You're My Little Secret 2

by Chenell Parker

  “I know this is my first baby, but I’m sure they have other clothes for boys that don’t say Polo,” Brooklyn complained. I love everything by Ralph Lauren, and that’s all I got for my son. Even his bibs and burp cloths were Polo.

  “That’s what I like so that’s what we wear,” I replied. Brooklyn and I are on our way to meet David and Candace at a restaurant. They were coming over here to chill with us, but we decided to go out instead. David and Candace claimed to be just friends, but they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. I could see that they were feeling each other, but they’re too much alike to take it further.

  “I’m ready,” Brooklyn announced when she walked back into the living room. I licked my lips and openly stared in appreciation. She had on a halter dress that hugged every new curve that DJ had blessed her with. Not to mention a flawless face to go along with it.

  “If you’re done staring at me we need to go,” she said smiling. I smiled back, but for a different reason. She wouldn’t be smiling later when I had her ass climbing the walls just like she did the night before. After strapping my son in his car seat, we made our way to P.F Changes to meet David and Candace. They were already there, so our table was reserved. The restaurant was crowded most of the time, and the wait is usually crazy.

  “There they are,” Brook said as she walked towards the back of the restaurant. We sat down, and our orders were being taken soon after.

  “Let me hold him,” Candace said reaching for DJ. He let her and David hold him for a while, but he was trying to get back to me soon after. I sat at the table and fed him his baby food while we ate the food that was prepared for us.

  “Who keeps texting your phone every five minutes? That shit is getting on my nerves,” I snapped at Brooklyn. Her phone had been going off since we were in the car. It didn’t help that she kept smiling every time she read a message.

  “You are too nosy. I don’t ask whose texting your phone,” she flippantly replied.

  “I’ll break that bitch in half if you keep playing with me. I don’t care who you talk to as long as nobody steps foot in that house.”

  “They don’t have to come to me. I can go to them,” she laughed.

  “Aye, y’all chill-out,” David instructed as I reached out to grab her phone. Just that fast I almost forgot where I was. I’ve never put my hands on Brooklyn before, but she really made me want to hurt her sometimes. I’m selfish when it comes to her, and I’ll be the first to admit it.

  “Let me get the fuck out of here before I hurt this girl. I’ll be in my truck,” I said standing to my feet. I threw some money on the table and walked out with my son. As soon as I stepped outside I ran right into Kennedi’s father, Richard. He was with a group of men who looked like they were dressed for a round of golf instead of dinner.

  “Hey Dominic, how have you been?” He asked with his hand extended.

  “I’m good,” I replied while shaking his hand.

  “It must have been meant for me to run into you. I talked to Kennedi earlier, and I planned to come to the house later to drop off the last of my payment. I really don’t have a lot of time, so I’m glad I ran into you. I can give it to you now if you don’t mind,” he said handing me an envelope.

  “I’m lost, your last payment for what?” I asked.

  “That’s what she said the balance on the wedding came up to. Karen made the first payment, so I have to do the balance.”

  “Now, I’m really lost. I’ve been giving Kennedi money towards our wedding every month. If you and Karen are paying for everything where is my money going?” I fumed.

  “I, uh, I don’t know anything about that,” he stammered.

  “Man, your daughter and her mama play all kinds of games. Kennedi has some explaining to do when she gets back.”

  “Hey Dominic, I apologize. I didn’t know what was going on. I see that Kennedi is being selfish just like her mama.”

  “It’s all good though. That’s who she’s going to end up walking down the aisle with if she keeps playing with me.” This is the very reason why we didn’t share a bank account. Seeing as how she’s trying to play me we probably never will. I saw Brook, David, and Candace walking out of the restaurant coming towards us.

  “Here, put him in his car seat,” I said as I handed DJ and my truck keys to Brook.

  “He’s a handsome little fellow. Whose baby is that?” Richard asked. I looked at him like he was speaking a foreign language.

  “That’s my son,” I replied like he should know.

  “Wait, now I’m the one that’s lost. Obviously, I’m being kept in the dark about a few things too.”

  “I’m not surprised that Kennedi didn’t tell you. Obviously, you know she’s not the mother, but that’s another story,” I stated.

  “No need to explain anything to me,” he said holding his hands up. “After the way Karen messed her body up, Kennedi will be lucky if she can give you a baby at all.”

  “How did she mess her body up?” I inquired. I always assumed that Kennedi just had trouble holding a baby. I never knew there was a reason behind it.

  “I don’t want to overstep my boundaries any more than I already have. Just know that Karen is an evil bitch. I was once married to her, so I know,” he replied.

  “I can’t even imagine that shit, but I’ll let you get back to your friends. Thanks for all of your help with the wedding.”

  “No problem,” he said shaking my hand again before he walked away. I pulled out the envelope he handed me as I walked to my truck. I almost passed out when I saw the cashier’s check for thirty thousand dollars that was made out to Kennedi. I stood at the back of my truck in shock just thinking about all the money that I’d given Kennedi over the last few months. It was well over fifty thousand dollars, and I wanted to know where it was.

  “You alright lil brother?” David asked walking over to me. I wanted to tell him about my conversation with Richard, but I decided to wait.

  “Yeah, I’m good,” I replied.

  “Don’t let Brooklyn stress you out. You know she doesn’t really mean that shit.”

  “I’m not worried about that. She’ll be singing a different song once we get home, and DJ goes to sleep,” I said laughing. After saying our goodbyes, I got in my truck and pulled off.

  “You want a car?” I asked Brooklyn out of the blue. I’d been thinking about getting her one for a while, but now seems like the perfect time. I hated when she had to depend on anybody other than me for a ride. As mad as I was earlier, when she looked over at me and smiled, all was forgiven.

  KENNEDI

  I just made it back home, and I’m exhausted. After spending the entire weekend in New York, I’d found the perfect dress. It was paid in full, and the designer is having it shipped to me two weeks before the wedding. The beading that I want has to be done by hand, and it’s going to take a while. I knew that Dominic would love it, and I could not wait for him to see me in it. Of course, he would have to wait for our wedding day for that. After getting off of the plane, my mother and I took Paris to dinner at a very upscale Italian restaurant. Thanks to the red sauce from my pasta, I have heartburn out of this world. As tired as I am I have to stop at Walgreens before I even attempt to go home. I haven’t seen Dominic all weekend, and I’m missing him like crazy. The plan was to run in and grab some antacids and hurry home to my fiancé. That quickly changed when I saw Brooklyn standing at the pharmacy counter. She was with another girl and surprisingly she was holding DJ. I’m happy because that means that we would have our house to ourselves for a change. I don’t know why, but I just stood there and stared at her for a while taking in her appearance. I know for a fact that I’m not ugly, so looks couldn’t have been the only thing that made Dominic want her. She never looked up to see me, but her friend nudged her and pointed me out. Our eyes met the minute she looked up, but she quickly turned her head when the lady behind the counter handed her something. I was still looking their way, but I was no longer starin
g at her. I couldn’t get over how much DJ looks like Dominic. It seems like the older he gets, the more it showed.

  “Do you have a problem?” Brooklyn’s friend asked startling me. I quickly recognized her as the girl that Tiffany was arguing with in Saks all those months ago. I was so busy staring that I never even saw her approach me.

  “Don’t flatter yourself sweetheart. You are really not that much to look at” I replied.

  “Maybe I’m not, but obviously my friend is.”

  “If you must know, I was looking at my fiancé’s son. I’m shocked that he’s not with my man like he always is,” I admitted.

  “I’m trying to give y’all a break, but don’t worry, he’ll be back tomorrow,” Brooklyn smirked as she walked up to us.

  “I really don’t mind sweetie. Since the blood test confirmed that Dominic is indeed his father I want him to be in his son’s life,” I blurted. I waited for her to look shocked or upset, but it never came. She turned it around and had me pissed off instead.

  “That’s what’s up. Now we know for sure that he’s entitled to every penny that Robert’s Trucking makes. After all, he’s a Roberts too. With all the money that Dominic is making maybe I need to pop out another one,” she laughed as she walked away.

  I know she’s trying to make me think that she and Dominic are still messing around with that last comment, but I didn’t take the bait. I felt like snatching her back and wrapping my hands around her neck. I really hate that bitch and anybody she hung out with. After paying for my medicine, I got in my car and headed home. At least I knew that we were alone for tonight.

  “Dominic,” I yelled as soon as I opened the front door. It’s dark, but I hear his music blasting from upstairs. I left my suitcase by the front door and raced up the stairs.

  “Baby, I’m home,” I said looking at Dominic. I turned down the music and stared at him. He didn’t seem happy to see me. He never looked up or got out of the bed.

  “What’s wrong Dominic?” I asked as my heart beat quickened. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and opened the nightstand drawer. He had thrown an envelope at my feet before he spoke.

  “The first time you lie to me about anything I ask I’m done with you and I put that on my son,” he spoke calmly. I got so nervous that my hands started to shake, and my chest tightened up.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Pick up the envelope,” he instructed. I bent down and did as I was told. Tears started to cloud my vision as soon as I looked inside.

  “Baby, just let me explain,” I offered.

  “You don’t have shit to explain. Your daddy already told me everything I need to know. The wedding is paid for, but that’s not the issue here.”

  “Well, what is the issue?” I asked even though I already knew.

  “Don’t play dumb Kennedi. It’s really not a good look on you. What happened to all of the money that I gave you to go towards this wedding?”

  “I still have all of it baby. I didn’t know that they were paying for the wedding until a few months ago. I’ve just been putting the money you gave me into my savings just in case we needed anything at the last minute.” That was partially true. I knew from the beginning that my parents were paying for the wedding. I also still had all of the money that Dominic had given me to go towards it. I opened up a special savings account just to keep it in. I just assumed that I would have it to use for afterward. As much as I shop it wouldn’t have lasted very long anyway.

  “That’s good to know. So when your bank opens up in the morning, you need to get a cashier’s check and have it ready by the time I get home.”

  “Okay,” I said breathing a sigh of relief. I really thought that he was about to leave me. I’ve never begged anyone before in my life, but I would have gladly done it today.

  “You can try to be money hungry like your mama if you want to. You gon’ end up alone just like her,” he said before walking out of the room. I heard the front door slam, and I immediately grabbed my phone to call my father. When I got his voice mail, I hung up without leaving a message. I’m going to the bank in the morning to deposit the check that he’s given me and withdraw Dominic’s money. I want to meet with my father afterward and give him a piece of my mind.

  ****

  I woke up bright and early the next morning, but Dominic was already gone. He didn’t get in until late last night, and he ended up sleeping on the sofa. I’d finally spoken to my father, and we are having lunch later on today. After crying to my mother for several hours last night, she was just as upset as I was. I told her that I planned to meet up with my father today, and she insisted on joining me. I love my father, but his meddling almost cost me my man. To me, that is unforgivable. After getting dressed, I went straight to the bank and handled my business. I made sure to send Dominic a text letting him know that his money would be home waiting for him. A sum as small as fifty-four thousand dollars wasn’t worth losing him, especially since there is much more where that came from. I don’t have to meet my father until noon so I decided to go to the office and talk to Tiffany for a while. I got her a gift when I was in New York, and I wanted to give it to her.

  “Thanks for my perfume,” Tiffany said smiling at me.

  “You’re welcome. I wish you could have been there with us. I know we would have had fun,” I replied.

  “Girl, my mama was driving me crazy. She barely comes around, but she causes trouble whenever she does,” she complained. Tiffany’s mother is a recovering alcoholic. Actually, she’s just an alcoholic. She stopped getting help years ago. My mother’s oldest brother, Thomas, tried to help his wife for many years. When he saw that she didn’t want help, he divorced her and remarried. Since Tiffany hates her mother so much, she moved out with her father and never looked back.

  “I know the feeling. My daddy has pissed me off for the last time,” I fussed.

  “I know that you’re mad Kennedi, but you really should think about it some more. My daddy told me about what happened.”

  “That’s a done deal. I’m meeting with him today to let him know how I feel, but what’s been up with you?” I asked changing the subject.

  “Did I tell you that I met up and had a talk with Bryce a few months ago?”

  “No, how did that go?” I asked.

  “I knew that it wouldn’t go well, but I wanted to see him anyway. Of course, I had my reasons for seeing him. I made Kyle take a picture of us hugging, and I sent it to Taylor,” she said laughing.

  “Are you serious? I thought he and Kyle were friends. Why would he want to do that and what was the point?” I inquired.

  “Girl, it’s a long story, but they’re not friends anymore. He was happy to help, and the point is payback for how he treated me.”

  “I still don’t understand what made Kyle stoop so low to help you do something like that,” I said.

  “Now, don’t be looking at me sideways and don’t judge me,” she instructed.

  “Just spill it Tiffany,” I impatiently demanded.

  “Girl, I’ve been messing with Kyle and the sex is off the chain,” she said blushing.

  “Ewe, he looks kind of dirty to me. I would have never put you and him together,” I criticized.

  “And I would have never put Dominic with Brooklyn, but it happened,” she snarled.

  “Wow, I see we’re hitting below the belt today. I think I need to get out of here before I say something to hurt your feelings,” I said. I only have a little while left before I had to meet with my father, so I headed to the restaurant early and got a table. Dominic never replied to my earlier text, so I sent him another one. After a few minutes, he replied with “alright” and that was it. I sat at the table and played with my phone until my father arrived. He was all smiles when he sat down, but not for long.

  “How are you baby?” He asked sounding cheerful.

  “Honestly, I’m kind of upset,” I said getting right to the point. My mother was late as usual, so I started the show without he
r.

  “What are you upset about?” He inquired.

  “Who gave you permission to tell Dominic about who’s paying for our wedding?”

  “Kennedi, I’m a grown man. I don’t need permission for anything. The conversation didn’t go like you think it did,” he replied. Just as I was about to reply, my mother came walking over to us.

  “You just can’t stay in your place can you Richard,” she smirked as soon as she sat down.

  “I should have known that you had your hand in all of this. Misery loves company,” my father shot at her.

  “Look, I’m not hungry and I have better things to do besides look in your face. So, with that being said, we’re just here to inform you that your presence at Kennedi’s wedding is no longer needed. My brother Thomas has agreed to walk her down the aisle in your absence,” my mother stated. The look on my father’s face was priceless. It was a mixture of shock and disappointment all in one.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me! I’ve put up over fifty thousand dollars on this wedding, and you’re telling me that I can’t come,” he said incredulously.

  “That’s exactly what we’re saying,” my mother replied.

  “And you feel this way too Kennedi?” He asked while looking at me.

  “You don’t need to answer him Kennedi. The decision has been made. Maybe you can find a man desperate enough to marry your other daughter, and you can walk her down the aisle. I seriously doubt it, but it’s not impossible,” she replied before standing to her feet and walking away.

  “Don’t do this to me Kennedi. You’re my oldest daughter and I’ve been dreaming about this day since you were born,” my father pleaded through teary eyes.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m done talking,” I replied.