Touchdown

Chapter 32

The Whole Truth

Zahirah

A year and three months later … Back to the present

I release a heavy breath and lift my gaze back to my mother’s. I’m surprised when I don’t see disappointment in her eyes but understanding. I’ve been holding on to all this confusion, hurt, and guilt for so long; it feels good to say it all out loud.

“And you know the rest. Gilbert has pushed his way into every part of my life like he’s my real fiancé. Even Aaron’s birth.

“I hadn’t planned for him to be there. I’ve been trying to find a way out, but here we are, the day before my wedding,” I grumble.

“Not if I have anything to say about it. I knew from the time that little boy was born, he didn’t belong to that … that. Lord, I’m trying to be nice.

“The boy is good to you and Aaron. He has never done anything to make me want to hurt him other than pushing you into this wedding. I knew with everything in me that something wasn’t right and you didn’t want this.

But my grandson looks like his father, not that waterhead snob trying to trap my baby. ”

I burst into laughter. “I’ve never even slept with him. Not that he hasn’t tried. He kind of gives me the ick when he does.

“I can’t explain it. I’m so relieved that it’s all over,” I say and roll my eyes.

“Now is it? You have a whole family you owe an apology to. All the Coswells deserve the truth, not just Erica. Wait until Fran and I get our hands on her.

“You also need to talk to the father of that child. At first, Fran and I were giving you time to come clean and break off this charade. When we saw you weren’t going to handle it yourself, we made the call.

“When we called Bentley to tell him to get his butt home before he lost you forever, that boy was on the first thing smoking. He’s here, Zah. That has to speak for something,” she says.

“It does, but what about all the things we said? We still haven’t dealt with how this all started,” I say.

“Then you get to work. I know Bentley. He’s a good man. Did you know he calls me every Sunday to check in?”

“On game day?” I ask with my brows furrowed.

“Yes, no matter what’s going on, he makes that call. Has since your father died. He has a good heart, Zahirah. He just gets twisted and tangled up when it comes to you.

“We all say things when we’re passionate about something. The more passionate we are, the stronger our words can seem. Let me ask you something,” Mom says.

“Okay.”

“Did he say anything worth keeping his son away from him?”

“No.”

“Did his words really hurt you enough to close the door on a love you were once willing to do anything for?”

“No.”

“Did Bentley Coswell truly shatter all the trust you had in him?”

“No, but Mom—”

“Zah, he hurt your feelings. However, that’s not enough to keep that adorable, brilliant little boy away from his father. What you’ve been doing to Fran has me so furious with you, but I understand. I get it now.

“I can tell you one thing. We’re all going to stop playing these little games today. Aaron will meet his father. You’re going to tell Fran to her face that baby is her grandson by blood and not just in her heart.

“He’s going to be one next month and I’m tired of this. I’m tired of seeing my baby hurt. It’s so nice of you to care about Mrs. Christen, but them folks ain’t my people.

“Fran, that’s my friend. Bentley is like a son. You can’t keep hurting people who love you for folks trying to manipulate you. I promise you, Gilbert is up to no good. I’m not entirely convinced his grandmother doesn’t know it either,” she says and rolls her eyes.

“Really? You think she knows?”

“Girl, please. Now hand me my clothes and go get Denzel to give you my discharge papers. I left Aaron with Tara. The boy will be full of sugar and swearing like a sailor if we don’t hurry up.”

“Oh my God. Tara, Mom, really?”

“Well, my options were limited since his father doesn’t know about him.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll get your paperwork.”

Bentley

I’m sitting in the waiting room with Erica. My knee bouncing as I send up a prayer that Mrs. Nickels is okay. I think of her words on our last Sunday call and smile.

“Bentley Coswell, it’s time to stop running. You are always welcome to come home. Maybe it’s time that’s exactly what you do. You never know what could be waiting here for you,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am. You might be right.”

“Then what’s stopping you, honey?”

“Daddy told me while I was in college that I could always come home. You know, home would always be my place to reset. He’s not there anymore.

“I don’t know if his words still apply and I’m terrified of finding out they don’t. Coming home is my final play. At least that feels like what it is, ma’am,” I replied.

“Then do what you do best, baby. If this is the final play, you go for the touchdown, Bent. We’re here to cheer you on. I promise. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am. I do.”

I think harder on our last few calls, wondering if I missed something in her voice. Was she feeling unwell then? Lately, when we talked, I’ve been feeling like she’s been trying to tell me something.

Then she and my mom called to tell me to get my ass home before Zah ended up married to Gilbert. I’ve been so focused on that, I haven’t thought about much else. I guess she didn’t want to come out and tell me up front about Zah and Gilbert, but have I been missing something else?

Could she have been sick, and I missed being able to say or do something? Mrs. Nickels has been a big part of my growing up and working on myself.

While I did the work, she’s been in my ear every Sunday. No matter where in the world Zah has been, her mother has been a constant in my ear. I don’t miss a call with her.

If I know I’m going to have a late game, she’s the first call I make when I wake. She’s always there and ready to talk. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose her too.

I pull a hand down my face as my thoughts go to Zahirah. I’ll be a better man for her this time. Losing her mother would be devastating.

I’m mature enough this time to see her through this, I know I am. That’s why I’m not moving until I know Zah and Mrs. Nickels are okay.

“Oh shit,” Erica mumbles, pulling me from my musing.

She stands quickly, looking like a bandit on the run. She heads for the nurses’ station, leaving me sitting here confused. I’ve been so deep in thought, I don’t know what I missed.

“Auntie E,” a little voice squeals.

I turn toward the voice and find Garret with a little boy in his arms. The boy has little black and white low-top Chucks on his feet and khaki shorts, with a yellow T-shirt. From here, I can see his shiny-looking, little toffee-colored brown legs and his head full of thick brown ringlets.

I get to my feet with my brows knit. When I lock eyes with the kid as he turns toward me, my stomach tightens. He gives me a huge smile, showing off his tiny teeth.

“Uncle …” He knits his brows as if not sure how to finish. Then he turns to look up at Garret, who’s smiling back at him. The little guy points back at me behind him. “Uncle?”

“Not Uncle, sweety. That’s Dada,” my mother coos as she stops beside the two and begins to rub the boy’s back.

He whips his head back in my direction. “Dada,” he squeals and holds his arms out.

I stand there in shock for a moment, not knowing what to say or do. His eyes are so big and bright, not quite the same hazel as mine, but a really light brown. I move forward and take him from my brother’s hold.

He wraps his arms around me and places his head on my shoulder with a sigh. As if this is where he belongs, or as if he’s been waiting to find me. Feeling his weight against my chest makes this all so real.

“You knew about this?” I growl at Garret as I squeeze my son in my embrace.

“Not until I arrived at the house, while you guys went to the stadium. Bro, I had no idea.”

“She has tried to deny it, but I’ve known from the day he was born. He has your nose and your little smile,” Mom chokes out.

“I think we should take a pause and allow Zah to—” Erica cuts off as I spin on her and glare.

I have so many emotions as she looks back at me. A million thoughts and questions are running through my mind. I land on complete devastation.

I always knew Erica and Zahirah were tight, but I never thought my sister would choose her over me. Especially not to keep something like this from me.

“You knew the entire time. You lied to me. When I asked you repeatedly if you knew where she was or if she was with you, you lied. She was standing right next to you every time, wasn’t she?”

“No. She was in Spain with me, but never around when I took your calls or called. I always left the flat to avoid the risk of you seeing or hearing her in the background.”

“Why, Erica? You’re my little sister.”

“She’s my best friend. She needed space.”

“I have a son,” I bark, my voice breaking with emotion.

“You told her to get the fudge out,” she bites out, making air quotes as she says the word fudge and looks pointedly at my son, “and to go take a Plan B. So excuse me if I sided with my best friend when my big brother was being a butthole,” Erica hisses.

“He did what?” my mother gasps.

I close my eyes and press my nose to my son’s head. I have to count to ten to reel it in. I have a son. She didn’t take that pill.

“Wait, he’s really ours? I mean, Zah is family. She’s like my sister, so of course he’s like my nephew. But … the baby is my real nephew, like my nephew by blood?” Eddy says, sounding as surprised as I feel.

“You couldn’t have thought a kid that cute or smart belonged to Manning,” Erica huffs.

“Why would you say those things? No wonder she’s been freezing us out,” my mother says as if she’s in sheer disbelief.

“I said a lot of things, but I didn’t mean any of them. I was hurt and angry. We both said things,” I mutter.

“Dada,” my son coos and cups my face to kiss my cheek.

“Hey, buddy. That’s right, I’m your dada. You’re so handsome. What’s your name?”

“Me Aaron. I big boy. Smart and strong. Grr,” he growls at the end and makes a muscle with his little arm.

I chuckle and kiss his forehead. I never knew I could love someone so fast and completely. Aaron. Did Zah name him after my dad?

“Aaron Christopher Nickels,” Erica says as she comes over and ruffles his hair.

“Mommy, Nana,” Aaron squeals as he tries to jump out of my arms.

I turn to find Mrs. Nickels and Zahirah. I’ve never seen Zah look so pale in my life. She’s standing with her mouth hanging open as I hold my son in my arms.

I glare at her as the situation begins to set in. Quickly, she snaps out of it and rushes over to take Aaron from my arms. He wraps his arms around her neck and hugs her tightly.

“Before you try to verbally take my head off, for once, listen to me and hear me,” Zah says, holding a hand up as I open my mouth.

“First, I was going to tell you. Second, hold on.” She pauses as Aaron gets fussy in her arms.

She places him on his feet and takes his little hand in hers. I take a step back as the wind is knocked out of me. He’s so tall standing on his own two feet.

He takes a few steps forward and holds out his tiny free hand for mine. I take his hand and look down at him in awe.

“When was he born?” I ask tightly.

“His birthday is next month. July.”

“He can walk and talk?” I knit my brows.

“He’s been walking since he was eight months old. And he’s been making noises—as if he could talk and hold conversations—since Erica started asking him for dating and shopping advice,” she says and snickers lightly.

“Yeah, so about since he was five months,” Erica says.

“No one else is pissed off about this?” Eddy growls.

“Will you chill?” Erica snaps. “The only people here who have a right to be seriously pissed are Bentley and Garret. The rest of us have been in Aaron’s life one way or another since the day he was born.”

“Um, guys, we’re starting to draw a crowd. Mom has been cleared to head home. I’d like to talk and explain if you will listen,” Zah says.

“Rice and nuggies, Mommy,” Aaron pleads, looking up at his mother.

I dip to scoop him back up into my arms. “You like rice and chicken nuggets?”

“Yes, yum. Please.”

“Anything you want, buddy. I’ll make them myself,” I promise.

“Bent—”

“A year, Zah. My son is going to be a whole year old.”

I hear her sigh behind me as I walk off with Aaron in my arms. I never want to let him go. Now that feeling I’ve been having for months makes sense.

So many times I wanted to come home. It’s like I knew I needed to be here. The only reason I didn’t was because I was waiting out the season and my contract.

I didn’t know if Zah and I would ever be a thing again, so I didn’t rush back. Then there was the root of it all. I didn’t know if this was home anymore.

I couldn’t bear to know that without Dad, I didn’t belong. A whole year. When was she going to tell me?