Page 62 of Unexpected Pass

“We just started dating,” I said. “And she’s not pregnant by me.”

That stopped her cold. The air stilled like someone had hit pause.

“What?” She blinked, processing my words. Her mouth opened just a fraction. “Not yours? What the hell, Kellon Jamal Barnes?”

“It’s complicated,” I said quickly. I knew I needed to explain before she lost it. “It happened before we started anything. We weren’t even in each other’s lives when she got pregnant. The Super Bowl night… that was our first date.”

My mom stood there looking at me. Her face was unreadable.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Barnes. I promise none of this was intentional.”

“And the father?” She shot her eyes to Phileigh. Phileigh cleared her throat and took a deep breath.

“He’s an um… ex. He plays for LA and has a fiancée I didn’t know about. When I told him, he wanted me to get rid of it. When I didn’t, his fiancée lost it. Now, she’s blowing up my phone and calling me a liar. It’s getting messy.”

My mom sat back slowly. Her tablet lay forgotten.

“So let me get this straight,” she said, her tone neutral but heavy. “You’re in a new relationship with a woman who’s pregnant by another man. That man is engaged. His fiancée knows, and now, the press has gotten wind of you two being close, but no one knows about the baby.”

I nodded. This shot sounded crazy as hell when she laid it out dry like that.

“Boy, I said I was starting therapy. I didn’t say I was graduating.” She exhaled deeply and pressed two fingers to her temple. “Okay. Well, first of all… thank you for telling me the truth. I’m not thrilled about any of this. I would rather my sonbe with a woman who is not involved in such a mess, but I’m practicing this thing where I mind the business that pays me.”

I sighed, glancing at Phileigh. This was good. I knew my mom, and she could have acted ten times worse. I guess she was trying.

“Are you doing okay?” She turned to Phileigh, her expression softening.

Phileigh nodded slowly. “Trying to be. This is a lot.”

“I can only imagine,” she said. “We’ll handle it quietly if we can. We don’t say anything about the baby yet. Not until you want to. That’s your story, your moment, and it can create an entire shit storm we are not ready for right now.”

“Okay.” Phileigh nodded. “Yeah, I’m not ready for that.”

“I care about what happens to both of you,” she said. “But, Kellon… this could affect your brand, endorsements, and media. You sure about this?”

She wasn’t asking me about the press. She was asking if I was sure about Phileigh, and I was. I glanced at Phileigh, who looked up at me with so much uncertainty in her eyes.

“I’m sure,” I said, killing any doubt lingering in anyone’s mind. “I care about her. And I care about this baby. It doesn’t matter that it isn’t biologically mine.”

My mom sat back with her lips pressed together and sighed.

“Well then, let’s make sure the world sees that care and nothing else.”

Phileigh nodded, and I could see the tension in her shoulders ease just a little.

“We go on offense, not defense,” Mom continued. “The first rule of a media frenzy is to control the narrative. If we stay silent, the public will make up a story for you. And trust… it won’t be anything nice.”

I nodded. I already knew that shit. That’s why I called her first.

“We need to prepare the public to see you two together. Soft launch… no interviews… no sit downs. Thank God the Super Bowl press tour is over. We can do just a few social media breadcrumbs to show love, happiness, and chemistry. Kellon, maybe make a post about having someone special in your life and tag her. Don’t let them have to speculate.”

I gave a slow nod, taking it in. “I got it.”

“Phileigh, get ready because they are going to attack you, your looks, how you wear your hair, you being plus sized… everything. You’re taking one of the most eligible black bachelors off the market, and they’re going to crucify you for it before they cheer you on.”

I glanced over at Phileigh, feeling bad. She hadn’t asked for any of this, and we hadn’t even gotten a chance to discuss how being in the public eye would make her feel.

“I understand, Ms. Barnes. I don’t care about my image. I just want to make sure Kellon’s doesn’t suffer because of me,” she said, and I went over to her, sitting on the arm of the couch.

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