Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin (27 page)

“But, I don’t want to.” Monty stated. MiKayla turned to look at him. She was somewhat surprised, but knew what was best for her and him.

“I’m sorry if what I told you made this harder for you, but I only opened up my heart to you, because somewhere deep down inside I really want you stay. If you knew what I’d gone through then maybe you’d want to stay. I was so wrong for that and I don’t want you here on those terms. I want you to stay because you really wanted to be with me and not out of sympathy.” She drank from her glass. “I know you love Candy. I saw it in your eyes today when she stood in your office. Besides being caught off of guard, you were as happy as can be that she and the baby came by to spend the day with you.”

“I can’t deny that.” He confirmed.

“But, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t give me what I need and I’m not going to be this vulnerable person that you feel you have to look after. It’s not going to work like that. I’m sorry.” She said. Monty knew that she was right. And even though he hated to leave her, he knew he had to. He walked over to her and to his surprise she reached out for a hug.

He gently embraced her.
How could something feel so right; be so wrong.
He thought to himself. He felt bad as hell about leaving, but kissed her softly on the lips, then turned and walked out. When the door closed behind him, MiKayla threw the empty glass; it shattered up against the back of the door. She fell to the floor on her knees and cried. Another man that she allowed herself to love had left her once again.

Chapter Twenty-two

Mona laid her head in Rico’s lap as he ran his fingers through her smooth red hair. The music was playing softly throughout the house and she felt good to be around him. Lately, things had been tense between them. Rico was anxious to find out the results of the DNA test results and therefore stayed busy at the office trying to keep his mind off of it. Mona stayed at her mom’s house most of the time, because she couldn’t stop thinking about Monica and the baby. The thought always made her sick to the stomach.

It had been five days and Monica and the baby were still in the hospital. She had been running a slight fever and the baby had symptoms of yellow jaundice. Rico made a call to the hospital to check on the two of them and found out that they would be leaving later that day. He figured he’d go to the hospital before they left so he could sign the birth certificate; depending on what the DNA results revealed. Those had come back too, but he and Monica decided to wait until he arrived at the hospital so that he could find out if the little one was his.

For the time being, he was enjoying his quality time with Mona. He was happy to have her come over to his house, because he knew he had a lot of making up to do and for a long time coming. He smiled at her while staring into her sexy eyes.

“So, what time are you leaving?” Mona asked as she rubbed her stomach. She was showing more and more as the days went by.

“I ain’t in no hurry.” He replied. “I’m just happy that you are here.” He smiled at her. “I’ve missed you.” He sincerely said.

“And, I’ve missed you,” she commented. “I’ve missed us and the time we spend together.”

“I know and I’m gonna make it all up to you. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you see that I truly do love you and want to someday marry you.” He said as Mona smiled. “I’m serious. I’m gonna keep asking you to set a date until you do.” He said. She held up her hand, showing the glistening ring. She smiled very big, showing her pearly whites.

“There is nothing funny.” He said, rubbing her stomach. “I’m happy to see my ring still on your finger.”

“Yep, and I’m not taking it off for nobody. Not even your other baby mama.” She stated, really wanting to call Monica a bitch, but she didn’t want to ruin the mood. Rico laughed and shook his head.

“Will you stay here with me tonight? I’ve missed holding you when I sleep.”

“Yeah, I’ll stay. I’ve missed feeling you holding me when we sleep. I really want us to work things out and become closer. I don’t want things to change if this baby is yours. Yeah, it’s gonna hurt, but I love you and I know that time will heal my wounds.” She said.

“I’m gonna help you get through this and make this as easy for the both of us as possible if he is mine.” He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too babe.” She said kissing him back.

__________

Monty and Candy were on the sofa watching the sitcom,
The Game
, as they quietly sat next to one another. Monty had stayed the night and Candy felt confident about him finally deciding to move back in with them. She felt that his feelings were stronger for MiKayla than she expected, because ever since he’d broken things off with her he’d been a little distant. It was like his body was there with her, but his mind was on the other side of town. She knew he loved her, but was concerned that the love they shared may not be as strong as she hoped it was. She looked over at the side of his handsome face and smiled. He was too caught up in the show or, at least, acting like he was to even notice that she was staring at him.

He’d been so preoccupied thinking about MiKayla and her situation until that was almost all he’d been thinking about lately. He felt bad for her and was hoping that she would call or text him, but she hadn’t done neither. Maybe she was strong and could hold her own, but finding out that much about her made him curious to know more. He just didn’t feel right leaving things the way that he left them with her. There was something that he had to do and he knew exactly what it was. He looked over at Candy who was still watching him and smiled back. He was too consumed in his thoughts to even feel that she’d been watching him this whole time. Candy cleared her throat, shaking her head.

“Where were you just then?” She asked out of concern.

“Huh,” he asked, not realizing what she was talking about.

“What were you thinking about?” She asked again. “I mean your mind was obviously somewhere else. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing, I’ve just been thinking. You know, we’ll be opening the office doors in a few days and my thoughts are surrounded on how that will actually be. It’s exciting and nerve racking at the same time.” He tried to play it off, because everything was legit with his business. He couldn’t have been more excited about that.

“It seemed like you were down.” She replied. “You’ve been a lil distant lately, babe. Are you sure everything is okay?” She asked again.

“Yes, baby I’m good.” He tried reassuring her. “I’m so happy that we are working things out. I do want to say something though, because I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves.” He stated as Candy swallowed hard.

“I’m listening,” she responded.

“I know I’ve stayed here for the last past couple of nights and don’t get me wrong, I loved sleeping with you. Lord knows I love sleeping with you,” he repeated with a smile. “But, I have no plans of moving back in here with you.”

Candy looked confused. “What do you mean?” She asked him.

“I mean that I’m not gonna move back in here with you. I hated like hell when you put me out and there was nothing that I could say about it. The truth is that this is your place.”

“Yeah, but…” She said.

“There is no buts, baby. I’ve told you my concern of wanting us to move in our own place. I only started living here with you because this is what you wanted. I wanted to prove to you that I could settle down and be here for you and our son, but when I look around this house all it reminds me of is this being your family’s home. I didn’t have anything here, but my clothes and you really gave me an eye opener when you handed them to me and told me to leave. Hell, I couldn’t even act like I wanted to take the TV.” He stated trying to lighten the situation a little.

“Baby, you know why I don’t want to leave here. This house holds so many memories for me.” She calmly explained. “It’s just so hard for me to even think about leaving.” She looked him directly in his eyes. “I want to be able to move out of here some day, but I don’t want to think about when. I’m sure when my mom returns then I can think clearer on the subject.”

“I know it hurts you, baby and I’m not forcing you to move. I just want you to know that I am not moving back in here with you. I’ve been staying here these past couple of days, but I’m going to back to my mom’s house tonight. I’ve even starting to look for a house and you’re welcome to move in whenever you’re ready to leave here.” Candy started to cry as she was feeling hurt. “Don’t do that, babe.” He stated wiping her tears. “I didn’t say this to end our relationship or to hurt your feelings. I love you and still want us to be together. What you need to realize is that your mom is coming home sooner than you think. So, this house is not going anywhere. You can still visit
home
whenever you want to, and still have another
home
that is ours.” Candy sniffed. She knew that what Monty was saying was true, but it was just harder for her to accept moving on than he realized. She shook her head as if to end the conversation.

“I don’t feel like talking about this anymore.” She stated, getting up and walking down the hallway into her room. Monty knew how she felt and didn’t try to push the issue anymore. He mainly wanted her to know what his plans were and was giving her the opportunity to join him. He wasn’t going to pressure her. He would let her take her time and let him know when she was ready to make the move. Although, she wasn’t ready, it wasn’t going to stop him from continuing to search the housing market for the perfect home.

He walked down the hallway and into Candy’s room. She was sitting on the bed. 

“Do you know what time Dee is coming back?” He asked her, trying to lighten the situation. “I wanted to see my lil man before I left.” Candy reached over on the nightstand and picked up
Naughty
, a book written by Brenda Hampton. Wanting to somewhat ignore Monty, she pretended to act as if she was about to start reading it. She gradually looked up at him as he patiently stood there waiting for a response.

“She said that she was coming back when the movie that she and Maurice are watching is over. She said that MJ was sleep earlier when I talked to her.” She thought about not messing this up, because she didn’t want to chance causing conflict between her and Monty because of her attitude. “You can stay until he gets here.” She stated.

“Well, I can, but I have to get up early in the morning and I don’t wanna push it. So, I guess I’ma leave and I’ll see y’all tomorrow.” He said. Candy laid the book on the bed. She felt bad about not being able to be happy about them moving in together. It was painful for her to leave and she felt that Monty couldn’t possibly understand how she really felt inside. She hated that he was not going to stay, but she didn’t want him to leave with tension between the two of them. So, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He smiled, because that hug meant the world to him. It eased his thoughts and made him feel better.

“Are we good?” She asked, staring in his eyes.

“Yeah, we’re good. Better than good,” he replied. “Are you okay?” He asked as she nodded her head. They both smiled at each other and she kissed him softly on his lips.

“I heard every word you said, but I just need a little more time here. I hope you understand.”

“I understand, baby.” He stated. “I’m not going to pressure you.” He kissed her lips again.

“Okay, I’m glad you understand.” She smiled. “I would like to go with you when you go house hunting. Is that okay?”

“I would love for you to come.” He said looking into her pretty eyes, kissing her. She felt better when she walked him to the door.

“I’ll call you in a lil bit.” He said as she nodded her head and closed the door behind him. She walked over by the bar and sat on the love seat. She looked up at the photo on the wall of her beloved parent’s. Will’s face seemed to be staring at her. She smiled at the thought of him looking like Wesley Snipes. She missed him so much. Nancy’s beautiful smile always gave her the courage to keep moving forward as each day went by and she hated to even think about leaving the home that brought her comfort and a peace of mind. She also knew that if she was planning on being with the man she loved that she would have to make a decision about her future sooner or later.

__________

Rico walked down the hallway to Monica’s room. He wasn’t in a hurry, but he was very anxious to find out if this little baby, who he was trying not to get attached to, was really his. His sped up as he reached the room door. He slowly opened it up. He first peeked in and saw Monica sitting on the edge of the bed holding the baby. She was already fully dressed since she was ready to go. She looked back at him and smiled.

“Come on in.” She stated. “We’ve been waiting on you.” Rico walked in getting closer to her as she pointed over at the unopened envelope that was sitting next to her on the bed. “Go ahead and open it, because I’m tired of you tip toeing around us like you don’t even want to look at him.” She stated looking down in the baby’s face. “Plus, I’m ready to get this over with.” Rico still didn’t say a word as he opened up the envelope. His heart pounded so hard that he could feel it through his shirt. He looked at Monica, not once letting on how nervous he was as he calmly slid the papers out of the envelope. The words on the paper was unexpected, to say the least. He didn’t know if he should feel relieved or troubled at how this situation had turned out. He looked over at her and smiled a little.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Read it out loud.” Monica stated as if she already knew what the papers read. Deep down inside it really didn’t matter, because if the baby wasn’t Rico’s then he was surely one hundred percent Monty’s. In her mind, she felt like she couldn’t lose either way it turned out, but in her heart she already knew who the baby’s daddy was. Rico looked down in the baby’s face as he’s wrapped up in the light blue blanket. He hands the paper to Monica who smiles.

“It says that I’m the father.” Rico stated while Monica read the results. In a way she was relieved that it was over. Rico reached for the baby as Monica handed him over.