Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Amena
Three Weeks Later
I got out of the limo holding Laikin’s hand. Sarai directed us to the dressing room. I smiled at the team that would be assisting today.
“Amena, you’re in this room. Laikin, you’re next door,” Sarai said.
“Thanks, Sarai.”
“Why can't we share?” Laikin suggested.
I stuck my tongue out jokingly. “Because we need you to be ready on time.”
The makeup and hairstylist laughed. Sarai threw her head back in laughter, too.
Sarai shoved Laikin to the side. “Exactly. Amena, you understand the stress he brings me.”
I climbed in the makeup chair, placed my purse on the top of the vanity table, unwrapped my shawl, and removed my shades.
“How long are we scheduled?”
“No more than seven hours. They know we have a party tomorrow,” Sarai responded.
“Okay.”
“Relax, get pretty, and have fun.”
Sarai walked away. I used a makeup wipe on my face. The hairstylist pulled my hair out of my ponytail and combed through my wet strands. One of the assistants held up the clothes that I would model for the shoot.
“The theme is casual and classy.”
“I like the cream sweater dress with the boots.” I swiveled my head around and pointed to the pieces.
“For the set that would work and then we’ll move to you standing near the car,” the assistant said.
“The black leather pants and silk blouse is cute.”
“Awesome, we have few minutes to make any changes, then you get two hours to get ready.” The hairstylist brushed over my hair. “It won’t take long.”
“I have my son’s birthday party tomorrow.”
“I have two kids myself,” Rachel, the hairstylist explained.
“I have one so I can only imagine two.” I sighed through a long-held breath.
“Being a mom is hard work—especially when you’re single,” Rachel preached, and I agreed with a nod. Laikin told me about the conversation with Kayne.
I came out of the dressing room wearing the sweater dress, with my hair pulled into a tight bun, diamonds in my ears, and a watch on my wrist. Laikin talked with Sarai on set. A mix of old-school hip hop played, starting with Biz Markie.
“You both look great, so we’ll do a few shots and then start the interview,” said the reporter from Men Style magazine I met earlier.
“Stand right here?” I wondered, putting my hand on my hip.
“Sit in his lap on the couch, and then we’ll do a few poses separately.” The photographer snapped a few shots as the lighting was moved closer.
“Okay.”
Laikin extended his arm around my waist, whispering, “I’m ready to rip this dress off you.”
I glanced up at him. “Behave.”
He winked at me. “Shit, you looking too good.”
I reached to cup his chin. “You look handsome, Mr. Trenton.”
“Keep that pose!” the photographer yelled, coming in closer in front of us.
I crossed my legs, clasped my hands together, and looked to the side of his face as he stared forward in the camera.
“Right, keep that pose—both of you.”
Laikin ran a hand up and down my thigh, and I remembered our early morning connection and his head between my thighs.
“Promise to wear this cologne again.”
Laikin peered at me. “Making my dick hard, Pepper.”
I smirked. “Pay attention before Sarai yells at us.”
“Sarai knows you can get it anytime.”
“Anytime?”
“Anytime, baby.”
“All right, one more with Amena standing up—and Laikin, hold her around the waist,” Sarai demanded.
I jumped up and held a hand to my side, looking up into the camera. “Yes! Hold that pose,” the photographer said.
I truly felt accepted and loved by Laikin and his family. Kayne even wanted to call him Dad. I tried to explain the difference, but if he felt comfortable and loved by Laikin, then I wouldn’t deny him—especially after Virgil sent the paperwork to give up his parental rights two weeks ago.
“Okay, let’s take some questions, and then change outfits.” The staff brought out a chair for the reporter to take a seat, and I sat beside Laikin, holding his hand.
“Thank you both for being here today. I know a lot of your fans have heard the story of you two being in love at a young age,” Jalesa brought up, turning on the recorder.
Laikin stared at me. “She broke my heart,” he joked, and I rolled my eyes.
“He’s so dramatic.”
“We’ll delve deeper into the background later, but for now how does it feel dating a super star athlete like Laikin?” Jalesa sat back in her chair.
“At first, it was chaos, honestly. I know Sarai probably hates me for using that word, but I had to adjust. Not only in the relationship, I also have a child.”
“Which is commendable. A lot of people can relate to being a single mom. You were married correct? To a high-profile politician?” Jalesa flipped through her notes.
“I was, and I promised myself to never date anyone that was known in the media again, but coming home and seeing him changed my mind.”
“I gave her a hard time in the beginning, but Amena is meant for me,” Laikin replied.
“Did you ever feel like you two wouldn't make it, Laikin?”
Laikin rubbed his hands together. “At first, I denied my feelings, but seeing how she had changed over the years and talking about our past made me want to try again.”
“Amena, you’re a celebrity stylist. Does it conflict with being Laikin’s girlfriend at all?”
“Actually, in the beginning, I refused his help and complained about going out with him. I tried to keep my son away from the media, and nothing worked, because I was too stubborn to let go of the past.”
“As women we do carry a lot of the burden,” Jalesa reminded me.
“Yeah, we do. Laikin is genuine and amazing. He helped jumpstart my career and believed in me when I had doubts.”
“She’s the best.”
“We’re still seeing posts about Callie mentioning your man. How do you respond?”
“Callie who?”
Laikin and Jalesa laughed at my response.
“Well, I guess that means we should move on,” Jalesa said.
“Only thing we’re concerned about is our family, nothing else can stop our relationship.”
“What do you have planned for the future? I know Laikin is racing again after the last scare.”
“He acts like it was nothing, but it was big deal. For me I’ll be taking more time to really flourish in my business while also being a productive mom to my son.”
“My love of racing continues, and I know the last race scared her a little, but it’s all good now. Being around Amena and seeing how hard she works makes me want to work even harder,” Laikin stated.
“I love a power couple. Thank you both for being here today.”
“Thank you,” we answered at the same time.
Jalesa wrapped up her interview, and we rose from the couch as the set was starting to clear out.
“Okay, you two go change, please. My godson has not stopped texting me about his party.” Sarai turned her phone around to show us a text thread from Kayne.
Kaynebear: Auntie, when?
Sarai: Baby tomorrow
Kaynebear: I ready now.
I chuckled at the frown emoji attached to his text.
“That boy is spoiled. I know Malik pissed me off getting him a Freddo Mercedes Benz truck.” I wanted to curse him out when I saw the gold rims on the toy car in our yard.
“That’s his friend.” Sarai directed her finger at Laikin.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with laughter, jokes, and music while we finished off the shoot doing single poses and then couple shots. Laikin took a few pictures with the staff and gave autographs before we left and drove home.
* * *
The doorbell rang, and the last guests arrived as I helped my mom set out the rest of the gift bags. Sarai did so much and made Kayne’s birthday an event with professional photographers stationed to take pictures, a photo booth, pony ride section, and an actual valet to park the cars. When Laikin told me the final cost, I really had no words for how much I appreciated her work to make sure every detail was checked off the list. Winter held a cocktail in her hand, swaying her hips to the DJ playing Arianna Grande. Kayne hadn't sat down for five minutes and talked our heads off about his birthday being an official day every day.
“That boy is never going to sleep tonight.” Winter grinned at Kayne, who was wearing his Spiderman outfit. All the kids dressed in superhero costumes.
“He’s having a ball.”
“You did good, Amena.”
“Thank you. His joy is worth all the headaches.”
“I agree. Have you looked at the comments on his live.”
“What live?”
“Laikin got on live when you were in the bathroom a few minutes ago and showed off the party.”
“He never shows his place.”
“Which tells you how important you and Kayne are to him. Let me see if I can catch a screen grab of the comments.” Winter slipped her phone from her shorts.
“Kayne, slow down before you fall,” I grumbled, catching him by the arm as he ran in the direction of the food table. A comforting breeze and sunshine made today perfect for a party. Laikin couldn't go to Disneyland, so Sarai transformed his backyard into the ultimate kids’ fantasy, with large balloons of every superhero, from Wolverine to Captain America. An entertainment booth on one end for DJ, a face painting table across from a bouncy house, and a sweets stand on the other.
“Sorry, Mommy.” Kayne ran into my legs, hugging me.
I tapped him on the back. “Be careful.”
Winter handed me her phone. “Here’s the comments.”
“Wow, it has close to ten thousand comments on here.”
“You should go live really quick and respond.”
I handed the phone back. “I hate social media.”
“Just this once.” Winter turned on her live and held the phone up in my face. I waved to the camera with a wide smile.
“What’s up, everybody? I’m here with my girl, Amena. Say hi.”
“Winter, really.”
She popped her lips. “Yep. What do you think about the party?”
“Glad to see my baby happy.”
“That’s right and your man is making sure of that, right? Mr. Laikin Trenton?”
“He is the best, but never let the smile fool you. He belongs to me.”
A chain of people were online, commenting hi, and how much they loved Laikin and me, and how we were couple goals. Then the live turned even busier when Laikin popped in from across the backyard.
Laikin’s top lip curled up. “Who you belong to, Amena?”
“I belong to Laikin Trenton.”
“Exactly, never doubt it. Make sure they know, because I hate to get on here and act a fool on somebody.”
“Daddy!” Kayne screamed, running toward Laikin.
“Kayne, be careful.”
“My girl is the top stylist. Make sure you hit her up,” Laikin boasted.
“Thank you, baby.”
A few hearts popped up on the thread, and some not-so-nice comments, but I ignored them and focused on the positive ones.
“All right, folks, we have a birthday party to get to. Make sure you follow us.”
“We should bring the cake out,” my mom said as she came up to me. Rebuilding our relationship had taken time, and distance helped. They’re way better grandparents with Kayne, spoiling him nonstop.
“Okay, he’s going to want to get in the pool soon.”
Dad grabbed him up, tickling his stomach. Laikin approached me, tugging me in his arms. “You having fun?”
I peered up at him. “I am, we’re going to bring the cake out.”
“Soon as the part is over, we need to have a private party.”
“Private party, huh?”
I turned in his arms, extended my arms around his neck, and pecked him on the lips. Laikin smacked me on the ass.
“This is a kids’ party. Watch your hands, bro.” Brett held a frown, making Laikin shrug while keeping his hands on my butt.
“Brett, what hussy did you bring to my baby’s party?”
“She’s cool peoples. Her name is Noelle.”
Noelle stood in line to get a drink form the bar in the corner.
I drifted in front of Laikin, arms folded. “It serious?”
“We’re dating.”
“What about Winter?”
“Winter is minding her business.” Winter came over holding her drink. Brett tried to take her drink out her hands, but she smacked it down.
“You two act like kids in love,” I joked.
“Only we won't end up like you and Laikin,” Brett teased, and I stuck out my tongue at him.
Laikin chuckled along with Winter, as my mom came out with the cake. Sarai, Malik, and all the other parents joined in, making us move in closer, as Kayne ran out of the bouncy house.
“Happy Birthday to you, Kayne.”
Kayne blew out the candles. “Thank you, Mommy and Laikin.”
“You are so welcome.”
* * *
Winter, Brett, and Kayne posed in front of the camera with our parents with the bright sun behind them on the beach. I watched him enjoy himself when Laikin held him around his neck. Our trip was beyond peaceful and relaxing. A two-week trip eating, having sex, and ignoring work was exactly what we needed. Laikin let Kayne down and jogged over to wrap his arms around my waist.
“What are you doing over here?” Laikin pecked me on the lips.
“Watching my man.”
“My baby enjoying herself?”
“Yes, I am, and ready for another night of you fucking me good.”
“Shush, I might have to kick your brother’s ass. He wants to go to some club.”
“Brett needs to focus on his love life and leave you alone.” I watched Brett pick Winter up over his shoulder and run into the ocean, and she pounded on his back.
“Mommy!”
“Kayne.” I watched as he built a sandcastle.
“Come on, let’s go help our son.”