15. Half the Distance
Chapter 15
Half the Distance
Marcus
“ I cannot breathe,” Eddy said as I squeezed her this morning.
Mia told me Granny’s flight was moved until after the new year because of the holiday travel.
It’s been a few weeks too long.
I could tell she had been eating everything she shouldn’t have by her puffy face.
“Granny!” Harley yelled and ran for a hug.
Mia stood to the side and patted her eyes dry.
When I got back yesterday, I thought we were going to tell Harley about the engagement.
But she pushed it off until today and now I understand why.
I walked over to Mia and held her face between my hands.
I kissed her at least three times.
“Can we tell them now?” I asked.
“Let me slide on my ring first,” she said and retreated to the bedroom.
Once she reentered, we locked hands, and I cleared my throat.
“Ahem.”
Granny and Harley turned to us.
“Mia and I are getting married,” I said, and Mia showed them the ring.
Harley’s eyes almost reached her eyebrows as they widened.
“Yes,” she said and danced in a circle.
Mia wiped yet another tear from her eye.
“It’s about time. I told you Mia wasn’t going to keep waiting for you. When I met your grandfather, it took us three days to get married. Because when you know, you just know,” Granny said.
“Can I call you mom now?” Harley asked after she landed in front of Mia.
“Your father and I discussed it and yes, you can call me mom,” Mia said.
Harley hugged her legs.
Mia rubbed her back until we both heard sniffles.
I kneeled and pulled Harley toward me.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I asked.
Harley’s tears ran down her cheeks.
“I prayed for Mrs. Mia to be my mom, but I did it in secret,” she said.
Mia covered her mouth and nose as she formed more tears.
“Well, he answered your prayers. Can you pray Daddy wins the Elite Bowl?” I asked.
“Marcus!” Mia scolded me and Harley giggled.
“Mom, can we eat now?” Harley asked.
“Yes, baby. Let’s help Granny get settled,” Mia said.
“Who decorated the house? This is better than the department store,” Granny said, and I nodded toward Mia.
Wifey smiled, proud of her creation.
When she suggested putting reindeers in the front yard, I had to shut the Christmas decor down.
But Harley marveled at the decorations.
Every day she discovered a new ornament she hadn’t noticed before.
As long as they were happy and we were winning football games I didn’t care.
“Week seventeen, and damn it . . . ”
I cut my eyes over at Bryce while Coach Owens was giving his speech.
He squirmed in his seat and held his stomach.
“Man, you good?” I asked.
The rest of the team was smacking hands.
Before he could answer, vomit flew in the seat in front of him.
“Damnnnnn,” I said as I tried to exit my seat as the team assistant flew up the steps.
“Clear the room,” Coach Owens instructed.
I wanted to stay, but there wasn’t much I could do to help him.
In the hallway, I stood by the door while everyone else migrated to their groups.
I caught the attention of Ed, and I knew he was coming over.
“Marcus, you know what I realized,” he said, and I stared past him.
“Nobody on this team knows you outside of Bryce. A reporter asked me something about you. Hell, I can’t remember what he asked, but I do remember I couldn’t answer it. I asked somebody else, and they couldn’t answer it. You don’t hang with the wide receiver core or the defense. You cool?” he questioned.
“Let’s head to the field,” Coach announced, giving me the perfect out.
I blended in with the crowd without answering Ed’s question.
When someone called his name, I moved, putting space between us.
Dr.
Choice said change wouldn’t happen overnight and right now, I was exercising my old behaviors.
“Marcus, we need to wrap,” Ed said as the defense separated on the opposite side of the field.
I stood next to Coach Owens until he looked over at me, “Allen, check on Bryce,” he said, and I walked off the field.
On my way to the clinic, I was full-blown laughing my ass off.
The dream.
Kindness had to be pregnant.
It’s the one thing that explained his symptoms.
At first, we thought it was nerves, but I was confident he was expecting.
I pushed off the wall as Bryce exited the door.
“I have a diagnosis,” I said as we strolled toward the practice field.
“Oh, really?” Bryce said with a light chuckle.
“Kindness is pregnant. You’re carrying the symptoms. Welcome to the club,” I said, and Bryce paused my forward motion with his arm.
“What?” he questioned.
The hard shocked expression on Bryce’s face was priceless.
His muscles tightened on his jawline as he stared back at me.
“Listen, when my sorry-ass baby mama was pregnant with Harley, I stayed sick. The morning sickness took me down for a few weeks. The headaches were the worst,” I said.
Granny had a dream about fish, and my grandfather sat me down.
The next day, I cornered Sierra during fifth period, and she lied about being pregnant.
By the time I made it home, her parents were in my living room.
They tried to force her to abort, but she was too far along.
Sierra and I planned to raise Harley together.
I had already dropped out of school, running packages for Big O.
“Is being a father hard?” Bryce asked, and I smiled.
Harley saved my life, and she pushed me to be better; not just as a father, but as a man.
There were days when coaches were on my ass, teachers riding my back, and I had my grandfather pushing me to work.
Through everything, she was my light.
“Some days, it’s hard and others are even harder, but I’m speaking from a different point of view. I was a single father and poor. I’m thankful for Harley. She kept me out of the streets. Without my grandmother babysitting, I wouldn’t be here today. Things are a lot better with Mia agreeing to be her mother.”
“Did she agree?” Bryce asked.
With the agreement Mia and I had, we decided to keep the engagement to ourselves until after the Elite Bowl.
I had to bribe Harley to keep her mouth closed around Mia’s parents.
“Don’t let Mia fool you. She loves taking care of our daughter. I reward her every night.”
“Marcus, you need help,” Bryce said.
Coach allowed Bryce to leave early and the way he sprinted out of here, I knew his ass was nervous.
“Allen, run drills with Brent,” Coach Owens instructed.
Even at half ass effort, we had a decent connection.
I caught a few passes and stood on the sideline afterward.
Waiting for the next play, Ed and I made eye contact.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath as he ran across the field.
He tapped my chest after he landed.
“Marcus, the guys are hanging out tonight. I spoke with the wide receiver core and don’t nobody know shit about you. You need to bond with your team. Hang out with us,” Ed said.
I smirked.
“Oh, is this a loyalty thing to Bryce over Vick? How is Vick the captain and y’all don’t talk? How is the offense even functioning with the top two wide receivers not having a relationship?” Ed asked, and I shrugged.
“Allen,” Coach Owens waved me in.
I ran across the field and put on my helmet to ready myself for the next play.
On the way to the locker room, a hard bump came from behind me, halting my steps.
Stedman stepped in front of me.
“You better be glad my wife called off the divorce or your ass would be on the ground,” he said.
“Vick must have given you my suggestion to a marriage counselor,” I said, and then pointed to Vick.
He grabbed the collar of my practice jersey, and I bit down on my bottom lip.
“I’ma beat your ass,” he said.
“I wouldn’t advise hitting the number one wide receiver. The new teams don’t want troublemakers in the locker room. Now, get your fucking hands off me,” I said.
“Vick, you heard this? He said he was the number one wide receiver.” Stedman turned to Vick and his nostrils flared.
“Why are y’all standing here watching,” Ed said in the background before he stepped between us.
“Stedman let him go. Man, what the hell is going on with you?” he asked.
Stedman released his grip, and I pushed it away from my jersey.
“Ed, little man here says he is the number one wide receiver and I’m going to need a new team,” Stedman said.
Several sets of eyes were pointed in my direction.
“Marcus is listed on the depth chart as number one. And I don’t want to confirm any rumors, Stedman, but your contract could be in jeopardy,” Ed said.
“Hell the fuck nawl,” Vick yelled.
I smirked in his direction before bunching my brows into a sad face.
“Fellas, in my office. Now!” Coach Owens said.
Keyshawn cackled as we followed Coach Owens’s lead into his office, stopping in front of his desk.
“I’ll make this short. Grow the fuck up; you’re grown men. Stedman and Vick, you lost your positions fair and square. Both of your productions are down – stop trying to intimidate Marcus and blame yourself. And Marcus, let them be the example of how not to act,” he said.
I made it home and saw a pair of my cleats outside on the front doorstep.
It did my heart good to turn the doorknob and see my Granny sitting in her chair.
I sprinted over and kissed her cheek before taking a seat.
She lent me a smile as I sat on the sofa next to her.
“Granny, why are my shoes outside?” I asked, and she broke into a hearty laugh.
I waited for the joke.
After several seconds, she finally gave me an answer.
“Mia sat them outside. She said the smell turned her stomach. I didn’t smell nothing, but she did.”
“My feet don’t stink,” I countered, and she raised her hand in a surrendering motion.
“A pregnant woman’s sense of smell is stronger than anything else, Marcus,” Granny said.
“It isn’t me, Granny. I think Bryce got his girlfriend pregnant. Puzzle solved,” I said.
Granny leaned forward and shook her head.
“Yet, your shoes are outside, and your fiancée has been sleeping all day. After her alarm sounded off, she walked out of y’all bedroom yawning to get Harley from dance class. Hey, what do I know? I’m old,” she said.
I focused on Granny and knew I needed to investigate this situation better.
“You need something from the store?” I asked.
“Nope,” she said as she chuckled.
By the time I made it home, Mia’s SUV was parked in the driveway.
I entered the house to find Harley in her glittered dance outfit and tights.
“Daddy,” she ran to me, and I kissed her until she giggled.
Mia was in the kitchen prepping dinner.
She turned to me and smiled.
“Harley, it’s time to change, and let’s get started on your homework,” Mia said.
“You heard the boss,” I said, placing our daughter on her feet.
She danced down the hall and left my grandmother laughing.
Bag in hand, I motioned for Mia to meet me in the bedroom.
She squinted but turned off the stove and followed me.
“Baby, what’s going on?” she asked as I shut the door behind us.
I secured her hand and led her into the bathroom.
“Marcus, you are scaring me,” Mia said.
We landed in front of the vanity, and I pulled out three pregnancy tests.
“Are you serious right now?” Mia asked, with her hand on her hips.
“Baby, I think we’re pregnant,” I said.
Mia giggled as she rested against the double sink bathroom vanity.
“Why do you think we’re expecting?” she asked.
I trapped her with my hands and kissed her forehead.
“Granny had a fish dream. My shoes are outside, you’re sleeping more, and when was the last time you had your period? Baby, we’ve been getting it in nonstop,” I said.
“Marcus, do you want a baby?” she asked, and a smile appeared on my face.
Mia bunched the middle of my shirt and pulled me down into a kiss.
“Baby, let’s go through your list. Fish dreams are superstition, your shoes stink, we be up all night and I have irregular periods. It’s not uncommon for me not to see a period for months.”
Mia debunked all of my reasoning, but it wasn’t enough for me.
“Can you please take a test for me? It will take five minutes. I mean, it can’t hurt, Mia.”
I gave my future wife the pleading eyes, followed by repeated kisses.
“Okay, I will take the test. Lucky for you, I have to pee.”
Mia selected a test from the pile I bought.
She skimmed the direction and peed on the stick.
She placed the test flat on the vanity and washed her hands.
“Marcus, this is a good time to tell you I blew my budget on your Christmas gifts. In my defense, you never let me buy you anything,” she said.
I heard Mia, but my mind was focused on the pregnancy test.
“We will see which one we’re going to return,” I said, and Mia jerked her head back.
“The future Mia Allen doesn’t do returns,” she said, and I chuckled.
She spends on the same level as Trendy but she refused to admit it.
Harley now has a collection of sunglasses and more baby dolls than she needed.
“All right, it should be ready. Don’t get your hopes up, Marcus,” she said, as I checked the results.
Pregnant appeared on the digital screen, and I covered my mouth.
“Oh, baby, we need to schedule a doctor’s appointment.”
“Marcus, stop playing,” Mia said and slapped my shoulder before she looked over.
“Oh shit,” she said as she collected the test from the marble vanity.
Mia’s eyes traveled to me and back to the test.
“This. This... give me another test,” she demanded and extended her free hand.
“You still gotta pee?” I questioned.
“I’ll make myself pee. Give me the test,” Mia demanded with her hand.
The woman’s body was amazing.
Somehow, she squeezed enough pee for another test and it came back pregnant.
Mia rested against the wall and caressed her stomach.
I covered her hand as she continued to rub her stomach through her white V-neck shirt.
“We’re having a baby,” Mia whispered as her eyes glossed over.
“Yes, we are expanding the Allen family,” I said and kissed her temple.
“How . . . How,” she struggled to complete her sentence.
“I mean we, Mia, we get it in ,” I said and she tapped my upper arm.
“I was trying to ask you how you felt about us having a baby,” she said.
“I’m excited. I want the full experience with the doctor appointments, the pregnancy photos and announcements. We need to focus on getting the house finished. We need to kick everything in overdrive, including adding a nursery,” I said.
Mia covered her mouth as she glared at me.
“You are excited about this,” she said, and I jerked my head back.
“We’re getting married. You’re Harley’s mother, but we need to file the adoption paperwork. Mia, I want this,” I said and dropped to my knees.
Securing the brim of her shirt, I lifted it, exposing her stomach and kissed her brown skin.
Mia
I caressed the top of Marcus’s head as I tried to balance my emotions.
My mind was trying to figure out how we got to this point.
Me and fertility hadn’t been the best of friends.
Nathan put my body through it with the unneeded IVF treatments and the bacterial vaginosis.
Dr.
Betts assured me with my irregular periods, my body could produce a child.
I doubted her and sought a second opinion, to find out Nathan got a vasectomy after Onna.
I still remember him lying about getting hit in the nuts by a baseball.
The asshole had the procedure done and dodged my advances.
We didn’t have sex for three months.
For two fucking years, I tried getting pregnant and nothing.
“We need to get you to the doctor,” Marcus said as he stood from his knees.
“Baby, this is the week of Christmas. It will be after the new year before I can get in with anyone,” I said.
Marcus contorted his face, not accepting my answer because wealth gave you access.
I’m sure I could get in with someone, but something in me wanted to delay.
“Okay, I will call Dr. Betts,” I said.
“Let me know the time and I’ll let the coach know I’ll be late or need to leave early,” Marcus said.
I exited the bathroom with him on my heels to access my phone.
Scrolling through my contacts, I called Dr.
Betts’s private nurse.
“Mia,” the familiar voice said.
“Gina, how are you?” I asked.
“I’m happy we received our bonus this morning.”
“What did you get?” I teased.
Marcus cleared his throat as Gina disclosed her ten-thousand-dollar gift.
I knew this baby was going to send my future husband into overdrive.
“What can I do for you, Mia?” Gina asked.
“Can you fit me in as soon as possible for a pregnancy confirmation?” I whispered as Marcus kissed my temple.
“How fast can you get here?” Gina asked and my heart leaped.
“We are on the way,” I said.
Dr.
Betts was a personal friend to my family and the best OBGYN in Texas.
The bulk of her clientele were celebrities and people of influence.
I glared at Marcus.
“I want to take Harley and Granny with us,” I said.
He scrubbed his waves and agreed.
“Yeah, Ms. Renee isn’t here, and I don’t want them home alone. It’s too close to the holidays.”
Hand in hand, we walked into the living area to find Harley coloring and Granny half asleep in her chair.
“Harley, baby, go put on your shoes. We are getting ready to go. Granny, this includes you,” Marcus said.
Granny chuckled, but didn’t give us any fuss about getting ready.
“Mom, are you sick?” Harley asked from the backseat as we pulled onto the highway to sit in traffic.
My eyes darted over to Marcus.
I didn’t want to tell her anything without confirmation.
Rotating in my seat, Harley and I locked eyes.
“No, I’m going to get a quick checkup and then we can order pizza,” I said.
“Okay,” she said.
Turning around, I caught the grin on Marcus’s face and rolled my eyes.
I’m thankful she was satisfied with my answer.
After an hour of sitting in traffic, we pulled into the medical district, to a brown brick and neutral stucco building.
The parking lot was empty, alerting me Dr.
Betts was closed, but made the exception for me.
Marcus parked in front of the building for Granny to have a shorter walking distance.
“Don’t forget your cane, Granny,” Harley reminded her, and I chuckled.
Walking under the covered porch toward the tinted glass doors brought back memories.
Many times, I entered this place hopeful but left heartbroken.
Harley held my hand as Marcus assured Granny could get inside.
Dr.
Betts’s waiting room held a warm and inviting atmosphere with the natural hardwood floors, recessed lighting, large open windows and brown earth tone walls.
Marcus helped Granny and Harley to a seat in the oversized brown chairs.
Gina exited the check-in desk and extended her arms.
I’d always admired her high cheekbones, glowing brown skin, and round face.
As I wrapped my hand around her back, I tried avoiding her bone straight black length wig.
“This is my fiancé, Marcus Allen, our daughter, Harley, and my granny, Eddy Allen,” I said to Gina.
She covered her mouth before bending over the desk to grab a tissue.
We hugged, because she knew my journey, and drew hiked brows from everyone in the room.
“Have you been drinking water?” Gina asked.
“I’m about to pee on myself,” I said.
As we followed Gina down the hallway, the pictures of babies and family didn’t bother me.
The exam room mirrored the waiting room with warm colors, and Marcus helped me onto the brown exam table after I changed into a gown.
He secured the seat across from me as we waited on the doctor.
The door opened and Dr.
Betts beamed with excitement with her well-defined brows and smooth brown skin.
She found the perfect balance of neutral eyeshadow to compliment her almond-shaped eyes.
“Dr. Betts, meet my fiancé.”
“Marcus Allen,” Dr.
Betts said.
“My son does the body roll dance every time you score. It drives his daddy crazy. He is a Philly fan,” she said with an eye roll.
Dr.
Betts and Marcus talked sports as she confirmed the pregnancy.
“Well, Allen family. There isn’t a baby. There are two,” she said and turned the screen around.
I sat up and stared at the screen and then back at Dr.
Betts.
The sound of skin touching pulled my attention.
Marcus’s hands moved up and down as he wore an accomplished smirk on his face.
Our doctor turned her head to suppress her laughter.
“Care to let me in?” I asked Marcus.
He opened the palms of his hand and smiled.
“Baby, I mean two in one. I’m proud of us.”
Dr.
Betts burst into a hard cackle as she faced the wall.
“I hope they’re girls with shopping habits,” I said.
“I’ll deal with you when I relieve myself,” I said and with the help of Dr.
Betts, I shuffled to the bathroom.
I returned to the exam room to see Marcus staring at the printed picture.
Dr.
Betts stepped out the room as I dressed.
Marcus knocked on the door to alert the doctor I was ready after we kissed.
Dr.
Betts beamed as she stepped back into the room.
“Can we call in my daughter and Mrs. Eddy?” I asked.
She phoned Gina, and soon, everyone joined the room.
Marcus stood for Granny to sit and Harley shuffled behind Marcus’s leg.
“Mom, are you okay?” she said.
“Yes, can you come hold my hand?”
Harley peered up at Marcus before she walked over and held my hand.
I nodded at Dr.
Betts, and she turned the screen around.
“We are having twins,” I said.
Mrs.
Eddy smiled after she tapped Marcus’s leg with her cane.
Harley’s eyes widened as she stood still.
I moved her hand to get her attention.
“I’m going to be a big sister. I asked God for six brothers and sisters. We need...um... four more,” she announced as she counted her fingers.
“Umm... Harley, we need to discuss your prayer list,” I said, and the room laughed.
My eyes jolted open after Harley moved.
“Whoa, Momma Bear. I’m putting her in her own bed,” Marcus said.
Harley hadn’t left me since the baby announcement earlier today.
We ate pizza and climbed in bed to watch TV.
Somewhere during the movie, we both fell asleep.
With blurry vision, I registered Marcus carrying our daughter out of our room.
I closed my eyes again for what appeared to be seconds before Marcus kissed my cheek.
He placed a bottle of water on the nightstand before moving to his side of the bed.
Within minutes, his arms were around my body, caressing my stomach.
“Two babies,” he whispered.
The texture of his skin touching mine baited me to drift off to sleep, but I knew he wanted to talk.
“Yes, we will have three kids running around the house at the same time,” I said and then yawned.
“Next Tuesday, the contractor is coming over. We need to order the light fixtures, hardware and the tile. I want to be in the new house before you give birth. I was going to surprise you with it, but you need to order the equipment for your recording studio,” Marcus said.
I peered over my shoulder at him with the sensation to cry.
“Baby, you added a studio?”
“Yes, I added a studio with a separate entrance and Harley’s pool on the last change orders,” he said.
“You are so thoughtful, baby.”
“How do you want to handle the baby news?” he asked.
“My preference is to tell my parents tomorrow and we can handle everyone else person by person.”
“And the engagement?” he questioned.
He snuggled underneath me more, finding a comfortable spot.
“I want to keep the wedding in-house for now. Marcus, your head needs to be in the game,” I said groggily.
“Yes, Coach Owens,” he teased.
Christmas morning held a different spirit this year.
I rested on the couch with my legs covered with the custom blanket Marcus made for me.
Each square held a memory for me from our first date until our first vacation.
I’m thankful for the designer purses, money, and jewelry Marcus bought, but this was the best gift.
Harley had ripped through her gifts and Marcus scoffed about the Fashion Dollhouse.
I figured he needed something to do as bonding time with Harley.
When the doorbell rang, I checked the cameras to see it was Marcus’s gift.
“No, it’s your gift and do not look at the security camera,” I said, pausing his steps as he tried to open the front door.
I pushed back my blanket and exited the couch with Harley behind me.
I answered the door.
“Mia Robinson?” the delivery driver with the white button down asked.
Excitement flowed through me as I scribbled my name on the clipboard.
He passed me the keys in a wrapped box, and I squealed.
I stood at the door, pointing at Marcus, making sure he didn’t touch his phone.
Mrs.
Eddy was enjoying her foot warmer as she rested in her chair.
After the crew pulled off, I waved my future husband over but paused him at the door, placing the red and black boxes in his hand.
“Mrs. Allen, you spent over the budget,” he said and I placed my hand on my hip.
“You gave me a hundred-dollar budget for yours and gave yourself an unlimited budget for mine,” I said.
Marcus pressed his lips together before he dangled his head to the left.
“A man always needs underclothes and personal items. The lotion in the purple bottle is fire.”
“I knew you were using my stuff,” I said and tapped his upper arm.
“Now, close your eyes. Harley and I will lead you outside.”
We guided Marcus down the steps and to the driveway.
“Mia, if this gift is too expensive, it’s going back,” he warned.
“Not happening. You’re going to enjoy your gifts. Now, open,” I said.
A white Bentley Continental GT and a black chevy Monte Carlo SS 1987 with the red stripe sat in the driveway.
“Merry Christmas, baby,” I said.
Marcus remained still as he glared at the cars.
“What do you think?” I asked.
He squeezed his eyes together with his index finger and thumb.
“Baby, where in the hell did you find a 1987 original Monte Carlo?” he asked.
“Baby doll! You cursed,” Harley said as she bounced her shoulders.
Marcus kneeled with his focus on the cars.
“Go touch them, they’re yours,” I said.
“I-I-can’t take these. We got two kids coming and I have a house to pay for,” he sputtered out his excuses.
I motioned for him to raise up and I noticed the gloss in his eyes.
“While you enjoy taking care of everybody, I take care of you. You deserve these cars and much more. Now, go get in those cars before I get upset,” I said.
Marcus placed his forehead on mine.
“I’m working on the deserve thing. Thank you for taking care of me. But you and these babies are my gift. I’m not comfortable with you spending this amount of money. Cut it out, Wifey.”
A kiss landed on my cheek before he checked out his cars.
He wanted to hide his excitement but couldn’t.
“You got Allen engraved in the seats?” he asked as he rounded the Bentley.
Harley hugged my leg as we witnessed our provider transition to a receiver.
Once he put his eyes on the SS, he whistled as he touched the paint job.
“Look at you,” he said to the car, and I cackled.
I videoed him for several minutes with the intention of sending a copy to Bryce.
As we stood outside and laughed at Marcus my parents pulled into the driveway.
Harley jumped with excitement because we both knew how Trendy shopped.
She exited the car please with the gifts I bought Marcus.
“I have gifts,” my mother said as she hugged us.
I shot Harley a look to keep our secret as we headed back inside.
Dad followed behind with a large bag alerting me Trendy did not keep to the list.
“Marcus, could you help my husband with the other bags,” she said.
I gave Mrs.
Eddy a glance, and she giggled hard with her feet still resting in the massager.
We had already received our money’s worth since she opened it this morning.
“Momma, if you kept to the list, you wouldn’t need help with bags,” I reminded as I sat back.
She waved me away and extended her hands to Harley.
They embraced hard and Mom passed her a gift box.
“Mrs. Eddy, I have a few things for you,” she said.
“Oh, no, I don’t need anything,” Granny said, but it was too late.
My mother had been shopping since before Thanksgiving.
And those bags were loaded with gifts.
“New sunglasses,” Harley said and hugged my mother’s neck.
I squinted to see the designer label on the side and rolled my eyes to the ceiling.
She couldn’t get kids plastic frames, nope, she bought designer.
“That’s the last of it,” my Dad said as he entered the house.
Both men carried two large bags in each hand, and I turned to my mother.
They placed everything next to her, and Mrs.
Eddy laid back in her chair, giddy with laughter.
“Oh, this box is for Marcus,” Mom said.
“Can you take this to your dad?” she asked Harley.
From the shape of the box, I knew it was jewelry.
Marcus unwrapped the red covered box and flipped off the lid.
“Whoa, Mrs. Robinson, I can’t take this,” he said.
I peered over to see the platinum diamond covered Parker PK watch, and I knew she dropped over a hundred grand.
“Nonsense. I bought Clarence two,” she said and refocused on Harley.
“Let’s open this box,” Mom said to Harley.
“Baby, do you know how much this watch costs?” Marcus whispered to me, and I shook my head yes.
In half an hour, Harley had designer clothes, a damn fur coat, sunglasses, a necklace, a custom tutu, two chickens for her to name, a trust fund, a checking account, and several doll accessories.
“Marcus, we want you to have this,” my father said and passed Marcus an envelope.
I dropped my head when the blue folder came visible.
“Nooooo, I can’t take a private jet,” Marcus said and stared down at me.
“Sure you can. When I heard about Mrs. Allen getting on a commercial flight we couldn’t stand it. We’ve secured private transportation for you and the family anytime you need to travel,” Mom said.
“No lines,” Harley said and I chuckled.
“Baby,” Marcus stammered with widened eyes but I looked the other way.
I tried to warn him about how my parents spend and gift things.
“Thank you but this is a bit much,” he said to my parents.
Trendy had oil money long before she met my father.
He built a sports media empire on his own.
This jet?
Just a mere tax write off.
Marcus, Harley, and I sat on the couch as my parents opened their boxes.
She shuffled through the gift paper and lifted a body suit.
“Mia, what...” My mother paused and shoved her face into my father’s shoulder.
I slipped on my ring while her head turned.
Weeping escaped her mouth, and Harley turned to me.
“Is she okay?” she asked.
I shook my head yes.
“Mia, we’re getting another grandchild. First, we’re blessed with Harley, and now?”
I paused my mother’s statement, and I held up two fingers.
“Twins! We’re having twins!” my mother screamed, and I confirmed with a head nod.
Trendy’s gaze flew over to Mrs.
Eddy and she smiled back.
“Oh, then there is this,” I waved my ring finger and put my diamond ring on display.
My mother’s eyes turned into a slot machine.
I saw the amount of money she planned to spend rolling in her head.
“This is the very best Christmas gift anybody could give me,” she said.
“Marcus, when you asked me a few weeks ago, I was honored. I thank you for following through,” my dad said.
Harley ran over to my parents.
“Can I call you Grandma and Grandpa? Mia is my mom now,” she said.
A tear left my mother’s face as she reached for a hug from Harley.
“We would be honored.”
Marcus
Khalil and I met outside the Virtual Towers building and shook hands.
Bryce connecting me with Prime Stride sports was his second-best hookup.
One being my future wife.
Khalil had already landed me several brand deals, and he had a stellar reputation in the industry.
We mainly communicated via email and video chat.
“Marcus, it’s nice to meet you in person,” he said, and we shook hands.
“This deal we’re getting ready to walk into is major. You will be the face of the brand for its first year,” he said, as we headed inside the building.
I remained quiet as he discussed what this could do for my career.
Khalil Jefferies was football royalty and a trailblazer.
When Caleb passed him my account, I was speechless the first time we spoke over the phone.
He wanted to go over numbers and I wanted to discuss football plays.
We traveled up the elevator until it stopped on the top floor.
I followed behind as he approached the conference room.
Once we stepped inside, I was confused on why Kindness was sitting at the table.
“Kindness?” I questioned with crowded brows.
“Hello, Mr. Allen. I’m glad you agreed to meet with me. Meet my agent, Anissa Jefferies.”
She offered me a seat, and I couldn’t contain my emotions.
I didn’t know if I should step out and call Bryce or ask questions.
Then it dawned on me.
She said Jefferies.
“Are you two related?” I asked, waving a finger between Khalil and Anissa.
“She’s my wife, and she’s here to squeeze every penny out of your pocket,” Khalil said, and the room fell silent as I tried to figure out my next move.
“I thought Caleb controlled the Armadillos’s account,” she said.
“He is, but Mr. Allen here needed representation and Caleb’s hands are full with the New York market.”
Turning to both of us, Anissa said, “We do not discuss business or share clients. Rest assured, your confidentiality remains secure, and we follow all ethical guidelines. However, we will leave it up to you to decide, Mr. Allen and Ms. Jordan.”
“Jordan,” I questioned with a tilted head and widened eyes.
Kindness was a Jordan.
What the fuck was going on?
I know Bryce didn’t know this shit.
He would never jeopardize his career.
Well, I take it back.
He was in love.
Maybe she lied to him about her last name.
Kindness had to be Mr.
Jordan’s niece or something.
They were complete opposites from what I know about Kindness.
“I trust you, Anissa,” she said, and the room turned to me.
“You are solid, Khalil. I’mma rock with you,” I said and he selected a seat next to me.
Khalil smirked at his wife, and she rolled her eyes.
“Mr. Allen, you were selected to grace the cover of The Gridiron . My client, Kindness Jordan, holds majority ownership, and she stands in control of the product packaging. She has put together a generous offer for your likeness,” Anissa said and pushed the one-page offer across the table.
Anissa had a stone-cold expression on her face, and she meant business.
Viewing the offer sheet, I whistled at the number, which was unprofessional but damn .
Khalil picked up the offer sheet, and his eyes also bulged.
He looked at Anissa and she nodded over at Kindness.
“Wait . . . I have a question. Are you related to the owner?” I had to ask.
Kindness cackled, as if I told a joke.
Football took care of my family, and I couldn’t sacrifice my position on the team.
“Love and Kindness, LLC, exists as a separate entity from the Texas Armadillos. Her relationship, if there is a relation, has no bearing here. This offer remains viable for the next five minutes. Afterward, it decreases by ten percent with each second. We would understand if you chose to walk away,” Anissa said.
I snapped my head backward at how forward Anissa was with her demand.
“My wife isn’t joking. Take this offer. She will dwindle this deal in half in about five minutes,” Khalil whispered in my ear.
We reviewed the offer again, and he removed a pen from his inside pocket.
Viewing those zeros, I had to sign it.
I had a wedding coming up, babies, Harley’s college fund, and a house that needed to be completed.
I escorted Kindness to her car, trying not to stare at her stomach.
Bryce had been tight-lipped about the possible pregnancy.
With Kindness being a Jordan, he might want to look into how she was connected to the owner.
She had to be his niece or something.
Kindness’ s personality was bold and loud.
None of her furniture matched and I’ve caught Mia referring to her as Mother Earth several times.
All she needed was a guitar and head wrap, but her spirit was gentle.
Either way, she added some zeros to my account, and she overpaid me.
After our agents left, I focused on Kindness.
I tried to compare my memory of Mr.
Jordan to hers and I didn’t see it.
“Kindness, you’re a Jordan?” I questioned, moving to her side of the table.
“Yes, Marcus. I’m a Jordan.”
“Does Bryce know about this?” I asked.
Kindness held her stomach as tears formed in the corner of her eyes.
Oh shit, he got Mr.
Jordan’s niece pregnant.
It’s a wrap on his football career.
“Yes. Bryce and I have no secrets,” she responded with a friendly smile.
Something wasn’t adding up.
Doug Jordan wasn’t the friendliest person, but I respected him.
I’d been in the workout room with him a few times and he stayed to himself.
It was a relief to me because I preferred people not to be in my business.
“Isn’t this a conflict of interest with your uncle owning the team and you picking me to grace your cover?” I asked.
Kindness assured me everything was legal.
“According to the players’ association, everything falls between the ethical guidelines.”
“So, you’re Mr. Jordan’s niece?”
I went for it because I needed to know now.
This entire meeting put me in a questionable situation with Bryce.
He was my best friend and his football career was in jeopardy, in my opinion.
Behind Vick and Shaunie, stood Doug Jordan, on his people he hates the most list.
“Why would you think I’m his niece?” she questioned.
“Because ain’t no way my daughter is gonna be on the sideline taking pictures of football players. Hell nawl.”
She tossed her hands in the air as if I offended her, but it was the truth.
Most League players had second, sometimes third families.
I’d seen women in and out of the hotel rooms.
Kindness and I chatted for a few minutes, but I couldn’t stop my eyes from venturing toward her stomach.
Kindness was petite, but she didn’t appear any different to me.
One thing was for sure: Bryce and I needed to talk.
Therapy has become a part of my everyday life.
Initially it began as a way to secure my wife, but it morphed into a lifeline.
Once again my Mia found a way to take care of me.
“Mr. Allen,” Dr.
Choice said as he shook my hand.
I snagged a seat on the purple couch and sat as he secured his seat behind his desk.
“Big game is coming up this week,” he said, and I nodded.
“It’s the reason why I came to see you. My head is everywhere but the game,” I said, and Dr.
Choice flipped open his tablet.
He encouraged me with his hand to continue speaking.
“Mia, my fiancée, is expecting twins. Harley, my firstborn, is excited. My granny is finally home, and our new house is almost ready. I landed a lucrative brand deal. Mia’s dad bought me a jet,” I said.
Dr.
Choice’s face remained still as he wrote something on his tablet.
“Sounds as if things are going your way. Let me ask you something. In your past, when you were successful, what happened afterward?” he said.
I probed my thoughts and landed back on my grandfather dying.
“When I got recruited to Ohio, my grandfather died during the summer and the day I scored my first touchdown in pop warner, my dad was killed. And other small stuff. I remember being happy and then something tragic happens. I mean...”
My voice tapered off by the end of my sentence.
“Let’s explore. How did your grandfather die?” he asked.
“Cancer,” I said
“How did your father die?” he asked.
“He was a street dude. Died by the gun of a jealous friend is what I was told.”
I scanned the office, avoiding Dr.
Choice’s eyes.
“Marcus, I’m going to throw this out there. Do you believe your punishment for success is losing a loved one?” Dr.
Choice asked.
My mind traveled back to how fast my grandfather’s body gave out after I came home with the news.
One day, we were putting up sheetrock and the next, he was barely eating.
The day before my football game, my dad and I were tackling each other in the living room of our two-bedroom apartment.
The next day, my mother was crying in the same living room he had just tackled me in.
“I don’t know. The more I achieve on a professional level, the more I lose in my personal life,” I said.
We sat in silence for several minutes.
My heart ached, thinking about the loss I’d suffered.
I haven’t even tackled my mother or Sierra.
Although they left me, I processed it as a loss.
“I’m going to challenge your thinking. If you were never recruited, do you think your grandfather would have outlived cancer? If you didn’t score a touchdown at the pop warner, was it going to stop your father’s death?” he said.
Deep down, I knew I couldn’t prevent these things from happening, but the weight landed on my shoulders.
“I told myself I couldn’t stop these things but the weight…” I said.
We sat yet again in a silent pause.
“Have you grieved the losses in your life? My intuition tells me you picked up whatever responsibility they left vacant and kept moving. After your father died, you tried taking care of your mother. You took on being a single father and picked up your grandfather’s vacancy. The weight could be grief. After the season, would you be interested in grief counseling?”
Dr.
Choice was right.
I can’t recall crying at anybody’s funeral.
When my mom couldn’t function, I broke into people’s houses to pay the rent.
It landed me in juvie and then I was placed at my grandparents’ house.
I picked Harley up from the hospital and tried to learn how to be a father.
After my grandfather died, I talked to the coaching staff at Ohio and they gave me family housing to move Granny with me.
Damn, I didn’t have time to cry or wallow?
“Do you think it will benefit me?” I asked.
Dr.
Choice tried to keep a neutral face, but his eyes said yes.
“The question is, do you think it will help you? What I know about grief and abandonment is it will show up in your life if not addressed. It’s already showing now. Are you second guessing giving the game your all and fully enjoying the Elite Bowl because of fear of loss? Are you telling yourself you don’t deserve the good things happening to you?”
I leaned forward, placing my hands on my knees because he was on target.
To be honest, I hadn’t put the time into film study, using Mia and the babies as an excuse.
I’d smothered her and Granny.
“Yea,” I answered as I sat back.
“Marcus, no matter how successful you are, you have no control over life’s milestones, including death. You could lose the championship game and Elite Bowl, and it wouldn’t stop death, disappointment or someone leaving. But you can honor those you lost by being the best version of you. Remember, you have a family who is invested into your wellbeing,” he said.
We sat in silence as I tried to come to terms with the lies I told myself.
Somewhere on this journey, I blamed myself for things I couldn’t control.
Listening to Dr.
Choice breaking things down made my beliefs sound…
silly.
I guess I needed to find out why it’s easy for me to absorb the responsibility for life’s terms.
Standing in the tunnel, I tried to refocus my thinking on the playbook.
I spent one-half the night monitoring Mia’s GPS, making sure she kept her ass at home.
The second half, I focused on the film of the two corners guarding me today.
Cleveland had turned their season around and went on one hell of a playoff run.
With us going undefeated, we had the first-round bye in the postseason.
The fans were louder than any other game before they shook the tunnel.
Standing next to Bryce, I could tell he was getting into the zone.
With his hands cuffed underneath his neck, he was going through plays.
My core trembled with excitement from the fans and the big stage.
All week, the media had focused on me being a rookie, saying our offense was inexperienced.
Once Bryce lifted his head, I gave him the side-eye.
“Am I uncle or what?” I asked.
He turned to me and chuckled.
“You stay in my business,” he said.
“I’m waiting for the answer. Speaking of which, did you find out how Kindness was related to Mr. Jordan?” I questioned.
With his helmet on, I couldn’t read his facial expression.
Bryce had a tell when he lied, his eye twitches.
He knew something because he didn’t stay in the hotel with the team last night.
When I called him after I signed to Love and Kindness Inc, he didn’t react how I imagined.
“Are you ready to tell me how Mia got you fucking for touchdowns? What did she promise you this time?” he said.
I chuckled at his comment because she promised me nothing.
With her being pregnant, I’m sure our sex life would slow down.
“Mia and I are the godparents, is what you saying?” I questioned.
“If I was having a baby, what makes you think I’ll name you as the godfather?” he questions.
I covered my heart.
“I’m the only friend you have,” I said.
“No, you’re my brother,” he said and extended his hand.
The gesture alone caused me to slap hands with him.
“All right, cupcakes. Y’all know what time it is. I was talking big shit on social media because I know y’all gon’ back it up. We are going to the Elite Bowl, but we have to make a pit stop at Cleveland. Fuck the underdog, we the big dog,” Ed, our safety, said as we huddled in the middle.
The defense started barking and howling and I loosened my shoulders, focused on the game.
On the fourth play of the game, Bryce and I both saw the high safety.
We both knew I had him beat on their forty.
“Apple pie and cornbread at Janet’s house. Hike,” Bryce said.
I blew past the corner without any contest from him and looked over my shoulder.
Bryce fired the ball in the air and before the safety could help, I was already in the end zone.
We ran into the locker room with confetti on our uniforms.
The champagne and goggles sat on the table.
I snatched one of everything, excited.
After leaving Dr.
Choice’s office, I told myself to be in the moment.
A few of the team members had already sprayed champagne bottles, wetting my jersey.
I scanned the room for Bryce and I noticed he was sitting at his locker, holding his phone.
Snatching a pair of goggles from the table, I made my way to him.
“Bryce, man, we’re going to the Elite Bowl, and you’re sad. Get yo ass up. Do you know what this means to me? I’m going to the big game my first year.”
He stood up and pulled on a pair of goggles and we let a bottle of champagne go in the air.
I made it home right before midnight.
The motion light popped on as I pulled into the driveway.
From the outside, I could tell they were asleep.
Approaching the front door, I found another pair of cleats outside and I chuckled.
Mia swears my feet smelled.
She referenced sour cream and onion chips.
I didn’t smell anything, but Granny said her nose was sensitive.
Unlocking the door, I walked into a dark house except for the kitchen.
The light from above the stove provided a minimum glimpse of the floor.
I walked to Harley’s room and kissed her cheek.
She rolled over, but never opened her eyes.
Peeking in on Granny, she mirrored Harley fast asleep with the TV still on USPN.
I opened my bedroom door expecting Mia to be asleep but I paused at the image standing before me.
Mia stood in front of the bed in a white nurse outfit, holding a clipboard.
My dick hardened as my eyes traveled up and down her body.
I struggled to shut the door behind me as my heart rate had doubled in pace.
“Lock it,” she instructed.
I hit the button by the knob and turned in her direction.
“The League called with concerns about your fluids being low after your performance,” she said.
With my back to the door, I swallowed hard to regain control of my heart.
“I could use a special mix for fluids.”
“Good, because pussy juices are on the menu,” she said and motioned for me to come over.
Mia pushed me down on the bed.
“I’m very proud of you, Marcus,” she said as a trail of kisses landed on my neck.
“Thank you, baby,” I whispered.
She grabbed my face and applied pressure, to hold my gaze.
“It’s time for me to perform a full body work up...”
Mia pulled out a stethoscope and listened to my heart and gave me a concerning expression.
She moved the flat circle end of the stethoscope around my skin a few times, before shaking her head.
“Your heart is beating harder than usual, Mr. Allen,” she said
I admired the short nurse’s uniform leaving her breast exposed and her ass uncovered.
As I caressed the slick fabric over her curves, she seized my hand.
“No, sir, you can’t touch the staff,” she said.
“But, I’m afraid you’re going to need to be refilled.”
“I-I understand,” I stammered over my words.
“Good, us nurses love a compliant patient. Let’s start with you laying back and then I’m going to cover your face. Something tasty is going to fall into your mouth. You should enjoy it,” she said.
“Yes, Nurse,” I said and laid back, happy to be Mia’s patient.