I watched Rylee break away from Areena and start dancing solo. She was six but still had some rhythm. That was all Somee. She refused to let Rylee be out here in these streets rhythmless.My baby is going to pop her shit. She was damn sure Rylee’s biggest cheerleader.
“I hope so because I’m not ready to fall back yet.”I smirked and he laughed.
“Felt.”
Two seconds later, me being needed was proven in real-time when Rylee shoved a little girl. My focus was more on the distraught look on her face than her putting hands on someone, which had me crossing the room to find out what the hell was going on.
“What’s wrong?”I signed after tapping Rylee’s shoulder to get her attention.
“She said you can’t be here because you’re not my dad.”Her hands moved angrily but her little face shifted into a pout. I was pissed but could hear Somee in my head telling me to be mindful of my reaction. When the little girl’s dad stepped to me signing what happened, I explained the situation after pulling Rylee back to me. The contract relaxed the tension in her body and that also helped me act like I had some sense.
“Your daughter told Rylee I can’t be here because I’m her brother not her father. Respectfully, that is none of her damn business. You might want to have that conversation with her.”
His face twisted in embarrassment as he glanced down at his daughter who harbored a sheepish look on her face.
“I apologize. That is her mother. She spends all her time on social media and talks to J-O-R-D-A-N more like a friend than a child. Some things should be off limits for children or discussed with parameters. I will talk to J-O-R-D-A-N and her mother.”
I tossed my chin and extended a hand, which he shook before he signed to his daughter.“Apologize to your friend.”
Rylee frowned.“She’s not my friend. A-R-E-E-N-A is my friend and my dress is prettier than yours.”
I smirked because my baby might not have it all figured out but at least I could respect that she didn’t have a problem creating boundaries and standing on business about what she would and wouldn’t accept from people. Kids were kids and at some point they might work it out. If they didn’t, I was cool with that, but for now, Rylee was making a decision to advocate for herself.
“Sorry,”Jordan signed with a pout and Rylee did her part.
“I’m sorry I pushed you, but you were rude and you shouldn’t be rude to people.”She shrugged and I smirked. Stand on business, my baby.
I tapped Rylee’s shoulder, deciding to be the adult I was expected to be. When she looked up, I signed,“Don’t get physical with people unless it’s called for. Use your words, okay?”
“Okay.”
Jordan and her father walked off and I lifted Rylee into my arms and carried her to the corner where chairs were set up and sat her in one, filling the spot next to her.
“Do you know what a father does?”
Her brows pinched before she shook her head. That crushed my heart because she should never be confused about the roles of people who are supposed to show up in her life. Fuck the man who ruined that for her…
“They love and protect you. Read to you, tuck you in bed at night, tell you they’re proud of you, play with you, make you feel safe, take you to school and pick you up. Tell you the best jokes and make sure you match their fly, but most of all, dads are there, always there no matter what. Do you have that?”
“Yes.”
“With who?”
She smiled big as hell.“You, but your jokes are bad.”
“Don’t come for my jokes.”I tapped her nose.“But if tonight is a place where dads can be, doesn’t that mean I can be here with you?”
She nodded and her smile grew wider.“Yes.”
“Then does her opinion matter?”
“No. Somee said opinions are like…”
Ah damn, please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.
“Names. Everybody has one. Some are good but some are bad. My name is good. It’s pretty and so is Somee.”
Somee was always on her shit.
