Page 104 of Fumble Into the End Zone

I bit down on my bottom lip to suppress my tears, but they flowed anyway. Stacie wrapped her arms around my neck. With Kindness being overseas, she missed the bulk of my relationship with Nathan. Leaving me to depend on Stacie for support. Being in my early twenties at the time, I downgraded myself for a man by accepting disrespect from him and his baby momma. She walked into my house at will, judging me every time she dropped off Onna.

“I accept your apology, but at the end of the day I made the decision to stay. I didn’t love Mia enough to walk away from a man who gave me the bare minimum. Stacie, I can’t tell you what to do, but no one loves you more than you,” I said.

More tears escaped her face, but a knock on the door stole our attention. Stacie moved to answer it, but I paused her from lifting from the couch. I walked around the coffee table to the open front door and came face-to-face with my past. Nathan and I locked eyes as he stood behind the glass.

“Who is it?” Stacie asked.

“It’s Nathan,” I answered.

“I don’t want him here. Slam the door in his face,” Stacie instructed.

I smirked at the idea. Nathan and I hadn’t seen each other since the baseball game. As always, he kept a polished appearance with the clean-cut beard and fade. The red tee highlighted his toffee skin tone, but something about him was different. Maybe the twenty-seven-year-old Mia held a different set of eyes.

I approached the door and pushed it open. Nathan moved backward to allow me space to stand on the porch.

“Nathan, Stacie is not in a good place. She is asking for privacy. Tell Rex to give her time,” I said as I peered up into his brown eyes.

He studied my face and shook his head in agreement.

“Mia I-I,” he stuttered, but I paused him with my hand.

“It doesn’t matter, Nathan. Please have Rex respect Stacie’s privacy. Everyone needs space and time to breathe,” I said and reached for the door handle.

“Okay,” he said and backed away.

“Touchdown: Marcus Allennnnn,” the announcer said.

I shook my head at this silly ass dance he coined for his celebration. Everybody in Houston was doing the body roll. The last name Allen was different for me, considering I will be one soon. With Texas having a late game, it would be tomorrow before he came home.

Harley shifted next to me on the couch. She begged me to stay up to watch her daddy play. I knew she would be asleep before the end of the first quarter. By seven, those big eyes drooped, and she yawned constantly. I was supposed to be making notes for the show Tuesday, but I shopped for wedding dresses instead.

Whatever I get will be custom made. I needed to find someone to bling out Harley some butterfly wings. Mrs. Mia Allen sounded better than making love on a rainy day.

I checked my email to see if Marcus’s gift would be delivered on time. Hopefully, I will get the reaction I was hoping for and not have to fight him on it. With the announcers taking over at halftime, I texted Stacie.

Me

Hey babe, how are you?

Instead of messaging me, she put a long message in our group chat.

Stacie

Ladies, I’m not taking Rex’s cheating ass back. But, I’m not okay. I decided to stay with my parents for a little while. Rex will not leave me alone.

Kindness

Okay, I’m missing some context here. You and Rex broke up? What happened? Why didn’t anyone call me?

I pulled in both lips at Kindness’s questions because they were valid. But that wasn’t my story to tell.

Stacie

I’m sorry, friend. Rex is expecting a baby with another bitch.

Kindness

Ex-fucking-cuse me?

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