“Remember what I said.” I warned one final time.
Hussle and I walked out the house.
As soon as we got back in the car, Hussle started laughing so hard he nearly choked on his blunt.
“Nigga,” he said between laughs, “you made me leave the house for some love-sick bullshit.”
I started the car. He shook his head, still laughing.
“King,” he said, pointing at me. “You sprung.”
I smirked never denying that shit. Hearing my son’s heartbeat today sealed my fate.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Layloni
Ithought King was on some straight bullshit when he said he was coming over to bring me dinner and chill with me for the night. Hours had passed, and still no King. I sat curled up on the couch, scrolling through my phone, trying to distract myself from the disappointment creeping into my chest. I hated how this man had the power to get under my skin like this. I told myself I wasn’t about to be sitting around waiting on no man, yet here I sat doing exactly that… Waiting on more disappointment that I shouldn’t have been surprised about to begin with.
I grabbed my phone and decided to call Monty, to keep my mind off King’s ass. The phone rang once, then went straight to voicemail. I frowned down at the screen. That was strange. Monty always answered my calls. Always. Even if he was busy, he’d at least text me back right away.
I shrugged it off and tossed my phone beside me on the couch. Before I could even think too much about it, my phone rang.
My heart jumped into my throat as I snatched it up, thinking it was either King calling to explain himself or Monty calling me back.
The moment I heard Shadonna’s voice, my excitement died instantly. I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
“I didn’t mean to bother you, girl,” she started talking fast. “I was just calling to thank you for the opportunity of working at your shop. Another opportunity came up and I’m gonna be taking it, so I can’t work at the shop anymore. But I’m always here if you need extra?—”
Click.
I hung up right in her face. I wasn’t about to sit there and listen to her bullshit.
Knowing Shadonna, that “opportunity” was either a new nigga she thought was about to save her life or some trick she planned on turning for fast money. Either way, I didn’t have the energy for it tonight. I had tried to help her.
God knew I did.
I gave her a job, watched her kids, helped her get counseling, even tried to help her get back on her feet. I went above and beyond for her despite all of the bullshit attached to her. All for her to call me the day before work to quit with a half-ass thank you.
She couldn’t even give me a two-week notice. Something was always off with Shadonna. It was like no matter how much someone tried to help her; she always found a way to sabotage it.
I was tired. Tired of trying to save people who didn’t want to save themselves. All I could do now was pray for her and those babies and hope she figured her life out one day.
I stood up and stretched. Since King clearly wasn’t coming, I figured I’d go fix myself something small to eat. The moment I stepped toward my kitchen…
Knock. Knock.
My heart skipped a beat so hard it almost scared me. I froze for a second. Sometimes I hated the effect this man had on me.I didn’t even have to open the door to know it was him. I always felt King before I saw him.
I took in a slow breath then walked over and opened the door.
And there he was.
We just stared at each other for a few seconds. Neither one of us speaking.
God… this man was fine. Like criminally fine.
His dark skin looked smooth under light, and that cocky confidence he carried made it even worse. He had a green NY snapback turned backwards on his head, an all-white Polo V-neck hugging his chest, khaki cargos hanging low on his hips, and some fresh white Air Force Ones on his feet.
