“So is it true?” he asked again. “Is he really your brother?”
“Yeah, Jeremy is my brother.”
“That’s so cool. Does he really help you coach your football team?”
“Sometimes he does. It depends on whether or not he’s busy with other stuff. Jeremy actually does a lot of stuff with the kids around here. He even goes to the schools to help kids who are having trouble reading and things like that.”
“That’s so neat.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy. He can be stubborn as a mule, but he’s a good guy,” I joked, wondering when CJ might realize he was actually having a conversation with me and would go back to hating me with every fiber of his being.
CJ went back to his studies, trying to act like he hadn’t really been all that interested in what I was saying, but it didn’t take him long to look back at me and ask more questions. “What about your parents?”
“Is that a question? What about them?”
“I don’t know. Are they still around? Do they live close?”
“Yeah, they’re still around. I can actually walk to their house from here. They’re good people too, but they give me and my brothers a lot of trouble because none of us are married. They want grandchildren in the worse way.”
That statement was said intentionally. I knew hearing those words would put some thoughts in his head and make CJ think about what I said.
Right as I was about to continue the conversation, there was a knock on the door, and Officer McKade stuck his head in.
“Miss Walker is here to see you,” he said.
I was surprised to learn that Latrice had come by, especially since she didn’t need to pick CJ up. I looked over at CJ only to find that he was just as surprised as I was.
“Go ahead and send her in.”
“I’m really sorry to barge in here like this,” Latrice said as she came into the office, looking amazing in her skirt. “There’s an emergency at work, and I have to go in right away. I’ve arranged for someone to look after CJ until I get home, and I have to drop him off on my way. I figured it would be okay if I grabbed him on my way out.
“It seems like you’re in a big hurry. Why don’t you give me the address and I’ll go ahead and drop him off myself? That will save you a little time.”
The fact that it was Tuesday had not escaped my mind when I made the offer. My family and I had made plans to meet for dinner. I also knew that my family was dying to meet CJ in person. I’d told everyone of our plan, so there was no chance of anyone letting the cat out of the bag.
“Actually, I have a better idea,” I continued, looking into Latrice’s eyes and trying not to let myself get caught up in how beautiful they were. “I’m sure CJ is probably starving. I was going to meet my parents and brothers for dinner at a nice restaurant nearby. He is more than welcome to come along, and I can drop him off wherever after we eat.”
She nodded but gave me a look of concern. I shot her a look right back that let her know it would all be okay.
I would never have made the offer if I hadn’t been making some sort of headway with our son. I looked over at CJ, whose head was down in his book. He was trying to convince us that he hadn’t heard the exchange we’d just said.
“CJ, Officer Sparks would like to take you to dinner with his family before he drops you off. Is that okay with you?”
CJ stared at his mom for what seemed like an eternity. It was obvious that they both had very strong personalities and was trying to see who would blink first. I remembered Latrice being stubborn, and he seemed like a chip off the old block.
“Whatever,” he finally said before going back to his book.
Latrice let out a sigh of relief. “Okay, you be good then. I’ll see you tonight before bed. Don’t give Officer Sparks here any trouble,” she commanded before walking over and giving CJ a kiss on the forehead.
She then looked at me, gave me a wink and smile, and walked out of the office.
* * *
“I just want you to know that the only reason I said I’d go with you is because I want to meet your brother. I think what he does is cool,” CJ said as we were driving to the restaurant.
As we stopped at a red light, I looked over at CJ and laughed a little. “You know, I kind of had a feeling that might be the case. It’s okay. It’s not like you’re the first kid who’s ever tried to get on my good side to meet my brother.”
“Oh don’t get it confused,” CJ scowled. “I am not trying to get on your good side.”
I laughed again. “Oh, sorry about that. I must have been mistaken.”
The ride was quiet for the next couple of minutes as I drove through the light evening traffic.
“Let’s talk about something else,” I said, determined to talk to him. “How was school today?”
He looked over at me, completely confused by my sudden interest. “It was okay, I guess.”
“Just okay? Nothing happened?”
He glared over at me again. “What’s with the questions? Why do you care?”
“I’m just interested in how your day at school was.”
“Are you sure you’re not just interested in my mom? I can see how you look at her you know?”
“You can? How do I look at her?”
“You look at her like a man looks at a woman he likes.”
I laughed, although I tried not to. I’d never heard it explained quite like that. “How do you know what that looks like?” I asked.
“Because I’m not stupid. It’s not like I was born yesterday.”
“I never said you were,” I said as I looked over at him. “I bet you don’t even know that your mom and I used to date when we were younger.”
“Okay? And?”
His anger and frustration was becoming evident. He didn’t like to talk about me having a history with his mom and he was very protective of her. I figured I better not say too much to upset him.
“And nothing, I just thought that might be something you’d like to know.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I felt very strongly about her.”
“Yeah, but that was a long time ago,” he said, his voice gaining some confidence. “She’s fine now. The last thing she needs is a boyfriend. If you’re thinking about trying to get with her, you need to think again. She doesn't like you like that.”
“Yeah? Wanna know what I think?”
“Not really.”
“That’s too bad because I’m going to tell you anyway. I think you should worry about being a kid and don’t worry too much about grown up stuff. Just be your age and enjoy growing up.”
“Whatever. I don’t like you.”
“Thanks for letting me know that again. At least now I know there have been no changes for you,” I joked.
The truth was something had changed, even if CJ didn't realize it yet. Him agreeing to come to dinner with me to meet my family was making some progress.
When I first met him, he wouldn’t even give me his name. But now, he was willing to at least eat dinner with us.
Sure, the fact that my brother was a famous motorcycle racer was a benefit, but I didn’t mind using him to my advantage. He’d find out soon enough that if you accepted one of the Sparks family members, you’d end up accepting all of us.
I felt my cell phone begin to vibrate on my hip.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Well, if it’s all right, I’d like to go ahead and take CJ to dinner. Is that okay?”
I could feel CJ’s eyes fixate on me as he stared at me in wonder.
“Yes, that’s fine. I can drop him off as soon as we eat.”
I hung up the phone, turning on my signal to make a left at the stop light.
“That was your mom. She said that when she got to work, they ended up not needing her and sent her back home,” I pulled onto the street the restaurant was on. “But don’t worry, she said you can still have dinner to meet my brother as well as the rest of the
family.”
“Great. Aren’t I lucky?”
“You should consider yourself so,” I said, putting the car into park.
We had finally arrived at the restaurant and now it was time for my family to meet my son, even though none of them could let on that they knew the truth about exactly who he was. Not until he was ready.
Baby steps. Let him meet your brother. That will help break the ice, and then maybe you might just have a chance at winning him over.
“Ready to go in?” I asked.
“I guess.”
I only hoped that things would go smoothly because I wanted him in my life more than anything.
* * *
Latrice
I prayed that CJ was on his best behavior as I jumped on the highway and started making my way back home. When he was little, I did the best I could to teach him about respecting his elders and having manners.
I knew he didn’t have the best track record, but I hoped those feelings would be able to come out over the hostility that had taken their place.
Turning my thinking over to Chance, I knew that he was more than capable of dealing with things when it came to CJ. I was grateful for that, as most men would have crumbled under the same circumstances. Soon, my thoughts of CJ and Chance turned to Chance and me.
More specifically, the way my body reacted to his earlier that morning. That man is smart and even though I told him there was nothing there, I knew he didn’t buy it. I knew that he could tell I’d wanted him just as bad as he wanted me.
What I couldn’t believe was the fact that it had only taken a single kiss before I was ready to take my clothes off for him.
There was no way that he didn’t feel the energy that charged the air around us as he pressed me against him. There was no way that he didn’t feel the electricity spark as his lips touched mine.
There was no way he didn’t feel the same because I’d felt him harden against me before I pushed him away.
Pulling off at my exit, I stopped at the red light and closed my eyes for a moment. I asked for God to give me strength when it came to Chance.
I knew that if I allowed him to come back into my life, I was leaving myself open to feeling the heartbreak I’d already experienced all over again.
Chance seemed like a different person than he was back then. He wasn’t running the streets, and he was much more settled.
Still, I needed to leave whatever we had between us in the past. It would be much easier that way. I had plenty to deal with as far as him being CJ’s father was concerned.
I needed to continue letting Chance know that he needed to win over his son and not me.
No matter how hot and bothered the two of us were in each other’s presence, his main concern needed to be his son. I was not going to give in again, no matter how hard it might be.
I had to watch myself and make sure I didn’t give Chance any wrong impressions. Of course, to do that, I needed to stop thinking about having him inside me whenever I looked at him.
My body was already doing a fine job of reminding me that ten years is a long time to go without sexual attention. I had been abstinent since the last time Chance and I were together.
It wasn’t something that I’d planned, but as a single mother, I was too busy to dwell on it. Being around Chance had brought those urges back to the forefront, and I felt like my body was under attack. It felt like it was working against me and demanding that I do things that I had no intention of doing.
No matter how much I tried to shut it out, the kiss kept popping into my head. I could feel my nipples tingling as I remembered his warm breath on my skin.
Once again, I prayed to God for the strength to deal with Chance Sparks in a way that was in the best interest of my child.
Chapter Seven
Chance
“Mom and dad, I’d like you to meet CJ,” I said as we arrived at our table at the restaurant. “CJ is Latrice’s son.”
I knew that my dad was going to be as solid as a rock as far as keeping my secret. My mother was a concern, however.
When I introduced CJ, I could see the emotions spread across her face. She was looking into the eyes of a grandson she had always wanted.
She was looking at the face of a grandson she’d had for ten years but never knew about. She wanted nothing more than to claim him right then and there.
I was grateful that my dad was able to catch the same signals I was. He knew how important the plan that Latrice and I created was and spoke up before my mom had a chance to say anything.
“You are one good looking young man,” my dad said as he extended his hand and shook CJ’s. “Thanks for joining us this evening. How is your mother doing?”
“She’s doing fine,” CJ responded.
He lowered his head and studied the tablecloth on the table. I hadn’t seen him so shy before, and I wondered how much of it was an act. I wondered if this was something he did when he was taken out of his comfort zone.
But then I remembered Latrice had told me that CJ wasn’t very outgoing around people he didn’t know, so maybe it wasn’t an act at all.
I looked up and saw Jeremy enter the restaurant, and I waved him over. “Jeremy, apparently I’ve got one of your biggest fans here with me tonight, and I’d love for you to meet him.”
CJ’s head popped up, and his mouth dropped open. He couldn’t believe that he was actually coming face to face with one of his heroes.
“Jeremy Sparks!” he said. “Wow, it’s really you!”
Jeremy smiled. Even though he was used to that type of reaction, he always acted like it was the first time he’d heard something like that.
“Hi, it’s really me. I’m Jeremy Sparks. What’s your name buddy?”
“My name is CJ Walker,” he replied.
I was surprised to see such a big smile on CJ’s face. It was the first time I was getting to see a look of pure joy and happiness coming from my son. I was happy for him but was a bit saddened that I wasn’t the one to put that look on his face.
“Walker, why do I know that name?” Jeremy asked, pretending like he was thinking hard about it. “A long time ago, I knew a girl named Latrice Walker. As a matter of fact, it was Chance’s girlfriend. Are you related to her by any chance?”
“Yeah, that’s my mom.”
“Latrice is your mom? That can’t be. What are you? 18? 19?”
“No, I’m ten,” CJ laughed.
“Wow, you’re a big boy for 10. How’s your mom?”
“She’s good,” he said, looking like he was already getting tired of answering the same question over and over.
As the other members of the family entered the restaurant, I introduced them to my son. One after another, everyone acted nonchalant about the matter. Not one member of the family gave so much as a hint that he was my son.
During dinner, CJ was seated between Jeremy and me. He could have cared less that I was there, but he sure did ask Jeremy a thousand questions.
It was nice having him there with my family. There was no doubt as to who he was. Her last name may have been Walker, but that boy was a Sparks through and through.
* * *
Latrice
It was the first time I’d had a night alone for as long as I could remember. How did I spend it? Reading a book. I know that’s not as exciting as the things some people would do, but that was exactly how I wanted to spend the night. I was getting in a really good part of my novel when the doorbell rang.
I have got to remember to get that boy a key to this house.
I looked out the small window on the door to make sure it was CJ before I opened the door. It was him, but he wasn’t on the porch by himself. Chance was standing behind him.
“How was dinner?” I asked as I opened the door, both of them walking inside. CJ didn’t have an answer because he was already heading for his bedroom. He looked like he was going to be asleep before his head hit the pillow.
“I’ve never seen a kid so tired bef
ore,” Chance said after we heard CJ shut his door. “He’s so tired he can’t even think straight. I was going to walk him to his room, but I’m pretty sure he’s had enough of me for one night.”
“Let me go check on him real quick. I’ll be right back.
* * *
Chance
I watched her walk down the hallway and into CJ’s room. I sighed and tried to get myself under control. My adrenaline had been pumping hard since she opened the door.
She was still wearing the same skirt that she’d worn to the station earlier, and I couldn’t get over how nice her ass looked in it. I also couldn’t get over the way she swayed her hips while she walked or the way her skirt slid slowly up her thigh with each step she took.
I’d give anything to have one night with her. One perfect night. Alone, but the fact that Latrice was still acting so cautiously around me didn’t help my cause either.
Latrice was taking a while. I had a sneaking suspicion that she was taking her time in CJ’s room, hoping I’d get impatient and see myself out. I wasn’t going to do that.
Instead, I took a seat on the couch and waited. I wasn’t going to leave until she and I had a chance to talk.
* * *
Latrice
I stayed in CJ’s room for a good ten minutes or more. He was fast asleep. He didn’t even bother to get out of his clothes before he crashed for the night.
CJ didn’t need me in the room with him, but I stayed there watching him sleep in hopes that I’d be able to avoid being alone with Chance.
When I crept out of CJ’s room, I closed the door quietly behind me and turned back towards the living room. Chance was still there, sitting on my couch while thumbing through a magazine I’d left sitting on the coffee table.
Even at a distance, the living room had a seductive feeling to it. The light coming from the small table lamp seemed to amplify his sexiest features and made him almost too enticing to be able to ignore.
I stood in the hall trying to remain as quiet as a field mouse while I studied him. As an officer, there was no way he had many peaceful moments in his life.
Second Chance (A Secret Baby Romance Novel) Page 9
