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I nodded as I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Jakari, Yendi, Lennox, and Nesha. Yendi was a beautiful pregnant woman. I slapped Jakari’s hand, then Lennox’s. After giving the ladies hugs, I said, “What’s up, y’all? How y’all been out there in Big City Nome?”
Yendi giggled. That was what they called their lil ass town of four hundred fifty people. “’Bout time you put some respect on Nome, nigga!” Jakari said. “Everybody good. The mayor actually doing his damn job, business is good, and the population is growing, thanks to Nesha’s village and us having all these kids.”
I laughed then turned to Kenya. I grabbed her hand and helped her from her seat. “Y’all, this is my lady, Kenya Zenith. Kenya, this is Jakari. You spoke to him through text when I had that concussion. That’s his fiancée, Yendi.”
She hugged them both, then I introduced her to Lennox and Nesha, letting her know how Lennox was my mentor my first year at Lamar when I was running track. I also let her know he kicked me to the damn curb after he got married. He laughed about that and promised we’d link up soon.
“Now baby, this is the Henderson family. These four are only a small fraction of how deep they run. I promise, nearly the entire population of Nome is related to them. All the businesses belong to them. So, although they’re acting modest, they are really a big deal.”
Surprising me, she asked, “So y’all are related to Jessica? How are y’all adjusting to her career? She’s blowing up, right?”
Jakari rolled his eyes. “She got the big head, but that ain’t nothing new. She still the same old Jess to us.”
Nesha pushed him as Kenya smiled up at me and wrapped her arm around mine. “I’m ready if you are, baby.”
“Y’all, come on. I’m going to y’all area.”
Jakari nodded as Nesha’s eyes widened somewhat. Lennox leaned in and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry. Brixton knows. Everything’s cool.”
“If you say so.”
As we headed that way, I could feel Kenya tense up a bit. I leaned over and said, “They’re all nice, except Storm. Just ignore his ass if he gets out of pocket.”
“Which one is Storm?”
“The one looking at us with a frown on his face.”
She giggled. “Okay.”
When we approached, I could see the nerves crawling all over Jess as she rocked the baby. I supposed her mom had given the baby back to her while I talked to Jakari and Lennox. “What’s up, everybody?” I said loudly.
Everyone waved back, and a few of them came over and shook my hand. Brixton stood and extended his hand to me. We shook, and I introduced him to Kenya. He nodded, and she did as well, then I introduced Kenya to Jess. “Kenya, this is Jessica. Jessica, this is my lady, Kenya.”
Jess stood with the baby and gave us a huge ass smile. She gave Kenya a half hug as Kenya went crazy over the baby. “Go ahead, man,” Brixton said. “Kenya can sit with us and hold the baby.”
Kenya’s eyebrows hiked up, probably because she was excited to hold the baby, as Jessica frowned. Brix took the baby from Jess, and I grabbed her hand, leading her away from them. “Better not be no fucking funny business though.”
I already knew that was Storm. There was a bunch of people shushing him as Jessica chuckled. The tremble in her hand let me know she was nervous about what was about to happen. Once we got to the foyer of the venue, I led her to a bench. Once she sat, I sat next to her, still holding her hand in mine. I angled my body to hers, and said, “I know you’re probably wondering what’s going on.”
“Yeah. Obviously, Brix knows.”
“Yeah. I got his number from Jakari to ask his permission to speak to you privately.”
She brought her other hand to mine. “I saw the clip on SportsCenter where the reporter asked if you were dating Kenya. I could see the love in your eyes when you responded.”
“Stop feeling guilty about what happened between us. I’m a grown ass man. I fell in love with you, but you weren’t the woman meant for me. I can see that now, because what Kenya and I have feels totally different. You’re a beautiful woman, and you have a kind heart. Brixton is a blessed man. Let go of the shit you carrying so you can enjoy your life with him and that beautiful baby.”
The single tear fell down her cheek, so I gently wiped it away. She’d been trying to hold her emotions in since we sat. I could see it in her tensed shoulders and quiet demeanor. She lifted her head and said, “Nate, you are so perfect. Now that you have Kenya, I know y’all are perfect for each other. I felt so damn bad about hurting you. I’m not a heartbreaker. I led you on to believe we would have more, then chose someone else. That wasn’t right.”
“It wasn’t, but I’m cool now, girl. You ain’t gotta act all nervous around me now. You got your one, and I have mine. Brix is the man that moved your soul, so that’s who you should be with. Had you chosen me, that shit wouldn’t have worked out, because I felt stronger for you than you felt for me. You would have been miserable. So, when is the wedding?”
She smiled and wiped the tear that fell. “I don’t think I would have been miserable, Nate. I had strong feelings for you as well.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Well, you know we’re utilizing the family barn. That shit gon’ be so beautiful. We’re getting married in September. So, I can send you an invite?”
“Hell yeah. Me and Kenya would love to come and turn up with y’all Henderson style.”
I stood from the bench and helped her to her feet as well. Leaning over, I kissed her forehead. “Thanks, Jess, for caring about me. I’ll never forget that.”
