Coveted Read online

  COVETED

  This novel is dedicated with lots of love, hugs and kisses to my parents, Thomas and Cheryl Lee. This is for putting up with me my whole life thus far and the many more years of putting up with me to come. Love you guys!

  In loving memory of my grandmothers,

  Audrey Keys and Fannie Lee.

  May the two of you live in my heart forever.

  Special Thanks

  To everyone that has supported me even when I wasn’t able to support myself and stood defeated. Thanks for your encouraging words that helped me realize that when it comes to the arts I have a gift to share. If you hadn’t been there to help me find my way I still would be a lost soul in search of who I was and what I could contribute to the world. There are no words that truly express my undying gratitude and appreciation for believing in me and helping me believe that I can achieve any and everything I want to do with my life. This novel is just the beginning wait until you see what else is to come. Sending love and kisses your way.

  ~M~

  Chris J. Scott, it has been many years in the making and I wish you much success with your career path. You have rocked my world in more ways than one, with your intelligence, your amazingly kind spirit, your motivation and your drive. Your extraordinary traits as a person are so attractive to me, and while I know that the future is very uncertain, one thing that I know for sure is......well you know....

  Acknowledgments

  This is my debut novel and I want to take the time out to thank all of the individuals that helped to bring it into existence. I would first like to start by thanking God for giving me the gift of gab and creative writing. I also want to thank my family and extended family for their continued support through the years.

  Nathan A. Lee, I know there is no way I can have an acknowledgments section and not include you. Thank you for being the best little brother ever! Much love to you, from your big sis!!!

  Shout out to two more members of the Lee Clan, Thomas Lee Jr. and Syreeta Lee. Thank you for supporting your baby sis!

  Tandace “Angel” Wilson, my editor. Girl, good looking out, is all I can say. You took on the task of tackling this manuscript. I know you probably wanted to throw an English/grammar book at me on more than one occasion while editing. Coveted wouldn’t be the same without your input.

  Marcy (DIVA), what can I really say…thank you for just being there. You are one of the main reasons that my name is beginning to become known. Your invaluable support to me through all my walks of life is immeasurable. Thanks for being my sister, my make-up artist (making me beautiful for these photo shoots…I know it is a job girl!), Publicist, and personal assistant but most importantly for being my friend. The critiques that you offered of my manuscript made the outcome even better...Thank you.

  Mrs. Katie Auer, thank you for taking the time to help me write a query letter and a synopsis. Who knew book writing and query letters went hand in hand? LOL! Thank you for being a faithful reader of my many manuscript drafts at work (when we should have been ummm…working) and saying “Man can you at least tell me the ending?” Your enthusiasm for something I love to do offered so much encouragement to me as a new author that I truly cannot express my thanks enough.

  Sharee “Honey” Brown, thank goodness for Myspace. I am so grateful to it because its helps you reconnect with friends you have long lost touch with, but never forgotten. I am so proud of you! For anyone looking to promote events please check out her website at www.sweetscenesent.com. You are definitely doing big things. Keep doing your thing girl! And many, many thanks for letting me use your pretty face for my cover. The cover of Coveted is absolutely gorgeous because of you and I really appreciate it!!!

  Ms. Courtney Jones (Ceelo), one of my best friends and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (In the infamous words of Martin “You Go Girl”), because of you Damir exists. While I was struggling for a name for my character, you handed me one and Damir Collins sprang to life immediately. Thank you, for being the one to help at all of the car washes and bear it all with a great attitude! Thank you, thank you and thank you. You are my road dog FOR LIFE!

  To my sister in life Nikki G. Jackson, for giving me guidance and much needed wisdom through the years. Thanks for being the older sister I always wanted but was not fortunate enough to have, until now.

  Me’Shell Stewart, my self-proclaimed separated at birth twin. Thank goodness for all these online networks that allowed us to reconnect. I didn’t know that I missed you, till I missed you...lol! Thank you for your unparalleled wit and charm. You helped me get through many a day at the work place and I am most appreciative. Tons of thanks and tons of blessings just for being you!!!

  Thank you to my friends Reshaya Jones and Tara Moore, for reading through my novel while it was still a manuscript in its beginning stages with no editing, unfinished chapters and emailed updates every other day. The input and critiques that you offered were invaluable.

  I cannot go on without mentioning retired NFL player Jamal Brooks. Thank you for the insight you were able to give me when referring to the National Football League. Who knew, is all I will say, but because of you, I was able to identify with my character Kaden and truly understand the issues that he was facing in his life. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to let me bother you with question after question.

  Barbara J. Wright, what can I possibly say about my absolutely favorite cousin in the whole world? You are what I call a Renaissance woman. I look up to you because there is nothing that you cannot seem to achieve, nothing that you would not do and no one that you would not help. You have a heart of gold and that is why your life is so blessed and why you will continue to be blessed. There are none like you and I love the fact that I have the pleasure of being related to you. Much love to you forever…your little cousin ~M~.

  I want to thank Lynn Murray, my creative writing teacher from The Art Institute of Atlanta. I used to live for your creative writing class. You made it interesting, I loved coming to your class and it was a night class at that! Especially when we read for Oedipus Rex, I had a ball being Jocasta…a ball! But most importantly, you allowed me an outlet for my poetry and my thoughts. Seeing the things I had to say leap across the paper and come alive was so therapeutic for me. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to express myself.

  Jeanise Rosado, girl we both know going to our job day after day was a trial and tribulation. I want to thank you for taking the time to help me dedicate myself to a workout routine and make my eating habits better. Thanks for sticking it out with me and putting me through “Rosado Health and Fitness Boot Camp” LOL!

  Rashad Nobles, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to always be available to shoot photo shoots for me. Your creative and artistic input helped to make my whole project better. I know we fought through it tooth and nail LOL, but I only go through this with you because I really do value your artistic opinion, so thank you again.

  To all my road dogs, Derrick (Uncle D) Brown - Let’s get it! Mia (my ace boon koo) Wallace, Roxie (Evil) Stennett, Toya Thomas, Candice Baptiste, Tiffany (lil’ sis) Banks, Katrina Monroe, My Phyllis, Eric Hiller, Kenneth Shumate, Sean Plater, Corey (my pookie) Thomas, Josephine (my other mother) Thomas, Charlene Gallion, Val Simmons and anyone that I may have neglected to mention, please charge it to my head and not my heart. I love you.

  My New York and DC Mami’s, trust me, I have not forgotten about the rainbow coalition crew! You know who you are. I love you for all your support. Special shout outs to Nana Morales, Marlene Saez, Princess Rodriguez, Marcie Rodriguez, Tracey Young, Sonya Coleman, Cheri Kidd and Lana Pallares-Auth.

  Special thanks to Shammara T. Dodd, for her creative play on words for the following poem, ‘You Belong To Me’. This poem is truly a gift to have included in
Coveted and I thank you for taking the time out to bless us with the freedom of your thoughts.

  Thank you to everyone that supported Coveted by either coming to a car wash, giving a donation or by participating in a yard sale. It is because of your belief in my dream that I have made it to this point. I can truly say that none of this would have been possible without you. Thank you so much for believing in me.

  Last but definitely not least, I want to thank you the readers. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to bring my characters into your home and share their personalities and lives with you. You have helped me to take an idea that manifested in my head and turn it into a reality and a success, for this, I am so grateful.

  Email: [email protected]

  Website: www.mycheawrites.com

  Naima 1

  I cannot stand this motherfucker was my first waking thought.

  The day began like any other day. The alarm clock is buzzing, telephone ringing, birds chirping, my toddler running through the house screaming, my 10-year-old is yelling for her breakfast...you get my drift.

  Once again, I am late for work. You would think that being late for work again would be my first priority this morning and maybe I should be trying to get there, but not today. You know what, I have had enough, job included. I am lying in bed next to this lazy bastard who has not even budged.

  Let me introduce myself, my name is Naima Ari Fairchild, formally known as Naima Ari Vaughn, and I am 27 years of age. I am 100% female, 5'5 with hazel eyes, an athletic build, caramel-colored skin and black hair that goes to the middle of my back. No, it is not a weave, stop hatin’.

  I am an event specialist at Exclusively Divine Events, LLC and proud of it. I make a good living for myself and I always had a plan, even before I met this trifling bastard Kaden who thinks my whole world revolves around him. Kaden is my husband and I never should have married him, never, ever, never. We were high school sweethearts, and it was the most uneducated decision I have ever made in my life; and I consider myself one educated chica, or so I thought. However, educated or not, I should have known better.

  He was the quarterback of the football team and I was the cheerleading captain. I know, I know, typical, but that was how it was back then. Times, however, have changed. Now he is a washed-up NFL quarterback and refuses to let that shit go and get on with his life. I mean as a dutiful wife, how much am I really supposed to take? I cannot continue to cater to his male ego; he doesn’t even play anymore, I mean when does reality set in?

  Let me explain how it all began…

  The Past (1996)

  It was in my junior year at Rockdale High School, my best friend Haven Williams and I were in the gym for cheerleading practice. I looked towards the door during stretches and my eyes fall on the most magnificent piece of male specimen I’ve ever seen in my life.

  "Damn! Who is that by the door" I asked Haven, as she jerked her head up and damn-near broke her neck to stare.

  "Oh that's Kaden Fairchild the new transfer from Odenton High, remember last year when the coaches were all excited about the new quarterback that was coming here?"

  "No, I don't remember, but damn he’s fine. I swear if I was a groupie he would be my number one prospect." I told her.

  "Naima, girl don't even get caught up in his hype. You know these stupid ass chicks have already been damn near handing their panties to him on a platter. Don't let me see you become one of them."

  "Girl please, you know how I roll, I will be damned if I'm sweating some athlete, especially one everyone is on at that, I think not." I say, as I glanced over my shoulder to look once more. Our eyes collided and a warm feeling flowed through my entire body. He raised his left eyebrow at me and turned away.

  "Wow" I murmured as I exhaled. I did not even realize I had been holding my breath.

  "Wow what?" asked Haven.

  "Oh nothing, I was just thinking about our competition routine that we're about to practice." I said to her as I turned to look again, but he was gone.

  As Haven and I walked home from cheerleading practice, (we lived about a block away from school) this black tinted-out Ford truck with music blasting pulled up next to me, and the driver rolled down the window.

  I heard the deepest, sexiest voice known to mankind...it’s the kind of voice that makes your bra and panties just fall off; I should have known right then and there that he was no good for me. I should have turned around and ran for my life in the opposite direction.

  "Can I offer you a ride?"

  "We don't get in the car with strang---" I began to say, and then I glance into the most gorgeous, green eyes that I have ever seen. They belong to none other than Kaden Fairchild. I let out a breathless "Hi".

  He lifted that left eyebrow again and gave me a lop-sided smile that made my insides melt and my panties wet.

  "Hi yourself" he said. "Can I offer you a ride?" he asked me again.

  "Oh um, I just live down the street" I whispered as my heart pounds in my chest.

  Haven began to huff, “What about me?” while she placed her hand on her hip and rolled her neck.

  “You’re more than welco-” he began, but I cut him off.

  “Haven we’re like two doors down from your house. Get a grip we don’t need a ride.” I tell her, irritated that she is obviously trying to flirt when he is sitting right in front of her flirting with me.

  "Well unless your heart is set on walking down the street, I would love to give you a ride if you let me. Maybe we could go for ice cream and sit in the park."

  "Sure, I would love a ride and ice cream" I laughingly said...as I give Haven the look to keep it moving. She knows what time it is, and it is not about her right now.

  "How did you know ice cream is my favorite dessert?"

  "Ice cream is my favorite dessert" he laughed, "It's just a bonus to me that it is yours also".

  I hopped into his ride and tell Haven that I will give her a holla later as we pulled off. I don't know what it is about guys and trucks, but about the combinationof the two is so damn sexy.

  "So you're Naima, huh?" he asked me.

  "Yeah that would be me. How did you know my name? We haven’t met before."

  "I make it a point to know the names of beautiful ladies I wish to encounter."

  "Humph, sounds like someone is trying to throw game, but it’s cool. I happen to know who you are too so I guess we are about even."

  My life changed forever in that moment. I do not know what happened. One minute we were talking about ice cream, the next minute we are at the park and our clothes are flying off, literally. I was really caught up in the eroticism of the moment.

  All I could think was Oh no this guy is going to think that I am a real freak. Giving it up so easy…okay that is not all I was thinking. I was really thinking about how his body felt against mine! I tell you there is something about athletes that make a shorty be like DAMN! That is where my mind was at that moment.

  Turns out my mind really should have been on more important things, like does this guy have on a condom. Something I learned that day, was to never get so caught up in the moment that you do not use protection. That can be one life-altering moment, and for me it was.

  Six weeks later…

  “Haven, I think I might be pregnant,” I whispered during homeroom.

  “YOU’RE WHAT!” she damn near shouted. People turned to stare at us.

  “Could you keep your voice down please?” I asked her as I looked around, then I go into detail. “I’m 4 weeks late.”

  “Oh my goodness,” she fanned herself. “Oh my goodness, how did this happen? Are you sure? Oh no you’re only 16! What is your mom going to say? What are you going to do?”

  She fired questions at me left and right without giving me a chance to answer.

  “I don’t know yet. I have not taken a test to confirm but I feel nauseous, my breasts hurt all the time and my clothes don’t fit the same way. I’m so scared. I mean I am only 16, I don’t know what to d
o, and I don’t want to tell Kaden until I know for sure, but I don’t want to go through this alone. I’m so confused,” I said as my eyes filled with tears and began to fall.

  “Naima don’t cry, we’ll figure out something. First we need for you to take a test and confirm before we get all worked up, and it may be nothing at all.”

  “You’re right. But I think this is something that I need to do with Kaden. No sense in me sitting here crying and worrying by myself. I’ll tell him to come over this afternoon and we’ll knock it out.” I told her.

  Later that evening…

  Kaden sat right outside the bathroom door in the hall. He actually is the one that went to the store and picked up the pregnancy test. I couldn’t do it; it made everything seem all too real, and yet not. I guess very surreal in a way. I was alone in the bathroom choking back tears because that was something that was very real and would not go away.

  I am pregnant. Me, Naima, the captain of the cheerleading squad, how could I let this happen to myself? How could I not have been more careful? I should have known better, I should have. What was I thinking? I barely knew this guy, what am I going to say to my parents?

  I thought my dad was going to kill me, or maybe not me, but he was definitely going to kill Kaden. Kaden, oh shoot I still had to tell him. Well here goes I said to myself as I softly opened the bathroom door.

  He stood up immediately when he saw me and looked into my eyes.

  “So from the looks of those beautiful eyes I guess I’m going to be a dad, huh” He said in a hesitant, but playful way.

  The tears started racing down my face even more.

  “How can you play at a time like this? I feel like my world is ending. I don’t know what to do.” I cried and slid to the floor. I really think that I was having a meltdown.