10. Omiri #3
"We had sex less than twenty-four hours ago. I absolutely want you to lie."
I grinned and stepped in front of her when we stopped in front of the cushioned area that housed swings and a massive play area for toddlers.
I wanted a place where we could chill and not have to worry about being seen and this was the first place that came to mind. Which was another fucking problem.
"That was just sex though, right?" I asked, knowing it wasn't, but Makari's stubborn ass was going to act like she wasn't feeling me the same way I was feeling her. "Because if it's not, let me know what's up. You seem real pressed about my past for somebody who doesn’t really fuck with me."
"I'm not pressed about your past, I'm conscious about mine and Avi's future. If you recall, you made it very clear that we weren't entertaining other people unless it's cleared first."
I walked Avi to the padded infant swings and placed her in one. "Nah, you have problems processing shit. I said you weren't going to be entertaining anyone. That rule doesn't apply to me."
She narrowed her eyes then stepped in front of me. "I hope like hell you're still partially drunk or high from last night and that's why you're talking crazy. Because what you can do, I can do, so if I'm not allowed to entertain anyone then neither are you."
"The only person you'll be entertaining is our daughter."
And me…
Especially after last night with me being in that pussy again. There was no way in hell I was letting her hop on anybody's dick but mine.
"Then I guess that means we're both focused on raising our daughter."
She smiled smugly and tilted her head back. "There's a heater up there."
"Yeah and the mats are heated and them shits are heaters too." I pointed to the colorful squares surrounding the area we were in. The details about the park were on their site when I looked it up.
"This is very privileged living." Makari shook her head and laughed before turning to Avi and gently pushing her swing.
Each time she went back Avi squealed and when she came forward she opened her hands in grabbing motions, reaching for her mother.
"What do you think, Avi? You like this bougie ass lifestyle your daddy is giving you?
I think we could get used to this. Ask your daddy if he'll buy us a house out here so Mommy can bring you to this park. "
"Why the hell would I buy you a house when I have one?"
"Because you have one, we don't."
"You know how much these shits cost?"
"Nope, but I know whatever that number is, you can afford it."
I could…
"Stop counting my fucking pockets," I teased, then added, "But the point is, I already own a property out here, there's no need to give these damn people any more of my money."
"There is unless you want me and Avi living with you."
"If that means I don't have to come out of my pocket, then I can live with that."
She turned to me and rolled her eyes and I chuckled, removing my phone. It had been blowing up since I turned it back on vibrate after we left the theatre.
I moved past all the texts and opened the thread from Ryland.
Land: Yo, where the fuck you at? Been calling you since last night.
As much as I hated people hovering, I respected and appreciated that he was a good friend and wouldn't let me fall too far, no matter how much reckless shit I tried to do. Ryland was solid and that was rare. Especially in our world.
Me: At the park with the fam.
Land: I'm not even going to try to decipher that shit but as long as you're good I'm gonna fall back. Kiss my godbaby.
Me: Bruh, she isn’t your anything. Calm the fuck down with that.
Land: I'm gonna be her daddy and your girl’s too when she gets tired of your moody, overbearing ass.
I knew he was joking but the comment had my jaw tight.
Me: Raaj is good as hell at his job. I bet I could catch a body and walk with that shit. Don't fucking play.
Land: Aw hell, your ass is in love. I'mma chill.
Me: Nigga fuck you.
I locked my phone, laughing until my agent's name showed up on my screen. I decided to get this over with.
"Yeah…"
"Where the fuck you at?"
I stilled, glancing toward where Makari was with Avi, noticing she was looking right at me. I turned my back and moved further away so she wouldn't have to hear me go the fuck off. She was already questioning my moves after last night, but this muthafucker must have lost his mind.
He was pissed for sure because we had three deals to close out then he would be cut from my payroll. But talking to me like he didn't know who I was definitely was gonna have him in a bad position.
"I'm gonna give you ten seconds to adjust your fucking tone and try that again."
Tony was quiet for a minute before he did exactly what I knew he would. Found his gotdamn mind because surely he lost that muthafucker talking to me like that.
"You were supposed to be in Charlotte yesterday to meet with Kameron’s people about the shoe deal. They're pissed and asking questions about whether or not you're a good fit. I'm running out of excuses."
I lifted my eyes when I noticed Makari in my periphery. She was frowning and holding Avi in her arms.
"I don't need you making excuses, just tell them I had some personal stuff that came up."
"Do you know how much this deal is worth? We…"
" We isn't a part of the conversation. This is about me, my choice, my money, my brand. If you would check your fucking email, you would clearly see that I requested to reschedule."
"You don't reschedule this type of money…"
Okay, now I saw what the issue was. He wanted to cash out so he didn't do what I asked.
"Tell them whatever the hell you want. Like I said, I have some personal shit I'm dealing with."
"What kind of personal stuff, Omiri? This is a multimillion dollar contract we're talking about."
"Why the hell you keep talking money when you know I don't give a damn about that? I'm handling some family business, that's all I'm gonna say about it. Now do what the fuck I asked and reschedule."
"Family business? You don't have a family. Your mother hasn't talked to you in years and your father only shows up to collect a check. Your brother is…"
Dead…
At least he was smart enough to cut that shit off but he had already gone too far.
"I'll see you next week."
I ended the call and powered it off, shoving it in my pocket. "She good?"
"She's asleep."
"Aight, let's go." I turned to walk away and Makari grabbed my arm.
"What was that?"
"Business." I glared and she scowled back.
"No, we're not doing that. Whatever that call was about clearly pissed you off.
I'll accept whatever emotions you have, Omiri, but I won't accept you giving me your ass to kiss because someone else ruined your day.
" We remained in a stare down for a few more moments before I stepped to her, kissed her cheek, and reached for Avi.
She turned away and I issued a warning glare.
"Give me my damn daughter and we can talk about this in the car."
She did as I asked. After we had Avi secured in her car seat, I leaned back and turned my head to Makari. She was pretty as hell, even sitting there scowling at me and huffing and puffing because I yelled at her, which had me grinning.
"Stop smiling and tell me what that call was about."
I chuckled and reached across the seat, brushing a finger over her jaw. "I was supposed to be in North Carolina two days ago."
I could see the exact moment it registered why I wasn't there. "For what?"
"Meeting about a new contract with Kameron Tyler. She has a shoe she wants me to be the brand ambassador for.”
"Sounds important."
"It is."
"How important?"
"Important enough that I probably fucked myself by not showing up."
She was quiet for a while. Too damn long, which made me anxious.
I wanted to know where her head was at and more importantly what she was thinking about me.
She could easily use all this to say I was unstable and unfit to be in Avi's life.
She never wanted me in their lives in the first place, and no matter how cool I assumed things were, that didn't mean she wouldn't switch up on me.
"You don't have shit to say about that?"
"I have a lot to say but I'm not sure if you want to hear any of it."
I snorted and mumbled, "Probably not coming from your judgmental ass."
She narrowed her eyes and I smiled. "Run that shit. I know it's about to drive you crazy needing to get it off your chest."
Her pretty ass smiled cockily but then her mood softened. "You didn't go because you were dealing with the stuff with your brother."
I nodded. "Yeah, I was supposed to fly out two days ago.
I don't want you thinking I was lying about being out of town. I know you’ve probably been wanting to ask me that too.
I really did have meetings set up but there was no fucking way I could be there and work my way through talking about putting my face on shoe ads and shit when the reason I'm even able to do that is not here with me anymore.
The thought of sitting in that room with them people pretending I gave a damn just didn't feel right. "
"So you're playing because this is what he wanted for you?"
"Nah…" I laughed dryly. "I'm playing because I was good at it and from the minute Rion was born I felt like I had to work for something that should have naturally belonged to me."
She frowned and reached for my hand. "Come here."
"No…" She glanced in the back then back at me. "I'm not trying to fuck, Kari. I just want you close. If I'm gonna bitch up and tell you all my emotional shit, the least you could do is come put that pussy on me for a minute."
She blushed hard and I chuckled. "Man, bring your ass. I just need a hug. Damn. I told you I'm not tryin' to fuck."