End Zone Love (Connecticut Kings Book 4)

by Love Belvin

  “With you.”

  I nodded. “You disappointed in me, too?”

  “No,” she spoke softly, honestly. “That disappointment is all for me. You don’t know any better. You’ve never been in a situation where you’ve gotten a woman pregnant.” My eyes diverted to the corner. “But I’ve been pregnant. I know—knew better. I know I should have pushed the issue. I knew even if I didn’t protect myself, I should’ve protected you against this.”

  My face went hard. “Wait—what do you mean, protect me?”

  “Trent,” Her eyes rolled closed like she was in pain, “right now, you’re dealing with a lot. We’re meeting with a wedding coordinator on Tuesday. A ‘boutique event planner,’ who plans the weddings of millionaires and billionaires! I’m marrying a man who’s wealthy enough to fly in this woman from across the country!” She laughed for a few seconds. “The last thing you need on your plate is dealing with an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. That’s not what I want for you.” She took a deep breath, eyes still closed as her voice rose. “I only had one job. One job to make this right! And that was to not get pregnant.” Her eyes opened and locked on mine. Then her head shook softly. “I couldn’t even do that.”

  I stepped toward her. “J, you’re trippin’.”

  Her hand went in the air, stopping me in my tracks. “Don’t. I don’t want to talk about it. There’s really nothing to talk about until Thursday at the appointment. And until then, I just want to forget about everything concerning a baby and just plan my son’s birthday party.” She shrugged with her head. “That’s what I do. I forge ahead in the midst of my bestie, adversity. And that’s what I’m going to do.” She turned back to the shelf. “Let’s do the glow in the dark columns and lanterns. I can line the gym with them. We can open up the bowling alley and if the weather is as mild as the forecast is reading, we can inflate a simple bouncy house, out in the backyard.” Jade turned away from the shelf, head hung low, and walked toward the door. “I have to check on April and get Ky ready for his father’s party.”

  She walked out without that extra spice in her strut. Her spine wasn’t curved seductively like usual when she knew I was watching. Jade was that scared and defeated mother I met back in 2015.

  Hell yeah, I felt like shit…

  ~Nine

  “She can’t get enough of you,” was whispered from next to me.

  My eyes were still ahead on Kyree, talking to his great aunt. We’d been here for over an hour, and he seemed to have talked with more adults than children. He even walked his one year old baby cousin, Jaquan, around the party by holding his hands in the air.

  I turned toward Lakisa, Ryshon’s first baby’s mother, and followed her line of sight across the hall. Shontel, baby’s mother number four, had just diverted her eyes away from me. It was of no surprise. She’d been doing it since Ky and I walked through the door with pans of dessert in hand.

  “She has nothing to worry about. I don’t want no trouble.” I turned to Lakisa.

  Shontel and I had come to physical blows in the past, needing to be pulled apart behind Ryshon’s immature antics. Our kids were close in age, making it obvious how Ryshon bounced between our beds frequently. All night, I refused to give her a reason to believe I had any animosity toward her. I didn’t even want to be here. This was a true “mommy duties” assignment.

  I’d never been exclusively around Lakisa this long. She was pleasant. Always pleasant. She had even pulled me aside at one “Welcome Home” party of Ryshon’s, aka Ryder, and told me I needed to stop playing myself over him with his other women.

  “You fighting these chicken head-ass girls ain’t gonna keep them from coming. It’s him; not them. You need to do better,” she warned.

  The “normal Jade” back then would’ve popped off on her for even suggesting Ryshon would keep cheating. But Lakisa was older, pretty, now educated, and most importantly, had moved on from Ryshon years ago. Their daughter, Adeline, was a couple of years older than Kyree. Lakisa was older than Ryshon when they met in high school, and he had been young when he conceived his first child, their daughter. The reason I didn’t snap on her or perceive her as a threat back then was because I could never see how she fell for him in the first place. She seemed way out of his league.

  Lakisa’s brows met and her eyes dropped down to the plate she was eating from over her lap. She appeared to have been choosing her words.

  “I think that’s what she’s trying to figure out. You haven’t been near Ryder, unless he’s over here offering you a shot. And you’ve been away from Renee, the queen bee. People ain’t used to that.”

  I took a deep breath, sinking further into my chair, trying to get comfortable on the metal seat. After checking my phone for the time, I placed my uneaten plate on my lap.

  “Well, they can get with it. I’m only here for my son, and it’s all about to end in about fifteen minutes.”

  Lakisa snickered, then went back to eating.

  I was surprised to see baby’s mother three, Tanya, wasn’t here tonight. Last I heard, she was vying for the number one slot of Ryshon’s attention.

  “Where’s Tanya? Did I miss her?” I asked Lakisa.

  Maybe she had come earlier, before Ky and I arrived.

  “Girl, Tanya got a new man now! An old Trinidadian one. He got her ass on lock, too. I don’t think Ryshon’s seen her since he’s been home. Big Renee said Tanya dropped their lil girl off to her house for her father, and ran back to the big ass Caddy her old man brought them in before Big Renee could say hi.” Lakisa cracked up.

  I scoffed. “Well, at least that leaves one less person Shontel has to compete with.”

  “I know that’s right.” She laughed again. “So, you heard about the new house he bought her?”

  “Who bought who a house?” I was genuinely confused.

  “Ryder,” Lakisa spoke low. “He bought Shontel a flip house two years ago in Irvington. Well, it’s in her uncle’s name because you know she ain’t got no job. Her uncle flip houses around the way and he and Ryshon worked out a fixer upper.”

  With my lips poked dumbfounded, I swung my neck. This was news to me. I hadn’t been in touch with Renee. She didn’t seem to be much interested in Ky after Ryshon had gone to prison this last time, so I backed off. It was during that period when things began to click for me. I’d started to grow up.

  “Yup,” Lakisa continued, her eye perusing the room as she shared. “I think like seventy-thousand, that house was. Her uncle paid about fifty for it and fixed it up for twenty. They moved into a practically new house.”

  “How do you know this?” I asked casually as I added up the time in the back of my mind.

  “Girl, you know Renee run her mouth. I don’t even get down with her like that, but any time I bring Adeline around, Renee fills me in on everything.”

  “When did you say he bought the house?”

  “It’s been almost two years now. Remember that summer big Renee’s brother died?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. She told me that week ‘cause I called her to give my condolences.”

  Ryshon’s uncle had been in hospice for years. I recalled his death. It was the year I began getting those eviction notices. I was so swamped in stress, I forgot to take Ky to see Renee when her brother passed. It was the year I lost my apartment.

  That motherfuck—

  “You must be ready to go. You ain’t even eat.” Lakisa’s eyes were amused.

  I glanced down at Renee’s barbeque Swedish meatballs, an old favorite of mine. I had no appetite. I was tired, had been at it since early this morning, taking a conference call with Ase Garb for the L.I.A. endorsement. Then I had to hurry and put the final touches on April’s room: a lamp and aromatherapy candles I settled on earlier this week, and fresh flowers in the perfect clear vase. Not to mention the unpacking, sorting, and washing Trent’s laundry from the week I did before April arrived today. Then I had to finish and pack up the desserts for this party, at a lo
cal community room. I was tuckered out. The last thing I needed was a confrontation with Shontel…or even Renee’s food. Even better, the last thing I needed to discover was how Ryshon paid tens of thousands of dollars to purchase a home for his daughters when his son was evicted. Suddenly, the thought of eating it made me turn up my nose in disgust.

  “I’m just tired. Had a long day.” My eyes scanned the room for Kyree and they brushed against Shontel’s, whose were directly on me.

  Oh, when will this stop!

  “You’ve been busy.” Lakisa smirked. “I see you with Zoey Rogers and them. I follow everybody on IG. StentRo posted that group picture with you, him, his wife, and TB at Alton Alston’s party.” I hardly recalled taking a picture with them. We were in our own zone in V.I.P. that night. But I did loosen up after a couple of shots there…

  Ugh… I got tipsy at that party. What if I’m pregnant and was drinking all this time?

  “My sister crushes on Jordan Johnson so bad! She’s such a damn stalker: she follows whatever girls she think he’s dating.” My eyes widened and I laughed, momentarily forgetting what could have been Ryshon’s biggest betrayal. “Seriously! Strippers and all! She sent me a picture of him at Alton Alston’s party with you in the background. She was psyched, thinking she ‘knew’ somebody!” We were both tickled by that one.

  “Too funny.”

  I wouldn’t divulge my time with Trent and his friends to Lakisa, but I trusted her to not even ask. I could understand the curiosity, but expected people to respect my privacy. Trent was private.

  “That’s how I found out you were with TB. She texted me that video of you dancing on him in the club in Connecticut last year because she was stalking Jordan. Then she sent me the shots of you and him on that yacht.”

  My amusement waned. The memories of invasions from that event were sharp.

  “Mommy!” Ky ran up to me. “Daddy said I could stay the night with my sisters if I want.”

  He was as excited as a kid on a Ferris wheel.

  I sat up in my seat and caught Ryshon across the room, sitting with Shontel now. Someone grabbed his shoulder to get his attention. It was Little X, his old friend. I swallowed hard. The two greeted each other familiarly, and Little X took off. Ryshon began whispering something to Shontel while watching Kyree and me. There was mischief in his eyes. I knew it, but didn’t have time to figure out what it meant.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You and little Renee or Karma don’t get along.”

  Kyree and his sisters fought constantly. Lakisa’s daughter, Adeline, was at that funky stage where she needed distinction from her brother’s “young” age. She always wanted to be the “big” girl. Lakisa stayed on her regularly about how she practically ignored her brother and was rude to him. Hopefully, she’d grow out of it. Shontel’s oldest daughter—Renee also, named after Ryshon’s mother—taunted Kyree. She and her sister, Karma, were younger than Kyree—too young to have such strong feelings against a kid. I had an inkling their mother was feeding them poison about my son as soon as they were old enough to understand. Tanya’s daughter, Nevaeh—heaven spelled backward—was just a few months younger than little Renee. There was major drama behind those births. Nevaeh often fought with Ky, too. It was something I never understood.

  Suddenly, little Renee walked up on us.

  “He said y’all new house better than ours! I told him it ain’t. We got a new house. It’s our house. Not that little place where we was with my great-grumma. My mommy got a house. My daddy bought it for us!”

  My face opened up in shock and bemusement. I hadn’t seen little Renee in close to three years. She’d grown so much and had always been very pretty. Back then, she’d only roll her eyes at me. Yeah… A little girl—practically a baby—rolling her eyes at an adult. I believed Kyree was targeted because he was Ryshon’s only son. Ryshon put a lot of emphasis on wanting only one child, and a son at that. I don’t think Shontel liked that; so much so, she got pregnant by him again a month after little Renee, but produced another girl.

  Now her oldest was here telling me she had a house. A house her Daddy bought her. The house Lakisa had just told me about.

  My eyes skirted over to Lakisa, who dropped hers to her plate as she fought a snicker.

  Needing to break this confrontation, I addressed the kids.

  “KyKy, maybe their house is bigger than where we live.”

  I hated formulating my words that way, because Trent had gone out of his way to convince Kyree and me his home was ours. My words felt like betrayal.

  “Nu-uhn!” Kyree argued. “She ain’t got no gate. She ain’t got three garages. No gym, no pool, a bowling alley—”

  “You see how he lie?” Little Renee charged animatedly.

  “Girl, I ain’t lying!”

  From her perspective, I could see how unbelievable that was.

  “Hey!” I tried intervening. “Hey! Ky, you haven’t been to ther house. Maybe it is bigger. You don’t have to argue about it.”

  “Maybe he can come over and stay the night to see for hisself.” I glanced up and saw Shontel standing over us, one hand on her hip and her head cocked to the side. She was still small; possibly a size four. But Shontel had a bit of height on her. She still wore cheap, store-bought weaves and had an acne problem. But she wasn’t a bad looking girl. Tonight, she appeared heavily preoccupied in the mind. “NeNe and Karma got they own rooms now. It’s enough space for him.”

  My neck jerked back and eyes ballooned. She’s acknowledging Kyree? Shontel may not have referred to him by name, but she gave him an invitation. Unfortunately, I knew the motivation for it. She had a new place and wanted to show it off. Rub it in our faces.

  The old Jade…

  Instead, I dropped my shoulders and took a deep breath. After a beat, I peered up to her again.

  “Thanks so much for the invite, Shontel. Hopefully, we can schedule a playdate with Kyree and the girls.”

  “He can’t sleep in my bed. I ‘on’t want him peeing in there, and junk!” Little Renee popped back on her hip.

  Kyree dropped into the seat next to me with slumped shoulders, defeated. I wanted so bad to put that little girl in her place, but a bigger part of me just wanted to leave this place unruffled.

  I swung my eyes from a pouting Kyree, up to Shontel, wondering if she’d correct her daughter this time.

  “Oh, shut the hell up, Ne! Ya Daddy’ll just buy a new one like he did when he bought us the house.” She turned to me and threw a glance over to Lakisa, who followed this exchange. “We been in there since two summers ago.”

  “Oh.” My eyes brushed over to Lakisa, fighting a grin. “Congratulations. That’s an incredible accomplishment.”

  Shontel’s eyes glossed over. Not only was she not expecting courtesy, she couldn’t follow basic vocabulary.

  She switched hips. Lakisa snorted a laugh. I was so not in the mood.

  My phone vibrated on my lap.

  Trent: Yall good?

  I quickly replied.

  Me: I guess.

  “I’m just saying: he could come over,” Shontel couldn’t help the crossness in her tone.

  She was trying me. This was when I was supposed to retort with a fuck you or some equivalent to it.

  Oh, my god!

  It had suddenly hit me. Was I that programmed and prone to confrontation?

  Trent: I’m home. Time for you to come home too

  My face tightened in thought. He was unusually demanding. And that was what I needed. Out of nowhere, I was reminded of a scripture: “when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

  What passage is that?

  I couldn’t think, but it didn’t matter. A coat of peace washed over me, and before I knew it, my body began to move.

  “Okay. Thanks, Shontel!” I forced a smile while turning for Ky. “Come on, baby. It’s late and we have to get up for church tomorrow.” Still with a pout, Kyree obeyed, standing and taking my h
and. “Lakisa, it’s been good talking to you.”

  “You, too, Jade!” Lakisa smiled with amused eyes. “You take care.”

  My regard went between the two women. “Maybe we’ll see you next weekend at Ky’s party.” I had Kyree hand them invitations when we arrived.

  Shontel didn’t respond. She walked away rudely. I didn’t care. I’d finally had my fill of this circle, and my husband had summoned me home.

  Home.

  In motion, I murmured down to KyKy, “Go look for your Dad and grandma, and tell them goodnight. I’ll wait for you by the door.”

  Ky took off and I watched him all the way until I made it to the door while I put on my coat. By that time, he’d found his grandmother. I stepped outside needing air and decided to wait for him there. He couldn’t miss me. It was cold out, but the wind wasn’t brutal. I took a deep breath. My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Lashawn.

  Shawnie: Wutz the name of that mac brush u use for your liquid foundation

  I scoffed. Shawnie was too cheap to buy MAC brushes. She preferred drugstore brands. I’d just convinced her to not use all of their products and to visit Sephora more often.

  Me: It’s 107. When you going to buy it? I’m coming with.

  I laughed at myself, teasing her. I knew once she saw the price she’d change her mind. But all talks of makeup, nails, and hair secretly excited me like nothing else.

  Well… Except for watching Trent over my shoulder when he’s hitting it from the back. …with his hat on. Oh, my gawd!

  I felt my cheeks heating at the visual. My hand went to my lower face as I giggled quietly to myself. It was sick for me to be aroused in the parking lot with mere thoughts of my husband.

  “That nigga got you cheesin’ like that?”

  My head swung up and I caught Ryshon putting out a blunt and making his way over to me. I was stunned into a stupor.

  “He—hey,” I tried over a deep breath, my thumb pointing behind me. “I’m just waiting on Ky to say goodnight. He’s probably in there looking for you now.”

  Ryshon’s lazy eyes brushed from my shoes up to my mouth. “Yeah?”

  With ballooned eyes, I answered, “Yeah.”