Page 29 of More to Love

Ri chimed in right on time putting a halt to the conversation so Princess wouldn’t hear how we spoke to each other. She gathered both of their plates and stepped out back to the patio. It was gestures like that that gave her an advantage. She put my baby first and that was the quickest way to win me over.

Once the door was closed, we went toe to toe trying to get our point across. I could understand her seeking out help like Sorimah if she was legit waking up every day doing what a kept woman was supposed to do. The least she could do was put time in with our daughter if nothing else. She was going to regret neglecting Akeera and I wasn’t going to be there to clean up the mess.

“What’s your problem Avi? Why don’t you want to put in time with our daughter? If I wasn’t around, there’s no telling how her life would be right now.”

“I don’t know how many times I have to keep telling you that my daughter is fine but I’m tired of repeating myself. I have things to do, and I can’t wait on her hand and foot or you for that matter.”

“What the hell are you doing all day Avi? And I dare you to lie to me, I’ll call in a favor and have your past locations pulled up right now.”

You could see the fear in her quickly present itself. She was hiding something, but I was giving her the chance to come clean about whatever she was out here doing. I was over this back-and-forth junk with her. She had an easy life, and I wasn’t the type of nigga to hover, so I gave her space to move freely.

“Well, I wasn’t going to tell you about this until I had the prototypes back, but I guess you’re not going to give me that. I’m always busy because I’m designing my own shoe line. I’m trying to be more than someone who spends your money.”

I sat quietly and watched her expressions intently. She wasn’t known to be a liar but nowadays you never know what a person’s intentions with you were. The connection we started with wasn’t the connection we have now. Hell, she could’ve been out getting her revenge for all I knew.

“What’s the name of it?”

“Spades.”

I had yet to break eye contact. Her excuse fit for staying out all day long, but I was still curious as to why we needed a nanny. She was home by dinner every day and on the weekends, she tried to give a little time around the house. We didn’t need Sorimah.

Those seven days I gave her to think about us gave her time to go out and do more dumb mess. She came back with a stranger in our home and thought that was okay. She was playing with fire but in a way that would leave her burned. If she ever saw how I looked at Ri or even felt about her, this whole thing would be over.

“Okay. Let’s say I believe this bull crap you spitting, who footing the bill for this?”

“That’s all you. You were paying for this shit whether you cheated on me or not. It’s something I want.”

“You don’t know what asking means do you?”

“Why the fuck would I ask to spend your money? I open my legs to you on the regular and that’s a fair fuckin’ exchange. Plus, you owe me this now more than ever. Stop cheating and you won’t have to do extra.”

“I messed up once. If you were going to hang this junk over my head, you should’ve gone on about your business.”

“And allow the bitch, whoever she is, to receive more than dick from you? I don’t think so. I gave you four great years and I refuse to get the hell out of something I made a home. Stop playing Checkers Hendrix. I been on the chess board.”

She stood and left me sitting alone at the table. She was here for the benefits, and she made that perfectly clear. Not once did she mention the love she had for me or the time I put into our relationship. I was a fool to believe she felt the same about me now as she once did before.

Sorimah and Akeera entered through the door again with clean plates and smiles. I pushed the conversation Avi and I had to the back burner so Princess would think it was all resolved and we were on good terms. I worried about what she saw between us more than her mother did.

“Daddy! Ri said she was going to take me to the splash pad tomorrow since it’s going to be so hot.”

“Oh yeah? Mind if I join?”

“Un huh,” she said nodding wildly. “You got a bathing suit?”

“Men wear swimming trunks baby. But yes, Daddy has a pair so don’t worry about that. I guess we can go grab some ice cream afterward then.”

“Yes!” she shouted. That was her favorite treat, and I had no problem supplying her with the things she loved in life.

“Okay beautiful one, let’s get you all washed up and bathed. I’ll be leaving soon,” Ri commented.

“Why?” Akeera whined. She had grown an attachment to Sorimah the same way I did. I knew her pain.

“Because I’ve been here all day taking care of your home, so it’s about that time for me to do the same to mine. I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning. That way you can show me your school and teacher.”

“Yay!”

“Go get some pajamas out and I’ll be right up.”