Amir started jumping up and down, cheering. “He did it! He said he would do it!”
I walked over to him, trying to get him to calm down.
“What did your dad say he would do?”
Amir caught his breath.
“Dad said that he would have me moved in before y’all get married, he promised, and he did it! I knew talking to Mommy would work!”
I smiled as he hugged me.
“I’m so happy for you, Amir! Welcome home!”
“I’ma put the TV up.”
“Hol up, lil’ nigga,” I said, stopping him from dragging it up the hall. “Let’s wait for your father.”
He sucked his teeth and agreed, and went on to the living room to watch TV.
While he was coolin, I put my headphones on and started dinner. After a while, I heard and felt the door slam shut, and I looked up to see Love storming in with a look on his face that I never saw before.
I slid my headphones off and gave him a slight smile.
“Hey baby, how was your day?” I asked.
“Where were you yesterday?”
I thought about it before I answered.
“I was at Deja’s house. We did wedding planning.”
Love stared at me for a long second.
“Islah, you know I love you, mamas. I’m trying not to spazz the fuck out right now! Where the fuck were you yesterday—what did you do other than chill with your girls?”
I paused again and placed my knife on the counter, looking him straight in the eyes.
“I was with my girls, baby. I don’t know what else you want from me.”
My heart was beating in my ears, and my knees were weak behind that island, knowing that I was lying to him.
Love unlocked his phone, pressed something, then slid it across the island.
“What the fuck is this then?”
I slowly picked up the phone and saw a picture of me sitting with Bully and Gio. I looked up from the phone, and Love was staring at me like he was ready to come across the island.
“Baby, it was?—”
“Why the fuck would you go meet with that nigga? What the fuck are you on?!” he barked, cutting me off.
My chest tightened instantly.
“Lower your voice,” I said quickly, glancing toward the hallway where Amir was.
“Mann, I do not want to hear that shit. I’m not lowering shit right now!” Love snapped. “You just lied to my fuckin’ face.”
“It wasn’t like that, baby.”
