Chapter 20 Bentley #3
Daisy stopped what she was doing and gave us a second set of awkward looks. I knew what she was thinking, but Royce was all of platonic. He never had and never would have Heidi like me. Daisy ain’t have shit to worry about.
“Okay. Well, where are you staying? Did you bring any bags? Do you want to freshen up? There’s loads of space here. Bentley, show her to a room so she can wash that traveling off her,” Daisy ordered.
“Oh, no ma’am. I’m fine. I have a room booked at the Ritz downtown. I’m okay,” Heidi said denying the invitation.
“Bentley, I know you didn’t let this girl get a room when we have all this space.
Heidi, cancel that room and choose from the many ones we have here.
It’s just me and that knuckleheaded boy walking around this big house.
It’ll feel good having company for once.
He never brings anyone home. I’m quite tired of it being just us.
” Daisy wasn’t doing shit but running her mouth and playing into the plan I had set up. I knew what she would do to begin with.
Heidi looked to me for help, but I refused to help her when this was working out in my favor. I shrugged my shoulders as if I ain’t know what was happening. If she wanted to decline the offer, she was gon’ have to do it on her own. I wasn’t speaking up on shit.
I watched her go back and forth in her head. I tried not to laugh in her face. She was really struggling. Sighing deeply, she said, “Yes ma’am. Bentley, can you show me where I’ll be staying?”
My smile couldn’t be contained. She shook her head and walked pass me.
I grabbed her by the hand and led her to the stairwell.
I let go long enough to grab up her bags.
She was back in a nigga grasp within seconds.
I rested to the left of the house, so we headed in that direction.
We had plenty of space, that wasn’t a lie.
However, I needed my woman next to me by the end of the night.
Entering the bedroom, I pointed to the sofa on the back wall and said, “Put yo’ stuff over there baby. You really ain’t gon’ need nothing in that muthafucka.”
“And why is that love?” she challenged.
I ushered her to the closet where I’d already had an assortment of clothes, shoes, and purses.
Anything she could possibly need, I’d taken care of it.
From her favorite body wash to lotion to loungewear, I had it all stocked for her.
All Heidi had to do was wake up and everything else I could handle.
“’Cause that ain’t shit compared to this. I been getting lil’ shit here and there for you.”
“What the fuck is all of this Bentley? Why do you have clothes for me? When did you figure out my size? This is fuckin’ crazy,” she said laughing in disbelief.
“How?” I questioned with a scrunched up face. I ain’t see nothing wrong with it.
Finally releasing my hand, she walked over to her side of the closet and subtly searched through each piece.
She laughed every few seconds accompanied by her scoffing.
I couldn’t tell if she was pleased or not, but she damned sure wasn’t gon’ let me off the hook.
I knew it was coming before the night was over.
“What’s this all about? Like, for real Bentley.”
“Why something got to be more than what it is?” I countered.
“Because it always is with you Atkins men. Poor Klarity was tricked into a marriage with Royce, Cheyonne was kidnapped and told to be happy with Genesis, and now you. I’m convinced this is you subtly telling me that you’re getting ready to relocate me and my son,” she fussed.
“Correction. That’s our son,” I said.
Shaking her head, she smiled and mumbled, “I knew it. I should’ve altered my prayer.”
Walking over to where she was, I picked her up and placed her on the island. She could fight me on this move, but I wasn’t letting her do shit other than love me. Fuck ass Sage Springs wasn’t ‘bout to have her as a resident for much longer and I meant that shit.
“Talk to me. Why you so upset?” My hands rested on her hips, and she had yet to move me. I didn’t even think she realized that physical touch from me had become a comfortability for her.
“Are you serious right now?” I nodded and she kissed the back of her teeth. “This shit ain’t normal.”
“You on my line every single night snoring like a damn bear in hibernation. If I’m busy, you shooting text after text wondering where the hell I’m at and why I can’t put you to sleep.
You ain’t mentioned Royce over the last few weeks ‘cause I’ve had you on everything you needed.
Now if that ain’t relationship shit, I don’t know what is.
And if you ain’t caught the fuck on yet, my family gon’ be under my roof,” I expressed.
“Family? What family do you have in me Bentley? I’m just finding my footing as a woman again. I’m just starting to get my confidence back as well. I’m healing and you aren’t helping.”
“Damn, could’ve sworn I was.”
“That’s not what I mean.” She balled up the side of my shirt and pulled me between her legs.
She was showing affection, something she had a hard time displaying.
“You are an amazing man. Yes, you have kept me, and Lincoln covered in every area of our lives, but Jesus Christ, you’re making this hard for me.
You just wired us a few million dollars saying get what we need for the house as if that was a few hunnid bucks.
I appreciate everything you do for us love, I really do. However, Lincoln and I aren’t—”
“I’m a lot of things but liar isn’t one of them.
You talk to OG, and I do too. I told him I was gon’ bring you home and make you my wife.
Lil’ Link been mine since you mentioned him.
So, what I’m ‘sposed to tell him now that you denying me as yo’ man, as yo’ partner?
Then again, they said tell him yo’ plans to make him laugh.
I guess you making me that fool,” I said playing on her relationship with OG.
She was rooted I faith, and I was too. However, our relationships with God was completely different. He knew my heart and what I was after. I was gon’ do me regardless, I just needed his blessing behind it. His was the only approval I sought.
With those big brown eyes locked in on mine, she searched for the lies.
There were none. My decision behind her and Lincoln had been set ins tone for a while.
All I needed her to do was get on board.
When she talked about Klarity and Cheyonne, I could hear the envy in her voice.
That was a happiness she craved. I could supply that lifestyle plus more.
All she had to do was accept that I was the only nigga that could provide it.
“You spoke to God about me?” she asked in a hushed tone.
“Several times. I don’t date, and I don’t just fuck around.
I’m not settling down either, I’m marrying the person that’s been keeping a nigga grounded.
When I went to him ‘bout you, all I asked for was his favor. You ain’t left my grasp since.
It’s been you Heidi, and I ain’t gon’ stop fighting until you meet a nigga at the altar. ”
“Can you slow down? That’s all I’m asking.”
“I can’t make no promises,” I said causing her to giggle. She nodded in agreeance. “Shower, get comfortable, and meet me back downstairs.”
“You ain’t slick either. I’m pretty sure this is the master bedroom. Plenty space my ass,” she jested.
“I ain’t lie ‘bout that. It’s plenty room, I just ain’t letting you out this one,” I threw back before walking out. I would give her the privacy she deserved for now.
Jogging back downstairs, I found Daisy in the kitchen doing what she do best. I grabbed a paper towel and butterknife. I wanted to talk over the strawberry cheesecake she had sitting on the counter. Once I had a nice healthy slice, I hopped on the counter.
“Get your narrow tail off my counters,’ she hissed.
“Finish cooking Ma and just let me be. I spoke with Senior by the way ‘bout Rhema and Bentayga. It ain’t what you think.”
“Tuh. What lies have he told now?” she asked throwing the hand towel on the counter.
“Did you know why my daddy even approached my mama?” She shook her head, and I continued with, “Apparently, he was using my mama as bait to make Uncle Royce jump. He did outsell Senior but that was because he came with a different strand. My mama knew he was the opps and still fucked with Pops. I think she was pregnant by the time she realized what his agenda was. Them hormones different so she ain’t listen.
One thing I can say is that love wasn’t one sided.
I think he fell for her too. I ain’t tripping or mad at the fact that it was some back door shit going on. They loved me enough to be together.”
Daisy walked over to me and looked me in the eyes. She ain’t never called me a liar or known for me to lie. Whatever happened, I believed happened. However, I also believed my parents went against the grain together and built a life that fit them. Like I said, I wasn’t tripping.
“Rhema turned first?” she asked.
“Yup, Pops just followed suit. She fell; he fell harder. Go make up with yo’ family Ma.
We been isolated for thirty something odd years.
Them yo’ nephews up there,” I encouraged her.
I’d gotten on cool terms with Royce, Genesis, and even Mercedees, so she could do the same.
She was up in age, so she needed more than just me.
“It’s been too long. I’ve hated my nephew for what he did to Rhema for too long. Plus, Rose is still gone. There’s nothing in Sage Springs for me. Go make sure Heidi’s alright,” she said walking out the kitchen.
Thirty years of regret must’ve hit her at once. I saw the tears weld up in her eyes as she spoke. She was also stubborn as fuck, so she wasn’t gon’ travel to make shit right between them. I wasn’t gon’ push her to either. She was a grown ass woman.
I finished eating my slice of cake and headed to my office. I had some paperwork to catch up on. Fixing problems outside of my own wasn’t my forte.