13. Aspen Webb
Days with Mahari were always the best. No matter what they did, simple or extravagant, Aspen felt a high after being with him. It was euphoric, a feeling she never wanted to go away. If she could constantly feel it, Aspen was sure life would be a breeze.
The couple was sitting in the parking lot, listening to R&B music while enjoying some ice cream.
Earlier that day, Mahari surprised Aspen with an impromptu shopping spree.
She got stuff for her apartment, the girls’ room, and a few more things for her baby shower.
Mahari let her go all out, so when he wasn’t paying attention, Aspen snuck and got him something with her own money.
He deserved to be spoiled in the same way.
A breeze wafted through the cracked window, and Aspen welcomed it. The sun had set, giving them a view of the bright stars in the dark sky. It was a sight Aspen would never get tired of.
“If I could live outside of the city like this, I would,” Aspen announced, breaking their silence.
“You know it’ll be nothing for me to make that happen, right?”
“I know, but I want it to happen naturally. I do want to enjoy the space I have now for a few years. It’s a good spot for the girls to grow up in, but I want to be somewhere I can get away from the busy life and just chill.”
Mahari shoved his last bite of ice cream in his mouth and cleaned around his lips.
“I agree. I love what I do for a living, but the shit can be too much at times. From the press to the late nights, I want to hide sometimes. That’s why I’m not always in the limelight.
I get approached for opportunities all the time, but I value my peace more.
Some of them are great for me while others aren’t. I’ve learned to distinguish them.”
“That’s major, Mahari. You know I’ve witnessed firsthand how the industry can swallow a person whole, so I get it. And it’s not just like that with your industry. The medical field can be hell too.”
“I believe it.”
While Aspen took pride in being in the medical field, she was also leery of certain people and opportunities.
Denver had given her the rundown before she started school, and she was beyond grateful for his guidance.
If she didn’t have it, she probably would’ve made some decisions that would’ve been detrimental to her path.
Some of the decisions would’ve cost her, her passion, and that was the last thing she desired to happen.
“Sometimes, I wonder if I would’ve continued with my education while my daddy was sick if I would’ve been able to save him.”
“With the field you’re in, I think those are normal thoughts, but it’s not something you should dwell on. Remember, our timing isn’t God’s.”
Aspen finished the rest of her ice cream and sighed. “I know. I just can’t help but wonder. Sometimes, I feel guilty for giving up my education during his sickness, but I would do it over again. I got time with him I’d never be able to get back.”
“Exactly.” Mahari laced their fingers together and chuckled. “Your father was cool as hell, but he didn’t play about his baby girl.”
“He didn’t. Remember when you wanted to take me to the middle school dance my sixth-grade year?”
“Hell yeah. I’ll never forget the way he chastised me for being two years older than you, trying to take you out. It was only because you were who I felt comfortable with. If he would’ve let you go, I would’ve had fun. I still blame him for that.”
Jokingly, Aspen snatched her hand away from Mahari’s and swatted at him. “Don’t be putting that on my daddy. He didn’t think you wanted to take me as only a friend. He thought you were trying to court me as he used to say.”
“Back then? Nah. We’d been friends for too long, and no offense, but I wasn’t checking for you like that. You were too mean to me and other boys.”
“I was not!”
“Shittin’ me. Any boy that tried to get with you, you turned them down. You didn’t start dating until high school, Bunny.”
“I had my reasons.”
Back then, Aspen was afraid to let any male outside of her father, Denver, and Mahari get close to her.
She heard horror stories about some of her classmates being molested, and she didn’t want that to happen to her.
The thought made her mean as a snake, but when she got old enough to protect herself and let her guard down, she opened up some more.
“Let’s ride somewhere.”
“Sounds good.”
If Mahari wanted to travel to the moon, Aspen would follow him. She loved spending time with him. Whenever they were together, she felt free and at peace. Why wouldn’t she want to be surrounded by that always?
Twelve minutes later, they were pulling up at their old high school. Aspen snickered when Mahari got out and helped her out as well. They walked back to the old park they used to hang out at and sat on the bench.
Out the corner of Aspen’s eyes, she could see Mahari staring at her. She brushed her hair behind her ear and locked her eyes with his. The moment brought back a flood of memories, ones she’d pushed to the back of her mind.
“Can I tell you something?” Aspen asked, smirking.
“I’m listening.”
“When you were a senior, and I was a sophomore, I had a tiny crush on you.”
Mahari smacked his lips. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“I did. You were dating that one girl at the time.” Aspen snapped her fingers a few times, trying to remember. Her eyes expanded, and she jabbed her finger in Mahari’s chest. “Trina! She was so damn mean to me.”
“She was a little feisty one. Why you ain’t say anything back then?”
“The same reason we been keeping it in all these years. Fear. That’s neither here nor there now. We’re here.”
Invading her personal space, Mahari took Aspen’s breath when he sensually kissed her.
Her hand ran through his beard to the back of his neck, deepening the kiss.
Their tongues explored one another’s mouth as Mahari’s hands did the same on Aspen’s body.
For a moment, she felt insecure. There she was eight months pregnant with twins while making out with Mahari like she was in high school.
She didn’t feel sexy, so his touch became uncomfortable.
She pulled back and tugged on her bottom lip.
Mahari’s eyes were low, and his mouth was tight. His eyes scanned over Aspen’s body before he questioned, “Are you okay, Aspen?”
All she could do was shake her head and lift her face toward the sky. Everything in the moment felt so wrong and right. She absolutely despised how her feelings were up and down when it came to her and Mahari.
Gently, Mahari tugged her chin down to look at him. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Bunny.”
“Do you think I’m sexy?”
“As fuck,” Mahari answered without haste. “I mean, look at you.”
“Look at me. I’m huge, Mahari, and you had your hands all over me. I don’t feel sexy anymore, so I can’t act like it didn’t make me uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong. I want to be desired by you, but it’s hard when I don’t feel desirable.”
Deep down, Aspen believed it stemmed from the lack of affection from Lance over the last few months. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d been intimate with other women since Aspen found out she was pregnant and even before then. The thought caused some insecurity she’d never had.
With his hand circling around on her belly, Mahari expressed, “I’m a man, Aspen.
For one, don’t call yourself huge. You’re walking around, bearing two lives.
There’s nothing sexier than that in my eyes.
In no way am I trying to compare, but when Heaven was pregnant, I could never keep my hands off her. ”
“I hear you, but it’s different for me.”
“How so?”
“I’m carrying another man’s babies.”
Mahari removed his hand and leaned back with his elbows resting on the table. For a moment, an uncomfortable silence lingered around them. Aspen wondered where Mahari’s mind was at. She worried she said something wrong, but the truth was the truth.
Or was it?
Finally, Mahari asked the question she feared he would her entire pregnancy. “Are you sure?”
Aspen’s breathing hitched. Her mouth was so dry that not even the saliva she produced helped.
It was the one question she’d been asking herself since the day she peed on the stick.
In her heart, she knew the conversation should’ve been brought up sooner rather than later, but there was no avoiding it now.
Tears escaped the sides of Aspen’s irises as she laid her head back. “So, you remember?”
“Hell yeah, I remember. We may have been drunk, but I’ll never forget the feeling of being inside you, Aspen.”
“Aspen, you need to slow down. You know you’re not big on drinking, and these shots are going to have you on your ass,” Lavender warned, yelling over the music filling the club.
Somehow, Lance had convinced her to step out with him. Between his absence, work, and finals, Aspen had been stressed to the max. She didn’t want to go out with Lance, but after thinking about how long it’d been since she’d let her hair down and let loose, she agreed.
The regret of her decision was almost immediate when they stepped into the club, and Aspen remembered how much she hated them.
On top of it all, bitches wouldn’t stay out of Lance’s face.
Like the man he was, he didn’t try to push them away either.
His excuse was always that he was an entertainer who strived to entertain, but Aspen could see right through it.
“Girl.” Aspen side stepped and waved Lavender off. “I’m good. I could take two more and still be fine.”
“Now, you lied straight through your teeth. From the way your body is swaying, I know you’re feeling good.”
“Damn good at that. I needed this.” Aspen raised her arms in the air and started winding her hips to the music. “Dance with me, Lavender!”
Before Lavender could protest, Aspen grabbed her wrist and led her to the middle of the dance floor. The world around Aspen was beginning to spin, but she had not one care in the world. She allowed the alcohol to take over her body, and it felt like she was becoming one with the music.