Page 44 of More to Love

Things weren’t supposed to be like this, but I was glad they were moving in a direction where I was pushed to choose. Playing with both women wasn’t me at all. I was raised better than that. Going through all this, I knew I was going to have to go see my grandfather sooner than later.

As soon as we pulled up in front of Sorimah’s building, I looked at Dex. This was my woman’s building, and he didn’t ask for a lick of direction on how to get here. I was seconds away from hitting him in his grill.

“Don’t start. Erykah has a bedroom here.”

“Yeah aight.”

We parked and headed up with me leading. I was upset that everyone in the building knew Dex. If he and Ri had something going on behind my back, I knew something. Walking up to her door, we pulled out our keys at the same time.

“I’m just joking bro’ damn. I ain’t got no fuckin’ key to her shit. Erykah ain’t even disrespectful like that.”

“Get hit nigga,” I said unlocking the door.

When I walked in, I was hit with some R&B jams flowing and laughs coming from the living room. I didn’t want to come in with hostile energy, so I shook off the bull crap I’d been hit with earlier. I assumed the person beside her was EJ because once she saw us, she took off running in our direction with her arms open wide.

Dex picked her up and they swapped gestures of affection. Sorimah looked at me and gave me that infectious smile she was known for. Her energy was bright at the moment, and I hated to be the one to dim it but we had things to discuss.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” she inquired headed in my direction requesting a hug as well.

I brought her in to me and stayed wrapped around her for a minute breathing in her sweet perfume. I didn’t know if I would have the privilege to do this again. I knew me and my temper was going to bring distance if she said anything that wasn’t to my liking.

“Can we talk for a minute?”

“Yeah. Let me introduce you to EJ first. Y’all have heard about each other but never formally met. Dex let her go for a minute.”

“And explain to me how you knew Dex and didn’t say a word about him to me?” I said stepping back with a confused expression.

“Because whatever he does with EJ isn’t my business. If he wanted you to know, he would’ve told you. I don’t mind them being together either so you shouldn’t either. Anyway, Hendrix meet Erykah, EJ this is the man that…”

“Yeah, I got it. Nice to officially meet you Hendrix. I approved you already so continue,” she said giving her attention back to Dex.

“Well, we can head to the balcony and get some fresh air. Is there something wrong though? You have those worry lines on your forehead.”

“It’s some junk going on and I just need some truth right now.”

“Okay,” she said softly.

She grabbed my hand and ushered me outside to the balcony. We were thousands of feet up in the air and she had the perfect view of the city. I loved to sit out on her balcony at night to think. She was blessed to be able to provide for herself the way she did. I knew my child would be well taken care of whether she wanted me in the picture or not.

We took a seat, and she closed the door. When we were together, the world moved slower and any problems I had seemed to cease. However, this time, I felt like everything was on an Amtrak train not giving us time to process a thing.

“So, what’s up? Did something happen at work?”

“Yeah, it did. I was visited by Avi, and she let some things slip from her lips. She mentioned you were pregnant and insinuated that I was the father. What’s the truth behind that?”

She let go of my hand and stood. That told me everything I needed to know. I wasn’t mad yet, but I was curious as to why she wouldn’t tell me about the child. I was partially responsible for it.

“Goofy ass bitch really ran her lips. Look, I was still processing it for myself and weighing out my options.”

“Weighing out your options? As in what, an abortion? ‘Cause let’s be clear, that wasn’t happening no matter what we had going on.”

“This is my body Hendrix. I can do whatever the hell I please with it,” she snapped. “You have a family to worry about already and I keep telling you to leave me the fuck alone and you won’t. You nor that broke ass bitch has any say so about this.” She pointed to her stomach.

I loved Sorimah, but I wasn’t the one to try. It was time she learned this chill demeanor had a demon behind it. Jumping up from my chair, I was in her face in point five seconds.

“Hear me when I say this. I’ll drop you off this balcony myself if my child doesn’t make it into this world. If you ever think about leaving me, I’ll make sure your family never see you again and I won’t have to kill you to do it. Sorimah you and me both know who the hell you belong to. You better get some act right before this end bad for you.”

“Fuck you Hendrix. I was trying to do you a favor by staying away so you could keep that beautiful one in your life. You so worried about me but willing to sleep next to a bitch that has an affair going on with a married man who’s one of EJ’s good friends at that. Worry about the home you built with her before you come over here making threats. Whatever I choose to do with this baby, doesn’t concern you. Now, get the fuck out my house.”