“What’s wrong with me wanting my own?”
“Nothing if it’s for the right reasons. I like that you want your own. Truthfully it’s sexy as fuck but I also don’t want you cross checking your moves with me based on your past with Reese and your dad.”
“I’m not?—”
“You are. I don’t want shit from you but to make you happy. You already told me how your dad played your mom, which was why you insisted on going to school and working when your man could afford to buy you shit like this and the truck you drive.”
“And that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah it is if it means you’re not holding onto something just because you don’t want to be in a situation where I could fuck you over, because I won’t,ever.”
Nyelle stared at him for a minute before she slumped her shoulders. That was exactly what she was doing. As much as she liked her job, she was only standing firm on it because she didn’t trust a man to genuinely have her best interests in mind.
“It’s hard but I’ll work on it. I don’t want to quit my job though.”
“I’m not asking you to. Not now, but eventually. And when you do, we’ll have something in place so you can still have your own, but with a little more flexibility for me and Nick.”
Nyelle rolled her eyes and groaned. “Just give me time.”
“You got that. You had no issues giving me time, so I can do the same. Just know you can trust me. I know I keep saying it, but I want you to believe it.”
“I do.”
The look Vega gave had Nyelle smiling. “Okay, some of it.”
“Good enough for now.” Vega kissed her cheek then stood. “Come lock up. Your man needs to hit the streets so I can afford that house on the beach for you.”
Nyelle chose not to touch the statement, which caused Vega to laugh. After collecting his luggage, he pulled Nyelle into one last kiss and promised to check on her later but the plan for him leaving changed as soon as he had the door open and was face-to-face with Reese. Reese looked like he wanted to take Vega’s head off regardless of the fact that he was standing there with his daughter in a carrier at his side.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” The anger in Nyelle’s tone could not be missed.
“Nah, you have got to be fucking kidding me. Where’s my son, Nyelle?”
Reese glared at Vega for a few moments longer, pushing a cocky grin into place at Reese’s desperation. Vega wouldn’t react unless he had to.
“Daddy.” Nick, who heard his father’s voice, came running toward him but had to wait for Reese to lower his baby sister to the floor before he could greet his son. Nick stopped and frowned at the baby before looking up at his mother then his father.
“Come here, chief. I missed you,” Reese stated, noticing Nick’s frown.
“You need me to stay?” Vega questioned, not interested in watching Reese fuck up his son’s mood.
“No, I’m fine.” Vega tilted his head to Nyelle before pressing a kiss to her lips just to prove a point. Reese grilled both of them hard but didn’t say a word.
“Later, Nick,” Vega tossed out, grasping Nick’s attention, causing him to move the short distance to hold out his tiny little fist. Vega grinned and met it with his before leaving Nyelle’s condo, closing the door behind him.
“What the fuck is up with you, Nyelle? You really that disrespectful now?”
“What I am is a woman moving on with her life. What I do is none of your business.”
“Yes, the hell it is when you have random men around my son.”
Reese glanced down below Nyelle where Nick was standing, holding her leg with a frown on his face.
“He’s not random and he’s good to Nick. He also respects that you’re his father, which he just proved by staying out of our personal shit. You need to appreciate his maturity.”
Reese snorted and mugged her hard. “You know what, you want to be that person, fine, live your fucking life but don’t say I didn’t warn you. And you better pray he doesn’t harm my son or that’s your ass. I put that on my mama.”
Not in the mood to argue, Nyelle ignored Reese’s empty threat. “If you’re here to take Nick, that’s fine. I’ll pack him a bag but make sure he goes to school this week,” Nyelle threatened but was already moving with a protective Nick on her heels. “You want to spend some time with your father?”
