Chapter 11 #2
“Congratulations again, Queen Lourdè, ma’am.” He tipped his head toward Mama Steph who sat quietly, just sipping away and typing on her phone. I knew she had zoned out to work on the details for regionals.
She looked up and smiled, waving goodbye to the two while I stood there watching until they were gone.
“Well, that was nice and a nice ass connection. Hopefully by regionals you can work on getting her on either the donor or sponsor list, just like you just got O’ni.
I just got her email confirming your gown for regionals.
Today is just a wonderful day.” I frowned in confusion.
I hadn’t sent the letter out to O’ni yet, so I wasn’t sure how I would have confirmation.
“Mama—" I paused.
“I went ahead and did it for you last week. I told you, this year we’re getting that Queen Royal crown and my daughter will be in only the best.”
My eyes welled up as I tossed my arms around her neck.
“I swear you’re the absolute best, Mama. Thank you for handling that. What would I do without you!” I cried.
“Hopefully I trained you well enough to carry on without me. Let’s just say, I have to pull back to ensure you can stay in the front.
Now, let’s drink to my early retirement and your win.
Both are truly worthy of a glass of champagne or two.
” This was the second time she’d mentioned something about retiring.
I froze briefly before retaking my seat.
“Mama, what are you talking about? We’re doing this until the end. This is only the beginning.” She grabbed my hand, now giving me misty eyes.
“I am, Johnni. Unfortunately, this is the end for me. You’ve made my young heart so proud, a daughter to carry out my legacy was always a dream of mine.
For a long time I didn’t see that happening until I met you.
Yes, I have to share you via Quincey, but I am damn glad it’s you.
” She choked on her words while I pulled in a sharp breath that damn near knocked me out of my chair. This wasn’t happening.
I knew this happened because of me at Roulette.
Shit, Johnni, you fucked up.
This was Quentin’s doing. It was the beginning of pageant season and I just lost my coach. I wanted to ask what he did to make her come to this abrupt decision but our marriages were never on the table for conversation.
They had their secrets just like we had ours and we respected each other’s privacy.
“Oh Mama, I am—"
“Shhh. Nope. It’s not all on you. I knew that husband of mine would react and I accepted my role in this situation.
And it was bad press for us both to be there, especially with Quincey in office.
You just do what you have to do when I’m not around.
I’ll come by the house when I can to see practices, but Johnni Lourdè, the rest of this journey will be on you and I know you can do it.
” I didn’t even try to stop my tears. My celebration just turned bittersweet with a heavy side of sadness.
“No ma’am, clean those tears up, we’re celebrating today and grieving tomorrow. Now, drink your champagne, because come Wednesday, you’re back on a demanding schedule. I already texted Kimmie the schedule.”
I snorted, taking my seat. But before I grabbed my glass, I took her phone that she was still typing away on.
“Okay, well enough of this. We’re celebrating. No work until then.” She held up her glass and we clinked them once more before continuing our celebration.
By the time I made it home, Quincey had dinner on the table with a banner hanging on the wall that said Mrs. Crescent Falls.
After my sad celebration with Mama Steph, I really wasn’t in the mood to put on a good act for him.
My feelings were hurt and I knew the blame was all on me and Mama Steph, but I was mad at both Quincey and his fucking daddy for taking her away from me when I needed her most.
“Q, what is all this?” I asked as he grabbed both of my hands and kissed them. My face still twisted up as I took it all in. Not that I wasn’t used to him doing things like this, but I hadn’t told him yet, so I wondered how he knew.
“You know Mama can’t hold nothing but money.
We wanted to do something for you. First off, I’m so fucking proud of you, Josie.
You’re already the queen of our castle, but now all of Crescent Falls knows and soon the rest of the kingdom will know too.
I talked to Mama and you have my full support this season.
All that I ask is that on weekends and nights when you are free I get to have you in my corner. ”
I cocked my head to the side as my nose scrunched and I scoffed.
“Are you serious? If you talked to your mom then you know your dad made her retire early. I’m sure he’ll get you to do the same to me next.
By the way he was talking the other night, I predict it’s coming soon.
So you got me in your corner twenty-four seven, Quincey, just how you love it.
Your perfect trophy wife,” I snarled as I pulled out the actual trophy, placing it on the table, then turning to walk away, heading upstairs to unpack my suitcases.
Yes, I knew his sentiment with dinner and the whole declaration to back my pageant was supposed to be sweet, but after weeks of fighting him on the subject? The result being his father taking away Mama Steph was a sting I wouldn’t allow a dinner and late ass commitment to fix. I was hurt.
I rolled over to Quincey staring at me. It had been a couple of days since my pageant win and I had been giving him the silent treatment since.
Which for us was hard, but somehow I made it happen.
Even with our nightly dinners, watching the news together, I hadn’t uttered a word.
I thought today would be no different until now.
I stretched and glanced at the alarm clock to see it was late in the afternoon, meaning he shouldn’t be here. Panic set in at that information.
“Oh shit, Q, what are you doing home? Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice still full of sleep, going for my phone to see if I’d missed a call from the important people list. When I noticed I only had one from Mama Steph reminding me about my practice with Kimmie, I felt the sadness slowly creeping back in that she wouldn’t be there.
“Yes, everything is okay. Well, now it is. I thought you went mute by the way you were acting like that voice box of yours didn’t work, calling yourself not speaking to me.
My Josie doesn’t act this way, so I wasn’t expecting that beautiful sound to come out of your mouth just now.
” I groaned as I rolled my eyes, now going to get out of bed, hating that I’d fallen for the bait too quick.
“Not mute, just nothing to say. Hell, at this point, I’m afraid to say or do anything. Warden Wilson might not like that either.” Quincey moved when I did, stopping me before I could make it out of the room.
“No, Q, move. I don’t want to talk to you. I have to get ready for practice with Kimmie, and don’t worry, your whore of a wife will be in the back house like you want it.” Quincey grabbed my hand, gently pulling me back, wrapping me in his arms.
“Babe, please stop. You know I don’t think you’re a whore, my fist in that muthafucka’s mouth should tell you that.
But the house is better, especially right now.
C’mon Josie, we don’t act like this. We’re a team.
I meant what I said the other night. I only want you to win, at everything.
I talked to the warden, as you called him, and negotiated on your behalf. ”
“I didn’t ask you to do that and unhand me.”
When Quincey leaned down and bit my shoulder, my reflexes had me hitting him.
“Q, if you don’t get off me, I’ma fuck you up. It’s too early and I need coffee.”
“Not until you agree to talk to me. I’m trying to make it right, damn. I keep fucking up with you lately and I hate this shit, Josie. Can I try? I even got coffee from Brewed Bean, along with the blueberry lemon scone you love.”
I scoffed as I huffed, crossing my arms the best way I could since Quincey still had me trapped in his.
“Ugh, fine, Quincey, but you don’t have much time. I have an hour before Kimmie will be here and I still need a shower. If you wanted to really talk, you should’ve woke me up earlier.”
“And get a worse response? Josie, I am no fool when it comes to the amount of sleep my wife needs. Let me escort you to the bathroom. We can start in there and finish with your coffee on the patio. The sun is out but the temperature is perfect.”
He kissed the same spot he bit then pecked my lips and led me to the bathroom.
“Talk, Q, your time is ticking,” I said as I began to relieve my bladder.
“Of course. Well, I talked to the warden and I was able to get Mama back on your schedule full-time. But win or lose, Josie, this is the last year for both of you. Once I’m in the Senate, your focus will need to be on your coaching career and us working on a legacy.”
I stopped mid-wipe to hold his gaze, then released a few chuckles.
“Wow, so the tradeoff was me hanging up my pageants altogether to push out a baby. Quincey, since when are babies on the table? We had an agreement, no kids. How is this going to work?”
“Da—” I waved my hand, cutting him off from saying that name. Quentin wasn’t my damn dad.
He grunted, but continued, “The warden feels like it’s time, that we should’ve started. Honestly, his plan was for this year.”
“This year!” I shrieked, now washing my hands so I could handle my face and teeth.
“Again, what about our agreement? We both said no kids when we got married. That was one of the reasons—” I was cut off by Quincey’s words coming with groans attached to them.