Page 20 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Nine

Panic Room

Malcolm

S itting in the back of the SUV, amusement covered me as I held hands with Jhae.

The photographer and her staff apologized several times before we left the shoot.

She explained shirtless photos gain more traction on social media.

It’s about views and engagement. Jhae gave her a faint response and fake smiled before we exited.

“Steve, take us by the property before we head back to L.A.,” I said.

I nudged Jhae’s hand to request her attention. She continued to focus on the scenery outside the window. With my thumb, I continued to caress her hand to hopefully soften her hard exterior. It took us thirty minutes to pull up to the land I bought. Steve moved to open the door, but I paused him.

I exited and walked in front of the car to Jhae’s side. Lifting the handle, I pulled her door open. She remained seated, focused on Steve. I ducked my head inside, reaching across her to unbuckle her seat belt.

“Baby, will you please get out? I want to show you something,” I asked before I nudged my lips and nose behind her ear.

I heard the click of the seat belt and pulled it across her petite frame.

“Music Note,” I said into the side of her face.

“Okay.”

Stepping backward, I ducked out of the car and helped her down. With our hands tangled, I led her to the empty lot with overgrown grass. I brought Jhae’s hand to my mouth and kissed her brown, glowing skin.

“What are we supposed to see?” Jhae asked.

“I closed on this land to build the family compound, including our house,” I said.

Jhae’s head shifted upward. “Our house?” she questioned.

“Yes, our house. My parents are in the middle. Marquise and I are on the opposite side. We passed where the gate would be. There will be a community pool for us to use. I already have your recording and rehearsal studio in our blueprints,” I said.

Jhae closed her eyes and sighed.

“Wait... Anissa agreed to give up her space? Khalil’s house was better and more luxurious, but he moved in with her. She isn’t giving up her house,” Jhae said.

I scratched my faded beard as I peered down. Jhae called me on it. Mom loved her house and wasn’t giving it up. We had a family vote to move into Pops’s house, but she vetoed it. Instead, he created an indoor and outdoor space in her premarital home.

“My parents are getting old. Mom will get on board,” I said, and Jhae rolled her eyes.

“And Marquise is not giving up the condo. Where is he going to take his women?” she questioned.

By the time the houses were built, I had hoped he would have one woman. He agreed to the property because I strong-armed him into it.

“Marquise is moving to the family residence,” I said.

“Malcolm, you cannot make plans for people without talking to them,” she said.

Yes, I can, I thought to myself. My family needed some encouragement, but they would give in after seeing the vision. I’d been preparing for Mom for a while. If she folds, Pops and Marquise will follow.

“I’m not moving out here,” Jhae said.

“Where do you plan to be?” I questioned.

Jhae viewed the property before finding my eyes again. “On someone’s mantle if you don’t agree to the annulment. Anissa is going to kill me,” she said.

“You give Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies too much power. Mom is all bark. She is going to be pissed off we’re married, but give her time; she will get over it,” I said.

She retreated, tossing her hands in the air. “I’ve been in the boardroom with the woman. She gets down with the best of them and she knows everybody,” she reminded.

Jhae was correct. Anissa was a shark in the big part of the ocean. Sports were her bread and butter, but not her only ventures. I’ve seen her cut checks and shake hands with politicians, developers, and owners of corporations.

“And she wants me to be happy,” I said.

“She does, but not with her best friend. I’m hungry, it’s hot, and you need to schedule an appointment with Dr. June,” she said, and I snickered.

Returning to the car, I watched as Jhae’s toned but small ass bounced in the orange plunged T-shirt dress. Without heels, her legs still grabbed a man’s attention.

“Steve, please stop at Vine,” I said.

My stomach churned in hunger pains. Breakfast wasn’t an option with us running out the door.

Me

Marquise, stopping by our spot.

The text didn’t settle before he sent me his order.

The same one I knew by heart, a grilled chicken sandwich.

Steve pulled near the sidewalk, and I climbed out first. I extended my hand to Jhae, and she took it to step down to the sidewalk.

Before I could kiss her hand, she snatched it backward.

Per usual, the Vine was filled with people.

They were the only health-conscious place with food you could actually taste.

I held the door open for her after she refused to hold my hand.

The earth tone painted walls, wooden tables, and hanging plants lent to the vision and menu.

Jhae stood in front of me as we waited in line.

As we moved up, I caught eyes with my mother.

Jhae saw Mom and tried running, but I blocked her path.

“Be yourself, Jhae,” I said and turned her around.

With my hand on her back, her body trembled as she stiffened.

“Malcolm,” Mom said, giving me a side hug and kiss.

“Jhae, are you okay? Were you running from me?” Mom asked, and Jhae struggled to get her words together.

I moved us forward with someone exiting the line. “She was telling me you were here,” I covered.

“Yeah,” Jhae said with a trembling voice.

“Jhae, we are past due to hang out. Marquise said he was coming to rescue his sister. From what? I don’t know. But it gives me some free time,” Mom said.

My wife’s mouth opened and closed, but no words exited.

“Are you okay? Jhae, your behavior has been all over the place. I know you’re recording an album but I’m worried,” Mom expressed her concerns to Jhae, reaching for her hand.

I pinched Jhae’s back to wake her up from her trance, and her chest jumped

“Yeah, I’m good. Like you said, the album. I’m under quite a bit of pressure.”

Mom pulled Jhae in for a hug, but my wife’s body stiffened.

“For a second there, you and Malcolm appeared to be a couple. Son, you were a little too close to Jhae,” she said and kissed my cheek.

After Mom exited Vine, my Music Note glared at me. “I’m leaving today,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I respect your choice, but I’m going to follow you. Where are we moving to?” I said as I returned her stare.

She tightened her nose, squinting her almond-shaped eyes before snatching her body around.

Jhae

Anissa catching me with Malcolm stood as a clear sign for me to run.

The trapped air in my lungs pushed my heart to pound against my chest. The thought of hurting her turned my stomach.

I hate to hurt Malcolm, but he would get over it with time.

He had plenty of opportunities to meet someone else.

Stepping to the counter, I moved. Malcolm crowded me and ordered my favorite salad, green juice, and more items.

“One hundred even,” the server said.

“Marquise! Marquise!” a youthful voice said.

Two high school aged boys appeared next to us with basketballs.

Malcolm paid for our food and slapped hands with them, pretending to be his brother.

The first time I observed them switch identities, I was speechless.

They did it without effort. Although they were identical, they didn’t resemble each other enough for people to get them confused.

“What am I signing?” he asked as we moved to the side.

“To JaShon,” the teen boy said, unable to keep his composure as he danced. “Tell Malcolm I’m coming for him on the three-point line,” he bragged.

“Not too much on my brother,” Malcolm teased.

I shook my head and caught eyes with Chasity. She cut through the tables to get away from me. Leaving Malcolm behind, I trailed her outside the doors.

“Chasity, where the hell have you been? Why is your phone off?” I asked.

She smirked as she gave me a faint shoulder shrug. “I’m glad I found you. I need you to give a statement about us drinking at club After.”

“Hey, Malcolm or Marquise,” Chasity said with uncertainty.

I waved her lustful eyes back to me. “It’s Malcolm, but I need your number and your statement,” I said.

“Malcolm, Jhae thinks we hung out at the club after the All-Star game. She was sober when I left you guys at the game,” she said. My mouth parted as she stepped closer to me. “You’re not messing with my money!”

Our black car pulled up and Steve opened the door. I squinted in Chasity’s direction as she strolled down the sidewalk.

“It’s amazing how the color green triggers amnesia,” Malcolm said into my ear, following it with a kiss.

With anger, I wiped away the residuals of his kiss. “You paid her, didn’t you?” I asked. Malcolm shrugged to antagonize me.

The volume of the TV was blasting as we stood outside the door. We walked to discover Marquise glaring at the TV in confusion with his phone in hand.

“The Basketball League has implemented a new mid-season championship game. The winners of the championship game get the cash prize. We’re being told the commissioner has contacted the teams. Mandatory meetings will be held in the coming days. I’m Madison Reed with USPN The Sports Shakeup.”

Malcolm placed the bag of food to Marquise’s chest and glared at him. I assumed he wanted an explanation for why we could hear the TV by the elevator.

“What sense does it make to have a mid-season championship game? The season starts in October and then we jump into the championship game,” Marquise said as he removed his grilled chicken sandwich out of his bag.

I sat on the couch with no intention of asking questions. Hell, I had to google how to read their schedule.

“Mom must don’t know about this change. I saw her not even ten minutes ago, and she didn’t mention it,” Malcolm said.

Marquise shifted his body to his brother. “Mom knew and she didn’t say anything?” Marquise repeated.