After Shaunte finally calmed down I decided to take her shopping. She was still in Lanvin probably running my credit card up so I decided to walk down to the local coffee shop. With a baseball hat, sunshades and a beat up old shirt, I ordered a black coffee. Sitting down I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone .

Taking a sip, the hot drink helped cleared the thoughts away. I needed to distract Shaunte with something to eliminate the threat that could cause Lizzy to lose everything. My girl had worked to hard to get this far in her life to have it taken away by the likes of Shaunte.

I could still see Shaunte through the store's huge window trying on things so I picked up my phone and dialed Lizzy but her voicemail came on.

"I'm so sorry Lizzy. I went about the situation all wrong but I couldn't let her try and ruin you. I figured if I blew you off it would convince her to back off. I know you only hit her because either she said something out of line or she approached you. These women are so much more different then you think. They use lawsuits as punches and juries for settlements. So if you can find it in your heart to forgive me I hope you can. I still love you Lizzy Bear."

I hung up sitting straight up in the chair. I was hoping she would call back before she caught her plane. I was truly sorry and the look on her face will haunt me forever. She looked so defeated that I wanted to run to her and beg for her forgiveness.

I dialed her number again. "Lizzy no voodoo dolls. I know you. That includes one for Shaunte too. I will take care of this mishap and no voodoo concoctions or spells. Call me."

The next call I made was to the florist where I ordered three bouquets of sunflowers her favorite along with a fruit bouquet and a huge giraffe. Hopefully she would get that I was really sorry.

Sitting back in my chair, I twirled the phone on the table. I kept picking it up making sure I didn't miss it ringing.

"Come on Lizzy. Your plane doesn't leave for another hour, pick up."

I looked down at my watch. Maybe I could get to the airport before she left. I ran across the street.

"I have to go but I should be back in a couple of hours," I told Shaunte.

"Where are you going? I thought practice was done?"

"Coach needs to see me before tomorrow. With the funeral and press I need to go. Either you can meet me at the cafe around the corner or you can go home."

"They are trying to order a dress for me and since I have a mani-pedi down the street I will just meet you at the cafe."

"Okay." I ran out, jumped in my Rover and took off. I hauled ass getting to the airport hoping I could catch her before she got on the plane. I tried calling Lizzy again but still no answer.

Running to the ticket booth, I went to purchase a ticket but the dispenser wouldn't allow it. Flight Full it said on the display. I looked around until I saw a ticket agent but of course there were twenty people in front of me. Why are people so slow when you're in a hurry?

I saw another agent opening up so I hurried out of line and ran up to the counter.

"Miss, you have to help me. Dr. Elizabeth Johnson is on flight 345 back to Baton Rouge and I need to see her before she takes off. It's very important that I speak to her it could be life or death."

"Sir that flight is full and its already starting to board."

"Can I buy a ticket that will get me near that terminal?"

"There is a flight to South Dakota that's two gates down."

"I'll take it."

"That will be eight hundred and ten dollars."

I passed her my credit card and she swiped it. It seem like the process was taking forever so I took off my glasses and hat hoping she was a football fan.

"Of my gosh! Oh my gosh you're Sean Gipson," she said getting all nervous.

"My son loves you."

"If you can get me through the gates to see my friend, I will give your son a tour of the stadium and he can meet some of the players."

"Are you shitting me?"

"No here is my agent's card. This is his phone number and he will set everything up."

"You will need a TSA badge to bypass security."

"I have one. My team use it when we travel."

"Go ahead and pull it out. I'll call security to get you through."

"Thanks....Sylvia."

Security came and of course people started to recognize me. Any other time I would stop but I was on a mission. By the time I got to the boarding area the ticket agent was wrapping up.

"I need to get on that plane."

"Sorry sir that plane is making finally preparations for take off."

"You have to stop it."

"I can't once the plane is locked. Federal regulations prohibit anyone from opening the plane."

I looked out the window and sure enough the plane was turning and headed to the runway.

I sat in the seat watching the plane turn on the tarmac. I couldn't believe this was happening. I tried calling her again but it went straight to voicemail. Maybe if a flight left out today I could get back by in the morning.

"Excuse me Miss. When does the next flight to Baton Rouge leave?"

She checked her computer.

"Not until ten am tomorrow."

"What about New Orleans?"

"Not until one pm tomorrow."

"Lafayette, Louisiana?"

"Sorry no flights to Lafayette."

"Thank you."

I got up pondering was there anything else I could do. I walked over to where you could rent corporate flights. I asked the agent and everything was booked up. With all my options of no use, I got back in my truck and hit my head on the steering wheel.

I grabbed my phone and made a call.

"Ms. Johnson how are you? It's Sean Gipson."

"Hello Sean. I'm doing fine and you."

"Good. I was calling because I needed to talk to Lizzy but her plane took off before we could speak."

"Plane? I didn't know about any trips she was taking although I just flew back in from France this morning."

"Oh, I didn't know."

"No worries. If I see her I will let her know you are looking for her."

"Thanks."

I hung up shaking my head. The next call was to Jarreau but his voicemail came on. I pulled off from the airport and headed back towards Shaunte. I needed to end this charade but I also needed a guarantee that Lizzy wouldn't get caught up in this mess.

When I pulled up, Shaunte was just walking out the door of Prada. Give a woman a credit card without a limit and they could do damage.

I got out and opened the door for her.

"Prada is going to order the black alligator strappy sandals so I had them delivered to your house. They should be in just in time for Fan Day. Do you like my nails?"

Was she serious?

"I really didn't find anything in Prada but a pair of shoes and a swimsuit."

"I need my credit card back." She pulled it out her purse and passed it to me. I needed to make sure I got a new number by tonight.

"Oh you can put those things in the trunk," she told the sales lady. I'm sure the lady was probably excited over the commission she just made.

I drove off and stopped at the red light.

"Can we talk Shaunte?"

"Of course bae."

She rubbed her fingers through the back of my hair.

"Look whatever happened between you and Lizzy needs to stay between us. No press, no lawyers and nothing is going to happen to Liz's medical license."

"Do you not see my face? Do you know how much Chanel foundation I had to use to cover this up? She's wild, childish and needs to pay for what she did to me and your baby. How can she be a true friend when she acts like a four year old?"

"I'm not saying what she did to you was right, she overstepped when she hit you. Something had to set her off because she is the most passionate person I know. What really happened?"

"I came over just like you said too. She didn't want to let me in but I went in anyway. She just started in on me for no reason calling me names and the next thing I know she hit me knocking me to the ground. I begged her to stop but she went wild on me." She started to cry.

"You must have provoked her."

"I didn't I swear. I did mention the pregnancy and I guess it caused her to go all Tarzan on me." More tears ran down her face but I didn't pay any attention to her.

"Why would you even tell her that? That was for me to tell her at the right time. Damn I can't believe you."

"I'm sorry. She was just talking not making any sense and to shut her up I spilled it. I'm sorry I said anything but I guess I was so excited."

"I told you not to say a word to anyone and to meet me after practice."

"I did. I thought you would have been home. I was just going to wait outside until I thought I saw your maid in the window but it turned out to be Liz."

"You should have stayed in the car."

"I should have. Come to think of it how were we going to talk if you had Jarreau with you?"

"Since we got out early we needed to discuss some plays and I figured what you had to say to me wouldn't take long."

She rolled her eyes.

"You don't follow instructions."

"I guess I was too excited when you said come over. I miss us Sean, we have so much fun together."

"You should have waited in your car until I arrived then all of this could have been avoided."

"I will remember next time. I can't believe she was trying to kill me Sean. The look in her eyes had psychopath written all over them. I was completely and utterly scared for my life. She needs to be locked up and the key tossed in the ocean," she said pulling down the visor and looking at her face.

"You provoked her and now you are trying to pin everything on her."

"Are you really taking up for her actions? Normal and sane people don't go around hitting other people."

"Believe me if she wanted you dead, you would be," I said in a chuckle but she stared at me narrowing her eyes.

"Ah...I had to use a half of jar of Chanel foundation and concealer to smooth this out."

"I will buy you a case if you leave her alone."

"Oh no I don't think so. She assaulted me. She needs to pay for this by going to jail or paying me heavenly."

"I'll give you twenty-five thousand to leave her alone."

She laughed.

"So you think twenty-five thousand is going to sweep this under the rug?"

"Yes. Take it and you sign an agreement that you won't do anything to sabotage or try to destroy Lizzie."

"So you are back on her side, when I was the one attacked?"

"I just don't want to hurt her more than she already is."

"Wow, I'm the one with bruises. I love you Sean and to be honest I don't want this anxiety between us."

"You love me?"

"Of course hun and this baby will too." She rubbed her stomach.

"Stop it Shaunte."

"Look if you don't want me to pursue this matter with Lizzy then propose."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm having your baby and I think we could have the perfect life together. You know I can make you happy. I can be all the things you want and need," she said licking her lips.

"You sound like a fool. First off I know you aren't pregnant for me. I've strapped up every time unless you have resorted to injecting it after the fact. If so you are desperate and trifling."

She laughed. "Awe did you forget the shower sex we had when you were too drunk to stand at Pete's party?"

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh but I did sweetheart. I know how much you want to be a father and husband."

"I do but not with you."

"That breaks my heart," she said rubbing her stomach. "Daddy didn't mean that sweetie."

"Stop it," I said pulling onto the freeway.

Meeting Shaunte was more of a hook up deal. I was going through a dry spell and needed a little something. I'm not going to lie she knows how to bait and hook you. She was a fantasy but everyone knows you can't turn a whore into a housewife.

"Look Shaunte I don't have time to play games. I'm taking you to the drugstore and you will take a test."

"I took a test already."

"No I want to see for myself."

"You're being cruel."

"No I'm being realistic."

"You let Lizzy get in your head. She never liked me or even gave me a chance. She wants you and just jealous. Why do we have to argue about this?" Tears started to run down her face.

"Look, just take the test."

"Fine, only because you don't believe me."

"Good." I pulled over to the Walgreens close to my house.

"You want to get it or should I?"

"I'll get it," she said getting out and slamming the door.

Damn him!

"Ma'am can I help you find something? Some overweight pimple faced kid asked.

"No, I'm fine thank you."

The clerk walked away. I grabbed my phone out my purse, I needed a pregnant woman quick. I scrolled through my numbers to my friend Pumpkin but she didn't answer who I originally got the stick from. None of my other girlfriends were pregnant.

I swear I should get out this business and open up a pregnancy urine bank. I could make a killing with over ten thousand male athletes.

I put my purse back on my shoulder as my cheek started to burn again. That animal, Lizzy had punched the crap out of me. I let her win this one only because I heard the door chime. That was my way of getting that Shedevil busted.

Thanks to her, my outfit was ruined but I keep a couple of spares in my car. Sean thought he could play me by taking me shopping but that was just an appetizer, I had big plans and I was going to get a ten course meal out of him.

I had to chuckle. The look on that girl's face when he told her to get out was priceless, it was perfect. Even a Hallmark card couldn't fix that moment. She was slowly destroying her friendship with him but I would be there to take her place.

I had to laugh again. This chic actually thought she was the better choice for Sean. I have no tolerance for her juvenile antics. Almost thirty years old and she acting like a WWE wrestler. He needed to drop her immature ass. This was the big leagues and her rules don't apply to this game. I tried to warn her but she doesn't listen.

Taking me out my thoughts some lady walked up to me and complimented my outfit. I smiled and thanked her. My $400 Halston black and white asymmetric flowing scarf print dress was rocking with my black Chanel high heel sandals with the matching hobo.

This was just a taste of the good life. Sean's salary, endorsements along with his playoff and Super Bowl appearance, made him one of the highest paid football players in the world. Being single, rich, handsome and a sexual beast in the bed I wanted first dibs.

Lizzy had her own money and career what she needed Sean for? I get they were friends but she was socially awkward. The wives and even the girlfriends of the players would eat her alive, with her classless ass.

I looked up at the numbers on top of each aisle. Aisle ten was my lucky number. I walked down the aisle and waited. There had to be at least ten different brands ranging from pink lines to plus signs, why did this have to be so difficult?

What was wrong with having a better life now then I had growing up? I would be thirty in two years and I wouldn't be able to play this game much longer and now it was time to settle. Sean had enough assets for five lifetimes, he didn't need all that money especially just for one person.

All the women would look up to me because I would have the crown jewel. Even if he got hurt and he couldn't play, his team had a thirty million guaranteed payout with thirty percent going to him. Worst case scenario he would have to retire or become a commentator, that could blow up to even higher dividends of six figures even into the middle seven figure range.

My stomach tingled just thinking about the good life. Throw a child or two in the mix and I never have to hustle again even if he divorces me and I take the kids. I would give the performance of a lifetime to sucker him out of his cash. Men think they own everything but I would prove them wrong.

"Think Shae. Pull out your arsenal something's bound to register. Either pull this off or go back to Cusseta, Georgia population 1100 people.

I walked over to the pharmacist and waited in line. I was up next and the tech came back to the register.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. Are there certain types of medications that could cause a positive pregnancy test even if you're not pregnant?"

"Actually yes. The most common are anti-anxiety medication and tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, Droperidol, Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Triflupromazine, Thioridazine can cause the hCG to spike."

"Anything else?"

"Ah, Promethazine that's used for allergies, prescribed diuretics, anti-Parkinson medications, even anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs."

"I take mannitol to flush out my system I think it's a diuretic."

"It is and could cause you to have a positive test."

I smiled, BINGO!

"Thank you for your time and knowledge."

"Well good luck Miss."

I gave him a big smile and walked away back to the aisle. A pregnant girl passed the aisle and the light switch in my head went off. Just to be on the safe side I stopped her.

"Excuse me."

The young girl turned her attention to me. She was a cute, short, little brown skinned girl with black doe eyes and a short pixie haircut. She was wearing a blue plain t-shirt and blue jeans with tennis shoes.

"You have to be the cutest little pregnant thing I have ever seen. Are you having a boy or a girl?"

"A boy."

"How sweet."

She smiled and thanked me.

" I'm sure your husband is super excited."

"I'm not married." She paused debating on whether to continue. "My boyfriend kicked me out last night." She started to cry.

This was it. This was my meal ticket. Finally I could see the light.

"Oh honey come here. I didn't mean to upset you." I patted her on the back trying not to mess up my nails.

"So where are you staying?"

"I slept at a shelter last night." She started to sniffle.

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"Oh no honey. Can't you go home? I'm sure your parents can help."

"I'm from Boston. I left to be with my boyfriend Greg thinking that he loved me but he doesn't and now I have no where to go." More tears ran down her face. She was heartbroken and vulnerable, it was the perfect invitation for me to lure her in.

"How far along are you?"

"Thirteen weeks the doctor said last week."

"When was the last time you ate honey?"

"Last night. I got twenty dollars to my name so I came in here to find something to eat."

"I'll make you a deal."

She looked up at me confused.

"We can help each other actually."

"What do you mean?"

"My boyfriend wants to leave me because I can't get pregnant. I really love him and I'm sure in time I can get pregnant but right now I'm not."

"How can I help you Miss?"

"I have a beautiful apartment overlooking downtown LA. I have an extra room that's not being used so you can stay there until you get on your feet. I maybe able to get you a job where you can support yourself."

"Really?"

"Yes, you will absolutely love the place."

"I can't believe this is happening to me, thank you so much."