Chapter 15 #2
“Are you sure that’s the only thing going on with you?
” Hollis questioned. I could feel her gaze on me, but I wouldn’t look.
One look would have me confessing more than my sins.
I took a long sip of my drink while doing my best to ignore her eyes on me.
I was too vulnerable to hold all my secrets in.
I nodded.
“Yup, I told you the castle is stressed right now. Quincey is on the edge. I’m not used to seeing him like this.” This time, when I put my attention on her, Hollis squinted at me and I could’ve sworn she caught all my lies in my eyes.
I hurriedly looked away just as Mickey came back in the room with both hands full and Minnie strapped to her chest.
“Let’s play Date Night! Instead of presentation night being added pressure for you, let’s just figure our next night or day out this way.
” I cracked a smile as she placed the markers and notebook on the table for us.
This was like that old school game where you counted down, crossing things off the list in each category, except it was only one paper and we all had input in each category with one line being a wild just to make it an even number.
“Oh my gosh, we haven’t done one of these in so long,” I boasted, going for a black marker.
“I know. I figured this would be fun. Besides, I have no time to get a presentation together that isn’t a shopping cart full of stuff for Minnie,” Mickey said, now adjusting Minnie to feed her.
“That’s my girl. I have taught you well. Ooh, maybe I can add to the cart. Send me the link.” Hollis jumped in, while going for the notebook to get us started.
“Mickey, pick a color and I’ll write for you.”
“You know this heffa wants the pink one. Anyways, on to a more important topic, food? I say sushi,” Hollis said.
“BBQ.”
“Seafood,” I said last as I wrote it down.
We all went a couple rounds between the categories until we had a solid plan for when we would hang out.
By the early evening, my phone was vibrating with a text from Courtland. I passed Minnie to Hollis since Mickey was taking a nap. This was the text I had been waiting for.
Chief: Queen Lou…
That was all it said but I knew he was checking to see if I could talk. I would do my man a better one. I was about to pull up.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” she whispered.
“Yes. I told you, it’s tough times right now. I’m sure once I get my babysitter, I’ll be able to stay out more. Tell Mickey I love her and I’ll see you soon.” Hollis was quiet again but nodded her okay.
Once I made it to my car, I found a note on my window. When I went to read it, my phone was going off again, distracting me.
I hit the button to let Nas’s voice come through as I stuffed the note in my purse, so I could balance the phone and start my car.
“Hey, Nas, girl. I thought you forgot about me.” I chuckled as I pulled off, heading home.
“Hey, girl, never. I took longer than expected but I think I found something that might help you. Can you come into the office right now? I have a window open.”
I glanced at the time on the dashboard. It was still fairly early so I took the chance.
“Yes. I’m out and about and will be there soon,” I said, ending the call and zooming across town to Nas’s office.
It was like my heart stopped the moment the words left her mouth, but I had to hear them again so I asked Nas to repeat herself for the third time.
“One more time, Nas.” My voice was weak and slow.
With a somber expression, she released a sigh before honoring my request.
“There is a way to leave, but only if Quincey files for the divorce or the truth comes out about your marriage and you can’t be the one to tell it.
But if you expose him in any way, not only will he expose your secret, that if discovered can still be prosecuted since the state doesn’t start the timeframe until then.
Plus you’ll be sued for breaking the NDA part of the contract, but you’ll have to pay back three point eight million from the monthly allowance he gave you plus the tuition he covered for CFU, and also, you walk away with nothing. ”
You should’ve been saving that shit, Johnni! Damn.
I didn’t have millions of dollars sitting around on top of legal fees, so risking it to be able to walk away on my own was a no go. Not to mention, my secret coming out would mean potential prison time and a ruined image.
“What if I have something that would expose us… or him and the public just so happened to see it? Like through an anonymous tip?”
“That’s you still exposing it, Johnni. Say you get another picture or note and you let the press make it to the scene and find it.
He could counter that you exposed it. If something happens and you have the power to prevent it from getting outside your marriage, stop it.
And you can’t discuss any of this with anyone.
We both know the Wilsons don’t just move upright in the legal system.
Fees and fines could be the easy part if they found out you had something to do with anything that would hurt their reputation. ”
I reached into my purse, pulling out the note I’d found on my car, glancing at it real quick.
I wasn’t surprised that it was yet another picture of Quincey and his lover…
or one of them. It was hard to tell if this was even the man in drag.
This time in another compromising moment with a note that said something about they wouldn’t be silenced.
“So I just have to take someone breaking into my car and damn near killing me on the chin? What if they hurt me? Didn’t you see the news? They got close. I need out, Nas!” I showed her the latest.
“Yes. And again, I’m happy you’re safe. No, I’m not saying that.
I’m telling you to let everything play out.
The more you can’t control the situation, the better your chances of breaking free, and I mean clean as hell.
Yes, it’s clearly involving you, but this is a Quincey problem.
Are you hearing me? Don’t control the board, Johnni. Remove your name altogether.”
“Do nothing.”
“Yes. Besides, someone this bold is determined to be heard. You won’t have to do anything but keep yourself safe. Can you manage that?”
I nodded.
Of course I didn’t like the advice but I knew it was the only way. It was time to tell Courtland everything.
Twenty minutes later I was rolling down his street with goodies to help sweeten the conversation I was sure would change how he saw me. I pulled into his driveway behind his truck then called him.
“Hey baby, I’m outside,” I sang into the receiver.
“Okay, coming to get you. Stay in the car.” I smiled at him being determined to open my door for me. This time around I had the best lover.
As soon as the call ended, Courtland rushed to my door, opening it wide, holding his hand out for me.
My arms immediately locked around his neck, exhaling the second his arms welcomed me home, burying my face into his chest.
“Ay, baby you good?” I shook my head because I wasn’t. Between life with Quincey and now the news from Nas, I didn’t see a way out.
“C’mon. I got you.” He went to close the door, then I remembered the treats from the bakery.
“Wait, I brought snacks.” He smiled, then held me close and leaned into the car, getting the box and my purse.
We got inside and made our way to the kitchen where he grabbed an ice cream scoop and a container of caramel walnut ice cream from the freezer, making me chuckle.
“You really saying fuck my diet, huh?”
“Hell yeah. I told you. I want all of your calories to keep everything the same. Plus, we can’t have cake without ice cream. It’s a law and I don’t break the law.” I swallowed hard as I let out a nervous laugh and my eyes stretched wide at his words.
Heffa, calm the hell down. He don’t know anything yet.
I cleared my throat that still held a small lump in the back. I was nervous as hell. “You don’t even know what’s in the box.”
“Doesn’t matter. Cookies, cakes, brownies, and pie all follow the same rules. Now, while I set us up, talk to me.” While Courtland opened the box to the assortment of brownies, I blew out a breath and then began to share my whole life story.
Ten minutes later and two brownies gone, all he did was shrug.
So I followed suit.
“What does that mean?”
“It means it’s my turn. I didn’t want you handling this shit yourself anyway. All this told me is that he’s a dirty bitch and it’s time for me to get in the field. Once I’m in the house, it’ll be easier for me to move around and get what I need. All I need you to do is act normal.”
“Once you’re in? He hasn’t even mentioned hiring you yet.”
“To you. He has an appointment set up. I’m sure it’s about getting some people on you or him. Either way, I’ma make sure I take the job.”
My head shook as I laughed humorlessly.
“First my lawyer said to let shit play out and now you’re telling me to act normal. It’s hard when I’m the one getting notes and threats like this.” I dug out the picture again, this time passing it to Courtland.
He looked at it and snorted.
“Baby, do you trust me?” he asked as he moved between my legs.
“Of course I do. I literally just bared my soul. You know more than anyone in my life.”
“Then trust me to handle this. All I need my queen to do is to focus on regionals coming up. And finally giving me my hug.” That had me tucking my bottom lip until he picked me up, causing me to scream from excitement. We moved to the living room where I was placed on the couch.
“Chief!” His mouth moved to my neck as my legs parted into a V, making space to fit him. The moment his hard dick tapped my pussy, I gasped while he began to trail kisses down my neck to my chest.
“Ah, wait baby.” I barely got the words out before Courtland’s hands were inside my leggings, going below my waist, sliding into my panties.
“Why? So you can prolong what we both said we needed today? I’m not waiting on shit but for you to finally let me lead as your man so I can bring you home with me where you belong.”