She practically jumps out of the chair, bypasses the guest bathroom, and rushes into their room. Averi stands too and places her empty water bottle in the trash. She yawns as she walks back to the table.
“You getting sleepy?” I ask and she nods.
“Well, as soon as the visit is over, you can go to bed.”
“Can we talk to Daddy in the room?”
“If you want.”
“I want to and Romi will too,” she assures me.
“Okay. Go in your room and I’ll grab your iPad.”
She walks to their room and I unplug the iPad, grab it and a food tray, then follow her. When I walk in, she’s already in her bed. Romi walks out of the bathroom and Averi motions her over to join her. As soon as Romi is beside Averi, I place the tray on their laps and prop up the iPad. I log in right on time.
“Bitch! Why the fuck you ignoring my gotdamn family!” Rush roars as soon as his face appears. Mortified and pissed the hell off, I snatch up the iPad. “Bitch, you hear me!” he spits and I mute the volume.
“I don’t want to talk to Daddy no more,” Averi says with tears forming in her eyes.
“Me neither, Mommie,” Romi pouts. She’s my little empath, and when either Averi or I are sad or cry, she feels it deeply.
Every ounce of me is angry and I want to curse his stupid ass out but I can’t.Not in front of them. I look at the screen, shake my head in disgust as he continues to rage out on mute, then end the visit. He doesn’t deserve any more of their time and I will not subject them to him again.
After easing onto Averi’s bed, I remove the tray then wipe the tears from Averi’s cheek. “Don’t cry, baby,” I tell her.
“But Daddy was mad and yelling bad words at you,” she says with a shaky voice.
“I’m scared,” Romi adds.
“It’s okay and there’s nothing to be scared of. He was using bad words and that’s not nice at all but I’m okay and you two are okay, right?” I say, as comforting as I can, suppressing my anger. My babies are upset and shaken and I don’t want them to know I feel the same damn way. “Come on. Let’s have a sleepover in my bed,” I say and they both smile. “Get your pillows.”
Almost instantly soothed, they both grab their Little Mermaid pillows, climb out of the bed, and follow me to my room. While they climb into my bed, I walk out, take a deep ass breath, then turn out all the lights in the kitchen and living room. My cell starts ringing on the counter and I grab it. It’s Rushmore’s mom. I don’t even bother to answer because I already know she’s calling with some BS on behalf of her stupid ass son.
I send her to my voicemail then place my phone on do not disturb for the night. Then I return to my room. Just that fast, Averi is fast asleep and Romi is sprawled across her pillow and yawning. As I look at my precious little girls, one thing becomesclear as spring water, I’m not subjecting them to Rush and his shit again.
Chapter 5
Xai
“Momma, I should have listened to you when you first told me Rush wasn’t the right man for me. You were so right, Momma. So right. Last night, he showed his ass and scared Averi and Romi. I was so mad. Hell, I still am. Thankfully, they got some sleep last night but I didn’t. I couldn’t because I can’t believe how fucking selfish he is. He doesn’t give a damn about our daughters. It’s always what he wants and needs. Never mind his children. But I’m done. Really done. I’m not scheduling any more video visits with him, and after I go see him next weekend to curse his selfish ass out, I’m removing myself from his phone and visit list. And before you say it, Iknow its past due. I should have been cut him off. That’s on me and I accept that,” her voice says then I hear a sigh.
“I do have some good news. The policy is getting paid. They finally proved what I already knew and the girls and I are getting the money. Thank you for that but you know I’d rather have you here and in person than any amount of money. I miss hearing your voice, even the fussing. I’ll love and miss you forever.”
The voicemail ends and I place the phone on my desk. According to the message, she’d left it around four this morning.She really couldn’t sleep last night.Hell, and neither could I. Besides my fucking teeth hurting like hell, I had to deal with Kadean and his shit. I’m still dealing with his shit. His shift started an hour ago and he hasn’t made it in yet. The fucked up part is he’s at my damn house.
Around eleven last night, I had to get out of my bed, drive to the Manor, and get him from his girl’s. Peaches put his ass out after coming home after work and finding him drinking. They’ve been together for a year, so she was with him during his last DWI case. She only stuck around because he promised not to drink. He did, she caught him, and put him out.
Me: Where you at?
Kadean: Handling something.
Me: What about your fucking shift?
Kadean: There in an hour.
Me: 15 mins or don’t come at all.
My last text is all the energy I’m giving Kadean today and I’m serious. If he’s not here in fifteen minutes, I’m firing him. I’m not forcing no man, not even my brother, to come to work.Either he wants the money or he doesn’t. I can’t keep wanting shit for him when he doesn’t.
