Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin (32 page)

“Awww, you’ve got to be the best boyfriend in the world.”

“Yeah well, what can I say?” They laughed.

“Well, be careful in this weather and call me when you get yourself situated. I love you.” Candy got inside the car.

“You be careful, too and I love you more. Tell Mama I’m coming in a little bit.” He closed the door behind her. Candy let up the garage, started up the Tahoe, and backed out to leave. Monty walked back inside the house and checked his phone. He’d gotten a text message from MiKayla saying that she needed to see him ASAP. He was a little confused knowing that he’d told her that he would call her when he got the chance, but figured he’d just stop by quickly once Rico made it there. He wanted to see her anyway and this would give him a reason to.

__________

Rico put the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. He’d gotten up early and cooked breakfast for Mona. He felt guilty about being with Monica, but enjoyed every bit of it. His thoughts kept reflecting back to how good Monica made him feel, but he knew he couldn’t let those thoughts get him into trouble with Mona so he tried desperately not to think about it anymore. Once the few dishes were loaded inside the dishwasher he turned to find Mona standing there with her arms folded.

“Hey baby, what’s up?” He asked. “Why are you looking so mean?”

“Your baby mama is calling you.” She said. She held out his cell phone. Rico swallowed hard.
Oh shit,
he quickly thought.

“I didn’t even hear it ringing.” He said clearing his throat.

“That’s because your phone is still on vibrate.” She replied. “No telling what the hell she wants.” She rolled her eyes. “She just gets under my skin.” Rico quickly reached for his phone. Mona walked over by the sofa and picked up her Louis Vuitton bag. “I’m ‘bout to head on over to Mama’s house. Candy should be leaving her house as well to meet me there.”

“Well, be careful driving over there and I’ll be there once Monty and I finish running around.” Rico kissed her on the lips. He didn’t want to make it seem as if he was anxious for her to leave so he could call Monica back and ask her why the hell she was calling him like that.

“Okay, I’ll drive safe, but before I leave call your baby mama back, because I’m curious to know what she wants.” Rico held his composure even though he was nervous as hell. He didn’t want the time he spent with Monica to blow up in his face. He slowly looked at his phone and scrolled down to her name and pressed the send key. He put the phone up to his ear while Mona looked at him. The sweat beads began to form on his forehead. He figured that if she didn’t answer by the third ring that he would hang up. Mona surprised him by what she would do next. She took the phone from him and put the call on speaker phone. Rico could feel a lump growing in his throat.

Dayum!
He thought.
What the hell is she up to and why is she pulling this shit today out of all days?
He wondered as the phone’s loud ringing made his heart beat faster. Just as he thought it was about to go to voicemail, Monica answered. Mona held the phone up in between her and Rico. She raised her eyebrows for him to say something.

“Hey Monica, what’s up?” He asked, not batting an eye. “You called me?”

“Hey Rico,” she pleasantly said as the faint sounds of Aiden’s cooing in the background could be heard over the phone. “Yeah, I called you a little while ago.” Rico’s knees felt like they were buckling. He could already picture Mona’s fist punching him in the face the minute Monica put him on Front Street. “I want to start the New Year off right. I don’t want any more tension or conflict between us.” Monica softly said.

Mona stood there with a raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip.
Yeah right,
she thought.

“Sounds good to me,” Rico replied. “So what did you have in mind?” Rico asked almost holding his breath.

“You and Mona can pick up Aiden and spend the New Year with him and y’all can drop him off later this evening.” Monica said. Rico’s face lit up. Mona could tell how excited he was to be able to spend time with his son.

“Monica, you know I would love to spend the day with my boy. I appreciate that.” Mona handed him the phone. “I’ll be over there to pick him up in a couple of hours.” Rico said.

“Okay, that’s cool and he’ll be ready.” Monica said. “Oh and by the way Happy New Year to you and Mona. I’ll see ya when you get here.” She hung up the phone.

Mona looked a bit shocked by Monica’s new attitude. “Well, let’s hope that she is willing to keep this new attitude of hers.” She said as she kissed Rico. “I can’t believe it. Maybe she’s coming to her senses. You think?” She asked.
I highly doubt it,
she thought.

“I don’t know, babe. It would be nice and less complicated if she was.” Mona grabbed her keys.

“Babe, drive my car. You know I need to put some air in your back tires.” Rico suggested.

“I forgot babe.” Mona smiled and put her keys down while grabbing his car keys. “I can’t wait to see lil Aiden with his cute self.” She commented. Rico walked her out to the car. He was relieved and it felt good to have Monica on board without all the drama.

“Yeah, I’m happy about that, too. I’m not picking him up until I’m on the way over to your mama’s.” He said.

“Okay, baby and beware of the wicked witch. It almost seems like her attitude is too good to be true.” Mona stated.

“Don’t you worry, babe. I know Monica.” He replied and shut the car door once Mona was safely buckled inside. He turned around to walk inside the house with a smile on his face. Monica was already proving herself and he was really feeling it.

__________

MiKayla sat on the panel of her bay window watching the snow as it began to fall heavier. It was very pretty and white outside. She wished that Monty was her man only, but knew that Candy and MJ came before her. She felt bad about choosing to be in a relationship with him, but Monty made her feel good when she was with him and that’s the only feeling she cared to have. She began to feel queasy, because she also knew that the news she had to tell him would make or break what they shared.

She patiently sat in the window and waited for Monty to stop by. It had been almost two hours since she’d hung up with him and he had told her that he was on the way over once Rico made it there. She was anxious and excited as she waited. She’d gotten in too deep to turn back now. She didn’t know what to do and one thing for sure is that she didn’t want to lose him. She walked to her refrigerator as she opened it up and got out a bottle of water. She drank a little bit of it and picked up the white stick that she’d peed on earlier to see if she was really pregnant. Sure enough it still bared the big blue plus sign indicating what she was hoping it would read. She paced the kitchen floor shaking the stick lightly in her hand. She kept thinking of ways that she could tell Monty that she was going to have his baby. Her heart felt heavy but in a good way. She felt she had a second chance to be a parent and she wasn’t letting anyone or anything ruin her chance of motherhood this time around. She sat back down on the panel inside the bay window and held the white stick up to her eyes to take another peek at it like the dark blue plus sign was going to mysteriously disappear.

“It’s not changing, K.” She said aloud. As she turned to look back out the window, she could clearly see the black BMW 750 coming around the corner. Its glossy paint and shiny 22 inch rims glistened in the snowfall. Her heart dropped. She was stuck, hearing the music boom louder as the car pulled up in her driveway. Her butt felt glued to the panel, but she knew she had to make herself get up before Monty walked in. She heard his key unlock the door and she quickly stood to her feet, sliding the pregnancy stick in her pocket.

Monty walked in, almost passing the kitchen area, then stopping as he noticed her standing there. She smiled and he smiled back. His sexy smile turned her on. The thick waves in his jet black hair was neatly brushed as he unknowingly rubbed his hand over them to make sure they were still in place. He had on a pair of black Sean John jeans and a black and white Sean John polo shirt with the hint of his white tee showing underneath it. He wore the black Ralph Lauren Polo boots that she bought him as a Christmas gift. That made her smile even bigger. She loved the way he dressed and as usual he was definitely on point. He walked over and hugged her gently, kissing her around the neck. She looked just as sexy to him with her grey fitted Gucci knee length skirt and red buttoned down Baby Phat fitted blouse neatly tucked in. He smiled because she looked amazing standing there in her red high heel Riding boots. He walked over and put his arms around her waist.

“Hey babe, what’s wrong?” He asked noticing the teary look in her eyes. “What’s wrong? You don’t feel good?” He probed as she just stood there speechless. “Talk to me.” He said.

“I’m ok. I just missed you.” She put her arms around his neck and inhaled his
Unforgivable
cologne. He smelled so good. She just wanted to rest her head on his chest and feel his loving arms wrapped around her body for as long as she could.

“Well, for the record I missed you too.” He said. “Are you still spending the day with your sister?” He asked.

“Yep, she and a few of our family members are actually waiting on me to show at any time now.” She rubbed down the side of her skirt to make sure that the pregnancy test wasn’t bulging out and he could feel it in her pocket. Monty looked in her bright sexy eyes.

“I’m sorry I can’t spend the day with you. You know if I could, I really would.” He said trying to make her feel better about him having to spend time with Candy and his family.

“I know and I’m not sweating that.” She said attempting to play off how bad she really felt about him leaving her to go be with the other woman.

“I’m glad you understand and you know I’ma make it up to you, right?” He asked and kissed her softly on the lips.

“Yeah, I know you will.” She replied.

“Well babe, Rico and little Aiden are in the car waiting on me. I’m gonna have to go.” He hugged her tightly. MiKayla stood there while hugging him back. She wanted so bad to tell him that she was pregnant, but didn’t know how to say it. As Monty removed his arms from around her waist, she went inside her pocket and pulled out the pregnancy test, handing it to him. Monty’s slanted eyes grew bigger than she’d ever seen them. He held the white pregnancy stick in his hand. He was speechless for a few seconds which seemed like a lifetime for MiKayla. She didn’t know what to say as he stood there looking at it. He shook his head as if the plus sign he was looking at was going to disappear.

“It’s not disappearing.” She finally said. “Trust me, I’ve been watching it all morning.” Monty finally looked in MiKayla’s face, his mouth partly open. He was a bit shocked to be getting this news.

“Wow,” was the only words that he could muster at the time as he looked back at the test results. “So, this is saying what I’m figuring its saying, right?” This was the only thing that he could come up with.

“Yep, that would be right.” She responded, not really knowing how he felt because his facial expression was blank.

“Damn,” he paused. “Are you certain this is right?” He asked again.

“I’m pretty certain. I’ve been pregnant before, you know. I know how my body has been feeling lately and this would explain the reason why.” She explained.

“Honestly, baby I don’t know what to say. You’re springing this on me now? What are we supposed to do?” He asked not giving her a chance to respond. “Damn, baby… You know my situation. What am I supposed to tell Candy?” His nerves were getting the best of him. Tears fell from MiKayla’s eyes. She felt hurt that he’d consider Candy’s feelings at a time like this.

“Wow, is right Monty.” She retorted, snatching the pregnancy stick out of his hand. “I should have been thinking about Candy while you’ve been here each day spending time with me and making love to me like I was actually your woman or something. What in the fuck was I thinking?” She turned her back to face the bay window. Monty stood there still not believing how deep he’d gotten himself caught up in this love triangle.

“Damn, baby I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way, but I wasn’t expecting this. I guess I should have been considering the fact that this could happen, but I didn’t realize that things were moving this fast.” He tried to touch her shoulder. “Please talk to me.” He stated. “What are we gonna do?”

“What do you mean?” She asked. “I don’t know what you’re gonna do, but I know what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna have this baby that God has blessed me to conceive with you whether you like it or not.” She stated firmly.

“Damn, baby let’s think about this.” He said.

“I don’t need to think about nothing. My mind is made up.” She looked him directly in his eyes. “Why did I expect you to at least act like you cared? Boy, was I so wrong for falling for you.” She said. She was so pissed off with him that she walked by brushing up against him as she headed into the den.

“Baby, please, don’t act like that.” He followed her. “You know I love you. I’ve just been caught off guard with this whole thing. I should already know what you would want to do in this situation and I’m sorry for suggesting anything other than you having our baby.” Saying
our baby
sounded very strange coming from his mouth. He tried to hug MiKayla, but the tears continued to fall from her eyes. She pushed him back. She was hurt at his reaction and he knew that he’d fucked up really badly and not just with her. He attempted to hug her again and comfort her the best way he knew how, but she wasn’t having it. She looked at him and the tears made him feel very bad for the way he reacted to the news.

“Tell me, Monty. Where do I stand in your life? Am I just in love with a friend or my supposedly man?” She asked him. “Should I forget about us and move on?”

“MiKayla, don’t ask me no stupid shit like that. You know where you stand. I fucked up and I’m sorry, but I had a lot on my mind. You just pulled out that damn test and gave it to me with no warning or nothing. What was I supposed to do or how in the hell was I supposed to act?” He asked.