Chapter 13 #2
“No, I chose not to mention the best perk because I’m sure there are certain things you’d rather not know about your son.”
When she realized what I meant, she gasped and looked disgusted by my words.
“I was referring to spending his money.”
“I have my own money, but Phyre is very generous with his.”
Before she could respond, my phone rang with a FaceTime call from Phyre.
“Hey, baby,” I answered, with my eyes still on his mother.
“Hey. Our last patient of the day canceled, so I’m on my way home. You didn’t respond to my text.”
“Oh, I’ve been a little preoccupied. What did it say?”
“I want your pussy as an appetizer and dessert. You down?”
“Phyre!” his mother shouted.
He recognized his mother’s voice immediately, and his face was covered in confusion.
“Your mother stopped by, and we were having a nice little chat,” I told him.
“Shit. I’ll be there soon.”
He ended the call and disappeared from my screen. On the inside, I was dying laughing, and I didn’t feel bad about what Mrs. Jordan had overheard.
“You look like the type who would be okay with being a man’s sex toy.”
She shook her head in disgust, and I was tickled by her reaction, doing my best not to laugh in her face.
“Do you plan to wait for your son?” I asked, ignoring her comment.
“Yes.”
“Unless you have more insults for me, I have a few things to take care of.”
She waved her hand, dismissing me, and I snatched my phone from the table and rushed to the bedroom. After I closed the door, I FaceTimed Devyn and entered the bathroom. I wanted to be sure Phyre’s mother couldn’t hear my conversation.
“What’s up, sis?” she answered.
“Girl! You won’t believe who’s here.”
“Here, as in where?”
“Phyre’s house.”
“It better not be that Kavia bitch. Do I need to hop back on a plane?”
“No, girl. It’s Phyre’s mama.”
Her eyes widened. “His mama? Is that why you’re whispering?”
“Yes. I’m in the bathroom in his bedroom in case she decides to eavesdrop. She claims she was in the neighborhood, saw my truck in the driveway, and thought Phyre was home.”
“Well, how’s it going?”
“I’m hiding in the bathroom, talking to you. How do you think?”
“Right. Dumb question.”
“She thinks I’m Phyre’s sex toy.”
“What? How did she come to that conclusion?”
I quickly shared the details of the conversation I’d had with Mrs. Jordan, if you could call it that. If Devyn’s eyes had gotten any bigger, they would’ve popped out of her head.
“So basically, she had beef with you at hello.”
“Pretty much. I could feel her energy was off through the security monitor, and she confirmed it as soon as she stepped inside.”
“Damn. That’s unfortunate because she’s gonna be your mother-in-law.”
“One day at a time, Dee. We’ve only been back together for a month, and—”
“That nigga told you his intentions, so stop acting like you don’t know. His rude ass mama ain’t about to stop shit.”
Devyn was right. After everything he revealed to me, I didn’t believe anyone could stop him from making me his wife, . . . except me. My life had been pretty much drama-free since I left Black Elm. I’d experienced more drama since I’d returned than I had in thirteen years.
“He should be home any minute. Let me get back out there. I’ll call you tomorrow with an update.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I placed my phone on the bathroom counter and looked in the mirror. Although I’d been asleep for most of the day and had only been awake a short time, I looked refreshed. I was dressed in leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt, which Mrs. Jordan probably didn’t consider presentable.
“Sweetness,” I heard through the bathroom door. “You good?”
“I’m fine. You can come in.”
He slowly opened the door, and his face was filled with concern.
“Are you okay? Did she say something to hurt your feelings?” he asked after pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I smiled when I thought of my conversation with his mother.
“She wasn’t very nice, but my feelings are intact.”
“You’ll have to tell me once she leaves. Come with me to find out the reason for her visit.”
“You don’t need me for that.”
“I need you for everything, baby.”
“Wait. I think she figured out who I am.”
“It doesn’t matter because I’m about to tell her exactly who you are.”
He didn’t wait for me to agree, taking my hand and leading me back to the kitchen. His mother was still seated, and we joined her at the table.
“Ma, let me formally introduce you to the woman who will soon be my wife, and the mother of my future children. This is Ginae Burns. Baby, this is my mother, Clementine Jordan.”
I didn’t even hear his introduction because I was stuck on how he introduced me, and his mother seemed just as surprised as I was.
“Phyre, be serious.”
“The only other time I’ve been as serious as I am right now was when I refused to marry Kavia.”
“Son, it’s one thing not to marry Kavia, but it’s another to marry someone who would never fit into our world.”
“Please believe me, . . . the last thing I want to do is fit into your world,” I said.
“That’s your world, and I don’t even fit into it. What makes you think I want to marry someone who does?” Phyre questioned. “If I never go to another event thrown by you and your uppity friends for causes that no one else has heard of, I’ll die a happy man.”
“Phyre! What’s gotten into you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Ma. I’m not behaving any differently than usual. I always speak my mind.”
“You can’t be serious. Where is her engagement ring?”
I looked down at my empty fingers. There was no proposal or ring, so his mother’s question was valid.
“Her ring is getting sized,” he responded as if he’d been preparing for this conversation all day. “Was there any reason in particular you stopped by?”
“No. I was in the neighborhood, and I thought you were home when I saw the truck in the driveway. If you plan to marry this woman—”
“Her name is Ginae.”
She released an annoyed breath and rolled her eyes before continuing, still not addressing me by name. “Why didn’t you introduce us sooner?”
“It’s been thirteen years since we were last together, and we’re making up for lost time,” he told her. “My fake engagement to Kavia kinda put a monkey wrench in my plans. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t accept her with open arms, so why would I subject her to an unwelcoming situation?”
His mother had no response, and the three of us sat quietly for an uncomfortable amount of time. It was awkward, and I had to stop myself from leaving this mother-son duo alone to finish this conversation.
“I guess I should go.” She stood and adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Are you still coming to the gala on Saturday?”
Phyre and I followed her lead, standing and following her to the front door.
“No. I only paid for one ticket—”
“It’s not a problem, Son. I have a few tickets left if you want to bring a date.”
“If I decide to come, Ginae will be my date.”
“Fine. I’ll be sure to keep a ticket for your friend.”
Phyre’s body tensed when she referred to me as his friend, but he let it slide. I imagined he had to do that often when dealing with his mother.
“Thank you,” I responded, wearing a fake smile.
She didn’t acknowledge my response. “Also, your father is throwing a soiree for my birthday. I’m giving you a heads up, so you’ll have two months to get your head right. I’ll send you the details because he probably won’t, and yes, I expect you to be there.”
“As long as your husband knows not to speak to me, I’ll be there with bells on.”
“It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Jordan.”
She paused and turned, giving me a look I couldn’t decipher.
“It’s been interesting,” she said before continuing to the front door.
I shook my head as I thought about what life would be like with her as my mother-in-law.
Lord, help me.