Page 48 of Intentional Foul
He ignored me as he continued to humble me by talking to Anissa. How was the sharpest woman I know not catching on his game. Either she had a blind spot for him, or he actually was this master manipulator. Hell, he fooled me.
“I’m giving her my bed,” he said, and my stomach dropped to my feet.
I waited for her to call him out on his bullshit, but Malcolm smiled in my direction.
“Malcolm, you are too sweet. Where is Jhae?” she asked.
“She is right here. In fact, we were having a discussion about how you’d react to us getting married,” I said.
“Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies, your appointment is here,” the receptionist said in the background. My heart pounded in my ears as I panicked from his statement. Malcolm was too bold forme to process. The only emotion I could lean on was anger. “I’m going to kill you,” I mouthed and smacked his arm again.
“Malcolm, you need to cut it out before Jhae takes you seriously. Stop teasing and make her comfortable,” Anissa said.
“Okay, we’re getting married this weekend,” he said.
My spirit left my body after the words left his lips. Anissa was going to put two and two together from his comment and my life was over.
“Malcolm, be serious. I have to go. Keep her away from Marquise. Tell Jhae to call about setting up our double date with Caleb,” she said.
“She’s not going. I love you, Mom,” he said and hung up.
I fought to get out of his arms and swung my fist at his chest. “This isn’t funny, Malcolm. We are getting a...”
Malcolm’s mouth was on mine. I parted my lips and allowed him inside. As we exchanged saliva, our mouths heated. My nipples hardened as he pulled me into his chest. Malcolm’s hands roamed to my ass. I jumped when he squeezed it. We were deep into a full-blown tongue tussle before my phone vibrated, shaking my back pocket. It took everything in me to introduce air between us. With my hands planted on his chest, I stilled to retrieve my phone.
Bestie
I don’t think Malcolm was joking about you guys getting married.
Bestie
Let me know if he gets weird. Better yet, shut him down softly.
I covered my mouth with one hand and walked to the couch. With my hands hanging between my knees, I found his eyes.
“We cannot do this, Malcolm. We’re going to hurt her,” I said, near pleading.
“There will be a rough patch during the transition phase. I’m not giving up on us before we start. If it comes down to it, I will pick you over my family, Jhae, I love you.”
The warmth in his eyes and seriousness of his face confirmed he believed every word.
“What you are not understanding is that she will forgive you because you are her son. She will throw me away. I have no family. Anissa is the closest thing to a sister I have. And you think she is going to look past it,” I said as I crossed my legs.
I placed my elbow on the edge of the couch with my head in my palm. Malcolm sat next to me, reaching for my hand. I moved it out of his grasp, but he captured it and placed it up to his lips.
“Is she going to be mad? Yes, but she isn’t going to throw you away. Jhae, I’m asking you to have some faith in the process,” he said.
I snickered in disbelief. “I’m pursuing the divorce,” I said as I turned to him.
He held a long pause.
“I understand, but know I will contest it,” he said, sitting back. “For now, I’m going to get some Thai. Let’s eat and then we can relax for the rest of today. You could record some music.”
Malcolm attempted to kiss me, but I jolted my head away from his full, soft lips.
I sat as he left, and I scanned the room as what ifs plagued my thoughts. I dropped my hands between my legs as tears formed. Why did the man with a heart as pure as gold have to be my best friend’s son? I silently wailed into my hands for several minutes before I forced myself up. Sniffling, I moved toward the front of the condo to see my luggage by the door.
Marquise sat on the couch watching sports news. I remained quiet as I reached for the door handle.
