Chapter 5
G
irl, get your ass off that live!” Courtney snapped.
“Okay, y’all, I’ve got to go because my girls are waiting for me, but it’s not too late to come support this amazing event.
If you can’t make it or want to support from afar, don’t forget to hit that Cash App.
The money will go to a great cause. Love y’all, byeeee.
” Shy signed off the live and put her phone in her bag.
“Okay, bitch, now catch up, you two shots down,” Ellie said. “Your ass, too,” she added as Sloan walked up.
Courtney laughed as Sloan and Shy took their shots like champs.
“This feels so good. It’s been so long since we’ve all been together. So, today was charity; what’s tomorrow’s Friendsmas activity?” she asked.
“We’re going to pick out and chop down Christmas trees tomorrow,” Shy informed.
“Oh, the girls would have loved that, but they’re going to be with their dad. Cairo is picking them up from here,” Ellie whined.
“That’s okay, girl. Bring Papa if you want. Invite Cass. Bring the baby and James. Like, it’s a family thing,” Shy informed. “I’m going to bring my assistant, Lola. She’s great with kids. She can even watch the baby if you ever need her to, Court,” Shy offered.
“Thanks, Shy, but he’s still so young, and I don’t know her like that,” Courtney stated.
“Well, Brooklyn can watch him for a few hours whenever you need her to. She loves babies, and she’s good with them. She can do it right at your house so you’re comfortable,” Ellie volunteered.
“Yeah, that sounds like a better option, honestly. If I need her, I’ll let you know,” Courtney said.
“Don’t hesitate,” Ellie added. “Even if you just need a break or need a nap or an extra set of hands while we’re in town. It’s no big deal. We’re here to help.” Ellie’s phone rang, and she rolled her eyes when Cairo’s name popped onto the screen.
“Cairo is here for the girls. I’ll be right back,” Ellie said as she slid out of the booth.
He met her at the door, and Ellie’s feet stopped moving when she saw his girlfriend enter behind him. The disrespect it took to bring her inside was astounding.
“Where’s Brook? I told her to be waiting out front for me,” Cairo stated.
“Hello to you too, Cai,” Ellie spoke. “How dare you bring her in here. And the bitch don’t got no manners. She can’t speak?”
“This is why I didn’t want to agree to do this because you can’t handle it,” Cairo stated.
“I can’t handle it? I’ve sent you divorce papers how many times? I’m not the one dragging my feet on making this official. That’s you. You can’t trap me into staying married and then flaunt this bitch at the same time,” Ellie hissed.
“I’m just here for my daughter,” Cairo stated.
“Daughter?” Ellie questioned.
“Yes, I’m only taking Brook. She’s my blood. I don’t owe the rest of y’all nothing,” Cairo stated.
“Over my dead fucking body,” Ellie whispered harshly. Their body language spoke volumes, and Cairo towered over Ellie’s small frame menacingly. It felt too much like a threat, and the tension in the air had the entire building on edge. Loyal came to her side.
“You good over here?” Loyal asked, stepping in between them, staring Cairo down with intention. If looks could kill.
“Who the fuck is this?” Cairo asked, elevating his voice.
“I’ma be a problem if you don’t lower your voice in this bitch,” Loyal said calmly, flicking the tip of his nose in annoyance while clasping both hands in front of his body.
He covered Ellie with his stature. The message was clear.
Cairo would have to go through Loyal to get to her.
Ellie didn’t know if Loyal was making things better or worse, but she couldn’t deny that she felt protected.
“I’m fine,” Ellie whispered to Loyal as she grabbed his elbow.
“I know you’re fine because nobody’s calling the play but you tonight,” Loyal said as he burned a hole through Cairo.
“I promise, I’m fine, Loyal.” Ellie wished that were true, but she couldn’t hide how hurt she was.
Her voice shook, and Loyal saw her eyes prickling with raw emotion.
Truth was, she was grateful for Loyal’s presence.
It gave her the courage to stand up to Cairo.
It was something she hadn’t done since he had abandoned her.
“You will not treat our daughter like she’s less than. We adopted her together, Cai! We chose her! You cannot take Brooklyn and leave Tessa behind. She’s not trash! You can’t just throw her away!”
“Enough of the dramatics, Ellie. You wanted that baby,” Cairo said.
“You asked me for another baby, Cai!” Ellie hissed in exasperation.
“And you couldn’t give me one! You had to go and find some substitute because you couldn’t do your fucking job! I wanted you to have my child. I wanted my blood to flow through their veins. Not some mutt you brought in off the streets from some junkie.”
The slap that came next echoed through the building, and Ellie swung with so much might that she busted the inside of his lip. He lunged for her, but Loyal met Cairo with a discreet burner to his midsection, pulling Cairo in by the back of the neck.
“I don’t want to leave you leaking out here in front of your daughters, my nigga, but that’s gon’ be they last memory if you take another step,” Loyal whispered.
“Daddy!” Tessa’s voice broke through the entire building as she entered the room and spotted Cairo.
“Alright, alright,” Cairo mumbled, lifting his hands, conceding as he took a slow step back. Loyal holstered his gun and stepped back so that Ellie’s daughters could greet their father.
“Dad!” Brooklyn joined the excitement and rushed to hug him.
“Please,” Ellie pleaded through gritted teeth. Ellie couldn’t believe Cairo would play so dirty. She didn’t expect much from him regarding her, but to purposefully hurt a child, their child, was a new low for him. It was a cruelty she didn’t even know he was capable of.
“Are we going with Daddy?” Tessa asked.
“Ma?” Brooklyn asked, frowning as she finally picked up on the awkward energy in the room. “Daddy, we’re coming with you, right?”
Ellie held her breath as she waited for Cairo to make his next move, but before he could, Loyal spoke.
“There’s been a change of plans. You guys aren’t going tonight.
I surprised your mom with floor seats for everyone to the Pistons game tonight.
So, your dad is going to have to come back for you in the morning. Ain’t that right, my guy?”
Cairo looked down at Tessa and then over to Brooklyn, and he nodded.
“Yeah, I’m going to let you go to the game with your mom tonight. I’ll call, and we’ll try again tomorrow,” Cairo stated. “Let’s go,” he said to his girlfriend.
“Come on, baby,” Ellie said, pulling Tessa away from Cairo. “Let’s find your uncle and say bye so we can head to the game. Brook, take Tessa and go tell Uncle Cass bye.”
“But, Ma, I was going to walk Dad out,” Brooklyn protested.
“Brooklyn, do what I said,” Ellie said sternly.
“This isn’t fair, though! We always get to see you! We never get to see Daddy!” Brooklyn protested.
Ellie felt like she couldn’t win. She was fighting Cairo and now Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn! Just listen sometimes! Take your sister and find Uncle Cass, now!” Ellie shouted. Her tone was harsh, but it had nothing to do with Brooklyn. It was hatred and frustration boiled over from Cairo. She was a mother trying to shield her cubs, and Brooklyn’s protests were making it harder.
Brooklyn sucked her teeth and stormed by Ellie. “I hate you,” Brooklyn mumbled. Ellie closed her eyes, and tears fell down her cheeks.
“Don’t do this here,” Loyal said, stepping in front of her so she could hide her face in his chest. Loyal nodded to one of his men in the room. “Clear everybody out. Party’s over.”
“I’ll be back for Brooklyn tomorrow,” Cairo said. “It’ll be easier for everybody if Tess wasn’t there.”
“You’re a fucking coward, Cairo, and I’m disgusted that I ever married you,” Ellie shouted after him.
“Look at me,” Loyal commanded. Ellie lifted teary eyes to his. “That nigga ain’t worth your energy.” He cupped her face and cleared her tears with his thumbs.
“I’m a mess,” she countered.
“You’re gorgeous,” Loyal said. It was the way he said it that made her open her eyes.
His stare was so intense. Nothing about his touch felt new.
Nothing about his protection felt foreign.
It was like he had known her for years, and it hadn’t even been hours.
She could see herself fucking, and fussing, and fighting with this man for years to come.
She frowned as he cleared more tears.
“People are watching, Loyal,” Ellie whispered.
“Let them,” Loyal replied.
“Your girlfriend,” Ellie protested.
“Doesn’t matter,” Loyal stated. He said it so plainly like her concern was invalid.
She hadn’t come home for this. She couldn’t afford more messy situations in her life.
“I can’t handle anything else that’s complicated, and you are giving off nothing but red flags.”
Loyal’s sigh revealed his frustration with her.
“Just come to the game with me and my people. Your girls are in for enough disappointment with their father. At least let me be a man of my word. I’ll show y’all a good time and get you back home safe. You can even bring your friends if you like. After tonight, we can leave it where it is. Okay?”
Ellie knew she couldn’t renege on the game. If she did, her daughters would force the issue of going with Cairo tonight.
“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed.
“I’ma have a talk with Cairo tomorrow, E. I’ll hurt that nigga over you,” Cassidy said as he sat in the booth across from his sister.
“Hey,” Sloan said, jarring his attention. Sloan sat next to Ellie, consoling her, but her eyes were on Cassidy. He stared at Sloan. “No,” she said simply.
“You expect me to sit back while he treats my sister and nieces like shit?” Cassidy asked. “I will lay a nigga to rest so easily over them. Without thinking twice. Like it’s a part of my everyday routine.”