Fitness 4Play: One Night Stand (Novel 1) (13 page)

As I got stuck on the interstate, I decided
to check my phone. I began scrolling through Facebook. Several
people "like" my status about Fitness 4Play. A few comments from
previous clients stated they and their spouse want to sign up when
it opens for business. It is delightful to know people are willing
to support my upcoming business. Things are looking up!

As traffic loosens up, I make it home about
15 minutes later. As I step out of the car, a few rain pellets hit
my shoe. "Aw shit! Let me hurry up and check the mailbox and get
into the house before I get wet," I said to myself. It was cloudy
most of the day but had not started raining until now. Since my
umbrella is in the house, I need to make haste before the rain
pellets morphs into rain showers.

Several letters upon opening my mailbox greet
me. I grab them and sprint towards the front door. I shed the wet
clothes until I'm only wearing a black tank-top and boxers.
Catching a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror, I start posing
bodybuilding-style. Wherever there is a mirror, the pose show
begins. Yes, it is narcissism at its finest but I worked hard.
Years later, I am still in disbelieve that my once jiggly frame is
now a muscular one.

With mail in hand, I hop on the white sofa
with feet relaxed on the swivel coffee table. I assort through the
mail. Bill, bill, bill and another bill. Damn! I miss those days
when my mama paid the bills. All I had to worry about was making
Honor Roll or Principal's List at school.

Tossing bills aside, I stumble upon one in
which had 'Shelby County Paternity Testing Center' on the front.
Ironically, it is the last letter in my hand. "I guess they do save
the best for last," I mumble, sarcastically. Before opening the
letter, I clasp my hands together and utter a small prayer.

I scan the contents of the letter. Keisha's,
Antwan's and my full name are at the top. This paternity letter is
definitely mine. As I scroll down to bottom of the letter, the
paternity results were big, bold black letters. It read:

THE PROBABILITY OF PATERNITY IS 0% THAT THE
ALLEGED FATHER IS THE FATHER OF THE CHILD NAMED ABOVE.

I leap up off the couch. Exhilaration courses
through my veins. "Yes! I'm not the father!" I was about to dance
like those guys on The Maury Show when they found out they are not
the father too. Instead, I regain my composure and felt remorse for
little Antwan. First off, he has a crazy mother. Secondly, he does
not have a father in his life. No telling who his father is. I had
a one-night stand with Keisha so no telling how many other dudes
shared a similar encounter.

I send a text message to Big Rob and Greg to
inform them about the paternity results. Both reply simultaneously
stating they are happy for me. Back in my early 20s, I would have
immaturely contacted Keisha to rub it in her face. No need to stoop
to her level. She should be aware of the results by now since they
were mailed to her as well.

(Tony Toni Tone "Feels Good"
playing in the background)

To celebrate, I went to my IPod and went to
the "Feel Good R & B" playlist. It feels good indeed! The music
oozes richly through my Visio sound bar and speakers. During my
moment of euphoria, the phone rings. I gleefully jog to the sofa
where my phone sat and glance at the caller ID: Lucy Aka Ms. Pink
Dress flashes across it. My pupils swell with astonishment. For
Lucy to finally call immediately after discovering I am not her
cousin's baby father is bizarre. I stop the music and answer the
phone.

"Uhhh hello? Lucy?" I ask, hesitantly. After
not talking to her for about a month, I was unaware if it is she or
a new beau calling to inform me that she is his woman now.

"Hey Devin", responds Lucy. Hearing her soft,
womanly voice brought comfort to my soul. Thank God it isn't a new
man in her life calling me.

"Hey baby! I'm so happy to hear your voice.
You know I miss you right?" I said.

"Yea I know. I miss you too." A wide grin
forms across my face. Finding out I'm not the father of Keisha's
baby and my lady contacting me on the same day. A child getting the
golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory would not be
happier than me at this moment.

"Smooth! Well I'm sure you got all my calls
and text messages this past month. But to tell you once again, I'm
so sorry. I should have informed you about the baby situation a
long time ago."

"I know Devin. You were wrong but I forgive
you. I couldn't hold a grudge any longer. I just needed time to
myself."

"Okay. I understand. Just know my feelings
for you haven't changed a bit. I still love you."

"Wow. That's so sweet for you to say. I love
you too Mr. Banks." I love it when she refers to me as Mr. Banks.
For some reason, it makes me feel like the astute businessman that
I aspire to be.

"That's good to hear. Anyway, I really want
to see you," I said.

"That's good because I want to see you too.
We really need to talk about some important things and I prefer to
do it face to face," Lucy suggests.

"I agree. I got some important news to
discuss as well."

"Ok babe. Well can you come over here?"

"Sure. Let me take a shower and I will head
over there shortly."

"Ok."

"Oh yea. I got a request."

Sure. What's up?

"Wear that sexy pink dress you wore when I
first met you at The Premiere," I request in a smooth, seductive
tone.

"You ain't out of the doghouse yet Mr.
Banks," she replies, giggling.

"Hmmm. We shall see about that."

"Devin. Please behave yourself when you come
over. We just need to talk."

I let out a small huff. "Oh alright, I will
behave myself," I said. "Well I am about to take a shower. I'll be
there shortly."

"Alright babe, See you then." The phone call
ends.

As I get up and head upstairs to take a
shower, I wonder what in the world Lucy has to tell me. I thought I
was the only one harboring secrets. Oh well. Whatever it is, I am
determined for us to remain together. She is my first true love.
And if I can help it, my only true love. She has no idea what is in
store for her when I arrive. The paternity results are not the only
thing I plan to disclose to her. Something tells me this will be an
eventful night.

(Brownstone "5 Miles To Empty"
playing from Lucy's stereo)

I arrive at Lucy's house. When she opens the
door, I wrap my muscular arms around her soft, curvy figure. I used
to care less about hugging a woman as a bachelor. I was more
concern with her hugging me with her legs wrapped around my hips.
With the woman I love, a hug was as good as engaging in "sensual
mischief"…well almost.

Lucy wears her bedtime attire: a headscarf,
matching lavender silk pajama shirt and pants, house shoes and no
facial makeup. Even in standard attire, her beauty radiates. I
sport a dark blue and gray University of Memphis hoodie, V-neck
white shirt, gray jogging pants and blue tennis shoes.

The fresh scent of lavender potpourri
envelops her living room. Lavender is undoubtedly her favorite
scent. My Uncle Teddy once told me every lady got a go-to scent for
her house and her body. Lavender is Lucy's go-to house scent. For
perfume, her go-to brand is DKNY Pure.

"Hey stranger. Long time, no see, hear, call,
text, email, Morse code or anything," I say, smiling. She starts
chuckling.

"Hello Devin. Now you know why I didn't
contact your little black butt," she replies. I let out a minor
huff.

"Yes ma'am. I do. And speaking of which, I
need to tell you something."

"Sure. What is it?" Lucy sat back in the sofa
with her arms folded and legs cross.

"Well I'm sure you're aware of the paternity
test to determine if Antwan is mine." Lucy nods her head.

"Well the test results came today in the
mail."

"Oh. Sooo, what did it say?"

"Well, according to the results, little
Antwan is not my child."

"Oh. Wow. Ok."

Lucy tilts her head up and whispers, "Thank
God." It would have been difficult to continue our relationship if
Antwan was my son. How could I be the father of my girlfriend's
cousin? That sound like some shit from the, The Jerry Springer
Show.

"Wow indeed. It would have been weird as hell
if I were the father of your little cousin. Still, my feelings for
you wouldn't waver." I move closer to Lucy and hold her hand while
staring into her light brown pupils. "I still would want to be with
you Ms. Jackson."

"Really?" She flashes a child-like grin. I
nod my head.

"Yes ma'am." We lean towards each other and
share a fervent French kiss. A soothing, warm sensation shoots
through my body as our lips and tongue reunite. She nuzzles her
head into my chest and I held her tight for a few minutes. There
was complete silence except for the smooth R & B tunes from her
stereo. Romantic moments like this are what I secretly yearned for
prior to meeting Lucy.

Sure, sexing multiple females on a weekly
basis is fun for most men. It gets old quick as he gets older. Well
at least for me, it did. Eventually, he desires companionship with
someone he can take a life-long voyage. I am not ready for
marriage. Yet, Lucy got a brother thinking about jumping the broom
one day.

Lucy shatters the silence by stating she is
not surprised about the paternity results due to Keisha's
promiscuous ways. Lucy tried to lecture her about not being a slut
if she wants a respectable man. Keisha obviously did not listen. Of
all guys, why did she believe I was the father? Maybe I was the
most "daddy-ready" from Keisha's perspective. Whatever the case,
Keisha was wrong for subjecting me to this stressful ordeal.

I explained to Lucy about how the "accidental
oral episode" occurred at my mama's house. She shook her head
throughout the story. Keisha and Lucy are so similar in stature. I
cannot be the only FAITHFUL man in history who has made that honest
mistake. I am glad I stopped Keisha before it escalated into
intercourse. The funny thing is Lucy was not upset about it.
Instead, she states, "Unless you see me put the blindfold on you,
do not lick that cat." We erupt in laughter. It amazes me how cool
my woman is at times.

Another nugget I learn about Keisha is she
suffers from a mild case of schizophrenia. No wonder behavior is
erratic. Her mental affliction is probably the reason she named her
son after me. In addition, she was aware of Lucy and I
relationship, yet never disclosed to me they were cousins. As I
also suspect, Lucy believes Keisha came over here to be messy. This
information is appalling, yet clarified Keisha's character.
Hopefully, she will get the professional help she needs to function
normally for the sake of her son. Maybe Lakeside can help Keisha as
they helped my dad.

"Anyway Mr. Banks, you said you had something
to tell me over the phone. It wasn't just the paternity test
results." She sat up a bit while staring at me underneath my
chin.

"Oh yea! I got a little surprise for you." I
reach in my pocket. Lucy's eyes wanders to my pocket in
anticipation of what I was about to reveal. A piece of folded
notebook paper surfaces in my left hand.

"Oh ok. I thought I was going to see
something shiny at first," Lucy said, smiling.

"No, not yet. So be patient Mrs. Banks, I
meant Miss. Jackson," I joke. Lucy playfully hit my arm. One day an
engagement ring may be the surprise.

"I actually wrote a poem dedicated to you. I
wrote it one day upon waking up during this past month."

"Aw. That's sweet of you."

"Yep. Too bad I'm not going to read it to
you," I said. I pull the paper to my chest.

"Boy, you better read me my poem." Lucy
reaches for the paper. She can be feisty at times but it is a
turn-on.

"Alright feisty lady." I unfold the
paper.

"The name of this poem is, My L." Lucy sat
attentively as I recite the first verse.

"Dear L,

Your gracing presence,

Something of an
essence.

A breath of fresh air,

Despite being immersed by debris
and smoke.

Giving me hope when feelings were
of despair.

Embracing my flaws with open
arms,

Obeying my laws, no need for
alarms.

Consistency, the reason for this
poetry,

Something you effortlessly reveal
to thee.

Everlasting love?

Foreseen as we
progress,

You are my L aka my
lady,

So patience is my
process."

Lucy eyes got watery. A fixate smile adorns
her face. I desired this expression. I wrote from my heart and
wanted every word to resonate within her.

"Wow Devin. That was so special. A man has
never written a poem for me before."

"For real?" I respond.

"Yes. I'm for real."

A woman as gorgeous as Lucy, I thought this
would be the 1000th poem dedicated to her. I guess other guys she
dated did not feel strongly enough to do such a thing. Being with
Lucy taught me to be expressive towards things or people I am
passionate about. I can be nonchalant at times, but I strive to be
more expressive of my affection for her.

"Well I'm happy to break your poem
virginity," I reply with a sly grin. She begins laughing.

"Devin you are so silly." She leans in and
gives me a peck on the jaw. She lays back and her facial expression
switch to a somewhat serious demeanor.

"Devin, you mean so much to me. I understand
now what happened between you and my cousin was way before we got
serious. And I do believe what happened at your mama house was an
honest mistake. I truly do. I wish you would have told me sooner
about the whole situation."