Free Raging Blue by Renee Daniel Flagler Page A

makes you so sure this kid is mine?” he asked, broaching the subject again.
    “Because I know, Jay!”
    “So just because you say it is, I’m supposed to believe that? What’s your angle?” He lowered his voice. “Is it that you want me for yourself?” he asked rhetorically.
    “Please, Jay. Don’t flatter yourself,” Mia lied, knowing she always believed she was a better match for Jay. His personality was far too big for Blue. “You would’ve been mine a long time ago if I'd wanted you. Right now, it’s about this baby.”
    “I don’t even want kids. I think you should get rid of it,” he stated casually.
    “I’m not getting an abortion!” Mia shouted, surprised he even made the suggestion.             
    “Well, I’m not doing shit until I know if the kid is really mine,” he retorted.
    “Well, it’s yours, so now what? Are you going to be there for this kid or just throw money at me to take care of it? I need to know.”
    “That’s all you want—money. Well, guess what? All the money I have is with me right now. So, if you’re looking to get paid, you’ve got the wrong man!”
    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she asked.
    “You know.” Jay chuckled. “I’m no longer on the team, so that fat paycheck you were looking to get your hungry hands on won’t be coming my way. Now do you still want me to be your baby’s daddy?” Jay’s laugh was riotous.
    It was Mia’s turn to be silent. She always knew what was going on behind the sports scene down to the exact figures of an athlete’s salary in his contract. That was how she picked her prospects. Now Jay was cut, and she was pregnant with his child. What had she missed?
    “That’s not funny. Stop playing games with me, you cheap bastard. You just don’t want to pay. I’ll prove this baby is yours, and you will take care of it, ” she threatened.
    Jay laughed harder.
    “How? You can’t get money from a rock! With no contract and Blue out of the picture, where’s the money coming from, genius? Oh, I’m sorry. You messed around and picked the wrong baby daddy.” Jay cackled uncontrollably. “You still want to put this one on me?”
    Mia jabbed the cell phone, ending the call, and then threw it down on the passenger side floor. Jay was broke! After all she had done, she'd ended up getting pregnant by her best friend’s broke, unemployed husband!
    Then she thought about her situation. Jay didn’t have anything, but Blue did! Mia retrieved the phone and called Jay back. Jay’s greeting was more laughter.
    “What d—”
    “I’ll be in New York in a few days. We can talk then. I have a plan,” Mia said and ended the call before he could respond.
     

Chapter 13
    Blue
     
    Blue arrived at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport with two hours to spare before her flight back home to New York. Getting through security was a breeze, leaving her with well over an hour to wait before boarding. She busied herself in the shops near the boarding gate to avoid thinking about her plight. Earlier that day , she had painted a facade with foundation, eyeliner, and shadowy eyes, but when she looked in the mirror, her pain still managed to seep through the veil.
    She looked at the magazines in one of the shops and picked up a few to read during the flight home. The cover of her favorite fashion magazine caught her eye just as someone called her name. She hoped it was her imagination. She didn’t feel like playing masquerade. Blue’s eyes locked with Peyton King, wife of Kendrick King, who was a fellow NBA ball player and former friend of Jay. Peyton was smiling and waving wildly. Blue hoped Peyton wouldn’t see past the veneer she’d carefully constructed.
    Peyton trotted toward Blue, excitement steering her forward. She pulled Blue into a warm embrace, and the sweetness of her fragrance charmed the air.
    “Hey, honey! Long time no see. How have you been?” Peyton asked in her thick Southern drawl. “Are you on your way