Episode 40
Episode 40
Operation Parent Approval
MEMPHIS
“How could you!” I heard Naomi sneer as the door to the hospital room closed behind me.
I shook my head and let out the long breath I’d been holding. “Looks like I have some work to do with the in-laws. Jesus, help me,” I muttered under my breath.
Naomi’s parents already hated me, and they didn’t even know me.
It was obvious that her father had done a background check on me while we were traveling from Las Vegas to the Hamptons. And he wasn’t wrong about my history. I was a college drop-out and ex-footballer. Getting hurt on the field a semester before graduation and losing the possibility of going pro was devastating. Physically, mentally…hell, even spiritually. The loss of the career I’d been working my entire life for, just gone with one wrong play, had done a number on me without a doubt.
If I were being honest with myself, the auction was the first thing in a long time that had given me any hope. Not only for my family to have what they needed to succeed, but for me as well.
Besides, Naomi was everything I could ever want in a woman. Smart, beautiful, sassy, hilarious when she wanted to be, and so good in bed I swear I saw stars last night. On top of it all, the woman was rich. And if the mansion we helicoptered to, in the Hamptons of all places, was anything to go by, her family had more money than mine would see in their lifetimes.
To the Shaw’s, I was just some nobody with no future who was leeching off their daughter. It would be up to me to prove them wrong. The problem was, they were technically right about some of it. I did enter into a relationship with Naomi for her money. She entered into it for a companion, a protector, and I’m starting to gather, a way to get her parents off her ass about marrying someone they wanted for her. And yet, one weekend with the woman, and not only was my mind in it to win it, so was my heart. Before I’d even known Naomi was a bidder, I was half in love with her. We connected so completely at the bar that first night, and then with that initial kiss…
I slumped down into a waiting room chair, put my elbows to my knees, and dropped my head into my hands. Visions of last night flooded my mind. We’d been so into one another that we couldn’t even make it to the bedroom. I banged her on the floor of her hotel room foyer. And she did not complain, just as eager to get at me as I was to join with her. Then we ate, we talked, and I made love to her the way I had envisioned after that first night when we’d thought we were saying goodbye forever.
But fate had other plans.
I firmly believed if we weren’t supposed to be together, there would be no way that, out of all the possible bidders, I’d meet mine prior to the auction and fall for her. Then to have her feel the same for me, in a way that she willingly paid ten million dollars was beyond belief.
Ten million dollars.
For me.
She could have walked away. Not made a bid after all…but no. She fought for me during that auction. Put her name and her money on the line to secure me as her husband.
I would not let her down.
Her family had no idea what was coming because I was going to schmooze the shit out of them whether they liked it or not.
My phone buzzed against my ass as I pondered the methods by which I would start Operation Parent Approval.
I pulled the phone out of my back pocket and noted the display said Sydney, who was the second oldest in the lineup of us siblings. She was also located in New York City, working as a model, which meant she wasn’t too far away. Immediately, an idea started to form.
“Hey, Syd, what’s poppin’?” I answered, feeling a renewed sense of excitement.
“Ugh, I just finished a job, and I can’t wait to get home and shower it off,” she groaned. “I’m in the subway right now, so ignore the background noise.”
Sydney often called me on her way home from a modeling gig, especially if she was riding the subway. I preferred it because I’d heard the subways in NYC weren’t exactly the safest place to be. And I had a sister who looked like an even hotter version of Rihanna, which meant she was instantly a target.
I frowned at hearing the nastiness in her voice. “Something happen?” I asked.
“Not really,” she sighed tiredly. “The photographer was just kinda gross. Wanting me to make lewd facial expressions. Until the client finally entered the picture and vetoed that plan. Still, I was scantily dressed in this sparkly number that hid most of the important parts but showed enough to make me feel a little uncomfortable. Especially when he asked about the vulgar stuff, like straddling a bench and rubbing on it while making my face look like I was having an orgasm.”
“The fuck you say?” I stood abruptly and started to pace the small waiting room. Thankfully, there weren’t any concerned family members of sick patients waiting for their loved ones in this seating area so I could move and speak freely.
“Yeah, it was gross, but the client stepped in, like I said. Still, this shit happens all the time. I mean, yeah, I’m a model, but I’m not into overtly sexual content. And I absolutely do not do nudity of any kind.”
“That’s right, Syd. You draw that line in the sand, and you do not cross it unless you want to. It’s your body. Make sure you’re always the one in control. Besides, you have a manager, right?”
“I do. She’s great. When she calls to check in on the job, I’ll tell her I’m not comfortable working for that photographer anymore. I may lose some work, but it’s worth it.”
“Damn straight,” I agreed with gusto. “Don’t ever let anyone walk all over you. And if you need a support system, you got one right here, sis.”
She chuckled, and I could hear her mood shifting. My job as big brother was achieved. I always wanted my sisters to feel as though I had their back, but I also encouraged them to stick up for themselves.
“Sooooooo, I called to see if you were newly engaged. I checked my phone a thousand times last night but heard zip from you. I’m dying to know, were you chosen at the auction?”
Sydney was the only member of my family that knew about the auction. At first, she was shocked I was willing to become some rich woman’s husband for a bunch of money. Until I told her what that kind of money could do for our family. Along with it only being a three-year commitment. And I’d assured her over and over that I wanted to do it. No one was forcing me. It was entirely my decision.
I wasn’t feeling pressure from the family—or simply just sad that I’d lost my pro career. Of course, I was devastated by all of that, but I could have gone back to school, finished my last year, and gotten a job with a degree in business or teaching, which had been my backup plan. Except knowing my father had worked most of his life to secure a retirement plan that would set him and my ma up, then having that come crashing to a halt due to an unfortunate accident, was brutal. It made me realize that I needed to step up and do what I could for our family.
My father was devoted to us. He’d not only given us love, respect, and discipline, he’d taught us what it was to work hard, chase our dreams, and support one another in all things. To him, family was the most important thing in the world. Only God was held above it.
With my father being unable to fully retire as planned, he and my mother lived off of his disability and my mother’s wages. They also supported my granny and my other siblings Paris, Holland, and Cheyenne who still lived in the home. Sydney was modeling and sending home whatever she could to help, Odessa lived on her own but with roommates. She was also up to her eyeballs in nursing school debt, and Paris, at eighteen, had just been accepted to Harvard. Most of my sisters were drowning in school debt, not to mention my parents who had already added a second mortgage on their house just to make ends meet.
They’d given us everything, and it was my goal to turn the tides. As the oldest sibling and only son, that weight was heavy around my neck. Even if I was the only one that put that responsibility there.
“Hello? Did you get chosen or what?” Sydney asked again.
“I did.” I grinned, thinking about the moment when Naomi strutted her sexy ass into that ballroom and signed the contract.
“She’s amazing, Syd. Smart. Gorgeous. And we’d actually met before the auction not knowing either was going to be in it.”
“Wow, really? That’s cool. You actually sound a bit down though?”
I sighed and rubbed at the back of my head. “Her mother had a heart attack. We flew straight from Las Vegas to New York and then took a helicopter to the Hamptons.”
“Oh no. Is her mother okay?”
“Yeah, she’s going to be released tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Can we go back to the part where you said you took a helicopter to the Hamptons?”
“Girl, I know. It was wild. Never flown in one before. And you should see the size of their beach mansion. It’s like walking into the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous ,” I shared. “You know, the one that Gran watches reruns of all the time?”
“Dang, sounds like you scored a very wealthy woman. What’s her name?”
“Her name is Naomi Shaw.”
“No shit! The Naomi Shaw? I actually did a campaign for one of her jewelers last summer. She’s big in the diamond business, brother. And I think her parents own a bunch of mines across the globe. There was an article about her not that long ago in Forbes Magazine .”
“Really? Do you think you could find the link and text it to me?” I asked, desperate to gobble up any information I could on Naomi’s family in order to be successful in my plan to win over her parents.
“Yeah, for sure. I’ll send it over right after we’re done. And bravo, big brother. Naomi is smokin’ hot. I just pulled up a recent picture of her with some guy. Obviously, he’s toast now that she’s engaged to my bro,” she snickered.
“Was the guy’s name Jamal?” I asked, wondering if it was the same guy she’d dated most recently.
“Nah, it some other well-known rich fella named Malik Hendrickson.”
Malik.
“Yes, I am officially engaged. No, it’s not to Malik… Jesus, Dad. When are you going to let that go? It’s been over for a long time.”
The memory of that name roared to the surface of my mind. Naomi had mentioned it in a conversation with her father when she’d confirmed our engagement. The man must have had a starring role in Naomi’s past if her father jumped to that conclusion.
“What’s he do?”
“Memphis, are you seriously jealous of some guy from her past when you’re the one marrying her?” Sydney rightfully chastised me.
“Her father mentioned the name as if Malik was in their life now. As in the present , not the past. Just do me a solid and tell me what it says about him,” I grumbled.
“Fine,” she snapped. “He’s a big man in investments. Shit. Says he works for Shaw International as their Chief Financial Officer. Daaaaammmmn, Memphis, he’s got boo-koo bucks. Net worth says he’s north of a hundred million.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I croaked and wiped my clammy hands down my thighs. I was beginning to sweat, my skin itching as Naomi suddenly entered the waiting room.
“Hey, Syd, I gotta go. Naomi’s back. Call you later?” I said into the phone but stared into Naomi’s tortured gaze, her entire body seeming to vibrate with unleashed emotion.
“Yeah, yeah. Go ahead. Good luck. I love you.”
“I love you too. Text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe,” I asked, needing that bit of security from her after knowing she’d had a rough day.
“Definitely. Bye.”
“Bye.” I hung up and showed Naomi the phone. “That was my sister, Sydney,” I announced, lest she think I was talking to some random chick, especially during an incredibly trying time for her.
Naomi walked straight to me and then face-planted against my chest, her body shaking with the sobs that broke free.
“Hey there, I’m here. Let it all out.” I rubbed her back up and down as she wet my shirt with her tears.
“It’s all so much,” she blurted.
“It is, but I’m here, and I’ve got you. Cry all you want, Nay. Ain’t no one here to judge. Just you and me. You don’t have to be strong right now.”
“If I’m not s-s-strong, I’ll f-fall down.” She sniffled as her shoulders quaked.
“Nah, you won’t. Because I’ll be here to hold you up, keep you standing. You hear me?” I whispered against the top of her head. “I got you.”
Eventually, her tears slowed, and she turned her face to rest her cheek right above my heart. Together, we took some deep breaths, neither one of us saying a word, just existing in the moment.
“Okay, I’m better.” She let out a jagged breath. “Thank you.”
I looked into her pretty eyes and smiled. “You never have to thank me for holding you. It’s not only my job as your man, it’s my pleasure.”
She lifted her hand and cupped my cheek. “You are so good to me. Even after they were so horrible to you.”
I shrugged. “In football, we learned fast: when someone knocks you down, you get right back up or you’ll be trampled by the other players who want it more. I just have to change my plays when it comes to your folks. Don’t worry; I’ll win them over eventually.”
She finally smiled. “Let’s get out of here. I’m thinking food overlooking the ocean and then bed. I’m exhausted.”
“You got it, ma’am.” I hooked my arm over her shoulders and led her out of the hospital and into the waiting car where Rupert was behind the wheel.
“Are we waiting for your father?” Rupert asked.
Naomi shook her head. “My father says to come get him after you’ve dropped me off.”
My own eyebrows rose at that response. It meant to me that he didn’t want to share even a car with his daughter and her new beau. I let out a frustrated breath. I definitely had my work cut out for me when it came to winning over her father.
Rupert pulled up to the sprawling beach mansion. A tall, good looking Black man leaned against one of the entrance columns as though waiting for us.
Naomi groaned at the same time I said, “Who’s that?” I already knew she didn’t have a brother. Perhaps it was a nephew or another family member coming to check on her mother.
Rupert opened the door, and I got out, then held my hand out for Naomi. She took it and laced our fingers, holding on much tighter than she had before.
The stranger took the steps at a fast clip. “I came as soon as I heard. You must be terrified. How is she?” The man’s focus was entirely on Naomi. He wore a suit so fine I knew it had been made for him by the finest designer and tailors. Whereas I was in a pair of department store Dockers and a button-up—now rumpled and tear-stained.
“She’s gonna be fine. Did my father call you? How did you even know about this?” Naomi asked.
“I was in Los Angeles on business when I got the call. I left my meeting and took the first flight out.” His tone was harried but kind.
“You shouldn’t have,” Naomi stated flatly.
“Come on, Naomi. Of course, I should have. Lest you forget, I believed that woman was going to be my mother-in-law up until very recently.”
“I wouldn’t consider two years to be recent,” Naomi sighed, exhaustion evident in her tone.
That’s when I cleared my throat and put out my hand. “I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced. I’m Memphis Taylor.”
The man’s shrewd gaze flicked to mine as if I was a mere gnat to ignore and then back to Naomi. “Who is he to you, and why is he here? This time should be for family only.”
I laughed. “Man, I am family. I’m her fiancé.”
The guy physically stepped back as though threatened. Then he took in our clasped hands and the way Naomi leaned into my side, obviously coming to his own conclusions.
“Is this true?” he sputtered sounding genuinely shocked.
“Yes. We’re getting married this month. I’m surprised my father didn’t tell you already,” she stated harshly.
The guy opened and closed his mouth, shock making his dark skin seem a little paler.
“Baby, you want to go ahead and introduce me?” I let go of her hand and curled my arm around her shoulder, hugging her close.
“Memphis, um, this is Malik Hendrickson. My ex-fiancé.”