“No.”
“So, you let a nigga you don’t love get you pregnant.”
“Are we judging?”
“I’m not judging, but the shit hurts. I knew you had goals to accomplish, and I did too. Me not getting you pregnant had everything to do with it not being time. But I’ve never seen another woman being my kids’ mother except you.”
“Rage, it wasn’t planned. Yes, I know how babies are made, but it was one drunken, careless night. Out of a year, that was the only night we didn’t use protection.”
A sour taste infiltrated my mouth. I didn’t want to hear about her sexual conquests with whatever lame ass nigga she’d let impregnate her. “Why isn’t he around?”
“Because when I went to get an abortion, I was told that I was too far along to terminate the pregnancy. I called him to let him know, and he told me I couldn’t have a baby because he wasmarried and if his wife found out, he’d have to pay her a shit load of alimony. I hung up on him and haven’t spoken to him since.”
My eyes narrowed as I leaned forward with my elbows resting on my knees. “That nigga was married, and he didn’t tell you?” heat radiated through my body. On top of him playing in Leighton’s face the nigga was rich as fuck too. He had to be if he was willing to be a deadbeat father to avoid alimony. Shorty was in Charlotte fucking rich niggas.
“He doesn’t live directly in Charlotte, and he travels a lot for work. We’re both busy, so with the distance, we clicked when we did, but it was nothing too deep. I didn’t know he was married, and he for sure didn’t move like a man with a wife.”
“I know you have a lot on your plate, but just let me take you out. I miss you. I miss us. If you truly don’t want me around, I can only respect it, but I have to try. I fumbled you once. I can’t fumble you again. If you walk away from me, I’ll know that I tried everything in my power to get you to stay. Something I wasn’t man enough to do last time.”
“And me having a child doesn’t bother you?”
“Fuck no, Leigh,” I replied with a scowl. “In fact, if you want to bring him on the date you can.”
That got a giggle out of her. “The way I have to fight my parents for him, I don’t think that’s an option. Where are we going?”
“Anywhere you want to go. It’s all about you. Oh wait,” something Wanda said in the past entered my mind. “Women like when men take initiative and plan things though, right?”
Leighton giggled. “Somebody has been paying attention. The women you date have been putting you up on game.”
“I don’t date,” I corrected her. “I haven’t been out on a date since the last date I took you on. I heard Wanda and her homegirls yapping about men not taking initiative and being dumb as fuck.”
“Sounds about right,” Leighton laughed.
“Anyway,” I kissed my teeth. “I can show you better than I can tell you. Just tell me what night you’re free.”
Three nights later, I opened my car door for Leighton and extended my hand for her to grab. Stepping out of my vehicle, she looked and smelled amazing. Leighton donned very baggy, dark yellow cargo pants, and an oversized denim blouse. Only the two middle buttons were buttoned, and the shirt hung off one shoulder. A gold watch and gold bracelets along with strappy heels dressed the look up. Shorty was fly as fuck.
I continued to hold onto her hand as we entered the building and walked to the elevator. Our reservations were for the rooftop restaurant. The hostess seated us right away, and the server wasn’t too far behind.
“They have a lot of good options,” Leighton’s gaze poured over the menu.
The way I was nervous was damn near blowing me. For years, Leighton was one of my best friends. I felt as comfortable with her as I did the siblings that I grew up with. I trusted Leighton with my life, and I had fucked it up. So, it was on me to fix.
“When do you plan to go back to Charlotte?”
“The day after the show. I’ve been thinking about moving back here, but I still have a few months before my lease is up.”
That was good news, but I didn’t want to get excited too prematurely. Even if she did come back, that didn’t necessarily mean that she wanted to be with me or that we could fix things between us. I went ahead and bit the bullet.
“Do you see this going anywhere? Like I know it takes time, but if you’re dead set against it, I don’t want to waste my time. Understand, I’ll always be your friend, and you can call me for anything. I know I hurt you, and if that time has passed for us, just let me know.” The way my heart drummed in my chest while I waited for her answer had me feeling like a bitch.
Leighton shifted in her seat. “There are things that at this point in my life I no longer care to be around. And I for sure can’t have my son around them.”
My brows lifted because I wasn’t quite sure what she meant. “What would that be? The fact that I smoke weed? Because I haven’t sold a drug in over a year. I’m not rich, but the shop pays my bills. When I want some extra cash for my pockets, I go to my homeboy’s shop and detail cars. I can make a few hundred in a day easy doing that.”
A smile lifted Leighton’s lips. “Rodney, I’m so proud of you.”
Shaking my head, I pushed out a slight groan. “I hate when you call me, Rodney. That means you’re serious as hell, or I’m in trouble.”
