If You Don't Know Me (20 page)

W
as I wrong for not visiting Madison?

I'd slept well in my bed the last two nights without her being here. I woke up to a text: Thanks for having your mother bring Zach by yesterday. She left him with me. I thought she wasn't coming back. A few hours later she picked him up. We'll be home in two days. We love you.

I texted back: Do not come to my condo.

Let's not create a messy media affair. We're not divorced yet. See you in two days.

There was no need to respond. Madison only gave a damn about Madison. I went to the kitchen, got a black garbage bag, and put it on the bed. I opened all of my drawers and tossed padded bras, panties, and nighties, in the bag. I dug deep underneath my underwear, then held up a garter.

“I'm glad she never wore this.” I stuffed it in with the rest of her things. Maybe she'd brought it hoping Sindy would've found it.

Zach's clothes, playpen, diapers, and crib could stay. All of his belongings could remain long as Madison didn't come by claiming she needed them. If she did that, I was packing all of his items and buying whatever he needed. That dude was my heart.

Some women were pathological liars. Madison ranked at the top. She couldn't tell the truth unless her life depended on it. The finale was her lying about the recovery period for her surgery. Closing the curtains on her circus act.

My doorbell buzzed. I closed the drawers. The concierge hadn't called. It was probably Chaz.

I opened the door. A tall white man with blond hair and blue eyes stood before me. Beside him was a young man almost his height. They must have the wrong unit.

“Can I help you?”

“Roosevelt ‘Chicago' DuBois, I'm Nyle Carter,” he said extending his hand.

Looking at his hand, I didn't offer mine. He was a stranger, knocking on my door unannounced. “I'm going to ask you one more time before I close my door. How can I help you?”

“Of course. This is my son, Landry.” The young man didn't offer a greeting.

His father said, “I'd like to buy your condo for my son. He's going to Texas State and needs a place to live.”

Standing on my side of the threshold, I leaned into the hallway expecting to see cameras. I laughed. People in Houston were doing more of this offering to buy properties from homeowners for cash when the properties weren't listed but this had to be a joke.

“Madison sent you?”

“I'm serious, sir.”

“Me too. I have a meeting to go to,” I said motioning to close the door.

Chaz walked up. “Who's this? You ready to roll?”

“Nyle and son Landry, meet my brother Chaz. Chaz, I don't know them.”

“Then let's go,” Chaz said. “I don't know them either.”

Nyle extended his hand, “Thanks for your time. If you change your mind, I have a cashier's check here with your name on it for two million dollars.”

Landry's face remained expressionless.

Chaz raised his brows. “For?”

“I'd like to buy your brother's condo for my son,” Nyle explained. He didn't seem desperate. His son hadn't spoken a word.

“Give us a moment,” Chaz said closing the door. “This is perfect. Have your lawyer find out if it's legit. Sell the place. Stay with me.”

We were not in college. I did not want to share a two-bedroom condo with my brother and his woman. I rubbed my hand over my mouth, then showed Chaz my text messages from Madison.

“Make sure it's not a scam. If it's not, I say let it go for the offered price.”

“I'll think about it,” I said opening the door.

“Nyle, right?”

I shook his hand. Locking my door, I told them, “Walk with me. How'd you get to my front door without being announced?” I asked getting on the elevator.

Before he answered, the door opened on the fifth floor. A tall beautiful woman wearing a short dress that was more suited for the evening instead of morning got on. She said, “I'll meet you in the lobby, big daddy.”

Chaz smiled. I shook my head. It was bad business to talk in front of strangers. I remained quiet until we got off on the first floor.

“I'll order the car. You talk to Nyle,” Chaz said walking outside to the valet.

“Let's move to a private area,” I said relocating to the corner of the lobby so we could get away from the attractive woman. She walked outside.

“Two million, huh?”

“All-cash transaction. We can get started today. It can be done by tomorrow.”

“What do you do?” I asked him.

“I'm an attorney.”

“Why my place?”

“I figured a man like you, being the GM of our football team, was a businessman first. And my boy has already started college. I want to move him out of the dorm.” He took a few steps, shifted his back toward the entrance door, and stood beside me. “Here's my card.”

Facing the entrance, I looked for Chaz's black BMW. A black Super Duty truck was parked in front. The beautiful girl who was on the elevator was in the passenger seat.

Probably a jump-off of one of the ballers living in the building but I hadn't seen that truck before. It wasn't unusual not to see most of the homeowners as many, like myself, didn't linger.

The double frosted doors parted and I couldn't believe the man who had shot me three times exited through the lobby, got in the truck with the woman, and drove off.

Chaz raced inside. “Did you see that shit?”

I nodded.

“Sell your fucking unit, man.”

H
elen called yesterday ranting, “Madison is a worldly surly woman with one foot on earth and the other ball and chained to the devil. I left that baby with her and I'm not going back to get it. Hurry up and get proof that's not my grandson.”

“This is what we want. You have to be patient,” I told her.

She retorted, “Until we know the truth, I'm done babysitting!”

We hadn't received the results. Helen was overreacting. Madison believing she had the DuBoises convinced Zach was Roosevelt's son was to our advantage. Hopefully, she wasn't right.

I insisted, “You have to go get the baby. If you don't, Madison wins. We have to present our test when she least expects it.”

Opposition from Helen could've ruined my plan to reunite with Roosevelt. She'd coerced me into following through with getting Granville to take the test. I'd done that. I refused to allow Helen to quit on me. If we gave Madison reason to become suspicious, she'd come up with another lie to tell Roosevelt.

Helen would never have to thank me for what she'd never know. I doubt she would've agreed with my buying Roosevelt's condo or my having moved Granville into The Royalton.

Sitting in my car in the stadium's parking lot, I refreshed my perfume and retouched my ruby lipstick. I combed my hair with my fingers, then swept it over my left shoulder.

A text came in from Nyle: Sold!

I smiled. Each victory was essential. I replied to Nyle: Great job! Get the keys. Bring them to my house and pick up your check today. $120k!

He texted: Thanks!

A second text came from my contact at the laboratory: Confirmed, Granville Washington is
not
the biological father. Will proceed as agreed.

Holding my breath, I felt as though my heart had stopped beating. Was he serious? That bitch Madison Tyler was right and I was wrong! That baby looked exactly like Granville. Was Madison a step ahead of me? Was my contact hers too?

I'd paid to have the results changed if necessary to show Roosevelt wasn't the daddy. Dear God, now I had to follow through. Madison and I were alike in many ways but she was more of a match for me than I'd thought.

Taking care of Nyle was a priority. The 6 percent commission was Nyle's from the beginning but he had to earn it. The same held true for my employees. Bonuses were an incentive to work harder. The more my nonprofit made, the more I compensated my workers at the end of the fiscal year. Some believed not-for-profits didn't turn a profit. That was a myth and the reason a lot of successful people started their own organizations.

I responded to my lab contact: On my way to pick up both sealed results today.

An unexpected call registered on my phone. I answered, “I'm surprised to hear from you.”

“I know. Can you stop by my office?” he asked.

“When?”

“Now, if you can.”

“I'm on my way. Bye,” I said. This was the confirmation I needed to continue my plan. He'd called asking to see me. I was already at his location to purchase game tickets. I'd prayed he see me. Maybe he had seen my car and that was why he called. It didn't matter. I was not going to stall and pretend our hearts weren't in sync. They were.

Heading into the stadium, I wondered what Roosevelt wanted to discuss. I prayed he didn't know the deed to his condo was being transferred from Nyle Carter to me first thing in the morning.

I'd parked in the reserved spot where I used to when attending the games. If all went well, soon I'd be the new Mrs. DuBois and this space would permanently become mine.

Flipping down the visor, I touched up all of my make-up, dabbed perfume behind each ear, then curled my hair into a bun. The lemon sunshine long-sleeved dress hugged my body. I remotely locked my car, then headed to the second floor.

“He's expecting you,” the receptionist said.

Slowly, I opened the door. “Hi there.”

Roosevelt looked up from his computer. His eyes caressed every inch of my body. “You look stunning,” he said heading toward me.

I opened my arms. He stepped between them. We hugged. His embrace was strong. I rubbed his back.

“I miss that,” he said.

“I miss you,” I replied.

The unexpected happened when tears streamed down my face. I started crying. This was not supposed to be how I reacted. I couldn't stop. I loved this man so much.

“I love you too,” he said as though he'd read my mind. Roosevelt took a step back. “Have a seat. Please. I need to ask a favor of you. If you say no, I'll understand.” He scooted the chair at his conference table next to mine.

I inhaled deeply, then exhaled. I had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth but I knew I wanted my tongue between his lips.

“Call it foolish but I sold my condo. I have movers packing my things as we speak but—” He paused. I waited for him to say something but he became quiet.

I said, “But,” praying he wasn't getting ready to say, “I'm moving in with Madison and I wanted you to know.”

Men did say foolish things at the worst times. I closed my eyes, slowly inhaled, then stared at him in silence.

“I feel silly asking you this but I have an away game coming up. I don't want to stay with my parents. I could stay with Chaz but the dude that shot me . . .” His words trailed off. Tears flooded his eyes.

I dried them. I wanted him to ask. I needed him to ask me. But I didn't want to ruin the moment. How would he feel if he knew I intentionally moved Granville in order to get Madison out? Not him.

“Granville moved into my building. This is all so strange but I can't go back there. I might kill that dude if I see him again.”

“You're bigger than this. Don't let anyone push you to do anything that's out of your character.” I'd avoided saying Granville's name. And while I'd love to say all he'd done for Madison was uncharacteristic, I didn't believe it was.

“You're right. That's what I miss about you. You have this amazingly calming effect on me.”

A part of me wanted to ask him about his intentions with Madison. This wasn't the time. Gently, I rubbed his thigh.

“Sindy, is it okay if I stay at your house for a few weeks? It's just until my divorce is final. Then my Realtor can find me a home that I like. I'll pay rent. I can stay in one of your guest rooms, I—”

I pressed my lips to his. “Yes, you can stay with me.” I didn't add, “As long as you'd like.” I did let him know, “I'll leave a set of keys for you on the table in the foyer.”

“How am I supposed to get in?”

“I'll text you the access code to the gate and the code to unlock my front door.”

Roosevelt's mouth opened when his lips touch mine. He whispered, “I love you, Sindy.”

I thought about showing him how much the sentiments were mutual by unzipping his pants and giving him an amazing blow job. There was no tablecloth to hide under. I didn't want to pretend. He had a mind-blowing fellatio session coming soon. Maybe. But not until I knew what his intentions were with Madison. What if he'd planned on moving her into his new home? I'd be the one who'd feel foolish. I couldn't assume I knew his intentions.

This moment was special. I didn't want to miss it thinking about things that hadn't and may never happen.

“I love you too, Roosevelt. See you tonight.”

When I walked out, a man with a briefcase and a bodyguard entered his office.

Roosevelt called out, “Chaz, he's here,” then said to the two men, “Perfect timing.”

I sang that from the second I opened my eyes. I was proud. Finally, I was going to have me a beautiful wife who loved me and wanted to have my babies. When two people loved one another and enjoyed the same things, getting hitched was a no-brainer. All that dating for years then breaking up made no sense to me. Mama would've loved my fiancée.

Mahogany was in the bed reading a book. Her twenty-five-years-young chocolate cupcakes made me crave squeezing her perky breasts. I was forty-six now. My birthday passed while I was locked up. That was okay. Celebrations at my age were silly. No friends. One brother. Who'd come to my party?

Sitting next to her I propped my feet up. “When I'm gon' meet your mom and dad?”

Both of her real parents were younger than me. Her foster folks were beyond my age. All those grown ups and my woman was starving. Not any more. Maybe she didn't talk much about them 'cause they wouldn't approve of me. Marrying Mahogany first was best. We were going to have what my parents had. One husband. One wife. No divorce.

Staring at the pages, she answered, “Soon. I guess. Our getting married on such short notice, my mom couldn't take time off from her job in Paris.”

It didn't matter whom she was talking about. I said, “Bonjour.” I raised my brows. “We can go visit her next week or whenever you're ready. I've never been to France.”

“Me either. You have a passport? I don't.”

“We can get one after the wedding.”

“Okay,” she said reading her book again. “But I meant Paris, Texas. We can still get those passports though.”

We laughed. She had a sense of humor like mine.

I needed some attention. I pulled down the covers and buried my face in her sweet pussy hairs, then said, “Morning, dear.”

All of my good qualities that annoyed Loretta made my woman crazy about me. If I didn't have that protective order looming over my head, I'd paint “Just Married” on the back window of my Super Duty, park in front of Loretta's house, then lean on my horn until she came outside. Mahogany wasn't annoyed with my raspy voice, juicy kisses, yellow teeth, or ugly feet.

“I love being your breakfast in bed, big daddy.” She put her book on the nightstand then rubbed my bald head.

Her touch made me feel like a little boy. I thought about Zach and became sad. She fingered my ears. A funny feeling inside my stomach made me harder. My dick drooled on the sheet. It was sticky.

“Yum. Yum,” I groaned lapping her up.

I slid my tongue from her asshole and stroked all the way up to her pubic hairs. I loved her pussy hairs. Madison could give her smooth hairless stuff to some other dude. No more rides for her. One day she'd see she missed out on a good man.

My tongue traded places with my dick. I rubbed my slippery precum with her wetness. “Will you have my baby?” I asked Mahogany.

“Of course, big daddy. I already told you I would. What woman wouldn't want to have your child? If it's a boy we're going to name him Granville Washington the second.”

I preferred “junior” but “the second” was all right long as he was mine. If we got pregnant today, Zach and Granville could grow up together. “And if it's a girl.”

“We gon' name her Sarah Lee Mahogany Washington.”

I almost cried. “Really? You'd name our daughter after my mother?”

Kissing my tears, she said, “Yes, really.”

My hardness softened with my heart. “Can we start working on it now?”

“With this rock you put on my finger, you'd better give me that dick and stop playing,” she said holding up the ten-thousand-dollar rock I'd gladly given her,

It felt good to be a big baller. “Would you love me if I didn't have any money? Well, I don't mean broke. You know. Say, if I made two thousand.”

“A what?” she asked.

“A year?”

Mahogany shook her head. “You wouldn't love yourself if you worked all year for only two g's.”

She was right. I was at a hundred thou before Manny let me go. Twelve hundred equaled one hundred a month. I didn't want to do the math on that. But my mama could make twenty dollars last a week. Not from shopping off the back of the Mexican food truck that drove through our neighborhood. Mama would, when she had to, buy Camilla beans, a ten-pound bag of rice, and big packs of chicken—legs and thighs. They were cheaper. All that for less than fifteen dollars a week would keep our bellies full.

“Big daddy?”

“Yes.”

“Since you have a lot of money, can I quit my job
after
we get married?”

“When?” I asked.

“Today.”

Oh, she meant immediately.

I never wanted my wife to work. Her job was taking care of me. How did I get so lucky with her? I should thank Charles. If I hadn't gone to see him . . . wait. I should thank Sindy. She was the one who'd given me the dough.

“Okay.” I told her, “Why not?” I could afford her.

I'd bought Loretta a ring and she refused to take it. I wanted to marry Madison so we could be a family and raise our son. But she rejected me and lied about Zach not being mine. Well, she can keep him. I was about to make another boy.

Mahogany spread her legs wide enough for me to get close. I rubbed my dick on her clit, then I put my head in.

“Mmm,” she moaned making my wood harder.

Pushing, I gave her some more dick. An inch at a time, I worked my head in so deep I couldn't go any farther. This was the best pussy I ever had. I could stay here until I died.

“Don't move,” she said grinding her hips up to mine.

Her round butt felt like butter. Her pussy tasted like vanilla ice cream.

“How you do that?” I asked.

“Do what, big daddy?” she asked.

“Squeeze my dick like that?”

“Like this?” she asked squeezing tighter. She didn't let go until she said, “Or like this?”

This time her pussy rippled up and down my wood. I stared at her. She did it again.

“Fuck! Motherfucker!” I screamed like a bitch, then pulled back.

She grabbed my hips. Guided me into her. “Don't spill my seeds, big daddy. I am going to have your baby.”

I didn't care why she was so in love with me. I was happy to have a woman treat me special.

Holding her legs over her head, she said, “Go take your shower and get dressed for our ceremony. I'ma need a few minutes before I get up.” She wiggled her ring finger.

“I love you, Mahogany.”

“I love you too, big daddy.”

“I'ma need some more of that dick when we get back and again tonight so don't play with my shit while you're in the shower.”

Mahogany could sex me four to five times a day since she never had to go back to work. Hell, she might be pregnant with my baby already. On the way from the courthouse I was gonna buy her a pregnancy test.

Switching the water from warm to hot, I shouted, “Yahoo! I got me a wife!”