“That all depends on what you find, but yeah I’d probably buy. Cash of course and something that’s secure.” I was doing my best to keep myself level and make plans that would make me feel better. But the way my stomach was dropping meant that it probably wasn’t happening.
I heard her rustling around again and her movements sounded more hurried than before. “Is this something we need to speak with the security team about? There’s nothing wrong with—”
I shook my head because there was no way I wanted this shit to get out. I didn’t know how I was going to handle it within myself and bringing the public into it was not something I wanted. Not now or ever if I could help it. She sounded worried and that was the last thing I wanted. No one else needed to have additional stress placed on them because of this shit. “If it becomes something more I promise I will. Right now, I just need to move. Quickly.”
“It’s not a problem, Money, I got you. I can have a list of properties over to you by 10—Stew!”
I heard shuffling and knew he’d snatched the phone out of her hand. It was only confirmed when I heard his voice come over the line.
“Young buck, you got me, my wife and this fetus up. Do I need to suit up or are we cool?”
I almost cracked a smile hearing Stew’s ass ready to go. Craziest thing was I knew he wasn’t playing. When his wife’s boys were missing Stew really put in more work than the policeand got them back without their help. They’d been having problems with her ex for months but nobody took any of her issues seriously until it was way too late. Being the type of father he was he’d put his all into finding them safely.
“We’re good, Coach. You know I’m not about to have you out here in no mess.” There wasn’t anything I could do about this and even if it felt like the demons were winning there was no way I was going to say too much. I already felt myself breaking down when I spoke with Rachelle.
“It’s Stew right now and we don’t play that bullshit. Make sure you reach out to the resources around you and don’t handle shit on your own. I know how that shit can take you down a dangerous path and I’m trying to prevent you from following in my footsteps. I might be a hard ass sometimes but with your mental health, don’t fight whatever this is alone, Money.” I dropped my head into my free hand and almost broke down. This shit was heavy and with all the other news that was coming out I wasn’t completely sure what I was going to do to keep my head on straight.
I took a deep breath to shore up the blocks I was placing in my head before I lifted it up. I willed my voice not to crack and the tears not to fall. “I’m good, Stew, I promise. I need to move though. And I’m sorry for disturbing your family right now but I thank you for letting me borrow your Mrs.” My voice was tight and I prayed he left this shit where it was at. If I had to talk about it…yeah, it wouldn’t be good for anyone.
He was silent for a few seconds before he spoke again. “I’m here if you need me, Money. Rachelle ain’t the only Stewart that’s got your back.”
I nodded my head quickly because I understood what he was saying but I wasn’t sure who I could go to with this.
“Thank you, Stew.”
“Any time. And I mean that, Aldrich,anytime.”
I hung up with Coach and went about getting ready for bed. I was exhausted with everything that had gone on today but I wasn’t sure if I could close my eyes.
I glanced at the bed and immediately got creeped out. The bile in my stomach was churning and I just couldn’t do it. Instead of forcing myself I went into the hall of my place and grabbed the sheets I kept there. I was going to cut on the TV in my den, lie on the sofa and pray that sleep eventually found me.
ALDRICH
“MONEY, I CAN’T help you if you don’t tell me what’s going on. You’re furious. You were so happy-go-lucky, full of life. And now…I don’t see that man anymore. You’re angry, you’re unfocused, and this ain’t even about the team. You had plans for the off-season that you haven’t touched. Goals you wanted to hit as far as your organization and I haven’t seen any plans. I’m worried about my little brother. We’re family so talk to me. What’s going on?”
It had been two weeks since I got the news and too much had gone on in my life. Rachelle moved quickly and found me a house that had been sitting on the market because it was overpriced. With quick maneuvering and a cash offer after Billy’s father-in-law had his team check it out for me, I was moved within twelve days. I’d donated just about everything I owned to charity. The only things I’d purchased for my place were a sofa and the bed for my room. Now that we had that squared away, I needed to focus on dealing with the reality of this situation.
I had a kid coming. Not only that, but I had to co-parent with a woman I knew was going to give me hell. She’d been flashing the paternity test all over social media, which only blew up my mentions even more. Fans were nosy, haters were being messy and she was sitting back lapping up all the attention. I guess she thought it was going to put more pressure on me to contact her, but I’d been advised to keep all contact through my lawyers until after the kid was born. I wasn’t sure if that was to give me time to get used to what was going on or if this was just how stuff wasdone when the co-parenting situation was tense. No one in my circle had ever dealt with baby mama drama despite the number of hos I knew on the team.
“I don’t know how that’s my kid, Billy. She's been out here saying all this shit about me. And I let it go for so long because I've been playing ball since I was eleven. I knew what was up by the time I was in high school. But now this test is saying the kid is mine and I promise you, Billy, I ain’t got to lie on my dick. I haven’t ever slept with that girl.”
“Have you seen her before?” Billy was more relaxed than I thought she would’ve been given this situation. She had been begging for weeks for me to stop by and see her. Finally, she tired of being nice and told me I needed to show up today or else.
Knowing I needed to leave my place for the first time since I moved in, I agreed.
“Nah. I mean she looks like a lot of girls that hang around us, you know?” She gave me a nod because she knew what I was getting at. “I’m not even sure if I’d ever been in the same room as the girl until I realized she was a fucking stalker.”
Billy’s brows shot up and I knew she was smelling blood in the water. “Hold up, what do you mean she’s a stalker?”
“According to her iSnaps she is. Appeared in my old neighborhood—”
“Is that why you just moved?”
Her eyes narrowed as I hesitated but I just nodded my head not wanting to give her any information right now. “Yeah. I didn’t know what else to do. Her ass was creepy as fuck but again, I know how shit goes. I just don’t understand how that kid is mine.”
“You still don’t think she got someone to help her get some sperm from you?”
“Not to be crass, Billy but I know to wrap my shit up. And I flush every condom I use just to prevent stuff like this fromhappening.” I wasn’t uncomfortable talking about this with Billy but it was still weird.
