Chapter 19 #3
“Yeah, and I’m sure some might even say the trust should be gone, but that’s the funny thing about secrets.
They only work when no else is involved.
Once we got our friends and families in on it, it was no longer a real secret, just a ticking bomb waiting to explode.
I’m just happy it all worked out for us.
Oh, speaking of Boss, Johnni, he did ask for your information?
I told BK I would ask you before I gave it to him.
” Mickey acknowledging me broke my gaze from Courtland who had yet to look at me and put my attention on her.
I frowned, wondering why he would want my number until Courtland spoke up.
“I’m sure it’s about the strip club situation, Lou.” My mouth opened and shut as I nodded, now remembering. Everything felt like forever ago these days.
“Oh yeah, sure. That’s fine, if it’s okay with you.” Mickey laughed and I caught on to what I did, but I was glad she didn’t.
Not you asking your boyfriend for permission to give his friend your number in front of Mickey.
It wasn’t about permission for real, more of me wanting his input in my life, even with the smallest things.
“Girl, I don’t care. Shit, for real, maybe you need to be asking Q. He might have a problem, even though I’m sure he’s on the list too,” she said.
And that quickly I’d forgotten about Quincey.
“Um…” That was all I got out before Courtland came to my rescue, now opening the door to the shop, escorting us out since we were all ready to go.
I still hadn’t answered Mickey. I used the quick change of location to give me a minute to think.
Here I was, wanting Courtland to see I respected his position in my life to know I would seek him out when making decisions.
I forgot I should have only consulted my husband on this matter, especially considering everything that happened with him and Boss.
“Mickey, he can just call my phone. I’m sure Mr. Wilson would appreciate that a lot better than Boss having his wife’s number.”
“Oh dang. Johnni, I forgot that quickly that Tunk was working for you. Your question makes sense. Damn, Q got your moves tapped for real. Can you do lunch with us? I know we didn’t discuss that when I set today as dress day.”
As bad as I craved normalcy, I needed to handle whatever was going on immediately. When I got ready to answer her, Hollis spoke up.
“No can do, babes. I have to get Camille from school. Callie has an appointment and Derek is working. Maybe next time.” She was in her phone while passing out hugs and kisses.
Amber jumped in next. “And sorry, I’m out too. I only requested an extended lunch break. I have a party to charter today.”
“Damn, can’t nobody hang out with me? Do y’all know how hard it is to get a babysitter on a weekday?” Mickey pouted.
“With your mommas, not hard at all. Love you, I’ll call y’all,” Hollis said, now heading for her car with Amber doing the same.
“Johnni?”
“I can’t either, Mickey, but please kiss my baby. I have practice in a few with Kimmie. This routine is kicking my ass.” It wasn’t a lie, but practice was at eleven tonight.
Once I was tucked in the back, he finally looked at me.
“Are you pregnant?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I hadn’t even noticed I was late or missed my period at this point. Life has been kinda hectic.”
I had just told Hollis to stick to the script, yet here I was, talking too much and too fast to Courtland about a situation neither of us needed right now.
But the more it plagued my mind, the more sense it made to tell him. I didn’t want to keep any more secrets, especially not from him.
“So to the pharmacy?”
I nodded before verbally answering.
“Yes, but only you go in, please.”
He smirked at me through the rearview mirror.
“Of course, Queen Lou.”
I sat back against the seat as I tucked my bottom lip into my mouth, hiding my smile since I was back to being Lou.
“My Josie, you look absolutely stunning,” Quincey said as I approached him, holding his hand out to receive me.
We were currently at yet another function for his campaign.
And since my mind had been on my own shit, like how I was going to tell my husband I was pregnant, I couldn’t even tell you what it was for beyond that.
I was only here to play my role as a devoted trophy wife.
A shitty devoted wife.
“Thank you, babe.” I welcomed his hand at the back of my hand, completely forgetting that I still hadn’t switched back to my wedding bands from him until he said something. Courtland’s ring had been my new favorite piece that I never took off.
“Hmm.. this is new. Did we upgrade your ring without me knowing?” He frowned, examining it further.
I tensed as I looked over my shoulder at Courtland who was behind me.
Even though Judge and Jury were both in attendance tonight, on top of the additional security Quincey had here, he refused to not be by my side.
“Oh! Um…yeah, I saw it the other day when I went shopping and couldn’t resist. Do you like it?”
Johnni, now I know you've lost it. Did you just ask your husband if he liked your engagement ring from your boyfriend?
Or is it fiancé?
Yeah, that might have been a lot.
Quincey snickered lowly. “Yeah, real nice. That must’ve been the day you went missing for hours and I couldn’t see you on the map.
Hmph…it’s funny. You’ve been doing that increasingly, Josie.
I hope it’s just so you can spend my gotdamn money like it’s yours and not anything else.
” He spoke through his tight smile as he shifted us so he could wrap his arm around me.
“I told you my phone died, Q. And what else would I be doing? It’s not like I’m ever alone these days. You can always call your guard dog if you wanted to keep tabs. I’m sure you pay him well to tell you my every move.” I went to step away when he grabbed the back of my arm, keeping me next to him.
“Ay yo, let her go?” Courtland said all too quickly, which had Quincey flashing a comical expression that said nothing was funny. He loosened his hold but kept me close.
“I hired the muthafucka, yet he thinks he works for you. That’s cute.
Don’t fucking play with me, Josie. I can smell some bullshit going on with you and I don’t give a fuck for how long, but you had your extra fun.
End the shit before I start to pay attention for real and I would hate for whoever it is to come up missing or something.
Your need to deliberately disobey me is not about to cost me my gotdamn election.
” Quincey’s voice went up a few octaves as his tone became stern.
“Can we not do this right now? People are staring, Q,” I pleaded, glancing around the room to see a couple eyes on us. He cleared his throat, turning me so my back was to them and facing him. His grin was now wide with pure fury in his cold dark eyes.
“Then I suggest you smile pretty for the cameras, honey, and do your fucking job as my wife. You’ve been forgetting your reason for being here.
It’s not for the name, but to be what I need when I fucking need you.
” He leaned down, kissing me gently on my forehead.
This time when he shifted us so the room could see me, I saw Courtland’s tightly closed fists and squinty eyes that were as menacing as Quincey’s just were.
He stepped forward and I quickly pushed my hand out, stopping him.
I smiled as the photographer working the party called out to us.
“Mr. And Mrs. Wilson, how about a shot of the happy couple?” I put on my best face as the flashes began. And as soon as they stopped, I stepped away.
“Go freshen up and come back ready to work the fucking room. Oh and take that gotdamn ring off and put your wedding bands back where the hell they belong. Won’t another man ever take that spot.”
At this point I knew my marriage was over, but never did I think the day would come when I would lose my best friend too. This election was turning Quincey into someone I no longer recognized or wanted to be around.
I wasn’t perfect, again the ring on my ring finger and baby in my stomach reminded me of the part I played in our decaying marriage, but my love for Quincey had never been in danger of disappearing until now.
Courtland was hot on my ass.
“Lou, how am I supposed to protect you when you won’t let me be your man and handle that bitch ass nigga?” he asked as soon as we made it to the ladies room. He came inside with me, locking the door to keep everyone out.
“Because you can’t handle him, Courtland, especially not here. Can you be realistic right now? Yeah, security might work for you, but those men are the least of our problems. Quentin won’t hesitate to have you taken away from me, or worse, make you suffer.”
“Baby, the only one who’s gon’ be suffering is that muthafucka if he ever calls himself holding you the way he did out there.
I keep telling you I don’t give a fuck about that nigga nor his bitch ass daddy.
Behind mine, my sanity is off. I’ll act a fool in here.
You more concerned with putting on a fake ass smile to see he’s only using you. ”
“Courtland, that’s not fair. I don’t want to fight you too.”
He lifted me onto the sink, stepping between my legs.
“Lou, we’re not fighting, baby. I’m just trying to get you to see the truth that’s so clouded with lies.
Q don’t give a damn about you beyond what you can do for his image.
He doesn’t care that he hurt you over and over again, only how them niggas are praising him.
I keep telling you. I live to serve you, to protect you, to love you.
That’s how any man stepping behind you should be.
And it’s clear that nigga is sucking his own dick. ”
His voice was strong as he got closer to my face, making my heart pound wildly as I reached for his suit jacket, tugging him toward my lips.