Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
McKay
“Tell us how the announcement went, heffa!” Hollis said as we were at the nail salon with our feet fully submerged in the power jet bowls doing our monthly mani and pedi sessions. I looked around to see who was here besides the workers and noticed it was just us.
It was the day after my night with Burkeley and my mind was still trying to fully process everything that happened—from making arrangements for Burkeley’s parents to meet mine to Chris and Burkeley exchanging numbers to this man rubbing me to sleep then carrying me to bed.
“It was good. Chris and Kat loved him until we dropped the baby bomb, then Chris started with fifty thousand questions but Burkeley handled it like a pro, even getting me together at one point. Y’all, I had a whole panic attack at the table in front of them.
Had he not been there to calm me down I might have fucked this whole thing up before it could even actually get started. ”
I caught Hollis’s silly smirk. “What you mean he got you together? You fucking this man, Mickey?”
My eyes stretched wide in shock. I looked around and noticed one of the technicians working on my feet giggling.
“What! No, Hollis. I just meant he did breathing exercises with me last night to help calm my racing nerves. Leave it to you to make it nasty for no reason. BK was the perfect gentleman.”
“I don’t know, Mickey, those breathing exercises ain’t sounding too good for you right now. Where were y’all when he was helping you breathe?”
I flipped her my middle finger while Johnni only laughed.
“We were at the table. Again, nothing happened that shouldn’t have happened. We have rules and that’s at the top of the list.”
“Rules? Pssh, you take the fun out of everything. If you don’t give that man some to tide you over until you drop Peanut. I mean, unless you plan to date after him.”
“No, Hollis. I’m not even thinking about sex.
That’s what got me into this fucked up situation now.
I’m damn sure not in a rush to add another man to the equation.
After BK I’m just going to focus on getting everything together for Peanut.
They are going to need my full attention and balancing new mommahood, the suites, and the herbs will be enough.
Plus Chris made a comment about the condo not being the best place to raise the baby so now I have to put that on the list of things to handle, especially when BK agreed on the matter. ” I groaned my frustration.
“Move? And why would BK’s opinion on the subject even matter if he won’t be around anyway?” Johnni asked, stumping me as I opened and closed my mouth several times. I wasn’t sure why BK’s opinion held weight.
“Because Johnni, I think Mickey’s keeping secrets between her and this BK. I think it’s time we officially met this man.” That was Hollis stirring the pot.
I waved Hollis off because nothing was going on between us beyond this arrangement.
Yeah but between his kisses and touches, your pussy is blurring those lines the more y’all hang out.
“Ain’t no secrets, and ooh, I know you said a kick back at your house, but how about y’all come with us this weekend to the haunted house? This way I’m not alone with just his crew. I don’t want to be outnumbered on the first meeting.”
“Can you go to a haunted house?” Johnni asked.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? Yes, I don’t see why not. It’s not like I’m even that pregnant. I haven’t even fully popped yet.” My hands smoothed out my sweater as I attempted to further prove my case while putting my pudge on display.
“Yeah, no. I’m pretty sure that’s not how that works, mama. I’m surprised your baby daddy didn’t shut that down considering he’s making major decisions for you,” Hollis said, still on the house hunting conversation.
“He’s the one who keeps asking me. This is new for both of us, but trust me, if he knew for sure he would’ve told his people no to the activity so I wasn’t excluded.”
My words had both Johnni and Hollis cocking their heads to the side as they stared at me, wearing grins.
“Do you like your baby daddy, Mickey? And remember, this is a safe place,” Johnni remarked in her gentle voice as she grabbed my free hand, I snatched it back as I rolled my eyes.
“No. I mean, I don’t hate him or anything. But to say I like him is a lot. I mean…we are getting to know each other, so I’m saying…ugh. Never mind. No. We’re cool though.”
“Okay, if you say so, Mickey. I just want you to be careful. Y’all out here playing a role and moving like a real couple. I worry eventually the lines will blur. I don’t want you to fall and by the end of this you’re the only one who’s erased those boundaries,” Johnni said as I nodded.
“Still get some dick though. I haven’t seen his ass to judge properly, but something tells me baby daddy got some good di—”
I cut Hollis off even though the damage was done.
“Hollis!” Both she and Johnni looked at each other and busted out laughing while I folded my arms over my chest, glaring at them.
“No, you’re right, my bad. I shouldn’t be thinking about your baby daddy in that way.
I’m only concerned about your pussy, ya know, as a good best friend should.
I know your hormones are all over the place right now.
When Callie was pregnant, she told me she couldn’t get enough of Derek.
So I know you’re going through withdrawals.
You might as well use him up while you got his ass to yourself. ”
“We don’t know him, Hollis. Don’t tell her to risk it for sex,” Johnni said, snapping at her.
“Duh, obviously get tested and use protection. We can’t have him dropping his seeds on my baby head.
Plus he might fuck around and put another one inside you while he dicking you down,” Hollis added, as if she had just solved the hardest puzzle.
This time the technicians couldn’t hold their laughter in and neither could I.
“I swear your ass is a damn mess. You and I both know that’s not how that works. But no sex. I’m with Johnni kinda. I promise it’s not that type of arrangement with BK and me. We haven’t even kissed. I limited him to my cheek and forehead and only during a scene.”
“Gotdamn, you run a strict ass program. Not even a kiss? That poor man’s balls are going to shrivel up and fall off within the timeframe of fucking around with you. You gotta at least spit on it and jack it or something,” Hollis said.
“Hollis, please! BK will be fine. He knows what he signed up for.” I pleaded for her to stop. The whole shop was in shambles. Well, everyone but Johnni, which had me laughing even harder.
She let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Party pooper.”
“Are y’all coming with me to this haunted house or what?” I asked, getting us back on track with the conversation.
“Baby, once baby daddy finds out you can’t go, you won’t be there anyway.”
“Ooh, back to the kickback, come over to the house. Quincey can light the pit and we can do a faux bonfire in the backyard with apple cider and everything. And yes, Mickey, by everything I’m talking about food, mama. Just tell me what you think you want.”
Just as she said that, my phone vibrated in my lap. I reached down to see a message from Burkeley had come through. I had changed his name in my phone to Plant Daddy. He wasn’t going to be the only one in our relationship with a cute and personalized nickname.
Y’all relationship, Mickey?
Plant Daddy: Mama dropped off our food. She thought you would be here but I told her you were doing a girls’ day.
Me: I still can’t believe she included me in the meal prep. Please tell her I said thank you.
Plant Daddy: I’ll pass the message. Speaking of food, did you feed you and Peanut?
Me: Not yet, still at the nail salon. Ooh, did she make the Cajun chicken Alfredo?
I licked my lips thinking about that one.
Plant Daddy: Yes, she sent several containers too. I’m guessing this is what you’re eating today. Let me know if you want me to bring it or are you coming here when you’re done?
I thought about it for a quick second while Hollis yelling broke my train of thought.
“Damn, that must be baby daddy. She ain’t heard shit you said, Johnni. Try again,” she said. I looked over, embarrassed that I had fallen into Burkeley’s zone so deeply that I had completely tuned Johnni out. That had never happened before.
“Oh my gosh, I apologize. His mother made some meals for me and he was letting me know she had dropped them off. You said to let you know what I want on the menu, right? All these food choices are getting hard. But whatever you want is fine. Just no pumpkin anything. Just thinking about that smell is making me nauseous.”
“Oh shit, Grammy number two’s already stepping up. You’re getting special food too? I know that’s right. Baby daddy said his side ain’t half stepping about his,” Hollis said.
“Okay, and let him know about our change of plans now too, before you forget.” I pointed at her for helping me because I had forgotten that quickly.
I put my attention back on my phone.
Me: I’m coming over there. We’ve been at my condo all week. And oh, I’ve been informed that I, in fact, can’t do a haunted house. So I’ll have to miss out on this family function, but my friends have invited you to a bonfire instead. I mean, if you’re free.
The dots appeared and disappeared a few times before he texted back.
Plant Daddy: I swear I was going to tell you when you got here. I shut that shit down for you and Peanut. Mama said the same thing today. It slipped her mind the other night when it first came up. And you want me to meet your crew? Oh shit, we’re getting serious.
His words had me giggling.
Me: Not too much. I still don’t like you. Lol and I keep trying to tell your ass you can’t shut shit down over this way, BK.
Plant Daddy: Rule number one in our relationship M&M, we don’t lie to each other or to ourselves. Pull in the driveway and come through the back door. I’ll see you when you get here.
“Johnni, mark today on the calendar. For it is the day that our McKay realized her baby daddy is her husband.” Hollis fake sniffled, using a tissue I wasn’t even aware she had to dab at the corner of her eyes where no tears were.
“Oh God, we’re watching Mickey fall in love in real time and it’s so freaking cute” Johnni co-signed Hollis, adding to her crazy ass story.
I playfully rolled my eyes, ignoring them as I checked my nails to see if they were dry since I knew my toes were done.
“Look at her ass. She’s about to say something like she has to go pick up her food but she’s really going to her man house to get a little bit of dick,” Hollis said. My only response was my middle finger while I sat up to put my shoes on.
“Well since you know every fucking thing, I guess I can skip that part and just say bye then,” I said, now making my way to hug her. Of course she only wanted to acknowledge my belly, putting her hands on my hips, stopping me so she could speak to Peanut.
“Bye, Auntie’s baby. Make sure your mama and daddy behave in front of you.” I swatted her hand off my stomach.
“Stop, they can hear you,” I said as I made my way over to Johnni who was now up, preparing to hug me goodbye.
“He said yes to the bonfire, so Saturday night?” I said as I hugged her tightly.
“Yes. I’ll let Quincey know we’re having company over. I’m so excited,” she said as I snorted, going into my purse for money to pay when she stopped me.
“Aht aht, it’s on me today. Well… Quincey.”
“You’ve got a good man, Josie,” I said using the pet nickname only he called her with Johnni blushing and giving me a small smile.
No more words were exchanged as I headed out.