Chapter 11
Patience
Several Weeks Later
I feel like we settled into married life pretty easily, even with everything going on in the world and our lives, but we just fit.
We had somehow built this routine around one another.
Well, more so him building his life around me while I tried to figure out who I was without the sanctuary.
A few days after everything happened, I got a call from one of the keepers there and she said they got word that Zar was moving and the sanctuary was closing soon.
It hurt bad because of how much I worked with the animals and the staff there, but I already knew what it was and it was out of my control.
No lie, the way things were happening hurt my feelings, but I had no control over the actions of others.
As Hondo said, I had to let shit rock, even though I would always come off on top.
I didn’t see where the on top was, but I let it go.
He seemed stressed lately anyways, so I tried to put less of my problems on him and be there for him when needed.
Who knew the man I was literally forced to marry would become my solace and protector all in one?
“When your mother asks why we’re late, don’t tell her it was my fault again. It’s you,” I called from my closet to the bedroom where Hondo was still getting dressed for the gala.
He was quiet but I heard his footsteps before he entered the room. “Considering you’re the reason I’m taking so long, you’re getting the blame.”
“How is you not being ready my fault?”
“Didn’t you ask me to rub you down because you’ve been sore?”
I cackled loudly. “No, I didn’t. I told you my boobs were tender and you assumed I neede—”
He interrupted my statement. “Did you stop me?”
“Nope. Why would I turn down a free massage?” I watched him button his shirt. He looked so good I didn’t mind being late and getting fussed out. As normal, he was in all black, but his bowtie was crystal blue to match my dress. It was a small compromise, even though his signature was all black.
“Exactly.”
I didn’t respond, but instead stood in the mirror taking myself in. I knew I looked good and the little extra weight I’d put on had gone into all the right places. I turned around and he was looking at me.
His eyes glossed my frame before they landed and stayed on my face. “You look beautiful as fuck, which is why we’re not only gonna get there late, but leave early as fuck.”
“And here I thought you said we wouldn’t be staying long for safety reasons.”
“That too. I don’t need you in the space too long with motherfuckers who want your head. It’s bad enough I agreed to play nice until I get what I need.”
I approached him, fixing his bowtie. “No, that isn’t bad. You’re crossing your Is and dotting your Ts before you make a decision that will reflect badly on your family. And yes, I know I said that wrong, but you know what I mean.”
He grinned. “Crossing Ts and dotting Is, my love. And regardless of all that, you are my fucking family and you don’t seem to give a shit about how I reflect.” His hands were at my waist, pulling me into his embrace.
“That’s not what I meant and you know that.”
That grin that held my heart captive these last few weeks appeared. “Whatever the fuck that means.” Then he ducked his head and kissed me.
Long. Deep. Intense.
Three and a half hours later, we were entering the hospital and of course he had his hand locked in mine. Cameras flashed and people spoke, but my attention was locked on him. His presence and our connection grounded me. He knew this wasn’t my scene and I preferred wild animals to people.
We descended the steps into the main room, him holding me closely while I mentally obsessed about how many people were in attendance at this thing.
Once we were on the floor, his mother and father approached. A hug and a cheek kiss later, Mama Carter had her arm looped in mine as we approached the wine bar.
“You look stunning and you complement each other very well.”
I grinned. “Thank you. This place looks beautiful.” The decorations in the massive room made it seem as though we were in a ballroom and not a hospital. We were here in celebration of the wing dedicated to Hondo’s grandfather on his mother’s side, the late Moses Bethune.
She smiled and looked around. “It is, isn’t it? What are you drinking tonight?”
“As of right now, sparkling water. I’ve been a bit dehydrated lately.”
She cut her eyes in my direction, a grin spreading her lips. Then, she ordered herself a wine and myself a sparkling water like I asked.
“Is dehydrated code for me getting an early Christmas?”
I should have known that question was coming, any and everything heightened her frenzy for grandchildren.
“Patience Carter,” she said and narrowed those eyes at me in a way only a mother could. I loved how easily Carter fit behind my first name rather than O’Leary.
“No, it is not code for pregnant, and if I wa—”
“Ma, why you got my baby over here hemmed up choosing her words?” Hondo’s voice interrupted my statement as he stepped up behind me. Saved by the bell.
His mother’s beautiful bronze face contorted into a knowing smile before she tilted it to the side and her hand landed on her thigh. “My baby too and I asked her a question that maybe you can answer.”
Hondo laughed.
“Be careful, son, anything from your mouth at this moment will be used against you,” his father chimed in and we all laughed as well.
“Mama, we don’t know yet. We ain’t keeping score nor are we hitting up pharmacies for tests. It’s gonna happen when it happens,” he responded, to ease his mother’s nerves.
Her brows raised. “So wait, that means th—”
“That it’s none of your damn business, Alora. Leave these kids alone,” her husband jumped in, grabbing her hand and pulling her away from us before she could even grab her drink.
“You don’t mind me telling her that, do you?”
I shrugged. “Why would I? It’s the truth and you want a baby just as much as your mother wants grandchildren. It’s not like I have a job or anything, s—”
“You do have a job and a lot of shit coming together for you behind the scenes. Just give me a little more time and you’ll see.”
I looked at him, the purest form of love resting in his eyes. After a while I nodded before responding with a simple, “Okay.” Even though I wanted to ask what he meant.
We talked for a few minutes longer before Otto pulled him over to talk to someone and Amethyst was in front of me talking a mile a minute.
Then there was Karsyn Curr, a very beautiful woman here with one thing in mind only.
She was business-minded and working the room to make sure she left here with something and I wasn’t mad at that.
“So you really designed this dress?” Amethyst asked, looking at the blood red, sleeveless dress sequined at the bottom and near the dangerously high thigh slit.
Karsyn smiled. “I did. And like I said, I would really like you two to check me out. My shop is opening in the coming months and it would be wonderful if you could come through and show some love. It’s not big, but it’s mine, and I’m wor—” She started to explain but I shook my head.
“No ma’am, don’t downplay yourself. It’s yours and it’s gonna be big.
Of course we’re going to come through and check it out.
” I didn’t have friends and Karsyn seemed down to earth in passing the last few times we came in contact, so why not?
Not only that, Amethyst said she was good people.
So why not make one more friend other than my husband who had been trying to wrap his schedule around being present since he asked me to lay low with everything going on.
Karsyn laughed. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a restroom. I’ll be right back.” I looked from Karsyn to Amethyst.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Amethyst asked.
“No, it’s right there. I’ll be right back.” I assured her, pointing at the sign that said restroom then looking back at her with a reassuring smile. The way they checked people to get in here, I was pretty sure I was safe.
I rushed into the restroom, feeling like I was about to pee on myself. While he was talking about not being in a rush to get a test, we probably needed to. Once I was finished and had clean hands, I pushed the door open with my elbow, but before I could exit, I was pushed back in.
I stumbled a bit and caught my balance before I could fall.
When I looked up, I noticed it was my brother.
It was so strange how awkward I felt around my own blood.
TJ had never been a brother to me or Paige.
He’d always kept his distance. At first I didn’t understand it, like most oddities with the O’Leary men, but then I just stopped.
It was what it was. That was why I was thrown off when he called me.
I didn’t even know he had my number. He had reached out a few times after that, trying to have me over or to get lunch, but I honestly wasn’t interested and Hondo wasn’t going for that.
“Hey. You couldn’t catch me outside the restroom?” I greeted him nervously, feeling the energy was off.
“You got security. Kinda hard to get in contact with you.” He laughed to himself, then sniffed roughly before wiping his face.
“Um, I really need to be getting back to the part—”
“How you been?” He interrupted my statement, fidgeting in his pockets and looking everywhere but at me. When his eyes landed on me, they were glossy and something was off.
“Um, good. Hondo is waiting on me.” I thought mentioning my husband’s name would make him move out of the way and let me pass.
“What, you too good to talk to me for a minute?” He pushed off the door, stepping toward me.
“No, not that at all. I just don’t understand why you’ve cornered me in the bathroom. I’m sure my husband is looking for me.” I felt unsafe.
“For what? I don’t wanna talk to that nigga. I’m here to talk to you.” He reached for my hand.
“TJ. Let my hand go, please. I will talk to you, but not like this.”