Chapter 3 — Antonio
Destiny towels off and stands in front of the mirror. Her belly isn't getting bigger and her breasts aren't larger but when she turns to the side, she sees some puffiness in her nipples.
Destiny sighs as she slips into her nightgown. "I'm not for this—" She plops on the couch to watch TV and then tried to make something that she never did before. When her meal is cooked, she couldn't stand the smell of it. It made her want to throw up, so she covered it up and threw it in the garbage.
Back on the couch, she's flipping through the channels, thinking about Antonio. Destiny groans knowing that she has to stop thinking about him.
"I'm not going through with this." Destiny's eyes began watering.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" She scrubs her face trying to fight off the tears. "I never cried like this for anyone. Antonio's taken, you idiot!"
Destiny rubs her belly. "I'm sorry, baby, but Mommy can't do this."
* * *
Destiny had dozed off. Her cell phone rings, and it's Antonio.
"I'm not doing this with you tonight. What does he want?" Destiny says to the phone still ringing.
She grabs a pillow off the couch, hugs it and rests her chin. The phone finally stops ringing, and Destiny feels at peace.
* * *
The TV wakes her up, a gunshot in an old movie she's never seen. The doorbell buzzes and she thinks it's Kelly.
"For god's sake, Kelly!" she pouts, tossing the pillow. She goes to the peephole.
Antonio, shit!
Destiny unlocks the door.
"You shouldn't be here. Isn't it late? You belong to Kelly."
Antonio's unfazed.
"If I wanted to talk to you, I would've answered my phone. Goodbye!" Destiny's about to slam the door but Antonio puts his hand in the doorway.
"Come on, Des, don't be like that. Can I come in? It's cold."
"Shouldn't you be Facetiming your love for life? I'm in bed."
"Well, everyone's sleep."
"And—"
"And?"
"Come in. It's cold." Destiny steps away from the door. Antonio goes to the living room, staring at Destiny's ass as she shuts the door.
"I'm going to bed, so hurry."
"Destiny, look. I—"
"Never mind, I think it's a bad idea that you came over."
"I haven't been—" he pauses, searching for the right way to phrase his words. "I've been a dickhead."
"Of course, you have and—"
"Nah, you don't understand."
"I don't? Look, I had sex with a married man."
Antonio steps forward. "Des," He cradles her face and Destiny flinches. A tear rolls slowly down her cheek. "I feel bad I can't be here with you. You know that."
Destiny swallows heavily and hopes the rest of the tears threatening to break through the dam don't.
"Are you feeling better?" Antonio catches Destiny's hand holding her belly. "Des, what's up? Are you being straight with me?"
"I—I. Don't make me say this."
"Oh shit! You're pregnant?"
Destiny nods.
"And it's mine?"
"Yeah, fool. I was a virgin. Can't you tell?" Destiny rubs her belly. "Don't worry about it. I'm not keeping the baby."
"You're getting an abortion?"
"Yeah, boy."
"No, I want—"
"Antonio, this is my body, my choice."
"But I'm half of our child."
"Well, you don't get much of a say in this being that you're not the one carrying this load."
Antonio gets up off the sofa. "Des, keep the child. I'm Catholic and I'm not about killing babies. God sure doesn't like this shit," Antonio says, slamming the door on the way out.
Destiny tries to say something but is shaken.
* * *
Destiny makes the appointment at Planned Parenthood the following morning anyway and doesn't care what Antonio said. She doesn't know if she's doing this for herself, Antonio or the baby. She knows that Antonio will likely never speak to her again if she does get one.
If Antonio had to choose between me and Kelly, I wouldn't get a vote of confidence. Antonio and Kelly already have a family and this is more than just a mistake. This isn't going anywhere. He cheated on Kelly and probably will on me.
"Damn! Will these thoughts ever leave my head?"
* * *
Destiny finds out that Antonio is bringing Kelly and his kids to Atlanta for a visit. Nikki texts her the great news, and Destiny is ready to throw her phone against the wall. Nikki also tells Destiny that some of their teammates think she's faking being sick. Destiny decides to show her face after the men's game and spots Antonio going to the locker room alone before the half. She thinks it's a good time to catch him, but she runs into two of her teammates on the way.
"Hey, girl! You okay? We heard about you being sick and all."
Hmm. And all?
"Yeah, I've got food poisoning, that's all. I'll be back with y'all for the next round."
"Ok, hit us up if you need anything."
"All right."
Destiny waits for the girls to walk away and then heads to the men's locker room.
"Hey, I got something to tell you."
"Ok. I hope it's better than what you said last night."
"Please don't go there. I don't have time for your shit."
"What is it?"
Destiny drops the news on Antonio, telling him that it's for the best, and walks out.
Antonio curses and Destiny flips him the bird.