"Come in."

I quickly grabbed the pregnancy test and put it behind my back.

"I brought you some dry toast, tea, coconut water and soup," Aries's mom said walking in with a tray. She put it down on the table next to me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. Thanks for asking."

"It seems like you will be in good hands so I will take my leave. I will have a courier pickup your prescription and deliver it to you for the nausea. It shouldn't take long," the doctor said.

"Thank you." He nodded leaving me with Aries's mom. She closed the door behind him and came back to take a seat across from me.

"The soup is my mother's recipe. Aries would always ask for it when he got sick."

"It smells divine." I took a sip and the warm broth was smooth going down my throat.

"Just what I needed so thank you for going through the trouble." She smiled but I could tell something was bothering her.

"So are you pregnant Elizabeth?"

My soup nearly went flying in her face. Why did women like to get up in all your business? Can a person just be sick?

"No. I ate something last night that didn't agree with me. As soon as I take the prescription it should be clearing up." Relief seem to wash over her face.

"Good. It's best to be married before you have children. So do you want children?"

"Eventually but not now. I love my career and I would like to be married a few years before it happens."

"Good to know. Would you date a man with a child?"

"Well, it all depends. Of course things happen so you can't control who you fall in love with. I wouldn't close the door on a guy who has a child." My mind quickly turned to Sean.

"I agree. I must say you are just as pretty in person as your picture."

"Awe thank you Mrs. Wilson."

"Call me Mildred."

"Okay Mildred."

"So exactly how long have you been dating my son? I've heard him mention you for months and he said you all still needed to make it official."

"Dating, just recently. Knowing him for almost a year." I couldn't tell her we had been screwing each other brains out the whole time, I was a good girl.

"He tells me you are a doctor?"

"Yes. An orthopedic specialist."

"How long have you been doing that?"

"About two years in private practice. Another two in general practice."

"I'm sure medical school and residency is very expensive. I have a friend that is a doctor and he said it took him almost eight years to pay off his student loans, is that true?"

"I'm not sure. My education was already paid for so it could be true."

"Oh really? So you don't fall into that category?"

This woman sure was nosy. "Both my deceased maternal and paternal grandparents along with my father who worked two jobs before he died, left me a trust fund to cover my educational expenses. I didn't grow up rich, but they made some good investments and my mother sacrificed to make sure it was available. She also made sure I wouldn't become a statistic of my environment. I've always wanted to be a doctor. I really love what I do, fixing broken things and putting them back together." I took another spoonful of broth.

"That's good Elizabeth. So you are not after my son's money?"

Once again, I had to cover my mouth. "That would be a no. I do quite well financially of course not NFL money but I don't need much, I'm a simple girl."

"Is that right?"

"Yes. I'm a little disappointed that I can't wear the jersey I bought. I wanted to represent Aries and support him."

"My son is a perfectionist. He wants to introduce you to the fans and his world. He can't do that if you aren't dressed to impressed. That's a beautiful dress hanging up over there."

"Aries bought it although I didn't ask him too. It was a surprise."

"Aries always did have great style. Now when it comes to women, not so much."

I was a little taken back. I would let her slide on that comment. "I didn't know Fan Day was a fashion show," I asked taking a sip of water and changing the subject.

"This is Atlanta sweetheart. This is the LA or New York of the south."

"Well I wanted to be comfortable not walk across a runway."

"Can you just wear it for him? He's under a little stress. Maybe with you here, he will loosen up some." She clapped her hands. "I can help you get dress if you like?"

"Of course I will wear the ensemble he laid out. I was going to shower first so it shouldn't take me too long. Thanks for offering but I don't need any help." Mama always said to respect your elders even when they worked on your last nerve.

"Good. You have thirty minutes. Aries said it takes about an hour to get to the stadium. I will tell him you are getting ready."

"Thank you."

She walked out and I rolled my eyes. I took the negative pregnancy test and wrapped it in the napkin and tossed it in the bathroom trash. Staring at the paper, I was happy I wasn't and was ready to do the jig. If I would have been pregnant there was no way Sean and I could finally get together. He with his child by Shae and me with Aries's child would have made for a difficult situation and now I was happy.

I grabbed my purse off the bed and saw that Sean had been blowing up my phone with missed calls. His texts were like call me, ten times so it had to be important. I dialed him back but it went straight to voicemail. I decided to text him.

Hey,

What's up? Blowing up my phone. ???Anyway, Aries mama working my last nerve. She's nosy & meddling. She thinks I'm after Aries $$$ plz she don't know me. Txt me bk.

I waited a few moments but nothing. I showered, brushed my teeth and got dressed. To be honest I didn't even want to go anymore. Fan Day was suppose to be fun and exciting. I wasn't quite a football enthusiast but I did like all the excitement and theatrics.

I really hoped that after tonight Aries and I could remain friends, but there was a big possibility we wouldn't. I really wanted him to be happy and it's not right to keep leading him on. I was leaving earlier and when the doctor came, that ended that. Maybe I should tell him how I really feel now instead of waiting. He had pissed me off earlier but now after the good news of not being pregnant, I had calmed down.

I let out a deep breath. I shouldn't have come. I should have called it quits over the phone. Me and my big bright ideas. Urgh! I didn't want to break his heart as he hadn't done anything to me. This would fall on me and now I was feeling bad. Yes he called me a drama queen, and seemed a little controlling but believe me I have been called worse and he did seem stressed.

I put on some makeup hoping it would give me a little color. I was completely flushed so I finished off the coconut water.

I heard someone knocking on the door. "Come in."

Aries walked in wearing his team warm-up suit. In his left hand he held a brown paper bag and the other a pink rose.

"Are you feeling any better?"

"A little."

"You look very nice. I'm proud to have you on my arm today. Here is the prescription the courier brought over and a peace offering." He passed me the bag and rose. I quickly took the medicine.

"I thought I was just an old regular drama queen that wanted to ruin your event? You really hurt my feelings, I'm not that kind of person to fake an illness. I hate being sick."

"I didn't mean it. I'm just stressed about my contract. I'm hitting the salary cap and that's never a good thing. I'm scared Lizzy that they might have to trade me." He sat on the bed looking sad. I rubbed his back and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"I'm sure everything will work itself out."

"See that's why God brought you into my life. He knew I needed someone like you. Whatever you heard downstairs, I apologize although at times you can be a drama queen."

"Am not! Okay maybe every blue moon." We both laughed.

"I'm stoked that you are here. I appreciate you coming out Ms. Supermodel." He pulled out a magazine that had Sean and I posing in it.

"I admit you look hot. I wish that was me with you. I can tell everyone I'm dating a hot model."

"I do look good don't I?" He nodded his head.

He held up the bag. "I will put your medicine in the cabinet while you put your shoes on."

He walked away. "Lizzy?"

"Yeah..."

He walked back out with the pregnancy stick. Damn it! I thought I had wrapped it up pretty good.

"Anytime a woman is sick, men jump to conclusions that we are pregnant. I'm not as you can see from the test. Your doctor recommended it although I told him I wasn't."

He remained quiet looking at it. "I wouldn't have been mad. Actually I would have been thrilled. What man wouldn't want a baby with the woman he loves? I do honestly love you Lizzy."

I smiled but I didn't respond.

"I know there's been a lot of drama between us and Sean, but I love you and I hope you can give me a chance. You two grew up together and he could have asked you to be his a long time ago. I just find it odd that he's putting all this work in now, because you and I are together. It feels that we have to compete for your love. I know he loves you and you love him too, but with the baby coming do you really think you two can be a couple?"

Okay, now he had turned the tables on my ass. I didn't see that coming.

"I will admit I'm a little jealous, okay a lot jealous of you twos relationship. I've been trying to tear it apart instead of embracing it. I should not come between a friendship that you've had all your life. I was wrong and I apologize. I put you in a difficult situation of having to choose and I hope you can forgive and give me a chance to be the man you need."

He held my hands and intertwined our fingers. Bringing my wrists to his lips he kissed them.

"Please Lizzy give us a chance. That's all I'm asking."

Silence followed by more silence. I was speechless due to my mind going on overload.

"Sean loves me more than beyond our friendship. It wouldn't be fair to you. You deserve to have a woman that truly loves you and I don't..." He cut me off before I could finish.

"I know he does. Shae is going to do everything in her power to use that baby to get what she wants including Sean. Do you really want to battle with her? Do you want that type of mess and stress in your life? Look."

He pulled out his phone. Shae and Sean were together in a room where Shae was on her knees in a very uncompromising position. Sean was looking down at her with his hands on her shoulders while she was going for his stuff. I couldn't interpret his expression. It had today's date stamped at the bottom and news source, MediaTakeOut had, #Gettingkinkyatphotoshoottoday.

Then Aries showed me more pictures of Sean and Shaunte together with them looking into each other eyes with a caption of Sean and Shaunte Proud Parents To Be on a blog which seemed to be trending. One post had over ten thousand comments with congratulations going down the page.

I was floored. Word had gotten out about the baby and the media and fans were loving it. Now it was no way he would abandon Shae and have the media tear him down. He had worked to hard to be Mr. California Heartthrob bringing his team to multiple championships and two Super Bowls over the years. He had a key to the city and accolades from many organizations. By leaving Shae, that baby would be fatherless. Another statistic all because of me. I put my hand over my heart to stop it from coming out of my chest.

"This is a lie. It has to be photoshopped. He doesn't love her much less stand the sight of her."

"Well it looks like they are warm and cozy here. She's a freak. Is she not pregnant?"

I just stared at the picture.

"This was taken today. If he really loved you and he can't stand the sight of her, then why is she at his crouch? If you don't believe it, call him and ask."

I grabbed my phone and called. It went to voicemail. "Sean call me please. Is it true you were with Shae today? Did you and her... please tell me the pictures aren't real. Call me."

"He's not answering because he is probably with her. Since the news is out, I'm sure they are trying to spin it. Look bae, let them handle this. I know you want to do something but you will only make things worse."

Huge tears ran down my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away.

"With the likes of Shae, he will need a friend. He will need you for that but trying to be more is just going to complicate things. I would never wish or want you to be unhappy. I can give you what you need and more, just let me prove it to you."

"I don't love you. I love him."

"I know but I was hoping with time, you could love me in your own way. The chemistry we have between us is undeniable. We have a lot in common. I have more than enough money to take care of us. I could give you the life you always wanted. You could open

up your own practice here if you wanted too. We are both professionals, we work hard, and we are both undeniable sexy," he said pulling me between his legs.

His hands slid underneath the side of my dress and my body was starting to betray me. I was hurt at the thought that Sean was getting farther away from any hopes of us being together.

"I'm sorry Lizzy but just the feel of your skin intoxicates me. You're so beautiful I can't get enough of you." He raised up my dress and kissed me on my thigh. I just stood there as flashbacks of Sean and I together laughing and playing as children came front and center. When we shared our first kiss and when we danced under the moonlight.

"Stop. We have to go."

"We do, but I just want a taste and then..."

I felt his lips at my entrance. He raised my leg as he continued to kiss me down below. I was trying to break free but he held on to me by my backside and I crumbled from his intense ministrations. I covered my face in shame as he worked his lips and I seized before him. Damn him! I was weak.

"Aries..."

"Aries and Elizabeth the car is waiting outside to take us to the stadium. Let's go or we are going to be late," his mother yelled out through the door.

He got up and walked to the bathroom giving me a towel to clean off while he washed his face and brushed his teeth. I stood there like a little lost puppy. Some of the things he said were true, but I had made up my mind that Sean was the one but somehow I felt that once he saw and held that baby he would always be tied to Shae. Having to deal with her, I would end up in jail for either killing her or I would end up the one alone looking at the family that I should have had.

Life was hard enough. Now it was even harder. I came here to break it off with Aries and now... I grabbed my phone and called Sean again.

"Hello Lizzy," I heard Shae's voice on the other end.

"Why are you answering his phone you crazy bitch!? I will hunt you down and strangle you until your freaking eyes pop out of your head."

"Are you threatening me? I know your mother taught you better. That's right you came from nothing. Have some coup Lizzy," she said chuckling.

"I swear if I was there, I would pound you down into the ground."

"Let me guess you saw the pictures?"

"It's a lie!"

"Oh honey, Sean enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed giving it to him. I think the pictures of us together are so cute. Can't you see the love we have for one another?"

"He doesn't love you!"

"Oh but he does and so does his fans. I already have baby companies calling me. You do know if you come after me or even try to get with Sean, his fans would turn on him. It would be a scandal and I would destroy you."

"Put him on the phone, you lunatic!"

"Ah Lizzy, it's not nice to call people names."

"Shae I swear if I could choke you through the phone I would. Put him on the damn phone!"

"He's sleeping."

"Put him on the phone!"

"Sean baby, Lizzy wants to talk to you."

Pause.

"He said he will call you later. We just finished you know having wonderful makeup sex and I wore him out." She laughed. "I'll give him the message that you called along with your text messages. It's not nice to talk about your future mother in law. Toddles."

She hung up leaving me standing there in shock. She had to be lying. He wouldn't touch her again. No, no, no. She had to be playing with me. I called back, voicemail. I called again and voicemail. Nooooo, I called one more time and voicemail again.

"You ready to go," Aries asked me wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against him. He kissed me on the neck.

"You okay? You seem a little weirded out."

I wiped my tears away. I disconnected from him to grab my purse off the bed. I slid my phone in it without saying a word. We walked out the door headed to the car.

"Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?"

"Not gorgeous." I sniffed trying to put a smile on my face.

"Well I'll say it again. You look gorgeous and I can't wait to show you off. My lady," he said holding out his hand so I could take it but I didn't and just walked away.

"Thanks Sean, the prototypes look good. Billy will have the first installment ready by Friday."

"Thanks Nick."

"A little birdie told me Lizzy is headed here for Fan Day. I know you're excited."

"I am. Speaking of her she hasn't called me back." I went looking for my phone but I didn't see it. I was at my production company finishing up a robotic presentation that my staff had been working on with a client.

After I left my photoshoot I rushed over here. Shae had been talking nonsense and she left after I made her leave. I swear she was becoming a stalker. I went upstairs and looked in my office and I couldn't find it. I remember walking out the photoshoot trying to call Lizzy when JT the director's assistant stopped me. I headed to his office where we went over the proofs. I sat my contracts down and my phone. I remember picking up the contracts and sliding the phone into my jacket pocket.

I checked my pockets and no phone. The contracts were on my desk but the phone was no where to be found. That was strange. When I was leaving the shoot, a small bus of children saw me leaving and screamed out my name. I was getting in my car when they bomb rushed me for autographs and pictures. Although I was in a hurry, I made time to acknowledge them all. The teacher thanked me and I drove off.

I had also stopped and signed a few more autographs at the ShopRite around the corner from here where I got my PowerAid. Maybe it fell out my pocket and landed between the seat in the car.

I rushed downstairs retracing my steps looking in my car and still no phone. I checked under and around it and still it was nowhere to be found. I asked people if they had seen it, put everyone shook their head no.

"Kale, Robbi have you all seen my phone?"

"No, try calling it."

I did and my voicemail came on. We listened and nothing.

"Don't you have your locator on?" Robbi asked.

"I think so."

"Here, come log in to the app on the computer."

I did and waited.

"Someone has your phone dude. They are using it on airplane mode so it can't take a snapshot on where it is."

"Who would have my phone?"