“Ummm… okay,” I said, frowning in confusion.
He mumbled something that didn’t even sound like a real word and within seconds, his snores filled the room loud, unbothered, and drunk.
I looked at him, then looked down at his feet, and shook my head when I saw he still had his shoes on. This man had eaten me like dessert, kissed me all pretty, got me shaking on the bed, then fell asleep fully clothed.
I covered my mouth and laughed because this was exactly who I married. And as chaotic as he was, as drunk and ridiculous as he could be, he had one thing he never failed at.
My husband was always going to take care of me.
And I do mean always.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING…
It was early and even though it was Saturday, I still got Zurie, Prestyn and Kaylon up for breakfast.
The sun had barely cleared the tree line, but the kids were already wide awake, bouncing around with the kind of morning energy only children and God Himself understood. I tied Zurie’s bonnet back since it had slid halfway off her head during the night, wiped a little crust from Prestyn’s eye, and fixed Kaylon’s curls before we went downstairs.
Our chef had the whole dining room smelling like cinnamon, butter, and warm syrup. He had the table set with plates, napkins folded in those little shapes he liked to make, pitchers of juice, and the silver domes that told me he’d gone overboard again. The kids rushed ahead of me, laughing and bumping into each other before sliding into their usual seats.
I took the chair between Zurie and the boys’ high chairs so I could help all three at the same time. When I lifted the lid off Zurie’s plate, she grinned wide because it was her favorite, pancakes cut into heart shapes with strawberries on the side.
“Plu,” she said, dragging out my name in that dramatic way she did whenever she wanted something. “I need more supplies. I ran out of glue sticks and Ariana stole my pencil pouch again.”
“She did what?” I asked, cutting a strawberry in half. “Where was the teacher?”
“She was at her desk doing something,” Zurie said, rolling her eyes like she was forty-five and tired of the world already.
Before I could respond, that deep, warm voice floated past me.
“I got you, baby girl. You’ll have new supplies by Monday.”
Pressure walked by slowly, dragging a hand across Zurie’s back before leaning down to kiss the top of her head. She lit up like Christmas. He did the same to Prestyn and Kaylon, kissing both boys in that soft, absentminded way he had with his kids.
Then he finally made his way to me.
His arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and I felt his warmth before he even kissed me. He smelled like cologne, a hint of last night’s liquor, and something sweet that always made my stomach flutter. He looked hungover but refreshed at the same time, his eyes heavy but glowing.
“You fell asleep with all your clothes on,” I teased, turning my head to look at him. “I had to take your shoes off like you were one of the kids.”
Pressure smirked, kissed me again, then moved to sit at the head of the table while our chef brought him a plate.
The kids ate loud and messy. Zurie told a story about a girl in her class who wore fake glasses because she thought they made her look smart. Prestyn never took his eyes off his plate. Kaylon kept humming to himself while he dipped his strawberries in whipped cream. It was noisy and chaotic, but it was ours.
Pressure laughed at something Zurie said and shook his head, looking over at me with that little smile he only gave when he was completely at peace.
But Toni crept back into my thoughts as naturally as breathing.
Kay’Lo hadn’t been home when we got in last night. I hadn’t seen his car in the driveway this morning, and as sweet as breakfast looked, that woman who left with him still sat in the back of my mind like a stone.
After breakfast, I let the kids run free while me and Pressure stayed at the table.
When he leaned back in his chair, lighting a blunt the chef pretended not to see as he grabbed our plates, I kept my eyes on him and finally asked, “Have you seen Kay’Lo?”
Pressure exhaled slow and shook his head. “Ain’t seen him.”
I nodded like it was nothing, but the truth was sitting on my tongue heavy.
After a minute, I sighed and looked Pressure’s way again. He was relaxed, leaning back and smoking like he didn’t have one worry in this world. I knew he wasn’t thinking about last night. He’d been too drunk to notice anything past me and the floor.
