His Last Name (21 page)

C
HAPTER
44

Adrienne

“I
love you, Mommy.” Her cherubic face smiled from the other side of the phone.

“I love you too, Asia.” Looking at my baby through a screen made me so angry. FaceTime was okay, but I wanted my daughter with me. I'm glad I lived on the West Coast because I had contemplated killing DeCarious and his wife several times. But then I thought about it: if I killed them, then I would be in jail and Asia wouldn't have anyone. With all that said, I would just have to let the judicial process run its course.

“Asia, Mommy is going to talk to you later.” I ended our FaceTime session. At least she was happy. I couldn't wait to go to court with my lawyer and get my child back. Then I would make the decision if I would stay out in Los Angeles.

Morgan had been chilling, and Talene had been paying her rent. Everything was falling into place and getting better. I was in a way better position than I had been four months ago.

Warren and I had been talking and texting on the phone for hours at a time. He seemed real cool and down to earth and our second date was today.

He didn't send a car to come get me; instead he pulled up in a blue Ferrari. Morgan watched me from the door. Before I got in the car, she screamed, “You know it is all good in the beginning. They take you out, treat you nice and then they marry you, have babies by you and leave you like you never meant anything to them.”

I ignored Morgan and left her alone with her misery. That was her story, it wouldn't be mine. He opened my door and we sped off. I had dated plenty of famous men. I dated athletes before, but the difference between them and Warren was the caliber of man and athlete. Not only was he worth fifty million dollars, he was also well spoken and extremely handsome. He was someone who could walk in a room and everyone would turn their heads and be in awe. He had a good upbringing, was college educated, which made him very marketable for endorsements. I never had the full package before. A man with good looks, intelligence, and wealth.

We had dinner at a place called Spago in Beverly Hills. We pulled up and the valet took the car and cameras began flashing. I wasn't prepared to be blinded by the bright flickers of light coming from every direction. There were at least ten men with cameras. Then they started to ask Warren for an impromptu interview.

“How was it working with Gabrielle? Did Dwyane come to the set and make you nervous?”

“It was great! She is a talented actress and I was a gentleman, so no, he didn't come after me. We were only acting.”

Once inside, we were escorted to a table in the back of the establishment. My eyes were trying to get adjusted to the normal lighting. Warren asked if I was okay.

“Yeah, that was just unexpected. How do you get used to this?”

“It comes with the territory. I think my star is rising, because the movie is about to come out. Before, I could walk down the street and no one knew who I was. I have guys who are football fans who would give me a head nod, but now women are running up to me to take pictures.

“My boy Edwin is the only one who believed in me. Everyone just saw another football player trying to act.”

“That's good. I'm still not sure if I could get used to all of this. I like it out here, but I want to get my daughter home with me.”

“Once you have her back, are you staying?”

“I haven't decided yet. I miss her like crazy and we have never been apart.”

“You'll get her back. My father knows a lot of people in Atlanta. I'll call one of my uncles, he knows all the judges and attorneys. I'll ask him to go with you to your next court date.”

“I have an attorney. I know the court made a mistake because he lied, but yeah I need as many people as possible to help plead my case. I have a job, took a drug test and parenting classes. I just need them to reinstate my full custody back.”

Dinner was picture-perfect. Everything about Warren was perfect. I almost couldn't believe how my life kept getting better and better.

“This is all very impressive, Mr. Joseph.”

“Thank you. I try I go all out when I'm trying to impress a woman that I'm really interested in.”

“What happens after they are impressed?”

“We go back to my house and have passionate sex and then whatever you want from there.”

“At least you are truthful, but that only happens in the movies.”

He licked his lips and said, “I think it can happen in real life, too.”

We left the restaurant and headed to his place. He said he had to pick up something. I knew he just wanted to get me to his house. His home was huge, but slightly smaller than Morgan's. He showed me pictures of his parents and all his awards and trophies. He asked me did I want anything else to drink. I declined, because I knew he was trying to get me to stay. I'm sure he had to have had plenty of women and I had to be different than the rest of them. Under no circumstances would I allow him to convince me to sleep with him. So I played uninterested as he left and told me he would be right back. He got what he needed from the house and then dropped me off at my door.

“Good night, Adrienne. I'll see you when?”

“Call me tomorrow.”

* * *

The next morning Warren asked me out for an early brunch. However, I didn't know we would be dining at his house. He had breakfast delivered and we ate on his back deck.

“I thought we were going to a nice restaurant. I got dressed for nothing.”

“We were, but I am still a little tired from last night. You shouldn't have left. I don't know why you didn't stay.”

“I couldn't, but I'm here now.”

“You are. So can I at least get a kiss this morning?”

“You can.” He came over to my end of the table and then stood me up and leaned me back and brought me forward.

“How was that?”

“That was a cute movie kiss.”

“It was? How about this? You have to close your eyes.” I closed my eyes and felt his tongue in my ear, his hands on my thighs. Then his tongue was on my navel and swept both of my nipples, teasing them both and making them perk up. And then he stopped.

“How was that?”

“Very sensual, but more than a kiss, but interesting,” I said, opening my eyes and shaking off the orgasmic rush. He caught me off guard and kissed me again. This time he didn't stop and removed my clothes while he was doing so.

Everything was happening so fast. He guided me into his bedroom and slid on a condom and soon he was inside of me tearing walls down from the front. Then he stopped, flipped me over, arched my back and spread my ass across the deck. He re-entered me, took three long hard thrusts, and then went completely limp midstroke.

“What's wrong?” I asked him, kissing his neck and massaging his dick to get it revved up again.

“I don't know. I think I'm just too excited. Give me a minute, it will come back up.” He left the room and walked to the bathroom. I heard him punch the wall and then water ran. He came back in and said let's chill for a while. He turned the television on and pulled me in to his side while I took a nap waiting for round two. A half an hour later I felt him turning me over. Once he was back in, he was nonstop. It was crazy. He would eat me, fuck me, then I would suck him and then we repeated the cycle for hours.

It was almost five in the afternoon when I got up and found the bed empty. My body was tender from our marathon sex session and Warren was gone. I grabbed my bag and checked my phone. I had seven missed calls from Morgan. I put my clothes and shoes on and called out for Warren. I stood at the top of the steps when I noticed his friend Edwin was downstairs with another woman. They all looked up at the top of the staircase.

“You're finally up,” Warren said. They all laughed. I didn't. I came down the steps.

“Adrienne, they wanted to see if we want to go running with them at the canyon.”

“I didn't bring any workout clothes.”

“No problem, we can call over to the cycle shop and I'll have them send some over. Tell Edwin your sizes.”

“No, I need to go home and do a few things.”

* * *

When I got back, Morgan was sitting on the sofa watching television. I tried to talk to her but she kept looking straight at the television.

“About time you returned.”

“What's the emergency, Morgan?”

“I haven't decided yet. Did you check my e-mail? Has anybody contacted you about interviews for me?”

“No, not yet.”

“Oh, and by the way, be proud of yourself. You made it to the blogs as a mystery woman.”

“I did?” She showed me her phone and I saw a picture of Warren and me entering the restaurant.

“He must like you. Fancy dinner and he let the cameras capture your date.”

“I guess.”

“Since you've been slobbing knobs with my next costar, see if you can get me a part in his next movie.” I could take her last comment personally or I could keep collecting my check. I didn't feel like being her on-call slave anymore, but I would play along with her until I didn't have to anymore.

C
HAPTER
45

Monique

“G
o, Kadir! Go, son! Yes!” I yelled as my son caught the rebound and took it down the court. When everyone thought he was going to the basket, he passed it to Thaddeus Franklin and he slam-dunked on the Pacers. They were about to secure their tenth win in a row!

Carl came to town for the game and he finally stopped talking about us getting back together. He said he had met someone and I was happy for him. Although Kadir was grown, we could learn to be friends and co-parents. And little Ms. Trailer Park, Abigail, was at the game, too. She spoke to me, but she was scared to say anything else. I tried to be nice to her since it seemed Kadir really liked her.

“So how's your son?” I asked.

“He's fine, but I'm trying to potty train him. So I won't have to buy anymore Pampers.”

“I remember I made Kadir sit on the potty the entire weekend, until he went. And I never bought another diaper.”

“I might have to try that,” she said, and we continued to make small talk the rest of the game.

Once the game was over, everyone was congratulating the team on their win. News cameras and reporters rushed the floor to discuss the victory. Kadir was out of breath and his face was covered with perspiration, but the reporters were still sticking microphones in his face. He was able to share the stage with Thaddeus Franklin and be a star in his own right.

“Hey, our guys won, right?” Thaddeus Franklin's wife said. I ignored her. I never forgot her comments from the charity event and I wasn't interested in being her friend.

Dele was signing autographs, but then he walked over with Kadir. I was beyond nervous; my hands were trembling.

“Mom, Dad, this is my teammate Dele.” I extended my hand out to shake his. “He looks out for me. He helps me cool down when I get too hype.”

“He does? That's nice.”

“Nice to meet you, Mom,” Dele said, then Dele shook Carl's hand as well. He knew he was making me nervous, but he didn't care.

After all the interviews were over, Kadir came out of the locker room, took my hand and said, “Mom, I want you to meet somebody.”

“Who?”

“This is my brother Phillip.”

I did see Kadir in his face. But knowing that didn't stop me from being upset with Kadir for pushing this child on me.

“I don't want to meet him.”

“That's mean, Monique. He can hear you,” Carl butted in.

“I don't care. I'm surprised you are cosigning this foolishness, Carl. Kadir, you can be a fool if you want to. I already warned you. You're already sneaking around to help your grandmother out. I don't care, fly all of them down here and when they rob you blind, don't come running to me.”

“I am and I will. And I already went to Philly and met my family. I have money, Mom, so what's the problem? I look out for you, so why can't I look out for them? They say I look just like my dad.”

“Your dad's name is Carl, Kadir. That's who raised you. Them Henderson folks are greedy people that just want a free ride.”

“Mom, give him a chance. Please, for me? I want to take us all to dinner like a family.”

* * *

I met Kadir, his long-lost brother Phil, Abigail, and Carl for dinner at Del Frisco's. I was already angry about all of this, but my night went from bad to worse when I spotted Dele sitting three tables away with a beautiful young woman. She had light brown skin and had natural, long honey blond curly ‘fro. She was wearing a body-hugging taupe-colored dress that made her almost appear to be nude. She couldn't be any more than twenty-three. They were laughing and smiling at each other. I wanted to go over there and choke him, but I couldn't. I had to play it cool, but he would have to explain this ish to me. How was I supposed to enjoy my meal?

“Mom, are you all right? You look like you might be getting sick,” Kadir asked.

“I'm tired.” I glanced over at Dele's table and he smiled at me. I gave him a “fuck you” face. Meanwhile, I caught Carl catching Dele looking at me, which made me look over at Phil.

“So, Phil, what do you with yourself?”

“I'm a junior at Morehouse. I'm studying microbiology.”

“Mom, he's real smart. He started college a year early on an academic scholarship.”

“Oh, that's real nice. I'm impressed.”

Kadir shot me a look like “I told you.”

“Who is your mom, Phil?”

“Her name is Stacy, but my grandparents raised me. My mom was in the streets, back in the day.”

“Oh, okay.”

“But she's getting herself together now.”

“That's good.”

“I didn't know I had a brother. People start telling me this guy Kadir Hall looks just like me. Then my grandmother told me and my cousin that we were actually brothers. I've been an only child my whole life, so I've always wanted a brother.”

“Just like me, Mom.”

Kadir was right. Phil seemed to be pleasant and intelligent and he did look like my Kadir—from his height to his mannerisms. He actually might be a good influence on his younger brother.

Carl was quiet and Abigail was on her phone and my eyes wandered back over to Dele's table. He had now put his arm around the young woman. I couldn't take much more, but it got worse. Dele up and walked over to our table. My heart was in my stomach. I didn't look up.

“Hey, Kadir. I didn't know you were coming here,” Dele said.

“Remember, you told me about this place. I wanted to check it out.” He said nice to see everyone again and went back to his table.

I waited exactly ten minutes and then rose from the table.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Phil. I'm not feeling well and I'm going to go home.”

“We all gonna chill. Pops, you gone make sure Mom good?”

But I cut off Carl before he could say anything. “You can stay, Carl. I'm going to drive myself home. Y'all have fun.”

* * *

I couldn't get out of that steakhouse fast enough. I pushed start on my car and pulled off. I called Dele's phone. I knew he was still at dinner, but I didn't care. He answered, still being smart and said, “
Bonsoir
.” Which meant good evening.

“Dele, don't fucking play with me.”

“Monique, do not speak to me in that manner.”

“You're lucky cussing is all I'm doing. What was that all about? Huh? Who is that girl? Why were you having dinner with her?”

“Would you have gone with me? I can answer the question for you. No, you wouldn't have wanted me to go to dinner, to celebrate my team's win. As for the young lady, she is a friend. She's my friend's cousin in town from Paris. Maybe she has a crush, I am not sure. But don't ask any questions unless you are ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“Ready to be out in the open with our relationship.”

“Dele, you know I can't do that.”

“Then you will not question me.”

I went to say something else and noticed he had disconnected the call. I had no idea what I was going to do. I loved Dele, but I couldn't hurt Kadir.