~Twenty-One

Me: I’m here.

I took a deep breath after hitting send. My eyes glanced around to the grand building before me. I was here at the grand ballroom Hotep Black Financial Bank owned, not too far from the stadium deemed the home of the Connecticut Kings.

My nerves were far more rampant than I considered. Maybe I should have ridden in the limo with April. But I didn’t want to. I wanted to drive myself in case I needed a fast getaway. What if Brielle was here? Or another hard to shake former lover of Trent’s? No. I made the right call. What would have been more perfect was if Shank’s foundation’s fundraiser would have been in his home state of New Jersey. But when we planned it, we knew if we wanted to kick it off this year, it would have to be near Trent’s job. Technically, no major events like this should be scheduled during the season.

I took a deep breath. Trent was back at work now. Officially. The training camp gave us space from one another to think this marriage thing through. I don’t believe I’d come to any resolve yet, though. I was still angry and confused. I couldn’t divorce him now. I wasn’t prepared to leave our church. Neither could I leave the Alpine mansion. I had two kids to think about. 

Trent: Where? John’s out there. He said he don’t see you.

I rolled my eyes at the phone. Then I put it down to drive toward the entrance. I was late—unintentionally. I ran into traffic on the way up. The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass Trent. It was why I came anyway. Not showing to the first fundraiser from the foundation named after his beloved uncle would have been a slap in the face to my husband so soon after our public nuptials.

Of course, he doesn’t give me the same consideration…

As I pulled up to the entrance, I spotted John looking dapper in his black tux. He noticed me, too, and whistled for the valet. I quickly plopped down the mirror in the sun visor to apply a fresh coat of lipstick. By the time the attendant made it to my truck, I had my clutch and shoes in hand.

John was there to usher me inside. The moment we entered the lobby, Elle was there waiting for me. She didn’t even speak. Right away, she grabbed my sandals, dropped into a squat in her exquisite gown, and tapped my ankle for me to lift. She changed my footwear as I held onto John’s big frame.

“I’m grateful for this,” I murmured down to Elle, hearing the live band playing from beyond the ballroom doors.

“And I’m grateful you came,” she returned. Once done, she stood effortlessly and straightened her gown. “You know that thing with Brielle was a meaningless nuance, at best, don’t you?”

I smoothed down my own gown, wiggling to form it. My chin lifted and I peered ahead. “Let’s get this show on the road before my bladder gives.”

Completely ignoring her plea, I began my stride to the entrance of the room. I was pregnant, weeks away from delivering and stubborn as hell. The last thing I was going to do was discuss my marital issues with my husband’s public relations guru. Elle was damn good, but my marriage was mine to govern.

John released my arm to open the door for us. As he did, Elle released a big smile and faced me. The room opened to guests engaging, some holding champagne flutes or tumblers. The festiveness of the atmosphere could be felt immediately. Right away, I thought all the planning and all the stress was worth what I could feel in those first few moments.

The first face somewhat recognizable was Terrance Grant, a Kings wide receiver under JJ. I knew of him because of all the pictures he took with Trent, tagging him like crazy as though they were tight. Trent told me before training camp he believed Grant did that to spite Jordan. He said he had no relationship like that with Grant. That alone made me not like him. Jordan was my heart. No way I could be okay with someone trying to antagonize him.

True to my usual luck, Grant approached me the moment his eyes lit with recognition. Funny thing was, we’d never met. Quickly, my latest act of revenge came to mind. I’d made my Facebook and Instagram pages public to anger my husband with sexy pictures and to make his former lover, Brielle—and whomever else he’d been keeping from me—jealous.

“Mrs. Bailey,” Terrance Grant greeted with familiarity and hooded eyes the moment he was upon me.

That struck me. So much that I scoffed with eyes sweeping over to Elle.

“Jade, meet Terrance Grant, a third string wide receiver for your husband’s Connecticut Kings.” I couldn’t ignore the possession of the team in that introduction. “Mr. Grant, maybe Mrs. Bailey will be able to chat with you soon. She now needs to work the room before dinner is called.”

With a crestfallen expression, Grant backed up with a heavy pout and neck bow. Boy, was he laying it on thick.

Not two seconds after we advanced inside the opulent hall did Wil Cunningham and Ramsey Bishop come into view. The media had been dragging their relationship through the mud. According to Trent, per Ramsey, they weren’t “together” at my wedding. The word spread during Ramsey’s earlier days at training camp, which was two weeks before Trent started along with the other veterans. And now…seeing them “together”…it all made sense. Their proximity was blazed with chemistry.

“I’m so glad you two were able to make it!” I gushed, feeling a sense of familiarity with them now, particularly Wil. A blissful wedding would do that to you. Not to mention Wil’s interview of Trent this summer before training camp began. It was a near disaster, thanks to my overprotectiveness of Trent’s privacy. Her mentioning his relationship with his parents and legal woes had steam shooting through my ears. But Wil forged through, making it clear she had no ill intent and was padded with journalistic integrity. It also didn’t hurt that she was an admitted Trent Bailey fan. “Wil—wow! You look amazing!”

“Hey, Jade!” She approached me with a warm and clutching hug, letting me know our disagreement over the direction of her interview was forgiven. I was grateful. The end result was tasteful, honest to Trent’s character, and informative. “You look amazing yourself! And how far along are you now?” she asked excitedly.

“Whew!” I rubbed my tight belly. “Almost thirty-eight weeks, girl, and little miss thang doesn’t seem to be outgrowing her digs. My worst nightmare is her not adhering to the eviction notice at the end of the month!” I winked. “But I have a backup plan for missy.” I formed my fingers to resemble scissors.

We laughed.

“Well, it looks good on you, Jade,” Ramsey complimented. “TB is crazy excited about his little girl. He can’t stop talking about her and you. I’m happy for him.”

That mention of Trent doting on our baby sent a warm sensation coursing my spine. Okay… Maybe the inclusion of me played a part in it, too.

“You’re looking good in those Ase Garbs,” I noted while gazing down at his oxfords. “Is that a whole-cut derby? Oh, my god!” I breathed, covering my nose. “I love those! Trent wouldn’t let me order them for him. He’s so—urban!”

“He’s been looking good to me in all that Ase Garb and Gucci.” Ramsey winked.

“Yeah, but he’s so plain. My husband could wear gray sweats and fresh Timberland boots with a tee shirt every day and die a content man. I’ve been trying to explain his role as a model for these high-end brands.” I rolled my eyes dramatically, to which the couple laughed, Wil clasped onto Ramsey’s arm.

“He’s looking pretty urbane tonight,” Wil offered.

“That’s because he followed my instructions to a T. I wish I had more fashion-forward minds like you to dress, Ramsey. It would make my life easier.” I smiled, rolling my eyes again.

Ramsey had a different sports agent. Ironically, they were offered a contract by Ase Garb as well. I’d noticed Ramsey was a fashion divo himself. He always looked stately and clean no matter casual or formal wear.

Yeah… I see you Wil, girl…

As I smiled brightly at the handsome couple, behind my eyes reading their undeniable adhesiveness, something stirred in my soul. Admittedly, I knew nothing of their affair, but observing them in those few minutes as we chatted reminded me of how palpable good loving is. And not just sex: unadulterated love. Maybe they hadn’t crossed that bridge yet. I didn’t know. Perhaps those feelings had begun budding long before the admittance of it. Whatever it was reminded me of what I had with my husband.

I laughed as Ramsey told a story of a disagreement he’d gotten into with a head designer at Ase Garb, since his endorsement, about pattern and how fluid it is and can be paired with far more than the designer had been practicing. The light in Wil’s eyes as she gazed into his when he spoke… The glow they both shared being in such close proximity… I had that.

With my husband.

Darker thoughts would have me remember the look in Trent’s eyes as he smiled down on Brielle while holding her in his arms. Did they wear this glow once upon a time? Couldn’t have. I may have had my bouts with insecurity and feverish jealousy, but more than those features when it came to my husband, I recognized belonging. I belonged to that man. We may have been a fitful pair, but we belonged. It took us over twenty-five years to belong. But we did. To each other.

“Oh! You’re still here,” Elle noted as she walked up on us, her blonde curly hair unbelievably flawless, something I hadn’t noticed before, I was so flustered. “We have to get you off to the host of the night, Mrs. Bailey.” Her smile swept from me to Ramsey and Wil. Then she gave a faux pout to ask for forgiveness.

I reached for Wil’s hand that was clutched to Ramsey’s thick arm and squeezed.

“Promise me you’ll consider coming by for grilled food and a preseason game out on the deck before I deliver,” my voice was humbly exact, hoping she’d be open to it.

What these two didn’t know was, in just a few short minutes of our exchange, they’d revived my stamina to fight for a love I’d never known before Trent, but undoubtedly had since he opened his bedroom and heart to me willingly.

“Oh, without a doubt!” Wil breathed with wild eyes. “That’s if the princess doesn’t take the eviction notice personally and decide to leave before the applied date.”

A slow but excited smile spread on my face. I had possibly made a new friend. I hoped so. It would be good to gain another ally I could relate to when it came to the football and fame game. 

I said my “see you laters” and took off at the guidance of Elle. We passed notable figures on the way: the governor of the state and his family, the CEO of Hotep Black Financial Bank, executives from Ase Garb, and Eli Richardson and his lovely wife, Mel. I was prepared to see Azmir Jacobs after seeing Eli. Those two usually rolled together for anything Connecticut Kings related. But I recalled his regret. He was out of the country all month with his family on a tour that had been set for nearly a year. The Jacobs’ regret was amply clear when their six-figure donation came through last month. I couldn’t Trent was connected to wealth like that.

My parents were present, reminding me they belonged to this realm of affluence. We chatted briefly as my mother picked over my hair, not believing it was all mine. The Bailey family wasn’t too far off. I bumped into Trick and his girlfriend first. His missing tooth grabbed my attention, but his humility in verbally approving the event stole my heart. Cora Mae and her crew were in tow. I loved their girlfriend-ship. They raved over the food and pure lavishness of the place. It filled my heart to see faces that were now familiar to me. People I felt a connection to, strangely enough. I ran into Lex, too. We did quick air kisses as she announced she needed the ladies room.

Pastor Carmichael had just stepped off for the podium, giving way to full view of the sexiest man alive. He stood next to a wall with his one hand tucked into the pocket of his trousers, broad shoulders stretched with virility. He wore the black shawl-collared tuxedo I advised and had even had someone apply the pointed style bow tie I insisted on to stick out against his beard. The only thing I enjoyed more than dressing Trent was removing every garment of his clothing.

That beard…

It was full and shaped with precision. It reminded me of how many of his alluring features I hadn’t seen in weeks. My hungry eyes fell away at the rush of blood to southern regions tingling feverishly. But I couldn’t look away for long. Like a moth to a flame, my regard magnetically pulled to him. Trent hadn’t moved, steeled in place statuesque like. 

And his eyes. Oh, my… They spoke something. I hoped whatever it was, it was approving of me. I was only weeks away from delivering. And while I felt good and was still mobile, the fact remained I was very much pregnant and not an ideal bedroom fantasy.

Wow…

It happened to me.

Yup…

I’d gotten it. The celebrity meet-and-freeze. I’d met lots of famous people in my day. I met Michael Jackson twice. Was invited to a dinner party by Oprah herself. Had been to Stevie Wonders’ house before. I even met Barack Obama three times and was chill about it. Michelle was a different story. I got a little tongue-tied by how much better looking she was in person than on television—and she’d always been fine on there. But face-to-face, she was a banger with more curves than the camera picked up. 

But the thing about tonight was she wasn’t a celebrity. Crazier, she was my wife. A wife carrying my baby. It didn’t seem real because I hadn’t seen her in weeks, thanks to work…and Brielle. The most of her I’d seen were sexy pictures on IG and Facebook. That was the way I experienced her beauty and…our belly.

I couldn’t breathe for a minute. Jade was gorgeous. Her nose didn’t look as swollen as it did in some of her pictures. It was probably the way she lay her makeup for tonight. My girl was that talented. And sexy. And fuckable!

And…shy?

Jade stopped feet away. Elle turned and walked off, leaving us facing each other silently like strangers. I tried to move at first, but couldn’t. My eyes were all over her. Her hair in long curls around her shoulders. Her tits deliciously covered without cleavage from the v-cut gown that opened just above her belly and went out to her shoulders. She stood tall in heels that she glided, not wobbled in. I’d been peeping her since she came through the door.

And now, looking at her fully, my heart beat in my chest. She kept trying to look away but couldn’t. Finally, I was able to move and used my index finger to tell her to come to me. I watched her take a deep breath, her eyes grew before she calmed herself and then she started her way over.

“Hi, Trent,” she spoke softly like a kid.

When her eyes fell again and I could see the color in her cheeks, I chuckled to myself. Then I leaned down and whispered in her ear.

“Please say I can have a dance after dinner.”

Jade’s face shot up to me, her mouth opened and her lashes batted. After staring at me for a few seconds, she nodded.

“Trent…” It was hard for me, but I managed to rip my eyes away from Jade to find Lacey, the coordinator, calling me. “Time to get started. You and Mrs. Bailey can take your seats.”

I nodded then looked down at my little one, whose eyes never left me. I took her by the hand and we walked to our assigned table, saying hello to people on the way. It seemed all eyes were on Jade when I pulled her seat out for her to sit. Jade…glowed that much, stealing the show. Right away she sparked up a conversation with Lex who sat next to her. While speaking, I grabbed her hand under the table. She turned to me with a surprised expression, fighting a smile. I didn’t return it. I was making a statement that tonight, she was with me.

Ezra kicked off the ceremony with prayer and good words on the honoree: Shank aka Brandon Reginald Bailey. Next up, a health educator took to the podium with HIV and AIDS education and statistics. Once she was done, dinner was served and a live band played through it.

“Trent,” Jade called while I was stuffing my face with salad.

“Hmmm?”

“I’m right handed.”

“Huhn?” I finally turned to her.

I peeped the humor in her eyes. She wiggled her fingers in my palm. “I’m a righty and need to eat.” She widened her eyes then tossed them to the table.

I saw people eating, some with forks in their hands as they looked at us with smiles.

“Oh.” I let go of her hand, straightening my jacket to play it off.

My mind was being in this moment with her, and I got lost in it. As we ate, a few friends and family members went to the stage and spoke about Shank and how his illness affected them. I tried tuning that out, couldn’t get emotional tonight. This was business in his honor.

Later, April spoke. She shared about her life with Shank and the not so pretty moments between them because of the disease. At first, her voice was shaky, but when she decided to focus on the pictures of him floating against the walls and ceiling through a techy projector, she eased right into it. When she was done, dessert was being served. Jade stood from the table, saying she needed the bathroom. Automatically, I stood with her, going for her hand.

“Allow Alexis to tend to Mrs. Bailey, Trent,” my pastor rasped from across the table. My eyes landed on him wiping his mouth with a dinner napkin. He winked. Lex dropped her napkin on the table and scooted back to stand. “They’ll be fine.”

“Yeah,” Lex agreed. “It would either be now or five minutes from now with me.” She swung her head, telling Jade to follow.

I watched them off, it happened so fast. As I sat back down, I looked over to E.

He gave a neck bow and leaned toward me. “It’ll be that much more enjoyable when your obligations have exhausted here.”

After a moment of thinking, I caught on. Ezra watched everything. Seemed like dude knew about stuff he didn’t see. I told him about the Brielle situation when it went down. He knew Jade and I had been on the outs at a time when football had taken over. I didn’t like it, but I respected and trusted his call.

By the time the ladies made it back, some had started on the dance floor. When Jade said she was too full for dessert, I shot my shot.

“Can we make good on that dance?” I asked as close to her face as I thought she’d be comfortable with.

Jade gave me that look again. The one where she looked like a deer caught in headlights with her mouth hung open.

“So, you’re really not going to have words?” She tried stalling.

I shook my head. “Everybody in this room knew what Shank Daddy meant to me. No need to bore them with how much I miss him. I got you for that.”

Jade’s chin dipped. So did her eyes as she smiled. God, I was trying. Trying to get back right with her. Trying to be besties with her. Trying to use this dance as a reason to touch more than her hand. Trying to respect her boundaries.

When she nodded, I wasted no time and took her hand. We went out to the dance floor and faced each other as I took her by the hands and pulled her into me. My God… She felt amazing there. So good, my stomach jumped at contact. We didn’t speak, only swayed to the music. I smelled her hair again, felt her soft skin, even if it was against my tux.

I didn’t know how many songs in we were when she told me she had to go to the bathroom again. This time I did walk my wife out of the ballroom. We had to cut through the thick crowd of people wanting to say hello, look at Jade’s belly, and say how good of a time they were having. I didn’t want to be rude, but my attention was on my wife and wishing we were alone. The idea of being back in Saint Justin was everything each time I had to cut a stop short, telling someone she had to go to the bathroom. When we made it to the ladies’ room door, Jade thanked me with a soft smile and long lashes before going in.

I waited against the wall, eyes on my shoes, the ceiling, the crown molding of the hall, the few passing guests and staff—anything to help pass the time. I didn’t know why, but I was growing anxious. I tried all through dinner to come up with a plan of spending the night with her. Nothing. I couldn’t leave Connecticut. Preseason games had started and I’d already scheduled time off at the end of the month for the delivery of the baby. This fundraiser taking place as the season kicked off was a big deal to my bosses. My leaving camp when I did was an issue for them. There was no way I could leave town. They wouldn’t have it.

Jade walked out of the bathroom, and I moved into her, leaning down to speak low.

“Mind if we get out of here? I need to talk.”

“We can’t leave. There are still guests we have to see off. We can speak in there.”

She said we. That was good.

“Half the people left already. And what we need to talk about should be said in private.” Jade frowned, her eyes moving over my shoulder and around me. “I can text Lacey and tell her your feet were hurting or something.”

Jade’s neck jerked back. “My feet are feeling just fine. Thank you.”

I shook my head. “It’s just what I’ll tell her. Please. Just a few minutes. We can ride around the city as we talk. I can have one of the guys drive your truck to the condo for when we’re done.” I begged her with my eyes.

Finally, she took a deep breath. “Okay. But my feet are just fine.”

I tried not to smile, but the excitement that ran through my chest was dangerous. I took my girl by the hand and we crept out the front, only being stopped by a few to wave hello in passing. I sent Tyheem a text first then Lacey. By the time we made it outside, the limo was nowhere in sight. I kept her hand as we walked to the side, toward the parking lot. Eventually, Tyheem pulled up and I helped her inside.

When we pulled off, Jade sat on the opposite bench of me. I stretched my legs out, feeling nervous. I watched her look out of the window and knew I had to get this over with.

“I’m sorry for…everything, J.”

Her hazels rolled to me. “Everything?”

“Everything. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have met with B without your knowledge, and even though it was last minute, I should have told you the minute I pulled off from her. You shouldn’t have heard about it the way you did. That was wrong. I was a sucker for that.”

Jade took a deep breath like she was going to cry. Her chin went in the air, but she could hardly look at me.

“And what about that embrace?”

“Embrace?”

She nodded. “She was in your arms. That hurt, too.”

“It wasn’t what you think. Brielle and I were friends for mad years. She brought up some stuff that I didn’t realize was open between us. What you saw was me being relieved that it was closed and I could say goodbye. For good.” I was sure to make clear. 

She swallowed hard, chin still in the air. “Say it again,” her tone was daring, but serious.

I stretched my hands. “Baby, I’m sorry, and it’ll never happen again.”

Before I could blink, Jade was on her way to me. Nervous by the quick move, I slid my feet down to keep my legs out of her way when she was on me. Somehow, when she made it, her dress was rolled up to her thighs and she straddled me. Nervous, I caught her while looking over her shoulder to make sure the partition was closed.

Her mouth moved to meet mine, tongue thrashing out. I lost my breath trying to keep up with her. Her hands were against my face then in my head, rubbing and caressing. My hands went to her butt, cupping it then squeezing it. Jade loosened my tie and then the buttons on my shirt.

“Undo your pants. I can’t reach around my belly,” she whispered with half her tongue in my mouth.

Right away, I obeyed, taking extra caution to not hit her belly. I wasn’t expecting sex in the limo—back at the condo, maybe. But if she wanted it, I was down. Jade lifted after I undid my pants, waiting for me to push them down just enough for my swollen cock to plop out.

“Hold it for me,” she whispered out of breath as she tried to move her pussy over me.

Hold up…

Jade had no damn panties on!

My eyes shot wide open. “Where’re your panties?”

“In my purse.” Her brows went up. “Oh, you were going to give me this dick, if I had to sex the apology out of you!”  She wiggled around until she caught my head and bounced a few times to get me inside.

She was tight. Damn it tight. I helped by lifting from the seat, giving small pushes against her rocking. Before I knew it, I was half way in and let go of my cock. I grabbed her by the face to kiss her. I needed to. If I didn’t, I would be moaning like a bitch, Jade felt so good.

She pulled back. “After this, I want it in my mouth. Okay?” My mouth fell open as she rode me, just about all the way down my pipe.

I pulled down the sides of her dress and watched her swollen tits spill out. I kissed them like I missed them because I did. They were bigger, darker at the tips, and more sensitive.

Jade moaned. “Oooooooh… Then I’m going to let you put it between my breasts.” She smirked, knowing she had me.

“You’re driving me fuckin’ crazy.” My face was tight, she felt so good.

“It’s the baby,” she cried. “The baby makes me crazy.”

“The baby’s ‘bout to get you bruised down low.”

Jade’s eyes rolled to the back of her head, mouth went wide open, and face flew toward the roof. She didn’t speak or moan. She breathed out her first orgasm as I pelted into her tight pussy. Her first of the night. I would make sure of it. 

I held his head still to my sex, but his tongue moved feverishly. My pelvis vibrated, toes curled, and belly heated. That’s when I felt it and let it all go. An intense orgasm washed over me, yanking the fiercest moan from my lungs, and jerking my spine every which way.

“Trentiiiiiiin…” I moaned. “Oh, my god… Oh, my god… It won’t stop.”

I let go of his head, body shuddering. My arms shot back to the mattress, but my belly wouldn’t allow me to move. I had to lay in one place and take the onslaught of bliss Trent was ensuing with his mouth. And it went on and on.

When I was done, he lifted from the floor and began doffing his clothes. Trent tore his shirt and pulled down half zipped trousers. His shoes were kicked off before his boxers hit his ankles. His thick cock jutted out when he stood straight. Unable to take it, my head collapsed on the bed and eyes closed. How was I able to take that in the limo? My body was that desperate for him that it opened in record time. Looking at it now gave me doubts. Trent never climaxed in the car. He said he wanted to taste me before raining inside.

I watched him fist his erection, a scowl playing at his face. He grabbed my legs straight in the air, at his thick shoulders. Then he thrusted inside. The first one took my breath away. Sent air shooting from my lungs. And as he clutched my thighs against his chest, I melted even more onto him.

Trent went on and on like a starved man. And I let him have his way, rolling me over to another orgasm before switching positions and taking me from the side. This way was slower, more intimate as he kissed my shoulder and held my belly.

And when he reached over and rubbed my clit, he whispered, “I can’t live without this. I can’t live without you.”

My body tensed as I erupted again. He followed me, grunting and jolting behind me. His throbbing fullness rubbed inside me, dragging out the last of his orgasm.

I hummed after crawling on the bed and planting myself next to him. My face went to his chest and I rubbed my nose around his nipple. I missed this. It was like having your favorite toy back. We’d both showered, and already, I missed the scent of sex on him. My sex.

I hummed again.

“You like how that new Supercharged ride?

My eyes opened. “Oh. The truck? Yes.” I smiled appreciatively. “Thanks, Trent.”

I woke up to a new Range Rover in the garage last week. I went to run a few errands and found my truck completely replaced. The color was the same. Apparently, like my mother, I was partial to white vehicles. It took me a minute to figure out how to operate it, but once I was out of the gate and onto the street, it was on from there.

“Welcome.” He kissed the top of my head.

“Was that your push gift?” I asked.

“What’s that?”

“The gift you give the mother of your child for birthing your child.” I couldn’t help the humor in my voice.

“Oh.” He snorted. “It was my ‘time to step my game up’ gift.”

“I was perfectly fine with the other truck,” I reminded him.

“I know. But you’re not ordinary, baby. So, I have to provide extraordinary things for you. I don’t mind.”

I moaned again at the touch of his hands on my belly. I didn’t trust myself to all this goodness. So many surreal sensations—nasty, too—in one night. His scent and warmth were tantalizing. This was heaven. Trent appeared to be there, too, given the wonder in his eyes as he explored my belly.

“You know,” I licked my lips and swallowed, “tonight made me realize something.”

“What’s that?” His eyes were fastened to my belly that now moved.

He’d woken her up.

“It’s time for you to come back home.”

“I’ve been ready to come back home. You know that.”

“But this time we have to be better. I can’t have you keeping things from me. It seems like every few months a bomb is being dropped about a man I’m spiritually and physically connected to. I feel like you’re passing your trust deficiencies to me because you haven’t addressed them yet. Do you understand that hearing these stories...these discoveries about you and Brielle causes me not to trust you?”

“Ughhhhhhhh!” He grabbed the sides of his head, frustrated. “Y’all keep reminding me why I need Jesus.”

“Huhn?”

“That talk with Brielle. She reminded me that I had sex with her cousin.”

I cringed. “Trent!”

“And her background singer.”

“Oh, my God!” My hands covered my mouth, hanging agape. “What in the wor— Who are you? Did your Pastor know how off the hook you were?”

He shook his head then pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he hung his head. “Probably. Not much gets past dude.” His face shot into the air and he spoke up. “Look, Jade. I never claimed to be perfect—”

“When I met you, I thought I’d run into the first saint in my life.”

“Yeah, because spiritually, I had just decided to grow up. I’ve been saved most of my adult life, but I still had a worldly lifestyle to contend with. Still had millions, women, rich and famous friends. That was a lot for a young dude to deal with. My libido was a monster.”

“Still is!”

“Only for you, though. I don’t need that other stuff no more. I just need Jesus and Jade. My J and J.” My heart galloped like the jelly-back I was when it came to this man. “I’ve been fasting, praying, and talking to God the past few weeks up here. Fresh revelations came flooding in. Getting charged…locked up—going through that storm isolated me from everything. It like…kinda provided a filter to get rid of the unnecessary. The only people I have around me are those good for the soul. You…” He kissed my lips. “are my mate. My soulmate. You’re all I need and I made that clear to Brielle. No more contact.”

My eyes watered and I swallowed hard. “I hope not.” My voice no more than a ghosted whisper. “I need this to work.”

“And I need you. I’m going to fight, Jade. I swear.”

I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him from the side. My mind raced from the weight of his words. I didn’t want to keep talking about Brielle, but I had to make sure Trent understood how much of a sore spot her presence—former or otherwise—was for me. Forcing it out of my mind, I closed my eyes and was lulled by his pulse. I don’t know how long I lay there, but I jolted awake.

“You okay?”

I sat up and rolled my neck. “I have to go, Trent. I have to get Ky ready for camp.”

“So all I get from my wife is a one-night stand?”

I snorted at his seriousness. “I gave you my heart, body, and future.”

“And I gave you my heart, body, fortune, last name—my forever. I can’t, at least, get the rest of the night?”

I moved to leave the bed. “I’ll tell Ky you’ll be back before the due date. He’ll love that.” A smiled blossomed on my face at that truth.

“Aye…”

My feet had just hit the floor before I turned to him.

“Bestie moment of truth?” he asked permission to divulge. I nodded, trying to keep the content smile on my face. Trent rubbed his eyes and lay his head against the headboard. “I ran into Ryder.”

My face fell completely. “When?”

“A couple of days ago.”

“And you’re just now telling me?”

Trent’s tired eyes were on me. “We had other stuff to get through first, J.”

“What happened?”

“He tried to flex,” he explained lazily, clearly not wanting to get into it. “I stopped by my cousin’s in Newark to drop Trick off. It was the day we checked my moms in. It was mad random. He was out there shootin’ dice with his boys. I recognized his voice then stepped to him. And…” He shrugged.

“And what?”

“I told him to apologize for the disrespect in my house.” My face fell again.

“He called me a couple of nights ago. He was nasty about it, but did apologize. He even said he wouldn’t fight me with Ky anymore…whenever I want him to visit, he’d be cool with it.”

Trent dipped his chin. “Good. He obeyed.”

“How did you get him to do that?”

“Choked the hell outta his lil ass. By the time I let him go, he dropped to the ground, tryna catch his breath.”

I gasped, the visual so vivid. I couldn’t bear seeing Trent going up against Ryshon. It would be like a puppy fighting a lion. This was why I never told him about my fights with Ryshon since he’d been home. Trent was a big man. Too strong and physical to fool around with Ryshon. 

“You could’ve killed him, Trent! Where would that have left Ky?”

“I wasn’t—” he spoke a couple of octaves over me, whining to cut my concern. “—gonna kill that dude, Jade! I’m no killer.”

“You sure had the look of death in your eyes that night in Bloomfield,” I reminded him, rolling my eyes and sitting back against the headboard.

Trent scoffed. “Oh, that night I woulda killed dude if he was in that apartment.”

“See!” My back leaped from the headboard and I faced him. “I knew you were looking for someone other than Ky that night! You did think I was with someone else!”

“I wasn’t thinking that night either,” he murmured, guilt-ridden.

I crawled back over to him on the bed and managed to my knees. Then I took him at the sides of his hairy face. “You have to start thinking—with everybody—for me, Ky, and now Ava. You’re our provider…our leader. You’re a huge asset we can’t do without, Trent.”

Rolling his eyes away, my guy succumbed to my pleading and nodded.

“I know, baby. I’mma be better,” he murmured.

I reached over to kiss his warm lips. “You’re actually the best.”