Page 74
“Where is your stuff?” I asked her.
“I just got a couple of bags. They at my homegirl house.”
“Come on, let’s go get them before I change my mind. Then I gotta stop by the shop so I can’t let my old lady know what I got going on.”
“Damn, she must really got you in check?”
“Don’t make me change my mind before we even get started.”
“I’m just playing with you, damn,” she said, rolling her eyes as she climbed off the stool.
13
Shiloh
By the time we closed up shop, Quinton still hadn’t made it to work. I hadn’t known him to miss work in the time that I had been set up at his shop. Once I was sitting in my car, I took my phone out and called him.
“Hey, baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you back,” he answered.
“Things must have been a little more serious than you thought.”
“Hell yeah. I been tied up all morning. I told the guys to hold it down without me.”
“Do you need me?” I asked, wondering if there was anything I could do to help his situation.
“Nah, I got it. My son’s mom needed my help. I thought it would be a quick thing, but it’s taking longer than I thought it would. I was going to come by the shop and talk to you, but we’re just finishing up at the store.”
“Um, OK. Do I need to pick the boys up from school?”
“Actually, that might be a good idea. I’m so sorry, baby. I thought I would be done by now.”
“I’ll go grab them. I’m headed to get Trey Trey now.”
“Thank you again, baby.”
Quinton ended the call first, and I pulled out of the parking lot and headed to get my baby from day care. What the hell did he mean he was helping his son’s mother? I liked him and all, but I wasn’t about to play anybody’s games.
First, she was showing up at his house all times of morning. Now he was skipping work to help her. What kind of help did she need that he had to miss work?
Before I could descend down the slippery slope of jealousy, I pulled up to Tiny Scholars. It only took a few minutes for me to get Trey from his class. On my way out of the building, I stopped by the front desk.
“Hey, Bridgette. I haven’t forgotten about this week’s payment. I’ll drop it off tomorrow,” I explained to the woman who ran the business office.
“Trey Trey’s dad paid the balance for the month.”
“He did?” I asked, frowning at her statement.
“Yeah. He dropped it off the last time he picked him up.”
“Ooooh,” I drawled once I realized that she was referring to Quinton.
“Yes, ma’am. He took care of it. I could have sworn that slim guy was his daddy. Trey’s dad explained that the other guy was just a friend of the family that helped you out from time to time.”
“Did he now?” I asked, trying not to laugh at Quinton’s antics.
“He did. I’m glad he’s been more present. Trey seems to love him.”
“He’s pretty good with him.” I agreed.
