Page 32 of Unexpected Pass

“I knew something was up when you popped up after the win. Kellon doesn’t invite women to his home. The fact that you two are trying to keep this a secret from me is disappointing.”

I stared at her. My entire body heated up. What was I supposed to say?I am pregnant but not by your son, even though he still wants to get to know me.It sounded crazy in my head, so I knew it sounded crazy out loud.

“It’s… um… I haven’t announced it yet.” I stumbled over my words, choosing them carefully.

“Wait. He doesn’t know?”

“He… um... he… no,” I lied.

Ms. Barnes walked closer to me. Her arms wrapped around my body, soothing my trembling.

“You’re scared.” She tightened her grip on me.

“My son may be a handful sometimes, but he has a good heart. He’ll be there for you. You don’t have to hide it. Just be honest with him.”

“Okay.”

I looked down at Ms. Barnes. This mess was already spiraling out of control. When Kellon got here, I would tell him I was going home. This was too much. Ms. Barnes pulled back from me, swatting my arm softly.

“Not y’all making me a grandma already like I’m old,” she joked, but I couldn’t laugh. This was not funny. Ms. Barnes stared at me before taking me in her arms once more. I guess she could sense my hesitation.

“Don’t worry, baby. We’re going to take this one step at a time,” she said with a reassuring smile. “You’re part of the family now, and I’m here for you.”

The elevator doorsto my crib opened, and I stepped into my dimly lit apartment. The long day of press interviews had drained me. Shit, I almost wished I would have lost. It was too damn much, but after the parade Friday, things would die down. Seeing Phileigh fueled me as I quietly walked toward my mom. She was sound asleep on the couch with a blanket pulled up to her chin.

It was only 8:00 p.m., but maybe she was tired from all the press too. The last two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl had been hectic. I adjusted her comfortably on the couch before moving toward my bedroom. I couldn’t wait to see Phileigh lying in my bed, hopefully wearing something that exposed her juicyass thighs. Thoughts of how sweet her pussy tasted on my lips replayed over and over again in my head.

“Phileigh?” I called out, pushing open the door. She was probably already fast asleep. “Phileigh, you sleep?”

Confusion swept over me as my bedroom came into view. It was empty. There was no sign of Phileigh, just a perfectly made bed.

“Phileigh, where you at?” I called again, my voice rising slightly.

When her sweet voice didn’t call back to me, I took off toward the living room. Where was she? A knot formed in my stomach as I approached my mother on the couch.

“Aye, Ma. Wake up,” I said, gently shaking her shoulder. She’d been here with Phileigh all day. Maybe she knew where she was hiding.

“What? What’s wrong?” Her eyes popped open, and she slowly rubbed her hand across her face, clearing the slob that had trickled down her cheek.

“Ma, where is Phileigh?” I questioned. Panic was evident in my tone.

I could see when she registered what I was saying because she jumped up. Her eyebrows bunched together in confusion.

“What are you talking about, Kellon?”

“Where is Phileigh?” I repeated.

“I don’t know, boy. We were watching a movie together, and then I must’ve dozed off.”

I ran a hand across my head, looking around the living room. There weren’t any signs of her. Her purse and shoes were gone.

“Phileigh!” I called again desperately. Suddenly, the decision to send her with my mom didn’t sound like a good idea.

“Just check around. Maybe she went downstairs or something,” Ma suggested.

I knew that shit was cap, but I still held on to hope that Phileigh hadn’t bailed on a nigga. Taking a deep breath, I opened the app on my phone and checked the security cameras to see where her fine ass was hiding. Every room in the house was empty. There was no sign of her.

“Shit!” I exhaled a breath.

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