I smiled at her. “That was sweet, baby girl. I’ll see when’s the next time they’re available, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Where are your sister and brothers?” I asked, walking with her still in my arms toward my mother’s sunroom, where I knew she loved to be.
“The boys are with Daddy and Grandpop, and Sahira is taking a nap.”
“Cool. I’m going to talk to Nama for a minute, then I’ll take you and your sister to get ice cream, okay?”
“Okay!” I kissed her cheek then set her back on her feet while she ran back into the living room. I headed to the sunroom and saw my moms and Sheena sitting in the lounge area, sipping mimosas.
“Ladies,” I greeted as I walked over and kissed their cheeks.
“Hey, Brother B,” Sheena replied.
“Hey, baby boy. How are you?” Moms asked. I took a seat in the chair across from them and let out a sigh.
“Uh-oh. What happened?” Sheena asked.
“Where my brother at?” I ignored her question.
“Brendan’s basketball game.”
“Damn. I totally forgot about his game. Shit.”
“He said he called you to remind you this morning, but your phone was going to voicemail.”
“Yeah, it died last night, and I forgot to charge it.” I placed my palms on my head, interlocking my fingers as I stared up at the sky through the glass, in deep thought.
I didn’t regret what happened last night; I was just upset that I allowed my feelings to get involved,knowingshit was going to end this way. I didn’t blame Alicia. I only wished she would look past that fuck nigga and what he’d done and see that I could love her better than his ass ever could.
“Basil?” Mom questioned after a moment of silence.
I gave her my attention while they both stared at me. “My bad. I’m just a little tired.”
“What’s going on, baby boy? I know you didn’t come over for no reason.”
I smiled at her. “I can’t just want to come see my beautiful mother?”
She waved me off. “Please. I know it’s not uncommon for you to drop by, but you’ve been holed up at your client’s house and haven’t been around lately. This is the third weekend you have graced me with your presence. You got that look on your face, so I know something is wrong.”
I sighed. “I could never get anything past you.” I chuckled. “I made a mistake, and now I’m in my feelings about it. But it’s all good. I know how to bounce back now.”
“You fell for your boss, didn’t you?” Sheena called me out. I didn’t say anything, and that only further gave her ammunition to get in my business. “I knew it! Mama, I told you he was over there playing house with that lady and not doing his job, didn’t I?”
Mama chuckled. “You did.”
“Wait a minute. I am doing my job, miss know-it-all,” I countered.
“Yeah, and doing the mama too.” They both laughed at my expense, and I was going to let them have that. I couldn’t dispute shit that was true.
“Okay, okay, let’s focus here. What’s the issue, Son?”
“I guess I thought too far ahead when I took the job. I saw her twice prior to her choosing my services, and I liked her. I felt like God kept placing her in my path for a reason. I also knew that she was married, but I still had the urge to take the job.”
Gloria’s eyebrows dipped dangerously low, and I knew she was about to rip into my ass. I just didn’t know exactly what for. “So, you went under thatmarriedwoman’s roof and have her cheating on her husband with you because youlikedher? You know better than that, Basil Lamont!”
“You know I’m not that type of man, Ma. She’s going through a divorce?—”
