CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk) (17 page)

Damn, she can look so evil at times,
Monty thought. He hated that he ran into her like that, knowing he’d just beat her pussy up. Monty got halfway down the road before his phone beeped, letting him know he had a text message. Monty looked down at it.

So, is that the new woman n your life? Paris

Monty didn’t respond because he was upset that she even tried him, knowing she just saw him leave with Candy.

What you think?
Monty asked himself.
She’s one stupid bitch. I’ll be glad whenever Rico makes it over there. I bet his ass is still in bed when he should have already been over to her house, cutting some grass and ass for all I care.

Candy sat on the passenger side knowing the text message was from one of his pawns, but she didn’t care about it as long as Monty was with her. She got ready to say something just as a car rammed them in the back, knocking Candy and Monty forward at a fast speed. The air bags inflated as the car came to a complete stop. The car that hit them sped away. Monty was dazed, but looked around and noticed Candy wasn’t moving. Monty finally got it together and tried reaching over to Candy, who was unconscious. He tried to move his airbag out of the way so he could reach her since he was calling her name and she wasn’t responding. Monty made his way out of the car, and then staggered around to Candy’s side and opened up the door.

“Candy!” Monty yelled out, hoping she was conscious. “Candy!” He shook her just a little bit, and then began to panic a little until she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Candy! Please! Say something.” Monty held onto Candy’s hand, hoping she would be alright.

Another car in traffic with them, pulled over and a man jumped out of it then dialed 911 for help. “There’s been a hit and run accident. My daughter got the tag number of the fleeing car,” the man told the dispatcher.

The paramedics arrived and took Candy away on the stretcher while the police gathered all the information they could from the witnesses. Monty couldn’t believe someone had hit them and kept going. He wanted to hurt who ever did them like that. He got in the back of the ambulance with Candy as a tow truck removed his car from the scene of the accident. He stared at her as she was still dazed out from the blow and had a big bruise on her forehead. Seeing her in that condition made Monty sick but he maintained his composure for her sake.

They pulled up to the emergency side of Trinity hospital and Monty got out as the paramedic prepared to wheel her inside. He walked beside them, still talking to Candy, who was finally responding.

“Are you alright?” Monty held Candy’s hand.

“I think I am,” she said. “I gotta a real bad headache, though.” Candy rubbed the bump on her forehead and looked down at the bruises on her arm. She didn’t realize it yet, but Monty noticed her right eye was
bloodshot , caused by the airbag. They made it inside the hospital as the nurse wheeled her over to a doctor.

“Excuse me,” the female doctor interrupted. “I need to run a few tests on her. While I’m doing that, you need to be checked out to make sure that you’re okay as well.”

“Alright, but I’m coming right back, sweetie, okay?” Monty released Candy’s hand and walked over to a nurse who was ready to check him out.

About thirty minutes later, Catherine and Mona rushed in the hospital looking for Candy and Monty. He exited one of the back rooms and Catherine ran over to give him a big hug before she began to cry. “Don’t you scare me like that
again.” She looked around. “Where is Candy?”

“She’s in the back,” Monty replied with a look of concern. “They’re running tests on her now.”

“Is she okay?” Mona asked with tears in her eyes.

“I’m praying that she is,” he said.

“What happened?” Catherine asked, and then grabbed Monty by his face while looking him directly in his eyes as the tears fell down her cheeks.

“Please, Mama, don’t cry. We’re okay,” Monty said, then started explaining what happened. He became angry thinking about Candy’s condition. “It was a hit and run, Mama. I don’t understand how someone could be so careless and just keep riding after running into us like that. That’s just real thoughtless. But, while in the back of the ambulance, I was told someone wrote down the tag number and whoever hit us will get caught sooner or later.”

“Well, I’m just glad that someone got their tag number, because they deserve to be in jail whoever done this,” Catherine stated.

As they stood there talking, the lady doctor walked over to Monty.
“You can go in and see her now. She’s asking for you. She’s a little banged up, but she’s alright. It could’ve been worse.”

Monty walked in the room and Candy smiled at him. “Are you alright,
baby?” she asked as she held her hand out for him.

“I’m good,” Monty said, despite a minor bruise on his face. “How are you doing?”

“I’m betta than I thought I was. My head hurts a little bit, but the doctor wrote me out a prescription for some ointment to keep on this bruise. She says it should be gone away in a couple of weeks.”

“Well, that’s good. You’re still very cute, though,” Monty stated, trying to lighten the situation some.

“Monty,” Candy continued while squeezing his hand. “I’m pregnant.”

“Um, say that again.” Monty was caught off guard.

“I said that I’m pregnant.” Candy looked into Monty’s teary eyes.

“Are you sure?” Monty questioned. “Is our baby okay?”

“The baby is just fine.” Candy smiled.

“How far along are you?”

“The doctor says I’m almost two months and that I could’ve miscarried during the accident, but we must have a baby with a strong will to live.” Candy waited for some kind of emotion from Monty, who was fighting back the tears in his eyes.

“You said almost two months, huh?” Monty begins to smile. “So, you say that I’m going to be a daddy, huh?”

“Yep, that’s what I’m saying,” Candy responded. “I’ve figured that it happened on the night of my birthday, September 1st, I just know it.” She was overjoyed to know Monty was happy about the baby. “I can’t wait to share this news with Mama and Aunt Linda."

“Being with you, from day one, always felt so right and not thinking about if you were on birth control or not I just let it go inside you every time we slept together. I should have asked, but in a sense, it
don’t matter now. What’s done is done and I don’t regret it.”

Candy smiled. “Neither do
I,” she responded. “Now, nothing has to change between us as long as you’re respectful to me and our child. I’m not asking for anything more than you’re giving me now. I just pray that by the time I have our baby, you’ve decided to come out of the streets some and spend more time with us if we intend on working things out. Do you think that is going to be a problem for you?” Candy asked. She was very serious about Monty ending his extracurricular activities sooner than later.

“That’s cool with me,” Monty replied as he was very glad Candy was pregnant with his baby. “I’ll be there for you and our baby. I promise I will.”

I really need to make all the money I can now,
Monty thought while Candy looked at him with a smile on her face. He walked out in the waiting room and got Catherine and Mona. When they entered into the room, Monty told them the good news and they began to cry all over again.

“I have good news, too,” Catherine said with a big smile. “I found us a nice four bedroom home, with a two car garage, and a big yard. We’re moving in two weeks.”

Monty grinned, feeling like the day was one he’d never forget.

Chapter Fifteen

T

T
he next two months passed by quickly and Monty was still up to his old tricks. He was even busier knowing that they had a baby on the way. Candy was beginning to show a little belly bump as well as her unpleasant feelings for Monty’s extracurricular activities. Things hadn’t gone as she’d hope they would after finding out she was pregnant. Monty did spend a lot of time with her, but he was also making money a high priority on his list, and Candy had feelings about coming second to that. No matter what he did or said, he couldn’t convince her otherwise. The only thing that kept Candy calm and sane besides her pep talks from Mona and Catherine, was being able to visit Nancy every weekend. She also knew that she had to keep it together for the sake of her baby.

Catherine bought a new home and she, Mona, and Monty had happily moved in it. They were so excited about the new move and the baby on the way. Catherine and Candy were even closer as Catherine stepped up more in her life to try to ease the emptiness of her not having her parents around. For Catherine, things were finally coming together as she received another promotion and was ready to start dating again.

Mona was in school and continued seeing both Ross and Rico. She and Candy also spent a lot of time together. Mona was excited about the baby and had feelings of someday having her own bundle of joy.

Linda checked up on Candy at least once a month and made sure Candy didn’t want for anything. Linda had made two trips to Jamaica to see her nephew. He reminded her so much of Will and even looked just like Candy when she was a baby. She never talked about her visits with Candy because it was still a sensitive subject and she didn’t want to upset her. She was also happily waiting on the arrival of her great niece or nephew.

“Hey, Ma, what’s up?” Monty asked as he rubbed on Candy's stomach.

“Hey, babe, I’m just chilling. I was just about to leave to go see Mama and get something to eat.” Candy smiled at Monty, who was still kissing on her.

“She’ll be happy to see you. I’m glad she didn’t flip out when you told her you were pregnant,” Monty said, and then sat down in the front area. Candy walked over and stood between his legs.

“She’s been okay with me being pregnant. She wasn’t as surprised, either, to know the baby is yours. She’s just glad I’ve graduated from high school and I’m at least eighteen. And, as long as I’m gonna continue the path of going to college and making a career for myself, then she’s satisfied. She just wishes she could be home to be with us. You must know how she felt to not be able to have any more children, but now I’m having her grandbaby and she can’t completely share my joy.”

“Well, hopefully she’ll be out soon enough,” Monty said as he continued to palm Candy’s lil' belly.

“I don’t know, babe. This is a difficult one because people are looking at this like she killed her husband in a pregnant woman’s house while holding them hostage at gunpoint. The state ain’t trying to cut her any slack, but I guess time will tell.”

“Yeah, you never know. At least she’s alright and is getting better by the days.” Monty changed the subject. “What are you going to get to eat?”

“I think I’m going to Subway. I’m not sure just yet. You know how I am.”

“Yeah, you’re liable to come back with Subway and Burger King. It trips me out to see you eat all that food and it doesn’t go anywhere but to your hips. Look at that lil’ belly.” Monty rubbed her stomach. “If I didn’t know you were pregnant, then I wouldn’t be able to tell it.”

“The doctor says we’re fine and she said that I’m just all baby. Maybe I’ll get bigger right before I have him,” said Candy. “Will you still be attracted to me then?”

“Hell yeah!
It turns me on to know you’re carrying my son inside of you. I get excited every time I see you walk in a room because you make me feel like that,” Monty stated just as he received a text message.

We’re gonna start decorating in 2hrs. I need u 2 stop by and tell us if u like it… Cat

Alright… Mo Money

That’s at 7 just in case u
dont know… Cat

I gotcha… Mo Money

“It’s my moms reminding me that they’re decorating the Touch of Class around seven this evening. They want me to stop by to make sure I like it,” Monty continued while looking at Candy, who was always glowing with beauty.

“I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me help them decorate it. It is, of course, my baby daddy’s birthday party/New Years get together. You know special people are born on that day. I hope that you enjoyed that lil' pre-birthday gift I had for you earlier this morning, too.”

“I enjoy anything you do to and for me, and you really was cute with your little birthday suit on this morning. I got the birthday hat that you wore sitting on the passenger seat of my whip, so every time I see it, I think about your butt naked behind wearing nothing but that.” Monty smiled as he thought about how they got down earlier that morning.

“What is your New Year’s resolution, anyway?” Candy asked, hoping he’d leave his pawns alone because they were the main reason why they couldn’t have a real relationship.

“I haven’t really thought about it, yet. I do know I’m going to take care of you and our baby no matter what goes down this year.” Monty laid his head back on the sofa.

“I hope that means settling down and leaving
them straggly looking women of yours alone,” Candy said with her hand on her hip.

“Come on, baby, you said you weren’t going to start that shit today. Please, don’t ruin my mood before my big night.”

“Monty, I’m not trying to ruin your mood. But, we have enough money to just chill out. You are the one who keeps accumulating more things to have to pay for,” Candy commented.

“Well, I’ve paid for my sister’s second year tuition. I continue to help my mama pay for her $1300 mortgage. I got a Tahoe so I’ll have enough room for you and the baby. And, even though that’s paid for, you know I got most of that money back off of the insurance check from the accident.”

“Uh huh, whatever,” said Candy as she was uninterested in his excuses.

“I had one of the rooms in here decorated for my boy and he has his own room with the full shebang at my crib, too. I’m still putting money aside to someday start my own business, and I take care of you and your needs. So, why in the hell are you complaining?” Monty spewed as he was apparently becoming frustrated with Candy’s questions and attitude.

“Monty, that’s just it. The baby doesn’t need two rooms.” Candy became upset. “You don’t even have to take care of me. I can very well take care of myself. You do those things because you want to, not because you have to.”

“Is it the baby?” Monty asked sarcastically. “Does the baby have you with these shitty attitudes lately? Because, before getting pregnant you were down for your man. But now, you’re starting to trip and shit. What’s up with that?”

“It ain’t nothing up with that. But, don’t you wanna move out from with your mama’s, grow up and be a man?”

“Oh, so, now you are tripping on me about living with my mama? What? I guess you want me to move in permanently with you, huh? Or, maybe I can just move into my own shit. I bet that’ll make me a man, huh? How about that? Candy, what do you think?” Monty got up as if he was going to leave.

“It wouldn’t hurt anything if you did move in with me and the baby. But, it’s bigger than you moving out on your own. You could catch something out there with them stankin’ ass women and bring some shit back here to me. Now, how do you think I’ma feel about that?” Candy grabbed Monty’s arm just as he made it to the front door.

“I wear condoms with each woman I’m with. So, I don’t worry about bringing you nothing back. I do exactly what we agreed. Nothing more! But, now you have a problem with it. I didn’t say I’m going to do this my whole life, just until I’m capable of making some major moves and investing good money in some things that’ll continue to pay off for us.” Monty opened up the front door.

“That’s still your excuse, huh? Well, keep running in the streets and enjoying your pawns. But, your queen ain’t gonna always be around to support your every move. I won’t keep you here any longer, because I’m sure that you have things you have to do. I guess I’ll see you tonight at your party.” Candy released Monty’s arm and walked off.

“Yeah, you lucky it’s my birthday party, too. Or, you wouldn’t be taking your ass to the Touch of Class, either.” Monty walked out the door and got in his car. He turned up his music and headed over to Melanie’s house.

“Oh, quit acting like you care so much,” Candy yelled before she slammed the door shut.

Candy sat at her kitchen table as she rubbed her stomach. She felt bad about the arguing, but she just wanted him to chill out and stop doing those things.

Why can’t he just be with me? He doesn’t need those tramps throwing their money all in his face. I love him. They just love his dick and the way he fucks them. I’m the one having his baby. I don’t wanna leave Monty, but I will if he keeps this up for too much longer. I don’t understand why he pays half of his moms rent still. Plus, he gives her money for other things. Cat has a good job. He just need to cut her loose a little bit, too, because he’ll have his own family soon,
Candy thought, then got up from the kitchen table and walked down the hallway into her bedroom.
Let me see what I’m going to wear tonight. I know that Monty’s little pawns are going to be out trying to get their paws on my baby’s daddy, but it ain’t gonna happen as long as I’m up in there.
Candy pulled a fresh new outfit out of her closet and smiled.

Monty pulled up to Rico’s house and blew the horn. He quickly counted the twelve hundred he’d just gotten from Melanie. She was good to him for his birthday. But, then again, Melanie was good to him every time he saw her. He put his money back in his pocket as Rico walked out of his house. Monty got out of the Tahoe and gave Rico dap.

“What’s up, nigga?” Rico asked. He sat down in one of the lawn chairs out in the yard. “What is the birthday boy up to today?”

“Nothing, man. Just making some rounds before my party tonight,” Monty replied as he sat in another lawn chair.

“I feel ya, man. I know we normally get out in the mornings, but I was too tired to move this morning.”

“It wasn’t Paris again, was it?”

“Hell yeah.
She’s been wearing a brotha out. I think she fucks me so much to get over you dumping her ass. But, it’s all good. I’ll take it however I can get it.” Rico bit into an apple.

“Yeah, well, be careful with that broad. She is too clingy, and if you don’t wanna be with her like that, you need to watch yourself around her and always keep it real with her. You know? Always let her know that it’s you that runs the show, not her,” Monty said. He was glad he was able to get rid of Paris because she had almost become his worst nightmare.

“Yeah, I would’ve had to let her go, too, after that stunt she pulled on you,” Rico said, grinning.

“That shit ain’t funny. I was already in the making of telling her it was over, and I believe that’s why she tried me. I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to call Candy. That bitch ain’t
have no business going through my phone in the first place. What made it so bad, Candy had just left the jail from watching her mama break down after finding out Ebony’s baby is Will’s. She was already dealing with a lot. Then, Paris called talking all that bullshit about how good I was fucking her. She even told Candy the day and time I last fucked her. Candy knew, according to what Paris told her, that I came over to her house, and then she and I had sex two hours later. Candy has been mad at me lately, man. I believe that’s when she really started trippin’. It’s alright, as long as we’re talking about it. She knows some of the things I do. But, when a bitch calls her cell phone talking shit about me, she ain’t so understanding,” Monty explained.

“Well, I’m glad that she ain’t got
nobody to be calling and telling them shit about me. She could call Mona, but she just gonna get cursed out because we still kick it but not like that. Mona won’t give me the time or day to be her man and I would love to be. Man, I would drop all this shit that I do, including Paris’ crazy ass. But, the main thing she wants me to drop, I can’t. That’s how I make all my money. She’s so afraid of falling in love with a drug dealer, but I always tell her that ain’t nothing gonna happen to me. She doesn’t believe it.” Rico shook his head from side to side.

“Well, you betta watch Paris’ ass or you’ll have more than just drugs to worry about. If Mona and Candy team up on her ass, it’s really gonna be ugly.”

“Yeah, well, I ain’t worried about Paris. She likes the dick that I’m giving her. But, she’s still crazy about your ass. I don’t know what you were doing to her. It’s taking me awhile to make her not talk about your ass,” Rico said, grinning. “Oh, and just so you know, she’ll be at the party tonight. I didn’t even have time to tell her about it because she told me first.”

“Well, she ain’t gonna start no shit with me tonight. I believe she learned her lesson after I cut her ass loose. I ain’t fuck with that bitch since she pulled that crazy shit. She’s your trouble now, so deal with it.”

“I can’t complain about that kind of trouble. That thang is sexy and freakier than a muthafucka. She can work her tongue like no other and I’m digging that shit. I hope she don’t want me to settle down with her, because first off, she’s already married, second, she done fucked you so she can’t be seen as wifey material, and third, I still want your sister. Shit, man, I love me some good pussy and you know this. But, a good piece of ass is something a brotha like me is used to.”