Page 63 of A Hood Wife And A Rich Goon

“We past running and avoiding shit, T,” Bull told her, shaking his head. “Tell me how you feel.”

“Like I’m crazy. Like everyone is always judging me. Like I’m a horrible person for loving Bronx and then falling for his brother. I can’t change what he was to me.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Bull’s words sent her head spinning in his direction.

“He died,” she croaked. “And he wasn’t even cold in the ground before I married you and had a baby. I’m always being judged. It’s why I stay off social media platforms, so I don’t have to witness being dragged.”

“That shit don’t matter. None of those people know what’s really going on,” Bull argued.

“No, but it doesn’t mean what they say doesn’t sometimes hit close to home,” Toni mumbled. “They don’t talk about how he had a whole life I didn’t know anything about. They don’t know that Breeze is his son. They just see that I married his brother, probably for a come up, and had kids with him. It’s not the truth.” Tears welled in her eyes, and her throat locked as she choked on more.

“What is the truth?”

“The truth is, everything I thought I had with Bronx, I found in you. I don’t know how it happened, but I remembered when.” A smile turned up the corners of her full lips. “I was pregnant, and a hormonal mess. You had every reason to snap and go off on me, and occasionally, you did.” She nudged him, gaining a simper as he dropped his head. “I remember falling asleep and Breeze being wound so tight inside me. The only thing that calmed him was the sound of your voice, or when you would stroke my stomach where he would curl up. So, when you ask me if I love you like I loved him, the answer is no. The truth is, until you and Breeze, I had no idea what love was. What I had with Bronx was something fleeting, a whirlwind. I wouldn’t wish it away because it still brought us Breeze, but what we’ve built together is a family, Bezai. Nothing can compare to that. So, take that shit how you want, but I love you, and I know that much.” When she attempted to sit up again, she had a little more attitude than she did before.

“I love you too,” Bull told her between slow, sensuous kisses as his hand rested against her racing heart.

Saddling up on his lap, Toni lifted herself over his hips, positioned herself at the tip of his hardened length, and guided him back into her slick core.

CHAPTER 12

LONELY HEARTS

A couple of nights later…

Aconfused frown covered Lotus’s face when she heard the tapping at her front door. She stared at the white stick in her hand, blindsided by what she saw. Standing in front of her bathroom mirror, her reflection unsettled her. She shook her head, wrapped the pregnancy test in a piece of tissue, and tossed it in the trash can. There was no fucking way.

After washing her hands, she emerged into her living room and started toward the front door. It was Sunday night, and she’d spent most of her day behind these walls. She flung her door open, and surprise erupted over her face when she found her parents, nieces, and Rhema on the other side. The girls carried board games, Rhema held up a bottle of wine, and her parents both gripped trays of food.

“What are you doing here?” Lotus questioned.

“Game night.” They all pushed past her inside and went to set up shop in her small dining room area, which was a small space, only big enough for one table and four chairs.

“I must have missed the group text.” Lotus closed the door and locked it before spinning to face them.

“Well, the girls don’t have school tomorrow, and we thought you might want some company.” Rhema set the bottle of wine on the L shaped island that also served as a barrier between the kitchen and the rest of the apartment.

“I’m not really in the mood⁠—”

“We know.” Kissa shook out of her jacket and placed it on the back of a chair. “Girls, take the games over to the living room. We have wings, some queso dip, and brownies for dessert.”

Her father also brought his own six pack and twisted the cap off one of the brews before following his granddaughters into the living room and snatching the remote from the table. He wanted to catch up on football.

“Lo, help me with the wine.” Rhema held up the bottle and went into the kitchen.

“I really ain’t up to this, Rhem.”

“Come on. Jewel had to work late. I finally have a day off tomorrow, too, so I want to indulge a little.” Rhema moved around the kitchen, going through cabinets until she came across the cups and various wine glasses.

“Well, you have at it. I’m good.” Lotus slid onto a bar stool on the other side of the counter and rested her elbows on top.

“You still feeling sick?” Rhema used the wine screw to uncork the bottle of Merlot and poured herself a tall glass.

“When were you sick?” Kissa asked, approaching and handing her a plate she’d just made.

“The other night. I’m just tired now.” Lotus accepted the plate and set it in front of her, but she wasn’t hungry.

Her appetite had been off, and everything she normally liked made her stomach turn now.