Page 16 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

The fact he had cut my sandwich forced me to push back my tears.

No one I ever dated paid this much attention to me.

I bit into the chicken salad sandwich, and my feet danced to the taste.

It took me five to ten minutes to finish half the sandwich and a handful of chips.

Malcolm remained quiet, scrolling on his phone.

He chuckled a few times, but for the most part he sat still.

My phone pranced from the vibration. I patted next to me, careful not to touch Malcolm. He slipped his hand underneath the bedding, handing me my phone. The screen said Anissa, and the food I’d savored wanted to retract.

“Answer it,” he said, but I silenced it instead as guilt consumed me.

“Hey, Mom,” Malcolm voiced, and my limbs stiffened. “I’m in Kansas City with Jhae. She was eating and couldn’t answer the phone when you called.”

I couldn’t face him after listening to him give out his location.

“Jhae, I’ve been texting you. I need the info on KC,” Anissa said through the speaker.

Malcolm tapped my arm, pushing his phone in my direction.

“Hey friend. It’s nothing to tell, really,” I said as he held the phone in the air.

Anger replaced guilt as I gritted my teeth in his direction, and he smirked.

“Crush my little joy. Here I am ready to hear about my friend finding someone. You need to go on a date, but why are Malcolm and Marquise in Kansas City?” she asked.

I opened my mouth to lie, but Malcolm interrupted. “We came out to help Jhae. I’m trying to convince her to let me invest in the album. You know, diversify my portfolio,” he said.

If I were strong enough, I would’ve tossed his ass out the window right on the sidewalk.

“Jhae, I think you should take him up on his idea. You wanted to be free from the label anyway. I’m willing to negotiate for a percentage,” Anissa said.

I balled my free hand at Malcolm, and he grinned.

“I’ve seen you negotiate and no. I won’t own anything when you’re done,” I said, and she giggled.

“I’ll cut you a deal, but let me go. I know it’s late there. Malcolm, tell Marquise to call me and reach out to your aunt,” she said.

“Will do. Love you,” he said, and Malcolm hung up.

I bit hard into my lip and lifted my small fist, mimicking someone ready to throw a punch.

“If you don’t want her to know we’re married, I’d advise you to behave as normal. When you change, she sniffs. Stop avoiding my mother,” he said.

My body tightened with unreleased anger as I ate the rest of my food.

On the last bite, I pushed back the bedding.

Sitting the plate on the table, I gripped a pillow and my phone.

Malcolm observed, but didn’t say anything.

I stuffed the pillow underneath my arm, took my phone and bottled drink, heading for the living room.

Malcolm bolted from the bed, blocking my exit.

We moved from side to side as I tried to get around him.

“You do know I defend grown men for a living,” he said.

I continued to try to maneuver around his slim but muscular body with no success.

“Jhae, you will never sleep on the couch. I love when you’re pissed. When we get better acquainted, I’ll tame your attitude,” he said.

I threw the pillow and my bottled drink to the floor and darted toward the bathroom. Before I could take a second step, I found myself hoisted in the air. With my back to his chest, I tried kicking for my release, but nothing happened.

“You remind me of a cartoon character,” he said with laughter, moving us toward the bed.

“Put me down. Now!” I requested.

“Ask me nicely and I will consider it,” he said, and I kicked wildly.

After several minutes of erratic body movements, I paused. “Malcolm, can you please release me?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Yes, beautiful, but ask nicer next time,” he said and kissed my ear.

As soon as my body hit the bed, I tried crawling to the other side.

My left leg was the only part of my body I could lift.

Twisting my head, I noticed Malcolm had secured my leg.

He pulled me back to him and flipped me onto my back.

Glaring up at him, I waited for him to move, but he only peered down at me.

“Jhae, I’m holding you tonight and every night moving forward.”

I folded my arms across my chest, wanting to protest, but I gave up. It would be useless if he continued to catch me. I can’t outrun him and he’s stronger.

“Fine. But there will be a barrier between us and...”

“I’m not doing none of that shit. We are getting into bed and going to sleep. I’m not going to touch you anywhere you don’t give me permission to,” he interrupted.

“Whatever!”

Malcolm released my limb, and I crawled to my side of the bed.

Once he drifts off to sleep, I’ll go sneak to the couch.

Before I climbed underneath the linens, he handed me my phone.

I wanted to snatch, but I thought better and took it, placing it beside the bed.

Malcolm pulled back the bedding and laid down as I sat up.

“Your neck gon’ be hurting, being stubborn,” he said.

We sat in silence as the TV blared, and thunder soon joined. My pride wouldn’t allow me to lie down.

Malcolm

Jhae’s unwillingness to lay next to me was amusing. After she dangled her head this last time, I ended it.

“C’mon here,” I said in a more authoritative tone than usual.

I lifted from the bed, pulling the bedding back. With my index and middle finger, I motioned her to me. “Music Note, don’t argue with me. You’re tired,” I said before the wrinkles could form on her forehead.

Jhae snuggled down into the bed and I secured her elbow before she could settle. I pulled her into me, trapping her with my hand. She turned her back to me in one rough motion. I tugged her stubborn ass closer to me, removing the gap she left.

“Your resistance turns me on. You should keep doing it,” I said and kissed her earlobe.

She was out in ten minutes with her light snores.

Holding her sent the rhythm of my heart into overdrive.

I’ve dreamed of the day I could hold her in my arms. She smelled of fruit and passion.

Jhae rolled over, facing me, and I observed her beauty.

Everything on her face was molded to perfection by her lips and nose.

A hard thunder boomed and Jhae’s eyes rushed open as she jumped.

She tried raising up, but I stopped her forward movement.

“I got you, Music Note. It’s thunder,” I whispered, and she laid back down, closing her eyes.

She moved her head more into my chest and I didn’t want to go to sleep. I wanted to stay awake all night and take mental pictures of her beautiful face.

“I’m not doing it,” Jhae said, as I ear hustled from the sitting area.

Jhae couldn’t wait to push me out of the bedroom this morning. She found herself enjoying our cuddling session and malfunctioned.

Marquise

Are we leaving today?

Me

Yes

Marquise

Is Jhae coming?

Me

Yep

Marquise

Do she know she leaving?

Me

Nope.

“I’m going to pay Moe out of my own pocket...”

Jhae shut the door and proceeded to whisper.

Marquise

I couldn’t believe Aunt India busted in on us last night.

Me

What happened?

Marquise

I was watching these girls having a threesome, and she walked in. Made everybody leave.

Me

lmao

Marquise

Shit it was cool tho. Me and Auntie played video games for two hours.

I switched threads and texted Tyrus.

Me

Give me Moe’s contact info for payment.

Tyrus

Sure thing.

Banking numbers and Moe’s contact information hit my phone. I called him instead of texting.

“Hello,” Moe said.

“Moe, I’ll keep this quick. I’m Jhae’s new business partner. How much do you charge per beat and can she record her album in L.A.,” I said.

Silence stood between us.

“I charge $120,000 a beat and she can record in any studio. In person would be better,” Moe said.

“She is going back to L.A. today, but I’ll cover your occasional travel to L.A. if needed. How many songs does she traditionally have on an album?” I asked.

“Ten, but production does not include any features at that price,” he said.

“I’ll send two million to get things moving and pay accordingly. I’ll have my personal banker wire transfer it. Give him ten minutes. Jhae’s name will appear in the memo line of the transaction. Log this number. I don’t want her to worry about money. She needs to be focused on the music,” I said.

“Alright, and your name?” he asked.

“Business partner,” I said, and we hung up.

I called my banker after sending Moe’s banking information and instructions. Being high profile, he knew how to keep my information private. I returned to my text messages.

Me

Moe has two million toward Jhae’s album. I need the label paperwork.

Tyrus

Working on it.

Me

You got about five days. I don’t play with Wifey’s career.

Tyrus

Oh, I know.

“Malcolm . . . no!” Jhae screamed.

I sat back as she stood in front of me with folded arms. We entered her sixth or seventh meltdown in two days. Leaning forward, I pulled her to me by her thighs.

“Malcolm, I can’t allow you to do this,” she said.

“Too late. Moe has the money, but you need to get packed,” I said.

“Packed for what?” Jhae asked with bunched brows.

“Home. Moe said he will send you the tracks. The jet will be ready within an hour.”

“To get a divorce, be friends, and business partners?” she questioned.

I chuckled as I rubbed the back of her thigh. “Husband and wife, business partners, and friends,” I said.

She caught my hand and pushed it away from her leg. “Are you crazy? I’m not going back to L.A. until you start being Malcolm again. I’m not losing my friend because her son can’t keep his hands to himself,” she said.

I pulled my wallet out of my back pocket, removing my license and handing it to Jhae.

“What’s this?” she stared.