Chapter 14
For the first time in far too long, I felt stable.
I found comfort in knowing that Jase and Jordy would do whatever it took to protect me and preserve all our integrity.
I wasn’t sure if I was ready to move in with them, but I was excited to see how things moved, going forward.
I knew that they cared enough about Cameron to make sure that things remained respectful in his presence.
I looked forward to a future with them and what that would look like.
When I spotted the city limits sign, I checked the rearview mirror just to make sure that Jase was still tailing us.
He was there in the distance, giving us space without disappearing.
I loved this dynamic. Neither of them tried to completely own me; any perceived competition was friendly.
They both respected each other’s love for me, and I respected them for that.
The past few weeks reminded me why this thing worked so well in the past. Together, they were the perfect balance.
They had both told me, in no uncertain terms, that my son, my reputation, and my peace would always be safe with them.
Throughout the night, they talked, listened, and quietly reassured me that everything would be more than OK. I trusted them.
“You’re safe, Harper,” JoJo assured me as we pulled up to my house.
This was the third time he’d told me that since I agreed to move in with him and Jase after talking to my son. I wasn’t dragging my baby around from pillar to post like a rag doll. There was still so much at stake when it came to the whole situation that I wasn’t sure which way to go.
I missed Cam already and wanted to pick him up. He’d convinced my mom to let him stay with her another night since his cousins were still there. Since it wasn’t a school night, I didn’t force the issue.
I was relieved when I finally made it in the house.
JoJo took my bag to my bedroom as I kicked off my shoes and stripped down out of some of my layers.
Once I was comfortable, I plopped down on the couch and pulled my blanket up to my neck.
Jordy settled beside me, resting his head on my shoulder as I channel surfed.
“I don’t have anything I want to watch. I really want a nap,” I told him, passing the remote control to him.
“Sounds good to me,” he said, pulling my body closer as he stretched out on the couch.
“We need to have a serious conversation when we wake up.”
“Fine. Close those big eyes and get some rest.”
I smiled and shook my head. He wrapped his arms around me as I got comfortable on his chest. It was at that moment that I realized that no matter where we were, as long as we were together, it would feel like home.
My heart nearly leaped from my chest as I woke with a start. Another series of banging brought clarity to the sound that woke me up in the first place.
“Who the hell is banging on my door like that?” I asked, sitting up, careful not to crush Jordy. Not that he was asleep. He was on his feet before I could get myself together to stand.
“I’m about to find out.”
“I got it, JoJo,” I said, walking past him and tearing the door open.
As the door swung, it swept the air out of my lungs. My ex-husband stood on the porch with his jaw clenched and his eyes bloodshot from a likely combination of alcohol and anger. My own anger bubbled so high that it took a moment for me to gather my thoughts.
“Hey, Harper. I finally bonded out, no thanks to you. Is this really how you want to leave things?”
“Why would I bond you out and with what money? Why would I do anything for you? You lied to me for months, Kendrick. I’ve been barely holding it together trying to pick up the pieces you left shattered.
You signed the papers because you knew you were dead ass wrong.
You lost access to me when you proved you couldn’t be trusted. ”
“Harper.”
“You need to leave, Kendrick.”
“You have some nerve abandoning me when you knew I needed you,” he spat.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to try to get my family back, but now I see why the fuck you fell off the face of the planet and stopped taking my calls. That’s some foul shit you pulled, Harper!”
“Aye, you’re gonna have to lower your voice,” Jordy barked.
“This is between me and my wife.”
“Ex-wife! Kendrick, I hope you didn’t come here to start shit, because I’m not with it.
Did you forget that we amicably agreed to go our separate ways?
I’m still piecing my life together because of the shit you pulled.
I’m just starting to repair my life. I don’t need you coming around, tearing it back down. ”
“I know what you’ve been up to, Harper.”
“What are you even talking about?”
“I know about you and the doctor. Now I see why you were so eager to jump ship. You had it made and yet you still couldn’t let this muthafucka go.
You couldn’t wait to run back down here to your weak ass baby daddy.
Harper, this nigga didn’t give a fuck about you when you were out here scraping and trying to raise y’all’s son on your own.
Who picked up the pieces when he left you broken?
Do you remember who took care of you? I did.
I knew you still carried a torch for Cameron’s father, and I still tried to give you everything. ”
My hearing seemed to go out as Jordy’s head whipped in my direction. I grabbed the doorframe to balance myself. Even with my head spinning a hundred miles per hour, I couldn’t help but shrink under his glare.
“What the fuck is he talking about, Harper?”
“Oh, now daddy wants to show up!” Kendrick raved.
“JoJo, I’m so sorry. I was gonna tell you, but I could never find the right time.”
“What the fuck is he talking about, Harper? This shit is not making sense. Somebody better start making this shit make sense.”
“What’s going on?” Another voice drew everyone’s attention, making us look to the street as Jase marched up the driveway.
“Kendrick, please just go!” I begged.
“You don’t have to plead with him to do shit. You heard what she said,” Jase stated as he got closer.
Jase’s appearance seemed to disarm Kendrick, which was a good thing, but I could still feel Jordy’s eyes on me. This was not the way I wanted this conversation to go. Jordy and I turned to Kendrick at the same time.
“You need to leave,” Jordy sneered.
“You think you can just come back into her life after all this time. Who do you think she’s been with while you were living your life without a care in the world? I’ve been taking care of your son while you were out here living it up, turning young girls out and having orgies and shit.”
“Again, what the hell are you talking about? Harper, you need to be talking. Is that my fucking son?”
“He’s mine,” Jase interjected, causing everyone’s head to snap in his direction.
“Jase, you don’t have to do that,” I said, holding up my hand to stop him.
“I had him tested, Harp.”
“What the fuck!” Jordy’s hands shot to his head.
“Bro, I just found out. I didn’t know if I should tell you or not. I see how you are with him, but I love him too.”
“So, wait! You was fucking both of these niggas! No wonder they didn’t want your mutt ass. Then you came to me playing that innocent role and singing a sad ass song, making me fall for you. I should have known you were just a low-down dirty slut that got caught up in your own bullshit.”
By the time Kendrick realized that JoJo was about to hit him, he was on the way down. That didn’t stop him from firing off two more.
“JoJo!” I shrieked, rushing to his side.
There was so much blood that I didn’t know if it was coming from his hand or Kendrick’s mouth.
“You been keeping this shit from me,” Jordy bellowed as he charged at Jase.
Jase held his hands up defensively. “I just found out. I didn’t know what to do with it yet.”
I thought Jordy was going to hit him, too, but instead, he pushed past him and kept moving down the driveway.
“Jordy!” I called as I raced behind him. His steps never slowed as I moved in front of him. His eyes were blazing red when they finally zeroed in on me. “Baby, wait.”
“Did you know?” Jordy asked, pointing his finger in my face.
“No.”
“I need air, Harper. Do not follow me.”
I dropped to my knees as he bypassed me like I was invisible. My worst nightmare had come to fruition. I buried my face in my hands but was quickly snatched up to my feet. Jase wrapped his arms around me and kissed my temple.
“Y’all running a damn circus,” Kendrick muttered.
Jase turned to him so fast that I didn’t have time to react. “If you don’t get the fuck off her property, I’m going to remind you why you could never beat a south paw.”
Kendrick didn’t bother to protest as he continued to curse under his breath on the way to his car. Once his car barreled down the street, Jase walked me inside. He sat down on the couch before pulling me into his lap. I buried my face in his chest and let the tears slide down my face.
“What am I going to do, Jase?”
“Give him space, baby. We didn’t speak for a month when you left him, and I’ve been with him since conception. He’ll come around.”
“I never wanted to hurt him like this. I never wanted to hurt either of you. You gotta know that.”
“I do know, baby.”