Page 58 of After the Knockout
“What?” She threw both hands up. “Respectfully.”
“Girl, you trouble.” Pops laughed and shook his head.
“I’ve been told.”
“See, I like her.” Jaylen pointed at her.
“You ready?” KO asked, stepping closer to me. My stomach fluttered because, apparently, I had no shame, no backbone, and no control over my internal organs when it came to this man.
“I’m ready.”
“Where y’all going?” Dakoda’s head snapped up.
“Out,” KO answered.
“Like a date?”
I opened my mouth and quickly closed it. We hadn’t told Dakoda about us yet. Everything was still new, and we didn’t want to get his hopes up too soon.
“Nah, like two friends hanging out.”
“Y’all better not kiss.” Nia covered her mouth, and Pops looked away. “I know what kissing makes. Kissing makes babies.”
“Oh my God!” I gasped, and Jaylen fell backward onto the wall laughing while Nia screamed into her hand.
“Go play with your toys!” KO barked, and Dakoda ran back over to the couch and grabbed his dinosaurs. “Don’t buy him shit else.” KO looked between Jaylen and Pops.
“And don’t let him stay up too late,” I added.
“We got this. If I can raise these two knuckleheads, I can handle one night with my grandson.” Pops waved us off, and I nodded.
“Good night, Dae-Dae.” I blew him a kiss as KO opened the door.
“Don’t make another baby!” Dakoda yelled behind us, and I damn near choked on my spit.
“Good night, Dakoda!” KO shut the apartment door, shaking his head. “Your son is grown.”
“Our son,” I corrected him.
“Whatever. Come on. We got places to be.” He led me down the hallway.
An hour later, and I was convinced KO had lured me out in the middle of nowhere to finally get rid of me. The more darker roads we turned down, the more nervous I became. No matter how nosy I had been, this man hadn’t answered a single question since picking me up. Every time I asked where we were going, he’d either change the subject, turn the music up, or tell me to be patient.
“You gon’ tell me where we at now?” I asked as he parked the car.
“Nope.”
“KO.”
“You’ll see in a minute.”
“You annoying.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
I rolled my eyes and reached for the door handle, but it didn’t budge. My head immediately snapped toward KO, who was sitting there hitting the locks.
“Really?” I questioned.
