Chapter 19 #2
“You still trying to go out? ‘Cause I can stay in and look at you all fucking night.” I bit my lip as she smoothed her hands down the black coreset dress that stopped mid-thigh.
She giggled. “No ‘cause I want some lobster rolls, so come on.”
“Big back ass been talking about these lobster rolls all day.”
“Remember you said that ‘cause I’m not letting you have any of mine when you finish inhaling the fuck out of yours.”
I chuckled as I took her hand into mine and lifted it to my lips. Her lips curved into the smile I adored so much. Loving Jazzlyn would never get tiring. She made me happy and gave me purpose. I couldn’t imagine life without her.
I squeezed her thigh as we cut through the city.
My lady was a real passenger princess. All she did was sit pretty, take selfies, and not worry about shit.
I loved the fact that when she was around me, she could turn her brain off.
She didn’t have a concern in the world when I was by her side, and that shit meant a lot because she trusted me.
We arrived at the fancy seafood restaurant with pea-sized servings. I was never satisfied after eating, but my baby loved them, so I just dealt with it. We got our usual table in the back, and I pulled her chair so she could take a seat. Before I took mine, I made sure to peck her lips.
“You look gorgeous, Lovey.”
“Thank you, Pa. you look handsome as always. It’s like you got more handsome when I took your last name. You’re so lucky.”
I chuckled. Somehow, someway, she always managed to circle a compliment back to her. The shit didn’t bother me at all. I loved how in love she was with herself. She moved with nothing but confidence.
“I am. I thank God twice for you.”
Her face heated up, and her blush came through brighter as she smiled at me. We started the night sipping on some wine and enjoying some starter plates. “How shit go with PJ and that new sister y’all got?”
She rolled her eyes before smacking her lips. “Ahk, the bitch is a money hungry serpent just like her mother. She doesn’t give a fuck about being acknowledged or even getting to know us as her siblings. She just wants fucking money.”
“At least she’s showing her true intentions out the gate. The worst motherfucka’ to deal with is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“I guess you’re right.” She shrugged. “Priest and I agreed that we won’t be giving her shit, so I guess it’s war.”
“Abraham gone pull that dawg out of him in that court room.” I chuckled. Ever since he won Priest’s trial, Abraham had been the top attorney in the city. Whoever Giselle’s attorney was, he was in for some shit when it came to taking him down.
“Oh, I fucking know it. That nigga’s retainer tripled since PJ’s trial.”
“Just let him handle it.”
She nodded, agreeing with me. “You heard from your father?”
At the mention of my father, my jaw tightened a bit. I hated when a motherfucka’ got over on me, and that was exactly what Kareem did.
“Can’t catch his ass. When I do, I might beat his ass and still get that fucking house.”
She rested her head on her hand. “You never considered just letting him have the house?”
“The fuck is you asking me right now?” I screwed my face up.
“I don’t know, baby. Maybe he’s trying to get his shit together for real. The house is a huge reminder of your mother, so?”
“Respectfully, Lovey, I ain’t trying to hear that shit. Kareem played in my face for the last time. I have love for my pops, but the way he’s moving, it’s like he’s saying fuck me, so now I’m doing the same.”
She could sense the hostility in my tone, so she lifted her hands, waving her white flag. “My bad. It was just a thought.”
We were served our main courses, and despite the servings being smaller than most, I couldn’t deny the fact that the food was hitting.
I looked up from my snapper at her. I noticed that she was pushing her food around on her plate.
She had been craving the lobster rolls all week, and she had barely taken two bites.
I dropped my fork and leaned back in my seat.
“What’s up, Lovey? The club still on your mind?”
She shook her head as she dropped her fork as well. “No, I just… I want to… I don’t really know how to put this.”
“Let that shit out. You ain’t pregnant, is you?” I chuckled halfheartedly. It would’ve been impossible for her to be pregnant, despite me nutting inside of her damn near every night. The birth control she was on had been the only thing blocking me from getting my little one.
“Ahk, I’m not pregnant.” I knew that shit. But what else would have had her so choked up that she couldn’t get it out?
“Ight, so what’s up? Ran through the credit cards? Want a new car? Talk to me.”
She grabbed her wine glass and downed the portion our waiter had just poured her.
“You making me feel like I should be worried.”
“You remember when you went to Italy on business?”
My brows bumped together. “I went to Italy on business multiple times, Jazzy. You gotta be more specific.”
“Two years ago. When you went to go up your supply.”
I knew which trip she was referring to now. It was when I decided to expand the operation from what Priest, J’Ru, and Kaymen handed me. A lot of motherfuckas tried to make it seem like I was in over my head, but I proved them wrong. I upped my supply, came back to the city, and fucking dominated.
She shifted around uncomfortably in her seat as my eyes pierced into her. “This you telling me you gave another nigga my pussy while I was out in Italy? This guessing game shit blowing me, Jazzlyn.” I tossed my napkin onto my plate, officially too pissed to eat.
“What? No. I didn’t cheat on you either, Ahk.”
“Then what the fuck is it?”
I could see the fear that laced her eyes. My patience was running thin with her, and she knew that.
“I… I… I had an abortion.”
It was like I went deaf for a minute. Everything around me slowed down as my eyes peered into her. She had this look on her face that let me know she wasn’t playing or pulling shit from her ass. She was deadass serious. My heart dropped to the soles of my feet as my nose flared.
“Run that shit by me again,” I throated out, trying my best to contain the anger that was brewing within me.
I could hear her gulp down as her eyes glossed with tears that were threatening to fall and ruin her flawless make up. “I had an abortion, Ahkeem.”
I sat in front of her for a minute. What the fuck she expected from me? A shoulder to cry on after she told me she killed my fucking kid? That was the last shit I would fucking offer her. I pushed my chair back and stood up from my seat.
“You foul as fuck for this shit.” I tossed a couple hundred-dollar bills onto the table and walked out as she remained seated, calling my name.
If she knew what the fuck was good for her, her best bet would be to remain at that motherfucking table before I ended up doing some shit I wouldn’t be able to come back from.
How the fuck were we supposed to move past this? Jazzlyn just fucked up my whole perception of her and the perfect marriage I thought we had.