Wifey Read online

  Wifey- Part 1

  A BABY MOMMA SPIN OFF

  Tosha Damaya

  Copyright

  Copyright © Tosha Damaya

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be produced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent from the author, Tosha Damaya. Wifey - Part 1 is an original work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or settings is entirely coincidental.

  Have you written a book and looking for a publisher?

  Uncut Ink is accepting submissions.

  For consideration, send your first 3 chapters and synopsis

  To [email protected]

  This book is suitable for adults.

  +

  Wifey is book three of the Baby Momma series. Please read the first book, Baby Momma and the second book, Cuddy Buddy, to have a better understanding of the characters and circumstances in Wifey.

  Thank You

  Wifey - Part 1 is Dedicated to my parents, Theresa and Johnnie Flowers.

  Thank you for showing me that love is forgiving, and second chances are possible.

  ↔

  Thank you to my friends and family who show support through purchasing my books. Thank you to my Wattpad family. Your encouragement has helped me become a published writer.

  xoxoxo

  Tosha

  Chapter 1

  It was Saturday night in mid-January and majority of the young adults were out running the streets, but Johari Livingston and Jonathan Adams were inside enjoying a quiet night together. Sitting on top of large pillows next to the coffee table, they sat close and searched for missing pieces of a city landscape.

  The activity eased Johari’s mind and she did it nightly. It wasn’t until her friendship with Jonathan developed that she got a partner to help her. She tried to get her best friend Sierra to join in, but she refused. Johari knew why; Sierra Coleman didn’t have the patience to sit still for long periods of time due to her pregnancy.

  Johari counted her blessings daily. She moved to Austin over a year ago and didn’t know anyone in the state of Texas. After getting hired to work at Sydney’s flower store, she became embedded into a new group of friends and family.

  The Adams - Coleman clan welcomed her with open arms and she adored them because of it. Her friendship with Jonathan started slowly, but now he played a major role in her life. He was an incredible person and any girl would be fortunate to have him.

  “Jon, how are you still single?”

  He looked up and grinned. “Where did that come from?”

  Johari shrugged. “I was thinking out loud. Women are interested in you, but you turn them down. Why?”

  Johari thought Jonathan was the perfect mixture of singers Jason Derulo and Bryson Tiller. Whenever she saw the entertainers on television she thought of him. Jonathan was a slender man, but he was built. He kept his hair cut short but usually had it hidden underneath a cap. He was wearing his favorite Yankee fitted cap. Johari took it off and placed it on her head.

  “You’re starting to sound like my sister. Don’t start trying to set me up, too.” Johnathan adjusted the hat on Johari.

  “It was a question. With the baby coming Sierra’s going to be busy. I hope a lot nicer too, because she’s a Grinch. The Grinch that steals every day.”

  “You're not telling me anything I don't know. The other day I got her lunch and she threw it at me. She was upset they put mustard on her sandwich. I'm avoiding her ass until she pops my nephew out,” he said with a chuckle.

  "How is your other nephew doing? Sydney hasn't come into the store in a few days." Johari really liked spending time with the chunky little man.

  “Teddy is good. I babysat him last week while Zeke and Syd went out on a date.” Jonathan decided to relax more and laid back against the pillows. Johari’s living room was unconventional to some people. She didn’t have couches in her living room. Large pillows filled the floor space with a large coffee table.

  “It’s amazing to see my little sister be a mom.”

  “It’s amazing to see you as an uncle. Teddy is lucky to have you. Sammie will be too.” Sammie was the name of Sierra’s and Ethan’s unborn child.

  “Appreciate the faith you have in me.”

  Johari was about to make another comment, but there was a loud knock at the front door.

  "Jo!! Open up!" She heard Sierra yelling from the hallway.

  "Be quiet," she whispered to Jonathan.

  Sierra continued to bang on the door. "I know you're in there. I saw your car!”

  “You have a stalker,” Jonathan snickered.

  “Jon, I know you’re in there too.”

  Sierra knew them well. Jonathan was off on Wednesday and Saturdays and spent those days with Johari. He worked as an emergency medical technician with the hospital and dealt with serious crises during his shifts. On his days off, he tried to forget about work. Johari tried her best to numb the chaos in his head.

  "Maybe we should answer it?"

  "No," Johari whispered. She couldn't deal with Sierra's mood swings.

  The banging stopped so Johari relaxed. It was getting late, so she picked up her and Jonathan’s empty glasses. "I signed us up for dance classes next weekend."

  "Dance classes?"

  "Yes, dance classes. I think it’ll be fun. We said our New Year’s resolution will be to try new things.” They made the pact at Sydney and Zeke’s party a couple of weeks ago.

  Jonathan groaned and followed her into the kitchen. "Fine, but the week after that I'm picking our activity out."

  Johari washed the glasses out and turned to face Jonathan. He was leaning against her kitchen counter. "I'm going down to visit Sean, so it will have to be the week after."

  "Sean Garrison? I didn't know you still spoke to him."

  Johari shrugged. "Not every day, but we talk a few times a week.”

  “More than you talk to me?”

  “Of course not. I talk to you a few times a day.” She spoke to Jon more than anyone.

  “Okay.”

  He responded with one word, but she recognized his judgmental tone. “Don’t act like that. He invited me. Besides, it'll give you a break. Aren't you tired of me?"

  He ignored her question. "How long will you be gone?"

  "Only for the weekend. I'll call and text, don’t worry.”

  "You better." Jonathan was about to say something else when the front door knob started to wiggle.

  Johari gravitated towards Jonathan expecting an intruder. Her fear diminished when she saw Sierra.

  "You two motherfuckers! Why didn't you answer the door?"

  Jonathan blamed Johari. He pointed a finger at her. "She told me not to open it."

  "You’re such a punk," Johari responded.

  Sierra wobbled into the room. "What if I was in labor? What if I needed you two? Ethan is away working, and Noel is at college. I have no one," Sierra whined. Ethan was Sierra’s husband and Noel was her adopted daughter.

  Johari instantly felt terrible for not opening the door. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Johari asked. She went to comfort Sierra but was pushed away.

  "No! I don't want a damn hug. I need some ice cream. Who wants to go buy it for me?" she asked.

  "Not it!" Jonathan and Johari shouted at the same time.

  ↔

  Twenty minutes later, Jonathan and Johari were walking around the supermarket searching for butter pecan ice cream. Johari pushed the squeaky cart as Jonathan threw random items into it.

  "Maybe I should move?"

  “Stop being dramatic. Sierra’s craziness will end soon.” He didn’t want her to move. Johari’s apartment was ten mi
nutes away from his. He loved having her close.

  Johari snorted. "I highly doubt it. Your sister has a way of intruding on my life. I love her, but she can be too much sometimes."

  "You’ve only know her for a year. Imagine growing up with her.”

  Jonathan found Sierra's ice cream, and they went to the register to pay. While walking out to the parking lot, Johari's phone started to ring. She recognized the number.

  "Hi, Sean."

  Jonathan opened her door and mimicked Johari, "Hey Sean."

  She shot him a bird and slid into the passenger seat. Jonathan walked to the driver’s side and got into the car. He was trying to give Johari as much privacy as possible as he drove, but it was impossible. He heard every word that was said between Johari and Sean.

  "Sorry for calling so late. I just wanted to confirm when you're coming to see me. I have to request the time off from work."

  “You don't have to miss work for me."

  "I want to. I can't show you a good time if I'm working. I'm excited to see you again, Johari. It's been a long time."

  "I still plan on coming. Are there hotels close to your house?"

  "Don't waste your money. You can stay with us."

  Jonathan gripped the steering wheel tighter. He didn’t want her staying at Sean’s house. He continued to drive and pretended not to listen.

  "I don't want to give your daughter the wrong impression. I don't want to be responsible for any negative impact on her."

  "Destiny is rarely home. I doubt you two will cross paths."

  "Let me think about it. I'll call you tomorrow."

  "Okay goodnight."

  "Bye Sean."

  Jonathan pulled into the parking garage. He turned the car off and started to sing. "Johari and Sean sitting in the tree K.I.S.S.I.NG."

  Johari laughed. "How old are you again?"

  "Older than you, little girl."

  She rolled her eyes when he called her a little girl. "What do you think of Sean?"

  Jonathan flickered his eyelashes dramatically. "I think he's dreamy."

  "Can you stop being silly?"

  "I think he's a decent guy. Can’t hate a man that helped save my sister." Sean found Sydney after she was kidnapped over a year ago. She was taken to his cabin in the woods by her abductor. Sydney fought her way to freedom but could only make it out of the burning house by climbing out the window. She collapsed just outside of it. Sydney would have burned if Sean wouldn’t have shown up.

  "Thank you." She leaned in to kiss his cheek just as he turned his head.

  The result was an unintentional kiss. He pulled back quickly, but the effect of the kiss lingered on. They were close, but their only physical contact were hugs and an occasional kiss on the forehead. This was a first-time incident.

  Johari pulled back and touched her lip. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. Sorry.”

  He wasn’t. “Don’t apologize.”

  There was an uncomfortable silence. He watched Johari grab the ice cream and rush out of the car. “Sierra is waiting for me upstairs. Bye.”

  Jonathan didn’t respond and made sure Johari made it to the building okay. He licked his lips and smiled before heading home.

  Chapter 2

  A pregnant Sierra opened her apartment door for her sister, Sydney. "What are you doing here?" she asked. “Do you know how much effort it takes for me to get off the couch?”

  "Well, hello to you, too. Can I not come visit my big sister?"

  "Are you calling me fat?"

  "No one is calling you fat. I meant big as in my older sister," she explained. "Why are you so defensive?"

  Sierra ignored Sydney's question and went back to the living area and sat on the couch. "Where's Teddy?"

  Sydney sat next to her. "Teddy is with Mama and Daddy, so I figured we could spend some quality time together."

  "I don't feel like going anywhere."

  "I'm not letting you sit in this apartment and waste away." Sydney looked around and saw the chips and snacks on the coffee table. “It’s a pig sty in here. Why are you staying at the apartment?”

  “There’s issues with the plumbing at the house. This is only temporary.”

  “I want to take you out. Ethan is worried about you. Let's get a mani-pedi. My treat."

  Sierra didn't feel like leaving her apartment but knew that Sydney wasn't going to leave her alone. "I'm not changing my clothes." She felt comfortable in her sweat pants and tank top. She didn't care that her stomach was hanging out.

  "Okay."

  ↔

  An hour later, their feet were soaking in warm water. Sydney was in heaven. She closed her eyes and moaned. She tried to pamper herself at least once a week. "Isn't this divine?" she asked Sierra.

  Sierra wasn't feeling it. "It's alright."

  "Sierra, you are being such a pain. I could be home resting since the baby is gone, but I'm here with you instead. At least, act like you're having a good time. Damn."

  Sierra sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm irritated Syd. I went to the doctor yesterday and I haven't dilated. Sammie is refusing to come out."

  "Have you been walking?" Sydney asked.

  "Every evening."

  "Eat spicy food?"

  "Had hot wings last night."

  "Castor Oil?" It was known to induce labor.

  Sierra pulled the empty jar out of her bag. "The shit didn't work. This little boy is trying to torture me."

  Sydney felt horrible for her sister. "Well, there is one more thing you can try," she proposed. It worked for her. In fact, Teddy was born a month early because of it.

  "I'll do anything at this point."

  Sydney smirked. "Do Ethan."

  "I beg your pardon."

  Sydney was trying to be discreet; she didn't want the nail tech to overhear their conversation. "You know," she whispered while wiggling in her chair, "with Ethan."

  Sierra was still oblivious. "Just fuckin say it, Syd."

  The nail tech sighed. "Sex! You need to fuck to have your baby," she stated in broken English.

  Sierra looked at her sister and the nail tech and cursed. "Oh, hell no! Hell no! Do you see how big I am? I'm a whale, and I'm not fucking my husband looking like this."

  Sydney chuckled. “Okay, I get it. You know Demetrius’ wife, Nina, is pregnant. Maybe she has some better tips than I do.”

  “Only thing Nina can teach me is how to be a hoe.”

  Sydney was confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “Sister, I don’t know how good of a private investigator he is if he hasn’t figured out what his wife doing.”

  Sydney hadn’t heard anything about Nina. “What do you know?”

  ↔

  Former Detective, Demetrius Rice, watched his wife sleeping from the hallway. Her pregnancy was complicated. Due to a family history of high blood pressure, she was placed on bed rest. Demetrius felt it was his fault because he pushed for his wife to have a baby after multiple miscarriages. He was excited for the birth of his daughter when it felt that his wife was dreading it.

  Demetrius left his wife and went back to work in his home office. His cell phone started to ring, and he thought it was a friend, but it was instead a business associate of his. Michael Rivera ran an investigation firm out of Boston.

  "Mr. Rivera."

  He chuckled on the line. "How are you doing, Demetrius?"

  "I can't complain. What can I do for you?" Demetrius knew that Michael wouldn't have called him for no reason. They met at a work conference and kept in contact, but he didn’t consider Michael a friend of his.

  "I have an important client, and he's looking for his wife. I tracked her to Austin. I’m hoping you can help assist me.”

  "Why is he looking for her?"

  "Who cares? This man is paying triple my regular fee."

  "What's her name? I'll see what I can do." Demetrius didn’t like the idea, but he needed the income. He left his job as a detective to spend more time at home. He enjoyed in
vestigations but was new to the profession.

  Michael relayed the name to Demetrius, but he couldn't put a face to it. "Send me a picture of her."

  "Do you recognize her?" Michael asked after he sent the picture.

  Demetrius cursed. Yeah, he knew her. It was Johari from Sydney's store.

  ↔

  Zeke Coleman was waiting at his office for Demetrius to arrive. He was getting anxious because Demetrius sounded serious over the telephone. His brother, Ethan, wasn’t helping his mood by dropping bread crumbs on his office furniture. “Nigga!”

  Ethan responded with a mouth full of his meatball sub. “I’m hungry. You rushed me from lunch to meet you.”

  “Yeah, but damn, act like you have some home training. Mama would beat your ass right now if she saw you.”

  Ethan mimicked Zeke further adding to his aggravation, so Zeke threw a pen at him. Demetrius poked his head inside the office. “Did I catch you guys at a bad time?”

  “Just about to kill this idiot,” Zeke commented. “Come in and sit down.”

  Ethan scooted over to give Demetrius space.

  Zeke ignored his brother. “So, what’s going on D? It seems serious.”

  “I received a phone call concerning Johari. At first, I didn’t know who the man was talking about, because he said her name wrong. It wasn’t until I got a picture that I realized it was her.”

  "What kind of call?" Ethan questioned. He considered Johari family.

  "Her husband is looking for her," Demetrius said. "He has tracked her movements to Texas from the East coast."

  "What was your response?"

  It was said in a calm manner, but Demetrius could see the fire in Zeke’s eyes. "I wanted to speak to you first. If it was anyone else, I would've told them yes and collected a paycheck, but I know that she's close to your family."

  "She is family," Ethan corrected Demetrius.

  Demetrius put his hands up in the surrender pose. "Don't shoot the messenger. Her husband is paying top dollar to find her. I figured something was off about the situation. That's why I'm here."

  Zeke was grateful to Demetrius. "Her husband mistreated her; that's why she took off. Whatever he's offering you to find her, I'll pay double to keep you from telling him she's here."