Chapter 16
“I wasn’t planning to work out, but Nyomi had me doing sprints with her, so I’m about to head home to shower and change,” I told Ambrose and began walking away.
“Hold up,” he called out.
I turned and gave him my attention.
“Wassup?”
“Is that the same woman you were talking about a few weeks ago? Nyeem’s mother?”
“It is. Wassup?”
“I forgot to tell you. I reached out to a few of the guys from the team to see if they remembered her. The ones that did didn’t have anything good to say. She got around, man. You might wanna send her back to the streets.”
I chuckled but didn’t find shit funny.
“You might want to mind your fucking business.”
I turned and walked away as he continued talking bullshit to my back. I tuned him out, so I had no idea what the nigga was saying, nor did I care. It took me about forty-five minutes to go home, shower, change into fresh clothes, and get back to campus.
When I arrived at my office, the athletic director was headed out. We didn’t have a meeting scheduled, so I was surprised to see her.
“Good morning, Dr. Stackhouse. Were you looking for me?”
“Good morning, Coach. I was, actually. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course.”
I followed her into my office, closing the door behind me. She sat in one of the chairs in front of my desk, and I sat in my seat on the other side.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Nothing you should be worried about, but I wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“I’m all ears.”
She sighed and hesitated briefly.
“Coach Ward came to my office a little while ago with some information he thought would be damning to you.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nodded.
“He shared that you’re dating one of the players’ mothers and that you tend to give that player special treatment. I asked for examples, and nothing he shared sounded like special treatment. He believes your relationship is a conflict of interest, and he’s not wrong.”
“Dr. Stackhouse, I am dating Nyomi Kurrie, Nyeem Kurrie’s mother, and the director of the university’s library. We began seeing each other before I knew Nyeem was her son.”
“I’ve conversed with Miss Kurrie numerous times at different campus-related events.
She’s a gorgeous, intelligent woman with a great personality, so I understand why you’re drawn to her.
Personally, I don’t have an issue with it.
I’m very well-versed in the NACS and university rules.
Lucky for you, neither has a policy that explicitly states that coaches can’t date the parents of athletes.
However, if this gets out, I have no doubt the public will perceive your relationship with Miss Kurrie as a conflict of interest.”
“You’re right.”
“I’ve been reading articles about Nyeem since he was in middle school, and his talent can’t be denied.
When he continues to soar, he will have haters and naysayers, and some may think he’s undeserving and is only thriving because of the opportunities you create because of your relationship with his mother.
I know you have integrity and wouldn’t jeopardize the greater good of the team over your relationship, but outsiders don’t know that. Be prepared for backlash.”
“I will. Thank you for coming to me with this.”
“I thought it was important for you to know that someone you think is on your team is behind the scenes working against you. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with him for at least one season.”
“Unless he does something that violates his contract.”
“Yes . . . or quits. Let’s start praying for the latter. Have a good day.”
“Thank you. You do the same.”
We stood, and I walked her to the door. Once she was gone, I called Knox and asked him to come to my office. I was already returned to my seat, and when he entered, he sat where Dr. Stackhouse had been seated.
“You look pissed,” was the first thing he said.
“I am. Ward is a bitch.”
“Hold up. Let me close this door.”
I waited for him to close the door and return. He looked at me expectantly, and I shared my conversation with Dr. Stackhouse.
“He’s the true definition of a bitch ass nigga. He was trying to get you caught up and failed miserably.”
“I really fucked up hiring him without vetting him more.”
“He was your boy from back in the day. Nothing negative has been said about him publicly, so it was an honest mistake.”
“Between this and the shit the other coaches have said about him, I can barely look at his ass without being tempted to throw blows. Keep me in prayer.”
We laughed, but I couldn’t have been more serious.
“You know I got you,” he said before leaving.
Before I became engrossed in my work, I ordered lunch for myself and Nyomi, scheduling hers to be delivered at noon. Although I’d told her a few times that she didn’t have to thank me, she still sent me a text doing so, promising to show me later how much she appreciated me.
For the rest of the day, I worked on a rough draft of the camp schedule and planned to meet with the other coaches tomorrow for suggestions or changes. When I finished, I stretched and yawned before picking up my phone.
I smiled when I looked at my screensaver, which was the baby’s ultrasound picture. Not knowing for certain if Nyomi was carrying more than one baby was crazy, but I was excited either way.
I’d only been in Black Elm for a few months, and already my life had changed for the better. I wasn’t sure what it was about Nyomi that had me gone so quickly, but this was the happiest I’d been in my adult life.
Before leaving my office, I made reservations for us at Elm Street Blues. We still hadn’t had a real date, and I had a problem with that. I sent her a text about our plans, and she sent back several hearts. Once I was in my car, I called my father to run a few things by him.
“What’s going on, Son?”
“Hey, Pops. Nothing much here. You good?”
“I’m great. I’ll be even better when your mother stops worrying me about this trip to see you and your brother.”
I laughed. “Don’t hate because your wife raised two mama’s boys, and she misses us.”
“Yeah. I knew we should’ve tried for a girl so one of my kids could give a damn about me. I’m surprised you called. You must need something.”
I laughed again because if Kyle St. Patrick didn’t do anything else, he would give Knox and me a hard time.
“I can’t just be calling to talk to my old man.”
“You could be, but I know you’re not. What do you need, Son?”
I sighed before responding. “Your advice.”
“I’m listening.”
I told him everything, including that Ward was Nyeem’s biological father, but I left out that Nyomi was pregnant because I wanted to surprise them when they visited.
“It sounds like you got your hands full,” he said when I finished.
“Yeah, and I’m handling everything well, but this situation with Ward won’t go away unless he does. He says something negative about Nyeem every chance he gets, which is really starting to piss me off because it’s unwarranted.”
“Have you called him on it?”
“Pops, I check him every time. Knox has checked him. Regardless of his lack of involvement in Nyeem’s life, he still came from his nut sack. How can he not want anything but the best for him? It’s like he’s mad that Nyeem is such a dope ass kid despite his absence.”
“That’s exactly what it is. His ego is too big for him to see past it. I agree with Knox. Ward will fuck himself right out of that contract. It’s just a matter of time. You try to control your temper around him and don’t let him make you step out of character. He’s not worth it.”
“I hear you, Pops. I appreciate you.”
“It’s never a problem, Son. Anyway, I need to get back to work. I was out in the garden with your mother when you called.”
“Okay. Thanks for listening, Pops. Oh, and please don’t mention anything about Nyomi to Mama. I don’t want her harassing me until next week.”
“I guess I can hold that for you. I love you, Son.”
“I love you too, Pops.”
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
She smiled. “You told me as soon as I opened the door.”
“You’re always beautiful. Even when you’re sweaty from working out, with your curls wild and untamed.”
“You’re pushing it now, but thank you.”
“I’m serious. You don’t even have to try because beauty radiates from you. I can’t wait to witness you growing the life we created.”
“Thank you, Kilo. You’re laying it on pretty thick, and I don’t mind one bit.”
“How do you feel? I know bringing you here was risky, considering you haven’t been able to keep much down, but I wanted to take you out on a real date,” I told Nyomi once we were seated at our table.
“I appreciate your efforts. Hopefully, your child, or children, behave.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe I’m about to be a father. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not getting an abortion.”
“Becoming a single mother of two wasn’t on my list of goals for this year, but getting an abortion never crossed my mind.”
“Single? Do we need to revisit last night’s conversation?”
“Kilo, I’m single until I’m married. Ask Uncle Sam.”
“Nyomi, I don’t give a fuck about that shit. You’re not single, and you damn sure won’t be a single mother, because I’ll be here every step of the way and beyond.”
The server arrived and poured water into our glasses that were on the table. She took our drink order, and Nyomi was bummed she couldn’t order an alcoholic drink. Before resuming our conversation, we perused the menu and decided what we wanted.
“Soup and salad. I’m so excited,” Nyomi said sarcastically.
“Be excited, but you’re not about to get out of having this conversation. I need to make sure you understand how I’m coming behind you and however many of my babies you’re carrying.”
“I know how you’re coming, Kilo, and I love and appreciate it.
No man has ever been so persistent and intentional in trying to gain and keep my attention.
Technically, I’m single, and it was just a general statement that you’re thinking way too much into.
I’ve always wanted another child, but these aren’t the circumstances I imagined it happening. ”
“You want to get married?”
“I hope that wasn’t a proposal.”
“It was a question, and I want an honest answer.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to it if the right man came along.”
“The right man is right in your damn face, Nyomi. You think I’m about to let you have another nigga around my—Why do you insist on playing with me today?”
She covered her mouth as she leaned back in her chair and laughed. I hadn’t heard or seen shit funny, so I didn’t know what the hell she was laughing at.
“You’re too serious right now, and it cracks me up,” she said when she gathered herself.
“This is a serious topic, baby, and you playing with my emotions.”
“That’s not my intention. Yes, I’d like to get married, but you’re only bringing it up because I’m pregnant and you feel obligated.”
“Is that what you think?”
The server was back with our drinks and to take our food orders. When she left, I answered Kilo’s question.
“That’s what I know. Had our relationship started differently, marriage wouldn’t be on your radar right now. It’s cool, though. We may be doing everything backwards and moving at lightning speed, but if we get married, it’s forever, so let’s not allow our recklessness to rush us.”
I sat with her words for a minute before responding.
“You’re right, baby. As long as you know I intend to make you my wife, when doesn’t matter.”
“Let’s not get carried away, now. When absolutely does matter, and I shouldn’t have to break it down for you.”
I laughed because this conversation went from one extreme to the next.
“Baby, chill out. I know what you mean, and I don’t need you to break it down.”
“Good. I’ll be back. I need to use the bathroom.”
I stood and went around the table to pull her seat out and helped her stand. I remained there until she disappeared around the corner. When I returned to my seat, my phone vibrated, and the screen lit up with a text from my brother.
Knox:
Call me as soon as you can.
Now was as good a time as any, so I unlocked my phone and found his contact.
“Are you still at dinner?” he asked when he answered.
“Yeah, but Nyomi is in the bathroom. Everything good?”
“I had to kick Ward out of the weight room.”
“The fuck? What that nigga do now?”
“Nyeem was lifting with Jared and another freshman, but I can’t think of his name.
They were doing bench presses, and when Nyeem was up, Ward added more weight to the bar and tried to force him to lift it.
Coach Seymour told him to chill because today wasn’t about lifting heavy.
Ward called himself trying to pull rank, and him and Seymour almost went to blows. ”
“Shit. This nigga just can’t do right.”
“Seymour said every time Ward comes to the weight room, he’s counterproductive, and he’s not welcome to come back.”
“I’m losing my patience. Nyomi’s on her way back from the bathroom. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
I ended the call and stood to wait for Nyomi. After she was seated, I pushed her chair in. As I returned to my seat, our food arrived. We joined hands across the table, and I said a quick blessing over our meal.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked.
“Knox.”
“Did he have bad news?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
I tried to push my thoughts about Ward to the back of my mind and enjoy dinner with my woman, but every few minutes, they’d reappear. I refused to allow him to fuck up my first year as a college head coach, so he had to be dealt with sooner rather than later.