Chapter 20
Paxton
“She hadn’t hit me back yet sis. How about you hit her and see if you can get a response. I think she’s been busier than usual with the launch date approaching for the updates with the site and app.”
“What’s her number? And I’ll hit you right back.” I texted over Yani’s number as we were on the phone. “Got it. Give me a minute.”
She hung up and I was praying on several stars that she picked up for Pay. We missed our arranged dates and everything behind her saying she loved me. I didn’t know what was going through her mind or how she felt. I just needed to know whether we were still good.
Not even five minutes later, Pay was hitting my line. I connected the call quickly.
“Yeah.”
“It’s a go bro. I told her tonight at six. Is that cool?”
“I’ll be pushing for time but it’s cool. Where is it going to be at?”
“The house. I’m calling the maid and the chef when we’re done talking to get them to handle shit. Quik will be here and I’m inviting Jo and his girlfriend as well. Games night should be a blast.”
“Don’t invite anymore people to my house Pay. That’s my only space of seclusion. I’ll see you later.”
We disconnected and I walked into the mall to retrieve the dress that I had designed for Yani.
I was going to send it with an invitation to my mother’s birthday party.
I wanted her to be my plus one. She already had a good relationship with Hen, and we were getting closer.
She didn’t want to give us a title but couldn’t nobody tell me we weren’t together.
The necklace I sent was one I wanted her to wear with the dress. It went well and I would be sending a bracelet and earrings to match. The boutique was one I had learned she had a thing for. I would over hear her talking to Dawn about them and I figured I could get her a satin dress customized.
Walking into Elegant Problems, I was greeted by the woman that had been helping me with everything.
“How you doing, Ms. Gracy?”
“Paxton what are you doing here? I told you that I was adding a little something special for her. She came in here the other day asking for a matching pajama’s set. The holidays are around the corner so I’m guessing she has something up her sleeve.”
“Who knows. How much I owe you though?”
“Am I including her set?” I nodded and she went to pecking on her register. “That’ll be $23,427. The dress is dry clean only.”
“So, when am I supposed to return?” I asked, handing over my card.
“Next week is fine.” She swiped it and gave it back quickly.
“Yes ma’am.”
I walked out not wanting to be in there any longer. Crowds weren’t really my thing. Dealing with society period wasn’t really something I engaged in. I was a man that was always out the way minding my own black business.
A call came through causing me to dig through my pockets for my phone. Looking at the screen, I saw it was Josiaha hitting me. I figured he was calling about game night.
“What’s good bro?”
“You approved this shit Pay got going on?”
Chuckling, I responded with, “Yeah. She wants to pick Yani’s brain and try to bond with her. There’ll be liquor so you’ll be perfectly fine.”
“So, you bringing the infamous Yani Hart? I can’t wait to see how this goes.”
“Keep your distance, Jo. I’d hate to have to fuck you up.”
“Nigga get off my line. Don’t nobody want Yani.”
“Don’t be late Jo. You’ll never hear the end of it. I’ll see you later.”
The call ended, and I was hopping in my ride heading for the crib. Because I lived a way out, it would take me over an hour to get home and traffic wasn’t going to give me a break either. I knew I wasn’t going to make it in time.
The radio was blasting playing R&B that was soothing my soul. I was a sucker for a song that explained how I felt about my lady. Shit, I was a sucker for love period. There was so much I had to give but I was reserved with who got a piece of it. Heartbreak wasn’t easy to get over.
I hadn’t really had that talk with my mother about Yani but I planned to do so before her birthday so I wouldn’t blind side her.
Hen was a sweetheart, but she was a mother that didn’t play about her kids.
No matter the relationship y’all formed, when one of us was involved, all that went out the window.
Her only concern was her kid’s happiness.
By the time I made it to the crib, it seemed as if I was the last one to show. Cars were lined up and I knew them all. All I needed was twenty to thirty minutes to freshen up and I could join the festivities.
Entering the house, I was able to slip pass everyone undetected and handle my business.
I quickly undressed once in my bedroom and headed straight for the shower.
If I knew my sister, she was offering shots already.
She was big on everyone being comfortable and relaxed while trying to have a suitable time.
When I surfaced again, I was dressed down in a pair of joggers, a graphic T, and some slides. We were playing games and I had plenty of them in the family room. I was eager to see how everyone took to Yani.
Walking in, she was the first person I spotted. She was engaged in conversation with Pay dressed in a pair of tights and an oversized sweater. She looked good and it was clear that I missed her presence. She smiled and I was mesmerized all over again.
“Pax! Finally.” Patience noticed me causing everyone to look in my direction.
Yani looked and I could tell something was bothering her. She didn’t have that light surrounding her the way it normally did. I was curious to know what was happening with her internally.
“What’s good y’all. My bad for the tardiness. Traffic was a fool. How y’all feeling?”
Yani made her way over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck giving me a hug that stated something was wrong. It was one of those hugs that let someone know that that was what they were in dire need of. Even her energy was different now that she was next to me.
“Hey baby.”
“What’s wrong beautiful?” I whispered in her ear. She was still locked around my neck.
“I missed you that’s all.”
“You want to step away for a minute?” I inquired. I was more concerned about her than anything.
“No baby. Is it alright if I spend the night? I just need to be under you tonight.”
“You’re more than welcome baby. Make yourself at home.” She nodded and finally released me. However, she intertwined our hands maintaining that connection.
I maneuvered through the room greeting and dapping up everyone individually.
Quik was Patience’s boyfriend and had been around for quite some time.
He didn’t let her do anything without him.
He wasn’t overprotective but he was very much in love with her ass.
I was happy for her because I didn’t want her to feel like she couldn’t have a life just because she lived with me.
Dawn and Josiaha looked good together. They came in matching colors, and I had to admit that he looked pleased as well as content with her. I didn’t miss the looks that Dawn and Yani threw toward each other. However, I kept my mouth closed and stayed out of women’s business.
“Are we playing games or not? I mean, we can get these spades going and start the shit talk right now as a warm up.” Pay got everyone’s attention.
“Shit, me and my bestie can get it popping right now,” Dawn said, as she looked to Yani gesturing for a high-five.
“They not ready for this ass whupping best friend. They’ll be so mad we might not get none tonight.” She slapped hands and gave a genuine laugh.
“I know y’all confident and all baby but don’t get ahead of yourself. Me and Jo ain’t never lost a game.”
“And what makes you think me and my girl has? Bestie deal the cards,” Yani stated finally letting go of me.
We took the seats around the table with Pay and Quik fixing us a few drinks. Yani settled for juice which I found weird because she loved to have at least a buzz.
The cards were dispersed and by the end of the game, both me and Jo were walking away from the table shaking our heads. They beat the hell out of us, setting us back-to-back. They had to be cheating.
“Can I have her now?” Pay questioned.
“Yeah man. I got a bone to pick with Josiaha.” I threw him a look and he waved me off.
The night progressed and it ended with my woman laying on my chest in front of the fireplace in the bedroom. She wanted to feel direct heat instead of snuggling in the bed. The way she clung on to me had me wondering exactly what she was battling with.
“Are you going to tell me what’s happening with you or am I going to stay in the dark?”
“I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately and our future. I slipped up and told you I love you but it’s nothing I regret because I truly do. You helped with my heartbreak and for that I’m so grateful.”
“I didn’t want to see you hurting. Your tears effected me just as much as they did you. I cared for you before I even got to know you better.”
“And that’s what has me so conflicted. I don’t want to use you.
I know I’m not one hundred percent over my ex and because of that I don’t want to get into a relationship yet.
However, the love I developed for you is helping me see things clearly.
I feel safe with you. I’m happy with you as well, but you make me nervous. ”
Her security was my first and only concern. If she didn’t feel safe, then she wouldn’t be able to allow herself to breathe. I wanted her comfortable at all times. She could be herself with me in every aspect.
“I make you nervous? Ha! I’m happy to hear that. Also, I’m trying to be that?”
“Be what, Pax?”
“The thing that makes you happy.”
Next thing I know, her mouth was covering mine. Her kiss was enthusiastic and warming. She kissed me like I was what she had been missing for real.
“You make me very happy baby.” She placed her head back on my chest. “With everything that’s been transpiring between us, do you see yourself making a family with me?”
Kids were a sore spot for me. Tiana was taken from me in the blink of an eye with me waking up wishing for more time. I missed my baby girl like crazy. She was the sunshine of my life from the very first day I learned about her existence.
“I haven’t thought about kids but now that we’re discussing it, I guess I can genuinely say I wouldn’t mind having them, again. I’m not putting a rush on them though.”
“With me was the question I asked.”
“Yes beautiful, with you.”
She never responded and I was low key grateful for it. It was a topic I didn’t think I would be able to hold for quite a while. I heard heavy breathing shortly after letting me know she’d drifted off.
The conversation didn’t leave my mental so easily. I thought on her actions throughout the evening. She didn’t engage in any alcohol and her appetite was high. Plus, I noticed everything about her body, and it was indeed getting heavier.
My suspicions were what they were, plus with the discussion we had, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was her hinting at her being pregnant for me.
I didn’t want to assume but I was almost certain my baby was carrying my seed.
Besides, I hadn’t stopped coating her walls since she allowed me inside.
I guess I would have to wait until she gave me the news officially.
&
It was about that time for my mother to celebrate her birthday. We were days away from the occasion and Yani’s dress had been sent off with the invitation attached. The only reason I was back in the mall today was due to the call I got from Ms. Gracy stating the set Yani had her whip up was ready.
“There was a time I would’ve been out here pulling ‘em left and right. A nigga done got old man.”
“I’m proud of you bro. You and Dawn look good together.”
“Yeah man. That’s my baby. I see her and Yani are two peas in a pod.”
“You can’t tell them shit when they’re together. They adore each other though. Yani done told me one too many stories about them.”
I opted out of telling him the vibes and looks I picked up on during game night. They were cordial more than anything. Something was going down between them two.
“Nah, you and Yani were picture perfect for sure. She looked good on your arm too. I can really see y’all becoming a family, especially with her easy-going spirit.”
“Same thing I thought about. Time will tell though.”
We continued to stroll through the mall when I saw someone that resembled Yani under a nigga near the boutique we were headed to.
“Aye bro. I don’t want to assume shit but ain’t that yo’ girl right there?”
I was hoping that wasn’t Yani, but it was clear that Josiaha saw what I did. I stopped him in his path and pulled out my cell to hit her line. We had several sentimental conversations and moments. She could’ve kept it real with me if she had interest in someone else.
The phone rang on my end and because of her screening the call, I proceeded to take steps in her direction. I overheard the nigga ask her who was calling, and her response took me out.
“What’s up beautiful? What you doing here?”
My voice startled her and when she turned around her eyes were big as saucers. She wasn’t expecting to see me, but it was cool. I guess you couldn’t put shit pass nobody these days.
“Yani who the fuck is this?” he questioned with an eyebrow lifted and his mouth screwed-up.
“Oh, I’m nobody. Ain’t that right baby?”
“Trust this is Paxton.”
“Why do I know that name? You’re her ex, right?” I questioned not taking my eyes off Yani.
“Nah nigga. I’m her fiancé. I’m guessing you the muthafucka she been trying to hide from me.”
I looked down at the bag she held and thought about it all. The set she had made up had nothing to do with me. That set was made for the family she shared with her baby daddy and son. I wasn’t involved or included in that situation. She was playing me like a fool.
The big ass ring on her finger was from him. She was bold enough to wear it around me but not woman enough to tell the truth behind it. She lied to my face and still let the words I love you come out her mouth. She wasn’t shit for real.
“Nah big dawg. Nobodies aren’t hidden or anything to worry about. I’m about to get out y’all hair though. Jo let’s dip out.”
I wasn’t confrontational and damn sure wasn’t about to sweat no bitch. It hurt that the woman I loved and was so head strong on being with was fuckin’ with my feelings the same way that clown ass nigga did hers.
We said nothing as we retreated to the car. I was so pissed that I allowed Jo to drive.
“You think Dawn knew?” he inquired.
“Of course she did. You know how that shit go and them bird’s nigga…”
“They gon’ flock together,” he said, finishing my statement.
He pulled off and thoughts of betrayal played on a loop. Yani had a choice and after all that nigga put her through, she was still dealing with him. I, however, was a muthafucka she didn’t have to worry about.