Page 50 of A Player's Prayer
“No, not really,” I answered honestly. “I’m a little more tired lately because of working overtime at the hospital, but nothing alarming.”
“Could you be pregnant, Mrs. Mills?”
I know the question was routine, but the thought made my heart rate increase. Wild and I aren’t always careful—never careful, if I’m being honest. We used condoms a few times in the beginning, but as much as we’ve been going at it since making up over three months ago, anything was possible.
“I see the hesitation all over your face.” She gave me a small smile before rising from her stool and walking to the other side of the room. “I’m going to get a blood and urine sample from you, love.” Checking the time on her watch, she sighed. “I hate to ask you this, but can I get the samples and give you a call with the results. I don’t want to ring any alarms unless I’m sure we’re in the clear. The girls need to head to lunch, and?—”
I snickered, waving her off. “I get it. I work at the hospital, remember. I know how you barely have time to think sometimes, so you have to grab any opportunity you can.” Taking the cup, I hurriedly went to the restroom to give her a urine sample first. Another technician was setting up to take blood when I came back and was very efficient at finding my “good” vein and getting the three vials she needed.
Stepping back into the room while I was gathering myself to leave, the nurse practitioner handed me some pamphlets on my birth control options. “I will give you a call as soon as I have the results, love. We took an extra vial of blood to run a few more lab tests to check your overall health since you mentioned the tiredness. Do we have your permission to do so?”
“Of course! Thank you so much for being proactive about that. Didn’t even think to ask.”
Smiling, she nodded and pointed to the papers I was now holding. “Take a look at those, Mrs. Mills, and do some Googling too. I want you to be informed about which contraceptive you’re wanting beyond the pill when we schedule you to come back in. Thank you again for understanding the delay on your service today.”
After ensuring her that all was well, I slipped back into the waiting area and signed off on the documents needed to run the lab work. I made my way back to my truck, low-key mad that I didn’t think about the possibility of me being pregnant before this appointment. I’ve never had a pregnancy scare, so thinking about it happening was not natural for me. Pulling out of the lot, I noted the cloudless sky, with the sun shining brightly, yet the temperature outside was mild. It was a pretty day out; a perfect day for a park picnic, but the heaviness of my next appointment lingered.
Hopefully, the phone call coming would be scheduling my new contraceptive, and not telling me that I was growing another Baby Mills. Miss Evie had her hands already full with Gi Baby. A little Adrian would send that fine woman straight to her grave.
“Thank you for joining me. I honestly didn’t think you would accept the invite.”
Sliding into the booth across from Harley, I waved politely. I didn’t have any major expectations for this meetup request, but if she thought she was about to come at me for her friend, this wasn’t going to go well.
“I admit, originally, I wasn’t…” I responded honestly as I reached over and pinched AJ’s chubby little cheek. He was themost handsome little thing. “My husband told me he didn’t want me fighting anymore, so I hope you don’t make me a liar. It’s not a good origin for a new marriage.”
When Wild told his family he and I were married, they were so excited. His mother was pissed at first, but when he explained to her why he made it happen in Portugal, she calmed down. He explained his wants for everything to be halted until my father came home, and she understood. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Well, almost everyone. Because of the Ava situation, Harley and I hadn’t been in the same room in months. I had no plans to correct it, but the least I could do was entertain a conversation since she reached out to—I hope—rectify everything.
“Dakota, I just want to let you know that I hadnoidea Ava was going to come at Wild the way she did.” As soon as she began to speak, tears sprang to her eyes. “The day you guys came over for dinner, I knew then he loved you. It was all in the way he looked at you. The Wild that I know hasneverbeen so open and free with a woman before. They were all disposable until he met you… Ava included. Ava’s been my friend for years, but I haven’t been able to understand why she did what she did. She herself has told me how unserious she and Wild’s… uh…”
I chuckled as she attempted to not be disrespectful. “She and Wild’s freak-offs. Yeah, he’s repeatedly told me she was just a fuck.”
“Exactly! It’s been difficult to manage her being wrong and her being my friend. But, you’re family now… I have to make this right.”
“May I?” I asked her if I could hold her son. He’d been reaching for me since the moment I sat down. Although I was listening to her every word, it was hard to keep ignoring the cutie.
Giving me the go-ahead, I grabbed him from his booster seat and began feeding him his small bowl of frozen yogurt. The sight brought smiles to both of our faces.
“He likes you…” Her body visibly relaxed as she watched me and her son bond. “At least now I know he’s not going to have the kids at his stores sifting through skeezers anymore.”
“Girl, I don’t even play with Adrian like that. That man knows I hit first and ask questions later,” I said while chuckling, causing her to laugh softly. Changing my tone, I looked up from AJ and eyed her until she met my gaze. “Did you know she was going to his house that night, Harley?”
“Absolutely not.” She frowned, shaking her head. “I admit… I was ready to ride for my friend when she called me crying, naked, and with a busted lip. I thought it was a little extreme given their history. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how wrong she was, Dakota. She knew Adrian was with you; he’d told her, and I’d told her. I guess she thought he was just being typical Wild, and since she had him first?—”
“Girl, she never had my man.” I dragged my eyes back to AJ as I bounced him in my lap. “There’s not a woman alive who’s ever had Adrian Mills the way I do. His track record proves that.”
“I agree.” She nodded as she ate her own frozen dessert. She wanted to meet at the new ice cream and treat parlor that had opened near Mills Manor, and now I was regretting coming. It smelled so moldy in here, and I made a mental note to tell the manager they needed to clean the walls and shit.
Taking a moment to myself in the comfortable silence, I thought about everything that had transpired before Adrian and I went to Portugal. I could have handled things better with him when I shut him out. Granted, I still would’ve beat everyone’s ass that’s gotten their asses beat for disrespecting me, but I could have communicated and listened to my man a little better. I needed to make sure I worked on myself in that regard. Adrianwas indeed my man, but that wouldn’t stop women from trying him. Knowing how to communicate with him was imperative to keeping the trust strong and the respect for one another solid.
“Even before you guys got married, I knew you were the one,” Harley said, breaking me out of my self-reflection. “He’s still the same Wild but seeing him in love is so sweet.” She smiled and laughed to herself. “Beyond mending the tension in the family, I like you, Dakota, and I’d like for us to at least be cordial if we can no longer become friends. So, are we cool?”
“We’re cool, Harley.” I reached over the table and squeezed her hand as AJ babbled away, trying to take my Pandora bracelet off.
“Thank the Heavens! He called me earlier and told me that if I pissed off his wife, he was going to come back to my store with those kids and throw more than eggs! Please make sure you let him know this meeting went well,” she said, returning the hand squeeze while we both deep laughed at the mental visual of another egg fight.
“Girl! I still can’t believe Adrian did that, and those boys joined in like it was nothing!” I wiped the small tears that were falling from the belly laugh before clearing my throat to add some base to my voice. “With that said, Harley… I just want to be clear. Ava isyourfriend, and Adrian is my man. You may not play about your friend, but I for damn sure ain’t playing about my man. All I ask is that you don’t bring your friend around. While I’m sure we will get to where we need to be in our relationship as family now, I can assure you I will never be cool with Ava, and Adrian has already ceased all communication.” Taking a breath, I smiled. “I’ve never had a family unit, and I’m looking forward to all of us being one. I’m hoping that eventually you and Noemi can see me as a sister to y’all—even if it’s just by marriage.”
Smiling back at me, I felt the warmth in Harley’s voice when she said, “Of course, Dakota. Yes to all of that. I’m looking forward to getting to know you more too. Anybody that can hold her own against multiple people, physically and mentally, is all right with me.”
