Year Five, Present
"Boy you ain't the only Taylor that use to ball, I shoulda been NBA status," Anthony boasted to Artist. They had thought of everything under the sun to do just for one day and now they were out in the back yard playing basketball.
Anthony was playing nice since he was only five, he didn't want to leave his own son in tears. "You're not tall enough," Artist shot at him.
Anthony stopped dribbling the ball. "What? I am tall enough. You like two feet tall," Anthony trash talked back.
"Nuh uh, I'm taller than you," Artist places his hands on his hips before jolting himself up on his tippy toes.
Anthony laughed. "You a miniature version of me, watch out," Anthony began dribbling the ball slowly.
"Yeah right," Artist waves off.
Anthony burst out into a fit of laughter. This kid was beyond his years sometimes and it amazed him. His son reminded him so much of himself and Jhenea that he couldn't help but to laugh. "Man you won," Anthony tossed the ball to him still laughing.
Artist smirked before turning around and pitching the ball towards the hoop. It hit the backboard before settling through the net nicely. "Mr. Taylor and little Mr. Taylor, its time to eat," Jhenea called for their attention from the sliding back door of the home.
"What you cook?" Artist questioned as he pushed his hair out of his face.
Jhenea raised an intimidating brow. "Excuse me?"
"Son, this kid is a comedy special," Anthony continued to laugh.
"Get your butt in here before I come out there and beat you at your own game," She teased.
Artist let the ball go before grabbing his father's hand and leading him back into the house. "Go wash your hands silly," Jhenea ruffled Artist's hair.
Anthony bypassed her and headed straight to the sink as Artist has done. They both washed their hands before drying them. "It's just us?" Anthony asked as he noticed that she had only set three plates.
Jhenea nodded. "Lamont is out, Jai's in Atlanta and Xander couldn't stay," She explained.
Anthony nodded before Artist dragged him off to take a seat at the dining table. Jhenea went around the table playing both Anthony's and Artist's food before doing her own last. She served the drinks right after. Finally, she took a seat and the three grabbed hands and allowed Artist to say a short prayer.
"Thank you by the way," Anthony looked up from his plate.
Jhenea sighed. "It's nothing," She shrugged off.
Artist looked between the both of them. Jhenea tried her best to keep herself emerged in her food while Anthony stared straight at her. She paid him no mind. "Can I excuse myself to go to the bathroom?"
Jhenea nodded her head. "Yeah baby, go right ahead,"
Artist slid out of his seat before pushing the chair in. He scurried off to the bathroom leaving his parents alone for a moment.
"Why you so distant?" Anthony asked.
Jhenea shrugged her shoulders. "I'm always like this," She let out.
"You so tense, just relax,"
"Anthony, I am relaxed,"
Anthony searches her face for answers but he simply couldn't come up with anything."What's up with you?"
She raked her fingers through her hair. "Just taking in your presence, that's all,"
Anthony smirked. "Girl you love me, I don't know why you keep frontin'," He took a drink of his iced water.
Her face grew stale before she tossed her napkin at him. "I see your ego is still the same,"
"Oh that ain't never gone change mama," He shook his head.
Taking a long look at him, she rolled her eyes. Artist eventually returned to his seat and the high tension dinner continued.
They all ate until their plates were empty and their appetites were satisfied. Jhenea took the initiative of taking the dishes and cleaning up while Anthony went up to put Artist in bed.
"You need some help?" Jhenea slowly turned around. Her hands were soaked wet from cleaning the dishes.
Anthony stood propped against the island. A light smile graced his face causing Jhenea's heart to pick up in pace. Clearing her throat she shrugged her shoulders.
Anthony slowly made his way over. Although she was no longer facing him, she could feel his strong and overpowering presence within the room. "You been workin' out?"
His eyes traced each curve and dip within her body. Jhenea's hair was pulled back just like he loved it. Her shoulders were in full display in the pastel pink spaghetti strap dress. The radiant glow of her skin captivated him the same way it did when they first started dating when she got pregnant with Artist and the same way it did when they got married.
Anthony was trying to fight the urge of reminiscing, but it was so hard when all she ever did was bring out memories. Whether they were good or bad, they were still memories that consisted of her.
"No." She stated curtly.
"You look good," He complimented.
"You came to help or to gawk?" She murmured out.
Anthony let a chuckle roll out of him. "Ight I'm gone help," He transitioned from behind her and stood beside her instead. Jhenea handled him a towel where he began to dry the plates.
I silence rendered them for a moment. Anthony could tell that she relaxed within his presence just by how her shoulders seemed to be alleviated from the tension they once had.
"You been working out?" She kept her eyes on the dishes and mumbled out her question.
Averting his eyes over to her, he laughed. "Yeah, I have,"
Jhenea stifled our a laugh. She had been trying to be a hard-ass with him all day and he not once gotten frustrated or hot-tempered. He simply just rolled with the punches and remained respectful. She began to feel like a bully and she didn't really like the feeling.
Jhenea nodded her head. "That's nice," She finished off the last dish and handed it to him so he could dry.
"You like it don't you?" He smirked before placing the dish in the cupboard above him.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe,"
Anthony flashed his smile. He maneuvered himself behind her where he pressed himself onto her. She planted her hands onto the countertop of the sink as her breath hitched. With words of encouragement, she persuaded herself to stay strong and not allow him to get the best of her.
"Anthony—"
"This ain't nothin' you ain't use to. Am I overstepping my boundaries?"He taunted in her ear.
Her response was silence. That's all she could do— be silent. She felt if she was to overthink her response he would manipulate her and in any way he wanted. Maybe her silence would result in both of them doing the right thing.
"C'mon J, say somethin'," He chuckled. He knew he was walking all over her at the moment. She couldn't handle the amount of pressure and she was due to cave any moment now.
Clenching her eyes shut, Jhenea let out a deep breath. "I slept with someone else," She blurted out. She didn't understand what had come over her it just came out. Her heart was thumping within her and her lungs felt weak. She was still afraid of his reaction. He still had a small hold on her.
She could feel Anthony slowly back away from her. He was no longer hovering over her and being intimidating. "Lemme see yo' face," He let out.
"Anthony—"
"Just turn around J— please," He pleaded.
Jhenea slowly rotated herself so they could face one another. The radiance in her skin no longer flowed into her face. She seemed pale and frightened.
"Who was it?" He spoke calmly.
Jhenea sighed. "It shouldn't matter," She shook her head.
"But it does." He protested. "If the shoe was on the other foot you would want to know,"
"You don't know him, "She continued to swindle herself out of telling him.
Anthony nodded. "Of course, but can I have a name, some background, gimme somethin' Jhenea,"
"Eneek Worth, I only slept with him once and went on a few dates with him," She confessed.
Anthony ran a hand down his face stressfully. "So you wasn't just joking,"
Jhenea just stared at him. She was so focused on telling him that what she thought he wanted to her that she wasn't telling him what he needed to hear. When she was doing her own thing with Eneek she was under the impression that what her and Anthony had was done. They both made a decision that divorce was on the table. Suddenly towards the end of his sentence, he just switched up what he wanted and decided that he wanted to be with her. She thought she could handle repelling the marriage away, but with him being present, old feeling and emotions began to fester and boil over within her.
She shook her head no slowly. "I'm sorry,"
He stared off away from her for a while. He was trying his best to keep his composure and remember what Matthew told him. Jhenea noticed his attempt to bite his tongue, it scared her. She knew nothing about the new Anthony, he could be an entirely better person or an entirely worse person.
His eyes finally focused back onto her. He dove deep within her eyes and said, "It hurt, I'm not even gone lie, but I forgive you. We can't move forward if I can't give you the limitless forgiveness you gave me when I fucked up,"
In shock, Jhenea was unaware of what to say. Anthony didn't want her to feel less of herself because he truly didn't think he brought into himself with the constant confusion and strain he put on her.
Did he like the situation?
No.
But can and will he accept it?
Yes.
"I'm about to head out," He pulled his phone from his pocket to request an Uber to take him to his hotel.
"You sure?" She murmured out.
He nodded his head. "Yeah love, I'll see you and Tizz tomorrow," He opened his arms up and pulled her into a hug. They remained in the embrace for a while, neither wanting to let go of the other.
"I love you, always will never stopped," In unison, they both let out causing a feeling of completion to overflow within them both.
"I gotta go, "He breathed as he rested his chin on top of her head.
Inhaling his scent once more, she nodded. "I'll walk you out,"
Taking her hand in his, she led the way to the door. Opening it up and stepping aside, she let him go through the door. "Man c'mere,"
She shuffled her feet over to him. He placed his massive hand at the crook of her neck pulling her closer to him. He positioned her head up so she could look straight at him. "You got me J, don't sweat it," After giving her some assurance, he places his soft lips gently on her lips.
The kiss was so short-lived and simple, yet held so much emotion in passion. Five years and a kiss could resolve all the confusion like it always had.
"See you tomorrow,"
Jhenea watched as he got into his ride and took off towards his hotel. She shut the door and let out a deep breath.
All of her emotion gravitated her towards the staircase that led to her bedroom. She just wanted to be concealed by her thoughts and darkness.
Locking her bedroom door behind her she laid down in bed with her eyes open towards the ceiling. Darkness surrounded her along with silence, yet she still didn't feel at ease.
Her phone was to the left of her. She grabbed it letting the light of the screen crowd her vision.
Dialing the number, she let it ring before she got through the line.
"You alright?" Anthony asked. He had just left not too long ago so he couldn't possibly think of anything that could have to happen in a short period of time.
"Come back," She faintly let out.
"I'm on my way,"
***
The sun rays nestled itself into the slithers of the blind causing them to illuminate the room. It was 7 AM and Jhenea's alarms were already going off.
Absentmindedly she tapped her phone carelessly trying to stop the blaring ringing. With two more attempts, she was able to stop the loudness of the alarm.
It was towards the end of May and Artist's school year was coming to an end. Jhenea was so glad that she wouldn't have to wake up early anymore for the three months of summer.
Sleep ridded itself from her body causing her to just lay in bed contemplating if she even wanted to put forth the effort of taking him on the last day.
Interrupting her mental tantrum, she heard shuffling around her room. Dragging herself to sit up, she looked around and her eyes landed on Anthony.
He had just gotten out the shower. A towel was wrapped around his waist as water still managed to surface his skin. Water was still in his hair causing him to use another towel to dry it. "You're up early?" Jhenea grumbled.
Anthony navigated his eyes to her and motioned his shoulders up then down. "Not really much of a late sleeper anymore,"
Jhenea nodded. She tossed the cover off of her and pulled herself out of the comfy bed. "I have to get Artist to school," She announced.
"I can do that," He volunteered himself.
Reluctantly she asked. "You sure?"
Anthony nodded his head confidently. "Yeah I can take him, you seem tired,"
"The least I can do is get him up and start breakfast," She knew Anthony was just trying to just jump right back into being Artist's father and taking up responsibility, but it felt odd to her. She was just so accustomed to doing everything for Artist. She had mentally wired herself to do and think like mom and dad.
Anthony shook his head no. "Just handle breakfast and I'll get him ready," He assured her. "Alright?"
Jhenea nodded.
She tried her best to not watch him get dressed, but she eventually did. The last thing he slipped on was his shirt and she could feel a pout cave into her face.
Jhenea brushed her teeth and washed her face before leaving out of the room to start breakfast.
Anthony went ahead and found his way around the upper portion of the home to find Artist's room.
Stepping into the room he couldn't help but to be taken aback by the decor of it. Jhenea tried her best to make the bedroom as cool as possible so she painted two different murals onto two of the walls. One of which was a basketball player dunking the basketball into the hoop. And the other was pretty inspirational. It was of a little boy looking up at the sky which held imaginations of what he wanted his future to be. The sun shined down on the little boy alluding that he was capable of doing it all.
"Wish I had a room like this," Anthony took another look around in awe.
He eventually did end up waking Artist up which was excruciating pain in the ass. Every time he thought he had Artist up he would turn around for a second just so Artist would flop back down into the bed.
"Son if I have to wake you up one more time, you gettin' yo' ass whooped," Anthony threatened with an intimidating raise of a brow.
Artist eyes bulged. "You just cursed and said you were gonna give me a whooping," He restated in shock.
Anthony nodded his head. "Yeah, I ain't no pushover like yo' momma, "
Artists didn't have to hear anymore. He simply got up from the bed and took a look at his chalkboard easel he had standing in the far left of his room. Jhenea had a nice little system going. She would write his outfit for the next day out on the chalkboard and list down all the things he needed to do to fulfill his morning routine.
Artist seemed to do well on his own so Anthony only stepped in when he was asked. He followed everything on the chalkboard which resulted in him fully dressed and cleaned up for school.
"Here you go," Artist said as he pushed the hairbrush and hair tie over to his father.
Anthony chuckled. His son's hair was a hassle but he handled it. He was sure he had mastered the infamous ponytail from doing it for Payton for so long. "You're not half bad," Artist nodded in satisfaction of his hair.
Artists was officially ready and he led the way downstairs to the kitchen where Jhenea was bustling around to finish breakfast. "Good morning," Jhenea beamed. She no longer lacks energy, she seemed refreshed.
"Good morning," Artist replied as he hiked himself up on one of the stools that surrounded the island.
Jhenea immediately set a plate of breakfast out in front of him. Anthony took a seat next to him where Jhenea set a plate in front of him. "You have about twenty minutes Artist so eat," She told him as her eyes navigated towards the digital clock on the counter.
"You're taking me to school dressed like that?" Artist eyed her with a funny face. She still had her nightgown on and her hair was in a messy bun.
Anthony stifled a laugh as Jhenea rolled her eyes. "Actually I'm not taking you, your dad volunteered to," She informed her son.
Artist turned his head from his mother to face his father. "Can you even drive?"
"Eat your food man," Anthony nudged Artist's head.
After breakfast, Anthony successfully dropped Artist off at school and returned back to the house.
Once he pulled in, he could hear the shouting of Lamont. It caught him off guard since he was never one to raise his voice out of anger.
Using Jhenea's key he gained access to the home before reluctantly stepping inside. "Fuck you mean you moving back to Atlanta!?" Lamont screeched out.
The two stood face to face with one other as Lamont barked down at her. Jai's face seems unbothered as she stood with her hand on her hip. "You hear what I said," She said calmly. "There is nothing or anyone out here in L.A for me, I think it's best if I go back to be with my son full time," She explained herself. When she first approached Lamont with the conversation a few minutes ago, it went well. However, Lamont seemed to dive off into the deep end once she told him that she would be staying with her son's father until she got situated back in Atlanta.
"Jai'leen, stop fucking playin' with me!"
Jai rolled her eyes. It'm was funny to her how he had all the space to do whatever he so pleased, but once she started doing her own thing he wanted to blow his top. "Lamont please step aside, if you wanna argue call that other girl. You're not getting a reaction out of me,"
Anthony stood awkwardly at the door. They were blocking the entrance into the rest of the house and he felt if he said something it'll be weird. He knew Lamont not Jai never really got in the mix when he and Jhenea got into their blowouts, so he was gonna do the same. "Ain't no fuckin' argument. You ain't goin and that's final," Lamont stayed sternly.
"Lamont I would pick being with my son over you any day. I'm going and that's final," Jai bumped his shoulder pushing him aside so she could go up the stairs.
Lamont grabbed her forearm roughly and that immediately made Anthony think back to that one time he manhandled Jhenea. It wasn't a nice memory and he wished it would have never happened. "Aye, my nigga back the fuck up, "He finally spoke up to Lamont. "Don't be grabbin' on no female like that Mont, that shit wrong," He shook his head.
Both Jai and Lamont looked at him. Jai seemed as if she was about to wince out in pain if Lamont continued to hold on, while Lamont seemed to be raging in anger. A short stare down happened between Anthony and Lamont before he finally let go of Jai.
She resorted to going up the stairs while Lamont watched her go up. Roughly, Anthony grabbed Lamont by his shoulder. "Let me holla at you,"
Lamont shook his head. "Nah, I'm good." He bumped past Anthony and took the exit of the home.
Anthony sighed with a shake of his head. He was amazed at how much the tables have turned. It was like Lamont was attaining all of his bad attributes.
Anthony slowly strides up the stairs and knocked on Jhenea's door. He knew he slept in there last night, but he still wanted to respect her boundaries.
Over the smooth singing of Kiana Lede, he heard her say "Come in,".
Anthony opened the door slowly before stepping inside and closing it behind him. Jhenea prompted to turn the music down out of courtesy. Anthony smiled in slight amusement as Jhenea's face was under the pampering of a face mask, with her hair tied up in a tight bun, and her bare body wrapped in a silk robe.
"You ain't hear then arguin' downstairs?" He questioned.
Jhenea waved him off. "They've been doing that for weeks now. I'm immune to it. I just plug in my music and hear nothing,"
Anthony began to approach the bed. He pointed his finger down at it with a raise of his brow. "May I?" He asked for permission.
She nodded. He laid down beside her keeping his orbs right on her. Jhenea kept her attention occupied on the agenda right in front of her that she was filling in to keep herself on track.
"Man, what we doin'?"
Jhenea closed her agenda slipping the ballpoint pen within the spirals of it. "Relaxing," She eases out.
Anthony could sense that she really didn't want to answer the question. He knew if the roles were switched, he would have done the same thing. "Ight then I'll take yo' word,"
"Thank you," She smiled lightly.
"So what are the terms and conditions of relaxin'?" The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable. He was already skating in n thin ice, the last thing he needed was to rush things.
She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "The usual," She states. "No kissing, no sex, and no sleeping in my bed," She smiled coyly.
"A piece of cake,"
Jhenea chuckled. "I thought I hated you," Her seriousness slid in a bit after.
Anthony licked his lips. "Me too,"
"I tried hard to," Jhenea admitted.
"Me too," He admitted.
"But I can't stay away," She rolled her eyes.
Anthony sighed. "Me too,"
"It frustrates me that I still fucking love you after everything," She vented.
"Me too," He sits up. His hands made contact with her ankles, he pulled her down closer to him. She tried to keep her legs sealed due to her having absolutely nothing on under her robe but he still managed to nestle himself in between them. "But the difference between me and you is that I don't front. I know what we got and I love what we got,"
"Anthony let's not—"
"You always wanna talk, just listen sometimes," He interjected.
Jhenea scoffed. "Listen to what? You sweet talk me into your arms full time?"
Anthony took her hand into his. "Shit I can if you want me to, but the face mask gotta go," He teased.
Suppressing her laughter, she took her bottom lip in between her teeth. "Nah but for real though, we still a workin' progress even after seven years— well four of them were pretty nonexistent, but you get the fuckin' point,"
Jhenea felt her body heat up. She couldn't understand why her emotions wanted to convulse into tears so she barricaded them from spilling out. Clearing her throat she nodded her head. "I give you permission to give me a hug," She smirked.
"What about a kiss?" He bargained with a persuasive smile.
Jhenea shook her head no. "How about neither," She pushed him.
"You cold."He shook his head inferring to her not tolerating his hand in getting his cake and eating it too.
"Uh huh, the coldest." She giggled.
***
Ashton looked around. He could feel everyone's eyes scaling all over him. The feeling was definitely uneasy if he had to describe it in one word. "Ma' I do not wanna be here," Ashton looked down at his mother. He sounds like a child, but it was usual for him whenever his mom was treating him like one.
"For goodness sake Ashton you've been here for five minutes," She lightly swatted his arm.
Ashton scanned his eyes around. "Exactly ma' and they already treatin' me differently,"
"No one has even spoken to you yet. No one is treating you no way, everyone knows who's boy you are,"
Ashton stale faced her. "Your face just gated all throughout this church, huh?"
Jackie laughed."Yes, it is. Now go find you a seat next to Carson and Alice, I gotta go up there with the choir,"
Ashton nodded. He strolled through the aisle and arrived at the front of the pew section. Alice sat side by side to Carson. Carson had Gianna on his lap while he gripped his fresh leather Bible within his hands.
"Hey beautiful," Ashton swooped down and greeted Alice with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
She beamed her heartwarming smile. "Hey baby, I'm so happy you made it," Getting the guys to go to church was like pulling teeth. She knew that if Anthony wasn't out of town she would have had him right in the front row with the rest, no matter how much of a tantrum he threw.
"Gotta keep my promise," Ashton told Alice as he dapped Carson up.
Taking a seat beside Carson, he teased Gianna a bit by gently tugging one of her spiral curls causing her to squeal in laughter.
The church was bustling in activity before the service actually started. It was almost like a show production how everyone seemed to be getting in their places. Ashton watched how his mother stood on the stage in front of the choir. You would think with Jackie being the choir director of the church for so long that Ashton would actually remember her singing voice, but he couldn't. Last time he heard his mother sing was when he was 12, the last time he set foot in a church.
"Mama, I looked everywhere you did not bring that Bible," Ashton heard a voice say.
His mind instantly decides the voice which propelled him to spring his eyes to the right of him.
The look on her face was priceless. She looked tense and seemed to be shaking in her heels. "Thank you for looking Morgan," Alice showed her gratitude.
"No problem mama," She smiled lightly. The smile seemed very forced and mask-like. Ashton could tell that she was only feeling one of two things, shock or fear. Neither one of them were equivalent to happiness.
Ashton boxed that he took the last seat of the pew. Not wanting to be a burden, he got up and offered her the seat. "Thank you," She breathed out to him.
Ashton simply just looked at her before heading to the second row. He really had no words for Morgan. It was just too much for him to say. She seemed bothered by the way he just treated her, he could tell just by the way she nibbled on her bottom lip.
Morgan took a seat next to Carson, Ashton sat directly behind her brother which angled him to be in her peripheral vision. She couldn't help how her eyes gravitated towards him. It had been five years! How could they not? He looked phenomenal, he was packed with all muscle that was very visible in the suit he swagged out for church. He still smiled whenever he spoke to anyone, and he still held that brightness in his eyes that was practically intoxicating.
Morgan couldn't describe how she felt honestly, but what she did know was that she definitely played herself. She was trying so hard to "upgrade" her life and she still landed in the arms of some asshole who cared nothing about her. Ashton was just so— New Orleans! Everything she thought she needed to run away from, but in reality, that's what she really needs.
The service started and everyone seemed to be in their places. The church had definitely gentrified into something that was very commercial like, but the congregation that refused to leave and go elsewhere still held the soul within it.
Both Ashton and Carson were trying to get the best out of the church visit, but it just wasn't the same. The new Bishop really wasn't really touching anything within the men. While everyone hoot and hollered at the generic way of preaching, Ashton and Carson just sat there not feeling a thing.
Ashton's eyes scanners the grand stage. How mother sat front and center of the choir which was still behind the lackluster Bishop who was breathing heavily as if he were dropping jewels. His attention finally seemed to be captured once he noticed someone stage. She was seated representing the higher placement of the church. Her hand was enslaved with the gentleman beside her while they listened on to the Bishop.
Ashton tapped Carson's shoulder and motioned to the stage. "That's Ai'Milan?" Ashton asked.
Carson readjusted himself in his seat scoping out for himself. Sure enough, there she sat, dressed in the finest attention. "She lookin' good?" Ashton roamed his eyes after the raunchy compliment.
Carson looked back at him. "Son you goin' to hell, lusting in the house of the lord," Carson whispered with a shake of his head.
Morgan heard the conversation between the two. It caused her jaw to clench and her stomach to churn in a tightness. Ashton wasn't trying to make her jealous, he had no intentions or reason behind it. He was sure that neither of them wanted each other, so he was doing whatever he so pleased.
While Ashton was living life in so much happiness.
Morgan was living life in so much regret.
_______________________________________
This what y'all wanted?
Anyways I've been reading a few comments and a lot of people claim that this series is a bit dragged out. Does anyone else feel that way?
Because if you do, go suck a fat one and stop reading. 🤷🏽♀️🤭
Y'all can't claim I give y'all life but drag my writing all in the same sentence.
Sorry for stepping out of character for the ones who didn't deserve that. But for the ones that do, I said what I said.
Welp, I hope you guys enjoyed ❤️. Love the support ❤️.