me & tomfoolery

Weary Hearts pt. 3 | Stefon Diggs Short Story

"What are you thinking about Jade?" Trevon asks sitting next to her at breakfast. She didn't wanna admit that she wondered what was happening in Stefon's meeting with Yanisa.

"Whatever Aaiden and Stephanie have us doing today. I don't even think I'm prepared." She laughed.

Trevon gave her a glance over, before joining in on the laughter. The opening of the office door caused them to look up.

Stefon ran over to Jade. "You'll never guess what I just did!" That excited boyish gleam in his eye, was something she hadn't seen in a long time. "What?" She searched over his features, completely engulfed in whatever he had to say.

"I got Paris fashion week!" His family cheered at the great news they overheard. Stefon was most excited to share with Jade. She worked in fashion journalism and she would be in Paris for those weeks as well.

"That's great Stef," She hugged him. "That's really great."

The moment she let go, she cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable under everyone's stares. He stood up, moving out of her way and going to make a celebratory drink.

Jade needed some space, the bathroom is the one place no one would bother her. As she approached, the door opened revealing Yanisa. "Excuse me" Jade just wanted to get past.

"I really didn't think you would have this hold on the family."

Jade rolled her eyes, not understanding what Yanisa was going on about but, she knew it was bullshit. "Girl, I'm not tryna to have you ruin my day. Can you please just move?"

"How does it feel knowing at night, I'm with your baby daddy, doing what I want?" The restraint it took not to hit this woman, was hanging on by dental floss.

"Like I told you months ago, you could have him. At the end of the day, I'm the mother of his child, I'm gonna be around the family regardless. Good luck getting them to like you. I promise I am not standing in your way."

"Good." Yanisa walked away which was her own blessing.

The only reason Jade confronted Stefon was because Yanisa contacted her to taunt her and then played innocent in front of others. If Stefon was going to keep lying about what he did, there was no hope of them even being friends at the end of it.

"Auntie Jade, can you go down on the tubes with me? Mommy gonna hold my hot chocolate." Aaiden insisted on going down the biggest slopes today and he wanted to reserve to tubes for Jade, she always made him feel safe.

"Yeah boopie, I got ya." Jade was having a hard time adjusting her snow suit, which the family thought was comical. She was bound to fall.

"C'mere, lemme help you." Stefon kneeled down to push her snow suit in the right places and lace her boots correctly. "Mama, why you always all over the place?" He joked.

"Leave me alone boy, I be trying." He stood up, towering over her now bundled frame. "You staring like you think I'm cute."

"Stefon, bye. I'm not even staring at you. Of course you're cute, why else you think I had your baby? She's got good genes that's for sure." Now they were joking back and forth with one another, awaiting their turn on the slopes.

"That's all, I was a cute lil sperm donor?"

"Yeah, and a lousy boyfriend." She laughed but he didn't. Jade walked over to Aaiden not realizing the dynamic of the weekend had completely changed in that moment.

Racing down the slopes with other families and winning felt great. Aaiden cheered as he ran back to the main waiting area. "You see what we did Uncle Stef? Oh it was a lot of fun. I can't wait until Nova is over so I could do those things with her too." Aaiden went on and on about how much fun he was having.

Jade noticed a difference in Stefon that she couldn't explain. He wouldn't look at her and detached himself from everyone, he didn't even smile when Aaiden ran to him first. They have a special relationship and that was truly Aaiden's favorite person.

It was matching pajamas night and each person had the choice of two piece, one piece or onesie with the feet covered. Jade showered second and she expected Stef to be waiting when she left the bathroom, but he seemed to be long gone. Jade texed Sierra to possibly find out the tea.

Is Stefon out there?

Yeah, he's on the deck with Aaiden and Cameron, I think Uncle DIggy is out there too.

Jade would leave them alone for now, but there was something off about Stefon and she couldn't shake it. Walking into the living room, she could see Trevon and Sierra getting along on the couch, Darez was on his phone cuddle with the family dog and Stephanie was on the couch alone.

"Hey baby, come sit with me." She patted the seat next to her, encouraging Jade to join her. Stephanie always loved Jade. Viewed her as a smart and driven girl and thought her son made the right decision by trying again with her after their careers got on track. It broke her heart that they weren't together. "What's wrong?"

Jade could never get anything past Stephanie, "Just in my head."

"Is it about my son?" Jade nodded her head, "Yeah I figured something waa happening, his whole mood changed. I would think this weekend would put you guys back on track, but it seems not."

"Hard to do that when he keeps lying to me."
"You really think he cheated on you?"

"Ma, he brought the girl here."

"He hasn't been with her since though. Outside of that meeting, he's been with us. Never left."

Jade didn't try to pay attention to what he did or didn't do. She did not want to be disappointed. It was hard as is. The man she was in love with, she didn't trust. It wasn't always like that though. They used to have the best times, they were great partners in parenting, there were dates and endless support, and then it all changed. Jade remembered vividly that one day during the season he had to sit out for a game and things had gotten progressively worse since.

"Y'all its almost my baby's birthday, can we get our glasses ready and get the camera up." Sierra set up her tripod with her camera and the timer. She wouldn't press the shutter button until everyone was in place. Aadien sat in between his parents in the middle. Stefon stood to the side, and Jade decided it would be best to stand next to him. It was awkward because he still wasn't looking at her. The tension made her want to cry.

"Can we pretend like we love each other? This looks so bad from behind the camera." Sierra pointed. "Put the damn phone down Darez." Stephanie chastised. Stefon looked over at Jade finally and their expressions mirrored one another, the look of sadness, confusion and exhaustion were fused. He reached out his hand for her to walk over. She grabbed it, standing next to him. He placed her on his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "This good Si?" He asked wanting to get the photos over with.

"Perfect. Everyone say Happy Birthday Aaiden!" Sierra clicked the shutter, quickly rushing to her spot to make the photo in time.

They screamed happy birthday as the time struck 12 and the flash went off. For a few moments everything felt normal. Stefon's hold on Jade felt natural, his arm across her waist gripped her thigh. His face nuzzled in her neck as his cool breath grazed her skin. As soon as the photo was over, he pulled away. Jade felt the energy being pulled away from her and she desperately wanted more.

"I love you neph." Stefon gave Aadien a big hug and did their handshake before disappearing to the back of the cabin.