I stuck my middle finger up at her, then quickly put it back down when Ermias came running in with toy wrestlers in each hand.
“Mama! Look what Auntie Mahlia bought me!’ He threw himself in my lap. I started to kiss his face, and then stopped when I realized where my mouth was last night. Instead, I kissed the top of his head and hugged him tightly.
“I love them,” I told my son. “You have so many toys, Ermias. What are you goin’ to do with them all? Donate them, maybe?”
“Maybe the baaaby toys,” he said, letting out a dramatic sigh as if I had just ruined his life by suggesting such a thing.
He took off back outside, and I kicked my shoes off, getting comfortable over at Mahlia’s. She ended up making us all nachos, and I didn’t even know I had drifted off to sleep until I heard a familiar voice.
Stretching, I yawned and sat up. My left eye throbbed just a little, but I still dug in my purse to pull out my drops.
“Your eye hurting?”
I turned my head to see my man in a graphic shirt and ball shorts. A plate of nachos was in his hand. Mahlia came out of the kitchen behind him, looking concerned, too.
“A little. It’s normal, so don’t go worrying about me,” I told him. I dropped my head back and let two drops drip into my eye. “How was work?” I changed the subject from me to him.
“Busy like always. I missed yo’ beautiful ass all day,” he responded.
“Awwwww.” Mahlia melted.
I sniggered. “I missed you, too.”
Mahlia began to fan herself. “I love Black love. If I didn’t have to work tomorrow, I’d keep nephew again so y’all can knock those boots again.”
I groaned while Zyro guffawed at his cousin. Mahlia just didn’t give a damn what came out of her mouth. She and Zyleek were just alike sometimes, but I wouldn’t tell her that.
We left an hour ago, and since I was off for the next two days, we were going to spend those days in Love Grove. Ermias was stoked.
Zyro drove behind me to my house, so I could grab my and Ermias’ things. Nearing my house, I noticed a grey SUV in my yard. The same SUV that Delion drove to my house a few times.
Parking, I pressed the button to kill the engine, unbuckled myself, and stepped out. The driver's side opened, and Delion’s pregnant girlfriend climbed out. I could tell she was angry from the way her face balled up at the sight of me.
“Where is he?” she barked.
My head reared back as I helped Ermias out of the car.
“Where is who?” I asked. “I know you’re not asking me about your boyfriend’s whereabouts.” I snorted through a fucking agitated laugh. I was appalled.
Zyro was by my side in no time with a stoic expression. Whatever he did to Delion, he knew she would come. Her actions weren’t surprising him at all.
Her angry eyes were set on Zyro.
“You! You did something to my husband!” she screamed, jabbing a finger in Zyro’s direction.
“Take homeboy inside, Eriss,” Zyro commanded as I laughed at her calling Delion her husband. That nigga was for everybody.
Grabbing Ermias’ hand, I kept a good distance from Katrina and led him up the porch.
“Where is he?” she continued to yell.
Pushing Ermias inside once the door was unlocked and open, I called out, “Hey, I have neighbors. Chill or the police will be called, and I will let them haul your pregnant ass to jail!”
I slammed the door and then massaged my temples. How could she care for that nigga so much when I was sure he wasn’t a good man to her? I’ve heard Delion would be seen out on the town trying to pick up women. She was acting like Stevie damn Wonder because I was sure someone had seen him and it had gotten back to her.
Turning to Ermias, he was looking at me with wide, confused eyes.
“It’s okay, baby. Everything is fine,” I assured him, running my hands through his curly mane.
