by K, S
As Amir watched the exchange between his son and a man who he obviously cared about, he stuffed his hand into his pocket to hide his balled up fist. He tried not to be upset or hurt, but it was hard to feel otherwise. Alexis' apologetic stare was the last thing he wanted to see right now. His hurt quickly turned to anger, which he directed at Alexis full force.
Alexis touched David’s arm to get his attention. “Why don’t you come with me. I was just getting ready to fix something to eat.”
Michael immediately scowled. “Aw, Mom. I wanted David to come with me to the dunking booth.”
She looked down at her son. “Amir and Soul will take you. And I suggest you go now if you want to have a little bit more time before I call you in.”
“But I’m not hungry.”
“Michael….”
Michael popped his lips and poked his mouth out. “Okay. Dang.”
Amir knew he should feel gratitude for Alexis interceding on his behalf, but why should he feel gratitude for something she should’ve done a long time ago?
Chapter 11
Amir and Soul trailed behind Michael and Destiny as they made their way over to the dunking booth. Soul looked at Amir.
“You alright?”
“Hell, no I’m not alright. What do you think?” he snapped, but just as quickly released a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take your head off.”
“Nah, it's okay. Believe me I can’t even begin to guess how you’re feeling right now. Look, go catch up with your son, start getting to know each other. Destiny and I are goin’ over to the princess booth.”
Amir’s look was grateful as he stood behind Michael. The minute Soul scooped Destiny up, she started kicking and screaming while reaching for Michael over Soul's shoulder, but Soul turned her around and pointed to the "royal castle". When she saw the colorful dresses, crowns, and slippers, her tears dried up quickly.
“Where’s Mr. Soul going with Destiny,” Michael asked looking after them.
“He’s taking her to a different booth. We’ll catch up with them later.”
Michael looked up at Amir, then shyly ducked his head and kicked at the dirt with the toe of his shoe. Amir leaned down and braced his hands on his knees, putting him eye level to his son. “So you like to play football, huh?”
Michael raised his head with an air of excitement sparkling in his eyes at the mention of his favorite sport. “Yeah! I love football. I’m the best on my team.”
Amir laughed. He knew Michael wasn't being boastful just stating a fact. “What position to you play?”
“Wide receiver. I lead the league in scoring.”
Amir nodded, not in the least bit surprised. Of course he did. “I used to play football. Maybe one day we can throw the ball around. I can give you some pointers.”
“Okay.” Michael stared at Amir with a slight frown.
Amir smiled, recognizing the expression on his son’s face as one of his own. “What’s wrong?”
Michael hunched his shoulders and didn’t say anything for a moment, but continued to study Amir closely. “You look kinda familiar.”
Amir squatted down. “Well. You probably know me from football. I used to play years ago, or maybe you’ve seen me on a TV commercial or hosting a sports show."
“You…you sorta look like me.”
Amir’s breath caught in his chest. He cocked his head to the side, the same time his son did. Here was that moment he thought would come later on tonight. Apparently fate had a different timeline.
“Are you my father?” Michael asked with the innocent forthrightness only a child possesses.
Caught off guard, Amir looked down and cleared his throat before meeting his son's inquisitive eyes. “Yes.” The word came out gruff and shaky. Clearing his throat again, he repeated the answer strong and clear. “Yes. I’m your father, Michael.”
Michael's eyes slid away from Amir's as he stared down at the ground. He seemed deep in thought as if he was processing what Amir just confirmed. Then he looked up smiled.
Amir returned the smile. He pulled Michael to him, squeezing him tight. His eyes closed when Michael’s arms hugged him back. They stayed that way for a while until Michael pulled away.
“Do you live in Atlanta? I mean…you’re not…gonna leave or anything, are you?”
Amir shook his head. “No. I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere.”
Michael apparently heard something in Amir's voice that put him at ease. He grinned and took Amir’s hand. “Cool. Come on, Dad. Let’s go to the dunking booth.”
Amir froze and stared at his son. He stood up, blinking rapidly and cleared his throat again. “After you.”
Amir and his son went from one booth to the other. Every other word out of Michael’s mouth was ‘Dad this’ or ‘Dad that’.
“Dad, let’s try the baseball throw…”
“Dad, I won, did you see me…”
Amir couldn’t keep the smile off of his face. After about an hour, Soul and Destiny joined them at the tattoo booth. “Here you are. Sharon and Alexis sent me to find you two. Alexis was ready to come and get you thirty minutes ago, but I told her I’d just seen you guys and you looked like you were having a blast. Now she’s gettin’ antsy, because li'l man here hasn’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Aww, man. I’m not hungry. We were going to climb the wall next.” Michael pointed to the rock climbing wall set up on the other side of the grounds.
“We’ll come back after you eat. If we don’t go now, your mother is going to skin us alive,” Amir smiled down at his son.
“Alright. Mom is such a girl, Dad,” he said in a voice he was sure only another male would understand.
Soul quickly looked at Amir when heard Michael call him Dad. Amir laughed. “Yes, she is definitely that. But don't let her hear you say it, though. Some things are best kept between us guys.”
Michael smiled and nodded in agreement. “Mr. Soul, did you know this is my Dad?”
Soul looked at him and smiled. “Well, I do now.” Soul scratched his head. “To be honest, I don’t know how I didn’t see it when I first looked at you.”
“Yeah. We sorta look alike. Come on, Dad. Race ya!" He took off before the words left his mouth. Amir laughed and ran after him.
“Hey! Wait for us!” Soul yelled.
As before, Michael flew into the tent and ran straight for his mother. Amir grabbed him moments before he crashed into a couple getting up from their table. Michael and Amir looked at each other and laughed. Alexis saw the exchange from her table, and breathed a sigh of relief that they were getting along so well. She just hoped her son would understand once they explained to him Amir was his father. It didn't take long to find out there was no need to worry.
“Mom! Mom!!” Michael ran and grabbed his mother around the waist, looking up into her face with barely contained excitement.
“Hi, baby,” Alexis smiled down at him. She picked up a napkin from the table and wiped a spot of dirt from Michael’s face.
“Did you have fun, sport?” David asked. Michael didn’t even look David's way.
“Did you know that he’s my Dad??” Michael pointed to Amir.
"What?" Alexis hand stilled mid-wipe. Her eyes met Amir’s accusingly.
Amir stared back at her defiantly then slipped his sunshades on. The angel on his left shoulder calmly advised him to explain what happened before the fire simmering from her in waves blazed into an inferno. But, just as quickly, the devil sitting on his right side whispered he really didn’t have to justify anything that had to do with his son. It only took a split second to decide which voice he would listen to when David stood up as if he was Alexis' knight in shining armor.
“Alexis. Honey, are you okay. Do you want to leave?” David put one arm around Lexie and the other around Michael as if shielding them from Amir’s very presence.
Amir took a step towards him, but Soul, knowing his friend like the back of his hand quickly stepped in front of
him. “Mir, not here, not now."
Alexis kissed the top of Michael’s head while still glaring at Amir. “Honey, stay here with David. I need to speak to your…I’ll be right back.”
Alexis brushed past Amir as she walked outside, not even looking back to see if he was following.
“Dad, you’re coming back, right?” Michael grabbed his father’s hand and looked up at him with eyes brimming full of trust.
Amir ran a hand over his son’s head and kissed his forehead. “Yes. I just need to speak with your mother for a second.”
Without taking his eyes off David, Amir told Soul, "Watch my son. I won’t be long."
Once he got outside, he found Alexis standing a ways off impatiently tapping her toe. “Look, before you say anything-"
“How could you?! Amir, how could you tell him! I thought we agreed to tell him tonight - together!”
“Alexis, I didn’t...”
"You had no right!”
That statement pushed him over the edge. Amir was in Alexis' face within half a second. Hovering over her, he barely contained his fury. “I had no right?? I had no RIGHT?? I have every right. He’s my son! And, yes, now he knows! He should’ve known nine years, six months, and twelve days ago!"
"It wasn’t your decision to make. We agreed to tell him tonight!"
"Just like it wasn’t my decision to be an absentee father and not know my son? Don’t speak to me about rights!"
Alexis stood there breathing hard, chest heaving, hands on her hips. “I explained why I made the decisions I did.”
“I didn’t tell him. He guessed.”
“You expect me to believe that?! Please! And it’s beneath even you to lie on your own son like this!”
Amir clamped his lips together before he said something he might regret later. He was so pissed off he expected his head to explode at any minute now. Turning his back to her he ran an angry hand over his mouth before inhaling and exhaling several times trying to calm down. When he felt some semblance of control, he faced Alexis.
"Our son is not stupid. In the little time I’ve spent with him, I’ve discovered he's a very intelligent kid, extremely intuitive. Once he stopped for a moment and looked at me…really looked at me, he knew. He asked me if I was his father. I told him yes. I wasn’t going to lie to him. I think he’s been lied to enough by his mother,” Amir added with a sneer.
Reacting on instinct, Alexis drew her hand back and slapped the shit out of him. At the same time, David followed by Soul walked outside with the intention of checking on them. They, along with everyone else inside, heard their loud, angry voices. Witnessing Alexis slap Amir David hurried over and protectively stood in front of her.
“Leave her alone,” David demanded.
Amir slowly removed his shades. When David saw the full scope of his anger, he gulped and took an involuntary step back.
“What did you say?” Amir’s voice was deceptively quiet. Anyone who knew that tone was aware that it was his calm before the storm.
“Y-you heard me. Stop harassing her,” David stammered.
“David…” Alexis grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the line of Amir’s fury.
"Yeah, you better get ‘em," Amir growled.
Alexis held up a hand as if to ward him off. She turned pleading eyes to Soul to help calm Amir down. “Soul, please!”
Soul looked at her then at David. Snorting, he turned his back to them as if he hadn’t heard her. He had held his friend back enough for one day. If David was bold enough to butt into something that wasn’t his business, then it was his ass. The only advice Soul could give him was he'd better man up quick, because once Amir got a hold of him…
Amir’s gaze never left David’s. “Was there something you wanted to say to me?” he asked in the same tone.
Alexis quickly pulled David a few steps away. “I think it’s best if you leave.”
David looked as if he wanted to argue, but when he noticed Amir still glaring at him as if he wanted to rip his head off and use it as a football, he wisely changed his mind. “I think you and Michael should come with me.”
“My son isn’t going anywhere with you,” Amir pushed the words out through his teeth.
Alexis glared at Amir before looking back at David. “I’ll call you tomorrow, but this is really between Amir and me. I don’t want you caught in the middle of our…disagreement.”
Still David hesitated. “Is it true?” he whispered to Alexis. “Is Amir Montgomery Michael’s father?”
Alexis slowly nodded. “We have some things we need to work out. I’ll be okay.”
“Alright, if that’s what you want. But call me the minute you get home so that I’ll know you’re okay.” With a defiant glance at Amir, he leaned down to kiss Alexis before leaving.
Alexis sighed and raised her eyes to Amir. “I’m sorry I hit you.”
Amir was silent for several long moments. “I didn’t just come out and tell him. I wouldn’t do that after we’d already agreed to tell him together.”
Alexis acknowledged, now that she'd calmed down, what he was telling her made sense. Michael was a very smart boy. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility for him to figure out on his own Amir was his father.
“I know. I…I apologize.”
After a moment, Amir nodded, accepting her apology. When Alexis turned around to go back inside, he called her name. “Just how involved are you with….David.” He said his name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
Alexis looked at him curiously. Although David wanted to take things to the next level, she wasn’t ready and had no time for a relationship right now, but she didn’t owe Amir Montgomery any explanations.
“That’s none of your business, is it?”
She turned to go inside before seeing the look of jealousy plainly written on Amir’s face.
Chapter 12
Over the next several weeks, Amir spent as much time as he could with Michael. The relationship between father and son evolved naturally. Michael had his own room at Amir’s house and a closet full of clothes, toys, and every video game imaginable. Amir told Alexis he wanted him to feel at home no matter where he stayed. Before long, their lives fell into a routine that worked for them.
Having Amir a part of Michael's life took some getting used to for Alexis, but once she did it was surprisingly easy. She had to keep reminding herself that she was not the sole person responsible for her son anymore. There was someone else around to help ease the weight off her shoulders. Amir was an excellent father and that's all she expected. Very quickly, Alexis became comfortable with the idea of Amir being around - and she wasn't sure if that was wise or not. Alexis intentionally kept him at a distance. She was honest enough to admit she was attracted to Amir. Seeing how great he was with Michael drew her to him, but she was not about to open herself up to that sort of heartache. Michael idolized and worshipped the ground he walked on. She just had to be careful she didn’t start doing the same thing.
On a Friday afternoon that Michael was set to spend the weekend with Amir, he pleaded with Alexis to join them at Amir’s house to watch a new movie he’d been dying to see.
“Mikey, why don’t we just watch the movie here?”
“Because I want to do it at Dad’s house. We’re popping popcorn and ordering pizza. And Mom, I asked you not to call me Mikey anymore.” Alexis hid a grin as his brows bunched down in a scowl that made him look even more like Amir.
As he continued to try to wheedle and coax her into coming, Alexis sighed. Her breaking point came when he gave her ‘the look’. It was one he’d perfected long ago, and they both knew more times than not, she would give in.
“Okay. But I’m just staying for the movie then I’m coming back home.”
Michael grinned. He loved when they all spent time together.
Silently, Alexis was more than a little apprehensive about going to Amir’s. At least when he was at her house, she felt as if she had a little bit more control. But as sh
e told Michael, she would just stay for the movie - and that’s it.
Several hours later, Alexis rang the doorbell to Amir’s and smiled when she saw her son’s face peeping through the stained glass of the door with a huge grin on his face.
“Dad, it’s Mom,” he called out to Amir.
“Hi sweetie.” She reached down to hug and kiss him before walking in. Her heart ached a little as she realized how much he was growing up. She knew being around his father had a lot to do with that. She’d never admit it to Amir, but she was aware that she had a tendency to baby him, but that’s what he was to her - her baby, and he always would be.
Amir came into the family room and greeted her with a smile. As always, his eyes hungrily swept over her, lingering on her full breasts until her nipples hardened. Seeing this, his teeth bit down on his lip while his eyes sought to catch and hold hers. Forgetting they weren’t alone, he took a step closer. Alexis breathed a sigh of relief when Michael called her name.
“Come on, Mom. We just popped the popcorn, now we’re ready to put my movie in.” Alexis sent her son a grateful look for the interruption.
“How are you, Lexie?” Amir asked. “You look good.” His eyes did that roaming thing again, lingering on her bare legs.
Alexis self-consciously tugged at her blue jean mini skirt which seemed long enough when she put it on earlier, but now left her feeling a bit...exposed. She nervously cleared her throat before she answered. “I’m fine.” When he continued to stare at her as if he were a lion trying to decide which part of his meal he wanted to start on first, Alexis tried to quell her panic. ”Uh...so...I guess we can put the movie on. Afterwards, I’ll be on my way.”
“There’s no rush for you to leave. I can almost guarantee Michael won’t last to the end of it. He’s fighting his sleep as it is. We’ve been going nonstop since I picked him up, and he’s worn out."
Michael frowned up at Amir. "I'm not tired, Dad. I'm not a baby, you know."