I was bombarded with congratulatory handshakes and hugs from competitors and fans. I was ready to get home. I didn’t even care about the ceremony. They could mail my check and buckle later. I’d won the average, but I’d also had the highest score for six other nights. The payout was per ride, plus extra for winning the average. There were only three nights that I didn’t receive the highest score.
When I got to my mama, she hugged me tight. After she kissed my cheek, she said, “Bali told me to tell you congratulations. She was watching on TV.”
My heart took a plunge just at the mention of her name. I missed her so much, but I knew I couldn’t call her while I washere. I probably wouldn’t have won. I would have been ready to just forfeit and go back to her. Once I’d hugged my sisters and brothers, Aaliyah, Aunt Shana, and Asad’s sister, Cambel, I saw Noni. She was standing there with her phone and tears streaming down her cheeks.
Blocking out everyone else, I went to her and hugged her. When she released me, she turned her phone to me. Bali was on the screen, crying her eyes out. That only pulled the tears from me all over again.
“Congratulations, Carter. That last ride was amazing. I’ m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, baby. I’m coming to you as soon as we get home. I need to see you.”
She nodded as I said, “I love you, Bali.”
“I love you, too.”
Her face was red, but her nose was redder. Her eyes were red as well and puffy. That led me to believe she’d been crying quite a bit. Noni took her phone back and said something to her, then ended the call.
“You better be glad Bali loves both of us. She nearly fucked me up after you left. She put me out of her house, literally shoved me out of the door, and I didn’t see her outside of work until before my flight.”
I smiled slightly. “Yeah. I’m going back to reclaim her. I just hope she’s receptive. I miss her so much.”
“I’m sure she will be, Carter. Congratulations again.”
I watched Noni walk away and meet up with Red. We should have been out here enjoying ourselves, fucking up the strip. Our initial plan was to stay until the weekend so we could have fun. My issues with Bali and her not coming ruined that. I planned to make all that shit up to her as best I could when I got back. I wouldn’t accept no for an answer, just like when she was in Atlanta.
The way I begged her not to leave me stayed with me. I had no choice but to let go temporarily, because I had to come here. This time, I had nothing but time, and I would make sure I held on until she caved and followed her heart instead of her petty Henderson side.
CHAPTER 27
BALI
Iwas so exhausted. Whenever I got home, I would take a shower and go straight to sleep. Daddy had been spending more time than usual at my place. He was feeling as depressed as I was. Uncle Marcus still wasn’t back. It was killing all of us. Those muthafuckas had the proper documentation and was still holding him. Grandpa had dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. Those people were illegally holding him and refusing to listen to the judge’s rulings.
Aunt Syn and the kids, along with Ace and Malia, were like walking zombies. Epic had been coming around, trying to hang with Malia, but she wasn’t giving him the time of day. Mrs. Sidney and Shy were working night and day trying to get him out of that facility. They were planning to deport him. They would be looking at a major lawsuit if they did that. Uncle WJ had been in talks with the governor’s office, but we all knew Hot Wheels didn’t give a fuck about us. He was too busy licking Trump’s balls.
As I took care of Noni’s last patient, I felt like I was about to throw up everywhere. It was her perfume. Smells were setting me off left and right. I’d informed my parents of my pregnancy, along with Maui, but I hadn’t told anyone else. I rarely sawSeven these days. I felt like he’d been low-key depressed. Iesha wasn’t giving that nigga no play. She was sick of his ass. That nigga was gon’ have to lay it on thick to get her back.
I quickly bid Kimberly farewell and booked it to the bathroom. I was already almost seven weeks, but it felt like I had an eternity to go. When Noni did an ultrasound on me, we both cried as we saw the little sac. I was indeed pregnant. She knew there was no way I could tell Carter, not after he’d left. I couldn’t have his mind in even more turmoil after that Tuesday night.
My mama had held me in her arms for nearly an hour that day. That was something new for me. I was surprised I’d even allowed that sort of thing. I was so depressed about this pregnancy. Everyone seemed to think Carter would come around and that he would be back, even though they didn’t know all the details of what happened. My mama probably would have been angry as fuck had she known.
When I finally stopped throwing up, I went to my office and prepared for my last patient of the day. Kimberly was Noni’s last patient. We’d performed her hysterectomy a few weeks ago, and she’d cried the entire time she was in the hospital. I truly felt sorry for her. That was a feeling I didn’t allow to show itself often. She wasn’t my patient, though, so I knew I could afford to show my emotions when it came to her.
I walked through the door, and when I saw Aaliyah, Red’s sister, I got nervous. I frowned hard as she lowered her head. “Aaliyah. Umm . . . hi.”
“Hi.”
I stared at her chart. She was pregnant if she was seeing me. There was no question about that. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, somewhat disappointed in myself for letting this happen.”
“Well, I mean, you’re grown. Who’s the father?”
She lowered her head again. “Royal.”
My eyebrows shot up. Royal was Uncle Jasper’s son. He was only a couple of years younger than me. Surely, he would be here to support her if he knew. “Why isn’t he here?”
“He doesn’t know yet. We were just having fun. Royal likes to play. I do, too. This wasnotin the cards.”
