by Audrey Drake
Cameras flooded the streets as Latrelle made his way up the stone steps to the courthouse. His lawyer held his head down and two police officers weed wacked a path through the chaos to the front door.
Veronica carried a six month cooked belly full of child as she lumbered up those same steps only a few minutes later. She was less rushed, and even pointed a smile to a few of the camera flashes.
Since the baby was not due until Late February, there was not a lot to be done on the first day of trial. Both lawyers gave their stance, the judge said a few words, and they were dismissed. The next court date set for March 10th, which was agreed upon by Veronica as enough time to recover from childbirth. I sat in the back corner of the room, alone. I pushed to get Rachel in here with me, but it was just too packed for anyone else to be admitted. The only reason I was even able to attend was because they listed me as an advisor to the defendant.
Veronica tried to approach Latrelle after the room emptied, and was quickly escorted away by security.
“Oh, real mature Latrelle. I can’t believe my child’s father is such an asshole.” She screamed and exited the premises.
The media buzz died down tremendously over the next few months. No evidence surfaced, and the sports world was getting prepared for the NFL playoffs and the College Football championship. Due to this, there was only about half the media presence when March 10th rolled around as there was for the first day of court. Still, it was a significant presence of people dying to tell the world of every minute detail of Latrelle’s case. What had we become? A society so bored with our own lives, that we resort to prying open the personal details of someone famous.
As the court entered session I was not sure what to expect. My whole heart was on Latrelle’s side. I believed every word he told me. But, the anxiety of not knowing what the outcome of all of this would be weighed heavily on my mind.
It started off just how anyone expected it would. Both sides agreed for DNA testing of the child to decide if in fact the man accused was the biological father. Veronica’s lawyer showed pictures of the two together from Facebook, with the time stamp of June; things that I already knew. He stated that this was damning evidence, proving that the two had some sort of relationship. A relationship that was obviously friendly enough to take multiple pictures together. Latrelle’s lawyer must have been ready for this, because he countered with about twenty other social media photos containing Latrelle and other women, all from the month of June.
Then, Veronica’s lawyer brought down the house. Text messages.
June 7th
Veronica: It was so nice meeting you tonight! We will have to get together sometime soon!
Latrelle: Girl, anytime you want to see me you just say the word.
Veronica: How about right now?
Latrelle: Call me. Tell me how to get to your house.
Stunned reactions showed on every face in the room, including Latrelle’s lawyer. He whispered something in Latelle’s ear and Latrelle shook his head, eyes never leaving the ground in front of his feet.
June 8th
Veronica: Last night was amazing. How did you get so good at that?
Latrelle: A magician never reveals his tricks. Especially in between the sheets.
Veronica: Well a magician could not make his tongue to the things yours does.
Latrelle: I am glad you enjoyed yourself. I guess it is safe for me to assume that will not be the last time I give you a show?
Veronica: God… I sure hope not.
“Objection, your honor.” Latrelle’s lawyer responded. Grasping at straws for anything to end this charade.
“Overruled.” The Judge stated solemnly. “Evidence is relevant, therefore permitted.”
June 10th
Latrelle: I want you.
Veronica: Oh really? How bad?
Latrelle: I have to feel your smooth skin against my tongue. I crave your taste in my mouth.
Veronica: Oh… A bit of a wordsmith are we? Tell me more. Make me want it as much as you do.
Latrelle: Imagine me inside of you, pushing further and deeper into your body. Picture yourself on top of me while my hands take firm grip of your hips to guide your rhythm.
Veronica: More. Make me wet.
Latrelle: I could make you so wet you have to shower afterward.
Veronica: Then the only other question I have for you is: What are you waiting for?
Latrelle: On my way.
No Objections.
June 11th
Latrelle: How is that thing feeling?
Veronica: Lol. A little sore. Nothing I can’t handle though. Worth every second.
Latrelle: Glad you are confident in your ability to handle me. Maybe next time we up the ante to three times in a night. Hey, speaking of next time. You are on birth control right? I know we did not use a condom the second time last night. I just want to be safe.
Veronica: Of course I am. You think I would let you inside of me unprotected if I wasn’t?
Latrelle: Just wanted to be sure. Now, back to our future.
You could hear a pen drop in the courtroom. The absence of sound and the dizzy churning of the entire world around me made me feel like I was floating through space, alone. Veronica’s lawyer was the first to cut the silence.
“As you all can see, the allegations by my client are not unfounded. The only groundless thing in this courtroom today, is that man right over there.” He pointed at Latrelle. “If that is what you want to call him anyway; a man. A man that publicly denied this poor girl, painting a belief to the world that she was just some crazy girl trying to take advantage of his fame. Sending her through a roller coaster of emotions, and embarrassment. As you can see quite clearly by their conversations, Latrelle was a man that she trusted. She tried to call him countless times to avoid the situation that we are in right now. She pleaded for him to just put his ego aside, admit to the nights they shared with each other, and help her raise their child. He had his chance to correct the lies that he told to each and every one of us, but he did not. We are not asking for much, your honor. We just want for justice to be served, and for my client’s child to have a father.”
The court adjourned. Latrelle was to get a DNA test and the results would be revealed in eight weeks at the next court date. I fled as soon as we were dismissed. I could not look at that rat faced bastard any more. But, I did not cry. I was stronger than that, and did not intend to let a man keep me up all night with a pint of ice cream again.
“Hey. I know this is slightly random and spur of the moment, but do you have anything going on tonight?” I did not know who else to call.
“Hey! It is great to hear from you. No actually. I am free. Why what is going on?”
“Nothing more than a terrible day. That is all I want to say about it. What do you say we get takeout and watch some movies?”
“Sure! That sounds great. There is this great Chinese place on the other side of town. I will call it in now and have it picked up and ready to consume by the time you get over here. Oh, wait… Do you know how to get to my place?”
I laughed. I needed it. “No I don’t believe I do. Send me your address and I will plug it into the GPS on my phone.”
“Deal. Do you like chicken fried rice?”
“Tonight, I like anything.”
Will was the only guy other than Latrelle that would have ever dreamed of calling on such short notice like this. Honestly, on any other day I probably would not have even felt secure enough to do this with him. But, this was no ordinary day. One phrase kept going through my mind on repeat. Something Rachel said very often whenever she was going through heartbreak.
“The best way to get over somebody, is to get under someone else.”
Latrelle called so many times during Will and I’s dinner that I finally just put my phone on airplane mode. What could he possibly say to me to make things right? The baby was mixed for heaven’s sake. How could I be so naïve? The resolution that all men were lying cheat
ers was beginning to take over my mind.
Will proved that theory wrong. Even back when I was in college he was always the good guy. No matter how many late night study sessions we had, he never made a move. Being the socially awkward gal I am, neither did I. But, there were occasions when the thought crossed my mind.
On this night, it seemed to be the only thought that my mind could find tangible. Will bought the food, I bought the alcohol. I drank the whole bottle of wine before the movies’ plot had developed. I would only be guessing if I attempted to put a number on how many times I tried to mount the long haired stallion that was Will Freemont that night, but a safe estimate is more than 15. But, to my dismay, each time he would turn me down.
Saying, “this isn’t right, Olivia.”
I barely remember passing out in his bed.
I woke up and Will was in the kitchen cooking eggs and bacon. The couch that we had watched the movie on the night before was now sporting a pillow and a small fleece blanket.
“Well good morning, Vineyard Vines. How’s that wine hangover?” He chuckled. Apparently very impressed that he had come up with such a play on words.
“Did you sleep there last night?” I ignored his banter.
“Yeah. It’s no big deal. You seemed like you needed a bed more than I did.” He laughed again. I thought it was awfully cute how he thought his own jokes were funnier than I did.
When I got home that day, Rachel had already heard the news on TV and was waiting to support me. We discussed how boys were just stupid and had lazy days together for a week or so. She left a few times to take care of her players’ needs, but for the most part it was just the two of us.
Then one day, during a binge marathon of How I Met Your Mother, I heard a knock on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I opened it and was relieved to see Will standing there.
“I just thought you girls would like to add some candy to your sitcom extravaganza.” He handed me a grocery sack full of sugary goodies.
“Will! You shouldn’t have.” I exclaimed.
“Now, now. Don’t get all cliché on me. Just trying to fulfill my manly duties.” He chuckled.
“Well you can come in and join us if you want!”
“I am afraid I can’t do that, Olivia. This guy is not one to interfere with girl time. I just try to make it more enjoyable! You two have a good night.”
He smiled, turned, and walked down the hall out of sight.
“He’s cute.” Rachel jeered, smirking as she inspected the bag of candy.
He was more than cute. Will was a tender soul. His features were that of a teenager, but in the best way possible. His baby face always seemed to be gleaming beneath his long wavy brown hair. He was not overweight in the slightest, but it was apparent that he had not touched a weight in years. His go to outfit was a t-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of grey Converse. If you did not know any better, it would be easy for one to assume that he was in a band. His hazel eyes always held eye contact with yours, a feature of a confident man. Those soft yet penetrating eyes held you in limbo, wondering what was going through the mind that lay behind them…
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Maybe lover boy changed his mind and wants to join us.” Rachel said, downing a handful of gummy bears.
“Yeah, Yeah.” I quipped back at her. “He would be a fool to hang out with a couple of losers like us. Don’t worry, I’ll get the door again.”
I turned the handle, expecting to see the familiar brown locks back on my doorstep. I was wrong.
“Latrelle.” I gasped. “What are you doing here?”
“I have been trying to get ahold of you for days! Please, just hear me out.”
“I have nothing to say to you right now.”
Rachel piped up from the living room, “yeah! We are a little busy right now.”
I shot her a distasteful look, and she turned back to the television. My attention returned to Latrelle.
“Can we talk?” He pleaded, again.
“Fine. Let’s get some privacy.” I said half-heartedly. He followed me into my bedroom, and in a moment of the telepathy that only best friends and siblings can have, I turned to make eye contact with Rachel. She understood, picked up the grocery bag, and retreated to her bedroom on the other side of the apartment.
“Please understand, Olivia. I never meant to hurt you.” Latrelle said as he sat on the edge of my bed.
I walked over to turn my bedroom TV on to provide some background noise, so that if Rachel got nosey she could not hear us. “Oh, I don’t doubt that. Not for one second. You did not mean to hurt me, because you never intended to get caught.”
“Look, we were not together. You can’t fault me for just living life like a normal college guy.”
“Bullshit!” I yelled. “We were more than just friends and you know it! Oh, and if it was not a big deal then why did you lie to me about her?”
“I panicked. I felt the world caving in around me from every direction. I knew that if I lost football, you would be the only thing that I had left. I did not want to ruin that.”
“That is probably the most selfish thing I have ever heard…”
“I am not proud of it. But, the past is the past and I can’t go back and change anything now. I just have to move on, and accept the consequences of my actions. The thing is, I do not want to face those consequences alone.”
“Well I am sure Veronica would love to be your right hand woman.”
“I don’t want Veronica. I want you.”
“It is a little too late for that.” I said, practically in tears.
His hand rested on my shoulder. “It is never too late for love.”
“If you think that you can just waltz in here, say a few cheesy lines and…”
“Shhh.” He cut me off. “Don’t get trapped inside your thoughts. Just do what you feel.”
I grabbed his face and yanked it towards mine. My tongue pierced between his lips and into his mouth. “Take me. Take me.”
Latrelle picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist. He ripped my shirt off of my body while I hung suspended in the air. Then, he dropped me back on to my bed with so much force that the bed rocked and my headboard clanged against my bedroom wall. My pajama bottoms were off in a blink, and I felt his face between my legs. I gently rocked my hips up and down, feeling every movement that his tongue made against me. Breathing and gasping for air, I flipped around so that he was on his back. Gently my lips made their way from his rock hard abs to his belt. Once his pants had found their proper place on the floor, I returned to his waistline and filled my mouth with him. Latrelle let out a slight moan and his body clenched from the pleasure. Up and down my head bobbed, struggling to fit his entire girth into my throat. My tongue traveled up his length as if it were climbing the climactic peak of a roller coaster. Once I made it to the top, my mouth opened wide once more and I swallowed his shaft.
Licking my lips, I made my way back up the same rocky terrain of his stomach, to whisper two words into his left ear. “Do me.”
He did. There was not one stone left unturned in my bedroom that night. He threw me against my desk and bent me over doggy style. He picked me up and pinned me against the wall, lifting my left leg up into the air to rest on his shoulder.
“Harder.” I challenged.
I grabbed my knees while his hands took hold of my shoulders and pulled me back and forth against him.
“Harder.” I desperately cried.
He threw me back onto the bed, put the back of both legs on his shoulders and submitted all of his weight on them so my knee caps were parallel with my ears. Folded up like a sheet of paper, he plummeted inside of me over and over.
“Harder!” I screamed.
Over and over he flung his hips into me.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh my Go…” I came so hard that every piece of my body felt it. Every muscle and every joint contracted simultaneously, resulting in the most euphoric feeling t
hat my short life had encountered up to that point. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He said, panting heavily.
The next 2 months flew by. On top of getting ready for his court date to reveal if he was the father of Veronica’s child, Latrelle also was diligently preparing for the NFL draft. He met with team owners, worked out at team facilities, and about half of the sporting community projected him to be the first overall pick; despite his negative reputation.
The best part, we were inseparable again. I walked him to class and we ate lunch together in the student center almost every day. Oh, and the sex. The sex was great too. It was as if no matter what happened, no matter how long we spent away from one another; we always came running back head over heels.
“Good luck, baby. I love you.” I said as he nervously adjusted his tie. The time had finally come. Judgment day awaited us, and I could not help but feel like our entire future rested on the results of the paternity test.
“I love you too. Everything is going to be fine.”
I sure hoped it would. I had trusted him and been let down previously, but I had to put my faith in him. Sure, there were sleepless nights when all hope seemed lost and the wave of insecurities crashed onto me. But, I always talked myself through it. I had to trust him to be healthy. I had to trust him and put faith in him so that he did not end up down that dark path again. I had to trust him for us.
The room fell silent as every person in attendance awaited the verdict. This time, there were more reporters and journalists than I had ever seen in my life. All patiently waiting to either sling mud on the legacy of Latrelle McKay, or to move on to a prediction of his NFL future.
After what seemed like years, the judge came into the room and took his seat in a tall leather backed chair. He put on his glasses and shuffled some papers in front of him. “We are here today to reveal the paternity results of a Mr. Latrelle McKay, compared to the child of a Ms. Veronica Beachum. Does either parties’ representative have anything to say before we move forward?” He looked up briefly, and continued when the silence and stillness of both lawyers reflected the mood of everyone there. We were not here for ceremony. We were here for the results.