Loves Deception

Chapter 34

“Damn Xav! Go easy on the bows to the ribs man!” Xion groaned as he walked to the bench clutching his side. Xavier grunted and started tossing layups. He was frustrated, angry, confused, and horny, all rolled into one and all he could do to avoid going crazy or hopping on the first flight to Chicago was to take his frustrations out on the court. He was playing a game of basketball at the park with his brother and it was doing little to ease his tension. Ever since the night he spent with Layla a month ago she had been distant towards him.  He didn’t know what was wrong. He had tried holding her that night and she pulled away from him. He tried making love to her before he left but she said something about side effects. Whenever they talked on the phone she seemed distracted or ended the call early. She’d even stopped sending photos, and videos. He didn’t push the issue because they were still taking things slow but he missed the hell out of her. Pretty soon they would have to have a serious talk about living arrangements. He tossed the ball and it bounced off the rim and rolled into a bush. He sighed and walked over to the bench.

He flopped down and grabbed his water bottle. Xion glanced at him and smirked. “I take it you’ve got a case of sexual frustrations” He snickered and Xavier scowled. He held up his hands innocently. “Hey man just an observation. A tip though, running always helps.” Xavier grunted. They sat silently for a moment taking sips of water and watching people mill around the park. “Am I crazy for thinking that his long distance thing can work?” he asked aimlessly. Xion took a deep breath. “Realistically. Yes, if you’re trying to make the relationship permanent. But you two needed that distance. Now that you’ve straightened things out and are on the same page again I say stop wasting time. It’s all good to want to take things slow and not just jump back in head first, but come on man. She is in Chicago and you’re in Georgia and you’ve only seen each other what twice after seven years! I mean how do you expect a real relationship to form? You guys need that day to day interaction to learn each other again. Ya’ll aren’t the same two college kids from back then. I’m sure both of you have changed and what if you don’t like the new person she is? Ya’ll both are grown and able to live and work anywhere so if you’re still serious about her and you want to make this thing permanent then one of you needs to seriously consider relocating.  You need to put in time to see if she is the right one for you or if you’re holding on to a fantasy of what it was like before.” Xavier nodded. “She’s still the one” he said quietly. “I want her in my life. I dream about marrying her, having a family, but I don’t want to scare her off again. We’ve worked out our issues about the miscarriage and her leaving, and things were going perfect... But now it seems like she’s pulling away from me again.” Xion shook his head. “Do you think it’s someone else?” he asked bluntly. “Hell No! She wouldn’t. She’s never been that type of person.” he scowled when an image of Ethan popped into his head. Xion held his hands up. “Hey man, you have to think about these things. Like I said she isn’t the same young naïve college girl. She a full grown, sexy woman and men notice that. I’m not saying she’s doing anything...but how would you know, and vice versa” He spoke honestly. “I just know” Xavier growled, leaving no room for discussion. “OK. But be careful Xavier. Her leaving last time had you so gone that this time your ass just might go crazy for real. I love you man, but I’ll have you committed.” Xavier’s mouth twitched upwards and Xion slapped him on the back. “Just tryna lighten this up a bit…Seriously man, I support your relationship and I’m in ya’ll corner all the way. But honestly, I couldn’t do it. I need the booty on the regular.” He shook his head pitifully and they both burst out laughing.

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Layla stood examining her body in the floor length mirror. She was officially six months and one week pregnant and she felt every bit of the beached whale she thought she looked it. Her uterus was the size of a soccer ball now plus the belly she had before becoming pregnant. She wondered how much longer she could blame it on bloating. She rubbed cocoa butter over her belly and breasts and pulled on her night gown. Xavier had called twice already and she had let both go to voicemail. It was killing her but she feared she’d blurt out her secret every time they talked on the phone. She knew she was going to catch hell but she was finally ready to tell him, everyone. She had just had her checkup with Dr. James this morning and the pregnancy was progressing wonderfully. The baby was as healthy as can be and the placenta was still attached. There were no signs of stress and her blood pressure was excellent. She wasn’t experiencing any of the symptoms from before and he had taken her out of the high risk category. She was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief but was still taking precautions, eating healthy and exercising. Now the only thing she wanted was her man. She missed him like hell and the doctor gave the green light for sex so she was revved up. Too bad it’d been a month since she last seen him.