“You ain’t move like that. You ain’t move like that at all.”
“After always doing what was best for you and the relationship, I had to do what was best for me.”
My lip curled up at her statement. “Fuck is that supposed to mean? You talkin’ in riddles right now.”
She inhaled sharply. “Nothing, Pryce.”
“Nah. Say it. Because clearly you felt leaving was the best thing for you to do. You wanted out. You got out. Why hide the pregnancy?”
“I didn’t want out, Pryce! I wanted in!”
“You should’ve stayed,” I replied simply.
“For what? To do more of this?”
“More of what?”
“Fight to be heard.”
I didn’t have a quick comeback for that one, so I let the words sit between us, maybe because I’d heard this before or maybe because I felt that her fight to be heard didn’t override the fact that she’d robbed me of some important moments.
I watched as she winced and shifted on the couch, pressing her hand on her side.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, instinctively standing up.
“Nothing. My side is just a little sore from sleeping on this couch. I’m fine.”
I remained standing, watching her body language to see if she was telling the truth, before sitting back down. Every littlething with her body meant something different now. I had to pay attention to every move, every pause, and be able to pick up on things that she ignored.
“You’re not pregnant, Adai. We’re pregnant.”
“I understand that.”
“Act like it.”
She rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. I went to say something else, but her ringing phone cut me off. Fishing for it between the cushions, she picked it up.
“Hey, Key.”She answered on speaker, all jovial and shit.
“Hey, boo. I got your message yesterday. I’m so happy you’re back. You busy today? I have some last-minute stuff to do and could use a hand and the company.”
“Nope. Not busy. I just have to get showered and dressed.”
“No,”I said loud enough for Key to hear me.
“Ahhh, shit. Mr. Grinch got to you before I could,”Key joked. “You can’t hog her the whole time she’s here. We won’t even be out long.”
“Key, I’m grown. I said I’ma take a shower and get dressed,”Adai repeated matter-of-factly.
“You heard what I said, Kyiris.”I doubled down.
“Umm, how bout you call me back, Dai?”Key suggested.
“I will. As soon as I’m dressed,”she assured before hanging up.
“We still got shit to discuss.”
She looked at me like I had lost my mind. “Pryce, I’m not about to be held hostage in my house.”
