by Erin Trejo
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You ready for two kids instead of one?” I stuff the cigarette back between my lips, running my hand through my hair as I look over at him.
“Been thinkin’ about that shit too. I don’t know what Riley has in her head, brother. You know she took off again. Temple doesn’t want shit to do with me. I don’t know about all this.”
“What do you want, Shaft? You’re talkin’ some good shit about what they want and they are doin’ but what do you want?” His question is one I’ve asked myself more than once over the last couple of weeks and the end answer is always the same.
“I want Temple. I don’t know what it is about her that draws me in, but fuck, I’ve been feelin’ it since Dezzy was in the hospital. Every time I’d go see her, Temple was there. She was like a fuckin’ angel. Now she don’t want shit to do with me.”
“Take her to see your mom.”
“What the fuck?” I ask looking at him through narrowed eyes. He’s lost his goddamn mind.
“What? What better way to show her you are serious about her? Take her to meet your mom,” he says once more.
I chuckle as he turns and walks away but the more I stand here and think about it, that makes sense. She could meet my mom and she could see where I grew up. Maybe that would be enough to change her mind and let me in. At least give me a fucking chance to show her that I’m not a bad guy. I drop my cigarette to the ground and snuff it out with the toe of my boot before grabbing my gun and walking out of the warehouse. As soon as I stuff the gun into the back of my jeans, I pull my phone out and text her.
Me: Gonna stop by to see OB. You gonna be around? Need to ask you somethin’
Her: I’m off in an hour
Me: I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Don’t try to sneak out early
Her: I’d never do that :P
Me: Yeah right. See you in a few
I climb on my bike and slip my helmet on my head. If this doesn’t work, if she doesn’t agree to go with me, then I don’t know what else to do.
Fifteen
Temple
I checked on OB before I came down to the lounge. He was asleep but he was doing better. I’m not sure how much longer he’s going to have to stay here but at least he is healing. Sitting on the small couch, I close my eyes and let my head fall back. I’m always tired these days. I hate it. I feel like I have no energy, and when I do, I’m throwing up. It’s the weirdest thing in the world but the doc said it’s all normal. I drift off for a while when I feel someone near me. In a panic, I snap my eyes open and see Shaft sitting next to me. His head is in his hands, but he isn’t looking my way. I take the time to look at him. He’s gorgeous.
“You starin’ at me?” he asks without looking over. He must be able to feel it. I smile.
“Not really. What are you doing in here?”
He slowly lifts his head and turns it to look at me. “You sleep a lot. You that tired?”
“The doctor said it’s normal,” I tell him wondering what he must be thinking. He probably thinks I’m some lazy bitch who doesn’t want to do anything but sleep.
“Is it? Then you need more rest,” he says softly.
“Why are you here?”
“Came to see you.”
“You came to see Barnie,” I correct him. Shaft shakes his head no.
“That was my cover. I came to see you, Temple. I wanted to see if you’d go somewhere with me. Spend a few days with me,” he asks and my heart beats faster. As nice as that sounds, I can’t do it. He has Riley, wherever the hell she is, and I don’t want to get in the way of them.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
He nods his head and shoves off the couch heading toward the door. My chest feels heavy. Defeat is written all over his face and it hurts me to see him like that.
“Hey,” I call out to him before thinking better of it. He turns slowly, his eyes looking even more tired than mine and I find myself wondering why? What’s getting to him? What’s really bothering him? “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere now.” He turns back to the door and reaches for the handle when I do the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Well, sleeping with him might have been the stupidest but here I go anyway.
“I’ll go,” I say quickly before snapping my mouth shut. He looks up at me, hope in his eyes. He smiles slightly and nods as I stand from the couch and grab my bag. Walking toward the door, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Maybe this is what I need. Maybe I need a break and need to figure things out. Shaft is worried that I will take this baby away from him like Riley did but I won’t, and maybe the time we spend together will remind him of that fact.
“I’m glad you said that. I already took your weekend off for you,” he adds with a smug ass tone in his voice.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, darlin’. I took it off for you. You were goin’ even if you said no. I just didn’t tell you that part.” His smile could melt hearts, but at the moment, I want to kick his ass not fall at his feet.
“You do remember what I did to that asshole’s car, right?” Shaft laughs and I think it might be the very first time I’ve heard him laugh like that.
“And you remember the weddin’ right?” He winks at me over his shoulder causing my cheeks to heat. I don’t know why I thought I could pull one over on him. I follow him out of the building toward his bike when he stops.
“We’ll go get the truck first,” he says without looking over at me.
“Why?”
“You can’t ride if you’re pregnant.”
“Like hell I can’t. I can fit. I’m not going in the truck. I want to ride the bike,” I tell him crossing my arms over my chest. Since I was first on the back of his bike, I’ve wanted back on it. It was exhilarating and I couldn’t find anything else in the world to compare it to. It was freeing and frightening and I want it all over again.
“You like the bike?” he asks raising an eyebrow.
“I more than like it. We’re taking the bike or I’m not going,” I warn him. Shaft laughs, reaches for me, and pulls me closer to him. His lips press against my cheek before skating toward my ear.
“I’d like to have you spread wide open on my bike. What do you think about that?”
“I think you should try it one day,” I say even though I don’t mean to. I keep telling myself that I need to stay away from him but he just keeps pulling me back in.
“Oh, I plan on tryin’ it. I’m gonna spread your thighs, lay you back on my handlebars, and slide my cock inside of you. You’re gonna ride me hard just like I ride my bike,” he says sucking my earlobe into his mouth. I moan at the feel and the words that leave his mouth.
What if I’m making a mistake? What if I could have all this with him? Shaft presses his body closer to mine and I relax into him. He pulls his head back to look down at me, a slightly confused look in his eyes. I know he’s used to me pushing but what if I’m tired of pushing him? What if I want to see where this goes?
“What’s that look?” he asks.
“I’m just thinking. What if I want to try this?” His eyebrows shoot up making me laugh a little.
“Like you and me?” I nod once. “You mean it? You ain’t fuckin’ with me?”
“No. I’ve been thinking. I like you, Marc.” God saying his name instead of Shaft just feels right.
“You know she’s gonna come back,” he reminds me of Riley.
“I know and you’ll be there for her when she does,” I tell him just as he shakes his head but I cut him off. “No. You will because that’s your child and you can’t walk away from it. You can’t do that, and if you try to, then I walk. Got it?”
He smirks.
“Goddamn, I think I like when you get all mouthy with me, woman. Makes my cock hard,” he says.
I lean into him, his lips taking mine in a gentle kiss. It’s softer than normal but I love it all the same. I like when he’s near me. I
like when he’s touching me. It’s like everything else just sort of fades away. There are no worries of what might happen later. No worries of the future and what Riley might bring with her. It’s just us.
“You changin’ your mind?” he asks softly when I’m lost in my own little world. Shaking my head, I rid all the thoughts and only focus on the good.
“No. And don’t think I will either. You’re kinda stuck with me now. I told Riley I would stay away from you because that’s what was best for you two but she left. She made that choice and I’m here. I want to be with you, Marc.” I know my words mean something to him when he smiles. It’s written all over his face.
Sixteen
Shaft
My mom doesn’t live far. Temple had no idea what was going on until we got here. Now she’s a nervous mess trying to fix her hair and clothes while we stand in front of the door. I think it’s kind of cute watching her all flustered. She looks amazing as always and I don’t think there is anything she could do to not look good.
“I hate you,” she hisses as I reach for the doorknob. I just chuckle.
“No you don’t. Stop messin’ with your hair, you look fine.”
“Just fine? I can’t meet your mom and just look fine, Marc! Damn you!”
I love watching the color rise in her cheeks and the way her eyes dart around when she gets nervous. Grabbing her face in my free hand, I pull her mouth to mine and kiss her softly.
“Calm down. We ain’t meetin’ the President.”
“Might as well be,” she grumbles under her breath.
Pushing the door open, I walk us in. “Hey mom!” I holler.
“You just couldn’t knock? You don’t live here!” Temple freaks out once more.
“The boy has no manners,” my mom says as she rounds the corner. Mom is beautiful. She always has been. You couldn’t look at her and know that she had a grown son. She looks to be in her early thirties. Mom reaches for me, pulling me into arms for a hug.
“I have perfect manners,” I tell her as she pulls away. She just laughs.
“And who is this?” she asks smiling over at Temple.
I can tell Temple’s nervous. A lot of people get like that around my mom although I have no idea why.
“This is Temple. Temple this is my mom, Wanda.” Mom doesn’t shake hands so it doesn’t surprise me when she steps in and pulls Temple into her arms for a hug. Temple’s gaze meets mine over mom’s shoulder and I have to hold back the laugh that wants to escape. She looks terrified. When my mom pulls back she looks between us.
“This isn’t the one,” she stops herself and points at Temple. She thinks she’s Riley. I’ve told my mom about Riley but never brought her around to meet her. I mainly told her about her for the simple fact that she was pregnant. Breaking the news that I now have two women pregnant at once is going to be fun.
“No.”
“Good. Temple come with me,” she says sweetly and I chuckle. From what she knows of Riley she doesn’t like her either. I can’t say that I blame her there. I follow behind them into the kitchen where my mom pulls the wine from the cabinet along with three glasses.
“You know I’m not drinkin’ that shit,” I tell her nodding toward the bottle.
“Really, Marc? Do you have to be so nasty?” She hates my mouth.
“Sometimes.”
“You don’t need to drink it then. Get a beer. Temple and I will share a glass,” she adds sliding a glass toward Temple. I reach across the counter and slide it back.
“Temple can’t drink.” My mom’s eyes shoot to mine and there it is. She knows without me telling her.
“For the love of God, Marc! Tell me you didn’t.” Walking to the refrigerator I grab out a beer and pop the top.
“Okay, I won’t tell you,” I say with a shrug as I bring the bottle to my lips and take a long pull.
“What the hell were you thinking? No, don’t answer that. I know exactly what you were thinking. Marc Sean Murphy! What the hell has gotten into you?”
“Oh shit. Mom you used hell twice,” I tell her pointing the bottle at her. She grabs her glass and downs the wine in one gulp as I chuckle.
“You think this is funny? Does she think it’s funny as well?” she asks turning her gaze to where Temple sits biting her lip. She looks to be a little shocked. Hell, she might be.
“I don’t think she’s laughin’.”
“Marc! I can’t believe you. Didn’t I raise you better than this? I’m a failure. I failed at being your mother.” She rambles on as Temple looks between the two of us.
“You should have spanked me more,” I tell her with a smirk. Her angry glare shoots my way and I laugh harder.
“You are disgusting. I don’t know where the hell this came from.”
“You said hell three times now. That’s a new record, Mom.” She looks at me with anger but no hatred in her eyes. She loves me, I know she does. She doesn’t agree with a lot of the things I do. I suppose having two girls pregnant at once isn’t ideal.
“I mean it. What are you doing, Marc?” Her tone has calmed slightly but I still see the anger in her.
“I’m doin’ what I need to do. Riley took off. There isn’t much I can do about that,” I tell her with a shrug.
“What do you mean took off? You let her leave? While she’s carrying your child?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know if it is my kid!” I roar, growing tired of this already.
“And you know for a fact the one she’s carrying is yours?” she adds, pointing at Temple.
“Excuse me?” Now it’s Temple’s turn. My mom turns to her just as I’m about to say something.
“I don’t know you. I don’t know who you are or what you’re after, but my son is a good man,” Mom snaps but so does Temple. She climbs off the stool that she’s been sitting on and moves around the counter toward her. Shit.
“Just calm down,” I say although I’m not sure who I’m talking to. They are both heated right now.
“You’re right. You don’t know me and the way you’re acting, you won’t either. I would never lie about something like this. I didn’t plan on this!”
“Oh, I bet you used protection too, didn’t you? I’m sure it was a magical thing,” Mom snaps.
“You know what? I don’t need this shit. I don’t need you, I don’t need your son. I can do this all on my own. I’ve done a damn good job at taking care of myself until he showed up!”
“Sure, blame him!”
“Can we calm down?” I say looking between them but neither of them are looking at me.
“No, I made the mistake! This is on me. The only thing I blame him for is sneaking his way into my goddamn heart and making me feel things! That is all his fault!” Before any of us can respond, Temple turns and runs from the room. I stand here stunned at what I just heard. I’m telling myself to move, go after her, but I can’t. I’m stunned into silence for once.
“Well. I suppose I need to talk to her.” I don’t argue or move for that matter when my mom walks out of the room. Instead, I grab the bottle of wine off the counter and chug it down.
Seventeen
Temple
How stupid could I be? I came here for this shit? I should have known better.
“Well, at least I know where your heart is at.” I hear talking behind me but I don’t turn to look at her. I don’t want to. “I’m sorry, Temple. I have two children who mean the world to me, but I’ve seen Marc fall down the rabbit hole some call love before. I don’t want to see that happen again.” I still don’t answer her. That doesn’t make what she said to me better. The way she accused me. Of what? Caring about her son?
“I would never force him into anything the way she did. I’ve tried to stay away from him,” I say as I reach up and wipe the tears from my face. She steps closer, pulling my free hand into hers.
“I am truly sorry. Once your little one is here, you will understand. Will you walk with me?”
Reluctantly I nod my head. Wanda
walks us around the side of the house and out into a small garden before ushering me toward a bench.
“Marc used to come out here and smash all my flowers when he was younger. When I’d yell at him, he would stick his tongue out and go splash his cousin in the fountain. I knew he was a rebel back then too. He isn’t any different now.”
“I meant what I said. I know I messed up and that’s why I’m not with him. I don’t want anything from him.”
“You want his heart. That’s something,” she says softly, her hand still tangled with mine.
“I… To be honest I don’t know if I want that or not. We haven’t known each other long. Everything just happened.”
“He knows. He brought you here. He didn’t bring that Riley girl around here,” she says and it almost sounds like she’s happy about that.
“Why don’t you like her?”
She smiles sadly before she scoots around to face me.
“She’s a cheater. Now, I know my son has done things that I would hate as well but she cheated on him many times. Each time he called me and I felt his heart crack through the phone. I felt it breaking. I know what he does and I don’t like it, but I also know that deep inside he has a heart and at times he wears it on his sleeve. That’s the boy I watched grow up. The one who would help others before himself. The boy who would hold the door open for a lady and say thank you. He’s grown into a man who knows what he wants but can’t seem to find it,” she says looking a little lost. I hate that look on her. She worries about him, that much I can tell. She must have been an amazing mother. She still is.
“What is it he’s looking for?” I ask softly not sure that I want to hear this part.
“The other piece of his heart, of course. You see, men are not whole. They never will be until they find that other half. He’s searched for a long time and I think he thought he found that in her. She wasn’t what he needed and he knew it deep down but he longs for that.” Tears slowly slip down my cheeks as she grabs my hand tighter. She reaches up and pulls the pendant into her fingers and smiles.
