One in a Million

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  “I want you,” he demanded, pointing at Kennedi as he slurred his words, “and your little wannabe friends to get up from this table and get your little wannabe tails up outta here.”

  “Raymond, let’s go inside,” Aunt Rose yelled, obviously realizing how drunk he was and trying to put out a fire that was already well ignited.

  “No! I want them outta here. I want them outta this backyard and in a hurry.”

  “Raymond, son, don’t do this. Please, let’s go in the house.”

  Raymond jerked away from her. “No, Mom. You know I’m right, because you were the one who told me that Kennedi thinks she’s better than the rest of the family.”

  Kennedi heard gasps from every corner, and Aunt Rose seemed mortified. She was shocked that her own child had ratted her out, and he didn’t stop there.

  “Remember you told me that Kennedi had won the lottery and that you and Aunt Lucy were going to the press conference with her? And then I saw Blake at the gas station a few hours later, and he told me that he’d left Kennedi? Remember, Mom? Because that’s when you said we shouldn’t let on to Kennedi that we knew anything at all and that I should tell Blake about that lottery ticket. And then you also told me when Kennedi called you and said she’d finally gotten her check. Remember?”

  “Raymond, you stop this right now! You stop telling all these lies on me.”

  “Lies? Mom, what’s wrong with you? You scared of Miss Thing or something? Because you know I’m telling the truth. You were the main one saying how maybe if I told Blake everything that was going on, he would give us a nice reward from his cut of the money. Which is what I did. But then today, that no-good joker come calling me, talking about how my services are no longer needed and that he’s not giving me another dime. He already paid me two thousand dollars, but that fool promised me a hundred thousand more if I gave him the four-one-one on what Miss Thing here was doing.”

  Aunt Rose gazed at her niece with pleading eyes. “Kennedi, baby, it just slipped. I was so excited for you that I let the stuff you told me slip, but I never told Raymond to tell Blake anything or cut any deal with him. I swear I didn’t.”

  Raymond roared like he’d never heard anything funnier. “Mom, why don’t you stop all this pretending?” he said, staggering backward. “This was all your idea, because you said for all you knew Kennedi might not give us anything and that Blake would be a good safety net.”

  Aunt Rose was angry but she seemed lost for words. “You’re drunk.”

  “Maybe I am, but not too drunk to remember you saying how tight Kennedi was with money and how she got that crazy mentality from her mother.”

  Kennedi pushed away from the table. “My mother? Aunt Rose, you had the nerve to say something bad about my mother? Your own sister? Your sister who’s not even here anymore?”

  Aunt Lucy stood up. “Rose, you’re wrong for this. Way wrong. And Kennedi, honey, I had no idea any of this was going on.”

  Kennedi grabbed her purse. “Patrice and Neil, let’s go.”

  “Honey, wait.” Aunt Lucy followed behind them. “Please don’t let Rose or Raymond ruin your holiday. Don’t let them steal your joy.”

  “I can’t stay here, Aunt Lucy. Criticizing me is one thing, but saying bad things about my deceased mother, well, that’s something different. Aunt Rose was always jealous of Mom, but it wasn’t until today that I actually saw her for who she really is.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t go, but I understand.”

  “I’ll call you later,” she said, and hugged Aunt Lucy.

  “You take care.”

  Kennedi, Patrice, and Neil continued toward Neil’s vehicle, but Kennedi heard Raymond shouting one obscenity after another and threatening to put a hit out on Blake for using him the way he had. Kennedi listened until she could no longer hear him and, without warning, sat in the backseat of the car and burst into tears. Why couldn’t her mother be here for her? That way she wouldn’t have had to tell either one of her aunts a single ounce of her business. Although she knew with all her heart that Aunt Lucy would never backstab her the way Aunt Rose and that lowdown Raymond had.

  But believe it or not, there was a bit of good news that had evolved from all of this: Attorney Newman hadn’t been the one supplying Blake with confidential information, meaning he hadn’t been the one betraying her.

  Even better, neither had Miles.

  Chapter 18

  Kennedi’s eyes stretched wide open when the ringing phone snatched her from a deep sleep, but she grabbed it away from the nightstand by reflex. Thankfully, though, she’d looked at the caller I.D. screen before answering and sat it back down on its base. It was Aunt Rose and clearly the last person Kennedi wanted to talk to. She did love her mother’s middle sister—how could she not?—but Aunt Rose had proven that she couldn’t be trusted, and Kennedi knew it would be a long time before she saw or spoke to that woman again. The woman who, right after the press conference, had pretended she was so livid with Blake and who was so ready to give him a piece of her mind, when all along she was planning to swindle money from him and deceive Kennedi all at the same time.

  However, when she picked up the phone to call Patrice, she saw the words “voice mail” and couldn’t refrain from listening to the message.

  “Kennedi, baby, I know it’s early, but I’m just sick over all those lies Raymond told you. I haven’t slept more than five minutes, and my nerves are just shot. I’m so sorry for all the pain Raymond caused you, and I really hope we can get past this. I’m hoping that you will realize how important family is, and that nothing is more important. Money is one thing, but in the end, our love for each other is what truly counts. I know Raymond was wrong for talking to you the way he did, and I was wrong for telling him the things I told him, but the thing is, people make mistakes. I’ll forever be sorry, but sweetheart, your good old aunt isn’t perfect, and I pray that you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I love you so much, and please call me as soon as you can.”

  Kennedi pressed three for delete and hung up the phone. It was amazing how Aunt Rose, after all that had happened, was still ready to lie for as long as she had to. Because there was no way Raymond, drunk or otherwise, would have falsified his mother’s part in the whole Blake scenario. If Raymond said this was all her idea, one could take his claim to the bank. So why Aunt Rose was denying her involvement was beyond understanding, because Kennedi knew what the truth was. Aunt Rose was as guilty as sin and then some.

  Kennedi stayed in bed for another twenty minutes, flipping through morning shows, but then finally called Patrice. Of course, the main topic of discussion was the big Fourth of July fiasco, but after that they talked about how much fun they’d had shopping on Michigan Avenue and…how much fun they’d had shopping on Michigan Avenue. Then, when they ended their conversation, Kennedi went down to the kitchen and had breakfast. She hadn’t been to the grocery store yet this week, but she did find a cup of strawberry-banana yogurt, which she embellished with granola and a handful of grapes, and some low-carb apple juice to drink. When she finished eating and reading the Chicago Tribune, she threw a load of white clothing into the washer and then a group of colors inside the dryer and decided it was time to get dressed. She didn’t feel like doing much today, but she needed to run a few errands before it got too late. As she started toward the stairway leading back up to her bedroom, though, the phone rang. She thought about ignoring it, especially since it was probably only her aunt again, but she was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Miles.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello yourself. So, how are you?”

  “I’m well. And you?”

  “Same here. So, did you have a good Fourth?”

  “Not really. Actually, it was a disaster, but to be honest, I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, and it makes me feel sort of bad, because I had a great time at my parents’ house yesterday.”

  “Don’t even think twice about that. It
’s not your fault that some of my family members are a bit dysfunctional.”

  Miles paused, obviously not knowing what else to say.

  “So, what’s new?” Kennedi asked.

  “Not a lot. I’ve been thinking about you, and since I hadn’t heard from you since that day we went to lunch, I figured I would give you a call.”

  “It’s good hearing from you.”

  “I also wanted to talk to you about something if you have time.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “This might be a little awkward for you, but the truth is, Kennedi, I really like you a lot. I liked you from the first moment I saw you in Attorney Newman’s office, and if you feel the same way, I’d like to start seeing you on a regular basis.”

  Kennedi wanted to respond, wanted to tell him she felt the same way, but she was too afraid of getting hurt. Too afraid to trust or have faith in him.

  “You are still there, aren’t you?” he said.

  “Yes. I’m here, but I guess I don’t know what to say.”

  “Why? Is it because you’re not attracted to me?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “I don’t want my heart broken again. I’ve been through so much over the last few weeks, enough to cover a lifetime, and I don’t think I could handle any more disappointments.”

  “That’s understandable, but believe me when I say I would never hurt you. I know you have no way of proving that, but I really care about you, and when it comes to hurting women, well, that’s not who I am as a person.”

  “I just don’t know, and even if I wanted to start spending time with you, I wouldn’t be able to until my divorce is final.”

  “I understand that, too, and all I’m asking is that you give me a chance. That’s all.”

  “I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll definitely think about it.”

  “I hope you’re not hesitant because of what Blake said the other day.”

  “And what was that?”

  “That I’m probably only hanging around because of all the money you have. But I assure you, your money has nothing to do with my feelings for you. As a matter of fact, I’ll even sign a prenup if you want me to,” he joked, and Kennedi couldn’t help laughing.

  “Oh, so now you’ve got us rushing down the aisle and getting married?” she commented.

  “No, actually, I don’t, but I was just trying to make a point. I’m trying to get you to see that I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable. And if it would make you feel even better, we can draw up a contract stating that I’m responsible for all dating expenses and that the only gifts that will be purchased are the ones I buy for you. Of course, if we end up falling in love or something like that, it would be nice if you at least got me a card for Valentine’s Day.”

  “You’re funny.”

  “Maybe, but I’m also very serious about being with you. And for the record, you and I both know that I have my own money, so using you for your money is certainly not my intention.”

  “I guess I can appreciate that.”

  “Okay, then for starters, can we at least have daily phone conversations?”

  “I guess I don’t see a problem with that.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with talking, so I’m positive.”

  “Good. And I promise you, you won’t be sorry.”

  “I really hope not, and just so we’re on the same page, I think I should explain something to you up front.”

  “Explain away.”

  “It’s really very simple. You know the saying ‘Three strikes and you’re out’?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, all you get is one.”

  “Only one, huh?”

  “Yep. So take it or leave it.”

  “Actually, my dear, I won’t even need that. Not now, not ever.”

  Kennedi had finished running all her errands, but now that she was back home, she still couldn’t contain the smile plastered across her face. She knew Miles might be full of it and that he’d probably only said what he thought she wanted to hear, but she had to admit that she was happy to have him in her life. Like a schoolgirl, she was already anticipating his daily phone calls and couldn’t wait until she was finally able to go out with him in public. There was still a certain level of fear she would surely have to contend with, but deep down, she wanted to believe that Miles was worth it. She wanted to believe that not every man was like her soon-to-be ex, Blake Mason.

  As soon as Kennedi completed her last thought, her cell phone rang. Her home phone had been ringing for what seemed all day long, and because her cell now displayed the word “private,” she almost didn’t answer it. But then she realized it might be Miles and hurried to press the button.

  “Hello?”

  “I assume your attorney relayed my message.”

  Kennedi felt her blood rushing. “And?”

  “And I thought you should know that I’m not playing with you. If you don’t settle this by tomorrow, I’m releasing the tape, and I think you’ll be amazed at how advanced voice technology has become and how you might not even remember some of the things you actually said. If you force me, I’ll end up being your worst nightmare.”

  Kennedi pressed the end button as hard as she could and dialed Attorney Newman.

  “Kennedi? How are you?”

  “Attorney Newman, enough is enough. I can’t take this anymore, so let’s just schedule a meeting for tomorrow and be done with this.”

  “Did something happen?”

  “I just want this to be over,” she practically demanded, but didn’t mean to sound so rude.

  “Okay, you’re the boss, but do you at least want me to counter with the seven-point-five we talked about?”

  “No. Let’s just pay him what he wants. Let’s end this before I end up doing something dreadful.”

  Chapter 19

  Kennedi glared at Blake across the conference room table and wanted to leap on top of him. It had been almost twenty-four hours since he’d made that threatening phone call to her, but she was still as angry as ever. She was livid because he’d done exactly what he’d set out to do, win by unanimous decision, and it was hard accepting her defeat. It was hard meeting with him face-to-face and seeing how proud he was to have beaten her.

  “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up the appropriate documents, which outline the marital property agreement,” Attorney Newman began. “I realize the reason we’re here today is primarily because of Kennedi’s lottery winnings, but I figured we might as well include everything so that we won’t have to deal with any of this during the divorce proceedings. Attorney Green, do you have any objections to this?”

  “No. My client and I concur, and actually we welcome your initiative in doing so.”

  “Then here are copies for both of you to review,” he said, passing them over to Attorney Green. Kennedi already had her copy and was satisfied with all that was included, specifically the language that stated that Blake was forever barred from claiming any additional money from her.

  Blake flipped through the pages pretty quickly, and it was obvious that he couldn’t care less about their house, vehicles, bank accounts, or any other assets. It was clear that he cared only about his ten million and was ready to sign anytime they wanted him to.

  “Everything looks to be in order,” Attorney Green acknowledged. “Blake, do you agree?”

  “Looks good to me.”

  If only Kennedi could do something bad to him and get away with it. Something he wouldn’t soon forget. But she immediately said a quick prayer, asking God to free her from her evil thinking. She asked Him to free her from the violent thoughts she kept having and to cease the private movie now flickering through her mind—a movie starring Blake and Serena. A movie where the two of them were lying across a bed full of money and then laughing about how easy it had been for them to make such a fool of Kennedi.

  So, yes, she prayed like
never before and took a deep breath. She was glad this was almost over.

  Attorney Newman passed over two pens, one to Kennedi and one to Blake, and they both signed on the lines they were instructed to. Then, Attorney Newman pulled out the envelope holding the cashier’s check, the one Kennedi had gotten from the bank this morning, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  “I’m sorry, Attorney Newman,” one of the other secretaries apologized. “But you have a couple of visitors, and based on what they’ve told me, I think you’ll want to see them.”

  “Now?”

  “Right now.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

  Blake stood up. “Actually, if you’ll just give me my check, I’ll be on my way.”

  “Please don’t do that, Attorney Newman,” the secretary pleaded. “Please, just step out here, and I’ll explain what the situation is.”

  “I’m sorry,” Attorney Newman told Blake, and then looked at Attorney Green.

  “This is a bunch of bull,” Blake whined. “I have places to go and people to see, so I don’t have time for all of this petty stuff.”

  Attorney Green relaxed farther into his chair. “Hopefully he’ll be back shortly.”

  Blake scowled at Kennedi. “All I know is that this better not be some stunt you’re trying to pull.”

  Kennedi stared at him but didn’t say anything. She had not a clue what this interruption was all about, and while she’d never let on to Blake, she was just as curious about it as he was.

  But all curiosity was satisfied in a matter of seconds.

  “Hello, Blake.” A statuesque, fortysomething woman stepped into the room, and Blake looked as though he’d just finished a Stephen King novel. He looked terrified, stunned out of his wits, and very trapped.

  But the other shocker was the fact that Serena had walked in right behind her, and Kennedi could tell they’d come together. Attorney Newman told the first woman that the floor was all hers, and she wasted no time saying what she had to say. “I just couldn’t go through with this, Blake.”