Baby Momma

by Tosha Damaya

  Sierra got into her vehicle and drove home. By the time she arrived, there was a text message waiting on her cell phone.

  -Don't leave me hanging. Please say yes.

  She decided then that she would take his offer. She and Ethan weren’t in a committed relationship. What’s the worst that could happen?

  -Okay.

  ≈

  -I have a date tonight.

  Sydney read the text from Sierra and looked over at Ethan, who was sitting across from her desk typing away on his laptop. He was her designated watchdog for the day. It was a result of Zeke being overprotective and worried about her safety.

  Sydney put the phone down and thought about the man she loved. This morning they had their first argument as a couple. Zeke was angry that she wanted to return to work so soon after the robbery. He expected her to stay home and relax. She had other plans. She wasn’t going to allow some criminal to ruin her life. She compromised and told Zeke that she would have someone at the store with her so she wouldn’t be alone. He seemed somewhat okay with it and their early morning argument transformed into a lovemaking session. She got tingles just thinking about the things that man could do with his tongue.

  “Stop daydreaming about my brother.”

  Sydney sheepishly grinned and came back to the present. She cleared her throat. “So what do you have planned for your date with Sierra?”

  Ethan’s eyebrows lifted in confusion. “What date? I don’t have any plans with her. I’m heading back to New Orleans tonight.”

  Sydney waved her phone in the air. "You’re sure? She just sent me a text telling me about it.”

  He grunted and laughed a little. “Must be with someone else.”

  Sydney didn’t miss the underlying tone of disappointment. “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.” She made an assumption and ended up with her foot in her mouth.

  “It’s fine. I know where I stand with your sister.” He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “I’m her Cuddy Buddy, right?”

  “You’re more than that.”

  "Your dad told me a guy broke her heart," Ethan commented, slightly changing the subject. “It’s been bugging me since Saturday. Sierra has never mentioned him.”

  "Aaron Bradshaw," Sydney said in a strained voice. "He did more than break her heart. He ripped it to shreds. I didn't think Sierra would ever be the same after that."

  In many ways, she wasn’t the same. Sierra lost trust in men. It was the reason she only wanted to be involved in casual flings. Aaron was her last serious boyfriend.

  "What exactly happened?"

  "They dated a couple of years in high school and the first year of college. I thought that they would end up married, but he cheated on her.”

  "That’s fucked up."

  “That’s not the worse part. The girl was a friend of Sierra’s, and she ended up pregnant. For the rest of the year, Sierra had to watch them together. After that, she transferred to another University.” It was a good thing Aaron moved out of state. Their father wanted to kill the man after what he did to Sierra. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but she wants to be in a relationship, she just doesn’t want to be vulnerable again.”

  Ethan seemed to be in deep thought for a few minutes. Sydney started working again until he was ready to speak again.

  "Got any advice for a man in love?"

  Sydney beamed. The prospect of sister finding love brought happiness to her heart. “First thing you need to do is tell her."

  ≈

  After Ethan had made sure Sydney made it home okay, he went to see Sierra. He knocked on her apartment door and waited for a response. The door opened, but it wasn't Sierra standing behind it. Ethan stared at the light-skinned brother confused.

  “Who are you?” he asked in a rude manner.

  “I’m Laurence. Can I help you?"

  Ethan realized that Laurence was Sierra’s date for the night. "Sierra home?" He was so tempted just to bust into the apartment and bypass Laurence.

  He stepped aside to allow Ethan space. "She's in the kitchen."

  Ethan walked in that direction and observed Sierra lifting two glasses of wine. “Honey, I’m home.”

  Sierra stumbled and almost dropped one of the glasses. She didn’t expect Ethan to be in her place. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to confess my love for you, I didn’t realize we were seeing other people.” He pointed at Laurence. “I met Urkel, he doesn’t seem like your type.”

  She generally would laugh, but she didn’t find this situation funny. "We never said anything about being exclusive, Ethan. I bet you're still dating women in Louisiana."

  Laurence, who was standing to the side, looked uncomfortable. It was obvious he didn't want to be in the middle of their argument. "Sierra, I'll see you later," he said.

  "Laurence you don't have to go."

  He shook his head disagreeing, "It's fine. Just call me when you're free again," he replied before walking out of the apartment.

  Sierra watched him leave, and then focused back on Ethan. "I don't know why you're making this a big deal. It’s just a date.”

  "Because I fucking love you! Get it through your head. Maybe to you it's just sex, but to me it isn't. Do you think after two years of trying to get you that I would only want sex? I can fuck plenty of bitches. There's more than enough pussy ready to jump on my dick, but I want you. And despite what you think, I’m not seeing anyone else.”

  Sierra was on the brink of tears, but she held in the emotion. She didn’t want to give Ethan the satisfaction. "I never promised you anything," she said, standing her ground on the issue.

  He couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. In front of him wasn’t the woman he loved. This person was an empty shell, someone that didn’t care about his feelings. Disgusted with the whole situation, he decided to leave. "We have something good between us. Remember that when you’re wasting your time with Laurence.”

  ≈

  Sydney walked into the small supermarket searching for some ginger ale. She didn’t have morning sickness, it was an all-day, every day sickness. Ethan was going to be upset that she left the house after he dropped her off, but she needed something to relieve the nausea. She read a pregnancy book that said the queasiness would decrease as time progressed, but she felt like hers was increasing. It was one of the symptoms of pregnancy that she didn’t enjoy.

  She rubbed her tummy. Despite only being only a couple of months pregnant, she had a small baby bump. “I’m going to need you to get your act together, little one.”

  She found what she was searching for and walked up to the register. It wasn’t until she was back in the parking lot that she saw a familiar person.

  “Alana!” she called out. Sydney hadn’t seen her in weeks. They’d lost touch again after the party where Alana slapped Zeke.

  Alana stopped and looked in her direction. For a second it looked like she wasn’t going to come towards Sydney.

  “Hi.”

  “How are you?” Sydney asked.

  “Things are good. I got a new job, and I’m settling into my new apartment.”

  Sydney waited, but Alana never asked how she was doing. “By the way, I’m doing well also.”

  “What about your family?”

  “They’re great, too.” Sydney was tired of small talk. “Lana, I don’t understand why things fell apart between us. We’ve been friends forever. We were more like family. Why can’t we get back to that point?” Sydney missed her.

  “Because of Christopher.”

  “His name is Zeke,” Sydney interjected. “I’m not getting involved with that situation. What happened is in the past. Zeke has moved on, and I think you should, too. Your attachment to him is unhealthy.”

  “He and I had a connection. I think that we can rekindle it.”

  Sydney wondered if Alana was still on her medication. She didn’t seem stable. “It’s not going to happen.”

  Alana was getting agitated. “You alway
s think you’re right about everything. You weren’t there when we met or when we shared the night together.”

  “Alana,” Sydney started, “believe me when I say that it’s over.”

  She said the words slowly so Alana could easily comprehend.

  “And you know this because…”

  “Because he’s mine, Alana. Zeke and I are a couple, and we’re having a baby.”

  ≈

  “What did you expect to happen?”

  Sydney sighed and rested her head against Zeke’s chest. “Not for us to end up in an argument, it was embarrassing. I haven’t fought with someone like that since grade school.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you may have to give up on Alana.”

  He was right, she just didn’t want to hear it.

  Zeke and Sydney were sharing a bath together. It was the perfect remedy to their nerve-wracking day. Work was kicking Zeke’s ass at the law firm, and Sydney was in terrible mood due to her argument with Alana. They were always great at reading each other’s moods. It only amplified when they became a couple. When he arrived home, he saw the distressed look in her eyes, so he grabbed her hand and led her to the bedroom. After running a bath, he undressed Sydney and helped her into the tub. Currently, he was seated behind her with his large body wrapped around her petite one.

  “She’s my oldest friend.”

  “Can you even consider her a friend, anymore? I find it odd that you were friends for years and the minute she moved, you lost touch with one another. Maybe you care more than she does.”

  Sydney didn’t respond.

  Zeke grabbed the loofah and rubbed it across her breasts. She arched her back as it went across her sensitive nipples.

  “You like that?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Oh yeah. Thank you for this. You’re such a giving man.”

  “You’re right, I plan on giving you this dick later.” He pumped his hips to demonstrate.

  Sydney giggled at his silliness. “You’re such a pervert. I’ve never met this side of you, Zeke Christopher-” Saying his middle name made her think of Alana again. “I still can’t believe that happened. She wants another chance with you. Well, she wants Christopher, not Zeke.”

  Zeke sighed. “It’s all my fault. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s on her, too. I would never sleep with a man on the first night.”

  “Good to know.”

  “I mean what was she expecting?” Sydney continued. “What relationship has ever expanded from a one-night stand?”

  “Gavin and Jeanette were a one-night stand.”

  Sydney paused her rant. “Really?”

  “Really. They hooked up on the last night of a three-day convention. Gavin couldn’t stop thinking about her weeks later.”

  This was the first time Sydney heard this story. She thought Zeke’s brother and his wife Jeanette met at work. “How did they reconnect?”

  “He remembered the company she worked for and called every branch until he tracked her down. They had dated long-distance for a few months before he convinced her to move to New Orleans.”

  “That’s a great love story.”

  Zeke shrugged his shoulders. “Not better than our love story.” He brushed his lips across Sydney’s neck. “See, it’s possible for one-night stands to turn into something more, but Alana shouldn’t expect it to happen between me and her. I have the woman I’m meant to be with. Try not to let her get to you. I don’t like you stressed out.”

  “She was my best friend, Zeke.”

  “I thought I was your best friend?”

  “You know what I mean.” Sydney turned and straddled Zeke’s waist. “You are my best friend.”

  “What else?” He lowered his head and wrapped his tongue around her nipple. Sydney whimpered in pleasure from the contact.

  “My baby daddy.”

  Zeke pinched Sydney’s ass, causing her to shriek. “I’m more than a baby daddy.”

  Zeke started tickling her sides causing Sydney to laugh. All thoughts of Alana disappeared, for now.

  ≈

  After their bath, Sydney made Zeke wait in the bedroom while she prepared something special for him. A few minutes later, she walked in wearing a sexy waitress outfit while holding a tray of chocolate covered fruit. She had planned to save the costume for a special occasion, but decided to pull it out tonight.

  The sight alone almost caused Zeke to bust a nut. Sydney put the tray on the bed and forced him to sit down so that she could sit on his lap. When she produced the blindfold, he gave her a skeptical look.

  "Trust me, it'll be fun," Sydney promised. She didn't want to tell Zeke that she had a fetish for blindfolds. If she did, then she would have to tell him all about her escapades, and that would open up a can of worms.

  "Okay," Zeke agreed. He had never tried any accessories when it came to sex, but he was down to try anything.

  Sydney got excited and placed the blindfold over his eyes. "What does this taste like?" she whispered to Zeke before placing a piece of fruit in his mouth.

  He rubbed the fruit across his tongue and knew the answer. "It's a kiwi, love."

  Sydney placed a quick kiss to his lips. "That's correct."

  She reached over to the tray and grabbed a chocolate covered strawberry. Sydney placed it at the tip of Zeke's lips and moved it back when he tried to take a bite.

  "Don't be mean," he whined, making Sydney laugh.

  She put it back towards his mouth, allowing him to taste it. Zeke licked his lips before answering.

  "Chocolate covered strawberries."

  They continued until the tray was almost empty. Sydney was teasing Zeke to the point that he was about to go crazy. Not being able to see heightened all of his other senses and he could smell her sweet perfume and feel her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Sydney rewarded him with another kiss after he guessed that she’d put a pineapple into his mouth. This time when she went to pull back, he grabbed her head to keep her lips attached to his. He was a patient man, but all he wanted to do was be inside of her. He was down for a little foreplay, but the anticipation was killing him.

  "As much as I love chocolate covered fruit, I would rather have a taste of Sydney," he commented after the kiss ended.

  Sydney liked the idea of that as well and wiggled in his lap against his package. "You can have as many servings of Sydney as you like."

  Taking that as an invitation, Zeke took the blindfold off and stood with Sydney in his arms before tossing her back on the bed. A shriek had left her lips before he moved his body over hers. Clothing was stripped away quickly, and Zeke started to savor his portion of her by placing kisses around her neck before trailing down. He was about to get a mouthful of breast and a side of nipple when his cell phone started to ring.

  "Shit!" Why does someone have to call me at this moment? He rested his head against Sydney's chest debating on if he should answer it.

  Sydney heard the familiar ringtone and knew that it was family. "Answer it. We have all night to make love.”

  Zeke reached over to his nightstand. He looked at the screen and saw that Ethan was calling him. "Yeah," he answered in a strained voice.

  "I need to talk. Can I come through?"

  Zeke looked at his woman on the bed naked and wanted to tell his brother hell no, but he could tell by Ethan's voice that he needed him. "Yeah, come on over."

  ≈

  Fully dressed Zeke and Sydney sat on the couch and listened to Ethan explain what happened between him and Sierra earlier. He was upset about the situation between them. The woman that was still suffering from a broken heart just broke his.

  "I feel like this was all a mistake. She treated me like shit tonight. We never said we were exclusive," he mimicked in Sierra's voice. "Does that mean she’s been fucking around this whole time?"

  "I've never seen her out with anyone else.” Zeke was trying to make him feel better.

  "That doesn't mean shit. She could mess with a
lot of men behind closed doors, and you wouldn't know it."

  Zeke was about to say something else, but Sydney stopped him. "Ethan, I don't think she's dating anyone else. This was probably the first date she's had with Laurence. I know that Sierra cares for you, she’s just being senseless and is trying to protect herself from getting hurt again. Don't give up on her yet."

  Ethan let the words marinate for a minute. He wasn't sure what he was going to do next. "So, I'm supposed to wait around for her to realize that she wants me?"

  "If she's worth it, then yes. Just be patient. I think that she'll realize eventually that she made a mistake, and she'll come back to you," Sydney declared. She witnessed them together and knew that they were in love. Just like she had to realize it with Zeke, Sierra had to see it with Ethan.

  Ethan couldn’t make a decision tonight. This whole situation was tiring, and he just wanted to sleep. "Do you mind if I crash here? I'm exhausted," Ethan stated.

  “I thought you were going back to Louisiana?” Zeke asked.

  “I canceled my flight. I got a call from a client, and I’m meeting her tomorrow.”

  He was considering moving to Austin permanently. It was a great idea to get his real estate license here. Business was booming for him. Being close to the woman he loved was another incentive for Ethan to move to Texas as well.

  Zeke and Sydney looked at one another. Sydney didn't mind it, but Zeke wanted to be alone with her.

  The silence had Ethan concerned. He didn't expect for there to be a pause. For the first time, he realized that he interrupted their night. "Fuck, I didn't mean to interpose on you guys with all of my drama." He felt like an idiot.

  "Don't worry about it. You can stay," Sydney stated. "You're family. I wish Sierra were here so that I could slap her across the head."

  "Yeah we don't mind," Zeke added. "You can sleep in the extra guest room." They were turning Sydney's room into the nursery.

  Ethan nodded his head and left the living room. Zeke couldn't hide his disappointment. "I guess we're headed to bed, too."

  "No, we're not," Sydney said. She still planned on making love, no matter if Ethan was at the house or not. She grabbed Zeke's hand and pulled him back to the master suite. "Just be silent, Mr. Coleman."