I stripped down to my boxers and slid into bed next to her, moving slow so I wouldn't wake her up. But soon as I laid down, she stirred, turning over to face me.
"Yatta?" Her voice was groggy, sleepy.
"Yeah, it's me. Go back to sleep."
She scooted closer, her body pressing up against mine, and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her in. She fit perfectly, her head resting on my chest, her hand on my stomach.
"You made it," she mumbled, half asleep.
"I told you I was coming."
"Mhm."
I kissed her forehead, my lips lingering there for a second. "Go to sleep, mamas. I'm right here."
"I'm glad," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I felt her body relax against mine, her breathing evening out as she drifted back to sleep. I just laid there, holding her, staring up at the ceiling. This felt right, being here with her, holding her, taking care of her. It was different from anything I ever felt before, and that shit scared me a little bit. But it also felt good.
I closed my eyes, letting myself drift off, my hand rubbing her back slowly. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Zurie
I pulled up to Jamie apartment complex on 79th, my stomach already in knots. I hated coming here, hated seeing his face, hated everything about this nigga. But it was Thanksgiving and he had been blowing up my phone all week talking 'bout he wanted to see his son.
JJ was in the backseat, playing with his tablet, oblivious to the tension I was feeling. He was only five, and he didn't really understand why Mommy and Daddy wasn't together no more, why we ain't all live in the same house. And I was gon' keep it that way for as long as I could.
"Mommy, we at Daddy house?" JJ looked up, his little face pressed against the window. "Yeah, baby. You gon' spend a few hours with Daddy, okay? Mommy gotta go to Grandma house for dinner."
"Okay!" He was excited, and that made my chest hurt. JJ loved his daddy, even though Jamie was a piece of shit. Kids didn't know any better.
I got out the car and grabbed JJ from the backseat, along with his overnight bag. Jamie said he wanted to keep him until tomorrow, and even though I ain't really want JJ staying here overnight, I agreed because I needed the break. Plus, Yatta was coming to Thanksgiving dinner and I wanted to actually enjoy myself for once.
I walked up to Jamie apartment on the second floor and knocked. He opened the door a few seconds later, standing there in some grey sweatpants and a white tee, gold chain around his neck, smelling like weed.
"What's good," he said, looking me up and down. "Damn, you look good, Zu."
I rolled my eyes, setting JJ down. "Here go JJ. I'll pick him up tomorrow around noon."
"Daddy!" JJ ran past me into the apartment, and Jamie scooped him up, spinning him around.
"What's up, lil man! You miss me?"
"Yeah!"
I turned to leave but Jamie grabbed my wrist. "Hol’ up. You ain't gon' come in for a minute?"
"No, Jamie. I gotta go."
"Come on, Zu. We ain't gotta be like this. It's Thanksgiving."
I snatched my wrist away from him. "Sir, please don't touch me. I brought JJ like you asked. That's it."
His face changed, and it was a look I knew too well. His jaw clenched, his eyes got dark.
"You always on some bullshit. I'm just tryna be nice and you acting all brand new."
