Ari got ready to say something, but Nova stopped her.
“Look. The tension between the two of you is high, and I think it’s best for the two of you to get some space. You and I wanted to try that new seafood spot anyway, so this will give you time to yourself. You hardly ever get a break, sis.”
I started to say something smart, but I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.
“I don’t have an issue with him taking them to get food. My issue is his shitty ass attitude and his threat to take my kids,” Ari spat with her arms folded across her chest. My eyes were temporarily distracted by her titties, as they were much larger than they had been when we were younger.
“I’m not threatening anything. I’m simply making my intentions clear. You’ve kept them away from me long enough, so I don’t see why it would be an issue for me to get them for a few days so I can get to know them.”
“Kept them from you? Yeah, I see you’re really delusional. How could I have kept them from you when I told you I was pregnant, dumb ass? You sound stupid as fuck, but I’m not even in the mood to argue with you. I’ll fuck around and put my hands on you, and they don’t need to see their daddy get his ass beat in this parking lot.”
“You don’t even believe the bullshit coming out of your mouth, lil’ mama. I’m not the nigga to play with, and you know that. If you put your hands on me, we gon’ be tussling in this parking lot. I promise this ain’t what you want.”
“I’m not the same young girl you used to know. I’m not running from any smoke,” Ari sassed.
“Yeah, you’re right about that. The girl I used to love would never have done no flaw shit like you. I don’t know who you are, shorty. Just know, behind my kids, I’ma act a fool. Y’all ladies enjoy your night.”
I retrieved the seats and then headed to my truck to buckle them. One of the guys on my security team helped me secure them. Kiaya and Keyami continued to talk their heads off while Keyaire sat in his seat, playing on his iPad. He didn’t want to sit in his booster seat since Keyami didn’t have one, but I explained to him that she was older. He wasn’t happy, but he accepted my answer for the time being.
Once I made sure they were set, I closed the door and headed to the driver’s seat. Ari and Nova were still standing there watching me, and I hated the way it made me feel. Whenever I imagined our reunion, I pictured it going so differently. Never did I think there would be a day the two of us would be at odds.
“I’ll have them call you once I get them settled. I’ll send you my address as well. You need a code to get in, so don’t show up to my shit without talking to me first,” I warned.
“Yeah, whatever. Keep my kids safe.”
“Our kids. Don’t play with me, Naiari.”
“It’s Cocoa, and you heard what I said.”
I hopped into my truck and peeled off without saying another word. My security trailed me as I headed to our next destination.
As expected, the three of them had a ball. I thought for sure they would run out of energy within the first hour, but it took them three hours to settle down.
I ordered some extra pizzas and wings for the house because I figured they would be hungry later. For it to be a place for kids, their food was good as hell. After we left, I headed to the house. My team didn’t want me out too much because of my fans, so I tried to limit my time. I sent my assistant out to get everyone some pajamas.
Lyric brought my niece, Symphonee, to the arcade, so she was tagging along with us. She was a little shorter than the other kids, but you couldn’t tell her shit. Noodle kept up with them until she grew tired.
“I’m gonna need a damn minivan with all of these car seats,” I grumbled. Noodle’s arms were wrapped around my neck as she slept peacefully. I still couldn’t believe I was an uncle.
“You aren’t lying. Between your kids and Noodle, a little team is forming. Let’s hope there are no more secret children out there in the world. I don’t think we can handle any more,” Lyric joked.
“Fuck you. I’ve only run up in one person raw, so I’m not worried. I still can’t believe this shit,” I admitted, laying a sleeping Noodle on my couch. I had only been free for six months, but my people made sure I came home to a fully furnished house.
“Alright, y’all can go play in Keyami’s room, and I’ll come get y’all when it’s time for your baths.”
The three K’s raced off to Yami’s room while I put in a call for the twins’ new furniture. There were six bedrooms in this house, and I was gonna make sure they had their own space in my home.
“How are you feeling?” Lyric asked, setting a cup in front of me as she opened the bottle of Don Julio on my kitchen counter. I took a seat on the stool in front of the kitchen island, trying to figure out the answer to her question.
“I’m fucked up, Sis. I’m trying my hardest to hold it together and enjoy my time with them, but this shit is really fucking with me.”
I dragged my hand down my face, trying to conceal my feelings, but I felt a couple of tears escape. I brushed them off just as fast as they appeared because they were pointless.
“You have every right to feel the way you do. How did this happen? I knew about the two of you making things official, but you left out the part about y’all fuckin’.”
My eyes darted over to Lyric, and I had to remind myself she was grown now. My elbows rested on the table as my mind drifted back to when Naiari and I made things official.
For as long as I could remember, I loved Ari. Not only was she one of my closest friends, but she also understood me on a deeper level. She believed in a nigga, when I didn’t believe in myself, and encouraged me to go for my dreams.
