Page 23 of Pieces of Us

Now, it was my turn to frown. It was no secret that she never liked me. Although Hemi always told me that she was a friend of the family, I always felt there was some underlying feelings she had toward him whenever I’d see her around. Not to mention, she used to try to bully me in school.

“You got some sort of problem with me, Diana? I always felt like you did,” I asked.

She smirked slightly. “Nah…There’s no problem. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you with my leftovers.”

“Diana, cool the fuck out,” Nehemiah warned.

“Leftovers?”

“Oh, he didn’t tell you?”

“Mo, let’s go.” Nehemiah took my hand, trying to pull me away, but I snatched my hand away.

“No, but why don’t you tell me?”

“Wow, Hemi. You didn’t tell her that our divorce was only a month ago?”

“Divorce? You married her?” I asked in shock.

“He sure did.”

“It definitely wasn’t my choice. You know that, Mo.”

“Yeah, but…her? The same broad that put gum in my hair and hid my trainers right before a tournament?”

“Yeah, me. And I didn’t do those things to you. My friends did.”

“Because you told them to. I always knew you wanted him. How long were you two married for?”

“Morgan.” I held my hand up to his mouth as I stared at Diana.

“Ten years.” She informed me with a smirk on her face.

“Wow…I guess he wanted you too.”

“That’s a lie. I never wanted her, and she knew it.

Our fathers forced that shit on us, Morgan.

You know the story behind that shit, so don’t trip.

It’s me and our daughter’s birthday. Let’s not ruin the night, baby.

I’ll explain more when we get home.” Nehemiah tried to convince me, but I knew there was more to the story.

“Daughter?” she asked, frowning.

“Yes. I had his baby. She’ll be fourteen tomorrow. Enjoy the concert,” I told her, walking away, but I pivoted. “Oh, and while you’re talking about leftovers, remember I had this nigga first while you were begging on the sidelines.”

I headed toward the concession stand instead of the restrooms because that good feeling I had was gone.

“Morgan…”

“It’s okay, Nehemiah. I’m not mad. Just disappointed that the same woman who lowkey tried to bully me and always said that you were going to be her man actually became your woman…your wife. Did you love her?”

“I will always have love for Diana, but I never loved her or was in love with her like I am with you. I don’t want you to feel a way about this, Mo. That marriage didn’t mean shit to me.”

I sighed deeply and nodded. I was hurt that he married her. That woman did everything in her power to make me feel insecure. She would make it her business to share stories about how Nehemiah would sleep over at her house or she would sleep over at his.

I trusted Nehemiah, though, so she never made me feel as if our relationship was being threatened.

Chelsea and Shelby used to make sure she never got close to him when I wasn’t around, so I believed and trusted my man.

But to be married to her for ten years? Forced or not, he married my arch nemesis.

“I don’t want to dwell on that. Let’s just enjoy the concert and your birthday.” I dismissed him.

Yes, I was jealous. I knew I shouldn’t have been, but he married Diana Wilson, was having sex with her, and even said he was trying to make a baby with her.

That was my ring he put on her finger. Just thinking about it had me even more vexed with my father and myself for allowing him to dictate my life.

Hell, I was even pissed at Justin’s raggedy ass.

Because I didn’t want to be the rebellious kid, I went with the flow, and it cost me and Megan years without Nehemiah and almost cost me to never be with him like this again. I didn’t care what Nehemiah said. He had to have loved her enough to want to give her a baby.

Nehemiah turned me to face him. My eyes instantly watered looking at my first true love.

So many roadblocks stood in our way the moment we got together, and it took now fourteen years for me to see him again.

I loved this man with my soul and hated that life took us in different directions, being with two different people who we didn’t love or want.

While Nehemiah may not have given Diana children, she still had his last name first, and that bothered me. It was supposed to be me.

“Don’t do that, Morgan.”

“I can’t help it. Everything is so messed up.”

“It’s not, baby. We’re here in this moment together. I got you back, and there’s no way anybody is going to fuck this up for us. I guarantee the next person that tries is going to get they ass handed to them.”

“You married that stupid broad.”

“And you married that lame ass nigga and gave my daughter his last name, so we’re even. Did he sign her birth certificate?”

“No! That was one thing I wouldn’t allow him to do. She wasn’t his. I didn’t care what the doctors or my father said. I may have given her his last name for school records, but your last name is on her birth certificate.”

He took a deep breath and let it out.

“I don’t want to ruin our day. Let’s just enjoy this time before you have to leave me.”

I nodded as he kissed my lips then moved up in the line. I hated this for us, but I was determined to end this season and start anew.

No one would ever replace the love I had for Nehemiah Newson, and Diana Wilson wasn’t getting her claws into my man. I was now and forever going to have his heart.