Page 92 of His Team

I nod as I think his words over. He pats me on the shoulder and gives it a squeeze. I look into his eyes and read his concern for me.

“Don’t allow your mama to rush you into anything. Kay is whatshewants. I want you to have whatyouwant.”

“I hear you, Daddy. I need to go make a call.”

I leave out the back of the coffee shop where I parked. I drove the SUV I bought for Amina. I was hoping she would answer so I could take it to her and explain my plan.

This vehicle seemed like the best choice. It’s brand new and reliable, it’s spacious for her things and her height, and now that she’s carrying my child, he or she will have plenty of room for a car seat. It will also be hard to run off the road.

As I sit in the driver’s seat, I stare down at Bernie’s phone. I asked him to borrow it to see if Amina would answer a call from his line.

Blowing out a breath, I dial her number and wait as it rings. My heart is hammering as I place it on speaker, and it continues to ring. I start the engine, ready to race to her place.

Caleb doesn’t need me anymore tonight. I’ve done my part here. Now it’s my turn to get my girl.

“Hello?” she finally picks up.

“Baby, don’t hang up. You misunderstood. I’m so excited we’re having a baby.

“I want to take care of you. I want to be there for you and our baby. I was just shocked,” I begin to explain before she can disconnect.

“But you said you can’t come with me. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be okay, Cam,” she whispers.

“Mina, please. There’s so much more you don’t know. Kay and I were going to try to work things out. I didn’t know you were carrying my baby.”

She scoffs on the other end of the phone. “Stay with the one you want. I’m only going to bring you drama.”

Anger fills me. She’s not listening. I need her to hear me out.

“Maribel,” I bark. “Listen to me. You are the one I want. You never bring me any drama I don’t want.

“You told me we should break up, but I’ve been making plans for us. I was planning to run with you. You mean everything to me, baby. I’d do anything for you.”

The line falls silent. As I pick the phone up from the cup holder, I see it’s still connected. When I zero in, I can still hear her breathing.

“Then why did you say you couldn’t come with me?” she finally says.

“I fucked up. Everything is so fucked up. Kay’s pregnant and she says it’s mine. My mama called me to Kay’s place for her to drop the bomb on me.

“You and I … you told me we were done. I was going to go through with the engagement and work things out. It felt like the right thing to do for the baby.”

“Maybe it is. Listen, Cam, he practically admitted to murdering my father at the funeral. I can’t go back.

“He’d kill me and this baby and then you. Let me go. Marry Kay. That’s what’s best. I’ll take care of our baby.”

“What’s best for who?” I growl into the phone. “If he wants us, let him come. I’m going to protect what’s mine.

“I’m coming over, baby. We need to talk. I’m going to get you two somewhere safe. I leave for the draft with my family in the morning.

“I’ll go to support Cal, but I won’t accept my offer. I have somewhere for you to go that’s safe. When I get back, we can disappear.”

“I’m already gone, Cam. I had to run.”

“Then I’ll come to you. Where are you?”

“We can’t.”

“Why not? Please don’t do this. Don’t take my family from me. I want you. I want you both. Please.”

---