I just hoped she’d say yes.
I let Alexandria know I’d be stepping out and headed to the parking garage.
The contract sat in the passenger seat like a loaded gun.
I was halfway to Magnolia Gardens when my phone rang through the car’s Bluetooth.
Kaisen’s name lit up the dashboard.
I almost didn’t answer.
But ignoring him would only make it worse.
I hit the button on the steering wheel. “What?”
“Man, what the fuck is going on with you?”
I kept my eyes on the road. Poydras Street stretched ahead of me, sunlight cutting through buildings in sharp, golden lines.
“I’m busy, Kaisen.”
“Nah, see, that’s the problem.” His voice was tight, angry. “You been busy ever since you started this surrogacy shit. Acting weird as hell toward me. Like I did something.”
“You did do something.”
“That wasyearsago, Amai.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Why is Priest handling the docks?” Kaisen’s voice rose. “That’s my territory. That’smyresponsibility. And why the fuck didn’t you tell me somebody tried to rob your jewelry store? I had to hear that shit from Syx!”
I changed lanes, cutting off a Honda that honked at me.
“Priest handles what I tell him to handle,” I said, my voice flat. “And I don’t report to you. I’m getting dead on Syx’s ass when I get home about telling my fuckin’ business.”
“I’m your number two!”
“No.” I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “You’re mybrother. There’s a difference.”
Silence.
Then, “So that’s how it is now? You just cut me out?”
“I didn’t cut you out. I’m handling my business.”
“Your business?” Kaisen laughed, bitter and sharp. “This surrogacy shit got you acting like you don’t trust nobody. Like you gotta do everything yourself. Like I’m not?—”
“Stop being a bedazzled bitch and chill.”
Kaisen went quiet.
I could hear him breathing on the other end of the line.
“Amai,” he said finally, his voice softer now. Careful. “I know I fucked up. I know that. I’ve apologized a million times about—about your baby jizz and all that shit. I was high as fuck that night we fought. You know that. I wasn’t thinking straight. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt like that.”
My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth would crack.
“I’ve been clean foryears,” Kaisen continued. “You know I have. I go to meetings. I stay away from that shit. I’m not that person anymore. But you—you won’t let it go. You keep holding it over my head like I’m still the same fuck-up I was back then.”
