If You Don't Know Me (12 page)

“O
h, shit! What time is it?”

“Don't worry. It's only five,” Madison said, laying my son on my chest. “You still go in for eight, right?”

She had those blackout curtains in her bedroom. It seemed later. “Yeah but I need to get home. You sure that's the correct time?” Zach's head bobbed.

“Hold him, Roosevelt.”

“Hey, little fella. Your mom worries too much. I got you,” I said to my son, then told Madison, “Top of the morning to you.”

He stared at me and my heart softened. I hated that Loretta had called me. She'd put me in a fucked up mood. The way I'd treated Sindy after she'd been wonderful to me was messed up. Now I'd left her at my condo all night. Fuck!

I hadn't completely dismissed Loretta's comment about Granville being the father but it was best I did. That female was nothing but bad news. Asking Madison for sole custody last night was a test to see how she'd react but she'd fallen asleep before responding. My doubt was stupid on my part, especially since I had the results.

Madison took Zach from me. “Good morning. I see I wasn't the only one that was tired.”

“How the fuck I end up sleeping in your bed?”

She didn't answer.

Sitting on the edge of her mattress, I looked at the nightstand, then asked, “Where's my phone?”

“Right where you left it,” she said picking it up from the dresser. Handing me my cell, she said, “Everything happens for a reason. I have no regrets. Roosevelt, I love you with all my heart. I wish every night could be like last night.”

“What do you mean by that? You sounding like we had sex.”

She shrugged her shoulder. “Guess I'm still hopeful. Roosevelt, I want us to be a family. I don't want to be a single mom raising Zach in two different households.” Madison sat beside me with our son in her arms. “Isn't he beautiful? Doesn't he deserve to be raised the way we were?”

I stared at my wife. What she'd done was wrong but having my son was right. “What would be different?” I asked taking Zach. “I'm not sure I could love you the way I used to.”

“You'll never be sure, baby, if you don't try.”

“Try what?” I asked her. She made it seem like falling in or out of love only required the press of a button. I rocked my son. His eyes closed.

“For starters, I haven't broken my wedding vows, and I won't.”

Aw, here she goes. At this point fidelity didn't matter to me. Madison could sex whomever she wanted. That wasn't completely true. Long as she had my last name, I wanted her to keep her legs closed.

Madison continued, “What happened was before we said, ‘I do.' I made the biggest mistake of my life. I need you. We,” she said pausing for a moment before continuing, “need you.”

She probably thought her timing was impeccable. I didn't want to be cruel or hurt her feelings. I sat quietly. Was I that unforgiving? I wanted our son to have what we had too. A two-parent household.

“You know I'm seeing Sindy and I don't want to disrespect her or hurt her the way you did me. She has feelings too.”

Sharing another hour with Zach didn't matter at this point. Sindy would be pissed, gone, or both by the time I got home. I made a mental note to get Sindy's engagement ring.

“Sindy can find herself another man. She probably already has one you don't know about. But nothing can change the fact that I just had your baby. I love you, Roosevelt. Let's get counseling or something but don't go through with the divorce.”

Madison placed her hand on my thigh. This time I didn't jump. It didn't make sense for me to be confused. Sindy was the right choice. God had reassured me.

“I've got to go. I love you too. I promise you I'll pray on it again.”

I placed Zach in Madison's hands. She put him in his crib.

“I'll walk you to the door,” she said then pressed her lips to mine.

Instantly, I became weak for her. Was this the way Adam felt when he opened his mouth and took a bite of the forbidden fruit? Opening my mouth I welcomed in my Eve. Our tongues danced the way they used to. My chest swelled with the kind of energy that was undeniable.

Madison whispered, “Make love to me, Roosevelt.”

Blood rushed to my dick. She thrust her pussy against my hardness. My fingers undressed her gown, then unsnapped the bra she wasn't wearing last night. I kissed where her breasts used to be. Kneeling before my wife, I tugged her panties to the side and licked her sweetness.

“You still taste the same,” I moaned then sucked her clit.

Her hands caressed the back of my head as she released her juices into my mouth. I waited until she'd finished enjoying her orgasm. Instead of removing my pants, I let go of her lace panties, pulled her straps over her shoulders, then picked up my phone.

“I've got to go.”

“But—”

“But what if you get pregnant again? Plus, we're not the only two involved, Madison.
If
we're going to parent together, we have to do this right,” I said then left.

M
y cell rang. I pressed
IGNORE
.

It rang again. I did the same. The third time I answered, “What, Roosevelt?”

“Stop ignoring my calls. Where are you?”

I refused to ask, “Where were you all night?”

Sitting poolside at my house, I gazed up at the sun through my designer sunglasses. I sipped my mimosa, then replied, “I do have a business to operate.”

Being in love could be all good or an unnecessary headache. If he wanted to play games, he had the wrong woman. I'd called him three times last night. That was once more than my maximum to phone any man without a call or text back
and
he hadn't accepted any of my calls. Did he honestly believe I'd still be at his condo when he got there?

“I know what you must be thinking and I know you've cursed me out but—”

I interrupted, “Why would I do that without having all the facts associated with your disappearing act? Feel free to volunteer any pertinent information you so desire.”

Men loved for women to get emotional when they screwed up. That way they could tug on her strings as if she were a puppet and make her dance to his commands. Roosevelt couldn't even kiss my suntan oil–coated ass right now.

“I owe you an apolo—”

In a very low tone, I told him, “No you don't. Have a safe trip to wherever you're headed. I've got to—”

His voice quivering, he said, “Sindy, please. Hear me out.”

His actions had spoken louder than any explanation he'd give. He wasn't man enough to tell me the truth. I'd passed the bar! I was not going to let Roosevelt test me. He'd taken his ass to her house, probably fucked her, and now he was like most men, confused. I didn't care how horny I'd made him. He should've kept his dick in his pants.

“I've already heard you. You want her back. I wish the two of you the best.”

The tone of his voice said, “I'm guilty, babe,” without his confessing. He had to drive from her place to his. He didn't call while he was in the car because he was preoccupied with rehearsing his lies for me. Guilty as charged!

“Okay. Fine. I'll talk to you later. Bye,” he said then ended the call.

Defensive. That was another sign of guilt. I pressed
END
then sat my cell on the table. I felt like throwing it in the pool but what good would that do? I wasn't working from home or headed to my office. My heart was broken. My head was flooded with anger.

Biting my thumbnail, I hated that I'd secretly admired that man since he played college football. I had a chance to make him mine and he'd jeopardized our future to backtrack to trash. The trees surrounding my house stood tall. The branches were motionless. It was nine in the morning, no breeze, and we'd already reached eighty degrees.

Sipping my drink, I questioned if Roosevelt was worthy of having me. The one thing I was not going to do was pursue him or any man. His spending the night at Madison's was his choice. What he'd done sexually with her was his business. What if she had a sexually transmitted disease? If there were to be a next time for us, his wearing a condom would be mandatory. I was not touching his dick until he got tested.

His not responding to any of my calls was the worst. All of what he'd done let me know I needed to rethink my interest in him.

The world was filled with men who would love to have me as their woman, their wife. There was no pride or joy in my having a man who would worship me knowing he didn't deserve me. The billionaire who thought money could buy me should get his investment back from my father and marry a woman he knew. Maybe Siara was right. What harm would it do if I met the man in Dubai?

My truth was, I was in love with Roosevelt. And what he'd done, hurt.

I texted Nyle: Dig her up. Take photos. Show me what you have when you get back.

Roosevelt made me feel excitement in my heart and twitching in my vagina at the same time. His aura drew me closer to him. Admiration and exhilaration drew me closer to Roosevelt but I was not competing for a man if she already had the trophy. Nor was I going to allow sensitivity to make me have doubt.

Finishing my drink, I stepped into my pool. A few laps would've decreased my frustration if I hadn't imbibed alcohol. Leaning back, I floated. Staring at the sky through dark-colored lenses was my life in this moment.

I did not want a package deal. I was willing to take on Madison, not Roosevelt and Madison. I'd decided to give Roosevelt the space he needed to choose which woman he wanted.

I was cutting off all communication with him, starting now.

“V
ermont, I took your advice. I did it!” I screeched.

I'd won! I pranced in the center of my bedroom. Focusing on the task, I resumed packing. There was no hope for little Miss Sindy. I had to move quickly. Soon as Roosevelt left, I fed then burped our son. Zach was asleep. By the time he was hungry again we'd be home sweet home.

I shoved onesies, booties, and outfits in the middle section, then zipped the bag. Pacifier, bottles, diapers, and formula went in the side compartments. Whatever I didn't have I'd buy online and have it delivered to The Royalton. Or I could come back for more.

“And?” he asked.

Priority number one was establishing position. “You were right. Roosevelt wants us to come home. I'm packing as we talk.” We had to get out of here.

“Isn't he in Kansas?”

The questions were starting to slow me down. “Yes, he is. What's your point? I thought you'd be happy for me.”

“He asked you?”

As I exhaled heavily, the joy in my voice dissipated. “Yes he did. In so many words.” It was clear to me. Roosevelt wanted us back. I was saving him from having to ask.

“Madison, divorce is a serious matter. Don't play—”

“That's Roosevelt calling.” I ended my conversation with Vermont and answered, “Hi, honey.”

“Madison, don't act as though everything is good. I'm heading to the airport later. Got a lot to do before I take off. I'm calling to tell you we need to talk when I get back,” he said.

Ignoring the fact my husband sounded sad, I asked, “About?” Forget doing things right. His call had something to do with Sindy and I didn't want to hear it.

“Us.”

I led him in my direction. “Are you saying what I think?”

“Yes. I'll come see you when I return. Gotta go.”

“Okay,” I said. Not wanting to tell him bye, I waited until he ended the call before I did the same.

Checking my underwear drawer, I pushed my lace panties aside. That reminded me of Roosevelt making me cum with his mouth this morning. I needed that.

Good.
It was there. I held it up. Hugging the key to my chest, I waltzed around the room to the music in my head until my legs were tired.

I checked on Zach. He looked peaceful sleeping in his crib. I showered, slipped into the first dress my hands touched. I woke up Zach, gave him a quick bath, dressed him in a T-shirt, shorts, and socks, then put him back in his crib.

Racing to my car, I put our bags on the front seat, went back to get Zach. He was asleep. I scooped him up, carefully trotted down the stairs.

Opening the door, I was too late to escape. “Hi, Mom and Tisha.”

Mom, I was expecting. Tisha, not. Why did my girlfriend always pop up without calling? At first it was okay. If I didn't get rid of them before my favorite doorperson was off duty at Roosevelt's place, I might end up back here.

“Come to Godmommy,” Tisha said taking Zach.

“Come to Grandma,” my mother said taking my baby from Tisha.

Before I said, “Come in,” they were seated in my living room side by side on the sofa. I went to the kitchen, poured a mimosa. Downed it. Refilled my flute, prepared two more, then joined my mom and friend.

“I don't have long. We might as well have a quick toast before I'm off to my appointment,” I said handing them a mimosa. “To my mother's new hot and sexy look. Don't think I missed it.” I sat in the oversize chair Papa would normally sit in.

My mother's hair was silky straight and cropped into the sexiest bob I'd seen her with since I was a little girl. The edges lined her jaw.

“When did you do this, Mrs. Tyler?” Tisha asked easing the baby into her arms.

I had to get up, then lift and finger my mother's hair. Silk strands flowed into place. “You look hot. I love it.”

My mouth was still open. I admired the peachy cropped-sleeved dress that lightly hugged my mother's hips. Her legs crossed as she seductively swung her three-inch slingback.

“It's the new and old me. Seeing how nothing stops you from being a woman and watching Helen in your delivery all dressed up helped me realized I'd become detached from my womanhood.”

Tisha chimed in, “I like that, Mrs. Tyler. At toast to reclaiming womanhood.” A small sip crossed her lips as she placed the glass on the coffee table and began playing with Zach's thighs.

“Besides your obviously taking excellent care of yourself,” Mom asked, “What's happening with you, Tisha?”

“I not home-schooling my boys this year. I enrolled them. My ex-husband Lance is engaged. I'm legally divorced, dating, and happy.”

Tisha left out the part about the seven-figure settlement Lance gave her. I bet he wouldn't have given her that much if she hadn't filed for a divorce from Darryl. Couldn't blame him. A loser like Darryl would've sued Tisha for half. My reuniting with Roosevelt meant I didn't have to worry about money. I'd stay at home a year with our son then it was back to running Tyler Construction.

My mother smiled at Zach. Her eyes shined. That red lipstick made her appear years younger.

“Has Papa seen you?”

Shaking her head, she said, “He will. Whenever I get in.”

Papa was sure to adore Mama. “I'd love to continue this moment but I have to leave. If the two of you aren't busy later, we can do lunch.” The key to Roosevelt's condo was in my purse. It wouldn't matter in a half hour. If I were still here, I might as well stay.

Legs still crossed, Mother said, “I decided it was time to stop sitting home while your father runs around sleeping with wayward women.”

I took my son from Tisha. I believed Mom's makeover was to get Papa's attention.

Forcing a smile, I stood. “I'm happy if you are, Mom.” This conversation could be continued over the phone. She needed to get up. I had to go.

“I want you to know, I'm going to divorce your father.”

My smile vanished. I shook my head, sat in the chair. Zach had dozed off. “No, Ma. Don't do that.”

“I'm not asking for your blessings or permission, Madison. I've already consulted with Vermont. He's preparing the dissolution.”

Then what was her point in holding me captive?

Tisha picked up her mimosa, then commented, “I applaud you for making the decision, Mrs. Tyler.”

“If that's really what you want, Mom, I salute you. How long have you known about Papa's affairs?”

“Honey, those are not affairs. An affair is when two people care about one another but one or both of them are married. Your father has become a male whore.”

Jesus!
I screamed in my head. She made me think about Sindy. I'd never heard Mother speak a negative word about my dad. She was obviously just warming up and I was about to boil.

“Don't act like you're shocked. You know he's having his way with young girls in the office. Now that he thinks Chicago is going to fire him, he's been hanging around the house like a stray puppy dog. That's why I'm moving in with you.”

Oh no she was not. Avoiding eye contact, I asked, “Where is Papa? You should go home and show him your new look. Or, what you should do is have him meet you somewhere.”

Tisha sat listening attentively.

“My intentions were to be gone by the time he got up and not see him until tonight,” she said standing.

Finally. I exhaled, then stood. My mother took the baby and sat down beside Tisha.

Mom fingered Zach's cheek, then continued, “I've started volunteering my time to assist breast cancer survivors.”

Tisha said, “Mrs. Tyler, that's great.”

Tears clung to my eyelids. Not wanting to sound insensitive, I said, “Mom, that is great.”

“Madison, I can't begin to tell you how good I feel. I was wrong for not telling you about our family history of breast cancer. I've finally forgiven myself for that.”

How did we get here? Not this again. By the time I'd realized I'd rolled my eyes, my mom saw it. I redirected the conversation. “Speaking of forgiveness, I've got good news too. Roosevelt and I are getting back together.”

I expected my mother to be happy for me, like I was understanding of her situation. She returned my gesture as her eyelids closed then opened.

“You are your father's daughter. Why is everything always about you?” Mom asked.

Tisha hunched her shoulders, nodded, and remained quiet. They'd invaded my space, now I was the one under attack.

I wasn't self-centered. Reassured, yes. “Why would you say that, Mother?”

She stared into my eyes, then asked, “When are you going to tell your husband this baby isn't his?”