“He been back?” East wanted to be sure his mother’s boyfriend wasn’t back in the picture. She needed to get her life together and Melton being around wouldn’t help.
“No, and he won’t. I had no business being with him in the first place, but after Kelsey’s father, I just wanted someone,anyone.”
East groaned at the thought. Kelsey’s father had only been around a few times and East didn’t like him. He was glad that he didn’t want anything to do with his mother or his sister. East had planned on being the only male representative his sister needed. He loved her enough for her not to miss her punk ass daddy.
“I don’t want to hear that shit. Just make sure he don’t step up in here anymore.”
“He won’t.”
“Call me if you need anything. Numbers can come through if you do.”
Priscilla grinned at the mention of her son’s friend. Before Joi, he was the only constant in East’s life. East didn’t form bonds, so to see him with Joi gave her hope. “If I need anything, which I won’t, I’ll let you know and you can send Noel. How is he?”
“Pissed right now if he could hear you calling him Noel.” East chuckled at his mother using his government name. She refused to address him as Numbers.
“It’s his name.”
“Yeah it is, and he hates that shit.”
“Well too bad.”
“We have to go. We need to pack so we can catch our flight.” East pushed out a short breath. He wasn’t happy about leaving his mother but felt she would be okay.
“I like her, Eastland. Don’t mess this up, and keep those other women out of your life so they don’t mess it up.”
East smirked at his mother and stood, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Mind your business,” was all he said, and she narrowed her eyes at him, causing East to laugh.
“Aight, I got you. I like her too.” He winked at his mother, leaving her there. So much had changed but it was all necessary. No matter how complicated or stressful it was, neither of them would argue differently.
“I can’t get any love?” East leaned over his little sister, lifting her into his arms. She flew in the air, squealing before he brought her down against his chest. Grinning in a way that took up her entire face, Kelsey hugged her brother’s neck so tightly he was at risk of losing air, but East didn’t complain. His baby girl could get all his love and every bit of oxygen she shut him off from.
“You don’t like pink, but Joi does. See. She looks pretty.” Kelsey beamed, pointing at Joi who wore a pink boa, plastic pink jewels on her arms and fingers, and a matching tiara sat on top of her head.
“She’s aight.” East scrunched his face playfully and kissed his sister’s cheeks.
“She’s pretty.” Kelsey pouted, causing him to laugh and Joi to stick her tongue out teasingly. East felt a reaction below the waist from the motion and shot her a warning look.
“Yeah she is. But not as pretty as you.” He gushed over his sister, kissing her again before running his hand over her wild, messy ponytail. Unlike him, she was every bit of her mother. A miniature version that emulated every one of their mother’sfeatures from her big round eyes, long thin nose, and tight, heart-shaped lips. East would kill for both of them without a single regret.
“You’re pretty too,” Kelsey stated with certainty, causing Joi to snicker and East to frown.
“Men are handsome, baby girl. Not pretty. That’s ga?—”
“You better not,” Joi warned, already knowing what was coming next.
“Your big brother is handsome as hell, Kels. It’s why Joi keeps looking at me like that.” He winked at Joi who rolled her eyes while Kelsey frowned, not understanding what was going on between the two of them. She let the thought go and moved on.
“Mommy’s pretty.”
“She sure is and you look just like her. You’re both beautiful and smart. Don’t you let anybody tell you different.”
“I won’t.” Kelsey beamed before turning to Joi. “Are you smart too?”
Joi’s smile stretched wide but before she could answer, East did. “Yeah she’s real smart because she’s with me.”
When Joi’s eyes rolled, he smirked and kissed Kelsey again. “I’m heading out. Be good, okay, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
“I will. Mommy said we can go to the park.” Kelsey was out of her brother’s arms and bouncing in place which had him and Joi laughing at her reaction.
