“That Jeremy, Kobalt, and Holt are part of the scandal too. That this could be a part of a bigger problem, and there may be an inquiry into the other fighters in your fight camp.”
I shook my head and stared at her. “I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, so I don’t want to speak or think bad about either one of ’em. They might need to look into Holt, though, because he had a serious drug problem in the past. Kobalt could go either way, but I doubt it. He’s good people. Now Jeremy, I wouldn’t believe that shit if I saw it. Not saying that anyone can’t get caught up, but not white bread.”
“White bread?”
“Yeah, that’s what I call him. He’s good peeps, and he tries to represent Christ in everything that he does. Growing up in the hood around a lot of black folks sometimes has him forgetting his ancestors didn’t rock with us like that. He needs to fight those allegations, though.”
“What are you doing about it? Are you fighting?”
“I’ve got an attorney who is looking into things. I have to be honest with you, though, Dove. My piss was dirty, but not with my knowledge.”
“Are you saying someone drugged you?”
“I’m saying that I don’t know how that shit got in my system. I didn’t willingly or knowingly take anything. So, we’re looking into it from every angle. When we take a test after allegations have been made, they take two samples from us. They take an A and B sample.
“The B sample is sealed and stored securely, so when I requested that it be tested after failing the A sample, I was present during the unsealing and testing of it. It came back positive. My head was fucked up for a while. Not in my feelings about it anymore, though. This shit is about to become a firestorm, ’cause there’s gon’ be hell to pay.”
“I pray that you get the answers you’re looking for. Whoever had a hand in it needs to pay, Reigh. I know you’re not trying to outright accuse someone, but someone did something—and that’s what needs to be answered to.”
“Oh, they will, trust me, li’l bit. They will.” My chuckle was harsh and deadly.
“I struggled when I went through what I went through. I was happy and on cloud nine one day with a man who was good to me. Because of his lies and my choices, the next day, my life was down the toilet and seeping into the sewer.”
“Did you plan to marry him?”
“No. I was just enjoying what we had. We had gone to a concert, and we were having the time of our lives. The next morning, I woke up around six, and Neal was on the phone with someone, speaking in hushed tones. He was clearly upset. I was content to wait until he finished, but before he could, Mama called me.”
“Oh shit!”
“Oh shit is right. Mama cursed me up and down the block, after she asked if I was okay. My sister dragged my ass, after she asked if I was okay. They were both upset with me for becoming involved with a married man.”
“And your daddy?”
“Daddy was like, ‘Where dat nigga at. I’m beating his ass.’”
I chuckled because that sounded just like Mr. Flowers. He didn’t take shit off nobody, especially when it came to his girls.
“As he should have.”
“I was so embarrassed and then when Neal didn’t stand by me, but made it sound like I seduced him when he was vulnerable. I was devastated. I was all alone, and though my family was there for me, I couldn’t help but remember how Mama and Ivy were upset with me and blamed me for not leaving when I learned the truth. They were right.
“I pushed everyone away and became isolated. I couldn’t handle everyone’s feelings while carrying the baggage of my guilt and shame too. I took pills to cope throughout the day, pills to go to sleep, and pills to wake up. I was a damn zombie because the pain was more than I could bear. I didn’t even recognize myself.
“I struggled to reconcile the man I’d loved with the man he actually was. It’s only been in the last five months that I’ve come out of hiding, and only because I stopped taking the pills. That was a dark and hard time in my life. Look at me crying. I’m sorry.” She apologized when I wiped her tears.
“Hey, let them tears fall, and let them be the last tears you shed over that worthless nigga.”
Tears were slowly falling down her face as she talked about her hurt and pain. I pulled her into my arms and rested my chin on her head as I rubbed her back. After a couple of minutes, she pulled back and stared into my eyes.
I started to pull back, but she leaned in, locked her arms around my neck, and pressed her lips against mine. I rubbed her back as I explored her soft, sweet mouth. The kiss was sensual, heated, and exploratory. Dove went straight for what she wanted.
When she straddled me, I tried to stop her, but she was moving aggressively as hell.
“Slow up, Dove,” I ordered, pulling back from the kiss.
“Why?” she asked breathlessly.
“Because you’re emotional as hell right now.”
