“You think you can just come up in my home and?—”
“Yes,” I interrupted calmly again. “That’s exactly what I know, not think.”
Dreu blocked my view of Aubry. I wasn’t surprised when he cocked his fist back and punched Aubry right in the mouth.
“You wait to long for the punchline bro. This nigga sitting in yo face talking to you like his life ain’t on the line.” Dreu pulled out a chrome plated gun that I didn’t know he brought along.
“Type in my passcode Dreu.” My top and bottom lip curled.
“Calm the fuck down while you’re at it.” I added.
Dreu always was the hot head with less patience and tolerance. He typed in the password then grilled Aubry hard.
“That there is proof.” I pointed at the back of the laptop.
“Emails. Transactions. Conversations you shouldn’t have had on a company device. You’ve been sloppy.” I chuckled tauntingly.
“Side gigs and code leaks you thought you could get away with. You’re one click away from HR finding out. Embezzlement can be a felony and?—”
“Please.” He sat up straight with pleading eyes.
I remained silent and just watched him struggle to breathe. The sight was comical how his entire demeanor changed. He swallowed hard, words caught somewhere behind his fucked-up teeth.
“Don’t beg if you’re not ready to agree to a couple of things.” I smirked.
“You keep throwing Princess around like she’s a bargaining chip. That’s not real love, it’s manipulation dressed up as fatherhood.”
“I need my job; I’ll agree to whatever man.” He said with his jaw tight.
“Oh, I know you need your job, but I’m not done telling you what I think being a good father is.” I sat up in my seat.
My mind went back to my own parents and how they basically tried to control everything concerning my life. My stomach churned at all the things my mother did behind the scenes with me. I never stopped her because I covered it and used her love as an excuse for her actions.
“Being a parent ain’t about control…It’s about consistency, showing up, even when you as the parent don’t get what you want. You don’t punish Truly because she found somebody who treats her right. Keeping Princess from her momma don’t just hurt Truly…it hurts Princess. A beautiful innocent babygirl shouldn’t have to suffer because of your selfness. You understand?”
I could see guiltiness trapped in his gaze. He looked away from me then back down to the computer screen. Slowly he nodded his head in agreement, but I was far from done with him. Truly cried in my arms about his wife abusing Princess. That infuriated me, I planned on having the both of them persecuted very soon. There was no way, his wife was going to get away with that. I already had Mr. Jackson putting things in motion for the child abuse Ashley caused.
If she planned to snitch on Aubry for beating her the night he found out of her abuse to Princess, that would be good. To me and Mr. Jackson, that would be killing two birds with one stone.
“No more threats to Truly. You owe her an apology, and I expect for her to receive that as soon as Dreu and I walk out of here. You will pick Princess up on time and drop her off on time when she’s due back with Truly. You will not use her as leverage, nor will you flirt or touch Truly. Truly will be included in everything down to Princess school.”
I paused to let my words sink in his brain.
“Click to the video, Dreu.” I looked at my brother with a crooked grin.
Dreu wouldn’t be prepared for the video of Aubry that was getting ready to play out on the screen. I hadn’t been ready when I first saw it either.
“What the fuck?!” Dreu jumped away from the laptop as loud moaning played through the small speakers.
“I’m not against folks’ sexualities…You like what you like, you know?” I spoke above the moans as all the blood drained from Aubry’s face.
He was too stunned to speak.
“Your tranny side chick sold you out for one thousand dollars. He claims that you’re very aggressive and abusive. He’s in love and tired of seeing you flirt with other women at work. I see this situation becoming worse for you later down the line, but that’s none of my business either.” I shrugged.
“I’ll conclude this little meeting with telling you to strive for the best in fatherhood. That’s if you cherish it. Leave Truly the fuck alone and stay out of my way. I’ll eventually be involved in Princess life. I can promise you that I will spoil her and be a great role model.” I took a long pull from my blunt before standing up.
With the tension still thick in the living room, I glanced between Aubry and Dreu, making sure my message was clear. The silence that followed was heavy, but necessary. It was a stark reminder that boundaries had been set. The devastation in Aubry eyes told me he wouldn’t cross those boundaries again without knowing he would face consequences. My gaze lingered a moment longer before I finally exhaled, signaling that the conversation was officially over.
