Chapter 11
11
Clinton
T he server had just returned to our table with our drinks and appetizers. After we placed our food order, the server disappeared again.
“Okay, I can’t take the suspense anymore. I’m dying to know how this happened,” Austyn said, pointing back and forth between me and Mona.
“You mean to tell me you and your husband don’t pillow talk,” I teased.
“We may on occasion, but he definitely didn’t tell me the tea about this connection.”
“Let’s just say that business trip to New Orleans ended much better than I expected.”
“Ohh, sounds spicy. Had you met before?” she pressed.
“Maybe twice, but I never forget a beautiful face.” I looked at Mona and winked, causing her to blush.
“That’s so sweet,” Austyn commented.
“I guess y’all are getting serious,” Juelz said. “That trip to NOLA was at the end of last year, wasn’t it?”
I nodded, but Mona responded before I could. “We didn’t talk for a few months after we returned. My divorce had just been finalized, and I needed some time to regroup.”
“I sent her stubborn ass texts every day for three months, and she didn’t reply to one of them.”
“You had my boy stressing. I think he was on the verge of crashing out the day you finally called him,” Evander said.
Everyone at the table laughed at my expense, including me.
“What can I say? We had a lot of chemistry and a great connection. I couldn’t let her slip through my fingers without trying.”
“Clinton and I have worked together for almost fifteen years, and this is the first time I’ve ever met anyone he was dating,” he continued.
Mona looked at me, eyes wide with surprise. “Is that true?”
“I told you I was serious about us.”
“You better be serious since I’m having your baby.” Gasps could be heard around the table, and it took a moment for Mona to realize she’d spilled the beans. “Oops!”
“Baby?”
“Did you say what I think you said?”
“You’re pregnant?”
“Nigga, what?”
“Pregnant?”
“You’re having a baby?”
Everyone spoke at once, and it was my turn to laugh at them.
“Y’all chill out,” I told them while Mona’s eyes bounced from person to person.
“Y’all can’t drop no shit like that on us and tell us to chill,” August said.
“Be quiet and let them explain,” Norah said.
“Thank you, Norah,” I said. “So… what had happened was—”
“He didn’t wrap up. I honestly wonder if he knows what a condom is because there wasn’t a single one in sight,” Mona interrupted, telling all our business.
“Ha! Trapping a woman must be required to be in this friend group because these three did the same to us,” Austyn said.
“I didn’t trap—”
“Ain’t no sense in denying it, man. You’re too old to be out here hittin’ it raw and not know the consequences. Admit it, you trapped her,” Evander urged.
Mona bumped my arm with her shoulder, gaining my attention. “You trapped me?”
“Baby, don’t listen to them. I didn’t trap you.”
“I’m not so sure you didn’t.”
“Hold on, Mona. You didn’t tell me to wrap up, so we’re both responsible.”
“This is hilarious,” Austyn said while laughing. “Congratulations, and welcome to Club Trapped.”
Everyone found our banter funny, but thankfully, we moved on to congratulatory remarks.
“So, you’re about three months?” Janeevah asked Mona.
“Yes.”
“Great! We can be pregnant besties. I’m a few weeks further along than you.”
“Really? Congratulations!” Mona said.
August, Evander, and I congratulated Juelz, standing to high-five him while the ladies sought confirmation.
“You’re what!” Austyn almost shouted.
“Janeevah!” Norah exclaimed.
“Oh, hush! I was planning to tell y’all tonight.”
“Tonight? You should’ve told us months ago, heffa,” Austyn said.
“I know, but after the miscarriage, I wanted to wait a little longer this time.”
“Oh, sis. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about that. You’re not a heffa. Congratulations, bestie.”
“It’s okay, Austyn. I’ll forgive you if you let Evander knock you up again so you can be pregnant with me and Mona. You too, Norah.”
“Oh, hell nah! Congrats, but don’t put me in y’all mess. We are done over here,” Norah said adamantly.
Norah and August had three children, while Austyn and Evander had two.
“When did we agree to that?” her husband questioned.
“Boy, I’m not about to have this conversation with you right now,” she replied.
He leaned toward her and said in a low voice but loud enough for us to still hear him. “Call me a boy again, and I’m gon’ take you to the bathroom and let my dick do the talking.”
Norah rolled her eyes while smiling at her husband, pretending to sip her drink.
“We can definitely go half on another baby,” Evander said, wrapping his arm around Austyn and kissing her cheek.
“I’ll give you as many babies as you want,” she cooed before turning to kiss him on the lips.
“Wow! Are y’all always like this?” Mona questioned.
“Like what?” Austyn asked.
“I’ve been sitting here watching how you interact with each other. It’s so… I’m not sure what to call it, but I’ve never been around couples who were so… affectionate and loving. Even my best friends and their husbands aren’t this way. Are y’all like this all the time? Because it’s beautiful.”
“This is us all the time,” Janeevah responded.
“And you are now one of us, so get used to it,” Norah said.
Just as I told her, Mona had nothing to worry about. I expected my friends and their wives to give her a warm welcome, but they surpassed my expectations. Mona had her best friends, but I hoped she could build a solid relationship with these ladies as well.
Our food finally arrived, and we continued to enjoy the evening. By the time we left, my stomach was full, and I was too inebriated to drive. Mona didn’t complain about having to drive, and I dozed off on the way to her apartment.
When I felt the car stop, I opened my eyes and looked around, noticing we were in the parking garage, parked in her visitor spot.
“I assumed you were staying with me tonight since you can’t drive home.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Neither of us made a move to get out of the truck, and we sat in silence for a minute. I let my head fall back on the headrest and closed my eyes, but I felt her eyes on me. When I turned to look in her direction, she stared at me with a smile.
“Why are you looking at me smiling?”
“Because you’re fine as fuck.”
Her unexpected compliment had me grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
“No, seriously. You’re probably the finest man I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, you’re the finest woman I’ve ever seen, so it’s only right we’re together. Our baby gon’ be too beautiful for words, regardless of who he or she looks like.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” I paused for a moment. “Did you have a good time tonight?”
“I had a great time. It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed as much as I did tonight.”
“Good. I know you were nervous about meeting my friends, but I’m glad you came.”
“Me too. They seem like good people.”
“What did you and Austyn talk about?”
She laughed. “You’ve been dying to ask me that, haven’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Although it wasn’t necessary, she apologized for her role in the demise of my marriage. I assured her it wasn’t her fault and thanked her for being the wake-up call I needed.”
“I suppose I should be thanking her too.”
“For what?”
“The same reason. She was the catalyst that helped solidify your decision to leave a toxic situation. We may not have crossed paths when we did and would’ve missed the opportunity to fall in love.”
“Fall in love? Clearly, you drank more than I thought.”
I smirked. “Why would you say that?”
“Because you’re talking about falling in love and—”
“Take your panties off and come over here.”
“Huh?”