Page 29 of Love Me Now: Adrian & Kwamé
I had no doubt that Adrian loved me. He loved me beyond the trauma of my past and never once used any of what I’d been through against me. He uplifted me when he could’ve easily walked away. Instead of admonishing me for the decisions I’d made, he embraced my decisions with the same thought and care as if they were his own. I loved this man for themanhe was.
It was so easy to reply, “I love you, baby. For the rest of my life, I’ll love you.”
As days passed, my story spread wide and far. From articles to exclusive sit-downs, I was offered any and everything to give details on what occurred that day with Damon. I refused. Not only because no one was about to make me relive the trauma in that way. Hell, I couldn’t remember much anyway. Then, there was my baby, Jessie.
People were already digging into my life and putting two and two together. If it weren’t for Jessie having Adrian’s last name and the adoption being sealed, many would suspect that Jessie was Damon’s daughter. Adrian and I put everything into protecting our daughter. Jessie wouldn’t grow up wondering who or what her father was. Our intentions were to be honest with her once she was old enough to understand. With the love of a father like Adrian, prayerfully, she wouldn’t feel the residue of her biological father’s transgressions.
After the loss of Damon, the Jets were taken to the brink of the championship round. The NBA was doing what they could to make Damon’s name disappear. However, the players who were closest to Damon experienced the weight of his loss. The team morale seemed to take a deep dive. Hopefully, walkingaway with the championship would help them put the negativity behind them.
As for my career with the NBA, stepping down was for the best. Lowkey, Damon had many supporters in his absence. Many of his closest friends questioned his guilt and therefore turned a side-eye to me and some of the other victims. They wouldn’t say it out loud, but chances were they thought this was a money grab for some of the ladies who came forward. Damon was a multi-millionaire that many couldn’t see past to discern the psychopath he was. My presence was a huge conflict and counseling men who no longer trusted me gave me the out I needed to walk into the next phase of my life. I didn’t see it as a loss. I saw it as my blessing.
The only other person I felt bad for was Anya. Damon’s wife hadn’t been spotted out since his untimely passing. Allegedly, she was taking a hiatus from music until further notice. Damon’s funeral wasn’t made public, and she hadn’t made the first statement. Honestly, I couldn’t blame her. The devastation of it all was enough for anyone to want to break down. I simply prayed she got the help she needed.
Several days later, Bianca, Antonias, Adrian and I were inside Dr. Cartright’s office again. The babies were doing well, and as always the look on Antonias and Bianca’s faces made me want to do this for them again, if they ever asked. However, I would give my man a baby, first.
Ari was waiting for me when I came out of the exam room. Her appointment with Dr. Cartright was next. She was thirty-nine weeks today. I didn’t miss Russ lingering in the hallway. Jessie clung to his leg, but left him in the dust when her eyes fell on Adrian.
“Traitor,” Russ grumbled.
Ari, Bianca, and I snickered. Adrian picked Jessie up and kissed her cheeks. The softness in his eyes when he looked at her would never get old.
“Don’t be jealous,” Adrian stated. He pointed to Ari. “Ain’t that’s you?”
Russ and Ari’s faces mirrored each other’s. The rest of us burst out laughing.
Leaving Russ and Ari to stare at each other, Adrian, Jessie, and I boarded the elevator to take us down to the lobby. I had a taste for some collard greens and pound cake. Hopefully, my man did too.
