Page 92 of Intentional Foul
“Niecy, you can’t make him get a divorce,” Pops said, taking my side and respecting my choices.
“You will be amazed at the things I could do,” Mom confirmed and snatched away from Pops as he released her. “How about you keep your supportive ass here,” she followed.
Pops closed his eyes and exhaled hard as we both witnessed her grab her purse and head towards the door, leaving him behind.
I lent him my truck and he left twenty minutes after Mom. Once he made it home, he sent us a text saying she had cooled down but was crying. She wasn’t the only one shedding tears. Jhae locked herself in the studio until three this morning. I broke the lock to get in and carried her to bed.
Chapter Sixteen
Tell My Truths
Malcolm
Two days later.
Jhae sighed as she eyed her phone, and I knew why without asking. Mom stayed true to her word. Jhae lost seven major brand deals since the fight. She powered her phone off and moved closer to me in the bed.
“You’re getting those brand deals back and double,” I announced with determination. I wasn’t taking this lying down. Whatever mom broke, she was going to fix it.
She gave me sad, worry filled eyes. “It’s okay. I knew she was going to kill my career. She was the one who gave it to me.”
“No, it isn’t. Anissa is going to fix this shit. No one gave you anything, Jhae, you earned those deals and everything you have,” I redirected.
The entire family had been in an uproar. Ivey’s been avoiding mom’s request for evidence of the marriage. Marquise was going through a trauma cycle. I set the family on fire, and it was my responsibility to put things back together.
“I don’t care about those deals. I lost her, Malcolm. I lost her,” Jhae cried into my chest. “I didn’t mean to hurt her... I didn’t mean,” she wailed.
The sounds of Jhae crying sent sadness through me. “I'll fix this, then afterwards, the healing can start,” I said.
Ivey used her hidden phone and gave me the scoop. Our parents argued, with dad defending me, and Mom cried about how the night went. I trekked up the driveway and used my key, letting myself inside. Mom was feeding Khaira with puffy eyes.
“Mal Mal,” Khaira said, extending her arms toward me, causing mom to turn in my direction.
I kissed my mother’s cheek expecting her to reject the gesture, but she didn’t. I lifted my baby sister in my arms and took the nearest seat at the kitchen table. Khaira and I played for several minutes before Pops stepped into the kitchen.
“I need to talk to both of you,” I said as I bounced my sister in my lap.
Pops took a seat next to mom, gripping her hand.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I should have been upfront with you about my intentions with Jhae. She doesn’t deserve the blame, I do,” I said.
“Malcolm, you’re only twenty-three,” Mom said.
My eyes traveled over to Pops and back to the more sensible version of my mother.
“Mom, I’ll be twenty-four in a few months but allow me to finish. Jhae didn’t stand a chance. I’ve been pursuing her since before the draft. She didn’t take me seriously because of you. Things started light, with Marquise and I buying the condo in her building. I blocked any potential guy she thought aboutdating. The one guy who slipped through—I beat his ass. I paid the security team to get rid of the evidence a.k.a. the video.”
Mom jolted her head backward as she scanned me.
“I learned what she liked and sent her gifts every week. Jhae didn’t know we were married until two and a half months later. She was drunk in Vegas, but she can’t prove it. I paid the officiant and her friend Chasity to shut up about it. Marquise was my witness, and we know he isn’t talking.
Mom’s mouth parted as she stared at me.
“Jhae ran twice. The first time, I tracked her down in Kansas City. The label wanted her to fake a relationship, or they were going to shelve her album. I threatened to expose our marriage until she agreed to my terms. She had to give this marriage a chance. I bought her masters. I also made her believe I owned them, but I never did. They were always in her name. In your bathroom, I pinned her to the wall, kissed her and dared her to tell you,” I said.
My parents sat motionless as I bounced my sister in my lap and kissed her cheeks again.
“The second time she ran, I intercepted the delivery of her furniture and sent it back to L.A. She accepted her defeat and gave in to me. Jhae threatened to tell you, but I called her bluff every time. I played on her fears of losing you to make her comply,” I said.
