The Ex Project by Nia Arthurs

Chapter Seventeen

Duane sawYolanda smiling and holding an ice cream cone out to her son.

Time stood still as he listened to her laughter. The sun was magic against her dark skin and the wind lifted her hair like gentle silk.

Something hard landed in the middle of his chest.

Just like that, watching her smile careened to the top of his favorites list, sitting right up there with FIFA World Cup matches and his mother’s tamales.

Had last night really happened? Kissing Yolanda had felt like a dream. Something straight out of one of those Hallmark movies his mother liked to watch.

This morning, he woke at the crack of dawn, fighting the urge to call Yolanda. Text her. Ask if she was up. By the time he’d caught himself, he was reaching for his keys to drive out to her house.

Creepy, maybe? But that was how hooked he was on her. He wanted to kiss her again. And a whole lot more. But he also wanted to hold her hand, talk to her about his dreams and hear more about hers.

He wanted to pull her into his lap and watch whatever she liked before wrestling the remote away and forcing her to watch football with him. He could already hear the sound of her laughter as he tickled her into giving up the remote. He could already smell the scent of her perfume as he hugged her while she fell asleep.

His future unfurled before him like a red carpet, dazzling him with all its beauty. If he wasn’t certain about his feelings last night, he was even more sure today.

Yolanda was it for him.

He wanted to tell her, wanted to sift out what she was thinking too, but he didn’t want to come off too strong. Damn. The way he felt, restraint would be an uphill battle.

She was too beautiful.

Too loving.

Too irresistible.

He had no idea when she’d infiltrated his heart but, somehow, she and Theo had burrowed their way under his skin and he’d just have to live with it.

“What do you want to do now, coach?” Theo asked, running up to him, all his fingers wrapped around the cone.

“It’s up to you.”

Theo’s dark brown eyes skated across the field and Duane’s followed. Sea gulls flew majestically overhead. The Caribbean Sea stretched to the horizon, white-capped waves pushing against the tide. Coconut trees towered over the game booths, watching children trying to win the biggest prizes.

The scene was bracketed by a merry-go-round and the outline of a Ferris wheel in the distance. The scent of salt from the sea water and the fat-filled pastries filled the air.

Theo pointed at the rusty rollercoaster that had seen better days. “I want to go on that one.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Mom,” Theo whined.

“Remember what happened last time?”

“What happened?”

She glanced at him, a harried look in her eye. “When he was around five, De—” Yolanda froze, winced and looked away, “someone took him on a ride like that. He was too young and the bar didn’t secure him properly. He flew out and got that cut on his head.” She pointed to a small knot at Theo’s temple. “My heart nearly left my body.”

“I can imagine.”

“They managed to pull him back before he tumbled out completely, but I still remember.”

“Mom, that was so long ago,” Theo grumbled. He kept his voice low, but his eyes were still on the ride.

“He’s right.”

She folded her arms over her chest.

“I’ll take him. He’ll be safe with me.”

“No,” her answer was too swift. Too sharp.

He felt a cut under his ribs that he didn’t like. Did Yolanda think he was like her ex? That he couldn’t be trusted?

Duane wrestled with his frustration and kept his mouth shut. He thought of what his father would do in this situation. Whenever his mother was in a fighting mood, his dad never lashed out at her. He always kept quiet for a bit, thought it through and then responded.

Yolanda was breathing hard, her eyes flashing. On the verge of an explosion. A woman ready for war. Anything he said now would be used against him.

Her eyes narrowed the longer the silence stretched. Maybe she expected him to claw at her. Maybe everyone she’d ever been with had questioned her authority as the mother of her child. Duane tried to make sense of her behavior and each breath calmed his mind.

Finally, he stepped closer to her. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he squeezed. “It’s okay. I understand.”

She blinked rapidly as if he’d spoken in another language.

Duane’s lips twitched. He didn’t mind that Yolanda expected the worst of men, especially since he enjoyed proving her wrong. One day, he hoped that she would expect to be respected, heard and taken care of. One day, he hoped it would no longer surprise her to be treated well.

Placing a hand on her cheek, he took the opportunity to turn her face to his and lean closer. “I got you.”

Theo studied them both, sensing the shift in the tension. Duane could see the wheels turning behind the kid’s eyes.

Dropping his hand, he nodded in the boy’s direction. “How about we play bumper cars instead?” Turning to Yolanda, he checked first. “Is that okay?”

She nodded, still looking dazed.

“This way.” He gestured to the booth.

Theo followed him thoughtfully while Yolanda trailed behind. He left her to stew in whatever she was thinking and paid for the ride.

Theo seemed reluctant to be on the bumper cars, but Duane chased him down and engaged him in a playful fight. The boy’s competitive spirit blazed out of him as he engaged.

Laughter rang out from the sidelines. He and Theo had gathered an audience. More and more kids got on bumper cars, wordlessly joining in the game.

Since Theo was no longer alone and Duane’s long legs were never meant to be stuffed inside a tiny box car, he gave up his ride to another youngster.

“Thank you,” the little girl beamed.

Her mother nodded too as Duane told the operator to transfer his credit to her.

Yolanda met him as he walked, on trembling legs, down the stairs. Though he tried not to let it show, her expression of concern told him the stiffness in his thighs was obvious.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He massaged his leg, hoping to bring life back into his limbs. “I don’t think I’m the bumper car’s target audience.”

She chuckled. “That’s a pretty good guess.”

Duane searched the bumper cars until he found Theo’s. The little boy laughed and frantically turned the steering wheel of his car to avoid being slammed by another kid.

Suddenly, Duane felt a warm hand slip into his. His heartrate skyrocketed and he knew, without looking down, that it was Yolanda who held him.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to be—it’s not that I don’t trust you.”

He squeezed her hand. I understand.

“It’s hard to let go. He’s my baby. He’s my responsibility. I’ll always be a little crazy when it comes to protecting him.”

“That’s alright with me.”

“Is it?”

He rubbed his thumb over her ring finger. “Yolanda, I’m not here to take anything from you. I’m here to add to your life. To relieve you of whatever burdens you want to hand to me and maybe even some you don’t.”

She smiled and the sun broke free from the clouds. He wanted to kiss her, but he saw how careful she was being to not let Theo catch on.

Satisfying himself with simply holding her hand, he whispered, “I want to remind you that I like you. And I understand that you have Theo to consider. I won’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

“Why?” she croaked.

It was the last thing he expected her to say and his eyebrows hiked.

“Why are you being so sweet?”

He drew closer to her, his hand cupping her cheek. “Baby, don’t say things like that when I can’t do anything about it.” His heart thudded. “You’re incredible. You have to know that.”

She sniffed.

“Mom!” Theo waved at them.

Yolanda jumped away from him. She brushed her hair back nervously and smiled at her son. “Yes, baby?”

“Take a picture! I want to post this to my friends.”

Yolanda rolled her eyes. “He’s seven. What does he know about social media?”

Duane chuckled and then shooed her away. “I’ll take the picture.”

“I can take it.”

“Yes, but this way I have an excuse to text you tonight.”

She pulled her lips in, visibly tamping down her laughter. “Good idea.”

Duane took a few shots and then, when Theo joined them again, he took photos of Yolanda and her son together.

“You too, coach!” Theo pointed at him.

“Yeah, come on, Coach Marden.” Yolanda flashed him a beguiling smile. “Let’s take a picture.”

“I’ll take it, young man.” The offer came from an older woman with dark skin, a gold front tooth and a big afro.

“Thanks.” He hustled to Yolanda and Theo.

“Smile!”

Duane flashed his teeth at the camera.

“Now change it up.” The old woman directed them like a professional photographer.

“Ah…” Duane thought fast. Scooping Theo up into his arms, he settled the boy on his shoulder and pressed close to Yolanda. She turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling. Theo laughed from his perch on Duane’s shoulders.

“Wow. Gorgeous.” The older woman turned the phone so they could see the screen.

“I can’t see,” Theo said. Duane put him down and Theo ran to collect the phone.

The old woman grinned at him. “You have a beautiful family.”

Duane shot a concerned look at Yolanda to see her reaction, but it was Theo’s that made his chest tighten.

“Thank you!” the little boy said as he accepted the phone and swiped through the photos. His giggles met Duane’s ears like sweet music.

Yolanda nervously cleared her throat. “It’s getting late and I have to get ready for my meeting. Tay-Tay, let’s go.”

“You have work on a Sunday?” Duane asked, falling into step beside her.

“Well, I—”

“It’s her K-pop meeting,” Theo said smartly, his eyes focused on the phone. “Mom and her friends drink wine and talk about naked Asian guys.”

She gasped. “They are not naked.”

Duane stopped and folded his arms over his chest. “Care to explain?”

“It’s called K-pop and it’s a genre of music that involves Korean boy bands singing and dancing intricate choreography.” She lifted a dark finger. “It’s amazing and you will not make fun of me.”

He chuckled. “I won’t.”

“I mean it.”

“I got it.” He put her hand down and caressed her with his thumb. “I’ve heard about that Korean thing before.”

“You have?” Her eyes glistened with interest.

“Remember when we ran into each other at the hospital? I told you I was there to meet one of my players and his sister?”

“Mm-hm.” She nodded, but her attention was locked on Theo who was skipping ahead. “Tay-Tay, watch where you’re going!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

She glanced at him. “Keep talking, Duane. I’m listening.”

“Her name is Zaka.” He grinned broadly because Yolanda was cute when she was in mama-mode.

“Who is Zaka?” Yolanda asked, her eyes darting back and forth. “Theodore Walsh!”

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” The little boy trudged back to them.

“She loves K-pop.”

Yolanda froze.

Duane was so startled that he went still too.

“What’s her last name, address and phone number?”

“Why?” He shuffled away from her, feeling a bit intimidated by her intense stare.

“You said she loves K-pop?” Yolanda tilted her head toward him.

“I mean… I think so.”

“Then I need her contact information.” She pulled her hand into a fist. “Pronto.”