Page 98 of Own It

“Sweetheart, I just think you could’ve done better is all.” My dad shrugged, still smirking as he scooped up some of his meatloaf.

“Why the breakup?” my mom inquired, brows furrowed.

“He was sleeping with Morgin,” I stated dryly before sipping some wine.

I was only angry for that one day, and after, I was fine. I realized I was more infuriated with Morgin than Shaun as horrible as that sounded. It was true though, and I guessed it was because I had long ago stopped feeling anything for him, so him fucking around didn’t really bother me like it should’ve.

I recalled a time when one of my staff members told me they’d seen Shaun in the club talking to a woman, and I immediately recognized how little I cared. Still, I planned to confront him when I got home, but I forgot. I forgot . . . That should’ve told me then our romance was dead as hell. Shit, I only remembered the incident last night.

“Morgin?” Cairo, my brother, frowned, finally speaking and only because his plate was clear.

“My assistant. I forgot y’all don’t really know anything about my career,” I said, accepting the seconds of meatloaf my mother offered before sucking her teeth at my comment.

“We do care, but what is there to truly inquire about, Day? You sell phone cases. I mean, it’s not a life-or-death type of thing.” My mom shrugged, handing Cairo back his replenished plate.

“You make it sound like I’m standing at the end of the freeway with a shopping cart, Ma.” I chuckled mirthlessly.

“Would probably be easier because you wouldn’t need to ship anything.” Serene tried her hand at a distasteful joke that clearly was a hit with my family who laughed.

“Anyway, I’m happy you got rid of that boy. You know, your mother’s college friend Diana has a son who is a brain surgeon and single,” my dad said as my mother nodded animatedly.

“Yes, she told me⁠—”

“No, I have a boyfriend,” I said and acted like it wasn’t shocking that I’d only been home for about two weeks yet was able to end one relationship and start another.

I hadn’t planned on mentioning Rakim yet because I knew they would be suspicious as to how I’d come up on a nigga already, but I had to say something to stop this stupid ass matchmaking session. Telling my mama I wasn’t interested wouldn’t cut it. She would be sending that man up to my warehouse with roses and a dinner reservation by tomorrow, regardless.

“Wait, I don’t get it.” My brother blinked rapidly, shaking his head. I chuckled.

“Me either. You broke up with Shaun and already have managed to get a new man? Were you cheating?” Serene inquired.

“Little bit.” I downed my wine, smirking into my glass as my family exchanged perplexed looks around the table.

“Alright. Well, what does he do? Hopefully he is a professional.” My mom attempted to hide her shocked tone.

“He is. He owns a business, actually.” I answered truthfully . . . somewhat.

Rakim did own two businesses—Godfrey Boxing Gym and Godfrey Baking Co.—but I also knew he was into less glamorous shit.

“Oh! That’s nice. When can we meet him?” My mother beamed.

“Soon, but right now I want to focus on the next few collaborations I’m dropping with Delicacies. They’re big, and we’re gonna be slammed with shipping orders and answering customer service emails.”

I was excited with what was coming, especially since I used some of the money Rakim had given me to book this one artist that was expensive but worth it.

Thinking about how supportive my man already was had me smiling. Even better, I didn’t have to worry about being away from him anymore. We didn’t even make it a week apart, and I wasn’t complaining. I just hoped he understood that I wasn’t under some haze or in a trance after being in a forced proximity situation. I truly wanted him. Badly.

Bored with me being tight lipped and my business endeavors, my sister switched the conversation to my nephew, Jeremiah, which was welcomed. I loved hearing about her kids because they were so smart. Despite our last conversation in regard to them, I loved babysitting for her. Cairo’s too, but his son was smaller and less interesting at the moment.

After dinner, I went out to sit under the cabana my parents had in their backyard. It was cold as hell out here, but the big fire pit they had going made up for it.

“Fire feels good.” Serene came and sat beside me on the outdoor sofa.

“It does.”

“So, how long have you been messing around on Shaun?” Serene asked, tipping her wineglass to gulp some down.

“Not that long.”