by Zuri Day
“Oba’s elderly grandfather was pressuring his grandsons to get married and produce heirs. Oba was determined to beat Isaac having a child.”
“Isaac?”
“His brother.”
Nick’s frown deepened.
“I know. It’s complicated, the same as Oba and his brother’s relationship. They were born less than a year apart. Their grandfather cultivated a fierce competition between them and upped the ante when he said the first one to marry and provide an heir would get the throne.”
“How’d you get involved?”
“In a moment of frustration, Joi shared the stress of watching her brothers’ ongoing fights with Danni, and how if given a choice she thought Oba would be the better king. Danni knew how freaked out I was at the prospect of being a single mother. She told Joi I was pregnant. Joi told him about me. Danni told me about Oba and...” Sam heaved a sigh. “The next thing I knew I was an African princess.”
“That is totally crazy.”
“In repeating the story out loud it sounds like pure insanity, but back then, in my mind, getting married solved everything. You wanted nothing to do with children, yet here was a guy where a child was not only what he wanted, but what he needed as well. I envisioned my son growing up royal and privileged, who’d lack for nothing he wanted in life.”
“Nothing except the truth.”
“There is no excuse for what I did. There’s no way to make it right, only to make it better. For almost five years, I’ve deprived my son of his birthright. I will regret that decision for the rest of my life.”
“I think your ex has been calling me.”
Sam’s head shot up. Her eyes registered fear.
“It was just a few times and I can’t be sure. It was a blocked number. They never said anything. But since it’s never happened before and considering what I’ve learned...”
Sam sighed and ran weary fingers over her eyes. “It was probably Oba. He’s been trying to blackmail me.”
“What the hell?” Nick had never been a violent man but he was glad Sam’s ex wasn’t anywhere close to him right now. “Why?”
“It’s a long story, but don’t worry. If it’s him, they’ll stop. Now that the secret is out he has nothing to use against me.”
“Even with what you’ve told me, I still don’t get it. How you could justify not telling me that you were pregnant? I don’t know if I can ever get over that type of betrayal, the lack of trust, the anger. You watched me play with the kid, teach him how to ride a horse, and stayed silent while knowing I was interacting with my own son. That’s fucked up, Sam!”
Nick stood and walked away from the table, as if just being near her was too much to handle.
Sam steepled her hands and worked to remain calm. “You’re 100 percent correct. I effed up, in what may very well be the biggest mistake of my life. I don’t expect you to understand something that no longer makes sense to me. I only hope that there can be some type of relationship between you and Trey and that one day...you’ll forgive me.”
“Of course there’ll be a relationship. What kind of man do you think I am? Oh, that’s right. You didn’t think I was man enough to even want to know I had a child. So scratch that question. I don’t give a damn what you think about me.
“I’m sure you know that if there was any possible way to pull you off the island project, I’d do it today. But given the time constraints and what has already been designed, it wouldn’t be economically or logically prudent. That said, I can’t be around you right now. Noah is familiar with much of what I’m doing. I’ll bring him in as a go-between. All exchanges between us need to be electronic. In just over three weeks, the necessary homes will be completed. It’ll be difficult, but I think I can handle the interaction for that long.”
“What about Trey? I understand that you hate me right now, but I’m his mom and a necessary bridge between the two of you. Is there a way that we can at least work together to ensure as smooth as possible a transition for him, from considering Oba as his father to knowing you’re his dad?”
Nick’s eyes remained fixed on the window, though Sam doubted he saw anything beyond the mess she’d made.
“What do you suggest?” he finally asked.
“Maybe bring him over to the estate. He already loves going there. He really likes you, too.”
Nick winced. The hole in Sam’s heart tore wider.
“Maybe Christina can be a part of easing him into your family. I don’t know what they think about all of this but...
“I’m so sorry, Nick.” Instinctively, she took a step toward him.
“Don’t.” His jaw rippled with the force it took to not say more. Words Sam doubted she wanted to hear anyway.
“What about his nanny, what’s her name?”
“Gloria?”
“Yes. She’s friends with Christina’s nanny Kirtu. I think it would be better if Trey came with her.”
Ouch. “Okay.”
“My family is understandably upset. They need time to absorb all of what’s happened, as do I.”
That night, Sam told Gloria about Nick being Trey’s father, the conversation they’d had and Nick’s request. The next morning Sam woke up Trey and helped him get dressed. That she wasn’t going to be there for this first father-son interaction where Nick knew the truth literally hurt her heart. Still, she was grateful that Nick wanted to get to know his son. For that reason alone, she found a smile to put on for her child.
“Where are we going, Mommy?”
Sam looked at her heartbeat, melting as she always did when she heard Trey’s voice. “You and Gloria are going someplace to have lots of fun.”
“Where”
“Do you remember Nick, the man I work with, the one who taught you to ride the horse?”
“Yes. I’m going over there?” Trey’s eyes were wide and bright with anticipation. In that moment, to her mind, he looked like Nick’s chocolate-covered mini-me. “I like horses, Mommy.”
“I know you do.”
“I want a horse, Mommy.”
“That would be fun, huh?”
Trey nodded. “I would ride it every day.”
“But horses are a lot of work, Trey. They require a lot of care, to feed them and house them and give them exercise.”
“I’ll do it!”
“Who’ll watch the horse while you’re at school?”
Trey’s brows scrunched together as he pondered this question. Studying his face, Sam was taken aback. Why hadn’t she noticed Nick’s features before on Trey’s face? Was it only in the truth being revealed she could see them?
“Are you going, Mama?”
“No, Mama’s been working really long hours so while you and Gloria are riding horses, I’m going to get some rest. Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
Sam would have liked there to have been a little pushback, to feel that her son needed her to tag along. But Trey had always been adventuresome, with an independent streak. Just like his father.
Sam heard a tap on Trey’s bedroom door before it opened slightly.
“Good morning!”
Said a little too forced and a little too brightly. Sam could only imagine how awkward this had to be for her childcare specialist.
“Good morning, Gloria.” She walked closer and lowered her voice. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I still think it should be you who takes him over.”
“Maybe next time. Right now, it’s better this way.”
“Should I fix him breakfast?”
“Knowing Nick and his family, any kind of gathering will likely involve food. I’ll get him a Pop-Tart to tide him over.”
Sam kept up the casual chatter until Gloria and Trey left the house and she locked the door behind them. She made it all the way back to her bedroom before
the tears came, and then allowed herself a good cry. Trey would get to spend time with his father, even as Sam’s days were numbered. She tried to find comfort in that.
For the next three weeks, a routine was established. Gloria took Trey to the Breedloves’ on weekends. During the week they traveled with Sam, who buried herself in work. The good news was that for the most part she stayed on schedule, finishing the last home mere days before the occupants were set to arrive. The more challenging news was that she’d done all of this while consumed with a myriad of feelings about Nick and Trey. Delight that they were getting to know each other. Sorrow that things between her and Nick would never be the same.
The ice had thawed somewhat. The texts and emails had graduated to a call here and there, focused strictly on work or questions about Trey. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about his reaction, that he’d been less than enthused about claiming the smartest, cutest, brightest most intelligent kid on the planet as his own. But in the end, as Danielle had so aptly pointed out, it would have been less than responsible for him to react any other way. His disappointment in missing out on Trey’s first four years overshadowed the joy Sam was sure that Nick also felt. Whether he knew it, acknowledged it or ever owned up to it or not, Nick was a perfect father for her son. And thanks to the contract they’d negotiated, she would be fine financially and otherwise, whether or not Nick chose to be in her son’s life.
She was in Maine preparing to catch a flight back to Vegas when her phone rang. Nick.
“Hey.”
“Hi, Sam. You’re headed back tonight, right?”
“Yes, headed to the airport now.”
“What time do you land?”
“Seven forty-five.”
“We need to talk. Can you meet me for dinner?”
Could it be that Nick was finally coming around to the two of them at least being friends for their son’s sake? Sam’s heart leaped.
“Sure. Should I bring Trey?”
“This needs to be just the two of us.”
“Okay, text me the address and I’ll meet you there. And, Nick?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
Once home she swapped jeans for a flowy jumpsuit and headed to Breedlove. Her phone rang. Thinking it was Danielle, she clicked the Bluetooth immediately.
“Hello, Sam Price,” she fairly sang, her heart lighter than it had been in ages.
“Is that you, baby?”
Hearing the accent almost made her run off the road. Before Oba had only texted. Now he was calling. The nerve of his actions caused a rage to form in the pit of Sam’s gut. That with all she was going through, he’d put her through more. But what could he do now? He’d lost his power. The thought calmed her anger. She almost smiled.
“Oba, we’ve been through this already. It’s over. We’ve no need to talk.”
“Oh, really? Then maybe you’d like me to talk to your baby’s real daddy.”
“Oba Usman, I don’t give a damn what you do. There’s nothing you can tell Nick that he doesn’t already know. I told him, all right? He knows that Trey is his son. Call again threatening blackmail or anything else and you will hear from my lawyer. Think I’m playing? Try me. Now go off and have a nice life.”
Sixteen
Having grown up in a nurturing, supportive environment filled with love, Nick wasn’t used to being nervous. Yet as he pulled into the parking lot of BBs, his brother’s popular hamburger joint, he felt wisps of discomfort, uncertainty, even a little despair. He’d always been the master of his own destiny, in total control of his life. Yet in the span of a few pivotal weeks that had all changed. He was a father. He had a son named Trey. Life was no longer all about him and while he’d already developed true feelings for what his brother Christian called Nick’s “mini-me,” he didn’t quite know how he felt about that. Or about Sam.
He entered the restaurant, aware of the desirous eyes from female patrons that followed him only because the hostess pointed it out. After taking a seat near the window he pulled out his phone to check messages and texts until Sam arrived about fifteen minutes later.
“Sorry I’m late,” she began, with a flustered demeanor. “There was an accident and...”
He put a hand on her arm and gently squeezed it. “Relax. It’s fine. This isn’t an interview.”
Sam blessed him with a smile that lit up those warm brown eyes. “I guess you’re right. Thanks for the reminder.”
She sat down and threw her purse strap over the chair back. “This is your brother’s place?” she asked, looking around.
“His pride and joy, except for the ranch and the cows he raises.”
“I like its no-nonsense casual atmosphere. A contrast to what I imagined it would be.”
“Adam wanted a place that would feel comfortable for everybody. Non-pretentious, as it should be when scarfing down burgers and fries. And speaking of, don’t you dare say you’re not hungry. I’d put these burgers up against anybody, and bet my vacation homes that they’d win.”
“Wow, lofty bet.”
“Confident brother.”
They spoke casually until the server delivered their drinks and took their orders.
“A premium champagne would have been more appropriate, but such is not on BBs menu. This is all I have.” Nick held up his frosty mug of beer. “A toast is in order.”
With a slight frown, Sam held up her iced tea. “To what?”
“You. Congratulations on a job well done.”
“Oh. That.”
“I know the team congratulated you on managing the impossible. Noah, and my brothers. I think even my dad. I realized that no matter what was happening personally between us, not giving props where they were due made me a total jerk.”
“It means a lot to hear that, Nick. It was the most difficult job I’ve ever tackled, and the most rewarding.”
“To the only woman who could have pulled it off.”
Sam lifted her tea. The glasses clinked. Each sipped from their glass as they drank in each other.
“We’re having a dinner at CANN to celebrate the project’s completion. I’d love for you to join me.”
“As your date?”
“As one who deserves to be officially recognized.”
“Are you sure? At our last physical interaction you hated me, Nick. This change, it’s...welcomed, but uncomfortable.”
“You’re right. All I wanted was you out of my sight. Not telling me about my son was cruel and unthinkable. I thought I’d never forgive you.”
Sam’s head dipped. “I totally understand that, because I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Then I talked with Grandma Jewel, my dad’s mother. She told me that the unforgiveness in my heart wouldn’t hurt you or myself as much as it would Trey. That kids are closest to spirit and could feel words that remained unspoken. My son has already been through enough. I don’t want to be the cause of more pain.
“One more thing,” he continued, before Sam could speak. “Since I’ve done the impossible and forgiven you, you might as well forgive yourself.”
Nick watched as Sam’s head dipped lower, and she brought a hand to her face. He was out of his chair in an instant and sitting beside her.
“Come on, none of that,” he said as he reached for a napkin and blotted her tears. “This is a celebration, remember?”
Sam pulled herself together, her expression über-serious as she turned to face him. “There’s only one thing left to do.”
Nick’s heart skipped a beat. What had he missed? “Go ahead,” he said. “I’m listening.”
“We’ve got to tell Trey that you’re his real father. He doesn’t know that he’s your son.”
For the rest of the evening conversation swung between CANN Isles and Trey, mostly. The celebratory dinner took place a couple weeks later. Sa
m looked delectable in a designer original. Her good looks and effervescent personality endeared her to everyone in the room. Pics of her achievements were leaked to the media. In several issues of local and national newspapers and websites, she was the focus of both the business and society pages. No one was more impressed with her than his family. As though the person she was had overridden what she’d done. When Trey asked him if his mom was joining them for Thanksgiving dinner at the estate, Nick told him he’d like nothing better. The day marked for giving thanks seemed infinitely appropriate to being the one where his son learned the truth about their relationship.
Thanksgiving at the Breedlove estate was its usual grand affair. Nick and Sam, however, excused themselves shortly after the Christmas tree lighting, for a talk before Trey went to bed. He was excited from the day’s festive activities but after Sam had given him a bath, he slid into his Black Panther pj’s more than ready for sleep. Nick and Sam followed him into the massive guest room that had been renovated into a little boy’s dreamland. Trey crawled onto the bed shaped like a race car. Nick sat down beside him. Sam, in the nearby chair.
Trey looked from one parent to the other. “You’re both going to read me a bedtime story?”
“Not from one of your superhero books,” Sam offered. “But Mama does have a story to tell.”
Nick watched Sam take a deep breath as a myriad of emotions played across her face. “I know you think Prince Oba is your father, baby. But he is not your real dad.”
Trey’s look of confusion was understandable to both Nick and Sam. “He’s not my father?”
Sam slowly shook her head. “No, baby. When I married him, you were already in my tummy.”
Trey thought on this a moment and then asked his mom, “Do I have a father?”
“Absolutely,” Nick interrupted, pride underscoring the word. “I’m your father, Trey. I only found out when you guys returned to America that I am your real dad.”
He held his breath and watched Trey’s young mind try to process adult information. “For real?”
Nick nodded.
“Like Christian is Christina’s dad and Scott is Jaylen’s dad?”
