Chapter 16
Phileigh was pregnant by Reggie. I could tell by the way that nigga was concerned about me being there, asking me all types of questions about how I knew Phileigh and shit. The tears in the corner of her eyes when I walked in the salon only confirmed it. She told me that her baby daddy was newly engaged, and that nigga fit the description.
I sat across from Phileigh at this nice little lunch spot by the lake, gazing at her as the wind blew her hair out of her face, showcasing her beauty. My mind wondered how long it would take her to tell me about the two of them. I couldn’t lie. The shit was bothering me a little bit. I knew Reggie and his fiancée Natalie very well, and I hated that he had dragged Phileigh into their bullshit. I would never understand why cheating niggas didn’t strap up or pull out. It didn’t make any sense, and it showed a serious lack of discipline.
“So, how has your day been so far?” she asked, taking a sip of the iced tea she ordered. “I see you managed to get around the city without attracting crazed mobs.”
“I know how to be low key and stay put,” I replied.
I’d been in the public eye long enough to know how to move around without being seen. Plus, I’d spent most of the day up in my hotel room asleep. A nigga was tired.
“How about yours?” I asked.
“It was cool. Busy… a little drama, but still good.”
I raised an eyebrow at her choice of words. “Drama? How so?”
The playful grin on her face faded, and she look worried, almost like she was getting sick again.
“Um… My baby daddy popped up on me today. Um… I need to tell you something.”
“Shoot.”
“Reggie is my child’s father.”
She confirmed the shit I already knew.
“I know that’s probably a deal breaker for you and all, but I swear I wasn’t trying to hide it or nothing. I honestly forgot you said you knew him.” She was rambling. There was a hint of vulnerability in her voice.
“Why would that shit be a deal breaker?” I dismissed the thought. “That was before you met me. I’m not judging.”
She stared at me surprised, tilting her head slightly as she searched my face. “Really? So, knowing that I’ve fucked somebody you know don’t make you think differently of me?”
“Nah,” I reassured her. “I mean, yeah, I know Reggie from college. We were never friends, though. Our girls were friends. Shit, on some real, Reggie was always… you know… a sloppy cheater.”
I leaned forward and grabbed her hand. I wanted to make sure she heard me and understood everything I was about to say.
“Your baby being Reggie’s doesn’t change how I see you. You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on with the sweetest pussy I’ve tasted and the softest aura around you.”
Phileigh’s shoulders relaxed, and her cheeks turned red. I loved making her gorgeous ass blush. She didn’t say shit else. She just dove into the chicken sandwich the waiter had just set down a few minutes ago. I could barely eat from trying to watch her. Every time she swiped her tongue over her juicy lips, I was mesmerized. Shit, I didn’t care who her damn baby’s father was at this point. As far as I was concerned, he hand delivered me the perfect family.
“You’re not eating?” She looked up at me, wiping the corner of her mouth.
“Nah, I’m a little distracted,” I admitted.
“By what?”
“You.”
Her cheeks flushed again just as her phone vibrated on the table. She glanced down, and I could see the confused look on her face as she stared at the phone.
“It’s a New York number.” She looked scared.
“Answer it,” I encouraged her. Slowly, she picked up the phone. Fear and nervousness settled in her eyes as she picked up.
“Hello?”
The fear in her eyes was quickly replaced with excitement. I leaned back, intrigued by the change in her demeanor. I wondered who was on the other line. Not wanting to be all in her shit, I pulled out my phone and scrolled my socials. There were still a lot of fans going crazy about the win. I swiped on a photo about a man who lost a bet and had to get my face tattooed on his chest and shook my head. This shit was wild. I made a mental note to reach out to them later.
I glanced up at Phileigh, who was still on the call, nodding her head, giving a series of yeses. I had a feeling this call was important.
“Who is it?” I asked quietly.
“Brittani,” she whispered, and my face lit up.
“Word?” I knew when Brittani had gotten her information an opportunity was brewing.
“Okay great! I’ll be there,” she told the person on the other end before she hung up with a big ass smile on her face.
“That was Brittani Shepard’s producers!” She squealed, barely able to contain her excitement.
I didn’t have to ask what they wanted because I knew she was about to share.
“They want me to be part of several makeover segments this week. It comes with camera time and a shout out for my brand and the salon I work at!”
“That’s dope!” A nigga was genuinely thrilled for her. “When does it start?”
“Tomorrow. Oh my God! Thank you for taking me to New York and introducing me to Brittani.” She damn near jumped across the table to give me a hug. “None of this would be possible with you.”
“It was my pleasure, and don’t give me all the credit. You’re lethal with those clippers and your content speaks for itself.”
“Still, thank you.” She took her seat.
Her fucking smile was so big I was sure everyone on this heated patio could see it.
“Now, I just need to figure out how to get my ass to New York by morning.” She pulled out her phone. “Hopefully, there’s a red eye.”
A smirk crept across my face. Thank you, Brittani! I was trying to figure out a way to get Phileigh to come back New York with me. This was perfect.
“Good thing you got a new bestie with a private jet and a penthouse in New York, huh?”
Phileigh’s eyes widened in playful disbelief. “No. Absolutely not. I didn’t say that to impose. I’m sure there are flights available.”
I waved her crazy ass off. She couldn’t have possibly thought I was letting her get on a commercial flight when I was sitting right here.
“You’re not imposing. I’m your friend, and I’m offering.”
“Nope. I don’t need you or anybody else thinking I used you for your connections.”
“It’s okay to use connections! Half of the people in the world got where they are now by doing the same. It’s a free ride and a free place to stay while you make your dreams come true.”
She hesitated, her gaze flicking between me and her phone. The fact that she thought she had choice was funny.
“Kellon, I really don’t want you to think I’m friends with you because of your money or status.”
“I don’t think that. I know it’s because of this tongue.” I licked my lips, and she stared at me in disbelief.
“Kellon! Stop playing.” She slapped my hand. That beautiful red hue flashed on her cheeks again.
“Nah, for real, this opportunity could change your life. There’s an entire unused floor in my penthouse with everything you need. You ain’t even got to see me.”
She stared at me for a minute. I could tell she was contemplating what I’d just said.
“Let me do my part so all you have to worry about is looking pretty and moving those clippers.” I smiled, and I could see the moment when she gave in.
“Alright, if you insist.”
“Good. We can fly out tonight. Now, eat up so we can get you back to work before I get on Lolo’s bad side.”
“This isn’t the same jet as last time, is it?” Phileigh asked as we stepped on board. I shot her a crooked smile, holding her hand to help her up.
“Nah, that one was Disney’s. This is my regular degular jet. Not as nice… I know.”
She laughed, brushing past me into the cabin. “Please. This is gorgeous. Smells like leather and um… generational wealth.”
“More like new money and loneliness.” I followed her in, watching her take it all in. “The Disney jet had a bed, though, and a snack bar. I ain’t got all that, disappointing… I know.”
She dropped into a plush seat and spread her arms dramatically. “Disappointment? Kellon, this seat cushion costs more than my rent. I’m just grateful for the ride and the escape from airport hell.”
I sat across from her, stretching out. “Anything for you, Phileigh Cheese. One introvert to another, we’ve gotta stick together.” I repeated the phrase that was easily becoming our inside joke.
Her eyes sparkled as she got comfortable. “Is there WiFi? I need to post something, or I’ll break my ‘one post a day’ streak.”
I pointed to the code taped near her head. “Right behind you.”
“Ah, life saver.”
As the engines roared to life and the jet made its way down the runway, I leaned back, feeling the weight of exhaustion on my shoulders. Between the games, press practice, and lack of sleep, I was barely holding on. I told myself I’d nap after takeoff, but Phileigh’s laugh cut through the cabin like sunlight. I cracked an eye open.
“What’s so funny?”
She turned her phone around, giggling. “Someone made you a meme. Look.”
It was me mid-game, eyebrows furrowed, wearing a shelf hat, with the caption Let Him Cook . The internet stayed undefeated.
“This is not what the internet was invented for,” I muttered, but I couldn’t stop the grin tugging at my lips.
“Oh, come on. This is hilarious,” she said, scrolling for more. “You’re a walking mood board. I can’t believe I know somebody famous enough to have his own spread of memes.”
“It’s not that impressive,” I replied, shaking my head.
“It is to me.” She stretched lazily. One hand drifted to her belly without thinking. She wasn’t showing yet, but I still noticed. I couldn’t help it. Part of me was already attached to the idea of watching her change, grow, and bring a life into this world. I wanted to be there for all of it. Every swollen ankle, every craving, every late-night freakout.
“You don’t find this funny?” she asked, tilting her phone and showing me another meme of me.
This one I’d seen before. It was several pictures of me with the same expression and different emotions. It was basically calling me boring.
“I’m trying to preserve the last shred of my dignity,” I said dryly.
“Well, it’s too late for that.” She grinned then paused. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
She looked down at her phone for a beat before turning it again, showing me an old picture of Ari and me on draft night.
“Who is this?”
“My ex.”
“What happened there?”
I didn’t want to talk about Ari, but Phileigh had damn near told me her whole life story, so it was only right. I leaned my head back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before speaking.
“Ariel?” I exhaled slowly. “She was my college sweetheart. We were together for three years. But… she grew up around toxicity. She thinks arguing and fighting is a love language.”
Phileigh’s gaze softened. “The word toxic doesn’t fit you at all.”
“Exactly. One night, we were arguing about something stupid... I can’t even remember, and she told me to go live at the cemetery with my dead ass brother.” I shrugged. “That was the final straw for me. Anybody that claims to love me that can utter some hateful shit like that while knowing my pain… Yeah, she had to go.”
There was a quiet moment between us. She moved from her seat and crossed the aisle, settling beside me like she belonged there. Her perfume hit me first—warm, sweet, familiar. My body responded before my brain could catch up.
“Love is many things.” Her voice was low. “But nothing toxic comes from genuine love.”
I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “What you know about love, Phileigh?”
She smiled, eyes dropping to my mouth. “I know you assuage it, and you deserve it.”
I swallowed. There was nothing but tension between us. “So do you.”
“Can I kiss you?” she asked.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her question caught me off guard, not because I didn’t want to kiss her or because it hadn’t been on my mind since the first time we kissed in Disney, but because she asked. It was the boldest I’d seen her be since I met her.
“You don’t even have to ask,” I replied, and without hesitation, her lips were on mine.
Her soft ass lips brushed against mine like she was asking a question. I wasn’t afraid to answer it, though. My hand slid up to cradle the back of her neck, and I pushed my tongue inside. I kissed her slowly, like I had all the time in the world. I wanted to forget where we were, forget that she was pregnant, and pull her into my lap.
She sighed against my mouth like she’d been holding that breath for a long time. We were fooling ourselves with this friend shit. I knew it, and it seemed she did too. I pulled back but held her head there, resting my forehead on hers.
“That was… exactly what I needed,” she whispered.
“Same. I’ve wanted to do that since the last time.”
Phileigh laughed softly. “You mean when you sucked my soul out my body and into your mouth?”
I smiled. “Yep!”
There was a pause. Her eyes searched mine. “Why do you want to take this on? Aren’t you scared?” she asked, glancing down at her belly.
I nodded just once. “Nah, not scared.” I placed my hand on top of hers. “I want to be what you need.”
She leaned her head on my shoulder, curling into my side like she’d done it a hundred times before.
“Why are you so perfect? I don’t know any man who would want to take on dating or even being friends with a pregnant woman.”
“Now, you do.” I wrapped my arm around her, letting my palm settle gently on the curve of her hip. She fit there like she belonged.