“Yeah, that’s her. Be honest with me, Bronx. Am I being petty to still feel the way I do after so many years?” Lyric asked him.
“Hell no. You didn’t do nothing wrong. Fuck all them hoes. They were never your friends and their actions proved that. I’m your only friend until our baby gets here,” Bronx replied.
“I guess you are. You were ready to fight for me and didn’t even know why,” Lyric laughed.
“I really didn’t care. I know you wouldn’t have said what you said for no reason. Right or wrong, I’m going to bat for you,” Deuce replied.
“Aww, that’s so sweet. And just for that, you’re off of punishment.” Lyric winked.
“Yeah? Shit, I should have swung on that nigga if I knew it was gon’ be like that,” Deuce said, making her laugh.
Once the food came off the grill, they sat around and ate while Wanda gossiped and talked about everybody that she could think of. Lyric didn’t mind going over there sometimes, but she already knew that it wouldn’t be very often. She wasn’t big on forming relationships with her in-laws and that would probably never change. She loved Bronx’s grandmother, so she would be the only exception to that rule.
Chapter 34
“Bitch, I thought I was gon’ have to go in the bathroom and wring out my thong. That nigga is fine as fuck with the face to match,” Sabrina said as she told Jena about the man that she had just seen.
He carried two cases of water to the break room for Lyric and he was still back there. Sabrina was looking in her compact mirror touching up her makeup and making sure her hair was on point. She never did have a problem approaching a man and she was about to show Jena just how it was done.
“What the hell are you telling me for? I know you see all this extra baggage that I’m carrying around,” Jena said as she rubbed her round belly.
“You won’t be saying that when you see his big fine ass,” Sabrina replied as she popped her lips dramatically.
“I’m not pressed behind no nigga like that. Besides, my baby daddy ain’t no slacker. He can make a few hoes wet between the legs too,” Jena said as Sabrina rolled her eyes up to the ceiling.
Jena had to be a special kind of stupid to even look at Spencer after what he’d done to her. He cussed her out like a dog and had her crying after the stunt that she pulled with his girlfriend. Two days later, he was back in Jena’s face sweet talking her just like he always did. The other woman hadn’t been back since Jena revealed her pregnancy and Sabrina knew that was her goal. All of sudden, he was taking Jena out to lunch and bringing her breakfast in the morning. Spencer had a motive for what he was doing and only time would tell what it was.
“Girl bye. That nigga couldn’t pay me to entertain his disrespectful ass. I’m trying to see his reasoning for wanting to be all up in your face so much lately,” Sabrina replied.
“Spencer and I have broken up several times, so this is nothing new. We’re not back together, but we are expecting a child,” Jena noted.
She had recently started sleeping with Spencer again too but Sabrina didn’t need to know that. He apologized for how he behaved and he was happy to be having his first daughter. Sabrina had been so negative about everything lately and she was starting to get on Jena’s nerves.
“Since when? Last I heard, that was your baby and he didn’t want no parts of it. Nigga go to one doctor’s appointment and all of a sudden he’s father of the year.” Sabrina frowned, pulling Jena away from her thoughts.
“You seem to be more upset about my situation than I am. I forgave him and we’ve moved on. I suggest you do the same,” Jena snapped in disgust.
“No problem my love. I’m your friend, so I’ll be here with this same shoulder when you need to cry on it,” Sabrina replied.
“Friends don’t do to each other what you’re doing right now,” Jena pointed out.
“You’re right and you have my sincere apology,” Sabrina replied.
She still meant every word that she said, but she didn’t want to upset her friend. Jena had been an emotional mess since she’d been pregnant and she would never want to add to her stress. Sabrina could spot some bullshit from a mile away and Spencer reeked of it. But if Jena believed him, then she had nothing to say about it. When she spotted her current conquest coming down the hall with Lyric, Sabrina stood up and made sure that she could be seen.
“Bitch! That’s him!” Sabrina whispered excitedly to Jena as she made sure that her breasts were sitting up right in her shirt.
“Damn,” Jena mumbled when she saw him.
Her girl wasn’t lying and whoever he was looked even better up close than Sabrina said. He looked like a thugged out male model and every woman in the room took notice. When he pulled Lyric close and kissed her, their mouths dropped open in shock. Lyric had never been the type to show affection in the work place. She was a very private person, so that was new to them all. She was noticeably pregnant and her male companion was obviously the baby’s father. That was good news to Jena. When she first heard that Lyric was expecting, her heart dropped at the possibility of Spencer being the culprit. Then, there was Javier who she had been creeping around the office with too. Lyric had been getting around lately, but she was quick to call everybody else a hoe.
“I’ll be back around one to get you for lunch,” Bronx said as he kissed Lyric again.
“That’s too late. I’ll be starving by then,” Lyric replied.
“Is twelve-thirty better? You got me doing so much running, I don’t know if I’ll be done by twelve,” Bronx replied.
“Okay. Just call me whenever you’re on your way,” Lyric said.
Bronx bent down and kissed her stomach before placing another quick kiss on her lips. When he got on the elevator, every eye in the room followed him until it closed. He never even noticed that he was the center of attention because his eyes were glued to Lyric. Jena wasn’t surprised because Lyric kept her a nice looking man on her arm. She didn’t think that Brad was all that attractive but that was just her opinion.
“Well, you can put your girls away. He seems to be already taken,” Jena giggled once Lyric walked away.
“That bitch must have a four leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot in her purse. She gets all the good ones. Didn’t you say that she was fucking with Javier too?” Sabrina questioned with a frown.
“She was but it’s obviously over.” Jena shrugged.
“I’m so mad right now,” Sabrina hissed.
“I don’t know why. As good as he looked, you should have known that he wasn’t single. Besides, I thought you were so in love with Tremaine,” Jena pointed out.
“I’m in love with the dick, not the man. Don’t get it twisted. He’s a security guard and that’s all that he seems determined to be,” Sabrina noted.
“I hope and pray that the state calls me soon. I need a job where I can move up. Nobody seems to move up here but Lyric and her family,” Jena said.
“How did she get so close with Mr. Malone? Are you sure they’re not related?” Sabrina questioned.
“I’m positive,” Jena answered.
“She’s probably fucking him too. I can’t see them being that close for any other reason. She’s the only other person besides the attorneys to have her own office. She comes and goes as she pleases and she keeps getting raises and promotions. That shit just ain’t adding up to me,” Sabrina rambled.
“Lyric always gets what she wants and it’s always been that way,” Jena said with envy in her tone.
“How do you know that? Did you know here before you started working here?” Sabrina asked.
“Something like that,” Jena said vaguely.
She wasn’t in the mood to answer a bunch of Sabrina’s questions, so she went to her desk and got started on her work. During the times that she wasn’t busy, Jena surfed the internet for baby items and sent a few things to Spencer. He liked some of the things that she picked out and even sent her a few likes of his own. Jena was ecstatic to know that he was finally co
ming around to the idea of them having a baby. She was nervous about doing it all alone and she was happy to know that she wouldn’t have to. Spencer had even accompanied her to her last appointment and that meant a lot to her. If he wanted them to be a family once their daughter arrived, that would be the best news that Jena could ever receive. Whatever happened in the past would be forgotten and she would happily give him another chance.
“What’s for lunch? I’m starving,” Sabrina said when it was almost noon.
“I already have plans,” Jena replied.
Spencer had asked her out to lunch and she agreed. They usually went to the diner close to the job, but he wanted to take her somewhere better instead.
“With who? Your baby daddy?” Sabrina questioned.
“Duh. Who else would I be going with if I’m not with you?” Jena countered.
“Maybe I’ll grab something and go sit in my car. I don’t even know what I have a taste for,” Sabrina replied.
About twenty minutes later, Spencer walked over to Jena’s desk and smiled.
“Ready?” Spencer asked as he looked at Jena.
Sabrina discreetly rolled her eyes but no one saw her do it. Nothing about Spencer seemed genuine, but she decided to keep her comments to herself.
“Yes and I’m starving,” Jena replied as she stood to her feet.
“So am I,” Spencer noted.
She was all smiles as Spencer grabbed her hand and led her to the elevator. Lyric walked out of her office with her purse and stood right next to them. When the elevator doors opened, all three of them got on and rode down together. Lyric was busy looking at something on her phone as Spencer stared at her belly. Jena felt some kind of way about not being the center of his attention and she spoke up to make sure that she was.
“Oh, my goodness. She’s moving,” Jena said as she grabbed Spencer’s hand and placed it on her stomach.
He flinched at her sudden outburst, but he already knew what was up. Jena was putting on for Lyric but she wasn’t even paying attention to them. Spencer didn’t feel any movement in her belly, so he removed his hand. When the elevator doors opened, a man was standing there talking to the security guard. He smiled when Lyric walked up and gave him a kiss. They walked out the front door hand in hand as Jena and Spencer walked out after them. Spencer watched the entire time as the man opened the door for Lyric and helped her get in the car. When they pulled off, he and Jena walked over to his car and did the same.
“I guess Javier ain’t the baby’s daddy after all,” Spencer said.
“Why do you even care?” Jena countered.
“I don’t. It’s not mine and that’s all that matters,” Spencer replied.
“Did you ever think that it was yours?” Jena inquired.
“Hell no. It’s been almost two years since I’ve had any kind of intimacy with her. That thought never even crossed my mind,” Spencer said.
Jena wanted to dispute his claims, but she didn’t want to start an argument. He might not have had sex with Lyric but it wasn’t that long ago that they’d had some kind of intimacy. Just the thought of what she walked in on all those months ago had Jena ready to throw up. She tried to erase the vision from her memory but it was too hard. Every time she looked at Spencer, it came rushing back to the forefront of her mind. Witnessing him on his knees with his face buried in between Lyric’s legs would probably haunt her for the rest of her life. Seeing how much he enjoyed it only poured salt in the freshly opened wound.
“This is kind of fancy for lunch,” Jena said when they pulled up to Zea Rotisserie and parked.
“What’s so fancy about Zea? Fifty dollars will feed us both and that includes the appetizer,” Spencer replied.
“This is very fancy to me. We only come here on special occasions,” Jena said.
That was one of the reasons why he could never see himself being with Jena. She settled for the bare minimum and she was satisfied with whatever he gave her. She wasn’t used to the finer things in life and she didn’t demand better. Zea was like McDonald’s to most women, but it was like a fine dining establishment to her. Spencer grew up poor his entire life and he didn’t want to live like that anymore. And he damn sure didn’t want a woman who thought like Jena. She wasn’t even a good conversationalist, which was why he never took her anywhere.
“Order whatever you want. Just about everything on the menu is good,” Spencer said once they were seated.
He already knew what he wanted but he gave her a few minutes to look over the selections. Once she figured it out, they placed their orders and waited for their food to come out.
“So, I’ve been thinking of names. What do you think about Starr or Summer Evans?” Jena asked, including Spencer’s last name to both.
“I wasn’t aware that you were trying to give her my last name,” he spoke up.
“Why wouldn’t I? She’ll be your first. I just assumed that you would want her to have your last name,” Jena replied.
“Wouldn’t I have to be there to sign the birth certificate for that?” Spencer questioned.
“Are you not planning to be there?” Jena countered angrily.
“I don’t know if that’s such a great idea Jena. Michelle and I have been trying to reconcile,” Spencer said, speaking of the woman who he started dating when he and Jena broke up.
Jena only found out her name recently because she called Spencer once when they were together. They never really discussed her and she just assumed that things between the two of them were over. She also learned that Michelle was an attorney with the DA’s office, so there was no need for her to wonder how the two of them met.
“Wow. Does she know about all the time that you’ve been spending with me? Does she know that we’ve been fucking like rabbits for the past two weeks?” Jena questioned angrily.
“Like I just said, we’re trying to reconcile. We’re not back together yet, but that’s what we’re working on. What I do until then is not her concern. I was wrong for not telling her that I had a baby on the way, but she understands that it happened before her time. We did discuss some options as far as caring for the baby financially though,” Spencer replied.
Michelle was connected and Spencer was doing all that he could to make things right with her. Her family was heavy into politics and could open a lot of doors for him and his career. Michelle was already putting his name out there and Spencer couldn’t let Jena ruin that for him. He didn’t love her, but he needed her to get just a little further in life. Working for Mr. Malone was cool, but he would never move up as long as Javier was second in command. Marrying Michelle would be a good business move and he was willing to do whatever it took.
“How the hell can you discuss my baby with another bitch? She wasn’t there when this baby was conceived and she needs to mind her fucking business!” Jena snapped as people looked over at them in shock.
“Can you stop being ghetto for once in your life? We’ve put together something that would benefit us both. Just take a look at everything before you start with the dramatics,” Spencer said as he handed her a gold envelop that she never even knew he had.
“You keep saying we like I was included in the decision making process. Your girlfriend shouldn’t even be speaking on something that happened before she came into the picture. She does not call the shots when it comes to our child,” Jena said, putting emphasis on the word our.
“You’re right and I apologize. Just look over what I’ve given you so we can discuss it,” Spencer replied, right as their server came back with their food.
Jena didn’t even have an appetite anymore as she read over the bullshit that Spencer had given her. As much as it pained her to admit, Sabrina was right. Spencer had a motive for treating her so well lately and it was right there in black and white. Tears clouded her vision but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. She’d cried enough over Spencer to last a lifetime and she was tired. It took her a minute, but she finally found her voice.
�
��Fuck you, Spencer,” Jena said calmly. She grabbed her purse and stood up, preparing to leave. She would call an Uber to take her back to work before she got back into the car with him.
“I knew you were going to do this. You always were childish,” Spencer replied.
“I might be childish, but I’m smarter than you’re trying to give me credit for,” Jena noted.
“Just sit down and let’s discuss this like adults,” Spencer begged.
“There is nothing to discuss. You must be crazy if you think five hundred dollars a month and daycare expenses are enough to buy me off. I don’t even care that you want a paternity test. I don’t know why if you don’t plan to sign her birth certificate though. You make six figures a year plus bonuses. Do you honestly think I’m that gullible to sign this bullshit? You and your bitch can kiss my ass,” Jena spat angrily.
“What about eight hundred? Does that sound better?” Spencer asked her.
“How about kissing both ass cheeks? Does that sound better? I’m not for sale and neither is your daughter,” Jena replied.
“One thousand and daycare expenses. That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it,” Spencer said, knowing that Jena could really use the money.
“Gladly,” Jena said as she did the latter. She walked away and requested an Uber to pick her up.
She was no fool and the attorney who Javier hooked her up with was right. She told Jena that it was only a matter of time before Spencer came at her with an offer. She also told her not to accept anything because she would probably be awarded three times as much. As crazy as it sounded, it wasn’t even about the money with Jena. Having Spencer be in his daughter’s life was worth more than he could ever give her. Since he wasn’t willing to do that, the least he could do was pay for his daughter to live a decent life. She wasn’t crazy enough to sign anything that he could use against her in court.
“Stop pretending like you don’t need the money Jena. You live with your mama in a two bedroom apartment in the middle of the hood. With what I’m offering, you could get your own apartment and furnish it too,” Spencer said as he chased after her.
Heartbreak And Past Mistakes Page 34