Page 15 of Plea
As we took our seats, Pops noticed, “You don’t seem happy, Son.”
“I’m happy,” I clarified.
“But something’s wrong,” Mama said.
“This wasn’t planned. I know that sounds silly, but I’m still a bit in shock.”
“Well, anytime you have sex, you know there’s a chance she’s going to get pregnant,” Pops said with humor lacing his tone.
“I know, and I’ve accepted it.”
“Are y’all having problems?” he asked.
“Nah. We aren’t together, but I’m devoted to her. I just saw my family starting a different way. Even though I’m happy about the baby, I just wish I was married to the love of my life. Asia is cool, but I’m not in love with her, and I didn’t plan to be with her for the long run. Now, we’re tied to each other for life. Plus, I met this woman and…”
I stopped talking as thoughts of Venus filled my mind.
“You want to be with someone else?” Mama asked.
“Yeah, but that’s not possible. She’s engaged. It’s fucked up. And what’s crazy is we’ve only been around each other twice. I don’t know what it is about her, but I really like her.” Sighing,I ran my hand down my face. “I decided to just avoid her if I see her again and dedicate myself to Asia, but I’m not really comfortable with the idea of staying with her just for the sake of the baby.”
“Why do you feel like you have to?” Pops questioned.
“I want my baby to have the healthy and happy upbringing I did. He or she won’t see me and Asia together as a couple, but I want them to see us coparenting well. I don’t know what she’s expecting for our future, and I’ll talk to her about it eventually. It just feels like me having feelings for another woman at the exact moment I find out she’s pregnant with my child is fate’s way of telling me something. I just don’t know what it is yet.”
“Well, if this woman was single, I’d say she was someone you should try and be with, but since she’s engaged, that can’t be the case,” Mama said.
“I wouldn’t say all that,” Pops countered. “She’s engaged, not married.” Ma rolled her eyes and groaned as he continued. “Now I’m not saying cheat with the woman, but I am saying if you feel led to her, it’s for a reason. The reason may not be romantic, but maybe there is a reason you were put in each other’s paths.”
“I can agree with that. I wouldn’t have even met her if it wasn’t for Asia. In my attempt to do something to make Asia feel better, I ended up at Venus’s place of business. She was… beautiful, yes, but there was something about her aura that drew me in.
“I don’t want to sound cliché and say it was love at first sight or no shit like that. But when I saw her, I felt like she was mine. Then, me and the crew went to her party, and we talked and spent time together. She just… fit me well. Maybe she’s meant to show me there are better options out there for me to keep me from committing to Asia just because of the baby.
“Either way, I can’t get her out of my mind, and I don’t know what to do with that. I feel horrible craving a woman in this waywith what me and Asia have going on. Even though we aren’t together, I feel like I’m cheating, and she deserves better than that. But I can’t tell her about Venus now that she’s pregnant. Hell, Venus is going to get married soon. I’d be a fool to ruin the bond Asia and I have for a woman I can’t be with.”
“Whoa, breathe,” Pops urged with a chuckle. “You’re about to spiral, and I need you to reel it in. Let’s break this down piece by piece and separate the two, because regardless of how fucked up this sounds, your feelings for Venus have nothing to do with the baby.” Mama nodded her agreement, and I bobbed my head for him to continue. “You can be happy about the baby and wish the circumstances were different. Regardless of the mother, I know you’re going to do right by her and your child and be an amazing father. As far as your relationship with Asia, if you don’t want to be with her, don’t. The most important thing is that the two of you can coparent in a healthy way. Is the timing a little rocky? Yes, but it’s best that you be upfront with her and make sure she knows you two are not going to be together in the future. Now, Venus, you said?”
“Yes,” I confirmed, unable to hide my smile at just thementionof her name.
“It’s clear you like her. If her relationship is secure, respect it. If it isn’t, keep your distance until she’s single. When she is, go after her, and take what your spirit told you belongs to you.”
Having him break it down in that manner allowed me to see all sides clearly. I was glad I didn’t wait until the weekend to tell them about the baby, because I needed that clarity. He was right. I needed to make sure Asia and I were on the same page about our relationship before the baby got here. As far as Venus was concerned, I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her relationship, but the moment I found out she was single, I would have her, and nothing or no one would stand in the way of that.
Chapter
Eleven
Venus
Today had been a busy day,and it was only halfway over. It was time for end of the month payments, and my software was down. I ended up having to manually write out my staff’s checks, which took some time, but I didn’t mind at all.
When I was done, I put everyone’s checks in their locked lockers then decided to take some pictures for promo and marketing before heading out. Anytime we took pictures of clients, it was with consent. They also had the option of choosing if they wanted the pictures to be taken from the front or back. I didn’t know the client that was in Britt’s chair, and since she was on the phone, I didn’t bother asking. Britt was doing a bomb ass quick weave on her, so I wanted pictures of the before and after since she was getting a custom color. I decided to take the pictures and leave the consent form with Britt to give to her client when she finished her phone call. If she didn’t want me to post the pictures, I’d delete them, but I hoped she didn’t mind.
It wasn’t my intention, but as I took the pictures of the back of her head, I couldn’t help but listen in on her conversation. The only reason it piqued my interest so much was because she mentioned how horrible things could go if her man found out the truth.
She released a hard exhale and gently shook her head. “You just don’t understand. If I tell him there’s a chance this isn’t his baby, he’s going to leave me.” She paused as she listened to what the other person said, and me and Britt’s eyes locked. “Yes, we technically aren’t together as it is, but I can’t be with Dru. If I tell him there’s a chance this might be Dru’s baby, that’s it for me. Even if this is Dru’s baby, no one can know. I can’t raise this baby alone, Cynthia. I thought if anyone understood that, it would be you.”
Deciding not to invade her privacy, I forced myself to put the phone down and walk away. My head shook as I processed what I’d heard. I would hate to be in her position, and I had no room to judge. Hell, I emotionally connected with another man and hadn’t told Trevor yet. A part of me wanted to downplay it and say he didn’t have to know, but I still felt guilty over how into Carson I was. Now, I felt better about the secret feelings I was holding in.
