I looked at her. “No, you’re not, and I’m not having this shit.”
My mother’s lips pressed together. “I asked her a few questions.”
“A few questions about what?”
“About her intentions. Because I’m your mother, and after what Tempo did to you, I am not letting you get played again.”
I stared at her. “Tempo did what she did, and I survived it. And it ended up being a blessing.”
My mother’s brows lifted. “A blessing?”
“Yes, because it freed me to be able to receive Rhythm and everything that comes with her.”
Rhythm’s hand squeezed mine.
My mother’s expression stayed stiff. “Sincere—”
“I’m going to talk to you later,” I cut in.
She took a step toward me. “Don’t walk away from me.”
I turned anyway, still holding Rhythm’s hand. I could hear my mother calling my name, but I kept walking, dismissing her over my shoulder. “Later, Ma.”
Once inside the car, we were quiet for a minute.
Rhythm stared out the window. She stayed quiet, like she was letting me have a moment.
“What did she say to you?” I finally asked.
“It’s not important, Sin—”
“What did she say?”
She blew a heavy breath and replied, “She told me she could tell you really liked me. She said you don’t bring many women around your family.”
“And?”
“It was sweet at first. But then she started asking questions. Like where I’m from. She asked about my family and my parents. Then she brought up my kids.”
My stomach dropped. “How?”
“She just said it like… ‘And you have children.’ Then she asked if I expected you to raise another man’s kids.”
My eyes bulged. “She said that to you?”
“Yeah. I told her my kids have a father, and that I’m not asking anyone to raise them.”
“That’s exactly what you should’ve said.”
“She kept going, though,” Rhythm added. “She said you’ve worked very hard to be where you are. She kept talking about your future.”
I scoffed under my breath. “Like you don’t have one.”
“That’s what it felt like. Like she was trying to figure out if I was a risk. I stayed respectful. But I told her I wasn’t going to stand there and be interrogated like I was trying to take something from you.”
“Good.”
“She tried to play it off like she was ‘just asking questions.’ But her tone was off. The way she said certain things was off. I told her I understood she wanted to protect you, but I was uncomfortable with how she was coming at me. Then I excused myself and walked back toward the party.”
