Nick held tighter to his mother’s leg. His young mind wouldn’t allow him to process what was going on, but he had chosen his side and it was his mother. “I want Mommy to do it.”
Reese’s face tightened when he looked down at his son. Right after, his eyes rolled up to Nyelle, knowing she wasn’t about to offer him any help.
“Aight, chief, that’s cool. I’ll come see you this week. Can I get a hug?”
Nick nodded slowly, taking extra time to let go of his mother, but eventually making it to his dad. Reese lifted Nick into his arms and hugged him. Nick gave in and hugged him back. “Daddy apologizes for tonight. I’ll make it up to you, okay, chief?”
“Okay,” Nick’s little voice was muffled by his father’s shoulder.
“Look at me,” Reese demanded and when Nick lifted his head, Reese pressed his forehead to his son’s. “I love you, chief.”
“I love you too.”
Reese might have had his ways ’bout him, but he did truly love his son. Lately he hadn’t been the best father, so he was going to do what was right. That was the only reason he was going to leave.
After he lowered his son to the ground, Nick made his way back over to Nyelle who kneeled down toward him. “Go getin my bed. You can sleep with me.” She kissed the top of his head and watched as Nick took off down the hall yelling, “Bye, Daddy!” over his shoulder.
“You can go now.” The loving caring look she just shared with her son was over and Nyelle was back to her hostile self.
Reese glared at her, trying to decide if he wanted to snatch her up or leave.
“You really ain’t shit.”
Nyelle laughed hard and from the gut. “You had a whole baby but I’m not shit for going on a date with a man who really wants to be good to me?”
“He’s trying to be good to you. He wants to fuck you. Vega Orr, right?” Reese questioned after piecing it together. He didn’t know him personally, but he knew of him.
“Yeah and?”
“He just touched down, Ny. He’s trying to get as much pussy as he can from what he lost when he was locked up. If you believe he wants something serious then you’re not as smart as I give you credit for.”
It was a low blow, but Reese was angry and fighting dirty.
“Get the fuck out.”
He grinned and shrugged. “You mad now because you know I’m right.”
“No, I’m mad because I wasted so many years of my life with a weak man like you when I could have been with a real one like Vega. Get the fuck out. If you want to see Nick, call or text me first. If you have a problem with that because you think this is your place then we’ll move because you won’t hold that over my head. I can promise you that.”
“I’m not trying to hold shit over your head, Nyelle. If I was, my name would be on the paperwork and not yours, but you won’t disrespect me like I didn’t build this shit for you.”
She shook her head and laughed. “I’ll start looking for a place. Obviously you’re not too smart either because you don’t understand what the fuck I just said. Lock my door when you leave.”
Without a second thought she left him there and started down the hall to her bedroom. All she wanted was to climb in bed with her son and sleep away the craziness of the past few hours.
“You need my help?It’s three-thirty in the morning, Joi. What’s wrong? Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Yes…”
“Oh my God, Joi, what happened?” Ava threw the covers back and scooted to the side of the bed in no time. If her niece needed her, she was there. No matter what. Ava was already processing how fast she could catch a flight to Atlanta if for some reason she couldn’t utilize the jet readily at her disposal.
“It’s not me. I’m fine…” Joi paused and massaged her neck before she continued. “A friend of mine… A guy I’m friends with. He got arrested.”
“Arrested! Arrested for what? Lord. I knew that boy was no good for you. I hope you’re not calling to ask me to help him.”
Joi’s body stiffened as she sat in her car. After taking in a short breath, she shook the thought off and got down to the facts. “It’s not Reg. We’re done…”
“Then who and what did he do?”
