Chapter 17 #4
I meant every word I spoke. Keynauri was my brother from another, and all I wanted was for him to enjoy life and fulfill his dreams. He always looked out for us as youngins and never asked for shit in return, which was why looking out for Lyric back then went without asking.
There was no keeping score and payback necessary.
We were family. Hell, even more now than ever.
“I appreciate you, bro.”
“No doubt.” We dapped each other up, then got back to business. Keynauri questioned me about the situation with Bianca, but I kept it brief, letting him know it had been handled. We stayed locked in the studio until one in the morning.
When we came back upstairs, Lyric and Noodle were in the kitchen eating cereal. The moment Noodle saw me, she leaped into my arms and lay her head on my shoulder. I could tell she was tired, and I was too.
“You good?” I asked Lyric as I stepped into the kitchen. Keyz went to take a shower, but it wouldn’t have mattered to me either way. I was done pretending, whether Lyric agreed or not.
“I’m fine. I’m just tired and nauseous.”
“Is there something you can take for the nausea, or will this be an everyday thing?” I asked. I recalled her being sick with Noodle, but this time seemed more intense.
“There are a lot of new products out now that weren’t around when I was pregnant with Noodle. I just haven’t had the time to look into everything.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, sitting Noodle down on a nearby stool. I moved closer to her, and she didn’t resist.
“Yeah. Stop being an asshole,” she whined.
“I’m being an asshole because I don’t want to be away from my family? Make it make sense.” I wrapped my arms around her, then leaned down to kiss her. The kiss grew deeper as I palmed her ass in my hands while she moaned against my lips.
“Wait. We can’t. I’m pretty sure he has cameras in here,” Lyric whispered, pissing me off again.
“You clearly aren’t listening to anything coming out of my mouth.
I don’t give a fuck how many cameras or where they are.
If my daughter weren’t in here, I would pick you up and eat yo’ pussy on this counter.
You gon’ learn to stop playing with me one way or the other,” I warned.
Her body shivered, and I could tell she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
The only reason I wasn’t gonna take it there was because I refused to fuck her in her brother’s house without him knowing the truth about us.
“Daddy,” Noodle whined.
I immediately stepped back from her momma and walked over to my princess. “What’s wrong with daddy’s baby?”
Noodle whined with her arms lifted, signaling for me to pick her up. When she was tired, she often became cranky, so I knew what to expect. Picking her up, I rubbed her back and got ready to head to the guest bedroom.
“I’m about to put her to bed,” I told Lyric.
“Is she sleeping with you?”
“Yeah. You need anything before I go to bed?”
“No, I’m good.”
She wanted to say more but chose not to.
“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning. Get some rest.” I got ready to head out as Keynauri was stepping into the kitchen. His eyes darted between his sister and me before he addressed me.
“Where are you taking my niece?”
“We’re going to bed. She’s tired as hell,” I replied with no hesitation.
“Wait. She’s sleeping in bed with you?” Keynauri frowned with a confused expression.
“Yeah. Is it a problem?”
“I mean, it’s a little odd. If I were her dad, I would feel some type of way about another man sleeping in the same bed as my daughter. Hell, I would beat Tiana’s ass for even allowing some shit like that.”
Glancing over at Lyric, I saw her ass holding her breath as she watched us.
“Do you have a problem with Noodle sharing a bed with me?” I questioned her.
Her eyes grew wide, but I wasn’t worried about her answer. Lyric knew better than to play with me when it came to Symphonee.
“N-no, not at all. Hell, she spent more time on your chest than mine as a baby. Plus, my head is hurting, and I don’t feel like getting kicked in the back. I’ll see all of y’all in the morning. I’m exhausted,” Lyric replied, scurrying out of the kitchen with her scary ass.
“Aye, I wasn’t trying to insinuate anything bad, you know? I know you would never do anything to hurt my niece, but I was just coming from a father’s perspective,” Keynauri stated as I turned back around.
“I know that. It’s the reason I didn’t knock you on your ass for playing with me.
I love this little girl more than anything and would never do anything to hurt her.
She’s been my priority since the day her momma pushed her out, and you being home doesn’t change anything.
I understand you aren’t familiar with our dynamic, so I’m giving you a pass. ”
“Damn, it’s like that?” Keynauri chuckled, although I knew my words caught him off guard.
“Straight like that. We can chop it up more in the morning. Baby girl is ready for bed, and so am I.” I got ready to leave again but realized I had forgotten to address something else.
“Oh, and just to make sure we’re clear, her daddy wouldn’t have any issues with shit.”