NO SECRETS NO LIES (SIN CITY HEAT SERIES Book 3) (8 page)

     "It's okay, baby." David kissed
Alexis’ cheek tenderly.

     Amir's head slowly turned towards them.
He eyed the other man up and down, as if sizing him up.
     “I just hate for Justin to be torn back and forth
between his mother and father like this,” David said.
     Amir’s laugh was almost rude. Sonuvabitch! Alexis
could sympathize and commiserate with another man about not being able to see
his son but had kept him away from his for ten years?? That was some bullshit!
His eyes drilled the message to hers, making sure she caught it  loud and
clear.
     David frowned, directing his attention to Amir.
Wanting to oblige the brotha if he had something he needed to get off his
chest, Amir turned around and stared directly at David.
     Alexis quickly stepped between them. “Uh, David, I
want you to meet my friend Sharon, and her husband Marvin.” David smiled and
shook hands with them before looking expectedly at
Amir.     

     Alexis swallowed and made the
introduction in a rush. "And this is Amir." She ignored the provocative
smirk that curled around Amir's lips. Alexis rolled her eyes in exasperation
when she saw the exact moment recognition replaced David’s scowl and he made
the connection. 

     “Hey. You’re Amir Montgomery, the
ex-football player, aren’t you?” A grin spread across David’s face. His
animosity from a second ago magically faded.

     Amir reluctantly reached out to shake the
outstretched hand David eagerly offered. 
     “It’s good to meet you, man. I can't tell you what a
big fan I was of yours back in the day. Followed your career from Morehouse to
the Falcons. You were a hell of a football player.”
     Amir heard Soul softly clear his throat, reminding him
to be polite and not make a scene. Amir pasted a half smile on his face that in
no way reached his eyes and begrudgingly spit out a lie in response. “Thanks.
Pleased to meet you.”
     “No, really it’s an honor. Maybe I can get your
autograph for my son before you leave today.”
     “No problem. How old is your son?” He felt Alexis
tense at the deceptively mild question. She already knew what was running
through Amir’s mind.
     “He’s eleven. He and Michael play on the same football
team. That’s how Lexie and I met.” He smiled over at Alexis. Then a thought
occurred to him. “Hey. The boys would really be psyched if you could come and
meet the team one day." David glanced at Alexis. “Speaking of Michael,
where is my buddy? Has he met Amir yet?? As much as he lives, eats, and
breathes the game of football, he's gonna be thrilled!"

     Amir’s mouth tightened as he glared at
Alexis.
     “David -" Alexis tried to cut him off but David
was oblivious to the tension clouding the air.
     “Oh there he is. He’s going to be disappointed that
his ‘brother’ couldn’t make it.” David smiled at Alexis as if it were a private
joke between the two of them.

     Amir was seconds away from going off when
Soul placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Amir clenched his teeth and remained
silent, but when he saw the other man's face light up after spotting Michael, he
had a vivid flashback from his glory days. An overwhelming urge to tackle David
as if he were a player on the opposing team tried to sorely tempt Amir.
Instead, he turned and watched his son run towards them full speed with a wide
stretched grin.
     “David! Hey, David!!” Michael launched himself at
David and threw his arms around his neck.  Destiny’s little legs pumped
hard to catch up with him.
     “Hey, sport! How are you?” David asked

     “I’m fine. Where’s Justin?” Michael
looked around when he didn't see his friend. 
     The smile slipped from David's lips a little. “He
couldn’t make it sport. But don’t worry, I’ll bring him over soon. Maybe the
four of us can go and see a movie next weekend.”
        
     As Amir watched the exchange between his son and a man
who he obviously cared about, he stuffed his hand into his pocket to hide his
balled up fist. He tried not to be upset or hurt, but it was hard to feel
otherwise. Alexis' apologetic stare was the last thing he wanted to see right
now. His hurt quickly turned to anger, which he directed at Alexis full force.

   Alexis touched David’s arm to get his attention. “Why
don’t you come with me. I was just getting ready to fix something to eat.”
     Michael immediately scowled. “Aw, Mom. I wanted David
to come with me to the dunking booth.”
     She looked down at her son. “Amir and Soul will take
you. And I suggest you go now if you want to have a little bit more time before
I call you in.”
     “But I’m not hungry.”
     “Michael….”
     Michael popped his lips and poked his mouth out.
“Okay. Dang.”
     Amir knew he should feel gratitude for Alexis
interceding on his behalf, but why should he feel gratitude for something she
should’ve done a long time ago?

Chapter
11

     Amir and Soul trailed behind Michael and
Destiny as they made their way over to the dunking booth. Soul looked at Amir.
     “You alright?”
     “Hell, no I’m not alright. What do you think?” he
snapped, but just as quickly released a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t
mean to take your head off.”
     “Nah, it's okay. Believe me I can’t even begin to
guess how you’re feeling right now. Look, go catch up with your son, start
getting to know each other. Destiny and I are goin’ over to the princess booth.”
     Amir’s look was grateful as he stood behind Michael.
The minute Soul scooped Destiny up, she started kicking and screaming while
reaching for Michael over Soul's shoulder, but Soul turned her around and
pointed to the "royal castle".  When she saw the colorful
dresses, crowns, and slippers, her tears dried up quickly.
     “Where’s Mr. Soul going with Destiny,” Michael asked
looking after them.
     “He’s taking her to a different booth. We’ll catch up
with them later.”
     Michael looked up at Amir, then shyly ducked his head
and kicked at the dirt with the toe of his shoe. Amir leaned down and braced
his hands on his knees, putting him eye level to his son. “So you like to play
football, huh?”
     Michael raised his head with an air of excitement
sparkling in his eyes at the mention of his favorite sport. “Yeah! I love
football. I’m the best on my team.”

     Amir laughed. He knew Michael wasn't
being boastful just stating a fact. “What position to you play?”
     “Wide receiver.  I lead the league in scoring.”
     Amir nodded, not in the least bit surprised. Of course
he did. “I used to play football. Maybe one day we can throw the ball around. I
can give you some pointers.”
     “Okay.” Michael stared at Amir with a slight frown.

     Amir smiled, recognizing the expression
on his son’s face as one of his own. “What’s wrong?”
     Michael hunched his shoulders and didn’t say anything
for a moment, but continued to study Amir closely. “You look kinda familiar.”
     Amir squatted down. “Well. You probably know me from
football. I used to play years ago, or maybe you’ve seen me on a TV commercial
or hosting a sports show."
     “You…you sorta look like me.”
     Amir’s breath caught in his chest. He cocked his head
to the side, the same time his son did. Here was that moment he thought would
come later on tonight. Apparently fate had a different timeline.
     “Are you my father?” Michael asked with the innocent
forthrightness only a child possesses.
     Caught off guard, Amir looked down and cleared his
throat before meeting his son's inquisitive eyes. “Yes.” The word came out
gruff and shaky. Clearing his throat again, he repeated the answer strong and
clear. “Yes. I’m your father, Michael.”
     Michael's eyes slid away from Amir's as he stared down
at the ground. He seemed deep in thought as if he was processing what Amir just
confirmed. Then he looked up smiled.
     Amir returned the smile. He pulled Michael to him,
squeezing him tight. His eyes closed when Michael’s arms hugged him back. They
stayed that way for a while until Michael pulled away.
     “Do you live in Atlanta? I mean…you’re not…gonna leave
or anything, are you?”
     Amir shook his head. “No. I’m not leaving. I’m not
going anywhere.”
     Michael apparently heard something in Amir's voice
that put him at ease. He grinned and took Amir’s hand. “Cool. Come on, Dad.
Let’s go to the dunking booth.”
     Amir froze and stared at his son. He stood up,
blinking rapidly and cleared his throat again. “After you.”
       Amir and his son went from one booth to
the other. Every other word out of Michael’s mouth was ‘Dad this’ or ‘Dad
that’.
     “Dad, let’s try the baseball throw…”
     “Dad, I won, did you see me…”   

      Amir couldn’t keep the smile off of
his face. After about an hour, Soul and Destiny joined them at the tattoo
booth. “Here you are. Sharon and Alexis sent me to find you two. Alexis was
ready to come and get you thirty minutes ago, but I told her I’d just seen you
guys and you looked like you were having a blast. Now she’s gettin’ antsy,
because li'l man here hasn’t eaten since breakfast.”
     “Aww, man. I’m not hungry. We were going to climb the
wall next.” Michael pointed to the rock climbing wall set up on the other side
of the grounds.
     “We’ll come back after you eat. If we don’t go now,
your mother is going to skin us alive,” Amir smiled down at his son.
     “Alright. Mom is such a girl, Dad,” he said in a voice
he was sure only another male would understand.
     Soul quickly looked at Amir when heard Michael call
him Dad. Amir laughed. “Yes, she is definitely that. But don't let her hear you
say it, though. Some things are best kept between us guys.”

     Michael smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Mr. Soul, did you know this is my Dad?”
     Soul looked at him and smiled. “Well, I do now.” Soul
scratched his head. “To be honest, I don’t know how I didn’t see it when I
first looked at you.”
     “Yeah. We sorta look alike. Come on, Dad. Race
ya!" He took off before the words left his mouth. Amir laughed and ran
after him.
     “Hey! Wait for us!” Soul yelled.
 
 
     As before, Michael flew into the tent and ran straight
for his mother. Amir grabbed him moments before he crashed into a couple
getting up from their table. Michael and Amir looked at each other and laughed.
Alexis saw the exchange from her table, and breathed a sigh of relief that they
were getting along so well. She just hoped her son would understand once they
explained to him Amir was his father. It didn't take long to find out there was
no need to worry.
     “Mom! Mom!!” Michael ran and grabbed his mother around
the waist, looking up into her face with barely contained excitement.
     “Hi, baby,” Alexis smiled down at him. She picked up a
napkin from the table and wiped a spot of dirt from Michael’s face.
     “Did you have fun, sport?” David asked. Michael didn’t
even look David's way.
     “Did you know that he’s my Dad??” Michael pointed to
Amir.
     "What?" Alexis hand stilled mid-wipe. Her
eyes met Amir’s accusingly.

     Amir stared back at her defiantly then
slipped his sunshades on. The angel on his left shoulder calmly advised him to
explain what happened before the fire simmering from her in waves blazed into
an inferno. But, just as quickly, the devil sitting on his right side whispered
he really didn’t have to justify anything that had to do with
his
son.
It only took a split second to decide which voice he would listen to when David
stood up as if he was Alexis' knight in shining armor.
     “Alexis. Honey, are you okay. Do you want to leave?”
David put one arm around Lexie and the other around Michael as if shielding
them from Amir’s very presence.
       Amir took a step towards him, but Soul,
knowing his friend like the back of his hand quickly stepped in front of him.
“Mir, not here, not now."
     Alexis kissed the top of Michael’s head while still
glaring at Amir. “Honey, stay here with David. I need to speak to your…I’ll be
right back.”
     Alexis brushed past Amir as she walked outside, not
even looking back to see if he was following.
     “Dad, you’re coming
 
back, right?” Michael grabbed his father’s hand and looked up at him
with eyes brimming full of trust.

     Amir ran a hand over his son’s head and
kissed his forehead. “Yes. I just need to speak with your mother for a second.”
      Without taking his eyes off David, Amir told
Soul, "Watch my son. I won’t be long."

     Once he got outside, he found Alexis
standing a ways off impatiently tapping her toe. “Look, before you say anything-"
     “How could you?! Amir, how could you tell him! I
thought we agreed to tell him tonight -  together!”

     “Alexis, I didn’t...”
     "You had no right!”
     That statement pushed him over the edge. Amir was in
Alexis' face within half a second. Hovering over her, he barely contained his
fury. “I had no right??
I had no RIGHT??
I have
every
right. He’s
my son! And, yes, now he knows! He should’ve known nine years, six months, and
twelve days ago!"

     "It wasn’t your decision to make. We
agreed to tell him tonight!"

     "Just like it wasn’t my decision to
be an absentee father and not know my son? Don’t speak to me about
rights!"
     Alexis stood there breathing hard, chest heaving,
hands on her hips. “I explained why I made the decisions I did.”
     “I didn’t tell him. He guessed.”
     “You expect me to believe that?! Please! And it’s
beneath even
you
to lie on your own son like this!”
     Amir clamped his lips together before he said
something he might regret later. He was so pissed off he expected his head to
explode at any minute now. Turning his back to her he ran an angry hand over
his mouth before inhaling and exhaling several times trying to calm down. When
he felt some semblance of control, he faced Alexis.
     "Our son is not stupid. In the little time I’ve
spent with him, I’ve discovered he's a very intelligent kid, extremely
intuitive. Once he stopped for a moment and looked at me…really
looked
at me, he knew. He asked me if I was his father. I told him yes. I wasn’t going
to lie to him. I think he’s been lied to enough by his mother,” Amir added with
a sneer.
     Reacting on instinct, Alexis drew her hand back and
slapped the shit out of him. At the same time, David followed by Soul walked
outside with the intention of checking on them.  They, along with everyone
else inside, heard their loud, angry voices. Witnessing Alexis slap Amir David
hurried over and protectively stood in front of her.
     “Leave her alone,” David demanded.
     Amir slowly removed his shades. When David saw the
full scope of his anger, he gulped and took an involuntary step back.
     “What did you say?” Amir’s voice was deceptively
quiet. Anyone who knew that tone was aware that it was his calm before the
storm.
     “Y-you heard me. Stop harassing her,” David stammered.
     “David…” Alexis grabbed his arm and pulled him out of
the line of Amir’s fury.