Page 29 of Going for Three

I sighed. “I’m sorry, baby.”

He remained silent as he gripped the steering wheel. “I just want for one fucking month to go by where I don’t have to put up with this. My talent can never be in the spotlight because it’s always overshadowed by some scandal bullshit.”

He flopped back into his seat and balled up his fists. I knew if he could punch a wall right now, his fist would’ve gone through it. I hated that he was going through this and only wanted to make it better.

“Let me take you somewhere to get your mind off things. I’ll drive.”

At first, he didn’t move, so I nudged him with my hand. I got ready to take my seat belt off, but he stopped me.

“Okay, okay, but I’m driving.”

I smiled. I was perfectly fine with that. I held his hand as he reversed out of the parking spot. I gave him directions on where to go until we arrived.

“Knock Out?” He leaned forward, reading the large sign.

“Come on. I think it’s exactly what you need right now.”

I waited patiently for him to come around and open my door. We held hands as we walked inside. I paid for his experience, which he almost wouldn’t allow me to do.

“It’s my treat,” I assured him. “It’s okay to let me spend money on you, baby. You deserve to be spoiled, too.”

He kissed me on the cheek, finally being receptive of my gift. The worker led him toward the room I’d booked for the next hour. If I wasn’t pregnant, I would’ve gone in with him and released a few things of my own, but today, was about him. As I watched him circle the table full of electronics, I prayed the weight would be lifted from his shoulders by the time he cameout. Kianis was a great man with a lot of pressure on him to be better than his father. I think a part of him was afraid that deep down he was just like him, and therefore, he would never be better.

I jumped the first time he swung the bat. As I watched him become more comfortable with the process, I saw the stress leaving his corded muscles. He started off slowly then increased his pace as he smashed object after object. His swings were so forceful that it brought tears to my eyes. The first one fell when I heard him scream from inside. I placed a hand over my heart, feeling his pain and wanting nothing more than to help him release it all.

Once he fell to his knees, I couldn’t stay away. I ripped the door open and rushed inside. I wrapped him in my arms the moment I made it in front of him. I didn’t even say anything. I just held him so he didn’t feel alone. He clung to me like his life depended on it until he had no tears left.

“Thank you, Charm. I really needed this.”

I palmed his face as our foreheads pressed together. I kissed his cheek, trying to fight back my tears.

“I know.”

He sat on his bottom then pulled me into his lap.

“I don’t want to be like that man, Charmony. He don’t give a fuck about nobody but himself. He hurts people everywhere he goes. If not with his words, then with his actions. I know I’m known for my smart mouth, but I be tired of people always trying me, always comparing me to that man. I just want to play ball, and this shit requires so much more than that. I don’t even know if I’m all the way built for the pressure.”

I kept quiet until he felt like he had it all out. I played with the long hair on his chin. They looked well moisturized and cared for.

“What are you smiling at?” he randomly asked.

“You’re so handsome,” I admitted. “I believe you’re going to be a great father, Kianis. A day will come when your light finally snuffs out your father’s. You are built for it, and you can handle it. They call you king of the court for a reason. You’re really like that baby.”

His smile made my blood vessels sing and hum. “Thank you, I really needed to hear that. You really are my good luck charm, and you came into my life at the perfect time.”

I blushed, trying to hide my face in his neck. Surprisingly, he let me.

“I think I did, too. We’re going to be parents, Kianis. Can you believe that?”

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around me. “Not at all, but I’m going to use the next few months to get ready. Being like our parents is not even an option.”

I could only agree. I would treat my child as more than their talents, gifts, and strengths. I would allow them the freedom to find themselves, to explore whatever they wanted with love and support to fall back on.

“I wasn’t sure I could trust you, Charmony, but after today, I don’t have any more doubts. I want to love you with all my heart because you deserve the best.”

I inhaled his smoky scent and melted deeper into his frame. “Well, you’re off to a pretty good start. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“You don’t even have to worry about that then. I’m not easing up off the gas when it comes to you. Losing you is not even an option.”

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