Page 26 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

Chapter Thirteen

Half Court

Marquise

M essages, videos, and hate toward my woman had overwhelmed me.

Social media, I dare say, has elevated to a new level of disrespect.

I attempted to call Mom, but my phone wouldn’t stop blowing up with phone calls.

Numbers with various area codes were calling back-to-back.

Damn, I was a real hoe in these streets.

“Baby, let me use your phone,” I asked Erin.

She unzipped her purse, handing me her phone. I lifted her chin for a kiss and temperature checked her mood.

“You removed the lock code from your phone?” I asked, and she chuckled as an answer. I texted Mom before I called her phone to identify myself.

“Mom.”

“I’m already on social media. The team is sending cease and desist letters as we speak,” Mom said.

“Thank you, but that’s not why I’m calling. I need you to change my phone number.”

I pulled Erin into me more as she rested her head on my chest.

“Why would I need to change your number?” Mom questioned.

Man, I hated to expose my secret, but I never ported my number off the family plan.

“You are the account holder,” I said, and Erin peered up at me, rolling her eyes.

“I better not still be paying your phone bill. I told you to port your number to your own account,” Mom yelled.

Anissa “the Shark” Shaw-Jefferies, had more money than she knew what to do with. She set her monthly expenses on automatic pay and never looked at them. We shared the same people, and they bent the rules for me. Every car I owned was under her car insurance.

“Mom, you didn’t miss the two fifty coming out of your account,” I said, and we both knew she didn’t.

“Why is your phone bill... What else am I paying, Marquise?” she questioned, and I remained quiet, not exposing my other expenses.

“Mom, according to the state of California, you’re my legal guardian and listed as my mother on my birth certificate. You cannot neglect your responsibilities,” I teased, and she hung up the phone.

I pulled Erin’s phone away from my face to see her colorful lock screen.

“I knew you were a momma’s boy,” Erin said.

“You don’t want any more pizza?” I questioned Erin as I entered the last planet on this board.

She only ate one slice of her favorite pizza, leaving me with seven slices. With her legs curled underneath her, she shrugged but settled on no.

“Why?” I asked.

She eyed the pizza but didn’t extend herself for another slice.

“I need to pull back a little.”

I paused the game and turned to her for an explanation.

“No, eat the pizza. If I wanted a skinny woman, I would have chased one. Fuck them starving ass bitches. I want you, thick thighs and all.” Erin teared up on me and I nudged her closer, pulling her to me.

She straddled me and my dick stood at attention.

“Marquise,” she said.

“You know it only stands for you. He can sense that warmth you are trying to hide. I should slide in, baby,” I said, caressing her body.

“You will say anything to have sex,” she said after I pinched her nipple.

“I mean, my woman is thick and fine. Why wouldn’t I try?”

Erin lifted but dropped to her knees. She pulled back the rim of my sweats and gripped my, dick pulling it out. I smirked at her gesture.

“I love a challenge,” she said before her tongue swiped across the tip. “Fuck my face,” she instructed before swallowing my shaft.

I slammed my eyes shut as my woman tried to suck my memories into her mouth. Tossing my head back, I gripped her mohawk haircut and guided her to my pleasure. The texture of her taste buds caressed my shaft but when she touched my balls, I roared.

“Erin, Got damn, take everything.”

My heart moved at the same pace as her head with my release knocking at the door. I tried breathing exercises to prolong it but it didn’t work. This release was coming fast and hard. Erin removed my hand and took her suction into overdrive. She positioned her body to hover over and swallow me.

“Erinnnnnn,” I moaned loudly as I unraveled inside her mouth.

My senses were delayed as they came back to me one by one. Regaining my vision, I glared as Erin stood over me, as did my opponents.

She licked her lips and announced, “I’m full, for now,” and stepped away.

I’ma marry this woman.

Mother’s Day came a week before the Western Conference Finals and I’m glad.

Any time I could celebrate my mother; I jumped at the opportunity.

These last few weeks had been peaceful, including my internal rage.

I’d been focusing on the good parts, which were Erin and basketball.

I hated every game was do-or-die, but I was home more.

People had been recognizing my musical talents and hitting me up.

I might look into being an audiobook narrator after a few classes.

We pulled into a vineyard Malcolm and I rented to host dinner for Mom.

Today, the weather was perfect for eating outside.

The sight of the rows of grapes fascinated me, and I might check into investing in a winery.

Erin and I climbed out the door to the fresh air in front of the main lobby.

I held my lady’s hand and three dozen white roses for Mom.

Inside my pocket was a diamond charm bracelet with our birth stones.

For Mom to be a billionaire, she didn’t buy herself jewelry.

Properties, clothes, and businesses she bought often but the men in her life curated her jewelry collection.

Stepping inside the door, the first person I made eye contact with was Toni.

Why the fuck was she here on Mother’s Day of all days.

I didn’t speak, instead, I helped Erin to a seat in the waiting area.

Toni gave me a soft smile, but I ignored it.

The dress she wore looked designer, Mom or Malcolm bought it.

Erin pulled out her phone, but I removed it from her hands. “Baby, you promised me you were going to disconnect today,” I said.

“Okay,” she said and motioned me closer for a kiss.

For ten minutes, we sat in the enclosed space before Malcolm entered with Jhae on his arm.

“Momma T. Happy Mother’s Day,” he said, and I chuckled.

Erin gave me an unsettled look as her eyes danced over from Toni and Malcolm to me. Jhae also greeted her with a hug.

“Marquise, who is Momma T?” Erin asked.

I glared down into her brown eyes, not wanting to answer her question.

“Nobody to me. But her name is Toni,” I said.

“Marquise, chill out,” Malcolm said.

Erin narrowed her focus and continued to bounce her head between us. She turned my head to her. “Marquise, what was that about?” she asked, but I kissed her instead.

Mom, Pops, and the rest of the family, including Caleb, pulled up on time.

I sighed because today was going to be too long, and I was semi-annoyed.

Toni blushed as she and Caleb caught glances.

She quickly focused on something else not to bring attention to herself.

Caleb didn’t catch the hint at the party.

Leave this toxic lady where she sat before, she cleaned his pockets.

“Happy Mother’s Day,” I greeted and kissed my mother’s cheek. Afterward, I passed her the roses in exchange for my sister.

I lifted my baby sister in the air, “my princess,” I said, before lowering her for a kiss.

She giggled after I tickled her stomach until Erin approached. She placed her hand on my arm and Khaira peeled her hand away.

“My Key!” she said and narrowed her eyes.

I chucked as Erin’s mouth parted.

Mom laughed before she greeted the rest of the family, including Toni. I shook my head as they embraced. She was the one person who shouldn’t be here and on Mother’s Day of all days.

“Isn’t Herman’s prom next week?” I asked Ivey for a distraction.

She stared first before she rolled her eyes.

“I think I might volunteer to chaperone,” Malcolm said, and we both laughed.

A hostess introduced herself and led us on a tour around the vineyard. The sight of the green grass and crisp air relaxed me as I held Khaira. The ladies tasted the juice, leaving me standing next to Pops.

“Marquise, what’s going on? Your energy is off,” he said, and I diverted my eyes away to find the correct words.

“Nope, be straight up with me,” Pops requested, and I exhaled hard, not wanting to be completely honest.

Khaira reached for Pops before I could express my truth.

“I’m upset because Toni is here. Malcolm didn’t tell me he invited her. We had a discussion as brothers. We agreed he would stop pushing her down my throat. This gift was only meant for mom. I want to enjoy my family without seeing her face,” I said.

Pops nodded in understanding. “I respect your choice, and Malcolm should have said something to you. Have you been meeting with Dr. June?” he asked.

“Yes, I told her I wanted no involvement with Toni. I’ll leave after we present Mom with her gifts,” I said.

Pops placed his hands on my shoulder. “I’m all about you taking care of yourself. As a family, we need to discuss this. I don’t want you to leave events or stop showing up because of Toni. It will kill your mother,” he said.

I agreed as I scanned the area and found Mom introducing Erin and Toni. The rage I worked hard to suppress re-emerged as I balled my fists.

“Walk it off. I’ll talk to Niecy,” Pops said, and I back tracked down the path to cool down.

I wandered until I found the front office and sat on the bench. The rows of green grass almost put me in a better mood.

“Marquise.”

Turning, I found Erin standing in a flower printed dress hugging every curve. Today was the first time I’d ever seen her in something outside of jeans or trousers.

“Yes, baby?” I said.

“I’ve been looking for you. They are ready to serve the brunch.”

I sat back on the bench, deciding whether I wanted to go back. Erin must have sensed the struggle because she didn’t hesitate sitting next to me.

“Does this have something to do with Toni?” she asked, and I kissed her hand.