Both kids sat up in their seats to see. Heavy found parking in the crowded lot, and Crew and Prischa pulled up on either side of him. The adults were as hype as the kids to be there. When he shut the car off, he glanced in Giselle’s direction.
“I’m glad this is a family experience. These two can wear me out in the grocery store,” she joked, leaning over to apply a coat of gloss to her lips.
Heavy tried not to be all swept up when he was around Giselle, but she was gorgeous without trying. It took restraint not to touch her when he knew he should hate her. She’d robbed him of the first few years of his kids’ lives, but a larger part of him was just glad they existed. Ever since he found out, he’d been moving different, replanning his future to include them in every step. Giselle slammed the visor mirror closed and turned to him, only to find him studying her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head.
“Mama, we ready to get out!” Heir screamed.
“Okay, Heir, calm down.” Giselle chuckled, and Heavy pushed his door open first.
There was something in his eyes. Like he had something he wanted to say but was keeping himself in check. Since being back, she wished she could have a minute with him, but someone was always there, or they were dealing with the kids. She thought about asking him out for lunch or something, but she didn’t know exactly how to approach him about it. There was so much yellow tape around the situation, and then there was Prischa. Clearly, there was something between them, and she had no place in the middle of whatever it was.
“Who got the tickets?” Crew asked once Heavy and Giselle unloaded the twins and the two-seater stroller Heavy surprisingly had in the back of his truck.
“Nigga, where you get that stroller?” Viggo chuckled as he hit the little bit of blunt he gripped between his fingers.
“We can walk!” Harlee put her hands on her hips and scowled like she was truly offended.
“Yes, you can, baby,” Giselle cooed, trying to stay on her good side before she had a fit. “But this is a big park, and you might get tired.”
“I not getting in.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I will!” Heir slid his backpack off his shoulder and put it in one seat while he climbed in the other.
“Smart boy!” Crew declared, chortling.
“I walk. Heavy, put me on you shoulders!” Harlee demanded.
“That’s not walking, that’s me carrying you, Harlee,” Heavy argued.
All she had to do was stomp her little foot and stick her bottom lip out, and he turned to mush. Those big brown eyes resembling her mother’s got his chest tight.
“Oh, hell nah.” Maisie shook her head. “You better not fall for that shit, Heavy.”
“Fuck it, I’ll carry you.” Crew threw his hands up and went to scoop Harlee.
“No! I want Heavy!” she yelped.
“Aye, man, get her!” Crew looked at Heavy but pointed at Harlee.
Sighing, Heavy picked her up and hoisted her on his shoulders as requested.
“Nigga a sucka. She got him wrapped around her little finger already.” Viggo laughed.
Most of the day was spent hopping from ride to ride, snacking in between, and cracking jokes. Gem and Solo were the youngest in their pack, so they would venture off and do their own thing then run into everyone else while doing so. In the end they all wound up together for the remainder of the day. Crew had taken his shirt off walked around with tattoos on display, and his shirt over his shoulder, scaring all the little white suburban parents. The last ride he got on with Maisie and Lou got them all soaking wet. Giselle and Heavy spent most of thetime with the kids in the kiddie park, but Crew and Maisie gave them a little time to themselves as well and got on the bumper cars with Harlee and Heir.
Prischa was grateful for Viggo being there since most of Heavy’s attention seemed to be on his own kids. Pierre didn’t seem to mind, though. Viggo was like a big ass child himself, and the two of them always got along. Watching Heavy and Giselle at a basketball game nearby, envy clouded her eyes at how they interacted with one another, and Henna was right at her side to witness it. She hated to be the one to even bring it to light, but it was obvious where Heavy’s attention was. The two of them barely had a conversation today because Giselle and the twins had occupied his time.
“Okay, you win. Obviously, you can play basketball.” Giselle sighed after her last ball didn’t go into the basket again.
She would watch sports all day but playing them was a different story.
“Varsity Junior and Senior year,” Heavy informed her.
He slid the game attendant some more cash so she could go again. Today, she hadn’t had to spend a dime, and the stroller now looked like a toy cart with the twins buried under the many stuffed animals, eating cotton candy. She’d watched them devour hot dogs, nachos, candy, and some more shit, yet there they were, still stuffing their faces.
