Page 28 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Twelve

Box Out

Malcolm

W hile Jhae was getting pampered, I logged into a scheduled call with my therapist.

“Malcolm,” Dr. June said.

From the paintings in the background, I confirmed she was in her home office. I smiled back in her direction.

“Hello, Dr. June,” I greeted.

“It’s always a delight to see you. Tell me where you would like to start?” she asked.

I released a brash sigh. “Jhae and I have decided to be in a relationship. We were married a few months ago in secret,” I said and paused to read her facial expression.

“Please continue,” she encouraged.

“My wife is worried about Mom ending their friendship to the point that she is ignoring her calls. She said something about mourning the relationship. I’m conflicted.

The woman I know as my mother is levelheaded and thoughtful.

Would she be mad? At first, but I thought it would blow over. Am I being na?ve?” I asked.

“No. As people, we experience each other differently. It’s about how people show up in your life.

Anissa has a softer hand with you and Marquise.

Think about her dynamics in the boardroom versus how she is with your father.

I can’t say she will react harshly to Jhae any more than I can say she will accept it.

What’s important is what we discussed. You and Jhae are now a family unit.

It’s important for you two to create boundaries and safe places for each other,” Dr. June said.

I sat back and combed through my thoughts about Mom. I’ve witnessed her shred deals apart for clients but yield to Pops. With Jhae, sometimes it was as if she transformed into a young woman again.

“I need to talk to Jhae, but I’m uneasy. Of course, I will defend my wife and our marriage, but I want to respect my mother,” I said.

“Defending doesn’t require disrespect. It’s stating the rules with a calm hand but enforcing them when needed.

Continue to show up in your mother’s life unless she expresses something different.

It may be a good idea to gather your support systems before you tell her about the relationship.

Not to rally them to yourself but to offer support to whomever needs it,” Dr. June said and nodded.

“You’ve given me quite a bit to dissect. I may have to email you with more questions.”

“My email is always open to you, Malcolm. Any progress with Toni?” she asked.

I smiled back, thinking about the lunch we had two months ago between games. We’ve been texting, and I’ve enjoyed expanding our relationship.

“Things are good. We are taking things slowly. I’ve learned quite a bit about myself the more I get to know her. I wish she had more confidence in our relationship,” I said.

Dr. June gave me a soft but curious smile. She also knew when I was giving half-truths.

“Marquise,” she said.

I dropped my head and shook it. He wanted no part of Toni.

“He continues to block her after I unblock her,” I said. Dr. June’s eyes widened at my statement. “The perk of being a twin, but he doesn’t trust her or her family,” I said.

“Has he pulled the protector position on you?” she asked, and I chuckled as she smiled.

“No, only because I’ve been keeping him in the dark. We’re going to need a therapy session to handle him and Toni.”

“My door is always open. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to listen to his perspective on the matter,” Dr. June said.

For the next twenty minutes, I listened as she spoke about fear of change and family dynamics. She gave me tools for how to approach the hard conversations with Jhae and Marquise before hanging up. I ended the video call with loaded thoughts.

Two taps on the door interrupted my jumbled words. It had to be Marquise. Jhae had another hour of pampering. I chuckled at how she skipped out of here with my credit card.

Checking the peephole, I confirmed it was Marquise. I moved behind the door, allowing him inside.

“I wouldn’t touch the table,” I warned as I walked behind him.

He paused and faced me with a proud smile. “Damn, my brother laying down the law,” he said and flopped on the bed.

I thought about my conversation with Dr. June. “Quise, let me talk to you about something.”

“Please don’t tell me you and Jhae are tripping again,” he said.

Marquise covered his eyes with his arm after he asked his question.

“No. How do you feel about me and Jhae and be honest?” I said.

Marquise lifted from the bed, giving me his full attention. “You know I love Jhae. She is family, and she is your true love. I mean, are you having second thoughts?” he asked.

I jerked my head back at his statement.

“Hell nawl. Jhae is my heart, but I don’t think Mom is going to be as open as I hoped. I need to know you’ve got my back during the hard and rough parts.”

Marquise jerked his head backward this time.

“Mom isn’t unreasonable. She will be pissed, but she will calm down. You know I always got your back,” he said.

I released a nervous breath as I rubbed my beard.

“If she doesn’t, I’ve ruined her and Jhae’s friendship. It’s going to be hard for me to live with. What if Mom tries to disown me or something?” I questioned.

Marquise stood on his feet and captured my shoulders. “Mom is not going to disown you. She took us in when nobody wanted us. Pops always got our back. If she tries, we’ll make her take us back,” he said.

I shook my head, accepting his statement. Usually, his protectiveness required me to reel him back in, but I needed his reassurance.

“You’ve got to believe it if you expect Jhae to buy it,” he continued

“Yeah, you’re right I had a moment of doubt because Jhae is giving up on her relationship with mom.”

“We will fix this if it goes left.”

“While we’re fixing things, how can I get you and Momma Toni back on track?” I questioned.

Marquise dropped his head before putting space between us.

“Not gonna happen. Please stop unlocking my phone and unblocking the fraud you know as Toni,” he continued.

“Why is she a fraud, exactly?” I questioned.

He slumped his shoulders as if he were a disappointed parent. “She wants your money, bro. After you meet the rest of the family, they will be calling for loans. Leave the past in the damn past,” he said.

I knew he wasn’t fond of Toni, but I wasn’t sure how far his anger went until now. Everything about this posture, tightening jaw line and eyes spoke of his disapproval.

“She hasn’t asked for any money,” I confirmed.

“And she betta not. She knows what I told her. I don’t play about my brother,” he said.

I folded my arms across my chest before I asked. “What did you tell her?”

“Not to ask you for a fucking thing. Keep her greedy hands to herself.”

“Because you are my protector,” I inserted.

Marquise moved closer as he sighed. “Correct. Somebody has to be.”

“Does your protection of me extend to Jhae?” I questioned.

Marquise bit down hard on his bottom lip. “Jhae was included whether you married her or not. Stop talking to me about those frauds. We’re in paradise and I don’t have a date for tonight,” he said.

I chuckled at his statement but outstretched my arms in his direction, motioning for a hug.

“I’m not hugging you. We’re grown men,” he said.

“Marquise, get yo ass over here and hug me. Pops hugs you all the time.”

“He is our father,” he countered.

“We shared a womb,” I said.

When Marquise didn’t move, I moved closer, and he rocked his shoulders from side to side, emulating a boxer. Marquise tried avoiding my playful headlock, but he wasn’t quick enough. After an unserious squabble, we headed toward the door.

“Let’s find you a steady girlfriend,” I said.

“Take me to my room,” he joked.

Jhae

I tipped the people at the front desk with Malcolm’s black card before I exited the door. From head to toe, I was rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the rest of the island.

“Refreshed?”

I shifted to the left to find Malcolm and Marquise closing in on me. The sight of my husband in blue palm tree printed drawstring shorts and a fitted white tee sent a smile to my face.

“Yes. Now I need a nap,” I said.

Marquise leaned his upper body backward. “Nap. Did you say a nap? Napping is for old people... Aw shit. You’re what, thirty?”

I squinted my eyes in his direction.

“Jhae, you gotta work as my wingman. You can sleep later,” Marquise continued to tease.

Malcolm sat next to us and chuckled as Marquise and I squared off.

“We have a reservation to eat on the boat and then jet ski,” Malcolm informed after his long muscular arm wrapped around my waist.

I rolled my eyes at his brother before giving my attention to my husband.

“I want to drive a jet ski,” I requested with excitement.

“Hellll nawl,” Marquise and Malcolm both said in unison.

My mouth opened but shut at their response. “I can drive,” I said, stepping in front of them.

“Yeah, bumper cars. Mom and Malcolm don’t have the heart to tell you. But you cannot drive. The people in L.A. are safe and happy with you being down here,” Marquise said.

My mouth formed into an O at his response. Malcolm focused his attention on an inanimate object while he rubbed his fade.

“Malcolm.”

When he didn’t jump in to defend me, I sucked my teeth.

“There goes Dave, with our boat,” he said, grabbing my hand.

“I can drive,” I mumbled underneath my breath as we walked to our car.

It was nightfall before we returned to our private suites. The jet skis and good fish tacos had me ready to crash. I opened the door to our private room and my mouth dropped.

A blanket of red roses covered the floor. Floating tea candles and flowers adorned our walk out pool. Malcolm locked the door behind us, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Music Note, I want to make love to you on the bed of roses,” he whispered in my ear.

I blushed as he finished his words.

“But first I need to give you something?”

Malcolm released me and walked over to the desk we had fun on earlier.

He pulled open the drawer and retrieved a black box.

I covered my mouth with both hands. Malcolm went down on one knee, popping open the lid to an oval-shaped platinum diamond ring.

It’s the ten-carat one I showed him at his mother’s wedding.

“Jhae, I know we’re already married, but it’s important to me to still ask. I’ve returned your masters to you. Tyrus has the paperwork. I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. Will you marry me again, but the proper way?” Malcolm asked.

I shook my head yes because I couldn’t find the air in my lungs to say it. Tears ran down both cheeks as he put the ring on my finger. It fit to perfection, and I didn’t want to know why. He had access to my condo. I’m sure he took a ring for reference.

“I love you,” I said first this time.

Malcolm stood, pulling me into his arms. “I’ve always loved you, Mrs. Malcolm Shaw-Jefferies.”