by HJ Bellus
A blood-curdling scream stiffens my spine. On instinct, I search for Belle. She’s passed out on Boss’ chest, her chubby little hand planted on his cheek. The room goes still as another painful moan rips from someone.
Sunni leans back in a booth, now clutching her huge belly with both her hands. Jag saunters out of the bathroom, zipping up his fly. He freezes when he hears then sees his wife. I swear the motherfucker’s face goes stark white. Never have I seen this man show fear. Stubbornness, yes. But fear, never. He jogs over to Sunni as we all draw near.
“Sunni,” he hollers.
“What’s going on?” Layla kneels before her, completely sobered up.
“Hurts.” A pool of liquid rushes out between Sunni’s legs, cascading onto the floor.
“Is that normal?” Jag points then drops like a sack of potatoes. He falls harder and faster to the floor than any knockout I’ve seen.
“Jesus,” Boss mutters. “Someone get that pussy up.”
He hands Belle to Cruz, who nods and gathers Belle’s stuff. He pecks Layla’s cheek on the way out. Smart man. I remain back, letting Layla and Boss take control of the situation.
“This is horrible. She’s in so much pain.” Mack cuddles into my side.
“She’ll be okay, baby.” I run my hand up and down her back.
Boss slaps Jag awake and gets him to his feet. The scene is downright comical as Boss gets up in his face and yells at him as if he was in the octagon. Jag nods his head, the color never returning to his face.
“Too much pressure,” Sunni yells. “I have to push.”
“No.” Layla grabs her face. “No, not yet. Sunni, don’t you dare push. Someone call the ambulance.”
“Already did,” the man behind the bar chirps.
“Goddammit, Jag, hold my hand or something, you fucking asshole,” Sunni screams out through her next contraction.
“I’m here.” He’s at her side, now a wonderful shade of shit green. “I’m sorry.”
“You better be.”
“Sunni, baby, you’ve got this.” Jag kisses her forehead as if his senses finally kicked in.
This simple gesture undoes Sunni. Her tears flow as she clings to Jag. She apologizes over and over again, telling him she loves him too. The siren of the ambulance nears.
“C’mon.” I tug Mack to the door.
We flag the ambulance down and point them in the direction of Sunni. It’s a flurry of chaos as the EMTs get Sunni into the ambulance. I hear the panic in their voices. Those babies are coming right now whether anyone is ready or not. God, I feel like we all are going to need protective headgear with two mini Jags entering the world.
“Dad, can you drive us there?” Layla asks, throwing her purse over her shoulder.
He nods and takes a step to Mack, wrapping her up in a tight hug and kissing her forehead. “Happy birthday, girl. Enjoy the rest of your night. We will keep you all updated.”
Boss gives me a one-arm hug next and steps back. “Thank you for everything, Boss. Good luck with Jag.”
He smirks. “Anytime. Love ya, Trick.”
And just like that, Mack and I are the only ones left. We both exhale at the same time.
“Holy shit, that was crazy.” Mack mindlessly rubs at one of her earrings.
“Yes, yes it was.” I lean over and kiss the top of her head. “Seems fitting, though. You knew the baby Jags would make a damn entrance.”
She giggles. “How close is it to her due date?”
“Three weeks early, which isn’t bad for twins. Trust me, it’s all Jag has been talking about. He has a damn app on his phone or some shit. Something about them being the size of a head of romaine lettuce.”
“They’re going to make great parents,” she whispers.
I bite down on my tongue to keep my response in. I settle up the tab in the steakhouse, grab all of our stuff, and we begin to stride back to my apartment. It’s growing dark fast. This day has been so great, the thought of riding bikes back to Mack’s sucks. We’ve done it several times now, and it’s great for cardio, but not tonight.
As if Mack’s reading my thoughts, she speaks up. “Can we stay at your house tonight?”
“Hell yes. I wasn’t looking forward to riding back to your place.” We make a left with about only a block left to go. “You sure you’re good with it?”
We’ve shared meals and studied at my house. There have never been any sleepovers until tonight. Once we reach my front door, Mack reaches into my front pocket, digging out my keys since my hands are full. I kick open the door once she turns the knob.
I’m gentle as I set down all the gifts on the bench in my entryway. My place isn’t too different from Mack’s. It’s small but with everything we need. The significant difference is my king-size bed. May not be as soft, but what we can do with a larger bed is endless. Oh, the possibilities make my dick hard.
“Hey, honey.”
I glance up to see Mack with one last gift bag in her hand. I jerk my chin in answer.
Mack’s cheeks flame pink. “I’m going to go change.”
“Okay.” I draw the word out in confusion.
“Layla and Sunni gave me a special gift that I couldn’t open up in front of anyone.” She says it so damn fast each word blends into the next.
My cell phone rings in my pocket, and Mack escapes into the bathroom, slamming the door. My heart feels like a one-ton brick when I read the name on the screen. I’ve ignored the last three calls from my mom. Makes me feel like a piece of shit. Guilt eats at me. On the third ring, I slide my finger across the screen.
“Hello.” I wince at my impersonal greeting. Mom’s always been on my side. The harsh reality is she’s a reminder of the disgrace I represent to my father.
“Trenton, about damn time you answered your momma’s call.”
I lean on the counter slumping back. “Hey, Momma.”
“How are you? I miss you.”
It’s the same way she starts out every call. Gotta give it to her; she’s always concerned about me.
“Good. Going to school, training, and getting geared up for a big fight.” It’s a rote answer. My way of protecting what I have left in my heart for home.
“I’m so proud of you, Trenton. I went over to Leona’s house to watch your last televised fight. You owned that man.”
A pained chuckle escapes me. Hearing my mom say I owned the man is hysterical. Knowing she has to go to the neighbor’s house hurts. There’s no way around it.
“Yeah.”
“And school is good?” she asks.
“It is. Has been quite the juggling act, but I’m managing.”
“I’m so proud of you. Trick, I need to talk to you about…”
I cut her off. Not today. Nothing is going to ruin this day. “Mom, don’t. It’s a lost cause. Listen, I’ve had a perfect day and don’t want to get into this with you.”
“Okay, but…”
“Mom,” I bark out, tension creeping up my skeleton. “Don’t do this. It’s my girlfriend’s birthday. I’m going to go spend the evening with her.”
“A girlfriend?” Her curiosity is piqued. I knew it would do the trick.
I get her off topic telling her about Mack and how we met. I don’t divulge anything too deep. Everything is surface level at best.
“Listen, Mom, I have to go. I love you.”
There’s a long pause.
“I miss you.” She sniffles. “I love you so much, Trenton.”
“Love you too, Mom.” I end the call.
I feel like a dickhead not being able to tell her that I miss her too. Truth is I do every single damn day. Verbalizing the words would smack me with reality. I won’t ever be able to go home. I’m not welcomed there, and I sure in the hell don’t want to pin my mom between the battle of my dad and me. I reach back and squeeze my neck. I have to fight to breathe through emotions and do my best to tamp them down.
“Trick,” Mack’s soft, tentative voice floats into the room. “Are y
ou okay?”
I flick my gaze up to her. The calming breathing technique is long forgotten with the sight ahead of me. I gulp down, the dryness in my throat making it hard to do.
“Jesus,” I rasp out.
Mack takes slow steps toward me, her tan, muscular legs fully exposed. A tight, lacy, black piece of lingerie hugs her body to perfection. Her ample cleavage spills over the top. A sliver of olive skin peeks out between the top and bottom parts.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again.
“Perfect right now,” I respond, spreading out my legs wide and leaning further back into the counter.
“I’m ready for my other birthday present. Make my wish come true.” She plants her palms on my chest.
Chapter 18
Mack
Confidence and passion collide within me the moment my hands land on Trick’s chest. He moves fast. His hands palm my ass, tugging me into him. He’s already hard and ready. The greedy vixen Trick’s pulled out of me grinds on it, seeking the much-needed friction.
Over coffee last week, I told the girls I wanted to go all the way with Trick. From there, it was game on. They took me under their wing and gave me the perfect birthday present. It seems Trick appreciates it way more than I do.
“I’ll make all your wishes come true,” he says in a raspy voice.
Trick moves his hands from my ass to my waist, clutching it tightly and hoisting me up in the air. I squeal with the swift movement, wrapping my arms around Trick’s neck and locking my legs around his waist. He takes five steps until my back is pushed up against a wall.
I growl when he doesn’t attack my lips. He dips his head to the nape of my neck, nipping at it then soothing away the tingle of pain with light kisses.
“Trick,” I plead. “I need more.”
He raises his head, trailing kisses up and down my jawline. My hands come to his cheeks, forcing him to look me in the eye.
“Why yellow?” he asks, dropping his forehead to mine.
I’m thrown off by his question but don’t think twice about answering him. “I was found in the yellow material. The same color as the sun. It’s powerful and alluring. I’ve always wanted to be that. Never thought I could. It wasn’t an option, so I surrounded myself in yellow as a positive reminder. It was never enough until you.”
Trick leans forward, kissing each of the diamonds in my ears. “Fucking beautiful.”
When he faces me again, I don’t give him a chance to kiss my neck or shoulders. I seal my lips to his. It’s a slow burn as we open up to each other. I soak in his taste as my tongue glides with his. I grow needier and wet, craving him so badly. I pull back, breathless with love-bruised lips.
“Your bedroom.” I dig my fingers into the top of his shoulders.
Trick moves with ease until my back collides with the smoothness of his black comforter.
“No, let me,” I say when Trick reaches behind his neck to pull off his t-shirt. As sexy as that action is, I want to undress him.
“My last birthday present to unwrap.” I scramble up to my knees, grabbing the hem of his t-shirt and dragging it up and off.
My fingers work smoothly, flicking open the button and pulling down his zipper. Trick kicks out of his boots as I push down his jeans. The only piece of material left between us is his boxers. The clear outline of his dick punches through the thin material. I let my fingertips glide around his waist before I tug them down, leaving nothing between us.
I move fast, knowing damn well Trick would tell me no. He’s always about devouring my body first. I grip the base of him, swirling my tongue around the head, and then take all of him in my mouth. His hiss and full-body shudder is my reward and fuels me on. I stroke him with my hand and mouth in unison. His hands roam into my hair, tugging gently. I graze the length of him with my teeth. Trick roars and pops me off him.
“Jesus, Mack, so damn good, baby. I want to be in you tonight.” He eases me back on the bed.
His deft fingers peel away the sexy clothing. He bites and nips at my skin the entire time until he settles between my legs.
“Gotta get you ready for me.” Trick’s smile disappears as he dips his head. “So wet.”
Fingers glide through my folds, then he sinks two inside me. My back bows off the bed as a cry of ecstasy attacks me. He flicks my clit with his tongue over and over again while pumping his fingers in and out of me. I scream when he slips the third one in me. So full and mind-blowing. I grip his hair, bucking up my hips as I tumble out of control with him.
Trick continues to lap at me until my release subsides. He stares up at me with so much love it empowers me.
“Trick, please.”
He nods, raises on his knees while leaning over to the nightstand. He pulls out a foil packet and rips it open with his teeth. I sit up when he produces a condom, take it from his hand, and glide it down his throbbing dick. Trick strokes himself a few times, ensuring it’s all the way on.
We fall back together with our lips sealed. Trick’s elbows land on either side of my head, framing me in. His palms rest on the top of my head. We continue kissing. I buck up into him, craving more. I’m so ready for him.
Trick breaks the kiss, dropping his cheek to mine. “It’s going to hurt, baby.”
“I know.”
“We can stop at any time.”
I dig my nails into his shoulder blades. “Trick, shut up and take me now.”
I can feel his smile press into the side of my face. He reaches down between us, lining up his dick. He glides it through my folds, hitting my clit. It sets me on fire as he repeats the motion over and over. He growls when he pushes the head of his dick into me. I freeze with anticipation.
“I’m good,” I reassure him. “Keep going,” I whisper.
He does, sinking slowly into me. It burns and tears. I do my best to keep a poker face on. He cradles my head, sealing his lips to mine. Trick moves tenderly, letting me get used to the sensation. The more he gently rocks in and out of me, the better it feels.
A moan escapes me, vibrating off Trick’s lips. There’s still a twinge of pain lingering. The delicious sensation he’s building up in me outweighs the pain. I begin chanting his name. Trick leans back, piercing his bottom lip with his teeth. The skin goes a pale white. His arm muscles are taut with tension, his eyes hooded with a dark vortex of passion.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh God, Trick, it feels so good,” I hum, letting my legs go lax at his sides.
With the visual of this sexy man hovering above me and the things he’s making me feel, I’m sent swiftly over the edge. I scream out his name over and over until I melt back into the mattress. Trick picks up his pace.
“Knew I wouldn’t last long, baby,” he rasps out.
I cup his cheek, staring into his eyes while he grunts. The veins in his neck bulge, and with one final guttural growl and thrust, Trick comes undone. His body falls on mine, sheltering the collected emotions and memories between us.
“Did your wish come true?” he whispers.
“Every single last one.”
We lay there for long moments in silence. Our heartbeats both slow down to a steady pace. Trick is the first one to move. He rolls off me and takes care of the condom. He returns to the bed with two bottles of water. I curl around him when he lies back down, my hand spread wide across his broad chest.
“Want to talk about that phone call?” I ask with hesitance in my voice.
“Naw.”
“You should.”
“You know the story. Mom calls often, but tonight she tried bringing up Dad. I shut her down.”
“Okay.” I decide to drop it, not wanting to ruin this night.
Both of our phones ding at the same time. We both look at each other in curious question.
“The babies,” I shriek.
We both scramble for our phones. A picture text from Layla appears. I can’t open it fast enough.
“Oh my God!” I squeal. “They look just like Jag.”
> Trick’s deep chuckle fills the room. “That son of a bitch will be bragging about it for years.”
I watch as Trick stares at the picture on his phone. His eyes go misty with pride for his brother. I read the text message that follows the picture.
Layla: Looks like Mack will be sharing a birthday. The twins were delivered within twenty minutes of arriving at the hospital. They’re perfect! Everything is going great. More details to come. Love, L.
Layla: PS—Jag passed out two more times during birth. Pretty sure he missed it all and is now crying like a damn baby.
Another picture comes through of Jag cradling both baby boys in his arms. Tears roll down his face as he smiles at the camera like the king he is.
“Holy shit! Jag was so scared Sunni was going to have a C-section. That’s insane.”
“It is,” I reply, still studying the gorgeous babies. They both have crazy thick black hair and full cheeks.
We climb back into bed. “Man, I couldn’t be happier for Jag. He’s an annoying dickweed. But I do love the hell out of him.”
“You know, I think it was him harassing me that first time at the gym that threw me over the edge to try and live.”
“Yeah, he has that way about him.” Trick pauses, pulling me tight to his side. “Hey, Mack, you want kids one day?”
“Honestly?”
“That’d be best.”
“Never thought it would be an option for me, so I’ve never thought about it.”
“Oh,” he replies.
I perch up on my elbow and slap his chest. “Babies with you will be my birthday wish in about four years, though.”
Chapter 19
Trick
Not gonna lie, as much as we all bitch about Jag being the annoying child he is, we all are missing the hell out of him. The gym isn’t the same without his spirit. These past few days training before a big match without him is like fighting with one arm.
