Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin (6 page)

“I’m already moved in. Mama will find out tonight after dinner. She thinks I’m moving next week when they bring out my bedroom set. The reason why I left the office early is because they brought it out today, so I’ll be sleeping in it tonight.” He grinned.

“That’s good, Bruh. Let me check it out.” Monty said as he headed down the hallway to Rico’s master bedroom. He opened up the door and nodded his head in agreement. “This is some sweet shit, man.”

“It’s plenty of room in that bed for a lot of fun, but I’ve actually been focused on other things lately. These real estate classes have kept me busy, as well.” Rico said.

“I feel ya, Bruh.” Monty said, heading back toward the den.

“I’m online taking the last of my courses. I’ll have my Master’s degree in Business and Management.” Monty gloated. 

“That’s good, Bruh. I’m proud of you and I’m walking the same path. Hell, I might not even have to do all that once this money start jumping off.” Rico laughed.

“You’re right, though.” Monty laughed reflecting back to earlier in the day. “Oh yeah, Candy and Mona loved the office. They couldn’t stop walking around and looking inside the rooms.”

“I knew that they would and they’re not gonna be the only ones. This is just the beginning, Bruh.” Rico said as his cell phone began to ring. Rico looked down at the phone a little surprised. He answered it.

“Hello.” He anxiously spoke.

“Hey there,” Mona said. Listening to his sexy voice gave her butterflies.

“Umm, what’s up?” Rico asked. The sound of her voice made him feel fuzzy inside.

“I wanted to know if I could meet with you at your mama’s house later tonight. We need to talk.” Mona responded.

“Yeah,” he paused. “That’ll be cool. I’ve wanted to talk with you anyway.”

Mona smiled. “Well, good… I’ll see you later then.” She confirmed.

“Alright, sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then.” he said then ended the call. He looked over at Monty and smiled.

“Don’t tell me. That was my sister, right?” Monty asked.

“Yep, and she wants to see me tonight at Mama’s.” He explained.

Monty grinned. “Stop blushing, fool.” He said then punched Rico in the arm. “It’s time to come clean, man.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m happy about seeing her, but I hate I gotta tell her that shit about Monica. Man, that’s either gonna break us or make us. I hope she decides to give me another chance. I just want to be with her.” He paused. “I must say, Bruh. I love that gurl.”

“I can tell, with your mushy ass and she should be able to tell, too. I hope it works out for y’all.” Monty walked over to the door. “I’m about to go chill with my family. I know my lil man is anxious to play with his daddy.” Monty said opening up the front door.

“Yeah, go have fun. Tell Candy I said what’s up and hug lil MJ for me. Wish me luck.” Rico said.

“I wish you luck, Bruh and knowing my sister, you’re gonna need it.” Monty walked out smiling and shaking his head.

“Well, I don’t know if to say thank you or not behind that shit.” Rico laughed shutting the door behind him. He felt nervous about revealing the news about the baby to Mona and at the same time he felt happy just to be able to see her.
Only time will tell,
Rico thought. He turned on the porch light and walked out of his house. He was heading over to Mama Mack’s house for what he was hoping to be the beginning of a new chapter for him and Mona.

Chapter Five

Monty drove over to Candy’s house so that he could chill with his lil man and spend some much needed QT with his Queen. He drove slowly listening to
All I Need,
by Lloyd featuring The Dream on a mixed CD. He noticed a red light blinking on his Blackberry Bold 9700. He picked his phone up to take a glimpse at the text message sent then smiled.

Sitting here staring at your business card & wanted to make sure that you don’t forget about me. K

Monty continued smiling. He thought about the events that took place as he was pumping gas at the Shell’s Gas station on Central Avenue the day before. He’d just slid his credit card at the pump and looked over to the side of him, noticing a sexy, lil’ brown skinned chick getting out of a clean, all black, Acura RI Sedan. She looked over at him and smiled. He slightly smiled back and continued pumping his gas. She bent down in the driver side of her car as if to be looking for something. He watched her nice, lil, firm ass and her smoothly, toned legs as she continued to search through her purse. She stood up with her credit card and swiped it at the pump.

“Excuse me,” she said as she held the pump in her hand and placed it in the gas tank. Monty looked back in her direction. He’d turned his head a little as if he wasn’t really paying her much attention.

“Yeah, what’s up?” He nonchalantly asked.

“Are you from around here?” She asked, leaning around the pump to get a better look at him.

“Yeah, I am. What’s up?” He asked again. He didn’t wanna seem like he was all that interested in her, even though she unknowingly had his undivided attention. 

“Can you tell me where the mall is?” She smiled, showing her pretty white teeth.

“You can’t be from around here, right?” Monty asked, with a slight grin, figuring that everybody from Augusta knew where the mall was.

“No, I’m not from around here. I came here to visit my sister a few weeks ago and decided that it was best for me to stay for a while. So, luckily my job allowed me to transfer here.” The lady said.

“Oh, okay, I see.” He said as the numbers on the pump slowly stopped at forty-five dollars. He took the pump and placed it back in its place. He walked around the gas pumps getting closer to her. She had already begun to remove the pump from her car and placing it back in its nozzle as well. Monty stood so much taller than her 5’3 height as smiled down at her.

He quickly glanced over her entire frame. She stood there in a stylish, white Nike skirt and the matching, pink and white, fitted Nike shirt. She had on the Nike ankle socks and pink, black, and white Nike Air Max sneakers. She looked like she was going to play tennis. She had a hump in the front of her hair and the rest of it pulled up in a hanging ponytail. Monty smiled at her cute lil’ style as he continued.

“If you take this side road to the light and make a right on Wrightsboro Road, then that will take you straight down to the mall. You’ll have to drive about five miles. It’s on the left hand side across from the Kroger grocery store. You can’t miss it.” Monty said.

“Okay, thank you so much. I shouldn’t miss it. I’ve been there twice with my sister so I know the vicinity. Thanks, anyway.” She smiled and turned to get into her car. Monty started walking back over to his car.

“Hey,” she called out as Monty turned to face her. “Would you by chance know of any places for sale around here? I would like a condominium in a quiet location. I don’t plan on living with my sister much longer while I’m here.” She smiled again.

“Maybe you’re in luck.” He responded. “I work at a realty company and I can look into that for you.”

“Oh, so you work in realty? That’s alright. Today must be my lucky day.” She said trying not to stare him down because his smile kept putting her in a trance. The whole time she’d been talking to him she wanted him. His smooth, brown skin and sexy, slanted eyes drew her in. His waved out, low cut was neat, just the way she liked it and the way he carried himself was very arrogant but sexy. She was turned on the moment he said,
what’s up
.

“What’s your price range since you’re looking to buy?” He asked, feeling her out.

“Hmmm,” she paused. “Well, nothing more than one hundred and fifty-five thousand, that’s for sure. If you can find something a little cheaper then I’ll take it, as long as it’s nice.” She replied.

“I’ll talk to my boss man and see if he has something available. I don’t have any condos, but I’m sure he probably does.” Monty said already thinking of a plan.

“Well, how am I supposed to get in touch with you? Do you have any business cards?” She asked.

“Yeah, come to think of it, I do.” He turned to head back to his car. He did have some simple business cards made for himself showing only
Monty
at the bottom with his cell and office number. The top showed his business name,
Banks Realty
, with neat cursive bold blue writing. He walked back over with the card and handed it over to her.

She looked down at it and smiled. “Monty huh,” she said now flirting with him.

“Yep, that would be me.” He responded still feeling her out.

“I’m MiKayla,” she said reaching out to shake his hand. “My family and friends call me K.”

“Nice to meet you, MiKayla.” He broke the enunciation down slowly. My- Kayla, huh,” he said softly holding her hand. His smooth touch sent chills up her spine. She gently drew back as fast as she could afraid that she’d not want to ever let go.

“Well, when would be a good time to call you?” She asked. Her interest in him grew more.

“It’ll be best to call me on my cell during daytime hours, but give me about week to look into that for you. We’re having issues with the office phones right now.”

“Cool,” she said. “I guess I’ll go now. I got some shopping to do.”

“It must be nice to do shopping in the middle of the week,” he jokingly commented.

“Whatever,” she said with a smile then got inside her car and left.

__________

Monty thoughts focused back on the message that MiKayla had just sent him as he smiled.

I might have something for you to check out sooner than later. Monty

How could I forget you?
He thought to himself. “Miss MiKayla,” he said, speaking her name aloud, just as she responded. 

I’ll be looking forward to it. K

I’ll keep you updated. Monty

He smiled and pulled in the driveway to Candy’s crib.
Damn, shawty got me feeling her for some reason or another.
He saved her number, but erased his messages and got out of the car.

Chapter Six

Mona pulled up to Mama Mack’s house. She began to feel queasy from seeing Rico’s white Impala parked out front with the 22’inch rims shining in the moon light. She sat in the car, checking herself in the visor mirror about three times before she got the nerve to get out. Once out the car she double checked to make sure that she would look good for Rico. She smoothly ran her hands down her soft pink, cotton, baby doll top that went well with her Baby Phat jeans. She smiled, looking down at her soft pink, kitten heel pumps, because it felt good to change her style to a more womanly look.

She walked up on the front porch with her satisfactorily layered bob blowing in the light wind. She inhaled deeply then slowly exhaled to calm her nerves and rang the doorbell. Rico opened the door slowly and was stunned to see a much more sophisticated looking Mona standing at the door. He walked outside to greet her on the porch, quietly closing the door behind him.

She stood there nervously. His presence made her feel tingly inside. He’d let his hair grow out a little, with a fresh temple tape and his jet black medium sized curls turned her on. His baggy, RockaWear jeans and the black, button down, RockaWear shirt fit him just right. The hint of the white tee underneath his shirt matched his fresh, white Air Force Ones and Mona started to realize just how much she had missed him. They stood there looking at each other in silence as Mona quickly tried to find the right words to say.

“Hey, it’s good to…” Rico stopped her by kissing her softly on the lips.

“You look beautiful,” he quickly spoke. Mona was a little shocked by his kiss, but relieved that he didn’t waste any time letting her know how much he missed her.

She smiled. “Thanks, you’re not looking too bad yourself.”

“I’ve missed that,” Rico said, running his hands through Mona’s bouncy bob.

“Missed what?” She asked.

“That smile of yours. Your hair really brings out your cute round face.” He paused. “I’ve really missed you.”

“Well, I can’t lie. I’ve missed you too and that’s why I’m here. We need to talk, Rico.”

“I know, Baby and please let me start first.” Rico stood there while he held Mona’s small hands. “I’ve wanted to come clean with you about some things, but didn’t quite know how to do that. I’m glad you’re here now, because whether you decide to stay or leave at least I will have known that I’ve told you the truth about everything.” Rico suggested for Mona to sit down on one of the chairs on the porch and even though she had a feeling of what he was about to say, she still sat in silence to hear him out.

He didn’t waste any time. “I had an affair with Monica Hunter a few months ago and I know that sounds strange, because Monica was your brother’s ex-girlfriend years ago, but shit happened when she came back to town and she and I ended up sleeping together.” Rico confessed.

Mona sat quiet for a moment. “Wow,” she finally spoke.
That was all said in a mouthful,
she thought. She shook her head as if she was shocked. “Monica Hunter?” She asked as if she was surprised. “You mean to tell me that you and Monica Hunter are sleeping together?” She asked.

“Was sleeping together, baby. That’s in the past now.” He explained.

“Huh, do you mean that this was more than once?” Her puzzled expression made her look like she didn’t know what was going on.

“Yeah, I’d been with her more than once, but she didn’t mean anything to me then and she doesn’t mean anything to me now. I just got caught up doing some crazy things at that point in my life.” Rico said.

Mona looked away. Even though she knew about it, it still hurt to hear that it’s true. “I don’t know what to say.” She put her head down feeling somewhat relieved that she had already begun the process of getting over that news some time ago. “Does my brother know about this affair that you two had?” She questioned. “And, why are you telling me this now, Rico?”

“To answer your first question, yes, Monty knows. I had to tell him, because as you know Monica is pregnant. Secondly, the reason why I’m bringing this up now is that she’s possibly pregnant by me, not your brother.” Mona sat there shocked that Rico would come clean without her putting it out there first.