“I guess so.”
“Just know it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t know about you. It’s all mommy’s fault and I’m sorry. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We are going to go at your pace.”
“Okay, well I hope he wants to hang out and play with me. Daddy Garrett wasn’t at home much.”
“Who wouldn’t want to spend time with you? You’re amazing.”
“Daddy Garrett.” Whewww this lil girl was too smart for her own good.
“Well, that was his lost. Goodnight, Jam.” I kissed her again before turning off her light and walking out. Going into the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of Stella Black and began drinking it right out of the bottle. It’s been one hell of a day and I didn’t have time to be boujie. Hearing my phone ring, I made sure I checked to see who was calling. Didn’t want to make a mistake and answer for a reporter. I had said everything I needed to say and that would be the last time I would speak on it. Seeing it was Tyla, I picked up.
“Hey, how are you all holding up over there?”
“The reporters have finally started moving out, and Mila seems to be okay with the news.”
“Have you talked to Devin?” I know she wanted to say I told you so, but what’s understood didn’t need to be explained.
“Yeah, we came to an understanding as well. I have some decisions to make, and being jobless will help me put things into perspective.”
“I hope you losing your job isn’t a deciding factor because they called, and you’re not fired. They want you to continue your segment, and you don’t have to worry about seeing Garrett. That nigga was definitely fired.”
“I know you fucking lying. I just knew our black asses was out after cutting up in them people shit.”
“Me too, but they said the ratings for your breaking news segment set a record and the calls you been getting in support of you was insane.”
“You know what that means, right?”
“We can ask for more munyonnnn!!” I laughed and it felt good to do so.
“Ghetto ass. Hold on. I know one of these reporters ain’t knocking at my door.” If one of them crossed the line, they were about to see the real me tonight. Swinging the door open fast, I was shocked to see Shaq standing there attempting to look sad. “Ty, let me call you back. If you don’t hear from me, come pick Mila up from the station because I went to jail.”
“Garrett, Shaq, or reporter?”
“Shaq.” Not saying anything else, I hung up the phone.
“Look, I didn’t come here to fight. I came to tell you I’m sorry. I know what I did was fucked up, and I can’t lie and say I didn’t mean it. I knew what I was doing, but I wasn’t trying to hurt you.” I looked at her like she lost her mind.
“So, you thought sleeping with my husband wouldn’t hurt me?”
“To be honest, I didn’t care if it did, but it wasn’t my intentions. You don’t even love him, but I do. I figured if it was just a contract, what would it matter to you.” I was not trying to hear this shit at all.
“Well, you can have him. Just know he will never choose you. Garrett could have ended that contract whenever he wantedto. Tell me this, did he tell you he would be with you at least once? Did he ever promise you were next in line?”
“I’m not trying to argue with you. I just feel bad how everything went down, so I wanted to apologize. You’re my blood and I was wrong. However, I wanted you to know that you had the upper hand all along. His mother won’t give him his trust if he cheats. If he tries to hold you to your contract, you have a sure way out. I love you, and I’m sorry for everything.” I looked at her long and hard before I punched that bitch in the mouth with all my might. Grabbing her by the hair, I dragged her to the porch.
“Girl, none of that shit moves me. If you wanted to help me, you could have told me that before I put everything out there. I broke the contract on my own because I refused to let that nigga have a hold on me one more day. You’re only telling me this now because you think me leaving will pave the way for you. He will never choose you. So, when you’re tired of being his cum rag, I hope he has some money left to pay you for your services.” Walking in my house, I slammed the door.
28-GARRETT JOHNSON
“What do you mean it declined? Do you know who the fuck I am and how much money I have? Swipe it again.” The bitch at Starbucks was getting on my nerves. I could see her staring at me as if I was a broke bum trying to get over. I know I looked disheveled because I haven’t groomed myself in days. It’s been three weeks since that fiasco at the studio, and my life had been going down the drain since.
Out of all the years I gave to the media, they turned on me with one mistake. I’ve applied at every news station only to be turned down like I was a no name rookie. Obviously, I didn’t know my mic was hot. I’m not going to lie and say I was only speaking out of anger; I spoke my truth in what I thought was a private moment. They had no right to make that public. Hell, it was the network’s fault. When they saw my shit was on, why wouldn’t they cut to commercial?
“Sir, it declined again.” Snatching my card, I walked outside and went next door to the ATM. Putting my card in, I tried to withdraw some money, but it declined saying insufficient funds. Pulling my phone out, I went to my bank app, and sure as shit stank, my balance said zero. It took everything in me not to pass out. My mother had cut me off and the old bitch didn’t even call to warn me. Dialing her number, I waited for her to answer, but it went straight to voicemail.
Me and my mother never had a relationship. I think she saw too much of my father in me and wanted no parts. When she left him, I barely saw her. She breezed through about twice a year. My mother had so much money, she thought it fixed any problem and wondered where I got it from. Between both of my parents, they had fucked me up. My mother was the reason for my money habits, and my father was the reason I didn’t knowhow to keep my dick in my pants. Knowing I wasn’t going to break her down, I dialed Denise.
“What is it, Garrett?” The way she greeted me was completely different than before.
