“Me too.” She smiled and slipped inside the kitchen. I stared after her knowing I had let her win the game, just the same way I was allowing her into my heart with each passing moment.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lissa
Let’s Fly Away
“Wow, Year of Yes was amazing from the beginning to end, Shayla. You should read it as soon as possible,” I yelped with excitement over the content I spent the last month absorbing.
“Girl, you and that book. I called you so you can tell me more about Mr. Montie…not about Shonda’s journey to Shondaland. Humph, I could tell from the way you guys were looking at each other at the table the other day that you wanted to jump down each other’s throat and extract tonsils,” said Shayla.
“No, we didn’t look like that.”
“Are you kidding me? The fact that you want to jump each other’s bones is blatantly evident to anyone standing within a half a mile radius of you two,” she said.
“What are you even talking about, Shayla?” I feigned ignorance, though the irrepressible urge to put my stamp all over Montie and brand him as mine was clear to me. I thought about our “date” at the church last night and prayed that our physical attraction wasn’t obvious to the people there.
“So now you’re going to sit on this phone and act like I didn’t see two people salivating over one another. Okay. You tried it, Lissa.”
“Well, you might have seen a lil something,” I said and immediately wished I could take back the country drawl that bellowed out of me.
“The way you’re talking is evidence that he has your nose wide open. Don’t start acting like a little girl in love like you did with Seth. Keep your grown woman panties on.”
“I’m trying my hardest not to fall into the sunken place with Montie, but it is terribly hard. I mean he’s perfect. He loves his kids. He’s kind hearted. And the way he looks at me, honey. I just melt each time his eyes feast upon me like he’s a starving man. What am I going to do, Shay?”
“I know you’re not asking me. The man is freaking edible. If I weren’t married, humph, I might jump his bones. But let me stop while I’m ahead.” Shayla chuckled.
“Yeah, you stop it. You’re already pregnant and, if Antonio hears you talking about another man like that, he might give you a spanking.”
“That wouldn’t be such a bad thing. However, he knows I can still see how other men look. He also knows I would never touch any man but him. We’re good.”
“That’s all I want in a relationship. To be good with a man who wants to keep me pregnant, like you and Antonio.” I laugh. “I want a man who has no excess drama going on, like a wife or a crazy ex. So far, Montie seems pretty stable in those categories.”
“Well, every man isn’t bad. I may be a bit bias, but you’re a wonderful person, Lissa. There is no way these good men are going to let you stay single. It would defy nature.”
“Mother Nature surely isn’t giving a damn about me finding a man right now.”
“She sent you Montie.”
“So, I trust your opinion. What do you think? Do you think he’s the one for me?”
“I think you should give him a chance. Take it slow and find out if he has any skeletons—or other women—in his closet, but definitely try him out.”
“Well, this is rich. I rarely get permission from you to try a man out,” I chortled as my phone vibrated against my hand. “Hey, speak of the devil and his sexy ass will appear. Let me call you back, Shayla. This is Montie calling me now.”
“Get ‘em girl. Catch you later.”
“Ha, I’ll call you back later, sis.” I clicked over and greeted Montie. “Hey you. How are you doing today?”
“I’m doing good. Just working hard and thinking about you.”
“Awe, that’s sweet.”
“What do you have planned for this evening?” he asked.
I scanned my bedroom that was dimmed with only a lamp. I was laying in the center of my massive king-size bed with a huge smile because I just finished reading a good book, talked to my girl and now being flattered by Montie. I had nothing planned for the night but relaxation.
“I took the evening off to finish my book. Now that I’m done, I’m going to lay around and be a bum. I don’t plan to even look at a computer screen for any reason,” I admitted.
“You’re a lucky girl. While I’m over here slaving over my computer, you’re at home playing hookie.”
“Montie, you have to give yourself time to just breathe sometimes. I skipped rest for so many years. Now that I have built my company with a dependable team, I take time off whenever I feel overstressed. Today was one of those days.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m going to pack it in in a little while and get out of here, but I have something to ask you. The Tech World Order (TWO) conference is next weekend and—”
“It is?” I thought of the date and sure enough the event had snuck up on me again. “Dang! I keep saying I’m going to sign up for that. Whenever it comes around, I never make the plans in time. They were sold out last year when I considered it.”
“Then what I have to ask will be pleasant news to your ears. I have two tickets and would love for you to go to Tokyo with me to the conference,” he said.
“Wait a minute. That conference is usually sold out months in advance. How did you get two tickets in such short notice?” I asked.
“I just need to know if you want to go and, if so, leave the rest to me.”
“Of course, I would. It’s the Mecca of software inventions.”
“Then, say no more. I will get Shalonda to email you an itinerary for our trip and we’re out of here.”
“Montie, this is too freaking much. I will owe you one after this, for sure.”
“I only have one request.”
“What’s that?”
“That you think of a creative way to thank me with those pretty brown lips of yours.”
I smile so wide that my face hurts. “You have a deal.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Montie
Don’t Look Back.
We’re Not Going That Way
“Hey Montie, this is Destiny! I was just calling because Montie Jr.’s team will be in the championship game this weekend. It’s All State for soccer. He really would love for you to be there, so it would be great if you could fly in. When you get a chance, give me a call back...”
My luggage was scattered about my bedroom. Lissa and I were leaving for Japan in a matter of hours. The training conference wasn’t offered again until the end of the year, and the impending time alone with Lissa was the only thing that kept me going for the past week. I would have chosen the next conference date had I known my son was going to be playing for the all state championship. Why the hell was Destiny just telling me about Junior’s final game? Argh.
I slammed the suitcase in my hand down onto the bed and dialed her back. Before she could answer the phone good, I let into her. “Destiny, what’s the deal with you just telling me about Junior’s game? I have training out of the country this weekend. If you would have told me sooner, I would have made other arrangements. Now, my flight is booked for Japan in just a few hours!”
“Montie, I didn’t kno—”
“Nah, this long-distance shit with my children is getting played out already. When exactly did you plan to tell me about the game? That’s all I want to know, unless you planned to tell me when it was too late for me to come anyway.”
“Montie, we didn’t know they were going to make it to the championship until the game yesterday and that’s when I left you a message. I told you last month that all the games they were playing up until yesterday would determine if they made all state. You haven’t come to any of the other games, so I figured it’s not a big deal if you can’t make it to this one.”
“Not a big deal! Not a fucking big deal. Do you think it’s not a big deal that I know my son is one game away from all state?” I took a deep breath and sat down
on the bed. I rubbed my temples and looked on the picture of my children hanging on the wall to channel in whatever calm I had left. “Destiny, I call bullshit. I’m beyond pissed that I didn’t know about this earlier. I know you have your nice little family thing going on, but you must remember that I am his one and only father. I, first and foremost, should know about anything that my kids have going on.”
“Well, Montie. I’m glad that you point out that you are his father, because you’re not acting like it. You have gone back to your old work habits and it’s gotten to the point where you don’t answer the phone for us anymore. You are too busy, just like you were when we were married. I call, but I get your voice message. I don’t always leave a message, but your kids are Facetiming you and attempting to Skype you and you’re too busy to answer. So, before you hop down off your high horse and talk junk about how I’m handling our co-parenting relationship, make sure you answer your phone every time you see my number. If not, you need to be replying quickly. If you miss a Facetime you need to return promptly. You’re not the only one not getting their fair share of communication. What about you telling me that you’re leaving for Japan in a few hours? Don’t you think I should know whether my children’s father is in Atlanta or Japan?”
“Destiny, you know more than one way to get in touch with me. If we lived in the same city, I’d be seeing my kids more often. I would know what was going on with them, and you would know what’s going on with me.”
She sniffled and my tone softened. “We can communicate by phone, Montie.”
“I just want to be at every game possible. Is that too much to ask? From now on coordinate everything through Shalonda. She has my schedule and she will make sure I don’t miss a beat with my kids. It’s important to me that this work, but we both have to do our part.”
“Fine,” she sounded as if the breath had been knocked out of her lungs.
We both sat on the line quiet for the next minute.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as rude, Destiny. I’m just overwhelmed with you guys being in Miami. I have gotten back into working extra hours to fill my time. That’s because I’m trying to stay sane.” Lissa’s big smile crossed my mind; she was my peace in this tumultuous storm.
“Montie, I’ll make sure to coordinate Junior’s events through Shalonda going forward. That way you will know when and where the games are. Some are based on how well the team does, though.”
“Thank you.”
“I know you want to be here for Montie Jr. tomorrow. I will record the game and send it to you as soon as it’s over,” she said.
“I would like that.”
“Montie, I have something else to tell you,” her voice shook as she spoke and that put me on high alert. What else was going on with her?
“Is everything okay?” I asked, concerned.
“No, it’s not. Do you remember Justine?”
“Yeah.” My heart rate increased and my palms grew sweaty at the mention of Justine. I could’ve lived my entire life without hearing about her again, and I would be just dandy. “Jacob’s ex, yeah, I remember her,” I said.
“Well, she was to marry this man named Rick and on their wedding day he left her at the altar. Justine and Jacob had been best friends since they were children, so he comforted her afterwards and they started dating,” she paused and only heavy breathing could be heard on the line.
“What does this have to do with anything that’s going on now?” I prodded.
“Hi…his remains were found in the woods five miles away from Justine parents’ estate.”
“Whose remains, Rick’s?”
“Yes. She killed him. I know she did,” Destiny cried out, finally releasing the explosive tension she’d been holding since I called her. “I’m so afraid that she’s going to try to do something to me or the kids. Jacob has hired extra security, but I don’t know what to do to calm down.”
“Has she tried to contact you?” I fished.
“No, we haven’t heard anything from her. I think that’s the scariest part. It feels like the quiet before the tornado.”
My conscience nudged me to let her know I spent one long night screwing Justine senseless. I also needed to spill Justine’s revelation about sleeping with Jacob. Honesty meant a lot to me, but Destiny had enough to worry about at the moment. Adding mine and Jacob’s affairs with the deranged, lying bitch would further overwhelm the situation.
A woman like Justine being infatuated with Destiny’s life was a strong indication that she, along with Montie Jr. and Montana, were in danger. And, hell, Jacob would be the next one in the woods lifeless if he wasn’t careful. I balled my fists into powerful knots as I growled. I had to take Justine down before she harmed someone I loved.
“I’m cancelling my flight and coming to Miami,” I said.
“No, no. That’s not necessary, Montie.”
“Destiny, I won’t spend the weekend worried about you guys.”
“No, I won’t let you cancel your plans. Go to your conference. We’ll be fine. Security is on every corner of our property. Jacob is working from home and hasn’t left my side since the news broke about Rick.”
“Are you sure? Because if something happens to my children, it’s going to be hell to pay, Destiny. I’m going to lose it.”
“Montie, you forget I’m their mother. I feel the exact same way. I’m sure we’ll be fine though. I only told you about Justine because I wanted you to know what we were dealing with down here. I don’t want to give her the power to stop us from living. I want you to be happy, and worrying about us is not going to accomplish that.”
“How can I be happy while I’m worried about you and the kids? Now isn’t a good time for me to leave the country. I’m worried that the crazy bitch will try something.” The thought of disappointing Lissa weighed heavily on me, but I would do anything to protect my family.
“Montie, I can’t stop living because of Justine. I just have to have faith, mace, and put on a good face. And, I’m ordering you to do the same thing. Go to Japan.”
“Destiny,” I blew out a gush of air. “I will go if you promise to take the kids to your mother’s for the time being. When I get back to the states, I’ll bring them to Atlanta with me for a while.”
“That’s the same thing Mama said for me to do. I’m taking them over to her house after the game tomorrow. John has hired security for her too.” She paused. “Thanks for caring about us, Montie,” she said and I could hear the weakness in her crumpling voice. She needed me.
“You’re the mother of my children. I’ll always care for you and my children.”
“I know.”
“Call me at any time, for any reason. I’ll be on the next plane smoking to Miami if you need me, okay?” I asked.
“I will. Goodbye, Montie,” she said and hung up.
I sat with the phone to my ear for a long while. My heart lurching from my chest as I weighed the decision in front of me. My phone rang and Lissa’s face flashed on the screen. “Hello.”
“Hey Montie, I’m all packed and waiting on you to come pick me up! I packed a few special things for you too,” she said in a bubbly tone that made me smile through the concern that had plagued me just moments before. “I really need this time away. I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with you,” she added.
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” the words flew out of my lips, answering my wavering question of whether I’d be flying to Miami or Japan. I needed precious time with Lissa. I had to trust that Destiny would protect our children as she had done all their lives.
“What’s wrong?” Lissa asked, obviously picking up on my tone.
“Nothing, I’m just finishing up my packing and I’ll be there to get you shortly.”
“Hurry. We don’t want to miss our flight. You know how crazy it can be at Hartsfield,” she said and her voice got thick as she added, “And, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to get you all alone in another country.”
“Have I ever told you that I like the way you think?” I asked.
“I think you have.”
“I’m on the way.”
On the long flight to Japan, I confided in Lissa my conversation with Destiny. I told her all about my marriage and our divorce. Heck, I even told her that Destiny and I had a brief rekindle before she eventually went back to Jacob. I let her know where my feelings were a few months ago and where they were now.
“My heart has been swept away by a spectacular thick, mocha queen who is all about her business, has a heart of gold, and put me out of my misery by agreeing to fly to Japan with me,” I told her as we flew miles high in the Asian skies.
“I swept your heart away?” she sounded unaccepting of my truth as she stared at me. “I think it’s the other way around.”
“After years of living in the dark, you brought light back into my life. I don’t care how long it takes, I’m going to show you how much I care about you, Lissa. You just wait and see.”
“Montie, I hear what you are saying. It’s just that—”
“You don’t want to be hurt again,” I took the words out of her mouth. She had explained to me her past two relationships with two men who thankfully didn’t appreciate what they had. Because they gave up such a breathtaking woman, I had the honor of showing her how beautiful she was and what she deserved in a man. Heavens, let me be all she needs and more.
“That’s right, Montie. I’ve been through too much already with men. I just can’t go down that road again.”
I brought her hand to my lips for a peck then held it in mine. “Lissa, I just opened up completely and told you everything there is to know about my past. I’d never do anything to hurt you, at least not intentionally. When I’m in a relationship, I’m a one woman’s man. That’s where I’m at now. You don’t have to worry about me having a wife like Seth; you know I’m divorced and I’ve told you all about our situation. You damn sure don’t have to worry about no childhood crushes coming back; I can’t even remember anyone that could light a candle next to you,” I chuckled. “I want to love you solely, if you will allow me to.”
Breathless 4: Loving Montie Page 11