“I know they’re nothing alike, and it’s unfair of me to even allude to them being in the same category. It’s just so hard to trust after you’ve been fucked over by people you loved and who you thought loved you.”
Que’s whimpers made me giggle. I would argue anybody down trying to tell me my boy didn’t understand English. He’d helped me solve many problems since we brought him home.
“I know you like Graham a lot, and I’m wasting time talking to you.”
He barked once, which meant he agreed. That was no surprise since he showed his traitorous ways.
“Okay, I think everyone I love has given Graham their stamp of approval, even my mother, and she hasn’t met him. I’m ready to see where this goes, but if this blows up in my face, I’m putting you down and cutting everybody off.”
Que’s head hopped up, he gave me the evil eye, and readjusted his body so he wasn’t facing me. I guessed he didn’t appreciate my threat, and couldn’t help but giggle at his reaction.
I’d begun readingBeck & Collby Tracy Gray a few days ago, so I picked up where I left off and got lost in the story about a city girl named Collins and a country boy named Beckham.
Suddenly, Que, who was in his usual spot at the edge of the porch, got on his feet. I wasn’t too alarmed because he sometimes did that when he sensed someone nearing. I looked down the block both ways and didn’t see anyone walking, so I returned my attention to my Kindle.
When he began barking aggressively, I became concerned because he rarely did so unless something or someone put him on high alert. The block was empty, so I thought maybe there was a squirrel or raccoon creeping in the bushes or something.
“What’s wrong, boy?”
He didn’t leave the porch, but he continued barking. Just as I stood to gather my things and take him inside, Victor parked in front of my house.
“Shit! I guess this explains Que’s behavior. My boy can sense that piece of shit a mile away.”
I took Que inside because once Victor left his car, I’d have no control over how Que reacted. I slipped Misty into the pocket of my sweats, although I doubted I’d need her. Victor wasn’t that damn crazy.
“Heel, boy. I’ll be right outside.”
I gave Que a look, warning him not to act a fool. He tried me for a minute but eventually calmed down. When I returned to the porch, Victor was stumbling toward my house.
“Where’s my son?”
I might have heard wrong, but his words sounded slurred.
“He’s not here.”
“Where the fuck is he? I came to tell him happy birthday.”
His words were definitely slurred. I couldn’t believe this nigga showed up to my house drunk on my son’s birthday.
“He’s out with one of his friends celebrating.”
“You pushed him off on someone else on his birthday? I knew you were a shitty mom.”
“Excuse me?”
“Any woman who keeps a son away from his father is a shitty mother.”
I released a deep breath as I remembered what Dr. Hart had told me a few hours ago.
“Get home safe, Victor.”
Before I turned to go inside, Graham turned into my driveway. He damn near hopped out of his truck before it came to a full stop.
“You good, baby?” he asked as he headed toward me.
“I’m fine.”
When Keelan appeared from the other side of Graham’s truck, all hell broke loose. Victor sobered up quick and aggressively stormed toward Keelan.
