Page 54 of Just Listen
“I like how he didn’t find out about Khari, and just went on with his day,” my mama admitted.
Malice had indeed stuck beside us the entire time we were shopping. I honestly wasn’t mad at it…after a while. Because he kept the baby preoccupied, while I focused on finding a fit for the night. Of course, it was a bit awkward, but we all managed to push through it.
“Yeah, that was something,” I mumbled.
My mama smiled. “You know…I know you better than you know yourself, right?”
I cut my eyes at her. “Why you say that?”
“Because I can tell when you’re fronting. Trying to act all unbothered, but I see through that. You like that boy. That’s why you named her Khari. If it was just a pregnancy that you really didn’t want and didn’t have a connection with the daddy, then he wouldn’t have been a thought when you named her. You just got a big ego…which I understand, because you’re my child. So, I get it.”
I sighed. “But me liking him or not really doesn’t matter in this situation. Me keeping my distance is about his girlfriend. We can’t look past that.”
“Right.” She nodded. “You think that she’ll accept Khari?”
I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. She’ll probably be pissed…but will eventually forgive him.”
“I can see that. He’s a handsome dude. That drop top beamer he was driving looked like it was fresh off the showroom floor. He seems respectable. So, she probably would hold on.”
“And she has every right to do so. On my end, I just don’t wanna be one of those girls. Trying to snatch the next woman’s happiness. So, I’m not focusing on anything but raising Khari.He can be a part of her life, as long as he’s consistent. And that’s that.”
My mama smirked. “Nothing is ever that simple, baby. No matter how mature you try to approach the situation. You only have control overyouractions, and once you opened your mouth, you then invited these other people into the equation. And you can’t make no plans according to them. Not to mention, she’s small, and co-parenting with a baby is nearly impossible. That’s why most sane women avoid men with newborns.”
“Right, I get that…but what are you saying, mama?” I wanted to know.
“I don’t think that this will just be about co-parenting with him, and his little girlfriend will be heartbroken. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t wish that upon no woman. But you’re my child, before anything. So, fuck her.”
***
I don’t know why, but I’d been having crazy butterflies in my stomach ever since I’d left the mall. I was supposed to be focusing on going to turn up with one of my favorite cousins for her birthday, but as everybody was cackling around me, I found myself mentally drifting off.
Tootie aka Lady Red had insisted that we pre-game at her house, before boarding a party bus that would bring us to the club. So, there were about twenty of us, all getting ready together, and drinking along the way.
Naturally, there were a bunch of divas in the building, so there were multiple hair stylists and make-up artists on-site. So, I was currently sitting in a chair, getting my hair curled. My make-up was already done, but I hadn’t gotten dressed yet, so I was still rocking Alo leggings and sports bra.
“Here.” Tootie handed a shot glass to me. “Take this to the head, because you’ve been way too quiet. And that’s so unlike you.”
Since it was her birthday, and she had a houseful, I hadn’t mentioned my run-in with Malice. So, she was clueless.
“I got a lot on my mind, hell,” I divulged, before taking the shot to the head.
“Oh, really?” She arched a brow. “And that means that when we go to brunch tomorrow, you’re gonna tell me all about it.”
“Damn,” I sighed. “I almost forgot about your brunch. And I done told this nigga that we’re gonna handle our situation tomorrow. So, I’ma have to take a raincheck on somebody.”
She hooded her eyes. “What nigga? And if anybody’s getting the raincheck, then it better be his ass. Whoever he is.”
“Girl, it’s a lot, but you know—” I got out, before my phone buzzed with a Facetime call.
Lifting my phone, I saw that it was him.
“Fuck,” I grumbled. “Day, let me take this call, right quick. You can work on somebody else, until I come back,” I offered, before easing out of the chair. With so many people around, I didn’t want to talk in front of anybody.
“Who is that?” Tootie nosily questioned, as I scurried off to the bathroom.
I lifted a hand. “Mind your business.” Right after, I locked myself in the bathroom, and sat on the toilet, before finally answering. “Hey.”
“Aye, what’s up?” He asked coolly, while he was clearly sitting in a car.
