“Weirdo. I’m sorry for disrespecting you,” I said and continued to kiss her neck.
Malcolm called for the microphone to present Pops with our gift. I cuffed Erin’s hand, taking her with me to the front door. She peeled her hands away from mine.
“What do you give a man with everything? I mean, you have our beautiful mother, two daughters, a thriving business, and two sons to drive you crazy,” Malcolm said as the crowd laughed.
Malcolm passed me the microphone. “I know I keep adding to your gray hair, and I’m the good son,” I said, and Pops covered his eyes. “But for real, know we love you, and this gift is from allyour children, including Khaira. She paid in kisses and slobber. We tried to get you a knee replacement, but it’s too expensive for your age. Happy birthday,” we said.
Our gift appeared behind us with perfect timing. A high-gloss red Chevy Camaro with Prime Stride branded on the hood appeared. The rear spoiler gave it a masculine boss-like appearance, coupled with black-and-white stripes on the side. Everyone awed, including Pops, as he led Mom to the door with his mouth parted.
“We funded you a racing team,” Malcolm said.
I moved the mic toward me. “You need a driver. We figured you wanted to do that yourself,” I said.
Pops slapped hands with us hard, pulling us both into a hug. The glossiness of his eyes almost made me teary-eyed. He stepped outside the door, rounding the car, fist pumping the air. Over our various lunches, we discussed future business ventures, and this was something he wanted to do. Mom swiped at her eyes, watching Pops glare at the car.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” I said as I pleaded for her forgiveness.
The drive home was rough, with her only awarding me with the silent treatment. I reached for her hand, but she snatched it away.
“Baby, please talk to me.”
“Marquise, I’m tired of you blowing up and then expecting me to forgive you. The more I want to love you, you keep pushing me away,” she said with venom and expressive hands.
Everything she said was right. I blew up, apologized and expected her to turn a blind eye. Shit, I did the same thing to Pops. He came in, and I pushed him away for no reason.
“I’m working on it,” I said.
“Work on it on your own. I’m done. You cannot care about me and blow up at the same time,” she said, and my heart leaped out of my chest.
The worddonemade me sick to my stomach. Erin hopped out of the car as soon as it stopped in front of the condo. I chased after her, praying she would give me one more chance. My temper caused me to foul out with Erin. Once we were in the elevator, I blocked the buttons.
“Marquise, I’m going back to my condo,” she said before my first tear dropped from my eyes.
We had a standoff in the elevator because I knew she was done. If she went to her condo without hearing me out, we were over before we started. I pressed the key to the penthouse and hoped she would get off with me.
“Do you even care about anything I say?” Erin said as the doors opened to my condo.
I sniffled as I reached for her, but she bolted out of the elevator unlocking the door with her key. Erin moved toward the stairs to Malcolm’s part of the condo. I caught her elbow, rotating her in my direction.
“Marquise!” Erin yelled in frustration. She tried freeing herself, yanking her arm downward.
“I can’t apologize to you if you won’t listen to me,” I said.
“I’m not interested in your apologies,” she yelled. “You hurt me, Marquise.”
She hit my chest with her small, balled fist before bursting into tears. I tried pulling her into me to comfort her, but she pushed me away. The hurt nestled on her face tore me to shreds. I reached for her again, but she swatted my hand away. The smacking noise of our skin connecting echoed.
“You... you embarrassed me,” she screamed.
Fuck.The weight of her words slammed against me, weighing on my ego.
“I’m sorry, baby. All I heard in the bathroom was I wasn’t enough for you, Erin. I come with baggage, trauma and a past,” I said.
As more tears fled her eyes, I knew I wasn’t shit and didn’t deserve her love.
“Baby, please give me one more chance. I promise to do right. I’m sorry, Erin. I do this thing where I push the people who care for me away. I did the same with Pops. I’m begging, don’t give up on me,” I said.
Erin sat on the steps and cried into her hands as I kneeled. I pushed pride away to beg for another chance. She was the best thing to ever happen to me and I’m losing her because I’m emotionally unstable.
