Chapter 20

"No, these are lottery numbers." I laughed.

"Michael, you don't need to win no damn lottery." Victoria rolled her eyes at me.

"I'll give it to charity."

"So, there's a lottery called, 'Naomi?'" I looked at my hand. She did write her name. "Who is Naomi?"

"A fan." I shrugged.

"You're getting super close to your fans now?"

"No."

"How'd her number get on your hand then?"

"I was at the park and when she noticed me, she said we had to be friends. She grabbed my hand and wrote her name and number."

"That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. That's a lie, Michael."

"How?"

"Ain't no way she wrote her name that perfectly on your hand and you didn't want to be friends."

"I was being polite. I didn't want to pull away. Why are you so mad at me today? What happened to the sensual Victoria from last night and earlier this morning?"

"Stop changing the subject, Michael."

"I'm not. It's just that you've flipped on me. I want to know what's wrong with you."

"Nothing's wrong with me."

"Are you sure about that?" Victoria got silent.

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The whole ride to Victoria's Mother's house was silent. Except for the sounds of my cell phone buttons as I texted Naomi. When we arrived at her mother's house, Victoria parked in the driveway and sat staring at the back of Mom's car. I wanted to say something to her. Anything. But I didn't know what to say. Victoria pulled down the mirror and wiped her face. Damn. I think I've made her cry. She looked at me and bit her quivering lip as she got out of the car. I did make her cry... I got out the car and hurried after her

"Victoria." I grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me." She shook out of my grip.

"V, just listen to me." She turned around to face me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"To what? To lie to me? Why can't you just tell the truth? You're talking about me flipping? One moment you're all lovey dovey with me. The next moment you're in a rush to leave. Then when you come back you feel the need to lie to me. You've never lied to me before, Michael.

I put my head down, "I know and I'm sorry."

"Can you just tell the truth? Just tell me the truth, so I won't be so paranoid and I won't think you're cheating on me. Please tell me the truth."

"Alright," I guess it is time to tell the truth... "She's an old friend of mine. We just met again and she wrote her name and number on my hand so I wouldn't forget." There. I told the truth...somewhat

"Was that so hard? Was that worth making me upset?"

I sighed, "no." Victoria pulled me in for a kiss. I placed my hand on her lower back and pulled her close to me. She backed away, wiped her lips and knocked the door. "I love you." I managed to say as she waited. She sighed, not giving me a response. I don't think she believes me.

"Victoria!" Mom opened the door and pulled Victoria in for a hug.

"Hey mom." V smiled.

Her mom turned to look at me. Her smile was now gone. "Michael." She said and walked in the house. She used to welcome me with open arms. What's wrong with her? Does she know something that I don't know? Ahh, maybe it's menopause. Women have those strange mood swings around that time. Or maybe she's just lonely. Women tend to get bitchy when they have no one that loves them. I walked in the house and shut the door behind me.

"Mom, where are the boys?" I asked as I walked to the kitchen.

"Back in their room." She sighed. I went down the hallway and opened the door to their room. Prince and Michael were sprawled on the floor sleep with legos in their hands. I smiled and lifted them one by one to put them in their beds. As I walked out, my phone vibrated. 4 was calling. I ignored her call and headed towards the kitchen.

"I don't know what to do, mom. I know he's cheating on me." I heard Victoria say as I stopped in my tracks. "He lies to me. He comes home smelling like another woman and pretends that everything is peachy keen. I want to catch him in the act, but I don't know how that's going to happen and I really don't want to see it. If I do, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Victoria, wait. That's all I'm going to say because it'll all come up at some point. That's how I caught your dad. I knew he was cheating, but I didn't want to waste my time investigating it. Instead, I waited and it all came up. This may seem stupid, but don't waste your breath on him, baby. Because he's only making you look stupid every day when you believe his lies."

"You're right." Victoria sighed. Damn... It won't all come up and mess up my family. I'll make sure of that. I've got to keep my personal life and my family life more separate. I walked into the kitchen. Victoria and mom looked up at me. Maybe I should confess now... No. This is between Victoria and me. Not her mother. I'm not about to confess my faults in front of her mom. Then I'd have her all on my ass. Victoria's mom stood up and went to the boys' room. I sat in her place across from Victoria. She studied me. She was probably thinking about what she would do if she were to ever catch me cheating on her. I feel so guilty now after hearing their conversation.

"Michael?" V interlocked her fingers together.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I do, bab-"

"It's a yes or no question, Michael. I don't want a sugar coated answer. Just yes...or no."

"Yes."

"Thank you." Victoria stood up and went back to the boys' room with her mother. Of course I love her. What kind of question was that? I mean, she was my first love. I've never not loved her.

"Daddy!" I heard Prince's tired, yet excited voice. I stood up to hug him. "I missed you." He smiled.

"I missed you more." I smiled, kissing his forehead. "Did you have fun at Grandma's?"

"Yeah! She took us to Chuck E. Cheese's!"

"Wow! That's cool."

"Yeah and I beat Michael at race cars!"

"Well, good for you." I laughed. "Where is your brother?"

"He's still asleep." Prince shrugged. I went back to the room to find Mom helping Michael put his backpack on his back.

"I got it." I said and put it on his back then picked him up. "Victoria, we'll be out in the car."

"Okay. I'll be there in five minutes." She replied. Prince followed me out to the car. I opened the trunk to put Michael's backpack in. Prince threw his bag in and got in the car. I closed the trunk and strapped Michael into his seat. Prince strapped himself in as well as I got in the car.

"Daddy, are you and Mommy getting a divorce?"