Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin

by Tiece

  “How many times did you sleep with her?” Candy asked. Monty just shook his head because he honestly didn’t know, it was so many. She cried like she knew that it wasn’t just a few times.

  “Damn Monty, how could you do this to me and with her of all people?” She shook her head in disappointment.

  “Please leave.” She stated again. “I don’t even wanna look in your face.”

  “What are you saying, baby?” he asked not really believing that she wanted him to go.

  “I’m saying we need some time apart, that’s what I’m saying.” She started opening up the drawers and pulling out his clothes.

  “Where do you suggest I go?” He asked not believing how serious she was about him leaving after she’d accepted the fact that he’d slept with Monica earlier.

  “I don’t know, Monty!” She yelled, then calmly backed down. “I suggest you go spend some time with your mama and wake up with your baby in the morning.” She turned to him with bitter anger in her voice. “Leave, I said!”

  Monty grabbed a few things that she’d already taken out of the drawers and left. He felt bad for hurting her, but deep down inside he knew he’d never be coming back there to stay. For the simple fact that he hated knowing that at any time she could put him out of her place and he’d have no rights to say anything about it. This wasn’t really his home, anyway. He walked out and didn’t look back.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rico walked inside of the Trinity Hospital. He stopped at the front desk to ask what room Monica Hunter was in. “Third floor, room 302”, the Desk Clerk said dryly. So, he stepped inside the elevator to head up. I can’t believe that Monica maybe having my baby. When did my life become so chaotic? He asked himself as he continued to think. I shouldn’t even be here, but if that baby turns out to be mine, then I’ll regret not being here for her when she needed me. Knowing Monica she’ll probably use that shit against me, too. When the elevator stopped, he stepped off and walked down the hallway to room 302. The door was partially open when he got there. He walked in the room and Monica was lying in the bed. She looked over at him and smiled. The innocent look on her face made him feel bad for her.

  “Did you come by yourself?” She asked, trying to sit up and peek around him.

  “Yeah, I’m here by myself.” He said.

  I can’t believe that, Mr. No Secrets Man. She thought while slightly turning her head. She felt better knowing that he was alone.

  “Well, if you have time you can sit over here.” She said, pointing to the lounge chair.

  He sat down, looking over at her. “So, what did the doctor say?” He asked her.

  “He said that I was having premature contractions and that it wasn’t good for the baby at this stage of my pregnancy. I’m thirty one weeks and the baby weighs about three pounds right now. If the contractions don’t stop then we could have a premature baby. I don’t want that to happen.” Monica dropped her head. “It’s scary to even think about it.” Rico could see the sincerity and love she had for this baby. Before Rico could respond, the Doctor walked in.

  “Hi Monica, how are you feeling?” He asked, standing over her.

  “I’m feeling better. I’m not in any more pain,” She replied.

  “The medication that I gave you should have stopped the contractions. They weren’t that bad, but you still need to be very careful.” He looked over at Rico. “If you don’t mind me asking, are you the father?”

  “Ah, yeah,” Rico said looking over at Monica for confirmation.

  “Yes, he is the father.” Monica said, looking at the doctor.

  “Well, Daddy,” said the Doctor. “Please make sure that she gets plenty of bed rest. She’ll be on bed rest until she gives birth.” Rico’s mouth dropped. “She should not be stressed out about anything and she’ll need to take this medication twice a day.” He handed Rico the paper with the prescription written on it then looked over at Monica. “The nurse will come in shortly with discharge papers for you to sign, okay.”

  “Okay, and thanks for everything.” Monica said.

  “That’s what I’m here for,” the doctor said, smiling. “Oh, did someone bring you here?” He asked quickly.

  “I drove myself in.” She said causing the doctor to look over at Rico.

  “Well, he’ll have to drive you home. I don’t want you even driving in your condition. I mean it, only bed rest until you have the baby. You have got to relax or I’ll be seeing you back here sooner than later.” He patted her gently on the thigh. “Take care.” He said. Monica looked over at Rico after the doctor left the room. She was really worried about her baby. This was not something that she was hoping for, because her baby was all she had and she couldn’t risk losing him, not even for a man. She knew that this could very well work out in her favor and in her mind she was already planning to make all the right moves in winning Rico’s heart.

  He sat there speechless. He knew that this was really going to cause trouble for his relationship with Mona. He hated to see Monica in this vulnerable position, but at the same time he was wishing that he didn’t have any part in it. He looked at her.

  “You and the baby will be okay.” He said with sincerity.

  “Thanks Rico, that means a lot to me, because I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to this little one.” She said while rubbing on her stomach. Rico smiled at the thought of Monica actually caring for someone without a motive behind it. The nurse walked in with the discharge papers and Monica signed them.

  “Are you ready to go?” He asked her.

  “Yeah,” she said, trying to sit up. Rico stood up to help her. As they got out to his car he walked around and helped her get in. “Don’t worry, I’ll have someone come get your ride and bring it to you.” He said, closing the door behind her as she got comfortable. He then walked around on the driver side to get in. What the hell am I gonna do now? He asked himself, thinking about Mona.

  __________

  Monty pulled up to the crib with thoughts about Candy putting him out. He was upset that things went down the way that they did, but in his mind he’d seen it coming a long time ago if Candy had ever found out about him and Monica. He sat in the driveway wanting to get out, but his thoughts kept going back to the look on Candy’s face when she found out that he put her out to go be with Monica. He knew exactly how they initially met up, but explaining it to Candy just wasn’t coming out the correct way.

  He looked in the backseat and saw his clothes there. It kind of angered him that she went to those extremes. She didn’t just say leave for a few days, giving him the chance to get his own shit. She just started throwing them out of the drawers at him and told him that they needed time apart.

  How much time? He asked himself. At this point it didn’t matter. He’d come clean to her and told her almost everything about him and Monica and she didn’t care to even consider that he was being honest. In his heart, he hated that he’d made up his mind to not go back there to live with them, but maybe this was his chance to get his own place and if Candy decided to take him back then she and MJ could move in with him. That’s all he wanted, anyway. For the time being, he’d live with his mama until he found a nice house of his own.

  He got out of his whip and walked up to the door. Damn, I should have had a key. He thought as he rang the doorbell. The door opened up and there was MiKayla standing there in sexy, black and white, polka dot lingerie.

  She smiled at him. “What took you so long?” She asked, hugging him gently around his neck. She smelled good and looked great. Monty was ready to be able to take his time with her and clear his mind of all the drama that had occurred earlier. He kissed her, pushing the door up behind them as the heated sexcapade began.

  __________

  Mona lay in the bed tossing and turning. She couldn’t keep her eye off of the clock. It was 11:02pm and she hadn’t heard from Rico. She didn’t want to call him, because that would seem like she didn’t trust him. The person she couldn’t trust
was Monica and she hated knowing that Rico was possibly still with her. Why in the hell haven’t you called me? She thought, hitting the pillow. Her phone rang and she quickly answered it.

  “Hello,” she said hoping it was Rico because she didn’t even bother to check the caller id.

  “Hey honey,” a sad voice on the other end said. “Are you busy?” Candy asked, sighing.

  “Oh hey,” Mona said almost disappointed that it wasn’t her man. “No, I’m not busy.” She said as she sat up in the bed.

  Candy didn’t waste any time pouring out her heart. “I really need a listening ear right now.” Candy said, feeling bad about the fallout she and Monty had.

  “Sis, you know I’m here for you.” Mona knew that Monty must’ve come clean. She could hear it in Candy’s voice and she felt her pain more than Candy could know.

  “First off, I asked your brother to leave my house.” Candy paused. “Well, I actually put him out.”

  “Wow, so he told you about Monica, huh?” Mona asked quickly.

  “Yeah he did and I wasn’t happy to hear about it.”

  “I didn’t know it would be that bad.” Mona stated. “I’d just found out about the whole Monica thing recently and I’m sorry I didn’t mention it, but I had so much to deal with concerning her ass and Rico until I didn’t know what to do. Plus, Monty reassured me that he’d tell you everything. Sis, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault, Mo. Monty has a mind of his own and his dick gets him in trouble every time, because he can’t control it. He told me about him and that nasty bitch, Monica sleeping around while I was away.” Candy’s voice cracked a little. She tried to fight back the tears. “I don’t know why he does the stupidest things without thinking of the consequences.” Mona was silently listening. “I was even more surprised to hear that she and Rico were messing around, too.”

  “Yep, I was just as surprised when I heard the news.” Mona stated thinking about the phone call from Monica on the day MJ was born.

  “At least Rico was man enough to tell you, though. I had to hear about this shit after the fact.” Candy was becoming upset as she thought about Monty and Monica sleeping around. “Damn, Mo this shit makes me so mad.”

  “Trust me, I know. That tramp and I had it out today. I walked in the office and there she was. She was standing there talking to Rico, rubbing on her stomach like she was gloating.” She explained.

  “Damn, she got some nerve. How the hell did she know where they would be at?” Candy asked thinking that between all the chaos she and Monty had, she had forgot to ask.

  “I don’t know if Monty told you, but she’s a Real Estate broker. So from what I hear she has the scoop on anything dealing with realty. She can also be very conniving to get what she wants and that makes me hate, even more, that Rico possibly has to deal with her for a very long time.” Mona looked back over at the clock. Rico not calling was stressing her.

  “I know how you are and I bet you felt the same way I did when I saw her ass earlier today in the mall. I didn’t even know about the shit between her and Monty at that time, but I still wanted to beat the bitch ass for some reason. Now, I see why.

  “You saw her earlier today in the mall?” Mona asked. “It must’ve been after she left the office then.”

  “It prolly was. Hell, I don’t know, but when I realized it was her, I walked over and basically made it known that Monty and I were together. I even gloated about us having a son, but I bet the bitch already knew. Monty claimed he told her that he was gonna be with me, but she was acting all surprised, talking shit like; lil Candy and Monty,” Candy mocked her. “Bitch, I’ll show you lil.” Candy said as if she was in Monica’s face.

  “Right,” Mona agreed. “That’s how I feel about the bitch. I guess she was stressed today then, because me and that bitch damn near started fighting at the office. I couldn’t believe she showed up there like she running shit. I just wanted to slap her ass when I saw her. Rico had to stand between us. I hate that she might be pregnant by my man. I don’t know what the hell he was thinking. Rico is one fine, good looking ass nigga, but sometimes I think he don’t have good sense.” Mona stated, laughing a little to relieve the stress.

  “Hell, don’t feel bad. I feel the same way about Monty’s ass sometimes.” They both laughed to cover the damage they were feeling.

  “Well, she’s in the hospital now. She called Rico and told him. We probably stressed her out, huh?” Mona asked as if she cared.

  “Who gives a damn?” Candy bluntly asked. “So, what’s wrong with the home wrecker? Why is she in the hospital?”

  “I don’t know. Rico left here to go check on her.” Mona paused. “I still can’t believe that he was sleeping with her.” She became even more annoyed that it was 11:35pm now and she still hadn’t heard from him yet.

  “My thing is that Monty was fucking her too. Hell the baby could be his. No telling who the baby’s daddy is.” Candy stated.

  “Well, Rico was hitting it raw, because he never led on that he used a condom and he’s not certain, but he acts almost sure that the baby is his. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Damn Mo, I’m sorry to hear that shit. I mean, I know you were finally excited about being with Rico and having his baby and now you got to deal with this bullshit. I mean, what the hell is up with our men? Do you think that she was the one that called you talking ‘bout she was pregnant by Rico?” Candy asked.

  “I’m now almost certain that it was her.” Mona sighed and played it off once again. Candy shook her head.

  “Wow.” She said. “Who would have ever known?”

  “You’re right about that.” Mona replied as Candy continued.

  “They let their head below determine their every move and thought process. It’s a shame and it’s sad.” Candy shook her head. “They see a pretty woman with a nice body and it drives them crazy. Hell, nowadays she ain’t even gotta be that pretty and her body doesn’t have to be all that tight for them to want to fuck her. Pussy has no face, especially when they’re used to a decent fuck anyway.”

  “And you are absolutely right about that.” Mona agreed, looking back at the clock again. “Rico left here right before 9:00pm and has not called me to tell me what is going on. What the hell am I supposed to do?” She asked, needing her best friend’s advice.

  “Why haven’t you called him?” Candy paused. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t, ya know. You don’t want him to think you’re hounding him.” Candy said as she walked through her quiet house. Everybody was gone and she was really feeling lonely now. “No telling what is going on. I don’t think he would be messing around with her, though. Especially, since he knows how she is. Rico is crazy, but not that damn crazy.”

  “Well, I hope you’re right,” Mona stated, pouring herself some juice and she trying to forget the reason why Rico left. “How are you feeling? I know it was hard for you to put Monty out.”

  “I don’t know how I feel. I just know that things were perfect between us, and then he had to blow it with that bullshit. I almost wish he would’ve just kept it to himself.” Candy said, lying back on the sectional in the family room. She turned on the TV.

  “It’s better you found out from him instead of someone else, like Monica.” Mona commented quickly.

  “You’re right about that, Mo,” she agreed. “It just hurt me to know that he spent the night with her on his birthday. Then, he lied about it, not once, but over and over again. You have got to know how many times I called him and he didn’t answer his phone that day.” Candy thought about that night as it played in her head like a scratched record. The same shit repeating itself. She was so upset with him. “That was the only reason why I left him and went to Atlanta.” She revealed.

  “I know that must’ve hurt, but it’s in the past now. You can’t let Monica win.”

  “I’m not gonna let her win. When I put him out I was running off of broken emotions and I know I can’t take it back, but if I had to do it all ov
er again, I’m sure I would.” She said.

  “Will you take him back?” Mona asked.

  “Yeah, I know I will. I just don’t need to be around him right now. I have to forgive him in my heart, because if I don’t then I’m gonna keep bringing it up and it’ll never be the same. He may not know it now, but it’s for the best. You know how we do it. We just keep throwing the shit in their face and all they are really tryna do is make it right with us. They’ll take it for a while but, eventually that shit plays out and it begins to piss them off. And, what do they do?” She asked knowing Mona already knew, but she answered it anyway. “They end up going right back to their same, old, cheating ways. So, I’ll hold out for a minute and wait until I’ve truly forgiven him. That way, I won’t slap him the face, with the affair he had with Monica, every time I’m mad.”

  “I feel ya, gurl. I’ve forgiven Rico, but just knowing Monica is here and may be staying is what’s eating me up. Oh well, we’re gonna have to figure out a way of dealing with her ass.” Mona sighed.

  “Yes we are.” Candy stated. “But, don’t worry about anything. Rico loves you and he doesn’t want to be with Monica. He’ll explain everything when he comes home. So, relax and I’ma let you go Sis, but call me if you need me. Rico will there before you know it.”

  “Alright, Sis that’s cool and I’ll be over there tomorrow. Tell Dee I said hey.” Mona said.

  Candy grinned a little. “I will, but she’s on a date tonight.”

  “Already?” Mona asked.

  “Yeah she went out with Maurice.”

  “Maurice from the office?” Mona asked.

  “Yeah and I can’t wait to hear about her date.” Candy said as she turned off the TV and headed down the hallway.

  “I’m coming over early. I wanna hear about this too.” They both laughed. “Good Night, Sis.” Mona said.

  “Good Night, Hun.” Candy responded as they ended their call.

  Mona sat on the side of the bed as she took in a deep sigh. “Where the hell are you, Rico?” She asked out loud.