“I’m your agent but he’s your PR. He has been monitoring the situation waiting on word from you to see what direction you wanted to go in. We do nothing without your permission so we’ve been waiting to see how you wanted things handled.”
“I wish this never happened.”
She sighed heavily and I could see she was just as stressed about this as I was. “Money, I’ve been there. Not to the same extent as you, but my ass was a Jane Doe in a fucking hospital in LA for days because a man and his homeboys thought they were going to try me.”
“That’s the muthafucka that OD’d or wrapped his car around a tree or something, right?” I’d barely paid attention to the news because a washed-up QB who was a piece of shit in the first place didn’t really move me. When I’d heard that Ladson’s ass had gotten drunk and hit a tree, killing himself I was happy. Judging by the smile on Billy’s face she was too.
“That’s the one. And I have to tell you this even if you don’t want to hear it.”
“What’s that?”
“You need to talk to someone.”
I moved away from her because I was damn sure taking offense to her words. “Billy—”
She held up the universal Black woman pointer finger that meant I needed to shut the hell up. “I already acknowledged that you wouldn’t want to do it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not right. What you’re feeling right now? It’s not going away until you take the steps to get your mind right. Yeah, you’re a football player, but that doesn’t mean this bitch didn’t violate in the worst way. And to be honest, she needs to be in jail.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to have a kid though, Billy. My entire theme of life wasyoung, Black and richbut now I gotta figure out diapers and formula? I haven’t even gotten my brain wrapped around this shit because she’s fucking eight months and I found out a few weeks ago when the rest of the world did.”
Her phone interrupted what I was saying and she glanced at the number before looking back at me. “I need to take this.”
I nodded my understanding and pulled out my phone. I had put all social media on hiatus so I was honestly just flipping through random apps on the phone not really focused on anything. My leg was jumping and even though I’d worn casual clothes like I was going to work out after this, I knew deep down I was going to go home and further stress out.
“Money.”
My head snapped up and something in Billy’s tone had me on edge. “Yeah?”
“It’s sad to say but it seems like you don’t have to worry about some of your problems anymore.”
“What you mean?” I prayed that she was going to say that she’d found out the test had been rigged and I could just go after this bitch for slander. Maybe even assault. But the grim look on her face made me feel like none of that was going to be the case.
Her face looked completely devastated but she cleared her throat and then fixed her face back into one of ruthless self-possession. I needed her to teach me how she could mask her emotions the way she did. I felt like she probably did it because she had Murda’s ass to take that stress off her when it got too heavy. I probably wouldn’t ever have that now.
“Your stalker was involved in a single-car crash earlier this afternoon. They rushed her to the hospital and the baby was delivered via C-section. But the mother coded on the table. It was apparently too much for her body to handle and she died. We need to get you to the hospital.”
“So she gets to die and leave me with the consequences of her actions?” I was speaking through clenched teeth because I couldn’t believe that this situation would somehow get even worse than what I thought it was when the day started.
Her steely gaze broke into one of sympathy and understanding. My heart was pounding in my chest and I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. “I know it’s unfair and I’m so sorry. I can’t even…fuck. This is out of my depth.”
“You got siblings, Billy.”
“Yeah but Yzzy’s big problem was something far less dramatic than this. I don’t even feel any kind of way about all the rude shit I was saying about her in my head either. Bitch deserves it for what she did to you.”
“Is…is the baby okay?” I might not have wanted it and certainly not this way but I wouldn’t wish death on an unborn baby. Especially not one that was born early and was now potentially hurt by the accident.
All this I have and the kid is still coming out behind the eight ball.
Billy nodded as she stood up from her desk the red business suit she wore making her look powerful and picked up her keys. “The information we have said nothing about the health of the baby just that he or she was delivered. You’ve already been proven to be the baby’s father. You can get the information at the hospital. They won’t release this type of information over the phone. Do you want me to go with you?”
“Do you mind?” Now wasn’t time for me to act like I didn’t need anyone, I did. I needed someone who would give me tough love but also force me to lead with love. Since my mama couldn’t get here on this type of short notice, Billy was the best choice to stand in her stead.
“Nope. I’ll have Isis handle my stuff for the rest of the day. I’ll drive.”
“Billy—”
“Do you have a car seat in your car? Of course you don’t. On the off chance they release her into your care today, you’ll need one. I have the twins’ infant car seats in my cargo area because we were going to donate them. Clearly God put them in the car for a reason today.”
“I can afford—”
