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Trevor exhales. "Yeah, of course. I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah."

Her hands are shaking. But it's time. Rachel grips her phone tightly, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "No," she says, her voice small but firm. "Everything's not okay."

Trevor is quiet for a moment. Then, "What do you mean?" His tone shifts, laced with concern.

Rachel inhales deeply. "I need to see you. In person. Can I come over?"

Another pause. Then... "Yeah. Of course. I'll be here."

Rachel ends the call, her hands trembling. This is it. No more hiding. No more lying. No more running. She grabs her keys, throws on a hoodie over her t-shirt, and heads out. Rachel stands outside his door, her heart pounding. Her palms are sweaty. Her stomach twists violently. She raises a fist and knocks. Trevor answers almost immediately, like he was waiting by the door. His face is etched with worry, his dark eyes scanning her.

"Rachel...what's going on?" Rachel steps inside, her chest tight.

She doesn't sit. She doesn't take off her shoes. She just looks at him, this man who has been nothing but good to her and knows she's about to break his heart.

"I need you to let me say everything before you respond." Her voice shakes, but she powers through.

Trevor's brows furrow, but he nods.

Rachel takes a deep breath. "I cheated on you."

His entire body stiffens. His jaw tightens. She keeps going before she loses her nerve.

"It wasn't planned. It wasn't something I ever thought I would do. But it happened. And I can't take it back. And I won't lie to you about it."

Trevor is stone still. Rachel forces herself to keep going.

"I met someone...at your game a few weeks ago. I didn't mean to notice him, but I did. And then I saw him play again. And I don't know, Trevor, something about him just—" she chokes on her words, shaking her head. "I was drawn to him. I tried to ignore it, I did. But then work sent me to do a story on the league, and I had to talk to him, and I thought I could keep it professional; I really did. But then..."

She looks away, ashamed. "One night, we played one-on-one. And I lost. And I let something happen that should have never happened."

Silence.

Rachel finally looks at him, her vision blurry. "I won't make excuses. I did this. And I am so, so sorry, Trevor."

Trevor just stares at her. His eyes darken. His hands ball into fists. Then... "Who?"

Rachel's stomach drops. "Trevor—"

"Who was it?" His voice is eerily calm, but his knuckles are white.

She hesitates, then whispers: "Jalen Moss."

Trevor's eyes flash with recognition. Then anger. He laughs, but there's no humor. "The dude from the Ballers? The one who was all over your story?"

Rachel nods slowly, feeling sick. Trevor's expression hardens.

He shakes his head, stepping away from her, running a hand through his hair. "Are you in love with him?"

Rachel doesn't answer. Because she doesn't know how to lie to him anymore. And her silence is all the answer Trevor needs.

"I was wondering why you've been so distant lately." Trevor says darkly. "I had a bad feeling about that Jalen dude when you told me about him. You told me that it was strictly professional, remember? That I had nothing to worry about, but you lied to me."

Rachel closes her eyes briefly, guilt tightening in her chest. "I know," she whispers. "I did lie. And I hate that I did."

Trevor lets out a sharp breath, shaking his head.

"I asked you straight up if I had something to worry about, and you looked me in the face and told me no," he says, his voice low but tight with emotion.

Rachel nods, swallowing hard. "I didn't mean for this to happen, Trevor. I swear I didn't. But I take full responsibility for it. I should've been honest with you when I felt things shifting inside me. I should've told you the truth instead of trying to pretend it wasn't happening."

Trevor laughs bitterly, rubbing a hand down his face. "So, what now, huh?" he asks. "You come here, tell me all this, and what? You expect me to just forgive you?"

Rachel shakes her head quickly. "No. No, Trevor. I don't expect that at all. I didn't come here for forgiveness. I came here because you deserve to know the truth. And because..." she pauses, voice breaking, "I respect you too much to keep lying to you."

Trevor stares at her for a long moment, his jaw tight, his breathing slow and measured.

"So that's it, huh?" he says finally. "You're choosing him."

Rachel hesitates. "I don't know what I'm choosing, Trevor. But I know that this..." she gestures between them, her eyes stinging, "... is over."

Trevor nods slowly, his face unreadable.

"Yeah," he says, his voice hollow. "It definitely is."

Silence falls between them, heavy and suffocating.

Then he finally says, "I need you to go. Now. Don't call me. Ever. I don't ever want to see your face or hear your voice again."

Rachel nods, fighting the tears threatening to fall. "Okay." She turns toward the door but stops, looking back at him one last time. "I really am sorry, Trevor."

He doesn't respond. He just stares at the floor, jaw clenched. Rachel leaves quietly, shutting the door behind her. She steps into the hallway, makes her way out of the apartment and into her car, gets into the driver seat and closes the door. Then the weight of everything finally crashes down on her and she sobs. Rachel hands are gripping the steering wheel, her body shaking as the tears keep come flooding out. Everything hurts. She knew this conversation would be painful, but she didn't expect it to feel like this. Like a piece of her life was ripped away in the worst way possible. Trevor had been good to her. Maybe not always perfect, maybe not always as present as she wanted, but he had never hurt her. He didn't deserve this. And yet...the moment she looked him in the eye and told him the truth, it was like a weight lifted off her chest. She was free. But that freedom came with a heavy price. Rachel presses her forehead against the steering wheel, her breaths shaky and uneven. She feels so lost, so guilty, so confused. Did she really just throw away a good man for a guy she barely knows? Or had she just admitted something to herself that she had been trying to deny for weeks? She doesn't know. She doesn't know anything right now. Rachel sits there for nearly an hour, letting it all out.

And when the tears finally slow, and her chest no longer feels like it's about to cave in, she pulls out her phone. She hesitates. Then, she types out a message.

"Hey. I need to see you."

She stares at the screen. Then, finally, she presses Send.

About fifteen minutes later, Rachel pulls into her parking lot, her eyes still puffy, her body exhausted from all the crying. As she turns off her car, she spots him. Jalen, leaning against his own car, is waiting for her. Her breath catches in her throat. For a moment, she doesn't move. She just watches him, her heart hammering in her chest. She still feels raw from everything with Trevor. The weight of it hasn't left her yet, but she needs to see Jalen. She needs to hear his voice, to feel something other than guilt and heartbreak. So, she grabs her keys, opens the door, and steps out. Jalen pushes off his car, his expression unreadable, his eyes locked on hers as she approaches. Neither of them speaks right away.

Then... "You okay?" he asks, his voice low, gentle.

Rachel lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "No."

Jalen nods slowly, like he expected that. "You wanna talk about it?" he asks.

Rachel hesitates. She doesn't even know where to start. But she doesn't want to be out here, standing in the cold night air, trying to figure it out. "Come inside," she says instead.

Jalen doesn't hesitate. He follows her upstairs, into her apartment and into her world. As soon as the door clicks shut behind them, Rachel lets out a shaky breath, because for the first time all night, she feels like she can finally breathe again. She sits on the couch, her hands clasped tightly together, her mind racing as she tries to make sense of it all.

Jalen sits across from her, silent, just watching her process.

"I told Trevor everything," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jalen exhales, nodding slowly, letting her take her time. "And?" he asks.

Rachel swallows hard, her fingernails digging into her palm. "And it's over," she whispers.

Jalen doesn't react right away. He just nods, letting the weight of her words settle in the air between them.

Rachel looks away, her chest tightening. "I feel like shit for betraying him," she admits. "He didn't deserve it. He was a good guy. And I should've handled things differently."

Jalen nods again, because he knows there's nothing he can say to take that guilt away, but then, Rachel meets his eyes again, her expression conflicted, almost tortured.

"But the crazy thing is..." she whispers, shaking her head, "...I don't regret what happened with us. Not at all. And I hate that. It doesn't make sense."

Jalen watches her carefully, taking in her every word, her every expression. "Why does it have to make sense?" he finally says.

Rachel blinks, caught off guard. "Because...because it should! It should make sense!" she exclaims, frustrated. "I should either regret everything, or I should feel good about it! But instead, I feel guilty and relieved at the same time! I feel sick for hurting Trevor, but I also—"

She cuts herself off, squeezing her eyes shut, her hands clenching into fists.

Jalen leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "But you also what?" he asks gently.

Rachel inhales sharply, then looks at him, really looks at him before saying, "But I also feel like I finally did something for me," she admits, her voice raw. "Something that I wanted. Not something that made sense to other people. Not something that was ‘right' on paper. Just something that felt... real."

Jalen nods again, his gaze softening. "Then maybe that's your answer," he says simply.

Rachel stares at him, her heart pounding. Maybe he's right. Maybe this was never about logic. Maybe this was about finally listening to herself for once. Jalen exhales slowly, feeling the familiar weight settle in his chest. Rachel is staring at him, still lost in the whirlwind of her emotions, and it makes his stomach tighten, because he knows what he has to say next is going to change everything between them.

"Rachel..." Jalen starts carefully, his voice low and measured.

She blinks, snapping out of her thoughts, her brows knitting together at his tone.

"There's something I need to tell you." He continues.

Rachel tilts her head, the exhaustion in her eyes briefly replaced by wariness.

"Okay...?" she says slowly.

Jalen runs a hand over his face, trying to find the right words, but there's no easy way to say this. "I haven't exactly been... alone in all of this," he admits.

Rachel straightens slightly, her entire posture going rigid. "What do you mean?"

Jalen holds her gaze, knowing he can't back out now. "There are... other women," he says, his voice even, but heavy. "And it's not just casual. It's... complicated."

Rachel's face shifts instantly, from confusion to sudden realization. "Other women?" she repeats.

Jalen nods slowly, watching as she processes it.

"How many?" Rachel asks, her voice noticeably sharper now.

Jalen hesitates, then finally says, "Three."

Rachel's jaw tightens. "And let me guess, this is an ongoing thing? You're still... involved with them?"

"Yes."

Rachel lets out a slow, bitter laugh, shaking her head as she rubs her temples.

"Wow," she mutters. "Wow, Jalen. You just, ...what? Collect women? Is that what this is?"

"No," Jalen says immediately, shaking his head. "It's not like that, Rachel. I care about all of you—"

"Oh, that's rich." She cuts him off, her laugh dry and humorless. "You care about us? And you're just stringing us all along? Is that it?"

"I never lied to anyone," Jalen says firmly.

Rachel's eyes flash. "You didn't exactly tell me the truth, either, did you?"

Jalen sighs, running a hand over his head. "I was going to tell you, Rachel. I just... I didn't know how."

"So, when was the right time, Jalen? Huh?" she challenges. "Before or after you fucked me in that locker room?"

Jalen flinches, but he doesn't look away.

"I won't make excuses," he says quietly. "But I will tell you this. This isn't some game for me. I didn't go out looking for this. I didn't charm my way into anyone's life. It just... happened."

Rachel scoffs, crossing her arms. "So, who are these other women?" she demands.

Jalen inhales deeply, then tells her. About Sydney. About Kristen. About Megan. And then, finally, about their pregnancies.

Rachel goes completely still. "Wait..." she breathes. "So, all three of them are pregnant with your children?"

Jalen nods, his expression serious. "Sydney and Kristen are both pregnant. And Megan... there's a strong chance she might be too. We haven't confirmed it yet."

Rachel just stares at him, her face completely blank, but Jalen can see the moment it hits her. Her chest rises and falls unevenly, her breathing shallow. Then she stands up abruptly, stepping away from him. "I can't—" she shakes her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "I can't do this. I can't believe I let myself get caught up in... whatever the hell this is."

"Rachel—"

"No!" she snaps, her eyes blazing now. "I don't know what kind of bullshit you're wrapped up in, but I want no part of it. I should've nev—I should've never let this happen."

Jalen feels a sharp pang in his chest, but he doesn't fight her words. "I understand," he says softly.

Rachel laughs bitterly, shaking her head as she grabs her keys from the table. "Good for you," she mutters.

And then suddenly she storms into the bathroom, slams the door, and locks it. Jalen sits there, staring at the door, knowing there was never a way this conversation could've ended well, and yet it still hurts like hell. Jalen hears Rachel begin to sob in the bathroom. He feels like there is nothing left for him to do now. So, he gets up and leaves the apartment. He steps outside, the cold night air hitting him like a slap, but it does nothing to ease the heavy weight crushing his chest. He feels like absolute shit. Rachel's sobs still echoed in his mind, even though he tried his best not to listen as he walked out. He didn't want to leave her like that. God, he didn't want to leave her like that. But what the hell was he supposed to do? Force her to be okay with this? Beg her to understand? She deserved space. He owed her that much. Still, as he leans against his car, running a hand over his face, he can't shake the sick feeling in his gut. This isn't the first time he's had to have this conversation, but this time felt different. Sydney had been shocked, but level-headed. Kristen had been devastated but let him hold her together. Megan had taken it in stride, because she was already in the middle of fighting for her freedom. But Rachel was furious. Heartbroken. And Jalen could see it in her eyes. She felt betrayed, and maybe she had every right to. He doesn't even realize how long he had been standing there until his phone buzzes. He looks down.

Sydney: "Hey. You okay?"

Jalen stares at the screen for a long moment before sighing. Sydney's timing couldn't have been better. He typed back: "I don't know."

Sydney: "Come over. Come talk to me."

He climbs into his car but doesn't start it right away. Instead, he rests his head against the steering wheel, exhaling shakily. For the first time since this all began, Jalen isn't sure if he's doing the right thing anymore. Jalen goes to Sydney because he desperately needed to talk to someone who didn't look at him as someone who betrayed them.

Jalen arrived at Sydney's place about twenty minutes later. Once he arrived and sat on her couch, he took a moment to exhale and gather himself before telling Sydney everything that's happened since she first told him that she's pregnant. He told her about Kristen telling him she's pregnant and then her subsequent emotional breakdown. He then told her about how Kristen felt hurt and devastated when he told her about the other women the following morning. He told her about how Megan has now been assigned a lawyer named Karla Silva and how Karla came to see him to ask him a bunch of questions about him as a person. He also mentioned how he was able to secure a copy of the prenup for Megan from the Westward mansion in order to assist her case. Then he finally told her everything about Rachel. He told Sydney how he met Rachel, how she did a story piece on him, how they had dinner together and talked about her career, her basketball background, and challenged her to a one-on-one basketball game. He told her how they had the one-on-one basketball game the following night and it led to them having sex in the locker room. He also told Sydney about how Rachel felt extremely guilty for cheating on her boyfriend with him. Finally, she told him how hurt and betrayed she was when Jalen told her about all Sydney and the other women and the pregnancies.

When he finishes, Jalen sinks onto Sydney's couch, running his hands down his face. He feels drained, like he hasn't had a moment to breathe in weeks. Sydney watches him carefully from the other end of the couch, her legs curled underneath her, wearing an oversized hoodie and shorts. She looks comfortable, but her expression is anything but.

"Damn," she finally says after Jalen lays everything out. Sydney lets out a slow breath, shaking her head. "I mean, I knew things were gonna get crazy," she says, leaning back, "but Jalen, this is... a lot."

Jalen lets out a humorless chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "You think I don't know that?"

Sydney doesn't say anything for a long moment. She just watches him, reading him, seeing the guilt and weight he's carrying. "I think..." she finally says, softer now, "you need to stop and ask yourself... what do you actually want?"

Jalen looks at her, and she holds his gaze, serious, but not judgmental.

"Like, really want," she presses. "Because right now, it just seems like you're drowning in all of this, trying to take care of everyone, but not once have I heard you say what you actually want for yourself."

Jalen exhales, shaking his head. "It's not that simple, Sydney."

"Maybe not. But it doesn't mean you don't deserve to think about it." She replies.

He looks at her, and for the first time in a while, he has no words. Because the truth is he hasn't stopped to think about what he wants. He's been so focused on handling everything, on making sure he didn't let anyone down, on trying to keep everything from falling apart, but maybe it was already falling apart.

Sydney shifts, placing a hand on his. It's a small gesture, but it grounds him. "No matter what happens," she says, gentler now, "you're not in this alone, Jalen."

He looks down at their hands, at the woman carrying his child, and for the first time all night, he lets himself breathe. Jalen nods slowly, squeezing Sydney's hand for a brief moment before leaning back against the couch. He's still processing everything, but Sydney's words stick with him. What does he want? Hell, if he knows. Right now, all he knows is that everything is spiraling faster than he can keep up with. Sydney shifts next to him, tucking her hair behind her ear before looking at him again.

"So... what now?" she asks.

Jalen lets out a slow exhale, staring at the ceiling for a moment before answering. "I need to check on Rachel," he says. "She was... completely wrecked. I don't know if she's gonna want to talk to me, but I can't just leave her like that."

Sydney doesn't look thrilled about that, but she nods. "I get it," she says. "But Jalen, you can't fix everything for everyone. Rachel's got to deal with her own choices just like the rest of us."

Jalen rubs his hands together, knowing she's right but still feeling uneasy about it.

Then Sydney sighs, looking away for a second before biting her lip. "There's something else," she says hesitantly.

Jalen glances at her. "What is it?"

She looks at him now, eyes more vulnerable than usual. "My parents..." she starts, hesitating for a second before continuing. "I have to tell them about the baby."

Jalen sits up a little straighter. "Oh," he says, realizing just how big this moment is for her.

Sydney nods, looking down at her lap. "I've been putting it off because I know exactly how this is gonna go. They're gonna flip," she mutters, rolling her eyes at the thought. "My mom's probably gonna cry. My dad's gonna go on some rant about how I ruined my life, and I'll get the whole speech about how this isn't what they wanted for me."

Jalen listens carefully, knowing how much weight Sydney carries when it comes to her parents' expectations.

She looks at him now. "But I need to get it over with," she says. "And I was wondering... would you come with me?"

Jalen blinks, surprised. "To tell them?" he asks.

Sydney nods, biting the inside of her cheek. "I know they're gonna be mad either way," she says. "But if you're there, at least I won't be facing them alone."

Jalen looks at her for a long moment before answering. "Of course," he says, without hesitation.

Sydney relaxes slightly, like she was afraid he might say no. "Thanks," she murmurs.

Jalen gives a small nod, but inside, he knows that this? This is gonna be a whole different kind of battle, and it's coming sooner than he's ready for.

******************************************

Two days later...

*Knock Knock*

"Rachel! Rachel! Please open up!"

Rachel sat on her couch, knees pulled to her chest, staring at the door as Jalen's voice echoed through her apartment. Her eyes were still puffy from more crying she did earlier, her body exhausted from the emotional weight of everything. She wanted to pretend she wasn't home. Pretend she didn't hear him. Pretend she didn't care. But she did. God, she did.

Jalen knocked again, more urgently this time. "Rachel, please," he called out. "I just... I need to know you're okay."

Rachel squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the sound. She wasn't okay. And he was part of the reason why. But at the same time... he was the only person she wanted to see right now. With a deep breath, she slowly got up and walked to the door. Her fingers hovered over the handle for a second. Then, finally, she unlocked it and pulled it open. Jalen's face was a mixture of relief and concern, his eyes scanning over her, taking in the fact that she'd clearly been crying. Rachel didn't say anything at first. She just stood there, arms crossed over her chest, waiting.

Jalen sighed, running a hand over his head. "I'm so sorry, Rachel," he said softly.

Rachel let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "Sorry for what, exactly?" she asked, her voice raw. "For being honest with me? For making me feel things I shouldn't? For being the reason I just lost someone who actually cared about me?"

Jalen's jaw tightened at that last part, but he didn't argue. He just nodded slowly. "For all of it," he admitted. "For hurting you. For making this harder than it already was."

Rachel looked away, her chest feeling too tight, her emotions too tangled to make sense of.

Jalen took a small step closer, hesitating, like he wasn't sure if she'd let him. "I never wanted to put you through this," he said. "I swear, Rachel. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you."

Rachel let out a shaky breath, still not looking at him. "But you did," she whispered.

Jalen closed his eyes briefly, like he felt the weight of her words. "I know," he murmured. "And if I could take that pain away, I would."

Silence stretched between them, thick with all the things neither of them knew how to say. Finally, Rachel looked up at him, her expression unreadable.

"Why did it have to be you?" she asked.

Jalen exhaled slowly, his eyes searching hers. "I don't know," he admitted. "But it is."

Rachel swallowed hard, feeling everything and nothing all at once. Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she stepped aside, wordlessly inviting him in. Jalen didn't hesitate. Because no matter how much pain there was between them right now, neither of them was ready to walk away. Rachel shut the door, sat on her couch, and turned to look at him.

Jalen looked at her intensely. "Rachel, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness for hurting you, and I probably don't deserve you at all. But I do not want you to go through this alone. I want to be here for you. Yes, there are other women, and I care about them too, but you can count on me for anything you need. That I can promise you."

Rachel stared at him, her emotions a tangled mess as she took in his words. She wanted to be angry. She should be angry. But all she felt was exhaustion. Exhausted from fighting against feelings she didn't want to have. Exhausted from the pain of hurting and losing Trevor. Exhausted from trying to figure out what the hell she was supposed to do next. And yet...Jalen was here. Standing in front of her, saying everything she needed to hear. She swallowed hard, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the back of her couch.

"You say I can count on you," she murmured. "But Jalen, this isn't just about me."

Jalen's eyes flickered with understanding. She didn't have to say it. He knew. She was pregnant.

Rachel exhaled sharply, shaking her head as she looked down at the floor.

"I took the test last night. Three times. I... I don't even know how to process this," she admitted. "I wasn't supposed to be in this position. I had a plan. I had stability. I wasn't—" She cut herself off, her voice cracking, and Jalen immediately closed the distance between them, his hands gently resting on her arms.

"I know," he said softly. "I know this isn't what you expected. And I know I'm probably the last person you want in your life right now."

Rachel lifted her gaze, her brown eyes locking onto his.

"But I'm here," Jalen continued. "And I meant what I said. I want to be here. For you, for the baby, for everything."

Rachel searched his face, looking for any sign of hesitation, any indication that he was just saying what he thought she wanted to hear. But there was none. Just sincerity. Just him. She let out a shaky breath, her body feeling too heavy, too overwhelmed to hold everything in anymore. Slowly, she stepped forward and rested her forehead against his chest, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt as the weight of reality pressed down on her. Jalen didn't move. He just held her. And for the first time in days, Rachel let herself breathe.

******************************************

Elsewhere, Karla Silva goes through files of Megan's case at her office, but her thoughts keep drifting back to Jalen Moss. Karla tries to refocus, flipping through Megan's case files with practiced diligence, but her mind keeps wandering. No matter how much she tries to concentrate on the legal intricacies of Megan's situation, the prenuptial agreement, the financial oppression, the evidence of Chris's infidelity, she keeps finding herself thinking about Jalen. It frustrates her. She's a professional. She's dealt with countless high-stakes cases involving women in crisis. She prides herself on staying focused, on keeping a clear head no matter how personal a case may feel. But Jalen Moss is different. There's something about him that lingers. The way he spoke with conviction, the way he took responsibility for every woman in his life, the way he seemed to walk a fine line between chaos and honor. Men like him don't exist, at least, not in her world.

She sighs, closing the file for a moment, tapping her fingers on the desk. "What is it about you, Jalen Moss?"

Karla had met a lot of men. Wealthy, powerful, ambitious men. Men who would lie, manipulate, and deceive to get what they wanted. Men who were either cold and calculating or full of charm but ultimately empty inside. But Jalen? He was different. He wasn't charming in a rehearsed, calculated way. He was just... real. Messy. Honest. He didn't run from consequences, and that alone set him apart from almost every man she'd ever known. And then there was the other thing. That moment. The moment she had felt something strange when she first met him. A warmth. Like something was pulling her towards him. Karla rubs her temples, annoyed with herself. She doesn't get "feelings" like this. She doesn't believe in fate or cosmic nonsense. Everything in life had to be logical, explainable, controlled. That's how she had survived, how she had climbed the ranks in a world that wasn't built for women like her. But for the first time in a long time, she feels something she can't quite name, and she's starting to hate how much she likes it.

The next day, Megan meets with Karla to continue to discuss her case.

"Hey Megan... if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me what it was about Jalen that made you fall for him?"

Megan blinks, momentarily caught off guard. That's not a question she expected. She had been prepared to discuss her case, the next legal steps, and how to navigate her divorce from Chris. But instead, Karla is looking at her with a mix of curiosity and something else. Something Megan can't quite place.

She tilts her head slightly. "Why do you ask?"

Karla shrugs, her expression carefully neutral. "I guess I'm just... intrigued. I've heard a lot about him now...from you, and I'm trying to understand what it is about him that makes women fall for him, despite how complicated he is."

Megan exhales, shaking her head with a small smile. "That's just it. He is complicated. But not in the way you'd think."

Karla leans forward, listening intently.

Megan takes a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "With Chris, everything was about control. How I looked, how I acted, what I could and couldn't do. I was an extension of him, not a person." She pauses, a flicker of bitterness in her voice. "Jalen is the opposite of that. He doesn't control women. He makes them feel like they actually have choices."

Karla arches an eyebrow. "Even though he's involved with multiple women?"

Megan smirks. "Because he's involved with multiple women." She glances down, as if replaying memories in her mind. "He never lied to me. He never made me feel like I was less than, or that I had to fight for his attention. He's honest, even when it's messy, and in a world full of men who lie, manipulate, and abandon the moment things get hard?" She looks back at Karla, her expression firm. "Honesty is rare. And it's sexy."

Karla stays quiet for a moment, absorbing Megan's words.

Megan watches her carefully, then smirks. "You met him, didn't you?"

Karla stiffens, her composure slipping for just a second. "I... I just went to go talk to him briefly about the case. I thought it would be a good idea given the fact that he's the father of your baby and helped motivate you to escape from Chris."

Megan lets out a knowing chuckle. "But you felt it, didn't you? That thing about him."

Karla narrows her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Megan leans forward slightly, her voice lower, more playful. "It's okay, you know. To be intrigued. To wonder. I fought it too, at first."

Karla exhales, rolling her eyes as she leans back in her chair. "Jesus. This guy."

Megan laughs. "Exactly."

******************************************

It's Saturday. Jalen had been in plenty of nerve-wracking situations before, high-stakes business meetings, intense basketball games, and, of course, the increasingly complicated dynamics with the women in his life. But this? Meeting Sydney's parents under the current circumstances? This was a different level of stress. Sydney had already told him plenty about them. Her mother, Pamela Swanson, was staunchly conservative, obsessed with appearances, and deeply invested in how Sydney's life decisions reflected on the family. Her father, Walter Swanson, was a retired military man, rigid in his beliefs, and the kind of guy who'd probably judge Jalen the second he walked in the door. Now he was about to sit across from them, knowing full well that they were not going to approve of him.

"Jalen, breathe," Sydney whispered as they pulled into the driveway of her parents' pristine, suburban Alpharetta, Georgia home.

Jalen exhaled sharply. "I'm good."

Sydney turned to him with an amused look. "You're not good. You look like you're about to step into a courtroom without a lawyer."

Jalen forced a smirk. "Feels like I am."

Sydney sighed, reaching over to squeeze his hand. "Look, I know this isn't going to be easy, but we're in this together, and no matter what they say, I'm with you."

Jalen nodded, appreciating the reassurance, but he still knew what was coming.

The house was immaculate. The kind of place where you could tell no one actually lived there, just existed within a carefully curated aesthetic. The furniture was elegant but untouched, the air smelled of vanilla candles and judgment, and the walls were decorated with pictures of Sydney growing up. Sydney with her cheerleading squad, Sydney at debutante balls, Sydney in a cap and gown.

Pamela Swanson greeted them first, her expression carefully polite but unmistakably tense. "Sydney, sweetheart," she said, pulling her daughter into a hug. Then, as she turned to Jalen, her smile was thin, her eyes doing a full scan of him. "Jalen. So nice to finally meet you."

Jalen extended a hand, keeping his expression neutral. "Mrs. Swanson, pleasure to meet you."

She hesitated just a fraction before shaking his hand. That told Jalen everything he needed to know. Walter Swanson entered the room next, his presence immediately commanding. He was a tall man in his late fifties, his posture straight as if he were still in uniform. His handshake was firm. Too firm. The kind that wasn't a greeting but a test. Jalen didn't flinch.

Walter gave him a once-over, then gestured toward the dining room. "Let's eat."

Jalen had prepared himself for passive-aggressive remarks. He had even braced for subtle racism disguised as concern. What he hadn't expected was how blatantly dismissive Sydney's parents were of him.

"So, Jalen," Pamela started after a few bites of grilled chicken and steamed vegetables, "tell us more about yourself. What exactly is it that you do again?"

Jalen knew what this was. She knew what he did. Sydney had told them. This wasn't curiosity. It was a test. "I own my own contracting business," he said evenly. "Specializing in home renovations and commercial projects. Been in business for two years now, and things are growing steadily."

Pamela raised an eyebrow, sipping her wine. "Construction?" she repeated, as if the word itself was distasteful.

Walter leaned forward, setting his fork down. "So, no college degree?"

Jalen met his gaze without hesitation. "I went to Georgia Perimeter College and earned my associate's degree. But after that, I got into the trades. Learned hands-on, worked for different companies, and eventually started my own."

Walter nodded slowly, but Jalen could see the unspoken judgment in his eyes. "Huh."

Pamela dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "And...your family? What do they do?"

Jalen knew what she was really asking. "My mother is a store manager at Kroger. My father passed away when I was ten."

Pamela's lips tightened. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

Walter cut in, "What happened?"

Jalen didn't break eye contact. "He was killed in a dispute related to gang violence."

Sydney immediately tensed next to him. She had warned Jalen not to mention that, knowing how her parents would react.

Pamela visibly stiffened, and Walter's expression hardened. "I see," he said, his voice carrying layers of assumptions.

Sydney jumped in quickly, trying to steer the conversation away. "Dad, Mom, Jalen is one of the most hard-working people I've ever met. He built his business from the ground up, and I've seen firsthand how dedicated he is."

Pamela gave a tight smile. "That's...admirable."

Then, the bomb dropped. "So," Walter said, looking straight at Sydney, "when is the wedding?"

Sydney choked on her water. Jalen's grip on his fork tightened, but he kept his face neutral.

"Dad—" Sydney started, but Walter cut her off.

"Sydney, let's not dance around the issue. You're pregnant." He turned to Jalen. "So, what's the plan?"

Jalen exhaled slowly before speaking. "The plan is to be there for Sydney and our child. In every way possible."

Walter wasn't impressed. "Being ‘there' is one thing. But are you marrying my daughter?"

Jalen met his gaze. "That's up to Sydney."

Sydney reached for Jalen's hand under the table, gripping it tightly. "Dad, I'm not rushing into a marriage just because I'm pregnant."

Pamela sighed dramatically. "Sydney, this isn't just about you. Think about how this looks."

Sydney's patience snapped. "I don't care how it looks! I'm not living my life based on appearances anymore."

Walter's expression darkened. "You're making a mistake."

Sydney stood up abruptly, causing her chair to scrape against the floor. "No, Dad. I'm finally making my own choi-...," she stopped and took a deep breath, "You know what? I can't do this. Jalen, let's just go."

This was music to Jalen's ears. He immediately got up without saying a word and followed Sydney out of the house.

As they drove back, Sydney exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I knew it was going to be bad, but God. I just—" She groaned in frustration. "I hate how they see you. I hate how they see us."

Jalen kept his eyes on the road. "It doesn't matter what they think, Syd."

Sydney turned to him. "Doesn't it?"

Jalen finally looked at her, his expression calm but firm. "No. It doesn't. You and me? We're building our own family now. Their approval? It's nice if we get it, but it's not necessary."

Sydney softened, nodding as she laced her fingers through his. "Thank you," she whispered.

Jalen squeezed her hand. "Always."

***********************************

Jalen's phone rings later that evening after he gets back to his apartment. It's Kristen.

"Hey," Jalen says picking up.

"Hey," A soft voice responds, "I'm...I'm ready to talk."

"I'll be right over." Jalen says.

"No, I'll come to you," Kristen responds, "Give me twenty minutes."

Jalen spent the next twenty minutes pacing his living room, mentally preparing for whatever Kristen had to say. After everything that had happened, the pregnancy, the truth about the other women, and the raw emotions of it all, he knew this conversation was going to be heavy.

When he heard the knock at his door, he exhaled sharply and opened it.

Kristen stood there, looking both tired and determined. She wore a simple fitted sweater and leggings, her long dark hair pulled into a loose ponytail. Her eyes, still slightly puffy from all the emotions she'd been dealing with, locked onto his with an intensity that made Jalen's chest tighten.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey." Jalen stepped aside to let her in.

She walked past him, heading straight for the couch. Jalen followed, sitting next to her but giving her space.

Kristen let out a shaky breath. "I've been thinking a lot since we last talked."

Jalen didn't rush her, just nodded.

Kristen glanced down at her hands, then back up at him. "At first, when you told me everything, I just felt...betrayed. I felt like I was just another woman in some...some collection you were building."

Jalen's stomach tightened. He had feared that's how she would see it.

"But," she continued, "the more I thought about it, the more I realized...you never lied to me. You never told me that we were exclusive, and you never promised me something that wasn't real. The way you treated me, the way you've been there for me, even when I was falling apart, you're not some manipulative player, Jalen. If you were, you would've run the second I told you I was pregnant."

Jalen swallowed hard. "I'd never run from you, Kristen."

She nodded, giving a small, sad smile. "I know. That's why I'm here."

Kristen took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm still mad. I'm still confused. But...at the end of the day, I care about you. And I know you care about me too."

Jalen reached for her hand hesitantly. She didn't pull away. "So...where does that leave us?" he asked carefully.

Kristen squeezed his hand lightly. "I don't know yet. But I know I want you in my life, and I want you to be part of this baby's life."

Jalen felt relief wash over him, though he knew the road ahead was still uncertain. "That's all I could ever ask for."

Kristen exhaled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Just...give me time, okay? I need to figure out what this all means for me."

Jalen kissed the top of her head softly. "Take all the time you need."

For now, they sat in silence, just holding onto the moment. Whatever happened next, they would figure it out together.

******************************************

Kristen is asleep in Jalen's bed when Megan calls at about 1 am. Jalen sat at the edge of the bed, phone pressed to his ear, staring at the dim glow of the city through his window. Kristen was asleep behind him, curled up in his sheets, her breathing steady. It was the most peaceful she'd looked in days, and Jalen didn't want to disturb her.

Megan's voice, steady but laced with emotion, filled his ear. "It's official. I'm pregnant."

Jalen closed his eyes and exhaled. He already knew. They both did. But hearing her say it made it all the more real.

"You okay?" he asked gently.

Megan was quiet for a moment. Then, a small laugh. "Yes, I'm fine, Jalen. I did say I wanted to have your baby, didn't I?"

Jalen chuckled into the phone but then rubbed his face, his mind racing. This was his third official pregnancy announcement in two weeks. Sydney. Kristen. And now Megan.

"Remember, Megan,... you're not alone in this," he said, his voice firm.

"I know," she said. "And I believe you when you say that. But I'm also not naïve, Jalen. My life is already complicated as hell. I'm in the middle of divorcing a powerful, dangerous man, and now I'm carrying another man's baby. If Chris ever finds out before I'm ready..." she trailed off.

Jalen's jaw clenched. He hated the fact that Chris still loomed over her life like a storm cloud. "He won't find out," Jalen said. "Not until you want him to. And when the time comes, I swear to you, Megan, he's not going to touch you. Ever."

Megan sighed. "You always say the right things."

"Because I mean them." He replied.

Megan was silent again, and Jalen could hear the weight of everything sinking in on her end. Finally, she exhaled sharply.

"So... how do you feel? About this?" she asked.

Jalen didn't hesitate. "It's not just about how I feel, Megan. This is about you. About what you want."

Megan let out another dry laugh. "What I want? Jalen, if I made decisions based on what I want, my life would look a hell of a lot different right now."

Jalen's chest tightened. He wished she didn't have to think that way.

"But since you asked," she continued, her voice softer, "I want this baby. I just never expected all of this to happen at once..."

Jalen swallowed hard. "Neither did I."

A heavy pause settled between them.

"Does Sydney know yet?" Megan asked suddenly.

Jalen ran a hand over his face. "She knows that you and Kristen are a part of my life, and she knows that Kristen's pregnant. But I haven't told her about your possible, and now official, pregnancy yet."

Megan hummed. "And Kristen?"

"I told her about all of you. She's...still trying to process..."

Megan exhaled sharply. "Jesus, Jalen."

"I know."

A long silence. Then, Megan's voice softened. "So... when are you gonna tell them about my pregnancy being real?"

Jalen knew that question was coming. "I'll tell them. In the morning."

Megan sighed. "Alright. I trust you. Just don't wait too long."

"I won't."

There was another pause, then Megan spoke again, quieter this time. "Jalen?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really scared."

Jalen's grip on the phone tightened. "I know, baby. But I got you. I promise."

Megan didn't respond right away. But Jalen could hear the emotion in her breathing. "...Okay." Another pause. "I should go," she said. "I need to sleep. I feel exhausted all the time now."

Jalen nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Yeah. Get some rest. Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

A beat of silence. Then, just before hanging up..., "I love you, Jalen."

Jalen froze. He had not expected to hear that.

"I just wanted you to know that," she finished.

Jalen paused for a moment feeling the weight of her words and the situation. Four women. Three officially pregnant and the fourth probably too. He cares deeply for all of them, but he had never truly confronted the idea of whether or not he could say he loved them. But in this moment, hearing Megan say those words, it became clear to him...

"I love you too, Megan," he responded.

Jalen sat there for a long time after the call ended, staring at the phone in his hands. Behind him, Kristen stirred in her sleep. Jalen exhaled, rubbing his temples. This was his life now. And it was only getting more complicated.

******************************************

The next morning, Jalen sat at the small dining table in his apartment, a Powerade in front of him, but he wasn't drinking it. His eyes were locked on Kristen, who sat across from him, dressed in one of his t-shirts and quietly eating a bagel.

She looked better than she had last night. More rested. Less fragile. But Jalen knew that was temporary. He took a deep breath. "Kristen..."

Kristen glanced up, pausing mid-bite. She immediately noticed the way his tone had shifted. Something was wrong. "What is it?" she asked, her expression growing concerned.

Jalen exhaled. "Megan and Rachel are pregnant."

The bagel slipped from Kristen's fingers and landed on the plate. She stared at him, her mind struggling to catch up with what he'd just said. "...What?"

Jalen nodded. "She took multiple tests. She's sure."

Kristen blinked. Then blinked again. Megan. Rachel. The women Jalen had met after her. Megan, the woman whose marriage he had helped her escape. Rachel, the woman he had a passionate night with. They were now carrying his children, too. Kristen sat back in her chair, gripping the table as if the ground beneath her had just shifted. She wanted to be shocked. To be furious. To yell. But the truth was she wasn't surprised. Because of course they were pregnant, too. Just like Sydney. Just like her.

Kristen let out a short, humorless laugh and shook her head. "Jesus, Jalen."

Jalen rubbed his face, feeling the weight of it all. "I know."

Kristen's fingers curled against the table. "Does Sydney know?"

"No. Not yet."

Kristen nodded slowly, taking that in. So, she wasn't the last to know. Small mercy. A long silence passed between them. Then, Kristen exhaled sharply. "I don't even know what to say."

Jalen looked at her carefully. "How do you feel?"

Kristen met his gaze. "Honestly?"

"Yeah."

She huffed out a breath, rubbing her temples. "I feel like I'm in some twisted reality show."

Jalen didn't say anything. He just let her process.

Kristen sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "I knew you weren't just sitting around after I left Georgia Wellness. I knew there would be others. But..." She looked up, meeting his gaze. "Four of us. Pregnant. At the same time?"

Jalen swallowed. "I never planned for this to happen, Kristen. But I meant what I said before, I'm not running from this. Not from you. Not from any of you."

Kristen studied him, searching for any trace of doubt. But she found none. "...You really care about all of us, don't you?" she asked, more a realization than a question.

Jalen nodded. "I do."

Kristen exhaled again. "Then I guess we all just have to figure out what the hell happens next."

Jalen reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing gently. "We will. Together."

Kristen held his gaze, then nodded. For now, that was all she could do.

A few minutes later, Kristen runs to the bathroom to vomit from morning sickness. As soon as she bolted for the bathroom, Jalen sighed and ran a hand down his face. This was becoming a pattern.

He heard the sound of her retching, and it only made the pit in his stomach heavier. Three women. Four pregnancies. And none of this had even begun to settle yet.

Jalen reached for his phone and scrolled to Sydney's contact. She picked up on the second ring. "Hey, Jalen."

There was something soothing about Sydney's voice, even when she didn't mean for it to be. But he wasn't calling with good news.

"Syd... I wanted to tell you this before you found out another way. Megan and Rachel are both pregnant."

Sydney was quiet for a moment. Then, a sigh. Not of anger. Not of shock. Just... acceptance.

"Well," she said, "I guess that makes four of us now."

Jalen rubbed his forehead. "Yeah. It does."

Sydney let out a breath. "How's Kristen handling it?"

"She just found out. And now she's throwing up."

Sydney gave a small, dry chuckle. "Yeah, that happens." Then, after a pause: "How are you handling it?"

Jalen exhaled. He appreciated her asking.

"I don't know, Syd. I'm trying to do everything right, but there's no playbook for this."

Sydney softened. "There isn't. But I meant what I said before, Jalen—you're not running from this, and that says a lot."

Jalen closed his eyes briefly. "Thanks for saying that."

Sydney hesitated, then asked, "Does Rachel know about Megan?"

Jalen sighed. "Not yet. I'm about to call her now."

Sydney didn't say anything for a beat. Then, "I think she'll take it the hardest."

Jalen frowned. He knew that.

After they ended the call, Jalen immediately dialed Rachel's number.

It rang once. Twice. Three times.

Then she answered.

"Jalen?" Rachel sounded tired. And he already hated that he was about to make it worse.

"Hey, Rach." He took a deep breath. "I wanted to call because... I need to tell you something. Megan's pregnant."

Silence. For a second, Jalen thought she'd hung up.

Then he heard her inhale sharply. "God, Jalen..."

He braced himself. "Talk to me."

Rachel let out a shaky breath. "I don't even know what to say right now."

Jalen nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I get it."

Rachel laughed, but it was bitter. "Do you? Because I don't. I don't get how I let myself be part of this."

Jalen closed his eyes. "Rachel—"

"I can't do this right now," she cut in, her voice breaking."

Jalen's stomach twisted. But he wasn't going to push.

"...Okay," he said quietly. "I'll give you space."

The line clicked. Jalen set his phone down and exhaled. Then he heard the bathroom door open, and Kristen walked back in, looking just as drained as he felt. Jalen rubbed his face again. This was only the beginning.

******************************************

That night Jalen is alone in his apartment. Jalen sat on the edge of his bed, hands gripping his head, heart pounding. The silence of his apartment pressed in around him, but his thoughts were deafening. Four pregnancies. Four women. It was too much. Way too much. His entire life had been turned upside down in the span of weeks, and no matter how hard he tried to keep it together, it was slipping. The guilt, the responsibility, the sheer weight of it all was breaking him. He clenched his jaw, forcing his voice out into the empty room.

"Beyonder! Please! I can't do this! It's too much!"

Nothing. Silence. Jalen's fists tightened.

"I feel like I'm ruining these women's lives! You hear me? Ruining them!"

Still nothing. His breath came heavier now. Desperation. Frustration. Anger.

"Four pregnancies! Four! Isn't that enough? Please—tell me that's enough! Tell me I don't have to keep doing this!"

For a moment, he thought he might not get a response. That maybe the Beyonder had abandoned him to figure this out alone.

Then...a voice.

Calm. Measured. Unwavering. "You are fulfilling what was always meant to be, Jalen."

Jalen shot to his feet, rage flashing through him. "Meant to be? You think I'm some kind of machine that can just handle all of this?! These are real people! Real lives! I'm watching them break apart because of me!"

The Beyonder remained unshaken. "You are watching them transform."

Jalen let out a bitter laugh, pacing. "Transform? Into what? Single mothers? Women stuck in some impossible situation because I came into their lives?"

"No, Jalen." The voice was steady. Certain. "You are watching them become who they were always meant to be."

Jalen froze. The Beyonder continued.

"Sydney was meant to break free from her family's control and define her own path."

"Kristen was meant to find the courage to walk away from a love that no longer served her."

"Megan was meant to reclaim her life from a man who sought to own her."

"And Rachel... was meant to face the truth of what she truly desires."

Jalen's pulse thudded in his ears. The Beyonder's words settled over him like a storm he wasn't sure how to weather.

"...And me?" Jalen's voice was hoarse now. "What am I meant to be?"

A pause. Then..., "Exactly who you are."

Jalen felt his chest tighten. Because for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure who that was anymore.

Chapter 11

"There's my baby! Bout time!"

"Hey, Mama." Jalen said as he hugs his mother and enters the house.

"What's wrong baby? You sound exhausted. You know you can't be running yourself into the ground building all these houses and stuff."

"It's not that Mama." Jalen says. "Comon, let's sit."

Deborah watches her son carefully as they sit down on the couch. She can see it all over his face. Something is weighing on him heavily. Jalen has always been independent, always handling things on his own. For him to come here like this, something serious must be going on.

"Jalen, baby, talk to me," she says gently, placing a hand on his knee. "What's got you lookin' so worn out?"

Jalen exhales deeply, rubbing his hands together before finally looking at his mother.

"Mama... I got somethin' to tell you, and I don't even know how to start," he admits.

Deborah tilts her head. "Well, start from the beginning."

Jalen nods, gathering himself before saying, "Mama, I—" He hesitates, then finally pushes the words out. "I got four women pregnant."

The room falls dead silent.

Deborah blinks. Once. Twice. Then leans back against the couch, exhaling sharply. She looks at Jalen as if trying to process whether or not she heard him correctly.

"Four?" she finally says, her tone unreadable.

"Yes, ma'am," Jalen answers, unable to look her in the eye now.

Deborah shakes her head slightly, then lets out a dry chuckle. "Boy... What?"

Jalen sighs, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Mama, it ain't what you think. I ain't out here just bein' reckless. I care about all of them. It's... it's complicated."

Deborah stares at him, her motherly instincts warring with her disbelief. She knows her son. He's not the kind of man to be careless, to be a deadbeat, to be trifling. But four?

She finally speaks, her voice firm yet full of concern. "Tell me everything, Jalen. From the start. Every detail. Right now."

Jalen nods.

And then, he tells her everything.

One hour later, Deborah sits in stunned silence, processing everything Jalen just told her. She has barely moved in the last hour, aside from occasionally shaking her head, rubbing her temples, or letting out deep sighs.

Jalen sits across from her, hands clasped together, waiting for the inevitable lecture or explosion. But instead, his mother just stares at him.

Finally, she speaks.

"Son... you mean to tell me that you got four different women pregnant in a matter of months... and you ain't running? You ain't dodging responsibility? You ain't denying none of it?"

"No, ma'am," Jalen says quietly.

Deborah exhales. "And you care about all of ‘em? You ain't just some fool out here playin' games?"

"I care about them deeply, Mama. I swear I do. And I love these kids already, even though they ain't even here yet."

Deborah watches him carefully. His voice doesn't waver. There's no doubt in his eyes. He's serious.

She leans forward, elbows on her knees, shaking her head slowly. "Jalen Thaddeus Moss... this is some crazy, crazy shit."

Jalen chuckles despite himself. "I know, Mama. Believe me, I know."

Deborah sighs, shaking her head again, but this time there's a small, reluctant smile on her lips. "Lord have mercy... you really are your daddy's son."

Jalen looks at her, confused. "What?"

Deborah leans back, folding her arms. "Jalen, your daddy, Thaddeus? That man was a lot of things, but if there was one thing he was good at, it was loving hard. He loved me hard. And even though he had his faults, when he committed to something, he never ran from it. And that's what I'm seeing in you right now."

Jalen swallows. He doesn't talk about his father often. It's too painful. But hearing his mother compare him to the man he lost so young makes his chest feel tight.

"So you ain't mad?" he asks hesitantly.

Deborah gives him a look. "Oh, I'm mad. Not 'cause you got four women pregnant, but because this is about to turn your life upside down. You think you're exhausted now? Baby, you ain't seen nothin' yet. You're about to be pulled in four different directions. You got four different women with four different lives, four different pregnancies, and eventually? Four babies. That's a whole lot to juggle, Jalen."

"I know," Jalen says softly. "I know it's gonna be hard."

Deborah exhales and studies her son for a long moment. Then, finally, she speaks again.

"You know what, baby?"

"What?"

"You got a good heart. And a whole lotta love to give."

Jalen's throat tightens.

Deborah nods firmly. "So I'ma be here for you. Every step of the way. Whatever you need, I got you. Because if anybody can handle this... it's my son."

Jalen finally exhales the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you, Mama."

Deborah sighs dramatically. "Boy, don't thank me yet. You still got four baby showers to plan, four hospital visits to prepare for, and Lord knows what else. You bet' not be expectin' me to babysit every day either, I raised my babies already."

Jalen laughs. "I hear you, Mama. I hear you."

Deborah watches her son and shakes her head one last time, a small smirk on her lips.

"This is some crazy shit, Jalen. But damn it... if you ain't your father's son."

Jalen lets out a long, slow breath, feeling the weight on his chest lighten just a little. Hearing his mother's support, genuine, unwavering support, was exactly what he needed. For weeks, he had been drowning in this reality, feeling like there was no way he could juggle everything coming his way. But now? Now he felt like he had hope.

"Thank you, Mama," Jalen says again, this time softer, more genuine.

Deborah gives him a knowing look. "Ain't no need to thank me, baby. Just make sure you step up like I know you can. And don't be afraid to lean on me when you need to. You hear me?"

Jalen nods, his voice thick. "I hear you."

Deborah pats his leg, standing up. "Good. Now, go on and get you some rest. You gon' need all the energy you can get."

Jalen chuckles. "I know that's right."

Deborah shakes her head, smirking. "Lord have mercy, my son out here building houses and babies at the same time."

Jalen laughs, feeling lighter than he has in weeks. Maybe, just maybe,he can handle this.

***************************************************

It's 7 am at Rachel's apartment. Someone bangs on the door. After several knocks, she gets up out of bed annoyed. She looks through the peephole and sees that it's Jalen. She then opens it.

"Jalen, what are you doing here?" Rachel asks bewildered and still not all the way awake.

"I came to give you this," He said handing a large bag to her, "There is medicine to help with any nausea and morning sickness, as well as any cramping or headaches. There's a heating pad to help with any soreness you feel. There's a breakfast sandwich and coffee in there too. There are also a couple of hoodies in there for you."

"Jalen, wha-"

"Rachel, you're one of the most amazing women that I have ever met, and I don't deserve you. I know you don't want me around right now, and I understand why. But I'm still going to be here for you. I'm not gonna go away because you deserve everything. Especially from me."

Jalen then turns to leave. Rachel stands frozen in the doorway, staring at the bag in her hands, her mind spinning. She had spent the past few days trying to push him away, trying to make sense of everything, trying to hate him for the situation she was in.

But then he shows up at 7 in the damn morning, with medicine, food, comfort, and words that make her chest tighten. Jalen was still here. Even when she told him to go. Even when she tried to shut him out. Her throat tightens, her emotions threatening to spill over.

"Jalen..." she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stops, turning back, his expression unreadable.

Rachel swallows hard, then steps forward. Before she can think, before she can talk herself out of it, she reaches for him. Her arms wrap around his waist, her face presses against his chest, and she holds on. Jalen doesn't hesitate. He wraps his arms around her, holding her just as tightly. Rachel doesn't say thank you. She doesn't say I'm sorry. She just holds him, because right now, she doesn't know what else to do. She hates this. She hates that her heart betrays her, that her body melts into Jalen's embrace despite everything. She hates that she's crying against his chest, that her fingers are gripping onto his hoodie like she's afraid to let go. She hates that she should hate him, but she can't. Because the truth is... she's fallen for him. Completely. Even knowing about Sydney, Kristen, and Megan. Her tears intensify, and she clenches her jaw, trying to swallow down the emotions threatening to consume her.

"This isn't fair," she whispers.

Jalen's hand rubs slow, soothing circles against her back. "I know," he murmurs.

Rachel's eyes squeeze shut. Damn him. Because the worst part, the part that makes this all so much harder is that she knows he's telling the truth when he says he'll be there, and that's exactly why she can't let him go. Rachel searches his face, her vision blurred by fresh tears. She wants to believe him. Everything in her heart is screaming at her to believe him, and maybe that's what scares her the most. Because no matter how much she tries to deny it, no matter how complicated and messy this all is, she knows she already belongs to him. She bites her lip, still trembling, still trying to fight it. But Jalen is patient. He waits, holding her gaze steady, letting her see that he means every word.

Finally, with a shaky breath, Rachel nods. "Okay," she whispers.

Jalen exhales, as if he had been holding it in this whole time. He cups her cheek, his thumb gently swiping away the last of her tears. "I'll prove it to you," he says softly.

And for the first time in days, maybe even weeks, Rachel feels the smallest hint of peace. Rachel melts into Jalen as their lips meet, a slow, deep kiss that carries everything. The pain, the longing, the fear, the undeniable love that neither of them can deny anymore.

It's not just passion. It's a release of all the tension that had been building between them since that night at the gym. A release of the confusion, the guilt, the fear of what this means. Jalen's hands move up, framing her face, holding her like she's something precious. Like she's his. Rachel's fingers tangle in his shirt, clutching him closer, needing to feel all of him. She deepens the kiss, pouring herself into it, letting her body make the decision that her mind is too scared to face. Because the truth is... She doesn't want to fight this anymore. Jalen is hers. Even if she has to share him, and she is his.

"I love you," Jalen whispers.

Rachel pulls back just slightly, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes search Jalen's face, looking for hesitation, doubt, anything that would make her believe this isn't real. But there's nothing but sincerity in his gaze. Her heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst. The words are right there, sitting on the tip of her tongue, but fear grips her. How can she say it? How can she let herself love him when everything about this is so complicated? And yet... she already knows the truth. Rachel swallows hard, her fingers still clutching his shirt. She takes a shaky breath and finally lets go of the fight within herself.

"I love you too," she whispers.

The words feel terrifying and exhilarating all at once. But the moment they leave her lips, it's like something inside her clicks into place. She loves him, and she's not going to pretend she doesn't anymore.

"You're an asshole, you know that?" Rachel said as they held each other.

"I know." Jalen responded.

Rachel sighs against his chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of his hoodie. "And yet, here I am."

Jalen smirks, brushing his hand through her hair. "Yeah, here you are."

She exhales slowly, her emotions still a tangled mess, but there's a strange comfort in his embrace. She knows this isn't easy. None of this is, but despite everything, the chaos, the complications, the heartbreak, she still wants him.

Rachel finally pulls back just enough to look at him. "So... what now?"

Jalen's expression softens. "Now? We take this one day at a time. No pressure, no expectations. Just us figuring things out."

She bites her lip, nodding. "Okay."

For the first time in weeks, Rachel feels like she can finally breathe.

***************************************************

Later that day, an Email from Karla to Jalen:

Subject: Lunch Meeting Hey Jalen, I hope you're okay. Can you meet me for lunch sometime next week? I'm hoping to get some more information from you about Megan's case. Let me know what works for you. Thanks! Karla Silva Karla Silva, LLC

Jalen's reply:

Subject: Re: Lunch Meeting Hey Ms. Silva, I appreciate you reaching out. I'm available Tuesday or Thursday next week—just let me know what works best for you. Happy to provide whatever information I can to help Megan's case. Looking forward to it. Best, Jalen Moss Moss Elite Contracting & Renovations

The next day, Tuesday, Karla sits at an outdoor table at The Southern Bistro, a nice but casual spot in Midtown. She checks her watch, 11:57 AM. Jalen should be arriving any minute now. She had already ordered a sweet tea and was scanning through emails on her phone when she heard a familiar deep voice.

"Hey, Ms. Silva."

She looks up, and her breath hitches for a brief second. Jalen is walking toward her, dressed in a fitted button-down shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms, dark tailored jeans, and a clean pair of loafers. He looks good. Too good. Karla hadn't realized how much she had already built up an image of him in her head. Megan's savior, the man caught up in an impossible situation, a complicated but undeniably good-hearted person. Now here he was, standing right in front of her, somehow looking even better than she remembered. Confident. Grounded. Strong.

"Hey," she responds, flashing a small smile to mask her thoughts. "Also, you can just call me Karla."

Jalen pulls out a chair and sits across from her. "Well, hello then, ...Karla. You said you needed more details on Megan's case?"

Right. Megan's case. Karla straightens in her seat and tries to push past the little flutter in her stomach. This is work. Focus.

"Yes," she nods, opening the folder she brought with her. "I need to clarify a few things about Megan's escape, what Chris might know, and any information you have about his contacts. The more we can anticipate his moves, the better we can protect her."

She waits for Jalen's response, but he's watching her. There's something about his gaze, not intrusive, not cocky, just...observing. As if he can sense something unspoken in the air between them.

Karla clears her throat and looks back at her notes. She needed to get a grip. "First off, how exactly did you come to be in business with Chris Westward?"

Jalen leans back slightly in his chair, exhaling as he considers the question. "Through Jim Harbor," he says. "He's a member of the same country club as Chris. Jim had been happy with the work I did for Georgia Wellness, so he recommended me when Chris mentioned wanting to build a wine cellar."

Karla nods, jotting down notes. "And you had no idea who Chris was before that?"

"None." Jalen shakes his head. "I'd never heard of him before Jim mentioned him. All I knew was that it was a high-paying job in Buckhead. I didn't even meet Megan until the day I first went to the house to look at the space."

Karla watches him closely, searching for any hesitation, any sign that he's withholding something, but he's solid. His story checks out.

"What was your first impression of Megan?" she asks, then immediately wonders if she should have phrased that differently.

Jalen smirks slightly, not in a cocky way, but like he knows exactly why she asked. "That she was out of his league."

Karla raises an eyebrow. "You got that from one meeting?"

"I got that from one minute." Jalen says it plainly. "I could tell she wasn't happy. I didn't know why at first, but it was obvious."

Karla taps her pen against the edge of her notebook. "And when did things between you two...change?"

Jalen takes a sip of his water, glancing at her before answering. "Not right away. But the more I saw how Chris treated her, the more I understood." He pauses. "It wasn't just that he was cold or distant. It was like he didn't even see her. And Megan...she needed to feel seen. She would come to bring me refreshments while I was working and we would talk. The more we talked, the more we learned about each other."

Karla watches him carefully. His voice is steady, but there's something deeper in his words, not just an explanation, but a conviction.

"So, you made her feel seen," Karla says, more as an observation than a question.

"Yeah. I did," Jalen says, holding her gaze, "At least, that's what she told me."

A beat of silence passes between them. It's not awkward, but it's heavy. Karla clears her throat and looks back at her notes. "Okay," she says, shifting gears. "What about Chris's patterns? What do you know about his associates, his movements? Do you think he has any idea where Megan is?"

Jalen leans forward. "That's what we need to figure out." Jalen exhales sharply, resting his forearms on the table. "Chris is the kind of guy who walks into a room and expects everyone to cater to him. He's entitled, arrogant, and completely disconnected from reality, at least when it comes to other people's feelings. The way he treated Megan was like a trophy. Like she was something to be displayed, not a person to be loved."

Karla nods, listening intently as Jalen continues.

"The first time I met him, I could tell he was thrown off by me being Black." Jalen chuckles humorlessly. "Not in a blatant way, but he wasn't expecting it. He got over it quick when he realized I knew what I was doing. But the whole time I worked there, he talked to me like I was his damn servant. Not just a contractor, his servant."

Karla's brows knit together. "Did he ever say anything overtly racist?"

Jalen shakes his head. "Not directly. But the microaggressions were there. The dismissive tone, the way he made a point to remind me he was ‘paying me well' like I should be extra grateful."

Karla makes a note but doesn't interrupt as Jalen continues.

"As for Megan... I'd see her walk in a room, and Chris wouldn't even acknowledge her half the time. If he did, it was usually just to make some passive-aggressive comment about her spending or her not being ‘on top of things.' Like she was his employee, not his wife. And she took it, Karla. She smiled through it, but I could see it eating at her."

Jalen's jaw tightens as he recalls it. "Then there were the ‘business trips.'"

Karla looks up. "Plural?"

Jalen nods. "Megan suspected he was cheating, and so did I. He'd be gone all weekend, come back acting like nothing happened. He didn't even try to hide it. One time, I overheard him on the phone in the next room, talking to someone about ‘how much fun last night was' and how he ‘couldn't wait for the next trip.' Megan was upstairs at the time. He didn't give a damn."

Karla exhales, shaking her head. "Unbelievable."

"Believe it," Jalen mutters. "And financially? He had her completely trapped. She wasn't allowed to work. Every dollar she spent was monitored. He'd tell her she was ‘lucky' to be with him. That if she ever left, she'd have nothing. And the prenup...well, you've seen it now. You know what that says."

Karla frowns, flipping through her notes. "It's designed to leave her with absolutely nothing. He planned this from the beginning."

Jalen nods. "That's exactly what I thought. He made sure she was fully dependent on him, so he could do whatever the hell he wanted without consequences."

Karla takes a deep breath. "This is more than just a divorce case. This is control, manipulation, and abuse."

Jalen's expression darkens. "Exactly." He looks Karla dead in the eye. "That's why we need to make sure Megan never has to go back."

Karla meets his gaze, her resolve strengthening. "We won't let that happen."

"How are you holding up?" Karla then asks.

Jalen exhales, leaning back in his chair. "Honestly? I don't even know." He rubs a hand over his face before looking back at Karla. "Every day, I wake up feeling like I'm trying to juggle a thousand things at once. Business, Sydney, Kristen, Rachel, Megan... and now you."

Karla arches a brow, caught off guard. "Me?"

Jalen shakes his head with a small smirk. "Not like that. But let's be real, Karla. There's a reason you're sitting here asking me about Megan, and it's not just because you're her lawyer. You're trying to understand me. And I get it, I barely understand myself right now."

Karla watches him carefully, noticing the exhaustion in his expression. "You're carrying a lot, Jalen. More than most people could handle."

"I know," he says with a humorless chuckle. "And yet, I can't bring myself to walk away from any of it. I made my bed, Karla. And I'm gonna lie in it."

Karla studies him for a moment before speaking. "You're not obligated to carry the weight of all of this alone."

Jalen shrugs. "Feels like I am."

Karla hesitates before leaning forward slightly. "Then let me ask you something, and I want you to be honest."

Jalen nods. "Go for it."

"Do you ever wish you could just run?"

Jalen looks at her, surprised by the question. He considers it for a long moment before shaking his head. "No. Not once. I might not have expected any of this, but I'm not a coward. These women, they deserve better than that."

Karla nods slowly, as if confirming something she already suspected. "You really are different."

Jalen scoffs. "Not sure if that's a good thing or not."

Karla gives him a small smile. "It is."

Jalen looks down smiling. It meant a lot to him to hear an amazing woman like Karla say that.

He then looks back up at her. "The fact that you're doing this case pro-bono, I really have a lot of respect for you. I can tell that you really are trying to make a difference in women's lives, and you deserve more recognition than you're getting for doing that." Jalen says.

Karla blinks, caught off guard by the sincerity in Jalen's voice. She had heard plenty of compliments before, usually from people who either wanted something or were trying to placate her, but this felt different. It felt real.

She exhales, tilting her head slightly. "Most people don't notice, or if they do, they don't really care."

Jalen shakes his head. "Well, they should. You're fighting for people who don't have anyone else to fight for them. That's rare. And it's worth recognizing."

Karla studies him for a moment before giving a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Jalen. That... that actually means a lot."

Jalen nods. "Just calling it like I see it."

For a moment, there's a brief pause between them, a comfortable silence. Karla feels something shift inside her, something she's not entirely sure she's ready to acknowledge.

She clears her throat. "Well, enough about me. Back to you. How's Megan holding up?"

Jalen exhales. "She's strong. Stronger than I think even she realizes. But she's still adjusting, and I know it's going to take time."

Karla nods. "That's understandable. I'll keep pushing forward with the legal side of things, but she's going to need all the support she can get outside of that."

Jalen meets her gaze, his expression firm. "She's got it. No matter what happens, she's not alone in this."

Karla watches him carefully, something unreadable in her eyes. "You really don't run from responsibility, do you?"

Jalen smirks slightly. "Guess I'm just built different."

Karla chuckles, shaking her head. "Yeah... I think you are."

***************************************************

About thirty minutes later, Karla gets in her car and her mind is racing, or rather...her heart is. As Karla grips the steering wheel, she exhales sharply, trying to steady herself. What the hell is wrong with me?

She's had countless meetings with clients, advocates, and even people caught in the messiest, most complicated situations imaginable. And yet, she's never left one of those meetings feeling like this. Her heart is racing, her chest tight, her mind replaying every word, every look, every moment between her and Jalen. The way he listened. The way he saw her.

The way he respected her work, really respected it, not just as some checkbox of decency, but as something meaningful. And, of course, the way he looked. Damn it.

She leans her head back against the headrest, groaning. She shouldn't feel like this. This wasn't her. Karla Silva did not get flustered by men. She didn't let herself. But Jalen Moss was unlike any man she had ever met. And that's exactly the problem. She sighs, gripping the wheel tighter. She has a case to focus on. A client to help. She can't let herself get caught up in whatever this was. But as she pulls out of the parking lot, her pulse still quickens at the thought of his voice, his presence, the way he looks at her. She shakes her head. It's fine. This is nothing. Just a moment. Just a...distraction. At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.

***************************************************

Two days later, the worst (or best) thing happened to Karla. At 7 pm, well after office hours, she's still at the office when she gets a knock at the office door. Karla looks through the glass windows next to the door and can see that It's Jalen. She walks over and lets him in. Her mouth falls open. In his hands, Jalen has flowers, a bag of food from Chipotle, and bottled water for her.

"What's all this?" Karla asks.

"Dinner." Jalen says smiling. "I just want you to know how much I really appreciate everything you're doing for Megan. I know it means a lot to her and it definitely means a lot to me."

Karla stares at Jalen, momentarily speechless, as she takes in the flowers, the food, the water, the thoughtfulness behind it all. Damn it, Jalen. She wasn't supposed to feel like this. She wasn't supposed to let herself fall into whatever this was. And yet, here he was, standing in her doorway, looking at her with that sincere expression, completely unaware of the war raging inside her.

Jalen shifts the bag of food slightly. "I figured you probably didn't eat yet."

He wasn't wrong. Karla takes the bag, her fingers brushing his for a split second longer than necessary. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to," Jalen says simply.

And that's what gets her. Not obligation. Not some calculated move. He wanted to.

She exhales, stepping aside. "Come in."

Jalen follows her inside, and she gestures toward the kitchen table. He sets everything down, and Karla moves to grab plates, trying to compose herself. They sit across from each other, the smell of fresh food filling the room as they dig in.

"You didn't have to do this," she says again, softer this time.

Jalen smiles. "And yet, here we are."

Karla shakes her head, smirking slightly. "You're impossible."

Jalen chuckles but doesn't push. Instead, he lets the moment settle, lets her process. And Karla? She doesn't know what scares her more. That she's letting her guard down with him... Or that she doesn't want to put it back up.

"You didn't get anything for yourself?" Karla asks.

"I was only thinking about you." Jalen responds.

Karla pauses, her fork hovering over her plate as she looks at Jalen. His words settle over her, heavier than they should be. He says it so simply, so casually, like it's just a fact. But no one had ever really said something like that to her before. She had spent years advocating for others, pouring herself into cases, fighting for women who had nowhere else to turn. And yet, when had anyone truly thought about her?

Karla swallows, setting her fork down. "You can't keep doing that, Jalen."

"Doing what?" he asks, his tone genuinely curious.

"Giving so much of yourself," she says, studying him. "Putting everyone else first."

Jalen leans back slightly, a small smirk playing at his lips. "That's just who I am, Karla."

And that's what terrifies her. Because she can feel it. That same pull she had been trying to ignore since the moment she met him. The same warmth, the same gravitational force that Megan must have felt, that Sydney, Kristen, and Rachel must have felt too. She was not supposed to be part of this. She couldn't be. And yet, sitting across from him, seeing the way he looked at her, not like she was just another woman, but like she was someone, Karla suddenly wasn't so sure.

She exhales, shaking her head, as she picks up her fork again. "You're something else, Jalen."

Jalen grins. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Karla doesn't respond right away, instead focusing on her food. Because deep down, she knows that he should take it as a compliment. She just isn't sure if she's ready to admit why.

"Sorry for disrupting you. I'll head out," Jalen says.

Karla looks up from her plate, hesitating. She should let him go. She should let him walk out that door and keep things professional, keep things safe. But instead, the words come out before she can stop them.

"You're not disrupting me."

Jalen pauses, one hand on the chair as he is about to push it back. He watches her carefully. "You sure?"

Karla nods, exhaling softly. "Yeah. Stay. Eat with me."

Jalen studies her for a moment before finally sitting back down. "Alright," he says with a small smile. "If you insist."

Karla picks at her food, keeping her focus down, but she can feel him watching her.

"You're not used to people doing things for you, are you?" Jalen asks.

She scoffs lightly. "What gave it away?"

Jalen shrugs. "I dunno. Just a hunch."

Karla shakes her head, taking a sip of her water. "It's not that. I just... I don't really let people in like that."

Jalen leans forward slightly. "Why not?"

Karla looks at him then, and for some reason, she finds herself answering honestly. "Because it makes things complicated."

Jalen smirks. "Complicated isn't always bad."

Karla exhales, shaking her head. "You would say that."

Jalen chuckles but doesn't argue. The air between them shifts, something unspoken hanging there. Karla knows this is a dangerous line she's walking. She knows exactly what could happen if she lets herself get too close to him. But right now, with Jalen sitting across from her, looking at her like she's someone, not just a lawyer, not just a professional, but a woman. She isn't sure she wants to walk away from it.

"I told Rachel that I love her..." Jalen says slowly.

Karla blinks, caught off guard. She wasn't expecting that to come out of Jalen's mouth.

"Oh..." she says, stirring her fork through her food absentmindedly. "And... how did she take it?"

Jalen exhales, leaning back in his chair. "Better than I thought she would, considering everything." He runs a hand over his face. "But I don't know what the hell I'm doing, Karla. I care about all of them. And I'm trying to be the man they deserve, but I—" He pauses, shaking his head. "It's a lot."

Karla watches him for a moment, then puts her fork down. "You're putting a lot on yourself, Jalen."

He lets out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, well... kinda comes with the territory."

She tilts her head. "So... Rachel's the only one you've said it to?"

Jalen shakes his head. "No. I said it to Megan too. She said it first though."

Something twists in Karla's chest, and she hates that it does. This isn't her situation. She isn't involved the way the others are. She shouldn't care. Not like that, but she does. And that's exactly why she should end this dinner right now.

Instead, she leans forward slightly, folding her arms on the table. "You ever think about what you need, Jalen? Not just what everyone else needs from you?"

Jalen meets her gaze, something unreadable in his expression. "I don't really have that luxury."

Karla exhales. "Maybe you should."

There's a long pause between them, something weighty hanging in the air.

Jalen finally smiles, but it's tired. "You talk about me, YOU really are something else, Karla Silva."

She shakes her head. "Touche, Jalen Moss. But seriously, what do you need right now?" Karla asks.

"Honestly? An ear and a shoulder." Jalen says softly.

Karla studies him for a moment before pushing her plate aside and standing up. Without a word, she walks around the table and gestures for him to stand. Jalen hesitates, but when he does, Karla wraps her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Jalen lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He didn't know how much he needed this. Just a simple, solid hug. No expectations. No weight of responsibility. Just someone holding him, offering comfort.

Karla feels the tension in his body, the weight of everything he's carrying. She rubs slow, soothing circles on his back. "You don't have to be strong all the time, you know," she murmurs.

Jalen exhales against her shoulder. "Feels like I do."

Karla pulls back just enough to look at him. "Not with me."

Jalen searches her face, his hands resting on her waist. He doesn't say anything, but the look in his eyes tells her everything. Karla can see that he's exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Karla knows she's getting in deep. That maybe she should step back. But instead, she tightens her arms around him, resting her forehead against his chest.

"I've got you, Jalen," she whispers.

And for the first time in a long time, he believes it. Jalen closes his eyes, absorbing the warmth of Karla's embrace. For the first time in weeks, he feels like he can just breathe. No pressure, no expectations. Just someone who sees him, really sees him, and isn't asking for anything in return.

After a long moment, Karla pulls back slightly, her hands still resting on his sides. "Sit," she says gently, guiding him back toward the table. Jalen doesn't argue. He sinks into the chair, and Karla takes the seat across from him again, studying him carefully.

"You look like you haven't slept in days," she notes.

Jalen lets out a dry chuckle. "I probably haven't."

Karla tilts her head. "When was the last time you actually did something for you?"

Jalen shakes his head. "Not really a luxury I have right now."

Karla narrows her eyes. "That's bullshit."

Jalen smirks. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes. You're running yourself into the ground, Jalen. You're so busy making sure everyone else is okay that you're not taking care of yourself. You can't keep this up."

Jalen leans back, rubbing a hand down his face. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't feel it?" He sighs. "I just don't see another option."

Karla leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. "You're going to burn out. And then what? Who's going to take care of you when you're too drained to function?"

Jalen shakes his head. "Doesn't matter."

Karla's eyes darken. "It does matter."

Silence settles between them. The air feels heavy, charged. Jalen looks down at the table, exhaling slowly. "I told Rachel I loved her, but I know this is all overwhelming for her."

Karla nods. "And?"

Jalen scoffs. "And now I don't know where that leaves us. I meant it, but...I don't know if she can handle everything that comes with me."

Karla studies him. "You think she'll walk away?"

"I wouldn't blame her if she did."

Karla leans back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the table. "And what about you? If she does leave, what then?"

Jalen exhales sharply. "Then I keep moving forward. I have to."

Karla watches him closely, noting the way his jaw tenses, the way his hands clench slightly on the table. She knows this is tearing him apart, even if he won't admit it outright. After a long pause, she stands up. Jalen looks at her in confusion as she disappears into the kitchen. A moment later, she returns with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

Jalen raises an eyebrow. "Didn't take you for a whiskey drinker."

Karla smirks as she pours them both a drink. "I'm full of surprises."

She slides a glass toward him and lifts her own. "To figuring shit out."

Jalen chuckles and clinks his glass against hers. "To not losing our minds in the process."

They both take a sip, letting the warmth of the liquor settle between them. For now, there are no expectations, no pressure. They're just two people trying to navigate a chaotic world together.

"Let's go out." Karla says.

"Out?" Jalen replies.

"Yes, out. You and me. Let's have fun. You could use some fun right now." Karla reaffirms to him.

Jalen raises an eyebrow, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "You sure that's a good idea?"

Karla leans against the table, a playful smirk on her lips. "Do you ever do things just because they feel good, Jalen? Or are you always carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?"

Jalen exhales, shaking his head. "Karla..."

"Don't ‘Karla' me," she cuts him off. "You've done enough talking, enough problem-solving, enough thinking. Now, you're gonna let yourself breathe for one night. With me."

Jalen eyes her for a long moment, then huffs out a small chuckle. "You're relentless, you know that?"

"Damn right." Karla downs the rest of her whiskey and sets the glass down with a small clink. "So, are we doing this or not?"

Jalen watches her, the teasing fire in her eyes, the way she's daring him to say yes. And for the first time in a long time, he feels like maybe he should.

"Alright," he says finally, draining the rest of his drink. "Let's go."

Karla grins, pushing back from the table. "Good. Now come on, I'm driving."

Jalen stands, following her to the door. "So where exactly are we going?"

Karla looks over her shoulder, her smirk deepening. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."

Karla pulls into a paid parking lot near the Buckhead area of Atlanta and pays the attendant with Cash App.Then they walk about a block or so until they reach the line for Club Havana.

"I've heard of this place, but I've never actually been here." Jalen says.

"Well, my friends and I used to come here a lot so I thought it might be a good place for you and me to have some fun." Karla responds.

Jalen follows Karla into Club Havana, immediately feeling the shift in atmosphere. The air is thick with rhythm. Salsa music pumping through the speakers, the scent of rum, citrus, and warm bodies filling the space. The dim lighting and vibrant décor make it feel like they've stepped into another world, a place where worries are left at the door.

Karla leads him to the bar, sliding onto a stool effortlessly, her movements smooth, confident. Jalen takes the seat beside her, still taking in the scene.

"So, you've really never been here before?" she asks, signaling to the bartender.

"Nah," Jalen admits. "I don't really do clubs much. Not anymore anyway."

Karla smirks. "Of course you don't. You probably spend your nights either working or dealing with, well..." She trails off, playfully circling her hand in the air, referencing the complicated state of his life.

Jalen chuckles dryly. "Something like that."

The bartender, a woman with red lips and a knowing smile, leans forward. "What can I get you two?"

Karla doesn't hesitate. "Mojito for me. Extra mint."

Jalen eyes her choice, then turns to the bartender. "Rum and coke."

Karla tilts her head at him. "Safe choice."

Jalen shrugs. "Gotta ease into this whole letting loose thing."

Karla smirks, turning her attention to the dance floor where couples move in perfect harmony to the fast-paced salsa beat. The energy is contagious, electric. She can already feel her body swaying slightly in anticipation.

"You dance?" she asks him.

Jalen lets out a small laugh. "I can dance but I haven't done much salsa."

"Oh, don't worry," she says, leaning in slightly, her voice teasing. "I can lead."

Jalen shakes his head with a grin. "You would say that."

The bartender sets their drinks down, and Karla lifts her mojito, clinking her glass lightly against Jalen's.

"To one night of not overthinking," she says.

Jalen exhales, watching her for a moment before lifting his glass. "To that."

They take a sip, the music pulsing around them, the heat of the club wrapping them in its energy.

Fifteen minutes later, Jalen may have been hesitant at first, but once they step onto the dance floor, he picks up the rhythm fast. Karla starts by guiding him through the basic steps: one, two, three, pause, five, six, seven, pause. He watches her hips, the way her body moves fluidly with the music, and quickly mirrors her.

"Damn, you're a quick learner," Karla says, a little breathless. She didn't expect him to adapt so fast.

Jalen grins, his confidence growing. "Told you, I'm a contractor. I work with my hands, my feet. I know how to adjust."

Karla laughs as he spins her, catching her by the waist as she twirls back into his arms. Their bodies are close now, moving in sync. The music pulses through them, and suddenly, it feels less like a dance lesson and more like something else entirely.

She looks up at him. "You sure you haven't done much salsa before?"

Jalen smirks. "Maybe I just needed the right partner."

Karla swallows, feeling the tension between them shift. The casual teasing, the playfulness is still there, but there's something deeper beneath it now. The way his hands rest firmly but gently on her hips, the way his eyes hold hers a little longer than necessary. She can feel her heart racing, and she can't blame the music for it. Jalen takes control now, leading her with ease, spinning her effortlessly, guiding her across the floor like he's been doing this for years. Other couples make space for them, giving them knowing glances as if recognizing the chemistry radiating off of them. Karla, who usually prides herself on keeping her cool, suddenly finds herself unsteady in a way she's not used to. Jalen is an enigma. This man who somehow has four women in love with him but doesn't act like a playboy, who takes responsibility for everything, who shows up at her office with flowers and food just to say thank you. And now, here he is, dancing with her like he was made for it. The song slows slightly, transitioning into something smoother, sultrier. Their steps follow instinctively, bodies pressed closer, moving together without thinking. Karla knows she should step back, regain some space, but she doesn't. She doesn't want to.

Jalen leans in slightly, his lips near her ear. "Still leading?" he murmurs.

Karla exhales a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Not anymore."

Karla lets go of her reservations, of the professional boundaries she thought she'd keep, of the cautious walls she's always held firm. Right now, on this dance floor, in Jalen's arms, none of that exists. It's just them, moving in perfect rhythm, her body melting into his as the music wraps around them. She never lets herself get swept up like this. But Jalen... Jalen makes it easy. His hands are steady, guiding her through each step, each turn, each pause where their bodies linger just a little longer before moving again. Karla feels the heat of him, the strength in the way he holds her, not possessively, but with the kind of confidence that tells her he knows exactly how to handle her. It's exhilarating. Her head tilts back slightly, her eyes meeting his. There's something unreadable in his gaze. Something intense, something she's not sure she's ready to name. But she doesn't look away. Neither does he. The music changes again, slowing just enough that their movements become more intimate, more deliberate. Karla's fingers graze the back of Jalen's neck, and she can feel his breath, warm and steady, against her temple. It sends a shiver through her, one she doesn't even try to hide.

"Damn," she breathes out, her voice barely audible over the music.

Jalen smirks slightly, his hand on her lower back tightening just a fraction. "You good?"

Karla exhales a shaky laugh. "Yeah. Just... wasn't expecting this."

"Neither was I," Jalen admits. His voice is softer now, more serious. He looks at her, really looks at her, like he's trying to figure out what this moment means just as much as she is.

The song nears its end, and neither of them stop moving. The space between them is almost nonexistent now. Karla's heart pounds as she tries to catch her breath, but it's not from dancing. It's from him. Jalen's fingers brush along her arm, and Karla swears the entire world tilts for just a second. This was supposed to be fun. Just fun. So why does it feel like the start of something she can't stop?

The beat shifts. A reggaeton rhythm takes over, and just like that, the air between them changes. It's no longer about steps or technique. Now it's about feeling. Karla doesn't hesitate. She turns around, pressing her back to Jalen's chest, letting the music guide her as she starts to move. Slow, controlled rolls of her hips, perfectly in sync with the heavy bass. Jalen's hands hover at her sides, not quite touching, but close enough that she can feel the heat of them. It sends a thrill down her spine. She leans back, just slightly, testing him, and Jalen meets her movement effortlessly. His hands finally settle on her hips, firm but respectful, letting her set the pace. She grinds against him, her movements smooth and deliberate, teasing but not desperate. Jalen follows her lead, his breath warm against the side of her neck. The tension between them skyrockets. Karla tilts her head back just enough for her lips to graze his jawline, a barely-there touch that makes Jalen's grip tighten for just a second. He exhales sharply, his fingers flexing against her waist, his restraint evident.

"You're dangerous," Jalen murmurs into her ear, his voice low, rough.

Karla smirks, still moving, still feeling him behind her. "I could say the same about you."

The song pulses on, their bodies locked in a rhythm that feels like something more than just dancing. More than just fun. More than either of them expected. And when Karla finally turns around to face him, their eyes lock, and for a second, neither of them move. Neither of them breathes. The world around them blurs, but in this moment, right here, right now, it's just them. Karla's chest rises and falls as she tries to steady her breath. The heat between them is undeniable, and neither of them seems willing to break it just yet. The song fades into another, but they don't move apart. Jalen's hands are still resting on her hips, his grip light but possessive. Karla slides her arms up his chest, feeling the solid strength beneath his shirt, and finally locks her hands behind his neck.

"This was a good idea," Jalen murmurs, his lips just inches from hers.

"I told you," Karla teases, her voice breathy. "You needed this."

Jalen's hands slide up to her waist, his thumb brushing against the sliver of skin exposed between her top and skirt. It's such a small touch, but it sends a shiver through Karla's body. Their eyes search each other's, the unspoken tension crackling between them. It's so easy to close the distance. To just lean in and let the moment consume them. But Jalen hesitates.

Karla notices. Her smirk falters just slightly. "What's stopping you?" she asks softly.

Jalen exhales, his forehead nearly touching hers. "I told myself I wouldn't... I shouldn't."

Karla studies his face. "Shouldn't, because of the other women?"

Jalen shakes his head, his jaw tight. "Because I don't want to make promises I can't keep. And because... I respect you too much to let this be something I rush into."

Something flickers in Karla's eyes. It's not disappointment. It's... admiration. She bites her lip, then finally steps back, breaking the spell.

"Fair enough," she says, smoothing out her hair, regaining her composure. "But you should know... I don't do anything I don't want to do."

Jalen lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "I'm starting to get that."

Karla grabs his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Come on. One more dance. Then we'll get out of here."

Jalen pulls her back into the rhythm, and this time, the dance is different. It's still intimate, still full of heat, but now, there's something else. Understanding. A silent promise that whatever is between them isn't going away. They just aren't quite ready to act on it. Yet. After their last dance, Jalen and Karla go outside and then they go back to Karla's car. They get in and then they just sit there in the front two seats.

After a minute, Karla finally breaks the silence and asks, "Did you know this would happen?"

"That what would happen?" Jalen replies.

"That you and I would get this close." Karla answers.

Jalen sighs, leaning back against the headrest, his fingers lightly tapping against his knee. He looks over at Karla, who's staring straight ahead, gripping the steering wheel as if grounding herself.

"I don't know," Jalen admits. "I guess I should have expected it. I felt something from the second I opened my door at my apartment and saw you standing there that day."

Karla finally turns to him, her expression unreadable. "The warm pull feeling?" she asks, echoing the way he once described it.

Jalen exhales sharply, running a hand over his face. "Yeah...that."

Karla lets out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "I told myself I wouldn't get pulled in," she says. "That I'd just do my job, help Megan, and that's it."

"But now?" Jalen asks, his voice softer.

Karla doesn't answer right away. Instead, she studies him, her lawyer instincts warring with something much deeper. Something she doesn't quite want to name yet. "Now...I don't know what this is. But I know I don't want to ignore it."

Jalen leans forward slightly, resting his forearm against the dashboard. "You deserve more than what I can give you right now, Karla. I won't lie to you, I've got too much going on, and you know that."

"I know," Karla says, finally meeting his eyes. "And I don't expect anything from you, Jalen. But that doesn't change the fact that I feel this." She gestures between them, the weight of unspoken words filling the space.

Jalen swallows, his chest tightening. "So, what do we do?"

Karla looks down at her lap, then back at him, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I think we both already know the answer to that."

Jalen studies her for a long moment, before he nods, a slow understanding settling between them. "Yeah," he says quietly. "We do."

Neither of them moves, but the air between them shifts—charged, uncertain, but undeniable. Karla exhales slowly, gripping the steering wheel for a moment before finally letting go. She turns fully toward Jalen, her expression softer now, more open. "I don't do things without thinking them through," she admits. "But you...you're the exception to that rule."

Jalen watches her carefully. "I don't want to make your life more complicated, Karla."

Karla lets out a quiet laugh. "Jalen, my life is already complicated. But I don't think you'd make it worse."

Jalen arches an eyebrow. "You don't?"

She smirks, shaking her head. "No. I think you'd make it...interesting."

They sit in silence for a beat, the tension between them shifting, less heavy, more playful now.

"Interesting, huh?" Jalen muses, tilting his head slightly. "That's one way to put it."

Karla leans in just slightly, her lips curling. "You make me feel alive, Jalen."

Jalen's breath catches for a second. He's heard those words before, from Megan. And before her, from Kristen, Sydney, and Rachel in their own ways. But something about the way Karla says it, with such certainty and control, makes it hit differently.

He swallows. "You make me feel the same way."

Karla's eyes search his, and then, just like that, she moves toward him. It's not rushed, not desperate. It's intentional. She leans in, her lips brushing his softly at first, testing, waiting. Jalen doesn't hesitate. He closes the distance, deepening the kiss as his hand comes up to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading into her dark waves.

The kiss is slow, unhurried, but it's felt. It lingers. It simmers.

Karla's hand slides over his jaw, her fingers tracing the edge of his beard. Jalen pulls her in just a little more, tilting his head to taste her fully.

When they finally pull apart, Karla's breath is slightly uneven, her eyes still locked on his.

"So much for not getting pulled in," she murmurs, half-laughing.

Jalen exhales a chuckle, running his thumb lightly over her bottom lip before dropping his hand. "Yeah," he says, voice rough. "So much for that."

For a moment, neither of them speak.

Then, Karla glances at the clock. "It's late," she says, even though neither of them makes a move to part ways just yet.

Jalen watches her, reading between the lines. "Do you want me to stay?"

Karla doesn't answer right away. She bites her lip, looking as if she's debating something internally. Then, finally, she nods.

"Yeah," she says, voice softer now. "I do."

Jalen nods once. "Then I will."

And just like that, another line is crossed. One that neither of them wants to erase.

***************************************************

Karla drives Jalen back to his car and he then follows her to her condo. She pulls into the underground parking garage of her condo building, the hum of the engine fading as she shifts into park. Jalen parks in one of the visitor spots a little ways down. Neither of them gets out right away, but after about thirty seconds they both do and walk up to each other in the parking garage.

Once they reach each other, the weight of what just happened, the kiss, the unspoken understanding between them, settles in the space between them. Jalen watches Karla as she exhales slowly, looking down with her hands in her jacket pockets, before finally lifting her head and looking him in the eye.

"You sure about this?" Jalen asks, his voice low but steady.

Karla meets his gaze, searching for something, though she's not even sure what. She doesn't hesitate for long. "Yeah," she says, nodding once. "I'm sure."

Jalen nods in return. As they walk toward the elevator, the tension between them isn't uncomfortable. It's charged, expectant. Karla swipes her key fob, and the elevator doors slide open. They step inside, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

When the doors close, Karla glances at Jalen, her expression unreadable at first. Then, with a slight smirk, she steps closer, reaching for his hand. "I don't do things like this," she admits, interlocking her fingers with his. "Not with clients, not with—" she pauses, searching for the right words. "Not with men like you."

Jalen raises an eyebrow. "Men like me?"

Karla shakes her head with a quiet laugh. "Men who make me forget my own rules."

Jalen exhales a chuckle, squeezing her hand slightly. "You're not the only one breaking rules tonight."

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open to Karla's floor. They step out, and Karla leads him down the hallway to her condo. She unlocks the door and pushes it open, stepping inside before turning back to him.

"Come in," she says softly.

Jalen steps inside, shutting the door behind him. Karla's condo is modern but warm with clean lines, neutral tones, soft lighting. A place that feels lived in but still distinctly hers.

She takes off her jacket, tosses it, and kicks off her heels by the door, exhaling as she stretches slightly. Jalen watches her, appreciating the effortless grace in the movement.

Karla turns back to him. "Drink?"

Jalen smirks. "Are you trying to loosen me up, Silva?"

Karla laughs, shaking her head. "No. I think you're loose enough."

Jalen chuckles but follows her into the kitchen. He leans against the counter as Karla pulls out a bottle of wine and pours two glasses. She hands him one, then lifts hers in a small toast. "To broken rules," she says, lips curling slightly.

Jalen clinks his glass against hers. "To broken rules."

They take a sip, the moment stretching between them. It's not just about attraction. It's about connection, about something unspoken that neither of them is willing to name just yet.

Karla sets her glass down, then reaches for his hand again, her eyes flickering with something deeper.

"Stay with me tonight," she whispers.

Jalen doesn't hesitate. "Yeah," he murmurs, setting his glass down as well. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I do have one condition." Karla adds.

"What's that?" Jalen responds curiously.

"We're using a condom." She answers.

Jalen chuckles, shaking his head slightly. "I figured you'd say that."

Karla raises an eyebrow. "I'm serious, Jalen."

"I know," he says, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "And I respect that. I came prepared."

Karla folds her arms, giving him a skeptical but amused look. "You just carry condoms on you?"

Jalen smirks. "Let's just say I learned to start keeping them handy."

Karla laughs softly, shaking her head. "Smart man."

Jalen steps closer, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I try to be."

Karla exhales, looking up at him. The tension is still there, thick between them, but now there's something else, something softer, more deliberate.

"No exceptions," she murmurs.

"No exceptions," Jalen agrees.

And with that, Karla takes his hand and leads him toward her bedroom, making sure this night goes exactly the way she wants it to.

As they step into the bedroom, the air between them is electric. The soft glow from a bedside lamp casts shadows across the room, adding to the intimacy of the moment. Karla turns to face Jalen, her breath steady but charged with anticipation.

"This is just for tonight," she says softly, searching his face. "No promises, no complications."

Jalen nods, though deep down, he wonders if that's even possible. "Just tonight," he echoes.

But the way she looks at him, the way her fingers trail over his chest before reaching for the buttons of his shirt, makes him think this might be more than just one night.

Jalen lets Karla take the lead, watching as she unbuttons his shirt with practiced ease, her tan -painted nails grazing his skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. He exhales, steadying himself, as she slips the shirt off his shoulders and runs her hands over his bare torso.

"I knew you'd be built," she murmurs, her voice half teasing, half admiring.

Jalen chuckles. "And I knew you'd be dangerous."

Karla smirks, stepping back just enough to let her own blouse fall to the floor, revealing a sleek purple lace bra that hugs her curves perfectly. Jalen's hands find her waist, fingers pressing into her soft skin, drawing her closer. Their lips meet again, this time slower, deeper, savoring each other as their bodies press together.

Karla reaches for his belt, unbuckling it with a smooth, deliberate motion, her confidence only making Jalen want her more. He lets her push his pants down, lets her hands explore him before she finally wraps her fingers around his hardening cock.

A low groan escapes him as Karla strokes him, teasing him with a knowing smile. "You're already so ready for me," she whispers.

Jalen exhales sharply, gripping her hips. "Are you really surprised?"

Karla steps back just enough to shimmy out of her skirt, leaving her in only her purple lace lingerie. Jalen watches her, drinking in the sight of her, knowing damn well that one night isn't going to be enough. But for now, he's going to give her everything she wants. And he's going to make sure she never forgets this night.

He steps toward her, pulling her body flush against his as he kisses her again, slow and deep, his hands roaming down her back before gripping her ass, feeling the lace of her panties beneath his fingertips. Karla exhales against his lips, her control slipping slightly under his touch.

Jalen guides her back toward the bed, lowering her onto the plush mattress. He kneels between her legs, sliding his hands up her thighs, savoring the softness of her skin. Karla watches him, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she anticipates his next move.

"You're incredible," Jalen murmurs, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her lace panties, slowly dragging them down her legs.

Karla exhales sharply as he kisses a path up her inner thighs, teasing her, making her squirm. "Jalen..." she breathes, her voice almost pleading.

Karla's pussy is dripping wet by this point. He smirks against her skin but doesn't make her wait any longer. His lips part and he begins to suck on her clitoris. The moment his mouth connects with her, Karla's back arches off the bed, her hands gripping the sheets as a gasp escapes her lips. Jalen takes his time, tasting her, exploring her, making her body react in ways she hadn't expected. His tongue lashed about covering her entire vaginal entrance. Her hands find his head, fingers threading through his short buzz cut, pulling him closer. Jalen's fingers slipped inside of her smoothly. He made a combination of circular and 'come-hither' motions inside of her bringing her to a new height of pleasure. His fingers push forward and pulled back over and over, pleasing Karla like never before, all the while his tongue thrashed about her clitoris and the area around it. This was not Karla's first time getting fingered or eaten out, but damn did Jalen know how to work it. It was as if God put him on this Earth specifically to pleasure her exactly the way she liked it. Hell, even better than the way she liked it. Very slowly, he increases the pace in a way that makes Karla's climax build in the most anticipatory way. Karla's soft slow moans became steadily louder and higher in pitch. Her hips raised off the bed a little letting Jalen know that he should keep this up. Karla's climax builds like a volcano ready to erupt, her hips now completely elevated like she was possessed. A few moments later, Her thigh and groin muscles contract powerfully and tremors reverberated up and down her whole body. Karla let out a scream of pleasure that reverberated throughout the condo. Jalen keeps up his pace the entire time until her orgasm eventually subsides.

When she finally comes down from her high, her body still trembling and her chest rising and falling rapidly, Jalen slowly moves up her body, trailing kisses along her stomach, her breasts, her neck. Karla barely has time to catch her breath before Jalen pulls out a condom from his pants pocket and rolls it on. He then carefully lays on top of Karla and positions himself between her legs. He locks eyes with her, silently asking for permission one last time. Karla nods, wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him in. Jalen puts the head of his cock at her entrance teasing her just a little on the edges of her pussy.

"Stop fucking around, Jalen." Karla says breathlessly.

Jalen smirks mischievously, "Tell me how bad you want it first."

Karla glares at him, but Jalen just smiles back. Everything in her head told her not to indulge him in this assertion of dominance, but the voice coming from her soaking wet pussy was much louder. Her slick heat aches, her thighs trembled, her entire body is craving him in a way she'd never craved anyone before. "I don't care if he asked you to make him a sandwich. Get his cock in here!" Her pussy said.

"I want it! Okay?! I want it! Please just do it!"

Jalens smiles a devilish smile, "As you wish." His thick tip presses right against her soaked folds. Then, he pushes the head of his dick inside of her, still safely wrapped in its condom.

A ragged moan rips from Karla's throat as she takes him inch by inch, stretching around him, feeling him fill her completely. It was overwhelming, intoxicating,.... And fucking perfect. He is so impossibly deep. So thick, so impossibly perfect inside of her. Her body clenches around him, adjusting, pulsing, fully consuming him. And for a moment? She can't breathe. Can't do anything except feel. Because this is so much more than she expected. And she never wants it to end. Karla's body trembles, her breath coming in shaky, uneven gasps as her thighs press against Jalen's hips, her insides stretch to the absolute limit around him. Fuck. She feels so full. So completely stuffed with his thick cock, her body clenching, adjusting, desperately trying to accommodate just how big he is. Karla swallowed hard, her nails digging into the back of his shoulders, her thighs trembling as she breathed through the overwhelming sensation. The stretch, the pressure, the way he filled her so deeply, it was almost too much. Almost.

Then... Jalen begins to move back and forth inside of her, with Karla feeling every inch of him dragging against her inner walls. A soft, breathless moan slips from her lips. She is so wet, so slick, his cock sliding in and out as he begins to find his rhythm. Thank God she is as wet as she is or else this might have been very uncomfortable, at least at first. Jalen set a rhythm that was both powerful and precise, each thrust sending waves of pleasure crashing through her, making her whimper, making her beg.

She had never felt like this before. So alive, so seen, so utterly consumed by someone. Every movement, every kiss, every whispered "Fuck" against her ear sent her spiraling further into the abyss of pleasure. Karla's moans filled the room, her body completely in sync with Jalen's relentless rhythm. Every thrust sent a pulse of pure ecstasy through her, her nails digging into his back as she held on for dear life.

Jalen growled against her neck, his lips marking her with kisses, his breath hot against her skin. "You feel incredible," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. He moved deeper, hitting the perfect spot that made Karla shudder violently against him.

"Fuck, Jalen," she gasped, rolling her hips to meet his every motion. "Don't stop."

He had no intention of stopping. His grip tightened on her thighs as he adjusted his angle, pulling her even closer, needing to feel every inch of her. The heat between them was unbearable, their bodies slick with sweat, their breaths ragged and desperate.

Karla's head fell back against the wall, her eyes fluttering shut as pleasure coiled inside her, tighter and tighter, threatening to snap at any moment. "Jalen, I—"

"I know," he whispered against her lips, kissing her deeply as he thrust into her harder, deeper, driving her closer to the edge.

Her entire body tensed, her moans turning into a high-pitched cry as her second orgasm tore through her. She clenched around him, her entire being shaking as waves of pleasure consumed her.

Jalen wasn't far behind. Feeling her tighten around him, hearing the way she cried out his name sent him over the edge. With one final deep thrust, he groaned against her neck, his body locking up as his release spilled into the condom. Karla clung to him as if he was her anchor, her salvation, her everything. For a long moment, they just lay there, bodies still tangled together, hearts pounding in sync. Karla eventually opens her eyes, looking up at him with a mixture of satisfaction and something deeper.

Jalen brushes a strand of hair from her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. "So... was that just for tonight?" he asks, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Karla exhales a laugh, though there's something uncertain in her gaze.

"We'll see," she murmurs, pulling him down for another kiss.

Ten minutes go by, and Karla lays there, still breathless, her body humming from the aftershocks of being thoroughly fucked so good. She stares at the ceiling, trying to collect her thoughts, but all she can think about is Jalen. How he felt, how he moved, how he completely unraveled her in ways no one ever had before. She fucked up. Because now she wants him again. She shifts slightly, feeling the lingering sensitivity between her legs, a reminder of how deep and intense it had been. And the worst part? Now she's wondering how much better it would feel without the condom.

She turns her head slightly, looking at Jalen, who's lying next to her, propped up on one elbow, studying her with a satisfied smirk. "You good?" he asks, voice low, still laced with the afterglow of their passion.

Karla lets out a breath, then laughs softly. "Good doesn't even cover it."

Jalen grins, reaching out to tuck another loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "Yeah?"

Karla bites her lip, debating whether to admit what she's really thinking.

She sits up slightly, the sheet slipping down her body, revealing her bare skin. "I—" She hesitates, then shakes her head. "Never mind."

Jalen raises an eyebrow. "No, what?"

Karla sighs, running a hand through her tousled waves. "It's just..." She hesitates again, then finally blurts it out. "I was just thinking about how much better it probably would've felt without the condom."

Jalen's expression shifts slightly, his smirk deepening, but there's also something else in his gaze. Restraint.

"I mean, I stand by my rule," Karla quickly adds, as if trying to convince herself more than him. "But, damn..."

Jalen chuckles, his fingers trailing absentmindedly along her thigh. "Yeah... I can't lie, I was thinking the same thing."

Karla swallows hard, their eyes locking. She knows she should let it go, let the moment pass before she makes a decision she can't take back.

But the problem is... she really wants to give in to this temptation. She's always been the disciplined one. Not entertaining any temptation that could have potential life changing consequences, while also being the voice of reason for family members, friends, and clients. And right now? Jalen is the most tempting thing she's ever encountered and by God, she wanted it.

"Jesus Christ. I'm just asking to be baby mama number five, aren't I?" Karla says, chuckling, putting her forehead in her palm.

Jalen laughs, shaking his head. "I mean... if that's what you want..." he teases, his hand still resting on her thigh.

Karla groans, covering her face with both hands. "God, no. I mean—not no, but, like, no." She peeks at him through her fingers, exasperated. "You are dangerous, Jalen Moss."

Jalen smirks. "We've established that already, I think."

Karla lets out a deep sigh and flops back onto the bed. "I can't believe I'm even having this thought."

Jalen turns onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he looks down at her. "So, what are you really saying?"

Karla bites her lip, looking up at him. "I'm saying that I'm not trying to be baby mama number five, but..." she exhales sharply, shaking her head, "...damn, it's real tempting to throw all logic out the window with you."

Jalen chuckles, brushing his fingers against her stomach. "You wouldn't be the first."

Karla groans again. "Don't say that. It makes me sound so unoriginal."

Jalen grins, leaning down, his lips hovering just above hers. "Karla... trust me, you're far from unoriginal."

Karla stares at him, her resolve hanging by a thread. "I hate you," she murmurs, though there's no real conviction behind it at all.

Jalen smirks. "No, you don't."

And just like that, Karla realizes she's in serious trouble.

Jalen turns his head, looking at her with a lazy smirk. "I mean... I did wear a condom."

Karla sighs dramatically. "For now..."

Jalen chuckles, shaking his head. "For now? What's that supposed to mean?"

Karla doesn't answer right away. Instead, she turns on her side, propping her head up with her hand as she studies him.

"I don't know," she finally says. "I just know that was too damn good for it to only happen once."

Jalen raises an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "So, you're saying you want to do it again?"

Karla groans and flops onto her back again. "Don't make me say it out loud."

Jalen shifts onto his side now, mirroring her. He reaches out, running a single finger down her arm. "You really think you can keep this casual?" His voice is low, almost teasing.

Karla exhales sharply, closing her eyes for a second. "I want to believe that," she admits. "I want to believe I can just keep this in a neat little box labeled fun and no emotions involved. But..."

"But?" Jalen presses.

Karla opens her eyes, and the look she gives him makes his stomach tighten. It's unguarded. Uncertain.

"But you don't make that easy," she says softly.

Jalen doesn't respond right away. Instead, he watches her, trying to gauge where her mind is. Karla Souza is not the type of woman to lose control easily, but he can tell she's fighting something within herself.

"I don't make anything easy," Jalen finally admits, giving her a small smile.

Karla huffs a laugh. "Yeah, no shit."

A comfortable silence settles between them.

Finally, Karla turns toward him fully, resting a hand on his chest. "What happens now?" she asks, her voice quieter now, more serious.

Jalen exhales slowly. "We figure it out."

Karla studies him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. We figure it out."

Then, despite everything, despite the questions still unanswered, despite the emotional minefield they're both walking through—Karla leans in, pressing her lips to his once more.

After a moment, Jalen pulls back. He sighs, before saying, "I won't deny that I want you Karla. And I'm not just talking about sexually. I'm saying I want you in my life as someone I lo-.." he stops himself. He almost said the L-word. He continues, trying his best to gloss over that obvious slip, "But like I said before, I don't want to make your life harder."

Karla watches him carefully, her sharp eyes catching the way he had cut himself off. She had heard the L-sound of the word he almost said. She knows exactly what he nearly said. She knows what it would mean if he had said it. And now it put everything in a whole new light for her.

Instead of pushing, she lets out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Jalen, my life is already complicated as hell. Do you really think you're the one making it harder?"

Jalen exhales, running a hand over his face. "I don't know. I just—" He pauses, looking at her again. "I don't want to be the reason you regret something."

Karla scoffs. "Regret? After that?" She gestures vaguely between them, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, no. That's not happening."

Jalen chuckles, but there's still something serious in his expression. "I mean it, Karla. This situation I'm in... it's a lot. And I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to be part of it."

Karla sighs, studying him for a moment before speaking. "You know what, Jalen? I think you're the only man I've met who actually cares about the impact he has on the women in his life. You're not just thinking about yourself. And honestly?" She sits up slightly, resting her elbow on the pillow as she looks down at him. "That makes you dangerous."

Jalen smirks. "Dangerous how?"

"Because it makes it too damn easy to fall for you."

His smirk fades slightly, and for a second, neither of them speaks. The weight of her words lingers in the air.

Then, Jalen reaches up, gently tucking yet another strand of her hair behind her ear. His touch lingers, his fingertips barely grazing her skin.

"I'm not asking you to fall for me, Karla," he says quietly. "I'm just asking you to trust me."

Karla swallows, her heart pounding a little harder than she'd like to admit. Trust. That was a loaded word. But the thing is... she already does. Instead of answering, she leans down and kisses him again, slow and deep, letting the kiss say everything she isn't ready to put into words yet. Because this, whatever it is, it's already too far gone to ignore. Karla kisses him more and more hungrily. Her tongue intertwines with his.

"Damn she's a good kisser," Jalen thought, as his tongue entangled with hers.

She continues her tongue kisses, her hand now caressing his lower jaw. Karla pulls back and then gets on top of Jalen, straddling him. She has a look in her eye letting Jalen know that she knows exactly what she wants and what she is doing. She reaches down, wrapping her slender fingers around his cock, feeling the warmth, the weight, and the sheer thickness of him that she had already gotten acquainted with. She felt him throb beneath her touch. His cock hardened almost instantly, growing thick and full once more as she teased the tip with her thumb, rolling over the sensitive head. massive cock and guides it back inside of her. Jalen's breath deepened, his grip on her tightening, his control barely holding on. She lines him up to her pussy's entrance and then she sinks down. Karla gasps and shuts her eyes tight for a second as she descends onto him, his cock pressing deeper inside of her, and from this position, reaching even further than before. Even though it's the second time, Karla still needs a second to adjust. She swallows hard, her nails digging into his chest, her thighs trembling as she breathed through the overwhelming sensation. Then, slowly, she lifted her hips just slightly. Then sinks back down. The stretch, the pressure was so insanely intense but also so insanely arousing. She did it again, a slow, torturous roll of her hips. She is so slick from being flooded inside of her, his cock is now sliding easily in and out... and that also might have to do with the fact that there is no condom this time. Jalen's hands tighten on her waist, his jaw clenching as he watches her work herself on him. She takes her time. She savors it. Each roll of her hips is deliberate, each thrust slow and deep, each stroke sending waves of pleasure crashing through her.

And then? Something snapped. The restraint she had left? Gone. Karla suddenly slammed her hips down, taking him hard and deep, her breathy gasp turning into a desperate, broken moan. More. She needed more. Her pace picked up, her thighs burning as she began to ride him in earnest, her hands gripping his shoulders as she bounced on his cock, chasing the pleasure she craved. Jalen let out a low, rough groan, his fingers digging into her skin, his head tilting back as she slammed down on him again and again. Fuck, he felt so good. So deep inside her, stretching her impossibly so, hitting all the right spots, sending her spiraling into an uncontrollable, reckless pace. Her moans turned higher, more desperate, her breath ragged as the pleasure built, climbed, coiled tighter. Her breath became ragged, her moans high and broken, her thighs shaking as she slammed down onto him again and again, feeling him so impossibly deep inside of her.

Karla leaned down, and her mouth crashed with Jalen's in a messy saliva filled tongue kiss. After a moment, she pulled back her kiss and leaned towards Jalen's ear. Her lips brushed against his ear as she breathed out, "I need you." Her voice was strained, full of desperation, full of something she's not sure she can name yet.

Jalen let out a low, strained groan, his jaw clenched, his control fraying completely as her walls tightened violently around him. "Fuck—Karla—"

That was all the warning she got before she felt him throb hard inside her. And then Jalen lost it completely. His hips snapped up, a deep, guttural groan spilling from his lips as he thrust into her one last time... And exploded inside of her. Thick, hot streams of cum flooded her womb, pulse after pulse, so much of it she felt it dripping down her thighs, pooling where they were connected. It felt endless, like a fucking water hose inside of her, his entire body tensed beneath her as he gave her everything. Her pussy clenched around him so tight, pulsing, squeezing, milking every last inch of him. Karla slumped forward against his chest, shaking, gasping, her heart pounding against his. For a long moment, neither of them moves. Just heavy breathing, sweat-slicked skin, and the undeniable reality of what just happened. Jalen presses a kiss to Karla's forehead, still buried inside her. Karla's breathing is still uneven as she opens her mouth to speak, but stops herself. Because she realizes something. She doesn't regret it. Not one bit.

"Say what you were going to say before."

"What?" Jalen asks.

"You were going to say something about me being in your life as some you...and then you stopped. I want you to finish that sentence." Karla says.

Jalen exhales, staring into Karla's eyes, knowing that there's no escaping this now. He can't hide from what he feels. Not with her.

"I want you in my life as someone I love," he says, finally letting the word fall from his lips. "I almost said it before because it's the truth. I love you, Karla. And I don't know what the hell to do with that because I know this isn't simple. None of this is."

Karla stares at him, her chest rising and falling, her lips slightly parted. Jalen swears he sees a flicker of emotion in her eyes that she's trying to suppress.

Then, after what feels like an eternity, she whispers, "Then don't do anything with it. Just let it be. Let it exist."

Jalen's brow furrows. "What do you mean?"

Karla runs her fingers through his hair, her touch softer now, more intimate. "I mean, don't try to control it, don't try to figure out what it means, don't think about what happens next. Just let yourself feel it. Let me feel it."

Jalen swallows hard. "And what do you feel?"

Karla hesitates for a split second before she finally admits, "I love you too."

Karla closes her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as she lets herself sink into Jalen's embrace. It's not about needing protection. It's about choosing to accept it. She had spent so much of her life being fiercely independent, fighting for other women's freedom and safety, but right now? She just wanted to let go. Just for a moment. Jalen's warmth surrounded her, and for the first time in a long time, Karla felt like she wasn't carrying everything on her own. She wasn't sure what it was about him, but somehow, Jalen made her feel safe in a way that no one ever had. Not as a lawyer, not as a woman who had built her own life and career from the ground up, not even as someone who had always prided herself on never being vulnerable. He runs his hands slowly along her back, grounding her, making her feel held in a way that didn't make her feel small or dependent, but cherished.

Karla finally looks up at him, eyes searching his face. She hesitates, then smirks. "I think I could get used to this."

Jalen chuckles, tightening his hold just slightly. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."

The night is calm, and as Karla sleeps soundly in Jalen's arms, the weight of her world feels lighter. She isn't thinking about court cases, legal battles, or the countless women she's helped. She isn't thinking about the chaos surrounding Jalen's life, the complicated web of emotions and responsibilities he's entangled in. Right now, all she knows is this feeling. The warmth of Jalen's body against hers. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. The way his arms instinctively hold her even in sleep, like he's afraid to let go. For Jalen, this is the first time in a while that he's been able to breathe. To stop thinking about the impossible weight he's carrying. Karla, for all her sharp wit and tough exterior, brings him a sense of stability he didn't even realize he needed.

***************************************************

Karla and Jalen both call in sick from work the next day.

Jalen has never experienced a day quite like this. A day where he doesn't have to give all of himself, where he doesn't have to be the one holding everything together, where he can just exist and be taken care of.

Karla, for all her sharpness and intensity, is gentle with him today. She treats him like a man who deserves to be cherished, not just needed.

Breakfast is perfect. The eggs are fluffy, the bacon crispy, the coffee just how he likes it. But more than the food, it's the way Karla looks at him. Like he is worth this care. Like he is worth being loved without conditions or expectations.

When she gives him a massage, Jalen almost melts under her touch. Her hands are firm, but soothing, easing the tension that has built up in his body from the stress of balancing his life with Sydney, Kristen, Megan, Rachel, and now Karla.

"You don't even realize how much weight you're carrying, do you?" Karla whispers, kneading into his shoulders.

Jalen exhales deeply, feeling himself let go in a way he hasn't in months.

Then, after the massage, she makes him let go in an entirely different way. Karla kneeled down in front of him, her long, dark hair spilled over her shoulders as she gripped the base of his dick and slowly ran her tongue up the underside, eyes locked to his the entire time. Jalen groaned, his head falling back as she wrapped her lips around him and took him into her mouth. Her pace was slow at first, teasing, controlled, making him feel every inch of her.

Her mouth was hot, wet, perfect. Her tongue curled around his shaft with every stroke, her hand twisting in rhythm with her mouth. Karla moaned around him, sending vibrations straight through his core.

Jalen looked down, his jaw clenched, his breathing heavy. "Fuck, Karla..."

Then she went deeper. Letting him hit the back of her throat. Again and again.

The sounds, wet, obscene, delicious, filled the room as she worked him with her mouth, her pace relentless. Her eyes focused on her work on him. Spit dripped from her lips, and her other hand stroked his scrotum with perfect pressure. Jalen's hand found her hair, gripping tight, guiding her rhythm. "You're gonna make me lose it..."

The moment he reached his peak, his body tensed up. Then a second later, his hot cum filled her mouth, and she took it all, continuing to work him, letting out a satisfying moan as she did. She swallowed it all, and licked him clean before getting up and sitting neck to him laying her head on his shoulder. Jalen exhaled sharply, his body still buzzing from the intensity of it all.

Jalen has had his fair share of sexual encounters, but what Karla did to him throughout the rest of the day was different. She worshiped him. Took her time. Made him feel like the most important man on the planet. And when he finally got to return the favor, to love on her body in every way he wanted, he didn't hold back either.

By the time dinner rolled around, Jalen felt like a new man. Karla's steak and chicken quesadillas were incredible, but what stays with him the most is the peace he feels. He doesn't know what's coming next. But for the first time in a long time, he feels ready for it.

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