Chapter 23 #2
“Wait, what do you mean under my version of our relationship? And what is yours? Were we not in a committed arrangement to pass as a couple. Meaning this…” She paused and I glanced at her pointing her fingers back and forth between us before she continued speaking. “…is all fake.”
“Yeah, naw. I knew I wanted you. Nothing was fake for me when it came to us being together. I just played my role in your life until I could show you how worthy I was to not only be your man but Peanut’s father.
Now it’s my turn to take over and make this real between us.
” I chuckled as I looked at her processing my words.
“So what if I don’t want to be with you like that beyond the arrangement, BK? I mean I said I caught feelings, not that I like you.”
I laughed as I stopped mid-pour to address her. I put the pitcher down and kneeled in front of McKay, whose breathing had suddenly become choppy as I watched her chest rise and fall at a faster pace.
“Out of all the rules, why do you love breaking the first and only one I made? You stay lying to yourself, baby. You not only like me but you want to be with me too.”
“You gon’ make me be with you, Burkeley?” I moved the pot and plant out of my way, catching McKay’s jumping eyes as she scooted back.
“I don’t have to do that, M&M, but I’ll tell you my version of our relationship.
You’re going to move in. You already agreed to do that so you can’t take that back.
Next you’re going to be with me, because no matter how you try to deny those feelings you caught, they run deep for me.
That makes the next step easier for us, when we fall in love.
And lastly, one day when I ask, you’re going to take my last name as yours.
Did I miss anything in our new arrangement? ” I said as I pulled her closer to me.
“Yeah, the part when you asked to be your girl. You can tell me a lot of things but you gotta ask to have me forever, BK.”
I pressed my lips together as I nodded.
“McKay Marie, you want me forever?”
She rolled her eyes and scoffed, attempting to move back but failing as I chuckled, holding her close.
“Yeah no, never mind. Definitely don’t want your annoying ass forever.”
“You’re right, that’s not long enough for me either, M&M. But do you want to start with that?” I asked against her lips.
“Ugh, yes,” she said before kissing me.
I kissed McKay’s cheek as I watched her sleeping. After our talk and plant care, we handled ordering the supplies for our Halloween costumes then she found herself finally taking her ass to bed.
“Call me when you get up. I’m headed to meet up with the guys for the game.” I spoke lowly, with her nodding while nuzzling deeper into the pillow. It was the Royals opening game of the season tonight and I was finally going to see what my ten grand got me for a suite.
“Be safe, and no hoes in the suite, daddy.” That had me chuckling as I reassured her that she was all I needed with a kiss to her lips this time.
By the time I made it to the stadium, Art, Tino, and Boss were waiting for me.
“’Bout time, nigga. We’ve been out here waiting on your ol’ married ass for the last twenty minutes,” Art joked as I dapped everyone up except him, pulling him into a hug.
“Fool, you do know you’re the only married one out of us, right?”
“Exactly and I still managed to be on time,” he said as we headed toward the elevators from the parking garage to our entrance.
“It’s different for him. His wife is having his baby.
He’s really gotta take care of home now.
Speaking of, I got a couple of guys who are available to get Mickey packed the same weekend of the party if you’re free,” Boss jumped in.
When he referred to McKay as my wife, I smirked, not even bothering to correct him.
Between them in the group chat and my parents, they all had been speaking it into existence right along with me.
Especially after I reached out for his assistance with packing her up and moving McKay in since I knew he had employees who wouldn’t mind the money on the side.
“That works for me. We’ll be there. I’m sure Mickey will want to handle certain things herself.” Or myself because wasn’t no nigga packing up her panties and bras. And I knew she would want to handle her herbs since they required specially trained care for the transfer.
BK, she’s going to need somewhere to work, like her own space. You need to come up with a plan for that too.
We got upstairs to the suite and I had to admit, the layout of the room was worth the money I’d spent.
The room was spacious and full of amenities that would make anyone comfortable.
From the snacks around the room to the spread of the buffet and bottles of liquor set out on the counter, there were designated seating areas for eating, but also high top tables facing the court.
It was nice as hell. The scoreboard was huge enough so it felt as if we still had floor seats and saw everything live and up close.
Yeah, I understand why McKay charges so damn much.
“Oh yeah, we definitely gotta move like this going forward for all the home games,” Tino said as he rubbed his hands together.
We’d never had suites tickets before and I was man enough to admit it was all my doing.
I felt like it was a waste before, but now I could appreciate the space and exclusivity to be at the game and not overcrowded in general admission or in a suite with strangers.
“Yeah, this is nice. Way better going through that third party I found than the arena,” Art agreed, already making his way over to the food.
I could tell he’d picked out the menu based on the choices available.
He picked up a plate and loaded it up with pizza, wings, and fries while I made my way to the counter where the bottles of liquor were lined up.
Again, another selection from Art’s taste.
I noticed along with Black Ops there were bottles of cognac, tequila, and beer on ice.
“We might be able to move like this more often.” I finally spoke as I grabbed the bottle of Black Ops, cracking the seal to pour myself a drink.
I had never told them about McKay’s business because I didn’t want them to expect tickets and suites for free. Naw, like my baby said, if her dad was a paying customer, then so would my boys.
“Oh shit. I knew once you started getting pussy on a regular basis you would act like you were raised with money,” Art joked as he made his way over to me. Boss and Tino only laughed, probably more because of inside information than Art’s words as they also were currently at the bar with me.
“Nigga, that mouth of yours gon’ have me changing my mind. It has nothing to do with that. Well, kinda. McKay leases club suites for all the major sports. And before you say anything stupid, y’all would still have to pay my lady for her services,” I said as I took a sip of the double shot.
Art’s eyes grew wide as if something hit him before he put the plate on the counter, going for his phone.
“Ain’t no way. Yo, fool this is her shit. I keep forgetting that’s her real name since your old fake alpha ass called dibs and only gave us permission to call her Mickey.” He flipped the phone in my direction, displaying the original ticket information, and there it was.
McKay Bailey was printed at the bottom of the screen right above the barcode.
“Damn, that’s crazy. When we were looking at tickets for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas games for the Sharks, her suites came up then too. You said suites for all the major teams here in Crescent Falls?” Boss asked.
“Yeah, this is her main source of income. So you can understand why I said no free seats. Shit, her little ass even shut shit down for me. Her dad already gave her true business etiquette when it came to family and friends.”
“What does that mean? I mean, I can respect the hustle, but can brothers-in-law get discounts? Or can the baby dad?” Art asked with a mouth full of food.
“No nigga, her dad pays full price and told her if her people are willing to pay a stranger for the same service, why not her. And I honestly love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. I simply meant, I could tell her y’all jokers are trying to buy them before she lists them.”
“Damn, you must not be really putting in work,” Art said, making Tino and Boss laugh. As he came over, putting his arm on my shoulder and bumping me mid sip, causing my drink to miss my mouth, I blew out my frustration.
“I know how it feels having to come to the little big brother for advice, but listen to me, it’s all in the hips. You gotta almost wine your shit in her like you’re hula hooping.” I stared at his ass as I held my head to the side and watched him now doing a full blown demonstration.
I brushed him off.
“Fool, you do see her bump full of my baby? Trust me, I know what I’m doing. So much that I’ma make sure Mickey charges yo’ ass double. But while we’re on discounts, I guess yo’ dick just doesn’t work at all when it comes to Amber getting us on the yachts last summer.”
My last statement had Art’s laughter fading while Boss and Tino’s picked up.
Art had been pressing a nerve since I’d told them about me and McKay, and honestly, the shit was growing tired for real.
This wasn’t like us. Yeah, we would talk shit, but not every time we saw each other.
And never did we…I…include his wife in our conversations.
Amber had become a skipper at Drifted and Anchored last summer and Art talked big shit about us being able to rent at a discount, but they stayed so booked that we weren’t able to make it happen.
“See, muthafuckas like you forever keep Black businesses down, always looking for a discount or handout. And plus, nigga you can’t even swim,” Art retorted making me snort as I shook my head.
“Yo, wait! I can’t listen to this brotherly love anymore. Art, get your plate and drink and take a seat, so we can enjoy this game. It’s the first of the season and I got money on the Royals,” Boss called out to us as he was now stacking his plate up with food while Tino opted for a snack.
“Kove Vaughn is a new addition to the team, but I’ve seen footage.
And him next to Jabari? Ooh wee, I think we getting another ring this year,” Tino added as we all got comfortable at the high top tables with Art of course taking a seat next to me, making me smirk.
It reminded me of when we were kids. He had been my shadow, always tagging along.
As a big brother, I loved it. Someone who looked up to me.
We all got quiet for a minute, eating while we listened to the loud crowd of people and music playing before the announcer came on as the lights dimmed letting us know the game was officially about to begin.
Art leaned over to me and spoke just above a whisper so only I could hear him.
“I really am happy for you and Mickey. You know I have to give you shit. I hate being left out. For six months you, my brother and best friend, kept a secret. We’ve never done that before.
We tell each other everything. Shit, no lie, until I saw y’all in action at the bonfire, I thought this shit was fake.
Like maybe you hired her or something, but seeing y’all?
I know you love her and she loves you. Just promise before you buy the ring you’ll tell me. ”
I sipped my drink as my crooked smile grew on my face.
“Well, this is me telling you. And asking you to come with me when I pick it out, ya know since you’re the only married muthafucka out of the group.”
That had his smile spreading wide and I already knew by his one raised eyebrow something stupid was about to come out of his mouth.
“Ah, damn. I guess I’m an expert or some shit. I got you though.”