Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rhythm
I sat nervously in Channing’s truck as we waited outside the airport.
Today, my parents were flying in, and I couldn’t wait to see them. Next
to the weekend Channing and I spent at his place in Malibu, this would be the highlight of the last couple months of my life.
I missed Timothy and Tamera Baker so much. When things first began going downhill with Raheem, I’d seriously considered moving back home. While I knew I was always welcomed, I didn’t just wanna run to Mommy and Daddy anytime I had a problem.
They would try to fix things for me, and it wasn’t their burden to bear. I’d created a life here, and my business was here. So I sucked it up and stuck things out. Still, having them come to see me was just as good as going back home.
“Would you stop shaking your leg?” Channing asked, wrapping his large hand around my thigh.
“I can’t! I haven’t seen my parents in months, baby.”
“I know, but you have no reason to be nervous. They know everything that’s happened. They came all the way out here just to see you. Loosen up.”
I sighed. “I’m just anxious. What’s taking them so long? Their flight got in thirty minutes ago!”
“You know LAX. The shuttle’s probably busted or something. That’s a long ass walk from the gate.”
“You’re right. I guess—there they are!”
I pointed out my parents as they came through the double doors. I didn’t wait for Channing to open my door before I was out of my seat belt and bolting from the truck. When my father saw me, he abandoned his bags and ran toward me. I felt like a little girl again as he scooped me up in his big, strong arms and spun me around.
“There’s my baby girl!” He smothered my cheeks with kisses. “Damn, I missed you puddin’!”
“I missed you too, Daddy.”
“Let me get a look at you.”
He placed me on my feet and took a step back. A smile found its way to his face as he looked me over.
“You look good, baby. Still as beautiful as ever, just like your mother.”
“Damnit, Timothy!” my mother fussed, pushing him out of the way. “Stop hogging her. Hey, my baby!”
“Hey, Mommy!”
She pulled me into her arms and rocked me side to side. I was all smiles. I never knew how badly I needed a hug from my mama.
“Look at you!” she exclaimed, spinning me around. “You’re about as thick as me now!”
She didn’t mean that in a bad way. Tamera Baker was thick as hell and fine as wine. She didn’t look a day over thirty-five, and my daddy couldn’t keep his hands off her. I’d seen him rubbing on her booty more times than I cared to.
“I’ve been trying to get as thick as you, Ma.”
“Mmm hmm. I bet that man has something to do with that.”
“Mommy!”
She laughed. Thankfully, my father had gone to retrieve his forgotten luggage. Channing walked over with a smile.
“Mrs. Baker, it’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
He’d been present for several of our FaceTime calls over the last couple of weeks. My mother already adored him, and my father seemed to like him too. He said he’d have to meet him in person to make a final verdict.
“It’s nice to meet you, Channing.”
My mother pulled him into a warm hug. When he pulled back, he looked between us.
“You stole her entire face,” he stated. “I knew you looked alike on camera, but in person is crazy.”
Me and my mom giggled.
“I’ve been asked several times if she was my older sister,” I stated.
My mother flipped her hair. “What can I say? Black don’t crack.”
“You should see his mother,” I said. “She doesn’t look old enough to have a grown son.”
Channing chuckled. “She doesn’t, and I’ve threatened more people than I care to admit about hitting on my mama. By the way, she is insisting that you and Mr. Baker join us for dinner tonight.”
My mother smiled. “That would be lovely.”
“Channing, my boy!”
My father came over with open arms to embrace Channing. I’d never seen him nervous, but I could tell that hugging my dad caused him a little hesitation. They shared a quick embrace before he reclaimed his spot at my side.
“How are you, Mr. Baker?” he asked.
“I’m good, now that I’ve laid eyes on my baby. Where’s that nigga at? He’s gon’ have to see me before we leave Cali.”
“Daddy, please,” I pleaded. “There is no reason you need to see Raheem.”
“Him following you after dark is plenty reason. I just wanna talk. Fist to face.”
“Mommy, get your husband.”
“Timothy, calm your old ass down. I don’t have any money to bail you outta jail out here.”
“So you gon’ let me sit in jail?”
“I didn’t help your ass get there, did I?”
Channing and I laughed at their banter. My mother talked shit, but she’d be the first one down to bail my father out.
“Children, children!” I said, waving my hands in their faces. “Nobody is going to jail because nobody is pulling up on him. Can we go?”
My father kissed his teeth. “Lead the way.”
Channing grabbed my mother’s luggage, lagging behind as he and my father talked lowly. I just knew my dad was pumping him for information. There was really nothing to tell. Raheem hadn’t so much as whispered to either of us.
He hadn’t been seen publicly aside from court where he was ordered to pay a hefty fine for vandalism, pay for all the repairs of Channing’s car, and received a year’s probation. He deleted his Twitter rants and had gone radio silent.
The only indication that he was even alive was the package that showed up on my doorstep with the rest of my belongings. Much to my surprise, nothing was damaged. It was all neatly packed and sealed in perfect condition. Even if he was on my shit list, I appreciated my things being returned.
We stopped by my parents’ hotel so they could drop off their luggage. I offered for them to stay with me and Nique. She and I were used to sharing a bed, so it wouldn’t have been a problem. My father declined, saying they needed their privacy. I didn’t argue with him because I knew what that meant. The last thing I wanted to hear were my parents fucking, especially not in my bed.
When we left the hotel, we headed for the Watson residence. After a six- hour flight through three different time zones, I was sure my parents were hungry. I was a little nervous about them meeting Channing’s mom and grandmother, but it was better now than later. I was sure this man was going to be around for a while. The family might as well get used to each other. My mother and Ms. Watson were acting like they’d known each other their entire lives. From the moment we stepped through the door, they instantly bonded over the decor of Ms. Watson’s home. My mother was an interior design fanatic. She was always dragging my father to Home Goods, Marshalls, or some other store to see what she could find for our home.
He complained, but he was right there swiping his bank card to make it happen. Currently, we were in the kitchen, sipping wine and talking while she finished dinner. Channing and my dad were outside doing only God knows what. As soon as I could sneak away, I was going to be nosy.
“Rhythm?”
The sound of my mother calling my name broke my thoughts. “Ma’am?”
“You okay?”
“Yes. I just went somewhere in my head.”
She smirked. “You must be thinking about Channing.”
“Don’t they make a lovely couple?” Ms. Watson asked. “I can already tell that my son is smitten with her.”
I blushed. The truth was, I was smitten with him too.
“I wasn’t thinking about him,” I said. “Well, not completely. I just zoned out for a moment.”
“How is business going?” my mother asked.
“Great. We’re getting new clients every week.”
She smiled. “I’m so proud of you, baby. The work you do is beautiful.”
“It really is,” Ms. Watson agreed. “I may be biased because you’re my mother’s therapist, but you really have a gift, Rhythm. You treat clients like family, and that makes a difference.”
“Thank you. I do like to think of them as family. I want to take care of them like I’d want someone to take care of my parents.”
My mother lovingly rubbed my back. “She’s always been a nurturer. Once time when she was little, I caught her breastfeeding her dolls—”
“Mama!” I shrieked.
Ms. Watson and Grams burst into laughter.
“What! It was the cutest thing watching your little flat chested self trying to make that baby doll latch on.”
I palmed my face. “I’m glad Channing and Daddy are outside. That’s so embarrassing, Ma.”
Ms. Watson giggled. “Don’t be embarrassed, baby. When Channing was younger, he used to love following his grandfather around before he passed away. When I tell you, he acted every bit of a middle-aged man at the age of five! He walked like him. He spoke like him. My father even dressed him like him. Hold on, I have pictures!”
She left the kitchen, returning shortly with a photo album. She flipped through until she found what she was looking for. I couldn’t help but laugh at a younger Channing cheesing like hell as he stood next to his grandfather. They were dressed in matching outfits consisting of a white button-up, brown slacks with suspenders attached, loafers, and a brown fedora.
“He is too precious!” my mother exclaimed. “Look at those cheeks!”
Grams smiled softly as she looked at the picture. “Those were my two men. After Channing’s father left, he clung to my husband. It broke his heart when he lost his grandfather just two years later.”
She looked so sad for a moment, and my heart broke for her. I knew how much she’d loved him. She’d told me all about their younger days many times during therapy. What broke me was her saying she was dreading the moment when she wouldn’t remember him at all. It was sad to have a lifetime of memories slowly fade away.
“I think I’m gonna go lie down for a little while,” she said softly.
“You sure, Mama?” Ms. Watson asked.
“I’m sure.”
She left the kitchen with us looking after her. Part of me wanted to go after her, but I decided to let her have some time alone. Ms. Watson’s face mimicked her mother’s sadness. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly. My mother didn’t hesitate to follow suit. For the longest time, we held her until her small cries turned to sniffles.
“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her face. “I know this disease is hard for her, but it’s hard for me, too.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” my mother said. “I know we’ve only just met, but if you need someone to talk to or vent to, my door is always open. We can exchange numbers before we leave tonight.”
Ms. Watson smiled. “I’d like that.”
I smiled too. Maybe I’d just introduced my mother to her new bestie.
“I’m gonna go check on Channing and Daddy,” I said, standing. “They have been together too long, and I feel like they may get into trouble.”
Both my mother and his laughed as I headed out the back door. The backyard was pretty big, housing a pool, a grilling area, and a pool house. Since I didn’t see them anywhere outside, I figured they were in the pool house. I made my way over and found the door slightly ajar. As I went to open it, I heard them talking.
“Tell me the truth,” my father said. “Baby girl isn’t gonna tell me because she knows what I will do to that boy. Is he still fucking with her?”
“As far as I know, no, sir. There was the incident of him following her home from my place a little while ago, but he’s been quiet since then.”
“She told me about that. I almost hopped on a plane that night.”
Channing chuckled. “Trust me. I wanted to pull up on him myself. I don’t play the games he’s playing. I don’t know how y’all do it in the Carolinas, but here, you are asking to catch hands or a bullet if you do that.”
“I know that’s right.” My father took a sip of his beer. “You really like my daughter? I mean, you ain’t on no conquest type of shit?”
“I mean this in the most humble way possible, Mr. Baker. Getting pussy has never been an issue for me. Between groupies, industry hos, and these women out here willing to sleep with men for nothing, there isn’t a shortage. I care very much for your daughter. From the moment I met her, something about her drew me in. She’s special. She’s one of these people you don’t let go of when you finally get them.”
My father nodded. “I’m glad to hear that and glad you recognize that. Those two women are my heart and soul. I’d do hard time behind them.”
“I respect that. Just know that as long as she’s here, she’s in good hands.”
My father extended his hand to Channing. They shook before he pulled him into a fatherly embrace. I swiped a tear from the corner of my eye and gathered myself before I entered the room.
“Knock, knock! What are y’all doing?”
“Talking like men,” my father answered.
“About?”
“You see how nosy she is?”
“Daddy!”
He chuckled. “Did you need something?”
“I can’t check on two of my favorite people?” I threw my arms around him and kissed his cheek repeatedly. “I’ve missed you, old man.”
“I’ve missed you too. What do you have planned for us?”
I looked at Channing and nodded. Now was as good a time as any for his surprise.
He cleared his throat. “Well, a little birdie told me you like basketball.”
“I’m an avid fan.”
“I have a season pass for the L.A. Bombers. They are floor seats, and I can even get you in to meet a few players.”
My father grinned. “Shit, you don’t have to convince me. What time should we be ready?”
I shook my head. “I’ll just let you break the news to your wife.”
He waved me off. “She’ll be okay. She’ll let me drag her anywhere as long as I bargain with her.”
Channing and I laughed. It was a sad but true fact.
We finally headed back inside to dinner. The rest of the night went by pretty smooth. Grams rejoined us after her nap and seemed to be in better spirits. The four of them took turns embarrassing Channing and me with childhood stories. At one point, we just gave up and waited to see what they would tell next.
By the time we made it back to his house, I was exhausted and had fallen asleep. It wasn’t until he lightly shook me did I wake up.
“We’re home,” he said.
I slowly opened my eyes and found him standing in the passenger doorway looking at me.
“I just wanna climb in bed,” I mumbled.
He chuckled. “Do I need to carry the big baby in the house?”
I smirked. “If you’re offering.”
He shook his head as he reached for me and lifted me out of the truck. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and allowed myself to be carried inside. He took me upstairs and undressed me. Much to my surprise, he put me in the shower, then bathed us both before dressing me for bed. When he slid into bed, he immediately reached for me, pulling me into his chest and draping my leg across his.
I couldn’t help but to laugh.
“What’s funny?” he asked.
“You’ve grown accustomed to me sleeping in your skin.”
He chuckled. “Take your silly ass to sleep, woman.”
I snuggled up closer to him and raised my head for a kiss. He obliged me with the sweetest, most sensual press of his lips. I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes. In no time, I was falling fast asleep, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. It was Saturday, and we had a full day ahead of us.
The day started with me, Channing, and my parents going out to breakfast with Nique. She demanded she get some time with them while they were here. They loved her like a second child, so of course, they were down.
From there, my mother wanted to visit Rhyon since she hadn’t seen her in forever. Luckily, she and Emerald were home, so we spent some time with them. Being in their home brought back memories of all the time we spent together as kids. There we were, going down memory lane, doing dances from our younger years and spilling secrets about shit we’d done that we wouldn’t get in trouble for now that we were grown.
Or so we thought.
My mom ended up FaceTiming my aunt Halle and cluing her in on our antics. They fussed, and all we could do was laugh.
After leaving Rhyon and Emerald’s, we’d dropped my parents off at their hotel to get ready for the game. Currently, we were sitting courtside in the massive arena. My father and Channing were talking stats, while my mama, Nique, and I sipped on mixed drinks and vibed to the music.
“I’m trying to catch a baller,” Nique said, scanning the players who were practicing their shots. “I can totally be on Basketball Wives.”
“You don’t even like reality TV,” I reminded her.
“But I would like those reality TV checks.”
My mother shook her head. “You don’t need to be on TV acting ratchet, Monique.”
“I wouldn’t act ratchet, Auntie Tam.”
“Baby, people have a way of bringing the worst out of you, especially for likes and views.”
“You’re right about that.”
She continued watching the players and sipping her drink seductively. One of them happened to look in our direction and tapped the arm of his teammate. He pointed at us then waved. Nique was all smiles as she waved back. Channing instantly slapped her hand down.
“Neither of those two,” he said firmly. “Trust me, I’m doing you a favor.”
She huffed. “I thought it would be a while before I got big brother vibes from you.”
He chuckled. “I’m just looking out for you. You’re my lady’s best friend. I can’t let you end up with no busta. She’d never forgive me. I don’t want no smoke.”
I blushed as he leaned in to kiss me. I slipped my arm through his and rested my head against his shoulder.
“Y’all are adorable,” Nique declared. “One day, this will be me.”
I rolled my eyes, but I really hoped she found happiness.
The jumbotron camera began scanning the area for unsuspecting attendees. I’d always seen these moments online, but this was a different experience. Thankfully, the camera didn’t zoom in on us. The game was just about to start when an unexpected presence made their way in front of us. I looked up to see Imani glaring at me.
“Move around, Imani,” Channing warned her. “This ain’t the time or the place.”
She giggled. “I wasn’t even going to say anything to her. I stopped to speak to you.”
“Spoke.”
Nique snickered next to me as I tried hard not to laugh. He was so blunt, and the shit was funny as hell. Imani threw her a dirty look.
“Something funny?” she asked.
“Don’t make me embarrass you, baby,” Nique said. “You’ve done a good job of that yourself.”
Imani started toward her, causing all of us to stand up, but not so quick as to draw attention to ourselves.
“Didn’t I say this ain’t the time or place?” Channing said lowly. “Take your messy ass to your seat.”
She scoffed. “You’re calling me messy, but you’re sitting here with your client’s ex?”
I laughed. “You weren’t even worried about him being my man when you were messing around with him. Why are you so concerned with who I’m with now? You keep talking, and you are gonna get that ass whupping I owe you.”
“Bi—”
“Don’t even think about finishing that statement,” Channing said, stepping in front of me. “Move. Around…. Now. You’re already on probation with your label. Don’t let this be the thing that gets you dropped.”
Imani kissed her teeth. “Just so you know, our work relationship is done.”
“I’m sure I’ll manage just fine.”
She glared from him to me before storming off. We reclaimed our seats, and I exhaled a frustrated breath.
“She was about to get jumped,” my mother stated, breaking the tension. Nique and I looked at her and burst into laughter.
Channing and my father shook their heads.
“Mrs. Baker, I thought you were the calm one,” Channing said.
“About my baby, we can take it there. If that little girl had said one more word, y’all were gonna be bailing us out of jail.”
“I know that’s right, Auntie Tam,” Nique chimed in. “As cute as I look tonight, I would have been mad as hell if I had to fight.”
“Well, it’s over now,” Channing said. “We’re gonna enjoy the rest of the night and block out all negativity.”
He cupped my chin and pecked my lips before lacing his fingers through mine. He leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“I like your aggressive side. You gon’ have to show me that when we get home.”
He pulled back and focused on the game playing in front of us like he hadn’t just turned me on in front of my parents. I felt eyes on me and looked to see Nique and my mother smirking at me. They looked at each other.
“Mmm hmm.”
I rolled my eyes and ignored them.
For the duration of the game, things went smoothly. Channing and my father were invested, although they both checked in with me and my mother to make sure we were good. My mother, Nique, and I spent most of our time people watching and listening to my best friend point out the cute players.
She almost fainted when the ball rolled under her chair, and the player she’d been eyeballing all night came to retrieve it. Not only did he smile and wink at her, he held up the game to give her his number. She immediately looked to Channing for his approval before she handed over her phone. That same player came over after they won the game and invited us to an after-party.
While I initially thought to decline because my parents were here, my father insisted we go out and have a good time because he needed some time alone with my mother since this was their last night in town. I didn’t protest. Channing called for them a car, and we ensured they got in safely before he, Nique, and I headed to the lounge where the party was being held.
While I thought our good day was going to go to shit with Imani’s ass, we ended the night on a good note. We had good food, good drinks, and just all-around good vibes with the people we linked with. After all that, my man took me back to his place and gave me some good dick that put me right to sleep.