“I’ll come inside in a second, Kitty!” he yelled from his truck.
Since a shower was calling my name, I went inside and headed straight to the bathroom. I stayed under the showerhead for at least twenty minutes, and when I returned to the front of the house, Neptune was walking through the door.
“Hey, baby boo!” I smiled and hopped into his arms like a puppy that missed their owner.
“You’re smiling. I guess lunch went well.”
“Nah, it was as bad as I expected. My brother is upset that I won’t work as his assistant, but he’ll get over it.”
I ran my hand over Neptune’s waves as he carried me to the couch. With me in his arms, he sat down, then released a heavy exhale. I studied his body language and noticed his shoulders were tense. He let his head fall back on the couch like his neck was too weak to carry it.
“You don’t look like you’ve had the best day,” I declared.
“I had a meeting, and shit went left. Levi is back around, and his father thinks he should be considered for a spot at the table. I don’t want to talk about that shit.” He slipped a hand under my oversized t-shirt and squeezed my ass. “Let’s talk about something more important. Are you ready to take a pregnancy test?”
“Oh Lord. Neptune, do you want me to be pregnant out of love or convenience?”
“Don’t insult me, Kannon.”
“That’s not my intention. I just know how much taking over the casino means to you. I also know having a kid is an obligation to inherit that role.”
“But you’re not obligated to have my baby to receive my love. Evenifit’s just me and you, living in the house on the hill, I would be happy. Just promise you’ll greet me with no panties on like you did today.”
I moved to get off Neptune’s lap, but he glided his hands up the sides of my face.
“I can’t keep smoking around you if you’re carrying my baby. You’re going to take the test, then I’m going to feed you before I leave. I have to go to the casino in a few hours.”
“All right. Let’s get this over with.”
“Bet. I’ll be right back. I left the Walgreen’s bag in the car.”
Unsure of what to do with myself once I was alone, I sat on the couch and twirled my thumbs. I didn’t want the test to be positive, but I worried how Neptune would feel if it were negative. Our relationship was fresh, though we first had sex almost three months ago, and I told my brother about him less than two hours ago. Now wasn’t the time to have a baby, especially when I had just warmed up to the idea of starting my business.
Pow!
Pow!
My jumping knee stiffened at the sound of gunshots. My first thought was to hit the floor, then I remembered Neptune was outside.
“Neptune! Neptune!” I screamed as I busted through the door, wearing nothing but a long shirt that touched my knees.
A surge of relief deflated my chest when I laid eyes on him. He held a gun bigger than my head, but the vacant stare on his face made me believe he had gotten shot.
“Baby!” I patted his chest in a panic. “Are you okay? Talk to me! What happened?”
His limbs didn’t budge, but his eyes were dark when they found me.
“Some young niggas tried to rob me.”
That was all he said before he grabbed my hand and led me into the house.
Chapter 10
Neptune
“Tune. What’s wrong, baby?”
My head hit a sharp right. “What makes you think there’s something wrong?”
