So I Know it’s Real

7. Clover

Clover

S o Good

“What are you doing, Lucky?”

I smiled into the camera. “Getting ready for work. The boys aren’t here, but I still woke up before 5:00 a.m. What are you doing up so early?”

“I had a taste for coffee,” he replied. “Do you want to ride with me to grab some?”

“As sweet as that sounds, I can’t. I have to be at work in a few hours.”

“I’ll make sure you get there.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, thinking over the offer. “What about when I get off? I’ll be carless.”

“I’ll come get you and the rugrats, and we can chill at my spot tonight. I owe Tatum an ass whupping in Madden. He won one game, and now he thinks he’s the champ.”

“All right. I’m down for the coffee date,” I agreed, smiling from ear to ear. “How long will it take you to get here?”

“A minute. I’m driving up your street right now.”

My eyes bulged. “Geez! You just knew I would say yes.”

“I prayed about it.”

I didn’t know if Durk was being serious, but I didn’t take the time to figure it out. I skipped out of the kitchen, slipped on my polo, and put on a pair of Uggs with plans of changing into my boots when I got to work. After ensuring all the lights were off, I locked my front door and met Durk on my porch.

“Why are you sitting outside in the cold, handsome?”

“I was waiting for you.” He took my boots from my grasp. “You ready to roll?”

“Yes, sir.”

It was only 6:00 a.m., so the traffic was light. A few stars accompanied the sunrise, but for the most part, a vibrant shade of orange painted the horizon. If the sky reflected how my day would go, I was already thanking God for His blessing.

“Oh, turn this up!” I got hyped hearing Kendrick Lamar’s new music play on the radio. “Have you listened to the new album? The features are insane.”

“Of course. K Dot is putting on for the West. I had my Grand National before that nigga, but it’s all good.”

I laughed at his cockiness as I concentrated on the highway we were on. “I thought we were going to Mia’s?”

“I never said that. I said I wanted coffee. I never said it was in Silk Hills.”

“Destin!” I hollered his birth name as bewilderment tapered my gaze. “What are you talking about? You’re up to something.”

“I won’t tell you if you aren’t down to ride.”

I pursed my lips, waiting on him to explain.

“All right. All right.” He chuckled. “Where would you say has the best coffee?”

“Mmm...Ventress? I’ve never been, but the thought of almond infused coffee sounds heavenly.”

Durk nodded while squinting at the road. “I need that. It’s only four hours away.”

Familiar with the place, I grew giddy at the thought of visiting the serene spot. It was on an island that was reminiscent of Hawaii. Countless times, I saw pictures of the oasis online and only hoped to visit.

“You still have time to call off before they hold it against you. I’ll take care of your salary for the day.”

The more he spoke, the more I bounced around in the passenger seat. I lived my life on a schedule for years. The thought of being spontaneous had me beside myself.

“This is crazy, but I’m down! Wait! What about our clothes? We’ll only be gone for a day, but we can’t go in what we’re wearing.”

“I’ll take care of that when we touch down.”

A second after the statement left his lips, I received an alert from my bank. I played it cool since I could sense Durk staring at me, but money made me just as animated as a random day vacation.

“Durk!” I swatted his shoulder. “You sent way too much! You know I don’t make five thousand dollars a day.”

He laughed. “If there is one thing I can count on, it’s you hitting or questioning me. I think you’re becoming abusive.”

“I think I’m becoming spoiled thanks to you.”

“Then I’m doing my job.”

As anxious as I was, I called my job then arranged for Karlie to pick the boys up from school. I wanted to ask a million questions about what we would do for the day, but I put my energy into creating a playlist we could listen to during our flight. Any song that made me think of Durk, I added it to my list. When I noticed we were taking a tunnel to the airport, I sat up in my seat. The further he drove, the faster my heart raced. I thought I would faint when he parked in front of a long red carpet leading up to a jet. Based on the jewelry Durk wore and the luxuries in his four-bedroom townhouse, I knew the tattoo artist wasn’t struggling financially. I just never thought he had the type of money to own a private plane.

“The jet belongs to The Sons of Eshu,” he said as if reading my mind. “Everyone splits the cost on the investment.”

“That’s incredible. Black men working together to level up will always earn my praise.”

He leaned across the middle console and placed his forehead against mine. “What I got to do to earn that pussy?”

“A spontaneous date to an island for coffee is enough.”

I closed the space between us and christened his juicy lips with a kiss, which turned into me playfully gnawing on them. I didn’t know what it was, but I enjoyed nibbling on him. I liked to think it was the hunger he triggered inside of me rearing its head.

Out of nowhere, Durk pulled his dick out like we didn’t have a flight to catch. My pussy throbbed and my mouth watered at the sight of the veins in his penis. Durk didn’t have to mutter a word. I propped myself up on my knees, leaned over the armrest, and swallowed half of his ten-inch hard on.

“Yes, baby! Make that shit sloppy.” His hand slipped down to my ass, sending a muffled moan from my mouth. “Swallow that dick, Lucky. Go all the way down.”

Like a good girl, I held my breath and did as Durk demanded. Profanity raced from his lips, and the sensation of him handcuffing the back of my head made my eyes smile. I ran my hand up Durk’s tattooed thigh until I felt the smooth skin on his balls brush against my fingers. When I realized how much he liked it, I massaged the tender part of him with my fingertips and his long pipe with my tongue.

Once we made it on the plane, the flight attendant and pilot greeted us with knowing smiles. Captivated by the exclusivity, Durk had to move me down the walkway as we strolled to our seats. This wasn’t my first plane ride, but the private wheels only had enough space for twelve and came equipped with better snacks. Durk and I cuddled up like people who couldn’t be away from each other, which did nothing but put me to sleep. The flight was four hours long, but by the time I cracked an eye open, we were in paradise.

Fresh off the plane, I whipped out my phone and snapped pictures of the radiant trees and lush rainforest I could see in the distance. A distinct aroma of coconut hung in the breeze that made me want to stick out my tongue as I walked over to a black truck that awaited our arrival.

“All right, Lucky. We’re going to stop by the mall and grab a few fits. Then we can head to The Westin. I booked us a suite.”

Hooked on his every word, I stared at Durk unable to formulate words.

“Baby, are you—”

I cut off his question and smashed my lips into his. It wasn’t easy considering I was a midget compared to the Durk, yet he met me halfway.

“What was that for, Lucky?”

“For showing me this is real.” I blushed under his squinted eyes. “ You are real.”

He nodded with a grin but didn’t speak a word until after we were in the Escalade. Although Durk offered to take me to the mall, I convinced him to spend money in a mom-and-pop shop. He claimed he didn’t care since he looked good in anything he wore, but once we made it to our room and got dressed, he sang a different tune.

“Lucky, you got me out here looking like a beach boy,” he complained while tugging on the hem of his floral button down.

“You look good, Buttah. Got your Moses sandals on and all,” I teased. “The lady at the front desk said they’re having a luau. Our fits are perfect. We’ll stand out if we don’t follow the theme.”

He walked up to me like a smooth dude in the ’70s. “Anything you put on will stand out. You can’t hide that ass in a pair of sweats.”

“Ain’t nothing but a little cornbread.” I snickered.

We spent less than an hour in the room before it was time for the day party. I felt like a superstar as we traveled to a manicured lawn sporting cheap sunglasses. There were two long tables and orange folding chairs set up in the center of the grass. Flower arrangements and pillars surrounded the set up, making it reminiscent of a wedding. My favorite part of it all was being able to see the ocean only a short distance away. As a young girl raised in a working-class home, I had never experienced a setting so stunning.

Durk rested his hand on my thigh once we sat down. The gesture wasn’t sexual, still it sent a chill down my spine.

“This is way better than coffee.” I beamed. “Is this your first time in Ventress?”

“I came here with my cousins a few years ago. It was on some business shit, so I didn’t get to enjoy the island.”

My focus changed course and landed on the blue water acting as a backdrop. “The boys would love this.”

“Next time, we can bring them.”

“Next time?” I repeated. “So, this fairytale doesn’t end when the sun sets?”

“Not if you agree to be my lady. I mean, we can still be cool if you say no, but I won’t bring your ass on vacation. We’ve been dating for three months, and I don’t want to let you go. I can’t.”

My stomach pitted into tight coils as I stared at the chocolate man. He had been a notable presence in my world since the day we met. After being single for years, I knew I deserved to have a man who loved me. The gun-toting hothead wasn’t who I envisioned I would start over with, but now, I couldn’t see myself with anyone else. His protective nature, his ambition, and the way he cared for the women in his life were enough for me to agree to be his lady.

Servers carried out entrees and tequila around 3:00 p.m., and by 4:00 p.m., a group of hula dancers made their way to the grass. The women were beautiful and moved like synchronized swimmers as they twisted their waists at the speed of light. Bare chest drummers followed them, showcasing oiled pecks and lei necklaces. To the beat of the drums, Durk and I danced in our seats. I was surprised when he encouraged me to turn the camera around and record us vibing to the music, though I obliged. The instant our faces filled the screen, Durk wrapped an arm around my neck, causing me to lean back into his chest. I damn near melted into his body when he blew smoke into the camera then put his lips on my ear.

“I love you, Lucky.”

Shock brightened the whites of my eyes before they softened. “I love you too, Buttah.”

While we floated on Cloud Nine, a hula dancer eased our way with an outstretched hand. Now that I wasn’t drowning in Durk’s arms, I recognized a few women from the audience were with the performers. I smiled at the dancer but shook my head at her silent invitation.

“Why are you saying no?” Durk quizzed. “You better get up there and do your shit. Don’t be worried. I already told you what I’ll do to a nigga for laughing at you.”

Tickled and tipsy, I tossed back the rest of my drink and then danced to the front of the audience. The lead dancer instructed us newbies to start slowly and progress to a quick whine. A warm breeze bathed my skin, ushering a smile on my face as I put on a show. I couldn’t recall a time I had ever felt so free, especially under the lustful eyes of a man, yet the more Durk cheered me on, the looser I got. Once my impromptu dance lesson ended, I giggled all the way back to my seat.

“That was so much fun! I swear I’ll never forget this day.” I shimmied my shoulders. “Now, it’s time to get in the water.”

Durk shuffled in his seat as he reached for his glass.

“Don’t be scared, my love. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Lucky, please.” He grumbled. “I’m much bigger than you. Plus, you don’t have a floating device this time.”

A sliver of frustration drove my lip between my teeth. “All right. Let’s just get our feet wet.”

Durk laughed but didn’t smile. “I’m creating a monster. Let’s roll.”

We took a shot for the road then hiked down to the water. It wasn’t far from the party, but the blend of liquor and walking through sand wasn’t the best combination.

“Aww, hell nah! The sun is about to go down!” Durk exclaimed once we approached the shoreline.

“That makes it even better. Come on! I’m going to teach you how to float. If you can float, you can swim.”

Durk griped and moaned, but he stepped out of his sandals and removed his shirt. Sculpted to the gods, his dark skin glistened under the falling sunlight. No matter how intoxicated I felt, I wasn’t at the point where I would get naked in public, so I kept my dress on as I strolled into the small waves.

“Lucky, wait! What are you doing?”

“Come get me!”

I ran out of his reach but spun around once the water reached my waist.

“Why are you playing with me, woman?” Durk asked as he latched his hands under my arms and lifted me out of the water.

“It was the only way I could get you out here,” I replied, looking down at him. “I have a feeling you’ll go to the end of the earth to find me.”

“You damn right. Now, show me what to do.”

I clapped excitedly once I was back in the water. “All right. The first thing you must do is relax. If you’re tense, you won’t float. Your body must be leveled. Think of it like laying on water.”

The first few times Durk tried to float, his body lowered beneath the water like a rock, but once he got the hang of it, I removed my hands from under his back and thighs. When his lids lowered, the butterflies in my belly went wild. An immense sense of pride overpowered my body, bringing tears to my eyes. He would probably curse me out at the thought, but the tattooed man resembled something out of heaven. His willingness to be vulnerable in my company was beautiful.

I was in love...

“Daddy, this was sweet, but you did not have to make lunch,” I said, eyeing the spread of sandwiches, potato salad, and chips on the kitchen table.

My daddy kissed my cheek before walking to the sink and washing his hands. “The boys called and said they were hungry after their appointment. I got to keep the champs fed.”

I rolled my eyes. “They had to fast before their appointment, but they are being dramatic. They only missed breakfast.”

After the twins fixed a plate and found a spot in the den, my daddy cornered me before I could join them.

“How are you doing, baby girl? Are you feeling fine?”

I looked at him skeptically. “Yes. Why do you think something is wrong?”

“Your mom told me you have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

“Oh. It’s nothing serious. Just an appointment with my lady doctor,” I replied, hoping it would stop his prying.

“Lady doctor, huh?” He scanned me with narrowed-eyed scrutiny. “You’re glowing. Must be that man. This has been your longest relationship since Calvin.”

I nodded.

“Speaking of Calvin, have you received any updates on Calvin’s case?”

I shook my head. “When I drop the boys off, I always ask his parents if they’ve heard anything. They say the investigation is ongoing, but that’s all. They’ve always treated me like an outsider, so I don’t push myself on them now that he’s gone.” Disbelief drew out a curt laugh. “After he died, women came out the woodworks, and they started to minimize my relationship with Calvin. The only thing that makes me special is the fact that I had his kids.”

“Well, we know those dumbasses don’t have the power to measure your worth, so we don’t need to get into that.” His mustache-framed lips danced into a smile. “Where’s your little boyfriend? I met him one time, and he’s been under you ever since.”

I hummed with a smile. “He’s at work. We met three and a half months ago. We’ve been dating for two and a half months. I think I’ve been in love since day one.” I laughed as I checked the time on my phone. “I need to get out of here. Can you show me where Mama left her cake dishes? She wants me to drop them off after my appointment.”

“Yeah. They are on the couch. Be sure to grab it on your way out. I don’t want to hear Jesse’s mouth.”

As soon as I got in my car, I hopped on a FaceTime call with Durk. We discussed our plans for the day as I drove to my appointment, and he refused to hang up once I made it to the office. We were both excited about date night, but only one of us wanted to coordinate outfits. Though I pretended to be annoyed by his suggestion, on the inside, I twerked with joy.

“Durk, let me call you back. The doctor just walked in.”

He sucked his teeth. “So what? Prop your phone up somewhere, so I can see what’s going on.”

“No! I’ll call you back.” I snickered at the pout on his face as I ended the call. “Sorry about that, Dr. Lamar.”

She waved me off. “No apologies needed, Ms. Carson. Your friend must be something special. I don’t remember a time you’ve ever smiled this much in my office.”

“I’ve been doing more than smiling.” My chin touched my chest. “That’s why I’m here. I noticed I can’t feel the strings.”

Her brows darted toward her hairline. “The strings? Attached to your birth control?”

I nodded reluctantly.

“Clover, cut out the shy act.” She snickered. “There’s nothing wrong with a woman enjoying herself. Let’s see what’s going on.”

I lay back on the bed and folded my hands over my chest. A sudden heat wave hit me, drawing a thin line of perspiration over my top lip. I counted the tiles on the ceiling to redirect my focus, but once I got to ten, the uneasiness resurfaced.

“Umm, is everything all right?” I asked. My nerves were obvious in the tremble in my voice.

“Yes. Everything is fine. I just...give me a second.” She tapped my knee then rose from her seat.

I was alone for all of a minute before Dr. Lamar returned with a nurse and an ultrasound machine. Panic snatched the moisture from my lips as I sat up, but Dr. Lamar urged me to stay put.

“Dr. Lamar, you’re scaring me.”

Her warm smile returned while her assistant gathered supplies. “Clover, during your examination, I saw your cervix is closed.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, though I already knew.

“You’re pregnant.”

“But I have an IUD,” I argued.

“And I’m going to take it out. I don’t want you to get an infection. I also want to conduct an ultrasound to if we have a heartbeat. There’s a chance the IUD caused issues with the pregnancy.”

Shock unhitched my jaw, but I had gone mute at the idea of being pregnant. I walked into the office for a birth control consultation, not prenatal care.

“Clover, are you still with me? Do you want to call someone?”

I shook my head, undoing the tears that sat at the corners of my eyes.

While Dr. Lamar took a seat, I prayed my baby was healthy. No matter how unprepared I was for another child, I would be broken if I had to deal with a loss. I stayed stiff as a board during the ultrasound, yet a wave of relief eased my tense muscles at the sound of my baby’s heartbeat.

“Thank you, God,” I muttered. “How far along am I?”

“From what I can see, I would say you’re at least eleven weeks.”

I slapped my forehead, realizing I got pregnant the first time we had sex.

Once my appointment was done, I lingered in the parking lot. I contemplated how I would tell Durk we were having a baby so soon in our relationship. I knew my parents would have a few choice words about me having three kids at twenty-six. Tatum and Pierce…they were still getting used to having Durk around, and now they had to share me with someone else. I gnawed on my bottom lip as I started my truck. Despite being grown, I felt like I had been as irresponsible as I was at sixteen.

This is different, Clover.

Durk is different, Clover.

A warm blush bit into my cheeks. With everything we experienced in months of knowing each other, I couldn’t minimize our connection because of time. Three months or three years, the timeline wouldn’t have changed the course of our future.

After leaving Dr. Lamar’s office, it took almost thirty minutes to make it to the address my mom sent me. I called her when I pulled up in front of the residence, hoping she would come out to meet me.

“Clover, are you still stopping by with my dishes? I hope you didn’t forget.”

“No ma’am. I’m here already. Do I have to come inside?” I crossed my fingers.

“Of course! Come in here and speak to the mothers of the church.”

I exhaled deeply and punched the air before issuing a phony, “All right. But I can’t stay long, Mama. I have a migraine.”

“That’s exactly why you need to come inside. The First Lady can say a quick prayer over you.”

Now that I knew I was pregnant, I was self-conscious about my appearance. I didn’t believe I had a visible bump, but I still tugged on my blouse and exchanged my windbreaker for a black peacoat I kept in my trunk.

“Good evening, ladies!” I greeted the group as I entered the cozy home.

“There goes my baby!” My mom turned to the ladies. “Y’all know my baby has been doing her thang on the internet. Her posts always go viral on Facebook,” she bragged.

Each lady walked over and pulled me in for an embrace, but Ms. Barbara, the lady of the house, snarled at me. In the past, she had been cordial, but today, she seemed irritated by my presence.

“Clover, come with me to the garden,” my mom announced. “First Lady said to meet her out there.”

“First Lady is busy!” Ms. Barbara clamored in a harsh tone.

Most of the ladies stared at her strangely while her teenage granddaughter looked her up and down.

“Barbara, is there a problem?” my mom spoke up.

“No problem at all, Jesse.” Barbara modeled a phony grin. “I’m just doing my job as an officer of the church.”

“You’re the church’s secretary, not their security.”

I stepped forward, cutting off their stare down.

“It’s all right, Mama. I’ll schedule an appointment to speak with the First Lady. Where’s the ladies’s room?”

Barbara gripped her hips. “Down the hall. First door on your right.”

The duo kept on with their petty exchange as I exited the room. I danced to the toilet and then squatted over the seat like I had been holding it all day. Once I exited the bathroom, Barbara’s granddaughter was walking up the hallway.

“I’m sorry about how Barbara came at you,” the chubby cheek lady professed.

“No need to apologize. I’m used to the women in the church guarding those on the pulpit like their lives depend on it.”

“Ha! That’s not the reason she got smart with you.” She popped a peppermint in her mouth. “You’re dating Mother Jo’s grandson, right?”

Surprised, I instantly became defensive. “Why are you asking about him?”

“Just confirming what I heard. Did you know him and Barbara used to mess around? Who knows if they still do?”

“How do you know that? Hasn’t she been married to your grandfather for over ten years?”

“Yeah, but she likes to mess around. She also likes to drink and run her mouth to women who don’t go to our church. You shouldn’t be offended that she’s been with your man. He isn’t the only one.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth as I hurried to the kitchen. I didn’t give my mom an explanation. I just gave her a kiss goodbye before I left.

Considering Durk’s status in the city, I wasn’t na?ve enough to think he hadn’t been with someone I may know. Still, the idea of him having sex with a woman who goes to my family’s church made me more nauseous than any morning sickness I had experienced.