Chapter 17
17
Clinton
“ W e are more than fashionably late, Clinton. I hope nobody left.”
We planned to arrive late, introduce each other to our guests, and make our announcement. However, we got a little sidetracked while getting ready.
“If they did, fuck ’em.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Nobody told you to be so fucking fine. I can’t help it if my dick gets hard at the sight of your beautiful body carrying my seed, and I can’t keep my hands off you.”
“Don’t try to sweet talk me. I had to shower and redo my makeup because of you.”
“Hold on, baby. That’s not my fault. You wanted to suck my dick, and it’s my duty to give you what you want. Had you kept your mouth to yourself instead of slobbing on my knob, your makeup would’ve been just fine.”
“Shut up! I can’t stand you.”
“You can’t stand me, but you didn’t have a problem sitting on my face when you knew we had to leave.”
“Oh my God! I’m done talking because I can see right now your storytelling is one-sided.”
I chuckled at her fake outrage. She didn’t give a damn about being late because as soon as my tongue swiped against her clit, she told me to cancel the party. Clearly, she had selective amnesia.
After dropping her off in front of the location, I parked my truck and met her in the lobby. She looped her arm through mine, and we made our way to the private room we’d reserved.
After parking the car, I texted my assistant to be on the lookout for us. She whispered something in DJ Fly Ty’s ear, and he looked toward the door, faded the music, and grabbed the microphone.
“Can I have your attention, please? The guests of honor have arrived.”
All eyes were on us, and whispers were heard above the music. We walked arm-in-arm to the DJ for the microphone to address our guests.
“Thank you all for coming. I know we’re a little late, but we appreciate your patience. Please hold off all hugs, kisses, questions, and comments until we finish our spiel, and you will have our undivided attention. Some of you are wondering who I am, and some are wondering who she is. To my family and friends, this is Mona, my lady and soon-to-be mother of my child.”
Gasps and whispers were heard around the room. Once everyone quieted, my mother, who stood a few away from us, said, “Clinton Jeffrey Hollister, I can’t believe you hid this from the woman who birthed you.”
“Leave the boy alone, woman,” my dad said, who stood next to her.
Leave it to my mother not to wait to speak her mind. “I’m sorry, Ma. I promise to make it up to you. To Mona’s family and friends, I’m Clinton, her man and soon-to-be father of her child.”
She turned to the side and rubbed her belly while doing a little dance, giving our guests a better view of her new baby bump and eliciting cheers. Her smile was bright, and joy oozed from her spirit, and I prayed the photographer captured the moment.
I said a few more parting words before we’d be bombarded by our loved ones wanting more details.
“As you can see, we aren’t only here to celebrate my birthday, which was last Wednesday, and Mona’s birthday, which is next Wednesday, but we’re also here to celebrate our new life together and the upcoming arrival of Baby Hollister.”
“Does that mean you plan to make an honest woman out of my baby?” a woman’s voice challenged from the center of the room.
“Mama, is that you?” Mona said.
A woman, who I soon learned was Mona’s mother, approached us.
“Yes, it’s me. Congratulations, sweetheart. It’s nice to meet you, Clinton. When’s the wedding?”
Mona snatched the mic from my hand and said, “Thank you for coming! Let’s get this party started.”
DJ Fly Ty started the music on cue as Mona placed the mic on the table and pulled her mother to the side. I was about to follow them, but my people surrounded me before I could.
An hour passed before I reunited with Mona, and she looked as frazzled as I felt. My family wouldn’t let me out of their sight until they had as many details as I was willing to share about my relationship with Mona. When she reappeared by my side, the interrogation started all over again.
I couldn’t be mad because this news surprised everyone, and they were excited for us. Eventually, my people dispersed and were replaced by Mona’s people. Thankfully, the group was smaller than mine, but I met her father, stepfather, stepmother, and stepsisters. Everyone seemed genuinely nice and happy for us. Soon enough, we were released to celebrate.
“Whew! An hour and a half later, freedom!” Mona exclaimed with relief.
I pulled her against my body, wrapped my arms around her waist, and pressed my lips against hers.
“Think about it this way, baby. Who’s left to tell?” I asked when we separated.
She thought about it momentarily, “Nobody, thank God.”
“One and done. You see how that worked out. Now, let’s go get some food, I’m gon’ get some liquor, and we’re about to have a good fucking time.”
“The party was a good ass time,” August said.
It was Monday, and Evander and I finished our workday and met at Smokin’ Dawg, the cigar lounge we frequented that August and his father owned.
“I’m glad y’all had a good time. Mona was a little disappointed that her brother couldn’t make it, but overall, she seemed pleased with the turnout.”
“Y’all was late as hell, but nobody complained,” Evander said.
“Man, nobody told me pregnant pussy was this addictive. If I could live in it, y’all wouldn’t see me until the baby was born,” I admitted.
“Truer words have never been spoken. Why you think our wives stay pregnant?” Juelz added.
“And she wants to fuck just as much as I do. We would’ve gotten to the party earlier, but she was getting ready and prancing around my bedroom like I wouldn’t pounce on her ass.”
“Yeah, pregnant pussy should most definitely be studied. There has to be a reason why it has our nuts in a chokehold from the moment the pregnancy test says positive,” August affirmed.
“Did y’all figure out your living arrangements?” Evander asked.
I shook my head. “We haven’t revisited the conversation, so we’re still alternating from my place to hers.”
“The baby will be here before you know it. You better figure out something soon,” he warned.
“What’s the problem? She doesn’t want to move in with you?” August asked.
“I wouldn’t say she doesn’t want to, but she signed a lease and—”
“Nigga, get outta here. You can buy that lease out in a heartbeat,” he said, interrupting me.
“I know, but I don’t want to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do. That nigga did a number on her, so she wants to take her time with everything.”
“She didn’t take her time letting you raw dog it,” Evander mumbled, but loud enough for us to hear.
“Take it from us. We’re used to dealing with headstrong, stubborn women. It’s all an act, at least where we’re concerned. They want you to take charge and tell them what to do,” Juelz offered.
“Maybe I’ll bring it up again and see if she’s changed her mind.”
“And if she hasn’t, send some movers to her place while she’s at work and pretend like she was robbed,” August suggested.
“You wild as hell for that,” I told him while Juelz and Evander choked on their cigars from laughing.
“I might be, but I bet it’ll work.”
I wasn’t sure if I’d be taking their advice, but I appreciated it, nonetheless. We stayed at the lounge for a few more hours, smoking and sipping. By the time I got to Mona’s apartment, she was fast asleep. After a quick shower, I cuddled up behind her and joined her in dreamland.