“I hope you don’t think I just brought you here because I saw the picture. I have some news that I’m actually nervous about, and I had to tell somebody.”
“What is it?” A’ja asked concerned.
Celine pushed out a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.” A’ja’s eyes widened. “I know. What’s so crazy is, I wasn’t even planning to start just yet. I needed a refill on my birth control, and I decided not to get it filled because I would start trying when the season is over. I told my hardheaded ass husband to pull out, but I guess he didn’t listen.”
All A’ja could do was stare at Celine for a few moments before she started laughing. “Oh wow. This is real funny.”
Celine’s brows furrowed from confusion. “Funny? Why?”
“Because I’m pregnant.”
Celine’s eyes almost jumped out of her skull. “Stop lying! By Naasson?” she whispered making A’ja laugh again.
“Yes. And it definitely wasn’t planned. I was going to get an abortion, but that only lasted for two seconds. I’m going to keep it, and whatever happens, happens.”
Celine squealed with excitement. “We get to be pregnant together. I’m so freaking happy. This is awesome.”
“Two unplanned pregnancies is definitely wild. At least yours is with your husband. I barely even know Naasson,” A’ja chewed her bottom lip nervously.
“You’re not the first woman, and you won’t be the last. It will be okay. I promise you. I hope our kids grow up to be besties.” Celine was so excited that A’ja found her reservations disappearing. No matter what happened with Naasson, her and her baby would be okay, and she had to keep telling herself that.
“You have any doubts about finishing the rest of the season? How far along are you?”
“Seven weeks. I think it’s okay. I mean, I feel fine. I pray that we both can because if we have to stop playing early, Coach James might have a heart attack.”
“For sure,” A’ja giggled. “When are you going to start telling people? Aside from Naasson and my doctor, you’re the only other person that knows. My situation is already complicated, but I’ve also heard about people not announcing the news until the second trimester.”
“That’s what I did with my son when it came to most people. I told a handful of people as soon as I found out. My parents and my sister don’t even know yet, but I’ll probably tell them in a few days.”
“I wonder what my parents will say. Technically, I’m still married to someone else.”
“And you’re grown as hell. He’s clearly out on dates with other women. If he can do him, you can do you, and no one should care.”
A’ja smiled at Celine. “You’re definitely right about that.”
The women conversed over brunch and by the time A’ja left, she was in great spirits. This had gone from one of the worst years of her life to one of the most shocking. Even in the midst of separating from her husband she was still about to be someone’s mama. Life was crazy!
chapter
twelve
The momentthat Naasson noticed how preoccupied with her phone A’ja was, he knew something was up, but he wasn’t sure what it was. He was nervous enough on his own. It was the night of his art show, and more people had come than he expected. The exhibit started thirty minutes ago, and there were more than fifty people in the room, and they were all staring at paintings that he’d done. Naasson was just about to grab the microphone that was provided by the venue and thank everyone for coming out, when a tall, dark-skinned man walked up to him.
“The painting closest to the door with the group of black men all wearing suits. That one is $550 correct?”
“Yes. It is,” Naasson smiled and tried to appear confident in his answer.
“Can I send you a payment via Zelle?”
Naasson’s brows shot up. Someone was actually about to purchase one of his paintings. “Yes you definitely can.”
Naasson gave the man his phone number, and he typed on his phone. Moments later, Naasson received a notification of a payment sent for $1,000. His head lifted, and he looked at the man in front of him.
“I went to an art exhibit last year and dropped $5,000 on a painting. Don’t lowball yourself,” the man replied with a wink.
“Thanks, man.” Naasson extended his hand and shook the man’s. “I appreciate you, brother.”
There was still a smile plastered on his face when A’ja walked over to him.
