screen again. “‘The winning numbers for Saturday’s Texas Lotto drawing are four-seven-fourteen-seventeen-twenty-one-twenty-five.’” She stood up triumphantly and poi
nted at the ticket. “What do the numbers on that ticket say?”

  “Nina…”

  “What do the numbers say?” she repeated.

  He huffed in frustration, then read the ticket. “Four-seven-fourteen-seventeen-twenty-one…” His eyes grew wide as he looked up at Nina. “Oh, my God. I…is this for real?”

  Nina was grinning like a kid at a chocolate factory as the excitement began building up again.

  “As real as it gets!” She could no longer contain herself. She raced over and threw her arms around his neck. “We’re rich, baby. Rich, rich, rich!”

  Granted, they weren’t married, but he had popped the question out of the blue two months ago. Rick was trying to open his own gym, and he wanted to be financially secure before they actually set a wedding date. He had bought her a small band, with promises to upgrade to a platinum and diamond one as soon as he got his money right. Still, Nina had no doubt that she was sharing her winnings with her man. Shoot, if anything, they were definitely ready to marry now.

  Rick pulled away from Nina, taking a look at the ticket again. Shock was still blasted across his face. “H-how much?”

  She kissed him hard. “Sixteen million,” she said, pulling back. “I mean, I did the cash option payout, so I don’t know how much that actually equates to, but I’m sure it’s somewhere in the millions, even after taxes.”

  Rick kept staring at the ticket like he couldn’t believe it. “But how, I mean…is this for real?”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t play around with something like this, especially at three o’clock in the morning.”

  “Since when did you start playing the lottery?”

  Nina shrugged. “I’m not a regular player. I just play every now and then. I was in the gas station Saturday and found a five-dollar bill folded up in my pocket, so I just bought five tickets. I never in a million years thought I’d win.”

  For once Rick was speechless. He was a hustler, so he was always talking a good game. Nina always told him that his gift of gab was so great, he should’ve been in sales.