As Long as there is Love- Chapter 14
“Maybe she forgot to do something.” Nina assumed watching Michelle run off. She opened the gymnasium doors. “Okay y’all-”
“Nina, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She knew that voice. Damn it her heart knew that voice. “Justin?” She paused, noting that she had said his name too loud. She didn’t want to blow his cover since he obviously perfected it with a big t-shirt and a baseball cap lowered over his eyebrows.
“What are you doing here? How did ya get in?”
“I said that I was a friend and they let me in. I need to talk to you.” He stuffed his hands down his pockets.
He was nervous. Nina knew that.
“Okay, What about?” It was weird how everyone chose today to want to talk to her, while she was at work.
“It’s about the twins.”
“Oh my God! What happened? Did Ronnie call ya and tell ya something bad happened to them?”
“No, but can you do me favor?”
“What, calm down?” She laughed.
“Yes and stop going all down south on me.” Justin joked, referring to her southern accent that slipped in every now and then.
“Whatever. Why did ya want to talk about the twins then?”
“I want to spend more time with them.”
“Then do it.” Her reply was as simple as she thought the situation to be. If he wanted to spend more time with the twins, he didn’t have to ask. That is until he asked to take them to his house.
“They’re cool kids, you know.”
“I know.” Nina smirked.
Justin rolled his eyes, while stuffing his hands deeper into his pockets. Why was Nina trying to push his buttons? He was already tense about coming to her. Did she have to make it worse?
“What I’m trying to say is that it’s hard to get to know them when you’re around.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She immediately took offense.
“Would you just let me finish, please?” He snapped, making Nina narrow her eyes at him. This was not how he had planned this meeting. He wanted this one to be free of tension unlike the others. Maybe he should rework his thoughts and calm down. Then Nina would follow suit, hopefully.
“What I mean is that they stay underneath you so much, especially Neece,” He paused, “Yeah Neece, she acts like she’s trying to get back into the womb.”
“I can’t believe ya went there.”
Justin ignored her. “At least Nikki speaks, she’s friendly. She must get that from me.”
“Oh you wish. I’ll have ya know that both of my girls are well mannered.”
“Yeah, okay. So what do you have to say about me picking them up from school today?”
“Nothing.” She answered too quickly
“C’mon, I know you have something to say. Will it hurt my feelings? Is that why you won’t say it?”
Was he daring her? “Okay, do ya think my ill-mannered daughter will get in the car with ya?” She decided that she didn’t feel like hurting his feelings.
“Yes.”
“How so?” Nina folded her arms. She wanted to hear this one.
“Nikki will make her.”
Nina shook her head, knowing that was true. Nikki was very persuasive. She got that trait from Justin. He persuaded her to go out with him 6 years ago.
“So can I?”
“Sure why not. I don’t feel like catching the bus anyway. These kids are wearing me out.”
“What? You telling me that you can’t keep up with them? Damn, would I love to play you one on one again.” He rubbed his hands together eagerly.
“Bring it.” She raised her arms. “There’s gym right here.”
“Nah. I have to go get my kids.”
Nina couldn’t help but smile. “Coward.”
“Maybe this time.”
“Humph, when are you not one?” He didn’t get a chance to answer as they were interrupted by another visitor.
“Nina?” She turned, meeting a solid wall of bricks. Actually, it was the Biology teacher, Mr. Smith. But damn, he had a chest built of stone! Nina blushed at her thoughts.
Justin on the other hand was not as smitten. Who the hell was this brawny dude?
“Uh one second, Mr. Smith, right?” He nodded as she focused on Justin whose eyes were not on her.
“Justin, if ya see Michelle again ask her when’s the wedding date. She ran out of here without telling me.”
That definitely brought him out of his trance. “Look I gotta go.” Yet, he didn’t leave until he saw the brawny dude follow Nina through the gymnasium doors.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Justin snapped on his seatbelt after securing Nikki and Neece. “Y’all ready?”
“Can I listen to the CDs again?” He passed the CD player back to Nikki.
“Neece?” He wanted to know if she needed anything but she ignored him.
Justin started the ignition. Damn, she was as stubborn as her mother and at only five-years old. However, he should’ve known that it would be like this when he had to practically help Nikki drag her to the car, while she screamed, “I want my mommy!” Thankfully, it didn’t bring about any attention. To his amazement, she didn’t fight him to put on the seatbelt. What had Nina been telling her about him that made her despise him so much? And why hadn’t Nikki heard it?
Speaking of hearing thing, how did Nina hear about the wedding? Well, of course Michelle told her, but why? He was still getting used to the idea of it and she had to go blab to someone else. What did she have to gain by telling Nina of all people unless she wanted to hurt her?
Justin pounded the steering wheel. Although, Nina didn’t seem fazed by the news, he believed that Michelle had crossed the line. Going to see Nina in secret was beyond low.
Suddenly, his mind screamed hypocrite. He was doing exactly that, seeing Nina behind Michelle’s back. Yet, he was seeing Nina for and entirely different reason. He was dealing with being a father. What was Michelle doing?
Man, he hated this. His mind was never clear when he was with the twins. The first time he thought Nina had cheated on him. Now, Michelle was lying to him. Why did he have so many issues with women? One was lying to him; the other practically hated him, the last he couldn’t even get to like him. Justin Timberlake was not used to this kind of treatment.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“I’m surprised I finally caught you. You always leave in a rush. I swear you get out of here before the bell rings.” He joked with a deep rich laugh.
“Ya not gonna tell are you?” She inquired smoothly. Was she flirting with him? Not saying that Justin was that last guy she had been with, but it had been a while since she flirted with a guy.
Nina decided that she wasn’t flirting, but making friendly conversation.
“Never.”
“How can I be sure?” She almost grinned. Oh what the hell, she was flirting and didn’t care. According to Ronnie, she was still hung up on Justin. So, this was just what she needed, a little male companionship, even if it was only in school.
“We can pinky swear.” He lifted her hand, locking his pinky with hers. He instantly noticed that there was no ring. His assumptions were true. She didn’t have a man.
Nina shyly pulled her hand away, realizing that she didn’t even know this man’s first name. Calling him by his surname seemed too formal and impersonal. She voiced her thoughts.
“Quincy Smith is my name. And you’re Nina…?”
“Evans. You look like a Quincy.”
“How so?” He folded his arms over his chest.
Jesus, his arms were as big as his chest. He would crush her little body if he ever hugged her. “Well, I think Quincy is a name for a guy that is family-oriented, mannered, and serious, yet playful at times. Am I right?”
“Yeah, and I always enjoy the company of a beautiful woman.” He flashed a perfect smile.
This must be his playful side, Nina thought. “Why do ya teach biology though? You look more like a coach or something.”
He chuckled. “I have always been a fan of Anatomy and Physiology,” He gave her a once over. “But they needed a Biology teacher. I like sports but I couldn’t be a coach. Too many kids with their heads up their own asses.”
“True.” Teaching gym, she had encountered plenty. She couldn’t tell them anything bad about their skills.
“Ms. Nina sorry to interrupt you’re little gymnasium rendezvous, but you’re supposed to be instructing us.”
“Boy, go back over there. I’ll be done in a minute.” Since her first day, Devon liked to get on her nerves.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to work. See you around.”
“Bye.” She could feel him watching her as she walked away.
The students waited until Mr. Smith left to tease her. She didn’t know why she let them get away with it.
“Ooh, you go head Ms. Nina.” The girls were surrounding her.
“Y’all better quit before I change my mind about coaching y’all.”
This time she heard cheers from the girls and jealous grunts from the boys.
~*~*~*~*~
Nina followed the girls out of the gymnasium, “See y’all tomorrow.”
“Thanks again Ms. Nina.”
Nina smiled on her way to the principal’s office. She felt good about helping the girl’s team out. It felt like high school all over again.
“Oh, hey Nina, Principal Long wants to see you?” The secretary informed her.
“Um, can’t it wait? I want to make a phone call.”
“I’m sure it can. Hold on let me ask-” She stopped when Principal Long came out of his office.
“I heard you decided to coach the girl’s basketball team.”
News traveled fast. “Yes I have.” Nina replied.
“That’s great. How’s it going?”
“Okay I guess.”
“Do you think you will take them all the way?”
Damn, he was just like a man. She had just started today and he was already questioning her abilities. “We’ll see.” Nina rolled her eyes. This conversation was going nowhere and she had a phone call to make. She told him so.
“Okay, well I’ll let you go. I’ll sit in on the practice tomorrow and have a print out of the game schedule.”
“That’s Fine. See ya tomorrow.” Nina walked away, but not before she heard Principal Long tell the secretary how nice she was. What exactly was he referring to that was so nice?
Nina picked up the phone to call Ronnie. She answered on the fourth ring, “What were you doing?”
“Trying to make it to the phone. I can’t move around as fast as I used to, ya know. What are you still doing at school?”
“I was coaching the girl’s basketball team.”
“Ooh, trying to make some extra money?”
“We haven’t discussed that yet.”
Ronnie just shook her head, “So are ya on your way home?”
“Yeah, I’m thinking if I should still catch the bus.”
“Probably not. It just started raining.”
Nina cursed. “Just what I need. Are the twins home yet, I sent Justin to get them.”
“Nope.”
“What about Travis?”
“Haven’t seen him.”
“Damn, how am I going to get home?” Suddenly, Quincy walked into the office. He signed out on his time card. Maybe she could ask him for a ride. He seemed harmless.
Nina hadn’t realized that she said that aloud until Ronnie said, “Who’s Quincy? Nina? Have you met a man?”
“He’s a colleague.”
“Still a man. Is he cute?”
She should have never started talking. Now, Ronnie would continue to pump her for information. And all while Quincy was in the room.
“Nina?”
“Hmm?” She was forcing herself to say no more about Quincy. “Oh guess who came by here today to tell me that she was getting married.”
“Who?”
“Michelle.”
“What-” Ronnie didn’t get a chance to say more as a knock sounded at the door. She hoped it was Justin. “Hold on Nina, someone’s at the door.”
“What kind of game is ya fiancée playing?”
“Hello to you too.” Justin smirked, entering with Neece in his arms. She had fallen asleep without a care about him holding her.
Rolling her eyes, she bent to hug Nikki then told her to go change her clothes. “Lay her on the couch.”
Justin did as she requested. “Now…what are you going off about?”
“Why did Michelle go see my sister?”
“Beats me.” Justin shrugged.
“Oh so y’all both like to play games?”
“Ronnie I don’t know why she went to see her. She didn’t tell me anything about it. I found out from Nina.”
She seemed to be satisfied with that. “Well, why did she have to tell her that she was getting married? Is she trying to put out a claim on you? Because if she is she doesn’t have to. Nina does not want you. She needs you for the twins but she doesn’t want you.”
Ronnie finished, hoping that what she said about Nina didn’t backfire. She knew her sister had some unfinished business with Justin, but couldn’t help taking offense to Michelle making it known that she stole Justin from Nina.
Damn. Ronnie knew just how to make a man feel guilty. “Wait, why are you getting on me? This is Michelle’s doing. If she hurt Nina, why do I have to take responsibility for it?”
“Because you’re with her.”
That was not a good reason, Justin thought, “I don’t think she even told Nina the truth. When Nina asked me about it, she didn’t seem hurt.”
That much was true. Nina hadn’t acted out of character when she was telling her either. “That better be the case. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
“Sorry, I took so long. Justin just came in with the twins.”
“Oh good. I was talking to Quincy while I was waiting.” Why did she mention him again?
“Oh yeah tell me some more about Quincy. Or, he can bring you home and I’ll see for myself.”
Nina could feel her smiling through phone. Ronnie was too excited about this.
“I’ll get her.”
Ronnie turned towards Justin. “Were you eavesdropping?”
“Is that Justin?”
“Mmm hmm, being nosy. He says he’s coming to get you.”
It was between him and Quincy. If she rode with Quincy, there would be no arguments, yet she would have to tell him where she lived. Justin already knew where she lived.
“I’ll be waiting out front.” She hung up.
“You still need that ride Nina?”
“No thank you, a friend is coming to get me.” She smiled politely. He seemed disappointed.
“Can I wait with you?”
Why he would want to wait in the rain was beyond her, but he offered. “Sure, why not”
~*~*~*~*~
When Justin pulled up in front of Ingleside Middle / High School, he saw Nina sharing an umbrella with someone. It must’ve been that brawny dude, Quincy, or whatever Ronnie had called him.
Justin leaned against the horn and it sounded loudly into the air. Nina seemed to ignore it. He pressed harder and longer while rolling down his window, “C’mon woman, I don’t want to spend another minute in this rain.”
He shouldn’t have done that. It would only annoy her more. “Shit.” Water was flying into the car on his jeans.
I should’ve chosen Quincy, Nina thought while descending the stairs.
Quincy followed her. “I’ll walk with you.”
“No that’s ok. I’ll make a run for it, besides after the workout I’ve had today, I don’t smell too good.”
“Girl, you smell wonderful.”
He was playing again. Nina smiled. “Thanks again see you tomorrow.” The smile disappeared as she walked towards Justin. She opened the car door, got in, and slammed it how Travis always told her not to.
“What the hell were ya thinking?”
Justin ignored her. “Humph, you’re friend could’ve at least walked you to the car. I’m sure you could have used him for shelter.”
“Shut up.”
Justin sighed, “I’m sorry for beeping the horn like that, but the weather is going to get worse.”
“Whatever.”
“Damn, you’re just like Neece.”
“Don’t talk about my daughter.”
“Nina, why do you have to take offense to everything?”
“Because you’re bad-mouthing my daughter.” Nina buckled her seatbelt as he began to drive.
“I am not. I didn’t even say anything yet. And why would I bad-mouth her? She’s my daughter too.”
“Because…” She forgot what she was going to say. “Well, what were you going to say about her?”
“She doesn’t like me and you don’t either.”
“She doesn’t know you.”
“Nikki doesn’t either and you see how she treats me.”
Nina sucked her teeth, why did he have answer for everything. “She’s just probably glad to have another man around besides her Uncle T.”
“Oh, is that how you are with that brawny dude? You need a man around?”
“My business does not concern you. When we’re talking about the twins fine, but you are to ask nothing about me. And his name is Quincy.”
“Whatever. What have you been telling Neece about me?”
Her head turned quickly, “Nothing.”
Oh damn, she was taking offense again. “Then why won’t she talk to me.”
Nina said nothing. She wouldn’t admit that it was because of her Neece had picked up on the fact that she couldn’t stand to be around him.
“I think it’s time that we tell the twins about who I am.”
“What? No.”
“Why not?” Now, he was taking offense.
“Because they are not ready. Neece’s not ready.” I’m not ready. If the twins found out about him, they would be spending more time with him than they already were. She would lose her babies.
“She might like me when she finds out that I’m her father.”
“Maybe. But have you even thought this through? What about your career, what will you’re manager have to say, you’re fiancée? Have you told her or are you still taking the coward’s way out?” Silence. Nina figured the answer was no.
Justin hadn’t even thought about how Michelle would react. “I will talk to her about it tonight.” That’s if they could pass their other problems.