Chapter 11 #2
“So you really want to spend hours talking and learning about me?” I asked with a skeptical tone.
“McKay, it goes beyond talking with and learning someone. I’m catching your body language on the things that go unsaid with you too. But, yes, we agreed that this relationship—no matter how many times you throw that fake word out—needs to seem real to everyone else around us.”
I snorted. “What is my body saying that I haven’t already said out loud, Burkeley? I’m an outspoken person, always have been, and will be until my last breath here on this earth.”
“For starters, I can tell I make you uncomfortable, but not in a bad way, I’m a stranger who has you questioning why or how you’re so comfortable so fast and that scares you. Trust me, it scares me too.” I shifted, taking another sip of my water.
“Now please explain how that makes sense to you. I’m uncomfortable with being comfortable.” I laughed nervously.
“Yup, beyond your face, holding that stoned expression and fighting your will to smile, you keep bouncing that leg of yours. You can relax with me, McKay. It’s kind of a key part to making our relationship seem believable to the masses.
” When Burkeley placed a hand on my leg, causing me to flinch, he tossed me a crooked smirk.
He was right though, which only had me glaring at him.
“Okay, I think we should start with rules since we’re doing this.
Rule number one, unless we’re with family or friends and need to play our parts, hands to ourselves.
There is no need to blur the lines any more between us, Burkeley.
” I gently removed his hand, placing it back on the table.
“Rule number two, no pet names unless we’re in our roles, and if so, then mine is Mickey.
Everyone calls me that. Rule number three, no kissing on the lips.
Cheeks and forehead kisses are okay, but let’s limit them to when important people are looking, like our parents.
And absolutely no sex. It’s going to be hard enough getting used to a vibe I know is temporary. ”
“Sometimes the best thing that happens in life is breaking the rules, Mickey. And it’s a good thing I live to break ’em.
I’m glad you brought back up nicknames because I could've sworn I told you to call me BK weeks ago.” I hated that I could tell Burkeley meant every fucking word.
The smug grin he now wore with pride told it all.
The only rule I’d left off the list was him buying food and that was only because something told me Burkeley wouldn’t have it any other way. The others were nonnegotiable though.
We stared at each other.
“BK, are we going to get to know each other or what?” I asked.
“Yes. I know your name, your occupation, and age. When is your birthday?” he asked nonchalantly, in a tone that told me he wasn’t listening to anything I said.
“Not my full name though. It’s McKay Marie and my birthday is Halloween.
And no, I don’t like all things scary and spooky.
My life is spooky enough. Got me making crazy ass deals with strangers while apparently carrying another’s baby.
I prefer all things romance even though it doesn’t seem to be a fan of mine.
I listen to toxic R&B singers, even though I got a thing for Siren.
I’ve got two best friends, Johnni and Hollis.
We’ve been tight for years now. I am an only child.
I go see my Grandpa Mackie weekly. I’m named after him.
” I shot out all of the basic answers, not waiting for him to ask.
“If you don’t do spooky, how do you celebrate your birthday? And when I told you about my mother’s party, why didn’t you tell me it was a conflicting day with your birthday?”
I scoffed. “Growing up, believe it or not, all my parties would be centered around the holiday, down to the color scheme. It wasn’t until I was sixteen when I cried that my parents finally stopped throwing them.
Now, with it being the holiday and people mainly entertaining that, I just dress up with my girls and go out to Black Diamonds for their annual Halloween party, completely giving up on celebrating my day.
So when you mentioned your family’s gathering, I figured that would be okay too. ”
“Holiday or not, you should still celebrate your birthday. If you could, how would you spend your day?”
I fought against the cheeky smile that managed to grace my face as I answered his question.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve never had to come up with a theme since it was always planned for me.
No Halloween shit in sight though.” I spaced out before I shook my head and looked at Burkeley.
His warm eyes on me had me needing to take the subject off me.
“Okay, dish your shit.”
He laughed. “Okay. My full name is Burkeley Jameson Morgan, my birthday is July fifth. And my family was the opposite of yours. They used my birthday as an opportunity to not celebrate the holiday, carrying my birthday on for days. I didn’t understand it much coming up, just remembering that in June we did it big like the fourth.
It wasn’t until I was grown that I fully understood that we observed Juneteenth instead which worked out best for me.
Let’s see what else you said… Oh yeah, I listen to a little bit of everything.
My babies love it all, hip-hop on days when they are in a good mood, classical when they need a pick me up, and R&B on those not so sunny days.
Damn, I’m trying to remember everything you said. ”
“Best friends. Any other siblings I should be aware of?”
He snapped his fingers. “Oh yeah, nope just my one brother Arthur, or Art, that you met who doubles as one of my best friends, along with Boss and Tino. We’ve been cool since elementary. Well not Art, that was birth. And remember, he’s married to Amber and also my younger brother.”
“Younger and already married? Is he moving fast or are you moving slow?”
“Neither. We’re both moving at our paces.
I’m not in a rush to marry the wrong woman.
When I do it, it’s forever. We’re not hitting finish lines over this way, only doing lifelong marathons.
But fun fact, my mother tried playing matchmaker before.
His wife Amber was first introduced to me before she became my brother’s wife,” he said casually as the server brought out my two appetizers.
I pressed my lips together, processing the information.
“And when you say babies, please tell me you’re talking about your plants.” I had to be sure. He hadn’t mentioned kids before.
That could be the reason he’s so comfortable playing your baby daddy because he’s already somebody’s.
Burkeley chuckled as he reached for my hand, grabbing it, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Of course, McKay. I’m a very single man, meaning no ties beyond my business. And well…now you and Peanut.” I gnawed on my bottom lip, doing my damndest to hide my smile.
“Let’s say grace before you attack your stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes,” Burkeley said, still holding one of my hands, now going for the other one. I obliged, placing it in his grasp.
After a quick prayer, I attacked each, wanting to taste both. I put pieces of each on a saucer that they brought as if I had plans to share with the man across from me. My first bite of the crab cake had me rolling my eyes as I did a happy dance.
I looked over at Burkeley again, just looking at me, fully entertained by my little performance.
I did my best to ignore him, taking another bite and another moan came. This time Burkeley had to say something.
“Alright, now, McKay, that gotdamn crab cake ain’t that good.” I was now sporting a cheesy grin.
“I would say it’s better if you just taste it for yourself, but I ain’t sharing my shit. You’ll have to take my word. I can’t fake moans that good. Hell, I can’t fake ’em period. Now, tell me why Mr. Burkeley Jameson Morgan is single.”
“Well, to be honest, I always felt like my business and career got in the way. I work long hours that keep me away from home, let alone having time for proper dates. Courting a woman takes time and being in a relationship needs more than I can offer.”
“Huh? Wait, I’m confused. I don’t understand that because earlier you said me and Peanut are top priority on your list and you would move anything around for us.
Why can’t you do that for a real woman you’re interested in?
Most women don’t want or need all of your time, just some, because they understand people work and are busy.
All it takes is communication. Look at me, I was with a muthafucka who had a whole ass family out of town.
If his ass can juggle two relationships, with kids and a career, so can you.
Don’t make poor excuses for things that have reasonable solutions, Burkeley.
Unless you really don’t want them.” I shrugged before going for my water.
“You know that saying if they wanted to, they would?” He shrugged. “I think it’s more about the right person, your person, you’ll do anything. Move oceans, break down mountains, erase all their hurt and pain by loving them with your whole being.” It got heavy and he got quiet.
“Anyway, when it comes to you and the baby, though, y’all didn’t ask for this fucked up situation.
Granted, I’m not the cause, but you shouldn’t have to fix it alone.
I want to be here. I want to help. Not to forget, you’re helping me out.
So if that means playing the role of boyfriend and the father of your unborn baby, then I will, proudly. ”
“Fake boyfriend and baby daddy. Well, hopefully this little arrangement sparks your interest into finally finding someone you can have for real. Hell, you can start now. What’s that saying?”
Burkeley stepped in and finished my thought for me.
“Don’t let my girlfriend stop me from finding my wife.”
“Yes! Because in our case, again, I’m just the fake one. So please don’t let me stop your show.”
“McKay, this shit ain’t no open arrangement, but thank you for yet again reminding me this whole thing is fake.
I know, which means it’s temporary. If a man can’t even be faithful for a short time, fake or not, he won’t be at all.
Besides, I told you, I’m in no rush. Trust me, I’ll know when it’s real and when I’m ready.
Now enough about me. Tell me more about these herbal remedies.
You never mentioned them, but I saw a bottle in the kitchen labeled that.
I have…well had an idea but judging by what I saw on your island has me curious.
It better not be what I think it is.” I snorted at the bark behind his words.
“As you know, I make tinctures, and well before I went the route of other natural herbs, they were made with weed. Since I haven’t been able to dry out my own stash, I had to get back in my field.
I have a bachelor’s in herbal science, meaning I’m a degreed herbalist who never actually used her degree for the greater good of all natural remedies.
I know that’s horrible. Who would go to school just to end up making weed butter and greenery tinctures?
Me, I guess. My granny Viola would burn my ass hot if she were still here.
I got into it because of her. The one you saw was from my last batch with weed, so you can calm down, baby daddy.
I used to make them for my grandpa. It helps with his nausea, sleep, and appetite.
He lives at Golden Age. I supply some of his friends too.
The goodies were for my girls. I didn’t sell them, just made them. ”
“Oh okay, I thought I was about to shut down shop on you real quick.” I kissed my teeth as I rubbed my belly. The crab cake was nearly gone while I left the majority of the mushrooms on the dish.
“Burkeley, you can’t shut down shit this way.
Don’t blur those thick ass lines between us in this fake relationship.
But I need to find a replacement for Mackie that’s safe enough for me to handle in the meantime and for him to take.
He hates taking all those pills and my herbal remedies really worked for him.
That’s why you saw an assortment of different herbs. I don’t know which ones he’ll like.”
“McKay, I’ma learn you something real quick.
If you think I give a fuck bout that little word you’ve been loving to throw out every chance you can tonight, I don’t.
Fake or not, ain’t nobody worried about those invisible lines when it comes to you and the baby being safe.
Now like I said, I would’ve ended that shit. ”
I had no more argument on the subject because I believed he would and the little voice in my mind told me I would let him, thick lines and all.
We finished dinner, going back and forth over the details of our lives that we felt were essential for passing as a legit couple who’d been together for six months. Now with this done, it was time to schedule my meeting with Chris and Kat.