by Jahquel J.
“That’s cool. I know, how do you know?”
“Donovan just called earlier and invited me over. She wants me there and I’m gonna go.” Sharlean informed Micah, not mentioning it was also Minka’s baby shower. Micah and Minka were both stubborn and if this was what it took to get both in the same room, she was game.
“Why Dee didn’t invite me?” Micah was clearly offended.
Donovan is throwing it, so maybe he felt it wasn’t appropriate.” Sharlean tried to sugar coat the truth.
“What’s the dress code? And when is it?”
“It’s Friday, which is tomorrow. It’s classy, no sneakers or jeans and all white. Don’t mess that woman’s party up. She already had a lot going on being alone with her situation and all.”
“Her situation? What you mean?”
“You will soon learn, son. Make sure you look sharp.” Sharlean zipped her lips, she thanked GOD her plan was working.
“Ma, I got to go. See you tomorrow.” Micah rushed out the house with his phone to his ear making arrangements already.
“Don’t bring that new chick.” Sharlean hollered after him.
“I won’t!” Micah yelled back.
***
The smooth music of Maxwell’s Fortunate blared through the speakers, with candles and scented incense lit around the room. Micah stood admiring his outfit, his stylist, Tiffany, picked last minute. Micah met Tiffany through Lisa. She was an upcoming stylist. Micah never minded that she was new to the game because she always did her job well, plus she put him in a mellow mood with her incense and candles. Dating Lisa encouraged him to step out his comfort zone with clothes.
“This looks good. I like the way it feels and I’m feeling these loafers,” Micah stared at his outfit. He had on a pair of white dress pants with a gold and white silk Versace button up shirt and the matching loafers. He couldn’t lie; he felt like he was on his biggie shit.
“Good. I have a date and I didn’t need to be here all night.” Tiffany replied. Putting the rest of the clothes on the hangers.
“Tiffany, you always do the damn thing and you pulled through last minute so throw in something extra. Please don’t mention this to Lisa.” Micah smiled.
“I never do, big poppa. My lips are sealed.” She laughed joking on his attire.
“You got jokes,” Micah chuckled.
Back at the house, Micah pulled into his garage and killed his engine; he went through the side door and into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Lisa sat on the stool eating a bowl of cereal while watching the night news. Micah wasn’t surprised; Lisa had keys to his house when he went to away games, she would check on the house for his reinsurance.
“How was your day?” Micah asked retrieving a bottle of water.
“I went shopping with my Tiffany earlier. I found the perfect dress and shoes.” Lisa chewed her cereal.
“I guess you had a good day, huh? I had a long day so I’m calling in early tonight.” Micah yawned.
“How is your mother? When will I get to officially meet her? We’ve been dating for three months and I have no title nor have I met your family,” Lisa whined. Micah discreetly rolled his eyes. Just when he though they were on the same page, here she came with this shit.
“She’s aight. When the time is right, Lisa. I don’t want to put a title and ruin what we have. Let’s say I call you my woman, then we will start arguing about my whereabouts and shit that’s not necessary. When the time is right, it will happen. Don’t rush it.” Micah kissed Lisa on the forehead and retreated upstairs.
Micah laid in the bed with his feet up watching the basketball game. He needed his boy, LeBron, to win. He wondered what Minka was doing and if she still snored lightly when she slept. He needed to see his baby bad. He regretted kicking her out and speaking to her in that way when it took so long for her to open up to him and let him see all of her. Micah felt regretful; they could have made it work. Minka mentioned to him that her past wasn’t clean. Who’s past didn’t have some stuff they regretted? Micah was trying to fall asleep but his phone kept vibrating so he finally answered it.
“Yo?”
“Is this Micah Jackson?” The voice asked.
“Yeah what’s up...? Who’s this?”
“My name is Austin. We met a couple months ago... do you remember?”
“Oh, the white man? How did you get my number?”
“It wasn’t easy, but I know a couple people that know people. Do you think we can meet tomorrow morning before my flight?
“Why do we need to meet?” Micah sat up on the bed.
“I have some information for you and I’m sure you will want it. Meet me at News Café in South Beach tomorrow around 10. My flight leaves at 12.” Austin instructed, then ended the call.
***
Micah sat in the café eating a bagel with Lox and cream cheese. Austin had called and advised him that he would be a couple minutes late. Micah bit his bagel and the enjoyed conversations of others as he waited. Austin walked in fifteen minutes late with a brief case and small luggage.
“Hi, Micah. Thanks for meeting me on short notice.” Austin extended his hand. Micah shook it and finished his coffee.
“What is so important that I needed to meet with you out of all people?” Micah replied, not bothering to hide his repulsion.
“If you remembered our last encounter wasn’t as pleasant, I believe this one will leave you on better terms.” Austin sat down and sipped the water in front of him.
“Is that so? Stop beating around the bush and speak your mind.” Micah warned.
“Alright, where do I start? Sasha and I only know each other through business; my ex-wife, Jennifer, hired her for parties. Sasha actually introduced Minka and me during a celebrity poker match one year.”
“Now that you explained this back story… what does it have to do with me?”
“Sasha came up with this plan to break you and Minka up, the baby she is carrying isn’t mine. Minka stopped talking to me for some other issue that we had,” Austin revealed.
He had been holding on to this information for so long. The agreement was Sasha wouldn’t tell Jennifer about him and Minka. Sasha went back on her deal and now Austin was in a middle of a divorce and fighting for his assets. Austin figured he would get Sasha for breeching their invisible contract.
“So you mean to tell me that you and that sick bitch made this plan to destroy a relationship? Dawg, I understand your situation. You didn’t want to be caught with your pants down, but, come on, you could have reached out and told me on the low. Where is this bitch now?” Micah exclaimed.
“I understand completely. My marriage was in danger and I could have acted more differently. Last I heard she was engaged to a lawyer.”
“How do you know all this information?” Micah asked with his eye brow raised.
“Don’t get me wrong, my wife and I may be divorcing but I still hit that a couple times a week. Pillow talk is amazing with a gossip queen.” Austin smirked. He stood up and reached for Micah’s hand. Micah shook it.
“Better news like I said. The pleasure was all mines and I’m sorry for the situation it put you in.” Austin turned to leave. Micah shook his head and paid his bill. He didn’t know which way to turn. He now had Lisa who wanted to be more in his life and he also had Minka whom he still loved and wanted to make it work with.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The bright Florida sun beat down on Minka’s Tom Ford sun glasses as she rode in the car. Donovan had set up a birthday party and baby shower combo and all she had to do was show up to the party tonight. Her first stop was to her grams’ house; she hadn’t seen her in months and she missed her. Milan sped into the driveway like she was a in a race which made Minka’s stomach upset.
“Damn, Malaysia! Did you have to drive like that? You got me all nauseous.” Minka sucked her teeth and got out the car.
“Oh, please, let’s go. Complaining all the damn time.” Milan brushed her sister’s words off.
Minka got out the car and walked up the stairs. Her grandmother didn’t know what time she flew in, so she would be surprised. Minka knocked on the door and listened to her grandmother’s house shoes slide across the wooden floors. She peeked through the screen door and cracked the widest grin.
“Happy birthday, Minkay!” Edna pulled Minka into her arms and sniffed her hair. She loved her grandbaby and missed her crazy.
“Thank you, Grams! I missed you so much, grandma. Where’s grandpa?” Minka kissed her grandmother back.
“At the golf course. And who is this gorgeous lady?” She looked at Milan.
“Grams, that’s Milan.”
“I know exactly who she is, looking just like Morocco. If she did nothing else, she made some beautiful children,” she responded and embraced her great granddaughter.
Minka and Milan stayed at their great grandmother’s house for a couple hours before they headed back to Minka’s condo to get ready for the party that night. Donovan gave them clear instructions to take the limo when it arrived and not to be late.
***
Minka stood in awe of her outfit. Donovan arranged to have the girls styled for the party. Minka was dressed in a white Tom Ford dress with a zipper that zipped down, exposing her back. She had to get it in a large to accommodate her growing baby bump. The matching Giuseppe zipper back heels offset the outfit. Ashley put her hair in a sock bun and perfected her make-up. Minka slipped her pink pedicured feet into her heels, and then reached for Ashley to help her up off the chair.
“Damn, gurl, pregnant or not, I would still fuck you.” Ashley grinned shaking her head. She was dressed in a white Donna Karen jump suit with pink studded Louboutins.
“I see Aaron putting in that work. Look at that lil booty poking out.” Minka joked, slapping her ass. Milan came strutting in the room with white leather shorts and a matching crop top with white studded ankle strapped heels. She was already turned up and started grinding to an imaginary beat while throwing her loose curls in her hair.
“I love this outfit,” Milan said as she continued dancing
“You look good, Milan,” Ashley complimented as she did her make up. Minka knew it was her baby shower yet, for once, she was being selfish. She was focused more on the party and hoped she received a lot of gifts for herself.
An hour later, Minka and Ashley were walking into the mansion hand-in-hand while Milan walked ahead. Minka entered the party in astonishment. Donovan had the whole mansion decorated in pink and purple balloons with pictures of Minka’s maternity shoot that she had done last month. Minka started tearing up at the decor. Everybody was dressed in all white; it made the pink Donovan had decorated the house in stand out. She walked into the same kitchen that she was in with Micah a year ago and she was overcome by a wave of emotions come over her but calmed down when she felt Ashley’s hand on her back. Donovan had two cakes; one was her birthday cake and the other one was for the baby.
“Hey, bestie, I missed you,” Meghan said running to Minka and hugging her.
“Hey, girl, where is this future husband of yours?” Minka held her hand looking around.
“He’s right here. This is Lorenzo. Babe, this is my bestie, Minka,” Meghan introduced the two. Minka shook the tall man’s hand. He was handsome and she was ecstatic for Meghan and prayed they lasted.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Micah walked into the mansion, decked out with his Versace shades although it was night. He looked at the decorations and the picture of Minka’s maternity photo shoot caught his eye. Micah almost shed a tear. That was supposed to be him holding her hand and kissing her perfectly shaped stomach. Micah continued to walk around the mansion looking for Minka. He spotted his cousin and Milan in the corner kissing and he needed to know what was up with Donovan not inviting him.
“Yo, Dee. Let me have a word with you real quick.” Micah tried not to lose the temper he had developed over the last couple months.
“Man, how the hell did you find out about the party? Auntie got a big ass mouth.” Donovan grunted, excusing himself from Milan who stood shooting daggers into Micah with her eyes.
“Yeah, she told me but why you didn’t invite me man?” Micah demanded.
“You said you was done with her and this wasn’t your child so why would I invite you? It’s her baby shower and birthday party. I didn’t want to stress her out. I’ve grown to love that girl and her sisters. I’ve been the man holding them down and cousin or no cousin I wasn’t about to let you ruin this for her,” Donovan truthfully spilled.
“I feel you cuz but I just found out some fucked up shit. Sasha set that whole shit up with Austin. I need to get my girl back. I know that’s my baby in her stomach. I was tripping before and I need my wife,” Micah pleaded.
“Damn, why do you think when she left I let her ass go? She fucking crazy and needs help. Go get your girl but don’t expect her sister to be cool. You see how my shawty looking at you,” Donovan teased.
“You and Milan? Nah, man don’t tell me that. That’s lil sis right there”
“That’s wife right there. Expect a wedding sometime soon. Shawty sings, models and she takes care of her man,” Donovan bragged and walked off back to Milan who stayed looking at Micah with a side eye. Micah walked over to Milan and reached out for a hug but she kept looking at him like he was crazy, and then turned back around. Micah pulled her into a bear hug while she tried to get free from him.
“Nigga, I should be popping a cap in ya ass not laughing with your ass. You hurt my sister and I ain’t cool with that. She should have never had to go damn near her whole pregnancy without you.” Milan looked up into Micah’s eyes.
“You right. I can admit that was a coward way of thinking and I should have been there even if we weren’t together. Standing here now, I can honestly say I want…..Nah, I need Minka back.” Micah looked Milan in her green eyes.
“Well, go get her. She over there sitting on the white and pink throne. I think your parents are with her,” she punched him.
“Milan, we gonna talk about this here.” Micah pointed his hand from Milan to Donovan.
“Yea, whatever this is my baby.” Milan kissed Donovan on the lips.
Micah made his way through the crowd, stopping to say hi to a couple people before he finally made it to Minka. Minka’s back was turned yet he knew it was her; he could tell that ass from anywhere even though it had got bigger over time. She was talking to his parents and her great grandparents.
“Hello, Minka. How you doing?” Micah asked tapping her on her shoulder and feeling the feelings he felt for her shoot through his body.
“Boy, what the hell are you doing here?” Sharlean played it off though she smiled inside.
“It’s okay Sharlean. Hello, Micah. How are you?” Minka finally turned toward him.
“I'm good. Can we talk somewhere alone?”
“Yeah, give me a minute. Meet me on the balcony off the kitchen.” She turned back to his parents and her grandparents. Micah sat on the balcony for ten minutes before Minka came out to join him. She walked over to the patio set, sat down and looked at Micah.
“You wanted to talk. What’s on your mind?” Minka questioned. She took her heels off, rubbed her feet, and then struggled to slip it back on.
“I wanna apologize for the way I confronted you about the situation. I should have handled it like a grown ass man not a high school boy. I was wrong and now I know that’s my daughter you’re carrying, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for your pregnancy but I would like to be there for the rest of it.”
“You come crash my party, apologize and you want things to go back to how they use to be. I been forgave you. I knew my past wasn’t squeaky clean besides, I told you that, but you chose to listen to whoever had your head gassed and look how that turned out. You’re right about one thing and that’s about the paternity of this baby. Enjoy the baby shower and I will let you know the date of the delivery.” Minka rubbed her stomach and rolled her neck.
“Come o
n, Minka, a nigga is sorry. You know I love you. It’s not a day that went by that I didn’t think about you. I love you, baby, and I realized I made a mistake and I want you and our baby. I won’t stop until I get you back,” Micah pled.
“What you want? Me to move to Miami and just leave the people who helped me get past the problems I had…the same people who went to every doctor appointment and was there when I was sick from the pregnancy? I have a family now in L.A. and I'm not leaving them because you finally came to a realization that I'm not carrying no other man’s baby but yours,” Minka huffed.
“I’ll come to L.A.. I could live here on season and back in L.A. during the off season. I didn’t sell the house yet, we could make this work,” Micah promised. Minka didn’t get to answer before Milan and Sasha came out on the balcony with screw faces on. Milan had her hands balled up mad.
“Minka, this bitch is making a fool of herself asking for her man. Who the fuck is her man? And why she here? We went over the list a thousand times and I don’t remember an Shisha.”
“It’s Sasha, bitch, get the name right,” Sasha slurred.
“Baby, why didn’t you tell me you was coming here? I would have come with you.” Sasha reached out to Micah but he pushed her away. Micah looked at Sasha confused. He hadn’t heard from Sasha in months. Not to mention Austin just informed him she was engaged to another man.
“This bitch is tripping,” Milan said, annoyed she were starting shit.
“She damn sure is, it’s safe to say she is my ex friend” Minka laughed. She found comedy in the whole situation.
“Bitch, I was never your friend to be your ex-friend. I couldn’t stand your ass and, even still pregnant, I can’t help but to leap over there and punch you in your stomach a few times.” Sasha threatened. She held on to the railing to keep from falling. The six shots of Hennessey had crept up on her.
“Hoe, I wish you would. I may have been bought up in the suburbs but I will fuck your ass up like I was from the hoods of Brooklyn if you touch my sister.” Milan moved in front of her sister. She slid out of her heels and quickly took her sister’s heels off, too, just in case she had to rush her away from this crazy bitch.