“Well Diablo’s sounds great, but Olive and I aren’t together anymore, so it’ll be just me and the kids, Jo-Jo included though,” I said in a hushed tone. Since the kids knew far too much about our relationship status as it was, I didn’t want them to find out and assume the worst.
Kelvin’s brows dipped in and worried lines appeared on his forehead.
“Oh no. I’m sorry, Lando. What happened? From the way you were talking, things seemed so promising between you two.” I blew out a heavy breath as I looked back at Jo-Jo to make sure his attention was on the game before I caught Kelvin up to speed.
“Long story short, Olive’s job was a bit too much for me. I don’t think you ever knew what she did…does, but she’s a cuddle therapist and well—” I stopped and ran my hand down my face, trying to collect my thoughts. “Let’s just say, it’s different when you watch your woman openly holding another man and comforting him the same exact way she just did for you the night before. Not to mention, she smelled like his ass. It fucked with me. I told her it was me or the job.”
“Ah, so the single mother chose her stable career over the new relationship.” Kelvin’s tone was nonchalant as he shrugged, lowkey blowing me off.
“Why did you say it like that? Was I not supposed to feel a way about what I saw? Should I just be cool with everything? Because Olive doesn’t get my side of it either.”
“Lando, your feelings are valid. Do I feel like the ultimatum was a bit rushed? Yes.” I huffed, already over the conversation.
“I told you that growing a coffee bean takes time, y’all are in the beginning stages of the growth process, which is an important one. You can’t rush anything in that stage or your bean has no chance to grow and produce what you want from it. You've been together for what, a couple months? Of course, the single mother who has a child to think about is going to make sure that she is financially secure for them. You just got here. Express your concerns, offer up solutions, but the pick me or nothing will have you sitting here with your butt hurt feelings, sharing custody of y’all kids.”
Damn. Olive did say something about me not even giving her time or offering help. Shit, I think I jumped too quick.
“Did I fuck this up?”
“I’m not saying that, because your feelings are valid in all this. I had no idea what she did for a living. I just know your brother works for her. But maybe give her time to figure it out before you call it quits. I got a feeling that y’all aren’t over yet.”
I scoffed. “How do you figure that?”
“You got your son and she has her daughters. Water your bean, Lando. Continue to show her that you can be trusted to take care of more than just her heart. I’m sure Liv will come around. And no, I’m not saying start flashing your little money around; real love can’t be bought with material things. Do the stuff that only her partner would do.”
“So you’re saying get back with her and ignore how I feel?” Kelvin grunted as he cursed lowly under his breath.
“I swear that’s half the problem, you don’t listen. No, don’t ignore how you feel, just incorporate her feelings too, just like you want her to consider yours. I’m telling you don’t change how you move with her. I will recommend though, keep your dick in your pants with this one. Until you both are on one accord, think with only one head. I’m saying not to cut her off. Continue toget to know her, become her friend. Women respect friendship advice sometimes more than their new boyfriend.”
I laughed at his words because I knew Byrdie’s opinion was highly appreciated when it came to Olive. Hell, I was sure after I left yesterday they had a long talk aboutus.
“Now in the meantime, start the search for solutions for this job problem that you have. A part of being her provider is replacing what you’re trying to take away. Figure out what other ways she can continue to help people within her field and make suggestions.”
That I could do.
Kelvin was right though. Here I was pushing my own agenda and possibly about to lose out on my best love that ever happened to me since Leslie.
The sound of the bat cracking against the ball had me looking up to see Jo-Jo and Tunk cheering at another hit he made; this one with a lot more power behind it. Although I missed the initial swing, I yelled loudly like a proud father of his only boy.
“Ooh shit, Jo-Jo! We going pro, baby, I can feel it.” He ran over to me and I bent down to scoop him up in my arms. Being a girl dad was nothing like having a son, and for so long, I didn’t think I would ever be blessed to experience it until they came into the picture. Yeah, me and Olive were slippery at the moment, but I was grateful for her still allowing me to have access to Jo-Jo in this way.
“Pops, did you see your grandson? I’m telling you, I think we should get the Badgers on him now. Maybe even hit up Shepherd Rowe for some one-on-one training,” I joked as I watched Jo-Jo’s whole face light up as his eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open.
Kelvin snickered as he nodded but it was Tunk who spoke up.
“I don’t know about that training part just yet, but I know a guy. I can at least get us some tickets and in the locker room tomeet him.” That really had him going as he jumped out of my arms, rushing over to Tunk.
“Ooh please, Uncle Tunk!”
I tossed Tunk a wink for the come through. Once Olive mentioned Jo-Jo’s dad not making it home anytime soon and her wanting to do something special for him, I wanted to do something too and got Tunk to help me.
“Ooh, Daddy, can we go? I mean, Mr. Lando.” He turned to me, making me gasp at his title slip. Olive said it might be coming and I figured a conversation would come along with that but the way my chest swelled with excitement had me smiling widely, as if no one had ever referred to me as their dad before.
“Of course, son.” He made his way back over to me, hugging my legs. I looked at Kelvin who gave me a soft smile then mouthed,Water your bean.
And I was. There was no way I was giving up on having both of them in my life forever.
Chapter
