19. Makari #2
"Girl, don't worry about these bitter bitches. You lose them how you gain them. Y'all was fucking and sucking on somebody else's men. That's why you stay stressed about them cheating." Shiya cut her eyes at both of them.
"That part," Zina said. "Now can we eat?"
I guess that was enough to shut them both down because they stopped coming for me and the rest of the brunch was pretty chill.
Regardless, I knew I wouldn't be dealing with Layla or Sabrina because I had no time to be disrupting my energy with hating ass hoes.
The most either of them could get from me was hi and bye but I was mature enough to exist in the same space as long as they understood not to try me.
After the morning I had, being at home comfy on the sofa while Avi moved around babbling and exploring the living room felt like peace.
The sound of her little voice was soothing as I typed out posts for a few of my clients.
I was starting to realize more and more that the simple things in life meant the most. I chilled for most of the afternoon, and by the time Omiri came in from training, I was still stretched out on the sofa, only having moved to occasionally deal with Avi.
"What's up, baby mama." I threw my head back against the sofa, looking behind me when Omiri entered the living room. He looked exhausted but that had been the norm since they started their full practices and shifted into mini-camp.
"You look like you need a nap." I closed my laptop and set it on the floor when he leaned over me, delivered a kiss, then rounded the sofa, lifted my legs, and settled beside me.
Once he was situated, he pulled me into his lap and I shifted so my back was against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my neck.
"This is what I need. Practice is kicking my ass. These damn rookies are making shit harder than it needs to be."
"If you stop punching them, it might not be so bad."
He told me about his situation with McClain and I felt bad for him but knew better than to get in the middle of it.
"I only hit one and he better have learned his lesson and stopped grinning in your damn face or I'm going to punch his ass again."
"Leave that child…"
"Bruh, I told you about defending another man to me." I grinned and pushed my head back to smile at him.
"The fuck you grinning for."
"Because you're being unreasonable."
"She been cool today?" Avi was moving around the living room crashing into stuff.
"Yep, perfect as always. I'm never having another baby. I know they'll be the devil incarnate because Avi is such a good baby."
"We're having more," he mumbled, sounding half asleep.
"Yeah no and you need to eat something and get some rest. You sound terrible."
"Later, I'm good right here. I'm gonna take all your energy and recharge." He hugged me tighter and kissed my neck, making me smile. "How was your day?"
"Interesting."
"Word, what did you do?"
"Brunch with the NFL Barbies."
I turned my head and he pulled his back, smiling. "Why you coming for those women like that?"
I was damn sure being sarcastic about calling them fake ass women Barbies…
"I'm not but they damn sure came for me. Zina and Shiya were chill but Sabrina and Layla not so much."
He snorted. "Don't stress them hoes. They're not wives or girlfriends. Just jumpoffs."
"I can tell. They had a lot of opinions."
"The fuck they say to you." His voice was rough and laced with annoyance. I felt him shifting into protective mode.
"They gave me all their insight on how to keep you faithful with all the opportunities you'll have during the season."
"Them hoes don't know a damn thing about me. I hope you didn't buy into that bullshit."
"No, I didn't, because I know they're miserable and trying to make everyone else be just as miserable. It wasn't a big deal though. Shiya and Zina shut them down."
He dropped his head back on the sofa and studied my face. "You good?"
"Yes, I'm fine. We have a deal about what we're doing so I'm going to trust that you keep your word."
"You don't have to worry about that. What else did they say?"
"That's pretty much it. They were very concerned with you being faithful and schooling me on how to travel during the season to keep you from cheating."
"The fuck? Yeah, you're good on them."
"You don't want me to be put on game." I grinned and he grunted his sarcasm.
"The only game you need to be on is me on that field because that bullshit they're on is not your life. We're good over here."
My phone vibrated and I dug it from between the cushions and glanced at the screen, noticing the text saying ten minutes out.
"Shit, we have to get ready."
"Ready for what?" Omiri frowned like he wanted to curse me out.
"The woman we're interviewing for Avi is on her way. Did you forget?"
He groaned then smiled. "Yeah, I did but so did you. When is she coming?"
"Ten minutes."
"Mannn…."
"You said you wanted to meet her."
"Yeah I do." He tightened his arms around me and pushed his face into the curve of my neck once more. He kissed me then tapped my thigh. "Let me hit this bathroom real quick."
I lifted and let him up, and by the time he was back, Janice was at the front door. He let her in and escorted her to the living room. We all got situated and Omiri went in with the questions after we did formal introductions.
Janice seemed sweet just from first glance. She instantly acknowledged Avi the minute she was in the room and my baby came right to her. That was a good start. "She's precious. Has dad's eyes, I see."
"Yeah, she's pretty much all me and Kari hates that shit." He smiled smugly, cutting those mixed orbs my way. "We have all of your information so can you tell me why you think this is a good fit for you."
"I've been doing this for over twenty plus years."
"You're forty-eight, right?"
"Yes, I started with a family right out of college and they paid well enough for me to live a good life.
I love kids but enjoy them more from a part-time perspective.
I never wanted any of my own. I stayed with the first family for ten years but they moved abroad.
I was presented with a very nice offer to go but I decided being in The States was best for me.
I've been rotating families over the past ten years, not wanting anything long-term. "
"But you do now? My next contract is four years. It's possible I may extend that and we don't want to keep rotating people in and out of Avi's life," Omiri said and she nodded.
"If this is a good fit, I can commit to four years, and if you extend your contract, I'm willing to stay on."
"You're CPR certified, correct?" I asked.
"Yes, all of my certifications are up to date."
"And what about dealing with families like ours? The first priority is having someone with Avi we can trust but also someone who understands discretion."
"I've worked for plenty of families who are public figures. Recently two athletes and one high profile artist. All of which had young children and were concerned about their privacy and safety. There was never an issue. I sent you their references. Please feel free to reach out."
"Thank you." I nodded. "And your stance on discipline?"
"I follow your lead and reinforce your practices. My goal is to work with what's established, and if there needs to be adjustments, I discuss them with you. My job is to support you and the structure you implement."
"And you're willing to travel with Avi and Kari?"
"Yes, my schedule is wide open."
Avi moved across the room and her walker landed against the sofa next to Janice. I watched my baby to see what she would do and she frowned for a minute then smiled big and held her arms up.
"May I?"
"Yes, please." Janice carefully lifted Avi and sat her on her lap.
"Hey, beautiful girl. Your parents are thinking about letting you hang out with me. What do you think?"
Avi smiled and clapped, making me laugh.
"She doesn't deal with people like that. She's cool to be around you but she will usually keep her distance. Looks like this might work," Omiri said, watching Avi smiling and interacting with Janice.
"Look at that beautiful smile. I think you might be trouble, Ms. Avianna. My heart can't take it." Janice spoke sweetly to our baby who ate it up.
"I think that's all for now. We're going to talk this over and give you a call. You're free to start immediately, correct?"
I stood and she did too. Omiri walked over and took Avi from her. She fell right into his arms and dropped her head on his shoulder.
"Definitely a daddy's girl," Janice said, watching the two of them before she turned to me. "Yes, I'm available right away."
"Perfect. Thank you for coming." I extended a hand and she shook it before Omiri did the same. I almost laughed when Avi stuck her little hand out too. Janice grabbed it and kissed her little fingers.
"Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon, Ms. Avi."
My baby grinned and turned her face into her father's chest.
We both walked her out then headed to the kitchen so I could get Avi some dinner.
"I like her."
"Yeah, she seems straight, and Avi fucks with her."
"I think I'm going to text her tonight to see if she can be here in the morning. I have a pretty busy day. She can do a week trial and see how it goes. Then if she works out, we can take her with us to Turks." I moved Avi's high chair near the table and unhooked the tray.
He smirked, sitting Avi in the seat and buckling her in. "Now when I said that shit, you were tripping on some, nobody is watching my baby. We're going to have a family vacation."
I had but that was because I didn't think we could find anybody I liked enough to trust my baby too.
"If she works, I'm about to be cheeks out."
"No the fuck you are not. You heard me say other niggas gonna be there."
I rolled my eyes and snapped the tray back in place and Avi started slapping her hands on it.
Greedy ass..
"So what am I supposed to wear?"
Omiri towered over me and dropped his chin at the same time his hands landed on my ass and he yanked my body to his.
"Not a damn thing ’cause I'm ’bout to be in them guts from when we touch down until we catch that flight home."
"If you really think I'm about to spend four days in Turks stuck in a room, then you might as well leave me home. Because no. I'm trying to be relaxed on the beach."
"My dick is going to be your relaxation."
"Avi, get your crazy ass daddy."
He chuckled and stepped back. "Avi, tell your delusional ass mother I'mma have her ass in the air the entire time we’re there."
My baby frowned and me and Omiri looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"See, she said not no but hell no. Now please order me something while I heat up your bland ass boring food."
"Watch me tell Chef Colby you talking shit."
He dug his phone out of his pocket, swiped the screen, and scrolled for a minute before tapping it. A few minutes later he dropped it back in his pocket and kissed my cheek. "Phat Fish is on the way. I'm about to start this game film, let me know when my food is ready."
"I'll bring it to you."
"Aight."
I smiled, watching him leave the kitchen because he didn't even have to ask what I wanted. Always the little things. People could assume or say what they wanted about us or our lives. I really didn’t care.
Who Omiri was before me and who he was with me was the difference in the right person inspiring you to be the best version of yourself.
I was his person. He wasn’t perfect, but he was doing the work, and that was enough.