Before I realized I was doing it, my lip curled up. I put one hand on my hip, the other on my belly, and shifted my weight to one side. “If somebody looking for you,” I started, trying to keep my tone even, “you can go. I can go get ready as planned and go about my business with Key.”
So much for holding it down. I failed miserably at that as soon as my hand hit my hip. Completely ignoring me, he grabbed a loaf of bread from my pantry.
“I know you said you ain’t hungry, but I’m gonna feed my baby anyway. I’ma make you a grilled cheese sandwich, but I’ll settle for half.”
“You do know that I’m the one doing the chewing and not the baby, right?”
“Dai, lemme feed my child, aight?”
“You irritating,” I said, climbing up on one of the barstools at the island. “Did you hear what I said?” I spoke to his back, while he moved around my kitchen like it was his own –– the way he used to.
“About?”
“You leaving to go to whoever’s looking for you,” I repeated, salty.
“I’m not tied to nobody that need to know my whereabouts or what I have going on.”
He didn’t think about his response, which made me feel a little better. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t a somebody. It just meant that she didn’t hold a position yet. I’d be crazy to think he hadn’t moved on in some capacity. I mean, it had been six months.
Niggas were known to move on in twenty-four hours if they found a woman that fit the bill. Just giving it out. I was almost positive that he’d been out fucking some girl’s head up with that death stroke. I rolled my eyes, hating that even crossed my mind.
“Say what you gotta say, Dai,” he said with his back turned to me as he cooked.
“I don’t have anything to say. You grown. I’m just letting you know that I don’t need to be watched. I also don’t need no problems with your bitches while I’m pregnant. But you know I’ve never been one to walk away from a problem if it’s brought to me.” I wanted to make it clear that I would still beat a bitch ass if it came down to it.
He turned to me. “Bitches ever been a problem for you when it came to me, Adai?” he questioned.
“No. But we were together. Now, we’re not. I just wanna be clear.”
“You ain’t gotta be clear on that.”
His statement made me feel a way, likely because he hadn’t confirmed or denied that there was a bitch or bitches I needed to be aware of. Feeling like I’d already showed my hand enough, I decided not to say anything else. Unlocking my phone, I went to send a message to Kyiris when a text from her came through.
Big Key Not The Lil’ One: Lemme guess, Mr. Grinch said you can’t go, and he’s currently holding you hostage, but not against your will?
Me: Bitch, ain’t nobody scared of him. But come get me though.
Big Key Not The Lil’ One: And here I was about to give you your props for standing on business. Not you wanting me to help you escape. Wya, Scariana? His house?
Me: Lmao. No. Mine.
Big Key Not The Lil’ One: Okay. Once I leave this store, I’m headed your way. Try to be dressed… scratch that. We’ll figure it out when I get there. Be ready to jump that nigga if it go left. Matta fact, we gon’ need help. Call Eb. Tell her to come too.
Me: Okay. I’ma text her. And y’all gon’ have to fight. I’m in no condition to do so.
Big Key Not The Lil’ One: Okay, Scariana. Love don’t make you disabled, by the way, heffa.
Exiting our thread, I went to text Ebone when Pryce called my name.
“Dai.”
“Hmm?” I responded with my face still in my phone.
“Dead that shit with the rapper nigga.”
My head shot up. “What?”
“So long as you carrying my seed,” he said calmly, “it’s quiet on whatever y’all had going on. You wanna talk, call one of ya girls, ya parents, or me. You wanna chill, same thing. You wanna fuck, get acquainted witcha Rose or call me. But you and that nigga is a dead issue.”
