Page 78 of Intentional Foul
She lifted her hands in the air and dropped them. “Because you don’t understand the gravity of this, Malcolm. You think this is going to be one blow-up argument and everybody is going to be happy again. That’s not real life.”
“I thought you picked me, Jhae,” I said.
Jhae marched toward me, removing the space I purposely placed between us. “I did, Malcolm. I love you, but it doesn’t make this any easier. You cannot manipulate or control Anissa. When she finds out, you will see the part of her I know.”
“Manipulate.”
Jhae gave a controlled chuckle as she surveyed the room before returning her eyes to me.
“Yes. You sent me that beautiful dress to trick me to go out with you. This is L.A.; did you not think anyone would see us? Once the pictures are out, we are exposed and you get what you want,” she said.
I bit down on my lip as I absorbed her words because she was right. Waiting on Jhae to be comfortable enough to tell mom wasn’t going to happen. I wanted to force her hand to get this over with.
“I’m not going to live in secret much longer. I want to take my beautiful fucking wife on a date. You said you picked me, Jhae, and you knew damn well what that meant,” I said sternly.
Anger surged through me as I saw the fear and worry on her face daily. I stepped away from Jhae and flipped over the box and roses on the bed. After the gifts hit the floor, she stompedoff to the studio. I immediately regretted my outburst after she slammed the door.
With my eyes closed, I patted the bed for my wife. I forced my eyes open, allowing them to adjust to the darkness. I knew she was in the studio, but she still placed her stuffed music note plushie on the pillow. It’s her sign to alert me she’s in the studio. Jhae records her music in the wee hours. With the room being soundproof, we couldn’t hear anything.
I’ve caught her a few times sleeping on the couch or on the mixing board. The songs she played for me blew theTimeless Lovealbum out of the water. Jhae found her musical spark again, going old school with a guitar and a tethered notebook.
I exited the bed, yawning on my way down the hall. Opening the studio door, I found Jhae in front of the mixing board. We glared at each other, not really knowing what to say. I know I owed her an apology.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” I said.
I stepped in, closing the door behind me and finding the couch. Jhae twirled her seat in my direction. Extending my hand to her, she took it and straddled me.
“I’m sorry for my part in the argument earlier. This dark secret over our marriage is taking its toll on me. We agreed in St. Thomas to tell my mother, but you’ve backed out three times, Jhae. Do you even remember our ground rules and boundaries?” I questioned.
My wife dropped her head, and her shoulders slumped.
“Yes. We are a family unit. We are each other’s safe place. We talk about the hard shit, and we would be a united front with your mother,” she recited.
I lifted her chin to find her eyes again. She placed her palms on my chest.
“Baby, I’m scared,” she finally admitted. “I don’t want to lose or hurt Anissa, but I’m not giving up my marriage. Why can’t this be easy?” she said.
I kissed the back of her hands. “We agreed before the season started. In a few weeks, I begin training camp, and we have this mid-season championship game. Let’s invite Mom over for dinner,” I said.
Jhae’s eyes watered. She tried leaving my lap, but I wouldn’t allow it.
“You’re running again,” I said.
“Malcolm, you don’t understand,” she preached to me.
“I want my wife to be comfortable wearing her ring. I want to see you in the stands and mingling with the other basketball wives. I want to take you out without you ducking and dodging cameras.”
She folded her arms, unwilling to look at me. “I’m telling her, Jhae.”
“No, you’re not. We had an agreement. We both have to agree and right now, I don’t. I want to talk to Dr. June,” she requested.
I allowed my hands to drop to my side as she stared at me.
“Fine, I will set up the meeting with Dr. June.”
Jhae tried to kiss me, but I pulled away. It took all my strength to deny those full lips from touching my skin. I lifted Jhae, placing her feet on the floor, and left the studio. Sniffles sounded from behind me, alerting me she followed me.Fuck, I love babying this woman, I thought to myself.
Sitting on the bed, Jhae approached me with my T-shirt draping off her body. I exhaled hard, pulling her to me. She straddled me with glossy eyes. Not being able to resist, I kissed her lips and neck repeatedly, pulling her into bed with me.
