SCARLETT 4: A Hood Romance Novel Read online

  Scarlett stood there for a moment like she was supposed to explain herself to him, but then she thought about it. “I don’t’ have to explain nothing that I do to you. We’re not together anymore or did you forget?” She asked while folding her arms like she meant business.

  “No I didn’t forget, but you never mentioned that you’d moved on either.”

  “I didn’t think that I had to.” Scarlett quickly stated.

  “So, is this what it is? You’ve moved on?” He pondered.

  “Yes, I’ve moved on.” She said almost with tears in her eyes. For some reason just seeing the saddened expression on his face had started getting to her.

  “You can’t move on.” Luke said. “This ain’t what you want. That nigga Troy or whatever his name ain’t what you want.”

  “How are you gonna tell me what I want. You weren’t that man,” she said with emphasis. “Because if you were you wouldn’t have let me down as many times as you did,” she added.

  “Come on, Red. You know where my heart is. I love you.” Luke sincerely said. “You’re standing here treating me like I was nothing to you.” He looked around realizing that he was still standing outside. “You haven’t even invited me in. Is it that serious now?”

  “No it’s not.” Scarlett said. She was torn and Luke wasn’t making it any better. “I wasn’t even thinking about it. Hell, I wasn’t expecting you to just show up here. I don’t just pop up to your house.”

  “I know, but I had to come over. You weren’t calling me back and now I see why.” He slid in. “But, we have to talk. I came over here to tell you something. I didn’t come to get sidetracked by this and seeing you with another man. You can’t make me believe that he loves you like I do and once you hear this news in person then I know it’s a wrap for him.”

  “What news?” Scarlett pondered like she hadn’t gotten his text message the day before.

  “April isn’t having my baby.”

  Scarlett frowned like this was her first time knowing about this, but she didn’t waste any time going in with the questions. “How the hell is that possible? Didn’t your daddy do the test personally? Did that bitch switch the tests?” She questioned. “Her desperate ass would do something like that,” she added with a serious disliking for April.

  Luke already figured that she would have tons of questions and he was ready to answer them. He just wasn’t ready to be completely honest about it. “No, she didn’t switch the tests.” But, my father did. He thought right behind saying that.

  “Well, if she didn’t switch the tests then what happened?” She asked with a stern, but very concerned looked on her face.

  “I don’t know. Somehow there was a mix up at my father’s private practice.”

  Scarlett frowned. “What kind of mix up?”

  “Somehow the DNA samples that Jay and I gave got mixed up. It’s crazy I know, but my father will explain it to you thoroughly.” He said in hopes that she’d come over to his house, because he was going to make his father explain what he’d done and to apologize. He wasn’t asking him to do it. He was telling him to do it. “All you have to do is come to the house with me. He’ll show you the paperwork himself.”

  “Hold up,” Scarlett said still with an uneasy frown on her face. “How the hell did the samples get mixed up? What kind of games are you trying to play with me? Is this because of Troy?””

  “Are you serious right now?” Luke asked feeling appalled. “I’m not thinking about that man. You’re my only concern and I’m here to make things right. I don’t care about you talking to him. I deserved that. I made some stupid decisions that ultimately fucked up my relationship with you, but it wasn’t my fault. Had we known that April’s baby wasn’t mine we’d be good right now. And I’m telling you that her baby isn’t mine. I just want us to be good right now.” He sincerely said with tears in his eyes.

  Scarlett stood there wanting to cry. She’d also made some hasty decisions and if what he was saying was true, then accepting Troy’s marriage proposal could definitely be one. “A—aand uh,” she stuttered trying to fight back her emotions. “When did you find this out?”

  “I found out early yesterday. I came over here to tell you, but Ant turned me away. I guess he already knew what the deal was.” He said thinking that Troy’s car was there at that time too. “But hey, I don’t wanna think about that. You can tell him that it’s over, because really it’s over.” He said like he wasn’t giving up on his woman. He’d already gotten a ring to propose to her and all. She wasn’t going anywhere.”

  “What do you mean, Luke? Do you think it’s that easy just to come back? We haven’t officially been on the best of terms in the past couple of months. Ever since you found out that April’s baby could’ve been yours.”

  “Yeah, but we were never on bad terms, baby. Don’t do this. Please, don’t act like that. You still love me. Don’t you?” He asked as he stepped up to her. The sincere look in his eyes almost broke her down as she stood there with her arms still crossed like they were supposed to guard her feelings and keep him at bay.

  “Luke please.” She said just wanting him to back up off of her. “It doesn’t matter if my baby was yours or not. What we had is over.”

  “What?” Luke asked with displeasure.

  “Huh?” Scarlett said looking crazy.

  “You said your baby.”

  “Did I?” She timidly asked not realizing that she brought her own situation in the mix. “You know what I meant. HER BABY,” she said with major emphasis to throw him off. “I’m just having a hard time right now listening to all of this.”

  “You can’t tell me that it’s over, because I know it’s not.” He said as the tears fell. “Please, don’t give up on us like that. Just put on some clothes and ride back to my house. You’ll get the clarification that you need.”

  “What clarification? I don’t care to see the paperwork indicating that the baby isn’t yours. The damage has been done and I don’t wanna look back.” At that time she gently pushed him back so he’d give her some space. At that moment, the sun glistened on her five carat ring, stunning Luke the minute he saw it.

  “I-is that what I think it is?” He asked as his heart sank down to his feet.

  Scarlett’s eyes widened. She’d forgotten all about the ring on her finger. His reaction caused her eyes to glance straight to the ring, and then back to Luke’s disappointed face. All of a sudden the tears started coming down. She tried not to cry, but she couldn’t help it.

  She regretfully shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go back.”

  Luke looked like his whole world was shattered as he stared at Scarlett like he didn’t know who she’d become in just that little time. She’d clearly done whatever it took to get over him. “My God, is that an engagement ring?”

  “Luke,” Scarlett attempted to explain.

  “How long have you been seeing him? Niggas just don’t propose to a woman that they’ve only known for a short period of time.” He said shaking his head and trying to make sense of it all. “Unless they have something special like what we had,” he added.

  “Bae-” Scarlett said but quickly caught herself as the tears streamed down her face. “Luke, please don’t do this.”

  “Don’t do what?!” He said wiping his tears. He didn’t know if he was mad or sad. His feelings were all over the place. “I can’t do nothing now. It seems that you’ve already decided your future.”

  Scarlett cried. “It’s not like that.”

  “Well, what’s it like?” Luke somberly asked.

  “Not now,” Scarlett said.

  “Well when?” he questioned. “I’ve always tried my best to keep it as honest with you as I can. How much have you been keeping from me?” He said thinking that video she’d made in the past was probably nothing compared to the other shit he didn’t know about her.

  “Luke, please.” She cried, but then attempted to wipe her tears as Anton drove up in the yard, parking her car a
cross the grass and getting out.

  Luke wiped his red eyes. He couldn’t hide the pain he felt and neither could Scarlett, no matter how hard she wiped her tears.

  Anton got out of the car and just looked at them. “What’s up, Luke?” He awkwardly spoke. Luke just gave him a friendly nod of the head. He was too choked up to even speak. Anton looked at Scarlett. “You a’ight, Sis?”

  “Yeah,” she lied. “Luke was just leaving.”

  “Okaaay,” Anton dragged as Luke just stood there like he wasn’t leaving just yet. Anton didn’t care for the tension. “Well, I’m gonna run back to the store right quick. I left something.” He lied, heading back to her car. Not seeing or hearing from Gwen through the night crossed his mind as he opened up the door. He turned to look back in Scarlett’s direction before getting in the car. “Have you seen or heard from Ma last night or this morning?”

  Scarlett’s eyes nervously stretched, and then landed straight on Luke who was looking baffled by this point. That was another secret that she’d been hiding from him, but it looked like all kinds of unexpected cats were coming out of the bag that morning. “No,” she said to her brother. Just get in the car and leave Ant, were her only thoughts as she stood in the doorway anxiously rocking from one side to the other.

  “Well, if she gets back before me. Tell her to stay put. I need to talk to her about something.” Ant said, and with that he got inside of her car and left.

  “Did he just say your mom? So, your mom is alive, huh?” Luke pondered, while thinking back that the lady he’d met prior that was introduced as her aunt had to have been her mom.

  “I can explain.” Scarlett responded.

  “You are full of surprises, Red. I don’t even want to know.” He said with a disappointed chuckle. “Don’t even worry about it.” And with that, he turned to leave, but not without glancing back at her one last time with a disappointed shake of the head. Scarlett stood in the doorway as she watched him get inside of his car. She was feeling sick to her stomach as the tears continued to fall. Not knowing if she was coming or going, she reached inside the pocket of her robe and called the only person that she knew would have her best interest at heart. The minute the call was answered, she started.

  “Nina, I need to talk.” She said sniffing in the phone.

  “You okay?” Nina asked.

  “No,” Scarlett answered.

  “I’ll be down there.” Nina responded.

  “Okay,” she stated, and with that they ended their call.

  Chapter 2

  Meanwhile, inside of Sheila’s condominium she and Jay were in the kitchen cooking breakfast together. Since she’d finally accepted Jay’s marriage proposal, things had been great. She looked over at her handsome fiancé as he was putting strips of bacon on the skillet. She twiddled her fingers through her long auburn colored hair and smiled to herself as she thought about how he made something as simple as cooking breakfast look so sexy. Damn, I am one lucky woman, she thought. Jay was a fine man with a very sexy smile. His smooth, brown skin tone was chiseled to the core as he stood there in nothing but a pair of white boxer shorts.

  Damn, I could fuck him again right now. She thought with a flirtatious grin.

  Jay looked up from the bacon that he was cooking and smiled at her. “Why are you staring at me like that?” He questioned.

  “Maybe I like what I see.” She said with a light chuckle.

  “Oh yeah,” he said walking over and instantly wrapping his arms around her waist as she sat on the edge of the kitchen table. She was gorgeous even when just waking up. Her hair was long, bouncy and more importantly hers. Her light skin looked a bit tanned, and her pretty smile, no matter what, always brightened his day. He grabbed a handful of her butt. It wasn’t much, but it was still jiggly like jello and he loved it in some sexy lingerie or her DKNY jeans.

  “Yes,” she responded to his liking of what she’d said. “You know I wouldn’t mind going for round… what was it?”

  “Hm,” Jay said softly kissing around her neck. “Round seven I believe.”

  “Well, I don’t mind going for round seven if you’re down.” She said between giggles as he continued to plant sweet kisses on her neck and lips. Just the way he made her feel told her that she was ready for whatever with him. She had definitely fallen deeply in love with him. They made the cutest couple, so she felt. She was happy that he’d chosen to be with her and she couldn’t wait to meet up with Scarlett and Nina soon to start planning their wedding. She wanted their input since she’d been trying her best to prove that she really could be a great friend to them. All she needed was the chance, and at least Scarlett had given her that much. Nina would always be a work in progress.

  “You know I love you, right?” Jay said.

  “I know,” she responded. “And I love you more.”

  “It makes me even happier that you’re my fiancé. I have the prettiest fiancé in the world.” He bragged making her blush. “I can wait until we say our ‘I do’s’.

  “Me either,” Sheila said then slapped him lightly on the butt. “Better go check that bacon before it burns up.”

  Jay chuckled thinking that was funny. “Now you know if I can’t do anything else, I can cook. Let’s face it woman. I’m good at everything.” He said causing her to laugh as he grabbed his sausage, literally. His dick was big as he held it through his boxer shorts. Instantly it made her pussy purr as she gazed at it like it was literally a juicy sausage that she could eat for breakfast.

  “You better be glad that Sam is stopping by in a little while to pick up mom’s purse or I would give it to you right here and right now.” She said while licking her lips.

  “No, you better be glad.” Jay said. “But hey, didn’t just last week your mom left her purse inside the buggy at the grocery store?”

  “She did.” Sheila said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s in a better place I can tell. Her and my dad seems to be back to normal. Her health is back on the right track. She’s gained her weight back and her hair has started growing back.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the effects of the medicine or the chemo treatments that she was taking before remission.”

  “Could be, but she’s fine. Don’t worry. I’m just glad that she treats me like she used to before she found out about April and the baby.”

  “Me too,” Sheila said feeling like her mom could be quite mean and cut throat if she didn’t care for a person. It was nothing for her to treat them like shit and Jay caught a little bit of that shit.

  Sheila sniffed in the air as Jay continued to playfully kiss on her. “I smell something,” she teased. Jay took off speed walking toward the island stove, checking on the griddle that was sitting next to it. The bacon looked fine.

  “You love playing,” he said as they laughed. He flipped the bacon over, but had thoughts about a text message that he’d gotten that morning and wanted nothing more than to share the news with Sheila. “Uh babe,” he said now a bit more serious.

  “What’s up, love?” Sheila asked.

  He contemplated not saying anything about it, but knew in his heart that he didn’t’ want to keep secrets from her. If nothing else, he had grown to love her and hurting her was the last thing that he wanted to do.

  “What’s up, babe?” Sheila asked again since Jay had gone off into Lala Land just that quickly.

  “Well,” he said with hesitation in his voice. “Strangely, I woke up this morning to a text from April.” He confessed as he looked over at Sheila then quickly down back at the bacon like he was seriously into cooking as well as confessing.

  “From April?” She said with surprised eyes. “We haven’t heard anything from her since it was known that Luke was her baby’s daddy.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.” Jay said as he removed the six strips of bacon off of the griddle.

  Sheila sat there quiet for a moment. Maybe the hussy had gotten lonely and needed someone to talk wit
h or maybe she’d awakened in the middle of the night from a nightmare and needed saving. With April it was no telling why she was messaging Sheila’s man, but Sheila definitely wanted to know why.

  “So, what did the message say?” she apprehensively asked.

  Jay looked at her, not really wanting to change the mood. “Well,” he started as he began cracking open the eggs inside of a small bowl that sat on the counter in front of him. “She said that we needed to talk and for me to call her when I woke up.”

  “Don’t tell me that you called her.” Sheila said with displeasure.

  “Noooo,” Jay quickly said. “I didn’t call her. It just baffles me why she’s messaging me now.”